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Best Bank for a Non-Resident LLC: Mercury vs Relay vs Wise vs Payoneer (2026)
The bank you can use depends less on your LLC and more on where you live. Here is how the main options compare for founders outside the US, which ones restrict certain countries, and what to prepare so your application is approved the first time.
For a US LLC owned from abroad, Mercury and Relay are the usual online business accounts, Wise and Payoneer are common for receiving and converting money, and your country of residence often decides which ones are open to you. Mercury, for example, does not open accounts for founders living in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria and several other countries. Have your formation document, EIN letter, passport and US address ready before you apply.
How the Main Options Compare
| Provider | What it is | Non-US owners | Country rules | What it usually asks for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | US business banking (online) | Accepted in many cases | Will not open accounts for founders living in about 50 listed countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Nepal | Formation document, EIN letter, passport, business details |
| Relay | US business banking (online) | Accepted if the business has an operating presence in the US | Based on its own review | EIN letter (CP 575 or 147C), formation document, physical US address and phone (no PO box), passport |
| Wise Business | Multi-currency business account | Accepted in many countries | Depends on Wise product availability in your country | Business and owner verification documents |
| Payoneer | Payment and receiving account | Common with freelancers and marketplace sellers | Depends on Payoneer coverage for your country | Business and owner verification documents |
Country rules checked on 21 October 2026. Banks change their lists without notice, so we re-check before every application.
Which Option Fits Your Country?
- Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Nepal: Mercury is not available while you live there. Look at Relay (if your LLC has a US operating presence), Wise or Payoneer, and check each one’s current availability for your country.
- India, UAE, UK, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and most other countries: more options are usually open, including Mercury. Choose by what you need most: US account details for clients, card spending, or cheap conversion to your home currency.
- Living in one country but a citizen of another: Mercury’s rule follows your residence, not your passport, so it may still review your application.
Country guides with more detail: US LLC from Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Bangladesh and UAE.
Documents to Prepare Before You Apply
| Document | Where it comes from |
|---|---|
| Articles of Organization or Certificate of Formation | Filed with your state when the LLC is formed |
| EIN confirmation letter (CP 575 or 147C) | The IRS; we get your EIN within 24 hours of state approval |
| Operating agreement | Included in every LLCPronto package |
| Passport of each owner | You |
| US business address and phone number | Some banks reject PO boxes; see our US business address options |
| Website or business description | You; a clear description of what you sell helps approval |
Why Applications Get Rejected
- The founder lives in a country the provider does not serve.
- The address is a PO box or does not match the documents.
- The business description is vague or matches a restricted industry.
- The website is empty, under construction or does not match the application.
- Names or details differ between the passport, the LLC documents and the EIN letter.
Step by Step: Opening the Account
- Form the LLC and wait for state approval.
- Get the EIN and the EIN confirmation letter.
- Prepare the documents above and a short, clear business description.
- Choose a provider that serves your country of residence.
- Apply once with complete, matching details, then answer follow-up questions quickly.
How We Help
Our Business Bank Account Assistance add-on prepares and checks your application, matches it to a provider that fits your country, and guides you through follow-up questions. The bank makes the final decision. See business bank account for your LLC, or add it when you start your LLC order.
Need a receiving account rather than a bank? See Payoneer for a US LLC.
Non-Resident Bank Account: FAQs
Can a non-resident open a US business bank account for an LLC?
Yes, in many cases. Online business accounts such as Mercury and Relay accept US LLCs owned by people outside the US, but each has its own rules, and some decide by the country you live in. You will need the LLC formation document, the EIN letter and your passport.
Can founders in Pakistan, Bangladesh or Nigeria use Mercury?
Not if they live there. Mercury says it cannot open accounts for founders living in a list of countries that includes Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Nepal. The rule is based on residence, not citizenship, so citizens of those countries living elsewhere may still qualify after review.
Does Relay accept non-US owners?
Relay says it accepts US-registered businesses owned by non-US citizens or residents if the business has an operating presence in the US. It asks for a physical US business address and phone number (no PO boxes) and a passport for non-US owners.
What documents do banks ask for?
Usually the formation document (Articles of Organization or Certificate of Formation), the EIN confirmation letter (CP 575 or 147C), an operating agreement, the owner’s passport, a US address and a short description of the business.
What if my application is rejected?
Fix the reason first (address, website, business description or country rules), then apply to a provider whose rules fit your situation. Applying everywhere at once with the same weak application rarely helps. Our bank account assistance add-on checks your application before you submit.
Sources: Mercury Help Center (prohibited countries, based on country of residence) and Relay Help Center (required documents by entity type), checked 21 October 2026.
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