Does Bank of America Accept ITIN?
Yes, for U.S. visa holders. Bank of America says visa holders living in the U.S. may open an account in person at a financial center with their ITIN and both their foreign and U.S. addresses. Its online application asks for an SSN. Bank of America doesn’t publish an ITIN path for people without a visa.
Quick Answer
Yes for U.S. visa holders — Bank of America says visa holders living in the U.S. may open an account in person at a financial center with their ITIN; the online application asks for an SSN. Bring:
- ITIN (CP565 letter as backup)
- One primary photo ID, such as a foreign passport, plus one secondary ID
- Proof of U.S. residency, plus your permanent foreign address
Without a visa? Bank of America’s published ITIN path covers visa holders only, so Chase, Wells Fargo, or Citibank are more direct routes for you. With a visa, use the Bank of America branch locator to find a financial center and schedule an appointment.
Federal rules, October 2026: Banks can still open accounts with an ITIN. A May 2026 executive order lets banks ask more questions of ITIN customers, and regulators are reviewing consular IDs like the matrícula by mid-November — see what's changing.
An ITINWorks Member's Experience
I opened my Bank of America checking and savings in person at the Santa Ana branch. In my case the accounts were approved the same day, but timing varies by branch and banker. I walked in with the same three documents I used at Chase: my physical ITIN letter, my Mexican passport, and my California driver's license. The banker who helped me was familiar with the ITIN process — but not every branch handles ITIN openings the same way. I'd recommend calling the branch ahead of your visit and asking whether a banker familiar with ITIN accounts is available. I have not opened a credit card with BofA — I went the Chase route for that — but the deposit accounts have worked well for me.
Bank of America is a practical option for many ITIN holders because it has thousands of branches across the U.S., strong Spanish-language customer service, and a page for non-residents and non-citizens where you can book an appointment with a specialist.
Which Accounts Can ITIN Holders Open?
Bank of America offers 3 checking account tiers under its Advantage Banking product, and all of them are available to ITIN holders: Advantage SafeBalance ($4.95 per month, no overdraft risk), Advantage Plus ($12, waived with a $250+ monthly direct deposit or $1,500 balance), and Advantage Relationship for larger balances.
| Account | Monthly Fee | How to Waive | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advantage SafeBalance Banking® | $4.95 | $0 with a $500+ minimum daily balance, an owner under 25, or BofA Rewards Preferred Plus tier or higher | Starting out, no overdraft risk |
| Advantage Plus Banking® | $12.00 | $0 with one qualifying direct deposit of $250+, a $1,500+ minimum daily balance, or BofA Rewards Preferred Plus tier or higher | Regular direct deposits |
| Advantage Relationship Banking® | $25.00 | $0 with a $20,000+ minimum daily balance in the account, or BofA Rewards Preferred Plus tier or higher | 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, waived with a $500 daily balance or for owners 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 an $8/month fee, waived for the first 6 months, or with a $500 daily balance, an owner under 25, an Advantage Relationship Banking account, or BofA Rewards Preferred Plus or higher. See Bank of America’s Advantage Banking fee details for current terms.
What Do I Need to Bring to the Branch?
Bank of America’s checklist for visa holders lists 3 items besides your ITIN: proof of U.S. residency, one primary photo ID such as a foreign passport, and one secondary ID. You’ll also give your permanent foreign address. Bring all 4 to the financial center in one visit.
An ITINWorks Member's Experience
The three documents that worked for me at the Santa Ana branch: my physical ITIN letter from the IRS, my Mexican passport, and my California driver's license. Branches vary — some bankers ask for an additional proof of address (utility bill or lease) even if you have a CA driver's license. Call ahead to confirm what your branch needs, and bring extra documents in case they ask.
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Your ITIN. Bank of America accepts your ITIN in place of an SSN — the banker enters it where the SSN normally goes. The physical CP565 letter isn't always required, but bring it as backup since some branches ask to see it to verify the number. Don't have an ITIN yet? Apply through the IRS with Form W-7.
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A primary photo ID plus a secondary ID. Bank of America’s checklist names a foreign passport (with or without a visa) as a primary ID. Ask the branch whether it accepts a Matrícula Consular or another foreign national ID before relying on one. A U.S. driver's license or state ID can help if you have one.
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Proof of U.S. residency. Bring a recent document and ask how recent it must be. Common options: utility bill (electric, gas, water), lease or rental agreement, bank or credit card statement, cell phone bill, or government-issued mail addressed to you.
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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.
How Do I Open a Bank of America Account Step by Step?
Gather your documents
Collect your ITIN, a primary and secondary ID, and recent proof of U.S. residency before going to the branch — the whole process usually takes 1 branch visit of 30–60 minutes once your documents are in order..
Call your local branch first
Find your nearest financial center at bankofamerica.com and schedule an appointment to open an account with your ITIN — 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.
What Are the Pros and Cons?
The trade-off in one line: Bank of America accepts an ITIN from U.S. visa holders, has thousands of branches nationwide and strong Spanish-language support, but you must apply in person and monthly fees of $4.95–$12 apply unless you meet the waiver requirements. For most first-time ITIN account holders, the pros win.
Pros
- ITIN accepted for U.S. visa holders — 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
- BofA Rewards tiers waive monthly fees for higher balances
Cons
- Online application asks for an SSN — with an ITIN, 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)
Can ITIN Holders Get a Bank of America Credit Card?
Bank of America doesn’t publish an ITIN policy for its credit cards, so there’s no stated ITIN route. Its BankAmericard Secured card needs a $200 to $5,000 deposit and has no annual fee. If you want a card whose issuer states an ITIN option, Chase’s cards and Capital One Platinum Secured do.
- BankAmericard Secured Credit Card: $200–$5,000 deposit, no annual fee — Bank of America doesn’t state whether an ITIN is accepted. A common starting card if you have little or no U.S. credit history. See the card’s terms.
- Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards: Up to 3% cash back in a category you choose — some ITIN holders with established BofA history report approval. Approval depends on your credit and Bank of America’s underwriting.
- Bank of America Travel Rewards: Points on every purchase, no annual fee — reported by ITIN holders with 12+ months of BofA relationship.
- Key tip: Start with the secured card to build a BofA relationship, then request a graduation to unsecured after 12 months of on-time payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does opening a bank account affect my immigration status?
No. Opening a bank account does not change your immigration status, and an ITIN does not change immigration status or authorize work. Financial privacy laws such as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act protect certain customer information but have exceptions, including disclosures required by law or legal process, so don’t treat an account as a guarantee that information will never be shared.
Can I open a joint account with an ITIN?
Bank of America doesn’t publish a separate ITIN rule for joint accounts. Its in-person ITIN path applies to each U.S. visa holder on the account, so every owner brings an ITIN, a primary and secondary ID, and proof of U.S. residency, and both owners attend together.
Can I get a credit card from Bank of America with an ITIN?
No published policy. Bank of America doesn’t say on its card pages whether an ITIN is accepted, so its cards aren’t a sure route for ITIN holders. If you want a card that states an ITIN option, Chase’s cards and Capital One’s secured cards do. For more options, 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 FAQ says U.S. visa holders may open an account in person with an ITIN. 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.