Can H4 Visa Holders Open a Bank Account
We get the question "Can H4 Visa Holders Open a Bank Account" and here's what you need to know!
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If you are an immigrant in the United States and are an H4 Visa holder, you may be wondering Can an H4 Visa Holder Open a Bank Account?
The short answer is Yes, an H4 Visa holder can open a bank account but, it can be complicated if you aren’t familiar with what you will need to do so.
In this article we are going to highlight what you need to know to successfully open a bank account with an H4 Visa.
Here’s How an H4 Visa Holder Can Open a Bank Account:
In case you are reading this and you aren’t sure what an H4 Visa is, here is a quick definition.
An H-4 Visa is a Visa that is issued in the United States for the dependent family members (spouses or unmarried children under the age of 21) of those who have any of the following types of Visa’s: H-1B, H-1B1, H-2A, H-2B, and H-3.
The H-4 Visa gives dependent family members the ability to travel to the United States to be with the primary visa holder.
ITIN’s and H4 Visa Holders
H4 Visa holders are not eligible to receive a Social Security Number but they can obtain an ITIN, which is recommended and needed to open a bank account.
ITIN stands for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number and can be easily obtained by completing Form W-7 from the IRS website.
So if you are reading this and are an H4 Visa holder but do not yet have your ITIN, that is the first step you need to take in order to even apply for a bank account in the united states.
Requirements to Open a Bank Account
There are two main types of bank accounts: Savings accounts and Checking accounts.
If you are just wanting a place to save your money, then you can open a Savings account for depositing the money into.
However, if you want to be able to use a Debit Card for transactions, withdraw money as needed via the ATM, and use bill-pay services, then a Checking account will be the option you want.
In order to open an account in the United States, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be 18 years or older or be accompanied by an adult if under the age of 18
- Have a Valid U.S. identification number such as a Social Security Number, or in the case of an H4 Visa holder, an ITIN
- Drivers License or a State Issued ID card or Passport
- Valid address with either a rental agreement or utility bill or some sort of certified mail showing where you live
- A minimum opening deposit amount which varies from bank to bank and is saved in your account
How to Open a Bank Account
Now that you know what is required to open a bank account, you may be wondering how to go about doing so.
You will first want to choose the bank with which you wish to open your account.
Although you can certainly do an online application, we recommend going in person and sitting down with a banker.
They can make sure you correctly complete the application and they are there to answer any questions you may have.
It is also nice to have a local contact should any future questions or needs arise.
You can either walk right in and wait for a banker or call ahead of time and make an appointment.
Before going in, be sure you have gathered all of the necessary documents and requirements above to make for a smooth and easy application process.
Conclusion
Opening a bank account in the United States can make accessing your funds more convenient and more secure.
You can also easily send money overseas to family members and access the many services that online banking has to offer.
Having your ITIN is a key component to opening a bank account in the United States.
Once you obtain your ITIN, you are on your way to the world of online banking.
