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Ask HN: Getting a USA bank account as a foreigner?
Is there a way to get a bank account in the USA?Reason: to accept intl payments (Stripe isn't available here)
Will be visiting the USA soon, and I'd like to open a bank account if possible.
Thanks.
- Someone1234 12y agoI'm not sure if that is possible. However you may want to look into applying for a ITIN from the IRS before you visit, as you'll likely need one for tax purposes if you're able to open the account (assuming you don't have a US SSN for some reason, or are eligible for one). Hopefully someone else can weigh in on opening a US account for non-US citizens or residence. I assume illegal immigrants in the US must have them so presumably it is "possible?" Or does the IRS issue illegals SSNs?
- spiralpolitik 12y agoIt used to be that banks would let you open an account without an SSN but they would automatically close it after a period of time if you did not provide one. However since the "Know your customer" regulations Banks are a lot more skittish about opening accounts for people without the proper identifiers. Probably the best way to start is to talk to your existing bank and see if they have arrangements in place for this sort of thing (most of the large ones do). They can probably also tell you what identifiers you will need to obtain. Be warned generally these kinds of account either require you to maintain a minimum balance or pay a monthly fee.
- sogen 12y agoThanks for the ITIN/IRS, will look into that
- johansch 12y agoDid you try to google your question first? :) E.g. http://money.stackexchange.com/questions/5028/can-i-open-a-us-bank-account-even-if-i-dont-live-in-the-country http://money.stackexchange.com/questions/5028/can-i-open-a-u...
- sogen 12y agoThanks for the link, I had googled some questions that led me to a couple of Kickstarter blogs about opening a bank account outside USA (tl;dr: Ask a relative).
- seekingcharlie 12y agoI recently opened a bank account in SF without an SSN. I'd recommend Charles Schwab's global Investor account (no ATM fees globally).
- sogen 12y agoCharlie, thanks! btw, did you find any good android resources for designers? Send me an email if you need any help with that (email in my profile)