How can a non-U.S. resident open a U.S. business bank account with doola, and what are the requirements?

doola partners with Mercury for bank account set up. For bank account verification with Mercury, you’ll need to provide information and documents that prove your identity, your business, and your US banking eligibility. Standard requirements usually include: 1. Personal identification – government-issued ID such as a passport or driver’s license. 2. Business information – your US entity formation documents (e.g., Articles of Incorporation), your Employer Identification Number (EIN), and company address. 3. Banking-related info – sometimes bank statements or revenue receipts to verify your business activity. If you don’t have all standard documents, Mercury accepts alternatives in many cases: • Proof of business formation: your doola-formed company documents. • Proof of address: your registered agent (RA) address provided by doola can be used as your business address. • Revenue or financial proof: if you don’t have traditional bank statements, you may provide invoices, contracts, or accounting records showing your business activity. Here’s how doola can help simplify the process: 1. US company formation and RA: doola provides a US-registered address and formation documents that fulfill Mercury’s business verification requirements. 2. Guided application: Using doola, you can fill out all Mercury application fields correctly and understand what supporting documents are needed. 3. Physical cards: Mercury generally ships cards within the US; for international founders, you may need a US forwarding address to receive them. With doola, international founders can navigate Mercury’s account verification requirements without physically being in the US. By combining your doola-formed company documents, RA address, and any alternative proofs of business activity, you can satisfy verification requirements and open a US business bank account. doola specializes in helping non-U.S. entrepreneurs access the U.S. financial system, even without a Social Security Number or U.S. residency. Once your LLC or corporation is formed, we guide you through opening a U.S. business bank account through our partners, starting with Mercury, then Slash and Relay, and other fintech banks that welcome international founders. To open a U.S. business bank account as a non-resident, you’ll need: 1. A U.S.-registered company (LLC or C-Corp). 2. An EIN (Employer Identification Number) issued by the IRS. 3. Valid passport or government ID for all owners with 25%+ ownership. 4. A physical address for your business, which can be a registered agent or virtual address depending on the bank’s policies. 5. A clear business description, including projected U.S. activity. doola helps you collect, prepare, and submit all these documents. We also ensure your EIN and operating agreement information aligns correctly — the number one reason international applications get rejected. If you choose Tax and Compliance or Business-in-a-Box, you also receive a U.S. business address and mail handling, which simplifies eligibility for most banking partners. Best of all, non-U.S. founders can complete the entire process 100% online — no need to travel to the United States. doola provides support if banks require additional verification, updated documents, or clarifications about your business model. If your first application is rejected, doola can help you understand the issue and reapply successfully. Our team is experienced in navigating the compliance requirements non-U.S. residents face, and we are here to ensure you receive banking access quickly and smoothly. To open a U.S. business bank account, non-U.S. founders first need a U.S. company. doola can help incorporate in states like Delaware or Wyoming, providing formation documents and a Registered Agent (RA) address for banking and legal purposes. Next, obtain an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS, which serves as your business tax ID. Choose an online-friendly bank that supports RA addresses. doola recommends Mercury first, with Slash and then Relay as alternatives if Mercury is not a fit for your country or business. Note that physical debit cards can usually only be shipped to U.S. addresses. Prepare documentation for bank verification: company documents (Certificate of Formation, EIN confirmation, Operating Agreement), founder ID (passport), and optionally, business activity proof (website, invoices, payment receipts). During the bank application, enter all company and founder information exactly as on your legal documents. Upload required files and answer eligibility questions honestly. The bank will review your submission and may request additional verification like a selfie or proof of address. Approval can take 1–7 business days. Once approved, you’ll receive account details, and online access is immediate. Physical cards are sent to U.S. addresses only. Fund your account via wire transfer, ACH, or payment processors like Stripe or PayPal. Ongoing compliance includes maintaining your RA address, filing annual reports, and keeping accurate records for IRS reporting. doola provides guidance at each step, helping you fill applications correctly, understand eligibility requirements, and ensure all documentation is complete. Summary: Form a U.S. company with doola → get an EIN → use RA address for banking → apply to Mercury (or Slash, then Relay, if Mercury is not a fit) → upload documents → complete verification → receive account details and cards (U.S. address only). doola supports founders throughout the process, making U.S. business banking accessible to non-residents.