Can a foreign bank account be linked to Venmo

A foreign bank account cannot be linked to Venmo. Even if all other requirements are met, Venmo only accepts bank accounts that are based in the United States.

Why Foreign Accounts Cannot Be Linked

Venmo works only with U.S. banks because the app relies on American clearing systems (ACH). ACH is the network that moves money between U.S. bank accounts. Foreign banks do not participate in ACH, even if they can send international transfers.

Even if someone has a foreign bank card, an international phone number, or a foreign address, Venmo still requires the bank itself to be an American institution.

What Venmo Requires Instead

• A U.S.-based bank account: The bank must operate in the United States. Examples: Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, local credit unions, online banks like Capital One 360.
• A U.S. phone number: Needed for verification codes. A prepaid SIM works fine as long as it has a U.S. number.
• A U.S. device location: Venmo sometimes checks if the user is physically in the U.S. when signing up. Using a VPN can cause errors.
• A U.S. debit card (optional): If someone cannot link a bank account immediately, they can temporarily add a U.S. debit card instead, but it must also be issued by a U.S. bank.

If Someone Already Meets All Other Requirements

Even if the user already has a U.S. phone number, valid ID, and is physically in the country, a foreign bank account still cannot be added. The system will fail during verification because Venmo’s bank-linking tools only recognize U.S. routing numbers.

The simplest path is to open a U.S. bank account. Most international students and newcomers use banks that accept passports and I-20/DS-2019 forms, or banks that allow online applications with foreign IDs.

What To Do Now

• Open a U.S. bank account as soon as possible. Even basic checking accounts work.
• Link the U.S. account or its debit card to Venmo once it’s active.
• Avoid VPNs during setup to prevent location or verification errors.

Once a U.S. bank account is added, Venmo works smoothly for payments, transfers, and rent splitting.