[How to Register a US Company for Non-US Residents? Ultimate Guide]
With the impact of the trade war, more and more people are planning to open a US company. This is especially true for industries like foreign trade, AI overseas expansion, cross-border e-commerce, short dramas, games, and internet technology, where companies are establishing localization strategies in the US. However, the US is different from China in terms of business culture and environment. Before opening a US company, there are some basic things to know about setting up a US company. Today, we'll share some essential information about setting up a US company to help you:
✅ Choosing the Type of US Company
✅ Required Documents and Requirements for Opening a US Company
✅ How to Choose a State for Company Opening: Comparison of 6 Popular States
💡 Additionally, here are some questions that are of great concern:
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What status is required to set up a company in the US? - Any individual over 18 years of age can register a company in the US. - Foreigners not in the US and foreigners holding non-immigrant visas in the US (such as F1 students, B1/B2 tourists, etc.) can register LLCs and C Corporations and become shareholders. 2. Can foreigners serve as shareholders, directors, or managers of a U.S. company? - Foreigners can be shareholders or directors of LLCs or C Corporations, and shareholders are not necessarily natural persons; one company can be a shareholder of another. - Foreigners in the U.S. must have appropriate work permits to engage in the day-to-day management of the company. - Non-U.S. tax residents cannot be shareholders of S Corporations (must be a green card holder or U.S. citizen); shareholders of S Corporations must be natural persons.
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Is a proxy director required when setting up a U.S. company? - No, but a compliant registered agent can be provided if needed.
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Is a real registered address required when setting up a U.S. company? - Yes. If the client does not have a registered address, a registered agent address can be provided; it must be a genuine state unified registered agent address.
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Is registered capital required when registering a U.S. company? - No capital verification is required when registering a company in the U.S.; there are no restrictions on registered capital.
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Are there any restrictions on the company's business scope? - Generally, there are none. However, some industries may require a business license and permits.
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Does the legal representative need to be present to sign when the company is incorporated? - No. An agent can sign the relevant documents. Bank account opening can also be handled by an agent.
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How long does company incorporation take? - Processing times vary by state; some are faster, some are slower. For example, California takes 7-10 business days; New York takes 2-3 business days.
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If a company's shareholder is a foreigner without a Social Security number, can the company apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN)? - With the help of an agent, If you really want to register a US company, you can click this link to register directly：best state to create an llc
