American Express for Non-US Residents [How to Apply]

Interested in knowing how you can apply for an American Express card as a non-US resident?

If so, you’re not alone.

American Express credit cards are some of the best US credit cards in the world. Offering lucrative benefits you can’t access anywhere else. And, unlike with many other credit cards, non-US residents are typically eligible to apply.

In this article, our team will share the specific steps that some of our premium members (and our team members) have taken to obtain American Express cards as non-US residents. We’ll also share what makes American Express credit cards so attractive.

Can a Non-US Resident Apply for an American Express?

Yes, it is possible to apply for an American Express as a non-US resident. But the type of credit cards available to you depends on if you have a US credit history. Read on for the step-by-step guide on how to get an Amex card successfully.

But, before diving in, if this is your first time visiting GlobalBanks, don’t forget to download your FREE USA Banking Starter Guide. It’s designed to help non-residents open accounts with top banks in the US.

In this article, we’ll share everything you need to know about how to apply for an American Express credit card as a non-US resident.

We’ll do so by uncovering the common challenges you’ll need to overcome during the application process. Including, how to open a US bank account as a non-resident in order to qualify for the American Express credit card you’re after.

Here’s a look at everything we’ll cover in this article…

Benefits of Having an American Express for Non-US Residents

American credit cards offer by far the most lucrative benefits and rewards in the world. No other country even comes close to what US credit cards have to offer.

And, even amongst US credit card companies, American Express is known for having some of the best benefits.

For example, with a US American Express card, you will be able to unlock most, if not all of the following benefits…

Benefits of Having an American Express for Non-US Residents:

Build US credit history
Lucrative travel reward programs
Airline loyalty points
Centurion Lounge access in airports worldwide
Savings on everyday essentials
Hotel loyalty points
Points earned never expire
American Express credit card is accepted worldwide
Generous signup bonus points
Travel perks including free checked bags, rental car insurance, priority boarding, etc.
And more…

As you can see, there are a lot of perks to having an American Express credit card. Not only is it widely accepted in most countries but it can earn you profitable rewards.

Of course, every credit card offers rewards. But, American Express tends to go the extra mile to make you feel special.

Most American Express cards allow you the opportunity to earn at least 1 point for every dollar spent. Whether it’s from your local grocery store, gas station, or when you book a trip online through American Express Travel.

Depending on the card that you have, you may even be able to get 3-5 points per dollar on certain types of purchases.

While US residents and citizens can easily sign up for an American Express card, for non-US residents, there are some additional challenges that you will face in the process. We’ll go over some of those challenges and how to overcome them in the next section.

Challenges of Applying for an American Express as a Non-US Resident

Before we dive into the process of how to apply for an American Express for non-US residents, it’s crucial to understand the challenges you’ll likely face during the application process.

With this in mind, let’s look at some of these challenges now…

Challenges of Applying for an American Express as a Non-US Resident:

Opening a US bank account
Identifying which is the best American Express card for your needs
Being unable to provide proof of US credit history
Being unable to meet specific requirements when applying
American Express may not accept your country of residence
Applying for the wrong American Express credit card
Supporting the monthly or annual membership fees
And more…

As you can see, there are some challenges you’ll need to overcome when applying for an American Express card as a non-US resident. Fortunately, these challenges can be avoided with the right information.

Note that it’s absolutely essential that you only apply for cards that you are eligible for. Applying for the wrong card and being rejected can severely hurt your chances of being approved for other cards in the future.

But don’t worry, if you’re not currently eligible for the exact American Express credit card you want, there are steps you can take to become eligible.

You just have to have a strong credit card strategy. Because with the right credit card strategy, you can work your way to getting the ideal credit card for you.

Read on to find out how to properly apply for an American Express as a non-US resident. And how to put together your credit card strategy.

How to Apply For an American Express for Non-US Residents

If you’re wondering how you can apply for an American Express card as a non-US resident and start unlocking the benefits we mentioned above, you’re in luck. We’re going to take you through the step-by-step process of how to do just that…

Step 1: Apply to Open a US Bank Account as a Non-US Resident

The very first step to acquiring an American Express credit card is to open a non-resident US bank account.

Unfortunately, opening a non-resident bank account in the US isn’t as simple as flying to the US, walking into the nearest bank, and requesting to open an account.

Each bank, branch, and even banker has different requirements when it comes to accepting non-resident clients. Some refuse to work with non-residents entirely, so it’s key that you know where to go.

Our premium members-only report “US Banking for Non-Residents, Foreigners, & Int’l Businesses” shares everything you need to know about how to open a US bank account as a non-resident. Including which banks open accounts for foreign non-residents, how to navigate the common challenges of opening a US bank account, and even how to open an account 100% remotely.

Step 2: Choose an American Express Card

The next step is to choose which American Express credit card you want to apply for.

Keep in mind that the cards available to you will vary depending on your client profile. But also on the eligibility requirements, you are able to meet.

As mentioned above, some credit cards may not be available to you right away. If that’s the case, you’ll need to identify a US credit card strategy to ensure you get the card you want in the future.

This may involve starting with an American Express credit card with lower rewards. Using it in an optimal way to establish your US credit history and then reapplying at the right times to work toward the card you want.

This is a very tricky process because if you apply to the wrong card too early you can damage your credit score, which will make it harder to apply to other cards in the future.

If you have any doubts about which card to apply for, we highly recommend that you thoroughly do your research ahead of time.

To help you develop the right credit card strategy, we’ve included everything you need to know about US credit cards, including American Express, in our premium members-only report “US Credit Card Strategies for Foreigners & Non-Residents”.

This report will help you develop the best credit card strategy for your specific client profile.

Plus, we uncover everything else you need to know that we haven’t shared in this article about how to successfully apply for an American Express credit card.

Step 3: Apply for an American Express for Non-US Residents

Now you’re almost ready to apply for your American Express card. But first, you’ll need to confirm the specific requirements you need to meet to qualify.

However, these requirements are not always publicly known. But, generally speaking, here are the requirements you’ll most likely need to meet when applying for an American Express as a non-US resident…

Two forms of government-issued identification
Proof of a US bank account
Acceptable US address
American Express credit card application form
Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
Proof of income & source of wealth
And more…

Of course, depending on the type of American Express card you’re applying for, these requirements will vary.

So, before applying, it’s important to consider these variables: the type of credit card, the benefits you’re after, the challenges you’ll need to overcome, and the requirements you need to meet.

That way, you can ensure you’re applying and getting the American Express credit card you want.

If you are ready to get started and want to open a US bank account so that you can begin applying for credit cards, we can help…