Chapter 08 · Banking & cards
Open U.S. account without residency: Canadian options
RBC online, BMO branch/online, TD Florida branch — all accept Canadians without U.S. address.
Direct answer · 60-second summary
The 60-second version
Open a US account without residency — possible with RBC, BMO, TD without a U.S. address. Requirements: passport, Canadian address, ITIN (optional). Approach: online (RBC), branch (BMO, TD).
Acronyms used in this guide
- RBC — Royal Bank of Canada
- BMO — Bank of Montreal
- TD — Toronto-Dominion Bank
- SSN — Social Security Number
- ITIN — Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
Three main options
- RBC Bank — Online opening, 5 minutes, no U.S. address required.
- BMO Bank N.A. — Online or branch, no SSN required.
- TD Bank — U.S. branch required (Florida or other state), then online management after.
Required documentation
- Passport — Copy or scan (original at branch if required).
- Current address — Canadian address, no U.S. address needed.
- ITIN — Not required to open, but simplifies future credit card applications.
- Phone number — Canadian number OK.
Without SSN: it's possible
None of the three banks require a U.S. Social Security number to open a checking account. RBC and BMO explicitly accept ITIN or a simple Canadian passport.
After opening
- Initial deposit — Often $100 USD minimum.
- Transfer from Canada — Use your Canadian account (RBC/BMO/TD), then free/fast transfer.
- Checks — Optional. Debit cards sufficient for most transactions.
Every figure, rate, threshold, and deadline in this guide is drawn from a verifiable primary source listed at the bottom of the page. The article is updated whenever the underlying rules change, with a fresh review date stamped at the top.
Sources and references
Public sources verified as of the last review date (IRS, FinCEN, Federal Reserve, FDIC, OCC, RBC/BMO/TD official, CFPB, CRA).
Disclaimer
This guide is for educational purpose only. Figures, rates, thresholds, timelines and rules are drawn from public sources at the date shown and may change.
For any concrete decision, consult a cross-border tax attorney, a cross-border certified accountant, or a credit counselor.