LLC registration for non-US residents: a step-by-step guide.

A US limited liability company (LLC) is one of the most popular ways for international entrepreneurs to do business with American customers, work with US payment providers and present a credible company to partners and investors. The good news is that you do not need to be a US citizen or resident to form one.

This guide walks through LLC registration for non-US residents step by step and highlights the compliance points that international owners most often miss.

Why non-residents choose a US LLC

• Limited liability: the LLC is a separate legal entity, which helps protect your personal assets from business liabilities.
• Credibility: a US company can make it easier to win trust from US customers, partners and platforms.
• Access to US business services: such as US business bank accounts and payment processors, subject to their own requirements.
• Flexibility: LLCs have relatively simple management and record-keeping compared with corporations.

An LLC is not always the right entity. If you plan to raise venture capital, many US investors prefer a C corporation. Ask your advisors which structure fits your plans before you file.

Step 1: Choose the state

Each US state has its own LLC rules, fees and annual requirements. There are two common approaches:

• Form where you will operate. If you will have an office, staff or significant activity in a particular state, forming there often avoids registering in two states.
• Choose a state that suits remote owners. Many non-residents compare states such as Wyoming, New Mexico and Delaware on filing fees, annual report and tax requirements, and owner privacy.

Look at the full cost of ownership, not only the formation fee: annual reports, franchise or privilege taxes and registered agent fees all add up over time.

Step 2: Choose a name and appoint a registered agent

Your LLC name must be distinguishable from other companies registered in the state and usually must include "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company". Check availability on the state's business search.

Every LLC must have a registered agent: a person or company with a physical address in the state who accepts legal and official documents on the company's behalf. As a non-resident, you will normally use a commercial registered agent service.

Step 3: File the formation document

You create the LLC by filing a formation document with the state, usually the Secretary of State. Most states call it the Articles of Organization; some use another name, such as a Certificate of Formation. It typically includes:

• the LLC's name and principal address;
• the registered agent's name and address;
• whether the LLC is managed by its members or by managers;
• the organizer's details.

Once the state approves the filing, your LLC legally exists. Keep the approved document safe; banks and payment providers will ask for it.

Step 4: Write an operating agreement

An operating agreement sets out who owns the LLC, how decisions are made, how profits are shared and what happens if an owner leaves. Not every state requires one, but it is strongly recommended, especially if there is more than one owner, and banks often ask to see it.

Step 5: Get an EIN from the IRS

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is your company's US tax ID. You will need it to open a bank account, work with payment providers and file tax returns.

If you do not have a US Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), you generally cannot use the IRS online application. Instead, you apply using IRS Form SS-4, which international applicants can submit by fax or mail; the IRS also lists a phone option for international applicants. Check the IRS website for the current process.

Step 6: Open a business bank account

Keeping business money separate from personal money is essential for liability protection and clean accounting. Banks and financial providers set their own rules for non-resident owners. Expect to provide:

Some traditional banks require an in-person visit, while some online business banking providers accept remote applications from non-resident-owned LLCs. Compare requirements before you apply.

Step 7: Stay compliant every year

Forming the LLC is the start. Ongoing compliance is where non-resident owners most often get caught out.

State requirements

Many states require an annual or biennial report and fee, and some charge a franchise or privilege tax. You must also keep a registered agent in place. Missing these can lead to penalties or the state dissolving your LLC.

Federal tax filings

How your LLC is taxed depends on how many owners it has, any tax election you make, and whether its income is connected with a US trade or business. Importantly, a single-member LLC owned by a foreign person generally must file Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 with the IRS each year, even if it had little or no US income. The penalties for missing this filing are significant, so put it in your calendar from day one.

Beneficial ownership reporting

The US beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting rules administered by FinCEN have changed several times. In 2025, the rules were narrowed so that they apply mainly to companies formed outside the US that register to do business in a US state. Check FinCEN's current guidance to confirm whether your company must report.

Home-country taxes

Owning a US LLC does not remove your tax obligations where you live. Your home country may tax the LLC's profits, and there may be a tax treaty between the two countries. A cross-border tax advisor can help you avoid double taxation and stay compliant on both sides.

What about a UK Ltd. company?

If your customers are mainly in the UK or Europe, a UK private limited company (Ltd.) can be a good alternative or addition. Non-UK residents can also form a UK Ltd. It is registered with Companies House and needs at least one director, a registered office address in the UK, at least one shareholder, and details of the people with significant control. Directors and other key people now also need to verify their identity with Companies House. As with a US LLC, check the current requirements on the official government website before you file.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Choosing a state only for the lowest formation fee, without checking annual costs.
• Using a personal bank account for business money.
• Skipping the operating agreement.
• Missing annual state reports or the Form 5472 filing.
• Assuming no US filing is needed because the LLC earned little or no US income.
• Ignoring tax obligations in your home country.

Get help registering your LLC or Ltd.

Company formation is full of small details that are easy to get wrong when you are doing it from another country. Zoom On Sales offers LLC (USA) and Ltd. (UK) registration services with personalised guidance through the formation process and ongoing compliance assistance, so you can focus on building and growing your business.

Once your company is set up, our complete sales solutions and fundraising services can help you win customers and investors.