Stripe Approval Guide for Non-US Founders

Stripe rejections are almost always avoidable. The platform's underwriting team looks for three things: a legitimate US entity, a clean business model, and a verifiable online presence.

Use a US LLC, not a sole proprietorship. Stripe weighs registered businesses far more favorably. Pair your LLC with an EIN and a US business bank account for the strongest application.

Build a real website. Stripe reviewers manually check your site for clear pricing, refund and privacy policies, accurate contact details and a professional design. A weekend landing page will get flagged.

Match your business description to your MCC code. If you sell digital services, do not describe your business as ecommerce. Mismatch is the most common rejection reason in 2026.

Avoid prohibited and high-risk categories unless you have specialized support. Crypto, adult content, supplements, drop-shipping from unverified suppliers, and gambling all trigger automatic blocks.

If you have been rejected before, do not re-apply with the same details. Spark Digital restructures your application with a clean entity, fresh banking, and a compliance review before submission.