U.S. LLC for Non-Residents: Wyoming or Delaware, EIN and Banking

Can a non-resident open a U.S. LLC?

Yes. Forming a U.S. LLC as a non-resident is completely legal, and you do not need to be a U.S. resident to own one. Obtaining an EIN and an ITIN is the standard process that follows.

For founders who live outside the United States, the LLC is the “foot in the door” to the U.S. financial system. It gives you a legitimate business presence in the U.S. and opens access to:

• Global credibility. International clients and partners trust a U.S. business entity.
• Payment processors. Full access to Stripe, PayPal and merchant services without regional limitations.
• Legal asset protection. U.S. corporate law (Wyoming/Delaware) provides strong liability protection for business owners.
• U.S. banking. Hold USD, send ACH and wire transfers, and manage accounts through FDIC-insured U.S. banks.
• U.S. credit cards. Build a U.S. credit score and access cards with strong rewards programs. See U.S. credit cards for non-residents.

This structure is a good fit for digital nomads, online founders, agency owners, e-commerce and SaaS businesses, and international consultants.

Wyoming or Delaware LLC: which is better for a non-resident?

Both states are widely used by non-resident founders. Wyoming and Delaware are often described as the gold standards for privacy and low fees, and both offer strong liability protection under U.S. corporate law.

Wyoming is the usual choice in our setups, and its annual state filing is the lower of the two. We go through your situation in the consultation and recommend the state that fits your business.

What is included in a U.S. LLC formation for non-residents?

Our formation is a turnkey setup for non-U.S. residents. It includes:

• Company name verification and reservation
• Operating Agreement tailored to your situation
• Articles of Organization filing with the state
• Registered Agent service (required by law, 1 year included)
• LLC organizational documents and certificates
• All state filing fees

As part of the U.S. Business & Personal Integration Service ($1,500), you also get the EIN and ITIN application, a business email, a basic business website if you need one (with 3 months of hosting), and 1-on-1 help opening your U.S. business and personal bank accounts.

How does a non-U.S. resident get an EIN, and do you also need an ITIN?

The EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your LLC’s federal tax ID. It is obtained directly from the IRS and is required to open U.S. bank accounts and payment processor accounts. Banks will ask for the IRS EIN confirmation letter (CP575 or 147C).

The ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is a personal U.S. tax ID for people without a Social Security Number. It is what unlocks U.S. personal bank accounts and credit card applications.

Because the ITIN takes the longest, we start it early. If you are also getting Paraguay residency, we run the ITIN application alongside it so your setup is ready as soon as possible.

Does a non-resident LLC owner pay U.S. tax?

A single-member LLC is treated by the IRS as a disregarded entity (pass-through taxation). As a non-resident with foreign-sourced income, you typically have zero U.S. federal tax liability, provided you have no U.S. physical presence, employees or dependent agents.

Zero tax does not mean zero filings. Foreign-owned U.S. LLCs are generally required to file Form 5472 (with Form 1120) with the IRS every year. Missing these information filings can carry a minimum penalty of $25,000. We coordinate with specialized U.S. CPAs so these forms are filed correctly.

What does it take to keep a U.S. LLC in good standing?

The ongoing requirements are short and predictable:

• Annual state LLC filing: $60 in Wyoming, $300 in Delaware
• Registered agent fee: $100–150 per year (the first year is included in our formation)
• Annual U.S. tax filings (Form 5472/1120), prepared through our CPA network
• Bank account maintenance, usually free with Mercury or Relay

We can handle all compliance for you, or guide you if you prefer to do it yourself. You can also add members later by amending the Operating Agreement, and hire people anywhere in the world.

Looking for a Stripe Atlas alternative?

If you are comparing formation services such as Stripe Atlas, look at what happens after the company exists. Many providers only do half the job: they give you an LLC and leave you to figure out the banking, the ITIN and the credit history on your own.

When you compare options, check whether the service covers:

• Formation, state filing fees and the registered agent
• EIN and ITIN (the ITIN is what unlocks personal accounts and credit cards)
• U.S. business and personal bank accounts, not only a business account
• Help building a U.S. credit history and credit score over time
• Annual IRS filings such as Form 5472
• A residency and tax story that banks find credible

Our U.S. Business & Personal Integration Service covers all of these, with personal guidance from our co-founder Osher, and can be combined with Paraguay residency in one plan.

What comes after the LLC: opening the business bank account

An LLC without a bank account cannot invoice clients or connect to Stripe and PayPal. Once your EIN is issued, the next step is the U.S. business bank account.

We pre-qualify you and guide you through remote account opening with fintech banks such as Mercury and Relay, in a 1-on-1 Zoom session with Osher or a trained representative. Typical documents are your LLC formation documents, the EIN confirmation letter, a valid passport and proof of address, and a business description and website.

Read the full process in our guide to opening a U.S. bank account as a non-resident.

Why pair a U.S. LLC with Paraguay residency?

Paraguay follows a territorial tax system: only Paraguay-sourced income is taxed. When structured correctly alongside Paraguay residency, a U.S. LLC setup may support tax efficiency, depending on individual circumstances.

Residency also helps on the banking side. A Paraguayan Cédula and a local proof of address give banks the consistent residency and tax profile they look for during KYC checks.

• One trip to Asunción of 5–7 business days on the Gold and VIP plans
• Residency packages from $2,200 (Silver), $2,850 (Gold) and $4,500 (VIP)
• The VIP plan includes the optional U.S. Business & Personal Integration Service

Compare the options on our residency packages and pricing page, and read how the two sides fit together in our Paraguay + U.S. LLC tax strategy guide.

Frequently asked questions