Forming a US company from another country is legal and common. It is also easier than most people think. The hard part is not filling out the paperwork. It is everything that comes after that.
You need things to get started. You need an EIN without a Social Security number. You need a registered agent with an US address. You need an operating agreement that your bank will accept. Many LLC Formation Services only help with the step. They leave the rest up to you. Below are the seven best options for people who’re not from the US and what each one really covers.
What to Check Before You Pay
Look at the cost for the first year, not just the price they advertise. A $0 offer usually does not include the state fee, the EIN, the agent and the operating agreement. By the time you pay for all of those things it can cost more than a fee package.
Then check one thing that most people miss. Can the service get an EIN without a Social Security number? This step requires a faxed Form SS-4. Many LLC Formation Services do not handle it. Without the EIN your company cannot open a bank account. Filling out the paperwork is not very helpful without the EIN.
1. wyomingllc.co
This wyomingllc.co is built for a job. It forms a Wyoming LLC for someone living outside the US. The fee is $297. That includes the $100 Wyoming state fee.
The package covers everything you need to get started. It includes formation of the EIN, a year of registered agent service, an operating agreement and help with opening a bank account. After the year it costs about $250 to keep everything up to date. Among LLC Formation Services for non-residents the best thing about this one is that there are no surprise fees. You know the cost from the start.
2. Doola
Doola is a subscription service, not a one-time purchase. The Starter plan costs about $297 a year plus state fees.
It covers formation of the EIN, the agent and your annual report. The expensive plans add bookkeeping, US tax filing and Form 5472. That is good for someone who wants one company to handle everything. It is more than you need if all you want is a company and an EIN. Remember that the fee repeats every year. As all-in-one LLC Formation Services go, Doola is hands-on and the most expensive at the top level.
3. Firstbase
Firstbase charges a one-time fee of about $399 to form the company, including state fees. After that you pay a fee for ongoing service.
It handles the EIN without a Social Security number. Sells Form 5472 filing as an extra. The model is the opposite of Doolas. You pay up front and buy extras only when you need them. If you can keep track of your deadlines this is the learner of the two big platform LLC Formation Services.
4. Stripe Atlas
Atlas costs about $500 once. About $100 a year after that. It is built around Stripe so setting up payments is easy.
The default option is a Delaware C-corp. You can also form an LLC. The problem for owners is that Atlas does not file Form 5472 for you in later years. That form carries a $25,000 fine if a foreign-owned single-member LLC skips it. Pick Atlas for the payments and the investor path then hire your accountant. Of these LLC Formation Services it is clearly aimed at startups rather than solo owners.
5. Northwest Registered Agent
Northwest charges $39, plus the state fee and the EIN add-on costs about $50. The agent service is $125 a year. That price stays the same instead of increasing in year two.
The company is known for pricing and not trying to sell you extra things. It also says it does not sell customer data. The catch for someone is that you are on your own for banking and tax questions. Among budget LLC Formation Services it gives the value if you know what you are doing.
6. ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness starts at $0, plus state fees and the EIN costs about $99. The dashboard is easy to use. Reminders are built in.
Watch the renewals closely. The agent service is $99 in year one and roughly $199 after that so the cheap start is not the true cost. It is one of the LLC Formation Services to use. Still the price is better for US residents than for founders
7. Bizee, Formerly IncFile
Bizee is at the budget end. Formation starts at $0, plus state fees the first year of agent service is free and the EIN costs $70.
The weak spot is where non-residents need strength. Support is mixed, checkout can be surprising. The EIN process assumes you have a Social Security number. If you do, the value is strong. If you do not look at the specialist LLC Formation Services higher up this list.
The Wyoming Question
Most non-residents end up in Wyoming. There are good reasons for it. There is no state income tax. The annual report starts at $60. Member names are not made public. The charging order shield also protects single-member companies.
Delaware makes sense if you plan to raise venture money. Florida makes sense if the business really operates there. For a founder with a digital business Wyoming is usually the cheapest sensible option. That is why many LLC Formation Services lead with it.
The Filing Everyone Forgets
If a foreign person owns all of a US LLC that company must file Form 5472 every year. It goes in with a Form 1120. This applies with zero income. Your first transfer of money into the company already counts.
The fine is $25,000 per form per year. Ask any provider whether this filing is included, extra or ignored. That one answer separates the Best LLC Formation Services for Non-US Residents from firms that only sell you a certificate.
How to Choose in One Minute
Want one price and no surprises? Take a fixed fee Wyoming package. Want a firm to handle books, tax and filings all year? Take a subscription platform. Accept the cost.
Building a startup that will raise money? Go with the Delaware and Stripe route. Happy to handle compliance and just want filing? Take a budget filer. Buy the EIN on its own. That is the choice behind the Best LLC Formation Services for Non-US Residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a US LLC without visiting America?
Yes. No state asks for citizenship, residency or a visit. You only need a registered agent with an address in your chosen state.
Can I get an EIN without a Social Security number?
Yes. You file Form SS-4 by fax or phone by using the online tool. Specialist services can do this for you in days rather than weeks.
Which state should I pick?
Wyoming for digital businesses run from abroad. Delaware if investors are coming. Your operating state if the business is physically based in the US.
Do I owe US tax if I earn nothing there?
Often no tax. You still file. Form 5472 is due every year and the penalty for missing it is $25,000.
Is a $0 formation offer really free?
No. State fees, the EIN and the registered agent are added at checkout. Always compare the first-year cost instead.
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