Best USA Business Bank Accounts for Non-US Residents in 2026

Traveling to America to open a business bank account was how non-residents accomplished their goal in previous times. The situation has changed, but for the worse.

In 2026, you can apply for an American business account remotely, but now it is significantly harder to be approved by platforms such as Mercury, Wise, Relay, and others. To succeed, you must understand which platforms accept which documents.

In the guide below, you’ll find the best business bank accounts for non-US residents in 2026, their requirements, and the pros and cons of each platform.

The One Thing You Will Require Anyway

No matter what bank you apply to, there is always one universal requirement you must meet to apply for a business account remotely:

A US-registered business entity.

All platforms covered in the guide — Mercury, Wise Business, Relay, and Airwallex — require a US-based LLC or C-Corporation to be registered and in legal standing at the time of application.

No business owner who is not a US resident can get a US bank account without forming a US LLC beforehand.

Delaware LLCs are the most common among US residents and foreigners due to friendly legislation, relatively cheap services and registration, and robust confidentiality measures.

After forming an LLC, the next step is getting an Employer Identification Number (EIN) issued by the IRS. In a way, the EIN is a business’s counterpart to an SSN, and all banks require this document during the application.

It takes about 1–2 weeks to register an LLC online (using online LLC registration platforms) and get the required EIN.

As for the price tag:

• Registering a Delaware LLC usually costs between $50 and $300
• Getting the EIN will only add another few dollars

1. Mercury — Best Overall Solution for Startups and Digital Businesses

mercury.com

The most used platform by non-residents to open a US business bank account, Mercury consistently ranks among the top choices for founders and entrepreneurs who work with American LLCs.

There is no need to visit a physical office as Mercury accepts fully remote applications.

Plus, you will get:

• Zero monthly fees
• Zero minimum balance requirement

What Mercury Offers

• Free checking and savings accounts, debit cards, and API integrations
• Free domestic and international wire transfers in USD
• FDIC insurance up to $5 million through its multi-bank sweep network (Choice Financial Group and Column N.A.)
• Integrations with Stripe, Shopify, PayPal, Amazon, and major accounting software (QuickBooks, Xero, and others)

Requirements to Get a Mercury Business Bank Account

• US LLC or C-Corporation
• Employer Identification Number (preferably as an original CP-575 letter or 147C letter from the IRS)
• Passport or government-issued ID
• Verifiable address in the US or abroad (must be valid at the time of application)
• Detailed explanation of your business’s nature in plain English

Important Notes

Mercury does not have any requirements regarding a US address or citizenship, but some high-risk countries are prohibited on its side.

For instance, Russian citizens and residents are unable to apply because of OFAC sanctions against the country.

Best For

• Sole founders
• Startups
• eCommerce businesses
• SaaS providers

who seek a user-friendly experience.

2. Wise Business — Best Option for Multi-Currency Accounts

wise.com/business

As for the legal part, Wise Business is not a bank — it operates as a Money Services Business and Electronic Money Institution and cannot provide FDIC insurance on standard balances.

Having said that, Wise still keeps client funds in segregated accounts, so you will have little to worry about.

What makes this platform attractive is its multi-currency nature. You will be able to:

• Store balances in 40+ currencies
• Make money transfers at the mid-market rate with low commissions
• Use local bank accounts in different currencies such as USD, GBP, EUR, and others

Features of Wise Business

• Multi-currency accounts with local bank details in 40+ currencies
• Conversion between different currencies at mid-market rate (with a low fee on conversion)
• Physical and virtual Visa debit cards
• Batch payment processing
• Integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, and other accounting software

Requirements

• LLC registered in the US (and other supported jurisdictions)
• Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Government-issued ID
• Valid US-operating address
• Payment of $31 per month to unlock routing and account numbers

Note

To receive payments via routing/account numbers in USD, you will have to purchase the paid Wise plan. The monthly fee is $31.

Best For

Businesses that deal with clients or suppliers from multiple countries and prefer to be paid in different currencies.

3. Relay — Best Platform for Accounting Needs

relayfi.com

For many small business owners who practice the Profit First method of accounting, Relay is an excellent choice.

By default, the app allows users to open up to 20 checking accounts and issue unlimited Visa debit cards for their employees for free.

What Relay Can Offer

• No fees or minimum balance requirements for up to 20 checking accounts
• Unlimited Visa debit cards, both physical and virtual
• Up to 1.5% cash back for spending through Relay credit cards
• FDIC insurance up to $3 million from partner bank Thread Bank
• Integrations with QuickBooks Online and Xero

Requirements

• Registered US LLC with a US-operational address
• Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Government-issued identification for business owners
• A country that is not prohibited on the side of Relay

Important Note

Relay has the most stringent requirements concerning the US-based operating address among other platforms, meaning your LLC must have an actual US physical address to qualify.

Best For

• Service businesses
• Agencies
• Businesses that benefit from managing budgets and payments using different accounts

4. Airwallex — Best for Global Business Operations

airwallex.com

As for the official designation, Airwallex refers to itself as a global financial operating system.

While you don’t necessarily need this app to operate in several countries and handle international payments and expenses, it can help simplify those processes.

What Airwallex Can Offer

• Multiple local currency accounts in 20+ currencies (USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, and others)
• Multi-currency Visa debit cards with up to 1.5% cash-back rewards
• Bill pay and expense management features
• Foreign exchange conversions at highly competitive rates (better than Mercury’s 1% for non-USD transactions)
• Integrations with Xero, QuickBooks, NetSuite, and others

Required Documents

• LLC or other entity from one of Airwallex’s 68 eligible jurisdictions
• Real domain name and an existing website
• Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Information on business activities

Note

Airwallex is often considered a more complex solution as it has higher eligibility criteria than other platforms (especially Mercury).

According to reviews, you are unlikely to get approved if you just got your LLC and have no web presence at all.

Best For

Global businesses that need to pay clients or suppliers in several currencies.

5. Lili — Emerging Alternative for Entrepreneurs

lili.co

Being a newcomer, Lili has already attracted much attention due to its affordable pricing and simplicity of use.

The most interesting feature that Lili can provide is built-in invoicing and accounting functions.

The basic version is free and requires:

• No minimum balance
• No monthly fees

Wire transfer services are provided by Column Bank N.A., Member FDIC.

Cashback rewards and accounting software are unlocked when you get the Pro, Smart, or Premium plan.

Best For

• Freelancers
• Early-stage businesses
• Solo founders

who want an integrated approach to their finances.

What Non-US Residents Need to Consider

Tough Approvals

Requirements have become more demanding during the past two years. Your application will be declined or put on hold if you do not have enough information about your company.

Fintech vs. Bank

None of the platforms listed above are real banks, and FDIC insurance runs through their partner banks rather than the fintech companies themselves.

Country Restrictions Exist

All the platforms are prohibited in some countries, especially those considered high-risk in terms of terrorism financing, drug trafficking, or other criminal activities.

Russian citizens or residents are blocked across all the platforms mentioned due to OFAC sanctions.

Mercury + Wise Tandem Is Common Among Founders

Non-US residents frequently use two banking platforms:

• Mercury for regular business payments
• Wise for international transfers

Proper Documentation Is Necessary

Have the following documents ready before submitting your application:

• EIN as an original CP-575 or 147C letter
• Business license and operating agreement
• Passport or government-issued ID
• Detailed business description

These documents significantly improve your chances of approval.

Quick Comparison

Final Thoughts

The best business bank account for non-US residents depends on your situation. If you are a solo founder running a digital business and want the simplest, most reliable setup, Mercury remains the benchmark. If cross-border transactions in multiple currencies are central to how you operate, Wise Business or Airwallex fill that gap. If clean financial organisation across multiple accounts matters to your workflow, Relay is worth the extra setup effort.

What is clear across all options is this: having a properly formed US LLC with a valid EIN, clean documentation, and a credible business description is no longer optional. It is the foundation everything else is built on.

Disclaimer: Banking eligibility, fees, and country restrictions change frequently. This article reflects publicly available information as of mid-2026 and is for informational purposes only. Always verify current requirements directly with each provider before applying. This is not financial or legal advice.