Yes, a non-resident can open a US LLC bank account, and you can do it without ever setting foot in the United States. The catch is that most traditional US banks will turn you away, so you need providers built for remote applicants. The fastest route in 2026 is a fintech account like Mercury or Relay, which accept a US LLC, an EIN, and your passport, with no Social Security Number required.
This guide walks through exactly what you need, the five best providers, and the step-by-step process to apply from Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, the UK, or anywhere else.
Can a non-resident open a US LLC bank account?
Yes. There is no US law that stops a foreign owner of a US LLC from holding a business bank account. What blocks most people is the bank’s own onboarding policy, not the law.
Two things make it possible today. First, your LLC is a US legal entity, so the account belongs to the company, not to you personally. Second, fintech providers verify your identity with a passport rather than a Social Security Number. That combination is why founders outside the US now open accounts remotely in days rather than flying over for an in-person appointment.
You do need a properly formed LLC first. If you have not set one up yet, our US company formation service handles Delaware and Wyoming LLCs with the EIN included.
What documents you need to open an LLC bank account
The LLC bank account requirements are fairly consistent across the good providers. Have these ready before you apply:
- EIN confirmation letter (IRS CP 575 or 147C). Every legitimate US business bank requires this.
- Articles of Organization (also called a Certificate of Formation), stamped by the state.
- Operating Agreement showing the ownership structure and members.
- Passport for each beneficial owner, valid and clear.
- US business address, which can be your registered agent address in Delaware or Wyoming.
- Proof of your home address abroad (a utility bill or bank statement, usually).
Some providers also ask what your business does, your expected monthly volume, and a website. Have a live site or landing page ready, since a blank domain often slows approval.
The 5 best US LLC bank account options for non-residents in 2026
Here is a quick comparison, then the detail on each.
| Provider | Type | SSN needed? | Monthly fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | Fintech (US banking) | No | Free | Most non-resident LLCs |
| Relay | Fintech (US banking) | No | Free (paid tiers exist) | Multiple sub-accounts |
| Wise Business | Multi-currency account | No | One-off setup | International invoicing |
| Brex | Fintech (business card + cash) | No | Free tier | Funded startups |
| Payoneer | Payment account | No | Low / usage-based | Marketplace payouts |
1. Mercury
Mercury is the account most non-resident founders end up with, and for good reason. The application is fully online, there is no SSN requirement, and it accepts a registered agent address as the LLC’s US business address. Approval often lands within a few business days once your EIN and formation docs are in order.
It gives you USD account and routing numbers, wire and ACH support, virtual and physical cards, and it plays well with Stripe and PayPal. There are no monthly fees on the standard account. Mercury does screen the business type, so a clear website and a legitimate model matter.
2. Relay
Relay is a close alternative with a clean interface and the ability to open up to 20 individual accounts under one login, which helps with the profit-first budgeting method. It is also non-resident friendly, accepts a US LLC with an EIN, and charges nothing on the base tier.
Founders who want to split money into tax, payroll, and operating pots find Relay easier to organise than Mercury. Both are strong; pick Relay if you want sub-accounts, Mercury if you want the widest fintech integrations.
3. Wise Business
Wise is not a US bank, but it gives you USD account details plus balances in 40+ currencies, which is why so many international founders use it as a bridge. If you invoice clients in euros, pounds, and dollars, Wise keeps the conversion cheap and transparent.
Use it alongside a proper business account rather than as your only one, since some payment platforms prefer a dedicated bank. We cover the details in our Wise Business account review.
4. Brex
Brex is aimed at startups and offers a business account and corporate card with EIN only, no SSN needed. It is a good fit if you are building a funded or fast-growing company rather than a small side project, since Brex tends to prefer businesses with meaningful cash flow or investment.
The card rewards and expense tools are strong. If you are a solo founder just accepting Stripe payouts, Mercury or Relay is usually the simpler start.
5. Payoneer
Payoneer is not a bank either, but it is widely used by non-resident sellers on Amazon, Upwork, and other marketplaces that pay out to Payoneer receiving accounts. It gives you USD, EUR, and GBP receiving details and links to your LLC.
Treat it as a payments layer rather than your core account. Check our guide on Payoneer business account requirements to see what documents it asks for.
Traditional banks (Chase, Bank of America): why they usually say no
Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo can technically open business accounts for LLCs, but their onboarding is built for domestic customers. In practice they require an in-person branch visit and often a Social Security Number or ITIN from the signer. That makes them effectively inaccessible if you live abroad and cannot fly over.
If you do plan to visit the US, you can sometimes open a Chase business account in person with your passport, EIN, and formation documents, but call ahead. Policies vary by branch and manager, and there is no guarantee. For most non-residents, a fintech account is the realistic answer.
Step by step: how to open your LLC bank account online
- Form the LLC. Choose Delaware or Wyoming and get your Articles of Organization filed.
- Get your EIN. Apply to the IRS with Form SS-4 (details below). Wait for the confirmation letter.
- Prepare your documents. Operating Agreement, passport, registered agent address, and a live website.
- Pick a provider. Mercury or Relay for most; Brex if you are a funded startup.
- Apply online. Upload documents, answer the business questions honestly, and describe your model clearly.
- Wait for review. Approval usually takes a few business days. Reply quickly to any follow-up requests.
- Fund and connect. Once open, link the account to Stripe, PayPal, or your store.
If you plan to accept card payments, get your Stripe setup right before you apply. Our Stripe consulting service helps you get approved, and this walkthrough on how to add Stripe to your store covers the store side.
Do you need a US address?
You need a US business address, but it does not have to be a physical office you rent. Your registered agent address in Delaware or Wyoming counts, and Mercury and Relay both accept it as the LLC’s business address.
When you form your LLC through a service, the registered agent is included, so this box is usually ticked without extra work. You will use that address on your bank application, tax filings, and business documents.
EIN: how to get one as a non-resident
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is the tax ID for your LLC, and every legitimate US business bank requires it. Non-residents cannot apply online through the IRS website, because that path needs an SSN or ITIN. Instead, you apply with IRS Form SS-4 by fax or mail.
- By fax: faster, often a few weeks.
- By mail: slower, typically 4 to 8 weeks.
On the form, you leave the SSN field blank and write “Foreign” where an ITIN would go for line 7b. If timelines matter, having a formation provider file the SS-4 for you removes the guesswork and cuts the delays.
Can you use a UK Ltd and a US LLC together?
Some founders run both. A UK Ltd can give you access to UK banking and European customers, while a US LLC opens US payment rails and USD accounts. The right structure depends on where your customers are and your tax position, so get advice before doubling up.
If you want to start lean, our LaunchPad package is the cheapest way to form a UK company as a non-resident, and you can compare structures on our plans page. If a UK account is your goal, this guide on the UK business bank account for non-residents covers that route.
Frequently asked questions
Can a non-resident open a US LLC bank account without visiting the US?
Yes. Fintech providers like Mercury, Relay, and Brex let you apply fully online with your EIN, formation documents, and passport. No branch visit is needed.
Do I need a Social Security Number to open a US LLC bank account?
No. Mercury, Relay, Brex, Wise, and Payoneer all onboard non-residents without an SSN. They verify identity using your passport and your LLC’s EIN instead.
What is the easiest US business bank account for an LLC non-resident?
Mercury is the most commonly recommended, because the application is fully online, it accepts a registered agent address, and there are no monthly fees.
Do I need an EIN before opening the account?
Yes. Every legitimate US business bank requires an EIN. Apply with IRS Form SS-4 by fax or mail as a non-resident, since the online path needs an SSN or ITIN.
How long does it take to get an EIN as a non-resident?
By mail it usually takes 4 to 8 weeks. By fax it is faster, often a few weeks. Using a formation provider to file the SS-4 can reduce delays.
Can I use my registered agent address as the LLC’s US address?
Yes. A registered agent address in Delaware or Wyoming counts as the LLC’s business address, and both Mercury and Relay accept it.
Why do Chase and Bank of America reject non-residents?
Their onboarding requires an in-person branch visit and often an SSN or ITIN. That makes them effectively inaccessible to founders living abroad, so most use fintech accounts.
Is Wise a real US bank account?
No. Wise is a multi-currency account that gives you USD account details, not a US bank. Many founders use it alongside a proper business account for international invoicing.
Can I connect my US LLC bank account to Stripe?
Yes. Mercury, Relay, and Brex all support Stripe payouts. Get your Stripe setup and website in good shape before applying to avoid approval issues.
Do I need a US LLC to open these accounts?
Yes, these are business accounts, so you need a formed US LLC with an EIN. Delaware and Wyoming are the most common states for non-resident founders.
