Stripe Account for Non-US Citizens – You Need To Know This BEFORE Starting 

Last Updated on 2 years by Komolafe Bamidele

Do you know that it is possible to create and operate Stripe accounts outside of the United States or Stipe unsupported countries? 

Yes, it is possible to create and make use of the popular payment gateway platform which is known as Stripe to receive payment even if you are not a United States citizen. 

If you want to know how you can create and make use of Stripe to receive payment on your e-commerce website, blog, or other online business. 

What is Stripe Payment Gateway 

Stripe is a popular payment services provider that allows all merchants to accept credit and debit cards or other types of payments. 

Stripe is used by several world’s largest companies, like Amazon and Shopify.

Stripe payments are suitable for all business owners in the United States and other countries of the world, especially those who do much of their business online.

 Stripe comes with incredible and unique features like its open application programming interface and ability to accept payment in over 135 currencies that are primarily relevant to online sales.

Who Should Use Stripe or  PayPal?

A major purpose of Stipe is to receive payment from your mobile application or website easier for many types of businesses

Regardless of the kind of businesses Stipe is suitable for you all especially dropshipping and ecommerce:

• Freelancers
• Brick-and-mortar shops owners that want to sell online
• Nonprofits collecting donations
• eCommerce companies both big and startups
• Online and offline agencies
• Online marketplaces
• Entrepreneurs and more. 

Why Stipe is Better than PayPal

There are several advantages that come with Stripe that are not available on PayPal. 

If you don’t know these benefits, then you need to check the stripe vs PayPal comparison below.

Stripe

PayPal Standard

Now you know a major difference between PayPal and Stripe accounts.  

How Do Payments Work With Stripe?

Stripe makes use of 6 steps payment Terminal between a customer providing their card information and showing that their payment has been accepted.

Your customer needs to provide their card information, online or in person. The card details will enter Stripe’s payment gateway, which encrypts the data.

Stripe needs to send that data to the acquirer so that the bank will process the transaction on the merchant’s behalf. 

In this process, Stripe is the merchant (with the business owner as a sub-merchant). So Stripe users don’t need to set up a merchant account, which can be cumbersome.

Stripe payment passes through a credit card network, like Visa or Mastercard, to the cardholder’s issuing bank. The issuing bank needs to approve or deny the transaction.

Immediately after the signal travels from the issuing bank with the card network to the acquirer, before the gateway the customer will be able to get a message telling them the payment has been accepted or declined.

Immediately after your cardholder’s issuing bank finalizes its approval, you can now transfer funds from Stripe into your business bank account.

Stripe customers receive payouts once the transactions are finished processing (which is around two business days).

Payouts can be made on a schedule of your choosing (daily, weekly or monthly). You need to pay Stripe for facilitating each transaction.

 Which is between 2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions. 2.7% plus 5 cents for in-person transactions. 3.4% plus 30 cents for all transactions (starting 11/10/22). 3.9% plus 30 cents for all international cards or currency conversion.

Stripe Account for Non-US Citizens Everything You Should Know

Setting Up an LLC for Your Business In The US or LTD In The UK.

It is very important to set up an LLC and Ein or ITIN before you can have access to Stripe because it is required before you can successfully create an account on the Stripe payment gateway.

So, if you don’t have an LLC yet, then you need to create one by either having an LLC for the USA or LTD for the UK.

The process of getting an LLC for the USA or LTD for the UK takes a long time. Especially if you don’t reside in the United States or the United Kingdom. 

Aside from that, the process is expensive because you need to pay several taxes before and after acquiring the LLC for the USA or LTD for the UK.

At least you need a minimum of $500 to $800 annually for LLC for the USA or LTD for the UK.

If you want to set up an LLC for the USA or LTD for the UK, but you don’t know how to go about it with anyone, contact our recommended professionals that can help you with the process and make the journey easy, fast and simple for you. 

Several experts will help you to 

1. Setup, up a solid stripe account for you

2. Verify your account so you can withdraw your money comfortably and not have issues with Stripe

3. Secure your account with industry-standard security.

4. Open a foreign bank account for you to receive your funds at black market rates.

5. 30 minutes free Business call to handle any issues you have in business.

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Ways To Operate Stripe Account for Non-US Citizens.

There are several methods of operating a Stripe account, even if you do not reside in the United States. 

You need to follow the right process so that you will be able to operate a Stripe account perfectly and effectively outside the United States. 

It is very important to create your Stripe account legally so that you won’t have any issues using the payment gateway. 

Before you can create a Stripe account as not United States citizen you need to provide the following:

• US Business Formation (LLC)
• EIN (Employer Identification Number) or Tax ID
• US Physical Address
• A US Phone Number
• Finally, US Bank Account

To create a Stripe Account, you need to go to dashboard.stripe.com/register and fill out the form.

Immediately you need to choose the country where your company is located. Now write down your company email address, name, and surname. 

Then, select the United States so that you will be able to create a password. Create your account by agreeing to the terms.

Now you need to complete your account registration process by completing your email activation.

Now, you can create your business account.

To do it, click on New Account from the top left, and write your company name.

Immediately after you have created your new Stripe account for your company, you need to click on “Activate Your Account”.

Now you need to choose the registered business address and business structure.

Immediately you need to enter the free mailing address that’s provided by Northwest in the address section. 

In this step, you need to give the right and full information.

You have to proceed to the next step once you write your legal business name, EIN, industry, business website, and a brief product description.

You need to fill out every form, you need to fill out the bank account information part with your Mercury Bank or Wise Business information.

After you have completed the application, you need to get a verified Stripe account.

You can make use of your business tax information. 

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Stipe Pros 

• Testing Environment
• Take credit card payments online instantly
• Process recurring payments
•  reconciliations with Xero integration
• Accept multiple currencies
• Save time in a weekly transaction
• Process credit card payments
• Integrates with Xero accounting software
• Detailed Documentation
• Custom Libraries
• Low transaction fees
• Quick transfer of funds to bank accounts with email notification

Stipe Cons

• Geo limitations
• Requires a developer

Final Thoughts

Now you know how you can successfully open and operate a Stripe account even if you don’t reside in the United States or other countries where Stripe offers their payment service.

There are numerous advantages that come with the Stripe payment gateway which is why you need to do whatever it takes to get a verified Stripe account. 

Getting an LLC for the USA or LTD for the UK is a stressful and difficult process but with the help of professionals, you will be able to get it within a short time without spending so much.

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