New York skyline in orange evening light, including the Empire State Building

USA · Banking

Banking in the USA for new arrivals

Why US banks often ask for a Social Security number or taxpayer identification number, and what to confirm about accounts you already hold outside the United States.

US banks typically ask for a Social Security number or an individual taxpayer identification number, an address, and identification. New arrivals sometimes start with a bank an employer recommends. That recommendation is not an approval, and one state’s everyday banking does not describe every bank in the country.

Accounts outside the United States may need to be reported once you are in the US tax system. Tell providers you already use that you are moving. Some close accounts when a customer is no longer resident where the account was opened.

Last reviewed 2026-10-12

What to weigh

Identification numbers
A Social Security number or an individual taxpayer identification number is a common request, together with an address and identification. Ask which one this bank requires and what it accepts while a number is pending.
Employer introductions
An employer’s preferred bank can be a practical place to start. The bank still applies its own checks.
Accounts outside the US
Existing accounts may need to be reported, and some providers will not keep a non-resident relationship. Ask before a card or a direct debit fails.
State and bank differences
Products, branches and identification practice are not uniform. Confirm the rules of the bank and the state you will actually use.

Questions to confirm

Which taxpayer or Social Security number will this bank accept, and what can be done while it is pending?
Does an employer introduction change the documents required?
Which accounts outside the United States need to be reported, and to whom?
Will existing providers keep accounts open after you move?

Common questions

Can I open a US bank account without a Social Security number?

Some banks accept an individual taxpayer identification number, and some want a Social Security number. Ask the specific bank. Do not assume a workaround you have read about is current.

Do accounts outside the USA still matter after I move?

They can. Reporting may apply, and the foreign provider may restrict or close the account. Both questions need a direct answer before you move money.

Is banking the same in every state?

No. Identification practice, products and taxes differ. Use the bank and the state you will actually live in as the reference, not a national slogan.

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Tools

Banking eligibility checkerExplore international bank account categories and providers based on where you live, where you may move, your banking needs and approximate account size. Research guidance only — not an application decision.Banking needs checklistTurn practical questions into a list of account features to compare before you look at providers.Document checklistBuild a personal list of papers for a move. What a country, bank or school actually requires will differ.Currency converterConvert an amount with an exchange rate you type in. No live rate is connected.

Comparisons

Providers featured in related WiT Access comparisons are listed there for comparison. A listing does not mean a provider offers this service in this country, or that an application will be accepted.

Sources

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Reviewed 2026-10-12. Confirm the current rule with the publisher. This page does not quote a rate or a fee from the source.

WiT Access provides general information and comparison resources. Nothing on this website constitutes financial, tax, legal or investment advice. Always consider obtaining advice from an appropriately qualified professional.