Many people's one-person company dreams die on the six words: "I don't have a US bank card."
Buying ChatGPT Plus, Claude Code, paying Stripe—without a US card, every step is blocked.
The good news is: you don't need to fly to the US, you don't need an SSN, and you can complete the entire process while in China.
This article documents the full process after successfully navigating the path. Follow it, and in about 2-3 months, you will have your first real US bank card.
The Four Essentials You Need
Opening a US card doesn't require a Green Card or an SSN (Social Security Number, which only citizens and legal residents have), but you do need these four things:
All four are indispensable. Let's break down how to get each one.
Step 1: Apply for an ITIN (The most critical and time-consuming)
An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is a tax ID issued by the IRS to non-residents. It has the same 9-digit format as an SSN, starting with a 9. Most banks and credit card companies accept an ITIN as a substitute for an SSN.
Application Route: Find a CAA (Certifying Acceptance Agent)
CAAs are IRS-certified intermediaries who can verify your passport via remote video, so you don't need to mail your original passport. This is the safest way to apply for an ITIN from China.
Application Process:
- Find a CAA online (Search "ITIN application" on Taobao in China, price 1200-1800 RMB; search "ITIN" on Fiverr in English, $150-250).
- Provide a passport scan + video verification (5 minutes).
- The agent helps you fill out the W-7 form + prepares the tax reason.
- Submit to the IRS and wait 8-12 weeks.
- Receive the ITIN confirmation letter from the IRS.
Important Tips:
- Wait 1 month after receiving the ITIN before applying for a card to let the banking system index your number.
- You need to file taxes using the ITIN once every 3 years, or the number will expire.
- Applying for an ITIN does not make you a US tax resident; your Chinese income will not be taxed by the US.
Step 2: Prepare a US Address
Banks will mail your physical card to your US address and use it to verify your identity. It must be a private residential address, not a forwarding warehouse or an obvious commercial address.
Having a friend or relative's address in the US is best and most stable. If not, use the method below.
Recommended: Anytime Mailbox (ATMB)
Provides a real US private address, supports scanning mail and forwarding it back to China, all operated online.
Step 1 — Register and Choose a State
Open anytimemailbox.com and click Sign Up. After registering, you can see available addresses in all 50 US states; California has the highest quantity.
Choose your desired state and enter the address list for that state.
Step 2 — Verify the Address is Private
Commercial addresses are mixed in the list and must be verified first. Use any of these tools:
- Official USPS Lookup: tools.usps.com/zip-code-lookup.htm
- Smarty: smarty.com/products/single-address
Check if the CMRA item is N—N means private address, Y means commercial. You must choose N.
You can also check Google Maps Street View; only choose it if it's clearly a residential building.
Step 3 — Choose a Plan
Click the address and select a plan. Plans start as low as $4.99/month (prices vary by address), averaging around $9.99/month, including 30 mail items, 5 free scans, and a $5 forwarding fee (shipping extra). Choose monthly first, then switch to annual if it works well.
After payment, the system assigns a mailbox number (e.g., Unit #581). The full address format is roughly Ste 112 Unit #581, .... When filling out bank forms, the bank might auto-delete the Unit number; that's fine as long as the recipient name is correct.
Step 4 — Complete 1583 Notarization
Form 1583 is a USPS form authorizing ATMB to receive your mail. It must be completed to use the address officially.
Process:
- Log in and click "Complete Verification" on the homepage.
- Select no SSN, fill in personal info (fill in passport issuance province in English, e.g., BEIJING).
- For Address ID, select "Voter Card" and use your ID card + translation (Alipay translation is about 60 RMB).
- Select self-certification "Use Own Notary," cost about $25.
- Download the pre-generated 1583 PDF, open proof.com/customers/anytime-mailbox for video notarization.
- Video Verification: Scan the QR code with your phone to take photos of your passport and ID, then join the video meeting (the notary is in English, but it's simple—just confirm your name and choose a signature style, under 5 minutes).
After certification, upload it to ATMB and wait for approval, usually within a few days.
After Receiving Mail
ATMB will notify you by email. Log in to see the envelope scan. Choose "Open & Scan" (to see contents) or "Forward" (to send to China). Forwarding costs: from Western US to China, economy shipping is about $20-30, tracked express is about $50-80. Two bank cards weigh about 0.4 lbs.
Step 3: Get a Real US Phone Number
Google Voice virtual numbers won't work. Bank customer service can identify VoIP numbers; using a GV number on an application will lead to rejection or manual review. You must have a real US physical SIM card.
Why can you use a US number in China? — WiFi Calling
WiFi Calling is a feature provided by US carriers that allows making and receiving US calls over a WiFi network. Rates are the same as local US calls, with no international roaming charges. As long as you are on WiFi in China, you can receive bank SMS codes and customer service calls normally.
iPhone Activation: Settings → Phone → Turn on "Wi-Fi Calling"
Note: Only SIM cards that support WiFi Calling can enable this feature.
⚠️ 2025-2026 Important Update: WiFi Calling in China requires DNS configuration
T-Mobile series carriers (Tello, Ultra Mobile, US Mobile, etc.) have their WiFi Calling servers (IP range 208.54.0.0/16) partially blocked in mainland China. Connecting directly to WiFi may not activate WiFi Calling. You must add a rule in your router or proxy software to route this IP range through a proxy.
Clash / Quantumult / Surge users: Add rule IP-CIDR, 208.54.0.0/16, ProxyNode
Router users: Change DNS to 199.85.126.10 + 199.85.127.10, or use firmware supporting transparent proxy (Merlin / OpenWRT).
2026 Mainstream Options Comparison (Updated):
Recommended Solution: Ultra Mobile PayGo (Purple Card)
$3/month, 100 mins + 100 SMS + 100MB data, T-Mobile network. Compared to Tello, an extra advantage is support for China Mobile/Unicom roaming signals (can still receive SMS via roaming when no WiFi is available), suitable for long-term use in China. Available on Taobao/Xianyu or the official website.
⚠️ Maintenance Note: If the account balance is under $3 and not renewed for over 60 days, the number will be reclaimed. Auto Pay is recommended.
Activation Steps (Ultra Mobile PayGo):
- Buy SIM card (Official site or Taobao).
- Connect to a US IP, open my.ultramobile.com to activate.
- After activation, configure DNS/Proxy as above to enable WiFi Calling.
- iPhone: Settings → Phone → Wi-Fi Calling → On.
- Android: Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → Select Ultra Mobile → Turn on Wi-Fi Calling.
Recommended Solution: Tello — Suitable for users needing flexible plans
Tello uses the T-Mobile network, supports instant eSIM activation, and plans are customizable. Official site: tello.com.
Step 1 — Register Account
Open tello.com/account/register and register with email or Google/Apple account.
Step 2 — Confirm Phone Compatibility
Use tello.com/bring_your_own_phone to enter your phone's IMEI and confirm it's unlocked and compatible with T-Mobile. Most iPhones are compatible.
Step 3 — Choose Plan + Buy SIM
Open tello.com/buy/custom_plans and customize:
- Calls: 100 mins (enough)
- SMS: Unlimited
- Data: 0 or lowest tier (mostly using WiFi in China, no data needed)
- Minimum about $5-8/month
SIM type: Choose eSIM (recommended for instant activation) or Physical SIM (requires international shipping, 1-2 weeks).
At checkout, use your Anytime Mailbox address and Billing info (Chinese address is okay). Supports Credit Card and PayPal.
Step 4 — Activate SIM
After receiving the SIM (or buying eSIM), open tello.com/activate to complete activation.
⚠️ The activation page requires a US IP; use a proxy to connect to a US node.
Activation Steps:
- Log in to Tello.
- Enter Activate SIM page, input SIM number or scan eSIM QR code.
- Select the purchased plan.
- Confirm number (system will assign a US number).
- Activation complete, restart phone.
Step 5 — Enable WiFi Calling
iPhone: Settings → Phone → Wi-Fi Calling → On
Android: Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → Select Tello → Turn on Wi-Fi Calling
⚠️ If WiFi Calling won't connect, refer to the DNS/Proxy configuration above.
Once enabled, you can make/receive US calls normally on WiFi in China at local US rates.
Maintenance Notes:
- Ensure monthly renewal; insufficient balance will suspend the number.
- Enable Auto Pay.
- Long-term use in China is fine as long as DNS/Proxy is configured for stable WiFi Calling.
Step 4: Open a US Checking Account
Secured cards need a US bank account to deposit the security deposit and make payments.
Simplest Solution: Wise
Wise allows completely online account opening without visiting the US, providing a real US Routing Number + Account Number. Opening is free; top up by transferring RMB.
Opening Steps:
- Open wise.com, click Register, and sign up with email.
- Select Personal account.
- Fill in name, DOB, and select China as residence.
- Verify email and complete basic registration.
- In the account, click Payments on the left → Select USD.
- First-time USD account use requires proof of address (e.g., Anytime Mailbox bill scan).
- After approval, enter the USD account page → Select Local tab.
Once opened, you'll see full US account info: ACH routing number + Account number + Account type (Checking), plus Wise's physical address (required by Capital One for deposits).
When depositing, enter this Routing and Account number into Capital One.
Note: Repaying with Wise can trigger Capital One risk control. After getting your Capital One card, it's recommended to apply for Capital One's own Checking account for repayments (apply directly in online banking; once you have a card, you won't be asked to visit a branch).
Step 5: Apply for Capital One Secured Credit Card
Once the four essentials are ready, this step is the smoothest.
Why Capital One?
Capital One currently has the highest success rate for "cloud residents" in China. They explicitly accept ITINs, and the application is entirely online without needing to visit a branch.
Application Steps:
- Open capitalone.com, click Credit Cards → Credit Building.
- Click "See if I'm Pre-Approved," fill in basic info (Name, Address, ITIN, DOB).
- If pre-approved, you'll get a card directly; if not, select the secured card application.
- When filling the form:
- US Citizen → No
- US Resident → Nonresident (NRA)
- Address: Use Anytime Mailbox private address
- Phone: Use your real US number
- Income: Fill in $50,000-$100,000 (don't go too high to avoid tax return requests)
- SSN Column: Enter your ITIN number
- Submit and wait for an email, usually within a few hours to 1 business day.
Two Types of Secured Cards:
- Quicksilver Secured | $200 | 1.5% | None
- Platinum Secured | $49 | None | None
Recommended: Quicksilver. $200 deposit, 1.5% cashback on every purchase. After 3-6 months of use, the deposit is usually refunded and the card upgraded to an unsecured one.
After Approval:
- Receive email requesting documents → Upload passport info page + ITIN confirmation letter scan.
- Approval → Receive email to pay deposit.
- Use Wise Checking to pay deposit (Enter Routing + Account Number).
- Wait 1-2 weeks for the physical card to reach the US address.
- Have the address provider scan and forward it → Activate upon arrival, then set up online banking.
Activation Notes:
- Do not register for an online account in the App before receiving the physical card → easily triggers risk control.
- Activate using the phone number on the back of the card. Have ready: full card number, ITIN, DOB.
- After activation, set up online banking. Try to use a US IP and avoid jumping between IPs.
Possible Pitfalls
Risk Control (Restricted)
Within 30-60 days of new card use, Capital One might freeze the account and request ID verification.
Resolution:
- Prepare: ITIN letter + Passport + Capital One Checking statement (if any).
- Fax to Capital One (fax number is on the letter) or call repeatedly.
- Explain you have no SSN, only an ITIN, and request they accept the passport as a substitute.
- Usually unblocked in 1-2 weeks.
Wise Repayment Risk
Do not use Wise directly to repay the Capital One card. Immediately apply for a Capital One Checking account after getting the card and use that for repayments.
Future Roadmap
The point of the first secured card isn't cashback; it's building a credit history. Treat it as a fixed monthly expense, pay in full every month, and your credit score will rise steadily. Once you have a credit score, the road ahead is smooth.
Summary
The US financial infrastructure for a one-person company starts with this secured card.
Many people think "I'm not in the US, I can't do it"—but that's not true. The entire process can be completed in China. The core is the ITIN step; wait patiently for 2-3 months, and the rest is just following steps.
Before the ITIN arrives, get your address, phone, and Wise account ready so you can apply as soon as the number drops.
One-Person Company Series, from zero:
- 001 — Register a domain in 20 minutes
- 002 — Build a site with GitHub Pages
- 003 — Opening a US bank card from China (This post)
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