Opening a US business bank account used to mean flying to the States and sitting in a branch. Not anymore. A handful of fintech providers now let non-resident LLC owners open a US account fully online, with no US visit and no SSN. The catch is that you need the right documents and the right provider, because not every bank welcomes foreign-owned companies.
This guide compares the four accounts non-residents use most, Mercury, Relay, Wise, and Airwallex, explains what you need to open one, and shows how to get approved. It assumes you already have, or are forming, a US LLC with an EIN; if not, start with our formation guide and EIN guide.
In this guide
Can a non-resident open a US business bank account?
Yes. With a US LLC and an EIN, non-residents can open a US business account online through fintech providers built for this exact situation. You do not need to be a US citizen, hold a visa, or visit a branch. What you do need is a properly formed company, your EIN, and clean documentation that matches across every form.
Fintech accounts, not old-school branches
Most of these providers are not traditional banks. Mercury and Relay partner with FDIC-insured banks to hold your funds, while Wise and Airwallex are global money accounts. All work for a non-resident LLC; the practical experience is online-first.
What you need to open an account
Requirements are similar across providers. Have these ready before you apply, and make sure the details match your formation documents exactly:
- Your EIN confirmation (the IRS CP 575 letter).
- Articles of Organization and your Operating Agreement.
- A valid passport for each owner.
- A US business address (included in a formation package).
- A clear description of what your business does and who its customers are.
Consistency gets you approved
The fastest approvals happen when your name, company name, and address are identical on every document. Mismatches are the most common reason an application stalls.
The best options compared
| Provider | Best for | US visit? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | Startups, SaaS, freelancers | No | Excludes some countries |
| Relay | Ecommerce, multiple sub-accounts | No | Up to 20 accounts |
| Wise | Multi-currency receiving and paying | No | USD account details |
| Airwallex | Cross-border payouts and FX | No | Strong FX rates |
Mercury
Mercury is the default choice for many non-resident founders, especially in SaaS, freelancing, and tech. It offers full US business banking through partner banks, with USD account and routing numbers, debit cards, and no monthly fees. Onboarding is fully online and it is widely accepted as proof of a real US business.
The main thing to check is eligibility: Mercury supports founders from most countries but maintains a list of regions it cannot serve, so confirm yours before relying on it.
Relay
Relay is popular with ecommerce sellers and anyone who wants to organize money across multiple accounts. It lets you open numerous sub-accounts and issue several cards, which suits profit-first budgeting and separating taxes, inventory, and operating cash. Like Mercury, it is online-first and built for small businesses rather than walk-in branches.
Wise
Wise (formerly TransferWise) is not a bank but a multi-currency account, and that is exactly why non-residents like it. A Wise Business account gives you US account details to receive USD, plus the ability to hold and convert dozens of currencies at near mid-market rates. It is ideal if you bill clients in multiple countries or need to move money home efficiently.
Airwallex
Airwallex is a global business account focused on cross-border payments and foreign exchange. It suits companies making international payouts, paying overseas contractors, or managing FX at scale. For a non-resident LLC with genuinely global money flows, it is a strong complement to a primary US account.
What about traditional banks like Chase or Bank of America?
Big-name US banks can work, but they usually expect you to appear in person at a branch with US identification, which defeats the purpose for most non-residents. They also tend to be slower and stricter with foreign-owned companies. Unless you have a specific reason and the ability to visit the US, the fintech options above are faster and built for remote onboarding.
Banks vs payment processors: do not confuse them
A bank account holds your money. A payment processor lets you charge customers. You generally need both, and they are separate applications:
- Bank account: Mercury, Relay, Wise, or Airwallex holds and moves your funds.
- Processor: Stripe or PayPal collects card payments from customers and pays out to your bank account.
Both ask for your EIN and formation documents, so once your LLC and EIN are in order you can set up banking and payments in parallel.
How to get approved on the first try
- Apply only after your EIN letter has arrived; banks verify it.
- Keep your name, company name, and address identical across all documents.
- Have a clear, honest description of your business and its customers ready.
- Use a real business address, not a residential one, where the provider expects it.
- Check the provider's country eligibility before you start.
Approval is never guaranteed
Every provider reviews applications and can decline based on your country or business type. Setting up the LLC, EIN, and address correctly is what gives you the best shot.
Get an LLC that banks will accept through usllc.io
We form your Wyoming LLC with the EIN and US business address that Mercury, Relay, Wise, and Stripe ask for, so your account applications start on the right footing.