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  1. #1

    How to get a US Bank Account for non-US citizens from abroad?

    I have heard so many say that they got their US bank accounts from outside the United States and did'nt even have a SSN number or US mailing address.

    I in desperate need of a US bank account. If anyone can provide any information regarding this matter it will be greatly appreciated and also those of you who have already gotted US bank accounts from abroad please share your experience and how you got it.

    Also do you know of any other similar Forum where I can ask this question other than webhostingtalk.com?
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  2. #2
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  3. #3
    You are talking about Personal Account or Business Accoung ?

    You can not apply for personal bank account without SSN. For business account you have to be Incorporated in USA with Federal Tax ID.
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  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2001
    Location
    Uppsala, Sweden.
    Posts
    55

    But...

    On Bancorps site it says that you have to fill in a form, and send it over to guarantee that you are a foreigner that does not live in the US. Otherwise it seems quite easy to get an account?...

    / Jonas
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  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Posts
    164
    Well all bets _may_ be off. I asked bancorp a question about their debit card and was told they couldn't process apllications because of changes imposed by the Patriot Act. I have asked if that means never or we don't know yet.

    KathySmith can you answer that? This was for a biz checking account with and/or without Delaware incorporation.

    Anyone else any insights?

    -
    Dr Strangelove (aka Donald Rumsfeld)
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  6. #6
    I need a personal bank account.

    So far I have been turned down by all the US banks I have e-mailed.

    They open accounts without SSN# but the account must be opened in person which I cannot do as a trip to the US would cost me thousands of $s
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  7. #7
    Yep, I (from uk) opened a personal account in the US at keybank - keybank.com

    They required I provided fingerprints...that was pretty surreal...
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  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Posts
    164
    Was that recently stu_sp? Since the infamous Patriot Act?
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  9. #9
    It was around June/July this year, so I think (although I may be wrong!) that this was before the patriot act was passed.
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  10. #10
    I just applied at http://www.valis-int.com
    Waiting for more information from them
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  11. #11
    Have you tried asking your own personal bank if they can arrange it ? many overseas banks have arrangements with overseas or "parent" banks that allow their customers to open foreign accounts.
    Hosting and Design Services
    www.KiwiBloke.com
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  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2002
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    3,098
    Originally posted by SurfTurtle
    I just applied at http://www.valis-int.com
    Waiting for more information from them
    Expensive
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  13. #13
    Yes its expensive but not as much it would cost me not to get a US Bank account just see what I had to go through before I decided to get this.

    http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showth...threadid=84024

    I just couried the documents to valis today, they say it'll take 1 week for themselves and 1 week for thebancorp.com to proccess it.
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  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario
    Posts
    1,452
    If you are from Canada, you can use Harris Bank which is located in Chicago, IL. This bank is a branch of BMO (Bank of Montreal), which is a big Canadian bank.
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  15. #15
    i am in Pakistan
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  16. #16
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario
    Posts
    1,452
    Might be a little tougher. Hrm. Try calling some US banks and ask them if they open bank accounts, because usually this can be done over the phone.

    However, when we opened a US bank account, we had to provide corporation documents, SSN documents, and personal identification..... just like if we were opening the coporate account here in Toronto.

    I believe its the same process everywhere.
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  17. #17
    Its much more than tough, its almost impossible.

    As soon as I tell anyone i'm from Pakistan every answer from them onwards is ,no, i'm sorry we can't, not possible, .....

    I have thought about incorporating in US but that seems too much trouble and also i'm concerned about paying taxes. In pakistan there is no kind of tax on IT companies for 7 years which is great.
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  18. #18
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    Arabia
    Posts
    678
    It's not imposible - just talk to your favorite local banker. Also check out any branch of HSBC
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  19. #19
    Join Date
    Jun 2001
    Posts
    960
    Can HSBC help its overseas clients to open US bank account? That'd be nice.
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  20. #20
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Posts
    196
    HSBC USA FAQ says as follows

    Can I Sign Up for Internet Banking if I Live Outside the United States?
    You will need a valid U.S. address to sign up for Internet Banking.
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  21. #21
    I opened a personal checking account (basic web checking) at The Bancorp Bank ( www.thebancorp.com ) online last week. I received the email confirmation that the account is open. I also spoke to their Customer Service and they told me everything is OK and all I need to do is to fax them the W8-BEN form, and then I can make my first deposit (opening deposit of $50 is required to activate the account).

    In the online application, I left the SSN field blank as I'm not a US citizen.

    Also, the fax# on their website is wrong, the correct one ends with 5194.

    So, I opened a US bank account without much hassle, now I'm just waiting to order my debit Mastercard.

    Hope this helped.
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  22. #22
    Matija,
    Where are you from? and did'nt thebancorp ask for a reference from a account holder to open your account as that is the only reason i'm paying Valis International $130 for the reference.
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  23. #23
    Originally posted by SurfTurtle
    Matija,
    Where are you from? and did'nt thebancorp ask for a reference from a account holder to open your account as that is the only reason i'm paying Valis International $130 for the reference.
    From their FAQ:
    I am not a US resident and/or not a US citizen. May I apply for an account?
    Yes, you may apply for any account offered through The Bancorp Bank. All you have to do is fill out a W-8BEN form and send it in with your application. You can download this form from our Web Site.
    http://TotalHosting.biz
    Affordable Hosting & Bulk Reseller accounts.
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  24. #24
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Posts
    164
    Thomas, it may well say that on their web site but when I ashed them a question a few days ago they said: "they couldn't process applications from no-US citizens because of changes imposed by the Patriot Act. I have asked if that means never or we don't know yet."

    Anyone else have experiences like this?

    Matija - have you actually had the opening of the account CONFIRMED?

    --
    Dr S
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  25. #25
    Man - good for you, but that makes me

    I will be calling them first thing in the morning!!!!!!!!! What country are you in?
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