Hi everyone, I’m looking for some advice on applying for a US Bank checking account online. I’ve read numerous DPs suggesting that NRAs have been successfully opening these accounts remotely. However, I’ve hit a wall. I’ve tried applying several times—both for the standard checking account and the State Farm co-branded Smartly account—but I keep getting instant denials. I currently have 5 months of US credit history, which I thought would be enough to establish my identity in their system. I’m really confused about why I can't get through. Has anyone else faced this? Are there any specific tricks or steps I might be missing for a successful online application? Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

Hi Guys, I will just share our experience in applying for Amex Business Checking account. This happened last year, but I know it will give some of you an idea if you are interested in opening a business checking account for your US LLC, C-Corp, etc., as non US residents. Below are the timelines: 1. We first applied in around September 2024, got denied due to me having no US personal credit profile and history, yup you need a US personal credit to apply for the AMEX business checking account. 2. I did build my US credit history first with my ITIN and then we reapply for the AMEX business checking account almost a year later around August 2025, and it was accepted but it was not instantly approved as AMEX needs to have a notarized copy of my passport due to the passport being issued outside of US, they have me use NotaryCam for notarization which is free, it is a video zoom call type where they would asked you questions, signed a document and then notarize your passport, just be cool when answering the questions, be honest with your answers as AMEX is one of the few banks that doesn't care much about citizenship or residency as long as they can verify your identity. 3. Once notary cam forwarded the video and my notarized passport we were approved for the business checking account in about two days, and then few days later we have received our business debit card, if I am not mistaken you don't have to request for it, they will automatically ship it to your mailing address, it is our main account at the moment. PS: The AMEX business checking account is not the end all be all though just being honest, as AMEX is still considered new into banking products, we have nothing against AMEX though but if you are only a digital based business it is a solid business checking account. Additionally the business debit card is mostly unusable outside of US for physical use but this depends on the merchant for online use outside the US it is alright since we have been informed that it is still a work in progress for acceptance unlike their credit cards and yes you need a US personal credit profile to apply for the business checking account I think they do a soft pull on Experian. We hope this can help some of you in opening a checking account for your US based businesses.

I recently enrolled for Banking for Sofi. Reason to enroll in longterm Sofi has 2% Cash Back Credit cards with no FTF. This is highest benefit I can think with no FTF credit card (all transaction). I am not yet enrollled to CC but journey starts. Some Key Highlights - Call Customer and update your profile before applying the bank account . US Address / SSN OR ITIN / Non residential status / US Phone number are key requirements. They do early warning check so its important to note. I was rejected in Dec 2025 once - They did not aks for Address proof or any other document as part account opening. - US IP address with stricly (no VPN) , I used Redpocket IP mobile data. - After account was opened I changed my mailing address (only mailing address not legal address) to pvt US mailing address. - They have despatched Debit card to my Mailing address. (edit : They despatched the debit card to Permanent / Legal address ) - Excellent App. I will fund now through ACH from other banks which are connected - Transunioin Score is visible. - I can see balance (incl Credit card transactions) from other banks like AMEX , CAP1 and BOFA. A wholesome decent dashboard which gives entire cash available in all banks. - I have submitted W8BEN and status is non resident alien (from taxation point of view as they will raise 1042S instead of 1099 INT now) but they donot allow foreign addres on profile (which was part of W8BEN) as BOFA does. - If any one can suggest easy Sign up bonus method, I donot have LLC's / Business account.

Hey everyone! 👋 I just hit 6 months of credit history and I'm told my score is in good shape — so I'm finally ready to dive into the Amex world! I had a few questions and would love the community's input: 1. Which Amex card should I start with?I'm open to anything — cash back, travel points, whatever gives the best value for someone just getting started. 2. Can I apply for 2 Amex cards at once without hurting my credit?I've heard applying on the same day might count as a single hard pull — is that true? Any experience with this as a newer cardholder? 3. Do you have any referral links?If you have an Amex card you love and have a referral available, drop it below! Happy to use it — I know it benefits both of us 🙌 4. Are there any good signup bonuses running right now?Specifically looking at no-annual-fee cards if possible. Would love to know if anything elevated is live at the moment. 5. Financial Review (FR) — how do I prepare?I know Amex sometimes triggers a Financial Review, especially when you're new or applying for multiple cards. Has anyone gone through this? What documents did they ask for, and what's the best way to handle it smoothly without getting cards shut down? Appreciate any advice — this community always comes through! 🔥

A couple of weeks ago, I shared here my “graduation” from Discover and my credit limit increase from $200 to $2,000. A week later, I received my $200 security deposit refund in the mail without any issues. I started my plan to request a credit limit increase on my QuickSilver card next May, which is currently at $1,000. The idea was to use it at 80%-90% capacity, pay everything off to $0, wait for it to report to the credit bureaus, and then submit the CLI request. Today I received an unexpected pre-approved offer for the Capital One Savor card (with all the perks), which surprised me given my short credit history of just 7 months. Long story short, I accepted the offer, and the result was this new card with a $7,000 credit limit. Something that caught my attention is that during the process, the system asked me if I’m a resident; when I selected “no,” it asked for my country of origin—though this wasn’t a barrier to approval. Another thing: in the personal information section, it asks for a home address but also has an option for a mailing address, I set both. Once approved, I received confirmation that I will receive the card at the mailing address, which is an Anytime Mailbox P.O. Box. My credit score was hit as follows: TU -1, EQ -6, EX -17. I am still >740 in all of them. I hope this feedback is helpful to others who are just starting out on this journey of building credit in the U.S.