Opening US Bank Account for Non US Residents

First, you'll need to know the name of the bank. Your U.S. bank account will be open in:

E*TRADE Financial

E*TRADE Financial owns E*Trade Bank and E*Trade Securities.

This bank is one of the most respected banks around the world. It provides excellent customer service.

You can visit their web site in www.etradebank.com, BUT WAIT, don't try to open your account yet.

You have to fill the right forms and do all the process correctly for your account to be open.

The first "secret" you should know is that for opening your account you will not have to contact E*Trade Bank but E*Trade Securities, LLC.

Now....

e*Trade Securities

E*TRADE Securities, LLC is a member of the SIPC. They are a separate company but affiliated with E*TRADE Bank.

By working with E*Trade Securities you will be able to have banking services with all the benefits.

First, you don’t have to ask for a checking or saving account. This types of accounts can not be opened as non-resident.

So, you will have to ask for a brokerage account.
See more details from the bank site regarding opening an account for Non US Residents

A brokerage account can be used as a checking account, you will not received interest on your balance, but you will have the choice to make stock investments and other normal checking accounts actions (like checks, make transfer, etc.)

Here is a sample of the welcome pack you will receive (The VISA card as to be requested after you open your account).

The bank will send you the welcome pack along with your bank account number and password for on line banking via normal mail service.

Your bank account will be open 2 to 3 days after the bank received your application. The welcome pack will arrive in around 2 to 7 weeks after the bank receive your applications.

You can always contact the bank to see if your bank account has been open without receiving the welcome pack. More information on this later.

Fill your forms

As a non-US resident you will need to fill out the following forms:

#1 Your bank account application

* Please note it's not necessary to fill in the last page of this form.

#2 Your withholding tax form

* You are required to include this form with your application form above.

You can download the forms from DollarAT servers here, or

You can download the forms from the bank web site here, and

Here you have the sample forms from DollarAt Servers to guide yourself.

Be aware that tax will not be withheld from your deposits. Tax is only withheld if you make a profit on an investment made through E*Trade.

Now lets see were you have to send the forms...

Send your forms

Mail both forms along with a photocopy of your passport or national photo ID to the address below:

E*TRADE Securities LLC

P.O. Box 1542

Merrifield, VA 22116-1542

USA

If you want to use Fedex or DHL service, you will probably need to use this address (without a P.O. Box):

E*Trade Securities LLC

671, N. Glebe Road,

11th Floor,

Arlington, VA - 22203

USA

You can confirm this information from the bank web site here

Lets continue...

Your checkbook

2 to 3 days after the bank as received your forms, you can call or email E*Trade and request your checkbook before you receive your welcome kit.

You can even request it before any funds have been deposited into your account. Simply call E*Trade on 1-916-636-2510. The mail for customer service is service@etrade.com

Or you can wait to request a check book after you receive your welcome pack.

Remember that you are opening a "E*trade Securities Brokerage Account". If you simply ask for a bank account they are not going to help you.

You can ask for your account details at this time and login to your bank account on line.

There is no need to wait for your welcome pack to access your account and deposit funds.

Ok, keep going...

Your initial deposit

The bank will open your account even if you don't send any deposit with your forms. However you can fund your account by including a $1,000 US check or US money order with your applications.

Or...

After you have received your account number, you can fund it in any amount via your PayPal, 2Checkout.com or any other account that can send ACH transfers (direct deposits).

My first deposit was only US$ 5 sent from PayPal.

You can also wire funds from your home bank account, in any amount.

Instructions on wire transfers can be found updated in the bank web site. (Remember you have to follow the instructions on how to wire money to your E*TRADE Securities account)

Your VISA Platinum Debit card

Remember that you will need to have at least US$ 1000 in your account to ask for your debit card.

You can send the application included in your welcome pack, or you can order it from the bank web site.

Next is a example of the actual VISA Platinum debit card and checkbook.

Anyway, now you can see how to send money from your Paypal account (or a similar system) to your Bank Account.....

How to send money from Paypal

To receive ACH transfers (direct deposits) from Paypal, 2Checkout or any other service. Just use the following details.

Bank name: ETRADE BANK

Routing number: 056073573

Account number: This is your personal account number

Account type: Checking Account

*Remember that doing an ACH (direct transfer) is different than a wire transfer. A wire transfer (usually used for International Transfers) has a different routing number. You can see this number updated in your bank's web site.

You can always confirm the direct deposit information from the bank web site.

You could read the original information from DollarAT site:
http://www.dollarat.com/users/members/bank_account.html/index2.php

PS: This article is a compilation of information retrieved from various sources and I do not accept responsibility for the validity of the information. Please check out the links in this article and verify the information, before acting on it. Thanks..