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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

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Timeline
Posted

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?

kiwihurricane15 Apprentice

kiwihurricane15   34

Posted
Timeline
Posted (edited)
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
Chris Duffy Experienced

Chris Duffy   1,257

Posted
Timeline
Posted
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.

TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   45,522

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted
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.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

WaterLeaf Rising Star

WaterLeaf   201

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Uruguay
 Timeline
Posted

Have you tried Capital One?

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

Spoiler

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
USCIS Approved I-129F Petition: January 17 - NVC Received Case: February 14 - NVC Case # Assigned: February 14

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]

Spoiler

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

AOS RFIE: Sept. 28 - got in mail by Oct 3. [They lost my Husband's Birth Certificate] - Sent back AOS RFIE: Oct 16 2019, at office by Oct 17.
AOS Case update notice on April 9th, 2020, waiting for mail. - Interview date: Scheduled as of July 15, date is August 19. Passed the interview!

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

ROC Process [2022-2024]

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Sent packet: June 16, 2022 via USPS, USCIS Received Package: June 21
Notice in text (didn't get email nor text on other phone): June 24
Notice date: June 23, package is at SRC (Texas Service Center), Paid with Credit Card, payment taken on June 25
NOA 1 Mail: June 30, Biometric: Reused
Got letter in mail for extension: April 12th, Received date June 21, 2022, Notice date: April 5, 2023 = 48 Months Extension. No physical card yet.
Approved without interview as of Feb 15th, 2024. Was not a combo interview with N-400.

Naturalization N-400 [2023-2024]

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Filed Online: July 28, 2023, NOA: July 29, 2023
Service Center: NBC, application # starts with IOE#.
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.
NOA as of 4/29/24 - Oath Ceremony scheduled for May 30th in Chattanooga, TN. Rescheduled as of May 2nd, 2024 by USCIS - new date is May 29th.
May 29th - Naturalized! Ta-da!

Newuser4453454 Explorer

Newuser4453454   79

Posted
Timeline
Posted

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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