When can I open my own bank account after arriving US with my K1?

Do I have to wait for my SSN????

Any advice would be appreciated!

cheers

I opened my bank account without a SSN but other have had problems doing so.... only thing you can do is try and see what happens...

Good Luck

Kezzie

Depends on the bank, calling around is your best bet. Good luck!

I opened a bank account in California without my SSN.
My bank needed to see 2 foto ID's (passport & driving licence) - and 1 proof of US Address.

You can open the next day you get here. specially if it's a join account, you can tell them you don't have your ssn yet, then once you get it you will bring it to them.

If you hubby has 2 account, he can transfer his funds to another account, then create a joint account with you, The reason for that i've heard stories where the partner try to open an account then the bank lock the account until they run a check on the spouse, just to be on the safe side.

I opened a Bank of America account in my name about 2 hours after I arrived and only received my SSN a few weeks later, and went back to the bank to update my account details. According to BOA they said they realise a lot of their clients are people that do not have SSN's yet, as well as people without a credit history and they are doing their best to cater for that market segment.

I applied for a credit card there a few days ago so lets see how well they cater for someone without a credit history....

I can't open a bank account because they are asking for my SSN

I guess it really depends on the bank.

It really is best to get your SSN as soon as possible, regardless of whether you need it to open a bank account. I needed my wife's SSN to add her to my credit card account, and to add her to my other finacial accounts.

We went to Bank of America as well and it was easy to open a checking/savings account together. They used his passport and national ID card from Morocco and we were done in 20 minutes.

It only takes about 2 weeks for the SS card so just get that done ASAP.

Kisses,
Sarah

Rozytc,

One aspect not mentioned yet is the nature of the account you wish to open. An interest-bearing account will require at least an ITIN if not a SSN.

Yodrak

Go to BOFA Bank of america, they love new account, or at least get a join account, and specially if your hubby has direct deposit then you get free checking, hmmm still have to pay for the cheks

I didn't need an SSN to get on my hubby's account as joint - but I *did* require one for my personal account. That was a credit union tho - I don't know if they have slightly different rules or not - but it's not LONG to wait for SSN - I had money in US dollar Traveller checks and I just held onto some of them til I got my SSN#

We opened our Bank of America accounts yesterday. They offered me a credit card too. I have to wait on the stuff to come by mail and I guess I will see what happens. I want one so I can build my credit which is vital to living here.
I already had an SSN from when I went to university here so it wasn't a big deal.
Yeah the checks were nearly $17 So screw online bill pay... I will be using those frickin' checks for a while