Open a US bank account from any Country

As a non-US resident myself—a Nigerian—I have faced a number of banking limitations trying to transact with US platforms, so I had to figure out multiple ways to go about this. If you’ve been trying to figure out how to open a standard U.S. bank account without being a U.S. resident, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, and I know it can seem impossible without flying down to the US, which cost a fortune. But trust me, I’ve opened a couple of U.S. bank accounts and have used a couple of USD credit cards—all while being a non-resident of the U.S. who’s never travelled to the U.S. as of the time of writing this.

Whether you’re looking to open a personal or business account or want to access a U.S. bank account to send USD internationally, this guide breaks down exactly how to make it happen, minus the headaches. Most of the banks I will discuss here allow remote opening. So, let’s dive into the easiest ways to open a U.S. bank account from outside the country.

The basics of opening a US bank account as a non-resident

Like me, you don’t need to be a U.S. citizen or resident to open a U.S. bank account. In fact, you can do it all remotely. My focus is offshore banking, low-fee USD transfers, or just a U.S. bank account you can use for anything from managing investments to business finances.