How to open a US business bank account from Australia

We’ll be honest: Whether you’re a business or an individual, it can be a challenge to open a bank account in the US from Australia.

But it’s not impossible.

In this article, we’ll discuss why you’d want to open a US bank account, the fees you can expect to pay and how an Airwallex Business Account can offer innovative insights into international business.

The benefits of opening a US bank account from Australia

As an Australian business, we can often feel isolated from the rest of the world. 

But we understand that we have an opportunity to do things a little differently from other countries. With Australia’s floating exchange rate, the fluctuating market rather than the government determines the actual rate. 

Let’s explore some of the benefits of opening a US bank account from Australia: 

1. Avoid excessive account fees. With a US bank account from Australia, you can use it to sell within the US and avoid the fees you’d otherwise pay as an international business. 

2. Get easy access to your funds. You can link your US account to your online sales platforms, which allows you to sell on Amazon US. Plus, you can link it to your PayPal and Shopify accounts so you can withdraw the money you make.

3. Access convenient virtual payment options. You can connect the account to your virtual cards, which allows you to pay for software subscriptions in USD and avoid the exchange fees.

What fees to expect with a US bank account

When you open a US bank account, you can enjoy the luxury of not paying foreign transfer fees on every payment you receive.

But it’s still a bank account, so there are other fees you’ve got to take into consideration:

• Monthly fees. Many US banks charge a monthly fee just to have an account with them. These can range from $0-fee accounts to $12 or more per month. Some banks will waive these fees if you keep a minimum threshold amount in your account.

• ATM fees. Most US banks also charge ATM fees. These include fees for using the ATM of a different banking provider. These fees can vary from $2.50 to $5 or more per transaction.

• Teller fees. As technology evolves, banks are encouraging their customers to do their daily banking online whenever possible. So, some banks have started charging a fee to interact with a real-life, flesh-and-blood bank teller. Generally, the fee is around $3–$5 for daily transactions, with international transactions incurring their own set of fees.

• International transfer fees. International transfer fees in the US can vary drastically. Most international feesaverage about $15 and can reach heights of up to $45 per transfer.

• Account closure fees. Although rather uncommon, some banks will charge a fee for closing your account with a US bank. Typically, this is charged when you close it within a short time frame, such as 90 or 180 days. The average fee is $25, but some banks can charge up to $50.

• Annual card fees. Much the same as your Australian card, US card fees are a moving target. Some US card products offer lower fees, but with a higher interest rate. Others charge a flat annual fee, and some are ‘premium’ cards with higher fees but rewards point offers.

• Transfer fees. Poor FX rates can have a negative impact on international money transfers. You will most likely experience poor FX rates when transferring money from your US account to an outside account.

Ultimately, the biggest challenge for most people is opening a US bank account as a non-resident in the first place.

Airwallex offers unrivalled experience in global accounts. We’re here to help you with how to collect, manage and spend wisely on an international level. 

Begin by visiting Airwallex to apply for a Foreign Currency Account for the country you need or want to do business with — in this instance, the US. 

Innovative insights from Airwallex make international business payments easy. Gain instant access to your new bank account details and start purchasing in the US. Global Accounts use an authentic bank account number, just as if you were physically in the US.

Requirements for setting up a bank account in the US

To open a US business bank account you need to be able to prove your identity and address.

To prove your identity, you can use:

• Photo ID of the business' director that's opening the account - in this case, you

• Documents to prove your  business' incorporation

• Your business licence

• Confirmation of your EIN

• Proof of your business' US address

To prove your address, you can use:

• Proof of address from a US employer, a university, etc, such as a payslip or official letter.

The two big hurdles to opening a US bank account as a non-resident

So here’s the thing. A US bank needs to check that you’re a US resident in order to open a bank account—so you need the documentation to prove it. 

The reason that it’s so hard to open a US bank account as a non-resident harks back to the 2001 Patriot Act that changed the US banking landscape. Provisions were added to the 1970 Bank Secrecy Act that made it a requirement for banks to collect and verify personal information for customers opening a bank account.

These are the two key pieces of information you need to prove your legitimacy.

A Social Security Number

To get a Social Security Number you first need to be eligible to live in the US. You’ll need evidence of a visa or immigration documents to prove it.

A US address

You need to prove to your bank that you’re actively working and living in America. A US postbox address isn’t going to cut it—you need a physical address.

They can enforce this by requesting actual evidence of your address, such as a utility bill or lease agreement.

Can I open a US bank account online?

In short, yes, you can open a US bank account online—but only if you have a US address.

If you don’t have this proof of address it can become quite difficult to open a US bank account from AU. 

Some banks allow what’s known as an International Account

This type of account is a relatively rare phenomenon that’s being offered by some US banks to foreigners. It allows you to open a US bank account from Australia and overseas without having to be in the country. 

But while this may be a glimmer of hope, the issue with these is that they typically have exorbitantly high fees, and often require a big initial deposit and minimum account threshold. And we mean really big, often in the realm of US$150,000.

So in many cases, it’s often not even a feasible option to consider.

While it can be a disheartening process, with lots of confusing documentation and hoops to jump through, there is an alternative that allows you to open a US bank account online, from Australia, as a non-resident.

An Airwallex USD Global Account is your ticket to banking in the US

We make it easy for you to reach the US market with a USD Dollar Global Account. There’s no need to visit a bank branch in the US, no need to supply a US address, and you can use your existing Australian IDs. You’re able to open your Airwallex Global Account online, without even leaving your home, furthermore not just being able to send money in AUD / USD, Airwallex allows you to open:

• Canadian Business Account

• Euro Business Account

• Swiss Business Account

• Chinese Business Account

• Hong Kong Business Account

• Singapore Business Account

• UK GBP Business Account

• Japanese Business Account

Then, when you open a USD Foreign Currency Account you get issued with a US account number. This number allows you to receive, hold and send USD without the need to exchange funds or fork out for exchange fees. 

You can keep all your financials and bookkeeping on one spot, too, as you can link it directly to your Xero account, so all your transaction information is logged automatically.

Related articles about banking:

• Compare the Best Business Bank Accounts for Australian Businesses

• How to Open a Business Bank Account

• Do I Need a Business Bank Account

• Payment Methods Guide for Australia