Several major U.S. banks will open an account without a Social Security Number. Wells Fargo, Chase, Bank of America, and Citibank all accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), and most will also accept a foreign passport or other government-issued photo ID for applicants who have no U.S. taxpayer number at all. Many credit unions do the same, and digital platforms such as Revolut and Majority handle the process entirely through a mobile app. Federal law requires banks to verify who you are before opening an account; it does not require that verification to come from an SSN.1eCFR. 31 CFR 1020.220 – Customer Identification Program Requirements for Banks
What You Can Use Instead of an SSN
The federal Customer Identification Program rule at 31 CFR 1020.220 lists the identification numbers a bank may accept from a non-U.S. person: a taxpayer identification number, a passport number with the country of issuance, an alien identification card number, or the number from any other government-issued document that shows nationality or residence and includes a photograph.1eCFR. 31 CFR 1020.220 – Customer Identification Program Requirements for Banks For U.S. persons the rule requires a taxpayer identification number, which can be either an SSN or an ITIN.
In practice, the most common SSN substitute is an ITIN. The IRS issues ITINs to people who have a federal tax obligation but are not eligible for an SSN, and the number is nine digits formatted the same way as an SSN, so banks can plug it straight into the same application field.2Internal Revenue Service. Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) If you do not have an ITIN either, a foreign passport is the next best option and is explicitly named in the regulation. A matricula consular card issued by a foreign consulate is accepted at many institutions, though policies on consular IDs vary more than they do for passports. Some banks will also take a foreign driver’s license or a U.S. Employment Authorization Card as a secondary form of identification.
Major Banks That Open Accounts Without an SSN
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo accepts an ITIN in place of an SSN for its Everyday Checking account, both online and at branches. Applicants without any U.S.-issued taxpayer number can still open an account by presenting a government-issued ID that shows nationality or residence, such as a passport.3Wells Fargo. What You’ll Need to Open an Everyday Checking Account
Chase
Chase allows international students and non-permanent residents to open checking accounts without an SSN. The bank accepts passports and matricula consular cards as primary identification and does not require a U.S. phone number.4Chase. Opening a Bank Account as an International Student Plan to visit a branch with your original documents; Chase generally will not accept screenshots or photocopies.
Bank of America
Bank of America offers international student accounts and accepts a Foreign Tax Identification Number issued by your home country. If you have been issued a U.S. ITIN, the bank will ask for it, but it is not required if none has been issued to you.5Bank of America. How to Open a Bank Account as an International Student
Citibank
Citibank accepts ITINs. Non-resident aliens who lack both an SSN and an ITIN must provide two different forms of government-issued identification.6Citi. Opening a Business Bank Account: What to Bring
Document requirements at any of these banks can shift, so calling the branch before you go can save a wasted trip.
Credit Unions
Many credit unions run dedicated ITIN programs and tend to be more flexible than large national banks. Because credit unions are member-owned nonprofits rather than shareholder-driven corporations, they are often more willing to work with applicants whose documentation falls outside the standard mold. Some also offer lower loan rates to ITIN holders who would otherwise face predatory pricing at larger institutions.
The tradeoff is that policies vary widely. There is no single nationwide list of credit unions accepting ITINs, so you will need to call your local credit union and ask. Community development credit unions and those in areas with large immigrant populations are the most likely to have established ITIN programs.
Digital and Mobile Options
Revolut is one of the few U.S. account providers that requires neither an SSN nor an ITIN. The platform accepts students, visitors, and temporary workers, and the entire process runs through its mobile app.7Revolut. How to Open a Revolut Account in the US as a Foreign Student
Majority, a membership-based financial app, accepts ITINs during registration. If you have neither an SSN nor an ITIN, you can still sign up by selecting the “I do not have one” option and verifying your identity with alternative documents like a passport or consular card.8Majority. Why Do I Need to Provide My SSN or ITIN When Signing Up Majority charges a $5.99 monthly membership fee, which covers a Visa debit card, money transfers, and other services. Banking services are provided through Axiom Bank, N.A., which is FDIC-insured.
One limit to know before you rely on a digital account: peer-to-peer services like Zelle require a U.S. bank account and a U.S. mobile phone number or email. Some neobank accounts may not integrate with Zelle at all, so confirm before assuming you will have every feature a traditional account offers.
What to Bring When You Apply
Whichever bank you choose, plan to provide four things: your full legal name, date of birth, a U.S. street address, and an identification number (ITIN, passport number, or other accepted alternative).1eCFR. 31 CFR 1020.220 – Customer Identification Program Requirements for Banks
For proof of address, bring a current utility bill, a signed lease agreement, or a piece of mail from a government agency. The address on that document should match what you write on the application; mismatches are the most common reason applications get flagged for extra review. For identity, bring your original ITIN assignment letter from the IRS or an unexpired foreign passport. Most banks will not accept photocopies or digital images for in-person verification.4Chase. Opening a Bank Account as an International Student
When filling out the application, enter your ITIN directly in the field labeled for a Social Security Number. Some forms include a checkbox indicating you are using an ITIN. Most banks also require an initial deposit, typically between $25 and $100 depending on the account type.9Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Checklist for Opening a Bank or Credit Union Account Bring that in cash or as a money order if you do not already have a U.S. account to transfer from.
How to Get an ITIN If You Need One
If you plan to use an ITIN for banking and do not yet have one, apply through the IRS on Form W-7. The application generally must be submitted alongside a completed federal income tax return (Form 1040 or 1040-NR), though certain exceptions to the filing requirement exist.10Internal Revenue Service. How to Apply for an ITIN You will also need a document proving both your foreign status and your identity, such as a passport.
You can mail the application to the IRS ITIN Operation in Austin, Texas, or apply in person at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center, a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site, or through a Certifying Acceptance Agent. Applying in person has a practical advantage: the IRS can authenticate your original documents and return them to you the same day, rather than holding them for weeks.10Internal Revenue Service. How to Apply for an ITIN
Processing typically takes about seven weeks. During tax season (January 15 through April 30) or if you apply from overseas, expect nine to eleven weeks.10Internal Revenue Service. How to Apply for an ITIN Apply well before you need the number. Waiting until you are already at a bank is too late.
An ITIN expires if you do not use it on a federal income tax return at least once in any three consecutive tax years.11Internal Revenue Service. Topic No. 857, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) An expired ITIN does not automatically close your bank account, but it can trigger backup withholding on interest and cause problems when the bank needs to verify your tax identification.
Your Deposits Are Still Insured
The FDIC insures deposits at member banks up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution, regardless of citizenship or residency status. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen or resident to have your deposits insured.12FDIC. Your Insured Deposits Credit unions have equivalent coverage through the National Credit Union Administration’s Share Insurance Fund.
Deposit insurance applies to checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit. It does not cover non-deposit products like money transfers, investments, or prepaid card balances held outside of a deposit account. If you use a fintech app that partners with a bank, confirm that your funds are held in an FDIC-insured account rather than in a pooled non-deposit product.
Tax Reporting on an ITIN-Based Account
Opening a bank account with an ITIN creates the same tax reporting obligations as an SSN-based account. If your account earns $10 or more in interest during the year, the bank will file a Form 1099-INT with the IRS and send you a copy by January 31.13Internal Revenue Service. Publication 1099 General Instructions for Certain Information Returns Your ITIN serves as your taxpayer identification number on that form.
If you fail to provide a valid taxpayer identification number to your bank, the bank is required to withhold 24% of any reportable interest payments and send that money to the IRS. This is called backup withholding, and getting the money back means filing a tax return and claiming a refund.14Internal Revenue Service. Publication 15 (2026), (Circular E), Employer’s Tax Guide Providing your ITIN upfront avoids this entirely.
Non-resident aliens who are not U.S. tax residents follow a different process. Instead of a W-9, you would submit Form W-8BEN to the bank to establish your foreign status and, if applicable, claim a reduced withholding rate under a tax treaty between the U.S. and your home country. Without the W-8BEN, the bank may withhold at the default 30% foreign-person rate.15Internal Revenue Service. Instructions for Form W-8BEN