A US bank account makes international income genuinely easier to manage. It gives you a USD account with ACH routing details that most freelance platforms, payroll systems, and international clients can pay directly , without conversion fees at the point of receipt. The challenge for non-residents is that the major US banks were built for people who live in the United States, and their account-opening processes reflect that.
This guide covers the exact requirements for Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America in 2026 , what each bank actually needs from you, where each falls short for non-residents who do not have a US address, and a practical alternative for those who cannot meet those requirements.
At a glance: which bank suits which situation
| Bank |
In-person required? |
US address required? |
SSN required? |
| Chase |
Sometimes , depends on documentation |
Yes , must show proof |
No , foreign TIN accepted in some cases |
| Wells Fargo |
Yes , always |
Yes , US proof of address required |
No , foreign TIN may suffice |
| Bank of America |
Yes , always |
Yes , both US and foreign address required |
No , FTIN accepted |
| Grey |
No , fully online |
No , no US address needed |
No , not required |
Also read: How to open Pounds account as a non-UK resident
The US address requirement is the most significant barrier for most non-residents. All three major banks require proof of a US physical address. If you do not have one, your options at these banks are limited regardless of how complete your other documentation is.
Chase Bank
Chase is the largest bank in the United States by assets and has the widest branch network. Non-US residents are generally eligible to open a Chase account, and in some cases it is possible to do this online , but only if you have US-issued documentation to verify your address and identity. If your address and identification are foreign, you will need to visit a branch in person.
Eligibility
Chase accepts non-residents who have a valid US residential address. People who split their year between the US and another country and have a US property are typically the strongest candidates. Non-residents with no US address will find the process difficult , Chase's online application requires a US address field that cannot be left blank with a foreign address.
Required documents
- A valid passport with photo , this is the primary form of identification.
- Proof of US residential address , a utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement in your name at a US address. This is where most non-residents without US property are stopped.
- A tax identification number , Chase typically requires a US TIN (Social Security Number or ITIN), though in some cases a foreign tax ID number may be accepted. Confirm with your branch before visiting.
Account types available
Chase offers checking and savings accounts for non-residents. A basic checking account is the most accessible starting point, giving you ACH routing details, a debit card, and access to Chase's online banking and mobile app. The Chase Total Checking account is the standard entry-level option. It carries a $12 monthly service fee, waivable if you receive at least $500 in direct deposits per month, maintain a $1,500 daily balance, or hold an average beginning day balance of $5,000 across linked Chase accounts. For a non-resident without US direct deposit set up, the $12 fee will apply until you meet one of these conditions.
What to know before you go
If you need to visit a branch, call ahead to confirm the branch handles non-resident account openings , not all branches are equally familiar with the process. Bring all documentation in the original, not photocopied. If your primary language is not English, Chase has interpretation services available in branch.
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo requires an in-person visit to a US branch for all non-resident account openings , there is no online route. This makes it the most demanding of the three banks in terms of logistics, but the documentation requirements are broadly similar.
Eligibility
Non-residents can open a Wells Fargo account but must do so in person at a US branch. Wells Fargo representatives will guide you through the specific requirements at your appointment. Like Chase and Bank of America, a US residential address and proof of that address are required.
Required documents
- A valid passport or government-issued photo ID , a passport is the preferred primary identification.
- Proof of US residential address , a utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement. The address must be a US physical address, not a PO box.
- A tax identification number or foreign equivalent , a US TIN is preferred, but some foreign tax identification numbers are accepted. Confirm the specific foreign TIN your country issues before visiting.
Also read: Can non-residents open a US bank account online in 2026?
Account types available
Wells Fargo offers standard checking and savings accounts for non-residents. The Everyday Checking account is typically the starting point, providing direct deposit capability, a debit card, and access to Wells Fargo's branch and ATM network. It carries a $10 monthly service fee, waivable with a $500 minimum daily balance, $500 or more in qualifying direct deposits per month, or a linked Wells Fargo Campus Card or Campus ATM card. Again, non-residents without US payroll direct deposit will typically pay the monthly fee unless they maintain the minimum balance.
What to know before you go
Wells Fargo is the most opaque of the three banks on its non-resident requirements. Unlike Bank of America, which publishes a specific eligibility checklist on its website, Wells Fargo's published guidance says little more than that representatives will help you on arrival. In practice, requirements vary between branches and between individual representatives , two people with identical documentation have reported different outcomes at different locations.
The practical implication: call the specific branch before visiting, describe your situation precisely , country of residence, visa status if any, documentation you have , and ask directly whether that branch handles non-resident account openings. If the person you reach is unsure, ask to speak with a branch manager. An uninformed representative can turn you away even if the branch is capable of opening the account. Because the in-person requirement is mandatory and your trip to the US may be time-limited, this call is worth making before you book anything.
Also read: What non-US residents need to open a US bank account
Bank of America
Bank of America has a dedicated non-resident banking programme and is arguably the most structured of the three in its approach. It has specific eligibility criteria, a two-form-of-ID requirement, and a clear document checklist that sets clearer expectations than the other banks.
Eligibility
Bank of America's non-resident programme has specific eligibility requirements that differ from Chase and Wells Fargo:
- You must have a physical US address , not a PO box.
- You must not be a US citizen.
- You must not be a permanent US resident (green card holder).
The exclusion of permanent residents is notable , Bank of America's non-resident programme is specifically for temporary visitors, international students, and professionals on non-immigrant visas, not for people who have established permanent residency.
Required documents
Bank of America requires two forms of identification , one primary and one secondary , plus proof of both a US and foreign address, and a tax identification number.
Primary ID (one of the following):
- Foreign passport with or without visa
- US Non-immigrant Visa and Border Crossing Card (DSP-150)
- Mexican, Guatemalan, Dominican, or Colombian Consular ID
- Canadian Citizenship Certificate Card
Secondary ID (one of the following):
- Foreign or US driver's licence with photo
- Debit or major credit card with a Visa or Mastercard logo
- Major retail credit card from a nationally recognised company
- US Department of State Diplomat ID
- Mexican Voter Registration Card with photo
Tax identification:
- A Foreign Tax Identification Number (FTIN) issued by a country other than the US. A US SSN or ITIN is not required unless you have already been issued one.
Proof of address
You must provide both a US physical address and a foreign home or permanent residence address. For the US address, one of the following is accepted:
- Government-issued photo ID showing a US address
- Current utility bill with your name and US address
- Rental agreement or similar document
Account types available
Bank of America offers three main account tiers for non-residents through its Advantage Banking range: SafeBalance (no overdraft, simple structure), Advantage Plus (flexible with more features), and Advantage Relationship (comprehensive with relationship benefits). For most non-residents opening an account for the first time, SafeBalance or Advantage Plus are the practical starting points. SafeBalance carries a $4.95 monthly fee with no waiver option , it is a flat fee by design. Advantage Plus carries a $12 monthly fee, waivable with one qualifying direct deposit of $250 or more per month, or a minimum daily balance of $1,500. Non-residents who cannot set up US direct deposit immediately should factor the $4.95 to $12 monthly cost into their decision.
What to know before you go
Schedule an appointment at a Bank of America financial centre before visiting , walk-in service is available but appointments are faster. Bank of America has language interpretation services covering over 206 languages, so language is not a barrier. The two-form-of-ID requirement is stricter than Chase and Wells Fargo, so prepare both primary and secondary documents before your visit.
Do you need a Social Security Number?
None of the three banks absolutely require a Social Security Number (SSN) from non-residents, but all three ask for some form of tax identification. Here is the distinction:
| Identifier |
What it is |
Who it is for |
| SSN |
Social Security Number issued by the US Social Security Administration |
US citizens and authorised workers , denotes work authorisation in most cases |
| ITIN |
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number issued by the IRS |
Non-residents who are ineligible for an SSN but need to file US taxes or open certain accounts |
| FTIN |
Foreign Tax Identification Number issued by your home country |
Accepted by Bank of America and some Chase branches as an alternative to a US TIN |
Read on to see how non-US citizens can open a US bank account online
International students: If you are in the US on a student visa and working through your university or a practical training programme, your university may help you apply for an SSN. Students not authorised to work who still have taxable income (scholarships, for example) may need to apply for an ITIN instead. Confirm your tax status before visiting any bank.
How to apply for an ITIN
If you determine that you need an ITIN to open a US bank account, here is how the process works:
- Form W-7. Complete IRS Form W-7, which is the Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. The form is available as a free PDF on the IRS website at irs.gov.
- Identity documents. You must submit certified or notarised copies of identity documents alongside Form W-7. Acceptable documents include a foreign passport (the only document accepted on its own), or a combination of documents such as a national ID card plus a foreign birth certificate. The IRS publishes a full list of accepted documents on the W-7 instructions page.
- Submission. Mail your completed W-7, certified identity documents, and any required tax return to the IRS Austin Service Centre in Texas, or use an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centre or an Acceptance Agent to submit in person. Acceptance Agents (authorised by the IRS) can certify your documents so you do not need to mail originals.
- Processing time. The IRS states that ITIN processing takes 7 to 11 weeks when submitted by post, or faster through an Acceptance Agent. Plan accordingly if you are opening a bank account on a fixed timeline.
The honest barrier: the US address requirement
Every major US bank requires proof of a US physical address to open an account. This requirement exists because US banking regulations require banks to verify customer identity against a known address, and a foreign address alone does not satisfy their compliance processes.
In practice, this means the traditional US bank account route is straightforward for people who already spend significant time in the US , international students with university housing, professionals on work visas with a US employer address, or frequent travellers with US property. For people based entirely outside the US who receive USD income from clients or platforms, the process is more difficult and often requires a trip to the US specifically to open an account.
This is the gap that makes a Grey account a practical alternative for many non-residents.
Opening a USD account without a US address
Grey gives you a USD account without requiring a US address, a US TIN, or an in-person visit. You open your account online, receive a US account number and ACH routing number, and can start receiving USD payments from Upwork, Payoneer, international clients, and global payroll systems immediately. There is no minimum balance, no monthly fee for the account itself, and no requirement to ever set foot in the United States.
Where Grey differs from a traditional US bank account in practical terms:
| Feature |
Traditional US bank (Chase/WF/BofA) |
Grey |
| US address required |
Yes, mandatory |
No |
| In-person visit required |
Yes (WF, BofA) or sometimes (Chase) |
No, fully online |
| SSN or ITIN required |
Often yes or foreign TIN |
No |
| USD ACH routing number |
Yes |
Yes |
| Hold USD balance |
Yes |
Yes |
| GBP and EUR accounts |
No |
Yes, included |
| Virtual card for spending |
Debit card (physical) |
Virtual Mastercard, Apple Pay and Google Pay |
| Convert to local currency |
Wire transfer with bank FX rate |
In-app conversion at competitive rates |
The practical difference is most significant at the point of setup. A traditional US bank account is more powerful once you are established in the US , you build credit history, you have full FDIC-insured deposit access, and you can access the full range of US financial products. Grey is better suited to people who earn in USD, GBP, or EUR but are based in Nigeria, Ghana, India, Kenya, or another market , you receive, hold, and convert on your terms without the US address requirement.
If you are pursuing a traditional US bank account: practical tips
- Call ahead: Confirm document requirements by calling the specific branch before visiting. Requirements can vary between branches of the same bank, and a wasted trip is expensive if you are travelling to the US specifically to open an account.
- Visit at a quiet time: Banks are more likely to open accounts for non-residents during quieter periods in a branch. Monday mornings and mid-afternoon on weekdays tend to have shorter waits and more time for the representative to work through non-standard applications.
- Bring supporting context: If you have a university, employer, or property in the US, bring documentation that demonstrates a genuine connection to the country. This is not always required but it helps representatives understand your situation and reduces the chance of a flat refusal.
- Know your foreign TIN: All three banks accept foreign TINs in at least some circumstances. Research the specific TIN format your country issues (Nigeria issues a Tax Identification Number through FIRS, India issues a PAN card) and bring the original document.
- Schedule before you travel: If you are visiting the US for other reasons and want to open a bank account while you are there, schedule your branch appointment before you arrive rather than trying to walk in on the day.
Which option is right for you
If you are already in the US or planning a trip: the traditional bank route is worth pursuing. A Chase, Wells Fargo, or Bank of America account gives you access to the full US banking infrastructure, credit building, FDIC insurance, Zelle, wire transfer access, and a financial relationship that becomes more useful the longer you are in the country. Bank of America has the most structured non-resident programme and is likely the clearest starting point.
If you are based outside the US and receive USD income from international clients or platforms: Grey gets you a functional USD account with ACH routing details immediately, without requiring a trip to the United States. It is a different product from a full US bank account, but for the specific problem of receiving USD earnings as a non-resident, it addresses the core need directly.
Opening a US bank account as a non-citizen is more accessible than many people expect, provided you choose the right option for your needs. If you're looking for a simpler way to receive USD payments without visiting the US, open a Grey account or donwload the app today. You'll get US account details, making it easy to receive money from clients, employers, and businesses worldwide
Further reading
How to withdraw from Payoneer to your Grey account
How to get your first remote job
How to withdraw your remote job salary at the best exchange rates
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