You run a Shopify store from Lahore, or you freelance for US clients from Karachi, and someone keeps telling you to “just get a US LLC.” Then the questions start. Do you need to fly to America? What is an EIN? Who is this registered agent, and why do you need one? And what happens after the company exists?
Yes, a Pakistani citizen living in Pakistan can generally form a US LLC remotely. You file formation documents with a US state, appoint a registered agent in that state, and then get an EIN from the IRS. LLC formation services handle these steps for you. State fees vary, and a foreign-owned LLC has yearly filing duties even if it earns nothing.
What Do LLC Formation Services Actually Do?
An LLC formation service prepares and files the paperwork that creates your company with a US state. Most also offer add-ons that a foreign owner usually needs anyway, such as a registered agent, EIN application, and a US mailing address.
The state creates your LLC. The service does not. What you pay a provider for is preparation, speed, error checking, and support with the parts that are hard to do from abroad.
| Task | Can you do it yourself? | What a formation service usually adds |
|---|---|---|
| Choose a state and name | Yes | Name checks and state guidance |
| File Articles of Organization | Yes, through the state portal | Preparation and filing on your behalf |
| Registered agent | Only if you have a physical address in that state | Provides an in-state agent address |
| EIN application | Yes, by fax, mail, or phone | Prepares Form SS-4 and follows up |
| US business address | Difficult from Pakistan | Mail handling address, where offered |
| Bank account setup | Depends on the bank | Guidance and application support |
| Annual reports and deadlines | Yes | Deadline tracking and filing |
For a Pakistan-based founder, the registered agent and EIN steps are where most people get stuck. You cannot act as your own registered agent without a physical address in the state, and the IRS online EIN tool does not work for most non-residents.
Can a Pakistani Citizen Form an LLC in the USA?
Yes. US states generally do not require LLC owners to be US citizens or residents. A Pakistani national can own 100 percent of a US LLC as a single member.
That said, being allowed to form the company is only the first step. Your ability to open a bank account, use certain payment platforms, or sell on specific marketplaces depends on each provider’s own rules. Those are third-party decisions, and no formation service can promise the outcome.
Do you need to travel to the US? No travel is needed for the state filing or the EIN. State filings happen online or by mail, and the IRS lets international applicants apply without being in the country. Some banks may ask for in-person verification, so travel can come up later depending on the bank you choose.
What You Need Before You Start
Gather these before you file. Missing details cause most delays.
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Valid passport | Identity for the EIN, banking, and provider checks |
| Proposed LLC name (plus a backup) | Must be available in your chosen state |
| Your residential address in Pakistan | Used on the EIN application and records |
| Registered agent in the formation state | Required by state law |
| Business activity description | Needed for the EIN and bank applications |
| Member details | One member or several, and ownership percentages |
| Email and phone number | For state, IRS, and provider contact |
| Operating agreement | Not always filed with the state, but banks often ask for it |
Which State Should a Pakistani Founder Choose?
There is no single best state. The right choice depends on where you actually do business, your budget for yearly fees, and what your bank or platform expects. Many non-resident founders compare Wyoming, New Mexico, Delaware, and Florida. Here is how their core state costs compare as of September 2026:
| State | Formation filing fee | Recurring state cost | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $100 | $60 minimum annual report license tax | Low ongoing cost, popular with non-residents |
| New Mexico | $50 | No annual report for LLCs | Must keep a registered agent at all times |
| Delaware | Check current state schedule | $400 annual LLC tax (from the 2026 tax year) | Fees rose under House Bill 400 in 2026 |
| Florida | $125 | $138.75 annual report | $400 late fee after May 1 |
The Wyoming figures come from the state fee schedule: a $100 formation filing and an annual report license tax of $60 or two-tenths of one mill on the dollar of Wyoming assets, whichever is greater. An LLC with $300,000 or less in Wyoming assets pays the $60 minimum.
New Mexico is the cheapest to maintain on paper. It has no annual or biennial report requirement for LLCs, and the only ongoing state obligation is keeping a registered agent. Do not treat that as “nothing to do,” though. If your agent resigns and you do not appoint a replacement promptly, the Secretary of State can administratively revoke the LLC.
Delaware became more expensive this year. House Bill 400, signed May 21, 2026, raised the flat annual tax on LLCs from $300 to $400, retroactive to January 1, 2026. Owners will see the $400 figure when they pay the 2026 tax in 2027, due by June 1. Most other Delaware filing and service fee changes took effect on August 1, 2026, so confirm the current formation fee with the Delaware Division of Corporations before budgeting.
Florida’s formation cost is $125, made up of $100 for the Articles of Organization and $25 for the registered agent designation. The ongoing cost is higher. The LLC annual report costs $138.75 if filed between January 1 and May 1, and a $400 late fee applies after that.
Illustrative scenario: Ayesha sells digital planners from Islamabad to customers worldwide. She has no US office, no US employees, and no inventory in any US state. For her, formation and yearly state costs will likely drive the decision, so a low-maintenance state may make sense. A founder who plans to lease a warehouse in Texas faces a different question, because operating in Texas can create registration and tax duties there regardless of where the LLC was formed.
If you actually operate in a state (an office, staff, or stored inventory), you may need to register there as well. Ask about this before you pick the cheapest option.
How the US LLC Registration Process Works From Pakistan
- Pick your state. Base this on cost, where you will operate, and any bank or platform preferences.
- Check name availability. Search the state’s business database. Your name must include “LLC” or a similar designator.
- Appoint a registered agent. This person or company must have a physical address in the formation state.
- File the Articles of Organization. Submit through the state portal and pay the state fee.
- Receive your approval documents. Keep the stamped articles or certificate. Banks and the IRS will ask for them.
- Prepare an operating agreement. Even single-member LLCs benefit from one, and many banks request it.
- Apply for an EIN. Non-residents use Form SS-4 by phone, fax, or mail.
- Set up banking and payments. Apply with banks or fintech providers that accept non-resident owners.
- Calendar your compliance dates. State reports, registered agent renewal, and federal information returns.
Want the filing, registered agent, and EIN steps handled together? Jorofy’s LLC formation service prepares and files your formation documents and can add the EIN application to the same order.
Do I Need an EIN for My US LLC?
In practice, almost every foreign-owned LLC needs an EIN. It is the federal tax ID for your company, and banks, payment processors, and the IRS all use it. A foreign-owned single-member LLC also needs one to file its yearly information return.
How can a non-resident get an EIN? You cannot use the IRS online application if you live in Pakistan. The IRS instructions for Form SS-4 state that applicants with no legal residence, principal place of business, or principal office in the United States cannot use it. You have three options instead:
- Phone: Only international applicants can apply by phone, at 267-941-1099 (not toll-free), from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday. That window runs roughly from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. Pakistan time, depending on US daylight saving time.
- Fax: If you include a fax number on the application, you should receive the EIN by fax within four business days.
- Mail: A mailed application takes about four weeks to process.
You do not need an SSN or ITIN to get an EIN as the owner of a US LLC. An ITIN is a separate personal tax number that some people need for their own US tax filings. If you think you may need one, Jorofy also lists an ITIN service.
Do I Need a Registered Agent?
Yes. Every US state requires an LLC to name a registered agent with a physical street address in that state. The agent receives legal papers and official state notices on the company’s behalf.
Living in Pakistan, you will almost always pay a commercial registered agent. Budget for this as a yearly cost, because the service must stay active for as long as the LLC exists. If you already have an agent and need to extend it, Jorofy offers registered agent renewal.
Can a Pakistani Owner Open a US Business Bank Account?
Sometimes, yes, but it is never automatic. Each bank sets its own rules for non-resident owners. Approval can depend on your documents, your business activity, where your customers are, your ownership structure, and whether the bank requires an in-person visit.
Common documents banks ask for include:
- Articles of Organization or certificate of formation
- EIN confirmation letter from the IRS
- Operating agreement
- Passport and proof of your home address
- Description of your business and expected transactions
- A US address for the business, in some cases
Fintech providers often move faster than traditional banks, but they also review applications individually and can decline them. Read each provider’s official eligibility page before applying. Jorofy offers US business bank account support for physical and online accounts, which helps with preparation and the application process. The final decision always sits with the bank.
How Much Do LLC Formation Services Cost?
Separate the total into four buckets. Mixing them up is how founders end up comparing the wrong numbers.
| Cost type | Who charges it | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| State formation fee | The state | $50 in New Mexico, $100 in Wyoming, $125 in Florida |
| Service fee | The formation provider | Preparation, filing, support |
| Optional add-ons | The provider | EIN application, US address, phone number, bank support |
| Recurring costs | State and provider | Annual report or tax, registered agent renewal, tax filings |
A “$0 formation” offer still includes the state fee, and the provider usually earns on add-ons and renewals. Ask for the full first-year cost and the year-two cost in writing. The EIN itself is free from the IRS. If you pay for EIN help, you pay for preparation and follow-up, not the number.
How Long Does It Take to Form a US LLC?
It depends on the state and filing method. Online filings are usually faster than mail. In Wyoming, online filings through the state portal make the entity active on payment, while mail filings can take up to 15 business days.
After approval, add EIN time. By phone, it can come the same day. By fax, allow about four business days, and by mail about four weeks, per IRS guidance. Banking can then take anywhere from days to several weeks. Nobody can promise a fixed timeline for bank approval.
What Happens After Your LLC Is Formed?
This is the part many LLC formation services skip in their sales pages, and it is where the costly mistakes happen.
State filings. Most states require an annual report or annual tax. Miss it and you face late fees, and eventually the state can dissolve your company. Wyoming’s annual report falls due on the first day of the LLC’s anniversary month.
Form 5472 and the pro forma Form 1120. If you are the sole foreign owner, the IRS treats your LLC as a “disregarded entity” for income tax. That does not mean zero federal filings. If the LLC has reportable transactions with a related party, such as loans, contributions, or payments, it must file Form 5472 attached to a pro forma Form 1120. Putting your own money into the LLC counts, and the obligation applies whether or not the LLC has US income or owes tax. The IRS may charge $25,000 per form for a late or incomplete filing. These forms go by mail or fax, not e-file. For calendar-year LLCs, the filing is due April 15, with an extension available to October 15. Multi-member LLCs follow different rules, usually as partnerships, so have a qualified tax professional confirm which returns apply to you.
US income tax. A foreign-owned LLC may or may not owe US federal income tax. The answer depends on whether its income is connected to a US trade or business, which turns on facts such as US staff, offices, or inventory. Do not assume “LLC” means “no US tax,” and do not assume the opposite either.
BOI reporting. You may have read about beneficial ownership (BOI) reports to FinCEN. That rule has changed. US companies are now exempt, and only certain foreign companies registered to do business in the US must report. FinCEN’s final rule making this permanent took effect on August 14, 2026. A US-formed LLC owned by a Pakistani resident is a US company for this purpose, so it generally falls under the exemption.
Your obligations in Pakistan. Owning a US LLC does not change your personal tax residency in Pakistan. How your US earnings are reported in Pakistan, and how funds move between the two countries, depends on Pakistani tax and foreign exchange rules. Speak with a qualified Pakistani tax advisor before you start receiving income.
How to Choose an LLC Formation Service
Look past the headline price. Ask each provider these questions:
- What is the total first-year cost, including state fees?
- What renews each year, and at what price?
- Is the registered agent included, and for how long?
- Does the EIN help cover non-resident applications by fax or phone?
- Do they explain Form 5472, or only formation?
- Can you reach real support during Pakistan business hours?
- Do they make any promises about bank approval? (If they guarantee it, be careful.)
A provider that works with Pakistani founders every day will usually understand the time zone gap, local payment methods, and the documents local owners have on hand. Jorofy, for instance, is a Pakistan-based company that helps clients form companies in the United States and UAE remotely, and lists services across formation, registered agent, EIN, ITIN, annual reports, US address, phone numbers, DUNS, and trademarks.
Common Mistakes Pakistani Founders Make
Choosing a state only on formation fee. A $50 filing means little if you later need to register in another state where you actually operate.
Skipping the operating agreement. Banks frequently ask for it, and it records who owns what.
Using a personal address that does not match documents. Mismatched names or addresses across your articles, SS-4, and bank application cause delays.
Letting the registered agent lapse. The state can revoke or dissolve your LLC, and you may miss legal notices entirely.
Ignoring Form 5472. Founders often assume that zero profit means zero filings. It does not.
Believing a bank account is guaranteed. Formation creates the company. Banks decide separately.
Filing duplicate EIN applications. If you are unsure whether a fax went through, contact the IRS rather than sending a second form. Duplicates can create two EINs for the same company.
Getting Started
For most Pakistani entrepreneurs, forming a US LLC is doable without leaving the country. The state filing is the simple part. The real work sits around it: a reliable registered agent, a correctly filed EIN application, realistic banking expectations, and a calendar that covers state reports and Form 5472 every year.
Before you pay anyone, work out your full first-year and second-year costs, decide whether you will operate in a particular state, and speak with a tax professional about both US and Pakistani reporting. If you want one team to handle formation, the registered agent, the EIN application, and ongoing annual filings, Jorofy’s LLC formation services cover those steps from start to finish.
FAQs
Can I form a US LLC from Pakistan without visiting the US?
Yes. State filings happen online or by mail, and the IRS accepts EIN applications from international applicants by phone, fax, or mail. You do not need a US visa or SSN to form the company. Travel may only come up later if a bank you choose requires in-person identity checks. Plan your banking approach early so you know whether that applies.
Which state is best for a US LLC for Pakistanis?
No state suits everyone. Wyoming and New Mexico appeal to non-residents because of low state costs. Delaware suits some investor-backed businesses but now carries a $400 annual LLC tax. Florida has higher yearly fees. If you will operate from a specific state, with staff, an office, or inventory, that state’s rules may matter more than formation cost.
Do I need an SSN or ITIN to get an EIN?
No. As a foreign owner, you can apply for an EIN without an SSN or ITIN by filing Form SS-4 by fax or mail, or by calling the IRS international line. The online application is not available to applicants without a US residence or principal place of business. An ITIN is a separate personal number used for some individual tax filings.
How much does it cost to register an LLC in the USA from Pakistan?
The state fee ranges from about $50 in New Mexico to $125 in Florida, with Wyoming at $100. On top of that, expect a registered agent fee, any provider service fee, and optional add-ons like EIN preparation or a US address. Then budget for recurring costs: annual reports or taxes, agent renewal, and tax filing help.
What is a registered agent, and can I be my own?
A registered agent receives legal documents and official notices for your LLC. The agent needs a physical street address in the formation state. Living in Pakistan, you cannot usually serve as your own, so you would hire a commercial agent. Keep the service active, since a lapse can lead the state to revoke or dissolve your company.