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The short answer
Yes, it can be done. The federal customer identification rule (31 CFR 1020.220) lets a bank open an account for a non-US person using a taxpayer identification number or a passport number and country of issuance, so a Nigerian passport can satisfy the ID-number requirement. Whether a particular Houston branch accepts it is the bank's own policy, so ask the branch before you go, and bring your passport, visa and I-94, a Houston address and, if you have one, an ITIN.
New arrivals in Houston often hit the same loop: the employer wants a bank account for payroll, the bank asks for a Social Security number, and the SSN has not arrived yet. Some Nigerians are on a visa that does not lead to an SSN at all, such as a dependant without work authorisation. This guide explains what the law requires, what it leaves to the bank, and how to approach Houston branches so the first visit works.
What the federal rule says
Every US bank runs a customer identification programme under 31 CFR 1020.220. Before opening an account it must obtain four things: your name, date of birth, address and an identification number.
For US persons the number is a taxpayer identification number, usually the SSN. For non-US persons, the rule allows any one of:
- a taxpayer identification number (an SSN or an ITIN)
- a passport number and country of issuance
- an alien identification card number
- the number and issuing country of another government photo document that shows nationality or residence
The rule also lets a bank open an account for someone who has applied for a taxpayer identification number but not yet received it, as long as the bank confirms the application was filed and collects the number within a reasonable time.
Why Houston applicants often depend on the passport
In many states a driving licence or state ID is the easiest local photo ID. In Texas, the Department of Public Safety says it verifies your Social Security number electronically with the federal government and cannot issue an ID card if it cannot be verified (see our guide to getting a state ID). So until your SSN arrives, your Nigerian passport, US visa and I-94 record are usually your main documents at a Houston branch.
What to take to the branch
| Requirement | What usually works for a new arrival | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID | Nigerian passport with US visa | Bring the original, not a copy. Some banks ask for a second ID. |
| ID number | Passport number, or ITIN, or SSN application receipt | Ask whether the bank accepts a passport number for your account type. |
| Address | Lease, employer letter, or a utility bill in your name at a Houston address | A hotel or a relative's address may be refused; ask first. |
| Immigration documents | I-94 record, I-20 or DS-2019 for students, or EAD | Not required by the federal ID rule, but banks often ask. |
| Opening deposit | Check the bank's minimum for the account | Cash or a cheque; some accounts need none. |
How to choose where to apply
Houston has branches of large national banks, regional Texas banks and many credit unions. Policies on non-SSN applicants differ between them and sometimes between branches of the same bank. A practical approach:
- Phone two or three branches near your home or work and ask one exact question: "Can a non-US person open a checking account in branch with a passport and no SSN?"
- Ask which documents they need for address, and whether an employer letter is accepted.
- Book an appointment with the branch that says yes, and note the name of the person you spoke to.
- If you are a student, ask your university's international office which banks other students have used; it may keep a list.
- Check that the bank is FDIC-insured using the FDIC's BankFind tool, or that a credit union is federally insured through NCUA's Credit Union Locator.
Online-only applications almost always ask for an SSN, because they verify identity electronically. A branch visit is usually the better route without one.
Credit unions
Credit unions require membership, often based on where you live, work or study. NCUA says deposits at federally insured credit unions are insured up to $250,000, the same headline figure the FDIC gives for banks (per depositor, per ownership category, per insured bank). NCUA also notes some state-chartered credit unions are privately insured, without federal backing, so check before you deposit.
Getting an ITIN or SSN afterwards
If you are authorised to work, the SSN will come and you should give it to the bank once it does. If you are not eligible for an SSN but have a US tax filing requirement, the IRS issues an ITIN. The IRS says you apply with Form W-7 and your tax return, and should allow seven weeks (nine to eleven weeks between 15 January and 30 April). See our ITIN guide.
Where Pryme fits
A Pryme account is not a US bank account and does not replace one for payroll. It can be opened from any country and holds naira, dollars, pounds and euros, with local account details for each, so it can sit alongside your Houston account for money going to and from Nigeria. See multicurrency accounts, how Pryme works and, for other first steps, opening a US bank account as a new arrival.
Questions people ask
Can I open a bank account in Houston with only my Nigerian passport?
Federal rules allow a passport number to stand in for an SSN for non-US persons, but each bank decides. Many will also ask for proof of a Houston address. Phone the branch first.
Can I open a US bank account online without an SSN?
Usually not. Most online applications verify identity electronically with an SSN. Branch visits are more likely to work.
Will the bank close my account if I never get an SSN?
The federal rule does not require an SSN from a non-US person identified by passport number, so the bank's own account terms decide. If the account was opened because you had applied for a number, the rule expects the bank to collect it within a reasonable time.
Is my money insured if I open an account as a non-citizen?
The FDIC insures deposits at FDIC-insured banks up to at least $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category, per bank; check the bank on BankFind.
Sources
- eCFR: 31 CFR 1020.220, Customer identification programs for banks · accessed Oct 2026
- Texas DPS: How to apply for a Texas identification card · accessed Oct 2026
- IRS: Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (updated 28 Oct 2025) · accessed Oct 2026
- FDIC: Understanding deposit insurance (updated 1 Apr 2024) · accessed Oct 2026
- NCUA: Share insurance coverage (modified 20 May 2025) · 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.