Do I have to travel to the US to open an account?

Generally no if you use a fintech business account, which onboards remotely. Several traditional US banks still expect the beneficial owner in a branch with US identification, which is why most international founders do not start there.

Is a fintech account a real bank account?

Most fintech providers are not banks themselves. They hold funds at partner banks, which is usually fine but means your deposit protection depends on that arrangement. Read the disclosure and know which institution actually holds your money.

Can I open an account before I have an EIN?

No. The EIN is the company's federal tax identifier and no serious institution will open a business account without one. It is the reason to apply for the EIN the day the entity exists.

US business banking: eligibility, approval and what to do when you're rejected

Guide · 1 min read

US business banking for non-residents: what actually works

The account is what makes a US company useful, and it is the step where founders abroad are most likely to be stopped. Here is the realistic path.

The short answer

Non-resident founders generally open US business accounts through fintech business accounts rather than traditional branch banks, which usually expect the owner to appear in person with US identification. Approval depends on nationality, country of residence and industry, and requires an entity, an EIN and identity documents.

	Traditional US bank	Fintech business account
Remote onboarding	Often not — branch visit expected	Yes, this is the model
Non-resident owners	Frequently declined without US presence	Commonly supported, varies by country
Time to open	Days to weeks, plus travel	Often 1–5 business days
Monthly fee	Sometimes, with balance minimums	Frequently none
Cash deposits	Yes	Generally not
Deposit protection	FDIC-insured directly	Usually via partner banks — check the disclosure

A general characterisation rather than a review of specific providers. Verify current terms before applying.

The document pack

Formation certificate, exact legal name.
EIN confirmation letter — CP 575 or 147C.
Signed operating agreement.
Passport for each beneficial owner at 25% or above.
Proof of residential address, typically within 90 days.
A specific description of the business and expected monthly volume.

What decides the outcome

In order: whether the institution serves your country at all, then how clearly you describe the business, then document consistency. Nationality is a factor but is less often decisive than founders assume — see why applications get rejected.

Business banking

Account options matched to where you actually live, with the document pack prepared before you apply.

Check your options

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to travel to the US to open an account?: Generally no if you use a fintech business account, which onboards remotely. Several traditional US banks still expect the beneficial owner in a branch with US identification, which is why most international founders do not start there.
Is a fintech account a real bank account?: Most fintech providers are not banks themselves. They hold funds at partner banks, which is usually fine but means your deposit protection depends on that arrangement. Read the disclosure and know which institution actually holds your money.
Can I open an account before I have an EIN?: No. The EIN is the company's federal tax identifier and no serious institution will open a business account without one. It is the reason to apply for the EIN the day the entity exists.

Sources

Last reviewed August 23, 2026. Verify against the primary source before acting.

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