How to open a company in the USA as a non‑citizen
- You don’t need a US visa, green card or SSN to own a US company.
- Most foreign founders choose an LLC; startups raising money usually need a C Corp.
- After formation come the EIN, a US address with a Registered Agent, and a business bank account.
Choose a business structure
Start with the structure, because it defines how you pay taxes and who can invest in you. The two options foreign founders use most are the Limited Liability Company (LLC) and the C Corporation.
LLC or C Corp?Watch the 3‑minute explainerLLC vs C Corp: what changes
| LLC | C Corp | |
|---|---|---|
| Taxation | Pass‑through to the owners | Company level + dividends |
| Can issue shares | No | Yes |
| Paperwork | Lighter | Board, bylaws, more filings |
| Best for | Freelancers, e‑commerce, services | Startups raising funds |
In both cases the company is a separate legal entity: your personal assets are protected from the company’s debts.
Pick the state
You don’t need to live in the state where you form the company. Delaware is the classic choice for venture‑backed startups; Wyoming and New Mexico are popular for low maintenance; Florida and Texas make sense when you will actually operate there. See our state‑by‑state guide.
Gather the documents
- A valid passport for each owner
- Your home address abroad
- Two or three options of company name
- The ownership split between members
With that, the Articles of Organization (LLC) or Incorporation (Corp) are filed with the state, and the Operating Agreement or bylaws are prepared.
Get your EIN
The Employer Identification Number is the company’s tax ID. You need it for the bank, for payment platforms and for taxes — and you can get it without an SSN. Here is how.
Open the business bank account
With the formation documents and the EIN in hand, you can open a US business account online and start receiving from clients and platforms. Compare the options in our guide to business accounts for non‑residents.
In short: structure → state → documents → EIN → bank account. After that, keep an eye on the yearly obligations: annual report, tax return and BOI.
