Is it legal to open a US LLC as a non-resident?

Yes. The United States expressly allows non-resident individuals without SSNs to be sole or co-owners of an LLC. Operations are governed by the IRS (Form 5472 + 1120 pro forma) and by each state's LLC statutes.

How much does it cost to open and maintain a US LLC?

Professional formation runs around 2,000 USD (Articles of Organization, Registered Agent, EIN, Operating Agreement, initial advisory and banking). Annual maintenance ranges from 400 to 900 USD depending on state, agent, franchise tax and reports.

How fast can my LLC be operational?

The LLC is formed in 24-48 business hours. The EIN takes 4-15 calendar days. The Mercury account activates in 1-3 days after KYC. Total: 7-20 days to be fully operational.

Do I have to travel to the United States to open the LLC?

No. The entire process (formation, EIN, banking, compliance) is handled 100% online from your country. All you need is a passport and an electronic signature.

What taxes does an LLC with a non-resident owner pay?

A Single-Member LLC with a foreign owner and no Effectively Connected Income (ECI) in the US is taxed at 0% federally on profits earned outside the US. Those profits must be declared in the owner's country of tax residence under local rules.

Open a US LLC in 2026: step-by-step guide for non-residents

Open a US LLC in 2-4 days as a non-resident: pick the state, get the EIN without SSN, open Mercury, file Form 1120 + 5472 with the IRS and declare profits at home. Full guide with expert tax advisors.