Open a bank account with B1 Visa
Jul 30, 2011, 10:24 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 5
Open a bank account with B1 Visa
Hi,
(Sorry if this is the wrong forum, but I could only find this one)
I am visiting the US for 3 months and have a B1/B2 visa. I don't have an SSN. I want to open a bank account to keep some of my money and to get a local Credit card to make purchases(otherwise I'm charged nearly 4.1 % above exchange rate, and keeping changes is cumbersome). I'm in NYC. Can someone please let me know which bank to go to that will allow me to open an account with SSN. Various resources on internet say that it possible but none name the bank.
Thanks,
ChasKramer
(Sorry if this is the wrong forum, but I could only find this one)
I am visiting the US for 3 months and have a B1/B2 visa. I don't have an SSN. I want to open a bank account to keep some of my money and to get a local Credit card to make purchases(otherwise I'm charged nearly 4.1 % above exchange rate, and keeping changes is cumbersome). I'm in NYC. Can someone please let me know which bank to go to that will allow me to open an account with SSN. Various resources on internet say that it possible but none name the bank.
Thanks,
ChasKramer
Jul 30, 2011, 11:58 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: OH
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, Marriot Lifetime Gold
Posts: 9,539
If you are in the US for only 3 months, good luck getting a credit card. Very few banks, if any, would approve a non-resident for a credit card.
Why don't you use a pre-paid card instead. Avoids the change issue and no need for a credit check or bank account
Why don't you use a pre-paid card instead. Avoids the change issue and no need for a credit check or bank account
Jul 30, 2011, 2:42 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: DFW
Posts: 192
You can go to any bank with your passport and they will be able to open an account for you and you will get a debit card in mail which you can use as a credit on all the locations which accept credit cards to save you the hefty ATM charges.
Jul 31, 2011, 4:21 am
#6
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,580
You will be able to get a checking account with no problem. You will not be able to get a credit card without a social security number, but most checking accounts come with debit cards that work through the credit card networks (Visa or MasterCard) and can be used everywhere that those credit cards are accepted.
Jul 31, 2011, 5:31 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: BOS
Posts: 267
I was not allowed to open up a bank account until I got my SSN, and some banks still require that I bring my social security card due to it being issued so recently and may impose extra waiting times (30 days) for verification.
I was probably not trying hard enough if everybody here says that it is possible (and it probably varies by bank as well as who you interact with), but don't expect the process to be easy as you may need to shop around. And if you don't get the answer you want you may have better luck at a different branch of the same bank.
Also, it took me a bit over a year after receiving my SSN until I was approved for my first credit card.
I was probably not trying hard enough if everybody here says that it is possible (and it probably varies by bank as well as who you interact with), but don't expect the process to be easy as you may need to shop around. And if you don't get the answer you want you may have better luck at a different branch of the same bank.
Also, it took me a bit over a year after receiving my SSN until I was approved for my first credit card.
Jul 31, 2011, 8:52 am
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
You don't say where home is, but will presume for these purposes that you bank at major institution at home. Major foreign banks all have branches in NY and you can ask your bank at home to open for you or provide the appropriate paperwork to allow you to open a US$ account & possibly credit card.
You also don't say why you will be in NY for 90 days. If it's business, the business you are working for will almost certainly have a US banking relationship.
You also don't say why you will be in NY for 90 days. If it's business, the business you are working for will almost certainly have a US banking relationship.