The presence of an account in an American bank opens up additional opportunities for its owner, both when living in the United States and outside the country. To open an account in an American bank, you need to personally visit the office of a financial institution and present a package of documents. In some banks, the service of opening an account may be paid.
The need for a debit account with a US bank can be due to several reasons:
- Making purchases in American online stores that do not accept international payment cards.
- Using an American bank to save personal funds.
- Receiving payment for remote work.
- The need for a debit account in connection with temporary or permanent residence in the United States.
- The presence of an additional commission when using cards of non-American banks in the United States.
Account opening procedure
The main difficulty in opening an account in an American bank is the need for a personal presence when submitting an application. Due to increased security measures, US law restricts the opening of bank accounts for non-residents who cannot verify their identity.
If personal presence when opening an account is not a problem, then to open an account you must visit the bank's office, having the following documents with you:
1. Proof of identity.
In this capacity, employees of American banks accept any identity document, including a Russian driver's license or passport. The largest bank offices in the United States may have Russian-speaking employees on their staff, which will greatly facilitate the process of accepting documents. Also, the bank may require a second identity document.
2. Invoices and statements in the name of the card recipient
Invoices for goods or services are required to confirm applicant residency in the United States. As proof, any invoices can be used, where the personal data of the buyer and the address of his residence are indicated.
3. Social Security or Taxpayer Number. This requirement is optional, and some banks allow opening accounts for tourists who usually do not have these documents.
Service cost
The cost of opening an account depends on the prices for the services of a particular bank. In some banks, opening an account is free, subject to the initial crediting of the required fixed amount to the account.
In addition to the initial payment for services, the bank may charge a monthly fee for using the card. If the future cardholder receives regular payments to the account, the monthly fee may be abolished. Also, there is no charge for using the card from students.
