You're viewing the United States website. To see location-specific content, 

Opening a US bank account with an ITIN: what to know

Banking Basics

Opening a US bank account with an ITIN: what to know

Opening a US bank account with an ITIN: what to know

You do not need an ITIN to open a MAJORITY account. A government-issued ID is enough -- no SSN required. Here's what ITIN is and where it does help.

You do not need an ITIN -- or an SSN -- to open a MAJORITY account. A government-issued ID is all it takes.

Quick answer

If you have an ITIN and you're wondering whether it helps you open a US account, the short answer is: you do not need it for the account itself. MAJORITY accepts a valid government-issued photo ID for identity verification -- no SSN and no ITIN required. If you do not have either, you can still sign up. Where an ITIN can be genuinely useful is on your US taxes.

What you need to know

  1. MAJORITY does not require an SSN or ITIN to open an account.
  2. A valid government-issued photo ID is all you need for identity verification.
  3. During registration, MAJORITY asks whether you have an SSN or ITIN. If you do not, you select "I do not have one" and complete verification with alternative documents.
  4. Your personal data -- including any SSN or ITIN you provide -- is stored with advanced encryption. MAJORITY never sells or shares it.
  5. An ITIN can be useful for filing US taxes in the US.

What is an ITIN and who has one

An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a tax processing number issued by the IRS to people who need to file US taxes but do not qualify for a Social Security Number. That includes many immigrants, non-resident workers, international students, and their family members.

An ITIN is a 9-digit number that starts with the digit 9. It does not authorize work in the US, does not make you eligible for Social Security benefits, and is not the same as an SSN. Its main purpose is tax filing.

Common reasons someone might have an ITIN:

  • They earn US income and are required to file a federal tax return
  • They have tax-related filing obligations but are not eligible for an SSN
  • They are a dependent or spouse of a US citizen or resident

Do you need an ITIN to open a MAJORITY account

No. MAJORITY accepts your ITIN if you have one, but does not require it. During registration, the app asks for your SSN or ITIN as part of standard identity verification under US financial regulations. If you have neither, you simply select "I do not have one" and MAJORITY will guide you through verification using your government-issued ID instead.

This means immigrants, international students, and others who have never been issued an SSN or ITIN can still open a MAJORITY account today.

What documents you actually need

To open a MAJORITY account, you need one valid government-issued photo ID. Accepted documents include:

  • Passport (from most nationalities)
  • US driver's license
  • National identity card (accepted for certain countries)
  • Venezuelan passport extension (prórroga del pasaporte), within its valid period

No SSN, no ITIN, no credit check, and no minimum balance required. The account carries a $6.99/month membership fee.

When uploading your ID, make sure the image is clear and unobstructed, all four corners are visible, and you are submitting the original document -- not a photocopy or screenshot.

Where an ITIN can help

Having an ITIN doesn't change what you need to open a MAJORITY account, but it can matter in two areas outside of opening the account:

US taxes. If you earn US income and are required to file a federal return, your ITIN is how you do it. This is its primary purpose. Having an ITIN does not affect your eligibility for a MAJORITY account.

Building credit. Separate from opening an account, some people want to know whether an ITIN can help them get a credit card and build a US credit history. That is a different topic with its own rules, and it deserves a full answer. For the credit path, see How to get a credit card with an ITIN. This article stays focused on the account and debit side.

What to do next

If you're ready to open a MAJORITY account, you can get started in minutes from the app:

  1. Download the MAJORITY app
  2. Start registration and enter your basic personal information
  3. When prompted for SSN or ITIN, enter yours if you have one -- or select "I do not have one"
  4. Upload a clear photo of your accepted government-issued ID
  5. Complete the identity verification steps

Once your identity is verified, your MAJORITY account is open.

How MAJORITY can help

MAJORITY is an FDIC-insured mobile account. You get a MAJORITY Visa® Debit Card, money transfer services, mobile top-ups, international calling, and customer service available in Spanish by video call, chat, or phone -- all for $6.99/month.

No minimum balance. No foreign transaction fees. And no SSN required to get started.

Frequently asked questions

Can I open a MAJORITY account without an SSN or ITIN?
Yes. MAJORITY asks for an SSN or ITIN during registration as part of standard identity verification, but if you do not have one, you select "I do not have one" and verify with your government-issued photo ID instead.

Does having an ITIN make it easier to open a MAJORITY account?
No. MAJORITY doesn't require an ITIN, so having one doesn't change the process. A valid government-issued photo ID is what you need.

What ID documents does MAJORITY accept?
MAJORITY accepts passports from most nationalities, US driver's licenses, national identity cards (for certain countries), and the Venezuelan passport extension (prórroga). The app will show you which documents are accepted for your country during registration.

Is an ITIN the same as an SSN?
No. An SSN is issued by the Social Security Administration to US citizens and authorized workers. An ITIN is issued by the IRS strictly for tax filing purposes. An ITIN does not authorize work in the US and is not a form of work authorization.

Is my information safe if I provide my ITIN to MAJORITY?
Yes. MAJORITY stores your information using advanced encryption. MAJORITY never sells or shares your personal information with third parties.

Can I use an ITIN to build credit or get a credit card?
That is a separate topic from opening an account, with its own requirements. This article covers the account and debit side only. For how an ITIN fits into building US credit and getting a card, see How to get a credit card with an ITIN.

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.

Share