How to set up a US LLC from your country
Payments are only available to LLCs registered in the US, with a representative who lives in an allowed country. This guide sums up the steps to set one up from abroad.
It is for guidance only: it is not legal or tax advice. Ask a professional if you have questions about your case.
What an LLC is and why you need one
An LLC (Limited Liability Company) is a US limited liability company. It keeps your personal assets apart from the company's debts and is the simplest way to own a US company while living abroad.
Payments run on US Stripe accounts, which are opened in the name of a company registered in the US. That is why you cannot turn payments on without an LLC and its EIN.
Recommended states (Delaware, Wyoming)
You can register the LLC in any state, but if you live outside the US the most common choices are Wyoming and Delaware.
Wyoming is usually the cheapest to keep and its paperwork is simple. Delaware is the best known, with well-established company law, but its annual tax is higher.
Both need a registered agent with an address in the state. Check the current fees on the state's official website before you choose.
How to get the EIN without an SSN (Form SS-4)
The EIN is the LLC's tax ID with the IRS. You need it to open the bank account and to turn payments on.
Without an SSN or ITIN you cannot apply on the IRS website: fill in Form SS-4 following its instructions for foreign applicants and send it by fax or by mail. International applicants can also apply by phone.
Keep the IRS letter that confirms the EIN: the bank and Stripe will ask for it.
Opening a US bank account from abroad
The account must be in the LLC's name: Stripe's payouts arrive there. Several US banks and financial institutions open business accounts remotely for LLCs with non-resident owners.
They usually ask for the formation documents (Articles of Organization), the Operating Agreement, the EIN letter and the owners' passports. Each one has its own requirements, fees and timelines: compare them before you choose.
Which representative document you will need
Stripe verifies the identity of the LLC's representative. A valid passport or an official ID document is usually enough. No SSN is needed.
The representative must live in one of the allowed countries. Also have an address and a phone number at hand: Stripe may ask for proof if it cannot verify them.
How long it takes and what it costs
Registering the LLC usually takes from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the state. An EIN without an SSN can take from a few weeks to over a month, and the bank account from days to weeks.
The main costs are the state filing fee, the registered agent (yearly fee) and the state's annual fee or report; if you use a service that handles it for you, add its fee. Check the current amounts before you start.
You can do it yourself or with a specialised service of your choice. The platform does not provide these services.