Best US Brokers for Foreign Investors
Not all US brokers accept international clients. Here are the ones that do.
Quick Comparison Table
| Broker | Countries | Minimum | Stocks | Options | Margin | Forex |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interactive Brokers | 200+ | $0 | $0.005/sh | $0.65 | Yes | Yes |
| Firstrade | 50+ | $0 | $0 | $0 | No | No |
| Charles Schwab | 40+ | $25,000 | $0 | $0.65 | Varies | No |
| Fidelity | 10-15 | $0 | $0 | $0.65 | Limited | No |
| Tastytrade | 30+ | $0 | $0 | $1 (max $10) | Most No | No |
My Recommendations by Investor Type
Most Foreign Investors
- Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
- 200+ countries accepted
- Margin trading available
- Best forex conversion rates
Commission-Free Trading
- Firstrade
- $0 stock and options trades
- Chinese language support
- Simple platform
Larger Accounts ($100K+)
- Charles Schwab
- Premium research tools
- Banking integration
- Excellent service
Active Options Traders
- Tastytrade
- $10 max per leg
- Great options platform
- Educational content
Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
Best Overall for Foreigners
RecommendedPros
- Accepts 200+ countries
- Excellent forex rates (0.002%)
- Full margin for internationals
- 150+ global markets
- Options, futures, bonds, forex
Cons
- Complex platform, steep learning
- $10/mo inactivity fee (waivable)
- Customer service can be slow
Firstrade
Best for Commission-Free
Zero FeesPros
- $0 stock and ETF trades
- $0 options (no per-contract)
- No inactivity fees
- Chinese language support
- Simple, easy platform
Cons
- Limited country coverage
- No margin for internationals
- US stocks/ETFs only
- $25 outgoing wire fee
Charles Schwab
Best for Larger Accounts
PremiumPros
- Excellent research tools
- Commission-free stocks/ETFs
- Strong reputation
- Great customer service
- Checking account available
Cons
- $25,000 minimum for internationals
- Limited country acceptance
- Application can be slow
- May require notarized docs
Fidelity
Best for US Expats
Limited AccessPros
- Commission-free stocks/ETFs
- Excellent research tools
- Strong financial stability
- Fractional shares available
Cons
- Very limited international acceptance
- Most non-US cannot open
- Often needs US mailing address
- Complex application for foreigners
Tastytrade
Best for Options Trading
Pros
- Excellent options platform
- $1/contract, capped at $10/leg
- $0 closing commissions
- Great educational content
- Modern interface
Cons
- Limited international support
- No margin for most internationals
- US stocks and options only
- No forex or global markets
Country Restrictions
Always Excluded
- Cuba
- Iran
- North Korea
- Syria
- Crimea region
Often Excluded
- Russia (since 2022)
- Belarus
- Myanmar
- Venezuela
Related attorney services
Sergei Tokmakov is a California attorney, State Bar of California No. 279869, licensed since 2011. He prepares and coordinates standard LLC and corporation formations in California, Delaware, and Wyoming. Entity formation is handled within the Founder Formation Package ($3,500, state filing fees separate), quoted after a short scope review; the Complete Founder Package (founder, equity, and IP documents) starts at $2,500. Government filing fees and third-party costs are additional. Exact scope and package tier are confirmed in writing before work begins.
- Complete Founder Package (founder, equity, and IP documents; entity formation is the separate $3,500 Founder Formation Package), government fees additional: from $2,500
- Written consultation on one defined legal question: $300
This page provides general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Each engagement requires a conflict check and written confirmation of scope.