# Banks you can open an account in the US as a tourist

**URL:** <https://community.nomadgate.com/t/banks-you-can-open-an-account-in-the-us-as-a-tourist/668>\
**Category:** Finances\
**Tags:** united-states, banking, recommendations\
**Created:** [April 19, 2018, 2:05pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/banks-you-can-open-an-account-in-the-us-as-a-tourist/668 "2018-04-19T14:05:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 2

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**Author:** ![fernandosilveira](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/f/ccd318/32.png) [@fernandosilveira](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/fernandosilveira)\
**Post date:** [April 20, 2018, 9:55am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/banks-you-can-open-an-account-in-the-us-as-a-tourist/668/2 "2018-04-20T09:55:54Z")

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Sergio,

I’m Brazilian as well, and first would like to ask:  
Do you mostly need to PAY in USD or GET PAID in USD?

If you just want to hold or spend USD, options like [Revolut](https://nomadgate.com/go/revolut) card are the best ones.

If you want to pay into US accounts, open a [Transferwise](https://nomadgate.com/go/wise) virtual account. BTW, people can even transfer money from US accounts to you. [Revolut](https://nomadgate.com/go/revolut) and [Transferwise](https://nomadgate.com/go/wise) allow you to switch to USD anytime, to benefit from currency fluctuation.

If you really need a standard US bank, check this post:

> **[How to open a US Bank Account as a Tourist / Non Resident](https://bkpk.me/how-to-open-a-us-bank-account-as-a-tourist/)**
>
> A lot of business happens in the USA. As the largest economy in the world, this comes as no surprise. If you work with US businesses, chances are, they would want to pay you through local methods. Some businesses might be setup to use Paypal or...

The guy provided me many details, I almost tried to do it last time I’ve been to the US.  
TIP: seems you have to explain to the employee of a bank that no law requires a SSN. Sometimes other branches of the same bank might do it for you. He explains which one worked.

To get a proper address (not PO Box) if needed:  
[https://www.theupsstore.com/mailboxes/personal-mailboxes](https://www.theupsstore.com/mailboxes/personal-mailboxes)

Official US Gov info that SSN are not required for bank accounts:  
[https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10096.pdf](https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10096.pdf)  
I quote:  
“Although many companies, such as banks and  
credit companies, may ask for your Social Security  
number, you generally aren’t required to provide one  
if you don’t have one.”

I have accounts in many countries (not US) and I’ve learned to simply go somewhere else whenever I face a bank/branch unwilling to do it. Just do the same.  
Let me know if you need more help or how it turned out.

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_[View the full topic](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/banks-you-can-open-an-account-in-the-us-as-a-tourist/668)._