Can you form a US LLC without living in the US?
Yes. US states do not require LLC owners to be citizens or residents. You do not need a visa, a US address of your own or a trip to the US, and the whole process can be done online.
What you do need is a registered agent in the state you choose, an address for the company and an EIN from the IRS. Our packages include all three.
Step 1: choose your state
You can form your LLC in any state, not just where your customers are. The state decides your yearly costs and filing dates.
For most online businesses run from abroad, Wyoming and New Mexico keep yearly costs lowest. Delaware suits startups that plan to raise money. Florida and Texas make sense if your business has a real link to those states. Our guide to the best state for a non-resident LLC compares them side by side.
Step 2: pick a name and a registered agent
Your LLC name must be different from existing companies in that state and must end with "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company". We check availability before filing.
Every LLC needs a registered agent with a physical address in its state. The agent receives official letters and legal notices for the company. The first year is included in our packages.
Step 3: file the Articles of Organization
This is the document that creates your LLC. Some states call it a Certificate of Formation. Once the state approves it, your LLC exists. Online filings are often approved within a few business days, though some states take longer.
Step 4: get an EIN
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your company's tax ID. You need it to open a bank account, use Stripe or PayPal, and sell on Amazon.
Non-residents do not need an SSN or ITIN. The application is made on Form SS-4 and sent to the IRS by fax or post. The IRS sets the timing, so it is worth getting the form right the first time.
Step 5: open a business bank account
With your formation documents and EIN, you can apply to online banks such as Mercury or Relay, or to multi-currency providers such as Wise and Payoneer. Each provider runs its own checks, so a clear business description and a working website help.
Step 6: stay compliant every year
Most states charge a yearly fee or need a yearly report. Wyoming charges $60, Delaware $400, Florida $138.75 and Montana $20. New Mexico and most small Texas LLCs pay nothing to the state.
Foreign-owned single-member LLCs usually have to file IRS Form 5472 every year, even with no US income. The penalty for missing it is high, so speak to a US accountant about your tax filings.
What it costs
Our US LLC packages start at $299 for Montana and $349 for Wyoming. The price includes the state filing fee, your EIN application and a year of registered agent service. Every state's price is listed on our US LLC page.