Opening a business account for an international company: what the review asks for
Every payment provider reviews a company before it opens an account. The review looks at four things: who the company is on paper, who owns and controls it, where the money comes from, and what the business actually does. Prepare the document pack once and the same answers serve every provider.
Why there is a review at all
A provider that opens a business account takes responsibility for the money that passes through it. Before onboarding, it has to know who its client is, who stands behind the company and why funds will move. This is an obligation the provider carries towards its partner banks and regulators, and it applies to every client in the same way.
The review protects both sides. A provider that checks every client keeps its banking relationships stable, and those relationships are what keep your account details working. A company that passes a careful review has fewer questions later, when payments start to arrive.
Providers are often not allowed to explain a refusal in detail. A short answer without reasons reflects the rules they work under. If you are still comparing providers, start with a CFO's checklist for choosing a provider and come back here when you are ready to prepare documents.
1. Who the company is on paper
The first question is whether the company exists as a legal entity and is in good standing. The provider will look at the registration documents, the legal form, the registered address and the current status in the company register of its country.
- Certificate of incorporation or an extract from the company register.
- Articles of association or the charter, in the current version.
- Proof of the registered address, where the register extract does not show it.
- A certificate of good standing where the country of registration issues one.
Documents in a language other than English may need a certified translation. Ask the provider before ordering one, because requirements differ.
2. Who owns and controls it
The provider needs to see the ownership structure all the way up to the beneficial owners: the people who ultimately own or control the company. It also identifies the directors who act on the company's behalf.
When the company is owned by a holding, the chain continues through each level until it reaches individuals. A simple ownership chart helps: one box per entity, the percentage held at each step, and the name of each beneficial owner at the top. Attach the register extract for every company in the chain, so each step in the chart can be checked against a document.
3. Where the money comes from
The provider wants to understand the flow before the first payment arrives: who pays the company, for what, from which countries and in which currencies. It also asks where the money goes next, for example to contractors, suppliers or partners abroad.
The evidence is the paperwork you already use to run the business: signed contracts with clients, recent invoices, and proof that the service was delivered, such as reports or usage records. Choose a few representative clients rather than sending everything at once.
- Name the main paying clients or platforms and their countries.
- Describe the currencies you receive and the currencies you pay out.
- Give an honest estimate of monthly volume.
- Explain any payment that does not follow the usual pattern.
4. What the business actually does
The last part is a plain description of the business in your own words. Who are the clients, what do they buy, and how does the company earn money? Two or three short paragraphs are enough.
The reviewer will compare that description with the company website, the contracts and the activity code in the register. When all four say the same thing, the picture is clear. When the website describes one business and the contracts another, expect questions. Agencies and SaaS companies can reuse the documents to keep for each client as the evidence for this section.
| Document | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Certificate of incorporation | The company exists and when it was registered |
| Articles of association or charter | The legal form and how the company is governed |
| Register of directors | Who acts on the company's behalf |
| Ownership chart | The chain of ownership up to the beneficial owners |
| ID of directors and beneficial owners | The people behind the company |
| Proof of registered address | Where the company is officially based |
| Sample client contracts and invoices | Where the money comes from and why |
| Company website | What the business does, in public |
Who is turned down
Some requests cannot be accepted however good the documents are. Knowing this in advance saves time on both sides.
- Individuals without a registered company. A business account is opened for a legal entity.
- Businesses that need card acquiring on their own website. ArtPay is not a card acquirer and does not process customer card payments on merchant websites.
- Activities prohibited under the provider's terms. ArtPay does not work with money laundering or with activities prohibited under the ArtPay Terms.
- Companies that cannot show where the money comes from. Without contracts and invoices behind the flow, the review cannot be completed.
ArtPay reviews eligibility for each business and works with registered companies from supported countries. The steps are described in how onboarding works at ArtPay.
Preparing the pack once
Most providers ask the same questions in a different order. Build one folder for the company and keep it current, and every new review becomes a matter of sending files rather than collecting them.
| Item | Ready when |
|---|---|
| Registration documents | Current extract, articles and address proof in one place |
| Ownership chart | Every level shown, up to named beneficial owners |
| IDs | Valid ID for each director and beneficial owner |
| Business description | Two or three paragraphs that match the website |
| Money flow | Main payers, countries, currencies and monthly volume written down |
| Evidence | A few signed contracts, invoices and proof of service |
| Contacts | One person who can answer follow-up questions |
Before the review, work out what each payment route will cost. The route cost worksheet lists the fees to ask about, so the written quote can be checked line by line.
At ArtPay, the review follows the quote. A named manager first confirms your routes, currencies and volume and sends a transparent fixed fee in writing before anything is activated. The account is then opened after the business review: business accounts in USD and EUR, with USD via ACH and Wire through SSB Bank, USD via SWIFT through Portage Bank and EUR via SEPA through ClearBank. Corporate cards and currency conversion are available for eligible businesses. See how onboarding works at ArtPay for the full sequence.
If part of your revenue arrives in digital assets, describe that flow in the same way as any other. ArtPay can settle digital-asset revenue (USDT, USDC) into USD or EUR on the company account, subject to the same review.
Questions
What documents are needed to open a business account abroad?
Usually the company registration documents, the articles or charter, proof of the registered address, the ownership structure up to the beneficial owners, and identification for directors and beneficial owners. Providers also ask what the business does and where the money comes from, supported by client contracts and invoices.
Why would a provider decline a company?
The most common reasons are that there is no registered company, the business needs card acquiring on its own website, the activity is prohibited under the provider's terms, or the company cannot show where its money comes from. Providers are often not allowed to explain a refusal in detail.
What documents does ArtPay ask for before opening an account?
Usually the company's registration documents, proof of its legal address, a description of the ownership structure, and identification of directors and beneficial owners. The exact list depends on the company and its payment routes; your named manager sends it before the business review (KYB) starts.
How long does the business review (KYB) take at ArtPay?
Usually about 3 days once the documents are complete. Your named manager tells you which documents are needed, and the fixed fee for your routes is confirmed in a written quote before the account is activated.
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Payment rules and timings vary by bank and country; confirm the details for your route with your provider.