How to Get a US Stripe Account as a Non-US Resident (2026 Complete Guide)

I know exactly what you're going through.

A few years ago I was sitting in Colombo, staring at Stripe's signup form, and hitting the same wall every Sri Lankan freelancer hits: "We're not available in your country." I had clients in the US, a growing business, and no way to get paid like a professional.

That frustration is why I built Entryly. And in this guide, I'm going to tell you the exact, legal path I took — and that hundreds of our clients have taken — to get a fully functional US Stripe account without ever setting foot in America.

No gray-area workarounds. No tricks that get you suspended six months later. The real method.

Why Stripe Blocks Non-US Residents (And Why It's Not Hopeless)

Stripe doesn't restrict accounts based on your passport or where you physically live. What it requires is that your business operates through an entity registered in a country where Stripe is supported.

That's the distinction most people miss. You don't need to be American. You need an American business.

This is actually great news. Because forming a US business — specifically a US Limited Liability Company — is something any person in the world can do legally, entirely remotely, and without a Social Security Number.

The complete stack you need:

1. A US LLC (registered in Wyoming, New Mexico, or Missouri)

2. An EIN — your US business tax ID, issued by the IRS

3. A US business bank account (Mercury is the best option for non-residents)

4. Stripe account linked to that bank account

That's the path. Let me walk through each step.

Step 1: Form Your US LLC

Your LLC is the legal foundation everything else sits on. Without it, you can't get an EIN, you can't open Mercury, and Stripe won't accept your application.

You don't need to be a US citizen or resident to own a US LLC. You don't need a US address. You just need to file the Articles of Organization with a US state government — which can be done 100% online.

Which state should you choose?

This is where most guides get vague. Here's the honest answer:

Wyoming is the best choice for privacy and asset protection. It has the strongest member privacy laws in the country — your name doesn't appear in public records. Annual cost is $90/year for a registered agent. Processing takes 3–5 business days.

New Mexico is the cheapest long-term option. No annual report required by the state, and registered agent fees are just $35/year. Takes 7–14 business days to process.

Missouri is the fastest and most affordable all-in. It's now our most popular package — 2–5 business day formation with the same $35/year ongoing cost as New Mexico.

All three states fully support Stripe and Mercury Bank registration. For most international founders, it comes down to whether you prioritize speed, privacy, or ongoing cost.

One thing I'd caution: avoid states like California, New York, and Florida for your first LLC. They have higher annual fees, publication requirements, or franchise taxes that add unnecessary cost when you have no US operations.

Step 2: Get Your EIN from the IRS

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your LLC's tax identification number. Think of it like a Social Security Number, but for your business. You need it for:

• Opening a Mercury Bank account

• Setting up Stripe

• Filing any required IRS returns

• Opening any US business account

The good news: you can get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN. The IRS issues EINs to non-resident aliens who own US LLCs — you just can't apply online (that form requires an SSN). Instead, you apply by faxing Form SS-4 to the IRS.

This is genuinely annoying. The IRS will fax you back the EIN assignment letter — known as the Letter 147C — within 4–6 weeks. You need this letter (not just the number) because Mercury and Stripe require it as proof.

At Entryly, we handle this entire process on your behalf. We've done it hundreds of times and know exactly how to fill out the form to avoid rejection. The IRS is notoriously strict about foreign-owned LLC applications.

Step 3: Open Your Mercury Bank Account

Mercury is a fintech-first US business bank account that accepts foreign-owned LLCs. Unlike traditional banks like Chase or Bank of America — which will almost certainly reject a non-resident walking in — Mercury was built with international founders in mind.

What you'll need to open Mercury:

• Your LLC formation documents (Articles of Organization)

• Your EIN and IRS Letter 147C

• A valid passport

• A US business address (provided by your registered agent)

Mercury approval typically takes 3–7 business days. Once approved, you have a real US bank account with account and routing numbers — which is exactly what Stripe requires for payouts.

One common mistake: don't try to open Mercury before your EIN letter arrives. Mercury will ask for it. If you submit without it, your application gets delayed or rejected.

Step 4: Activate Your Stripe Account

Once you have your LLC, EIN, and Mercury account, Stripe setup is straightforward. When signing up:

• Register as a business (not an individual)

• Use your LLC's name and US address

• Enter your EIN as the tax ID

• Connect your Mercury bank account for payouts

• Upload your passport for identity verification

Stripe may ask for additional verification documents — particularly for businesses in higher-risk categories. Being upfront and responsive with their verification team is the fastest path to activation.

Once approved, your payouts land in Mercury. From there, you wire to your local account via Wise, which typically charges 0.4–0.6% — far better than a traditional international wire.

How Much Does This All Cost?

Let me be transparent about the numbers, because most guides either hide costs or underestimate them.

Formation (one-time):

Annual ongoing:

Stripe processing fees: 2.9% + $0.30 per card transaction (US rates — significantly cheaper than many local payment gateways). Plus: we include a FREE $1,000 Stripe processing fee waiver through our partner program.

Mercury: Free to open and maintain. No monthly fees, no minimum balance.

Wise transfers: ~0.4–0.6% to convert USD to your local currency.

How Long Does the Whole Process Take?

The EIN is the long pole in the tent. The IRS doesn't have an expedited option for foreign-owned LLCs, and that timeline is outside anyone's control. Everything else — LLC formation, Mercury, Stripe — happens in parallel or quickly after each other.

What Documents Do You Need?

The entire process only requires two documents from you:

1. A clear photo of your passport — all four corners visible, high resolution JPEG or PNG, not a scan

2. Proof of address — a utility bill or bank statement in your name, PDF format, dated within the last 3 months

That's it. No notarization. No apostille. No trips to an embassy. We collect these through our secure document portal and handle everything else.

The Compliance Part Most Guides Ignore

I want to mention something that other formation services often skip because it's not exciting: annual compliance.

As the owner of a foreign-owned US LLC with no US operations or employees, you're generally not subject to US corporate income tax. But the IRS still requires annual informational filings:

• Form 5472 (with Form 1120) — required for foreign-owned single-member LLCs

• FBAR — required if your US accounts hold over $10,000 at any point during the year

These have strict deadlines and penalties that can reach $25,000 per violation. We guide all our clients through these requirements, but I'd strongly recommend working with a US CPA who handles international clients once your business is generating revenue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Stripe account in Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, or Nigeria through a US LLC?

Yes — and we've helped hundreds of founders from all these countries do exactly that. Your home country doesn't matter to Stripe. What matters is that your LLC is registered in a supported country (the US), has a valid EIN, and has a US bank account for payouts. We have a dedicated guide for Sri Lanka founders specifically.

Do I need to travel to the US to form an LLC or open a bank account?

No. The entire process is remote. LLC formation is done by filing with the state government. EIN is obtained via IRS fax. Mercury Bank opens remotely. Stripe activates online. You never need to visit the US.

Is this legal?

Yes, completely. Non-resident alien ownership of a US LLC is explicitly permitted under US law. Thousands of international entrepreneurs own US businesses without living there. The key is maintaining proper compliance (annual filings, accurate documentation) — which is why using a professional service matters.

What if Stripe suspends my account?

This is why we use a proper LLC with real formation documents, a legitimate registered agent address, and an official IRS EIN letter — not shortcuts. Accounts formed through our process are built on a solid legal foundation. If Stripe ever has questions, you have documentation to answer them.

Can I use a different bank instead of Mercury?

Mercury is our recommendation because it has the highest approval rate for foreign-owned LLCs and the best features. Relay and Airwallex are alternatives but have lower approval rates. Traditional banks like Chase almost never approve fully remote non-resident applicants.

The Bottom Line

Getting a US Stripe account as a non-resident is not a hack. It's a straightforward legal process that tens of thousands of international founders have done before you.

The steps are clear: form a US LLC, get your EIN, open Mercury, activate Stripe. The timeline is real: about 6–8 weeks for everything. The costs are transparent: our packages start at $160.

The only question is whether you want to spend weeks figuring out the paperwork yourself — or get it done right the first time.

If you want us to handle it: our packages start at $160, and we've helped 500+ international founders access US payment infrastructure. We handle everything from LLC filing to Stripe onboarding, and we're reachable on WhatsApp if you have questions at any stage.

Your competitors are already processing global card payments. You should be too.

Kaveesha Mallawaarachchi is the founder of Entryly and a Sri Lankan entrepreneur who has personally navigated the US LLC formation process. Entryly has helped 500+ international founders access US payment infrastructure.