Banks that don't require SSN

[tindera 2]

Hi I would like to know if anyone has tried applying for a joint account with their spouse without SSN? My interview is next month and we would like to have a joint account before then. Can anyone suggest banks to apply to? Anyone had success doing this? Please and thank you

Edited October 26, 2016 by tindera

[Ladyj 13]

I honestly don't think there is a bank that will open an account for you without a social security number.

[Boiler 45,486]

There is not a Bank that does require a SSN to open an account, now the staff you deal with may not know that.

[MrsBurgz 104]

There are plenty banks that doesn't require a social to open an account. Chase, Wells Fargo, Citi, TD, Capital One, Bank of America and others.

[Beth & Achraf 328]

Capital One...... super easy, just asked if we were in the immigration, said YES we are planning on starting it soon..... we opened checking and savings, that was 4 years ago.

[Shauneg 762]

I honestly don't think there is a bank that will open an account for you without a social security number.

It's quite the opposite.....very few actually require it though most tellers you deal with will think and say you do.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

~ Moved from AOS from Family Based Visas to Tax and Finances During US Immigration - topic is about banking ~

[htfaust 131]

Take:

1) Passport (required);

2) Secondary form of ID - another ID you may have, BofA accepted my credit card for this purpose combined with a national ID card;

2) Proof of foreign residence - a credit card statement with your foreign address from your home country's bank will do it nicely (required);

3) A filled-out and signed Form W-8BEN (required, but the bank may prepare a substitute W-8BEN and ask yo to sign it instead, if they do it isn't a problem).

US law allows any bank to open you an account, but each one's individual internal policies may restrict it. I know for sure Bank of America (where I did it) and Wells Fargo will both gladly work with non-residents, but there are several other good banks that were mentioned by other people.

SSN is not required if the bank has your W-8BEN in file, and it needs to be updated every 3 years. This is true for ALL banks as far as the law is concerned, but there can be employee unawareness or internal bank policies in place stating otherwise.

When you become a resident, give them a W-9 with your SSN and they'll convert your account to a resident one, easy peasy. This is what I did with BofA too.

Edited October 26, 2016 by htfaust

[Dal&Rose 45]

One thing to consider a bank does not require SSN, but other financial institutions might. Credit unions being one.

My husband opened an account at Wells Fargo, no SSN, and is also on my account. But we could not get him to be added to my credit union account.

If you are told need SSN ask for clarification as to why or confirm with supervisor. Credit unions have different rules than regular banks is all.

[Sev15 20]

Bank of America opened one for me no problems, they just used my foreign address until I got my SSN and they converted it into a local account.

[dpd 21]

I had no SSN when we opened a joint account with Bank of America

[zilchfox 296]

Bank of America opened one for me no problem. In fact, I posted about it here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/614592-i-was-able-to-get-a-bank-account-without-an-ssn/#entry8359484

[Matt&Sophie 8]

I was added to my husbands savings account as a joint holder and opened a checking account at Citizens Bank with no SSN

[Ladyj 13]

I was added to my husbands savings account as a joint holder and opened a checking account at Citizens Bank with no SSN

But I don't think in my case I could add my husband who is still waiting a CR1 visa. I think this is only for those who already have social security numbers pending correct?

[Matt&Sophie 8]

But I don't think in my case I could add my husband who is still waiting a CR1 visa. I think this is only for those who already have social security numbers pending correct?

At the time I had not yet filed for SSN.

- If he is not in the USA yet you will not be able to add him as he will need to go to the bank with you and provide identification but you should be able to do this once he has entered the USA regardless of whether or not he has applied for SSN yet or not.