International Students

A new way of life begins as you study abroad in the United States. PNC has the banking resources to help ayou manage your finances.

Why You Need a United States Bank Account
How To Open a United States Bank Account
What We Offer
My Finance Academy
Get Started
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Why You Need a United States Bank Account

While in the U.S., you will need to manage your finances efficiently & safely.

Deposits & Payments

A U.S. checking account is a place to deposit money that you receive by check or direct deposit, including financial aid awards and money from home. You’ll also be able to spend money or make purchases by writing checks, using a debit card, or sending online payments.

Keeping Track of Your Money

A checking account will provide you with an accurate, monthly record of any funds that were deposited, spent, or withdrawn. It’s more efficient than purchasing money orders and safer than carrying cash

How To Open a United States Bank Account

For International Students

For U.S. Citizens and/or Resident Aliens

If you have a Social Security number and one of the following forms of identification:

  • A valid state issued driver's license OR,
  • State-issued ID OR,
  • Military ID 

you can apply now for Virtual Wallet Student® which gives you the resources you need to help manage your money. We are unable to accept online applications from Non-U.S. Persons at this time.

Apply Now for a Virtual Wallet Student

For Non-U.S. Persons

Non-U.S. Persons without a social security number must visit a branch in person to apply for an account. PNC Bank requires students to have two forms of identification.

Find a PNC Branch Near You

Resources for Getting Started

USA Banking 101
International Student Flyer
W8BEN Form

What We Offer

PNC offers Virtual Wallet Student® to help make banking easy.

Checkings. Savings. No Monthly Service Fee.

Open a new Virtual Wallet Student and get certain benefits for up to six years, including:

  • No monthly service charge.[1]
  • One automatic courtesy refund of any Overdraft Item fees associated with the first overdraft event.[2]
  • Automatic enrollment for online statements and documents the first time you sign on to PNC Online Banking[3], and the option to choose paper statements at no charge.

You will receive your PNC Bank Visa® debit card within 10 days of opening your Virtual Wallet Student. You will need your PIN to use it at ATMs and for certain purchases. Make sure you follow the instructions on the card to activate your debit card so you can use it immediately. It gives you:

  • As a PNC Customer, you can access your money fee-free at nearly 60,000 ATMs across the country as listed on our ATM locator.[4]
  • Ability to make purchases anywhere Visa debit is accepted.

Cost- Effective Wire Transfer Solution.

With PNC Virtual Wallet Student, receive one incoming wire transfer per statement period into the Spend account at no charge.

If someone is wiring you money from outside the U.S. the bank sending the money will need the following information:

  • Swift Code PNCCUS33
  • ABA Routing and Transit Number
  • Your 10 Digit Account Number
  • Your Name
  • Your Branch Address

Serving Non-English Speaking Customers.

PNC provides a wide range of services to non-English speaking customers, including:

  • Customer service with interpretation services available in more than 240 languages.
  • Bilingual employees at key branch locations who meet the needs of our diverse segment customers.
  • Various resources in Spanish, including educational materials, a designated Customer Care Center line, 1-866-HOLA-PNC, and webpages in Spanish, including pnc.com/espanol.
  • ATMs featuring languages such as Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Call 888-PNC-Bank and ask to speak to an interpreter in one of over 240 languages.

Learn More
PNC My Finance Academy

Learn about your finances. Develop healthy habits. Make smarter decisions with your money.

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All Inclusive: Better Together

At PNC, we foster connectedness in every aspect of business by purposefully engaging in a diverse and inclusive culture that strengthens customer relations, embraces employees' assets and delivers results to our stakeholders.

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Get Started

Ready to Get Started or Have Questions? We're Here to Help.

Have a U.S.government issued ID?

If you have a U.S. government issued ID and/or Social Security Card you can apply now. Virtual Wallet Student® gives you the resources you need to help you keep track of your money.

Apply Now for Virtual Wallet Student

Don't Have a U.S. government issued ID?

If you do not have a U.S. government issued ID or Social Security Card you must visit a branch in person to apply for an account. We require students to have two forms of identification.

Find a PNC Branch Near You

Let's Talk. Call PNC Internationally Toll Free.

First, dial the AT&T Direct international access number for the country you are in. PNC's phone number is 888-PNC-BANK. If you wish to speak in your native language, please ask for an interpreter.

1-888-PNC-BANK