Can a non-US citizen open a self-directed plan?

Can a non-US citizen open a self-directed plan?

It depends on residency status. IRA Resources can open IRA accounts for resident foreign nationals, meaning individuals who live and work in the United States. Accounts for non-resident foreign nationals are not available.

Requirements for resident foreign nationals

If you are a resident foreign national living in the US, you can open a self-directed IRA with the same structure options as any other account holder. The following are required to open an IRA account with IRA Resources:

A US Tax ID is required. This means either a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). A physical US address is also required; a PO box or virtual office address is not acceptable. For identity verification, IRA Resources accepts a US driver's license or state-issued ID, as well as a passport.

Permanent residents should be prepared to provide evidence of residency status, such as a Permanent Resident Card, as part of the account opening process.

Banking considerations

Opening a bank account for the IRA LLC or IRA Trust entity may present an additional challenge. Some banks apply heightened scrutiny or additional documentation requirements to account holders who are foreign nationals, even when they are US residents. Working with a bank experienced in self-directed retirement plan accounts will simplify this step. Your setup documentation from Self-Directed Plans clearly identifies the entity structure, which helps establish the account opening context with the bank.

Non-resident foreign nationals

If you do not have US residency, a self-directed IRA through Self-Directed Plans and IRA Resources is not currently available to you.

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Disclosure

This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as tax, legal, or investment advice. Readers are encouraged to consult a qualified professional who can offer guidance based on their personal situation.

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