What a U.S. LLC is, and what it isn't
A limited liability company (LLC) is the most common way for foreign entrepreneurs to do business in the United States. It separates your personal assets from the company's obligations, lets you sign contracts and invoice U.S. clients under a U.S. company name, and gives you access to U.S. banking and payment platforms such as Stripe and PayPal.
An LLC is a business structure, not an immigration status. It does not give you a visa, a green card or permission to work in the U.S. If you plan to move to the United States to run your company, the company is often the first step, and the visa is a separate application. We can plan both together.
Choosing a state
You can form an LLC in any state, and you don't need to live there. Delaware and Wyoming are popular for good reasons, but they are not automatically the best choice. If you'll have an office, employees or significant operations in a particular state, that state will usually require you to register there as well. We look at where your business will really operate before recommending a state.
After formation
A newly formed LLC has ongoing obligations. Most states require an annual report and fee and a registered agent at all times. At the federal level, a single-member LLC owned by a non-U.S. person must file Form 5472 together with a pro forma Form 1120 each year, even when the company had no income. If you have U.S. income, there may also be income tax filings. We give you a written roadmap so nothing is missed, and we can help with the filings themselves through our tax filing service.
LLC or corporation?
An LLC suits most service businesses, online businesses and holding structures. If you plan to raise money from U.S. investors or issue stock options to employees, a C-corporation is usually the better fit. See U.S. corporation formation or ask us on the free call.
