don't live in USA, can I get a SSN?
 

I am a UK citizen currently residing and working in Central America. I use a US bank account but cannot get online banking because I don't have a U.S. Social Security Number. Can anyone help me with (1) whether I can obtain a US SSN in these circumstances (2) how to go about applying?

Thanks!

Re: don't live in USA, can I get a SSN?
 

Don't think you have any chance of getting a SSN. BTW, why do you need a SSN for this? Is the bank just trying to be difficult?

Re: don't live in USA, can I get a SSN?
 

You won't get a SSN. You may possibly apply for an ITIN if you have an account that pays interest, though I'm not certain this would help your current problem.

The requirement for a SSN for online banking is the bank's policy or even the interpretation of it by the banker you opened the account with, not federal policy. Try changing banks next time you're here after asking them clearly what services they do and do not offer without a SSN.

There are banks that offer web access without SSNs, though this often excludes certain services, e.g. BillPay.

Re: don't live in USA, can I get a SSN?
 

Just curious why a non-American who does not live or work in the US has a US bank account? Would think from your nationality that you would be eligible for off-shore banking and that would be preferrble to a US banking account. Or perhaps one from the UK. Are you laundering money by any chance?

Re: don't live in USA, can I get a SSN?
 

Eh? He says:

I am a UK citizen currently residing and working in Central America.

Re: don't live in USA, can I get a SSN?
 

Central America consists of places like Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama etc doesn't it?

Re: don't live in USA, can I get a SSN?
 

OOps! Geography brain fart there. US would be North America. And Rete did say US.

Re: don't live in USA, can I get a SSN?
 

No, you didn't just say that, did you? ;)

Re: don't live in USA, can I get a SSN?
 

Oops! I think that was my second one. :D

Re: don't live in USA, can I get a SSN?
 

Anyone with dodgy money is hardly likely to send it to a bank in the US to launder it, now are they? :rolleyes: Money-launderers in the US only use US banks because getting paper money out of the US before banking it is more risky than (trying to) launder it in the US - in fact there are signnificant US cusotms resources devoted to trying to identify, and stop, physical currency being shipped out of the US.

Re: don't live in USA, can I get a SSN?
 

Before I got my SSN my bank let me pick a PIN number instead. Ask yours if they'll do the same.

Re: don't live in USA, can I get a SSN?
 

Was just being a smart arse. ;-)

Re: don't live in USA, can I get a SSN?
 

Note a hope, post 9/11. Most banks will either (i) turn down flat all applications from non-resident aliens, or (ii) require a TIN before even considering opening an account for a NRA.

The days when anyone with with dollars to deposit was welcome with no, or few, questions asked is long gone.

Re: don't live in USA, can I get a SSN?
 

I opened mine before I came on my K1 last year. I was subject to witholding tax on any interest earned but that was about it.

What do all the foreigners with holiday homes do?

Re: don't live in USA, can I get a SSN?
 

Well for starters, assuming that they are staying more than 90 days at a time, they'll have a US visa in their passport, which means that they have already been "approved" by Uncle Sam. .... And, like I said above, they'll probably have a TIN.