Open a US Business Bank Account as a Non-Resident
A non-resident can open a US business bank account fully remotely, with no SSN and no US address. You use a US fintech like Mercury or Relay, and you open it with three things: your US LLC documents, your EIN, and your passport. Here is exactly how, and which provider fits.
The Short Answer
A non-resident can open a US business bank account fully remotely, with no SSN and no US address. You do not use a traditional bank branch. You use a US fintech built for global founders, mainly Mercury or Relay, and you open the account with three things: your US LLC formation documents, your EIN, and your passport.
What You Need
- A US LLC. Wyoming or Delaware for most non-residents.
- An EIN. The business tax ID, free from the IRS.
- A passport. For identity verification.
- A business description. Providers ask what the company does and where customers are.
Notably, you do not need an SSN, an ITIN, or a US address to open the business account. The EIN is the only tax ID the bank requires for the entity.
Your Best Options
| Provider | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury | Startups, SaaS, global founders | Clean UX, free USD wires, Stripe and PayPal friendly, most widely used by non-residents |
| Relay | E-commerce, multiple accounts | Up to 20 sub-accounts, good for profit-first budgeting and expense separation |
| Wise Business | Multi-currency, EU and US mix | US routing details plus local details in other currencies, great for cross-border |
Most founders start with Mercury for the primary account, and add Wise Business when they need to hold and convert several currencies.
How to Open, Step by Step
- Form the US LLC and get the EIN.
- Apply online at Mercury or Relay with your LLC docs, EIN, and passport.
- Answer the business questions honestly (industry, customer geography, expected volume).
- Pass identity verification (passport upload, sometimes a short video step).
- Fund the account and start using it. This banking history is what your future card approvals lean on.
Why the account matters beyond banking: your funded, active US business account is the foundation EIN-only corporate cards (Ramp, Brex) underwrite against. Open and use it before you apply for any card.
When This Doesn't Apply
- Crypto, gambling, adult, or cannabis. Mercury and Relay auto-decline these industries.
- OFAC-sanctioned passport. Automatic decline regardless of setup.
- No EIN yet. The account cannot open without it. Get the EIN first.
- Shell company with no real activity. Providers increasingly want a genuine business, not a dormant entity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a non-resident open a US business bank account without an SSN?
Yes. US fintechs like Mercury and Relay open business accounts for non-residents with just the US LLC documents, the EIN, and a passport. No SSN, no ITIN, and no US address are required for the business account.
Do I need to visit the US?
No. Mercury, Relay, and Wise Business onboard entirely online. Traditional branch banks like Chase or Wells Fargo usually require an in-person visit, which is why non-residents use fintechs.
Mercury or Relay, which should I choose?
Mercury for most startups and SaaS founders thanks to its clean interface and wire support. Relay if you run e-commerce and want multiple sub-accounts for budgeting. Many founders use both.
Is an EIN enough, or do I need an ITIN too?
For the business bank account, the EIN alone is enough. You only need an ITIN later for personal-guarantee credit cards and personal US credit history.
What can get my application declined?
Being in a restricted industry (crypto, gambling, adult, cannabis), holding an OFAC-sanctioned passport, having no EIN yet, or presenting a dormant shell with no real business activity.
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