Which banks issue credit cards for international students without SSN/ITN?
u/No-House-4247r/CreditCardsAug 1, 2026
Bank of America issued my first card before I got an SSN after having their checking account for about 6 months.
Answered August 2026
Yes—you can open Bank of America checking without an SSN, but RBC Bank is the stronger first choice if using your Canadian credit for a U.S. card is your main goal.
“I'm a Canadian residing in the US without an SSN. Would you recommend Bank of America for opening a checking account? Also, is it possible to get a US credit card using my Canadian credit history, and do you have any other bank recommendations?”
Summary
An SSN is not a universal legal requirement for your checking account: federal rules permit other identifiers, and Bank of America expressly offers a no-SSN route. You also have a real Canadian-credit pathway through RBC, so you do not necessarily need to wait for a U.S. credit file.
Your best route depends on whether you want a mainstream local account, the clearest Canadian-credit bridge, or an account linked to an existing Canadian bank.
Bank of America SafeBalancelocal banking
A practical mainstream checking choice if you have a physical U.S. address and can visit a financial center. Bank of America expressly says it does not require an SSN, but it requires foreign and U.S. addresses, two IDs, and a ; the account needs $25 to open and costs $4.95 monthly unless a waiver applies.
RBC Bank checking plus Visacredit bridge
The strongest fit if using Canadian credit is your priority. RBC Bank says no U.S. address or SSN is required for its U.S. account, but you need a SIN or SSN; it also says it uses Canadian credit history to consider its no-annual-fee Visa Signature Black application and that the card can help build U.S. credit. Deposits have up to $250,000.
CIBC Bank USA Smart AccountCIBC clients
Best if you already hold an eligible personal CIBC Canada account. It is a U.S. checking account with no monthly fee and unlimited transactions; the online application uses your Canadian CIBC credentials, passport or U.S. driver's-license number, and consent to a U.S. credit check.
Amex Global Card Transferif Amex + ITIN
A second credit-card route only if you are the primary holder of an eligible Amex-issued Canadian personal card held for at least three months and in good standing. Amex also asks for a U.S. address, phone, bank details, passport, employment details, and an SSN or , so it is not an immediate route if you have neither U.S. tax number.
Each issuer still verifies identity and decides the application; Canadian credit can be considered without guaranteeing approval.
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Watch out for
No SSN does not mean no tax numberBank of America asks for a and says a U.S. TIN/ITIN is unnecessary unless one has already been issued. RBC's Canadian route requires a SIN or SSN, while Amex Global Card Transfer asks for an SSN or .
Do not get an ITIN just for bankingThe IRS says an ITIN is only for federal tax purposes, is for people who are not eligible for an SSN, and normally requires a federal tax return unless an exception applies. If you were admitted for permanent residence or U.S. employment, the IRS says you are SSN-eligible, so Form W-7 is not the right route.
Bank of America has a fee and no checksAdvantage SafeBalance requires $25 to open and costs $4.95 monthly unless you keep at least $500 every day, an owner is under 25, or an owner belongs to Preferred Rewards. It does not allow personal checks, although it does not charge overdraft-item fees.
RBC's low price has limitsRBC U.S. Direct Checking is currently $0 for the first year, then $39.50 annually with eStatements; it includes 10 debits monthly and charges $1 for each additional debit. The opening deposit is $50.
Canadian history helps, but does not guarantee approvalRBC says it uses Canadian credit history to consider the application—not that approval is automatic. Its card route also requires a SIN or SSN and government ID.
CIBC is only for existing CIBC clientsCIBC Bank USA Smart Account requires access to a personal CIBC account through Canadian online or mobile banking, Canadian debit-card credentials, a passport or U.S. driver's-license number, and consent to a U.S. credit check.
Next steps
Follow these steps in order to open the right checking account and then apply through a card route that can recognize your Canadian history.
Before applying
Gather your identity, address, and tax-number documents
Federal identification rules allow a non-U.S. person's passport number and issuing country, a taxpayer ID, an alien-ID number, or another qualifying government document. Bank of America's published no-SSN process requires foreign and U.S. addresses, two IDs, and a .
Requirements
Canadian passport or another government photo ID showing its number and country of issue
Your foreign address and physical U.S. address
U.S. address proof: government photo ID, current utility bill, or rental agreement
A second ID: photo driver's licence, Visa/Mastercard debit or credit card, qualifying major retail card, or U.S. State Department diplomat ID
Your Canadian SIN as your foreign tax number; include a U.S. TIN/ITIN only if one has already been issued
First account
Open the checking account that matches your priority
For branch access, use Bank of America's appointment path at https://info.bankofamerica.com/en/international/professional-bank-account.html; SafeBalance is $4.95 monthly unless you meet a listed waiver, and it has no personal checks. For the Canadian-credit route, apply for RBC U.S. Direct Checking at https://www.rbcbank.com/cross-border/us-bank-accounts.html; it is $0 for the first year, then $39.50 annually with eStatements, with 10 monthly debits and $1 for each extra debit. If you are already a CIBC client, apply at https://us.cibc.com/en/personal/checking/smart-account.html by consenting to a U.S. credit check, logging in with Canadian credentials, completing the form, and submitting it; the account has no monthly fee and unlimited transactions.
Requirements
Bank of America: $25 opening deposit and an in-person financial-center appointment
RBC Direct Checking: SIN or SSN, government ID, and $50 opening deposit
CIBC Smart Account: existing personal CIBC Canada online access and Canadian debit-card credentials
After choosing checking
Apply for the RBC Visa using Canadian history
Apply at https://www.rbcbank.com/cross-border/us-credit-cards.html. RBC says it uses Canadian credit history to consider the application; Visa Signature Black has a $0 annual fee and can help build U.S. credit. Approval is still a credit decision.
Requirements
Age 18 or older and residence in Canada or the U.S.
Canadian SIN or U.S. SSN
Government ID
Canadian credit history
Alternative card route
Use Amex Global Card Transfer only if you qualify
Apply online or by phone through https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/company/about-us/moving-abroad/ and provide your existing account number. This route allows only one U.S. card initially; without an SSN or , use RBC's SIN-based route instead.
Requirements
Existing personal card issued by American Express, with you as primary cardholder
At least three months of card history and an open account in good standing
U.S. home address, phone, and bank details
Passport and employment details
SSN or ITIN
Others who faced this
You are not the first to go through this. Here is how it went for others who asked the same thing.
Can someone without a Social Security number open a bank account?
u/Ok-Savings9262r/personalfinanceFeb 20, 2026
I Went with my passport to a Bank of America branch and was student back in the day. Being from another country it wasn’t a big deal.
Legal sources
This answer is based on 31 CFR 1020.220, IRS Form W-7 instructions, and the current product requirements published by Bank of America, RBC Bank, CIBC Bank USA, and American Express.
31 CFR 1020.220
Federal rules allow a bank to identify a non-U.S. person with a passport or another listed identifier rather than requiring an SSN in every case.
31 CFR 1020.220
31 CFR 1020.220(a)(2)(i)(A)(4)(ii)
For a non-U.S. person, one or more of the following: A taxpayer identification number; passport number and country of issuance; alien identification card number; or number and country of issuance of any other government-issued document evidencing nationality or residence and bearing a photograph or similar safeguard.
Bank of America International Professional Account Requirements
Bank of America's own newcomer page confirms its no-SSN route and lists the address, ID, and foreign-tax-number requirements.
Bank of America International Professional Account Requirements
Bank of America does not require a SSN to open a bank account in the U.S. You’ll need to provide both a foreign and U.S. address, as well as two forms of ID and a tax identification number. A U.S. TIN/ITIN is not required unless you’ve been issued one.
Advantage SafeBalance Clarity Statement
Bank of America's current SafeBalance disclosure establishes the opening deposit, monthly price, and fee waivers.
Advantage SafeBalance Clarity Statement
Account information
$25 or more. $4.95 each month. You can avoid the Monthly Maintenance Fee when you meet ONE of the following requirements during each statement cycle: • Maintain a minimum daily balance of $500 or more in your account, OR • An account owner on a SafeBalance® account or the child on a SafeBalance® for Family Banking account is under the age of 25 (fiduciary accounts do not qualify), OR • An owner of the account is a member of the Preferred Rewards program.
RBC Bank U.S. Account Requirements
RBC Bank permits Canadians in Canada or the U.S. to open its U.S. account without an SSN, while requiring a SIN or SSN.
RBC Bank U.S. Account Requirements
To open an RBC Bank U.S. account, you don’t need to be a resident of the U.S., a U.S. address or Social Security number. You simply need to be 18 years or older and live in Canada or the U.S. Have a SIN or SSN.
RBC Bank U.S. Credit Cards for Canadians
RBC Bank directly confirms that it considers Canadian credit history for its U.S. card and that the resulting card can help establish U.S. credit.
RBC Bank U.S. Credit Cards for Canadians
We use your Canadian credit history to consider your application, and your new U.S. card can help toward building your U.S. credit — setting you up for whatever comes next.
American Express Global Card Transfer
Amex's transfer program is limited to qualifying existing cardholders and asks for an SSN or ITIN plus U.S. contact and banking details.
American Express Global Card Transfer
To be eligible for a new Card in the U.S., your existing Card must be issued by American Express, you must be the primary Cardholder, and have held the Card for at least 3 months. Your Card Account must be open and in good standing at the time you apply for a new Card in the U.S. Please have your existing Account details, U.S. home address, U.S. home phone number, U.S. bank details, passport details, employment details, and Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number available.
CIBC Bank USA Smart Account Requirements
CIBC's page establishes the no-fee U.S. account and the existing-client credentials and identity information needed to apply.
CIBC Bank USA Smart Account Requirements
Enjoy no monthly fee for unlimited transactions with our market-leading US checking account — perfect for CIBC clients who live, travel, shop, study or work in the US. Have access to your personal bank account through CIBC Online or Mobile Banking. Have your CIBC account credentials (Canadian debit card and password). Have your passport or US driver’s license number.
Instructions for Form W-7
The IRS instructions show that an ITIN is not a general substitute obtained just to open a bank account.
Instructions for Form W-7
Purpose of Form; Who Is Eligible To Complete This Form, pages 2–3
The ITIN is for federal tax purposes only. Don’t complete Form W-7 if you have an SSN or if you’re eligible to get an SSN. Any individual who isn’t eligible to get an SSN but who must furnish a taxpayer identification number for U.S. tax purposes or to file a U.S. federal tax return must apply for an ITIN on Form W-7. Individuals applying for an ITIN must include a U.S. federal tax return unless they meet an exception, and the required documentation.
These are the official federal and issuer rules as published or displayed on the cited dates; rules and product terms can change.
This is general information about official processes, not legal advice, and SettleKit is not a law firm.
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