How can a newcomer open a bank account in the United States in 2026?

Expect a primary photo ID. A foreign passport is widely accepted when the branch policy allows it. Some institutions also accept a consular ID such as Mexico's Matricula Consular. Secondary evidence often includes a lease, utility bill, employer letter, Social Security card, or birth certificate. CFPB checklists also note that without an SSN or ITIN you may be limited to a no-interest account at some providers.

Have a U.S. mailing and residential address ready. Hotels and temporary stays can fail automated checks; a lease or roommate affidavit may help at a staffed branch. Bring a small opening deposit. Amounts vary by product.

Major national banks (for example Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank) and community credit unions publish newcomer or international-student pages, but branch discretion still matters. Credit unions usually require a membership field such as an employer, school, or geographic common bond. Ask about monthly fees, minimum balances, ATM networks, overdraft, wire costs, and international transfers before you fund the account.

If you are work-authorized, get an SSN from the Social Security Administration early; payroll direct deposit is smoother with it. If you cannot get an SSN, apply for an ITIN from the Internal Revenue Service for tax filing and ask the bank whether it accepts ITIN holders for checking and savings.

Some banks screen prior banking history through ChexSystems or a similar consumer reporting agency. A past unpaid overdraft or account abuse elsewhere in the United States can lead to a decline even when your passport is fine. Ask whether the bank offers a second-chance checking product, and request the reason in writing if you are denied so you can correct reporting errors.

Online-only applications often hard-stop without an SSN. For ITIN or passport-only paths, an in-person appointment at a large-city branch (New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, Miami) is usually more reliable than a fully digital signup.

Activate online banking, set unique passwords, and enable alerts. Order a debit card and confirm holds on large incoming wires. Keep the first statement; state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices and landlords often accept it as residency proof later.

Update the bank when you move. Federal benefits and payroll may need the routing and account numbers printed on checks or in the app, not a screenshot from a third-party wallet.