How to Open a US Business Bank Account Without SSN or ITIN

Which banks accept non-residents without SSN?

Three financial institutions consistently accept non-resident Wyoming LLC owners without an SSN or ITIN: Mercury Bank, Relay Bank, and Wise Business. These fintech banks have designed their verification processes specifically to serve international entrepreneurs who lack US personal tax identification numbers.

Mercury is the most popular choice among non-resident Wyoming LLC owners due to its startup-friendly features, $0 fees, and strong reputation in the non-resident business community. Relay is the strongest alternative with unique features like multiple checking accounts and team debit cards. Wise Business complements either bank for international transfers and multi-currency management.

How do I open a Mercury Bank account without SSN?

Mercury accepts non-resident Wyoming LLC owners through a 100% online application process. No SSN, ITIN, or US visit is required. The application takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and approval typically takes 1-5 business days.

Step-by-Step Mercury Application

1. Visit mercury.com and click "Open an Account" or "Apply."
2. Select "LLC" as your business type.
3. Enter your Wyoming LLC name exactly as registered with the state.
4. Enter your EIN (9-digit Employer Identification Number).
5. Enter the LLC's Wyoming address (registered agent address).
6. Upload your Articles of Organization (PDF or image).
7. Upload your EIN confirmation letter (CP 575).
8. Upload your signed operating agreement.
9. Enter your personal information (name, date of birth, home address).
10. Upload your foreign passport for identity verification.
11. Describe your business activity, website, and expected monthly transaction volume.
12. Submit the application.

Mercury Features for Non-Residents

• Checking account: US routing number and account number for ACH transfers
• Savings account: Earn interest on idle balances
• Treasury: Higher yield through US Treasury bills
• Virtual debit cards: Available immediately upon approval
• Physical debit cards: Shipped internationally (7-14 days)
• ACH transfers: Free domestic transfers (1-2 business days)
• Wire transfers: Domestic ($5) and international ($20-$40)
• Accounting integrations: QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks
• Team access: Add team members with role-based permissions

Read the full guide on Mercury Bank for Wyoming LLC.

How do I open a Relay Bank account without SSN?

Relay Bank accepts non-resident Wyoming LLC owners with the same documents as Mercury: Articles of Organization, EIN letter, operating agreement, and foreign passport. Relay differentiates itself with multiple checking accounts, team debit cards, and expense management features.

Step-by-Step Relay Application

1. Visit relayfi.com and click "Get Started."
2. Enter your email and create an account.
3. Select "LLC" as your business type.
4. Enter your Wyoming LLC name and EIN.
5. Upload Articles of Organization, EIN letter, and operating agreement.
6. Enter your personal details and upload your foreign passport.
7. Describe your business and expected transaction volume.
8. Submit and wait for approval (1-5 business days).

Relay Features for Non-Residents

• Up to 20 checking accounts: Separate accounts for different purposes (operations, taxes, savings, payroll)
• Team debit cards: Issue cards with individual spend limits to team members
• Expense management: Track and categorize expenses by account
• ACH and wire transfers: Standard domestic and international transfers
• Accounting integrations: QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks
• No monthly fees: Free checking accounts with no minimum balance

Mercury vs Relay for Non-Residents

How does Wise Business work for non-resident LLC owners?

Wise Business provides multi-currency accounts in 40+ currencies including USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, and AUD. Non-resident Wyoming LLC owners use Wise alongside Mercury or Relay for international transfers, currency conversion, and receiving payments in multiple currencies.

Wise Business Features

• USD account details: US routing number and account number for receiving USD payments
• Multi-currency: Hold balances in 40+ currencies simultaneously
• Mid-market exchange rate: Convert currencies at the real exchange rate with low transparent fees (0.4-0.6% for USD conversions)
• International transfers: Send money to 80+ countries at competitive rates
• Debit card: Spend in any currency using the Wise card
• Batch payments: Pay multiple recipients at once
• Accounting integrations: QuickBooks, Xero integration

When to Use Wise vs Mercury/Relay

Wise is not a full bank replacement. It does not offer traditional checking accounts, check deposits, or the same depth of US banking services as Mercury or Relay. Use Mercury or Relay as your primary US business bank for ACH deposits from Stripe, domestic payments, and US banking needs. Use Wise for international transfers, currency conversion, and receiving payments in non-USD currencies.

Wise Business Application

Sign up at wise.com/business. Enter your Wyoming LLC name, EIN, and business address. Upload your Articles of Organization, EIN letter, and foreign passport. Wise verifies your identity and business, typically within 1-3 business days. No SSN or ITIN is required.

Why do traditional banks require SSN or ITIN?

Traditional US banks require SSN or ITIN because of regulatory compliance requirements, KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures, and credit reporting obligations. Understanding why they have this requirement helps non-residents choose the right banking path.

Bank Secrecy Act and CDD Requirements

The Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and FinCEN's Customer Due Diligence (CDD) Rule require banks to identify and verify the identity of beneficial owners of business accounts. Traditional banks have historically used SSN as the primary identification method. Fintech banks satisfy the same regulatory requirements using foreign passport verification combined with EIN and business document verification.

Credit Reporting

Traditional banks report account activity to US credit bureaus using SSN as the identifier. Without an SSN, they cannot link the account to a credit profile. Fintech banks do not prioritize credit reporting and therefore do not need an SSN for this purpose.

Legacy Systems

Many traditional banks operate on legacy technology systems built around the SSN as a mandatory field. Updating these systems to accommodate international customers with only passport verification requires significant investment. Fintech banks built their systems from scratch with international customers in mind, which is why they can accept passport-based verification.

When to Choose a Traditional Bank

Non-residents who specifically need traditional banking (for SBA loans, business lines of credit, commercial real estate loans, or in-person banking services) should obtain an ITIN first and then apply at a traditional bank during a US visit. Read the guide on how to get an ITIN. For most non-resident online businesses, fintech banks provide all necessary services without the ITIN requirement.

What documents do I need to open a bank account?

Mercury, Relay, and Wise require the same core set of documents from non-resident Wyoming LLC owners. Having all documents ready before starting the application prevents delays and ensures a smooth approval process.

Document Preparation Tips

• Scan all documents as clear, high-resolution PDFs before starting the application
• Ensure the LLC name on Articles matches the EIN letter exactly
• Sign the operating agreement before uploading
• Passport photo page must be clear and fully readable
• Proof of address should be dated within the last 3 months
• Keep all documents in a single folder for quick access during the application

What is the bank account approval process?

Mercury and Relay review applications in 1-5 business days. The review process includes identity verification, business legitimacy checks, and compliance screening. Understanding the process helps you prepare for potential follow-up questions.

What Banks Verify

1. LLC legitimacy: Banks verify your LLC exists with the Wyoming Secretary of State by checking the public database.
2. EIN validity: Banks cross-reference your EIN with IRS records to confirm it is assigned to your LLC.
3. Owner identity: Banks verify your passport information against the operating agreement and responsible party on the EIN.
4. Business activity: Banks review your described business activity and website to assess risk. Certain industries (cryptocurrency, gambling, adult content, cannabis) face additional scrutiny or exclusion.
5. Sanctions screening: Banks screen the LLC owner against OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) sanctions lists and other compliance databases.

Common Approval Issues

• Name mismatch: The name on your passport must match the responsible party on the EIN and the member name on the operating agreement. Any discrepancy triggers a manual review.
• Restricted countries: Some fintech banks restrict applications from certain countries due to sanctions or compliance concerns. Mercury and Relay accept most countries but not all.
• Restricted industries: High-risk industries may be declined. Review each bank's prohibited activities list before applying.
• Missing website: Banks prefer to see an active business website. If you do not have a website, provide a detailed description of your business activity.

What to Do If Declined

If Mercury declines your application, try Relay (and vice versa). Each bank has different risk criteria. If both decline, consider Wise Business as a temporary solution while you build business history. You can also apply for an ITIN and try a traditional bank. Some fintech banks allow re-application after 90 days with updated business information.

How do I get a debit card without SSN?

Mercury and Relay issue both virtual and physical debit cards to non-resident account holders without requiring an SSN or ITIN. Virtual cards are available immediately upon account approval for online purchases and subscriptions. Physical cards are shipped to your international address.

Virtual Debit Cards

Upon account approval, activate a virtual debit card within the Mercury or Relay dashboard. Virtual cards provide a card number, expiration date, and CVV for online transactions. Use virtual cards for online subscriptions (hosting, software, advertising), e-commerce purchases, and any online payment that accepts Visa or Mastercard.

Physical Debit Cards

Request a physical debit card from the bank dashboard. Both Mercury and Relay ship physical Visa or Mastercard debit cards internationally. Delivery takes 7-14 business days to most countries. Physical cards work for in-store purchases, ATM withdrawals (subject to fees), and any point-of-sale transaction worldwide.

Debit Card Fees

How do I connect my bank to Stripe?

After opening your Mercury or Relay account, connect it to Stripe for payment processing. Stripe deposits your payment revenue into your US bank account every 2 business days via ACH transfer. The connection requires your bank's routing number and account number.

Connecting Mercury to Stripe

1. Log into your Mercury dashboard and navigate to Account Details.
2. Copy your ACH routing number and account number.
3. Log into Stripe and navigate to Settings > Payouts.
4. Click "Add bank account" and select "United States."
5. Enter Mercury's routing number and your account number.
6. Stripe verifies the account with two micro-deposits (1-2 business days).
7. Confirm the micro-deposit amounts in Stripe to complete verification.

Payout Schedule

Stripe processes payouts to your bank account on a rolling 2-business-day schedule by default. You can customize the payout schedule to daily, weekly, or monthly in Stripe's settings. ACH transfers from Stripe to Mercury or Relay arrive in 1-2 business days. There is no fee for ACH payouts.

Alternative: Direct Stripe Account Verification

Some non-residents connect their bank to Stripe using Plaid (Stripe's bank verification partner). If Mercury or Relay appears in Plaid's bank list, you can verify instantly by logging into your bank account through Plaid during the Stripe setup process. This skips the micro-deposit verification step.

How do I transfer money internationally?

Non-resident LLC owners transfer money from their US bank account to their home country bank account using Wise Business, SWIFT wire transfers, or Payoneer. Wise offers the best exchange rates for most transfer amounts.

Wise Business Transfers (Recommended)

Transfer USD from Mercury or Relay to your home country bank account through Wise Business. Wise uses the real mid-market exchange rate with low transparent fees (typically 0.4-0.6% for USD conversions). Transfers arrive in 1-3 business days. Link your Mercury or Relay account as a funding source in Wise and initiate transfers to your local bank account.

SWIFT Wire Transfers

Mercury and Relay support outgoing international SWIFT wire transfers. Wire transfer fees range from $20-$40 per transfer from the sending bank, plus potential intermediary bank fees ($10-$25) and receiving bank fees ($10-$25). Wire transfers are best for large amounts ($10,000+) where the flat fee is proportionally small. Transfers take 1-5 business days.

Payoneer

Payoneer provides a USD receiving account and multi-currency payment platform. Transfer USD from Mercury or Relay to Payoneer, then withdraw to your local bank account. Payoneer charges higher fees than Wise (1-2%) but offers additional features including the Payoneer card and marketplace integrations (Amazon, Upwork, Fiverr).