The ITIN is the number that plugs a non-US resident into American banking. First Class Citizen's published ladder is exactly that order: get the ITIN, open bank accounts at institutions like Bank of America, Chase, JP Morgan or Wells Fargo, then build the credit score. There are two honest routes to the account itself: in person at the big branch banks on a US visit, or online through a US LLC. The number comes first either way, quoted at 45 to 60 days, done for you.
Why the number matters
Banks speak one language: identification
First Class Citizen's own definition is the cleanest: the ITIN is the equivalent of an SSN for non-residents, and it allows you to open bank accounts and start building credit history.
Without a US identification number you are invisible to the system that decides what you can access. With one, US institutions can see you, report on you, and score you.
That last part is the quiet payoff. An account is a place to hold dollars.
The credit history that grows next to it is what compounds: their published client path runs from the ITIN to a credit score of up to 750 within 6 months of building, and into cards and funding from there.
The two routes
In person, or through your company
Route 1 · Personal
The US visit, done properly
First Class Citizen's playbook for personal accounts is a prepared US trip: land with your ITIN in hand and open at the majors, their published list naming Bank of America, Chase, JP Morgan and Wells Fargo.
The service includes a bank account opening strategy as a bonus once your ITIN arrives, so the visit is executed, not improvised.
Fits: anyone building the personal credit ladder toward American cards and funding.
Route 2 · Business
The LLC lane, from home
Their US LLC clients get the company route: with the EIN in place, online banks such as Wise or Mercury open from your home country, no flight involved. Published client wins include accounts opened remotely.
The ITIN then completes the personal side of the setup: credit score, cards, funding for the business. Getting the company itself formed is the step this route starts from.
Worth stating plainly, because the internet blurs it: the IRS issues ITINs for federal tax purposes.
Its Form W-7 instructions list narrow exceptions where a bank relationship alone supports an application, for example an interest-bearing deposit account generating income connected with a US trade or business, documented by an original letter from the bank. Those exceptions are real but specific.
Most applicants qualify through the ordinary filing routes instead, and on the done-for-you route that paperwork question is the provider's problem, not yours:a two minute form, a passport scan, and the filing is handled for you, with your passport staying with you.
"You have the record for the fastest ITIN we have ever processed. We did it in 37 days."
Davide Vignoli
Client
"My ITIN was delivered in 1 month and 2 weeks. Really happy with the process and I am gearing up for my trip to Miami now."
Thor M.
Client
"Got my ITIN within 6 weeks thanks to you and the whole team. I just filled out a form and waited and it came to my mail."
Chris M.
Client
"I got the ITIN as promised, FASTER than I was promised. I got the corporation and everything is done, and whenever I have a question I get my answers right away."
Michael Niziolek
Client
"Got my ITIN in 40-50 days and now I have 2 credit cards already. The experience has been amazing with hands-on support from the team."
Andrew Menechian
Client
"The LLC is fine, the EIN was fine, the ITIN's all good, got the bank accounts remotely, so everything went pretty good."
Neil Ateem
Client
"The process was super quick and easy. Whoever is behind the scenes in your team, they are on it, very communicative."
Povilas
Client
"I have a company in Lithuania doing $5-6m in ad spend through my debit card. I didn't know AMEX existed until I met Miquel and he explained how I was leaving money on the table."
Antonio Leao
Client
"You have the record for the fastest ITIN we have ever processed. We did it in 37 days."
Davide Vignoli
Client
"My ITIN was delivered in 1 month and 2 weeks. Really happy with the process and I am gearing up for my trip to Miami now."
Thor M.
Client
"Got my ITIN within 6 weeks thanks to you and the whole team. I just filled out a form and waited and it came to my mail."
Chris M.
Client
"I got the ITIN as promised, FASTER than I was promised. I got the corporation and everything is done, and whenever I have a question I get my answers right away."
Michael Niziolek
Client
"Got my ITIN in 40-50 days and now I have 2 credit cards already. The experience has been amazing with hands-on support from the team."
Andrew Menechian
Client
"The LLC is fine, the EIN was fine, the ITIN's all good, got the bank accounts remotely, so everything went pretty good."
Neil Ateem
Client
"The process was super quick and easy. Whoever is behind the scenes in your team, they are on it, very communicative."
Povilas
Client
"I have a company in Lithuania doing $5-6m in ad spend through my debit card. I didn't know AMEX existed until I met Miquel and he explained how I was leaving money on the table."
Can a non-US resident open an American bank account?
Yes. First Class Citizen's client path is built around it: the ITIN first, then bank accounts at institutions like Bank of America, Chase, JP Morgan or Wells Fargo on a US visit, or the online business route through a US LLC. Published client results include accounts opened remotely.
Is an ITIN legally required to open a US bank account?
Banks set their own identification rules, and the IRS grants ITINs for federal tax purposes, not as a banking permit. In practice the number is what plugs you into the system: it is the piece US institutions know how to process, and it is what makes a US credit history possible afterwards.
What does the IRS say about ITINs and bank accounts?
The Form W-7 instructions list narrow exceptions where a bank relationship alone supports an ITIN application, for example an interest-bearing account connected with a US trade or business, documented by a letter from the bank. Most people qualify through the ordinary routes instead, which is exactly what a done-for-you service handles.
Which comes first: the account or the ITIN?
The ITIN. First Class Citizen's published ladder starts with the number, then the accounts, then the credit score. The service includes a bank account opening strategy as a bonus once your ITIN arrives.
Can I do all of it without visiting the US?
The ITIN itself, yes, entirely from abroad. Personal accounts at the big branch banks are opened on a US visit per First Class Citizen's own playbook, while the LLC route unlocks online banking from home. The without-traveling guide in this series covers the split.
How long until I have the number in hand?
The timeline quoted to clients today is 45 to 60 days, with published results as fast as 37 days. Banking comes right after that.
American banking starts with one number
The assessment call maps your situation to the right route: the ITIN, the accounts, and the credit ladder after them. Free, qualified, and you leave with the next step clear.
