I answered this same question yesterday, Yes you can, and it is a good idea, many foreign investors use not only US markets, but US banks as well. It is easy to do, but there are precautions you should take. I specialized in international investors, less than 10% of the brokers in my firm could do so. The US broker is under restrictions you need to understand. You can probably find a broker in your country affiliated with a US firm, Merrill Lynch, UBS, TD Ameritrade, Morgan Stanley, Schwab and on and on. You can contact a US broker, check with friends whom you trust, that trade in the US. A US broker will know US markets better, than one overseas. Just as I traded in Hong Kong, but lacked local knowledge. Your US broker is restricted in soliciting foreign accounts. This is to protect your local investment firms. But you contact them, hence getting a referral. If you know someone in the US, have them get a broker to call you. You may need to send your broker an e-mail, u201ccall meu201d. Depending on your country, many places say the contact has to be intiated by the investor, not the broker. Make sure you can access confirms and statements on line. Do not use mail if you are in a place prone to ransom/kidnapping. Getting a statement from UBS in Mexico may identify you as someone with money.US markets are highly regulated, very open, and open to you. The opportunity is there. Unless you are in a short list of prohibited countries, such as Cuba, Iraq, etc.