If you are a non-U.S. citizen, there are only 2 ways to open a Computershare US account. One is to transfer shares to them, the other is to buy a share through Give A Share. You can follow the many broker guides on "How to Transfer". If you don't want to use an international broker such as IBKR, XTB or TradeStation, you can see how to purchase through Give A Share below. Scroll further down to see how to buy directly through Computershare.

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How to buy through Give A Share:

Anyone can buy a share from anywhere in the world by using GiveAShare.com. All you need is a debit or credit card. The cost is an extra $50-100 on top of the share price, depending on what option you choose. This is because they make the Computershare account for you and they need a $10 buffer for the price fluctuations.

 

You can also opt to get a replica paper certificate, with the option of framing it and including an engraving. A pretty sweet souvenir! Although, there will be at least another $50 in postage fees.

 

• Once you've decided if you want the replica certificate or not, pick your option from your chosen stock page. For example this is the Give A Share GameStop page.

• If you have chosen to get a framed replica, you can pick your frame color and other gifting/shipping options on the next page.

• Whichever choice you make, you will need to fill out your name, home address and email address. Give a Share needs these to create your Computershare account.

• You can ignore the "Adult Custodian" box if you're over the age of 18.

• If you chose to get an engraving, you can write what it says next. They can even engrave emojis!

• After filling out the text boxes, click on "Confirm Selection".

• The next page will break down your order and how it will be processed. This includes when you can expect to have the share registered with Computershare, and when Computershare will send the first and second letter out to you.

• If you're happy you can click "Check Out".

• On the next page you need to fill out all of the billing and shipping info, like your name, and contact information. 

• Once that is filled out click on “Continue”.

• The final page is your payment details. Simply provide the debit or credit card details you wish to use to pay. Click "Continue".

• That completes your order with Give A Share! Give A Share will email you with updates as your order progresses.

• If you have chosen to get one, the replica certificate will dispatch in 2 business days. Delivery time is dependent on which option you choose.

• Your GME share will be registered with Computershare in 1-2 weeks. Give a Share will email to let you know when this has been done.

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How to open your Computershare account:

• When your share is registered, the first Computershare letter will be dispatched. It will take between 3 to 5 weeks to arrive depending where you are in the world. This is the DRS Account Statement.

• If you don't want to wait around 5 weeks, you have a couple of options:

  • If you have transferred less than 10 shares, Computershare can give you your account number over the phone. Skipping the need for the first letter.

  • You can expedite the letter for $45 by giving payment details to Computershare over the phone. The letter will arrive within a week.

• To check if your shares have successfully been transferred over from your broker, you may call Computershare to check this information with them over the phone.

• Computershare's non-US GME relations number is + 800-3823-3823. This number works worldwide.

• Otherwise the US toll free number is: +1 800-522-6645 and the US toll number is: +1 (201) 680 6578 (charges may apply). If you're outside of the US, you can get a free month trial with Skype to call these numbers.

• At this point, you may also want to set up your USD Foreign Currency Account either with your bank or Wise and have these details ready.

• Once you have your Computershare account number from your DRS Account Statement, you can create your Computershare account online.

• To do this, go to Computershare.com/us.

• Click on “Login to Investor Center”.

• Click on “Register Now”.

• Make sure to select the “Holder Account Number” tab, instead of “Social Security Number”.

• Select “I am not a U.S. Resident”.

• Provide the Computershare account number (starts with “C”).

• Provide your registered Zip/Postal code, and the name of the stock that you hold (GameStop).

• Computershare will then prompt you to create your username, password and security questions.

• Once your account is created, Computershare will send you an auto-generated verification code letter in the mail. This will arrive in 2 to 4 weeks.

• If you'd like it sooner you can call Computershare and pay a $30 fee to get the verification code via email within 48 hours.

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When you receive the verification code letter:

• Return to Computershare.com/us.

• Click on “Login to Investor Center”.

• Login using the username, and password you have created.

• Then you can enter the verification code.

• You now have full access to your Computershare account to conduct transactions.

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W-8 BEN Tax Form:

At this point, it is important to verify your tax status as a non-US citizen. While logged into your account, go to the My Profile tab, then “Tax Details”. A guide on how to fill in the W-8 BEN form is linked (here).

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You must fill the W-8 BEN in before you buy any shares through Computershare, or add your banking information. Otherwise you will be assumed to be a US citizen.

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Adding currency information:

After submitting the W-8 BEN tax form, you can enter your Foreign Currency Account information into your Computershare account (this is for sales only):

• Click on "My Profile". 

• Click on "Banking Details".

• Under "Payment Method", select: "International Wire".

• Under "Country", enter the country where you bank from.

• Under "Currency", select your local currency.

• Then enter your SWIFT code and account number according to your bank account.

Please note: If you wish to use a Wise USD account here, Wise has daily and yearly limits for deposits, so it's probably best to use an actual bank instead of a currency conversion platform for withdrawals.

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How to buy direct through Computershare

To purchase direct through Computershare US, you will need a US bank account. You can open one anywhere in the world using an international banking service such as Wise.com.

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You must fill the W-8 BEN in before you buy any shares through Computershare, or add your banking information. Otherwise you will be assumed to be a US citizen.

 

Create an US bank account via Wise.com:

• Please Note: Only Wise USD accounts with a Routing Number that starts with "084" can make successful payments to Computershare. If you are given a routing number that starts with something else, get in touch with Wise support and they should be able to get you a "084" routing number.

• To create a Wise account, go to Wise.com and click on “Sign Up”.

• You can use your Google, Facebook or Apple IDs, or manually create an account.

• On the next page, you will be asked which account type you'd like to open. Select "Personal Account".

• Then select your country of residence and click “Continue”.

• Next enter your phone number, be sure to use the correct country code.

• Click “Send verification code”.

• Wise will send you a text with a 6 digit code. Enter the code and click “Submit”.

• You will now be prompted to create a password. Enter the password you'd like to use and click “Submit”.

• Congratulations! You have now opened your Wise.com account.

• From here you need to provide some proof of ID, so Wise can finish creating the account for you. You can submit a picture of your Driver's License, passport, or bills/bank statements.

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• Once Wise has verified your ID, you can fund your local currency account straight from your bank, and open a US Dollar account.

• When your local currency arrives in Wise, select your local currency account. At the top, next to “Add” there is a "Convert" button.

• Click on the "Convert" button and follow the prompts to convert your local currency to US Dollars.

• Once the US Dollars are settled, you will now have access to your US account details. Select your US account, under the “Add” and “Convert” boxes, buttons will be dropped down for your USD account details. Make a note of your Account number and Routing number, as you will need these for Computershare.

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Instructions to buy on Computershare:

• Go to Computershare.com/us.

• Click on “Login to Investor Center”.

• Click on “Login”.

• From your Investment Summary page, under “What would you like to do?”, select “Search and Buy Stock”.

• Search for GME or GameStop, and select it.

• Review the fees ($5 fee per individual investment, and $2.50 for recurring), and then select “Invest Now”.

• If you already have GameStop shares in your Computershare account, a message will pop up asking if you'd like to add more shares to your existing account, or create a new account for this purchase. Select “Buy More”.

• Choose if you would like this to be a one time investment, or set up a recurring monthly payment. Then enter how many dollars you'd like to invest and click “Next”.

• Select if your bank account is a checking or savings account. Enter the Account number and Routing number of the bank account you wish to pay from. Then click “Next”.

• Computershare will now ask for an email address to send you confirmation of your investment. Enter your email address and click “Next”.

• On the final page you can review the breakdown of this investment. If you are happy with all of the information, click the checkbox agreeing to the terms and conditions, and then click on “Submit”.

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Congratulations you have now submitted a purchase directly through Computershare!

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You will receive a confirmation email shortly afterwards. Computershare will pull the money from your Wise account in 2 business days. Then after a couple more days Computershare will submit the buy order in a large batch trade along with other Computershare investors. Computershare does not hold anyone's money, this is why they have to wait for your direct debit to settle before making your purchase.

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While the delay seems problematic, ordering through Computershare actually helps with price movement. As the batch orders are often round or mixed lots and are always purchased on lit exchanges.