You just arrived in the United States. You need to pay your landlord, receive your first paycheck, and send money home. You walk into a bank and the first question is: “What’s your Social Security Number?” You don’t have one. The teller tells you to come back when you do.
This happens to millions of Latino immigrants every year. It doesn’t have to. Federal law does not require banks to ask for an SSN. The FDIC explicitly prohibits banks from discriminating based on national origin, and the IRS issues Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) precisely so that immigrants can participate in the US financial system. Yet in 2026, most major banks still design their online systems around the SSN, leaving non-SSN applicants confused and underserved.
This guide is built specifically for Latino immigrants without a Social Security Number. It covers every legitimate path to a checking account in 2026: traditional banks that accept ITINs and foreign passports, neobanks built from the ground up for immigrant communities, the documents you need to bring, your legal rights if you’re refused, and the political context that is reshaping how banks treat ITIN holders right now.
Yes, You Can Open a Checking Account Without an SSN
This is the most important fact to understand before you do anything else: no federal law requires a bank to collect your Social Security Number before opening an account.
What federal law does require is that banks verify your identity under the Bank Secrecy Act and FinCEN’s Customer Identification Program (CIP) rules. Those rules specify four pieces of information banks must collect: your name, date of birth, address, and an identification number. An ITIN satisfies that last requirement just as well as an SSN. So does a foreign passport number in combination with other documentation at many institutions.
The problem is not the law. The problem is bank software and branch training. Most major banks built their account-opening systems around the SSN because the vast majority of their customers have one. When you show up without one, the system either rejects you or routes you to a call center that reads from a script saying SSN is required. It is not. Branch managers and bankers with specific training can override the default system and open an account using an ITIN or passport.
The myth that immigrants cannot have US bank accounts persists because of this gap between what the law allows and what front-line bank employees actually know. Every bank on this list has opened accounts for customers without SSNs. The key is knowing which account to ask for and what documents to bring.
What Is an ITIN and How to Get One
An ITIN — Individual Taxpayer Identification Number — is a nine-digit tax processing number issued by the IRS to individuals who need to file US taxes but are not eligible for a Social Security Number. It always begins with the digit 9 and follows the format 9XX-XX-XXXX.
ITINs were created in 1996 specifically for immigrants, foreign nationals, and their dependents who have US tax obligations but cannot get an SSN. They do not authorize work in the US, confer immigration status, or make you eligible for Social Security benefits. They are purely a tax identification tool that has secondarily become one of the most important documents for immigrant financial access.
For banking purposes, an ITIN functions as your US identification number. Banks that accept ITINs can use it to verify your identity in their systems the same way they would use an SSN for a US citizen. Having an ITIN also builds a record with the IRS, which signals to banks that you have gone through a federal identity verification process.
Who can get an ITIN:
- Nonresident aliens required to file a US tax return
- US resident aliens based on days present in the US
- Dependents or spouses of US citizens or resident aliens
- Dependents or spouses of nonresident alien visa holders
- Undocumented immigrants who have US tax obligations
How to apply: You apply using IRS Form W-7. You submit it with your original passport (or a certified copy) and a completed federal tax return. Processing takes between 7 and 11 weeks. For a full walkthrough of the process, see our guide on how to apply for an ITIN.
If you need your ITIN faster, you can use an IRS-authorized Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA), who can certify your documents so you don’t have to mail your original passport to the IRS.
Documents Accepted Instead of an SSN
The exact combination of documents a bank requires varies by institution and, in the case of traditional banks, sometimes by branch. The table below shows what each document type unlocks and which banks accept it.
| Document | What It Is | Banks That Accept It | Sufficient Alone? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ITIN | IRS-issued tax ID starting with 9 | Chase, BofA, Wells Fargo, Citibank, U.S. Bank, Chime (with passport) | No — pair with passport and proof of address |
| Foreign passport | Government-issued passport from any country | All banks on this list | Sometimes — Comun and Majority accept passport alone from 100+ countries |
| Matrícula Consular | Mexican consular ID issued by Mexican consulates in the USA | U.S. Bank (as primary ID), some Chase and BofA branches | No — typically paired with a second ID |
| Latin American national ID | Government ID from home country (DPI Guatemala, cédula Colombia, etc.) | Comun (100+ IDs accepted), Majority, FIADO | Yes at Comun — as primary ID from supported countries |
| DACA card / EAD | Employment Authorization Document | Chase, BofA, Wells Fargo at the branch | No — pair with passport or ITIN |
| Foreign driver’s license | Home country driving license | Some branches as secondary ID only | No — secondary ID only |
Proof of US address is required at virtually every institution regardless of which ID you use. Accepted documents include: a signed lease or rental agreement, a utility bill (electricity, gas, water), a cell phone bill, a bank statement from your home country showing a recent date, or a letter from an employer or school on official letterhead with your US address.
Best Traditional Banks for Immigrants Without SSN
Traditional banks offer physical branches, wire transfers, cashier’s checks, and a level of institutional credibility that some landlords and employers still require. The trade-off is that opening an account without an SSN always requires an in-person branch visit — their online systems are not built for it.
| Bank | Account | Monthly Fee | Fee Waiver | Accepts ITIN | Accepts Matrícula |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase | Secure Banking | $4.95 | Electronic deposits $250+/mo | Yes (branch) | Some branches |
| Chase | Total Checking | $15 | Direct deposit $500+ or balance $1,500 | Yes (branch) | Some branches |
| Wells Fargo | Clear Access Banking | $5 | Account holders ages 13-24 | Yes (branch) | Some branches |
| Bank of America | Advantage SafeBalance | $4.95 | No standard waiver for adults | Yes (branch) | Some branches |
| U.S. Bank | Smartly Checking | $6.95 | Various conditions | Yes | Yes — as primary ID |
| TD Bank | Convenience Checking | $15 | Minimum daily balance $100 | Yes (branch) | Some branches |
| Citibank | Access Account | $0 | No fee, no conditions | Yes | Some branches |
Chase — Secure Banking vs. Total Checking
Chase has more US branches than any other bank — over 4,700 locations across 48 states. For immigrants who will need in-person help at various points (cashier’s checks, wire transfers, account issues), that network is the main reason to choose Chase over any competitor.
The Secure Banking account at $4.95/month is the cleaner option for most immigrants. It has no overdraft fees (the card simply declines), no minimum balance, and the fee is waived when you receive $250 or more in electronic deposits per month — which is easy to reach with a single direct deposit. The Total Checking account at $15/month makes sense only if you consistently carry a $1,500 balance or have $500/month in direct deposits, because that’s what waives the fee.
Neither account can be opened online without an SSN. Visit the branch in person with your passport, ITIN letter, and proof of US address. Call ahead to confirm your specific branch has staff trained on ITIN account openings.
U.S. Bank — Matrícula Consular as Primary ID
U.S. Bank stands apart from every other traditional bank on this list for one reason: it accepts the Matrícula Consular as a primary identification document. For Mexican immigrants without a passport readily available, this is significant. The Matrícula Consular is issued by Mexican consulates throughout the United States and is specifically designed to serve as identification for Mexicans living in the USA.
U.S. Bank has formally included consular IDs in its identity verification policy for over a decade, driven partly by its presence in high-density Latino communities in California, Arizona, Texas, and the Midwest. If you hold a Matrícula Consular, U.S. Bank is typically your lowest-friction path to a traditional bank account.
Citibank — Zero-Fee Option
The Citibank Access Account charges no monthly fee and has no minimum balance requirement. For immigrants who want the credibility of a traditional bank without any ongoing cost, this is the best option among the major national banks. Citibank explicitly accepts ITINs at the branch level, and the Access Account was designed to be accessible to customers with limited banking history.
The limitation is Citibank’s smaller footprint compared to Chase or Bank of America. Its branches are concentrated in major metro areas, so immigrants in smaller cities or rural areas may not have convenient access.
Best Neobanks Designed for Latino Immigrants
Neobanks are financial technology companies that offer banking services without physical branches. Because they’re not constrained by legacy software built around the SSN, several have built account-opening processes that specifically serve immigrant communities. The three below are in a separate category from general neobanks like Chime or SoFi — they were built from the ground up with Latino immigrants as the primary customer.
Important clarification: Chime, SoFi, and most popular US neobanks marketed to general audiences do require either an SSN or an ITIN. They are not in the same category as the three banks below. If you try to open a Chime account with only a foreign passport and no ITIN, you will be rejected. This is a common mistake in guides that conflate “neobank” with “immigrant-friendly.”
| Neobank | Monthly Fee | SSN Required | ID Accepted | Remittances | Spanish Support | FDIC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comun | $0 | No | 100+ Latin American IDs | From $2.99 | Yes (full) | Yes |
| Majority | $5.99 | No | Passport + Latin American ID | Included | Yes | Yes |
| FIADO | $0 | No | Mexican ID / passport | Included (USA-Mexico) | Yes | Yes |
Comun — Built for the Latino Community
Comun is the most significant new entrant in immigrant banking. As of 2026, it has over 276,000 accounts open and was named to the Forbes Fintech 50 list for 2026 — one of the few companies on that list focused entirely on underserved immigrant communities. It accepts over 100 types of Latin American government-issued IDs, charges zero monthly fees, and includes full Spanish-language support across its app, customer service, and communications.
The remittance feature is particularly competitive: transfers from $2.99, significantly below Western Union or MoneyGram rates for most corridors. For immigrants who send money home regularly, this alone can justify using Comun as a primary account.
Deposits are FDIC-insured through its banking partners. The account functions as a full checking account with a Visa debit card, mobile check deposit, and ACH transfers. There is no credit check and no ChexSystems inquiry.
Majority — The Immigrant Membership Account
Majority charges $5.99/month, but what you’re paying for is different from a traditional bank fee. The membership includes unlimited international calling to more than 50 countries, a US SIM card, and built-in international money transfers. For immigrants who call home weekly and send money abroad regularly, the combined cost is often lower than paying separately for an international calling plan and a remittance service.
Majority does not require an SSN. It accepts passports and Latin American IDs for account opening. The account comes with a Mastercard debit card, mobile deposits, and zero overdraft fees. Customer support is available in Spanish and English.
FIADO — USA-Mexico Financial Bridge
FIADO is designed specifically for the US-Mexico corridor. It focuses on immigrants from Mexico and Central America who need to move money between both countries without fees or complex verification requirements. The account is free, requires no SSN, and accepts Mexican government IDs and passports.
Unlike Comun and Majority, FIADO’s strongest feature is not the checking account itself but the cross-border financial infrastructure. If your financial life is primarily anchored in a Mexico-USA context — you work in the USA and maintain a household in Mexico — FIADO is purpose-built for that situation.
What Most Guides Don’t Tell You: The 2026 Political Context
In May 2026, the Trump administration issued an executive order titled “Restoring Integrity to America’s Financial System.” Among its directives, the order encouraged financial institutions to apply enhanced scrutiny to accounts held by individuals without Social Security Numbers, citing anti-money-laundering concerns. The practical effect has been that compliance departments at several large banks have quietly tightened their internal guidance around ITIN accounts — not refusing them outright (which would violate FDIC anti-discrimination rules) but flagging them for additional review.
This is a development that almost no banking guide published in 2025 or early 2026 addresses, because it happened after most of that content was written.
What it means practically for you:
- Some branch managers at large banks are now more hesitant to open ITIN accounts than they were in 2024-2025, even when the policy technically permits it
- Neobanks built specifically for immigrants (Comun, Majority, FIADO) are largely insulated from this pressure because their entire business model is built around non-SSN customers — they have the compliance infrastructure already in place
- The FDIC’s prohibition on discrimination based on national origin remains in full force — a bank cannot refuse you an account solely because you are an immigrant or because you have an ITIN instead of an SSN
- The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) has published analysis documenting how recent executive actions have affected financial access for immigrant communities and what legal recourse exists
The strategic implication: in 2026, leading with a neobank like Comun — which was built specifically to serve this customer — is lower-friction than trying to navigate a large traditional bank’s internal policy uncertainty. Use a neobank as your primary account and add a traditional bank once you’ve established US financial history.
Your Rights as a Bank Customer
Whether or not you have an SSN, you have enforceable legal rights when it comes to banking access in the United States.
The FDIC prohibits national origin discrimination. Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act, financial institutions receiving federal deposit insurance (which is virtually every US bank) cannot discriminate in account services based on national origin. Being an immigrant, being undocumented, or having an ITIN instead of an SSN does not constitute legal grounds for refusal.
What to do if a bank refuses to open your account:
- Ask the teller or banker to explain the specific policy reason for the refusal in writing
- Ask to speak with the branch manager — branch managers have more discretion than front-line staff
- File a complaint with the FDIC online if you believe you were discriminated against based on national origin
- Contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov — they track complaints against specific banks
- Contact NCLC or a local legal aid organization if you need help documenting discrimination
Your deposits are protected regardless of status. FDIC insurance covers up to $250,000 per depositor at insured banks regardless of immigration status, visa type, or whether you have an SSN. Your money is as safe in a US bank as any US citizen’s money.
Banks cannot share your information with immigration enforcement as a routine matter. Banks report large cash transactions and suspicious financial activity to FinCEN under the Bank Secrecy Act. This is a financial crimes reporting obligation separate from immigration enforcement. Banks do not routinely share account holder identity data with ICE or other immigration agencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a checking account with only a foreign passport and no ITIN or SSN?
Yes, at certain institutions. Comun accepts over 100 Latin American government-issued IDs with no ITIN or SSN required. Majority and FIADO also accept passports and foreign IDs without requiring a US tax identification number. At traditional banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo, you typically need either an ITIN or an SSN in addition to your passport — a passport alone is generally not sufficient at those institutions, though branch-level discretion applies.
Does having an ITIN instead of an SSN hurt my chances of getting approved?
At immigrant-focused neobanks like Comun, Majority, and FIADO, having an ITIN versus an SSN makes no practical difference. At traditional banks, an ITIN is a fully valid substitute for an SSN for account-opening purposes. The complication is not legal but operational: some branch staff are unfamiliar with ITIN account procedures and may incorrectly tell you SSN is required. Ask for a manager or a banker specifically trained in opening accounts for international customers.
Is it safe to open a bank account as an undocumented immigrant?
From a legal standpoint, yes. Banks are required to verify your identity, not your immigration status. Accepting a Matrícula Consular, a foreign passport, or an ITIN does not require the bank to verify whether you are in the US with legal authorization. The FDIC prohibits banks from discriminating based on national origin. Additionally, banks do not routinely share customer information with immigration enforcement agencies. Having a US bank account does not trigger immigration review.
What is the fastest way to open a checking account without SSN in 2026?
The fastest path is Comun. The application is entirely online, accepts Latin American IDs directly, requires no SSN or ITIN, charges no monthly fee, and can have your account open and your debit card on the way in under 24 hours. If you specifically need a traditional bank account (for wire transfers, cashier’s checks, or employer requirements), your fastest path is Citibank’s Access Account, which has no monthly fee and a relatively efficient in-person process for ITIN holders.
Do I need to pay US taxes to get an ITIN?
You need to have a US tax reason to apply for an ITIN — that is, a need to file or be included in a US tax return. This includes having US-sourced income, being a dependent on someone’s return, or having other US tax obligations. You do not need to be a resident alien or have work authorization. Many undocumented immigrants have US tax filing obligations and are eligible for an ITIN. See our complete walkthrough on how to apply for an ITIN for eligibility details.
Can I use my checking account to build credit history in the USA?
Not directly — checking account transactions are not reported to credit bureaus. However, your checking account is the foundation for building credit. After 60 to 90 days of regular direct deposit history, you become eligible for a secured credit card at the same bank, which does report to credit bureaus. That is the standard path from a first checking account to a US credit score. For a complete strategy on this, see our guide on how to build credit as an immigrant.
What banks should I avoid if I don’t have an SSN?
Avoid applying online to any traditional bank (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank) — their online systems almost universally require an SSN field and will not process non-SSN applications. Also avoid Chime, SoFi, Current, and most general-audience neobanks marketed in the US — despite being digital-first and having no monthly fees, the majority of them require an SSN or ITIN and will not accept a foreign passport alone. The neobanks built for immigrants (Comun, Majority, FIADO) are a different category entirely.
Will the bank ask about my visa or immigration status when opening an account?
Banks may ask what type of ID you have and how long it is valid (they need it to remain valid for their verification period), but they are not authorized to demand your immigration status as a condition of account access. If a banker asks “are you here legally?” or conditions opening the account on seeing your visa, that is a compliance issue at the branch level. Ask to speak with the branch manager and, if necessary, file a complaint with the FDIC.
Can I open a joint checking account with a US citizen spouse if I don’t have an SSN?
Yes, this is one of the most straightforward paths to a traditional bank account. If your spouse has an SSN and is already a customer, you can be added as a joint account holder using your ITIN and passport. Most major banks have clear procedures for adding a non-SSN joint holder to an existing account. This is often easier than opening a new account as the primary holder, because the bank’s KYC obligations for joint holders are sometimes less stringent than for the primary account opener.
How do I send money home cheaply once I have a US checking account?
The cost-effectiveness depends on the corridor and amount. Comun offers remittances from $2.99, which is among the lowest available for Latin American corridors. FIADO focuses on USA-Mexico transfers specifically. Majority includes transfers in its $5.99/month membership. For comparison, Western Union and MoneyGram typically charge $5-15 for similar transfers. Once you have an established US checking account, you can also compare rates on Wise (formerly TransferWise), Remitly, and Xoom, all of which accept ACH from US accounts.
What happens to my account if my ITIN expires?
ITINs expire if they are not used on a federal tax return for three consecutive years. If your ITIN expires, banks may flag your account for re-verification. The correct step is to renew your ITIN through the IRS before it expires — you can do this any time, not just during tax season. Renewing takes 7-11 weeks. Notify your bank once you receive your renewed ITIN letter to update their records.
The Right Account for Your Situation
Not every immigrant is in the same position. Here is a summary by situation:
| Your Situation | Best First Account | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Just arrived, no ITIN yet, have Latin American ID | Comun | Opens with 100+ IDs, no SSN or ITIN required, $0 fee, full Spanish support |
| Have ITIN, want a traditional bank | Citibank Access Account | $0 monthly fee, ITIN accepted, no minimum balance |
| Mexican immigrant, have Matrícula Consular | U.S. Bank | One of the few banks that accepts Matrícula as a primary ID |
| Call home often and send remittances regularly | Majority | $5.99/month covers international calls + remittances |
| Specifically USA-Mexico financial life | FIADO | Built for the USA-Mexico corridor, $0 fee |
| Need a traditional bank for checks/wires | Chase (in person, ITIN) | Largest branch network, $4.95/mo Secure Banking waivable |
| Want to start building US credit history fast | Comun + secured card | Open account, establish deposit history, apply for credit cards that accept ITIN |
For most immigrants in 2026, the practical recommendation is to open a Comun account as your primary checking account — zero fees, accepts your home country ID, full Spanish support, competitive remittance rates — and then open a traditional bank account (Citibank or Chase) in person once you have your ITIN and 30-60 days of US financial history. The combination gives you the convenience of a digital-first immigrant-built account plus the institutional credibility of a major US bank when you need it.
The EducaDinero editorial team specializes in personal finance for Latino immigrants in the USA. Our content is reviewed against official sources including the IRS, FDIC, CFPB, and NCLC. We cover banking access, ITIN applications, credit building, and financial products for immigrants — topics we have researched across hundreds of hours with immigrants, bank compliance staff, and nonprofit financial counselors. We do not accept payment for product placement.