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
Recommended200+
Countries
$0
Minimum
150+
Markets
4.8/5
Rating
Pros
- 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 Fees50+
Countries
$0
Minimum
$0
Commissions
4.2/5
Rating
Pros
- $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
Premium40+
Countries
$25K
Minimum
$0
Stock Trades
4.5/5
Rating
Pros
- 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 Access10-15
Countries
$0
Minimum
$0
Stock Trades
4.0/5
Rating
Pros
- 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
Best for US citizens/residents living abroad, not true non-residents.
Tastytrade
Best for Options Trading
30+
Countries
$0
Minimum
$10
Max Option Fee
4.3/5
Rating
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
Always verify with the broker before applying. Country lists change frequently.