The best online investing platforms for non-US residents in 2026 include Interactive Brokers, Charles Schwab, CMC Markets, Saxo Bank, XTB, FOREX.com, AvaTrade, VT Markets, and MEXC, a selection of platforms that may accept non-US applicants, with different minimum deposits, asset classes, and fee structures. Eligibility is country- and entity-specific; confirm whether each platform accepts applicants from your specific country directly with the provider before applying.
- Interactive Brokers – multi-asset broker covering stocks, options, futures, and currencies across many markets
- Charles Schwab – full-service US brokerage with an international account option
- CMC Markets – CFD, spread betting, and stockbroking provider across several asset classes
- Saxo Bank – multi-asset trading and investment bank with currency conversion pricing
- XTB – ETF and stock investment plans aimed at passive, recurring investing
- FOREX.com – forex-focused broker with spread-only and raw-pricing account types
- AvaTrade – multi-asset CFD and futures provider with several trading platforms
- VT Markets – forex, shares, and commodities broker with copy-trading tools
- MEXC – global cryptocurrency exchange offering spot and futures trading
| Platform | Minimum Deposit | Asset Class | Core Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Schwab | $0 | Stocks, ETFs, options, futures, mutual funds, forex, bonds | $0 stocks/ETFs; $0.65/contract options; $2.25/contract futures |
| CMC Markets | No minimum | CFDs, spread bets, stockbroking (12,000+ CFD instruments) | $0 first qualifying buy order under $1,000; $11 or 0.10% for other orders |
| Saxo Bank | EUR 0 | Multi-asset trading | 0.25% currency conversion fee |
| XTB | No minimum deposit | ETFs (2,200+), individual stocks via upgraded plans | Commission-free up to EUR 100,000 monthly turnover |
| FOREX.com | $100 (recommends $2,500) | Forex, CFDs | Standard: spread only; RAW: $5 per $100,000 traded |
| AvaTrade | $100 | Futures, options, CFDs | No separate commission; spread-based pricing |
| VT Markets | $100 (Standard STP) | Forex, shares, indices, commodities, ETFs, bonds | $0 commission on Standard STP |
| MEXC | Not published | Spot crypto, futures, leveraged ETFs | 0% maker / 0.05% taker (spot, standard rate) |
Finding a broker that will even open an account is often the real obstacle for an investor based outside the United States, and the comparison below walks through the platforms that do.
Why Does Residency Matter When Choosing an Investing Platform?
Residency determines which brokers will accept an application at all, since many firms restrict accounts by country before any pricing or product details come into play. Searching for a broker from outside the United States often ends the same way: a sign-up form that quietly rejects a country of residence after a prospective investor has already entered their name, date of birth, and tax details.
A broker must accept applications from your country of residence before any other feature, fee, or platform comparison matters. That single eligibility gate removes a large share of the brokers that appear first in a general search for “best investing platforms.”
Eligibility restrictions are why a dedicated comparison for non-US residents looks different from a generic “best brokers” list. Some well-known US retail brokers restrict new accounts to US addresses entirely, while others maintain a separate international arm with its own account structure, documentation requirements, and support channels. The platforms covered here are those that, according to their own published policies or independent research, work with applicants residing outside the United States.
Residency determines tax documentation requirements, available account tiers, and which regulatory framework covers the account, making it the first filter when selecting an investing platform.
Key Takeaways
- Eligibility is the first filter. Some major US brokers exclude non-US residents entirely before fees or features are even relevant.
- Account tiers can split by residency. Interactive Brokers’ zero-commission IBKR Lite tier is restricted to US residents, so international investors use its Pro pricing instead.
- Minimum deposits vary widely. CMC Markets and XTB require no minimum deposit, while AvaTrade, FOREX.com, and VT Markets list a $100 minimum.
- Currency conversion costs add up. Saxo Bank charges a 0.25% currency conversion fee and XTB can apply a 0.5% conversion cost on foreign ETFs, on top of any trading commission.
- A W-8BEN form is required. Non-US investors certify foreign tax status before a broker will process US dividend payments at a treaty-reduced withholding rate.
- CFD and forex platforms carry documented risk disclosures. Several brokers in this category publish specific percentages of retail accounts that lose money trading CFDs.
- US residents can add real estate income through Ark7. While the brokers above serve non-US residents, US-based investors can complement a stock or forex portfolio with fractional rental property shares starting at $20 on Ark7.
New to passive real estate investing?
Explore Ark7 OpportunitiesWhat Should You Look for in a Broker as a Non-US Resident?
A broker worth shortlisting as a non-US resident should state its country eligibility clearly, publish its fee schedule without hidden line items, and support the currency and asset classes an investor actually plans to trade. Minimum deposit matters less than whether the broker accepts your country at all, so checking the eligibility page before comparing commissions saves time.
Fee structure is the next filter. Some brokers charge a visible commission per trade, others build their cost into the bid/ask spread, and a few combine both. Currency conversion is a separate and often overlooked cost: an investor funding an account in euros or pounds but trading US-dollar-denominated stocks will pay a conversion fee on top of any commission. Not every platform discloses this the same way; some trading apps aimed at European investors, such as eToro and Trading 212, charge no platform or dealing fees at all, which is one more variable worth checking directly against a broker’s own published terms before opening an account.
Finally, confirm which markets and account types are actually open to international applicants, since a platform’s flagship pricing tier is sometimes restricted to residents of a single country.
Top Online Investing Platforms for Non-US Residents
| Platform | Minimum Deposit | Asset Class / Product Type | Core Fee / Trading Cost | Platform Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Schwab | $0 | Stocks, ETFs, options, futures, mutual funds, forex, bonds | $0 online commission (stocks/ETFs); $0.65/contract (options); $2.25/contract (futures) | Schwab.com, thinkorswim (desktop/web/mobile), Schwab Mobile, Schwab APIs, phone |
| CMC Markets | No minimum | CFDs, spread bets, stockbroking across forex, indices, commodities, crypto, shares (12,000+ CFD instruments) | $0 brokerage (international shares, US/UK/CA/JP); $11 or 0.10% other buy/sell orders | Not published |
| Saxo Bank | EUR 0 | Multi-asset trading | 0.25% currency conversion fee | Not published |
| XTB | No minimum deposit | ETFs (2,200+), individual stocks with upgraded plans | Commission-free up to EUR 100,000 monthly turnover; 0.2% above that (min EUR 10) | Not published |
| FOREX.com | $100 (recommends $2,500) | Forex (spot currencies); CFDs internationally | Standard: spread only; RAW: $5 USD commission per $100,000 traded | Mobile app, Web Trader, MetaTrader 4/5, TradingView |
| AvaTrade | $100 | Futures, options, CFDs (forex, indices, commodities, crypto) | No separate commission; costs built into the spread | WebTrader, AvaTrade App, AvaOptions, AvaSocial, MT4, MT5, DupliTrade |
| VT Markets | $100 (Standard STP) | Forex, shares, indices, oil and energies, precious metals, ETFs, bonds | $0 commission on Standard STP | VT Markets app, MT4, MT5, Web Trading, Webtrader |
| MEXC | Not published | Spot crypto, USDT-margined and coin-margined futures, leveraged ETFs | 0% maker / 0.05% taker (spot, standard rate) | MEXC website, mobile app |
1. Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers is a broker offering trading and investment products across global markets, with access to more than 170 markets reported for international investors. It covers stocks, ETFs, options, futures and futures options, spot currencies, US spot gold, bonds, mutual funds, prediction markets, and hedge funds, giving a non-US resident a single account structure across a broad set of instrument types rather than needing separate accounts per asset class.
IBKR routes orders to seek the best available price. Investors choose a pricing plan when setting up their account. IBKR Lite, which charges $0 commission on US-listed stocks and ETFs, is limited to US residents; international investors instead use IBKR Pro, which charges per-share commissions and separate exchange, clearing, and regulatory fees.
Key Features
- Trading across stocks, ETFs, options, futures, spot currencies, US spot gold, bonds, mutual funds, and prediction markets
- Smart order routing intended to find the best available execution price
- Fractional shares and a recurring investment feature for clients with fractional shares enabled
- Client Portal, IBKR Desktop, IBKR Mobile, Trader Workstation, IBKR GlobalTrader, and IB Gateway
- API access through the General Web API, TWS API, Excel, and FIX
Pricing
IBKR Lite charges $0 commission on US-listed stocks and ETFs but is available to US residents only.
2. Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab provides brokerage, banking, and wealth management services through its operating subsidiaries, including a dedicated international account option alongside its US accounts. Clients can trade through Schwab.com, the thinkorswim desktop, web, and mobile platforms, Schwab Mobile, Schwab APIs, or phone-based services, and commissions vary by product and service channel rather than following a single flat fee.
A Trustpilot summary of Schwab reviews reports long phone wait times and unhelpful representatives among customer complaints. A separate Trustpilot profile for Schwab’s international accounts includes a reviewer who does not live in the United States and who described the sign-up process as difficult, adding that the account offered no email or chat support for their issue. Other reviewers in the same research gave different views of the website and trading tools.
Key Features
- Online investing, trading, and wealth management through Schwab.com and international.schwab.com
- thinkorswim desktop, web, and mobile trading platforms
- Schwab Mobile app and Schwab APIs for account access
- Phone-based automated and broker-assisted trading services
- No account minimums or account opening and maintenance fees on listed account types
Pricing
Schwab charges $0 online commission for listed stocks and ETFs, $0 online base commission plus $0.65 per contract for options, $2.25 per contract for futures, $0 for Schwab Mutual Fund OneSource trades, and $0 for online forex trades, with forex costs reflected in the bid/ask spread.
3. CMC Markets
CMC Markets is a global provider of online retail and institutional trading, offering CFDs, financial spread bets, and stockbroking across forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, shares, and other markets. Clients trade through CMC’s own platforms, MetaTrader 4 and 5, or TradingView, with access to more than 12,000 CFD instruments and more than 21,000 total instruments across shares, indices, currencies, commodities, treasuries, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies.
CMC Markets requires no minimum deposit to open an account. Its stockbroking pricing charges $0 for the first buy order under $1,000 once per security per day, excluding margin, and $11.00 or 0.10% for all other buy orders and all sell orders. International share orders also carry an FX spread. CMC Markets states that 50% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with the provider.
Key Features
- CFD trading across forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and shares
- Stockbroking access to 12,000 CFD instruments and 21,000 total instruments
- Available platforms: CMC’s own platform, MetaTrader 4/5, and TradingView
- Mobile-optimized charting with more than 40 indicators and drawing tools
- Algorithmic trading support and customizable trading add-ons
Pricing
CMC Markets charges $0 brokerage for international shares traded in the US, UK, Canada, and Japan (AUD). Australian-share buy orders (other than the first qualifying buy order) and all Australian-share sell orders cost $11.00 or 0.10%, whichever is greater. International share markets carry separate brokerage rates and an FX spread on foreign-currency orders.
4. Saxo Bank
Saxo Bank is a multi-asset trading and investment bank offering account tiers for retail and professional clients. Its Classic account requires a EUR 0 minimum deposit, according to Saxo’s own rates and conditions schedule, giving non-US residents an entry point without a required funding threshold to open an account.
Saxo’s published fee schedule lists a currency conversion fee that applies when a trade is executed in a currency different from the account’s base currency, which is a relevant cost for international investors trading US-dollar assets from a non-dollar account.
Key Features
- Multi-asset trading account with tiered account levels
- Classic account tier available with no stated minimum deposit
- Published rates and conditions schedule covering commissions and margin
- Currency conversion pricing disclosed separately from trading commissions
Pricing
Saxo Bank charges a 0.25% currency conversion fee on trades settled outside the account’s base currency. The Classic account tier carries a EUR 0 minimum deposit per Saxo’s published rates and conditions schedule.
5. XTB
XTB’s Investment Plans are a passive investing option for building portfolios in ETFs, with upgraded plans also allowing individual stocks alongside ETFs. The plans provide access to more than 6,000 stocks across 16 exchanges, and investing through a plan requires no minimum deposit to open the account.
Investors choose or build a plan, select instruments and allocation percentages, and invest a specified amount starting from 15 USD or the account currency equivalent. XTB’s Auto Invest feature can top up the account on a schedule and invest automatically according to the plan’s allocation, and fractional shares are available with a minimum trade value of €10.
Key Features
- Investment Plans covering more than 2,200 ETFs and individual stocks on upgraded plans
- Auto Invest for scheduled, automatic contributions
- Minimum Investment Plan amount of 15 USD or the account-currency equivalent
- On-demand rebalancing and the ability to open or close plans at any time
- Access to ETF details including portfolio composition and historical performance
Pricing
XTB Investment Plans are commission-free up to EUR 100,000 in monthly turnover; transactions above that limit are charged 0.2% commission with a EUR 10 minimum. A 0.5% currency conversion cost may apply when investing in foreign ETFs, and the minimum investment is 15 USD or the account currency equivalent.
6. FOREX.com
FOREX.com is a trading service offering accounts and market access focused on forex, along with futures and futures options. International customers can choose between a standard account, where the spread is the only trading cost, and RAW pricing, which adds a fixed commission in exchange for lower spreads.
Outside the United States, FOREX.com’s standard-account EUR/USD spreads averaged 1.0047 pips in October 2025, excluding the rollover period. The international RAW pricing option offers spreads as low as 0.0 on major currency pairs with a $5 USD commission per $100,000 traded, while US accounts use a separate schedule charging $7 per $100,000 traded on RAW pricing. FOREX.com states that spreads vary with market conditions, including volatility and available liquidity.
Key Features
- Spread-only standard account and RAW pricing account structures
- Available platforms: mobile app, Web Trader, MetaTrader 4/5, and TradingView
- Performance analytics, trader sentiment data, and an economic calendar
- Margin and pip calculators built into the platform
Pricing
FOREX.com’s international standard account has no commission, with the spread as the only cost. Its RAW pricing option charges a $5 USD commission per $100,000 traded internationally, while the minimum initial deposit is generally $100, though the company recommends depositing at least $2,500.
7. AvaTrade
AvaTrade is a provider offering trading in futures, options, and CFDs across forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. Trading costs are generally built into the spread rather than charged as a separate commission on standard accounts, and AvaTrade states that 65% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with the provider.
AvaTrade’s standard account has a $100 minimum deposit, and its EUR/USD spread starts around 0.9 pips, about $9 per lot. AvaTrade also offers an Islamic account; per AvaTrade’s official page, swap fees on that account type are transferred into daily administration fees across forex trading products rather than waived outright.
Key Features
- Trading in futures, options, and CFDs across multiple asset classes
- WebTrader, AvaTrade App, AvaOptions, and AvaSocial platforms
- MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and DupliTrade copy-trading support
- AvaProtect, Trading Central research, an economic calendar, and trading signals
- An Islamic account option for clients following Sharia principles
Pricing
AvaTrade’s standard account requires a $100 minimum deposit and does not charge a separate commission; trading costs are built into the spread, with EUR/USD spreads starting around 0.9 pips.
8. VT Markets
VT Markets is a trading service offering access to forex, shares, indices, oil and energies, precious metals, soft commodities, ETFs, and bonds. Trading runs through the VT Markets app, MetaTrader 4 and 5, Web Trading, and Webtrader, with account types including Standard STP, Raw ECN, a swap-free option, and a cent account.
The Standard STP account has spreads from 1.2 pips, a $100 minimum deposit, and $0 commission. The Raw ECN account offers lower spreads starting from 0.0 pips in exchange for a per-trade commission.
Key Features
- Trading across forex, shares, indices, commodities, ETFs, and bonds
- Standard STP and Raw ECN account types with different spread and commission structures
- Copy trading alongside top-performing traders
- An AI-assisted market news feature and an economic calendar
- Gold and weekend trading availability
Pricing
VT Markets’ Standard STP account charges $0 commission with spreads from 1.2 pips and a $100 minimum deposit. The Raw ECN account offers spreads from 0.0 pips with a per-trade commission applied instead.
9. MEXC
MEXC is a global cryptocurrency exchange established in 2018, offering spot trading, futures trading, leveraged ETF products, and an earn center with staking and fixed-term products. Users register with an email or mobile number, complete verification, and fund their account through crypto or fiat on-ramp options before trading spot markets or futures contracts with up to 200x leverage on perpetual and quarterly contracts.
MEXC’s published standard spot fee is 0.0000% maker, 0.0500% taker, and standard USDT-margined futures fees are 0% maker and 0.02% taker. Holding MX tokens can reduce these rates further, and a separate fee schedule of 0.06% maker and 0.08% taker applies to orders placed through the futures API.
Key Features
- Spot trading with more than 1,700 trading pairs
- USDT-margined and coin-margined perpetual futures contracts
- Leveraged ETF products and an earn center with staking and liquidity mining
- Two-factor authentication and a withdrawal whitelist for account security
Pricing
MEXC’s standard spot trading fees are 0% maker and 0.05% taker, and standard USDT-margined futures fees are 0% maker and 0.02% taker. Futures API orders use a separate 0.06% maker and 0.08% taker schedule.
How Do You Open an Account as a Non-US Resident?
Opening an account as a non-US resident generally means confirming country eligibility first, then submitting identification, proof of address, and tax documentation before funding the account. Most brokers follow a similar sequence regardless of which country an applicant lives in.
- Confirm eligibility. Check the broker’s country list before starting an application, since some platforms restrict signups by residency.
- Submit identification. A passport or national ID and a recent proof-of-address document, such as a utility bill or bank statement, are standard requirements.
- Complete tax forms. Non-US residents investing in US securities typically complete a W-8BEN to certify foreign tax status.
- Fund the account. Wire transfer, card payment, or local bank transfer options vary by broker and by country.
- Select an account type. Some brokers split pricing by residency, such as Interactive Brokers reserving its zero-commission Lite tier for US residents only.
How Much Do Currency Conversion Fees Add to International Investing?
Currency conversion fees apply whenever an account’s base currency differs from the traded asset’s currency. These fees are separate from trading commissions and can outweigh headline commission rates for frequent investors.
Saxo Bank charges a currency conversion fee of 0.25% on trades settled outside the account’s base currency. XTB can apply a 0.5% currency conversion cost when an investor buys a foreign-denominated ETF through an Investment Plan. This cost applies in addition to any commission owed once monthly turnover passes the commission-free threshold. For investors funding an account in one currency and trading in another, currency conversion fees can matter more than headline commissions. This is especially true for frequent or recurring investors.
What Tax Rules Apply to Non-US Residents Investing in US Markets?
Non-US residents investing in US markets owe US withholding tax on US-source dividend income unless a tax treaty between their country of residence and the United States reduces that rate.
A W-8BEN form certifies an investor’s foreign status to a broker and must be submitted before dividend payments are processed at a treaty-adjusted rate rather than the standard statutory rate. Treaty terms vary by country, so an investor’s actual withholding rate depends on the specific treaty between the United States and their country of tax residence. Capital gains treatment also differs by country and by the type of security held, and non-US investors should confirm their specific tax position with a qualified advisor rather than rely on a broker’s general disclosures alone.
Which US Brokers Restrict Non-US Residents?
Several well-known US brokers limit new account openings to applicants residing inside the United States, which is why they are not included in the comparison above. Fidelity states plainly that it does not open accounts for any new customers residing outside the United States. Robinhood’s account options are built primarily around US retail customers, and applicants outside the United States should confirm current eligibility directly with the provider rather than assume access.
Not every US-focused restriction is absolute. Charles Schwab maintains a separate international account structure alongside its US accounts, though research summarized earlier in this article found that international applicants reported a more difficult sign-up experience than domestic ones. Among brokers built specifically for international forex and CFD clients, Trade Nation also advertises no minimum deposit, similar to CMC Markets and XTB. Other internationally focused brokers, including Pepperstone, also market services to traders outside the United States, though minimum deposits and fee structures vary by region and should be confirmed directly with the provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a non-US resident invest in the US stock market?
Yes, a non-US resident can invest in US stocks through a broker that accepts applications from their country of residence. Eligibility depends entirely on the specific broker’s policy, since some US firms restrict new accounts to US addresses while others, including several covered above, process international applications with additional tax documentation.
Can non-US residents buy fractional shares?
Yes, several of the brokers covered here support fractional investing for non-US residents. XTB’s Investment Plans allow fractional ETF and stock purchases with a minimum investment of 15 USD or the account-currency equivalent, and Interactive Brokers offers a recurring investment feature for clients with fractional shares enabled on their account.
Does Robinhood allow non-US residents?
Robinhood’s account options are designed primarily for the US retail market, and its published materials do not detail a general policy for applicants residing outside the United States. Anyone outside the US considering Robinhood should confirm current eligibility directly with the company before applying.
What happens to my brokerage account if I move countries?
Moving countries can affect which account tier, tax form, and service team apply to a brokerage account, since some pricing tiers and account types are restricted by residency. An investor who relocates should notify their broker promptly, update their address and tax status, and confirm whether their existing account type remains available from the new country of residence.
What documents do I need to open an international brokerage account?
Most brokers require a government-issued photo ID such as a passport or national identity card, a recent proof-of-address document such as a utility bill or bank statement, and a completed W-8BEN form for non-US residents investing in US securities. Some brokers request additional documentation depending on the applicant’s country of residence.
Are US brokers safe for international investors?
Investors must verify the specific legal entity, regulator, and protection scheme covering their account, because FINRA oversight and SIPC protection depend on the entity and account type involved and protections may differ for international accounts. International divisions of US brokers often operate under separate regulatory frameworks and terms from the domestic business.
Which broker has the lowest fees for international investors?
There is no single answer, since fee structures differ by asset class and account type rather than by one headline rate. Forex and CFD brokers typically price through spreads and small per-trade commissions, while stock-focused brokers charge per-share or percentage-based commissions plus currency conversion costs. Comparing the spread, commission, and conversion fee for the specific assets an investor plans to trade is more useful than comparing a single advertised rate.
Do non-US residents pay US taxes on investment income?
Non-US residents owe US withholding tax on US-source dividends, with the rate reduced by an applicable tax treaty between their country of residence and the United States. See the tax section above for details on W-8BEN requirements and treaty-adjusted withholding rates. Capital gains rules vary by country and security type.
Where Can US-Based Investors Diversify Into Real Estate?
Stocks, forex, and crypto are not the only asset classes available to investors who do qualify as US residents. Ark7 is a real estate investment platform built for US residents that lets investors buy shares in individual rental properties, with shares starting as low as $20 per share. Investors receive monthly distributions from rental income and can sell or hold shares for appreciation after a minimum holding period, with properties typically held long-term across the 10 markets where Ark7 currently operates.
For US residents who have compared the international brokers above and want a way to add direct rental income to a portfolio alongside stocks or forex, Ark7’s property shares are a separate asset class worth a look.
Real estate investing involves risk, including potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or financial advice.
