jimcheal

does anyone out there know if it is possible to open a US bank account before we move out there.
We will be moving out on an E2 Visa in a few months and I can see it being a problem.

Patrick

Only if can do it in person - you cant open a bank account over the phone or on the net without a SSN so unless you can physically walk into a bank and open one then the answer is no - it is not possible.

Patrick

mikereid

Try the followng:
Go to Chase.com and click on Other online services
and then click on "Internationnal banking."
This tells you how to open an account with an American
bank from virtually any country in the world.
Once you have done this it should just be a matter of
finding a local Chase Morgan branch when you get to the
USA. There are plenty in the NYC and CT areas.
Regards
Mike

Patrick

Technically this won't work as you are bound by the laws of the country you open the account in, if you could it over the phone then fine (with a SSN), but opening an account online won't work that way (without a SSN and a US perm address).

If you open an account with Chase, your address is UK and all your transactions will be in the UK, you will be governed by UK law and you will have to open up a US account when you get here and transfer the money over. If there is an advantage it will be that the transfer will take place by the same bank, but it will still cost you.

There is no way around this, you either have to have a SSN or go into the bank in person. Don't listen to the muppets who think there is a way around it. This topic has been discussed to death and everytime some moron comes up with an idea which doesn't work. Sad but true, in these times of terror you can't just open bank accounts willy- nilly and transfer huge sums of money! Especially form the internet!

As if you where going to take advice from someone who can't even spell the place he lives!

Patrick