Forum: money.stackexchange.com
Tags: <united-states><bank-account><international><non-resident>
Title: Can foreigners holding US tourist visa create a bank account in USA?
Question: I am not a US citizen and want to visit USA as a tourist.   Since withdrawing money from my home-country bank account will cost much, it is better to open an new bank account in US (after arriving) and  transfer some money from my home-country bank account to it.  The money is not too  much, less than 50 thousand us dollars.  Can foreigners holding US tourist visa create a bank account in USA?

Answers:
sents: text: The answer is, unfortunately, along the lines of "it depends".
text: It does depend a little on the bank - I've had a US bank account for years before moving to the US, and I didn't have an SSN or any status when I opened the account.
text: What I did have however was an address in the US that they could send the statements to, and proof that I was living abroad (oh, and US citizen wife that had an account with the same bank).
text: Not all banks will open a bank account for a foreigner with no status in the US, but it is generally possible.
text: You will have to check with several banks and basically have paperwork showing your foreign address and proof of id (passport, possibly a drivers license as well).
answer_details: author: money.stackexchange.com/users/1121/Timo Geusch
score: 15
sents: text: You can open an account in US without having SSN.
text: You need to be physically present to open the account.
answer_details: author: money.stackexchange.com/users/1113/Dheer
score: 6
sents: text: This is an alternative solution and it will depend where you live as to how you will have to make it work.
text: I am in the UK and there are a number of ways that I can use to access my money from anywhere in the world without high transaction fees.
text: Use a Halifax Clarity credit card.
text: This has no foreign exchange fee anywhere in the world, so you can get the best rate possible.
text: Plus it doesn't charge a fee for cash withdrawals, although you will be charged interest on the cash withdrawal from the date of withdrawal even if you repay in full.
text: Use a FairFX prepaid Mastercard.
text: This has no fee for topping up (if you use the correct route) or for purchases.
text: There is a $2 fee (or €1.50 on the Euro version) for each ATM cash withdrawal.
text: I top mine up from my bank account over the internet without any charges.
text: Internet banking takes care of everything else.
answer_details: author: money.stackexchange.com/users/1785/uɐɪ
score: 5
sents: text: Depending what country you are from, there may be better alternatives to transfer money internationally.
text: Opening a bank account is complicated, costs money, and international bank transfers are remarkably expensive.
text: Traveler checks: they can be used for moving money international at a about 1% fee rate.
text: They are somewhat inconvenient but very safe and cost effective.
text: ATM cards:
text: I'm currently in China
text: and I can pull money from the Chinese Construction Bank machine using a Bank of America ATM card with no charges whatsoever, since both Banks have an ATM agreement.
answer_details: author: money.stackexchange.com/users/6670/Hilmar
score: 3
sents: text: Yes you can.
text: I'm a foreigner who uses a tourist visa to enter America and Bank of America
text: opened a checking account for me.
text: I had to go into the branch with my passport and a driving license
text: and it was opened with $100.
text: You do need to give a US address
text: so statements can be sent out
text: but that's about it.
answer_details: author: money.stackexchange.com/users/9310/user9310
score: 2
sents: text: yes you can open bank account
text: you should have a address in us and personally visit bank to deposite $1500 only to get you a debit card.you are required to maintain min balance of $1500 only.
text: I have done it
answer_details: author: money.stackexchange.com/users/6668/verma
score: 0
sents: text: If you want an interest-bearing account, you can apply online for a Taxpayer Identification Number.
text: Unlike a Social Security Number, this should be available without respect to visa status.
text: Remember, many people living overseas are invested in American securities.
text: Speaking of which, you may find something like a Schwab International account fits your needs, without even needing a US address.
text: Leave the money in cash; ignore investing in the US markets (unless you want to).
answer_details: author: money.stackexchange.com/users/42226/Andrew Lazarus
score: 0

Summary of the answers:
It depends on the bank. You will probably have to visit several banks, but you should be able to open an account without an SSN.
It is generally believed that yes, you can open a bank account in the US as a foreigner, but the exact answer will largely depend on the bank and your personal circumstances.