Opening Bank Account (Individual/Joint) in US with K-1 fiancé visa

[Liflead 112]

Hi friends,

 

I am fiance beneficiary in the process of my K-1 fiancé visa and want to transfer my savings to a US bank once I land in US. I have few questions regarding the same.

 

1) Can I open an individual bank account once I am in the US with my K-1 fiance visa?

2) What documents do the bank ask if you wanna open a current or a savings account with the bank?

3) Can my US citizen fiance open a joint bank account for me before I arrive or immediately after I arrive in the US?

 

4) Can I transfer money into my US fiancé's US bank account? Will my US fiance face any issue while filing income tax returns?

5) Is it mandatory to have a joint bank account when you apply for Adjustment of Status (AOS)?

6) Is social security number (SSN) mandatory to open a bank account in US?

 

7) Can you apply for a social security number when u arrive in US or once you get married in US?

 

😎 Which is the best American bank to open an account without going through too many hassles?

 

9) What is the best and the cheapest way to transfer money into an account in the US bank?

 

Detailed explanation or website links will be appreciated.

 

Thanks

Edited August 31, 2018 by Liflead
Typo error

[Ontarkie 13,917]

~~Moved to Moving Here and Your New Life, from K1 P&P - The OP is asking about opening a bank account.~~

[Liflead 112]

2 minutes ago, Ontarkie said:

~~Moved to Moving Here and Your New Life, from K1 P&P - The OP is asking about opening a bank account.~~

Didn't get you.

[Ontarkie 13,917]

6 minutes ago, Liflead said:

Didn't get you.

You posted in the wrong forum. I moved your thread to the right forum.

[mushroomspore 3,043]

12 minutes ago, Liflead said:

Hi friends,

 

I am fiance beneficiary in the process of my K-1 fiancé visa and want to transfer my savings to a US bank once I land in US. I have few questions regarding the same.

 

1) Can I open an individual bank account once I am in the US with my K-1 fiance visa?

2) What documents do the bank ask if you wanna open a current or a savings account with the bank?

3) Can my US citizen fiance open a joint bank account for me before I arrive or immediately after I arrive in the US?

 

4) Can I transfer money into my US fiancé's US bank account? Will my US fiance face any issue while filing income tax returns?

5) Is it mandatory to have a joint bank account when you apply for Adjustment of Status (AOS)?

6) Is social security number (SSN) mandatory to open a bank account in US?

 

7) Can you apply for a social security number when u arrive in US or once you get married in US?

 

😎 Which is the best American bank to open an account without going through too many hassles?

 

9) What is the best and the cheapest way to transfer money into an account in the US bank?

 

Detailed explanation or website links will be appreciated.

 

Thanks

1. If you want.

2. I opened one with just my Canadian passport with Wells Fargo when I was here on a student visa. No American ID whatsoever. I've had it since and we ended up adding my US husband's name to my account to make it our joint account.

3. I think you need to be present to show ID.

4. Yes, you can transfer money. Taxes are not affected by sending money from a personal foreign account to a personal US account.

5. Joint bank account is not mandatory for AoS but very helpful.

6. No, I didn't have an SSN when I got a US bank account.

7. Read this: SSN for K1 visa holders.

8. Wells Fargo had no problems opening an account for me. I've never had any issues but they've had some bad scandals over the past couple years. If you're paranoid about them, just do some research.

9. I always just did a direct wire transfer through BMO to WF but they charge a fee for international transfers. There's always Paypal, but they take a few days to a week to complete international transfers.

 

[Catherine36 6]

Depending on the sum, it is my opinion cheapest way will be using paypal.  From your current acct/bank to paypal...from paypal to US bank.

 

Best wishes,

 

Catherine. 

[Alabamak1 688]

3 hours ago, Liflead said:

Hi friends,

 

I am fiance beneficiary in the process of my K-1 fiancé visa and want to transfer my savings to a US bank once I land in US. I have few questions regarding the same.

 

1) Can I open an individual bank account once I am in the US with my K-1 fiance visa?

2) What documents do the bank ask if you wanna open a current or a savings account with the bank?

3) Can my US citizen fiance open a joint bank account for me before I arrive or immediately after I arrive in the US?

 

4) Can I transfer money into my US fiancé's US bank account? Will my US fiance face any issue while filing income tax returns?

5) Is it mandatory to have a joint bank account when you apply for Adjustment of Status (AOS)?

6) Is social security number (SSN) mandatory to open a bank account in US?

 

7) Can you apply for a social security number when u arrive in US or once you get married in US?

 

😎 Which is the best American bank to open an account without going through too many hassles?

 

9) What is the best and the cheapest way to transfer money into an account in the US bank?

 

Detailed explanation or website links will be appreciated.

 

Thanks

1) yes 

2) SS# and ID (passport is ok)

3) no, you have to do it, and/or be with him and do a joint bank account

4) no problems there...i suggest to use transferwise.com

5) no, its just another proof of bonafide marriage for AOS interview

6) depends on the bank/credit union

7) if you plan to change your name....do the SS# applications first.  Stay away from big banks.

     They tend to charge fees and are a pain in the @$$ 

9)  Tranferwise.com if available in your country

 

[Liflead 112]

9 hours ago, Ontarkie said:

You posted in the wrong forum. I moved your thread to the right forum.

Thanks

[Liflead 112]

9 hours ago, mushroomspore said:

1. If you want.

2. I opened one with just my Canadian passport with Wells Fargo when I was here on a student visa. No American ID whatsoever. I've had it since and we ended up adding my US husband's name to my account to make it our joint account.

3. I think you need to be present to show ID.

4. Yes, you can transfer money. Taxes are not affected by sending money from a personal foreign account to a personal US account.

5. Joint bank account is not mandatory for AoS but very helpful.

6. No, I didn't have an SSN when I got a US bank account.

7. Read this: SSN for K1 visa holders.

8. Wells Fargo had no problems opening an account for me. I've never had any issues but they've had some bad scandals over the past couple years. If you're paranoid about them, just do some research.

9. I always just did a direct wire transfer through BMO to WF but they charge a fee for international transfers. There's always Paypal, but they take a few days to a week to complete international transfers.

 

Thanks for the detailed info

[Liflead 112]

6 hours ago, Alabamak1 said:

1) yes 

2) SS# and ID (passport is ok)

3) no, you have to do it, and/or be with him and do a joint bank account

4) no problems there...i suggest to use transferwise.com

5) no, its just another proof of bonafide marriage for AOS interview

6) depends on the bank/credit union

7) if you plan to change your name....do the SS# applications first.  Stay away from big banks.

     They tend to charge fees and are a pain in the @$$ 

9)  Tranferwise.com if available in your country

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

Is it easy to get a social security number for K-1 visa holders? If yes, how long does it take to get it once u arrive in US on K-1 visa?

 

Thanks

[TBoneTX 43,058]

Above)  Many threads here:  http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/156-social-security-numbers/

 

5) Not crucial for AOS, but a basic requirement for ROC (removing conditions).  Become an informed student of the entire immigration process by doing some good reading about all upcoming stages.  

[Liflead 112]

36 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

Above)  Many threads here:  http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/156-social-security-numbers/

 

5) Not crucial for AOS, but a basic requirement for ROC (removing conditions).  Become an informed student of the entire immigration process by doing some good reading about all upcoming stages.  

Thanks buddy for sharing. Any comments on the other questions will be appreciated.

[TBoneTX 43,058]

You've gotten very good answers.

[MLR14 37]

Transferwise are excellent and cheap for transferring money between foreign accounts.

[Liflead 112]

6 hours ago, MLR14 said:

Transferwise are excellent and cheap for transferring money between foreign accounts.

Unfortunately Transferwise doesn't transfer Qatari Riyal to USD yet.