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🇸🇻 ITIN Guide for Salvadoran Immigrants

Banking, credit, driver's licenses, and financial basics for Salvadoran immigrants — with or without immigration status.

🇸🇻 El Salvador 📅 Updated Apr 23, 2026 ✍️ By Kevin E.

Quick Links — What Are You Looking For?

Step 1

How to Get an ITIN

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Step 2

Open a Bank Account

Read guide →

Step 3

Build U.S. Credit

Read guide →

Also useful

Driver's License by State

Read guide →

Identification — What to Bring

Some branches accept the Salvadoran DUI (Documento Único de Identidad) alongside your ITIN as a secondary ID. A foreign passport is the most universally accepted ID — if you have one, bring it. Always call ahead to confirm what your specific branch accepts.

Standard documents required at any U.S. bank for an ITIN account opening:

Banking With an ITIN

These four major banks accept ITIN for personal checking and savings accounts. You must apply in person — online applications are designed for SSN holders.

Building Credit

A bank account does not build your credit score on its own. After opening your account, the next step is a credit card that reports to the three major bureaus.

Pay the full balance every month. After 12–18 months of on-time payments, your credit score will qualify you for unsecured cards like Chase Freedom Unlimited or Amex Blue Cash Everyday.

Driver's License

Large Salvadoran communities are concentrated in Los Angeles, Washington DC (Virginia and Maryland suburbs), Houston, and New York. California, Virginia, Maryland, New York, and New Jersey all issue driver's licenses to ITIN holders.

See the full list: all states that accept ITIN for a driver's license →

Taxes

Salvadoran immigrants with income in the U.S. must file a U.S. tax return using their ITIN. TPS holders are authorized to work and receive an SSN — if you have TPS work authorization, apply for an SSN rather than an ITIN.

For step-by-step filing guidance, see: ITIN guide — how to apply and how to file →

Community Organizations

These organizations offer free or low-cost immigration legal help, community support, and referrals:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Salvadoran immigrants open a U.S. bank account without an SSN? +
Yes. With an ITIN and a valid ID (passport or DUI), you can open an account at Bank of America, Chase, Citibank, or Wells Fargo. You must apply in person at a branch.
Can I get an ITIN if I have TPS? +
TPS (Temporary Protected Status) holders are authorized to work and are eligible for a Social Security Number, not an ITIN. If you have TPS employment authorization, apply for an SSN through the Social Security Administration instead.
Does El Salvador have a tax treaty with the U.S.? +
No. El Salvador does not have a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States. Salvadoran immigrants in the U.S. are taxed under standard U.S. rules for resident or nonresident aliens.
Can Salvadoran immigrants get a driver's license in the U.S.? +
Yes — in many states. California, Maryland, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, and 15 other states issue driver's licenses to people regardless of immigration status, using an ITIN or other identification. Check the state-by-state guide for requirements in your state.
What ID can I use if I don't have a Salvadoran passport? +
The DUI (Documento Único de Identidad) is accepted as a secondary ID at many bank branches alongside your ITIN. Some branches will not accept it as the sole form of ID — a foreign passport is more universally accepted. Contact your local consulate if you need help obtaining a passport.

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