The bustling US stock market remains one of the foundations of the world economy, with good reason.
The stock market refers to the collection of markets and exchanges where regular activities of buying, selling, and issuance of shares of publicly held companies happen. The United States has some of the world's largest stock exchanges, with total listed companies valued at approximately $48 trillion as of early 2025, reflecting continued growth and global economic importance.
With the sheer size and growth of the US stock market, many non-citizens wonder whether or not they can participate. US stocks and bonds are indeed regulated by US law. However, as it turns out, you do not have to be a citizen to trade in the US stock market.
There are no specific laws prohibiting non-US citizens from investing in the US stock market.
In fact, many investment firms cater to international clients.
The Securities and Exchange Commission and US government agencies encourage foreign investments in the equities and debt markets that fund US capital markets and support the US economy. Foreign investors bring substantial capital into US markets, which contributes to market liquidity and growth.
Diversifying your portfolio with stocks from multiple countries is considered prudent investing, known as global market exposure.
US investors also actively buy stock in foreign companies, such as Alibaba, JD.com, and Baidu.
However, non-US citizens often face additional requirements to invest directly in US stocks. You can open an online trading account with some US brokers, even as a foreigner, but expect more documentation and verification to comply with regulatory standards.
Common documentation includes government-issued identity proof, visa or residency permits, and proof of address. Tax documents may also be requested.
Let's dive in and take a look at some of the top brokerages that provide excellent options for non-US citizens.
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In February 2025, the US government issued the "America First Investment Policy", which sets out principles for regulating foreign investment in the United States. This policy aims to balance welcoming passive investments from all foreign persons while scrutinizing investments linked to US adversaries such as China, Russia, and others. Investments from allied and partner countries are encouraged and subject to expedited review through the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).
While this policy does not impose immediate legal changes, it signals a regulatory environment that prioritizes US national security while facilitating investment from trusted partners.
Additionally, new US outbound investment rules effective starting January 2025 regulate investments made by US persons in certain foreign companies, particularly in sensitive technology sectors. Although these rules target US investors, foreign investors should be aware of the evolving investment landscape as it may indirectly impact market access and strategies.
In May 2025, the US Treasury announced a fast-track pilot program and a new "Known Investors" portal to streamline investment approvals from allied foreign investors, demonstrating active government efforts to facilitate trusted foreign investment.
Our top pick for an international brokerage is Firstrade. They offer commission-free trading, retirement accounts, and importantly, international accounts for non-US investors. This brokerage currently supports investors from the following countries:
You can read our full review of Firstrade here.
Trading Fees: $0
Account Minimums: $0
Tradable Securities: Stocks, ETFs, bonds, options
Top Features: Low trading fees, no minimum deposit, margin accounts
TradeStation offers a variety of international accounts for non-US investors. The TradeStation platform provides commission-free trading of stocks, bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds, with no account minimums for standard accounts.
Residents will need to provide documentation such as passport, national ID, driver's license, alien ID, and proof of address to comply with KYC and AML regulations.
Here's our full review of TradeStation.
Trading Fees: $0
Account Minimum: $0 for standard account, $2000 for TradeStation Select
Tradable Securities: stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, options, futures, cryptocurrency
Top Features: commission-free trades, advanced trading tools, research data, education, crypto trading
Webull now offers commission-free services to international investors located mainly in India and China. Webull is a commission-free stock, ETF, and options trading platform, similar to Robinhood, but with more advanced research and charting tools, catering well to sophisticated traders.
Trading Fees: $0
Account Minimum: $0
Tradable Securities: stocks, ETFs, options
Top Features: commission-free trading and short selling, real-time market data, trading simulator, advanced mobile app
Webull offers a free stock at sign-up if you fund your account with $100.
Check out our complete Webull review here.
Canadian investors often choose Questrade, a leading brokerage with competitive fees and user-friendly platform.
Trading Fees: $0.01/share with minimum of $4.95 and maximum of $9.95; buying ETFs is free while selling costs $0.01
Account Minimum: $1,000
Tradable Securities: US stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, EURUSD, CDs
Top Features: low fees, robust research tools, strong customer service
To trade US stocks, the easiest route is to open a brokerage account with a US-based broker that accepts international clients.
Brokerage firms have different procedures for non-citizens based on residency status and country of origin. Non-citizens must generally provide government-issued ID, proof of residence, visa or residency permit, and sometimes tax identification numbers to comply with KYC and AML policies.
Additionally, not all brokers accept clients from all countries. It is essential to verify that the brokerage supports your country of residence.
Using a reputable broker also ensures compliance with US regulations and helps navigate complexities such as tax forms and reporting.
The W-8BEN form is a key tax document for foreign investors. It certifies your foreign status and helps determine withholding tax rates on dividends and other US-source income.
The form expires three years after signing and must be renewed timely to prevent higher default tax withholdings. Your broker should notify you to renew it before expiration.
Tax treaties between the US and your home country may reduce withholding rates on dividends and interest. It is advisable to consult a tax professional or broker knowledgeable about international tax treaties to optimize your tax situation.
If you cannot find a suitable US brokerage, some foreign financial institutions provide access to US markets, often through partnerships or via depositary receipts.
The Patriot Act, enacted after 9/11, mandates strict identity verification and anti-money laundering measures. Brokers must verify customer identities, monitor suspicious activities, and report relevant findings to US authorities.
These regulations primarily affect brokers’ compliance processes and add documentation requirements for foreign investors, but they do not restrict legitimate individual investors without security concerns.
Choose reputable brokers that ensure compliance with evolving regulations to avoid legal risks.
Non-US citizens generally face a 30% withholding tax on US-source investment income such as dividends. This tax is withheld at the source by the broker.
Nonresident aliens typically are not subject to US capital gains taxes on sales of stocks unless they have a US trade or business connection.
Nonetheless, many countries tax global income, so you may need to report and pay tax on capital gains and dividends locally.
Different tax treaties between the US and foreign countries may reduce withholding rates.
Navigating international taxation is complex, so working with a knowledgeable broker or tax professional is strongly recommended.
Being a non-US citizen does not prevent you from investing in US stocks, but you should prepare for additional documentation and tax considerations.
If you are a UK citizen, you can open trading accounts with firms like Saxo Bank or Barclays to access US markets. In Malaysia, CIMB Bank offers similar services.
Many brokerage firms or financial institutions provide access to US stocks depending on your location. Do thorough research to find one that supports your country.
A few US-based brokers offering international online services include Firstrade, TradeStation, TD Ameritrade, Interactive Brokers, SogoTrade, and Just2Trade. Check that your country of residence is accepted before applying.
Some brokers have physical offices internationally, such as Charles Schwab and Interactive Brokers, with presence in the UK, Europe, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan.
You will need to research brokerages based on your home country. Below are some notable options that allow foreign investors to access US stocks in 2025.
TradeStation offers international accounts to many foreign nationals with access to global markets via TradeStation Global.
Requirements vary but generally include passport, driver's license, and proof of address.
Commission-free trading is available for stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs.
Trading Fees: $0
Account Minimum: $0 standard, $2,000 for TradeStation Select
Tradable Securities: stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, options, futures, cryptocurrency
Top Features: commission-free trades, advanced trading tools, research, education, crypto trading
Interactive Brokers serves clients worldwide with multi-currency accounts, allowing trading and transfers in many currencies.
The account minimum is typically $0 for the IBKR Lite product, with fees around $0.005 per share for IBKR Pro.
Interactive Brokers supports investors from dozens of countries; you can view the full country list here.
Required documentation varies by country but usually includes identity and residency verification.
eToro specializes in CFDs, which are complex derivatives available in many countries. Please note that CFDs carry a high risk of losing money quickly, so they are suitable only for experienced investors who understand the risks involved.
They also offer cryptocurrency and forex trading but do not provide direct ownership of underlying stocks with CFDs.
Check the list of unsupported countries before signing up.
Saxo Bank operates globally with entities tailored per region. It supports 19 currencies and offers access to over 35,000 financial instruments, including stocks, ETFs, forex, bonds, options, futures, CFDs, and cryptocurrencies.
Minimum deposits are generally higher than some competitors.
Fidelity offers international accounts for various countries/regions, including Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the UK.
Fees and available products differ by region. Fidelity has a large international presence with over 40,000 employees outside the US.
A UK-based broker, DEGIRO serves over 400,000 clients in 18 countries with generally low fees. Product offerings include stocks, bonds, ETFs, options, futures, and cryptocurrencies but exclude forex trading.
Supported countries include many in Europe such as Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK.
For more on fees, see AskTraders' guide on DEGIRO fees.
Despite some additional hurdles, non-US citizens have broad access to invest in the US stock market in 2025. The market remains one of the world’s largest and most liquid, offering opportunities for portfolio diversification.
Recent regulatory developments, including the America First Investment Policy and new outbound investment rules, emphasize national security but also aim to facilitate investments from allied countries.
Foreign investors should be prepared to submit additional documentation, complete tax forms like the W-8BEN, and consult tax professionals regarding withholding taxes and treaty benefits.
Choosing a reputable brokerage with international client support and clear compliance procedures is crucial.
With the right preparation and knowledge, foreign investors can confidently participate in the US stock market and benefit from its growth.
