How do I open a US bank account without a Social Security number yet?

Federal rules let a bank verify a customer with a passport number and other identifying documents, so a Social Security number is not legally required to open a deposit account; each bank sets its own policy, and the large national banks with branches in Phoenix routinely open accounts for new arrivals with a passport, a visa or arrival record, and proof of a local address. Online-only banks usually insist on an SSN. The consumer finance regulator’s guides explain checking accounts, fees and how to compare them [1].

If you will not be eligible for a Social Security number but will have US tax obligations, an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number from the IRS serves for banking and tax purposes; people who are work-authorised should apply for the SSN instead and update the bank afterwards [2] [3].

Practical sequence: open the account in your first week so your employer can pay you and utilities can debit you; ask about fee waivers (many accounts waive monthly fees with a direct deposit or minimum balance); and start a secured credit card or similar early, because a US credit history is what unlocks postpaid phone plans, better insurance rates and, eventually, a mortgage [1].