How To Open A US Bank Account Without An Address Proof
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Bank Accounts Without An Address Proof In The US

Updated on June 01, 2020 10:48 am
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Bank accounts are essential. It lets you send, receive, lend, borrow, and manage money with security. As an immigrant, bank accounts are important to maintain a financial footprint in your host country, in this case, in the United States. It is difficult to open a bank account without an address proof but not impossible. In this blog, we are going to explore how.

Opening a bank account as an Immigrant

Having a corporate/personal bank account is of absolute necessity for opening a business or to get a credit card or a debit card. It is a safe place to keep your money while maintaining a financial footprint and building a credit history.

And if you are an international student, opening a bank account is a must. We have identified the best bank accounts for international students in the US. Some of the top US banks are:

  • Chase
  • Bank of America
  • Capital one
  • Wells Fargo
  • HSBC


Bank of America allows you to open a US bank account only with your passport and a US mailing address. Citibank and TD Bank also have these options but it is not the same case in every state.

Opening an account as a non-resident or a non-citizen can be confusing. As banks' requirements vary depending on the state and the branch you apply to. In almost all cases, you are required to personally visit the bank branch to open a bank account.

Related Articles: More On Non-Resident Indians in the US

Requirements for opening bank accounts in the US

Opening an account with any major banks and credit unions require a valid customer identification. This means you need to provide documents to prove that your identity is valid. Most banks in the United States require you to be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the country.

Usually, you will need a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) and a proof of address to open a US bank account. Since all foreign nationals don't have a Social Security number, banks typically ask for one or more of the following documents to verify your identity:

  • Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
  • A government-issued ID by a foreign country
  • Unexpired passport/ foreigner driver's license
  • Utility bills

Some banks even accept immigration forms. These requirements vary with banks, locations, and even bank branches. Make sure you check on their website or call up customer support to get clear information before visiting the branch office of your location.

What is SSN?

SSN is the short form of the Social Security Number. It is a nine-digit number issued by the U.S. government issues to all U.S. citizens and the eligible U.S. residents to track their lifetime earnings and the number of years worked. It is needed to open a bank account, get a job in the formal sector, collect benefits, and other government services.

Apply for SSN here

What is an ITIN?

ITIN is the short form of the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. It is issued for the purpose of processing taxes by the Internal Revenue Service to non-residents and U.S. non-citizen who are not eligible for a Social Security Number. Foreign nationals can also open a US bank account by using their ITIN number instead of the Social Security Number in most cases.

Related Article: Everything you need to know about ITIN

How to open a bank account in the US as an immigrant?

There are two ways to open a bank account: Online and Offline. You can go to the website of your preferred bank or visit one of their branch offices with the required documents and that is it.

The process is fairly straightforward for a legal resident who is settled permanently in the US and holds a green card or has had one in the previous calendar year. Standard steps to open a bank account in the US:

  • Enter your personal details, including your name, phone number, street address, date of birth
  • Enter your social security number or other alternative documents mentioned above
  • Pay a minimum fee wherever applicable
  • Follow the instructions and activate your account

Related Article: More About Opening a US Bank Account

Should I open a bank account online or offline?

For the residents with a Social Security number, there is no doubt that online is the best and the most convenient way of opening a bank account.

Although a non-resident does not need to provide a social security number to open an account, it may not be easy for foreigners without a social security number to successfully open a bank account online due to technological limitations. In such a scenario, the person will be asked to visit the bank to verify their identity in person. Chances are better if you go directly to the bank and speak with the bank representative.

It is important to note that online banking will be available regardless of how and where you open the account.

What kinds of accounts are available for immigrants?

The type of account depends on your needs for financial services:

  • Checking account: Best for current account transactions
  • Savings account: As the name suggests, it is best for savings as it accrues interest
  • Certificates of deposit (CDs): Another saving instrument, also known as a fixed deposit account, best for saving a large sum of money.

Ways to open a bank account with no proof of address

  • International Bank Accounts

Some US banks have an international presence, such as Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Citibank, HSBC, etc. They will let you open a bank account even if you don't have a U.S. address. Keep in mind that their initial minimum deposit can be very high and you may need to pay a substantial amount of fee to maintain the account.

  • Correspondent Banks Accounts

These accounts can be opened in case a bank in your home country has a partnership with a US bank. The bank in the country of your origin can help open an account with the US bank. You don't need to provide proof of address in the US.

  • Neo Banks

Neo banks or digital-only banks in the U.S. are gaining popularity amongst the tech-savvy population. Many of the digital-only or mobile-first banks have partnerships with a network of banks to facilitate their own checking and savings account facilities. Some of the popular ones are:

  • N26
  • Monzo
  • GoBank
  • MoneyLion

For simple banking functions like everyday shopping, paying bills, sending money, splitting bills, and receiving money, it is the best option. We recommend checking with the banks for more details on the requirements.

To send money internationally, compare the top money transfer service providers before sending money on CompareRemit.

The Bottom Line

Without a bank account, you will have to carry cash everywhere, store cash at home, and chances of borrowing from a legal channel are slim. While there is a universally call for greater financial inclusion, it is still difficult to open a bank account for a foreigner, and for many residents without a social security number or valid address proof today. We do recommend checking with your respective banks and their representatives before, in case of any doubts.

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How to: Walmart to Walmart Money Transfer

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Gcash has partnered with several top online money transfer companies including Remitly, Skrill, Wise, WorldRemit, and Western Union among others.These platforms allow you to send Philippine Pesos (PHP) to Gcash in an affordable, quick, and efficient manner.How to Send Money to Gcash Mobile Wallet via an Online Money Transfer App?Here are the steps to follow:Sign up on any of the third-party money transfer apps or platformsEnter your personal detailsGet your account verifiedEnter transfer amountEnter your recipient's countryChoose GCash as your delivery methodEnter the recipient’s GCash-registered name & account numberConfirm your transferPay for the transferPesos will be deposited to the recipient’s GCash AccountMoney Transfer Platforms Offering GCash as a Delivery OptionWiseUsing Wise, you can send PHP to any individual or business bank account in Philippines or mobile money to any of the several mobile wallets such as GCash, PayMaya, GrabPay, Starpay, etc. To send money to mobile wallets, you'll need your recipient's mobile number, starting with the country code +63. The maximum limit for money transfers to bank accounts and mobile wallets is 9 million PHP per transfer and 50,000 PHP per transfer respectively. It may take 1-2 working days to complete the transfer.RemitlyYou can do a Remitly transfer to GCash via Mobile Money in the Philippines. Remitly offers two ways to transfer money to Gcash wallets in Philippines based on how you pay for the transfer. Using a debit card (Express) to pay will take a few minutes for the money transfer while it may take 3-5 business working days if you pay via than bank account (Economy). The GCash wallet limit is PHP 100,000. Make sure you have sufficient funds availability in your account to do the transfer. Remitly is the optimal choice to send GCash from USA if you are looking to make fast and secure mobile payments.WorldRemitWorldRemit facilitates mobile money transfers to several mobile wallets in the Philippines including GCash. The cash is deposited within minutes. You can send up to PHP 50,000 per transfer and a maximum of PHP 100,000 total remittances per month to the mobile wallet. To avoid delay in transfer, make sure your recipient's details are correct. WorldRemit might be your cheapest option as they often charge no fixed fees, but this depends on the sending country. In the case of top-sending countries like the USA, the company does not charge fixed fees.Western UnionWestern Union is a well-known international money transfer service that has partnered with GCash to facilitate remittances to the Philippines. To initiate a transfer, you can simply go to your GCash account and proceed to the Cash-In segment within the GCash App and opt for Western Union as your preferred money transfer option. Or you can either go to a Western Union Branch or their website to make the transfer. You will find that sending money to a mobile wallet, GCash is less expensive than sending cash to a pickup location.MoneyGramMoneyGram, a well-established money transfer company is also a GCash partner, enabling users to receive international remittances directly into their GCash wallets. To send money directly to GCash wallet, either go to the MoneyGram website or any agent location. Provide your recipient's details and select 'Mobile Wallet as your delivery option. Both you and your recipient will receive a notification once the money is sent.XoomBy partnering with GCash, Xoom enables users to effortlessly transfer funds to GCash accounts. To start the transfer process from Xoom to GCash, download the Xoom app, and create an account. Then, enter the transfer amount and choose GCash as the receiving option, provide the details of your recipient's mobile wallet, and pay for your transfer using a PayPal account, bank account, credit card, or debit card.Xoom may be a popular option for transferring funds to GCasg, however, they are a little expensive due to transfer fees and exchange rate margins. Look for cheaper alternatives on our list.PangeaPangea provides global money transfers to regions in Latin America and Asia. Through their mobile app, you can make the payment and use your linked bank account or debit card to pay for the transaction. If you pay using a card to transfer money for pickup, your recipient will receive the funds within minutes, while selecting a bank transfer method will take a little longer.SkrillBy leveraging its digital wallet expertise, Skrill offers users a secure and efficient way to send money to GCash, contributing to the financial accessibility of recipients in the Philippines. Skrill offers various ways to transfer money to GCash including bank account transfer, payments via debit card or credit cards, and letting you choose mobile money transfer. Opting for bank transfers is typically the cheapest, allowing you to send funds from your bank account to a GCash wallet at a lower cost compared to other payment methods. However, the transfer will take a little longer.Note: The availability of GCash GCash as a delivery option on the above money transfer platforms can differ due to variables like the sender's location, the platform's offered services, and potential shifts in partnerships. It's recommended to visit the platform's website or app prior to utilizing any money transfer service to verify the current selection of delivery methods and choices for sending money to the Philippines.What is the Cost of Transferring Money to GCash?The cost of transferring money to GCash can vary depending on the service provider, the country you are sending money from, the transfer method you choose (bank transfer, debit/credit card, etc.), the amount being sent, and any applicable fees for currency conversion or processing. Different remittance platforms and financial institutions might have different fee structures.Carefully review the terms and fee information provided by the specific service you plan to use to determine the exact cost of the transfer to GCash. Keep in mind that some providers may offer promotions or fee waivers for certain transactions or during specific timeframes.How to Claim Your Remittance on the GCash App?Open GCash app homepageGo to ‘Cash-In”Under the Global Partners, & RemittanceClick the money transfer company you sent the money withEnter the amount of remittance to be receivedEnter the Reference numberConfirm the TransferThe funds will be loaded into the GCash walletWhere Can You Cash-Out with GCash in the Philippines?You can withdraw funds through several options in the Philippines. If you have a GCash Mastercard, you can visit any BancNet or Mastercard ATM, or any GCash Partner Outlet.Here is the list of the GCash Partner Outlets:Cebuana LhuillierCVM PawnshopDA5ECPayExpressPayHanepBuhayJaro PawnshopPanalo ExpressPeraHUBPosiblePuregoldRobinsonsSM StoreTambunting PawnshopTrueMoneyVillarica PawnshopVIP Payments CenterThe steps for cashing out might be different with each partner outlet. You can look it up in the GCash App.How GCash Exchanges Currency?GCash is primarily not a currency exchange platform. The currency exchange is usually handled by the money transfer provider or financial institution initiating the money transfer to the Philippines from abroad.For example:If you are sending money from abroad to a GCash mobile wallet in the Philippines, your transfer providers will likely handle the currency conversion from the currency you are sending to Philippine Pesos based on the prevailing exchange rates.The converted amount in PHP will be deposited to the recipient’s GCash wallet.However, GCash may display the received amount in both the sender’s currency and PHP within the app for the recipient’s reference.If you want to get the best exchange rates while sending money to the Philippines or abroad, the best way is to compare your options. To compare the best rates to send money to the Philippines using Gcash, use our online comparison tool to check the best providers today!

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