You can open a US account with just a valid passport. No SSN, no US ID, and no permanent residency required.
Quick answer
A foreign passport is one of the most widely accepted forms of identity for opening a US financial account. Many US banks and apps that serve newcomers verify your identity digitally using your passport photo and a selfie taken in the app. You will also need a current US residential address and a US phone number. The whole sign-up typically takes a few minutes from your phone. A passport is one path; for the full picture, see our guide on how to open a US account without an SSN.
What you need to know
- A foreign passport is sufficient for identity verification at some US financial providers that accept a passport. No SSN is needed.
- You will need a current physical US residential address (P.O. boxes are not accepted) and a US phone number that can receive texts.
- Your passport must be valid, and your photo upload must show all four corners of the document in good light without glare. Photocopies are not accepted.
- If your Venezuelan passport is expired but you have an official extension (prórroga del pasaporte), that extension document is accepted as long as it is within its own validity period.
- Verification is typically digital and takes a few minutes, though manual review can extend it to one business day in some cases.
What passports qualify
A valid national passport issued by your home country is the document you need. MAJORITY accepts passports from multiple nationalities for identity verification. A passport is not the only accepted document, though; for the full list, see what IDs newcomers can use to open a US bank account.
The passport must meet a few conditions:
- It must be within its expiration date. Expired passports are not accepted.
- The data page must be fully readable, with no significant wear and no damage that obscures your photo or date of birth.
- The image you upload must be taken directly with your phone camera (not a scan of a photocopy or a printed image). All four corners of the passport must be visible in the frame, and there should be no glare on the laminate.
If you are Venezuelan and your passport has expired but you have received an official extension (prórroga del pasaporte) from the Venezuelan government, that extension is accepted as long as it is within its validity period. The prórroga is treated as part of the original travel document, so you present it together with the passport it extends.
If your passport is in a language other than English, you do not need a certified translation. The app reads the machine-readable zone on the data page automatically.
What else you need to open the account
Beyond your passport, sign-up requires:
- Full legal name as it appears on your passport
- Date of birth
- Current US residential address (must be a physical street address; P.O. boxes are not accepted)
- US phone number that can receive a text message for verification
- A selfie, taken in the app, to match your face to the photo on your passport
You do not need a US driver's license, a Social Security Number, a green card, or any other US-issued document. If you have an ITIN, you can enter it during sign-up, but it is not required.
How the sign-up process works
The entire process runs inside the app and typically finishes in a few minutes. Here is the sequence at MAJORITY:
- Download the MAJORITY app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Enter your email and US phone number. A verification code goes to that number, so use one you can receive texts on.
- Enter your personal details: full legal name, date of birth, and current US residential address.
- Select your country of origin. The app shows which documents are accepted for your nationality.
- Upload a photo of your passport. Lay it flat in natural light with all four corners in the frame and no glare on the cover or data page.
- Take a selfie in the app. This matches your live appearance to the passport photo.
- Choose your tax ID option. Enter your SSN or ITIN if you have one, or select "I do not have one" to continue without it.
- Wait for verification. Usually a few minutes; manual review can take up to one business day.
- Set a 4-digit access code for your device.
- Activate your debit card when it arrives and start using the account.
If your upload is rejected, the most common cause is image quality, not the document itself. Try again in better light, against a plain surface, and confirm all four corners of the passport are inside the frame before submitting.
Tips for a clean passport photo upload
Image quality is the single most common reason a document upload fails. These steps cover the most frequent problems:
- Use natural light near a window, not a flash or overhead fluorescent light, which creates glare on the passport laminate.
- Lay the passport flat on a plain, dark surface. A table or desk works well.
- Hold the camera directly above the passport, not at an angle.
- Confirm the entire document is in the frame before tapping the capture button. Cropped corners are a common rejection reason.
- Check that the text on the data page is sharp and readable in the preview before submitting.
What to do next
- Gather your valid passport and make sure it is not expired.
- Confirm you have a current US physical address and a US phone number.
- Download the MAJORITY app and start the sign-up.
- If your upload is rejected, retake the photo with better lighting and a plain background, and confirm all four corners are visible.
How MAJORITY can help
MAJORITY is a financial membership for migrants in the US. Sign-up accepts a valid foreign passport for identity verification, with no SSN required. If you are Venezuelan and your passport has expired, the official prórroga del pasaporte is accepted within its validity period.
Frequently asked questions
Can I open a US account with just a passport and no SSN?
Yes. Many US banks and apps, along with providers that do not require an SSN, accept a valid foreign passport for identity verification. You will also need a current US residential address and a US phone number.
Does my passport need to be from a specific country?
MAJORITY accepts passports from multiple nationalities. After you enter your country of origin in the app, the app shows you which documents are accepted for your nationality.
What if my passport is expired but I have a Venezuelan prórroga?
The prórroga del pasaporte (official Venezuelan passport extension) is accepted at MAJORITY as long as it is within its own validity period. Present it together with the passport it extends when you upload your identity document.
Do I need a US address to open an account with my passport?
Yes. A current US residential street address is required at sign-up. P.O. boxes are not accepted. The address does not need to be in your name. A current address where you can receive mail is sufficient.
How long does identity verification take when I use a passport?
Verification is typically digital and takes a few minutes. In some cases a manual review is needed, which can extend the process to one business day.
Can I open an account while waiting for my SSN or green card?
Yes. You do not need an SSN, a green card, or any US-issued document to open a MAJORITY account. A valid foreign passport, a US address, and a US phone number are enough to complete sign-up.
Disclosures
Additional onboarding questions may apply for members with no SSN.
The MAJORITY app facilitates banking services through Axiom Bank, N.A. ("Axiom"), Member FDIC. The funds deposited in the account held at Axiom, Member FDIC, are FDIC-insured on a pass-through basis up to $250,000 per depositor in the event Axiom fails and subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Non-deposit products or services such as money transfers and telecom services are not FDIC-insured.
MAJORITY Visa® Debit Card is issued by Axiom Bank, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc.