How to Build US Business Credit for Non-Resident LLCs (No SSN)

Author's Bio: The Foreign Founder Team has helped over 500 non-resident entrepreneurs secure millions in credit lines. We have successfully guided clients through the "No-SSN" maze to obtain Chase Ink, Amex Platinum, and Brex cards from abroad.

Trust Signal: Why trust this guide? We don't just list random cards. We have personally tested these applications with non-resident LLCs from 40+ countries. We know which banks trigger "identity verification" loops and which ones actually approve.

You have your US LLC. You have your EIN. You even have a bank account.

But when you try to buy inventory or run Facebook Ads, you are stuck using a debit card. You are spending your own cash, risking overdrafts, and getting zero rewards.

The Problem: The US credit system is built on the Social Security Number (SSN). As a non-resident, you don't have one. When you apply for a credit card online, the form blocks you the moment you leave the "SSN" field blank.

The Agitation: Without credit, your business is fragile. You have no float. If PayPal freezes your funds for 21 days (which they will), you can't pay your suppliers. You are one cash-flow hiccup away from bankruptcy. Meanwhile, your US competitors are racking up millions of points and enjoying 0% interest loans.

The Solution: You can build US business credit without an SSN. It's not a loophole; it's a process. This guide will walk you through the "Foreign Founder Credit Stack", a 3-step ladder to go from "unbankable" to a $50,000 credit limit.

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The "Credit Catch-22" for Non-Residents

Before we dive into the steps, you must understand why this is hard.

In the US, there are two types of credit scores:

1. Personal Credit (FICO): Attached to your SSN or ITIN.
2. Business Credit (Paydex/Intelliscore): Attached to your EIN and D-U-N-S Number.

The Catch-22: Most "Business" credit cards (like Chase Ink) actually rely on your Personal credit guarantee. They want to check your FICO score. Since you don't have an SSN, you don't have a FICO score, so they reject your business application—even if your business is making millions.

To break this cycle, we need to build Business Credit first (which requires no SSN) and then use an ITIN to bridge the gap to premium cards.

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Step 1: The Foundation (EIN + DUNS)

You cannot build a house without a foundation. Before applying for any card, ensure you have these two numbers.

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

You should already have this from your LLC formation. If not, check our LLC Formation Guide.

• Crucial Step: Ensure your EIN matches your LLC name exactly on all applications. "My Company LLC" is not the same as "My Company, LLC".

2. D-U-N-S Number

This is the "SSN for your business." It is issued by Dun & Bradstreet, the major business credit bureau.

• Why you need it: It allows vendors and banks to report your payment history. Without it, your on-time payments are invisible.
• Cost: Free (can take 30 days) or Expedited (paid).
• How to get it: Go to the Dun & Bradstreet website. Warning: They will try to upsell you a $1000/year "Credit Builder" package. You do NOT need this. Just get the free number. Apple also requires this for an Apple Developer Account.

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The Great Wall: Personal vs. Business Credit

To succeed, you must understand the separation (and connection) between the two credit worlds.

1. Business Credit (The EIN Score)

• Identity: Linked to your EIN.
• Bureaus: Dun & Bradstreet (Paydex), Experian Business, Equifax Business.
• How it grows: By paying vendors (Net-30) and corporate cards on time.
• The Trap: Most "Business" credit cards DO NOT report to business bureaus unless you default. They are "Secret" tradelines.
• The Goal: A Paydex score of 80+.

2. Personal Credit (The SSN/ITIN Score)

• Identity: Linked to your SSN or ITIN.
• Bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, Equifax (Consumer).
• How it grows: Personal credit cards, mortgages, auto loans.
• The Connection: When you apply for a small business card (Chase Ink), the bank checks your Personal Credit to make the decision. This is why you need an ITIN eventually.

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The "Authorized User" Strategy (The Shortcut)

If you have a business partner or a spouse who is a US Resident (or has an ITIN/SSN with history), you can cheat the system legally.

1. Find a Host: Someone with a US credit card (e.g., Chase Sapphire) and good history.
2. Add You: They log in and add you as an "Authorized User" on their card.
3. Provide Details: They often only need your name and DOB (sometimes passport). If they ask for SSN, this method might fail, but Amex often allows it without SSN for foreign cards.
4. Wait: In 30-60 days, their credit history (for that card) gets "cloned" onto your credit file (once you get your ITIN).
5. Result: You start with a 700+ score instead of 0.

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Deep Dive: The Best Cards for Non-Residents

Once you have your ITIN, which card should you target?

1. Chase Ink Business Preferred®

The King of Business Cards.

• Why: Earns Ultimate Rewards (UR) points, transferable to airlines.
• Sign-up Bonus: Often 100,000 points (worth $1,500+).
• The Hurdle: Chase has the "5/24 Rule" (you can't have opened 5 personal cards in 24 months).
• Application Tip: Apply in-branch if possible. If applying online with ITIN, you may need to call reconsideration.

2. American Express® Business Gold

The Workhorse.

• Why: 4X points on your top 2 categories (Ads, Software, Restaurants).
• Charge Card: No pre-set spending limit. Great for high ad spend.
• Approval: Easiest approval for non-residents, especially via "Global Transfer."

3. Capital One Spark Cash Plus

The Cash Back King.

• Why: Unlimited 2% cash back on everything.
• The Catch: It reports to your Personal credit report (unlike Chase/Amex business cards). If you max it out, your personal score drops.
• Verdict: Good for cash back, bad for keeping credit utilization hidden.

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How to Check Your Business Credit Score

You can't use Credit Karma for business credit. You need specialized tools.

1. Nav.com (Recommended):

   • Cost: Free (Basic) or $40/mo (Prime).
   • Data: Shows D&B, Experian, and Equifax business scores in one dashboard.
   • Bonus: Nav Prime actually reports as a tradeline, helping you build credit.

2. Dun & Bradstreet (iUpdate):

   • Cost: Free.
   • Data: Allows you to view and update your own D&B file.

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Step 1.5: The "Net 30" Vendor Trick

Before you apply for a real credit card, you can use "Vendor Credit" to put some points on the board.

What is a Net 30 Account?

It is a line of credit from a supplier. You buy something (e.g., office supplies), and you have 30 days to pay the invoice.

• The Magic: They report this payment to Dun & Bradstreet.
• The Result: You get a "Paydex Score" (Business Credit Score).

Top 3 Net-30 Vendors for New LLCs

These vendors are known to approve new businesses with no history.

1. Uline (Shipping Supplies)

   • What to buy: Boxes, tape, warehouse gear.
   • Minimum: Spend $50+ to ensure reporting.
   • Strategy: Buy some packing tape. Select "Invoice Me" at checkout. Pay the bill immediately when it arrives.

2. Grainger (Industrial Supplies)

   • What to buy: Safety gear, tools, hardware.
   • Strategy: Similar to Uline. Buy something small but useful.

3. CEO Creative (Office Design)

   • What to buy: Custom branding, web design services, or electronics.
   • Strategy: They are very aggressive about reporting to credit bureaus, which is good for you.

Warning: Do not go crazy buying things you don't need. The goal is just to generate a "Tradeline" (a reported account) on your credit file.

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Step 2: The "Secured" Bridge (No Credit Check)

Since you have no credit history, you need to "buy" your first reputation. You do this with a Secured Credit Card.

How it Works

You give the bank a deposit (e.g., $1,000). They give you a credit card with a $1,000 limit.

• You spend $100.
• You pay it back.
• The bank reports "Paid on Time" to the business credit bureaus.
• Repeat for 6 months.

Top Picks for Non-Residents

Card	Best For	Requirement	Reports To
Bank of America Secured	Building History	Visit Branch (Usually)	Experian Business
Nav Prime	Credit Building	Monthly Fee ($50/mo)	D&B, Experian, Equifax
Relay (Credit Builder)	Internal History	Relay Account	Doesn't report to D&B (yet)

Contextual CTA: Need a bank that understands you? You can't get a secured card without a bank account. Relay is our top pick for non-residents because you can open it remotely. Read our Best US Business Bank Accounts guide to get started.

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Step 3: The "No-PG" Fintech Cards

Once you have some revenue or funding, you can skip the personal guarantee entirely with modern "Fintech" cards.

These companies don't care about your FICO score. They care about your Cash Balance.

1. Brex

• The Deal: Corporate card with high limits.
• The Requirement: usually requires $50,000+ in a US bank account (or massive venture funding).
• Pros: No SSN needed. No Personal Guarantee. High rewards.
• Cons: They aggressively close accounts for small businesses. Not for dropshippers.

2. Ramp

• The Deal: Expense management + Corporate card.
• The Requirement: $75,000 in the bank (usually).
• Pros: Unlimited 1.5% cashback. Great software.
• Cons: Hard to get approved if you are just starting.

3. Mercury IO

• The Deal: If you bank with Mercury, they offer the IO credit card.
• The Requirement: $25,000 balance in your Mercury account.
• Pros: Seamless integration. Daily repayment options.
• Cons: Pay-in-full card (charge card), not a revolving credit line.

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Step 4: The "Holy Grail" – Chase Ink & Amex (With ITIN)

This is the end game. To get the best cards in the world (Chase Ink, Amex Gold/Platinum), you eventually need a Personal Credit Score.

Since you can't get an SSN, you get an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number).

How to get an ITIN

Refer to our Non-Resident Compliance Guide for the full process. You usually get this by filing a US tax return or using a Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA).

The Amex "Global Transfer" Hack

If you have an American Express card in your home country (Canada, UK, Australia, India, etc.):

1. Log in to your home country Amex account.
2. Find the "Global Transfer" page.
3. Select "United States".
4. Use your US LLC address and US Bank details.
5. Result: They use your foreign history to approve you for a US card without a US credit score. This is the easiest shortcut in existence.

The Chase Ink Strategy

Chase is the king of business cards (UR Points are valuable).

1. Wait until you have your ITIN.
2. Wait until your LLC is 6+ months old.
3. Apply: You often cannot apply online with an ITIN (the form bugs out). You may need to call their lending reconsideration line or visit a branch if you travel to the US.
4. The Reward: 100,000+ point sign-up bonuses worth $1,500+.

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Why You Got Rejected (And How to Fix It)

Even if you follow the steps, you might get a "No". Here is how to decode the rejection letter.

Reason 1: "Unable to Verify Identity"

• The Cause: Your name on the application didn't match your passport exactly, or your address is flagged as a CMRA (Commercial Mail Receiving Agency).
• The Fix: Call the "Reconsideration Line" (Google it for Chase/Amex). Tell them: "I am a non-resident owner. I can upload my passport and Articles of Organization to verify my identity."

Reason 2: "Insufficient Credit History"

• The Cause: You applied for a Premium card (Chase Ink) too early.
• The Fix: Go back to Step 2. Get a Secured Card or a Net-30 account. Wait 6 months. Then try again.

Reason 3: "High Utilization"

• The Cause: You maxed out your $500 secured card last month.
• The Fix: Pay off your balance in full before the statement closing date. Keep your utilization below 30% (e.g., if your limit is $1,000, never have a balance higher than $300 when the statement closes).

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Visual Roadmap: The Credit Ladder

graph TD
    A["Start: Non-Resident Founder"] --> B["Formation: LLC + EIN"]
    B --> C["Banking: Mercury/Relay Account"]
    C --> D["Dun & Bradstreet: Get D-U-N-S Number"]
    
    D --> E{"Do you have $25k+ Cash?"}
    E -- Yes --> F["Apply for Brex / Ramp / Mercury IO"]
    E -- No --> G["Apply for Secured Card / Nav Prime"]
    
    F --> H["Build Business Credit History"]
    G --> H
    
    H --> I["Apply for ITIN (Form W-7)"]
    I --> J{"Have Amex Abroad?"}
    J -- Yes --> K["Amex Global Transfer"]
    J -- No --> L["Apply for Chase/Amex with ITIN"]
    
    L --> M["Goal: $50k+ Revolving Credit"]
    K --> M
    
    style F fill:#e6f3ff,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px
    style K fill:#ccffcc,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px
    style M fill:#ffcccc,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px

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Conclusion: Credit is Leverage

Building US business credit as a non-resident is a marathon, not a sprint.

• Month 1: Focus on EIN, Banking, and D-U-N-S.
• Month 3: Secure your first tradeline (Secured card or Nav).
• Month 6: Get your ITIN and apply for the big leagues.

Don't let the lack of an SSN stop you. The US financial system wants to lend to profitable businesses—you just need to speak their language.

Ready to start? Step 1 is always the entity. Make sure your LLC is set up correctly for banking. Review our comparison of the Best LLC Formation Services.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I buy a shelf company to get credit faster?

Direct Answer: Do not do this. Explanation: Buying an "aged" LLC (Shelf Company) is often a scam or highly risky. Banks flag these accounts for fraud. It is cheaper and safer to build your own history from scratch.

Does a Virtual Address work for credit cards?

Direct Answer: It depends on the address type. Explanation: Banks hate PO Boxes. They prefer "Commercial" addresses. A CMRA (Commercial Mail Receiving Agency) like a Virtual Mailbox works for receiving the card, but for the application, you often need to provide a residential address (even your foreign one) for the "Owner" section. See our Address Guide.

Will applying for a card hurt my credit score?

Direct Answer: Yes, slightly. Explanation: A "Hard Pull" usually drops a score by 5-10 points. However, since you don't have a US score yet, the rejection is more about "insufficient history" than a score drop. The goal is to avoid rejections by applying only when you are ready.

Can I use my friend's SSN?

Direct Answer: Absolutely not. Explanation: That is fraud ("Straw Man" borrower). Never use someone else's SSN to open accounts for your business unless they are a legitimate 25%+ owner of the company.