1. Important - Non Resident Alien accounts
   For all Non Resident Alien (NRA) accounts the following procedures must be followed in order for thinkorswim, Inc. to open foreign accounts.

   1. For all foreign accounts with an address outside of the US, thinkorswim must receive your original W8 before your account can be opened with our clearing firm.
   2. For all NRA accounts with a domestic address (US address) our clearing firm is required by the IRS to have documentation supporting the fact they are NRA's prior to the opening of the account. Therefore, thinkorswim is required to implement the following procedures.
      
      1. If the account is/was opened after 01/03/2003, the NRA status must be verified with documentation supporting foreign residency. The following documentation is acceptable as long as it displays both the account holder name and foreign address.
         1. Utility Bill issued within the calendar year.
         2. Passport issued within the last three years. If you do not have a passport please send a photocopy of a government issued ID and include a written note that you do not have a passport available.
         3. Property receipt (tax, mortgage, rent, etc...)
      2. The account holder must provide a signed letter stipulating why a US mailing address is being used.

   As a side note, we regret that we must put this added burden on the customer, however, our clearing firm feels that this will allow them to stay in compliance with regulatory requirements implemented in the last year regarding foreign accounts.

   
   

   Found in FAQ category:

   ACCOUNTS, GENERAL QUESTIONS

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