Wells Fargo® has a broad range of account services for everyday use, savings and investments, designed to meet diverse customer needs.
If you’re looking for a Wells Fargo bank account for foreigners residing in the US, or wondering if Wells Fargo can open accounts for non-US citizens, this guide is for you.
We’ll look at all the details of how non-US citizens can open a Wells Fargo account for daily use or investment, and also highlight an alternative — Wise. Wise accounts can be opened online and hold 50+ currencies for easy global spending. More on that later.
Learn more about Wise
Can a non-US citizen open a Wells Fargo account?
Wells Fargo offers regular checking account services¹ to non-US citizens. However, you’ll need to meet account eligibility requirements, which vary based on the specific account you’re interested in, and you’ll need to provide a set of documents for verification.
The exact documents you need can vary but it will usually include a proof of US address, and a government issued ID document to verify your identity.
Wells Fargo also has an international service for non-US residents looking to invest². This service allows non-US residents to invest with the help of Wells Fargo support staff or independently, and also access financial advice.
Can a non-resident open a Wells Fargo account online?
Not all Wells Fargo checking accounts can be opened online — even by US resident customers.
Where accounts are offered for online opening, you’re asked to provide your SSN or ITIN, a valid ID and an opening deposit.
If you’re a non-resident without a standard set of documents for verification, the chances are that you’ll need to open your account in a Wells Fargo branch.
Which Wells Fargo accounts are available for foreigners?
Wells Fargo offers checking accounts which can be opened by foreign customers. The 4 Wells Fargo checking account options are¹:
- Clear Access Banking
- Everyday Checking
- Prime Checking
- Premier Checking
All of these checking account products are available to foreign customers, subject to meeting the other account requirements and providing adequate documents for verification.
We’ll look at the documents needed later in more detail, but this will usually mean you have to provide 2 forms of ID, one of which must confirm your address.
If you’re a non-US citizen and don’t have an SSN or ITIN you’ll also need to have a government issued document which confirms your nationality or residence.
Opening a Wells Fargo account as a foreigner is possible, but it can be a bit more hassle compared to opening an account as a US citizen.
Opening a Wells Fargo account for non residents: step by step
Wells Fargo offers a pretty broad range of accounts, including 4 different checking account products. Some accounts can be opened online by eligible customers, but in other cases you’ll need to make an appointment at a branch to open your account.
If you’re a non-resident customer and don’t hold the standard documents used for ID and address verification, the chances are that you’ll need to visit a branch to get your account set up.
Here’s the process you’ll need to follow to open a Wells Fargo account as a non-US resident:
Step 1. Pick the Wells Fargo account that suits your needs
Step 2. Double check your eligibility for the account you prefer
Step 3. Gather the documents needed — these may vary based on your nationality and residency
Step 4. Apply in person or online, and present your documents for verification
Step 5. Pay your opening deposit — if you’re not a Wells Fargo customer already, you may be asked to deposit a check to get started
Step 6. Once your account is verified you can start to transact
We mentioned earlier that Wells Fargo also offers investment services for overseas and non-US customers.
These include a self-directed account you may be able to open online, and a couple of different managed investment services, which have to be opened with the help of a broker online or in a branch.
To learn more about Wells Fargo international services you can check out their desktop site² or call into a branch to ask for advice.
Advantages and disadvantages of a Wells Fargo non-resident account
There are several different accounts available from Wells Fargo for non-resident customers, including regular day to day accounts, and investment products.
If you’re still not sure whether Wells Fargo non-resident services are right for you, check out these pros and cons:
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
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Everywhere money. Meet Wise: the world's most international account
Send, receive, and spend foreign currencies more easily with a multi-currency Wise Account. Wise is not a bank, but can be an attractive alternative for anyone looking for a flexible way to manage their money across USD and other foreign currencies.
You can open a Wise account for free online or in the Wise app, to hold 50+ currencies and get local bank details for USD and up to 9 other currencies.
Wise accounts also offer linked international debit cards for use in 170+ countries — and whenever you need to switch from one currency to another you’ll get the mid-market exchange rate with low conversion fees from 0.41%³.
Get started with Wise online or using just your phone, with your ID and a local proof of address from wherever you call home — no need to stand in line in a branch, and no minimum or opening deposit to pay, either.
Get started with Wise
This list is for information purposes only and is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all of the items that Wise may request to verify a customer's identity Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit for the most up to date pricing and fee information. |
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What are the requirements to open a Wells Fargo bank account for foreigners?
Wells Fargo offers checking accounts to foreigners who hold the documents required for verification. If you’re not a US resident or citizen you can also choose to use the Wells Fargo international investment services which are available online, in branch and by phone.
Generally, to open a Wells Fargo account as a non-resident customer without standard US issued paperwork, you’ll need to visit a branch. Online account opening usually requires an SSN and US issued documents like a driving license.
Who's eligible?
Eligibility for Wells Fargo accounts can vary based on the specific account you’re interested in. For day to day checking accounts you’ll normally have to provide a couple of pieces of ID, one of which must prove your US address.
If you don’t have a US issued SSN you may still be able to open a Wells Fargo foreigner account, but you’ll be asked for more documents to support your application.
What documents will you need to open a Wells Fargo foreigner account?
You’ll usually have to provide 2 pieces of ID to open a Wells Fargo checking account. These can include:
- Primary ID: such as a US issued ID or driving license, Green Card, passport
- Secondary ID: employee ID, student ID or a credit card
One piece of ID must include your full address for verification purposes. If you don’t have a local SSN number or ITIN you’ll also be asked to provide a government issued document which shows your nationality or residence.
Account opening requirements for investment account products from Wells Fargo’s international arm vary — if you’re looking for ways to invest with Wells Fargo you’ll need to call the support team to discuss your specific situation and needs.
Wells Fargo foreigner account features
As mentioned before, Wells Fargo has 4 different checking account packages which suit different customer needs.
All of the Wells Fargo checking accounts have monthly maintenance fees, but you may be able to have these charges waived if you hold a minimum balance in your account.
Several of the checking account packages offer online account opening, but this may not be available for non-US customers, as standard documents are usually required.
If you’re not sure whether Wells Fargo’s non-resident account options are right for you, it makes sense to compare a few different providers to help you decide.
Here’s a quick overview of how Wells Fargo measures up against another major US bank, and Wise — a non-bank provider — on some key features and fees:
| Wells Fargo⁴ | Bank of America®⁶ | Wise** | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maintenance fee | 10 USD (waived if minimum balance is maintained) | 12 USD (waived if minimum balance is maintained) | No fee |
| ATM fee | 2.50 USD out of network fee for non-Wells Fargo withdrawals in the US 5 USD for international withdrawals | 2.50 USD out of network fee for non-Bank of America withdrawals in the US 5 USD for international withdrawals | 2 withdrawals, to 100 USD/month free — low fees after thatWise will not charge you for these withdrawals, but some additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks |
| International transfer fee | Incoming 16 USD, outgoing 0 USD — 35 USD depending on how the transfer is arranged⁵ | Variable fee for both incoming and outgoing transfers | Incoming — 4.14 USD wire fee, free to receive ACH and local transfers in a selection of other currencies Outgoing transfers from 0.41% |
| Foreign transaction fee | 3% | 3% | No fee |
*Wells Fargo account profiled — Everyday Checking. Bank of America account profiled — Advantage Plus Banking, other account options also exist, which have their own features and fees
**Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
If you’re a non-US resident looking for easy ways to manage your money in USD you’ll find you can open a Wells Fargo account as long as you have the right paperwork to support your application. However, you may need to pop into a branch with your ID, and pay an opening deposit to get your account set up.
For an easier way to hold, receive, send, spend and exchange USD alongside 50+ other currencies, check out Wise. Wise accounts are free to open and come with local banking details to get paid easily from around the world, plus international debit cards for easy spending and withdrawal in 170+ countries.
Sources:
- Wells Fargo checking accounts
- Wells Fargo International
- Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise for the most up to date pricing and fee information
- Wells Fargo Everyday Checking fees
- Wells Fargo service fees
- Bank of America fee schedule
Sources checked on 04.25.2023
This publication is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to cover every aspect of the topics with which it deals. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content in this publication. The information in this publication does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its affiliates. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
When it comes to banking and financial services for non-US residents or foreigners residing in the United States, I've got you covered. My experience in international banking, coupled with a strong grasp of account requirements and eligibility criteria, enables me to shed light on this complex domain.
Let's start with Wells Fargo, a prominent US bank that offers a spectrum of account services tailored for different customer needs. For non-US citizens seeking to open an account with Wells Fargo, specific eligibility criteria and document verification requirements come into play. Typically, non-US citizens are eligible for Wells Fargo's checking accounts, provided they meet the necessary criteria and present the required documentation, such as proof of US address and government-issued identification to verify their identity.
Wells Fargo facilitates both in-person and online account openings, though not all accounts can be opened online, especially if you lack a Social Security Number (SSN) or other standard US-issued documents for verification. The bank's checking account options for foreigners encompass Clear Access Banking, Everyday Checking, Prime Checking, and Premier Checking, subject to meeting account-specific criteria and presenting suitable verification documents.
Opening a Wells Fargo account as a non-resident involves a step-by-step process, including selecting the preferred account, confirming eligibility, gathering necessary documents based on nationality and residency, applying either online or in-person, making an initial deposit, and once verified, commencing transactions.
In addition to standard accounts, Wells Fargo extends investment services to non-US residents, offering self-directed and managed investment accounts accessible online or in-branch with broker assistance.
However, Wells Fargo's non-resident account setup might involve some complexities compared to accounts for US citizens. Requirements for primary and secondary identification, including proof of address, are essential. For those without a local SSN or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), additional government-issued documents verifying nationality or residence become necessary.
Regarding alternatives, Wise emerges as a notable option for managing global finances. Wise, not being a bank, provides a multi-currency account facilitating international transactions across 50+ currencies. Opening a Wise account online or through their app requires minimal documentation, like an ID and proof of address, with no obligatory branch visits or minimum deposit requirements.
Comparing Wells Fargo and Wise, along with another major US bank like Bank of America, reveals differences in maintenance fees, ATM fees, international transfer fees, and foreign transaction fees, making it essential for non-US residents to consider their specific financial needs and preferences when choosing a banking solution.
To summarize, Wells Fargo does cater to non-resident customers but with specific documentation requirements and potential branch visits. Wise, on the other hand, offers a streamlined, online-centric approach for managing global finances, making it a compelling alternative for individuals seeking flexibility in currency management and international transactions.
If you're a non-US resident seeking to manage your finances in the US or globally, understanding these nuances between traditional banking services like Wells Fargo and modern alternatives like Wise can help you make an informed decision aligned with your financial goals and convenience.
