Bank cards
Open a debit card first and then a credit card as soon as possible, even if you don't plan to use it. It's important to remember that in the U.S., your credit score is as important as your Social Security number or marital status.
To apply for a Bank of America debit card, you will need the following documents
1. Proof of identity. If you are not already a U.S. resident (which is most likely), you will need your original passport or visa.
If your passport has been confiscated, you should ask Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to hold your passports for a week or two while they process your paperwork. They may provide you with passports at their discretion. Try contacting different officers.
If you have certified copies, you can try taking them to different bank branches. Although the guidelines prohibit accepting copies of documents, some officials will sometimes agree to process on the basis of copies.
If your internal Russian passport does not have inscriptions in English, it can only be accepted by a bank employee who is authorized to read documents in Russian (Russian-speaking). You can usually find such employees in large cities. Be careful: the employee will have to indicate the expiration date of your passport. In the Russian passport it says on the last page that it is valid until the age of 45, so the expiration date will be your birthday at the age of 45.
2. Secondary proof of identity - any document with your name and surname in English (e.g. Russian driver's license, bank cards, etc.).
3. Proof of residence.
If possible, it is recommended that you immediately deposit more than $3000 into your debit card account in order to get a credit card.
Bank of America Credit Card
Once you have deposited $3,000, you can make an appointment the next day to apply for a regular Cash Rewards credit card (not secured). On the application, you'll need to indicate the type of employment and the industry in which you work or plan to work in the next year. If you don't have a work permit, select Self-Employed. Also indicate your projected annual income, including all possible income (e.g., food stamps, cash assistance, income from Russia, and, of course, income from work). A minimum annual income of $20-25 thousand is required for the application to be approved.
You can also apply for a credit card online, but necessarily after approval in your personal cabinet.
To apply for a Bank of America debit card, you will need the following documents
1. Proof of identity. If you are not already a U.S. resident (which is most likely), you will need your original passport or visa.
If your passport has been confiscated, you should ask Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to hold your passports for a week or two while they process your paperwork. They may provide you with passports at their discretion. Try contacting different officers.
If you have certified copies, you can try taking them to different bank branches. Although the guidelines prohibit accepting copies of documents, some officials will sometimes agree to process on the basis of copies.
If your internal Russian passport does not have inscriptions in English, it can only be accepted by a bank employee who is authorized to read documents in Russian (Russian-speaking). You can usually find such employees in large cities. Be careful: the employee will have to indicate the expiration date of your passport. In the Russian passport it says on the last page that it is valid until the age of 45, so the expiration date will be your birthday at the age of 45.
2. Secondary proof of identity - any document with your name and surname in English (e.g. Russian driver's license, bank cards, etc.).
3. Proof of residence.
If possible, it is recommended that you immediately deposit more than $3000 into your debit card account in order to get a credit card.
Bank of America Credit Card
Once you have deposited $3,000, you can make an appointment the next day to apply for a regular Cash Rewards credit card (not secured). On the application, you'll need to indicate the type of employment and the industry in which you work or plan to work in the next year. If you don't have a work permit, select Self-Employed. Also indicate your projected annual income, including all possible income (e.g., food stamps, cash assistance, income from Russia, and, of course, income from work). A minimum annual income of $20-25 thousand is required for the application to be approved.
You can also apply for a credit card online, but necessarily after approval in your personal cabinet.