01I want to start
Start a US company from outside the United States
Start by checking whether a US company fits your customers, residence-country tax and banking needs. Then choose the entity and state, verify that at least one bank or payment route supports you, form the company, obtain the EIN and place every first-year deadline on a calendar.
Fit before filing
Decide whether a US company solves the right problem
Write down where you live and work, what you sell, where customers are located, whether you need investors and which payment problem you are trying to solve. A US LLC is useful for many online businesses, but it is not automatically the best answer for every founder.
- Compare a US LLC, Delaware C corporation, UK Ltd and your local company.
- Check how your residence country treats a foreign company and owner distributions.
- Separate business formation from immigration, banking and tax conclusions.
Structure and state
Choose the entity before choosing the cheapest state
A single-member LLC is a common bootstrapped-business route, while venture-backed companies usually need a Delaware C corporation. Your operating footprint, investors, annual fees and foreign qualification matter more than a generic best-state ranking.
- Choose the entity based on ownership, fundraising and tax classification.
- Compare filing fees, annual reports, franchise taxes and registered-agent cost.
- Confirm whether activity in another state will require foreign qualification.
Eligibility check
Verify banking and payment access before paying to form
An LLC and EIN do not guarantee a bank account or Stripe approval. Check residence-country support, required documents, business-model restrictions and address evidence before committing to a formation package.
- Identify one primary account and one realistic backup.
- Confirm the provider accepts your residence country and business model.
- Prepare a real website, contracts, invoices and consistent identity records.
Formation
Form the company and obtain its EIN
File directly with the state or use a formation provider when coordinated support is worth the extra cost. Keep the accepted formation document, operating agreement, registered-agent details and EIN notice together in the permanent company file.
- Search and approve the legal name before filing.
- Use a valid registered agent and keep beneficial-owner records consistent.
- Apply for the EIN through the correct non-resident route and preserve the IRS notice.
First-year setup
Create the operating and compliance system
Open the supported accounts, connect bookkeeping and record owner transactions from day one. Put federal information returns, state annual reports, registered-agent renewals and any sales-tax or payroll obligations on a calendar.
- Keep business and personal money separate.
- Record capital contributions, reimbursements and owner payments correctly.
- Generate a calendar before the first deadline becomes urgent.
When you are ready to form
Compare support before choosing a package.
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