US LLC for Non-Residents: The Complete Formation Guide
Everything you need to know about forming a US LLC while living abroad: the right state, the steps, the EIN, banking and yearly obligations.
Forming a US LLC for non-residents is one of the most common first steps for international founders who want access to Stripe, US customers and dollar bank accounts. The good news: you don't need to travel or hold US residency — the whole process is handled remotely within days.
Why an LLC and not a C-Corp?
A Limited Liability Company separates your personal assets from the business, is simple to run and, for a foreign owner with no US trade or business, usually owes no federal income tax. A C-Corporation is better suited to startups that plan to raise venture capital.
Choosing the right state for a US LLC for non-residents
- Wyoming: low annual costs, good privacy, and the most popular choice for non-residents.
- Delaware: preferred by investors and ideal if you plan to raise funding, but more expensive every year.
- New Mexico: very low costs and no annual report for LLCs.
The state does not limit where you can sell, so choose based on cost and your long-term plans.
The formation steps
- Name check: we check three proposed names in order of preference.
- Articles of Organization are filed with the state.
- A registered agent with an in-state address receives official mail.
- An Operating Agreement sets out ownership and management.
- An EIN is obtained from the IRS — required by banks and Stripe.
Bank account and Stripe
Once you have the EIN, you can open a business account with digital banks such as Mercury or Wise and then activate Stripe. See our bank account service for details.
Yearly obligations
To stay in good standing you renew the registered agent and file the state annual report where required. Single-member LLCs owned by a foreign person must also file Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 every year, even with no activity — see the IRS page for Form 5472.
Tip: keep your bank statements organised from day one — they are the basis of your annual tax filing.
Ready to start your US LLC for non-residents? Open a request in the client portal and fill in the details step by step, or book a free consultation to choose the right state.