What federal rules allow
Banks must verify who they are opening an account for. For a non-U.S. person, the federal rule says the identification number can be any one or more of four things.eCFR
- A taxpayer identification number (an SSN, ITIN or EIN)
- A passport number and the country that issued it
- An alien identification card number
- The number and country of issue of another government-issued document that shows nationality or residence and has a photograph or similar safeguard
So a U.S. tax ID is not the only route in law.eCFR In practice, each bank writes its own account-opening policy. Some will take a passport, some insist on a U.S. address or an ITIN. We cannot tell you which, so ask the bank before you spend money.
When an ITIN helps with a bank account
An ITIN is a tax number, not an ID. The IRS says it does not serve as identification outside the federal tax system.IRS It can still matter at a bank for one reason: interest reporting.
If a bank account earns interest that is subject to U.S. information reporting or withholding, the bank may ask for a taxpayer ID. The Form W-7 instructions have exceptions that let you apply for an ITIN without a tax return in that case: exception 1(b) for an account whose income is effectively connected with a U.S. business, and 1(c) for a resident alien. Either one needs an original signed letter from the bank, on its letterhead, saying the account is subject to reporting or withholding.IRS
For many non-residents, a Form W-8BEN is the more common request. It is how you tell the bank you are a foreign person, and the IRS lists bank deposit interest among the income types where it can claim an exemption from domestic information reporting and backup withholding.IRS Our W-8BEN guide explains it.
Business accounts: an EIN, not an ITIN
If the account is for a company or an LLC, banks usually ask for an EIN, not an ITIN. A foreign applicant with no SSN or ITIN can still get one. The IRS says applicants outside the U.S. apply by phone (267-941-1099, not toll-free, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern, Monday to Friday), by fax or by mail with Form SS-4, and write "foreign" or N/A on line 7b when the responsible party has no SSN or ITIN.IRS
Our EIN service prepares and files that for you, and our article on ITIN or EIN first for a foreign-owned LLC compares the order.
Questions to ask the bank first
- Do you open accounts for non-residents, and for non-residents who live outside the U.S.?
- Do you accept a passport on its own, or do you need an ITIN?
- Do I need a U.S. address, or can I use a foreign one?
- Will you ask for Form W-8BEN or Form W-9?
- Can I open it remotely, or must I visit a branch?
If the answer is "ITIN", you can start that now. See our ITIN service. Nolly.com charges US$199 for a Standard ITIN application and US$265 for Priority, one time. Most applicants also need a U.S. tax return: from $199, quoted before you pay. Money back if the IRS rejects your ITIN application. Terms apply.
Your questions answered
Federal rules let a bank identify a non-U.S. person with a passport number and country of issue, an alien ID card or another government photo ID instead of a tax ID.eCFR Whether a particular bank agrees is its own policy.
Not as a matter of federal law. Some banks still ask for one, especially when the account earns interest that is reportable to the IRS.IRS
No. The IRS says an ITIN is for federal tax purposes only and is not for identification outside the tax system.IRS
Banks usually ask for an EIN. A foreign applicant with no SSN or ITIN can request one by phone, fax or mail with Form SS-4.IRS
Banks often ask non-residents for it to document foreign status. The IRS lists bank deposit interest among the income types for which it can be used to claim an exception from domestic reporting and backup withholding.IRS
The IRS charges nothing. Nolly.com charges US$199 for a Standard ITIN application and US$265 for Priority, one time. Most applicants also need a U.S. tax return: from $199, quoted before you pay. Money back if the IRS rejects your ITIN application. Terms apply.
More questions? See the full Nolly.com FAQ.
How we checked this
Every IRS fact on this page comes from IRS.gov or the other official pages listed below and was checked on October 2, 2026. Nolly.com's own prices are the only exception. Nolly.com is a private company and is not part of the IRS.
Nolly Services Inc, d/b/a Nolly.com, appears on the IRS page Acceptance agents – Canada. Nolly.com is a private company and isn't part of the IRS.
- Instructions for Form W-7 (Rev. 12-2024)https://www.irs.gov/instructions/iw7
- Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)https://www.irs.gov/individuals/individual-taxpayer-identification-number
- Instructions for Form W-8BEN (Rev. October 2021)https://www.irs.gov/instructions/iw8ben
- Instructions for Form SS-4 (12/2025)https://www.irs.gov/instructions/iss4
- 31 CFR 1020.220, Customer identification program requirements for bankshttps://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-31/subtitle-B/chapter-X/part-1020/subpart-B/section-1020.220
Checked against IRS.gov on October 2, 2026. General information, not tax advice.
