Many Nigerian founders now sell software, services, or physical goods to US customers, and a US company makes that easier. This guide walks through why founders form in the US, which state to pick, how to get an EIN without a Social Security number, and what to file every year once the company exists.
Why Nigerian founders form a US company
US clients and marketplaces often expect a US business on the other side of a contract or a payout. A US LLC lets you:
- Invoice through Stripe and other US payment rails without friction.
- Sell on marketplaces that require a US tax ID or a US business entity.
- Open a US bank account in US dollars, which avoids currency conversion delays and losses.
- Meet investor expectations if you plan to raise money later, since most US investors prefer a Delaware C-Corp.
- Build trust with US customers who are more comfortable paying a US registered business.
None of this requires you to move to the US or hold a US visa.
No visa or US visit needed
You can form a US LLC or C-Corp, get an EIN, and open a bank account, all from Nigeria. US company formation does not require citizenship, residency, or a visit. You will need a registered agent and a US address for the business, which a formation service like PowerLaunch provides as part of the plan.
Choosing a state: Wyoming or Delaware
Most founders selling services, running e-commerce, or freelancing choose Wyoming for its low ongoing costs and simple annual report. Founders planning to raise venture money, or add US co-founders and equity investors, usually choose Delaware, since it is the standard for that kind of deal.
| Factor | Wyoming LLC | Delaware C-Corp |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Freelancers, agencies, e-commerce, SaaS without investors | Startups raising venture capital |
| Formation speed | 1 to 3 business days | Check the state's current processing time |
| Ongoing complexity | Simple annual report | More formal, corporate structure and stock |
| Typical founder | Solo or small team, no outside investors | Founders planning a priced round or SAFE |
If you are not sure yet whether you will raise investment, Wyoming is the lower cost, lower complexity starting point. You can always form a new Delaware entity later if your plans change. Kentucky and Colorado also offer fast formation timelines if either fits your situation.
Getting an EIN without an SSN
You do not need a Social Security number to get an EIN (Employer Identification Number), which is the tax ID your LLC needs for banking, invoicing, and filing. The IRS issues EINs to foreign owners without an SSN, but the process for non-resident owners takes longer than for a US resident, typically 2 to 4 weeks. Expedited processing can bring this down to a matter of days.
A few things to know:
- The EIN comes from the IRS directly, not from a bank.
- You will need this EIN before you can open most US business bank accounts.
- If you are on a timeline, ask about expedited EIN processing, since it makes a real difference for founders trying to invoice clients or launch a store quickly.
Opening a US bank account
Once you have your EIN, you can apply to a US business bank. Common options for non-resident founders include Mercury, Wise Business, and Relay. These are the banks PowerLaunch introduces founders to after the EIN is issued.
A few honest points here:
- Approval is always the bank's decision, not the formation service's. No formation provider can guarantee a bank account.
- Each bank has its own onboarding requirements and risk criteria, and these can change.
- Having your LLC or C-Corp fully formed, your EIN in hand, and your business details ready (website, use case, expected transaction volume) makes approval smoother.
The US filings every year
Forming the company is the easy part. Staying compliant is what protects you long term. Two areas matter most for a foreign-owned US LLC:
- Federal filings. A foreign-owned single-member LLC generally needs to file Form 5472 along with a pro forma Form 1120, due by April 15 each year. This is an informational filing, not necessarily a tax bill, but missing it can bring penalties, so it should never be skipped.
- State filings. Most states require an annual report and a fee to keep the LLC in good standing. Wyoming's is simple, other states vary, so check the specific state's site for its current requirement and deadline.
Separately, under the current 2026 interim FinCEN rule, US-formed companies are exempt from BOI reporting. Rules like this can change, so it is worth checking for updates each year rather than assuming the exemption is permanent.
Nigeria side: what to check at home
Owning a US company does not remove any obligations you may have in Nigeria. Depending on how you structure income, dividends, or foreign asset holdings, there may be reporting or tax rules that apply on the Nigerian side too. This guide does not cover Nigerian tax law, and rules can differ based on your personal situation and how income flows back home. Talk to a Nigerian accountant or tax adviser who can confirm what applies to you specifically, and treat this as a required step, not an optional one.
How PowerLaunch handles this for you
PowerLaunch forms the LLC or C-Corp, filing everything with the state, obtaining your EIN, and setting up your registered agent and business address, all built into the plan pricing:
| Plan | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | $295/yr | Formation, EIN, operating agreement or bylaws, registered agent, virtual mailing address, AI assistant, email support |
| Run | $1,995/yr | Everything in Launch, plus annual state report, licensed tax professional consultation, business IRS filings, transaction tracking, Stripe invoicing, financial reports, bank connections, monthly and quarterly closings |
| Scale | $2,995/yr or $329/mo | Everything in Run, plus expedited EIN, free dissolution, live call scheduling, dedicated bookkeeper |
State filing fees are billed at cost on top of any plan, and they are never refundable. Expedited EIN is available as a $295 add-on on Launch and Run if you need your EIN faster than the standard timeline.
If a formation error happens on PowerLaunch's side, it gets corrected at PowerLaunch's cost, and that portion of the fee is refunded.
What to do next
If you know the state and plan you want, go to powerlaunch.solutions/signup and get started. If you want to talk through Wyoming versus Delaware, the EIN timeline, or which plan fits your business, book a free 20-minute consultation at powerlaunch.solutions/book. You can also reach the team any time at contact@powerlaunch.solutions or through the site assistant.
