LLC in Wyoming for Non-Residents (2025 Guide): The Ultimate Privacy Haven?

Author's Bio: The Foreign Founder Team has helped 500+ non-US entrepreneurs form their US companies. We don't just read the laws; we file the paperwork, deal with the rejections, and open the bank accounts.

Why Trust This Guide: Unlike generic legal sites, we focus 100% on the non-resident experience. We test these states with real foreign passports and real foreign addresses.

If you are a non-US resident looking to start a US business, you have likely heard one piece of advice on repeat: "Go to Wyoming."

But why? Is it just hype? Or is the "Cowboy State" truly the Switzerland of the Rockies?

Here is the problem: Most "guides" are written for Americans. They talk about "S-Corp elections" and "payroll taxes"—things that do not apply to you. As a non-resident, your needs are different. You need Privacy, Low Maintenance, and Remote Banking.

The Promise: Wyoming invented the LLC in 1977. They built it specifically for people like you. In this guide, we will tear down the Wyoming LLC to see if it still holds the crown in 2025, or if New Mexico has stolen its throne.

What is a Wyoming LLC? (And Why Should You Care?)

A Wyoming LLC is a Limited Liability Company formed under the laws of Wyoming. It is a separate legal entity that shields your personal assets (house, car, savings) from business lawsuits.

For non-residents, Wyoming is famous for three things:

Anonymity: You can legally hide your ownership from the public search.
Cost Efficiency: It is cheaper than Delaware and Nevada.
Non-Resident Friendly: They don't care if you don't have a US social security number (SSN).

The "Privacy Shield" Explained

In states like Florida or New York, if someone searches your company name, they see your full name and home address.

In Wyoming, the Secretary of State does not require the names of the LLC members (owners) or managers to be listed on the Articles of Organization. Instead, you list a Registered Agent.

Public Record: Shows "Northwest Registered Agent" (or whoever you hired).
Private Record: You own the company, but only the Registered Agent knows that.

Insider Tip: This privacy is not absolute. The US Treasury (FinCEN) now requires you to report ownership privately via the BOI Report (Beneficial Ownership Information). However, this is federal and private, not public and searchable by your competitors or angry customers.

Cost Breakdown: Is Wyoming Actually Cheap?

Many states bait you with low filing fees but hit you with high annual taxes (looking at you, California with your $800 minimum tax).

Let's audit the real cost of a Wyoming LLC in 2025.

Expense	Cost	Frequency	Notes
State Filing Fee	$100	One-time	Paid to Wyoming Secretary of State.
Registered Agent	~$50 - $200	Annually	Required for service of process.
Annual Report Fee	$60	Annually	Due on the first day of your anniversary month. (Online filing +$2 fee)
State Income Tax	$0	Annually	Wyoming has NO state income tax.
Franchise Tax	$0	Annually	Unlike Delaware, there is no franchise tax.
Total Year 1 Cost	~$150 - $300		Depending on your Registered Agent.
Annual Maintenance	~$110 - $260		Agent Fee + $60 State Fee.

Comparison:

Delaware: $90 start, but $300/year mandatory tax.
California: $70 start, but $800/year mandatory tax.
Wyoming: $100 start, $60/year mandatory fee.

Verdict: Wyoming is one of the cheapest states to maintain a business in the long run.

Wyoming vs. Delaware vs. New Mexico: The Holy Trinity

This is the most common decision non-residents face. Which one should you choose?

Feature	Wyoming 🤠	Delaware 👔	New Mexico 🌵
Best For	Privacy & Small Biz	Startups & Investors	Ultimate Cost Savings
Filing Fee	$100	$90	$50
Annual State Fee	$60	$300	$0
Privacy	High (No names public)	High (No names public)	High (No names public)
Prestige	Medium	High (Gold Standard)	Low
VC Funding	Harder	Preferred	Harder
Anonymity	Yes	Yes	Yes

When to choose Wyoming?

Choose Wyoming if you want a balance of reputation and low cost. It is more recognized by banks than New Mexico, but cheaper than Delaware.

When to choose Delaware?

Choose Delaware ONLY if you plan to raise Venture Capital (Angels, VCs, Y Combinator). Investors demand Delaware C-Corps. If you are a solopreneur, Delaware is a waste of money ($300/year vs $60/year).

When to choose New Mexico?

Choose New Mexico if you want the absolute lowest cost. $0 annual fees means you only pay your Registered Agent. However, some fintech banks are slightly more familiar with Wyoming LLCs.

Step-by-Step: How to Form a Wyoming LLC as a Non-Resident

You do NOT need to visit the US. You do NOT need a US visa. You can do this from your laptop in London, Lagos, or Shanghai.

Step 1: Name Your Company

Wyoming is strict about unique names.

Do: Check the Wyoming Business Entity Search.
Don't: Use restricted words like "Bank", "University", or "Trust" without permission.

Step 2: Hire a Wyoming Registered Agent

You cannot be your own agent unless you live in Wyoming. You need a service.

They provide a physical address in Cheyenne or Sheridan.
They scan your mail.
Cost: $50-$200/year.

Step 3: File Articles of Organization

Online: Instant approval.
Fee: $100 (+ $2 convenience fee).
The Trick: When asked for "listing members," your Registered Agent can usually sign as the "Organizer," keeping your name off the initial public filing.

Step 4: Get Your EIN (Employer Identification Number)

This is where it gets tricky for non-residents.

If you have an SSN: Apply online (Instant).
If you do NOT have an SSN: You must file Form SS-4 by fax or mail.
Wait Time: 14-30 business days.
Learn more in our guide: Non-Resident LLC Compliance Guide.

Step 5: Open a US Bank Account

Once you have your Wyoming Articles and EIN, you can apply for banking.

Top Picks: Mercury, Relay, Brex.
Requirement: They will ask for your "Operating Agreement" and foreign passport.
Read the full review: Best US Business Bank Accounts for Non-Residents.

The "Remote" Tax Advantage (ETBUS)

Does Wyoming having "0% State Tax" mean you pay $0 total tax?

Maybe.

If you are a non-resident, your US tax liability depends on whether you are "Engaged in Trade or Business in the US" (ETBUS).

State Level: Wyoming takes $0.
Federal Level (IRS): If you are not ETBUS (e.g., you sell digital goods from abroad, have no US employees, no US warehouse), you might owe 0% US federal tax.
The Trap: You still must file Form 5472 and Form 1120. Failing to file carries a $25,000 penalty.

Warning: "No tax due" does not mean "No tax forms filed." You must file informational returns every year.

Decision Tree: Is Wyoming Right For You?

Use this flow to decide if you should click "Register" on Wyoming or look elsewhere.

graph TD
    A["Start: Are you a Non-Resident Founder?"] -- No --> B["Stop. Rules are different for US Residents."]
    A -- Yes --> C["Do you plan to raise VC Money?"]
    C -- Yes --> D["Choose Delaware C-Corp"]
    C -- No --> E["Do you have physical office/employees in a specific state?"]
    E -- Yes --> F["Register in THAT State (e.g. Florida, Texas)"]
    E -- No --> G["Are you a 100% Remote Business?"]
    G -- Yes --> H{"Privacy or Cost?"}
    H -- Privacy & Balance --> I["Choose Wyoming LLC"]
    H -- Lowest Cost --> J["Choose New Mexico LLC"]
    
    style I fill:#dcfce7,stroke:#16a34a,stroke-width:4px

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is my Wyoming LLC completely anonymous?

Almost. Your name is not on the public state website. However, you must disclose ownership to your Registered Agent, the IRS (for EIN), and FinCEN (for BOI Reporting). It is private from the public, but not from the government.

Can I buy real estate with a Wyoming LLC?

Yes. Many investors use Wyoming LLCs to hold real estate in other states to separate assets ("Holding Company" strategy). However, if the property is in Florida, you may need to register the Wyoming LLC as a "Foreign LLC" in Florida, which defeats the privacy purpose there.

Does Wyoming require an annual meeting?

No. Wyoming LLCs do not require annual shareholder meetings or minutes, making them very low maintenance compared to Corporations.

Can I open a Stripe account with a Wyoming LLC?

Yes. Stripe fully supports Wyoming LLCs. You will need your EIN and a US bank account (like Mercury) to verify the Stripe account.

Final Verdict

Wyoming remains the heavyweight champion for non-resident entrepreneurs who want a simple, private, and low-cost entry into the US market.

Unless you are the next Facebook seeking billions in investment (Go Delaware), or you are counting every single penny (Go New Mexico), Wyoming is the safe, standard, and smart choice.

Ready to start?

Get a Registered Agent: Check our Best LLC Formation Services.
Get an Address: How to Get a US Business Address.