Banking GuideFor international LLC owners · 7 min read

How to open a US bank account without SSN: Mercury, Wise and Payoneer guide for international LLC owners

Q: Can I open a US bank account without visiting the US?

Yes. Mercury, Wise Business, and Payoneer all allow you to open accounts entirely online without visiting the US. You'll need your LLC documents, EIN, and passport — no in-person visit required.

Q: Does Mercury work for non-US residents?

Yes. Mercury is specifically designed for startups and online businesses, including those owned by non-US residents. You need an EIN, a US LLC, and valid government-issued ID. Mercury does not serve residents of certain sanctioned countries.

Q: Is Wise a real bank account?

Wise Business provides a US account number and routing number that functions like a real US bank account for receiving payments. However, it's technically an e-money account, not an FDIC-insured bank account. For most international sellers, this distinction doesn't matter for day-to-day use.

Q: Can I receive Amazon payments in a Wise or Payoneer account?

Amazon Seller Central accepts both Wise and Payoneer account numbers for disbursements, as long as the account holds a valid US routing number and account number. Mercury also works for Amazon disbursements.

Q: What if Mercury rejects my application?

Mercury rejects applications for various reasons: incomplete documents, LLC not yet in good standing, or account volume patterns that trigger fraud checks. Wise or Payoneer are solid alternatives. We can advise on which option fits your situation best.

Q: Do I need a US address to open these accounts?

Mercury and Relay require a US address (your registered agent's address is usually acceptable). Wise and Payoneer are more flexible and often accept international addresses, though a US address can help with approval.

Q: Can I use my LLC's registered agent address for Mercury?

Yes. Mercury accepts registered agent addresses as the business address on your application. Just make sure the address on your Mercury application matches what's on your LLC formation documents.

Q: What's the difference between Mercury and Relay?

Both are excellent US business bank accounts for international LLCs. Mercury is more widely used in the e-commerce community and has a slicker dashboard. Relay offers more sub-accounts for budgeting. Either works well — Mercury is our most commonly recommended option.

A US bank account separates your business finances, lets you receive marketplace disbursements, and makes tax time simpler. You don't need an SSN or a US visit to open one — here's how.

What you'll need before you apply

• A formed US LLC (Wyoming or Delaware recommended for non-residents)
• An EIN from the IRS
• A valid passport or government-issued photo ID
• Your LLC Articles of Organization / Certificate of Formation

Why you need a US bank account

Receiving Amazon or Shopify payouts into a foreign bank account creates immediate problems: your marketplace may not support international accounts, currency conversion fees eat into margins, and US tax compliance becomes harder without a clear paper trail.

Marketplace disbursements

Amazon, Walmart, Etsy, and Shopify prefer — or require — a US bank account for disbursements to US-registered businesses.

Stripe and PayPal

Stripe requires a US bank account to pay out USD balances from a US Stripe account. PayPal Business works similarly.

Professional credibility

US clients and suppliers feel more comfortable paying a US bank account. It also avoids international wire fees on their end.

Tax separation

A dedicated US business account makes it straightforward to identify business income and expenses for your annual IRS filings.

Lower conversion fees

Holding USD in a US account and converting only what you need, when you need it, saves money versus mandatory conversion on every payout.

Mercury vs Wise vs Payoneer: full comparison

Three options dominate for international LLC owners. Here's how they stack up:

Feature	Mercury	Wise Business	Payoneer
Account type	FDIC-insured bank account	E-money account (US routing + account number)	Payment account (US receiving details)
EIN required	Yes	Recommended	Recommended
LLC required	Yes	Preferred (sole proprietor also works)	Preferred
Application fully online	Yes	Yes	Yes
Monthly fee	$0	$0 (send fees apply)	$0 (receive/withdraw fees apply)
US debit card	Yes (Mastercard)	Yes (Visa)	Yes (Mastercard)
Amazon disbursements	Yes	Yes	Yes
Stripe/PayPal compatible	Yes	Yes	Limited
Wire transfers	Yes (free incoming)	Yes	Yes
Best for	Main business bank account	Multi-currency + global payments	Marketplace sellers (Amazon, Upwork, Fiverr)

Requirements and documents for each option

Mercury

Best overall choice for most international LLC owners

US LLC in good standing (Articles of Organization or Certificate of Formation)

EIN confirmation letter (CP 575) or EIN assignment letter

Valid government-issued photo ID (passport preferred)

US business address (registered agent address acceptable)

Social Security Number is NOT required for non-resident foreign owners

Mercury does not serve residents of: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, or other OFAC-sanctioned jurisdictions

Wise Business

Best for multi-currency operations and global payments

US LLC documents (or you can open as a sole proprietor)

EIN recommended but not always mandatory at sign-up

Valid government-issued ID (passport or national ID)

Business address — international addresses accepted

Description of your business activities

Note: Wise may request additional verification during account review

Payoneer

Best for Amazon, Upwork, Fiverr, and marketplace payouts

Government-issued photo ID (passport, driver's license, or national ID)

Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement — international addresses fine)

LLC formation documents if registering as a business

EIN recommended for business accounts

Payoneer is accepted directly by Amazon, Upwork, Fiverr, and many other platforms

Payoneer provides a US payment account — not a full bank account with Visa/wire features of Mercury

Step-by-step: opening your Mercury account

Mercury is the most popular choice for international e-commerce LLCs. Here's the complete process:

Have your LLC and EIN ready

Before applying, ensure your LLC is in good standing with the state and you have your EIN letter. Mercury will verify both.

Go to Mercury's website and start an application

Visit mercury.com and click 'Open an account.' Mercury's entire process is online — no phone calls needed.

Enter your LLC details

Provide your LLC name, EIN, state of formation, business address (registered agent address is fine), and business description.

Verify your identity

Upload your passport or government ID. Mercury uses an automated verification system. Have a clear, well-lit photo of your document ready.

Upload your LLC documents

Upload your Articles of Organization or Certificate of Formation. These must show the same LLC name as your EIN letter.

Wait for approval

Mercury typically approves or requests more information within 1–5 business days. Once approved, your account is live and you'll receive virtual account numbers immediately.

Tips to maximise your approval chances

Match names exactly

The name on your Mercury application, your EIN letter, and your LLC documents must all match precisely — including spacing and punctuation.

Use your registered agent address

If you don't have a US address, use your registered agent's address. This is legal and widely accepted.

Describe your business clearly

When asked about your business activities, be specific: 'Amazon FBA seller of consumer electronics' is better than 'e-commerce.' Vague descriptions trigger more scrutiny.

Have your EIN letter ready

The CP 575 or 147C letter from the IRS is the most reliable proof of your EIN. Screenshots of the IRS portal are not accepted.

Don't rush document uploads

Blurry or cropped ID photos are a top rejection reason. Take the photos in good lighting and ensure all four corners of the document are visible.

If Mercury declines, try Relay

Relay is Mercury's main alternative and is equally popular with international LLC owners. Some applicants who were declined by Mercury were approved by Relay within days.

Need help getting your LLC and EIN ready for Mercury?

We handle LLC formation, EIN application, and advise on your banking setup. Most clients have their LLC + EIN ready for Mercury in under 5 weeks.

Frequently asked questions

Can I open a US bank account without visiting the US?

Does Mercury work for non-US residents?

Is Wise a real bank account?

Can I receive Amazon payments in a Wise or Payoneer account?

What if Mercury rejects my application?

Do I need a US address to open these accounts?

Can I use my LLC's registered agent address for Mercury?

What's the difference between Mercury and Relay?