Guides

Straight, vendor-neutral answers for founders abroad — how to form a US LLC with no SSN, get an EIN, choose a state, and stay compliant. Sourced from the IRS and state agencies; not legal or tax advice.

• How to Form a US LLC as a Non-Resident (No SSN Required)

  Yes. Non-US citizens and non-residents can form a US LLC in any state without a green card, an SSN, or visiting the United States. There is no citizenship or residency requirement to own a US LLC. You will need a US registered agent and an Employer Identification Number (EIN), which the IRS issues to foreign founders for free.

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• How to Get an EIN Without an SSN (CP-575 Explained)

  Yes. You don't need an SSN or ITIN to get an EIN. The IRS lets international and foreign-owned businesses apply with Form SS-4 by fax, international phone, or mail. On the responsible-party line, eligible foreign applicants write 'Foreign' instead of a US tax ID.

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• EIN.LLC vs Stripe Atlas, doola, Firstbase & More: 2026 Comparison

  Non-resident founders choose between flat one-time fees (EIN.LLC $399, Stripe Atlas $500, Firstbase $399) and annual subscriptions (doola $297/yr, Globalfy $588/yr). Key differences are EIN-without-SSN turnaround, registered-agent renewal costs, Form 5472 support, and whether US banking is included. Mercury is a bank, not a formation service.

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