Can Bangladeshis Open a US Bank Account?
Yes — but not personally. As a Bangladeshi resident, you cannot walk into a US bank. However, you can open a US business bank account in the name of your US LLC — entirely remotely, from Bangladesh.
The three most popular options for Bangladeshi LLC owners:
- Mercury Bank — 100% remote, startup-friendly, no minimum balance, integrates with Stripe and PayPal
- Relay — Remote-friendly, multiple sub-accounts, debit cards, excellent for e-commerce
- Wise Business — Multi-currency, instant global transfers, low fees for sending money back to Bangladesh
Stripe is not directly available in Bangladesh. The proven workaround: form a US LLC → get an EIN → get an ITIN → open a Mercury or Relay US bank account → activate Stripe as a US business. All fully legal and remote.
What You Need to Open Each Account
| Bank | LLC Docs | EIN | ITIN | US Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | ✅ Required | ✅ Required | Sometimes required | Registered agent address OK |
| Relay | ✅ Required | ✅ Required | Sometimes required | Registered agent address OK |
| Wise Business | ✅ Required | ✅ Required | Recommended | Not always required |
Having an ITIN eliminates friction in ALL bank applications. Banks may request it during enhanced KYC (Know Your Customer) checks — having it ready speeds up approval significantly.
Why ITIN Matters Beyond the Bank Application
- Form 5472 compliance — Required to keep your LLC in good standing
- Stripe verification — Complete Stripe's KYC with ITIN for owner verification
- PayPal Business — ITIN helps complete enhanced verification
- US tax returns — Required to file Form 1040-NR and recover any withholding
- Payoneer US Payment Service — ITIN strengthens account verification
Bangladesh does not have a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States. This means US withholding rates (up to 30%) apply on US-sourced income by default. An ITIN is essential for IRS compliance and for filing US tax returns to recover excess withholding.
ITIN · Complete your US banking setup · IRS Certified CAA
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Bangladeshi open a Mercury bank account?
Yes. Mercury accepts foreign-owned US LLCs. You need your LLC documents and EIN. An ITIN is sometimes requested during enhanced verification. Having it ready speeds up the process significantly.
Do I need to be in the US to open a Mercury or Relay account?
No. Both Mercury and Relay offer fully remote account opening. You apply online, upload documents, and receive approval without any US travel.
How do I send money from my US bank to Bangladesh?
Wise Business makes this easy — you can hold USD in your US account and convert/transfer to BDT at low fees. Alternatively, wire transfers from Mercury to your personal Bangladeshi bank account work well.
Is it legal to have a US bank account as a Bangladeshi?
Yes, completely legal. You are operating as a foreign national owning a US business entity. You must comply with US tax law (Form 5472, 1040-NR) and Bangladesh's foreign income tax rules.
How long does ITIN take?
8–14 weeks from CAA submission.
How much does ITIN Plus charge?
$99 flat fee. All-inclusive.
Get Your US ITIN Today — $99
Complete your US banking setup with a valid ITIN. $99 — IRS-certified, fully remote from Bangladesh.
Apply Now → +1 (305) 216-6992apply@itinplus.com