LLC in New York for Non-Residents (2025 Guide): The Prestige Price Tag

Author's Bio: The Foreign Founder Team specializes in US market entry for non-residents. We love New York City, but we hate the New York "Publication Requirement"—an outdated law that costs entrepreneurs millions every year.

New York. The center of the financial universe. For many international entrepreneurs, having "New York, NY" on their business card is the ultimate status symbol.

But status comes at a price.

New York is arguably the worst state for a non-resident to form a simple LLC. Not because of taxes (though they are high), but because of a bizarre 19th-century law called the Publication Requirement.

In this guide, we will break down why a $200 filing fee turns into a $1,200 headache, and why you should probably register in Wyoming instead.

Is New York Right for You? (Decision Tree)

The "Publication Requirement" Nightmare

This is the #1 reason to avoid New York.

Section 206 of the New York Limited Liability Company Law requires all new LLCs to:

1. Publish a copy of their Articles of Organization in two newspapers (one daily, one weekly).
2. Do this for 6 consecutive weeks.
3. Do this in the county where the office is located.

Why is this a problem?

If you use a Manhattan address (New York County), advertising rates are astronomical.

• Cost in Manhattan: $1,000 - $1,500+
• Cost in Albany (Upstate): $300 - $500 (but you need an Albany address).

If you fail to publish within 120 days, your LLC's authority to do business can be suspended. You cannot sue in New York courts, and you lose your good standing.

Cost Breakdown: The Hidden Fees

Expense	Cost	Frequency	Notes
State Filing Fee	$200	One-time	Reasonable.
Publication Fee	$300 - $1,500	One-time	The "Hidden" cost. Mandatory.
Certificate of Publication	$50	One-time	Fee to file proof you published.
Biennial Statement	$9	Every 2 Years	Very cheap upkeep.
Annual Tax Fee	$25 - $4,500	Annually	Based on Gross Income (if filing as partnership).

Total Startup Cost:

• Wyoming: ~$150 (Filing + Agent)
• New York: ~$1,500 (Filing + Agent + Publication)

Banking & Compliance

New York banks are some of the strictest in the world due to global financial regulations.

• Opening a bank account for a NY LLC remotely is no easier than for a Wyoming LLC.
• You will still likely use Fintechs like Mercury or Relay.
• If you walk into a Chase branch in Manhattan, they will ask for your "Operating Agreement" and proof of address.

Summary: The "Empire State" Premium

New York is a fantastic place to do business, but a terrible place to register a business if you don't live there.

Choose New York if:

1. You are opening a physical coffee shop in Brooklyn.
2. You are a fashion brand that needs a physical showroom in SoHo.
3. You have investors who specifically demand a NY entity (rare—usually they want Delaware).

Choose Wyoming or Delaware if:

1. You are a digital nomad, consultant, or e-commerce seller.
2. You want to save $1,000+ on startup costs.
3. You want to avoid the hassle of newspaper advertising.