The honest picture
Forming the LLC is the easy part. The bank account is where non-resident owners most often get stuck, because each bank decides for itself which countries and businesses it accepts, and those lists change. No formation service can promise an account, and we do not.
What you can control is preparing a complete, consistent application.
Kinds of provider
| Provider type | Remote opening | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Online business banking platforms | Usually yes | Accounts are held at partner US banks. Most accept many countries, each with its own excluded list. Popular with non-resident owners. |
| Multi-currency payment accounts | Usually yes | Give US account details for receiving USD alongside other currencies. Good for receiving payments, sometimes limited for card spending. |
| Large traditional US banks | Rarely | Most require the owner to visit a branch in person, and some do not open accounts for non-residents at all. |
Names and policies in this market change often, so check each provider's current country list before applying.
What you will be asked for
- Approved Articles of Organization (or Certificate of Formation).
- EIN confirmation letter (CP 575). See getting an EIN without an SSN.
- Operating agreement, showing who owns the LLC.
- Passport of each owner with 25% or more, and sometimes proof of home address.
- A US address for the company. Many providers do not accept the registered agent address or a PO box as the business address.
- A website or a clear description of what the company sells and to whom.
A banking resolution, which records that the LLC authorises the account, is not always required but saves a round of questions. It is included in our Standard and Complete packages.
Why applications get declined
- The owner lives in a country the provider does not serve.
- The business is in a restricted industry, such as crypto trading, adult content, firearms, gambling or money services.
- The website is empty or the description is vague.
- Names or addresses differ between the Articles, the EIN letter and the application.
- The business address is a PO box or the registered agent's address.
A decline from one provider says little about the next. Fix the cause, then try another provider.
Practical tips
- Wait for the EIN before applying. Applications without it are usually rejected.
- Use the exact company name, including "LLC", everywhere.
- Put a simple, real website live before you apply, even one page.
- Explain your customers and where the money comes from in one or two plain sentences.
- Keep the account for business only. Mixing personal spending weakens the LLC's protection and complicates your Form 5472.
Reporting at home
Your country may require you to report foreign bank accounts or the income of a foreign company you own. That is a home-country question; ask your local tax adviser.
How long it takes
Online business accounts often decide within a few days to two weeks, once they have every document. Expect questions: a request for more detail about your customers, or a video call to check your identity, is normal and not a bad sign. Traditional banks that require a branch visit can take longer and need a trip to the US.
Plan the order of steps so you are not waiting twice: state approval, then EIN, then the address, then the bank. Our how it works page shows typical times for each.
Keeping the account open
- Use the account regularly. Long periods without activity can lead to closure.
- Answer the provider's review requests quickly. They may ask again each year to update their records.
- Tell the provider when something changes: a new owner, a new address or a different kind of business.
- Keep your LLC in good standing. Some providers check the state record from time to time.
Opening a second account with another provider, once the first is running, is a sensible fallback if one provider changes its country list.
LLCBolt is a filing service, not a law firm or tax adviser. This guide is general information and may not fit your situation. Rules and fees change; check the date above.