Banking While Undocumented: Where and How to Start
Being an undocumented immigrant is challenging when trying to secure financial wellness. Having a bank account provides numerous opportunities for economic security, including storing your money in a safe place, providing proof of income to secure housing, and protecting your money against fraud.1 Unfortunately, many immigrants miss out on the opportunity of having a bank account due to fear and a lack of information. As many banks ask for proof of citizenship, such as a Social Security number, undocumented students are afraid that opening a bank account could possibly put their and their family’s status in jeopardy. They may also not be aware of the steps to opening a bank account, making the process of understanding one’s eligibility more complicated. To ensure that undocumented immigrants’ status remains protected, some banks do not require proof of citizenship documentation to open a bank account.3 To alleviate undocumented students’ fears and make the process of opening a bank account accessible to undocumented individuals, this article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a bank account in the United States of America.
Step 1: Researching Banks that Accept Undocumented Immigrants Before applying for a bank account, it’s important to look into which banks don't need proof of citizenship documentation. Within the United States, there are over twenty-five banks and credit unions that make it easier for immigrants to apply for a bank account. These banks include Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and more. As these banks are large franchises, there are thousands of locations across the United States, making banking largely accessible for anyone, regardless of location. Although these banks don’t require documentation for one’s citizenship status, they may require other forms of documentation to create a bank account.5
Step 2: Understand What Documents the Bank You Want to Apply to Needs
Depending on the bank you’re applying to, they require different forms of identification to open a bank account. Some of these identifications may include an ID from the country you were born in, a foreign passport, a foreign driver's license, or a foreign visa.2 You can also use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.6 To apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, used to process taxes and apply for a bank account, you must have a green card or have been in the United States for more than 183 days. If an undocumented person doesn’t meet these qualifications, they can apply for one if they are on another person’s tax form, such as if you have a spouse or are a dependent.7 You have to get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number only if you are expected to file taxes. When applying for one, fill out the W-7 form provided by your job or other tax filing forms, submit proof of identity, and mail or take your completed forms to an IRS office. In addition to having a proof of identification to open a bank account, some banks may require a proof of address. Proof of address includes providing a utility bill sent to your place of residence or a lease.8
Step 3: Know What Type of Bank Account You Can Have
There are different kinds of bank accounts you can open, the most common being a checking account or a savings account. A checking account is the account where you’ll manage your everyday income. Checking accounts provide a safe place to store your everyday spending money, withdraw cash, and write your checks. Depending on the bank chosen, checking accounts usually have an online service platform, allowing you to view your accounts, pay your credit card, etc. A savings account is where you can store the money you don’t want to spend every day. Some savings account make you have a minimum balance at all times, ensuring that the account remains active. Depending on the amount of money in a savings account and the interest rate offered, your balance can increase over time. This allows you to save money for larger payments or emergency funds, while also making more money.10 The bank account that people get regardless is a checking account, but having both can provide you with more ways to manage your money.
Step 4: Apply in Person
Once you have gathered the documents necessary to open a bank account, check if your bank requires an appointment or accepts walks in. Once you set an appointment or decide to walk in, go to the bank of your choice and talk to a worker. While at the bank, ask any additional questions you have and a request translator, if needed. 3.2 The worker will review your documents and assist you in setting up your bank account. Once they have helped you set up the bank accounts of your choice, you are now ready to start investing and spending your money safely.
Opening a bank account while undocumented can seem scary and complicated. Yet, securing financial security while undocumented is possible. Through researching nearby banks, Wells Fargo and Bank of America in the Bay Area, that allow alternative documentation from social security numbers, gathering the required documents needed, looking into different types of bank accounts, and applying in person, you’re closer to obtaining more financial wellness opportunities. To obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number go to your nearest IRS office with your completed W-7 form, the closest being located at 450 Golden Gate Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102. Having a bank account allows undocumented immigrants to gain access to a safe place they can store money, make online payments easier, and protect themselves from fraud. Therefore, allowing undocumented immigrants to secure financial wellness despite their citizenship status.
References
1. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Top Reasons to #GetBanked. Fdic.gov.
Accessed October 7, 2025.
https://www.fdic.gov/getbanked/pdf/top-reasons-to-open-a-bank-account.pdf
2. CTI Team. Bank Teller Job Description. Corporate Finance Institute. Accessed October 8,
2025. https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/career/bank-teller-job-description/
3. Ferri MC. How to Open a Bank Account as an Undocumented Immigrant.
immigrantfinance.com. Published February 12, 2024. Accessed October 9, 2025.
https://cpanel.immigrantfinance.com/how-to-open-a-bank-account-as-an-undocumented-immigrant/
4. Bank of America In Fortune Rankings. fortune.com. Published October 9, 2025.
https://fortune.com/company/bank-of-america-corp/
5. InterCultural Voices. 28 Banks And Credit Unions That Make It Easy For Immigrants And
Non-US Citizens To Open Accounts. Interculturalvoices.com. Published November 22, 2023. Accessed October 9, 2025.
6. Ferri MC. Immigrants Can Safely Open Bank and Investment Accounts.
Immigrantfinance.com. Published March 3, 2025. Accessed October 9, 2025.
7. Individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). Irs.gov. Published 2017. Accessed October
9, 2025. https://www.irs.gov/tin/itin/individual-taxpayer-identification-number-itin#benefits
8. Sheehy K. How Undocumented Immigrants Can Get Bank Accounts. nerdwallet.com.
Published
January 25, 2024. https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/banking/undocumented-immigrants-bank-accounts
9. U.S Copyright Office. Recordation Overview. Copyright.gov. Published 2025. Accessed
October 9, 2025. https://www.copyright.gov/recordation/
10. TD Bank. What Are Common Types of Bank Accounts? td.com. Accessed October 9, 2025.
https://www.td.com/us/en/personal-banking/learning/types-of-bank-accounts
11. Digital Tools to Help Financial Institutions Improve Customer Service, Operations.
claconnect.com. Published December 10, 2024. Accessed October 9, 2025. https://godigital.claconnect.com/insights/article/digital-tools-to-help-financial-institutions-improve-service/
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