What do I need to open a Bank of America account with an ITIN?

To open a Bank of America account with an ITIN you need: (1) your ITIN number (the IRS letter assigning your ITIN or your ITIN card), (2) a valid government-issued photo ID such as a passport, consular ID (Matrícula Consular), or foreign national ID, (3) proof of a U.S. address such as a utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement dated within 60 days, and (4) an opening deposit (minimum $25 for most accounts).

Can I open a Bank of America account online with an ITIN?

No. Bank of America's online application requires a Social Security Number. ITIN holders must apply in person at a branch. Call your local branch ahead of time to confirm they are familiar with the ITIN process.

Which Bank of America account is best for ITIN holders?

The Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking account is generally the best option for ITIN holders starting out. It has no overdraft fees, a low $4.95 monthly fee (waivable for students under 25), and straightforward requirements. Once you have regular direct deposits, upgrading to Advantage Plus Banking waives the monthly fee.

Does Bank of America report to immigration authorities?

No. Banks are prohibited from sharing customer information with immigration authorities except under specific court orders or subpoenas. Opening a bank account does not affect your immigration status. Bank of America, like all U.S. banks, is bound by federal privacy laws including the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.

Bank of America ITIN Account 2026 — How to Open Without an SSN

Q: Does Bank of America accept ITIN?

Yes. Bank of America accepts ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) as a substitute for a Social Security Number when opening a personal checking or savings account. You must apply in person at a branch — online applications require an SSN.

Last updated: April 26, 2026
By Miguel Garcia

Does Bank of America Accept ITIN?

Yes. Bank of America accepts an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) as a valid tax identification number when opening a personal checking or savings account. You do not need a Social Security Number.

Bottom Line

Bank of America will open a checking or savings account for you with an ITIN. You must go in person to a branch — their online application requires an SSN and does not work with an ITIN. The process takes about 30 minutes once you have all your documents.

Bank of America is one of the most reliable options for ITIN holders because it has thousands of branches across the U.S., strong Spanish-language customer service, and a dedicated account tier designed for customers with no prior U.S. banking history.

Which Accounts Are Available

Bank of America offers three checking account tiers under its Advantage Banking product. All three are available to ITIN holders.

Account	Monthly Fee	How to Waive	Best For
Advantage SafeBalance Banking®	$4.95	Free if you're a student under 25; enrolled in Preferred Rewards	Starting out, no overdraft risk
Advantage Plus Banking®	$12.00	One qualifying direct deposit of $250+/month, or maintain $1,500 daily balance	Regular direct deposits
Advantage Relationship Banking®	$25.00	Maintain $20,000 combined balance across BofA accounts	Higher balances, interest-bearing

Which Account Should You Open?

For most ITIN holders opening their first U.S. bank account, Advantage SafeBalance Banking is the right choice. Here is why:

No overdraft fees — the account declines transactions when funds run low instead of charging fees
Low $4.95 monthly fee, waivable for students under 25
No minimum opening deposit beyond the initial $25
Debit card, Zelle, and online banking all included

Once you have consistent direct deposits of $250 or more per month — from freelance work, an employer, or any other source — upgrade to Advantage Plus Banking so the monthly fee is waived entirely.

Tip

Bank of America also offers a savings account (Advantage Savings) that can be opened at the same time. It pays interest and has a $8/month fee waivable if you link it to a BofA checking account.

What to Bring to the Branch

Bring all of the following. Missing any one item will delay or cancel your appointment.

✓
Your ITIN number. Bank of America accepts your ITIN in place of an SSN. You do not need to bring the physical IRS letter — your ITIN number is enough — but having the letter confirms the number if asked.
✓
A valid government-issued photo ID. Accepted IDs include: foreign passport (most common), Matrícula Consular (Mexican consular ID), other foreign national ID cards. A U.S. driver's license or state ID is also accepted if you have one, but is not required.
✓
Proof of U.S. address. Must be dated within the last 60 days. Accepted documents: utility bill (electric, gas, water), lease or rental agreement, bank or credit card statement, cell phone bill, or government-issued mail addressed to you.
✓
Opening deposit. Minimum $25 in cash or a check. You can also fund the account via a transfer from another bank account at the branch.

Important

Not every Bank of America branch handles ITIN accounts equally. Some branch employees are unfamiliar with the process or may incorrectly tell you an SSN is required. Call ahead and ask specifically: "Can I open a checking account with an ITIN?" If they hesitate, try a branch in a higher-traffic area or near a large immigrant community — these branches process ITIN accounts regularly.

Step-by-Step: How to Open the Account

Gather your documents

Collect your ITIN, photo ID, and proof of address before going to the branch. Make sure your proof of address is dated within 60 days.

Call your local branch first

Find your nearest branch at bankofamerica.com and call to confirm they can open an account with an ITIN. Ask to schedule an appointment — walk-ins are accepted but an appointment avoids waiting.

Go to the branch in person

Arrive at your appointment with all documents. Tell the banker you want to open an Advantage SafeBalance Banking account and that your tax ID is an ITIN. The banker will enter your ITIN where the SSN field normally appears.

Complete the application

The banker will fill out the account application with your information. You will sign and provide your opening deposit. The entire process takes 20–40 minutes.

Receive your debit card

A temporary card may be issued immediately. Your permanent debit card arrives by mail within 7–10 business days. You can enroll in online banking and the Bank of America app the same day.

Pros and Cons

Pros

✓ ITIN explicitly accepted — no SSN needed
✓ Thousands of branches nationwide
✓ Strong Spanish-language support at branches and in the app
✓ SafeBalance account has zero overdraft fees
✓ Zelle, online banking, and mobile deposit included
✓ Access to credit cards and loans once you establish a banking history
✓ Preferred Rewards program for long-term customers

Cons

✗ Cannot apply online — must go in person
✗ Monthly fees apply if you don't meet waiver requirements
✗ Some branches are unfamiliar with the ITIN process
✗ Savings account interest rates are low
✗ Out-of-network ATM fees ($2.50 per transaction)

Frequently Asked Questions

Does opening a bank account affect my immigration status? +

No. Banks are prohibited by federal law from sharing your information with immigration authorities except under a specific court order or subpoena. Opening a Bank of America account has no impact on your immigration status. Bank of America is bound by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and other federal privacy regulations.

Can I open a joint account with an ITIN? +

Yes. Bank of America allows joint accounts where one account holder has an ITIN and the other has an SSN. Both account holders must be present at the branch with their own identification documents.

Can I get a credit card from Bank of America with an ITIN? +

Bank of America's standard credit card applications require an SSN. However, after establishing 6–12 months of banking history with Bank of America, some customers report success applying for a secured credit card in-branch. For credit cards that explicitly accept ITIN, see our credit cards for ITIN holders guide.

What if the branch tells me I need an SSN? +

This happens occasionally due to employee unfamiliarity. If a branch employee tells you an SSN is required, politely ask to speak with the branch manager and explain that Bank of America's policy permits ITIN account opening. Alternatively, try a different branch. Branches in urban areas and cities with large immigrant populations are generally most experienced with this process.

How long does it take to open the account? +

The in-branch process typically takes 20–40 minutes if you have all your documents. Your account is active immediately. Your permanent debit card arrives by mail in 7–10 business days, but a temporary card or digital card number may be issued the same day.