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How do I open a US trading account?

  • Updated

US trading accounts can be opened through the Selfwealth website or the Selfwealth mobile app.

Who can open a US trading account

You can apply for US trading if all of the following apply:

  • You have an active Selfwealth ASX trading account.
  • You have a Tax File Number recorded on your account.
  • You meet the residency and citizenship requirements below.

You can add US trading to more than one eligible portfolio under your Selfwealth login.

If you are new to Selfwealth, you will need to open an ASX trading account first.

Residency and citizenship requirements

You will not be eligible for US trading if any one of the following applies:

  • Your country of birth is the US.
  • Your country of citizenship is the US.

How to apply

  1. Log in to Selfwealth on the website, or open the Selfwealth mobile app and log in. If you do not have the app yet, you can download it from the App Store or Google Play.
  2. In the mobile app, go to the Portfolio page and swipe across the Portfolio Value until you reach your US portfolio value. You will then be asked if you want to add US trading. On the website, select Start registration on your Dashboard or on the US tab of your Portfolio page.
  3. Provide the additional information requested. This includes your annual income, your liquid assets, and your employment status. For a company, trust or SMSF portfolio, you will also be asked about the entity, including its industry, funding source, investment objective, annual income, net worth and investible assets.
  4. Review your details and confirm they are correct.
  5. Agree to the terms and conditions to submit your application. If your entity has more than one authorised signatory, each signatory will need to sign before we can review the application.

If you hold an individual portfolio, your W-8BEN is completed as part of this step, so there is no separate form for you to fill in or email to us. For a joint portfolio, both account holders need to complete a W-8BEN. For a minor portfolio, the W-8BEN is completed in the minor's name and signed by the adult on the account.

If you hold a company, trust or SMSF portfolio, your application is completed online, but a W-8BEN-E form is required for the entity. This is a separate form and is not part of the online application. You can submit your application first and email the completed form to support@selfwealth.com.au afterwards. You can refer to our guide during the process or from this help centre article: 

We will email you once your account is active. Once we have everything we need, this usually takes 1 to 3 business days.

When you cannot apply

You cannot open a new US trading account at the moment if the following applies:

  • Any portfolio under your Selfwealth login already has a US trading account that was opened before 14 August 2026.

If you already hold a US trading account, you can continue to use it as normal.

We are working on enabling US trading options for you, and will be in touch in the near future. 

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