Forming a US company from Pakistan is straightforward and you do not need a US visa or a trip to the US to do it. This guide walks through why founders in Pakistan set up US companies, which state to pick, how to get an EIN without a US Social Security Number, how to open a US bank account, and which filings you owe every year.
Why Pakistani founders form a US company
Most founders in Pakistan set up a US LLC or C-Corp for practical reasons, not for the address alone.
- US and international clients often prefer to pay a US entity and expect a US invoice.
- Stripe, PayPal, and other US payment rails work more reliably with a US company and a US bank account.
- Marketplaces such as Amazon, Etsy, and app stores are easier to register and get paid through as a US business.
- If you plan to raise money from US investors later, a Delaware C-Corp is the structure they expect to see.
None of this requires you to live in the US, visit the US, or hold a US visa. You run the company from Pakistan.
Choosing a state: Wyoming or Delaware
Most service businesses, freelancers, and e-commerce sellers pick Wyoming. It has low ongoing costs, a simple annual report, and fast formation. If you plan to raise venture capital or bring on US investors, Delaware is the standard choice, since investors and their lawyers are set up to work with Delaware C-Corps.
| Factor | Wyoming LLC | Delaware C-Corp |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Freelancers, agencies, e-commerce, SaaS without VC plans | Startups raising venture money |
| Ongoing paperwork | Simple annual report | Annual report plus corporate formalities |
| Investor familiarity | Less common for VC deals | Standard for VC deals |
| Formation speed | 1 to 3 business days | 1 to 3 business days |
If you are not sure which one fits your plan, a short conversation before you file is worth it, since switching structures later costs more time and money than choosing correctly at the start. Rules and fees can change, so always check the state's own site for the current numbers before you file.
Getting an EIN without a US Social Security Number
You do not need a Social Security Number to get an Employer Identification Number, but the process for non-resident owners takes longer than it does for US residents. Standard processing for non-resident owners without a US Social Security Number typically takes two to four weeks. If you need it faster, expedited processing can bring that down to a matter of days.
The EIN is what unlocks almost everything else, including opening a bank account, signing up for Stripe, and filing your annual tax paperwork. Plan your timeline around it.
Opening a US bank account
Once your LLC or C-Corp is formed and you have your EIN, you can apply to open a US business bank account. Common options for non-resident founders include Mercury, Wise Business, and Relay. These accounts let you receive US dollar payments, connect Stripe, and pay contractors or vendors in the US.
One thing to be clear on: approval is always the bank's decision, not something a formation service can guarantee. A clean, complete application after your EIN is issued gives you the best chance.
Annual US filings you need to know about
Owning a US LLC or C-Corp from Pakistan comes with yearly federal and state obligations. These do not go away just because you live outside the US.
- Form 5472 with a pro forma 1120. If your LLC is foreign-owned and has a single owner, the IRS requires this informational filing by April 15 each year. It is not optional, and penalties for missing it are significant, so treat this deadline seriously.
- Annual state report. Most states, including Wyoming, require a yearly report and a fee to keep your company in good standing. Deadlines and fees vary by state, so check the state's site or keep a tax professional on retainer to track it for you.
- BOI reporting. Under the current 2026 interim FinCEN rule, companies formed in the US are exempt from beneficial ownership information reporting. Rules like this can shift, so it is worth confirming your status each year rather than assuming it stays the same.
Pakistan-side reporting and tax rules
Forming a US company does not remove your obligations in Pakistan. Depending on your residency status, income sources, and how you structure ownership, you may have reporting or tax obligations tied to owning a foreign company. These rules are specific to your situation and can change, so this guide will not guess at figures or cite specific Pakistani statutes. Speak with a local tax adviser in Pakistan who can confirm how owning a US LLC or C-Corp affects your personal filings, before or shortly after you form the company.
How PowerLaunch handles this for founders in Pakistan
PowerLaunch forms US LLCs and C-Corporations for founders anywhere in the world, including Pakistan, and runs the company afterward on the MyCG.AI finance platform. Formation itself takes one to three business days in Wyoming, Kentucky, and Colorado, and one to two weeks in most other states.
| Plan | Price | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | $295/yr | Formation filings, EIN, operating agreement or bylaws, registered agent, virtual mailing and business address, AI assistant, email support, partner deals |
| 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, a dedicated bookkeeper |
All plans are billed in US dollars, plus the state filing fee at cost. An expedited EIN add-on is available for $295 on Launch and Run if you need your EIN faster than the standard two to four weeks.
If PowerLaunch makes a formation error, it is corrected at PowerLaunch's cost and that portion of the fee is refunded. State filing fees are never refundable, since they are paid directly to the state.
What to do next
If you are ready to form your US company, go to powerlaunch.solutions/signup and pick the plan that matches your stage, Launch to get started, Run if you want your annual filings handled, or Scale if you want a dedicated bookkeeper from day one.
If you want to talk through Wyoming versus Delaware, your EIN timeline, or your Form 5472 obligations first, book a free 20-minute consultation on Google Meet at powerlaunch.solutions/book. You can also reach the team anytime at contact@powerlaunch.solutions.
