Can international students open PayPal without a US SSN if under 18?

Yes, an international student under 18 can open a PayPal account without a US SSN, but only a very limited type: a basic “unverified” personal account with restricted features. They cannot fully verify it, cannot raise limits, and cannot use features that require identity or age confirmation. A fully functional PayPal account requires being 18 and providing acceptable ID, and in many cases a US SSN or ITIN.

If the student already meets all requirements (18+, proper ID, US address, and either SSN or acceptable alternative), then they can open and verify a normal PayPal account without issues.

How PayPal treats age and SSN rules

• Age requirement: PayPal’s legal minimum age is 18. Under 18 users are not supposed to operate their own accounts. If detected, PayPal may freeze or close the account.
• SSN requirement: In the US, PayPal usually asks for an SSN to verify identity for federal financial rules. However, some users without SSNs can submit a passport or national ID, but this is not always accepted and depends on PayPal’s internal checks.
• International students without SSN: Many enter the US without an SSN. PayPal may still allow account creation, but verification often fails because the system cannot match the user to US databases.

What an under‑18 international student can actually do

• Create the account with basic info: Email, password, foreign passport, and a US address can be added.
• Use extremely limited features: They may be able to receive small payments or pay online, but limits will stay low.
• No verification: Without being 18, PayPal will reject identity checks, and the account can be frozen if activity looks unusual.
• No bank link in many cases: PayPal often blocks bank linking until identity is verified.

If the student is 18+ and meets all other requirements

• Verification is straightforward: Provide passport, US phone number, and proof of address like a dorm letter or bank statement.
• SSN alternatives: If no SSN yet, PayPal may accept passport verification, but it is not guaranteed. Many students wait until they receive an SSN or ITIN to fully unlock features.
• Risks: Any mismatch in age, name spelling, or address may trigger holds, so details must match exactly.

In practice: Under 18 students should wait until turning 18 to avoid freezes. Over 18 students without SSN can open an account but may face limits until they obtain SSN or ITIN.