Choosing a U.S. business account as a non-resident starts with two questions: which providers accept your business, and which features support your daily operations?
Wise Business, Revolut Business and Lili offer different ways to receive payments, manage expenses and move money internationally. Eligibility depends on each provider’s requirements, including your company structure, business activity and the residence or citizenship of the people involved.
Globalfy partners with all three. In this guide, we’ll explain their main features, what international founders should check before applying and how to compare them for a U.S. company.
Can a non-resident open a U.S. business account?
Yes. Eligible founders living outside the United States can apply with providers that support non-resident business owners. However, registering a U.S. company does not automatically qualify you for an account.
For example, Lili considers applicants’ citizenship, while Revolut Business publishes residence requirements for applicants with U.S.-registered companies. Wise verifies company details, ownership and the physical location where the business operates.
Before applying, check:
- Whether the provider supports your company structure and industry.
- Whether you and the relevant owners meet its residence or citizenship requirements.
- Which business and personal addresses you’ll need to verify.
- Whether the payment methods and currencies you need are available.
You’ll also encounter both banking platforms and other financial services providers. Review who provides the account services and which protection terms apply to the specific product you choose.
Wise Business for a U.S. company
Wise Business offers tools for receiving, holding, converting and sending money in multiple currencies. It also provides accounting integrations and team access controls, subject to availability.
If your U.S. company receives money from international clients or pays suppliers in different currencies, these are useful features to evaluate. Compare the costs for your actual payment routes, including receiving, conversion and outgoing transfers.
What should non-resident founders check?
Wise distinguishes between your company’s registered address and its trading address.
The registered address is where the company is officially registered. The trading address is the physical location where you work, which may be an office, coworking space or home. A virtual address, mail forwarding service or registration agency does not qualify as a trading address.
Location restrictions also apply. Wise’s U.S. verification guidance currently lists Nevada among the locations it cannot onboard. Review the latest requirements before applying.
Revolut Business for a U.S. company
Revolut Business combines payments and currency exchange with tools for managing company spending.
Its U.S. offering includes physical and virtual cards, spending controls, approval workflows and accounting integrations. These features are worth evaluating if employees or partners need to make purchases on behalf of the business.
Compare plans based on your expected transactions and team needs. Currency exchange allowances, fees and available tools vary by plan.
What should non-resident founders check?
Revolut’s eligibility requirements cover both the company and the applicant.
For U.S.-registered companies, the person applying must reside in a supported country or territory. Brazil is currently included on that list. Your company must also meet the applicable requirements for legal structure and business activity.
Review the requirements for a U.S.-registered business, since conditions published for other markets may differ.
Lili for non-resident business owners
Lili offers U.S. business checking and financial management tools. Lili is a financial technology company; banking services are provided by Sunrise Banks, N.A., Member FDIC.
Its offering includes domestic payments and international wires, with invoicing and bookkeeping tools available on selected paid plans.
When comparing international payment features, note how currencies are handled. Lili’s published FAQ states that outgoing international wires are sent in U.S. dollars. Incoming wires in foreign currencies are converted to dollars before reaching the account. Receiving a foreign-currency payment therefore does not mean holding a balance in that currency.
What should non-resident founders check?
Lili supports remote applications from eligible international founders with U.S.-registered businesses, without requiring an SSN.
Its requirements include supported citizenship and company and identity verification. Brazil is currently on the supported citizenship list, and owners holding 25% or more must also meet that citizenship requirement.
If you need a physical debit card, plan for delivery: Lili currently ships cards only to U.S. addresses.
Wise Business vs. Revolut Business vs. Lili
The following comparison highlights features to investigate first. The suggested use cases are editorial guidance based on the features described above.
| Solution | Main features to evaluate | Consider it when… | Check before applying |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise Business | International payments and multi-currency management | Receiving and spending different currencies is a regular part of your business | Supported locations, trading address requirements and payment-route costs |
| Revolut Business | Payments, currency exchange, cards and spending controls | Your team needs to manage purchases, expenses and approvals | Applicant residence, company eligibility and plan allowances |
| Lili | U.S. business checking, payment methods and financial tools | You need an account for everyday U.S. dollar operations | Supported citizenship, physical card delivery and plan features |
The right choice depends on the features available to your specific company and how you expect to use them.
What documents do non-residents need to apply?
Requirements vary by provider and business structure. Prepare to provide:
- Company formation documents, such as Articles of Organization or Articles of Incorporation.
- Your EIN and supporting IRS documentation.
- Valid identification for the relevant owners and account representative.
- Ownership and control details, including who owns and manages the company.
- Address information and supporting documents, where requested.
- A description of your business, including what you sell, who your customers are and how you expect to use the account.
These categories appear in the providers’ verification guidance and Globalfy’s Revolut application instructions. Additional documents may be requested during review.
Use accurate information throughout the application. If your registered address differs from where you operate, identify each correctly rather than trying to make every address match.
Preparing your documents helps you respond to verification requests. Approval remains subject to the provider’s review.
How to choose an account for your U.S. business
Once you’ve checked eligibility, compare the options against your expected activity.
1. Map your incoming payments
List where your customers are located, which currencies they’ll pay in and which payment methods they use. Check whether the account can receive those payments and what it costs.
2. Review your outgoing expenses
Include supplier payments, contractor transfers, subscriptions and other recurring expenses. Consider how often you’ll convert currencies and whether you need to keep funds in more than one currency.
3. Identify who needs access
If several people handle company spending, evaluate permissions, card availability and approval workflows.
4. Compare the total cost
Look beyond the monthly subscription. Review receiving fees, transfer fees, currency conversion costs and any charges for exceeding plan allowances.
5. Plan your bookkeeping workflow
Consider how you’ll download statements, reconcile payments and share records with your accountant. Check whether the provider connects with the software you use.
This process gives you a practical basis for choosing an account that supports your business.
How Globalfy supports your U.S. company
Your business account is one part of running a U.S. company. Formation, bookkeeping and compliance also need to fit the way your business operates.
Globalfy supports international entrepreneurs with company formation, EIN, bookkeeping and compliance services, depending on the plan. Through our partnerships with Wise, Revolut Business and Lili, you can explore financial solutions alongside the other needs of your company.
Each financial provider sets its own requirements and makes its own approval decisions.
Already a Globalfy client? Contact our team to explore the partner options for your company.
Planning to start your U.S. business? Explore Globalfy’s services.
Features, fees and eligibility requirements may change. Review each provider’s applicable terms before applying. This article is for informational purposes only.