Bank Refusing To Open New Account Without Green Card, Is This Correct?

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

Sorry you had trouble. For my husband all he needed to show was his CT ID ( which is a non-drivers ID) and his SS card. If you can try another bank that would appreciate your business or find a manager I'd suggest that. It was very easy for my husband to open an account..his immigration status had nothing to do with it.

[beckerams 1]

I can't even figure out why this manager is invoking the Patriot Act, because that's pretty specifically targeted towards terrorism. It sounds like s/he is maybe letting her/his personal opinions get in the way of doing legal business. I would absolutely call this bank's HQ. They don't want legal trouble, and definitely don't want to lose your business.

[SM84 6]

I personally do not want to take the race or gender of the manager or the name of the bank, however I find it a little ridiculous that the manager was being so obtuse because if I arrived on a student visa for example, would the manager still refuse to open an account?

Hence, I wanted to know the proper channels or steps I could take to escalate the matter further.

So, to summarize, my first action would be to

1. Contact their HQ. If no positive reply, then what needs to be done?

2. Check with a different bank if they would accept.

This maybe out of context for this thread but has anyone who has recently arrived and still waiting for their GC been able to login to USCIS ELIS? I have been getting a message stating that their system is under maintenance for several days now. Any advice?

Edited August 31, 2015 by svb

[Adil & Jeanne 296]

did your spouse add you to IRS tax statements and apply for your ITIN

if so, you can be added to bank accounts

i did this when filling my 2010 taxes and my husband is not in the states yet. He has been on my tax returns for 5 years

but SS number and Vaild ID is all the bank needs

Important Information about Procedures for
Opening a New Account

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account.

What this means for you: When you open an account, we will ask for your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. We may also ask to see your driver’s license or other identifying documents.

This infromation is taken directly from the Patriot Act

[minions2 24]

i was able to apply for SSN using my IR 2 visa stamped on passport few yrs ago what more of a bank account

Edited August 31, 2015 by minions2

[nilx25 18]

I personally do not want to take the race or gender of the manager or the name of the bank, however I find it a little ridiculous that the manager was being so obtuse because if I arrived on a student visa for example, would the manager still refuse to open an account?

Hence, I wanted to know the proper channels or steps I could take to escalate the matter further.

So, to summarize, my first action would be to

1. Contact their HQ. If no positive reply, then what needs to be done?

2. Check with a different bank if they would accept.

This maybe out of context for this thread but has anyone who has recently arrived and still waiting for their GC been able to login to USCIS ELIS? I have been getting a message stating that their system is under maintenance for several days now. Any advice?

Why would you want to waste so much energy to prove bank manager wrong. I would just find different bank because you do not want to give your business to this scumbag manager's bank anyway. Opening a bank account is very small issue here so do not strech it out too big. Just wait for green card to arrive.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Why would you want to waste so much energy to prove bank manager wrong. I would just find different bank because you do not want to give your business to this scumbag manager's bank anyway. Opening a bank account is very small issue here so do not strech it out too big. Just wait for green card to arrive.

I disagree that opening an account is a small issue. I believe it's important to have that independence especially if you are a working person. It's important to have the ability to have your own account. Not every couple has a joint one.

[j&ana 368]

I disagree that opening an account is a small issue. I believe it's important to have that independence especially if you are a working person. It's important to have the ability to have your own account. Not every couple has a joint one.

I agree that is why me and my wife have a joint account but we each have our separate accounts. I think in a marriage things should be share, but there also should be individual stuff for each

I agree that is why me and my wife have a joint account but we each also have our separate accounts. I think in a marriage things should be share, but there also should be individual stuff for each

Edited August 31, 2015 by j&ana

[kausar 26]

This maybe out of context for this thread but has anyone who has recently arrived and still waiting for their GC been able to login to USCIS ELIS? I have been getting a message stating that their system is under maintenance for several days now. Any advice?

You are right. I tried to log in to my ELIS account and it is offline for last 2 days. Hope it wont take long to be online.

[saddlepatch 6]

Speaking of Green Cards, if people are running into this situation, can you only work once you get the physical green card, or can you start work as long as you have a SSN and ID?

I'll keep following this..it's weird how they're being like that. I def want a bank account before I start working so I can get direct deposits :S I already have plans to open a PNC account through Royal Bank due to having a VISA I need to pay off from them, but I wanted to be put on my wifes account to help us show evidence when it comes time to lift the 2 year conditions and just due to lack of PNC banks in our area, would rather be with BoA or Suntrust or Chase or something.

[j&ana 368]

You just need the SSN and passport with visa as that is temporary green card to work

Edited August 31, 2015 by j&ana

[Lynn n Sam 57]

My husband had no problem being added to my bank account once he arrived here with just the temporary green card. They wouldn't do it beforehand however, claiming the Patriot Act. They needed him to present in person to sign documents. He did have his SS# at the time of being added. He also was able to work prior to getting his green card, using the temporary stamp in his visa. He obtained a state ID (PA) and a learner's permit with just the stamp on the visa as well. Luckily, he's able to drive in our state for 1 year on his Indian DL too.

FYI, his green card took exactly 60 days from POE to arrive. Hang in there, it's coming soon!

Good Luck!

[SM84 6]

My husband had no problem being added to my bank account once he arrived here with just the temporary green card. They wouldn't do it beforehand however, claiming the Patriot Act. They needed him to present in person to sign documents. He did have his SS# at the time of being added. He also was able to work prior to getting his green card, using the temporary stamp in his visa. He obtained a state ID (PA) and a learner's permit with just the stamp on the visa as well. Luckily, he's able to drive in our state for 1 year on his Indian DL too.

FYI, his green card took exactly 60 days from POE to arrive. Hang in there, it's coming soon!

Good Luck!

Thanks Lynn n Sam,

It's really annoying to know that my physical green card has not arrived and the GC of another person I know, who made POE a few weeks after I did has already arrived.

I thought that I'd update over here regarding the bank account; I went to another branch of the same bank and there I was told the same thing, however the lady at the reception said that I could open a Non-Resident account using my SSN, ID and Passport but for a Resident account, I would need the physical GC.

Does anyone know if there is a documentation from USCIS or something which states that the temporary GC can be used to open a Bank account?

[Beginning777 6]

They need either the Green Card or a Work Authorization Card, to classify you as a resident or legal to work. This along with your social security card.

[j&ana 368]

They need either the Green Card or a Work Authorization Card, to classify you as a resident or legal to work. This along with your social security card.

only if someone has A K-1 visa they would need SS# with a work authorization card or green card . But for a cr-1 visa they will need SS# with the green card or the visa . The cr-1 visa is a temporary green card it is good for a year or until the actual green card arrives.

Edited September 8, 2015 by j&ana