What do you need to open a US business bank account as a non-resident?
US banks and fintechs must verify the business and the people behind it before they open an account. The exact list varies, but these are the documents and details the main providers ask non-resident owners for:
| What they ask for | Why | Get it right |
|---|---|---|
| EIN confirmation from the IRS (CP 575 notice or Letter 147C) | Proves the tax ID and the legal name the IRS has on file | The name must match your articles exactly, including punctuation |
| Articles of organization or certificate of formation | Proves the LLC is registered with the state | Airwallex says an operating agreement doesn't replace the state filing |
| Operating agreement | Shows who owns and controls the LLC | Relay requires a signed one for multi-member LLCs |
| Passport for each owner of 25% or more and the person in control | Identity checks on beneficial owners | Relay accepts only a passport from non-US citizens |
| Residential address of each owner | Identity and sanctions checks | Some providers also want a recent utility bill or bank statement |
| Business description, customers and expected volumes | Know-your-customer rules | Wise asks what you sell, why you need the account and your expected monthly volume |
| Website or online store | Evidence of a real, operating business | Wise and Airwallex both ask for a website link |
Relay also asks non-US resident owners about the source of the money that started the business, their annual personal income and the countries where the business operates. Have honest, consistent answers ready before you start. If you haven't formed the LLC yet, start with how to form a US LLC as a non-resident, and if you don't have an EIN, read how to get an EIN without an SSN.
Why banks reject registered agent addresses
A registered agent address exists to receive lawsuits and state mail. Banks need to know where the business actually operates, so their rules screen out addresses that only receive mail:
- Mercury needs a US or international address for your principal place of business. It can be residential, but not a registered agent, P.O. box or UPS box address.
- Wise asks for your trading address, the place where you work every day, and doesn't accept P.O. boxes, registration agencies, mail forwarding services or virtual addresses.
- Relay lets your legal address be a registered agent address only if you also give an operational address where business activity happens, and that can't be another registered agent address.
- Brex requires a US physical address. If you give a virtual address, a beneficial owner or control officer must have a verifiable physical presence in the US.
For a business run from abroad, your home or office abroad is the honest operating address, and Mercury accepts an international residential address. Renting a US virtual address to look local is exactly what these rules filter out. The difference between the addresses is explained in what a registered agent does.
Online fintech accounts vs traditional branch banks
Mercury, Relay and Wise are fintechs: technology companies rather than banks, which typically provide accounts through partner banks. Mercury, for example, says it's a fintech, not a bank, with banking services provided by Choice Financial Group and Column N.A., Members FDIC. Relay's country restrictions follow the guidelines of its partner, Thread Bank.
| Criteria | Online fintech | Branch bank |
|---|---|---|
| Apply from abroadChase's online application is limited to single-member and single-manager LLCs with one authorizing representative. | Limited | |
| Owners present in personChase requires every member of a member-managed LLC to be present when opening in a branch. | Can be required | |
| ID for non-US owners | Passport or national photo ID | Chase: passport or matricula for non-permanent residents |
| Where deposits are held | Usually at partner banks | At the bank itself |
| Best fit | Online businesses run from abroad | Owners who can visit a US branch |
Which providers accept non-resident-owned US LLCs?
Here's what four well-known providers state on their own websites as of September 2026. Policies change often, so open the linked pages before you apply.
| Provider | Owners outside the US | Country or state limits | What stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | Supports US companies founded by people across the globe | Can't serve founders or financial controllers living in countries on its prohibited list | Needs some existing or planned US operations; formation documents, IRS EIN document and ID for the controller and 25% owners |
| Relay | Accepts non-US citizen owners and businesses based abroad | Excludes citizens or residents of listed countries, including Pakistan, Nigeria and Ukraine | Passport only for non-US citizens; operational address that isn't a registered agent |
| Wise Business | Asks non-US beneficial owners for a photo ID | Can't onboard businesses from Nevada or US territories | Wants a trading address, business description and website link |
| Airwallex | Accepts passports or national IDs from non-US persons | May ask businesses run largely outside the US for evidence of US ties | EIN letter with an exact name match, certificate of formation and a website |
How to apply, step by step
Put your documents in one folder
Articles of organization, EIN confirmation, signed operating agreement and a passport scan for every owner of 25% or more. Check that the LLC's name is identical on all of them.
Write a short, specific business description
Say what you sell, who your customers are and where they are, how you'll use the account, your expected monthly volume and where the starting money came from.
Make sure your website matches
A live website that describes the same products or services as your application, with contact details, backs up your description. A placeholder page does the opposite.
Apply with your real operating address
Use your home or office address abroad where the provider accepts it, and keep the registered agent address for state filings only.
Answer follow-up requests quickly
Providers may ask for supporting documents after the first review. Send exactly what's requested and keep your explanations consistent with the application.
Why applications get rejected, and how to avoid it
- A mail-only address. Registered agent, virtual and mail-forwarding addresses fail the operating address check. Use where you actually work.
- Name mismatches. An EIN letter that says "Acme Global LLC" and articles that say "Acme Global, LLC" can stall a review. Fix the mismatch before applying.
- An excluded country or state. Check where each owner lives against the provider's list, and remember Wise can't take Nevada businesses.
- A restricted business type. Each provider limits some industries. Read its restrictions before applying rather than after a rejection.
- No visible business. Without a website or a clear description, the provider can't see what the account is for.
- Choosing a provider that wants US operations when you don't have any. Start with those that accept businesses run from abroad.
After the account is open
- Living in India? Don't send capital until your AD bank has Form FC and a UIN for the LLC. See starting a US LLC from India.
- Keep company money separate from personal money, and pay LLC expenses from the LLC's account.
- Connect payments. Stripe pays out to a bank account in the same country as the Stripe account, so a US account comes first. Read using Stripe and PayPal with a US LLC.
- Track contributions and distributions. For a single-member LLC owned from abroad, money you put in or take out is reported on Form 5472.
Frequently asked questions
Can I open a US business bank account without an SSN?
Can I use my registered agent's address for my bank account?
Do I need to travel to the US to open a business bank account?
Is my money safe in a fintech account?
Which countries can't open accounts with these providers?
Can Register Quick LLC guarantee my bank account?
Sources
- Mercury, FAQ: eligibility, documents and address rules (checked September 17, 2026)
- Mercury, business banking for LLCs
- Relay, prohibited countries (updated August 11, 2026)
- Relay, required documents by entity type (updated August 11, 2026)
- Wise, how do I verify my US business?
- Wise, where do I need to live to hold money with Wise?
- Airwallex, documents required for companies in the US
- Brex, account requirements
- Chase, business bank account information
- IRS, employer identification number (CP 575 and Letter 147C)
- Stripe, acceptable verification documents (proof of address)
Facts checked on September 17, 2026 against the sources above. Rules and fees change, so confirm anything important with the official source. Register Quick LLC is not a law firm or CPA firm, and this page is general information, not legal or tax advice.
