# Financial Accounts & Personal IDs ## Summary This page provides information for Harvard international students, scholars, and their dependents to help set up financial accounts and obtain state-issued identification cards. ## Bank Accounts & Credit Cards Open all sections Close all sections ### How to Choose a Bank expand\_more - Consider the location of branch offices and automatic teller machines (ATM) locations. - Ask about monthly fees, fees for withdrawals & transfers, minimum required balance, etc. - Banking hours typically are Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. - Some banks are open for a few hours on Saturday mornings or one or two evenings a week until 6:00 pm. - Most banks offer online services that you can access after you have opened an account so you do not need to go in person. ### How to Open a Bank Account expand\_more - Speak to someone in customer service. - Show two forms of identification, a visa document (Forms I-20, DS-2019 or I-797) and a passport. - A local address is required. ### Checking and Savings Accounts expand\_more - Checking accounts are for writing checks or making online payments to pay bills. - Most banks offer online banking services, allowing you to pay bills and monitor your bank account online. - Monitor your account so that you know you have sufficient funds for every check/online payment. If not, your account will be considered overdrawn, and you will incur additional charges. - Every month your bank will send you a statement that lists all account activities during the previous month and a photocopy of all the checks you wrote in the previous month. You can sign up for paperless statements and view these online rather than receiving them in the mail. - You cannot write checks using a savings account. ### Debit Cards expand\_more - Most banks issue a debit card with the opening of a bank account. - A debit card looks like, and for the most part, functions like a credit card. The main difference is that money is taken directly from your bank account when using a debit card. - Most businesses accept debit cards. Your account may be limited to a certain number of daily withdrawals. ### Credit Cards expand\_more - Most banks offer credit cards. Please take some time to research and compare your options before deciding on a credit card. - In most cases international students and scholars will be required to have a Social Security Number (SSN) in order to apply for a credit card. - International graduate students who are not eligible for an SSN will be able to obtain a credit card with limited credit when opening an account at the [Harvard Federal Credit Union (Harvard FCU)](https://harvardfcu.org/international/). You will need to present a Harvard ID, a $5.00 minimum opening deposit, and a valid passport. You will be asked to complete IRS Form W-8BEN. More information is available on the [Harvard FCU website](https://harvardfcu.org/international/). - For your protection sometimes banks and credit card companies temporarily freeze your account when they notice unusual activities such as withdrawals being made in another country. It is recommended to notify your bank and/or credit card company before you travel outside the United States so you can have uninterrupted access to your account. If your checks, debit cards, or credit cards are lost or stolen, notify your bank and/or the appropriate credit card company immediately. ## State-Issued ID As a temporary resident of the state of Massachusetts, you may be eligible to apply for a MA state ID. Starting July 1, 2023 eligible residents in Massachusetts can obtain a Standard (Class D or M) driver's license, regardless of immigration status, under the Work and Family Mobility Act. For more information, visit the [Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) website](https://www.mass.gov/news/registry-of-motor-vehicles-announces-standard-drivers-licenses-regardless-of-immigration-status-available-soon-under-work-and-family-mobility-act). International students and scholars are eligible to apply for a Massachusetts driver's license regardless of their I-20 or DS-2019 duration (even less than 12 months). However, not for the State ID since by May 2025, the State ID must be a Real ID card, and the Real ID card application still requires a minimum of 12 months (remaining) visa status in I-20 or DS-2019. You will also need to choose between getting a REAL ID license or ID card, or a Standard license or ID card. Visit the [RMV website](https://www.mass.gov/topics/licenses-ids) for more information and a complete list of acceptable identification documents. You may find it advantageous to apply for a Standard ID card as the validity is much longer. The REAL ID permits domestic airline travel; however, the HIO recommends that international students and scholars always travel with their immigration documents (even within the U.S.) in case they are required to prove their status. Mass. Driver's License Mass. ID Card Mass. Liquor ID Card Application Instructions ## Mass. Driver's License In order to obtain a Massachusetts driver’s license, you must go to a Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) office and take a written test in order to obtain a learner’s permit. You must later take a road test (driving test) in order to get the actual driver’s license. For information on [Massachusetts driving regulations](https://www.mass.gov/service-details/drivers-manuals) and [application instructions](https://www.mass.gov/passenger-class-d-drivers-licenses), consult the RMV website. You may find information about driving on your home country's valid license on the [RMV website](https://www.mass.gov/service-details/driving-in-massachusetts-on-a-foreign-drivers-license). The [RMV website](https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-registry-of-motor-vehicles) has a list of service centers. If you need to complete an in-person transaction, you are strongly encouraged to [make an appointment](https://atlas-myrmv.massdot.state.ma.us/myrmv/_/#0) in advance. Please note that some locations only provide limited services (noted on the website). The addresses of two nearby service centers are listed below. Both of these locations are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. - **Boston:** 136 Blackstone Street - **Watertown:** 550 Arsenal Street [Standard D/M License Documentation Checklist](https://www.mass.gov/doc/standard-class-d-or-m-drivers-license-documents-checklist-english/download) ## Mass. ID Card To be eligible for a Mass ID card, you must: - Be at least 14 years old. - Be a Massachusetts resident (bring evidence of residency) - Not hold a driver’s license in any U.S. state. - Have a Social Security number ([or a certified denial letter from the SSA](/employment-training/social-security-number "Social Security Numbers")). For application instructions and required documents, please see [Apply for a MA ID](https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-massachusetts-identification-card-mass-id) on the MA RMV website. ## Mass. Liquor ID Card To be eligible for a Mass Liquor ID card, you must: - Be at least 21 years old. - Not hold a Massachusetts driver's license. - Have a Social Security number ([or a certified denial letter from the SSA](/employment-training/social-security-number "Social Security Numbers")). For application instructions and required documents, please see [Apply for a Liquor ID](https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-liquor-id-card) on the MA RMV website. ## Application Instructions You may begin the application process for the [MA ID Card](https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-massachusetts-identification-card-mass-id) or [Liquor ID Card ](https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-liquor-id-card)online on the MA RMV website. In order to ocomplete the application process, you must visit a full-service RMV service center in person. You are strongly encouraged [to make an appointment](https://atlas-myrmv.massdot.state.ma.us/myrmv/_/#0) in advance. Before going to the RMV office, you must consult the RMV website for the [list of required documents](https://www.mass.gov/doc/acceptable-forms-of-identification/download) to bring with you. All documents must be originals. The MA RMV does not accept photocopies. You must have separate documents to prove your residence, date of birth and signature. One document cannot be used to satisfy more than one category. Your new MA ID card or Liquor ID card will be mailed to you. The MA RMV will issue you a temporary MA ID or Liquor ID card for 30 days. Please note that restaurants, bars, etc. are legally permitted to exercise their own discretion in deciding whether or not to accept the Massachusetts ID Card as proof of age. For more complete information, please refer to the [RMV’s website](https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-registry-of-motor-vehicles).