How to open a Wells Fargo account if you are a foreigner

Even if you are an illegal alien, you may be able to open an account at this bank.

Wells Fargo has been a traditional bank in the United States since its founding in 1852 by Henry Wells and William Fargo. It currently has more than 7,600 locations, 13,000 ATMs and a workforce of just over 260,000 employees, making it one of the largest financial institutions in the entire American territory. Like any US citizen, foreigners may also want to open an account with this bank to keep their money safe.

Types of Wells Fargo checking accounts

You can open any of the Wells Fargo checking accounts with an initial deposit of $25. Another generality is to be able to access your money at any of the ATMs in its own network.

These are the account options you have at this bank:

1. Wells Fargo Everyday Checking

It is the most popular Wells Fargo account. You have a debit card, you can have the Wells Fargo Mobile app service and movement alerts. Students from 17 to 24 years old do not pay any monthly service fee. The $10 monthly fee can also be avoided if you maintain a daily balance of $1,500.

2. Wells Fargo Preferred Checking

This Wells Fargo account pays a rate of return of 0.01% starting with a monthly balance of $500. This account has a $15 fee that can be avoided if you maintain a balance of $10,000 or qualifying direct deposits of $1,000 each month.

They also have a Wells Fargo Clear Access Checking account for teens ages 13-17 and their Portfolio by Wells Fargo, a premium account with interest-yielding rewards for a $30 monthly fee avoided with a monthly bank deposit balance linked by $25,000 dollars or more.

Fees for withdrawing cash at other ATMs outside of the Wells Fargo network range from $2 to $2.5 per transaction, plus any fees charged by the ATM owner.

How can I open a Wells Fargo account if I’m a foreigner?

If you are a foreigner living in the country thanks to a green card, a temporary residence letter or a job, you can open a Wells Fargo account with the following personal information :

  • Your name
  • Legal address
  • Date of birth
  • Social security number or tax identification number
  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • Initial deposit

These requirements apply to open an account at a branch and also to do so through its website wellsfargo.com, although you may need to have your driver’s license or other type of official identification with a photograph at hand. If you open online, remember to scan all your documentation to attach it to your application or you must fax it to the bank.

If you’re a foreign national without a social security number, you may be able to open a Wells Fargo bank account using your individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN).

If you want more information, you can enter their page or call 1-877-250-2239 to open an account.