Financial life in the U.S.

You have options when it comes to opening a U.S. bank account.
You're also required to provide a couple of forms of identification.

Application process and requirements

To apply for an account, you need to visit a Bank of America financial center.

1.Required documents

You must be living in the U.S. in order to open an account and you'll need to provide both your foreign and your U.S. address.*

Home or permanent residence address

This must include building name or number and street name, city or town, state or province, country.

U.S. physical address

Only one of the following documents is needed:

  • Government-issued ID with photo
  • Work ID with address and photo
  • Current utility bill with your name and address
  • Other (rental agreement, etc.)

*A post office box or locally known mail drop location (such as Mail Boxes) is not an acceptable U.S. physical address.


You will need two forms of identification.

Primary ID

Only one of the following documents is needed:

  • Foreign passport with or without passport visa (with photo)
  • U.S. Non Immigrant visa and Border Crossing Card-DSP-150 (with photo)
  • Mexican, Guatemalan, Dominican, Colombian Consular ID (with photo)
  • Canadian Citizenship Certificate Card (with photo)

Secondary ID

Only one of the following documents is needed:

  • Foreign driver's license with photo or U.S. driver's license
  • U.S. issued employment/work ID card or badge
  • Debit or major credit card with Visa® or Mastercard® logo
  • Major retail credit card from a nationally well-known company
  • U.S. Department of State Diplomat ID
  • Mexican Voter Registration Card (with photo)

Foreign Tax Identification Number (FTIN)

An FTIN issued by a country other than the U.S. A U.S. TIN/ITN is not required unless you’ve been issued one.

2.Visit us

Pick a time and location that’s convenient for you.

Schedule an appointment

3.Start banking

Once everything is in order, you’ll be able to start enjoying conveniences like the Mobile Banking app1, debit card and digital wallets – designed to help manage your finances and pay for items easily.

Bank of America Advantage Banking gives you the flexibility you deserve with distinct accounts to help meet you wherever you are in your journey

Bank of America
Advantage SafeBalance Banking®

Simple banking with an easy-to-use experience

Bank of America
Advantage Plus Banking®

Flexible banking to meet your needs

Bank of America
Advantage Relationship Banking®

Comprehensive banking to make the most of your banking relationship

1 Mobile Banking requires that you download the Mobile Banking app and is only available for select mobile devices. Message and data rates may apply.

2 Fees apply to wires and certain transfers. For international wire transfers, markups are included in Bank of America exchange rates. Exchange rates are determined by Bank of America in its sole discretion. Other financial institutions involved may also charge fees and deduct their fees from the amount of the wire transfer. See the Online Banking Service Agreement for details. Data connection required. Carrier fees may apply.

Better Money Habits, Bank of America and the Bank of America logo are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation