Yes, a non-US resident can own a US LLC, and there is no rule anywhere in US law that requires citizenship or residency to do it. This guide covers exactly who qualifies, what you do not need, what you do need, and what changes once the company exists.
Who can own a US LLC
Ownership of a US LLC is open to almost anyone. You can own one as an individual, no matter your nationality, and you can also own one through a foreign company. There is no requirement that you hold US citizenship, a green card, or any kind of visa. Founders in Nigeria, India, the Philippines, Brazil, the UK, and dozens of other countries form US LLCs every week for the same reasons: access to US payment processors, US customers, and a simple, low-maintenance legal structure.
You also do not need a US business partner or a US co-founder. A single non-resident can own 100 percent of an LLC. If you are forming with a friend or investor, they do not need to be a US person either.
What is not required
It helps to be clear about what people assume they need but do not.
| Assumption | Reality |
|---|---|
| US citizenship | Not required |
| A visa | Not required |
| A Social Security number | Not required |
| A US home or business address | Not required, a registered agent and mailing address cover this |
| A US-based partner | Not required |
| A visit to the US | Not required, the entire process is done remotely |
None of these are legal prerequisites for forming or owning an LLC. They sometimes get confused with requirements for working in the US as an employee, which is a completely different question from owning a company.
What is actually required
Three things are non-negotiable, no matter your nationality.
A registered agent. Every US state requires an LLC to have a registered agent with a physical address in the state of formation. This is the party that receives legal and state mail on the company's behalf. PowerLaunch includes this in every plan.
A formation filing. You file articles of organization with the state, along with an operating agreement that sets out ownership and management. This is the document that legally creates the LLC.
An EIN. The Employer Identification Number is issued by the IRS and is what lets your LLC open a bank account, file taxes, and invoice through platforms like Stripe. Non-resident owners without a Social Security number can still get an EIN, it just takes longer through the standard process.
None of these require you to be present in the US or to hold any US immigration status.
The three states most non-residents pick
Founders overseas tend to gravitate toward a small number of states because they are fast, low-cost to maintain, and well understood by registered agents and banks.
| State | Why founders pick it |
|---|---|
| Wyoming | Low annual fees, fast filing, strong privacy for owners |
| Kentucky | Fast filing, low state fees, straightforward annual reports |
| Colorado | Fast filing, simple online state reporting |
Formation in these three states typically takes 1 to 3 business days. Most other states take 1 to 2 weeks, and it is worth checking the specific state's site if you are set on somewhere else, since timelines and fees vary and do change.
Timeline from filing to bank account
Here is roughly what the sequence looks like for a non-resident founder.
- Formation filing submitted, approved in 1 to 3 business days in Wyoming, Kentucky, or Colorado, longer in most other states.
- EIN application submitted to the IRS. For non-resident owners without a Social Security number, this typically takes 2 to 4 weeks through standard processing. Expedited processing can bring this down to a matter of days.
- Once the EIN is issued, you are ready for a bank introduction. PowerLaunch can introduce you to Mercury, Wise Business, or Relay, but the account approval decision is made by the bank, not by PowerLaunch.
The EIN wait is usually the longest part of the process for non-resident founders, which is why the expedited EIN option exists.
Cost on PowerLaunch
PowerLaunch runs three plans, all in US dollars, plus the state filing fee charged at cost.
| Plan | Price | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | $295/yr | Formation filing, EIN, operating agreement, registered agent, virtual mailing and business address, AI assistant, email support |
| Run | $1,995/yr | Everything in Launch, plus annual state report filing, a licensed tax professional consultation, business IRS tax filings, transaction tracking with AI categorization, Stripe invoicing, live financial reports, multiple bank connections, e-commerce analytics, monthly and quarterly closings |
| Scale | $2,995/yr or $329/mo | Everything in Run, plus expedited EIN, free dissolution, live call scheduling based on availability, a dedicated bookkeeper |
Expedited EIN processing is also available as a $295 add-on on the Launch and Run plans, if you would rather not upgrade the whole plan just to speed up the EIN.
Every formation comes with a straightforward guarantee. If a formation error is PowerLaunch's fault, it gets corrected at PowerLaunch's cost, and that portion of the fee is refunded. State fees themselves are never refundable, since they go straight to the state.
What changes after formation
Once your LLC exists, a few things shift.
Banking. You go from having no US business bank account to being eligible for one, once the EIN is in hand. Approval still depends on the bank's own review, but the introduction happens right after EIN issuance.
Federal filings. If your LLC is a single-member LLC owned by a non-US person, the IRS treats it as a foreign-owned disregarded entity for reporting purposes. That means filing Form 5472 along with a pro forma 1120 by April 15 each year. This is an information filing, not necessarily a tax bill, but it is mandatory and the penalties for missing it are real, so it should not be skipped.
Beneficial ownership reporting. Under the current 2026 interim FinCEN rule, US-formed companies are exempt from BOI reporting. This is the kind of rule that can shift, so it is worth checking FinCEN's site periodically rather than assuming it stays this way indefinitely.
State filings. Depending on the state, you will likely have an annual report or similar filing to keep the LLC in good standing. The Run and Scale plans include this filing as part of the annual fee.
What to do next
If you are ready to move, you can start the formation process directly at powerlaunch.solutions/signup and pick the plan that matches how much ongoing bookkeeping and tax support you want. If you would rather talk through your specific situation first, book a free 20-minute consultation on Google Meet at powerlaunch.solutions/book, and bring your questions about state choice, EIN timing, or banking.
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