How Non-Residents Open a US Bank Account
Non-residents can't walk into Chase or Bank of America without a US address and residency status — those require an in-person branch visit and, in practice, an SSN. The realistic route for a non-resident is a fintech platform built for exactly this case:
| Provider | Entity required | SSN/ITIN required | Opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | US LLC or C-Corp (no personal accounts) | No — EIN instead | Fully remote |
| Wise | None (personal or business) | No | Fully remote |
| Payoneer | None (personal or business) | No | Fully remote |
If you don't yet have a US LLC and want Mercury's USD account specifically, form the LLC first — talk to us about US LLC formation for non-residents before applying.
Mercury — US Business Banking for Non-Residents
Mercury is a fintech (not a bank — funds are FDIC-insured through partner banks) built specifically for startups, including non-resident founders with a US LLC or C-Corp. No monthly fees, no minimum balance, fully remote onboarding once your entity is formed.
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Wise — Multi-Currency Account With a US Routing Number
Wise gives non-residents a USD account with a real US routing/account number (plus 40+ other currencies) without needing a US entity or SSN. Good fit if you need to receive USD payments without incorporating.
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Payoneer — Marketplace and Freelance Payouts
Payoneer is the closest fit if you're getting paid by US marketplaces (Amazon, Upwork, Fiverr) as a non-resident — it issues a receiving account without a US entity.
This page contains affiliate links. If you sign up through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. See our disclosure policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a non-US resident open a US bank account?
Yes. Several fintech platforms (Mercury, Wise, Payoneer) let non-residents open US business or multi-currency accounts fully online, without a US address or SSN. Traditional banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo) generally still require an in-person branch visit and US residency status.
Do I need a US LLC to open a US bank account as a non-resident?
Mercury requires a US-registered business entity (LLC or C-Corp) to open an account — it does not offer personal accounts to non-residents. Wise and Payoneer offer accounts to individuals and businesses without requiring a US entity.
Do I need an SSN or ITIN?
Not for fintech platforms aimed at non-residents — Mercury, Wise, and Payoneer accept an EIN (for the business) or passport-based verification instead of an SSN. Traditional banks generally require an ITIN or SSN.
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