US help.

[invisible999]

u have to go to USA to open an account for sure but its gonna be hard!!! unless u have a similar bank in sg, and high status (example GOLD OR PLATINIUM) and have a good usa friend with home address.... bring sg statement when u are in USA to the USa bank there to go there show them!


worth a try! wont say 100% will work but got some chance

'Friend' and home address in US and whatever 'high' status won't help.

There is a thing called 'PATRIOT Act'. Well, according that fundamental law and "know your customer' rules only US RESIDENTS - people who have either green cards or US citizens and those who have long term stay non-immigrant visas (H, E, O, L, TN) can open accounts in US financial institutions.

My college from Brazil could not even open brokerage account with Schwab.

 

[critical888]

'Friend' and home address in US and whatever 'high' status won't help.

There is a thing called 'PATRIOT Act'. Well, according that fundamental law and "know your customer' rules only US RESIDENTS - people who have either green cards or US citizens and those who have long term stay non-immigrant visas (H, E, O, L, TN) can open accounts in US financial institutions.

My college from Brazil could not even open brokerage account with Schwab.

worth a try la, but not 100 percent.. if like already going usa, than try, no harm, but guess not necessary can just use prepaid credit card if wanna buy things online..

 

[invisible999]

worth a try la, but not 100 percent.. if like already going usa, than try, no harm, but guess not necessary can just use prepaid credit card if wanna buy things online..

I was in California a month ago with my Brazilian colleague. We walked to branches of Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Digital Credit Union, Stanford Credit Union, Charles Schwab - everywhere he got 'no' on request to open an account. Reason - Patriot Act.

One can buy pre-paid VISA/AMEX/MC cards with up to $500 from any supermarket or Walmart, but to have have an account in US financial institution one has to be US resident.

 

[fone]

To get a US address, it would not be difficult, as you can rent "mailboxes" that look like real US addresses, for a small fee. But the banks do require proof of residency for non US citizens or PRs.

Some even require rental agreement, plus

 

[invisible999]

To get a US address, it would not be difficult, as you can rent "mailboxes" that look like real US addresses, for a small fee. But the banks do require proof of residency for non US citizens or PRs.

I am using such an address in Nevada - looks exactly like an ordinary street address with apartment. But banks already have systems identifying such addresses. When I tried to use the address with Schwab I got message that the address is used by mail forwarder.

Some even require rental agreement, plus

One was able to use cell phone bill with US address as proof of residency in about 10 years ago. And getting cell phone contract was really easy.

However now banks do not consider cell phone bill as a sufficient proof. One needs to bring rental agreement, a bill from an utility company and/or statement from another financial institution.

 

[critical888]

got what benefit if got usa bank account? care to share

 

[fone]

I am using such an address in Nevada - looks exactly like an ordinary street address with apartment. But banks already have systems identifying such addresses. When I tried to use the address with Schwab I got message that the address is used by mail forwarder.

Really? How about for credit cards? I'm thinking changing my current card to that address and getting a new card with that address. Although they previously only asked for a bill in a new address, which my old card with them already is.

got what benefit if got usa bank account? care to share

If you can get a US credit card, many US sites like Coach / Kate Spade etc only take US credit card with US billing address. Then if these sites allow, ship to freight forwarder and get them for much cheaper than you can do so in SG.

 

[critical888]

wouldn't the prepaid visa/mastercard can does this job too, if say u have a fren in usa, get him to load it for u than u use it

 

[nanite]

Thanks guys. I realized that all I need is a multi-currency account. Probably going with HSBC

 

[critical888]

I think citibank also have, but now citibank minimum balance 5k, scary must keep so much inside if not main account if not every month deducting

 

[twinklingstars]

Hi everyone!
I have been planning this US trip for months, and I will be leaving for the States next Mon. Time really flies. Big thanks to all the US gurus for advices and tips! I just have a couple more questions, hope you guys can help answer.

- How much tips to give, understand for restaurants is usually 15% to 20%. How about receptionist at the motel, chambermaids, bellboy, taxi drivers, tour guides? Sorry I’m not used to the culture of tipping. :X
- San Francisco will be my first stop, where can I get sim card for my handphone, or should I get it in Singapore first?

Thank you!!

 

[patryn33]

makan - party or 4 or less 15%, late dining say past 10pm 20%.
some ppl date motel stuff, but call me cheapo but I have not tip any hotel stuff these days common with the Ang mo around me

 

[invisible999]

- San Francisco will be my first stop, where can I get sim card for my handphone, or should I get it in Singapore first?

Thank you!!

I might have something you'd like, check your PM.

 

[invisible999]

Really? How about for credit cards? I'm thinking changing my current card to that address and getting a new card with that address. Although they previously only asked for a bill in a new address, which my old card with them already is.

Credit cards - no problem, Chase is totally cool with it. It is Schwab who had problem.

got what benefit if got usa bank account? care to share

US bank account (like current/savings) - not a direct benefit, a credit card issued in US - different story.

If you can get a US credit card, many US sites like Coach / Kate Spade etc only take US credit card with US billing address. Then if these sites allow, ship to freight forwarder and get them for much cheaper than you can do so in SG.

Plus, in addition US based cards have one of the best consumer protection (if not the best) available in the world. Personal example - a month ago, when I was in US, ordered two memory modules for network equipment online. They arrived but did not work with the equipment.

I sent them back however the vendor saying that it is not the modules they've sent. After couple of calls/emails trying to resolve the matter I called Chase and they quickly over the phone credited $500 back to my account and told me that they will handle this matter with the vendor.

wouldn't the prepaid visa/mastercard can does this job too, if say u have a fren in usa, get him to load it for u than u use it

This is actually not a good idea for couple of reasons:

Prepaid cards have no name on them and in number of places they are not accepted. Personal examples - Car rental, gas stations.

Prepaid cards are treated like cash and have no protections whatsoever offered by credit card providers.

- How much tips to give, understand for restaurants is usually 15% to 20%. How about receptionist at the motel, chambermaids, bellboy, taxi drivers, tour guides? Sorry I’m not used to the culture of tipping. :X

Depends on a place. In a motel you won't have any of those. For a normal 4-5 star hotel (and especially in Vegas), yes it is expected to tip. Usually bellboy/valet is $2-$3, housekeeping in a hotel - $3-$4 per day (only for days when they clean the room, no need to leave at checkout day). Taxi - 10-15%, I personally would not give money to a tour guide, especially if it is part of large organized tour.

If you are interested in the topic, head here

 

[Shiny Things]

I was in California a month ago with my Brazilian colleague. We walked to branches of Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Digital Credit Union, Stanford Credit Union, Charles Schwab - everywhere he got 'no' on request to open an account. Reason - Patriot Act.

One can buy pre-paid VISA/AMEX/MC cards with up to $500 from any supermarket or Walmart, but to have have an account in US financial institution one has to be US resident.

That's weird - Chase opened an account for me when I still lived in Singapore, and all they needed was an Australian passport and a couple of utility bills (SP Services and Starhub). They've opened accounts (in America) for Aussie-resident friends of mine as well.

Either Chase is far more liberal about this stuff, or they've tightened it up just in the last year or so.

 

[nick088]

Hello All,

I would be travelling to USA from 9-19...LA, Vegas and San Francisco

Will anyone be there? drop me an email nicholasjacobseb88@gmail.com

 

[invisible999]

Either Chase is far more liberal about this stuff, or they've tightened it up just in the last year or so.

Latter. Have not been at Chase office but I'd suspect we'd get the same answer.

Situation now is considerable tougher for non-residents. Before 9/11 one could even get SSN and DL with B1/B2 visa. Back 5-7 years ago opening bank account still was possible. Not any more.

 

[critical888]

anything worth buying in usa online? , last time i see the ASUS router like quite cheap as compare to sg, but refurbished

 

[paul02]

NYC trip thread

I finally got some time on my hands and have decided to post my trip to NYC here.

Feel free to ask me anything there.

 

[Shiny Things]

Latter. Have not been at Chase office but I'd suspect we'd get the same answer.

Situation now is considerable tougher for non-residents. Before 9/11 one could even get SSN and DL with B1/B2 visa. Back 5-7 years ago opening bank account still was possible. Not any more.

Oh, interesting - must've tightened up pretty recently. That's kind of a shame - Chase used to be very chill about that sort of thing, it was massively useful.