How to Start a US LLC From Mexico as a Non-Resident

You can start a US LLC from Mexico without a visa, an SSN, or a trip to the United States. You file online with one state and use a registered agent’s US address. Then you get an EIN from the IRS and open a US bank account remotely. Most founders finish the whole process in two to six weeks.

Bottom line:

• Most Mexico-based founders selling online should look at Wyoming or New Mexico first. Delaware is mainly for founders raising venture capital.
• You need a passport, a registered agent, and an EIN. You do not need an SSN or ITIN to form the LLC.
• Your US LLC does not remove your Mexican tax obligations. As a Mexican tax resident, you still report to the SAT.

Can a Mexican citizen own a US LLC?

Yes. US states do not require LLC owners to be US citizens or residents, so a person living in Mexico can own 100% of an LLC. Nationality and residence are not part of the formation process.

A US LLC (limited liability company) is a business entity registered with a single US state. It separates your business liabilities from your personal assets. Owning one does not give you any right to live or work in the US. It is a business structure, not an immigration status.

Mexican founders usually form one for practical reasons. They want access to Stripe and US payment processors, they want to sell on Amazon US, they want to invoice US clients in dollars, or they need a US bank account for a SaaS or agency business.

Which state should you choose?

For most Mexico-based founders, Wyoming or New Mexico is the best fit. Both have low fees and simple upkeep. Choose Delaware only if you plan to raise money from US investors who expect it.

State fees change. Confirm the current amounts on each Secretary of State’s website before you file. For a full comparison, see our guide to the best state to form an LLC for non-residents. You can also read Wyoming vs New Mexico side by side.

You do not need to form the LLC in the state where your customers are. A Mexican founder selling to buyers in Texas or California can still use a Wyoming LLC.

Step 1: Pick a registered agent and formation service

A registered agent is a person or company with a physical address in your formation state. It receives legal and state mail for your LLC. Every LLC must have one, and as a non-resident you cannot act as your own.

Most founders in Mexico use a formation service that files the paperwork and provides the registered agent in one package. Bizee (formerly Incfile) is one of the lower-cost options. It advertises a basic formation package for $0 plus the state fee and includes a free registered agent for the first year. The EIN and other add-ons cost extra, so check the current pricing page before you buy.

Start your LLC with Bizee

If you want to compare services first, our Bizee review and Bizee vs Northwest Registered Agent go into more detail. To learn how the agent’s role works, read what a registered agent is.

Step 2: File your Articles of Organization

Articles of Organization are the document that legally creates your LLC with the state. You or your formation service file them online. They include the LLC name, the registered agent, and basic management details.

Pick a name that is available in your chosen state. It must end in “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company.” Most states use plain ASCII characters, so drop accents (ñ, á, é) from the legal name. You can still use them in your branding.

Processing times depend on the state. Online filings in Wyoming and New Mexico are often approved within a few business days, but this can vary. Expedited filing costs extra.

Even if you are the only owner, prepare an operating agreement. It is your internal document showing who owns the LLC and how it is run. Banks often ask for it, and it supports your liability protection.

Step 3: Get an EIN without an SSN

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is the federal tax ID the IRS assigns to your LLC. You need it to open a bank account, apply for Stripe, and file IRS forms. Foreign owners can get one without an SSN or ITIN.

You have two main routes:

• Apply yourself with Form SS-4 by fax or mail. On the line that asks for an SSN or ITIN, write “Foreign” instead of a number. Fax is usually much faster than mail.
• Pay a formation service to apply for you as an add-on.

The IRS online EIN application generally requires an SSN or ITIN, so most Mexican owners cannot use it. Our guides on how to get an EIN without an SSN and how to fax Form SS-4 from abroad walk through each field.

If you are not sure whether you also need an ITIN, read ITIN vs EIN for non-residents. Most single-owner LLCs with no US-source income only need the EIN.

Step 4: Open a US bank account remotely

Several US fintech banks open accounts for non-resident LLC owners online. You usually need your formation documents, your EIN letter, your passport, and proof of address. Some banks do not accept Mexican residents, and their lists of supported countries change. Check eligibility before you apply.

Use your passport for identity checks. US banks often do not accept a Mexican INE voter card as primary ID for remote verification. For proof of address, a recent utility bill or bank statement from Mexico is the usual document. If it is in Spanish, have a translation ready.

Our US business bank account for non-residents guide compares the main options. Once your account is open, see payment processing for a non-resident LLC to set up Stripe or PayPal.

What does a US LLC cost from Mexico?

Expect roughly $150 to $500 to form, depending on the state and add-ons. Ongoing costs run about $100 to $500 a year, mostly registered agent renewal and state fees. Accounting help is extra.

A typical breakdown:

• State filing fee: $50 (New Mexico) to $110 (Delaware), per each Secretary of State
• Registered agent: often free in year one with a formation service, then usually around $100 to $150 a year
• EIN: free from the IRS if you file SS-4 yourself. Services charge for it.
• Annual state fee: none in New Mexico, from $60 in Wyoming, $300 franchise tax in Delaware
• Tax preparation: varies widely. Budget for a preparer who knows foreign-owned LLCs.

For the full picture, see US LLC cost for non-residents and US LLC annual costs.

US and Mexican taxes: what to know

A single-member LLC owned by a non-resident is usually a “disregarded entity” for US federal tax purposes. Often it owes no US income tax if it has no US-source effectively connected income. Even so, it must file paperwork with the IRS every year.

Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 is required every year for foreign-owned single-member LLCs. You file it even if you had zero income. The IRS penalty for not filing starts at $25,000, so this is the deadline you cannot miss. Our Form 5472 guide explains it step by step.

In Mexico, tax residents are taxed on their worldwide income. Your LLC’s profits still need to be reported to the SAT. Mexico also has special rules for income from foreign entities in low-tax jurisdictions (regímenes fiscales preferentes, or REFIPRE). A US LLC that the US treats as transparent can fall under them, and that can bring extra reporting.

The US and Mexico have an income tax treaty, which can help prevent double taxation. How it applies depends on your facts. Work with a Mexican contador who has handled foreign entities before you start moving money. For the US side, see US LLC taxes for non-residents.

This is general information, not tax or legal advice. Confirm your situation with a CPA or attorney, and with a qualified accountant in Mexico.

Staying compliant after formation

Your LLC stays in good standing only if you keep up with a few recurring tasks. Missing them can lead to state penalties, IRS fines, or the state dissolving your LLC.

The yearly checklist:

1. Renew your registered agent before it lapses.
2. File the state annual report or pay the franchise tax if your state requires it.
3. File Form 5472 and the pro forma 1120 with the IRS.
4. Report the LLC’s income to the SAT in Mexico.
5. Keep business and personal money in separate accounts.

Our US LLC annual compliance checklist lists every deadline by state.

Who should start a US LLC from Mexico?

A US LLC makes sense if you:

• Sell to US customers and need Stripe, Amazon US, or Shopify Payments
• Invoice US clients and want to be paid in dollars
• Run a SaaS, agency, or online business that US platforms trust more under a US entity

You may not need one if you:

• Only sell inside Mexico
• Are a freelancer whose clients pay you fine through Wise, Payoneer, or PayPal to your Mexican account
• Cannot yet afford a qualified accountant on both sides of the border

If you sell on Amazon or Shopify, read our guides on a US LLC for Amazon FBA and a US LLC for a Shopify store.

FAQ

Do I need to travel to the US to form an LLC from Mexico?

No. You can file the formation documents, get an EIN, and open many fintech bank accounts entirely online or by fax. Some traditional US banks still require an in-person visit, so choose a bank that supports remote onboarding.

Can I form a US LLC with my INE instead of a passport?

States do not ask for ID to file an LLC, but banks and payment processors do. Most US banks and fintechs expect a passport from foreign owners. Get or renew your Mexican passport before you start.

How long does it take to start a US LLC from Mexico?

State approval often takes a few business days to a few weeks. Getting an EIN by fax can add several more weeks. Plan for two to six weeks in total. Our timeline guide breaks down each stage.

Does a US LLC lower my taxes in Mexico?

Generally, no. Mexico taxes its residents on worldwide income, and income from a US LLC can trigger extra reporting under the REFIPRE rules. Ask a Mexican tax professional to look at your structure before you rely on it for savings.

Ready to start your US LLC from Mexico?

The order that works best is to pick Wyoming or New Mexico, file with a formation service that includes a registered agent, get your EIN, and then open your bank account. Bizee is a low-cost way to handle the filing and the first year of registered agent service in one place. Add the EIN service if you would rather not fax the IRS yourself.

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