Realistic Timeline: US LLC to ITIN to Bank to Cards
Most timelines you see online skip the waiting, the manual reviews, and the paperwork that actually takes time. Here is what the LLC to bank to card stack realistically looks like, week by week.
The real order (and why ITIN usually isn't step one)
A lot of guides imply you need an ITIN before you can open a US business bank account. In practice, that's not true for most non-US founders. Providers like Mercury, Wise Business, and Relay open accounts for foreign-owned US LLCs using the company's EIN, your passport, and proof of address, no Social Security Number or ITIN required. An ITIN matters for personal US tax filing, not for banking. So the fast path looks like LLC, then EIN, then bank, then cards, while the ITIN application runs quietly in parallel if and when you need one.
Founders Credit runs this whole stack for clients done-for-you, which is partly why we see the same bottlenecks over and over. Below is the honest version of how long each step tends to take.
Week-by-week timeline
Week 0: preparation
Before anything is filed, you need a state (Wyoming is the common low-cost default for a private LLC with no state income tax and light reporting), a company name that clears a search, a registered agent in that state, and a clear passport scan plus proof of your home address. Rushing this step is the single biggest cause of delays later.
Week 1: LLC formation
Filing the Articles of Organization is usually the fastest part of the whole process. Wyoming and similar states often approve filings within one to three business days once submitted correctly, sometimes same day with expedited processing. You'll receive a filed certificate confirming the LLC exists. An operating agreement isn't filed with the state, but you should have one drafted, since some banks ask for it during onboarding.
Week 1 to 3: EIN
This is where realistic timelines diverge from optimistic ones. Non-residents without an SSN or ITIN cannot use the IRS online EIN tool, so the application goes in on Form SS-4 by fax or mail. Fax is faster than mail but still isn't instant. Realistically, expect somewhere between one and four weeks for the EIN to be assigned, depending on IRS processing volume at the time. The official confirmation letter (the CP 575) is mailed on paper and can take longer to physically arrive than the EIN itself takes to be assigned, but you can use the EIN as soon as it's issued.
Week 3 to 5: bank account
Once you have the EIN, you can apply to a remote-friendly provider. Verification typically takes anywhere from a couple of business days to two weeks. Straightforward applications with consistent details (name, address, business description matching what's on the LLC filing) move faster. Applications get pulled into manual review more often when the business type sounds vague, the founder's country is flagged for enhanced checks, or documents don't quite match. Assume you might need to answer a follow-up email.
Week 4 to 6: cards
A virtual debit card is usually available the moment the account is approved. A physical card ships afterward and can take one to two weeks to arrive internationally. Business credit cards are a separate story: most fintech-style cards for new LLCs are charge cards tied to your account balance rather than a traditional credit line, and approval or credit limits often depend on account history and cash flow rather than being available on day one.
Running in parallel: ITIN
If you need an ITIN, for personal US tax filing, for certain withholding forms, or because a specific bank or platform requests one, you file Form W-7. Most non-resident owners of a foreign-owned LLC apply under an exception category rather than attaching a full tax return, and using a Certified Acceptance Agent avoids mailing your original passport to the IRS. Processing time is commonly seven to eleven weeks, longer during the January to April filing season. This can run at the same time as the bank account steps above, it doesn't need to happen first.
What actually causes delays
- Mismatched details between the LLC filing, EIN application, and bank application (different address formats, name spellings, or business descriptions)
- Faxing the SS-4 without a clear return fax number, which can force the IRS to mail the response instead
- Applying to a bank with a business description that's too generic or that reads as high-risk
- Waiting for the CP 575 letter to arrive by mail before doing anything else, when the EIN itself is usually usable sooner
- Submitting a W-7 without the correct exception documentation attached
Comparing the common bank routes
| Provider | Remote onboarding | ITIN required | Typical review time | Card type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | Yes | No | A few days, longer if flagged for review | Virtual and physical debit, charge card for qualifying accounts |
| Wise Business | Yes | No | A few days | Debit Mastercard |
| Relay | Yes | No | A few days to a couple of weeks | Debit card |
Approval and timing depend on the individual application, so treat these as general patterns rather than guarantees.
The compliance step people forget about
Once the LLC exists, it has an annual obligation regardless of whether it earned a dollar. A foreign-owned single-member LLC must file Form 5472 alongside a pro-forma Form 1120 every year. This is an information return, it doesn't calculate tax by itself, but skipping it carries a penalty starting at 25,000 dollars per omission. There's no revenue threshold that exempts a dormant LLC from this. Build this into your calendar from week one, not into a panic in March.
Glossary
LLC: a US limited liability company, the entity type most non-US founders use for its liability protection and simple structure.
EIN: Employer Identification Number, the tax ID for your LLC, required for banking and filing.
SS-4: the IRS form used to apply for an EIN, submitted by fax or mail when the applicant has no SSN or ITIN.
ITIN: Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, for people who need to file US taxes but aren't eligible for a Social Security Number. No visa is required to apply.
Form W-7: the ITIN application form.
Form 5472: the annual information return foreign-owned LLCs must file with a pro-forma Form 1120, even with zero income.
Registered agent: a person or company with a physical address in your LLC's state, required to receive legal and state mail.
Responsible party: the individual named on the EIN application as controlling the LLC.
Frequently asked questions
Can I open a US business bank account without an ITIN?
Yes. Providers like Mercury, Wise Business, and Relay open accounts for non-resident owned LLCs using the EIN, your passport, and proof of address. An ITIN is not a banking requirement, it matters for personal US tax filing.
How long does it actually take to get an EIN as a non-resident?
Since you can't use the IRS's online tool without an SSN, you apply by fax or mail using Form SS-4. Realistic turnaround is roughly one to four weeks for the EIN to be assigned, with the official confirmation letter arriving by post afterward.
Do I need to wait for my ITIN before doing anything else?
No. The ITIN application can run in parallel with LLC formation, EIN issuance, and bank account opening. It typically takes seven to eleven weeks and is only necessary when you have a specific tax filing or form that requires it.
What happens if my LLC has no income, do I still need to file anything?
Yes. A foreign-owned single-member LLC must file Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 every year regardless of income. Failing to file carries a penalty starting at 25,000 dollars, so this isn't optional paperwork.
Why does Founders Credit handle this instead of me doing it myself?
Nothing here is impossible to do alone, but the sequencing, document consistency, and follow-up emails from banks or the IRS are where most delays happen. Founders Credit runs the LLC, EIN, ITIN, bank, and card setup as one coordinated process so the steps don't stall each other.
Want this done for you?
Founders Credit sets up your US LLC, ITIN, banking and credit cards end to end, 100% remote. Skip the guesswork.
Book a free strategy call →