Every day I talk to clients from all over the world who want to open bank accounts in the United States, set up US LLCs, reduce their tax burden, and run global online businesses without friction. And one question comes up constantly:

“How do I open Wise as a non-US resident?”

If you’re a foreign owner of a US LLC, you likely need a modern EMI (Electronic Money Institution) to send and receive USD, convert currencies, and operate globally. Wise is usually the first choice—but lately, things have changed.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

  • Why Wise is harder to open today for non-US residents
  • What the current KYC requirements look like
  • Alternatives like Payoneer, Airwallex, and Marcoi
  • The exact step-by-step process we follow to help clients get approved
  • Real insights from my team, who open accounts every single day

Let’s get into it.

Why Wise Became Hard for Non-US Residents (2024–2025 update)

For years, Wise was the “easy EMI.” Fast onboarding, minimal documentation, and global usability made it the top choice for foreign entrepreneurs.

That changed.

My team member Ricardo—who opens these accounts daily—said it best:

“Wise is still great. But lately, they’re not approving many foreign owners of US LLCs. The KYC has gotten much tougher.”

Why?

Two main reasons:

1. Debit Cards Changed the Requirements

Once Wise launched physical debit cards in the US, they tightened verification. That means more documents, more proof, and more applicant scrutiny.

2. They’re Prioritizing US-Based Residents

You can still get approved as a foreign owner, but:

  • It’s slower
  • They ask for more info
  • Sometimes they request proof of a US personal address, which many non-residents don’t have

This is where we help clients—because we provide valid US operating addresses they can legally use.

What Wise Requires Today

To open Wise as a non-US resident with a US LLC, expect to provide:

  • Passport
  • Proof of your foreign residential address
  • US business address (important!)
  • EIN Letter
  • Articles of Organization
  • Business description
  • Phone number (US is ideal but not required)

And depending on the application:

  • Website or portfolio
  • Proof of business activity
  • Utility bill (occasionally)

If you don’t have a US personal address, Wise may still approve you—but they might request one after the account activates.

Industry Classification Matters

(More Than You Think)

One of the trickiest parts of opening a Wise account as a non-US resident is choosing the correct industry. The industry you select directly affects what Wise may ask you for during verification, and some categories automatically trigger additional requirements.

Here’s how it usually plays out:

  • If you choose Graphic Design, Wise often asks for a portfolio or website showing real work.
  • If you choose Ecommerce, they want product links or a store URL.
  • If you choose Consulting, they rarely ask for anything extra — it’s the smoothest category.
  • If you choose Marketing, they may request proof of services, invoices, or online presence.
  • The challenge is that choosing anything that looks “high-risk” or vague can increase your chances of getting denied or delayed.

That’s why we always guide clients to select the most accurate, low-risk, and defensible industry description possible — one that matches their real business activity but doesn’t raise unnecessary red flags.

Alternatives to Wise for Non-US Residents

Wise is great… when it works. But you need backup options.

Here are the best ones we recommend in 2025:

1. Payoneer

Best for: Europe, freelancers, and service businesses.

Ricardo:

“Payoneer has been working very well. It’s stable, global, and easier for non-US residents.”

Pros:

  • Easy onboarding
  • Works great in Europe
  • Good for receiving payments
  • Decent invoicing tools

Cons:

  • The interface is less intuitive
  • Some users report slow support

2. Airwallex

Best for: Larger businesses or those with a stronger digital footprint.

This one is more selective.

Requirements include:

  • Professional website
  • Business email with domain
  • Real bank account (not Mercury or Relay)

Ricardo explains:

“Airwallex wants a real US bank account connected. They also want a domain and a more established online presence.”

Pros:

  • Amazing payment processing
  • Advanced currency conversion
  • Highly trusted globally

Cons:

  • Harder to qualify
  • Requires stronger documentation

3. Marcoi

Best for: Small or early-stage businesses.

Funny twist:

Marcoi actually uses Airwallex behind the scenes.

James:

“It feels almost too easy. I’ll make a dedicated video about them.”

Pros:

  • Very simple application
  • No US bank account required
  • No domain required

Cons:

  • Less known
  • Still relies on Airwallex infrastructure

What Address Do You Use for Wise?

Here’s the tricky part.

Wise asks for:

1. A US business address

This is your LLC’s operational address in the US.

We provide these addresses to clients inside our service.

2. A foreign home address

Your real residence outside the US.

3. Later, they may request a US personal address

Many clients don’t have one—but we solve that with our office network.

Real Example: Step-by-Step Wise Application

In the original video, we applied for a real Wise account for our team member Luis, a Colombian resident with a US LLC.

Here’s the exact flow:

Step 1: Create the account

  • Choose “Business Account”
  • Enter US business address
  • Enter foreign residential address
  • Add industry & business description
  • Add website or select “I don’t have one”

Step 2: Identity verification

  • Passport
  • Selfie
  • Phone verification
  • Business documents

Step 3: Pay for Advanced Plan

Wise forces you into the paid plan ($31 USD) if you want routing + account numbers.

We recommend paying immediately.

Step 4: Add trading addresses

Wise allows you to add both:

  • US operational address
  • Foreign residential address

Step 5: Wait for review

This can take:

  • 24–72 hours for some
  • 7–10 days if extra docs are requested

So… Is Wise Worth It in 2025-2026?

Yes, if you can get approved.

Wise is still:

  • Fast
  • Cheap
  • Global
  • Reliable
  • Loved by millions

But for non-US residents?

It’s no longer the easy option it once was.

That’s why we always set our clients up with:

  • Wise
  • Payoneer
  • Airwallex
  • Marcoi
  • A physical US bank if possible

So they always have a working solution for international payments.

Need Help Opening Wise or Alternatives?

If you’re trying to open Wise for your US LLC—and you keep getting stuck—this is literally what my team does every single day.

We help you:

  • Form the right type of LLC
  • Get the right EIN
  • Set up the right address
  • Open the right EMI accounts
  • Avoid rejection
  • And get approved as fast as possible

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