| Although not everyone can be American, there are | | | | could require a ten to fifteen hour plane ride each |
| some occasions when a little camouflage is required. | | | | way, not to mention passports and visas! |
| If your customers, or earnings are predominantly in | | | | However there is a way around this, which requires a |
| the US, you may need to find a way to facilitate or | | | | bit of money and dealing with a more outward facing |
| reassure any transactions by appearing to be a fellow | | | | banking system, the online brokerages. The US |
| American. Or at least having a "proper" bank account | | | | economy welcomes foreign investors in its listed |
| in the USA. | | | | companies. Almost every brokerage is affiliated with |
| Signing up with Amazon as a content provider will | | | | a US bank. In order to establish a brokerage account |
| require a US bank account in order to get paid. Many | | | | you will need to transfer funds from your own bank |
| other businesses are so US centric that dealing with | | | | and provide a copy of your passport, possibly other |
| foreigners is completely alien and inherently impossible. | | | | documentation as well. Once you have a brokerage |
| Even if your customer is happy to deal with you, the | | | | account you can ask for a checking account through |
| intricacies of dealing with currency conversions, | | | | their affiliate bank. Your credentials will be accepted |
| routing to foreign banks, extra fees etc may end up | | | | as you are known to the brokerage.Thanks to |
| straining the relationship. Much better to have a US | | | | Patrick of microISV for much of this info. |
| account that requires no explanation or difficulty to | | | | Getting a street address in the US is very easy, if a |
| pay your money. | | | | little expensive in terms of monthly fees and freight |
| Since 9/11 financial transactions with foreigners have | | | | costs for forwarding mail. However some of these |
| been subject to much greater scrutiny by most US | | | | services will allow you to operate almost completely |
| banks. The key legislation is commonly called "know | | | | transparently as a US business. Your mail will be |
| your customer", which many banks interpret as a | | | | delivered and your US telephone number will ring |
| personal visit to the branch where you are | | | | anywhere in the world. Just so long as no one comes |
| establishing an account. Not very practical when that | | | | knocking on the door trying to find you! |