I had the same questions too. How do I open a company in the US? What documents do I need? How can I open a bank account without physically being there? In this blog post, I want to share my entire journey with you — step by step — so you can do it too.

Step 1: Starting a Company with Stripe Atlas

I chose Stripe Atlas to incorporate my company in the US, and I highly recommend it. It simplifies the entire process of forming a Delaware C Corporation.

Why Stripe Atlas?

• Fast and reliable

• No need to be physically in the US

• Helps with EIN (tax number)

• Includes legal templates and document preparation

What you need:

• A valid passport

• A US mailing address (more below)

• Basic business details (company name, description)

Costs:

• One-time setup fee: $500

• Pro Tip: You can get Stripe Atlas for $250 via Freelance Stack if you’re eligible for their community discount.

Timeframe:

• 1 week to form the company and receive documents

• 1–2 more weeks to get the EIN

Pro Tip: Don't rush the naming step. Your company name will be visible on all official documents.

Step 2: Getting a US Mailing Address & Phone Number

To use Stripe Atlas, you need a US address. You don’t have to live there — virtual address services work.

Services I explored:

• US Global Mail

• Earth Class Mail

• Virtual Post Mail

What to look for:

• Address format that works for banks & IRS

• Mail scanning or forwarding

For a phone number, I used:

• OpenPhone (recommended)

• Google Voice (US-based Google account required)

Step 3: Getting an EIN (Employer Identification Number)

Stripe Atlas helps automatically apply for your EIN after incorporation. This number is required to open a business bank account and file taxes.

What you need to know:

• It comes from the IRS

• Stripe applies on your behalf

• You’ll get it via email in about 10–14 business days

Step 4: Opening a US Business Bank Account with Mercury

I chose Mercury Bank because it’s perfect for international founders. It's 100% online and has no monthly fees.

What you need:

• Company formation documents (from Stripe Atlas)

• EIN confirmation letter

• Valid ID (passport or driver’s license)

• Proof of address (utility bill, insurance, or bank letter with your name + US address)

Common mistakes:

• Bad photo of your ID (make sure it's clear and well-lit)

• Address mismatch (make sure it's the same on all documents)

Time to approve:

• 3 to 7 business days

Accounts included:

• Checking

• Savings

• Virtual credit card (optional)

Step 5: Setting Up Stripe for Payments & Subscriptions

Once Mercury approved my account, I returned to Stripe and created a new business account.

Steps:

1. Connect your Mercury bank account to Stripe

2. Create your product and pricing (e.g. monthly subscription)

3. Share the Stripe checkout link or integrate it with your website

If you’re using a developer: Send them the Stripe Developer Docs: https://stripe.com/docs/subscriptions/overview

You can also generate custom payment links using Stripe Checkout, with no backend code.

Bonus Tips

• Use Google Workspace to create a business email (like yourname@yourhero.me)

• Register your business on LinkedIn, Crunchbase, etc.

• Setup a clean and SEO-friendly website (I use Framer)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I do this without ever visiting the US?
Yes. Everything can be done online with Stripe Atlas and Mercury.

Q: What if my Mercury application is rejected?
Try again with better documents or consider alternatives like Brex or Wise.

Q: Do I need a visa?
No visa is needed to form a company. But you’ll need one if you want to live or work in the US.

Q: Can I use a family member's US address?
Yes, but it's better to use a virtual business address for consistency and mail handling.

Final Thoughts

Opening a business in the US from Armenia isn’t as hard as it looks — if you know the steps. I spent weeks figuring this out, making mistakes, and learning from others. Now I want to pass that knowledge to you.

If you're thinking of launching your product globally, setting up a US company is a powerful step.

Feel free to message me on LinkedIn if you have questions or need help:
linkedin.com/in/vahagn-karamyan