Over a million people immigrate to the U.S. every year. They may be moving here temporarily to attend college, or they may plan to settle in the U.S. permanently. Foreigners can get checking or savings accounts at U.S. banks, but they may need to provide additional documentation and information.
The best banks for foreigners are those that have no foreign transaction fees, low or no monthly maintenance fees, and low or no minimum balance requirements. Here are our picks for the best banks for foreigners and a rundown on their services.
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Key takeaways
- Foreigners can get checking and savings accounts in the U.S.
- An SSN isn’t required to open a U.S. bank account.
- Many banks charge monthly maintenance fees.
- Monthly fees usually are waived if the account holder meets specific requirements, such as maintaining a minimum balance or direct depositing a certain amount every month.
- Foreign transaction fees are typically 3%.
The 7 best banks for foreigners
Best banks for foreigners comparison
Bank | Monthly maintenance fees | Minimum deposit requirement | Foreign transaction fees |
SoFi1 | $0 | $0 | 0.2% charged by Mastercard |
HSBC | $50 (without minimum deposit) | $75,000 (one of three options for qualifying for a Premier account) | $0 |
Chase | $12 (without minimum balance) | $1,500 (one of the options for avoiding a monthly service fee) | 3% |
Capital One | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Bank of America | $4.95 (unless you meet certain requirements) | $25 | 3% |
Wells Fargo | $10 | $500 (to waive the monthly fee) | 3% |
Charles Schwab | $0 | $0 | $0 |
SoFi
- Can earn 0.50% annual percentage yield (APY) on checking balances with direct deposit3
- No overdraft fees
- No monthly service fees
- You need a Social Security number to open an account
- Mastercard charges a 0.2% foreign exchange fee that’s not covered by SoFi
SoFi is a fintech company that offers several products, including SoFi Checking and Savings. It has a low foreign exchange fee and non-U.S. citizens can apply if they have legal status. You are required to have a Social Security number, however.
SoFi has no overdraft or monthly fees and no minimum balance requirements. You do need to have direct deposit to earn the highest APY on your funds.
SoFi is best for those who don’t mind doing their banking online and who have a Social Security number.
Member FDIC.4
Visit SoFi | Read our SoFi review
HSBC
- It is an international bank.
- No fees on “everyday” transactions
- No foreign transaction fees
- Offers a Global Money multi-currency bank account
- Fee-free transfers globally among HSBC accounts.
- You don’t need an SSN.
- $50 monthly maintenance fee (unless certain requirements are met)
- Global View and Global Transfers aren’t available in all countries.
- Transfers outside the U.S. may be subject to fees.
- High minimum balance of $75,000 for the monthly maintenance fee to be waived
HSBC is an international bank that offers bank accounts to people in over 45 countries across the globe, making it a great bank for foreigners. The bank’s Premier checking account doesn’t charge fees on everyday transactions or foreign transactions.
Once you open an HSBC Premier account, you are eligible for an HSBC Global Money account. That is a prepaid, multi-currency account available on HSBC’s mobile app that enables you to manage your international finances in eight different currencies. You’ll also have access to Global Transfers, which allows you to transfer money between your HSBC accounts in other countries, and Global View, a service enabling you to see all your worldwide HSBC accounts in one place.
HSBC charges a $50 monthly maintenance fee on its Premier Checking accounts, which is waived if you have one of the following:
- At least $75,000 in total deposits and/or investments
- At least $5,000 in total direct deposits each month
- A U.S. residential home mortgage with an original loan amount of at least $500,000
Visit HSBC.
Chase
- Overdraft assistance
- Access to more than 15,000 ATMs and 4,700 branches
- SSN or ITIN is not required to open an account
- $12 monthly service fee (unless certain requirements are met)
- $34 overdraft fee per transaction
- Charges fees for wire transfers
- 3% foreign exchange rate adjustment
The Chase Total Checking is the bank’s most popular account for everyday needs. With this account, you can access your money at over 15,000 ATMs and more than 4,700 branches around the country or through the Chase Mobile app.
Non-residents won’t need an SSN or ITIN to open a Chase bank account. They can do so with a passport and something that shows their proof of address, like a student ID with a photo or a foreign national ID.
One potential drawback to Chase for non-residents is the 3% foreign transaction fee charges on card purchases, non-ATM cash transactions, or ATM withdrawals in currencies other than U.S. dollars. Chase also charges a $12 monthly service fee, which is waived for one of the following reasons:
- Electronic deposits made into the account total $500 or more.
- The daily balance is $1,500 or more.
- The average daily balance equals $5,000 or more for any combination of the account and linked qualifying deposits/investments.
Visit Chase.
Learn more in our Chase Bank review.
When you open a new Chase Total Checking® account with qualifying activities.5FDIC Insured. Offer valid through July 24, 2024.
Capital One
- No monthly maintenance fees
- No foreign transaction fees
- No minimum balance required
- Get paychecks up to 2 days earlier
- Add cash at any CVS location
- 70,000 fee-free ATMs
- No overdraft fees
- Checking and savings accounts earn interest.
- International wire transfers need to be done in a branch location.
If you are frustrated by bank fees, Capital One’s 360 Checking and 360 Performance Savings may be the bank for you. Capital One charges no monthly maintenance fees, transaction fees, overdraft fees, ATM-withdrawal fees, or foreign transaction fees. There is also no minimum balance required on Capital One accounts.
Another advantage to Capital One is that its checking and savings accounts bear interest to help you grow your money. The 360 Performance Savings account is high yield, earning a variable interest rate of 4.35% (as of Mar. 4, 2024) annual percentage yield (APY). The 360 Checking account earns 0.10% (as of Jan. 10, 2024) APY.
A disadvantage to Capital One is that its banking services are primarily online, but its international wire transfers must be done at a branch location, which could be a hassle for foreigners who want to send money to loved ones in their home country.
Learn more in our Capital One 360 review.
Bank of America
- Low monthly maintenance fee, which could be waived
- No monthly fee for students under 25
- No overdraft fees
- $4.95 monthly maintenance fee (unless certain requirements are met)
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- $15 foreign wire transfer fee to receive
- $45 foreign wire transfer fee to send
- No overdraft protection
Bank of America’s Advantage SafeBalance Banking account is a good option for international students who are studying in the U.S. and need a bank account.
The SafeBalance is Bank of America’s most basic checking account with a low monthly maintenance fee of $4.95. However, that fee is waived for students under the age of 25. The fee is also waived for account holders under 18 or those enrolled in Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program. You can open a SafeBalance account with just $25.
Where the Bank of America SafeBalance account falters is with its 3% foreign transaction fees. Also, if an international student wants to wire money to someone in their home country, the outgoing foreign wire transfer costs $45. The cost to receive foreign wire transfers is $15.
Visit Bank of America.
Wells Fargo
- Has international branch locations
- Optional overdraft protection offered
- $10 monthly maintenance fee (unless certain requirements are met)
- $35 charge for overdrafts
- $16 foreign wire transfer fee to receive, $45 to send
- 3% foreign transaction fee
Foreigners looking for a U.S. bank that they can access in their country may consider Wells Fargo, which has branch locations in over 20 countries, including China, Japan, Canada, France, Ireland, Germany, and Australia.
The monthly maintenance fee on Wells Fargo’s Everyday Checking account is low at $10. But you could avoid that fee by maintaining a minimum daily balance of $500 or making $500 or more in total qualifying electronic deposits.
The maintenance fee is also waived for account holders between the ages of 17 and 24 and for college students who link the account to their Wells Fargo Campus ATM Card or Campus Debit Card.
Wells Fargo charges 3% for foreign transactions, and foreign wire transfers cost $16 to receive and $45 to send. The bank does provide an optional overdraft protection service, which may be wise to sign up for because you could be charged $35 for overdrafts.
Visit Wells Fargo.
Charles Schwab
- No fees
- No account minimums
- No foreign transaction fees
- 0.45% (as of May 23, 2023) APY on checking account
- Unlimited ATM fee rebates
- Only available with a linked Schwab One brokerage account