Step-by-step guide to opening a US bank account for your non-resident LLC. Compare Mercury, Wise, Relay & more. Get approved faster with our expert tips.
Opening a US bank account for your non-resident LLC has become significantly more challenging in 2025. Major fintech banks like Mercury and Wise have tightened requirements, but approval is still possible with the right preparation and bank selection.
The banking environment for non-resident LLC owners changed dramatically in 2025. Over the past year, many US banks including Mercury and Wise have tightened their requirements and gotten much more strict regarding non-US resident LLC bank accounts.
NCP Financial Services notes that "Neo-banks like Mercury, Relay, and Wise are facing increased pressure to comply with CDD regulations, resulting in many non-residents reporting sudden account closures." The compliance cascade means even fintech banks now apply stricter verification.
We've analyzed the current banking landscape to help you choose the right option for your LLC. Here's how the major players compare:
| Bank | Monthly Fee | FDIC Insurance | Approval Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | $0 (+ $31 setup) | ❌ No (EMI) | ⭐ Easy | International transfers |
| Relay | $0 | ✅ $3M | ⭐⭐ Moderate | US-focused businesses |
| Mercury | $0-$35 | ✅ $250K | ⭐⭐⭐ Hard | Tech startups with US ops |
| Airwallex | $0 | ✅ $250K | ⭐ Easy | E-commerce sellers |
| Wells Fargo | $10+ | ✅ $250K | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very Hard | In-person required |
For easiest approval: Start with Wise or Airwallex. Reader testimonials confirm 24-hour approvals, and Wise charges only a $31 one-time fee for USD account details.
For maximum FDIC protection: Choose Relay, which offers $3 million FDIC insurance through its Thread Bank sweep program (vs standard $250K).
For tech startups: Mercury remains excellent for US-focused operations, but requires US operations within 6 months of account opening.
Before applying to any bank, you'll need these essential documents prepared:
Non-US residents face a significant timing challenge. Non-residents must apply for EIN by fax or mail only (no online option), resulting in 2.5-3 month processing times versus instant online approval for US residents.
Once you receive your EIN, you'll need the CP575 or 147C verification letter. Banks require this official IRS confirmation. CP575 is mailed automatically (1-2 weeks), but if lost, you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-4933 for a 147C replacement.
We handle EIN applications as part of our comprehensive compliance service, reducing the processing time and ensuring accuracy.
Your US company formation choice impacts banking approval. Wyoming and Delaware offer the best combination of privacy and banking acceptance. Wyoming charges only $60 annually versus Delaware's $300, and both states are well-recognized by banks.
Wyoming LLC formation includes registered agent service, but remember: you cannot use your registered agent address for banking. Banks explicitly reject these addresses in 2025.
This is the most time-consuming step for non-residents. Our federal tax filing service includes expedited EIN application handling, ensuring your fax submission is complete and accurate.
This is where many non-residents fail. Virtual office addresses are frequently flagged, with banks requesting business utility bills that most e-commerce sellers cannot satisfy.
Mercury's eligibility requirements explicitly state: "Your principal place of business may not be a registered agent address, PO box, or UPS box."
Solutions that work:
Our registered agent service includes guidance on securing a banking-compliant address.
First application: Apply to Wise or Airwallex for fastest approval (24 hours typical)
Second application: Apply to Relay for US-focused operations and $3M FDIC protection
Third application (optional): Mercury if you have demonstrable US operations
Avoid these pitfalls that cause most non-resident banking applications to fail:
Two major regulatory shifts impact non-resident banking in 2025:
As of March 21, 2025, domestic US companies are exempt from beneficial ownership reporting. This means your Wyoming or Delaware LLC does not need to file Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) with FinCEN.
Only foreign entities registered in the US must still file BOI reports. This saves you compliance time and cost.
Banks now run "far stricter know-your-customer rules than in 2023, and the addresses, IDs, and utility bills you supply must line up across every tier.
This means:
Understanding total costs helps you budget properly for US banking:
For international transfers: Airwallex costs 0.5% total versus Payoneer at approximately 2%, saving significant money on cross-border payments.
For traditional banking: Wells Fargo charges $10+ monthly but requires in-person account opening, making it impractical for most non-residents.
Opening a US bank account as a non-resident involves multiple complex steps. We help you navigate the entire journey:
1. LLC Formation - We form your Wyoming or Delaware LLC with all required documentation for banking approval
2. EIN Application - Our federal tax service handles your EIN application correctly the first time, minimizing processing delays
3. Banking Guidance - We provide specific documentation requirements for each bank and review your application before submission
4. Ongoing Compliance - Our accounting service ensures your business maintains the documentation banks require for account retention
5. Registered Agent - Our registered agent service includes guidance on securing a banking-compliant US address
Yes, fintech banks like Wise, Relay, and Airwallex allow fully remote account opening. Traditional banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo) typically require in-person visits, though Wells Fargo is considered the most "foreigner-friendly.
No. ITIN is NOT required for business accounts. Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers are only needed for personal tax filing, not LLC bank accounts.
Mercury no longer accepts registered agent addresses as of 2025. Mercury has tightened requirements in 2025; many non-residents now denied specifically due to registered agent address usage.
With all documents ready, fintech banks approve accounts in 24-48 hours. However, getting those documents takes 2.5-3 months minimum due to EIN processing time for non-residents. Total timeline: 3-4 months from LLC formation to active bank account.
Wyoming and Delaware offer the best combination for banking approval. Both are well-recognized by banks, offer strong privacy protections, and have established reputations. Wyoming's $60 annual fee versus Delaware's $300 makes it more cost-effective for most non-residents.
This is becoming more common due to CDD regulations. Many non-residents reporting sudden account closures. Protection strategies: maintain accounts at 2-3 banks, keep detailed business operation records, respond immediately to bank verification requests, and ensure all documentation remains current.
Ready to open your US bank account? We handle everything from LLC formation to federal tax compliance, ensuring you have all required documentation for banking approval. Our comprehensive service includes EIN application, registered agent, and banking guidance specifically designed for non-residents.
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