How to Open a US Business Bank Account from Switzerland
If you have formed a US LLC from Switzerland, the next hurdle is getting a real US business bank account without flying anywhere. Here is what actually works.
Why this is harder than it looks from Switzerland
Swiss founders are often surprised that a US LLC does not come with a US bank account attached. Forming the LLC in Wyoming, Delaware, or another state is only step one. To actually use the company, invoice clients, hold funds, and get a US business debit or credit card, you need a US business bank account, and most traditional US banks still expect you to walk into a branch. That is not realistic if you are based in Zurich, Geneva, or Basel.
The good news is that a small group of fintech and digital-first banking providers were built specifically for this situation: non-resident founders with a US LLC who need to bank remotely. The bad news is that each has its own eligibility quirks, and applications from Switzerland do get declined for avoidable reasons.
What you need in place before you apply
Every provider will ask for the same core building blocks. Have these ready before you start any application:
- A registered US LLC with a filed Certificate of Formation or Articles of Organization from the state.
- An EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS. This is issued via Form SS-4, and non-residents without a US Social Security Number can apply by fax or mail rather than online. Processing by fax typically takes a few weeks.
- A US registered agent address in your formation state, plus ideally a US mailing or virtual business address for correspondence.
- Your passport and proof of Swiss residential address, such as a recent utility bill or bank statement.
- A clear, simple description of what your business actually does.
Note that an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is not required to open most business bank accounts. It is a separate IRS number for individuals who are not eligible for a Social Security Number, used mainly for personal tax filing purposes, and it does not require a US visa to obtain. Some providers may still ask for one later if you draw a personal salary from the LLC, but do not let it block your banking application.
Providers that onboard Swiss residents remotely
Three names come up repeatedly for non-US founders, and Switzerland is a market all three are comfortable with.
| Provider | Type | Good for | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | Banking-as-a-service (partner bank held) | Startups wanting a polished dashboard, virtual cards, and API access | Fully online application, generally reviews EIN and formation documents closely, best for tech and SaaS style businesses |
| Wise Business | Multi-currency account with US routing details | Founders who invoice in EUR/CHF and USD and want low FX costs | Not a full US bank account in the traditional sense, but gives real US account and routing numbers, easy to combine with a Swiss personal Wise account |
| Relay | Business banking built for small operators | Founders who want multiple sub-accounts for tax, payroll, and expenses | US-friendly onboarding for non-residents, useful if you want to separate funds by purpose from day one |
None of these require you to be a US resident, and none require a US Social Security Number. What they do require is that your LLC and EIN paperwork is clean and consistent, because that is what their compliance teams check against.
Documents to have ready, in order
- LLC formation certificate from the Secretary of State.
- EIN confirmation letter from the IRS (the CP 575 notice).
- Operating agreement, even a simple one, since some providers ask for it.
- Passport copy, valid and not close to expiry.
- Proof of Swiss address dated within the last three months.
- A one-line description of your business and expected use of the account, for example invoicing EU clients in USD or holding funds for a US-facing SaaS product.
Common reasons Swiss applicants get declined
Rejections are rarely random. The patterns are consistent:
- EIN not yet issued. Applying before the IRS has actually processed the SS-4 is the single most common cause of delay or rejection. Wait for the CP 575 letter in hand.
- Mismatched details. If your LLC name, address, or member details on the formation documents do not exactly match what you enter in the application, this triggers manual review or an outright decline.
- Vague or high-risk business description. Anything that sounds like crypto trading, money transmission, adult content, or unclear consulting activity gets extra scrutiny or automatic rejection from some providers.
- No real registered agent or address. A P.O. box alone, without a proper registered agent service, sometimes raises flags.
- Incomplete beneficial ownership information. If you are the sole member, say so clearly and consistently across every document.
What to do if you get declined
A decline from one provider is not the end of the road. First, ask for the specific reason if it is given. Then:
- Fix the underlying issue, whether that is an unclear business description or a mismatched address, before reapplying anywhere.
- Try a different provider type. If a banking-as-a-service platform like Mercury declines you, a multi-currency option like Wise may still accept the same business.
- Make sure your EIN letter is final and not a placeholder. Some founders apply with a reference number instead of the actual CP 575 confirmation.
- Consider whether your business description matches your NAICS code or activity description consistently everywhere it appears.
This is also where a lot of founders decide to stop doing this piece by piece themselves. Founders Credit handles the full sequence for European founders, LLC formation, EIN application, and matching you to a bank or fintech provider that fits your specific business type, so you are not guessing which one will actually accept a Swiss applicant with your kind of company.
Quick glossary
EIN: Employer Identification Number, issued by the IRS, needed to open a US business bank account and to file US tax forms for your LLC.
ITIN: Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, for individuals not eligible for a Social Security Number, used for personal tax filings and does not require a US visa.
Registered agent: A person or company with a physical address in your LLC's formation state, required to receive legal and state correspondence.
Form 5472: An annual information return that foreign-owned single-member LLCs must file along with a pro-forma Form 1120, even if the LLC had no income. It reports transactions between the LLC and its foreign owner and does not calculate tax itself. Missing this filing carries a penalty of $25,000.
Beneficial owner: The individual who ultimately owns or controls the LLC, information that banks and fintechs are required to collect under US anti-money-laundering rules.
Where Wyoming fits in
Most Swiss founders forming a US LLC for banking purposes choose Wyoming because it has low annual fees, no state income tax, and strong privacy for members. It is not a requirement for opening a bank account, but it is the common default because it keeps ongoing costs and complexity low while still being fully recognized by every major US banking and fintech provider.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to visit the US to open a business bank account from Switzerland?
No. Mercury, Wise Business, and Relay all support fully remote applications for non-US residents, including Swiss applicants. You will need your LLC formation documents, EIN, and standard identity verification, but no branch visit or US travel is required.
Can I open a US bank account before I have an EIN?
You should wait until the EIN is fully issued by the IRS, meaning you have received the CP 575 confirmation letter. Applying with a pending or unconfirmed EIN is one of the most common reasons Swiss founders get declined or delayed.
Is an ITIN required to open a US business bank account?
No. An ITIN is a personal tax identification number for individuals who cannot get a Social Security Number, and it is not required to open most business bank accounts. The EIN, tied to your LLC, is what banks and fintechs actually need.
What is the difference between Mercury, Wise, and Relay for a Swiss founder?
Mercury is a full banking-as-a-service platform popular with tech businesses. Wise Business gives you US account and routing numbers with strong multi-currency support, useful if you also invoice in EUR or CHF. Relay is built around multiple sub-accounts, helpful if you want to separate funds for tax or payroll from day one.
What happens if my LLC still has no US bank account after several rejections?
Review the specific decline reason, correct mismatched details or a vague business description, and try a different provider type rather than reapplying identically. Services like Founders Credit handle the LLC, EIN, and bank matching together so the whole process is set up correctly the first time.
Want this done for you?
Founders Credit sets up your US LLC, ITIN, banking and credit cards end to end, 100% remote. Skip the guesswork.
Book a free strategy call →