Open a Mercury Bank Account

Your LLC is formed. Now you need a US bank account. Without one, you can't separate personal and business finances, you can't accept wire transfers, and you'll have trouble with US clients who expect business bank details. Mercury solves all of this — and it's the account most international founders on this guide actually use.

Why Mercury?

Mercury is a fintech business bank built specifically for startups and online businesses. Unlike traditional banks, Mercury doesn't require you to walk into a branch, have a US Social Security Number, or maintain a minimum balance. The entire account opening process happens online, and the interface is clean and modern — a far cry from the outdated dashboards of legacy banks.

For international founders forming a US LLC, Mercury is the most accessible option available. It accepts applications from foreign nationals, doesn't require an ITIN, and works well with Stripe Atlas formations. It's the account we recommend in this guide because it's the one that actually works — not just in theory, but for real founders who've been through the process.

What You Need Before Applying

The good news: you can open your Mercury account before your EIN letter arrives. You'll get your account number early and complete EIN verification once the CP575 arrives in Step 10. Here's what to have ready:

• Your formed LLC — you need the Certificate of Formation from Stripe Atlas (or your state filing confirmation)
• Your EIN or confirmation it's pending — Stripe Atlas shows your EIN in the dashboard once submitted to the IRS, even before the physical letter arrives
• A valid passport — Mercury accepts foreign passports for identity verification
• Your personal address — your address outside the US is fine
• Your business email — the one you set up in Step 3

The Mercury Application Process

The application is entirely online and takes about 10–15 minutes to complete. Using a referral link (the one above) moves your application into a priority review queue — Mercury processes referred applications faster than cold signups, which matters when you're waiting to start accepting payments.

1. Go to Mercury via the referral link above — this ensures fast-lane review
2. Enter your business details — LLC name, EIN (or note it's pending), business type, and industry
3. Verify your identity — upload your passport and a selfie; Mercury uses automated verification
4. Provide your personal address — your non-US address is accepted
5. Submit and wait — Mercury reviews applications manually for international founders; typically 1–3 business days
6. Receive approval email — log in to your new account, note your account and routing numbers

After Your Account Is Open

Once approved, a few things to do right away:

• Note your account number and routing number — you'll need these to receive wire transfers and ACH payments
• Order your physical debit card from the dashboard (ships to international addresses)
• Request a virtual debit card immediately — you can use it for online purchases while the physical card ships
• Set up account alerts so you're notified of all incoming and outgoing transactions

When your EIN letter arrives (Step 10), return to Mercury's dashboard and complete the EIN verification. This removes any temporary account restrictions and unlocks the full account — including the ability to apply for Mercury's secured business credit card, which starts building your business credit history from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a non-US resident open a Mercury bank account?

Yes. Mercury was built for startups and is international-founder friendly. You do not need a US Social Security Number or ITIN to open an account. You will need your LLC's EIN to complete full verification, but you can open the account and get your account number before the EIN letter arrives.

Does Mercury have monthly fees or minimum balances?

No. Mercury has no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirements for its standard business checking account. It is completely free to open and maintain. Mercury earns revenue from interchange fees on debit card transactions, not from account fees.

What does Mercury require to open a business bank account?

To open a Mercury account, you need: your formed LLC (Certificate of Formation), your EIN or confirmation it's pending, a valid government-issued ID (passport works), and a personal address. Mercury will complete EIN verification once your CP575 EIN letter arrives.

What is the Mercury referral link fast-lane verification?

Using a referral link when signing up for Mercury can speed up the application review process. Mercury prioritizes applications from referred signups, which means your account is typically reviewed and approved faster than going through the standard queue. This is especially useful for international founders where manual review is required.