How to Open a US Bank Account for Your LLC Remotely

TL;DR: You can open a US bank account for your LLC remotely by combining the right company documents (LLC formation + EIN + Operating Agreement/BOIR), a valid ID, and a clear business purpose. Fintechs like Mercury and Relay often approve foreign founders remotely, while traditional banks usually require a US visit.

Reading time: 8–10 minutes

Lo que vas a aprender

Qué documentos y pasos concretos necesitás para abrir una US bank account LLC remote.
Diferencias prácticas entre opciones como Mercury bank LLC, Relay bank LLC y bancos tradicionales.
Tips para aumentar chances de aprobación y razones comunes de rechazo.
Qué papel juega un proveedor como Rely para simplificar todo el proceso.

Sección de contexto/problema

Many entrepreneurs in LATAM want to expand internationally and need a US bank account for their LLC remote — both to accept payments, work with US marketplaces, and separate business finances. However, opening a US business account as a foreigner (open bank account LLC foreigner) faces real obstacles:

Banks follow strict KYC/AML rules. They verify company ownership, beneficial owners, and identity documents.
Traditional US banks often require an in-person visit to a branch or a US address. That’s costly and time-consuming.
Lack of an SSN/ITIN, foreign address, or incomplete company paperwork are common stumbling blocks.
Different banks and fintechs have different risk appetites. Some fintechs specialize in business banking remote and onboard foreign founders more readily, but approval is never guaranteed.

Keywords to keep in mind: US bank account LLC remote, open bank account LLC foreigner, business banking remote, Mercury bank LLC, Relay bank LLC.

Sección de solución/paso a paso con datos concretos

Below is a practical, actionable path to apply and increase your chances of success.

1) Form your LLC correctly (before applying)

Have a filed and approved Articles of Organization (or Certificate of Formation) in a US state.
Create an Operating Agreement that lists members/managers and ownership percentages.
Prepare a BOIR (Beneficial Ownership Information Report) or equivalent beneficial owner disclosure if required.

Rely includes these documents when you form your LLC through them, which speeds up the bank application.

2) Obtain an EIN

Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. Many banks require the EIN to open a business account.
If you’re a foreign founder without an SSN/ITIN, the EIN typically suffices for fintechs; for some traditional banks ITIN/SSN may be requested. It’s recommended to consult a tax professional for your specific case.

Rely can obtain the EIN for you as part of the package.

3) Gather identity and address documents

Most banks ask for:

Passport (valid, government-issued ID).
Proof of personal address (utility bill, bank statement, or government ID showing address). If you have only a foreign address, fintechs usually accept it, but rules vary.
Proof of business address (some banks accept a virtual office or registered agent address; others require US physical address).

4) Prepare business information and onboarding materials

Short business description and expected monthly volumes.
Website, invoices, contracts, or marketplace accounts (Amazon, Stripe, Shopify) that show real activity.
Ownership structure and percentage for all beneficial owners (usually >25% threshold).

Banks care about transaction purpose and patterns: having clear, consistent documentation increases approval chances.

5) Choose the right provider and apply

Mercury bank LLC: a popular fintech for startups and foreign founders. Many succeed opening accounts remotely with EIN, LLC docs, passport, and a solid business explanation. Mercury focuses on startups/tech but accepts many business types.
Relay bank LLC: offers business banking remote tools, multi-user access, and good integrations. Policies around foreign owners vary and approval is subject to KYC.
Other fintechs: Brex, Wise Business and similar services sometimes provide business accounts remotely, each with different requirements.
Traditional banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo): often require an in-person visit, US address, and more stringent identity checks.

Apply online where possible. Provide accurate information and upload clean, legible documents. If a bank asks for additional docs, respond quickly.

6) Timing and expected turnaround

Fintechs: approvals often take a few business days but can be faster or slower depending on additional checks.
Traditional banks: can take longer and usually require scheduling an appointment.
If you need the LLC formed first, allow 5–7 business days for standard LLC formation through full-service providers — express options can be 1 business day.

Rely’s typical timeline: standard formation in 5–7 business days, express in 1 day, and some plans include bank account opening with partners.

7) Common rejection reasons and how to avoid them

Incomplete or inconsistent documents: Make sure names and addresses match across all paperwork.
Unclear business purpose or lack of revenue evidence: Provide contracts, invoices, or marketplace links.
High-risk business category: Gambling, crypto, adult content, and certain high-risk industries may be declined or require extra screening.
Sanctioned country or politically exposed persons (PEP) issues: Banks will reject or require heavy due diligence.
Mismatched beneficial owner information: Ensure Operating Agreement and BOIR match application data.

If rejected, ask the bank for a specific reason and remedy the issue (e.g., provide clearer proof of activity, correct mismatched names). It’s advisable to try another provider if one refuses.

Checklist (quick)

Articles of Organization / Certificate of Formation
EIN (IRS)
Operating Agreement and BOIR
Passport(s) for beneficial owners
Proof of address (personal & business)
Website / invoices / contracts
Short business description and expected transaction volumes

Cómo Rely te ayuda

Rely simplifies the front half of this workflow: formation + documents + EIN + support. Con planes desde USD 449 hasta USD 649, Rely incluye formación de la LLC, registered agent, obtención del EIN, y documentos legales como Operating Agreement y BOIR, además de soporte por email o chat. Algunos planes incluyen apertura de cuenta bancaria con Mercury o Relay, lo que reduce la fricción para founders que necesitan business banking remote sin viajar a EE. UU.

El proceso con Rely es 100% online: el tiempo estándar de formación es 5–7 días hábiles, y si necesitás todo rápido, el servicio express forma la LLC en 1 día para que puedas estar operativo en menos de 5 días. Esto significa que, en lugar de perder tiempo organizando papeles y llamadas, podés enfocarte en preparar la información que requieren los bancos (descripciones de negocio, facturas y documentación KYC).

Próximos pasos

Revisa la lista de documentos arriba y prepara tus archivos.
Evalúa si preferís fintechs como Mercury o Relay o si vas a intentar un banco tradicional.
Considerá usar Rely para formar tu LLC, obtener el EIN y acceder a opciones de apertura de cuenta con Mercury o Relay.
Consulta con un contador o asesor fiscal para temas de impuestos y cumplimiento si necesitás orientación local o sobre ITIN/SSN.

Si querés avanzar rápido y sin viajar a EE. UU., comienza tu formación de LLC y apertura de cuenta con Rely — te guía en cada paso y reduce las probabilidades de rechazo.