Are there any online US accounts foreigners can open for buying stuff online?

Emanef

Hi all

I have around $350 in a US Dollar account, but as we've relocated back to the UK we no longer need our HSBC expat accounts and I need to close them. I'd rather keep the dollars available to use online if I can, but I can't find a way to do it.

I've tried Paypal. I have a US Paypal account, but as I'm not in the US and don't have a US SSN or phone, etc I can't pass their security checks to be able to transfer money into it.

Could I load it onto a virtual US credit card or something?

If I can't find anything I'll just have to convert it to sterling and transfer it to our UK account, but if I can keep it in dollars it would be useful.

Thanks

eDicky

https://Revolut.com

You can load USD by transfer, it takes a few days. By USD debit card it's instant but costs 3%. No fees otherwise, convert at interbank rate (weekdays) or spend.

Emanef

That looks ideal! I had looked at Entropay, but there were a lot of very scathing reviews on Trustpilot, think Revolut looks safer, and UK based by the look of it too.

Thanks!

eDicky

Your US bank account must be in exactly the same name as you use to sign up for Revolut, or the transfer will be rejected. Your bank will no doubt charge fees for the SWIFT transfer to Revolut's account at Barclays UK, and there may also be an intermediary bank's fees involved. Make sure they send it in dollars with no conversion. Perhaps you can find out what it will cost and compare it to Revolut's 3% fee for using a debit card, to see which is best.

You can withdraw your funds on Revolut to your UK bank account, or elsewhere, with no fees. Also it's ideal for travel of course. Let us know how it works out.