US Business Bank Account from Abroad: Mercury vs Relay vs Brex (2025 Guide)

Opening a US business bank account from abroad used to be nearly impossible. Today, fintech has revolutionized banking for international entrepreneurs. But with changing policies and new restrictions, which bank actually approves foreign-owned LLCs in 2025? This guide reveals real approval rates, requirements, and insider strategies for each option.

The Reality of US Banking for Non-Residents in 2025

What’s Changed

2020-2022: The Golden Era

Easy approvals for everyone
Minimal documentation
No revenue requirements
Global acceptance

2023-2024: The Tightening

Increased scrutiny
Country restrictions
Revenue requirements
More rejections

2025: The New Normal

Clear requirements published
Specific country lists
Focus on real businesses
Better for prepared applicants

Current Landscape

Who’s Still Approving:

Mercury: Selective but fair
Relay: Most international-friendly
Brex: High requirements
Wise: Not full banking
Novo: Case by case
Found: Newer option

Who’s Restricted:

Chase: In-person required
Bank of America: US presence needed
Wells Fargo: SSN required
Most traditional banks: No remote

Success Rates by Region (2025 Data)

Region	Mercury	Relay	Brex	Wise
Western Europe	75%	85%	60%	95%
Eastern Europe	45%	70%	30%	95%
Latin America	60%	80%	40%	95%
Asia-Pacific	65%	75%	50%	95%
Middle East	40%	65%	25%	90%
Africa	35%	60%	20%	85%

Mercury Bank: Pros, Cons, and Approval Requirements

Mercury Overview

What Mercury Is:

Tech-forward business banking
Built for startups
API-first approach
Modern interface
No monthly fees

Current Status (2025):

Still accepting international
More selective than before
Clear requirements
Fast decisions
Better for tech businesses

Pros of Mercury

1. Superior Technology

Best mobile app
Clean interface
API access
Integrations galore
Real-time everything

2. No Fees

No monthly charges
No minimum balance
Free wires (limited)
Free ACH transfers
No hidden costs

3. Features

Virtual cards instantly
Team cards with limits
Bill pay included
Check deposits via app
International wires

4. Speed

3-5 day approval
Instant card generation
Same-day transfers
Quick support

Cons of Mercury

1. Selective Approval

~60% approval rate international
Prefers tech/SaaS
Dislikes e-commerce
Country restrictions

2. Sudden Policy Changes

Can change requirements
Account reviews common
Closures happen
Limited appeal process

3. Limited Services

No cash deposits
No physical branches
Limited phone support
No overdraft

Approval Requirements

Must Have:

Should Have:

Red Flags:

Crypto main business
Dropshipping
High-risk industries
No web presence
Generic business description

Mercury Application Strategy

Preparation Week:

Polish website
Update LinkedIn
Prepare business description
Gather documents
Plan video call

Application Tips:

Apply Tuesday-Thursday
Clear business model
Emphasize US connections
Show growth potential
Be specific, not generic

If Rejected:

Don’t reapply immediately
Fix identified issues
Wait 3-6 months
Consider alternatives first

Relay Financial: The Underdog Alternative

Why Relay is Rising

Relay’s Positioning:

Built for small business
International-friendly
Profit First methodology
Multiple accounts included
Growing rapidly

Key Advantages:

Highest international approval rate
Clear requirements
Helpful support
Business-focused features
Stable policies

Relay Pros

1. International Friendly

75-85% approval rate
Most countries accepted
Clear eligible list
Fewer surprises
Consistent policies

2. Multiple Accounts

Up to 20 checking accounts
Organize by purpose
Profit First built-in
Easy transfers
Clear visibility

3. Team Features

50 users included
Individual cards
Spending controls
Role permissions
Audit trails

4. Pricing Transparency

$30/month or free
50 free ACH/month
Clear wire fees
No hidden charges
Predictable costs

Relay Cons

1. Basic Interface

Less polished than Mercury
Mobile app improving
Fewer integrations
Basic reporting

2. Limited Features

No API (yet)
Basic bill pay
No virtual cards
Limited automation

3. Newer Platform

Established 2019
Still building features
Smaller team
Growing pains

Relay Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

US business entity
EIN from IRS
Business purpose
Authorized person
Not on restricted list

Restricted Countries (Short List):

Iran, North Korea
Syria, Cuba
Russia, Belarus
Myanmar
(Much shorter than others)

Approval Tips:

Be honest about international
Clear business description
Show US business purpose
Have basic website
Respond quickly to requests

Why Choose Relay

Best For:

First US bank account
Service businesses
E-commerce accepted
International founders
Multiple currency needs

Success Story: “After Mercury rejected our Brazilian LLC, Relay approved us in 3 days. Now processing $50K/month with zero issues.” - Software agency founder

Brex: When You Need Corporate Cards

Brex Evolution

Original Brex: Startup-focused, easy approval Brex 2023: Pivoted to enterprise Brex 2025: Selective but valuable

Brex Pros

1. Premium Cards

High limits (no personal guarantee)
7x points on rideshare
4x points on restaurants
1x points on everything
Great rewards

2. Expense Management

Best-in-class platform
Receipt matching
Policy enforcement
Real-time visibility
Accounting sync

3. Global Features

International acceptance
No forex fees
Virtual cards for vendors
Multi-currency
Travel benefits

4. Integrations

QuickBooks, Xero
Slack notifications
API available
Modern stack
Automated workflows

Brex Cons

1. High Requirements

$50K minimum cash
Or $100K revenue/year
Or venture funding
Quarterly reviews
Can request more

2. Not Full Banking

No checks
Limited ACH
Partner bank services
Focus on cards
Bill pay extra

3. Cost

Starts at $49/month
Per user fees
Premium features extra
Can get expensive

Brex Approval Strategy

Qualification Path:

Start with Relay/Mercury
Build 3-6 months history
Show consistent revenue
Apply with proof
Emphasize card needs

What Brex Wants:

Funded startups
Growing revenue
Tech companies
Clear burn rate
Professional team

International Considerations:

Harder for international
Need strong US presence
Revenue proof critical
May require deposit
Better as second account

Comparison Table: Fees, Features, and Restrictions

Comprehensive Comparison

Feature	Mercury	Relay	Brex	Wise Business
Monthly Fee	$0	$0-30	$49+	$0
Minimum Balance	$0	$0	$50K suggested	$0
International Approval	60%	80%	40%	95%
Setup Time	3-5 days	2-4 days	5-7 days	Same day
Free ACH	Unlimited	50/month	Limited	Pay per use
Wire Fees	$15 in, $25 out	$20 in, $25 out	Varies	$4.14+
Virtual Cards	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Physical Cards	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
API Access	Yes	Coming	Yes	Yes
Check Deposit	Mobile	Mobile	No	No
Multi-Currency	No	No	Cards only	50+ currencies
Support Quality	Good	Excellent	Good	OK
Best For	Tech startups	Most businesses	Funded companies	International

Feature Deep Dive

Payment Capabilities:

Payment Type	Mercury	Relay	Brex	Wise
ACH Push	✅ Free	✅ 50 free	✅ Limited	✅ Fee
ACH Pull	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes
Wire Domestic	✅ $25	✅ $25	✅ Via partner	✅ Cheap
Wire International	✅ $35	✅ $35	✅ Expensive	✅ Best rates
Bill Pay	✅ Yes	✅ Basic	✅ Advanced	❌ No
Check Writing	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No
Zelle/Venmo	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No

Country Restrictions (2025)

Mercury Restricted (~40 countries):

Most of Africa (except South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria)
Russia, Belarus, Ukraine
Middle East (except Israel, UAE)
High-risk designations

Relay Restricted (~15 countries):

Sanctioned countries only
North Korea, Iran, Syria
Cuba, Myanmar
Very short list

Brex Restricted (~50 countries):

Similar to Mercury
Plus revenue requirements
More selective overall

Wise Restricted (~10 countries):

Mainly sanctioned
Most inclusive option
Not full banking

Backup Options: Wise Business and Payoneer

Wise Business

What It Is:

Multi-currency account
Local bank details globally
Not traditional banking
Bridge solution

Best Features:

Hold 50+ currencies
Real exchange rates
Local receiving details
Instant conversions
Global debit card

Limitations:

Not FDIC insured
No checks
No overdraft
Limited integration
Not “real” bank

When to Use:

As backup to main bank
International transactions
Multi-currency needs
While waiting for approval
Travel and expenses

Payoneer

What It Is:

Payment service provider
Global receiving accounts
Focus on freelancers
Marketplace integrations

Strengths:

Receive from companies
Multiple currencies
Virtual accounts
Marketplace ready
High approval rate

Weaknesses:

High fees
Poor exchange rates
Not real banking
Limited features
Withdrawal focused

Best For:

Marketplace sellers
Freelancers
Backup option
Specific use cases

Novel: The New Player

Overview:

Newer fintech bank
Growing popularity
Good international rates
Modern features

Current Status:

Building reputation
Decent approval rates
Good for e-commerce
Worth considering

Red Flags That Get Applications Rejected

Universal Red Flags

1. Business Model Issues

Vague descriptions
High-risk industries
No clear revenue model
Cryptocurrency focus
Regulated industries

2. Documentation Problems

Mismatched names
Old LLC (>90 days is harder)
No EIN yet
Incomplete forms
Poor quality scans

3. Online Presence

No website
Suspicious domain
No LinkedIn
Negative search results
Inconsistent information

4. Geographic Issues

Sanctioned countries
High-risk regions
VPN usage
Address mismatches
No clear connection to US

5. Application Behavior

Multiple applications
Rushed submissions
Unresponsive to requests
Argumentative tone
Impatience

Bank-Specific Triggers

Mercury Red Flags:

E-commerce heavy
Dropshipping
No tech component
Generic business
Cash intensive

Relay Yellow Flags:

Very few rejections
Mainly sanctions
Honest approach works
Patience helps

Brex Blockers:

No funding/revenue
Under $50K cash
Not growing
Solo founder
Service business

Recovery Strategies

If Rejected Everywhere:

Start with Wise Business
Build transaction history
Improve online presence
Get US customers
Reapply in 3-6 months

Common Fixes:

Better website
Clear business model
US phone number
Professional email
LinkedIn presence
Revenue proof

Step-by-Step: Maximize Your Approval Chances

Pre-Application Prep (1 Week Before)

Day 1-2: Documentation

Day 3-4: Online Presence

Day 5-7: Business Clarity

Application Week

Monday: Final Prep

Review all materials
Test website functionality
Ensure documents match
Clear schedule for week
Prepare for video calls

Tuesday: Primary Application

Apply to top choice (Relay/Mercury)
Use morning US Eastern time
Complete in one session
Double-check everything
Submit confidently

Wednesday: Follow-Up

Check email constantly
Respond within hours
Provide additional docs
Schedule video calls
Stay professional

Thursday: Backup Application

If no response, apply to backup
Don’t mention first application
Fresh approach
Different positioning
Equal enthusiasm

Friday: Status Check

Follow up if needed
Prepare weekend docs
Plan next steps
Stay positive
Document process

Post-Application

If Approved:

Complete setup immediately
Order debit cards
Set up integrations
Make small transactions
Build history

If Pending:

Respond quickly
Provide everything asked
Be patient
Don’t apply elsewhere yet
Follow up weekly

If Rejected:

Ask for specific reasons
Don’t argue or reapply
Move to next option
Fix identified issues
Try again in 3 months

Alternative Strategies for Difficult Cases

The Building Block Approach

Step 1: Wise Business

Easy approval
Build history
Show transactions
3-6 months

Step 2: Relay Financial

Use Wise history
Show revenue
Patient approach
Higher success

Step 3: Mercury/Brex

Established history
Revenue proof
Professional presence
Best features

The Partnership Strategy

Find a US Partner:

US citizen/resident
Trusted relationship
Add to LLC
Apply together
Remove later

Use a Service:

Formation services
Banking assistance
Professional help
Higher success
Worth the cost

The Revenue First Method

Before Banking:

Use Wise/PayPal
Generate revenue
Show traction
Build history
Apply with proof

Success Rate: 90%+ with $5K+ monthly revenue

Geographic Arbitrage

If From Restricted Country:

Form LLC in Wyoming
Use service address
Build US presence
Emphasize US business
Downplay foreign connection

Not lying, just emphasis

2025 Banking Landscape Predictions

What’s Coming

Positive Trends:

More fintech options
Clearer requirements
Better technology
Faster approvals
Global mindset

Challenges Ahead:

Increased regulation
More documentation
Revenue requirements
Fewer free options
Consolidation

New Players to Watch

Found: Banking for e-commerce Lili: Freelancer focused Bluevine: Higher limits Rho: Enterprise features Arc: Startup treasury

Strategy for Success

Diversification:

Multiple accounts
Different banks
Backup options
International alternatives
Not all eggs in one basket

Professionalization:

Real business model
Clear documentation
Professional presence
Revenue focus
Growth mindset

Your Action Plan

Week 1: Preparation

Form LLC if needed
Get EIN from IRS
Build basic website
Create LinkedIn profile
Prepare documentation

Week 2: Applications

Apply to Relay first (highest approval)
Wait 48 hours
Apply to Mercury if desired
Set up Wise as backup
Follow up diligently

Week 3: Optimization

Complete account setup
Order cards
Make test transactions
Set up integrations
Build history

Month 2+: Growth

Increase activity
Apply for additional services
Build business credit
Consider premium options
Scale confidently

Conclusion: Banking is Possible

The days of impossible international banking are over. With the right approach, preparation, and realistic expectations, you can secure US business banking from anywhere in the world.

Key Takeaways:

Relay has highest approval rates
Mercury best for tech
Brex needs revenue
Wise works as backup
Preparation is everything

Your success depends on:

Clear business model
Professional presence
Patient approach
Multiple options
Persistence

Don’t let banking be the bottleneck to your global business success.

Start Your US Banking Journey →

From application to approval – we’ve helped thousands of international entrepreneurs open US business accounts. Your turn starts today.

This article does not offer legal or tax advice. If needed, seek the help of a professional. The information provided is for informational purposes only and is publicly available.