I need to know what bank you guys who have added/ or joined accounts with someone here on a K-3 visa.

My bank sucks, this is the second time we have went to them and tried to open an account . Hubby just got his EAD and SSN#. On his card it reads VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION. My bank only sees VALID FOR WORK ONLY and ignore the rest of the sentence, they obviously have no experience with these And will not open an account or join him to mine...they keep giving us the run-around and nothing is getting done.

I have had it with those people he already has a job, and we have AOS in a month and need an (joint) account..WTF.
So now I am willing to go to any bank that has knowledge that he CAN open a bank account. And that is more immigrant friendly. SHEESH.

Suggestions please

Why show them the card???? Just tell them his SSN.... try a diffrent branch and dont show them the SSN card....

I was able to open a checking account and be added to my husbands savings account before I had a SSN or greencard all I had to show was my Passport....

Kez

Do they not understand that you are not trying to work but only open an account?

I told them that it is a "work restriction" and has nothing to do with banking matters. But they just can't seem to comprehend that.



Because they require valid ID and a SS card to open accounts, they make copies of everything.

Have you thought about opening an account with a internet bank? I have an account with E-Trade bank and do not remember having to show them my SSN... It has been several years but might be worth a look....

I just opened a joint account with my fiance last weekend. DO NOT SHOW THEM THE SS CARD! They will not understand and make more problems than need be. Go to a different branch of your bank, and simply tell them the #, dont give them the card. Your fiance/husband will need to have his passport with him.

For me it was easier to open a new joint account, than to add him on to my existing, so that's what we did.

If that fails, you can set up an online bank account at WAMU (Washington Mutual), I heard on TV they dont require you to come in, everything can be done online to set up. Hope that helps.

I was added to my husband's account but it wasn't that easy. They didn't want to do it at first, then the woman sat down and read all of the banks criteria for opening/adding to accounts. She then twigged that as I am just being added I only need my passport.

After that, everything went pretty smoothly. I didn't even need to give them my SSN number. I read somewhere that for joint accounts you only need one SSN number, perhaps someone can verify that.

We use First National Bank, if that helps any.

Thank you. I will check into online banking...it is ridiculous that it has to resort to this. I think I am still leaving this bank because they are truly chopf#cks. I am going to see a bank officer tommorrow, I don't even think hubby wants to go wiht me anymore..he is fed up with this drama

Everything can be done online at Bank of America IF (big IF) both people have an SSN. My husband and I had to go into the bank and he knew the woman so she didn't make him give her his SSN...got a notice in the mail asking for it or a copy of his foreign passport if he's an alien...and the bank account is still open so I guess it's okay.

I called around and two banks will open the account with his passport and SSN. So if he gives them the # and not the card there shouldn't be any problems. I am going to give it a try.....

I am with Bank of America, i didn't have any probem adding my wife to my account, if any problem ask to speak to the Bank supervisor or like the other poster mentioned, Go to a different brance. Actually we did while my wife was still on the Fiancee Visa, before AOS, I think all we had was the marriage certificate and passport. We just told them we'll bring the other info like SSN card later.

We have accounts with a small, local bank. They required Andre to have a social security number and a green card before they would add him to my account. Even with the SSN, we had to wait for their info. system to catch up with that of the SSN to verify the number. It was a nightmare of 3 trips to get it right.

Navy Federal just asked for a faxed copy of my SSN (it had the "valid only with DHS authorization stamped on it - and no one said anything to me about it) and my CT driver's licence. Nothing else, and it was easy and done online (although it's a co-op and you have to be invited to join that particular bank) - any x-navy in the fam?

we're BOA too - there were no problems.

We are also with Bank of America - my husband was able to add me to the accounts when I moved down - before we were married and before I had my SSN. They used my passport, then, when I got my SSN I just gave them the number.

When we opened our joint savings and checking account, they did not ask the SS card, we just give them our SS# and everything went well. Try another bank if that bank won't let you open a joint account.

We just went to another bank (PNC) an we have narrowed down the problem. The number is coming up in the bank system as "not issued". However, he showed them the card, and they made sure that the #'s they entered and the #'s on the card match and they opened the account. What a headache that was......

Here's some helpful hints from a Head Teller with a bank.
Valid forms of ID should include his Passport and a form of ID that verifies his US Address. Try adding him to your Electric bill or your Cable bill. Honestly that's all they'll need. If any bank argues with you, slam the Patriot Act in their face.

I can give you a full list of ID's needed if you think that'll help

~Kim

Oh and in case anyone else reads this a Social Security card is NOT valid ID. Unless you're over 65. Needing a SSN# helps sure...but it's not needed.
A photo ID followed by proof of US address..that's basically what it comes down to.

This is what banks have to look for when opening accounts : Something that proves what the opener of the account looks like, and something that "PROVES" where the opener lives in the US.

Just remember that and everything else should be smooth sailing, unless of course you're dealing with stupid bank personnel!

Bank of America, Service Credit Union and USAA are the best! My husband added me only with my ITIN number

I thought Bank of America wasn't asking for SSN's any more!

I'm with Wells Fargo, and I never had any problems opening a bank account or combining accounts after getting married. I told them I wasn't eligible for a SSN, and they said it was fine.

They'll not ask for it, then send you a letter in the mail saying they need it or account is closed. How nice!

Washington Mutual are very good, our local branch is smashing

This is nuts. Customer service at it's best.

We too are with BOA no problems.
I also have an RBC Centura account no problems
Just tell your bank there are plenty of other banks out there that are willing to be helpful and see what they will do.

Savanphil, I see you're in Philly, so have you tried PNC Bank? That's where my account is; I haven't even moved to the States yet. Last summer I came over to visit my fiancée and we decided to open me a bank account to make money matters more convenient during my stay. It was a breeze and no questions were asked even when the guy asked for my SSN, which of course I don't have yet. The account is still there and working just fine. I'll move in this summer and will just tell PNC my SSN as soon as I get one.

Edit: my bad, I missed the post where you said you did go to PNC and got your account there. Glad it worked out in the end. PNC seems like a good bank to me, too.