Starting a business in the United States has always felt like a distant dream to many entrepreneurs living overseas. For me, it was a necessity. I was living in Morocco, running a small but growing e-commerce store, when I realized I needed a more trustworthy business structure, access to reliable payment gateways, and a business bank account that wouldn’t limit me because of my location. That’s when I decided to form a U.S. Limited Liability Company (LLC).
The Spark: Why I Needed a U.S. Company
As my online store expanded, I faced multiple issues:
- Payment processors rejected my applications due to my location.
- U.S. customers were hesitant to buy from a non-American business.
- I couldn’t integrate Stripe or PayPal Business properly.
- Advertising platforms like Facebook and Google Ads asked for proof of business legitimacy.
A friend who runs a successful dropshipping business told me: “Register an LLC in the U.S. — it changes everything.” That advice was the beginning of my journey.
Choosing the Right State for My LLC
I researched multiple states. Delaware, Wyoming, and New Mexico were the most popular for foreigners. Here’s what I discovered:
- Delaware: Great reputation but more expensive and usually better for bigger companies with multiple shareholders.
- New Mexico: Cheap and anonymous, but lacked strong online support and banking ease.
- Wyoming: Low annual fees, privacy, and foreigner-friendly.
I chose Wyoming because:
- It allows full foreign ownership.
- I didn’t have to visit the U.S.
- The annual report is only $60.
- It has no state income tax.
- I could get an EIN and a U.S. address easily through a registered agent.
Forming the LLC: Step-by-Step
- I hired a registered agent in Wyoming who offered LLC formation, a business address, and mail scanning for $99/year.
- Filed Articles of Organization online — it took 1 day.
- Received my EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS within a week using the agent’s help.
- Created an Operating Agreement — even though it’s not required, I wanted everything to be professional and organized.
Total cost so far: around $150 for the LLC and $100 for the EIN service.
Opening a U.S. Business Bank Account Remotely
This was the part I worried about most. I couldn’t travel to the U.S., so I looked into online banking options.
After days of research, I found Mercury Bank — a financial technology platform built for startups and remote founders. It was:
- 100% online.
- No monthly fees.
- Accepted non-U.S. residents.
- Integrated easily with Stripe, Shopify, and PayPal.
I applied using:
- My LLC documents.
- EIN letter.
- Passport.
- Proof of address (from my agent).
My Mercury account was approved within 48 hours. I received a virtual debit card instantly and a physical one within 3 weeks.
Later, I also applied for a Wise (formerly TransferWise) Business account for international transfers with low fees.
Connecting to Stripe and Payment Platforms
With my LLC and bank account ready, I was finally able to:
- Register with Stripe using my U.S. LLC and Mercury account.
- Link PayPal Business and receive payments in USD.
- Apply for Shopify Payments and advertise confidently.
My sales increased by over 60% in the next three months, simply because customers trusted a U.S.-based brand.
Final Thoughts: Was It Worth It?
Absolutely. Starting a U.S. LLC from outside the country was easier than I expected — and much cheaper than opening a local company in many countries. The credibility, access to global tools, and freedom to scale made it the smartest business move I’ve ever made.
Summary Checklist: How to Start Your U.S. LLC from Abroad
- ✅ Choose a business-friendly state like Wyoming or New Mexico
- ✅ Hire a reliable registered agent
- ✅ File Articles of Organization online
- ✅ Get your EIN from the IRS
- ✅ Open a remote-friendly U.S. bank account (like Mercury)
- ✅ Set up Stripe, PayPal, Shopify, or Amazon
- ✅ Start scaling globally
If you’re an international entrepreneur dreaming of global expansion — don’t wait. Start your LLC today.