How to Open a US LLC as a Non-Resident
Step-by-step guide to forming a US LLC, getting an EIN, opening bank accounts, and setting up payment processing — all without a US address or SSN.
This guide walks you through the entire process of setting up a US LLC as a non-resident — from choosing a state to accepting your first payment. No US address, Social Security Number, or physical presence required.
What You’ll Have When You’re Done
- A registered US LLC with all formation documents
- An EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS
- A US business bank account
- Payment processing (Stripe) ready to accept client payments
- A professional business address for mail and documents
The 7 Steps
- Decide on the state for your LLC
- Set up a virtual business address
- Form the LLC
- Apply for an EIN
- Open a business bank account
- Apply for payment processing
- Optional: Get an ITIN + PayPal
Step 1: Choose Your State
For most non-resident entrepreneurs, the best options are:
| State | Filing Fee | Annual Fee | Anonymity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $100 | $60 | Yes | Most non-residents (our recommendation) |
| New Mexico | $50 | $0 | Yes | Lowest cost option |
| Delaware | $90 | $300 | Yes | Venture capital / investors |
| Florida | $125 | $138.75 | No | EU bank account requirements |
Our recommendation: Wyoming. It offers the best combination of low costs, strong privacy protections, no state income tax, and excellent asset protection laws. Learn more about why Wyoming is the best state →
Step 2: Set Up a Virtual Business Address
Time required: 10 minutes
Every LLC must have a registered business address. Since you don’t need to be physically present, a virtual mailbox service works perfectly.
Your virtual address will be used for:
- LLC formation documents
- IRS correspondence
- Bank account applications
- Any official mail
The address doesn’t need to be in the same state as your LLC (for Wyoming, New Mexico, or Delaware).
Step 3: Form the LLC
Time required: 15 minutes
Before forming your LLC, check that your desired company name is available in your chosen state:
- Wyoming: wyobiz.wy.gov
- New Mexico: portal.sos.state.nm.us
- Delaware: icis.corp.delaware.gov
Tip: Pick at least three name options. Make sure at least one is highly unique to avoid conflicts.
What You’ll Receive
After formation (typically 1-3 business days), you’ll receive:
- Articles of Organization — Your LLC’s founding document
- Statement of the Organizer — Confirms who organized the LLC
- Certificate of Good Standing — Proof your LLC is in compliance (varies by state)
You can use our formation service to handle the entire process, or do it yourself through the state’s website.
Step 4: Apply for an EIN
The EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a unique 9-digit number assigned by the IRS. Think of it as a Social Security Number for your business.
You need an EIN to:
- File your annual Form 5472
- Open a bank account
- Apply for Stripe, PayPal, and other payment processors
How to Get an EIN Without an SSN
Non-residents without an SSN apply using IRS Form SS-4. You’ll need:
- Your LLC name (exactly as registered)
- Your US business address
- A brief description of your business activity
The standard process involves faxing the form to the IRS and waiting approximately 4-6 weeks. Our EIN application service handles this for you with expedited processing.
Step 5: Open a Business Bank Account
A company without a bank account isn’t really operational. You need a bank account to receive payments, pay bills, and connect to payment processors like Stripe.
Remote-Friendly Banks for Non-Residents
These banks allow fully remote account opening for non-resident LLC owners:
| Bank | Currencies | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury | USD | Full-featured US business banking |
| Relay | USD | Simple, no-fee business banking |
| Wise Business | 40+ currencies | International payments, multi-currency |
| Revolut Business | 25+ currencies | European clients, multi-currency |
Our recommendation: Open a Mercury account for your primary US banking, and a Wise Business account for international transfers and multi-currency needs.
What Banks Typically Require
- LLC formation documents (Articles of Organization)
- EIN verification letter from the IRS
- Valid passport or government ID
- Proof of business address
- Brief description of your business
In-Person Banking
If you visit the US, you can open accounts at traditional banks like Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and TD Bank. These offer more features but require a branch visit.
Step 6: Set Up Payment Processing
Once your bank account is active, you can apply for payment processing.
Stripe
Stripe is the most popular payment processor for US LLCs owned by non-residents. It integrates with virtually every platform and supports recurring billing, invoicing, and subscriptions.
Requirements for Stripe:
- A US LLC with an EIN
- A US bank account (Mercury or Relay work well)
- A functioning website
- Professional email address from your domain
PayPal
PayPal requires either an SSN or ITIN to open a US business account. If you don’t have either, you can apply for an ITIN (see Step 7) or use PayPal through your home country account initially.
Step 7 (Optional): Get an ITIN
An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is useful for:
- Opening a US PayPal Business account
- Additional banking options
- Some merchant account applications
You can apply for an ITIN when filing your annual Form 5472. This is the most common path for non-resident LLC owners.
Preparation Tips
While waiting for your EIN (which can take several weeks), prepare these items to speed up banking and payment processing applications:
- Professional website — Even a simple one-page site showing your business
- Domain email — e.g., you@yourbusiness.com (not Gmail)
- LinkedIn profile — Optional but helps with bank verification
- Clear business description — A one-paragraph summary of what your business does
Total Costs Summary
| Item | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| State filing fee (Wyoming) | $100 |
| Registered agent (annual) | $50-100 |
| Virtual address (annual) | $120-200 |
| EIN application | Free (DIY) or $100-200 (service) |
| Bank account | Free |
| Total first-year cost | $270-600 |
Need Help?
At Globalization Guide, we handle the entire process for you:
- LLC formation in Wyoming, Delaware, New Mexico, or Florida
- Expedited EIN application
- Banking and payment processing guidance
- Ongoing compliance (Form 5472 filing, annual reports)
Written by Chris Natterer
Founder of Globalization Guide, helping international entrepreneurs form and manage US companies since 2019.