If you are a non-US citizen selling products through US sites like Amazon, Shopify, or Stripe, it can be challenging to figure out how to get paid efficiently. You certainly don’t want to travel to the US to open up a bank account or a credit card; it’s just not feasible or affordable. So how do you get paid in your home country? I will explain how you can open a US bank account and US credit card from your home country without traveling and without the hassle.
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of US accounts, I’d like to note that if you have a foreign business already incorporated or simply want to transfer personal funds, there are other solutions. A TransferWise Borderless account works well for Amazon sellers because it hooks up to your FBA account and transfers USD funds into your home currency. Plus, it has better rates than the big banks, it’s easy to sign up, you don’t need an SSN, it covers all major currencies, and you don’t need to travel to set it up. If TransferWise is not an option, you can also use Payoneer. The caveat here is that you don’t have all of the features of a big bank, and some credit card companies don’t accept these payment platforms. Additionally, certain countries have restrictions that make these services impossible to use, and they are not a replacement for a US bank account or credit card.
If you find that TransferWise or Payoneer is no longer cutting it, I’m going to show you how to get a US bank account and credit card without paying for a plane ticket. This guide will work for 98% of countries, so without further adieu, let’s get into it.
Opening A US Bank Account Online
The best way to open a bank account in the United States without paying for air travel is to use Mercury online banking. All you need to apply for a Mercury account is a US LLC with a federal business EIN and passport identification. Keep in mind that Mercury does not offer their services to several countries, mainly in Africa the Middle East. This is the four-step process to snagging the US bank account you need:
- Get a US LLC & US Address – To get your LLC, I recommend using Wyoming Registered Agents. With Wyoming Registered Agents, you can get an LLC in five to fifteen minutes for just $149 upfront and $49 per year. When you register for your LLC, you also get a physical US address for your business in Wyoming, where mail can be sent and forwarded to you.
To get started with Wyoming Registered Agents, simply: Enter your filing information (Business entity type, company name, select “member-managed,” add business owners, select “annual compliance nominee service” and opt for a Wyoming business address with mail forwarding for the extra $99 per year, input contact information, and payment information)
- Get an EIN number – Once you have your business address, you can get an EIN number. You will apply for the EIN through the IRS.
- Register with Mercury – Now that you are registered as an LLC, have a business address in the US, and an EIN number you are all set to register with Mercury.
- Connect Mercury to get paid – After your Mercury account is all set up, you can easily connect it to Amazon, Stripe, PayPal, Shopify, etc.
Opening A US Credit Card Online
US credit cards are an excellent option for your business because they are incredibly competitive. Most US credit cards have excellent rates and offer additional perks like airline miles or cashback. If you’re already spending on your business, why not get a little extra? However, there are a few challenges that you need to overcome to get a US credit card successfully. These include:
- No SSN- Without an SSN, getting a US credit card is challenging. Luckily, several companies are offering this service that you can browse here. WalletHub recommends the Capital One Platinum Credit Card because applicants can use an ITIN instead of an SSN. There is no annual fee and a $0 foreign transaction fee.
- No credit score- Additionally, non-US citizens without an SSN aren’t going to have a US credit score which is a requirement for many cards. There are cards for this as well, which you can review here. Some cards will require you to put a deposit down toward your first few bills as security. The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of the few that requires no deposit.
- No physical address- Credit card companies usually send credit cards to physical US addresses. As a non-citizen, you will need to get through the Wyoming Registered Agents or elsewhere and then have the card forwarded to your home country. Another workaround is to set up your account online or thru the credit card issuer’s mobile app and use the card number, expiration date, and security code to purchase online. You do not always need a physical card to make purchases online.
- No US bank account- In theory, you should be able to use your Mercury account to get a US credit card; however, I e-mailed them just to be sure. According to Mercury, they have had international founders successfully sign up for credit cards in the past with their services. They specifically mentioned that American Express and Chase don’t require SSNs to sign up in addition to Amazon Business and Brex.
In conclusion, if you are a non-US citizen selling products online, it can be confusing to figure out how to get a US bank account and credit card. Luckily, there are services out there so that you can make it happen without flying to the US and staying in an Airbnb for weeks on end. With resources like Wyoming Registered Agents and Mercury, you can get the credentials you need to set up US accounts without air travel.
If you want to learn more about how to set up your Amazon Seller Central account the right way, check out this article. My YouTube channel is also here to keep you in the loop with the latest Amazon seller updates, so don’t forget to subscribe.
