ITIN for Relay Bank: Non-Resident Setup

What Is Relay and Why Do ITIN Holders Choose It in 2026?

Relay is a business banking platform designed specifically for small businesses, freelancers, and entrepreneurs. Unlike traditional banks that require in-branch visits and extensive paperwork, Relay offers a fully online account opening process with no monthly fees, no minimum balance requirements, and no hidden charges. For non-resident business owners who hold an ITIN instead of an SSN, Relay provides one of the most accessible paths to a legitimate US business bank account.

What makes Relay stand out for ITIN holders is its focus on business organization. You can create up to 20 individual checking accounts under a single business, each with its own account number. This lets you separate operating expenses, tax reserves, payroll, and profit into distinct buckets without opening multiple accounts at different banks. For non-resident entrepreneurs managing a US business from abroad, this level of organization simplifies bookkeeping and tax preparation significantly.

Relay is FDIC-insured through its partner bank, Thread Bank, which means your deposits are protected up to $250,000 per depositor. You also get free ACH transfers, a Visa business debit card, and integrations with popular accounting tools like QuickBooks and Xero. For a complete overview of banking options available to ITIN holders, see our ITIN bank account guide.

What Are the Relay Eligibility Requirements for ITIN Holders?

Relay requires specific documentation and qualifications before approving a business bank account. Understanding these requirements upfront saves you time and prevents application rejections. Here is everything you need to qualify as an ITIN holder.

• Valid ITIN: Your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number must be current and not expired. If your ITIN has expired, you need to renew it through the IRS before applying.
• US-registered business entity: You need an LLC or corporation registered in any US state. Wyoming, Delaware, and New Mexico are popular choices for non-resident business owners.
• EIN from the IRS: Your business must have an Employer Identification Number. This is the business equivalent of your personal ITIN and is required for all business banking.
• Government-issued photo ID: A valid passport from your home country is the most commonly accepted form of identification.
• US business address: Relay requires a US address for your business. A registered agent address or a virtual office address works for this requirement.
• LLC formation documents: Your Articles of Organization or Certificate of Formation from the state where your LLC is registered.

For the full details on getting your ITIN and setting up banking for your US business, visit our parent guide on ITIN for Relay Bank.

How Do You Open a Relay Account with Your ITIN Step by Step?

Once you have all the required documents, the Relay application process is straightforward. Here is exactly how to go from zero to an active US business bank account.

What Relay Features Matter Most for Non-Resident Business Owners?

Relay offers a robust set of features that make it particularly useful for non-resident entrepreneurs who are managing their US businesses remotely. Here is what you get with a Relay business account.

Up to 20 checking accounts: Create separate accounts for different purposes like operations, taxes, marketing, and savings. Each account gets its own routing and account number. This is Relay's standout feature, and it makes bookkeeping dramatically easier for business owners who handle multiple expense categories.

Free ACH transfers: Send and receive ACH payments at no cost. This is how most US business payments are processed, including vendor payments, contractor payments, and transfers between your own accounts at different banks. ACH transfers settle in one to two business days.

Visa business debit cards: Get physical and virtual debit cards for your business expenses. You can assign cards to specific checking accounts, so your marketing expenses come from your marketing account and your operations costs come from your operations account. Virtual cards are available instantly after account approval.

Accounting integrations: Relay connects directly with QuickBooks Online and Xero, automatically syncing transactions. For non-residents managing US tax obligations, having your banking data flow into your accounting software saves hours of manual data entry each month.

Team access controls: If you work with a US-based bookkeeper, accountant, or business partner, you can grant them different levels of access to your Relay account. You control who can view balances, initiate transfers, or manage cards without sharing your login credentials.

Is Relay or Mercury Better for ITIN Holders?

Mercury and Relay are the two most popular online business banks for non-resident entrepreneurs with ITINs. Both offer free business checking accounts and accept ITIN holders. The best choice depends on your specific business needs.

Many non-resident business owners open accounts at both Relay and Mercury. This gives you a backup banking relationship and lets you use each platform for what it does best. Use Relay for organizing day-to-day expenses across sub-accounts, and Mercury for larger transactions and international wires. For the full details on Mercury, read our ITIN Mercury bank guide.

How Do You Pair Relay with Wise for International Transfers?

One of the most common setups for non-resident business owners is combining a Relay business account with a Wise business account. This combination gives you the best of both worlds: a full US business banking relationship through Relay and low-cost international currency transfers through Wise.

Why this pairing works: Relay excels at US domestic business banking with its sub-accounts, debit cards, and accounting integrations. However, Relay's international transfer capabilities are limited. Wise fills this gap by offering multi-currency accounts, international transfers at the mid-market exchange rate, and the ability to receive payments in over 40 currencies. When a client or platform pays you in a foreign currency, the funds go to your Wise account. You then transfer the USD equivalent to your Relay account via free ACH transfer.

How to set it up: Open both accounts using your ITIN. In Wise, navigate to your USD balance and find the account details (routing number and account number). In Relay, set up an external transfer to Wise using those details. Going the other direction, add your Relay routing and account number as a recipient in Wise. ACH transfers between the two accounts are free on both ends and settle in one to two business days.

For the complete guide on setting up and using Wise with your ITIN, see our ITIN Wise account guide.

What Are Common Issues When Opening Relay with an ITIN?

While Relay is ITIN-friendly, some applicants run into issues during the account opening process. Knowing what can go wrong helps you avoid delays and rejections.

Name mismatch: The name on your ITIN letter must match the name on your LLC documents and passport exactly. If your ITIN was issued under "Juan Carlos Martinez Garcia" but your LLC lists the owner as "Juan Martinez," Relay's verification system may flag the discrepancy. Use your full legal name consistently across all documents to avoid this problem.

Expired ITIN: ITINs that have not been used on a federal tax return for three consecutive years expire automatically. If your ITIN is expired, Relay cannot verify it against IRS records. You need to renew your ITIN by filing Form W-7 with the IRS before reapplying at Relay.

Missing EIN documentation: Your EIN confirmation letter (IRS Letter CP 575 or 147C) is a required document. If you lost this letter, you can request a new 147C verification letter by calling the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line. Without this document, Relay cannot verify your business tax identification.

Business address issues: Some applicants use a PO Box or mail forwarding address that Relay does not accept. A registered agent address is accepted, but confirm with Relay's support team before applying if you are unsure about your address type.

Verification delays: If Relay cannot verify your identity through automated systems, they may request additional documentation such as a utility bill, a second form of ID, or a selfie for identity matching. Responding quickly to these requests keeps the process moving. Most additional verification requests are resolved within two to three business days.

Get Your ITIN and Start Banking with Relay

Opening a Relay business bank account starts with having a valid ITIN. Without one, you cannot complete the personal verification step of any US business banking application. Our service handles the entire ITIN application process so you can focus on setting up and growing your US business.

Here is what our ITIN service includes for business owners:

• Complete W-7 preparation with all supporting documentation reviewed and organized
• Certifying Acceptance Agent verification so you keep your passport throughout the process
• IRS submission with tracking and status updates
• Banking readiness guidance on what documents to prepare for your Relay application once your ITIN arrives
• 100% money-back guarantee if the IRS declines your application

Our Standard service costs $197 with 7 to 10 business day preparation. Our Express service costs $297 with 2 to 3 business day preparation and priority support. Both plans include everything you need to get your ITIN approved and start the Relay account opening process.

The typical timeline looks like this: apply for your ITIN today, receive it from the IRS in 7 to 11 weeks, then open your Relay account in one to three business days once your ITIN arrives. If you already have your ITIN and need help with the banking setup process, reach out via WhatsApp and our team will walk you through it.