How to Open a US Bank Account as a Non-Resident or Foreign National
Which banks work with non-residents, what documents you actually need, whether you need an SSN or ITIN, and when foreign-account reporting may apply.
A nonresident may be able to open a U.S. account, but eligibility depends on the provider, account type and applicant. Check identity, address and operating requirements before forming an entity or paying for setup. Account opening and tax compliance are separate decisions.
Start with the account holder and purpose
Decide whether the account belongs to you personally or to a business. Match its legal name to the formation and tax records. Keep owner contributions, loans, business receipts, expenses and distributions separately documented; moving money between your own accounts does not by itself establish taxable revenue or a deduction.
The location of a deposit does not by itself determine income source, residency or entity tax treatment. A foreign-owned U.S. LLC needs its own filing analysis even when its owner lives abroad. Read the FDAP and withholding guide before selecting withholding documentation.
SSN, ITIN and EIN serve different purposes
- SSN: an individual identifier for eligible people. Ask the provider which identity documents it needs.
- ITIN: an IRS individual tax identifier for a qualifying federal tax purpose when an SSN is unavailable. Banking alone does not establish eligibility. Review Form W-7 eligibility and document options.
- EIN: identifies a business for federal tax purposes. It does not establish the owners' identity, immigration status, tax residency or account approval. See the EIN application service.
Ask the provider which tax certification fits the actual account holder and tax classification. Do not select Form W-9 or W-8 solely because an LLC was formed in the United States.
Check provider eligibility before applying
These are examples of application requirements, not endorsements or promises of approval. Policies can change; follow the provider's current instructions.
Mercury
Mercury considers eligible U.S.-formed businesses with international founders, subject to industry, country and application review. It asks for existing or planned U.S. operations and a physical operating address; a registered-agent address does not qualify for the principal place of business. Adult-entertainment businesses are excluded under its published policy. Check Mercury eligibility.
Relay
Relay requires a business registered and operating in the United States, a supported industry and eligible owner residence. Its online application asks for entity, EIN, address and beneficial-owner information and is subject to review. It does not offer personal accounts. Check Relay eligibility.
Both providers describe themselves as financial technology companies with banking services supplied by partner banks. Read the actual deposit agreement and insurance conditions. Do not treat the technology company itself as an FDIC-insured bank.
Branch-based banks
Ask the specific bank about the intended account, owner residence, required tax IDs, address evidence and whether an in-person appointment is necessary. Obtain its current checklist before booking travel. This guide does not guarantee acceptance by Chase, Bank of America or any other bank.
Prepare a consistent application packet
- Confirm the legal entity and authorized account signers.
- Gather the provider's required formation documents and EIN confirmation.
- Provide valid owner identification and the ownership/control information requested.
- Document the actual operating address, business activity and source of funds.
- Check that names and addresses agree across records; explain legitimate differences.
- Retain the approval, agreement and opening statement. Give accounting access only through an appropriate permission level.
Send passports, tax IDs and bank records only through the provider's secure application or an agreed client portal. Do not put them in a public website inquiry.
Foreign accounts: check status before thresholds
FBAR generally covers U.S. persons, including U.S.-formed entities, when the aggregate value of covered foreign accounts exceeds $10,000 at any time in the calendar year. Financial interest, signature authority and exceptions must also be considered. A U.S. tax return, ITIN or U.S. bank account alone does not create individual FBAR residency. FinCEN defines the covered U.S. persons.
Example: a foreign owner who is not a U.S. person under the FBAR rules does not become one merely by owning a U.S. LLC. The LLC itself may need an FBAR for its foreign account. An account at a U.S. branch is not a foreign account solely because its owner lives abroad.
Form 8938 has a different scope and threshold structure. Check the FBAR and foreign-account guide and IRS Form 8938 instructions. The checker below is an educational starting point, not a residency determination.
When a tax review helps
Request a review if you are unsure of U.S. tax residency, who owns an account for reporting purposes, the LLC's filing obligations, or the appropriate withholding form. Prepare an account list, ownership chart, work locations and tax-residency history without sending sensitive documents through the inquiry form.
See our international tax services. For Turkish-language banking guidance, see the Turkish guide.
FBAR & FATCA Threshold Checker
First confirm that you are a covered person under each regime. This calculator compares thresholds; it does not establish residency or resolve exceptions.
FBAR & FATCA Threshold Checker
All foreign accounts combined, at any point during the year
Dec 31 balance across all foreign accounts
Thresholds shown are for single filers living in the U.S. Married filing jointly: FBAR threshold remains $10,000; FATCA threshold increases to $100,000 year-end / $150,000 at any time. Non-willful FBAR penalty: up to $16,536 per report (inflation-adjusted; statutory base $10,000).
Frequently Asked Questions
Primary sources
- Mercury eligibility and operating-address requirements
- Relay account eligibility
- IRS: Form W-7 instructions
- FinCEN: who is a U.S. person?
- IRS: Form 8938 instructions
Sources checked September 14, 2026. Provider acceptance remains subject to its current review.
Related Guides
FDAP Income Guide
FDAP income explained: the 30% withholding tax, treaty benefits, key exemptions, and reporting forms for nonresident aliens.
Form 5472 and the Foreign-Owned US LLC
Why a foreign-owned single-member LLC must file Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120, who counts as a 25% foreign owner, what a reportable transaction is, and the statutory $25,000 penalty. Covers the April 15 deadline, extensions, and getting an EIN without an SSN.
Do Non-US Amazon and E-Commerce Sellers Owe US Tax?
A guide for non-resident Amazon and e-commerce sellers: whether you owe US income tax (ECI and ETBUS), the Form 5472 filing a foreign-owned LLC still owes, sales tax nexus from FBA inventory, W-8BEN, and what to file each year.
Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not tax advice for your specific situation. Tax law changes, and how a rule applies depends on your facts. Reading this page does not create a client relationship with Arc & Ledger LLC. Before acting on anything here, confirm how it applies to your circumstances with a qualified tax professional.