Applying for a U.S. Merchant Account as a Foreigner & Merchant Accounts Outside the U.S.
Applying for a U.S. Merchant Account as a Foreigner
By U.S. banking law, you must have:
-
A U.S. legal entity
-
A U.S. bank account
-
A U.S. resident citizen as the owner/signer of the merchant agreement
Exceptions (case by case, not guaranteed):
-
A physical U.S. office address where employees/contractors regularly work
-
A U.S. residential address tied to the business
-
A U.S.-based co-signer (doesn’t need ownership or personal guarantee; ideally related to the business, e.g., a manager)
Merchant Accounts Outside the U.S.
Easy Pay Direct also offers accounts in the EU. These do not require a U.S. presence.
Supported EU countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
Quick FAQ
Q: Do I need a U.S. entity to apply for a U.S. merchant account?
A: Yes. U.S. law requires a U.S. legal entity, a U.S. bank account, and a U.S. resident signer.
Q: Can foreigners apply without all three requirements?
A: Sometimes. Exceptions are possible if you have a U.S. presence (office, address, or co-signer). Approval is not guaranteed.
Q: What if I’m based in Europe?
A: If you’re in one of the supported EU countries, you do not need a U.S. presence.