Joy OkoroYou want to know how to use Stripe in Nigeria?
Stripe is an online payment processing for internet businesses. It builds the most powerful and flexible tools for internet commerce.
Whether you’re creating a subscription service, an on demand marketplace, an e-commerce store, or a crowdfunding platform etc stripe helps you accept payment without stress.
Stripe payment gateway is unfortunately unavailable to Nigerians, and it has become a pain to anyone running an online business and wishes to use stripe to accept payments.
Stripe is easy to setup with seamless integration, with attractive features and prices. No activation or setup fees, just a 2.9% + 0.30 cents per successful card charge.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to open a stripe account in Nigeria (verified stripe account ) and you can then integrate into your ecommerce store/business website and start accepting payments in different manners.
If you need a verified stripe account to accept payments online, maybe on your shopify store or anywhere, read along.
As for Nigerians, I keep getting the question:
- Can I use stripe in Nigeria?
- How to set up verified stripe account in Nigeria?
- How to use stripe in Nigeria.
- … and lot’s more.
Whatever is your country, India, Nigeria, Pakistan and non-us citizens, you’re welcomed to follow the guide on this blog to setup a verified stripe account.
Getting Started
Over the years, I have been able to help hundreds of people start accepting international payments using Stripe, and below were few of them.
I will be revealing this exact method which you can use to comfortably setup your Stripe account irrespective of your country and start accepting payment right away!
The information is FREE, it’s like the other similar blog posts I often make, right now I’m creating authority, trying to let you know I’m in the right position to teach and guide you how you can achieve this without breaking the bank or selling your soul.
With over 7 years of experience, and having helped hundreds and reached thousands of people, you have to believe this strategy.
How to Create a Stripe Account in Nigeria
To create a stripe account in Nigeria legally and start accepting payments, you will need the following requirements:
- LLC/US Company Formation
- EIN Number
- US Phone Number
- US Address
- US Bank Account
Getting Started: Register a US Company
At the time of making this post, Stripe currently accepts over 54 countries and as someone that’s NOT from any of the supported countries, to have access to Stripe you need to form a company in any of 54 Countries.
Since you’re not from any of those countries based on citizenship, you can have access to the countries based on “Business Mode“, and this is legally accepted by stripe.
While signing up on Stripe, they will ask if you’re signing up as an Individual (Citizenship) or as a Company (Business).
United States, been one of the most popular and most sorted after by many businesses and having been accompanied by loads of benefits, it’s recommended to Form a US Company, in other to setup your US Business stripe account successfully.
The US Company can be your store, website or business name, or any generic and unique name you’ve come up with.
The most exciting part of this is, you don’t need to change your IP ADDRESS by using a VPN.
Forming a US Company is the ONLY option as a non-us citizen if you want to have access to Stripe LEGALLY.
Forming a US Company can be expensive depending on the formation company you used, and can spend over $600 – $1,400 to form your US Company and acquire your EIN Number.
However, you don’t need to spend that FORTUNE, as it’s a bit ridiculous especially for a beginner.
You will discover how you will be able to get all the requirements from A-Z with less than $100, you don’t need to break the bank or sell your soul or go over your budget.
To form your US Company, you have to choose a state among the 54 states in United States of America and we recommend the following:
- Missouri ($51 one-time filing fee and $0 annual/yearly fee)
- Kentucky ($40 one-time filing fee and $15 annual/yearly fee)
An example of an expensive state is California that charges $70 filing fee and $800 annual/yearly fee and you wouldn’t like to go through that route.
If you formed your LLC in Delaware, you’ll pay $300 annual tax fee with an expensive filling state fee to form the LLC?
As a non-us citizen, you should probably go for the affordable state for peace of mind.
However, to form your LLC and get your EIN Number to setup shopify payments with less than $100, we will be using IncAuthority, they’re the best in the industry, and with them, you will get the most affordable services.
We’re going to recommend an affordable way to form your LLC and EIN to setup your Shopify Payments with less than $100. and you can’t find this offer anywhere except here.
How To Form a US Company Using IncAuthority
If you’ve decided to start your LLC and most especially with less than $100, then you can go ahead and form your LLC as soon as you can before it’s too late.
At Inc Authority, you’re going to form your LLC and get your EIN/TAX ID. Follow the simple guidelines below to complete the signup. It’s easy and takes just a few minutes. All you have to do is choose your state, enter your business name, and form your LLC!
Step 1: Go to IncAuthority.com
When you arrive at IncAuthority.com, click on the “start now for free” tab.
Step 2: Select Entity Type and Filling State.
In your entity type, select Limited Liability Company (LLC) and in the Formation State, select Kentucky or Missouri.
Click on Save & Continue.
Step 3: Enter Your Personal Details
In this step, enter your First and last name, email, and contact phone number.
You’ll need a US Phone number, download DingTone from the play store or app store and buy a US Phone Number.
Also, below the form, you can add extra partners if you’re more than 1 person who owns the business.
Click on save and continue.
In the next section, they will ask you little questions about your business, you can select Yes or No in all of them, and they will ask the type of business you do, then you can select your category from the dropdown.
Step 4: Enter Your Business Details
Enter your choice or Business Name and business description (if you have a clothing online store, say you have an online and you sell clothing and apparel).
A brief description of your company, a sentence or two describing your business.
Select your business benefit and click save & continue.
Step 5: Business Address
You need a US Address to continue in this step, go to Shipito.com.
You’ll get a US address instantly, use it, and continue your signup. Takes just 1 minute.
In the next section, you can continue as a guest or create an account with them.
Step 6: Registered Agent Service
Select the registered agent service and proceed to the next step. This option will give you a registered address which you can use for your business and online applications.
Step 7: EIN/Federal TAX ID
As a non-us citizen, your EIN (Employer Identification Number) will serve as your SSN (Social Security Number).
If you form a US Company, your EIN Number will basically serve as your SSN. Even without being a US Citizen, you’re enjoying the benefits. EIN is one of the requirements Stripe will request for when signing up. This is more like your IDENTIFICATION!
The interesting part about Inc Authority is they get an EIN for you at $49, which is considered as the cheapest place to get one. Others charge from $95 and above.
You need to include the EIN/Federal Tax ID which is very important!
Click save and continue.
Step 8: Addons
The next pages contain Addons and they include the following:
- Operating Agreement – $89
- Legal Document Package – $89
- Minutes and Resolution – $89
- 24 Hour-Express Processing/Express Delivery –
$49FREE (you can select this option if it’s free at the time of forming your company, but if it’s not free, you don’t have to add it because, it’s not cost effective and you need your LLC + EIN to be available before you setup Stripe or Shopify Payments) Normally, your LLC will take 4-5 days to be formed. - Online Business Presence – $9
- INC Success Advisor – $177
- US Business Bank Account – FREE (you can add this or not, but they always require a deposit before using the bank account) there are other free options you can use e.g Mercury.com
So you can skip the PAID ones, until you get to the payment stage.
Step 9: Make Final Payments
In the end, you’ll only be paying for State Filing Fee (fee paid to the state government to form your LLC) and EIN.
Other formation companies charge a lot for offering this service but IncAuthority Charges $0 Service fee.
Now you need to make payment using either Debit/Credit Card or PayPal.
For the Delivery Option, you can select $0 free delivery (Electronic Delivery) and they will be delivered to your email.
How long does it take to form your LLC + EIN?
Answer: It takes less than 7 days for your LLC Formation to be ready and it takes 90 days for your EIN/TAX ID to be ready via FAX from the IRS (for foreigners/non-us citizens).
How to Get a US Business Bank Account Using Your LLC
You need a US Bank account where Shopify will deposit your earnings to, and you can also withdraw these funds from your US bank to your local bank account.
Luckily, in this post, you will discover how to do this at the comfort of your home and without living your country, and you don’t need to pay someone to do it for you.
You can sign-up for an Individual US Bank Account Right Now at Payoneer.com and you can sign-up for a Business US bank account at Mercury.com (when you have your LLC + EIN ready).
How to Setup Stripe The Right Way Using Your US Company and EIN
Now, you’ve successfully gotten the requirements and it’s time to setup your stripe account the right way using your LLC + EIN Number.
I have prepared a free video tutorial on to set it up, it’s completely free, click here to download it.
In this video I discussed the following;
- Setting up Stripe the Right Way
- Registered Agent Address (address to signup on Stripe)
- How to Fill the SS-4 Form (Applying For EIN Number)
- Taxes
Conclusions
After following the guides on this post, you should be able to form your LLC, get your EIN and setup your stripe account for your business.
Here’s the summary:
- Form your LLC and EIN at IncAuthority.
- Get the free video tutorial on setting up stripe using your LLC + EIN here.
- Start using Stripe for your business!
If you have any questions and confused at any process, do let us know by dropping it at the comment box.
Don’t forget to share! It’s quite a helpful guide on how to open a stripe account in Nigeria (for non-US citizens or residents (Non-Supported countries) !
Thank you Joy for the great article! It was quite detailed and very helpful. For those looking for Nigerian payment gateways, the article on the link below helps: https://www.businessfinder.ng/top-nigerian-payment-gateways-for-smes-entrepreneurs-in-2019/
Can I use this solution equally for me here in Cameroon?
Thanks so much for this, but I still do not know how real this is.
thank you very much this is a really rewarding article it was pretty clear but I have two questions
1- at the end at the level of your screenshot of payment I saw some 85 $ it is the money of what?
2- I currently have an American address provided by shipito in addition to an American and euro number, is this sufficient to create a paypal account normally?
There is no $85 on the screenshots I have posted.
No, that’s not enough. If you need a PayPal account, kindly mail jasmine@theprofany.com.
Thanks for the information. Is it possible to receive money from stripe to a Nigerian bank account?
No, only through Payoneer.
Hello my name is Anthony from Nigeria please how do I contact you for more enquirers
Jasmine@theprofany.com
Joy I must confess you a good writer. The way you spice up this blog post is something out of the box. It’s magical, coming from a female blogger. No offense, never seen or read a blog post from a female.. You good writer. I’ll post this blog.
Regards,
Francis.
I’m flattered. Thanks so much. 😊
How do you collect money from stripe when people pay you?
You have to link your US bank account.
You can get one at Payoneer.com
Please what will it entails to assist me in creating one.
You can please send me an email.
Thanks
The 5 page pdf isn’t available
You can download it here: guide.theprofany.com
Hi Joy.
The link is not valid.
Hello everyone,
You can use PayU. It is a global payment system with its h.q. in the Netherlands and it accepts card payments, they have an office in Nigeria, India and they are an alternative to Stripe.
This is an amazing discovery because I have always wanted to find an alternative to PayPal.
Hello, thanks for the information, but how did you signup for PayU, because I couldn’t find a signup button on their website
Just submit a form via the contact form.
I did and they’ve still not replied me.. It’s been over 3weeks now…
They have a habit of not replying you if you happen to be a small business.
You can refer to flutterwave NGN/USD payments, Paystack NGN (you can also request for USD payments on paystack if you have a GTB/Zenith USD domiciliary account).
I am following this example and have my LLC formed. However, IncAuthority now requires a social security number in order to provide me an EIN. I thought this article addresses the situation for those who do not reside in the US and are non-US citizens?
While filling your EIN form, enter FOREIGN In the SSN field.
Do we need VPN in order to use stripe in Nigeria
No, if you follow the legal process.
Please can you explain what you mean by “legal Process”
Form a US Company, Get an EIN and then setup a stripe account.
The guide is in the post.
You don’t need a VPN.
Hello Joy Okoro,
I tried to contact you via your contact area but contact form wasn’t showing up.
I am interested in your “We will create a verified stripe account for you using our LLC and EIN/Federal Tax ID within 48hrs, cost is $95”
Could you please let me know other means to communicate with you?
Thank you!
can you please help me and let talk about this i need stripe.
I no longer offer the service.
Hi Joy,
I want you to help me set up a Verified Stripe account, the 48 hours package. Please how can I reach you.
Quick question once the Stripe account is set up and I can receive payments, how do I payout from Stripe and receive the funds in Nigeria.
Can I transfer to a Nigerian bank domiciliary account or I have to open a BanK account in USA.
You need a USA Bank account and you can get one via Payoneer.Com
Regards.
Thanks Kollydaton.
I no longer offer the service.
Hi Joy.
Thanks for the guide. Quick question: since I don’t have a name yet for my company, can I use my full name for now?
What are the implications of this?
Is it something I can change later?
Thanks for your anticipated reply.
Hello, you can’t change name after forming a company, so take your time and come up with any unique name for your new company.
Changing the name means forming a new one.
the download page for FREE 5 pages guide on setting up a stripe account using your LLC Business Name and EIN/Federal Tax ID is working can you get it up again.
Hey, you can download it here: guide.theprofany.com
I just downloaded the Free Guide. The place that says Select your Country and Enter Your phone number, am i to enter Nigeria and Enter my local MTN GSM NUMBER or everything has to be my US details?
Also for the Verification which number am I to use. Local or US Number?
You can enter your country as Nigeria and enter your phone number or enter US and enter your US phone number (if you have).
Hello Joy,
The five pages pdf guide to open a stripe account is no longer available. how can I get it?
HI, you can download it here: guide.theprofany.com
Dear Joy,
The last stage in setting up a stripe account requires an id card. what ID card should I upload? can I use my Nigerian ID card?
I have replied to your mail at the date of your comment, but I’m replying for public eye.
Yes, use your Nigerian ID.
Dear Joy,
The last stage in setting up a stripe account requires an id card. what ID card should I upload? can I use my Nigerian ID card?
Yes.
Hi joy, thanks for your article. I have applied for the LLC and I just received an email from them. In the document I received, they are asking me to add my SSN or EIN, and I have not yet gotten any email from them with the EIN.. neither do I have an SSN?
How do they send the EIN? which I paid for?
I have replied to your mail at the date of your comment, but I’m replying for public eye.
In the SSN/EIN box, enter “FOREIGN”.
I applied almost a week ago.
So, they say the business has been formed.
But they require me to send more info.
is this the process?
Hi Joy, so reading carefully I see that, they sent me a notification that business has been formed.
Then they sent an application for the EIN.
So on the application for the EIN, am I supposed to use my Nigerian details?
Or the same US phone number and Address from before?
What do you add in the line where they are asking for SSN or EIN of the principal officer?
Thanks.
You were emailed for the steps.
For public purposes, in the SSN box, enter FOREIGN, where they requested for address, enter the US address.
Other steps will be familiar to you.
Can a boters card or driver’s license be used..?
Yes.
Wow!!! A big applause for you ma. This is still a surprise to me that somebody like you still exist in our world. This precious information is what some people will make use of and task others to pay Huge amount of money for. I Really appreciate your good job and pray God will reward you bountifully.
Please can I get the link for FREE 5 pages guide on setting up a stripe account.Thanks
Hey, thanks.
Goto guide.theprofany.com
Hi, Joy
If my company own several brands, should I open a stripe account for each brand or just one will be fine to serve all my brands?
Also, can I open multiple stripe accounts for my campany? I mean, use the same company info to open many stripe accounts.
You can goto stripe.com and chat with their support. Ask them if you can open multiple stripe accounts with same company information.
Hi again, Joy
Does the Payoneer bank account still work? Because it is a virtual bank account and stripe says in this article that we need a physical bank account. https://support.stripe.com/questions/requirements-to-open-a-stripe-account-in-another-country
Payoneer is a US company that provides bank account for users, and you can use it to withdraw on stripe.
If you’re skeptical, travel to USA and open a physical bank account.
Good day Joy,
Thanks for the process of opening an LLC. I received the document few weeks back but i don’t know where to get the EIN number.
I would appreciate if you can be of help
Best regards
Grace
They’re yet to deliver your EIN.
Pls are they issuing EIN now for foreigners, don’t know maybe if you have recently created a an LLC and done so, because I am yet to get mine
EIN these days are delayed because of the Covid-19.
Hi Joy, thank you for all your help, I hope you’re doing good?
I have a very urgent issue that I need to resolve.
I’ve sent you a couple of emails but I don’t think you’ve seen them yet?
Please do check them out and send me a reply. Thank you very much for everything.
Kindly guide me on how to get a working US phone number and address.
Did you follow the guide in the post?
The instructions were clearly written on the post.
Hello Joy,
You did a very good thing providing that information.
You are a great helper. But there was a mistake you made which I hope that you correct it ASAP.
The location where you have personal information like phone number, it is better to blur that location or put an image on top of it.
That would keep your privacy.
That is advice from a good friend.
Cheers
The phone number no longer exist. I will re-upload the image blurring the phone number when next I edit the post, but I just put up the warning for the time being.
Thanks for your concern.
Hi Joy,
I have following questions:
i. I think the only time one will need SSN & DL for stripe account is when one register as individual not as an entity, am i right?
ii. When using incauthority, i saw where they will help one create BOA account so why the need for payoneer account
iii. I need your email address.
Thanks
Anthony
1. You don’t need an SSN. You just have to register as a US company and you will only use your EIN.
If you register as an individual, an SSN will be required, that’s only for US citizens.
2. Payoneer is simple to use, if you don’t have Payoneer, you can opt for the service.
3. You can always send a mail to joy@theprofany.com
Thanks for your quick response.
But BOA incauthority mentioned, is it free because i don’t see any fee stated. Pls i just want to know.
Thanks
You will find out from them. But I will advise you sign-up for a US bank account at mercury.com (you will need your US company name, EIN and Company documents to sign-up).
Your company formation will come with the documents.
I think the Bank Of America account opening IncAuthority offered during the process also serves as a US bank. And it is free (as is shows in the registration process). So one doesn’t need to open any other one for this purpose.
Also, I’m guessing the BOA account opening offer is a new update on IncAuthority’s part. As you can see it wasn’t in the writer’s screenshots all through the article (just like some other few updates I noticed when I went through the process myself). So maybe that’s why she suggested opening the US bank account with Payoneer..
The BOA has always been around. If you’re signing up on incauthority, you can decide whether to opt in for that option or not.. besides it’s free, one can always select it.
I suggested Payoneer because it’s easy to setup and convenient.
However, you can use both.
xoxo.
Hi Joy,
Thanks for this precious write up.
Some consultants claim to get LLC and EIN in 48hrs. Pls how is that possible? Although am not using them but just to know the truth.
Thanks
Anthony .
You can’t get EIN in 48 hours.
As a foreigner, your EIN application will be sent via FAX to IRS. IRS gives the EIN number and due to Covid-19, it usually takes up-to 2-4 weeks.
Your LLC can be formed in 1-3 days depending on the state you’re forming it.
An update concerning the EIN. Mine took 45-52 business days to arrive due to covid-19, so you have to be patient.
Wyoming or Kentucky which is better for LLC regarding taxes and generally in your your opinion please?
I truly appreciate the helpful thoughts you post on your website.
Can I create a stripe account without SSN??
Yes.
They ask me to input my SSN in the page.
There is a drop down, click on it and select your country code. Then you will have to enter your Personal ID card number.
Enter the ID card number which you will be uploading when stripe requests it.
Hey Joy. Can one use our temporary NIMC ID? I mean, does Stripe accept it?
I don’t think they do. You can always try and see if it gets accepted.
Hi Joy. Please the drop down you are talking about, is it on Stripe or Inc Authority?…because I am still stucked on the EIN application. After filling the EIN application form, Inc sent me one other form called SS-4 to fill again… I am expected to download, fill and add my signature, then scan and upload. Is that the usual process please?
If yes, am I filling FOREIGN again for the SSN field?
Thanks. I really appreciate your guidance so far
I recently received EIN so you have to sign online and send it back to them and within 2 weeks the same file will be sent back to you with the EIN number which will is empty now.
Hi Bipan. Are you saying I don’t need to print out first and scan to upload. And I can just fill and sign online with Adobe sign or similar app?
PS: Why I am asking is that there was this note in their email about IRS not allowing any typed or electronic signatures.
The drop-down is for signing up on stripe.
For the EIN application, you’re supposed to fill the SS-4 form because you’re foreigner.
The first online form they sent you is for those with SSN, when they found out you don’t have one, they sent you the SS-4 to fill.
In the SSN field, you will still need to enter FOREIGN.
Alright then.
Thanks a lot Joy…you’ve been of great help in this process. I do not take it for granted…I really appreciate.
I cannot express the joy I feel for this amazing and helpful guide, and for your continuous support outside this guide, that has helped me to successfully register for an EIN and to also open a stripe account in Nigeria. Joy Okoro, you’re an angel to me and to all aspiring ecommerce newbies out here. I pray they find you. May God bless you immensely for your help and reward you in a million fold. Amen!
Thank you so much Joy for the easy step-by-step guide. I just registered for the LLC and now excitedly waiting for updates :). Will connect with you if I were to encounter any wall and bumps. 😊hi all the way from South East Asia
Hey Joy,
So grateful for this. I just registered and even got a 20% off.
I follow your instructions to the letter. Very straightforward.
Thanks once again.
You’re welcome
In step 8 addons
Are we paying for those amount that i am seeing there
Can I open a bank account when all process is done?
Yes
You have a wonderful site, and your info is succinct and straight to the point. Excellent writing!
Hi Joy. Very helpful piece you’ve got up here. Thanks for sharing. Inc Authority has incorporated my LLC but I’m being asked to fill out some EIN application form to get my EIN…how do I go about that? As I don’t have a social security number (a compulsory field in the form)
In the SSN field, enter FOREIGN.
Thanks Joy, just got that from the earlier comments. What to put in the county field though? The US address or its county?
You can make a google search, lets say in your address, the state is California, you google “California county”.
But if you don’t get a precise information, you can still enter the state in the county field.
I think I got the county. Thanks a lot Joy
The eBook download link for Stripe set up seem broken…please help check it out
Hi please what are the Payoneer alternative that will give you us bank account in Nigeria.
For the alternatives, you will need to register as a US company. After forming your LLC, you can signup for TransferWise US business bank account, Mercury, Brex.
Which do you think is the most economically friendly to nigerians Joy?
Nice article. thanks for sharing. I thought it was impossible before but thanks for this clear explanation. The total amount I will spend is $200 approximately.
Hello Joy,
Thank you for this piece. What if stripe requests for a document as proof of address (say, utility bill, etc)? Especially when they need proof tying the business address to your business.
The company that issued your EIN is authentic and there has been no record that they do that. So as it last, Enjoy.
I am being asked to provide social security number for the processing of my EIN. When I called Inc Authority to complain, they told me the alternative (i.e getting EIN without social security number) would take 45 days.
How much will you charge to create a stripe account for me?
Instead of paying someone, why not follow the guide in this article and make one yourself? If you insist on paying someone, how well do you trust anyone to be so sincere and not disappoint you? Dollar fluctuate everyday and presently is around 550-570 naira. times the ein charges of 178$ without the 20% bonus presently that can stop any moment. Call me if you need help opening one. 08032336953. For more transparency. I am the owner of https://bimcotrade.com.
What is the total amount required becos i am seeing different amounts
Thanks for sharing this. I will try and apply your guideline and create a stripe account for business.
Hope I can contact you if I ever have any issues?
This article is pretty helpful. thanks for sharing.
I have Been trying to Follow the Guidelines and it working on till Payment Section to get LLC
It Saying the transaction is been Declining by my Card…
Can’t I use NIGERIA Card to make the Payment?
Interesting read.
I have a question: does it mean after setting up my LLC with IncAuth… I have to wait for 90 days to receive my EIN before I can actually sign up for Stripe?
Please confirm.
Thank you so much