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Banking Guide for Canadians on a J-1 Visa in the US
Are you a Canadian student heading to the US for an internship on a J-1 visa? This guide covers everything you need to know about setting up banking in the US—how to open a bank account, which debit and credit cards to get, tips for avoiding fees, and how to manage money across borders. Start your internship financially prepared and stress-free.
1. Open a Chase Chequing Account ASAP (No SSN Needed)
One of the first things I did after landing in the US was go to a Chase branch and open a Total Checking® account. You don’t need an SSN to do this—just bring your passport, J-1 visa, DS-2019, and proof of address (like your offer letter with your US address on it).
The best part? Chase often offers a $300 bonus if you set up direct deposit. Make sure to:
- Ask your banker to apply the promo code for you
- Set your internship payroll to deposit into this account immediately.
The bonus usually arrives shortly after your first paycheck lands. I got mine within two weeks.
Also, Chase values customer history when you apply for their credit cards later, so the earlier you open your account, the better!
2. Get a US Credit Card Without an SSN (For Amex Canada Cardholders)
If you already have an American Express card from Canada, you're in luck.
You can apply for a US Amex card very easily without having a SSN.
Go to the American Express US website, pick a card, and select “I don’t have an SSN.”
You’ll be prompted to log in with your Canadian Amex account.
I recommend the Hilton Honors (no annual fee) card—it’s easy to get approved for and gives points worth around $400 in hotel stays.
Before they can send the card, Amex needs to verify your US address. Since you just opened a Chase account, you can call Amex support and ask for a "bank call"—they’ll call Chase to confirm your address on file. This sped things up for me, and my card arrived soon after.
3. To continue, you will need your SSN in hand!
4. Apply for Chase Freedom Flex (Your First Real US Credit Card)
After you’ve had 2–3 paychecks land in your Chase account and your first bank statement is available, head to a Chase branch in person and apply for the Chase Freedom Flex.
Chase prefers to see some account activity and a bit of relationship history before approving new cardholders—especially if you’re new to US credit. That’s why it’s important to apply before moving your direct deposit elsewhere.
Freedom Flex is a great starter card:
$200 bonus after hitting the $500 minimum spend (easy to do),
5% cashback rotating categories (e.g., gas, restaurants, Amazon),
Helps kickstart your US credit score.
5. Open a SoFi Account and Grab Another Bonus
Now that you’ve secured the Chase bonus and got approved for Freedom Flex, you can move your payroll to chase the next bonus.
I opened a SoFi Money account, which was offering a $300 direct deposit bonus. The process was super easy and can all be done through their app.
Just switch your payroll from Chase to SoFi, and the bonus usually arrives after your first paycheck.
6. Total Bonus Breakdown
Here’s what I earned from following these steps:
Chase Chequing bonus: $300
Amex Hilton Honors card: $400 in hotel points
Chase Freedom Flex bonus: $200
SoFi direct deposit bonus: $300
Total: $1200 in free money, just for setting up your banking the smart way.