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Setting up a US company from outside the country is a common step for founders who want to bill in dollars, use Stripe, or meet investor expectations. This guide walks through eligibility, state choice, the EIN, banking, yearly filings, and what to check at home.
Why found in the US
Most international founders form a US company for practical reasons, not because they plan to move. A US LLC or C-Corporation lets you invoice US clients in dollars, accept cards through Stripe, sell on US marketplaces that expect a US business entity, and look familiar to US investors or partners who prefer a Delaware or Wyoming company on the cap table. A US entity also gives you a registered business address and an EIN, which many payment processors and platforms ask for before they will onboard you.
Who can do this
You do not need US citizenship, a visa, a Social Security number, or a US visit to form a company here. Any nationality can own a US LLC or C-Corporation. The company is formed at the state level, and states do not check where the owner lives. What you do need is a way to receive an EIN and, later, a bank account, both of which are possible without an SSN or a US trip.
Choosing a state
Wyoming is the default for most solo founders and small teams because it is fast to form, has low ongoing state costs, and does not require a state income tax filing for out-of-state income. Delaware is common when you plan to raise venture money, since US investors and their lawyers are most familiar with Delaware corporate law. Kentucky and Colorado are also fast and low-cost options.
If most of your customers are in one US state, that usually does not change your formation state. It can matter if you plan to hire employees or hold physical inventory in that state, since that may create a separate registration requirement there. Check that state's site if this applies to you.
| Factor | Wyoming | Delaware |
|---|---|---|
| Typical formation time | 1 to 3 business days | 1 to 2 weeks in most cases |
| Best fit | Freelancers, agencies, e-commerce, bootstrapped SaaS | Startups planning venture funding |
| State income tax on out-of-state income | None | None for out-of-state income, but franchise tax applies |
| Investor familiarity | Growing but less common | Very high |
Getting an EIN without an SSN
The EIN is the tax ID your LLC or corporation needs to open a bank account, file with the IRS, and get set up with Stripe. Non-resident owners without an SSN can still get an EIN, it just takes longer through the standard process, usually 2 to 4 weeks. Expedited processing can bring this down to a matter of days, and PowerLaunch offers an expedited EIN add-on for $295 on the Launch and Run plans, and it is included in Scale.
Banking and Stripe
Once you have your EIN, you can apply for a US business bank account. PowerLaunch introduces founders to Mercury, Wise Business, and Relay after the EIN is issued. Each bank makes its own approval decision, and they typically look at your business activity, your home country, and how complete your company documents are. Approval is never guaranteed by PowerLaunch or any formation service, it is the bank's call.
Stripe works well for international founders once the LLC or corporation is formed and the EIN is in hand. Most founders connect Stripe to one of the above banks for payouts. If Stripe onboarding asks for details tied to your home country, have your formation documents and EIN letter ready.
Yearly US filings
A foreign-owned single-member LLC has a federal filing duty that founders often miss. You must file Form 5472 along with a pro forma Form 1120 by April 15 each year, even if the LLC made no profit or had no US activity. This is an informational filing, not a request for tax payment on its own, but missing it can carry penalties, so it should not be skipped.
Every state also expects an annual report, and sometimes a fee, to keep the company in good standing. The rule and the fee vary by state, so check that state's site or your filing plan for the exact date and amount.
On beneficial ownership reporting, US-formed companies are currently exempt under the 2026 interim FinCEN rule. Rules like this can change, so it is worth checking current status if you are filing well after this guide was written.
| Filing | Frequency | Who it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Form 5472 with pro forma 1120 | Yearly, by April 15 | Foreign-owned single-member LLCs |
| State annual report | Yearly, date varies by state | All LLCs and corporations |
| BOI report | Currently exempt for US-formed companies | Check current FinCEN rule |
The home country side
Your home country may have its own view of a US company you own. Common areas to check with a local adviser include whether a tax treaty between your country and the US affects how income is taxed, whether your country taxes the income of a foreign company you control even before you take money out of it, whether you need to disclose owning a foreign company on a personal tax return, and how you plan to move money home, since currency conversion and payout routing can affect what you actually receive. None of this is optional to check, and it is outside what a US formation service can advise on, so a local tax adviser should confirm it for your situation.
Common mistakes
Founders abroad tend to repeat a small set of errors. They pick a state based on where a friend formed a company rather than their own business needs. They apply for an EIN before checking that their information is filled in correctly, which delays things further. They skip Form 5472 because they assume no US income means no filing duty. They open a bank application before the EIN is confirmed, which the bank then rejects. And they forget to check their home country's tax and disclosure rules until a home accountant asks about it at tax time.
PowerLaunch steps and prices
PowerLaunch forms the LLC or C-Corporation, handles the EIN, drafts the operating agreement or bylaws, and sets you up with a registered agent and a virtual mailing and business address. From there, you run the company on the MyCG.AI platform.
| Plan | Price | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | $295/yr | Formation, EIN, operating agreement or bylaws, registered agent, virtual address, AI assistant, email support |
| Run | $1,995/yr | Everything in Launch, plus annual state report, a licensed tax professional consultation, IRS filings, transaction tracking, Stripe invoicing, live reports, multiple bank connections, e-commerce analytics |
| Scale | $2,995/yr or $329/mo | Everything in Run, plus expedited EIN, free dissolution, live call scheduling, a dedicated bookkeeper |
State filing fees are charged at cost on top of any plan. If a formation error is PowerLaunch's fault, it gets corrected at PowerLaunch's cost and that part of the fee refunded, though state fees themselves are never refundable.
FAQ
Do I need a US visa to form an LLC? No, formation does not require a visa, citizenship, or a US visit.
Can I get an EIN without an SSN? Yes, non-resident owners can get an EIN without an SSN, it just takes longer without expedited processing.
Which state should I pick? Wyoming for most solo founders and small teams, Delaware if you plan to raise venture money.
Will a US bank actually approve me? Banks decide this themselves based on your details and activity, approval is never guaranteed.
Do I owe US tax on foreign income? This depends