How to open a US bank account as a non-resident, without an SSN
Four routes, ranked from easiest to hardest, and the one mistake that gets most applications rejected.
Most people are told a US bank account requires an SSN. It does not. What it requires is a US entity, a verifiable address, and a bank that has decided your risk profile is worth the paperwork.
Why banks reject non-residents by default
Compliance costs money. A non-resident file takes longer to review.
If you cannot be verified in under ten minutes, you are unprofitable.
Three things push you into manual review:
- No US credit history
- A registered agent address instead of a real one
- An entity younger than 90 days
Bottom line: fix the address first.
The four routes, ranked
| Route | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury | 3 days | Free |
| Relay | 5 days | Free |
| Traditional bank | 3 weeks | $500 |
What Mercury actually checks
Your EIN letter and the entity filing.
What to do this week
File the entity, then wait 30 days before applying.
Key takeaways
- You do not need an SSN, you need an EIN.
- A registered agent address triggers manual review.
- Wait 30 days after filing before applying.
Frequently asked
Do I need to fly to the US?
No. Every route listed here is remote.