Relay Bank for Non-Residents: Eligibility, Documents, and How to Apply

Relay bank for non residents is realistic: Relay is a US business banking platform that welcomes non-US founders who own a registered US company. You do not need to be a US citizen or resident, but you do need a US LLC or corporation, an EIN, and valid identity documents. Applications are usually online and fully remote.

Last updated: July 2026

What Is Relay and Is It a Real Bank?

This is the first thing every founder should understand: Relay is a financial technology (fintech) company, not a chartered bank itself. Relay provides the software, the dashboard, the debit cards, and the multi-account structure. The actual deposit accounts are held at a partner bank — Thread Bank, Member FDIC. This matters because your funds are eligible for FDIC insurance through the partner bank, subject to that bank's terms, not through Relay directly.

For a non-resident business owner, this "fintech + FDIC-insured partner bank" model is a feature, not a warning sign. It is the same structure used by Mercury and many modern US business banking providers. Relay is designed for online businesses, e-commerce sellers, agencies, and small companies that want to manage cash flow with up to 20 checking accounts and multiple debit cards under one login. There are no monthly fees on the standard plan and no minimum balance requirement, which suits early-stage founders.

Always confirm the current partner bank and FDIC details on Relay's own website before you apply, as fintech partner-bank relationships can change over time.

Can Non-US Residents Open a Relay Account?

Yes. Relay accepts applications from non-US residents who own a US-registered business, and the entire process is designed to be completed online without traveling to the United States. When people ask whether a Relay bank for non residents setup is possible, the honest answer is that eligibility depends far more on your company than on your passport.

What Relay generally looks for is a legitimate US entity — most commonly an LLC formed in Wyoming or Delaware or another state — a valid Employer Identification Number (EIN) issued by the IRS, and government-issued identification for every beneficial owner. You do not need a US Social Security Number (SSN), a US home address, or a US phone number to be considered. The company's registered agent address in the state of formation is typically used as the business address.

That said, Relay reserves the right to decline any application at its discretion, and approval is never guaranteed. Sole proprietorships and unregistered businesses are not eligible; you need a formal legal entity.

Eligibility Requirements for Non-Residents

Before you spend time on the application, check that you meet the core requirements. As of 2026, a non-resident applicant should have:

• A registered US business entity — an LLC or C-Corporation in good standing with the Secretary of State.
• A valid EIN from the IRS — issued to your specific entity. A non-resident with no SSN or ITIN can still get an EIN without an SSN by filing Form SS-4 with "Foreign" on line 7b.
• Proof of the EIN — your IRS EIN confirmation. This is often the quiet dealbreaker, and we cover it in detail below.
• Government-issued photo ID for each owner with 25% or more ownership, plus anyone with significant control.
• Beneficial ownership information — names, dates of birth, and residential addresses of the owners, collected to satisfy US banking (KYC) rules.
• A genuine business purpose — a plausible description of what your company does and where its customers are.

Meeting every requirement improves your odds, but it does not override Relay's internal risk checks or its restricted-country policy, which we look at next.

Prohibited and Restricted Countries

US banking partners must comply with sanctions and anti-money-laundering rules set by bodies such as the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). This means residents or citizens of certain countries cannot be onboarded, and applicants from some higher-risk jurisdictions face extra scrutiny. The specific list changes, so treat the table below as a general guide and verify the current policy directly with Relay and against the OFAC sanctions list before applying.

Because sanctions policy is a legal matter and updates frequently, never rely on this summary as settled fact — confirm the current figure and eligibility with primary sources (OFAC and Relay) at the time you apply.

Documents You Need Before Applying

Gather everything before you start so the application does not stall halfway. Prepare these items in order:

1. Articles of Organization or Incorporation — the stamped formation document from the Secretary of State.
2. Your EIN confirmation — the IRS CP 575 notice issued when the EIN was assigned, or a 147C letter if you no longer have the original CP 575.
3. Government-issued photo ID — a passport is best for non-residents; have a clear, uncropped scan ready.
4. Proof of your residential address — such as a utility bill or bank statement, if requested.
5. Business address details — usually your registered agent address in the state of formation.
6. Ownership and control information — full legal names, dates of birth, and addresses for each beneficial owner.
7. A short business description — what you sell, your website if you have one, and where revenue comes from.

A recurring theme in stalled applications is the EIN document. Relay's system needs to match your legal entity name and EIN exactly. If the name or number does not match IRS records, the application can pause — which is where the 147C letter becomes your best friend, as explained in the next sections.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply to Relay as a Non-Resident

The practical flow is straightforward once your paperwork is ready. Follow these steps:

1. Confirm your company is fully formed. Your LLC or corporation must be active with the Secretary of State and your EIN issued before you begin.
2. Create your Relay profile. Sign up online with your email and set up your login credentials.
3. Enter business details. Provide the exact legal entity name, formation state, entity type, and EIN — copy them precisely from your IRS document.
4. Add owners and control persons. Enter identity and ownership information for everyone who owns 25% or more.
5. Upload documents. Attach your formation document, EIN confirmation (CP 575 or 147C), and passport.
6. Describe your business. Give a clear, honest summary of your activities and expected transaction patterns.
7. Submit and wait for review. Relay's team reviews the application; some are approved quickly, while others need follow-up documents.
8. Complete any verification requests. Respond promptly if Relay asks for a 147C letter or additional proof — fast replies keep your file moving.

Realistic timeline: a clean application with matching documents can be approved within a few business days. If verification questions come up, expect one to two weeks. If your EIN document is missing or mismatched, the wait can stretch much longer, because you may need to request a replacement from the IRS first.

Relay vs Mercury vs Wise for Non-Residents

Relay is not the only option, and many founders open more than one account for redundancy. Here is a simplified comparison as of 2026 — verify current features and fees on each provider's website before deciding.

There is no single "best" answer. Relay shines at organizing money across many buckets; Mercury is popular with venture-backed startups; Wise is strong for cross-border payments in multiple currencies. Read our fuller guide on how to open a US business bank account as a non-resident to compare them for your situation.

What to Do If Relay Rejects Your Application

A rejection or a stalled review is not the end. In our experience, most non-resident problems trace back to the EIN document, a mismatched business name, or an address that does not line up. Work through these fixes:

• Request a 147C letter. This is the single most useful move. Many applications stall because the CP 575 is lost or the name/EIN does not match IRS records. A 147C letter re-verifies an existing EIN. Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 1-800-829-4933 to request one. Submitting a fresh 147C often unblocks a paused Relay application when the original CP 575 was the sticking point.
• Match your addresses. Make sure the business address you enter — typically your registered agent address — matches your formation records and any documents you upload. Inconsistent addresses trigger extra review.
• Fix name mismatches. The legal entity name must be identical everywhere: formation document, EIN record, and Relay form. Even a small difference (LLC vs L.L.C.) can cause friction.
• Strengthen your business description. Vague or high-risk-sounding descriptions invite denials. Be specific and truthful about what you do.
• Apply to an alternative. If Relay still says no, Mercury or Wise may fit better. Having a US LLC and EIN keeps every door open.

Do not apply repeatedly in frustration; fix the underlying document issue first, then reapply cleanly.

How UpToNova Helps Non-Residents Get Bank-Ready

Most banking rejections happen because the company was not set up cleanly in the first place. UpToNova forms US LLCs for non-residents — with no SSN, no US address, and no travel required — for a flat $200 service fee plus the state filing fee (the state fee varies by state; verify the current amount with your state's Secretary of State). We have helped founders across 50+ countries reach the point where a US account application actually goes through.

Every package includes your LLC filing, one year of registered agent service, EIN filing obtained without an SSN, an operating agreement, and hands-on guidance to open a US business bank account with Mercury, Relay, or Wise. Formation filing typically completes in about three days. Getting an EIN without an SSN is slower than the online method — expect roughly four to six weeks by mail, or a few business days by fax, because the IRS online tool requires an SSN or ITIN. We handle the SS-4 filing for you and can help you request a 147C letter later if a bank asks for it.

This coordinated setup is what makes a Relay bank for non residents application go smoothly: because your registered agent address, entity name, and EIN all come from one source, the address and name mismatches that stall so many Relay applications simply do not happen. Ready to become bank-ready the right way? See our simple flat-fee pricing and form your US LLC today, and get from idea to a fundable US account without the guesswork.

This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice — consult a licensed attorney or CPA for your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Relay a real bank or just an app?

Relay is a fintech platform, not a chartered bank. It provides the software and cards, while deposits are held at a partner bank (Thread Bank, Member FDIC) that provides FDIC insurance subject to its terms. Confirm the current partner-bank and insurance details on Relay's own website before you apply, as of 2026.

Can I open a Relay account without visiting the US?

Yes. The entire Relay application is designed to be completed online, so non-residents can apply remotely without traveling to the United States. You will need a registered US LLC or corporation, a valid EIN, and a government-issued photo ID such as a passport for each beneficial owner of the company.

Do I need an SSN to open Relay as a non-resident?

No. You do not need a US Social Security Number to open Relay. You do need an EIN for your business, which a non-resident can obtain without an SSN by filing IRS Form SS-4 and writing "Foreign" on line 7b. UpToNova handles this EIN filing as part of forming your LLC.

Why did my Relay application stall, and can a 147C letter help?

Stalls usually trace to a missing or mismatched EIN document. If your original CP 575 is lost or your name and EIN do not match IRS records, request a 147C letter from the IRS at 1-800-829-4933. Submitting a fresh 147C often unblocks a paused Relay application quickly.

Which state should I form my LLC in before opening Relay?

Relay does not require a specific state. Many non-residents choose Wyoming for low cost and privacy, or Delaware for its established business framework. The right choice depends on your goals; our Wyoming vs Delaware comparison walks through the trade-offs so you can pick before you apply for banking.

What are the ongoing tax filings for a foreign-owned US LLC?

A foreign-owned single-member (disregarded) LLC must file Form 5472 attached to a pro forma Form 1120 every year, even with $0 US tax. The minimum penalty for late or missing filing is $25,000 under IRC Section 6038A. It is generally due April 15 (or October 15 with extension). Consult a CPA and verify current IRS rules.