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The short answer
Rarely with the passport alone. US banks usually want an unexpired passport plus a second document, such as your visa and I-94, a Green Card or an EAD, and proof of a US address. If you cannot get a Social Security number, an IRS-issued ITIN can serve as the taxpayer number at banks that accept it.
Why one document is not enough
A Nigerian passport proves who you are. It does not prove that you live in the US, that you are lawfully present or what your taxpayer number is, and a bank has to record all of those. So the realistic question is not whether the passport is accepted (it nearly always is, if unexpired) but what goes with it.
Banks build their own lists inside federal rules, so two branches of different banks can give different answers on the same day. Treat any article that names 'the banks that accept a foreign passport' with care: policies change, and the only reliable answer is the bank's current account-opening page or a branch officer reading from it.
The second documents that usually work
| Your situation | Second document to bring | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Green Card holder | Form I-551 (Permanent Resident Card) | Also accepted by the SSA as an immigration document |
| Work visa (e.g. H-1B, L-1) | Visa in passport and I-94 record | An employer letter helps with address |
| Student (F-1) | Form I-20 and I-94; a letter from the school's international office | The SSA also asks students for the I-20 |
| Holder of an EAD | Form I-766 | Can count as identity and work status in SSA's process |
| Visitor (B1/B2) | Visa and I-94 | Many banks will not open for visitors; ask first |
Add proof of a US address: a signed lease, a utility bill, or official post in your name. Originals matter. The SSA does not accept photocopies or notarised copies for its own applications, and banks are similarly cautious.
Where an ITIN helps
If you are not authorised to work, you usually cannot get a normal SSN; the SSA points such people to the ITIN, applied for on IRS Form W-7. The IRS rules matter here:
- An ITIN is for people who need a US taxpayer number but are not eligible for an SSN.
- You generally attach a federal tax return to the W-7, unless one of the listed exceptions applies.
- Your passport is the only document the IRS accepts on its own as proof of identity and foreign status. You send the original or a certified copy, or have it checked by a Certifying Acceptance Agent so the original stays with you.
- The IRS says to allow about 7 weeks, or 9 to 11 weeks between 15 January and 30 April or if you apply from abroad.
- An ITIN does not give a right to work or change immigration status.
Once you have it, ask the bank whether it accepts an ITIN in place of an SSN. Some do; others will not open without an SSN at all. The full process is in ITIN for Nigerians in the US.
Worked example: a dependant spouse
Example only. Chinedu moves to Maryland on an H-4 visa with his wife, who holds an H-1B. He cannot work, so he cannot get a work SSN. He opens a joint account with her at a bank that lets a co-holder join with a passport, visa and I-94, using the household lease as proof of address. When the couple file their first joint federal return, he applies for an ITIN on Form W-7 with the return attached, using a Certifying Acceptance Agent so he does not post his passport. He then adds the ITIN to the bank's records.
If the bank still says no
- Ask which specific document is missing and get it in writing.
- Try a credit union you are eligible to join; membership is often tied to where you live or work.
- Ask your employer or university which local banks their international staff use.
- Keep using accounts you already hold until the US one is open, and keep your Nigerian BVN details current (see the NRBVN for Nigerians abroad).
Common reasons a passport-led application stalls
- Name order differs. Your passport may show surname first and your lease the other way round. Bring a document that shows the name as the passport does.
- Expired or nearly expired passport. Renew before you move if you can; renewal from the US means booking with a Nigerian mission (see booking a passport renewal appointment).
- No US address yet. A temporary address may not be enough. Wait until you have a lease or official post.
- The I-94 record does not match. Check your electronic I-94 against your passport before your appointment and correct errors first.
Fixing these before you visit is faster than arguing at the counter, because branch staff usually cannot override the bank's checklist.
Where Pryme fits
A Pryme Personal Account opens from any country and gives you USD, GBP, EUR and NGN with local account details, so you can receive money while a US bank decides. You can send to family at home and convert with Swap when you choose; the app shows the rate and the fee before you approve. Outside Nigeria, Pryme's activities run through regulated partners. See how it works.
Questions people ask
Can I open a US bank account with just my Nigerian passport?
Usually not on its own. Banks want a second document such as your visa and I-94, Green Card or EAD, plus a US address.
Do US banks accept ITIN instead of SSN?
Some do and some do not; it is each bank's policy. Ask before you apply.
Do I have to post my Nigerian passport to get an ITIN?
Not necessarily. A Certifying Acceptance Agent can verify your passport, or you can book an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center appointment.
Can a visitor on a B1/B2 visa open a US bank account?
Some banks allow it and many do not. Ask the bank for its written policy before you visit.
Sources
- Instructions for Form W-7 (Rev. December 2024), IRS · accessed Oct 2026
- Social Security Numbers for Noncitizens, SSA Publication 05-10096 (Feb 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.