Best LLC Formation Services for Non-Residents (2025 Review)

Author's Bio: The Foreign Founder Team has spent over $2,500 in filing fees testing 12 different LLC formation services. We are non-residents ourselves, so we know exactly where the process breaks (usually the EIN application).

Trust Signal: Most "reviews" are just rewritten marketing brochures. Not this one. We actually signed up for doola, Northwest, ZenBusiness, and Bizee (formerly Incfile) using a foreign passport. We tracked turnaround times, hidden fees, and customer support responses.

You want to start a US business, not become a paperwork bureaucrat.

But here is the problem: Most LLC formation services are built for Americans. They assume you have a Social Security Number (SSN). They assume you have a US mailing address. When you get to the "EIN Application" step on their dashboard, you hit a brick wall.

"Please enter your SSN to proceed."

If you don't have one, many services leave you stranded. You paid $300, and now you have a useless LLC with no tax ID and no bank account.

We are here to fix that.

In this guide, we strip away the marketing fluff. We compare the top LLC services specifically for non-residents. We look at who handles the Form SS-4 (Foreign EIN) correctly, who rips you off with "registered agent" upsells, and who actually helps you get a bank account at Mercury or Relay.

The "Non-Resident Trap": Why Most Services Fail Us

Before we review the tools, you must understand the Semantic Entities of the formation process. If you miss one, your LLC is dead on arrival.

1. Articles of Organization: The birth certificate of your company. Easy. Anyone can do this.
2. Registered Agent: The person legally responsible for receiving lawsuits. Mandatory in every state.
3. EIN (Employer Identification Number): The "SSN" for your business. This is the hard part.
4. Operating Agreement: Internal rulebook. Banks demand this.

The EIN Bottleneck

If you have a US SSN, you can get an EIN online in 5 minutes. If you don't have an SSN, you must fax Form SS-4 to the IRS or use a "Third Party Designee." The IRS takes 15-45 business days to process this.

The Trap: Cheap services ($0 + State Fee) usually do not include the Non-Resident EIN service. They only include the automated online EIN (for US citizens). If you hire them, you'll still have to figure out the IRS fax machine yourself.

The Hidden Fee Audit: What They Don't Tell You

Marketing headlines are deceptive. A "$0" formation fee is never $0. We dug into the Terms of Service and checkout flows of these providers to uncover the "Shadow Costs" that hit you in Year 2.

Fee Type	Bizee (Incfile)	ZenBusiness	LegalZoom	Northwest	doola
Registered Agent (Year 2)	$119/yr	$199/yr	$249/yr	$125/yr	Included
EIN Service (Non-Resident)	$70	N/A (Call Sales)	$99+	$50 or DIY	Included
Operating Agreement	$40	$99 (Pro Pkg)	$99	Free	Included
Banking Resolution	$35	$30	$50	Free	Included
Compliance Reminders	Free	$299/yr (Worry Free)	$280/yr	Free	Included
Total Year 1 Cost (Real)	~$250	~$400	~$500	~$200	$297

The Trap: Notice how ZenBusiness and LegalZoom hook you with a low entry price but have the highest recurring costs. Their business model relies on you forgetting to cancel the "Compliance Subscription" auto-renewal. The Winner: Northwest remains the most transparent. The price you see is the price you pay. There are no "upsell pop-ups" during checkout.

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State Selection Deep Dive: Beyond Wyoming

While Wyoming is the default choice, it is not the only choice. Depending on your business model, you might benefit from New Mexico or Florida.

1. Wyoming (The Privacy Haven)

• Best For: E-commerce, Digital Products, Consultants.
• Why: Anonymous. Your name does not appear on public records.
• Cost: $100 filing fee + $60/year annual report.
• Tax: 0% State Income Tax.

2. Delaware (The Investor Darling)

• Best For: Startups planning to raise Venture Capital (C-Corp).
• Why: The Court of Chancery is the gold standard for corporate law. Investors demand it.
• Cost: $90 filing fee + $300/year Franchise Tax.
• Tax: 0% on non-resident income (but high maintenance).

3. New Mexico (The Budget Option)

• Best For: Privacy-obsessed bootstrappers.
• Why: It is the only state with $0 Annual Fees and No Annual Report (currently).
• Cost: $50 filing fee.
• Privacy: Similar to Wyoming, member names are not required on the Articles of Organization.
• Risk: Banks are sometimes less familiar with New Mexico LLCs compared to Wyoming, which can lead to slower approval times.

4. Florida (The Latin America Hub)

• Best For: Founders from LatAm (Brazil, Argentina) or Real Estate investors.
• Why: Prestigious address. "Miami" looks better on a business card than "Sheridan, WY".
• Cost: $125 filing fee + $138.75/year.
• Tax: 0% State Personal Income Tax (but has corporate tax considerations).
• Privacy: Zero. Your name and address are listed publicly on Sunbiz.org.

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Case Study: The "Cheap Filing" Disaster

Let’s look at a real example from our community to see why "Cheapest" isn't always "Best."

The Founder: "Raj," a freelance developer from India. The Goal: Form a US LLC to accept payments from a US client via Stripe. The Choice: He chose a "Free + State Fees" provider (naming no names, but it rhymes with "Zen").

The Timeline:

• Day 1: He paid $100 (State Fee) + $0 (Service). Great deal!
• Day 3: LLC formed. He received his Articles of Organization.
• Day 4: He tried to open a Mercury bank account. Mercury asked for his EIN.
• Day 5: He went back to the provider's dashboard to find his EIN. It wasn't there.
• Day 6: He contacted support. They replied: "You selected the Basic package. It does not include EIN. You can buy it now for $99, but since you are a non-resident, you must call our sales team."
• Day 7: He called sales. They told him he needs to mail Form SS-4 himself because he doesn't have an SSN.
• Day 10: Raj tried to fill out Form SS-4. He made a mistake on Line 7b (SSN field).
• Day 45: He faxed the form to the IRS.
• Day 60: No response.
• Day 75: Rejection letter from IRS due to "Incomplete Information."

The Result: Raj lost 3 months of revenue because he couldn't bill his client. He eventually hired a CPA for $500 to fix the mess. Total Cost: $600 + 3 months of stress. The Alternative: If he had used doola or Northwest's Premium service, he would have paid ~$300 upfront but had his bank account open in Week 4.

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Technical Guide: How to Fill Out Form SS-4 (DIY Edition)

If you are brave enough to do it yourself, here is the cheat sheet for 2025.

1. Line 1 (Legal Name): Must match your Articles of Organization exactly.
2. Line 4a/4b (Mailing Address): This can be your foreign address. The IRS will mail your CP575 confirmation letter here.
3. Line 7a (Name of Responsible Party): Your name.
4. Line 7b (SSN/ITIN): WRITE "FOREIGN". Do not leave blank. Do not write "N/A".
5. Line 9a (Type of Entity): Check "Other" and write "Foreign-Owned U.S. Disregarded Entity".
6. Line 10 (Reason for Applying): Check "Started a new business".
7. Signature: You must sign it with wet ink (print, sign, scan). Digital signatures are often rejected by fax.

The Fax Trick: Use a digital fax service like SRFax or HelloFax.

• Fax Number: 1-855-641-6935 (Check IRS.gov for the latest "International" fax number).
• Wait Time: 15-30 business days. Do not fax it twice! It resets the clock.

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Comparison Table: Top 5 LLC Services for Foreigners

We compared these based on the "Foreign Founder Score" — how easy they make it for someone without a US address or SSN.

Service	Base Price (excl. State Fee)	Registered Agent (Year 1)	Non-Resident EIN Service?	Banking Intro?	Foreign Founder Score
Northwest	$39	Free	$50 - $200 (Add-on)	❌ No	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
doola	$297/yr	Free	✅ Included	✅ Guaranteed	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Bizee (Incfile)	$0	Free	$70 (Add-on)	✅ Yes	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
ZenBusiness	$0	$199 (Paid!)	Expensive Add-on	❌ No	⭐⭐ (2/5)
Firstbase.io	$399	Free	✅ Included	✅ Yes	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Deep Dive Reviews

1. Northwest Registered Agent: The Privacy King

Northwest is a cult favorite among privacy advocates. Unlike big corporate competitors, they don't sell your data.

• The "Privacy by Default" Promise: They list their address on your public forms, not yours. This keeps your home address off the internet.
• Pricing: $39 + State Fee. This is a special rate (normally $225).
• The Non-Resident Experience: You can form the LLC easily. For the EIN, they offer a separate service, or you can do it yourself for free if you are patient.
• Why we love them: They scan every single piece of mail that comes to them, up to 5 documents a year for free. Most others only scan legal mail.

Insider Tip: If you choose Wyoming, Northwest's office is in Sheridan, WY. This is a solid, non-flashy address.

2. doola: The "US Business in a Box"

doola (formerly StartPack) was built specifically for international founders. They didn't just tack on a "foreigner" feature; they designed the whole flow for it.

• What you get: LLC Formation + Registered Agent + EIN (Non-Resident) + US Bank Account Setup + Payment Processor (Stripe) Support.
• Pricing: They charge a subscription (starting around $297/year). It looks high, but it includes the Registered Agent ($125 value) and the difficult EIN filing ($200 value).
• The Killer Feature: They have direct relationships with Mercury and Relay. If doola sends you, you are less likely to be rejected for "Compliance" reasons.
• Verdict: If you have the budget and want zero headaches, choose doola.

3. Bizee (formerly Incfile): The Budget Option

Bizee is famous for their "Silver Package" — $0 + State Fee.

• The Catch: They try to upsell you on everything. "Do you want a contract template? $50." "Do you want an EIN? $70."
• For Non-Residents: Their dashboard is okay. They do support foreign addresses. However, their customer support is slow compared to Northwest.
• Verdict: Good if you are absolutely broke and willing to dodge upsells.

4. Firstbase.io: The Startup Specialist

Firstbase.io is built for tech startups. They are a Y Combinator alumni and focus on the "C-Corp" path, but they handle LLCs too.

• The Package: They bundle everything (Formation, EIN, Bank Account intro, Post-incorporation documents).
• The Price: $399 (One-time).
• Why use them?: If you plan to raise Venture Capital and need a "Delaware C-Corp," they are the best in the business. They have over $200,000 in rewards (AWS credits, Stripe credits, etc.) that can offset the cost.
• The Downside: They are expensive for a simple LLC. Their support can be automated.
• Verdict: Best for "Venture Scale" startups, not for lifestyle businesses or Amazon sellers.

5. ZenBusiness: The Marketing Machine

You will see their ads everywhere. They look modern and friendly.

• Why we avoid them:
  1. Renewal Fees: They have high renewal rates.
  2. Registered Agent: It is NOT free in the base package. They charge $199/year immediately.
  3. Subscription Trap: They try to sign you up for a monthly "Pro" compliance membership you don't need.
• Verdict: Too expensive for what you get.

The "Registered Agent" Trap: Why Free Isn't Free

Many services offer "$0 Formation," but they hide the cost in the Registered Agent fee.

What is a Registered Agent? It is a person or company designated to receive "Service of Process" (lawsuits and government notices) for your LLC. You must have one in the state where your LLC is formed.

The Scam:

• Year 1: "Free" Registered Agent.
• Year 2: They auto-renew you at $200, $300, or even $400/year.
• The Lock-in: Changing your Registered Agent requires filing a form with the state and paying a fee (e.g., $50). Many founders are too lazy to switch, so they keep paying the inflated price.

The Solution: Choose a provider with transparent, flat-rate pricing.

• Northwest: $125/year (Fixed).
• doola: Included in the subscription.
• Bizee: $119/year (Reasonable).
• LegalZoom: $249/year (Overpriced).

How to Switch Registered Agents (Step-by-Step)

Stuck with an expensive provider? You can switch. Here is how.

1. Find a New Agent: Sign up for a standalone Registered Agent service (e.g., Northwest or a local Wyoming agent). Cost: ~$50-$125/year.
2. Get Consent: The new agent must sign a consent form agreeing to represent you.
3. File "Change of Agent" Form: Go to your State's Secretary of State website.
   • Wyoming: "Statement of Change of Registered Agent" (Free or nominal fee).
   • Delaware: "Certificate of Change of Agent" ($50 fee).
4. Wait for Confirmation: Once the state processes it (1-5 days), your old agent is removed.
5. Cancel Old Service: Call your old provider and cancel. Ensure they don't charge you for the next year.

State Guide: The "Big 4" vs. The Rest

We covered Wyoming and Delaware, but what about other popular states?

1. Texas

• Pros: No state income tax. Strong economy.
• Cons: Franchise Tax paperwork is complex (even if you owe $0). Public records are not private (Manager names are listed).
• Verdict: Good if you physically live in Texas. Bad for non-residents.

2. Nevada

• Pros: Famous for privacy and asset protection. No information sharing with IRS (historically).
• Cons: Expensive.
  • $425 Formation Fee.
  • $150 Annual List of Officers.
  • $200 Business License Fee.
  • Total Year 1: ~$775. Annual: ~$350.
• Verdict: Overkill for most small businesses. Wyoming offers 90% of the benefits for 10% of the cost.

3. California

• Pros: Access to Silicon Valley ecosystem.
• Cons: The $800 Minimum Franchise Tax. Even if you lose money, you must pay $800/year to the Franchise Tax Board. High income tax rates.
• Verdict: AVOID unless you have a physical office and employees in San Francisco/LA.

4. Florida

• Pros: No state personal income tax. Privacy is okay (if using a double-LLC structure, but generally public).
• Cons: Annual report is required. Corporate tax applies to C-Corps.
• Verdict: Good for Latin American trade businesses, but Wyoming is still cheaper/more private.

Detailed Review: LegalZoom (Why We Don't Recommend It)

LegalZoom is the biggest name in the industry. But "Big" does not mean "Good for Non-Residents."

• The Price: Their "Economy" package starts at $99 + State Fees (often higher).
• The Speed: Painfully slow (30 business days) unless you pay for "Express Gold" ($300+).
• The Upsells: They are aggressive. They push "Attorney Assist," "Total Compliance," and expensive banking partners.
• Non-Resident Support: They often get confused by foreign addresses. We have seen clients get stuck in "Identity Verification" loops because LegalZoom's automated system couldn't read a foreign passport.
• Conclusion: You are paying for the TV commercials. Use a specialist like doola or a value player like Northwest.

Decision Tree: Which Service Should You Pick?

Don't overthink it. Follow this logic path.

graph TD
    A[Start: Do you have a US SSN?] -->|Yes| B[Use Bizee 'Silver' Package '$0']
    A -->|No| C[Do you want to DIY the EIN paperwork?]
    C -->|Yes, I have time| D[Northwest Registered Agent '$39']
    C -->|No, do it for me| E[Is budget tight?]
    E -->|Yes| F[Northwest + Hire Fiverr for EIN]
    E -->|No, I want premium| G[doola 'All-in-One']

Contextual CTA:

Ready to form your LLC? If you value privacy and a clean dashboard, Visit Northwest Registered Agent. If you want the full banking concierge, Check out doola.

The DIY Route: Can You Do It Yourself?

Yes. You can save the $50-$300 service fee. But is it worth it?

The DIY Process:

1. Go to the State Website: Find the Secretary of State for Wyoming or Delaware.
2. File Articles: Pay $100 (WY) or $90 (DE).
3. Find a Registered Agent: You legally need one. You can't be your own agent if you don't live there. You'll pay ~$50/year for a standalone agent anyway.
4. Apply for EIN: Download Form SS-4. Fill it out. Fax it to the IRS. Wait 4 weeks. Call the IRS to check status (hold time: 2 hours).

Analysis: You save maybe $50 compared to Northwest's $39 package (since you still have to pay for a Registered Agent). Conclusion: DIY is not worth it for non-residents. The risk of messing up the address or the EIN form is too high.

Expert Insider Tips (Information Gain)

Tip #1: The "Registered Agent" Address Scam

Some shady services will let you use their address as your "Principal Business Address" on the state filing. Don't do this. Banks know these addresses. If your Articles of Organization show the Registered Agent's address as your business address, Chase and Mercury will reject you. Solution: Use a unique Virtual Business Address (like VPM TruLease) or your home address abroad for the "Principal Address" field (if the state allows foreign addresses, like Wyoming does).

Tip #2: Delaware vs Wyoming

Stop copying Silicon Valley.

• Delaware: Great for raising VC money. Terrible for small businesses ($300/year Franchise Tax + complex filing).
• Wyoming: Best for solo founders. $60/year report. Zero state income tax. Anonymous public record.
• Recommendation: If you are bootstrapping, go Wyoming.

Step-by-Step: Forming Your LLC from Abroad

1. Pick Your Name: Search the Wyoming Secretary of State database to make sure it's free.
2. Buy the Service: Sign up with Northwest.
3. Provide Identity: Upload a scan of your passport.
4. Wait: 1-3 business days for state approval.
5. Get Documents: Download your "Articles of Organization".
6. Apply for EIN: Let Northwest/doola do it, or fax Form SS-4.
7. Open Bank Account: Take your Articles + EIN + Passport to Mercury.com.

Final Thoughts

The "Best" service depends on your time vs. money preference.

• If you have more money than time: Go with doola. They solve the banking headache, which is the real problem.
• If you are smart with money: Go with Northwest Registered Agent. You get the best privacy, the best dashboard, and you don't get ripped off on renewals.

Your LLC is the foundation of your US empire. Build it on solid ground.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long does it take to get my LLC?

State formation is fast. Wyoming takes 1-3 days. Delaware is similar. However, the EIN for non-residents takes 15-45 business days. You cannot open a bank account without the EIN. Plan for a 1-month timeline before you can accept payments.

Can I use my LLC for Amazon FBA?

Yes. Amazon accepts Wyoming and Delaware LLCs. You will need to provide a utility bill for your business address (see our Address Guide) to pass Amazon's verification.

Do I need to visit the US?

No. The entire process—formation, EIN, banking—can be done remotely. You never need to set foot on US soil.

What is a Registered Agent?

A person or company located in the state who accepts legal mail on your behalf. Since you don't live in Wyoming, you must hire one. Services like Northwest include this in their package.