Company, Bank Account & Visa Setup for Remote Founders
From zero to a legally structured, banked, and visa-compliant remote business — the complete roadmap.
Who this guide is for
- Remote founders doing everything for the first time
- Digital nomads who want to go from 'working informally' to 'fully structured'
- Founders who have formed a company but haven't yet set up banking or residency
- Those who want a complete framework rather than piecemeal advice
The practical problem
Most remote founders tackle their company, banking, and visa needs in an ad hoc, reactive way — often discovering that choices made early (wrong state, no operating agreement, wrong entity type) create friction months later. The biggest issue is sequencing: things need to happen in the right order to avoid delays and rework.
Your options
Step 1: Choose and form your company
Decide on jurisdiction (US LLC, UK Ltd, Singapore, HK, UAE free zone) based on client geography, banking needs, and tax structure goals. This choice unlocks or constrains everything else.
Step 2: Obtain your tax identification number
US LLC: EIN from IRS. UK Ltd: UTR number from HMRC. Singapore: UEN assigned on incorporation. HK: Business Registration Number from IRD. UAE: TRN from Federal Tax Authority (for VAT if applicable).
Step 3: Open your business bank account
Target the right institution for your entity type and nationality. US LLC: Mercury/Relay/Wise. UK Ltd: Wise/Revolut/Tide. Singapore: DBS/Aspire. HK: Currenxie/Airwallex. UAE: ENBD/Mashreq/Wio.
Step 4: Set up payment processing
Connect Stripe, PayPal, or your preferred processor to your bank account. For US entities, Stripe requires a US bank account (Mercury or Wise US routing number).
Step 5: Get a visa for your base country
If relocating or wanting long-term residency: UAE remote work visa, Thailand DTV, Portugal D8, or another nomad/long-stay visa. UAE free zone company enables company-sponsored visa.
Documents typically needed
- Passport
- Formation documents (varies by jurisdiction)
- EIN/tax registration documents
- Bank account application documents
- Visa application documents (country-specific)
Common mistakes to avoid
- Trying to open a bank account before the company is fully formed and registered
- Not getting an EIN/tax ID before applying for the bank account
- Forming a company in a jurisdiction that doesn't suit your banking needs
- Getting a visa before having a stable business structure to support it
- Skipping the operating agreement or shareholder agreement to save time
How Nomadic Go helps
Nomadic Go provides all the services in this roadmap: company formation, banking support, and visa assistance. Our solution bundles combine these into a single purchase at a discounted price. We also offer individual standalone services for founders who need specific components only.
Frequently asked questions
In what order should I do everything?
1) Choose and form company → 2) Get tax ID (EIN/UTR/UEN etc.) → 3) Open business bank account → 4) Set up payment processing → 5) Apply for visa/residency if relocating. Banking cannot proceed without formation and tax ID.
Can Nomadic Go handle all of this?
Yes. Nomadic Go provides formation, banking support, and visa assistance. Our solution bundles package common combinations at a bundled price. Visit /bundles for available packages.
How long does the full setup take?
US LLC + Mercury bank + Thailand DTV: approximately 6-10 weeks total. UAE free zone + ENBD + residency visa: approximately 8-12 weeks total. UK Ltd + Wise Business: approximately 2-3 weeks total.
What happens if I skip the tax ID step and go straight to banking?
You will be blocked. Every bank requires a tax ID (EIN for US LLCs, UTR for UK Ltds, UEN for Singapore) before opening an account. There are no exceptions. The bank cannot legally onboard an entity without a confirmed tax identifier.
Is there a bundle package that covers company, banking, and visa together?
Yes. Nomadic Go's solution bundles combine formation, banking support, and visa assistance for the most popular destination combinations. Visit /bundles to see available packages and current pricing.