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US company formation for non-US residentsYour ambition.
A US
starting point.

Build a US company plan from wherever your business begins. Voda helps you discuss formation, registered agent service and EIN assistance, with a clear view of the cross-border questions ahead.

See your story unfold Talk to Voda

US business setup · State-specific requirements · Clear next steps

A GLOBAL IDEA / A CONSIDERED US FOUNDATIONTHE STORY STARTS HERE

01 / A CLEAR STARTING POINT

A US company.
A global perspective.

Non-US residents can own many US LLCs and C corporations, subject to entity, industry and other restrictions. Choosing a state, obtaining a tax ID and applying for banking are different steps. Incorporating does not itself grant a visa, US residency or permission to work in the United States.

IRS · LLC ownership and classifications

This is Voda’s separate business setup offering. Voda also helps hard-to-place and non-traditional businesses explore high-risk merchant account placement. Formation and payment-provider approval are separate.

AN AMBITION WITHOUT A SINGLE STARTING POINTSkip the story
  1. ACT 01 / ORIGIN

    Begin where you are.

    Start with the owners, their circumstances and the work the business will do. A cross-border plan begins with those details.

  2. ACT 02 / FORMATION

    Draw the route.

    Compare the entity and formation state with your operating plans. A registered office and a business location serve different purposes.

  3. ACT 03 / PREPARATION

    Connect the steps.

    Plan formation, an EIN and banking documentation in sequence. Each step has its own requirements and review.

  4. ACT 04 / HORIZON

    Keep the horizon clear.

    US and home-country obligations remain part of the journey. Formation, bank approval and immigration permission are separate decisions.

SCROLL TO UNFOLD THE STORY · REVERSE TO REWIND

02 / MAP THE JOURNEY

Five checkpoints.
One clearer route.

A formation filing is one part of an international business setup. Build the rest of the plan around the owners and how the business will operate.

01

Where will the business operate?

Compare formation states with your real activities, customers, employees and premises. A registered agent address does not answer every tax, license or physical-presence question.

02

Who will own the company?

Discuss LLC versus corporation with a cross-border tax adviser. An ownership structure that is permitted under state law may have different federal reporting consequences.

03

What does the EIN application need?

The IRS online tool has eligibility conditions, including US principal-place-of-business and responsible-party identification requirements. Other application methods may be needed. IRS EIN issuance is free.

04

What will the bank require?

Prepare to discuss identity, ownership, business activity, addresses and source of funds. Institutions set their own documentation, country, remote-onboarding and eligibility policies.

05

What keeps the company current?

Plan state obligations and US and home-country tax review. Some foreign-owned US disregarded entities must file Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 when reportable transactions occur.

03 / SEPARATE THE MOVING PARTS

Connected decisions.
Separate approvals.

Formation creates the entity under state law. It does not decide banking or immigration eligibility.

Formation establishes the entity. Banking requires an institution’s review. Working in the US requires the appropriate authorization. None automatically grants the others.

THE PRACTICAL DETAILS

Build the plan.
Understand the responsibilities.

BEFORE THE CALL

Gather the ownership picture.

Bring owners’ residence and tax-residency countries, intended activities, operating locations and proposed structure. Avoid sending identity documents through ordinary email.

ADDRESS PLANNING

Know which address does what.

A registered office, operating address, mailing address and bank-accepted address serve different purposes. Confirm eligibility and the exact address service before relying on it.

AFTER FORMATION

Keep both jurisdictions in view.

Discuss information returns, tax registrations and home-country obligations with qualified advisers. Do not assume no US revenue means no US reporting duties.

QUESTIONS, BEFORE THE NEXT STEP

More clarity.
More confidence.

Know what the setup does, what it doesn’t, and which questions need a specialist.

Call (737) 775-5066
Do I need to travel to the US to form a company?

State filings can often be completed without a visit, but requirements depend on the state and service arrangement. Banking, identity verification and other steps may have their own in-person requirements.

Can I get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN?

An EIN application may still be possible through an applicable alternative method. The IRS online tool is not available to every international applicant. Review the current IRS instructions and your responsible-party details before applying.

Is a US LLC automatically tax free for a non-US owner?

No. Tax treatment depends on ownership, elections, business activity, income and applicable rules. Information reporting can apply separately from income tax. Review the company and the owners’ positions with a cross-border tax professional.

Does a registered agent give me a US business address for banking?

Not automatically. Registered agent service receives specified official notices. Banks and other providers may require a qualifying operating address and additional evidence. Confirm each use before purchasing an address service.

Does a US-created foreign-owned LLC need a federal BOI report?

Under current FinCEN guidance, entities created in the United States are exempt from federal BOI reporting. A foreign-country entity registering in the US is a different case. Check current rules and separate state or bank information requirements.

Can I use a US company to get a visa?

Formation alone does not grant a visa, residency or work authorization. Discuss any immigration plan with qualified immigration counsel. Formation and banking support do not replace that review.

All company formation services

OTHER STARTING POINTS

Explore the shape of your business.

LLC Formation ServicesA separate entity for your next chapter.
Corporation Formation ServicesOwnership, governance and C/S tax treatment.
DBA Registration ServicesA trading name with the owner in focus.
EIN Application AssistanceSupport for the chapter after formation.
Business Address ServicesSupport for the chapter after formation.
Business Bank Account Application SupportSupport for the chapter after formation.

Planning payment acceptance too? Explore merchant account options . Risk classification, eligibility and terms depend on the provider’s review.

Sources behind this guide

US general information checked November 5, 2026. Requirements change and vary by jurisdiction. This guide does not replace legal, tax or immigration advice. Confirm service scope, costs and processing estimates before ordering.

THE NEXT CHAPTER IS YOURS.

An idea can travel.
Start with a sound plan.

Discuss my next step Call (737) 775-5066

Bring your plans. Let’s discuss the setup they need.

YOUR BUSINESS. YOUR NEXT CHAPTER.BACK TO THE BEGINNING

Voda Payments: Your Final Destination For High Risk

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