Yes, you can start a US LLC even if you have never set foot in the United States. You don't need to be a citizen, a resident, or hold any visa. Thousands of founders in the UK, Japan, Australia, Canada, Nigeria, India, and everywhere else own US LLCs to access US payment processors, bill American customers, and operate a globally trusted business. This guide walks through the entire process in plain English.

The whole thing can be done remotely in about a week if you use a formation service, and the steps below are the same whether you do it yourself or have a service like Firstbase or Doola handle the paperwork for you.

Why non-residents form US LLCs

Access to Stripe, PayPal, and US banking, the single biggest reason. A US entity unlocks payment infrastructure that's hard to get in many countries.
Trust with US customers, an American company is easier to sell to US buyers and enterprises.
Simple, flexible structure, an LLC has minimal formalities compared to a corporation.
Potentially favorable taxes, a foreign-owned single-member LLC with no US activity may owe no US federal income tax (see the tax section, and confirm with a professional).

Step 1: Choose your state

You can form in any state, but non-residents most often choose one of these:

Wyoming, low fees, strong privacy, no state income tax. A popular default for solo founders.
Delaware, the standard if you plan to raise venture capital or want the most recognized business-law system.
New Mexico, low cost and privacy-friendly, though less common for startups.

If you're a bootstrapped founder building a SaaS or service business, Wyoming is a sensible default. If you intend to raise from VCs, form a Delaware C-Corp instead of an LLC.

Step 2: Name your company and appoint a registered agent

Pick a company name that's available in your chosen state (formation services check this for you). Every US company needs a registered agent, a person or company with a physical address in your state of formation to receive legal and government mail. As a non-resident you'll use a registered-agent service; it's included in the first year with most formation providers.

Step 3: File the formation documents

You (or your service) file the Articles of Organization with the state and pay the state filing fee. Once approved, your LLC legally exists. You'll also want an Operating Agreement, the internal document defining ownership and how the company runs. This is where a service saves you real time: they file everything correctly the first time.

Step 4: Get your EIN (this is the part that trips people up)

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your company's federal tax ID. You need it to open a bank account, use Stripe, and file taxes. US residents get one online in minutes with an SSN. As a non-resident without an SSN or ITIN, you can't use the instant online system, you apply by fax or mail using Form SS-4, which can take a few weeks. This is the number-one reason non-residents use a formation service: Firstbase and Doola obtain the EIN for you, no SSN required.

Step 5: Open a US business bank account and set up payments

With your formation documents and EIN, you can open a US business bank account remotely through fintech providers, and connect Stripe to start taking card payments. This is usually the moment your business becomes real, you can now invoice and collect money globally. Formation services typically guide you through the banking and Stripe setup as part of the package.

Step 6: Stay compliant (annual filings and taxes)

Owning a US company comes with recurring obligations you must not skip:

Annual state report / franchise tax, most states require a yearly filing and small fee to keep your LLC active.
Form 5472 + 1120, a foreign-owned single-member LLC generally must file these with the IRS each year to report transactions with its owner. Missing this carries steep penalties, so take it seriously.
Registered agent renewal, renew each year to keep receiving official mail.

If ongoing filings sound like a headache, this is exactly where Doola's bundled bookkeeping and tax service earns its cost, it handles the compliance calendar so you don't miss a deadline.

Do foreign-owned US LLCs pay US tax?

It depends on your situation, and you should confirm with a qualified accountant. In general terms: a foreign-owned single-member LLC that has no US employees, no US office, and no "US trade or business" is often treated as a pass-through and may owe no US federal income tax, while still having to file Form 5472/1120 for reporting. You'll typically report and pay tax on the income in your own country of residence. "Must file" and "must pay" are two different things, don't confuse them, and don't skip the filing just because you may owe nothing. This is general information, not tax advice.

The fastest path: do it with a service

You can absolutely do all six steps yourself. But for most non-resident founders, a formation service pays for itself by getting the EIN and banking right the first time and handling annual compliance. Our comparison of the two we recommend is here: Firstbase vs Doola. In short, Firstbase for a lean, banking-ready formation; Doola if you want formation plus bookkeeping and tax in one place.

And before any of this, make sure you're incorporating around an idea worth pursuing. Browse the Idea Bank for vetted, playbook-ready business ideas, then build your MVP and form the company when you're ready to take payments.

Frequently asked questions

Can a non-US resident own 100% of a US LLC?

Yes. There's no residency or citizenship requirement to own a US LLC. A single non-resident can own the entire company.

Do I need a US address or phone number?

You need a registered agent with a US address (included with formation services). A US phone number and mailing address are helpful for banking but can be obtained through virtual services.

How long does it take?

Formation itself can take a few days. The EIN is the slowest part for non-residents without an SSN, typically a few weeks by fax or mail, though services can streamline it. Plan for two to four weeks end-to-end.

Which state is best for a non-resident LLC?

Wyoming is a common default for bootstrapped founders (low fees, privacy, no state income tax). Choose Delaware if you plan to raise venture capital, and in that case form a C-Corp rather than an LLC.

Do I have to travel to the US?

No. The entire process, formation, EIN, bank account, and Stripe, can be completed remotely from your home country.

How to Start a US LLC as a Non-Resident in 2026 (Step-by-Step)