My Marathon to Launch: Forming an LLC and Conquering Stripe
So, you've got this brilliant idea for an online store. You've sourced products, built a website, and you're ready to share your passion with the world. Exciting, right? Absolutely! For my store, Beyondspace Studio, I initially set up PayPal as the primary payment method. While PayPal is great, I knew that offering direct card payments was crucial for a smooth customer experience and maximizing sales. This is where things got interesting, especially considering Stripe, a widely used card payment gateway, isn't directly available in my country.
Before you can start raking in those sweet card payments, there are a few not-so-glamorous hurdles to jump, especially if you're looking to establish a legitimate US presence as a non-resident to access services like Stripe (even indirectly).
For me, that meant forming a US LLC and, crucially, setting up a payment gateway that could handle card transactions. I thought I had a clear path ahead, but let me tell you, it turned into a bit of a marathon with unexpected obstacles. I want to share my journey, the frustrations, the small victories, and the hard-earned lessons, hoping it helps someone else navigating this complex process.
The Dream and the First Step: Forming the LLC
The dream was simple: launch my store, Beyondspace Studio, and accept payments globally, including direct card payments. A US LLC seemed like the best structure for credibility and access to US-based services that could bridge the gap to card processing. After some research, I decided to go with an agency for the formation process.
Things kicked off around February 20, 2025. Initial discussions with the agency were promising, but right away, a major concern surfaced: opening a US bank account as a non-resident. This felt like the elephant in the room. Questions flew back and forth – pricing, EIN timelines, even the possibility of using a virtual account like Payoneer (spoiler: not ideal for this!).
Despite the banking uncertainty, I took the leap and subscribed to the agency's service on February 21. I submitted the necessary forms, feeling a mix of optimism and apprehension. I was told the regular wait time for the Employer Identification Number (EIN) was 4-6 weeks. "Okay," I thought, "manageable."
The Waiting Game and the First Hint of Delays
As weeks turned into a month, the initial excitement started to wane slightly. On March 17, the agency confirmed my fear: EIN processing was experiencing delays. They also introduced the topic of the beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirement, requesting my passport details and foreign tax ID. This added another layer of complexity and document sharing between March 18-21.
Finally, on March 26, the good news arrived! The agency confirmed receipt of the EIN. A wave of relief washed over me. They also provided a guide for online banking. The next big hurdle was here.
The Bank Account Saga: My Mercury Marathon
This is where my journey really hit some bumps, and the same agency that helped with the LLC formation also assisted with the bank account application. Armed with my EIN and the banking guide provided by the agency, I prepared all the required information and documents. On April 1, I sent everything over to the agency for the bank account application. They confirmed receipt and said they'd apply in the next few days (April 2).
Then came another period of waiting. I followed up between April 11-22, eager for news. The agency indicated it would be set up "this week." Hopeful, I waited.
On April 25, I received the login credentials for a Mercury online banking application from the agency. Great! I dove into the verification process and submitted the application.
And then, the first rejection. The same day, my initial Mercury application was rejected. The reasons cited were issues with bank statement verification and a potential mismatch in my address (due to character differences common between my country's script and Latin characters). Frustration set in. This was the hurdle I had worried about from the start.
The next week was a blur of back-and-forth with the agency's representative (April 28 - May 3). We troubleshoot the proof of address documents, trying to figure out what Mercury needed. It was a frustrating process of providing different formats and explanations. Eventually, the decision was made to create a new Mercury account application, this time using a different professional email address.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of document wrangling and application attempts, the new Mercury account was successfully created! A huge sigh of relief. On May 5, I updated the login email to different one and made a small deposit to fully unlock the account features. With the bank account finally sorted, my mind immediately jumped to the next critical step: Stripe.
The Stripe Struggle: Verification Headaches
With the Mercury account in hand, I thought the path to accepting card payments would be smooth sailing. I was wrong. For the Stripe integration, I worked with a separate agent.
On May 6, my initial Stripe account was created through this agent. However, it came with a list of open tasks: updating the business representative, accepting Terms of Service for Global Payouts, and updating business information. Incoming charges and payouts were paused. While I was told the account could process live payments, the paused payouts were a clear indicator that verification was paramount.
On May 8, I confirmed to the LLC formation agency that I had finally conquered the Mercury account hurdle. But my relief was quickly overshadowed by concerns about potential Stripe verification delays and the very real risk of losing sales without card payment options.
The Stripe verification process itself became another battleground. I encountered server errors when trying to upload documents, name discrepancies that needed clarification, and a confusing back-and-forth regarding the need for a US address. Initially, it seemed a US address was required for any payout, which was a major concern as a non-resident. However, after extensive communication with Stripe Support between May 14-16, it became clear that the US address requirement only applied to Global Payouts. By dropping the request for Global Payouts and focusing on local US payouts to my newly opened Mercury account, this particular hurdle was overcome.
There was even a moment where one of my Stripe accounts was temporarily suspended due to a "high level of risk" on May 13. This was terrifying! Thankfully, after persistent communication and providing the necessary documentation (including the hard-won EIN verification document, once the server error was resolved), the suspension was lifted and the account was reactivated.
The Finish Line (For Now): Stripe is Live!
Finally, on May 16, 2025, after what felt like a marathon of applications, rejections, document submissions, and support interactions, I got Stripe fully up and running. The feeling of relief and accomplishment was immense.
My journey from deciding to form an LLC to finally being able to accept card payments took over three months. This extended timeline had a direct impact on my business operations and potential early sales.
Hard-Earned Lessons and Tips
Based on my experience, here are a few key takeaways and tips for anyone embarking on a similar journey:
Patience is More Than a Virtue, It's a Necessity: Timelines provided by service providers are often estimates, and external factors (like government processing speeds) can cause significant delays. Be prepared for things to take longer than expected.
Communication is Your Best Friend: Don't hesitate to follow up with your service providers (like the LLC formation agency and Stripe Support). Be clear, provide all requested information promptly, and keep a record of your communications. Persistence pays off.
Bank Accounts for Non-Residents Are Tricky: This was the biggest hurdle for me. Research bank options thoroughly and be prepared for a rigorous verification process. Have multiple forms of proof of address and identification ready in various formats. Be prepared for potential rejections and the need to try alternative approaches (like using a different email or slightly different documentation).
Understand Payout Requirements: Clarify the address requirements for different payout types (Global vs. Local) with your payment gateway from the outset. This can save you a lot of headaches and unnecessary stress.
Keep Everything Documented: Maintain clear records of all applications, submissions, communications, and documents exchanged. This will be invaluable if you encounter issues.
Perseverance is Key: There will likely be moments of frustration and doubt. My journey with Mercury and Stripe certainly tested my patience. But by staying persistent and adaptable, you can overcome these challenges.
What's Next?
Getting the LLC formed, the bank account opened, and Stripe live feels like a major victory. However, the journey isn't over. Now, I need to focus on understanding ongoing compliance requirements, tax obligations, and potentially applying for an ITIN.
My experience wasn't a straight line from point A to point B. It was a winding path with detours and roadblocks. But by sharing it, I hope to provide a realistic picture of what it can take to set up the necessary infrastructure for a US-based online business as a non-resident. If I can do it, you can too! Just be prepared for a marathon, not a sprint.
