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TTG

How do I open a US bank account?

By TTG in Moving to the US and Your New Life In America

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TTG Apprentice

TTG   8

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Timeline
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Can this be done with no SSN and just an I-551 in the IR1? I have Transferwise right now so can exchange £ to $ no problem but it's not convenient to use Transferwise as a primary bank account. Would like to set up a proper US bank account as soon as possible but not sure if I need the SSN first. 

 

Could someone please advise?

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kiwihurricane15 Apprentice

kiwihurricane15   34

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12 minutes ago, TTG said:

Can this be done with no SSN and just an I-551 in the IR1? I have Transferwise right now so can exchange £ to $ no problem but it's not convenient to use Transferwise as a primary bank account. Would like to set up a proper US bank account as soon as possible but not sure if I need the SSN first. 

 

Could someone please advise?

Go to Bank of America or Wells Fargo, both will allow you to open an account without SSN no issues. Just take passport and foreign bank/debit card and address information. You can be loaded both as non resident or resident. Good luck.

Edited by kiwihurricane15
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TTG Apprentice

TTG   8

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17 minutes ago, kiwihurricane15 said:

Go to Bank of America or Wells Fargo, both will allow you to open an account without SSN no issues. Just take passport and foreign bank/debit card and address information. You can be loaded both as non resident or resident. Good luck.

Thank you!

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Chris Duffy Experienced

Chris Duffy   1,256

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6 hours ago, TTG said:

Can this be done with no SSN and just an I-551 in the IR1? I have Transferwise right now so can exchange £ to $ no problem but it's not convenient to use Transferwise as a primary bank account. Would like to set up a proper US bank account as soon as possible but not sure if I need the SSN first. 

 

Could someone please advise?

Social Security Numbers are not needed to open an account by law.  Banks have their own requirements, look around and find one that you like.  

Just when you think you have TDS eradicate,  a new case shows up.

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TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   43,058

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19 hours ago, Chris Duffy said:

Banks have their own requirements, look around and find one that you like.  

I was also going to suggest this.  Some of the regional and local/area banks can be even more accommodating and flexible than the national banks.  Do shop around.

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WaterLeaf Rising Star

WaterLeaf   199

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Have you tried Capital One?

K-1 Visa process (I'm the USC [F]) [2018-2019]

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Sent packet: August 10, 2018 (Lines Compressed to fit signature restriction guideline)

USCIS Received package: August 14 - Notification in text/email: August 17 - Mail received from USCIS: January 22, 2019
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US Embassy Received: Not sure but got email reply - March 11 - Instructions Received via e-mail: March 19

Interview: May 7 - Approved! - Arriving to US/POE: June 12 - Married July 15, 2019

AOS Process [2019-2020]

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Sent packet: July 27, 2019 - USCIS Received Package: July 29 - [Hiccup] Package was sent back due to incorrect fee and sent on August 5.
Notification in text/email: August 12 @ 12:30AM - Check cashed: August 12 - NOA 1 Mail: August 16 - Biometric: September 5 @ Atlanta, GA

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My Husband got his GC! 2 Year Conditional Green Card expires 08/19/2022, Residence since 08/19/2020

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Sent packet: June 16, 2022 via USPS, USCIS Received Package: June 21
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Approved without interview as of Feb 15th, 2024. Was not a combo interview with N-400.

Naturalization N-400 [2023-...]

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Filed Online: July 28, 2023, NOA: July 29, 2023
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Biometrics waived. Got NOA mail Jan 5, 2024 says Interview in Nashville, TN on Feb 6, 2024.
Queue for review and approval. Already in line for Oath Ceremony as of Feb 13th, 2024.

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Newuser4453454 Explorer

Newuser4453454   79

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PNC is another bank that allows you to sign up for an account without an SSN. Don't be daunted if they ask you to sign something called a W-8; it doesn't have anything to do with anything except any interest that may accrue on the account (it's next to nothing in most cases). They want to make sure they can report the interest to the IRS properly.

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