Apply for a U.S. bank account before you travel

Chinese student in cafe

Apply for a U.S. bank account before you travel

  • Apply remotely: Using our Mobile App, open a new Student e-Checking account in just a few minutes.1
  • No paperwork: Conveniently scan your required ID documents with our simple, online application. 2
    • Must be 17 years or older to apply
    • Valid U.S. Student Visa
    • Qualifying government issued ID

Pay your major expenses before landing in the U.S.

Students Sharing Textbook

Pay your major expenses before landing in the U.S.

Add funds such as stipend, work study, or scholarship money to your Student e-Checking account to pay for tuition & other expenses.3

Students enjoy no monthly account maintenance fee

  • No account maintenance fees

  • No minimum balance required

Students enjoy no monthly account maintenance fee

Don't worry about maintaining a minimum balance.

Enjoy unlimited withdrawals from any ATM within the U.S.

Smiling Backpack Girl

Enjoy unlimited withdrawals from any ATM within the U.S.

With the Student e-Checking account, you can request an East West Bank Visa® Debit Card to be mailed to your home. 4

Traveling for school, work, or leisure – no problem. Use any ATM machine, anywhere in the U.S., and stop worrying about paying for ATM surcharges.5

DISCLOSURE

East West Bank does not assess any account opening fees. The Student e-Checking account must be funded within 60 days of application approval. Use of East West Bank’s mobile banking application requires a data connection. Wireless carrier charges may apply. 

Applicant must provide at the time of account application the following applicable document(s): Foreign Students – A copy of a valid and current U.S. government issued F-1 or M-1 student visa or specified J-1 Visa (limited student categories accepted) indicating they have been legally admitted to the United States to study at an accredited university, community college, high school, or vocational school in the United States. Additionally, the applicant must provide a copy of their qualifying government issued ID, which may include, as applicable their China National ID Card, Hong Kong Permanent ID card, or Taiwan National ID (number only). ID types and requirements vary by country/region and may change from time to time. Please visit our Mobile App for the most up to date requirements. U.S. Students – A valid and current Proof of Acceptance or Student ID Card indicating they are legally enrolled to study at an accredited university, community college, high school or vocational school in the United States. U.S. students include those individuals that are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States. A U.S. social security number is required to apply.

Account is limited to an individual student who is 17 years of age or older. One account per student.  

Account holder must verify allowable payment methods with their school.

Debit Card international shipping fees may apply. See the East West Bank Fee Schedule for details. 

There is no charge for using an East West Bank ATM. Non East West Bank ATM usage fees may be charged to your account at the request of the 3rd party operating the ATM. If you use your Debit Card to initiate an ATM transaction from your Student e-Checking account, we will refund the ATM usage fees to your account each statement cycle. This waiver does not apply to any ATM NSF fees that are the result of your Student e-Checking account being overdrawn by an ATM transaction.