If you’re a non-US resident looking to launch or expand your business into the U.S. market, you’ve probably run into this question: Can I open a bank account with an SSN as a non-US resident?
It’s a fair question.
The U.S. financial system is built around the Social Security Number (SSN) as a primary form of identification. Banks use it to verify your identity, check your credit history, and comply with regulations. So, if you’re a non-US resident who happens to have an SSN, you might assume this makes it easier to open a bank account in the U.S.
And you’d be right – with an SSN, you can open a bank account within 48 hours or less.
But you can open a business bank account for your US company without an SSN, too. We’ll get into that later.
What Is an SSN and Why It Matters for Banking
A nine-digit number given by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) is called a Social Security Number (SSN). It’s mostly used to keep track of earnings for tax and benefit reasons, but in the US, it’s also become the standard way to prove who you are.
For U.S. citizens and residents, an SSN is essential for:
- Getting a job
- Filing taxes
- Applying for credit
- Receiving government benefits
- Opening bank accounts
In the banking world, SSNs play a major role in identity verification and credit history checks. When you open a new account, banks use your SSN to:
- Confirm your identity through background checks
- Report interest income to the IRS
- Screen for fraud or money laundering
- Review your credit report, especially if you’re applying for a credit card or loan
What Do You Actually Need to Open a Business Bank Account?
If you’re setting up a U.S. company from abroad, here’s what banks usually ask for:
Minimum requirements:
- EIN (Employer Identification Number from the IRS)
- LLC Formation Documents (Articles of Organization)
- Passport (as your main form of ID)
- U.S. business address (can be a virtual address)
Optional but helpful:
- SSN – speeds up approval and expands your options
- ITIN – an alternative if you don’t qualify for an SSN
PRO TIP: If you want a simple, streamlined process, online-first banks like Mercury or Meow are generally more welcoming to international founders, with or without SSNs, as long as you have a U.S. business entity and EIN.
What If You Don’t Have an SSN? Get an ITIN Instead
If you don’t have an SSN and need a personal tax ID for things like:
- Stripe or PayPal setup
- U.S. tax reporting
- Some bank compliance checks
Then you can apply for an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number).
An ITIN is a U.S. tax ID issued to people who:
- Are not eligible for an SSN
- Need to file U.S. taxes or deal with U.S. financial services
You can get an ITIN even if you don’t live in the U.S. Neubase can help you apply for one during or after your LLC formation.
How to Open a U.S. Business Bank Account Without an SSN
- Form your U.S. LLC (Choose a friendly state like Wyoming or Delaware)
- Get an EIN from the IRS (Neubase can help)
- Apply for an online bank account (Mercury, Meow, Relay)
- Verify your identity with a passport and business details
- Get approved remotely — no travel needed
How Neubase Can Help
At Neubase, we’ve worked with hundreds of non-US founders from around the world — people just like you who want to build a U.S. business without moving to the U.S. or jumping through unnecessary hoops.
Whether you have an SSN or not, we’ll guide you through the exact steps you need to take to get your company up and running — and banked.
Here’s how we make it simple:
LLC Formation, Done Right
We help you choose the right state (usually Delaware or Wyoming), file all the paperwork, and get your EIN from the IRS — even if you don’t have a U.S. address or SSN.
Bank Account Setup
We work directly with modern banks and fintech platforms that accept international founders. You won’t need to travel or wait in long lines. Whether you’re using an SSN, ITIN, or just your EIN — we’ve got you covered.
Dashboard + Support
Every Neubase client gets access to a personalized dashboard where you can track your formation status, manage documents, and connect with our support team.
We’ve designed the process to be fully remote, frictionless, and non-intimidating — because starting a business in the U.S. shouldn’t be complicated.
Grab your free 15-minute, 1-on-1 consultation with Ivana for a more personalized approach.
Conclusion
So, can someone who doesn’t live in the US open a bank account with an SSN?
You can, of course. The process of opening a U.S. bank account can go more quickly if you already have a good SSN. It will be easier to get past identity checks, and more doors may open for you at both traditional banks and new fintech platforms.
The truth is that you don’t need an SSN to run a successful U.S. business or start a U.S. business bank account.
You should use your SSN if you already have one. Don’t let that stop you if it doesn’t. There’s still a clear, fair way to move forward.
