Hello,

I'm a non-us citizen planing to incorporate in the US and start a web/mail hosting service. Servers will be located in the US. I'm actually researching the available payment processing options.

Let's say I incorporate and have EIN as well but no US bank account and no merchant account. What are my payment options:

1. PayPal: I can try and get a business account and use the Express Checkout or the Website Payments Standard. Is this possible? Won't PayPal ask for US business bank account?

2. 3rd party merchant account: Same question - Won't they ask for US business bank account?

Basically I'm looking for payment options for a US company that belongs to a non-citizen and thus has no bank or merchant account.

Why don't you open a business checking account?

Why don't you open a business checking account?

Because most banks still require the principal signer to have an ssn.

Because most banks still require the principal signer to have an ssn.

Correct. No SSN, no US bank account. I know an offshore company who had some principles move to the states JUST to get a SSN!

There are options to help you for sure, but they will be 3rd party or international.

I thought the OP is living in the US, has a green card/SSN, but non us-citizen?

Just because you are not a US citizen, does not mean that you can't have a merchant account or US Bank account. To open a merchant account, they prefer that you have a SSN, but a Tax ID will work with some other documentation & US address.
For a US Business checking account you would need:

Articles of Incorporation
•Corporate Resolution authorizing you to make financial commitments, if you are not listed as an officer in the Charter;
•Your corporate seal;
•The EIN (Employer’s Identification Number) issued by the IRS;
•Business license, if applicable;
•Two forms of personal identification, such as a driver’s license or passport.
•Proof of the company’s address, such as a bill or letter delivered to the company;
•Funds for the initial deposit required by the bank you have chosen.


I might recommend using HSBC Bank or Deutsche Bank since they are probably more familiar with international accounts.
Hope this helps & Good Luck!

I thought the OP is living in the US, has a green card/SSN, but non us-citizen?

Not really. I'm living in the European Union and have no US green card nor SSN. I've actually been in the states only once with a single entry visa.

@Derhammer:
That's some valuable info, thank you. This can be done without traveling to the states?

@all:
No other payment options without a us bank account and without me flying to the states? I'm currently interested in a 3rd party merchant accounts and PayPal options.

One more question: Since getting a US bank account seems to hard, would PayPal accept US company with non-US bank account? I don't care much where the bank account will be located ... as long as it's secure and reliable.

One more question: Since getting a US bank account seems to hard, would PayPal accept US company with non-US bank account? I don't care much where the bank account will be located ... as long as it's secure and reliable.
If your within the EU, PayPal has extensive support to such countries.
https://www.paypal.com/in/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_display-approved-signup-countries-outside

You can make withdrawals from PayPal to your local bank account (Greece?) effortlessly.

Most cases you wont require a credit card processors/merchant account. Most customers are able to pay via PayPal. Incase you need other options, try MoneyBookers (wider support range), 2CheckOut and Western Union.

Because most banks still require the principal signer to have an ssn.

this is nto true, you can open account in US if you do not have SSN, i know many persons who do this

this is nto true, you can open account in US if you do not have SSN, i know many persons who do this

Care to point out which banks don't have this requirement? Every bank i've approached has required it.

Care to point out which banks don't have this requirement? Every bank i've approached has required it.

it depend to whom in bank you talk to, if you are talking with regular support with no experience they would say that you need it

I have used the services of a company named Valis International several times in the past. They used to open personal and corporate bank accounts for foreigners without requiring them to visit the USA but they stopped offering that service after Patriot act made it impossible for them to offer such services. Their website still has some info on how to open a bank account in the USA without a personal visit:

http://www.valisinternational.com/us-company-bank-accounts

Have a look at the info and contact them for more info. David Gendron, the owner of Valis was really helpful whenever I emailed him for any info.

Most banks nowadays will insist you come down to the branch. So if you want to open a bank account, travel to the US. Once you call at the bank, you will likely be able to open an account even without SSN.

this is nto true, you can open account in US if you do not have SSN, i know many persons who do this

Non-residents sometimes can, but since 9/11 it has become very stringent. You will not be able to do with it without being there in person.

I hear Bank of America might be a good place to look. I've also heard a lot of bad things about them. YMMV.

Non-residents sometimes can, but since 9/11 it has become very stringent. You will not be able to do with it without being there in person.


You can do it even without visit, it is all matter of talking wiht right banker who knows how to do it