International renters
How do I pay a deposit or rent before I have a US bank account?
Updated By the Housing Rocket moderators
Short answer
Use the property manager's official online payment portal with an international card if it accepts one, or arrange to pay in person once you arrive and open a US account. Avoid wire transfers to individuals, gift cards, cryptocurrency and payment apps you cannot use safely yet, because those are the methods scammers ask for.
Many management companies take card payments through their resident portal, sometimes with a processing fee. Ask whether your card will work and what the fee is. Some banks also charge a foreign transaction fee on top, so check your card's terms.
If the landlord agrees, the simplest option is to sign the lease remotely and pay the deposit and first month in your first week, after you have opened a US bank account. Many banks open student accounts with a passport, I-20 or DS-2019 and a US address, so ask your school which banks near campus are used to international students.
- Budget a few percent extra for exchange rates and fees when you move money from home.
- Keep every receipt and screenshot, with the date and the amount in both currencies.
- Pay the company, not an individual employee, unless the lease names that person as the landlord.
- Only pay after the lease is signed and the landlord is verified.
If someone insists on an international wire to a personal account, gift cards or crypto, stop. Legitimate landlords can wait a week for you to arrive. See our scam guide for the full list of warning signs.
Want the whole picture? Read Renting as an International Student.