Ask HN: How can Non-US founders open a bank account in the US?

Can we please have some stories from people who have<p>1) Opened a MERCHANT account without setting foot in the US<p>2) Successfully used said merchant account to bill customers online?

There are a few ways. 1) (Both Corporate/Personal) : Open a bank account locally with a bank that also has branches in the USA - then use their international banking center to facilitate the process of necessary documents at your local bank (I.e. HSBC, Citibank offer this service) - <a href="http://www.citibank.com/ipb-global/homepage/newsite/content/english/index.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.citibank.com/ipb-global/homepage/newsite/content/...</a> , <a href="http://www.expat.hsbc.com/1/2/" rel="nofollow">http://www.expat.hsbc.com/1/2/</a><p>2) Just personal: Open an "High Net Worth" account. Also can be done from anywhere in the world, but you must usually keep at least $30K USD in the account liquid in order not to be charged hefty fees. Citibank offers these accounts as well (see link above)

This article might help : <a href="http://blog.freshdesk.com/how-to-incorporate-a-us-corporation-from-outs/" rel="nofollow">http://blog.freshdesk.com/how-to-incorporate-a-us-corporatio...</a>

mark_up, that link (<a href="http://blog.freshdesk.com/how-to-incorporate-a-us-corporation-from-outs/#.T4rH0ektgto" rel="nofollow">http://blog.freshdesk.com/how-to-incorporate-a-us-corporatio...</a>) is quite helpful, but as your account has been banned since you wrote something <i>slightly</i> unflattering about Steve Jobs 190 days ago, we can't see it.

My situation is somewhat similar: I'm a Canadian citizen but was in the US for several years on an H1B work visa, which got me a SSN and a personal bank account w/ Chase.<p>However, I've since relocated to Australia. I'm developing a web based business but would like the business to have a legal presence in the US so that I can take advantage of e.g. stripe.com for payments.<p>At this point I'm not considering taking VC money as I prefer to be bootstrapped. So I'm fine w/ simpler business structure of e.g. LLC vs. full blown Corp.<p>Can anyone recommend the process and/or lawyers for setting up a legal business presence in US for someone in my situation? I'm happy to pay the going rate for incorporation.<p>If you're a lawyer please feel free to contact me. Details in my profile. Thanks.

If you can get to the US, opening a bank account becomes a whole lot easier. Last time I was in the US I opened a bank at Chase. I was surprised at how easy it was. All you need is your passport and local country national id (in my case a drivers license).

I've previously held a US bank account with HSBC without having US residence. If you have another HSBC account, you should also be able to link your accounts for a global view. Avoid making transfers through them though, because the rates are horrendous.

I did it for Pen.io and did it with Chase, I can give an introduction to the VP of Business Banking there who'll be able to help you out if you need it. It was a straight forward process. Getting an EIN (which you'll also need) is slightly more difficult but again I can help you out - just shoot me an email

A couple of years ago, prior to moving completely to the US I opened an international personal account with Chase - basically regular checking, but without the need to be in the US.<p>I didn't have an SSN at the time, or even an ITIN.<p>I was in the country, but temporarily, on a 90 day visa waiver from the UK. I just showed my ID etc, and they opened it up. I was using the branch opposite the UN, so I assume they deal frequently with this sort of thing.<p>So, yes, I was physically present, but you could do it as part of a one day trip. I wan't resident in the US in any meaningful way - i.e., no legal residency, etc.

I'm in Canada and incorporated in Canada and was able to open a bank and merchant account in the US, as well as take Amex cards in USD. The setup:<p>1) Bank account with Harris bank. They are excellent for setting a bank account remotely. 2) USD merchant account with Moneris. They are ok but today I would probably just go with Stripe. 3) Amex is the tricky one. They require a physical us address so I used my friend's who lives I'm the US.

HSBC Bank lets you open a bank account with just the documents of incorporation of US company.Also, with the HSBC network, you need not travel to US for the account opening, this can be handled from India. Contact india.cmb.ibc[at]hsbc.co.in for more info about the process this is corporate banking support email.

I was wondering the same thing. What about someone who doesn't want to incorporate a company but just create a bank account for billing? (I'm thinking Stripe).<p>[edit] I'm an individual web developer and even Paypal doesn't work in my country so it sucks. It'd be great if there were a way around it.

the ssn type requirements are just for the irs to track income. since you don't have the requirements for an SSN get an ITIN (see below) ================================== corp: get a physical mailing address. sign up your corp at that address (preferably delaware), or using a corporate agent to maintain that address and forward mail. register your corp, get an ein number from irs.gov (don't have someone do this on your behalf, its literally a 2 minute online form), and then open your account.<p>personal: as for a personal account i think you just need to get a taxpayer id... ( <a href="http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96287,00.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96287,00.html</a> )

Try Silicon Valley Bank. Particularly if you're funded. They can also hold foreign currency.

I'm presently encountering this issue. I would like to charge credit cards directly on the site without going through PayPal, but US gateways want me to have a US presence, European gateways want me to have a European presence (checked by seeing that I have a company address in Europe and utility bills coming in with my name to that address). Why it matters where I physically reside is a bit of a mystery to me.

This should be something you discuss with your lawyer, don't cheap out and miss dotting a T or crossing an I with corporate stuff.

Bank account is not required to incorporate in the US. Whoever is telling you this hasn't done their homework.

Why do you want to incorporate in the US?

aussie in this exact situation checking in .... after looking into the local options for charging in US dollars (NAB is the only player in town who will handle foreign currency transactions, but it's messy and expsensive), I'm now looking at either flying to the US or using a third party to incorporate an LCC and set up a US bank account for me (I won't link directly to any sites, but you should be able to google for them). This isn't me, but this fellow summarises the issues facing aussies startups who want to charge in US dollars - <a href="http://www.geoffmcqueen.com/2010/07/02/going-to-america-online-business-from-down-under/" rel="nofollow">http://www.geoffmcqueen.com/2010/07/02/going-to-america-onli...</a>

If you open a US bank account while incorporating in your home country, how would the tax paying work? Would you have to pay anything to the US Gov?

I opened a personal checking with my passport + proof of address (just made a quick rental contract with a friend).

I think that you need a SSN for a personal bank account nowadays..

HSBC