Olim Finance

How to Open a US Bank Account from Israel (Without an SSN)

pillar · Personal Finance · last updated 2026-07-01

Opening a US Bank Account from Israel Without an SSN

Disclosure: Affiliate links present. Not legal or tax advice.

The short version: you can open a US-domiciled bank account from Israel, but there are exactly four realistic routes, and one is free. Below is the practical decision matrix.

The four routes

1. Open an account with a US bank before you leave

  • Best rate: open a checking account at Chase, Bank of America, or Schwab

    • while you still have a US address. Most permit online opening at a US residential address.

  • Limit: requires US address; some banks re-verify on IP change.

2. Stay with your existing US bank (Schwab, Chase, BoA)

  • Best if you had the account before moving abroad. Most banks permit

    • leaving the account open; some have an "international checking" product (Schwab has "SchwabBank Loonie" analog).

  • Limit: address changes can trigger reviews.

3. Use Wise multi-currency (USD borderless account)

  • Practical: Wise gives you a US routing & account number for USD

    • receivables only — you cannot receive ACH from US brokerages directly. You'll use it for inbound USD transfers via wire or ACH from a US bank.

  • Cost: ~$5 avg for transfers.
  • Verify: <https://wise.com/invite>

4. Open a US LLC + Mercury / Relay bank account

  • Cost: ~$500–$1,500/year once you have a registered agent, EIN, and

    • US address. Mercury / Relay / Found are 100% online banks that take non-US owners with an EIN.

  • Best for: people who already have or want a US LLC for ecommerce,

    • Amazon, or self-employment.

Practical workaround: piggyback on IBKR

You don't actually need a separate US bank account. IBKR's Cash account:

  • accepts USD via wire from any bank worldwide (Wise, Israeli bank, US bank).
  • pays out via wire (~$15 fee) or ACH (free) to a US bank.
  • lets you convert USD↔ILS at interbank spread when withdrawing via Wise

    • multi-currency.

That makes IBKR + Wise enough for most expat operations.

What you'll be asked for at any US bank

  • Passport (or US passport + ITIN if dual citizen).
  • Proof of address in either country.
  • Tax ID — SSN or ITIN. Most US banks require one. Some 100% online

    • banks for non-US persons also accept foreign TIN.

The sequence for most Israeli-Americans

  1. Move your existing US bank to "mailing-only" status.
  2. Open Wise multi-currency for free.
  3. Open IBKR (Cash) for investment banking.
  4. Skip Mercury/US LLC unless you're building a business.

CTA

Open IBKR to get a US brokerage-based cash position; pair with Wise for FX. Total setup time: ~30 minutes.

[BUTTON: Open IBKR Account] [BUTTON: Get a Wise account]

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Next step: if you have a US brokerage open in Israel and need to lock in tax-compliant investing — read our full IBKR guide.

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