Open an account, build U.S. credit and send money home safely
By J&H Digital Services LLCChecked Oct 23, 202610 sources
You do not need a to open a U.S. bank account. Banks and credit unions must check an ID number, which can be an SSN, an ITIN (about 7 weeks to get) or, at some places, a passport number. Start with a checking account, then build credit with a secured card that you pay on time every month. Sending money abroad in cash has cost a 1% federal tax since Jan 1, 2026.
Bring your passport, your immigration documents and proof of your address, such as a lease. Banks must confirm your name, birth date, address and an ID number. If you have no SSN, ask before you go whether they accept an ITIN or a passport number. Rules vary, so call two or three places.
An ITIN is a tax number from the IRS for people who must file U.S. taxes but cannot get an SSN. It is not a work permit and does not change your immigration status. Apply with Form W-7 and a federal tax return, plus your passport or other original identity documents.
Mailing your passport to the IRS is risky. Instead, book a free appointment at the Boise Taxpayer Assistance Center, where staff check your original documents and hand them back the same day. A Certifying Acceptance Agent can do the same for a fee; find one on the IRS list.
Your credit history from another country does not carry over. Landlords, phone companies and lenders check U.S. credit. A secured credit card is the usual first step: you pay a deposit, often a few hundred dollars, and that becomes your limit. Some banks and credit unions offer them to ITIN holders.
Pay the full bill on time every month and use only a small share of your limit. After 6 to 12 months of on-time payments, ask about moving to a regular card and getting your deposit back. Missed payments hurt your score for years.
Best for: People who live or work in Idaho and have an SSN
Best for: Families with someone who works at or attends a local school
Ask what ID they accept to open an account without an SSN.
Most banks need a U.S. address. A lease, a utility bill or a letter from your employer, school or resettlement agency often works. Ask the bank what it accepts.
No. If you are eligible for an SSN, apply for that instead. You cannot hold both, and an ITIN is only for people who cannot get an SSN.
It depends on your status, your income and how many days you are in the U.S. Many people must file both a federal and an Idaho return. Free tax help sites (VITA) can help people with low or moderate income.
Fees, rules and providers change. Confirm with the official source before you go.
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