Start, manage, and grow your LLC — all in one place
In general, there are no restrictions in registering an A limited liability company (LLC) in the US by a foreigner. You don’t have to be a US citizen or a green card holder to start an LLC or even a corporation. The steps for a foreigner to register an LLC company in the US is the same as for a US resident.
You don’t even have to step foot in the US to own an LLC , but you’re not allowed to work in the US without a valid visa.
How it works?
Start forming an LLC in under 10 minutes.
All we need from you
- Your ideal company name
- A personal address (can be anywhere in the world)
- Your email (so we can stay in touch)
What you get from us
- An LLC formed with any state
- Operating Agreement
- Registered Agent service for 1 year
- A mailing address/virtual mailbox based in the US
How to form your US company
Register with State
You provide us the following information:
- Company Name
- Personal Address (can be address in US or in any country)
- Name and address of members or owners of the LLC (can be US residents or foreigners)
- Registered agent (must be residing in the State in USA where you are forming the LLC. If you don’t have one we can provide it)
Email (for us to communicate)
No documents are required for this step.
Prepare an LLC operating agreement
This document defines the administrative and operational details of the LLC. It also includes the terms and conditions between the owners or members. LLC operating agreement is optional but highly recommended.
Get an EIN
Once your company is formed, you can apply for EIN application (Employer Identification Number). This is provided by IRS (Internal Revenue Service) and it is a free online application process.
Apply for your US bank account
Once you get your EIN (required for a bank account!), you’re ready to apply for a U.S. Bank Account. Certain banks allow opening an account for foreigners.
Register Your Business with us and save time and money
What is an LLC Filing Fee?
A one-time fee paid to the state is called the filing fee of LLC.
This is not a monthly fee. No state has a monthly LLC fee system.
What is a Recurring Fee?
A mandatory recurring fee that is paid directly to the state every year (annually) or every other year (biennially).
This is to keep your LLC in good standing!
In most states, if you do not pay this recurring fee, your LLC will get shut down.
If you are non-US resident you can choose any state to form your LLC in. For non-US residents, the two most popular states we’ve seen for forming an LLC is Wyoming or Delaware.
If you live in the US, it makes the most sense to file an LLC in the state in which you reside. If you choose a state that isn’t your home state where you reside, then, you might have to do what is called a domestic LLC filing and a Foreign LLC filing which would require you to pay for and effectively maintain the costs of two LLCs
However, at the end of the day, it’s your business, your choice!
LLC Filing Costs + Recurring Fees by State
Can I move to us if I start an LLC?
Proper immigration papers are required to work in the US even if you start and own a business in the US. Being an LLC owner or a director/shareholder of a US corporation is allowed without a visa, but being an officer and performing your duties or working for your LLC within the US is not allowed without proper valid work visa.
How long is the LLC formation process?
Processing times vary by state. Usually, the registration process can b completed in 2 to 15 days depending on the state where you are registering the LLC. It should be noted that processing times also change depending on how busy and backed up the Secretary of State offices are.
Can I use the Registered Agent address as my company’s address?
No, you cannot use the registered agent’s address as your legal address or the mailing address of the company. The registered agent address is only for receiving of official documents. The legal address of your company has to be the your home or office in the US or an address in your home country or a mail forwarding service that authorizes you to use their address as yours.
Do I need a US address to incorporate a business in the US?
No. A registered agent service (with US address) allows you to form an LLC in the US.
Can my foreign company be the owner of a US LLC or Corporation?
Yes. You can form an LLC with your foreign business; the “managing member”
We want to create a US branch of our company. Is that possible?
Yes, it is possible! We can provide this service for you.
What documents do I need to submit to form my business in the US?
None. You just need to complete our online form. We will take care of the rest. You will have to sign and return a form that will allow us to obtain a Tax ID (EIN) for your US business. In this case, we will prepare and provide you the form and return instructions (mail, pdf or fax).
EIN (employer ID number) is a Federal Tax Identification Number, consists of nine digits issued by the IRS. The IRS requires an EIN for any business that has employees, or corporation, partnership or LLC.
How do I get a EIN for my business?
EIN is issued by The IRS (internal revenue service) and can be applied from their website. IRS is responsible for collecting U.S. federal Filings.
What is a Certificate of Incumbency?
A Certificate of Incumbency is a corporate document issued by a corporation or LLC that lists its officers, directors or members of a business. A Certificate of Incumbency (also known as a Secretary Certificate, a Certificate of Officers, or Register of Directors) is a document that is often required by receiving organizations in foreign countries to make sure that the person who signed the documents on behalf of the company is actually authorized to do so. A Certificate of Incumbency will usually help when you want to open a business bank account for your LLC or corporation.
Formation of a limited liability company (LLC) is a much simpler process than creating a corporation and usually requires less paperwork.
LLCs are created under state law, so the process of forming one depends on the state where it is being filed. Once an LLC is formed, it is good practice to set out the roles and responsibilities of the members by creating an operating agreement to define these roles.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does not view an LLC as a separate vehicle for tax purposes, which allows for greater flexibility. Members can choose how they are taxed. They can be treated as a sole proprietorship, a partnership, or a corporation.
Two types of corporations can be formed: an S corporation and a C corporation. An S corporation is a pass-through entity, like an LLC, where the owners are taxed on profits and losses of the corporation. A C corporation is taxed at the corporate level, separately from its owners, through a corporate income tax.
Corporations offer more flexibility when it comes to their excess profits.