Date Published
Nov 7, 2025
Written by
Saron Haile
Time to Read
5
Opening a USD receiving account is one of the most effective ways for Ethiopian freelancers and entrepreneurs to get paid by international clients. It allows you to receive money from US-based customers, platforms, or partners as if you were in the United States. You avoid most payout failures, lower your fees, and bypass unsupported-country restrictions that many freelancers in Ethiopia encounter.
Traditionally, gaining access to the US banking system required opening a real US bank account. For non-residents, this is extremely difficult. A Mela USD receiving account gives you the same practical outcome. You receive official US account details you can share with clients. You remain compliant. You complete everything online.
This guide explains the challenges, the accessible alternatives, and the exact steps to open your USD receiving account from Ethiopia or abroad.
Challenges of opening a US bank account
For freelancers and entrepreneurs outside the United States—especially in Ethiopia—opening a US bank account directly with a US-based bank is difficult because of:
1. In-person requirements:
Most US banks still require applicants to appear physically at a branch to open an account.
2. US business registration:
Some banks only provide accounts to registered US entities. This means forming an LLC or corporation, which adds cost and ongoing tax obligations.
3. US address and tax ID:
Banks often require:
A physical US mailing or business address
An EIN or SSN
These are not available to most non-residents.
4. Heavy documentation:
Traditional banks request official US proof of address, local utility bills, tax records, and supporting documents that non-US residents typically cannot provide.
5. Unsupported or high-risk country restrictions:
Many global payment platforms restrict or close accounts if the user’s region is not supported. Ethiopian freelancers frequently face rejected payments or blocked accounts.
Because of these barriers, most freelancers and entrepreneurs cannot access the US financial system directly. A USD receiving account through Mela provides a more accessible and compliant alternative.
How to open a USD banking account outside the United States
A USD receiving account lets freelancers and entrepreneurs receive payments from US clients without traditional US bank onboarding. The setup is simpler. The entire process is online. Here is how it works.
1. Choose a reliable platform
Select a service designed for your region and needs.
Mela provides USD receiving accounts to Ethiopian freelancers and entrepreneurs through regulated global banking partners, including J.P. Morgan Chase, the largest bank in the world.
Through Mela, you receive US account details, allowing you to get paid from US clients as if you held a US-based account.
2. Sign up and verify your account
Download the Mela app and register using your legal name.
You will need to upload:
Government-issued ID (passport or Fayda national ID)
A live selfie for liveness verification
In some cases, additional documents may be required to meet KYC and AML regulatory standards.
3. Get your USD account details
Once your verification is approved, and you upgrade your account. Mela will issue your official US banking details. These typically include:
US routing number
US account number
Your details will appear directly in your Mela app.
4. Share with clients and platforms
Provide your Mela USD banking details to US-based clients, marketplaces, or platforms that support payouts to US bank accounts.
When they send money via ACH or domestic US bank transfer, the funds arrive directly into your Mela USD balance.
5. Move or withdraw your funds
Once your USD funds arrive, you can:
Hold your balance in USD
Move funds to Ethiopia through Mela’s licensed partner banks
Avoid informal channels and reduce risks of blocked or frozen funds
No travel. No US address. No US entity required unless your business model demands it.
Benefits of a Mela USD receiving account
Cost savings
US clients typically pay via ACH, which is cheaper or free for them. This avoids international wire fees that often cost $35–$70 per transfer.
Convenience
No trip to the United States. No US address. No US company formation. Setup is entirely in the app.
Fewer payout rejections
Your USD receiving account is issued under your legal name, helping you avoid name-mismatch errors common on global platforms.
Built for Ethiopia and similar regions
Mela is designed for freelancers globally and in Ethiopia. It avoids the unsupported-country challenges that affect other payment services.
Multi-client and multi-platform support
Use the same USD account for all your clients, agencies, and platforms to centralize your international earnings.
Compliance-first
All transfers move through regulated partners. Withdrawals to Ethiopia flow through licensed corridors. This reduces the risk of frozen or reversed funds.
Mela as a simpler alternative
Mela provides freelancers, founders, agencies, and small business owners with a secure, compliant, and efficient way to receive USD payments from global clients.
With Mela, you can:
Receive USD payments through US local rails (ACH)
Transfer funds to Ethiopia through regulated, NBE-compliant corridors
View all transfer fees upfront
Hold your earnings in USD until you choose to convert
Reduce the risk of account closures tied to unsupported regions
This makes Mela a practical and accessible alternative to opening a traditional US bank account from abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I open a USD receiving account from Ethiopia?
Yes. Download the Mela app, complete verification, and once approved, you will receive your US account details. (Application fee may apply.)
2. Can I open this account without traveling to the United States?
Yes. Mela supports fully remote onboarding.
3. Do I need a US company?
No. Most freelancers can open a USD receiving account using their personal information.
4. Can I use this with freelance platforms and marketplaces?
Yes. You can add your Mela USD details anywhere US bank payouts are supported. Your details appear in the app under “My Account Details.”
5. Can US citizens abroad use Mela?
Yes. You can use Mela to receive USD and move funds according to your eligibility.
6. Which US banks does Mela work with?
Mela provides accounts through regulated banking partners, including J.P. Morgan Chase.
7. What if my client only pays to a US bank account?
That is exactly what the Mela USD receiving account solves. Share your details. Your client pays via ACH. You receive the funds in your Mela app.
Disclaimer
Nothing herein should be construed as if Mela Finance Inc. or any of its affiliates are soliciting or inviting any person in any jurisdiction where Mela Finance Inc. does not operate or is not licensed, to engage in payment services or related activities provided by Mela Finance Inc. or its affiliates, unless permitted by applicable laws. Availability of any products or services is subject to customer eligibility. Not all products or services are available in all jurisdictions or offered in the same manner. Depending on your eligibility and region, certain account features or payment instruments may be issued or facilitated by regulated third-party financial institutions operating under their own licenses and provided to you through Mela Finance Inc. or its affiliated entities. Such instruments may be subject to geographic limitations, usage restrictions, or separate terms imposed by the issuing institution. If you reside in a jurisdiction governed by local financial regulatory authorities, services will be provided by the Mela entity authorized to operate in that region and subject to its applicable regulatory oversight.
The information contained in this document is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that the information is accurate and current, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or suitability of the information provided. Mela Finance Inc. and its affiliates shall not be liable for any loss or damage, including without limitation indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising out of, or in connection with, the use of or reliance upon the information contained herein.
