Who can invest?

Most anyone can invest in the stock market. There is currently no legal requirement that a person has to be a U.S. citizen or have a certain type of visa or immigration status to invest and own stocks.

In order to open an investment account through a brokerage firm, you will need the following:

• Proof that you are of legal age, which 18 years old. Proof can come in the form of a driver's license or passport.
• A Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. This information is used to comply with anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing requirements. Your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number is also used for tax compliance. Investors need to report capital gains, losses, and dividends to the IRS.
• Other frequently requested information includes name, address, and date of birth to verify your identity to reduce fraud.
• In some cases, proof of employment history and source of investing money

Why might an immigrant or first gen want to invest?

Investing is an important tool for building wealth. Many immigrants come to this country for economic opportunity. Investing can help immigrants grow their money faster and provide greater financial security down the line. In the case that you make the United States your permanent home, it'll mean you've started the wealth building process for yourself and future generations.

A reminder that's it's never too late to invest. If you have family members who are older, share with them some of what you are learning in this course so that everyone can take advantage of the power of investing.