I am only in USA for 1-2 weeks and then I go back to London for 2 months coz I still have a lease there (if you need this information, Susie?)
so I want to get things done now like get a learners permit, open a bank account, apply for SSN. I just got off the call with SSA office and I was told there is no waiting period ughh now I guess I have to go there and see for myself.
You don’t need a SSN to open a bank account.
You do in NY and with Chase.
Actually, you don’t if you know how to ask. As with medical insurance, it’s often an assumption from the frontline staff that can be overcome by going further up the chain. There are many people legally in the US (such as H and O dependents who don’t get assigned SSNs) who have bank accounts without SSNs, I personally know some of these with accounts at Chase.
I hope they've changed it [again], as in early 2015, Chase changed something in their application for the new account process where they couldn't proceed onto the next screen [about half way through] without SSN.
Prior to that, it was possible.
As you are on banking issues here, let me ask - for first timer like myself what bank is more "friendly" in terms of transacting businesses such as intercontinental funds transfer, accessible almost in every State or city (as I know some bank, like Charter One cannot be found in FL).
Many thanks Sue for your quick response - as usual, very helpful.What do you mean by “accessible”? Between mobile banking apps (that do just about everything you can think of including depositing checks) and smartphone payments like Apple Pay, as well as obviously being able to draw cash via any ATM, there’s not much need to actually visit a branch much at all. However, if you do want a proper nationwide bank the big 3 are Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Chase (not necessarily in that order).
I am only in USA for 1-2 weeks and then I go back to London for 2 months coz I still have a lease there (if you need this information, Susie?)
so I want to get things done now like get a learners permit, open a bank account, apply for SSN. I just got off the call with SSA office and I was told there is no waiting period ughh now I guess I have to go there and see for myself.