Best US Bank Account for Non-Residents in 2025: Mercury vs Wise vs Payoneer vs Relay

Once your US LLC is formed, you need a place to receive and manage your money. US banks are notoriously difficult for non-residents — most require you to physically visit a branch in America. But a new generation of online-first business accounts has changed everything. Here is an honest comparison of the best options for MEA founders with a US LLC.

Why You Need a US Bank Account

A US bank account tied to your LLC is required for:

• Receiving Stripe and PayPal payouts
• Opening Shopify Payments
• Sending and receiving USD payments from US clients
• Paying US suppliers or services (like AWS, Google Ads, Meta Ads)
• Building a proper US business financial footprint

Without a US bank account, your LLC is incomplete. Fortunately, several excellent options are available to non-residents with no US visit required.

Mercury Bank

What it is

Mercury is a US business bank account designed for startups and tech companies. It is FDIC-insured (through its banking partners), completely free, and 100% online. It has become the default choice for non-resident LLC owners because of its clean interface, fast onboarding, and wide acceptance by payment processors.

Key features

• Free checking and savings accounts
• No monthly fees, no minimum balance
• US routing and account numbers (ACH and wire transfers)
• Virtual and physical debit cards
• API access for automation
• Stripe, PayPal, and Shopify integration

Non-resident eligibility

Mercury accepts non-US residents who own a US LLC. You need your LLC documents, EIN, and passport. No US visit required. LaunchBridge opens Mercury accounts as part of the Ultimate package.

Best for

Primary business banking. Mercury is where you receive Stripe and PayPal payouts and manage your main USD balance.

Verdict

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — The best free US business bank account for non-residents in 2025.

Wise Business

What it is

Wise (formerly TransferWise) is a multi-currency account that gives you local bank details in 10+ currencies including USD, EUR, GBP, and MAD. It is not technically a bank — it is an electronic money institution — but for most practical purposes, it functions like one.

Key features

• USD account with US routing numbers
• Multi-currency balances (USD, EUR, GBP, MAD, and more)
• Real mid-market exchange rates
• USD → MAD transfers (for sending money to Morocco)
• Debit cards in multiple currencies
• Batch payments

Non-resident eligibility

Wise Business accepts non-residents with a US LLC. Setup requires LLC documents and EIN. LaunchBridge opens Wise Business accounts as part of the Ultimate package.

Best for

Currency conversion and international transfers. Wise is the best tool for moving money from USD to MAD at competitive rates. Also excellent for paying international suppliers in their local currency.

Verdict

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Essential for MEA founders who need to move money between USD and local currencies.

Payoneer

What it is

Payoneer is a global payment platform popular in markets where traditional banking is limited. It has been operating in MENA for over a decade and has strong brand recognition among Moroccan freelancers and e-commerce sellers.

Key features

• US payment receiving account (not a full bank account)
• Receive from Amazon, Upwork, Fiverr, and other marketplaces
• Withdraw to local bank accounts in 190+ countries including Morocco
• Prepaid Mastercard
• Multi-currency support

Non-resident eligibility

Payoneer is available to Moroccan residents directly without a US LLC. However, pairing it with your LLC gives you additional credibility and marketplace access (especially Amazon seller central).

Best for

Marketplaces (Amazon, Upwork, Fiverr) and receiving payments from clients who already use Payoneer. Also good as a backup receiving account.

Verdict

⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Great for marketplace income and local withdrawals, but not a full banking replacement.

Relay

What it is

Relay is a US business banking platform designed for small businesses. It offers multiple checking accounts (up to 20), team spending controls, and strong accounting integrations (QuickBooks, Xero).

Key features

• Up to 20 checking accounts
• 20 virtual debit cards
• Team spending permissions
• QuickBooks and Xero integration
• No monthly fees on the free plan

Non-resident eligibility

Relay accepts non-residents with US LLCs. Slightly more documentation may be required compared to Mercury.

Best for

Founders who want to separate revenue streams into different accounts (e.g., operations, taxes, savings) and those who use accounting software heavily.

Verdict

⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Excellent for organized financial management, especially if you have a team or multiple revenue streams.

The Recommended Stack for MEA Founders

You do not need to choose just one. The most effective setup for a Moroccan founder with a US LLC is:

1. Mercury — Primary business account. Receives Stripe and PayPal payouts.
2. Wise Business — Currency conversion. Transfer USD to MAD at real rates.
3. Payoneer — Marketplace income (Amazon, Upwork) and backup account.

LaunchBridge's Ultimate package sets up all three of these accounts for you as part of the service.

Can I Open These Accounts Without a US LLC?

Payoneer — yes. Mercury and Relay — no, they require a US business entity (LLC or corporation). Wise Business — technically yes as an individual, but the business account requires a registered entity for full access.

The US LLC is the key that unlocks the full banking stack.

What About Traditional US Banks?

Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo technically allow non-resident LLCs to open accounts, but in practice they require an in-person branch visit with original documents. For founders based in Morocco with no plans to visit the US, these are not practical options in 2025.

Ready to Set Up Your US Banking Stack?

LaunchBridge's Ultimate package includes Mercury Bank, Wise Business, and Payoneer account setup — alongside your LLC formation, EIN, and Stripe/PayPal onboarding. Everything done for you, in 8 days. Starting at 1,799 DH.