For founders outside the US
Best US LLC for Non-Residents 2026
Form a US business from anywhere. We cover state choice, EIN without SSN, banking that accepts international founders, Stripe acceptance, and the federal compliance requirements that catch most newcomers.
The 6-step non-resident playbook
- Choose a state. Wyoming and Delaware are the only two seriously considered. Wyoming wins on cost and privacy; Delaware on VC reputation.
- Hire a registered agent. Northwest Registered Agent and ZenBusiness both serve non-residents reliably. Budget $50-$125/year.
- File Articles of Organization. Online for most states. 1-3 business days for Wyoming and Delaware.
- Get an EIN from the IRS. Without an SSN, you must fax or mail Form SS-4. Plan for 4-6 weeks. Have your passport ready.
- Open a US business bank account. Mercury and Relay are 100% online. Wise Business has the lowest international fees. Required: EIN, formation docs, passport, sometimes a utility bill.
- File the FinCEN BOI report. Free, takes 15 minutes. Required within 90 days of formation. Skipping it is a federal violation.
Banking comparison for non-residents
| Provider | Acceptance | Monthly fee | International wire | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | Most countries | $0 | Free incoming | Most popular for non-resident LLCs. SOC 2 compliant. No physical visit. |
| Wise Business | Most countries | $0 (one-time $35 setup) | Lowest FX margins globally | Multi-currency. Great for paying contractors and receiving international payments. |
| Relay | Most countries | $0 | Available | QuickBooks-friendly. Good for bookkeeping-first founders. |
| Brex | Restricted | $0 | Available | Now requires existing US business with revenue. Less accessible for brand-new LLCs. |
Payment processor compatibility
| Processor | Non-resident US LLC OK? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stripe | ✅ Yes | Requires US business bank + EIN. Verification typically takes 24-72 hours. |
| PayPal Business | ✅ Yes | Some account holds are common in early months; keep records organized. |
| Square | ⚠️ Mostly no | Requires US-resident principal in most cases. |
| Authorize.net | ✅ Yes | Via a US merchant account provider. |
Federal compliance you cannot skip
- Form 5472 + pro-forma 1120: Required annually for foreign-owned single-member LLCs. Filed even with zero income. Penalty for missing: $25,000.
- BOI report (FinCEN): Required within 90 days of formation. Civil penalty up to $591/day; criminal penalty up to $10,000 + 2 years.
- Form 1040-NR: Required only if you have US-source effectively connected income (ECI). Selling SaaS to US customers from your home country usually is NOT ECI.
- State income tax: Depends on where the LLC operates, not where it is formed. A Wyoming LLC selling only to global customers from outside the US generally owes no state tax. A Wyoming LLC with employees or warehouses in California owes California tax.
EIN without SSN: the exact process
- Download Form SS-4 from IRS.gov.
- Fill in lines 1-18. For line 7b "SSN/ITIN/EIN", write "Foreign".
- For line 18 about prior EIN, answer "No".
- Sign and date.
- Fax to the international fax line (current number: +1-855-215-1627, verify on IRS.gov before sending).
- Wait 4-6 weeks. Some founders report 3 weeks for fax; 8-12 weeks for mail.
- You will receive a CP-575 letter with your EIN.
Online EIN applications require an SSN or ITIN — that is why non-residents must fax.
Frequently asked questions
Can a non-US resident own a US LLC?
Yes. There are no citizenship or residency requirements to form or own a US LLC. Single-member LLCs owned by non-residents are very common.
Do I need an SSN to form a US LLC?
No. You do not need a Social Security Number. You will need an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS, which non-residents can obtain by faxing or mailing Form SS-4 with a CP-575 letter (typically 4-6 weeks).
Does Stripe accept non-resident US LLCs?
Yes. Stripe accepts US LLCs regardless of owner residency, with one practical requirement: you need a US business bank account. Mercury, Wise Business, and Relay are the most accessible for non-residents.
How is a non-resident US LLC taxed?
A single-member LLC owned by a non-resident with no US-source effectively connected income (ECI) generally owes no US federal income tax on foreign profits. However, you must file Form 5472 + Form 1120 annually (failure to file = $25,000 penalty). State income tax depends on where the LLC operates, not where it is formed.
Which state is best for non-residents?
For most non-resident founders, Wyoming offers the best combination: $62/year, anonymous members, strong banking acceptance, and no state income tax. Delaware is preferred only if you plan to raise venture capital, in which case investors typically want a Delaware C-Corp (not an LLC).
What about BOI reporting under the Corporate Transparency Act?
All US LLCs (including those owned by non-residents) must file a Beneficial Ownership Information report with FinCEN within 90 days of formation. The report includes the beneficial owner's name, date of birth, address, and an ID document. It is not public, but it is mandatory. Failure to file carries civil penalties up to $591/day.
Do I need a US address?
No personal US address is required. Your LLC will have a registered agent address in the state of formation. For banking and operations, a virtual mailbox (Earth Class Mail, Anytime Mailbox) is commonly used. Some banks accept a virtual mailbox; others require a physical US address.