by jim@jamesbakercpa.com
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by jim@jamesbakercpa.com
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How to Open a U.S. Bank Account as a Non-Resident in 2025—3 Proven Paths That Actually Work
María, a freelance designer in Bogotá, finally landed her first $10k U.S. contract.
The client’s email was short: “Great—send us your U.S. bank details for payment.”
Her heart sank.
No U.S. bank account. No SSN. No trip to America planned.
Game over? Not if you know the routes insiders use every day.
This guide distills James Baker CPA’s 2025 update—watch the full video here—into a step-by-step playbook so you can collect dollars without borders.
Why Banks Say “No” (and How to Flip It to “Yes”)
Traditional U.S. banks are built for citizens: SSN, proof of U.S. address, in-person visit.
Foreign founders? Square peg, round hole—unless you:
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Know which banks accept passports + foreign proof of address.
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Present a legal U.S. business entity the bank’s compliance team understands.
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Offer risk-assurance documents (EIN, Articles of Organization) that tick every KYC box.
Fail one step, and the account dies on the manager’s desk. Nail all three, and you’re funded in weeks, not months.
The 3 Proven Paths (Ranked by Control, Speed & Risk)
| # | Method | Best For | Key Documents | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fly in & visit a large U.S. bank | Founders who can travel | Passport, foreign proof of address, LLC docs, EIN | Instant debit card & wires | Flight cost; hit-or-miss bank staff |
| 2 | Form an LLC → Use top online fintech bank | Digital nomads, e-commerce, SaaS | LLC Articles, EIN, passport selfie | 100% remote; ACH, cards, FX | Some countries restricted (e.g., Pakistan, Venezuela) |
| 3 | Appoint a trusted U.S. manager | Those who can’t travel & can’t pass fintech geofilters | LLC + EIN + Manager Resolution | Manager handles in-branch issues | Highest trust risk; shared control |
1. Go to the Bank (Old-School, Still Works)
Land at JFK, passport in hand, head to Chase or Bank of America.
Smile, be patient, show Articles + EIN. Walk out funded.
Pro tip: bring a mobile phone bill or utility statement with your home-country address. Many branches accept it for KYC.
2. Form an LLC & Use Online Banking Platforms
Fintechs like Mercury, Relay, Wise, Highbeam ride on FDIC-insured partner banks.
They accept foreign owners if your country isn’t on their high-risk list.
Step flow
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Form Wyoming/Delaware LLC → 24 h
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Apply EIN (Form SS-4) → 4–6 weeks (CPA can cut to 10 days)
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Upload docs to Mercury → approval in 48 h
Zero flights, zero jet lag—just instant USD ACH & virtual cards.
3. Use a Manager (Last Resort)
Appoint a U.S.-based manager who walks into Wells Fargo with a Manager Resolution.
They open the account, add you as ultimate owner, then you remove their signing rights once you can visit.
Only do this with ironclad contracts and someone you’d trust with your life savings.
“Do I Need an EIN or ITIN to Open the Account?”
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Personal account: Passport usually enough if you go in person.
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Business account: EIN is mandatory; ITIN is not required. Banks may ask but it’s optional.
Remember: No bank can legally demand an SSN from a non-resident foreign owner. They can request—you can politely push back.
Final Take: Pick Your Path & Move Fast
U.S. clients pay faster, in dollars, when you give them a domestic routing number.
Choose your path—fly in, go fintech, or use a manager—get your U.S. bank account and watch international friction vanish.
Ready to shortcut the red tape?
→ Schedule a free strategy call with our team
Want deeper dives on LLCs, EINs, and taxes?
→ Explore all our guides for non-resident founders
(Full tutorial video for reference & extra tactics: YouTube link)
FAQs (Real Questions from 2025 Founders)
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