Hello, first time here…Glad to find this wealth of information on a somewhat painful topic.
I am an American (dual citizenship) living in Bulgaria since early pandemic times and in need of opening a new bank account in order to cash a check issued by a U.S. bank. I have a valid GA DL, US passport. I don’t have a permanent (U.S.) physical address and a phone number.
If I’m to get a monthly subscribtion to a non-CMRA mailbox, should a get a number for let’s say MintMobile next? And then how will a prove that I, in fact reside there, as one of the requrements are an uitility bill per say?
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This doesn’t directly answer your question, but have you considered asking your existing bank ( or failing that an international bank with branches in your country) to clear the cheque for you?
(I have deposited USD cheques through HSBC in the UK for example)
Unfortunately, clearing cheques even in the UK is all in the past. Banks in Bulgaria (i’ve checked every single one) will not clear a check in USD as well. In Euro here and there, not USD.
When were you successful in that - depositing a USD check through HSBC? Was it recently?
Some banks are easier to open than others. Once you have one open that can often be used as proof of address for other things.
Alliant Credit Union is one decent option for opening your first US bank account remotely. Note: As a non-resident you may need to submit the application by mail or fax.
Start off by getting a non-CMRA mailbox, then sign up for the cheapest renter’s insurance you can find and that can be cancelled monthly (e.g. Lemonade). The renter’s insurance can be used as a proof of address for many banks and CUs, including Alliant.
I believe Alliant will even let you list your Bulgarian address as your secondary address, but you could try to rely on the non-CMRA address to begin with.
You will need a US phone number, which in many cases can be a free Google Voice number, but an actual phone plan (with physical or eSIM) will be more reliable. Tello is one good option.
Note that most prepaid phone providers won’t give you a bill that can be used as proof of address, however. If you need that you could go for Google Fi, they issue an invoice which is likely to be accepted as proof of address by many entities.
Good luck!
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Thank you very much, Thomas!
Dragging out this outstanding check drama and desperation pushed me into bying a ticket to the States. And then, a mere day after, I stumbled upon your site. I’m going to give it a shot with Fidelity in person next week. Meanwhile, I’m going to prepare and use the affiliate link to the non-CMRA service, the Lemonade renter’s insurance you suggested and Google Fi (which is news to me as well).
All sound advice…
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FWIW, cashing a foreign currency cheque in a UK bank seems possible still.
https://www.comparethemarket.com/current-accounts/content/foreign-currency-cheques/
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I just asked HSBC, they still do it.
There is no fee into a USD account, but £28 if converted to GBP (they also use their daily rate) plus any overseas bank charges.
But it can take upto 12 weeks 
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Thank you for the link, @tommigun. It seems easier said than done. I did actually call several major UK banks back in November, including some US with branches in the UK, and they said no, we do no accept checks.
I’m beginning to believe they can break their own rules subjectively now and then.
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If you’re going in person you are also likely to be able to open an account with a larger range of banks as a non-resident. E.g. Bank of America, Chase, etc. In some cases you still need to list a US address with them when signing up, but IIRC at least BofA would let you change your foreign address as your main address (or potentially only address). If you go that route, make sure to bring proof of your address in Bulgaria.
Also, Fidelity would be a good one to keep if you manage to get an account there. I haven’t researched if they allow Bulgaria, but I know they let you change your address to many non-US countries later on (still needs to be opened with a US address, IIRC). There will be certain trading restrictions based on the country (like no investments in US mutual funds, etc) but e.g. ETFs are usually still allowed.
Ha! Thank you @Starts for that clarification. Now I wish I knew that three months ago… Then again wil they do it for one who has no local bank account or UK address - it remains questionable.
I’ll keep that in mind though.