Personal accounts: USA
An honest assessment before work starts, the quote is fixed in writing.
| In short | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Without US status | Possible, but usually in person only |
| Remotely | Nearly closed to Russian citizens |
| Documents | Passport, second ID, foreign address, tax form |
| Deposit insurance | Up to $250,000 per depositor per bank |
| Tax on interest | 0% for a non-resident outside US business |
| Russian tax notice | Within a month for Russian tax residents |
A personal account in the US is easiest to open with a Social Security number and a US address. Non-residents can open one too, but usually only in person at a branch. Online banks that accept foreigners without a visit work with a narrow range of countries, and for Russian citizens these options are nearly closed.
Can you open an account in the USA without residence or a visit
Neither a residence permit nor a visa is formally required for an account, but a branch visit cannot be avoided: the bank checks identity in person. Remote opening is practically unavailable to Russian citizens without US status.
It is easiest for those with ties to the country: students and workers with a US visa and a Social Security number, owners of US property and companies with a clear payment history. How to set up a US company and an account for it is covered in our article on opening a US company as a non-resident.
We will calculate online the cost of opening a personal account and maintaining it for a year.
Which banks accept Russians
US banks decide for themselves who to work with, and their approaches differ:
- Large banks with branches open accounts for non-residents in person if the documents are complete and the purpose is clear.
- Online banks accept foreigners without a visit, but only from a narrow range of countries.
- Any bank looks more strictly at citizens of countries with higher sanctions risk, especially Russia, if the client has no US status.
Documents for the account
| Document | Purpose | Where to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign passport | Main document | Valid document |
| Second photo ID | Additional identity check | For example, a driving licence |
| Proof of foreign address | Bank form | Bank statement or utility bill |
| Foreign status tax form | Non-resident tax status | Filled in at opening |
| Individual Taxpayer Identification Number | If you have US income | US Internal Revenue Service |
Timelines and running costs
With a complete file the account is usually opened the same day at the visit, and the card arrives at a US address within 1-2 weeks. Many banks charge a monthly fee if the balance falls below a set minimum, so tariff terms are checked before the visit.
Money is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000 per depositor per bank in each ownership category: individual, joint and retirement accounts count separately. Interest on a non-resident's bank deposits is not taxed in the US unless connected with business in the country.
If you have US income, for example from renting US property, you will need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. According to the IRS it takes about 7 weeks, or 9-11 weeks from mid-January to the end of April or when applying from abroad. The application is filed with a tax return or an exception document, and with this number banks are more willing to open an account and add services.
A joint account is a separate ownership category: insurance up to $250,000 applies to each co-owner on top of the limit for their individual account at the same bank. A manager will calculate the cost of Murblz support in chat.
The main risk is a trip to the US that ends in a refusal at the branch
The law does not stop you from opening an account at a US bank on your own. But mistakes cost more than the flight: a visit without a second ID or proof of address, a bank that does not work with Russian citizens without US status, an unclear source of money, trying to open remotely where a visit is required. Murblz support removes these risks: Murblz specialists choose the bank for your citizenship and status, prepare documents and arrange the visit. We guarantee professional work and a transparent process, and in most cases a result on the first filing.
The support fee depends on the bank and your US status; a manager will calculate it in chat.
Tax data exchange and notifying the Russian tax service
The US does not take part in the common automatic exchange of tax information: it has its own law on tax compliance for foreign accounts and passes limited data to some countries under bilateral agreements. The absence of a common exchange does not cancel your obligations to the Russian tax service.
Russian tax residents notify the tax service of opening a foreign account within one month, separately for each account, and file a report on account flows for the previous year by 1 June. Anyone who spent more than 183 days outside Russia in a calendar year is exempt from both. If the bank's country exchanges tax information with Russia, the report is not filed when no more than 600,000 roubles, about $7,100, came into the account during the year, but the opening notice is still required. How to file is explained in our articles on the foreign account notification and the account flow report.
Common refusals
- No second photo ID or proof of address.
- Citizenship with higher sanctions risk, especially Russian, without US status.
- An unclear source of money and purpose of the account.
- Trying to open remotely at a bank that works only in person.
What we do
Murblz specialists choose a bank for your citizenship and status, prepare documents, arrange the branch visit and accompany you until the card arrives. If you need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, we prepare the application.
This topic in other countries
Accounts for non-residents in other countries:
- Bank account in Georgia for non-residents
- Bank account in Armenia for non-residents
- Bank account in Turkey for non-residents
- Bank account in Serbia for non-residents
- Bank account in Kyrgyzstan for non-residents
- Bank account in Uzbekistan for non-residents
- Bank account in Cyprus for non-residents
- Bank account in Switzerland for non-residents
- Bank account in Singapore for non-residents
- Bank account in Hong Kong for non-residents
- Bank account in Germany for non-residents
- Bank account in Spain for non-residents
- Bank account in Portugal for non-residents
- Bank account in Thailand for non-residents
- Bank account in Argentina for non-residents
- Bank account in Paraguay for non-residents
- Bank account in Uruguay for non-residents
More on this country:
All countries and rules are in the overview a foreign bank account in 2026.
What we do
- Personal account - opening assistance
See also
Company formation · Business account · Investment property · All country programs
FAQ
Can a non-resident open a personal account in the US?
Can I open a US account remotely?
Can a Russian citizen open an account at a US bank?
Is money in a US account insured?
How is a joint account insured in the US?
Is interest taxed for a non-resident?
What fees and minimum balances apply?
Do I need to notify the Russian tax service about a US account?
Need a personal account in the USA?
We work out which US bank will open an account for a non-resident of your citizenship, prepare the documents and follow the opening. Every country is in the searchable catalogue.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
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