VenmoVenmo

United States E-wallet Foreigners restricted Not a bank · not insured ★ 4.3
OperatorPayPal, Inc.
Minimum top-upNo minimum top-up — you can pay directly from a linked card
Main feesPaying with balance, bank or debit card is free; credit card payments carry a 3% fee; instant transfer to a debit card costs 1.75% (USD 0.25 min, USD 25 max).
Local bank neededNot required — you can use a US card or Venmo balance; transfers to a bank need a US bank account
How to sign upFully online — register in the app with a US number and identity verification
Sign-up timeAbout 10 minutes to register; verification takes from minutes to a few days
Data baseline 2026-10. Editor-verified, but rules change — confirm with the official site before applying. Data transparency →

About this wallet

The go-to wallet for splitting bills and P2P transfers among younger Americans, with a social feed. Run by PayPal, it supports a balance, bank accounts and cards.

!Not a bank. Venmo operates as a licensed US money transmitter (owned by PayPal); balances are not bank deposits; wallet balances are e-money / stored value, NOT deposits, and are outside deposit-insurance protection. Funds are safeguarded in segregated / trust accounts under the applicable rules, not covered by any deposit guarantee scheme.

Can foreigners or tourists open it?

Essentially no. Venmo requires a US mobile number, US address and US bank account or card, plus SSN or ITIN for identity verification. Short-term visitors to the US are generally unable to register.

Advantages

  • Nearly everyone in the US has it, making bill-splitting easy
  • Paying from balance or bank is free
  • Offers its own debit and credit cards

Limitations

  • Requires a US number, address and SSN/ITIN — not for visitors
  • 3% fee on credit card payments and a fee for instant transfers
  • No international transfers

What you need

  • A US mobile number
  • A US address
  • SSN or ITIN for identity verification
  • A US bank account or debit card for payouts and payments

No minimum top-up — you can pay directly from a linked card|Paying with balance, bank or debit card is free; credit card payments carry a 3% fee; instant transfer to a debit card costs 1.75% (USD 0.25 min, USD 25 max).

How to sign up

  1. Download the Venmo app
  2. Register and verify with your US mobile number
  3. Enter your name, US address and SSN/ITIN
  4. Link a US bank account or debit/credit card
  5. Once verified you can send and receive

Limits & protection

Unverified accounts have a very low weekly sending cap (~USD 300); verified accounts can send about USD 60,000 per week. Check the app. Balances are not bank deposits and are not FDIC-insured unless you opt into FDIC pass-through.

FAQ

Can a foreigner or tourist open Venmo?

Essentially no. Venmo requires a US mobile number, US address and US bank account or card, plus SSN or ITIN for identity verification. Short-term visitors to the US are generally unable to register.

Do I need a local bank account or a local phone number for Venmo?

Local bank account: Not required — you can use a US card or Venmo balance; transfers to a bank need a US bank account. Items typically needed: A US mobile number; A US address; SSN or ITIN for identity verification; A US bank account or debit card for payouts and payments.

What documents are required to open Venmo?

Typically: A US mobile number; A US address; SSN or ITIN for identity verification; A US bank account or debit card for payouts and payments.

How do I sign up for and top up Venmo?

How to sign up: Fully online — register in the app with a US number and identity verification (About 10 minutes to register; verification takes from minutes to a few days). Steps: 1) Download the Venmo app 2) Register and verify with your US mobile number 3) Enter your name, US address and SSN/ITIN 4) Link a US bank account or debit/credit card 5) Once verified you can send and receive Fees: Paying with balance, bank or debit card is free; credit card payments carry a 3% fee; instant transfer to a debit card costs 1.75% (USD 0.25 min, USD 25 max).

Are there limits on Venmo? Is the balance deposit-insured?

Unverified accounts have a very low weekly sending cap (~USD 300); verified accounts can send about USD 60,000 per week. Check the app. Balances are not bank deposits and are not FDIC-insured unless you opt into FDIC pass-through.

Ready? Open it officially

E-wallet rules change often — always follow the latest instructions in the official app.

Open on official site ↗ We charge no fees and cannot guarantee approval — always apply through official channels.