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

[AmAjjD 33]

Chase bank worked for us, no questions asked. Check with the rules for opening up a bank account. Some banks may actually have rules about this, sometimes it's just the employees (same with the DMV or other legal systems) who just don't know the visa process.

[solus 19]

My grandmother has worked in the bank system for over 60 years, as a manager for the past 30, and I can guarantee you, without any doubt, that you dont even need a SSN. You need an ID, your visa, and EITHER a SSN or an A number. If you go with the A number you need to fill out a W8. Thats all.

You do need to find a different bank. Nevermind if it is an issue against foreigners. If its a misunderstanding or poor knowledge its even worse. You need to not have your assets tied up in an institution that doesnt understand banking law. Simple as that.

If you really like the bank maybe yoh could call the HQ of the bank tell them your sistuation. If they wilm not help then you should file a complaint.You are correct your visa is good for one year as a temporary green card.
Maybe the manager is confusing your visa with a k-1. Since that visa is only good to let someone come to USA. The person will then have to adjyst status

Even with a K1 you can open an account. My fiance was able to open an account and be added to mine with his K1 and not even a SSN yet. And before we were married. All he needed was his passport, visa, and A number. There are no laws against a foreigner opening a US bank account as long as they are here legally, which any kind of current visa proves.

[indiana_sweetie 120]

I would be more worried about where the GC is. Shouldn't it have arrived by now?

[j&ana 363]

My grandmother has worked in the bank system for over 60 years, as a manager for the past 30, and I can guarantee you, without any doubt, that you dont even need a SSN. You need an ID, your visa, and EITHER a SSN or an A number. If you go with the A number you need to fill out a W8. Thats all.

You do need to find a different bank. Nevermind if it is an issue against foreigners. If its a misunderstanding or poor knowledge its even worse. You need to not have your assets tied up in an institution that doesnt understand banking law. Simple as that.

Even with a K1 you can open an account. My fiance was able to open an account and be added to mine with his K1 and not even a SSN yet. And before we were married. All he needed was his passport, visa, and A number. There are no laws against a foreigner opening a US bank account as long as they are here legally, which any kind of current visa proves.

yes that post was accidently sent before i finish. In my next post I did say even with a k-1visa I thought a person could still open a bank account

[Eric & Idalia 56]

The problem is that even though I have all the documents, the manager at the branch is asking me to provide the physical green card which still hasn't arrived even after about 1.5 months. The manager claims that because of the Patriot Act it is not possible to do so without the green card.

Does anyone know how I can sort this out with that manager or escalate against her? I don't know what the procedures are here to escalate this to her superior.

Does anyone know what I should do to check why my GC is taking too long to arrive?

When I was an au pair (Visa J1), I opened an account with Wells Fargo.

When I came to US in a B1/B2 visa to visit my husband and attend a wedding, my husband and I opened an joint account in Wells Fargo. The lady asked me if I was a resident and I told her that I was going to be one soon, but that my interview was going to be in some months more that I was just visiting. We didn't have any problems.

My friend who is adjusting status from a K1 visa does not have the GC yet and she opened an account, but I don't know which bank.

Remember that your GC can take until a year to arrive. That is what the immigration officer who processed my package at the airport told me.

Better go to another bank.

[solus 19]

Oh, and I just remembered something even more important about this nonsense: the Patriot Act expired on 6/1/2015, so its not even in effect anymore lol. Its now been renamed the USA Freedom Act, and only deals with surveillance, not bank accounts.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/30/politics/what-happens-if-the-patriot-act-provisions-expire/

http://www.ibtimes.com/patriot-act-renewal-senate-overwhelmingly-votes-proceed-1948604

[Fan_Dancer 171]

Your wife should also take her money to another bank.

[NYCruiser 423]

This bank apparently has the most number of ATM's in the area and as my wife has an account here, I thought it would be best to open an individual account plus a joint account at the same branch.

Inspite of me advising that I have the right to live and work in this country and even showed her my passport with the visa endorsing the fact that it serves as a Temporary GC for 1 year, the manager is adamant that I get the GC.

Escalate this to the Costomer Service Department. The Stamp in the passport with has the A-XXX-XXX-XXX number is enough. I says clearly 'Temporary Evidence of I-551 etc etc;. She is being a dik.

Escalate this to the Costomer Service Department. The Stamp in the passport with has the A-XXX-XXX-XXX number is enough. I says clearly 'Temporary Evidence of I-551 etc etc;. She is being a dik.

We had a problem with a Home Equity Account Line of Credit. They would NOT approve it because the Green Card hadnt been sent...we had a Waiver of Interview. So I threatened to take the matter to the FDIC and file a complaint..'Discrimination againts National Origin' blah blah...

They got scared and approved LOL

[hir0 49]

Could you just get a joint account for the moment?

If speaking with the HQ and finding an other bank doesn't work, maybe just having a joint account for a few more weeks could work out?

I came on a K1 visa and opened a joint and personal account after being in the U.S. for less than a month. All I needed was my passport and my SSN. It shouldn't be such a fuss to open a bank account. With all the fees they have, they should just give it to everyone easily xD

[3rd 84]

I was able to open an account with Bank of America with purely my passport and a debit card from the UK (plus my marriage certificate so the account is in my new name). I don't currently have a SSN and never had an A number, so it's entirely possible. The woman who opened our joint account just used a temporary SSN and told me just to get in touch with them once I received my own SSN and they'll update their records. It shouldn't be a big deal, and if this bank is turning it into one then I suggest you find somewhere else that's willing and appreciative to have your custom.

[LORIEandPHIL 123]

I opened an account without any sort of visa, or ss number. I was just visiting, and opened my account with just my passport and a UK credit card.

[Katherine93 30]

I opened my checking & savings account with both Bank of America and Chase with passport and student visa without any trouble. Also got my credit card after I received my SSN without any problem. So I don't think you would need a green card to open a bank account. The branch manager is either ignorant or has personal issues against foreigners ( like that happens).

Just try another branch or bank!

[Beginning777 6]

Every Bank and every State is different. Some will open, but not with a Green Card OR Work Authorization Card, along with the social security card.

[Sukie 1,439]

The problem is that even though I have all the documents, the manager at the branch is asking me to provide the physical green card which still hasn't arrived even after about 1.5 months. The manager claims that because of the Patriot Act it is not possible to do so without the green card.

Does anyone know how I can sort this out with that manager or escalate against her? I don't know what the procedures are here to escalate this to her superior.

Does anyone know what I should do to check why my GC is taking too long to arrive?

The manager is incorrect about the Patriot Act. But banks can make up their own rules about what they will accept. Either find another bank, or another branch, or call the Head Office of your bank and get them to quote the rule.

Usually we hear complaints about banks not opening accounts because the immigrant doesn't have a social security number. That's also a fallacy. You have to go through a couple of hoops, but there is no law preventing you from opening an account without a SSN.

Sukie in NY

Edited August 31, 2015 by Sukie

[Maria2012 16]

The problem is that even though I have all the documents, the manager at the branch is asking me to provide the physical green card which still hasn't arrived even after about 1.5 months. The manager claims that because of the Patriot Act it is not possible to do so without the green card.

Does anyone know how I can sort this out with that manager or escalate against her? I don't know what the procedures are here to escalate this to her superior.

Does anyone know what I should do to check why my GC is taking too long to arrive?

Why waste your time. Go to another bank, they neèd your business just like you need theirs. Bank of america opened an acct for me even before I had an SSN Edited August 31, 2015 by Maria2012