Several US banks that accept an ITIN say so on their own pages, but most expect visa holders to open in person. In November 2026, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, SoFi, Capital One and Latino Community Credit Union all listed the ITIN as an accepted tax number, each with a catch.
Quick answer
Which banks accept an ITIN for a checking account?
Bank of America and Wells Fargo accept an ITIN at a branch, SoFi lists an ITIN for online sign-up and includes non-permanent residents, Capital One 360 takes an ITIN online but only from citizens and green card holders, and Latino Community Credit Union accepts an ITIN with photo ID from any country.
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Facts checked in November 2026 against official sources. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the provider before you act.
Still deciding whether you need an ITIN at all? Start with whether you can open a bank account with an ITIN instead of an SSN.
Quick picks by reader type
- Best near a branch: Bank of America.
- Best for steady direct deposit: Wells Fargo Everyday Checking.
- Best online pick: SoFi Checking and Savings.
- Best for green card holders with an ITIN: Capital One 360 Checking.
- Best community option: Latino Community Credit Union.
How we chose these banks
This list is research-based: we read each bank’s own eligibility and fee pages in November 2026 and did not open accounts. A bank made the list only if its own page named the ITIN as an accepted number.
Chase, Citi, U.S. Bank and PNC are missing on purpose: we found no current page of theirs confirming ITIN acceptance for personal accounts, so we left them out rather than guess.
Banks that accept ITIN: comparison table
| Bank and account | ITIN and who can apply | How you open | Monthly fee and waiver | Main catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance | SSN not required; ITIN listed as a tax number | In person at a financial center | $4.95, waived under age 25 or with a $500 minimum daily balance | Two unexpired IDs plus foreign and US address |
| Wells Fargo Everyday Checking | SSN or ITIN | Branch appointment for non-permanent residents | $15, waived with $500 in qualifying electronic deposits, a $1,500 minimum daily balance or an owner aged 17 to 24 | $25 minimum opening deposit |
| SoFi Checking and Savings | SSN or ITIN; non-permanent residents listed | Online only | No account or maintenance fees | No branches; fees on outgoing wires |
| Capital One 360 Checking | SSN or ITIN | Online | No monthly fee listed | US citizens and green card holders only |
| Latino Community Credit Union | SSN or ITIN with photo ID from any country | Online or branch | $8 one-time membership fee to join LCDC | Check where its branches are first |
Bank of America: branch opening with an ITIN
Bank of America’s international pages say it does not require an SSN to open a US account. You bring two unexpired IDs, such as a foreign passport and a student ID, plus a tax number if you have one, which can be an ITIN. Visa holders open in person and give a foreign and a local address.
The Advantage SafeBalance account costs $4.95 a month unless an owner is under 25 or you keep $500 every day. Bank of America also says it charges no transfer fee on international wires sent in foreign currency, though its exchange rate includes a markup.
Not for: anyone who wants to open fully online or lives far from a financial center. See Bank of America’s page on how to open a bank account as an international professional.
Wells Fargo: ITIN accepted, branch for visa holders
Wells Fargo’s online application asks for an SSN or ITIN, a physical US address and your own mobile number. Its FAQ says non-permanent US residents must make an appointment and apply in person, so most visa holders end up at a branch.
Everyday Checking costs $15 a month unless you meet one waiver, such as $500 in qualifying electronic deposits. As a nonresident you may also be asked for a tax form; our guide on why your bank asks for a W-8BEN explains that form.
Not for: anyone unlikely to meet a waiver, since $15 a month adds up.
SoFi and Capital One: online options with limits
SoFi’s eligibility page lists an SSN or ITIN, a physical US address and age 18 or over, and it names non-permanent residents among accepted citizenship statuses. SoFi says it charges no account or maintenance fees, but it charges for outgoing wires.
Capital One’s 360 Checking disclosure accepts an SSN or ITIN, yet limits the account to US citizens and lawful permanent residents. That suits green card holders with an ITIN, not visa holders. Online checks can also fail for newcomers; see why you may be refused when opening a bank account online without an SSN.
Not for: anyone who needs cash deposits at a counter or face-to-face help.
A credit union that accepts an ITIN
Latino Community Credit Union asks members to live in the US, have a valid SSN or ITIN and hold a government photo ID from any country. You first join its nonprofit partner, LCDC, for a one-time $8 fee, and you can apply online or at a branch.
As an IRS Certified Acceptance Agent, it helps members apply for or renew an ITIN for a $100 processing fee. Not for: people who need a branch nearby; check its locations page before you join.
What to bring when you open with an ITIN
The IRS says on its Individual Taxpayer Identification Number page that an ITIN is a tax number only: it is not ID, does not give immigration status and does not allow you to work. The bank still needs photo ID.
- Your passport or another primary photo ID
- A second ID, such as a student or employer ID
- Your ITIN letter from the IRS
- Proof of your US address, such as a lease
- Money for the opening deposit
For visa-by-visa details, see our checklist of documents to open a bank account as a non-US citizen. If you just landed, read how to show proof of address for a bank account when you are new to the US. Indian PAN and Aadhaar cards are not accepted as US ID.
When your SSN arrives
Once you receive an SSN, tell the bank so it can update your tax records; see how to add your SSN to an existing bank account covers the steps. If you used the ITIN for credit, also read how to build credit with an ITIN and move that history later.
Frequently asked questions
Do big banks accept an ITIN?
Yes, some do. Bank of America lists the ITIN as an accepted tax number and does not require an SSN, and Wells Fargo accepts an SSN or ITIN. Both expect most visa holders to open at a branch.
Can I open a bank account online with an ITIN?
Sometimes. SoFi lists an ITIN for online sign-up and includes non-permanent residents, while Capital One 360 accepts an ITIN online only from US citizens and green card holders. A branch is still the safer route.
Do credit unions accept an ITIN?
Some do, but check each one. Latino Community Credit Union accepts an SSN or ITIN with a government photo ID from any country, after a one-time $8 membership fee to its nonprofit partner.
What should I do when I get an SSN?
Tell your bank and give it the new number so it can update your tax records. You can keep the same account; the IRS says to stop using the ITIN once you have an SSN.
Next step: compare the full picture
Before you book a branch visit, read our pillar guide on how to open a bank account in the US as a foreigner. It covers every visa type, branch versus online, and what to do if you are refused.