{"id":11762,"date":"2026-07-03T10:48:47","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T02:48:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.qicaiying.cn\/?p=11762"},"modified":"2026-07-03T10:48:51","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T02:48:51","slug":"%e7%be%8e%e5%9b%bd%e9%93%b6%e8%a1%8c%e5%bc%80%e6%88%b7%e9%9c%80%e8%a6%81%e4%bb%80%e4%b9%88%e6%9d%a1%e4%bb%b6%ef%bc%9f2026%e6%9c%80%e5%85%a8%e6%94%bb%e7%95%a5%ef%bc%9a%e8%bf%9c%e7%a8%8b%e8%a7%86","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qicaiying.cn\/en\/archives\/11762","title":{"rendered":"What Are the Requirements for Opening a Bank Account in the U.S.? The Most Comprehensive Guide for 2026: Now That Remote Video Applications Are Closed, Which Bank\u2014Hua Mei, BOA, or JPMorgan\u2014Allows Account Opening, and How Do You Do It?"},"content":{"rendered":"
If you've been thinking about opening a bank account for a U.S. company recently, there's some bad news\u2014and a solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bad news is: By 2026, leading banks such as JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America (BOA), Citigroup, and Wells Fargo will have alreadyCompletely Eliminate Remote Video Account Opening Channels for Non-Local Residents\/Entities<\/strong>. The old method of \u201dsitting at home, doing a video interview, and opening a U.S. bank account\u201d no longer works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The solution is this: The path to opening an account in compliance with regulations has not been cut off; it has simply shifted\u2014from \u201donline video\u201d to \u201din-person verification + custody by a professional service provider.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This article breaks down the latest policies for opening bank accounts in the U.S. in 2026, compares major banks, provides a comprehensive list of required documents, and outlines the compliance process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udca1\u00a0Not sure which bank is right for you? Don't have all the required documents? Get a free account-opening assessment + bank matching plan<\/strong>::Cell phone: 18676749275<\/strong> \uff5c WeChat: qcygscszk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
I. Why was the remote video account opening service suddenly suspended?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This is the result of three factors combined:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tight Regulatory Scrutiny:<\/strong> FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network) continued to step up anti-money laundering enforcement efforts in 2024\u20132025, issuing multiple hefty fines to banks and requiring all banks to strengthen \u201dcustomer due diligence\u201d (CDD), which mustVerify original documents in person, sign documents in person, and retain paper copies<\/strong>The<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Proliferation of Shell Companies:<\/strong> In 2024\u20132025, a large number of offshore shell companies used remote account-opening channels to handle gray-market fund transfers, resulting in the mass freezing of accounts. To protect themselves from risk, banks took a blanket approach and shut down the video verification channels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
System upgrades are difficult to distinguish:<\/strong> Banks\u201d risk control systems are unable to effectively distinguish between \u201dcompliant cross-border e-commerce sellers\u201d and \u201dgray-market shell companies,\" so the easiest solution is to handle everything offline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The conclusion is:In 2026, any agency claiming to have an \u201dinternal remote video channel\u201d will be considered a gray-market channel.<\/strong> The account will inevitably be frozen within 1 to 3 months after it is opened. Having your money withheld is a minor issue; being placed on the bank\u2019s blacklist is the real problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
II. Comparison of the Three Major Banks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
comparison dimension<\/strong><\/td>
East West Bank<\/strong><\/td>
Bank of America (BOA)<\/strong><\/td>
J.P. Morgan (Chase)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Minimum Deposit for Individual Accounts<\/td>
Approx. $100<\/td>
Approx. $25<\/td>
Approx. $25<\/td><\/tr>
Minimum Deposit for Business Accounts<\/td>
Approx. 1 TP 4 T 1,000<\/td>
EIN and company registration documents required<\/td>
Approx. 1 TP 4 T 1,500\u20132,500<\/td><\/tr>
Monthly Management Fee<\/td>
Approximately $10 (waived if the minimum deposit requirement is met)<\/td>
Approx. $15-20 (waived if balance requirement is met)<\/td>
Approx. $15-30 (no minimum balance requirement)<\/td><\/tr>
International Wire Transfer Fees<\/td>
moderate<\/td>
moderate<\/td>
On the high side (can be averaged out for large, bulk orders)<\/td><\/tr>
Customer Service Languages<\/td>
Chinese Support \u2705<\/td>
English (language)<\/td>
English (language)<\/td><\/tr>
Suitable for seller type<\/td>
Small and medium-sized sellers with annual sales of $500,000 or less<\/td>
Medium-sized companies operating in the United States<\/td>
Annual revenue of over one million U.S. dollars, bulk trade<\/td><\/tr>
Difficulty of Opening an Account<\/td>
Moderate (Chinese-friendly)<\/td>
Higher (strict review)<\/td>
Highest (Requires travel to the U.S. + review of account transaction history)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The Core Logic Behind Choosing a Bank:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
You are a small-to-medium-sized cross-border e-commerce business, and your account is primarily used to receive payments from the platform \u2192\u00a0East West Bank<\/strong>, offers Chinese-speaking customer service, and has the lowest account opening requirements<\/li>\n\n\n\n
You have local warehousing and employees in the U.S., with annual revenue of $500,000\u2013$1 million \u2192\u00a0BOA<\/strong>, with a large number of branches and robust online banking capabilities<\/li>\n\n\n\n
If your annual revenue exceeds $1 million and you need to receive large trade payments \u2192\u00a0J.P. Morgan<\/strong>, but you must travel to the U.S. to be present in person<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udccc\u00a0Not sure which bank is right for your business? Text \u201cBank Match\u201d to get a one-on-one assessment: Mobile: 18676749275<\/strong> \uff5c WeChat: qcygscszk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
III. List of Documents Required to Open an Account<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
No matter which bank you choose, here is aGeneral Checklist<\/strong>. Make sure you have everything ready before submitting your application; this will save you at least one trip back and forth to gather additional materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the corporate level<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
particulars<\/strong><\/td>
clarification<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Certificate of Formation<\/td>
Official registration documents issued by the state government<\/td><\/tr>
LLC Operating Agreement or C-Corp Articles of Incorporation<\/td>
Clarify the Distribution of Shareholder Equity<\/td><\/tr>
Federal EIN Confirmation Letter (CP 575)<\/td>
Tax ID Confirmation Letter Issued by the IRS<\/td><\/tr>
Certificate of Registered Agent<\/td>
Includes a compliant registered address<\/td><\/tr>
Sales Tax License (if applicable)<\/td>
File in the state where you established your Nexus<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
At the individual level<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
particulars<\/strong><\/td>
clarification<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Original passport of the actual controller<\/td>
**In-person verification is required**; photocopies will not be accepted.<\/td><\/tr>
Proof of Shareholder Status<\/td>
All shareholders holding 25% or more<\/td><\/tr>
Domestic ID Card (Supplementary)<\/td>
Requirements of Some Banks<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Business Level<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
particulars<\/strong><\/td>
clarification<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Screenshots of transaction history from the platform\u2019s store dashboard for the past 6 months<\/td>
Amazon, Walmart, eBay, etc.<\/td><\/tr>
Upstream and Downstream Purchase and Sale Contracts<\/td>
Before contacting the bank, make sure to take care of these things first:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 All required documents for the U.S. company are complete and in order<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 EIN has been obtained (CP 575 confirmation letter)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 Compliance with Registered Agent Address Requirements<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 The platform store has been linked to a U.S. business entity<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 The backend transaction data for the past 6 months has been exported and organized<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 The chain of evidence, including purchase and sale contracts, invoices, and other documents, has been organized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most critical value at this stage isPreliminary Screening<\/strong>\u2014Correct any errors in the materials before submitting them to the bank; prepare the documents in the format preferred by the bank in advance. The vast majority of rejections stem from issues at this stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Phase 2: On-site Verification of Execution (1\u20132 weeks)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In 2026, there will be only three ways to open an account in compliance with regulations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Option A: The actual controller travels to the U.S. + A professional service provider accompanies them throughout the process<\/strong>(The Best Solution According to the Mainstream)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Pre-screen all materials and align them with the bank's preferences<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Schedule a specific time to open an account (if you schedule it yourself, there is typically a 1- to 3-month wait)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Co-sitting with a locally licensed or authorized representative, and coaching on interview responses<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Verify original documents on the spot, sign the questionnaire, set up online banking, and set transaction limits<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Activated on the same day or the next business day<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Option B: Notarization by a Licensed Attorney as an Alternative to Traveling to the U.S.<\/strong>(Applies to certain regional banks)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Complete in-person identity verification at an embassy or consulate in China or at an authorized notary office<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Have a state-licensed attorney prepare a notarized document and mail it to the bank<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Attention:<\/strong>\u00a0Applies only to small and medium-sized sellers with relatively low annual revenue; sellers engaged in large-scale trade may still be required to undergo an in-person interview in the U.S.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Option C: In-person notarization by a local authorized notary in the United States<\/strong>(Suitable for medium- to large-sized enterprises)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
We need to hire a local U.S. operations manager to serve as an authorized signatory.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
The actual controller must still provide documents notarized by an embassy or consulate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Banks will conduct a thorough review of the background of the actual controllers and require that local entities have actual office space and bank transaction records.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Suitable for medium-sized and larger enterprises with annual revenue of over $1 million<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Phase 3: Long-Term Maintenance After Account Opening<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Opening an account is just the beginning; ongoing maintenance is what really matters:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Deposit Funds Promptly to Activate<\/strong>: Most banks require that the first deposit be made within 30 to 60 days; otherwise, the account will be placed on hold or closed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Monthly Bookkeeping and Timely Tax Filing<\/strong>: Even zero-reporting returns must be filed in compliance with regulations; the banking system will automatically verify the company\u2019s tax filing status.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Funds Receipt and Payment Matching Agreement<\/strong>: Avoid making large transfers without a note; clearly state the source of each transaction.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Eliminate the Blurring of Lines Between Public and Private Affairs<\/strong>: Corporate and personal accounts are strictly separated<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Conduct due diligence annually in coordination with the bank<\/strong>(Annual KYC Review): Ensure your information remains consistent, and notify the bank promptly of any address changes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Maintain a Minimum Balance<\/strong>: A monthly maintenance fee will be charged if the balance falls below the minimum; failure to maintain the minimum balance for an extended period may result in a downgrade or account closure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
V. The Five Most Common Reasons for Account Opening Rejections<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Reasons for rejection<\/strong><\/td>
clarification<\/strong><\/td>
How to Avoid<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Inconsistencies in the materials<\/td>
The address on the registration certificate does not match the address on the application materials.<\/td>
Thoroughly review all document information before submission<\/td><\/tr>
Doubts About the Authenticity of the Transaction<\/td>
No platform backend transaction records, no purchase and sale contracts, and no business plan<\/td>
Prepare a complete chain of business evidence in advance<\/td><\/tr>
Company Status: Abnormal<\/td>
Annual report not filed by the deadline; company designated as \u201dinactive\u201d by the state government\u201d<\/td>
Before opening an account, verify that the company's status is \"Active.\"<\/td><\/tr>
Issues with Shareholder Traceability<\/td>
After Penetrating the Multi-Layer Structure, the Identity of the Actual Controlling Party Remains Unclear<\/td>
File your BOI declaration in advance and identify the ultimate beneficial owner.<\/td><\/tr>
The brokerage channels are not legitimate<\/td>
Accounts opened remotely through gray-market channels are rejected instantly once identified by the bank.<\/td>
Use only compliant channels<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
VI. Qicaiying\u2019s U.S. Bank Account Opening Service<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Qicaiying has been specializing in cross-border financial and tax compliance for a decade and has helped hundreds of cross-border e-commerce sellers successfully open U.S. bank accounts. We offer more than just \u201dhelping you schedule a bank appointment\u201d\u2014weFrom company registration to account opening to ongoing maintenance<\/strong>End-to-end services:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Services<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Service Process<\/strong><\/td>
What does Qicaiying do?<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Pre-Account Opening Assessment<\/td>
We\u2019ll provide a free assessment of your business type and annual revenue to help you find the best-fit bank (Hua Mei, Bank of America, or JPMorgan Chase).<\/td><\/tr>
Pre-screening of information<\/td>
We\u2019ll conduct a comprehensive review of your company documents, EIN, platform transaction records, and purchase and sales contracts to identify and correct any issues with your materials in advance.<\/td><\/tr>
Testimony Arrangements<\/td>
Assistance with scheduling bank appointments, coordinating travel to the U.S. (if needed), arranging a local Chinese-speaking escort, and coaching on what to say during the visa interview<\/td><\/tr>
VII. Differentiated Features of Qicaiying\u2019s Account Opening Services<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCompany Registration + Bank Account Opening\u201d\u2014a one-stop service that ensures natural alignment of information<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many sellers handle their U.S. company registration and bank account opening through two separate institutions, which creates a disconnect in information flow. This often results in discrepancies in the documents submitted during the bank account opening process and logical inconsistencies. Qicaiying helps you plan your account opening process right from the company registration stage, ensuring that all documents are issued through a single channel so that the information is naturally consistent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Exclusive Insights for Cross-Border Sellers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When a bank manager asks you about your \u201dsource of income,\u201d we can help you explain that \u201dAmazon pays monthly via ACH transfer\u201d\u2014rather than simply saying, \u201dI make money running a business.\u201d This difference in the level of detail is often the line between approval and rejection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Decade of Tax and Financial Compliance Expertise, Backed by Banks\u2019 Trust<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qicaiying\u2019s track record in compliance services is clear for all to see: from company incorporation, tax filing, and annual report maintenance to quarterly bookkeeping, every step is conducted in a standardized and compliant manner\u2014and this track record is precisely what banks value most during their reviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
VIII. Five Questions for Self-Assessment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Before contacting a bank to open an account, ask yourself these five questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Is my U.S. company status \"Active\"? Have all the annual reports been filed on time?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Do you still have the original CP 575 confirmation letter for your EIN?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Can I provide the complete transaction history from the platform's backend for the past 6 months?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Do my company\u2019s registration details (address, shareholders, scope of business) match my actual business operations?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Are the intended use and source of my funds clear?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the answer to any of the above questions is \u201dunsure\u201d or \u201dno,\u201d we recommend completing the compliance prerequisites before starting the account opening process.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
If you've been thinking about opening a bank account for a U.S. company recently, there's some bad news\u2014and a solution.<\/p>\n
The bad news is: By 2026, leading banks such as JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America (BOA), Citigroup, and Wells Fargo will have completely phased out remote video account opening channels for non-residents and non-resident entities. The old method of \u201dopening a U.S. bank account via a video interview from the comfort of your home\u201d is no longer an option.<\/p>\n
The solution is this: The path to opening an account in compliance with regulations has not been cut off; it has simply shifted\u2014from \u201donline video\u201d to \u201din-person verification + custody by a professional service provider.\u201d<\/p>\n
This article breaks down the latest policies for opening bank accounts in the U.S. in 2026, compares major banks, provides a comprehensive list of required documents, and outlines the compliance process.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":11757,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13,17,18,65],"tags":[1490,1491,1459,643],"class_list":["post-11762","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guide","category-allguide","category-recomguide","category-am-bg","tag-1490","tag-1491","tag-1459","tag-643"],"yoast_head":"\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/qcyboss.oss-cn-shenzhen.aliyuncs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323160847384.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n