Quick Answer
For immigrants without an SSN, including undocumented immigrants with an ITIN, Citibank and Wells Fargo are the strongest starting points in 2026: both list an ITIN as an accepted alternative on their account applications. Citibank takes applications online; Wells Fargo uses branch appointments for non-permanent residents. Bank of America accepts an ITIN in person at a financial center. Immigrants with an SSN can apply at any bank like other U.S. customers.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| SSN required by law? | No — the CFPB says an SSN isn't legally required to open an account |
| Citibank | Lists an ITIN as an alternative to an SSN; apply online if you're a U.S. citizen or resident alien, otherwise by phone or at a branch |
| Wells Fargo | Lists an ITIN; non-permanent residents book an in-branch appointment |
| Chase | ITIN can replace an SSN; without an SSN, open at a branch with a current passport, proof of U.S. address and a second ID |
| Bank of America | Accepts an ITIN in person; no SSN required |
| Credit unions | Many accept an ITIN; membership usually depends on where you live or work |
| Rules to watch | May 2026 executive order on ITIN customers; consular ID (matrícula) review by mid-November |
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.
Your immigration status changes which ID and tax number you bring, not whether you can bank. We ranked these picks by three things: whether the bank's own website publishes ITIN acceptance, the ways you can apply (online, in person, or by appointment), and branch access. This page is organized by status; for each bank's exact ITIN rules, see banks that accept ITIN: requirements by bank.
| Pick | Bank | Best for | How to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Citibank | Immigrants with an ITIN who want a low-fee account | ITIN listed Online for U.S. citizens and resident aliens; phone or branch for others |
| 2 | Wells Fargo | Non-permanent residents who can visit a branch | ITIN listed Online with an SSN or ITIN; non-permanent residents book an in-branch appointment |
| 3 | Bank of America | Non-U.S. citizens, with or without a visa | ITIN listed; no SSN required In person at a financial center |
| 4 | Credit unions | Lower fees and local, often bilingual service | Many list ITIN Varies by credit union; membership is usually tied to where you live or work |
| 5 | Chase | Immigrants near one of its 5,000+ branches | ITIN listed In person at a branch with a current passport and a second ID |
"ITIN listed" means the bank's own account pages name the ITIN as an accepted ID number, per Citibank, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Chase (checked October 2026).
What are the best banks for immigrants in 2026?
The best banks for immigrants in 2026 are Citibank, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America, because each publishes ITIN acceptance on its own account pages (Bank of America in person). Citibank accepts online applications, Wells Fargo books branch appointments for non-permanent residents, and Bank of America opens accounts in person by appointment. All three carry FDIC insurance up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category.
Chase also takes ITIN applicants: its guide for non-residents says an ITIN can be used in place of an SSN on a bank account application, and without an SSN it asks for a current passport, proof of U.S. address and a second ID. Open the account in person at a Chase branch. You can confirm any bank's deposit insurance at FDIC.gov.
Can immigrants open a bank account without a Social Security number?
Yes. Immigrants can open a U.S. bank account without an SSN. Under the Bank Secrecy Act and USA PATRIOT Act, banks must verify your identity — not your immigration status — and an ITIN counts as a valid taxpayer identification number. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau confirms a Social Security number is not legally required to open an account.
The federal consumer agency spells this out directly: see the CFPB's answer on opening a checking account without a Social Security number. If you don't have a tax ID yet, here's how to apply for an ITIN.
What are the best banks for undocumented immigrants?
The best banks for undocumented immigrants in 2026 are Citibank, Wells Fargo and Chase, followed by local credit unions. Citibank takes an ITIN online (U.S. citizens and resident aliens) or by phone or at a branch, Wells Fargo by in-branch appointment, and Chase at a branch with a current passport and a second ID. Bank of America also opens accounts in person without an SSN.
- Citibank — lists an ITIN as an alternative to an SSN; apply online if you're a U.S. citizen or resident alien, otherwise by phone or at a branch.
- Wells Fargo — lists an ITIN; non-permanent residents book an in-branch appointment.
- Chase — says an ITIN can replace an SSN on its account application; without an SSN, open in person with a current passport, proof of U.S. address and a second ID.
- Credit unions — many accept an ITIN; membership usually depends on where you live or work.
The federal Customer Identification Program rule (31 CFR 1020.220) lets a bank identify a non-U.S. customer by an ITIN, a passport number and country of issuance, an alien identification card number, or another government-issued photo ID number instead of an SSN. Many credit unions accept ITINs too. A June 2026 FinCEN advisory now flags an ITIN used in place of an SSN as a possible reason for extra review, so branches may ask more about your address, employer, and source of funds — bring extra documents. See what changed in our breakdown of the bank citizenship executive order.
Which banks are best for new immigrants, by immigration status?
The best bank for a new immigrant depends on immigration status. Citizens, green-card holders, and DACA or TPS recipients with an SSN can apply at any bank. Visa holders and undocumented immigrants without an SSN do best at Citibank or Wells Fargo, which list the ITIN as an alternative, while Bank of America takes an ITIN in person.
| Status | ID to bring | Tax number | Good fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naturalized citizens & green-card holders | U.S. passport, green card, or state ID | SSN | Any bank or credit union |
| Visa holders (F-1, H-1B, J-1, etc.) | Foreign passport + U.S. visa | SSN if work-authorized; otherwise ITIN | Bank of America (in person), Citibank, Wells Fargo (by appointment) |
| DACA & TPS recipients | Employment Authorization Document (EAD) | SSN | Any bank or credit union |
| Undocumented immigrants & ITIN holders | Foreign passport, matrícula consular, or other government photo ID | ITIN | Citibank, Wells Fargo (by appointment), Chase (at a branch), credit unions; Bank of America (in person) |
| New arrivals with no SSN or ITIN | Foreign passport | None yet | Some banks and credit unions can open with passport-based ID under federal rules — confirm with the bank |
Whatever your status, the bank verifies your identity, not your immigration status. For each bank's exact ITIN rules and channels, see banks that accept ITIN: requirements by bank.
What documents do immigrants need to open a bank account?
Most banks ask immigrants for 3 things: a government-issued photo ID, a tax identification number, and proof of a U.S. address. A foreign passport is the most widely accepted ID, and an SSN or ITIN serves as the tax number. Bank of America also asks for a secondary ID, and non-resident aliens give a foreign address too.
- With an SSN (citizens, green-card holders, DACA/TPS) — photo ID such as a U.S. passport, green card, EAD, or state ID, plus your SSN and a U.S. address.
- Visa holders — passport and visa, your SSN or ITIN, and proof of U.S. residency; Bank of America lists a secondary ID as well.
- ITIN holders without a visa — passport or other government photo ID, your ITIN (or the IRS CP565 letter that confirms it), and a recent utility bill or lease.
For a full bank-by-bank document checklist, see banks that accept ITIN: requirements by bank.
Is there a special bank account for immigrants?
No — U.S. banks don't have a special "immigrant account" type. Immigrants open the same checking and savings accounts as everyone else; the federal identification rule (31 CFR 1020.220) only sets the minimum a bank must collect — name, date of birth, address and an ID number, which for non-U.S. persons can be an ITIN or a passport number. Some banks sell "newcomer" packages.
If you're still overseas, opening a U.S. account before you arrive is hard: most U.S. bank applications ask for a U.S. residential address, and new arrivals usually finish the process at a branch with their passport. Banks that operate in both countries can help. HSBC, for example, says on its international banking page that you can open an account before you leave or once you arrive, and online from certain countries. Check its eligibility terms before you rely on it.
Are credit unions a good option for immigrants?
Yes — credit unions are often the best option for immigrants who want low fees and personal service. Member-owned and nonprofit, many community credit unions and Inclusiv-network members welcome ITIN holders, offer bilingual staff, and carry the same $250,000 NCUA insurance as FDIC banks. The tradeoff is geographic: membership usually requires living or working in their service area.
For a nationwide list with membership rules, see credit unions that accept ITIN, and find one near you with the NCUA credit union locator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can immigrants open a bank account without a Social Security number?
Yes. U.S. banks must verify your identity, not your immigration status, and federal rules let banks identify non-U.S. customers by an ITIN, a passport number, or another government photo ID. Citibank, Wells Fargo, and Chase list an ITIN as an accepted alternative to an SSN, and Bank of America accepts an ITIN in person.
What is the best bank for undocumented immigrants?
Citibank is the easiest start for undocumented immigrants with an ITIN, because it lists the ITIN as an accepted alternative to an SSN and takes online applications from U.S. citizens and resident aliens, with phone or branch applications for everyone else. Wells Fargo accepts an ITIN by in-branch appointment, and Chase opens ITIN accounts at its branches. Many credit unions accept an ITIN too.
Which bank is best for new immigrants?
It depends on your status. With an SSN, any bank works. Without one, Citibank is an easy start because it takes ITIN applications by phone or at a branch, and online from U.S. citizens and resident aliens, and Wells Fargo accepts an ITIN with an in-branch appointment for non-permanent residents. Bank of America also opens accounts in person with an ITIN. Credit unions often charge lower fees.
Do undocumented immigrants need a green card to open a bank account?
No. You do not need a green card, visa, or any specific immigration status to open a U.S. bank account. Federal law requires banks to verify identity, not citizenship. An ITIN issued by the IRS, plus a passport and proof of address, is accepted at banks such as Citibank and Wells Fargo and at many credit unions — confirm with the bank before you go.
What documents do immigrants need to open a bank account?
Most banks ask for three things: a government photo ID (a foreign passport is the most widely accepted), a tax ID such as an ITIN or SSN, and proof of a U.S. address like a recent utility bill or lease. Bank of America also asks for a secondary ID. Some banks accept a consular ID (Matrícula Consular) — confirm before you go.
Can I open a U.S. bank account from overseas before I move?
Usually not at a typical U.S. bank, because most applications ask for a U.S. residential address and new arrivals finish the process at a branch with their passport. Some banks with branches in both countries, such as HSBC, say you can open an account before you leave, depending on the country you apply from.