4 months ago · Updated 3 days ago
A non-US resident can open a US business bank account for a US LLC without traveling to the United States, but not through a traditional bank. Remote opening works through online providers such as Mercury and Wise Business, and every one of them asks for your LLC's EIN first. Approval is never guaranteed, because it depends on your country, your documents and what your business does.
What do I need to open a US business bank account as a non-resident?
A US LLC in good standing, its EIN, the Articles of Organization, an operating agreement, your passport, and a clear description of the business. The EIN usually takes longest, because without an SSN you apply to the IRS by phone, fax or mail. Check each provider's list of unsupported countries before you apply.
The order to do things in
Form the LLC
Choose a state (see the best state for non-US residents) and file the Articles of Organization. Costs are in the non-resident LLC cost guide. You will need a registered agent in that state.
Get the EIN
Without an SSN or ITIN you cannot use the IRS online form. The IRS lets applicants with no US residence or office apply by phone at 267-941-1099 (not toll free, weekdays 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern), by fax, or by mail to the IRS EIN International Operation in Cincinnati. Fax results typically come in about 4 business days, and mail takes about 4 weeks. On Form SS-4 line 7b, enter "foreign" if the responsible party has no SSN or ITIN and cannot get one. The step-by-step version is in our EIN guide for non-residents.
Collect your documents
See the checklist below. Names must match exactly across all of them.
Apply once, carefully
Check the provider's country list and address rules first, then submit one complete application.
Plan on several weeks between forming the LLC and having a working account. The bank application itself is usually quick. The EIN is what sets the timeline.
Documents to prepare
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| EIN confirmation letter | The original IRS letter is the strongest proof. If you lost it, request a 147C letter first. |
| Articles of Organization | The state-filed document that created the LLC. |
| Operating agreement | Shows ownership and who can act for the company. See the operating agreement guide. |
| Passport | Valid, with your name spelled the same as in the LLC documents. |
| Business description | Specific: what you sell, to whom, and roughly how payments arrive. |
| Address information | Each provider has its own rules. See the address warning below. |
The options compared
| Provider | What it is | Non-US owners | Deposit insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | Fintech, with partner banks | US-formed company with existing or planned US operations. Some countries are unsupported. | FDIC through partner banks, up to $5 million via sweep networks, per Mercury |
| Wise Business | Money transmitter, not a bank | Online application, check eligibility for your country | Not FDIC insured by default. Funds are safeguarded. Pass-through coverage is possible if you opt into interest. |
| Relay | Fintech, with a partner bank | US businesses with non-US owners can apply. Requirements for owners without an SSN have varied, so read Relay's current document list. | FDIC through the partner bank |
| Traditional US banks | Banks with branches | Often need an in-person visit and may ask for more documents | FDIC, up to $250,000 per depositor |
The FDIC explains that nonbank companies are never themselves FDIC insured; coverage comes from the bank that holds the deposits, and only when ownership records are kept. For how those partner structures work, see our business bank account comparison.
Mercury
Mercury is the account most non-resident founders try first. It publishes zero monthly fees, no overdraft fees and no minimum balance. To open an account, the company must be formed and registered in the US or a US territory and have existing or planned operations in the US. Mercury says its address requirement is a US or international address for the principal place of business. It also says it cannot support accounts for businesses whose founders or financial controllers live in the countries on its prohibited list, so check that list on Mercury's site before you apply.
Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Its banking services come from partner banks.
Wise Business
Wise is not a bank. It holds customer money in safeguarded accounts rather than in FDIC-insured deposits, unless you opt into interest, in which case pass-through FDIC coverage can apply up to $250,000 through its program bank. A Wise Business account can give a US LLC US account details for receiving USD, plus balances in other currencies. Some vendors and platforms treat these accounts differently from a bank account, so confirm that the payer you care about accepts them.
Many founders use Wise next to a bank-style account: one for day-to-day USD, one for multi-currency receiving and transfers. It is also the usual fallback when a country is not supported elsewhere, though Wise has its own restrictions.
Relay
Relay accepts US-registered businesses owned by non-US persons. Its required-documents help article asks non-US owners for a passport and information about the countries where the business operates, and it expects a US operating presence. Some third-party guides say an SSN or ITIN is required. Because Relay's rules have changed, open Relay's current document list before you decide. The account itself is strong on budgeting: the free Starter plan allows up to 20 checking accounts.
Traditional US banks
Large banks such as Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo generally want you to apply in person at a branch, and some ask for an SSN or ITIN. Policies differ by bank and even by branch, so ask before you travel. If you do visit the US, a branch appointment can be a backup when an online application is declined, but call first to learn what the branch needs.
Why applications get rejected
These are the usual causes, based on providers' published rules and the pattern of problems founders report. None is guaranteed to cause a rejection.
A declined application does not affect your LLC. It only affects banking with that provider. If you are declined, find out why before you reapply, and ask support whether a second application is allowed.
If you want help with the setup
Coordinating the LLC, the EIN fax or call, the documents and the bank application is the part many founders find hard. doola sells that as a package: formation, EIN filing without an SSN, and help with bank applications. It is a paid service and we earn a commission if you use our link. Compare it with other options in our doola vs Northwest comparison, and read the doola review for pricing.
Stop coordinating. Let doola handle it.
Formation, EIN without SSN, and US bank account setup — in the right order, with the right documents, the first time.
Already have an LLC? doola says it can still help with the banking step. Formation costs by state are in the non-resident LLC cost guide.
Form the LLC, get the EIN from the IRS by phone, fax or mail, prepare matching documents, check the provider's country and address rules, and apply once. Mercury and Wise Business are the usual starting points; Relay's requirements for owners without an SSN need checking on Relay's site.
Questions people ask
Can a non-US resident open a US business bank account?
Do I need an SSN or ITIN?
How long does the EIN take?
Can I use my registered agent's address?
Is Wise Business FDIC insured?
Do I also owe US tax filings?
Sources
IRS: Instructions for Form SS-4 (checked October 7, 2026). Mercury business banking (checked October 7, 2026) and its prohibited countries list (not reachable by our tools). Relay required documents. FDIC on nonbank apps. Wise's help center on interest and how customer funds are protected. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.