How Non-US Residents Can Register a US Company (LLC) in 2026
Can you open a US LLC without living in the US? Why you'd want to, how to do it, and which service to use — all in one guide.
1. Why Open a US LLC
To receive USD, accept subscription payments properly through Stripe, run a SaaS or web store, and boost brand trust. Once an online business reaches a certain scale, it's hard to avoid.
2. Can You Open One From Abroad?
Yes. Non-US residents can register entirely remotely: the company, an EIN (tax ID), and a registered agent — no US residency or visa required.
3. Which Service to Use
An all-in-one service (Doola or Firstbase) is recommended: they handle company formation, your EIN, bank account opening, and compliance/tax filing, so you don't have to run the process yourself.
4. Process Overview
Pick a state (Delaware and Wyoming are common) → form the company → get your EIN → open a business bank account (e.g. Mercury) → connect Stripe to take payments.
5. A Word of Caution
A US company comes with annual compliance and tax-filing obligations. Until you've reached the scale where you genuinely need Stripe for subscription revenue, a personal Wise or Payoneer account is enough — don't put the cart before the horse.