Odies Digital LLC · Business Banking · Research reviewed October 4, 2026
Photo by SumUp on Unsplash, used under the Unsplash License. Digital payment illustration; this photo does not depict a bank reviewed below.
Looking for a bank account for your US LLC? Your choice depends on where you live, where your business operates, and which identity and address documents you can provide. Some providers accept eligible founders living abroad. Others require a US residential address and Social Security number.
This guide compares ten banks and financial platforms for US LLC owners, with a focus on residency requirements. This is an editorial shortlist, not a ranking based on approval rates. Eligibility, fees and supported countries can change.
Quick answer: which accounts support non-resident LLC owners?
Mercury and Relay accept eligible foreign-owned US businesses. Wise Business and Airwallex also have verification processes for non-US owners, subject to country, business and address rules. Bluevine now offers online onboarding for owners residing in selected countries. Novo and Axos require US residency. Bank of America's published LLC application route requires US-based resident applicants. Chase and Wells Fargo require closer review of your circumstances; do not assume a foreign passport guarantees remote approval.
Citizenship and residency are different. A person can be a non-US citizen and still live in the United States. A US-registered LLC does not automatically make its owner a US resident.
US LLC banking comparison
| Provider | Type | US residents | Owners living abroad | Main eligibility point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Mercury | Fintech; partner-bank services | Eligible applicants | Eligible countries and businesses | US entity, EIN, real operating address and existing or planned US operations |
| 2. Relay | Fintech; partner-bank services | Eligible applicants | Conditional | US operating presence, address verification and country restrictions |
| 3. Wise Business | Payments platform | Eligible applicants | Conditional | Supported location, physical trading address and owner verification |
| 4. Airwallex | Financial and payments platform | Eligible applicants | Conditional; extra evidence may be needed | US company documents and verifiable business activity |
| 5. Bluevine | Fintech; partner-bank services | Eligible applicants | Selected supported countries | US entity, EIN, passports and acceptable addresses |
| 6. Novo | Fintech; partner-bank services | US-resident applicants | Not under its published applicant rules | SSN, US residential address and active US mobile number |
| 7. Axos Bank | Bank | US-resident applicants | Not under its published business signer rules | US residency, physical US address and SSN |
| 8. Chase | Bank | Eligible applicants | Confirm directly with a business banker | LLC structure, identity documents and application channel matter |
| 9. Bank of America | Bank | US-based resident applicants | Not through the published LLC application route | US formation and operations; resident applicant requirements |
| 10. Wells Fargo | Bank | Eligible applicants | Confirm directly with a business banker | Physical business address, owner IDs and entity documents |
Important distinction: Mercury, Relay, Bluevine and Novo are financial technology companies offering banking services through partner banks. Wise and Airwallex are financial platforms, not interchangeable substitutes for every bank service. Check how funds are held and protected, and whether the specific product provides deposit insurance or safeguarding. This guide does not treat every balance as FDIC-insured.
Options that may support non-resident US LLC owners
1. Mercury: digital banking for eligible international founders
Mercury allows applications from eligible owners who are not physically in the US. A US LLC needs formation documents, its IRS-issued EIN document and owner identification. The business must have existing or planned US operations and a real principal operating address, which may be in the US or abroad. A registered agent, PO box or UPS box cannot serve as that operating address. Restricted countries and industries still apply.
Consider it for: an online business seeking remote account management. Check Mercury's official LLC eligibility and disclosures.
2. Relay: business banking with US operating-presence requirements
Relay accepts eligible US-registered businesses owned by non-US citizens or residents, provided the business has an operating presence in the US. LLC applications require an EIN and formation documents; multi-member LLCs also need a signed operating agreement. Non-US owners provide a passport and additional business information. Its published documentation includes physical US address requirements, so founders living abroad should confirm the exact owner and operating-address rules before applying.
Consider it for: a foreign-owned LLC with verifiable US operations. Review Relay's required documents.
3. Wise Business: international payments with location restrictions
Wise's US-business verification process includes non-US beneficial owners, who may provide photo identification. It distinguishes the registered address from the actual physical trading address; a registration agency or virtual address cannot replace your workplace. Availability depends on your business and supported locations. Its US verification page currently excludes businesses from Nevada and certain US territories. Confirm that the currency balances and receiving details you need are available for your profile.
Consider it for: an eligible business making cross-border payments. Read Wise's US-business verification rules.
4. Airwallex: global financial operations with additional verification
Airwallex's US-company requirements include EIN evidence, formation documents and ownership verification. Non-US individuals can be asked for government-issued photo ID instead of a US person's SSN. A business largely operated outside the US may need extra evidence, such as US customer contracts, invoices, employees or a traditional US bank statement. This is a conditional option, not a promise that a newly formed LLC without genuine operations will qualify.
Consider it for: an eligible company managing international business activity. Check Airwallex's US-company requirements.
5. Bluevine: online access for owners in selected countries
Bluevine now supports eligible international owners of US entities residing in selected countries. Its published list includes Canada, the UK, India, Australia and several European countries, among others. International applicants do not need an SSN, but need a US entity and EIN, valid owner passports and acceptable legal, personal and operating addresses. Haiti and the Dominican Republic are not on the published supported-country list reviewed for this guide. Check the live list rather than assuming every country qualifies.
Consider it for: eligible founders residing in a supported country. See Bluevine's current international-owner rules.
Resident-only routes and traditional bank options
6. Novo: US-resident owners with an SSN
Novo's published application rules require an SSN, a valid US residential address and an active US cell phone number; virtual numbers are not accepted. It currently accepts applicants who live in the US. An LLC's EIN does not replace the applicant's SSN. If you live abroad, do not treat a registered agent address as proof that you satisfy Novo's residential requirement.
Read Novo's SSN and residency requirements.
7. Axos Bank: an online bank requiring US residency
Axos states that citizenship is not required to open a business account or become a signer, but US residency, a physical US address and a Social Security number are required. Non-citizens may be asked for additional identity documents. This makes it a resident-focused option rather than a remote account-opening solution for an owner living abroad.
Check Axos business banking FAQs.
8. Chase: confirm eligibility and the correct application route
Chase publishes identification requirements for non-US citizens, including some applicants without a green card. That does not establish blanket eligibility for every owner living abroad. Its online route is limited to particular LLC structures; multi-member or multi-manager LLCs may need a branch application. Contact a Chase business banker with your ownership structure, residency and documents before making travel plans.
Review Chase's business account information.
9. Bank of America: its published LLC application requires US-based residents
Bank of America's LLC application page says applicants should be US residents and US-based, and that foreign business customers cannot apply through that route. It also requires US formation and primary business operations in the US. Its personal banking information for international individuals should not be used as proof that a foreign-owned LLC can open a business account remotely. Ask a business specialist about any alternative your circumstances might qualify for.
Read Bank of America's LLC application requirements.
10. Wells Fargo: verify your circumstances with a business banker
Wells Fargo accepts several identity documents, including passports, and requires evidence of the LLC's registration. Its business rules require a physical address and reject registered-agent addresses, virtual addresses and commercial mailboxes as substitutes. Multiple owners may need to attend or provide notarized forms. The published document checklist is not a universal promise of remote onboarding for non-residents; confirm residency and tax-ID requirements directly.
Review Wells Fargo's business account checklist.
Documents to prepare before applying
- State-approved Articles of Organization or Certificate of Formation.
- Your LLC's EIN confirmation, when required by the provider.
- An operating agreement and accurate ownership percentages.
- Valid identification for owners and the person controlling the company.
- Real personal and operating addresses, with supporting evidence.
- A clear business description, expected transaction volumes and source of funds.
- Customer contracts, invoices, licenses or other evidence of genuine activity when requested.
Requirements differ. Do not buy a mailing address assuming it satisfies every provider's physical-address rules, and never describe a registered-agent address as your actual operating location if it is not.
How to choose a suitable account for your LLC
Start with eligibility rather than a promotional rate. Then compare monthly charges, ACH and wire fees, foreign-exchange costs, cash-deposit access, payment limits, bookkeeping tools, support and fund protection. Check whether the bank permits your industry and country of residence. Confirm that your payment processor supports the specific account type and account details; opening an LLC or account does not automatically secure Stripe, PayPal or other processor approval.
Frequently asked questions
Can a non-resident open a US LLC bank account online?
Sometimes. Mercury and some other providers accept eligible international owners, but country restrictions, real address requirements and business verification still apply. US LLC registration alone is not sufficient.
Can I open an account without an SSN?
Some providers have passport-based verification routes for eligible non-US owners. Novo and Axos publish SSN requirements. Check the specific account's rules; an EIN identifies the business and is not a substitute for every owner's personal tax ID.
Do I need an ITIN for every business account?
No. The requirement depends on the provider and your circumstances. Some eligible international-owner routes accept passports and an LLC EIN. An ITIN is not a universal account-opening credential and does not guarantee approval.
Does a professional website help with verification?
A clear website can explain your real products, services and contact information. Wise and Airwallex may request a website or other business evidence. A website supports a consistent application; it does not replace identity checks or guarantee acceptance.
Prepare your US business with Odies Digital LLC
Need your business foundation ready before applying? Odies Digital's US LLC formation service costs $300 plus state filing fees and includes EIN application support. Registered-agent renewal is $80 per year starting on the first anniversary, with no $80 renewal charge at the initial purchase.
Already have an LLC? Explore EIN application support for $69.99. This is a preparation and assistance fee; IRS EIN issuance is free. Need to present your business clearly online? Our professional website services start at $599. ITIN application support is available separately where relevant to your circumstances.
Explore LLC formation with Odies Digital or get help with your existing LLC's EIN.
Odies Digital provides the services described on its service pages. Account approval remains the provider's decision. No bank partnership or guaranteed account opening is represented by this article. This guide provides general business information; confirm current requirements with the provider before applying.
