US Bank For Non US Citizens?

moravia | Apr 8, 2015 | 3 posts since 2015

I am from Europe and not living in the US. Do you know of any US bank where I can open a new account without being a US citizen or resident?Thank you

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Answers

Shorebreak | Apr 8, 2015 | 4,039 posts since 2010

Perhaps you can open an account with branches in Europe.

moravia | Apr 8, 2015 | 3 posts since 2015

Thank's, but I'd need to open an account in the US...

Shorebreak | Apr 9, 2015 | 4,039 posts since 2010

I meant an American bank with branches in Europe. For example, Bank of America:
http://www.uslocalbank.com/foreignbanks/bank-of-america/

BradC | Jul 27, 2015 | 1 posts since 2015

There is a lot of misinformation here. Non-US citizens/residents ARE able to open a US bank account. In addition to the normal account application paperwork, you'll be asked to fill out a W-8BEN form (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw8ben.pdf) and provide specific IDs (EG, Passport and foreign driver's license).

The easiest way is to use a bigger bank and open an account that does not earn interest or rewards. Even a small amount of interest is considered income and there would be even more forms to fill out for tax purposes. Evaluate your own needs, but I imagine you're not opening an account for the interest, so find one that doesn't charge monthly fees (or waives them) and doesn't earn you any rewards.

Also, since this type of account is a little outside of the box for most bank, you'll probably have to contact them personally. Call (Skype?) and talk to someone who knows what they are doing (EG, branch manager). Other than that, it's relatively simple.

cumulus | Apr 8, 2015 | 1,266 posts since 2010

Discussed on sitepoint a few years ago; not promising.

MidAtlantic | Apr 9, 2015 | 142 posts since 2012

Just like Europe, banks here in the US are required to confirm the identity of those opening accounts. They require US identification (driver license, passport etc) so you are unlikely to be successful.

Why do you need an account in the US, if you don't live here? There may be other solutions.

moravia | Apr 9, 2015 | 3 posts since 2015

MidAtlantic, that's because I have some investment in the US and now days you can do a lot of things online...Anybody as an opinion about this one?
EwealthSuccess.com?

Romulus | Apr 15, 2015 | 11 posts since 2011

Possibly Ever Bank. They have other currency accounts which most US banks don't have. Worth checking into. Let us know.

Sperry8 | May 25, 2015 | 274 posts since 2011

The US Patriot Act requires you to have a physical US address. They will want proof you "live" there. Do you have an electric bill or mortgage papers or something similar you can show? If so, you can claim you live at that address even if you do not. They will also ask for identification. If you solely have a foreign passport I am unclear if they will allow this. If you have a green card, work visa, or other long term visa type you may be able to swing it.
Do you have substantive assets (>$100k) to place in a bank (and leave there)? If so you may be able to do this. PM me for details.

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