Some links below are affiliate links — if you sign up through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you, and we only recommend services we've used or vetted. Full disclosure.
Yes — a non-resident can open a US business bank account remotely, without US residency and without an SSN. The short answer: Mercury for a clean US business account built for online companies, Wise Business for multi-currency and moving money across borders, and Relay as a strong third with sub-accounts. You'll need one thing first: an EIN.
First: get your EIN (no SSN required)
Every US business account needs your company's EIN. As a non-resident you get it by filing Form SS-4 by fax or mail, leaving the SSN/ITIN field blank and writing “Foreign” for the responsible party. No SSN, no ITIN required to obtain it. If you formed through doola or Firstbase, they get the EIN for you. Full sequence: the non-resident LLC playbook.
Mercury — best US business account for non-residents
Mercury is the account most non-resident founders reach for: no monthly fee, built for startups and online businesses, and it opens remotely with your formation docs, EIN, and passport. Eligibility depends on your country and can change, so check before you count on it — but for most founders it's the smoothest US account to run.
Wise Business — best for multi-currency and cross-border
Wise Business isn't a US bank, but it gives you US account details plus the ability to hold and convert dozens of currencies at the real exchange rate. If you invoice in USD but live and spend elsewhere, Wise often belongs alongside your US account, not instead of it.
Relay — best for organizing money
Relay is a solid non-resident-friendly option with multiple sub-accounts, which makes it easy to separate taxes, operating cash, and profit. Good if you want structure built into the banking itself.
Side by side
| Account | Best for | Opens remotely | Multi-currency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | Main US business account | Yes | Limited |
| Wise Business | Cross-border money | Yes | Yes (40+) |
| Relay | Organizing cash | Yes | Limited |
What you'll need to open
- Your US company's formation documents
- Your EIN
- A valid passport (and sometimes a second ID)
- A US business address — your registered agent's or a virtual one usually works
The practical combo
For most non-resident founders: Mercury as the main US account,Wise alongside it for converting and moving money home. Get the company and EIN sorted first — start with the non-resident LLC playbook or compare formation services.