As a Nepalese entrepreneur, forming a company in the USA may seem like a far-fetched idea. The truth is, formed companies in the US are accessible to individuals from Nepal and other countries.
This allows access into various international markets, along with clients from all over the world. Powerful payment systems like Stripe, PayPal, and even Amazon can also be utilized.
Here’s the best part: Registration can be done completely online, eliminating the need to travel to the US or even reside there.
Through this article, I will guide you through the steps needed to legally register a company while in Nepal. This includes the requirements, benefits, and tools that will ensure the process runs smoothly.
Why Should You Form a US Company from Nepal?
The formation of a company in the US while residing in Nepal expands reach digitally. Offering the country strategic advantages, forming a US registered company provides various payment solutions, establishes a bank account within the US, improves business credibility, While enabling the Nepalese economy.
1. Global Business Reputation
The credibility registered US companies offer is invaluable. A US registration enhances the reputation and trustworthiness of the business, allowing for easier access to international clients and bigger deals.
2. Use of Payment Gateways
Connecting with payment processors like Stripe, PayPal, and Square is a challenge for most businesses in Nepal. These payment processors face local restrictions. Unlike them, US-registered companies have access to these services. Thus, payments from around the globe can be accepted without hassle.
3. Non-Residents Tax Benefits are Straight Forward
In most cases, non-resident business owners can operate a US LLC. The owners are not liable to pay corporate income tax as long as the company has no income derived from the US, which hits in the tax-free zone. Moreover, the owner can enjoy better tax treatment if profits are reinvested or retained in the company account.
4. Effortless to Start & Manage from a Distance
You can establish and manage a US company from any part of the world using digital platforms and remote services. All tasks from formation to compliance can be completed without setting foot in the United States.
5. Global Scaling is Just a Step Away
A US entity allows freelancers, sellers, service providers, SaaS business owners, and agencies to position their business for growth prospects, investment opportunities, and exposure on an international scale.
Step-by-Step: How to Form a US Company from Nepal
Let’s go over how to register a US company from Nepal without needing an address, citizenship, visa, or any other requirements:
Step 1: Pick Your Business Type
Your first task is deciding which business structure fits your aims. Here are the most popular:
🏷 LLC (Limited Liability Company)
- This works best for freelancers, e-businesses, digital marketers, and even ecommerce platforms.
- Provides liability protection and taxes on earnings at a single entity level, also referred to as pass-through taxation.
- Less complex than corporations.
- No shares need to be issued and a board of directors does not have to be appointed.
🏷 C-Corporation
- Common among technology startups who plan on raising capital or issuing stock.
- Double taxation applies (the entity incurs corporate tax and shareholders are taxed for dividends disbursed).
- Venture capital and institutional investors prefer these.
✅ Recommendation: The majority of founders from Nepal will greatly benefit from forming an LLC due to cost-efficiency, less operational complexity, and better overall tax structure.
Step 2: Choose Your State of Formation
Different states in the US have different business formation benefits, rules, and fees. If you are not physically performing business activities in a set state, there is little motivation to register your company in a specific state.
Here are the most popular choices:
🏞 Wyoming
- No state income tax.
- Extremely selective on privacy and asset security.
- Around $60 every year in maintenance costs.
- No need for a US address or an office.
🏛 Delaware
- Tech startups and corporations commonly use this region.
- Legalities are favorable to businesses.
- This region has the highest ongoing costs compared to Wyoming.
- Commonly used by companies intending to seek funding.
🌴 Florida or Texas
- These areas are ideal for businesses selling tangible goods in the US.
- Texas has a large local economy with no state income tax. Florida has no state sales tax.
- If you operate within Texas, it becomes more difficult to comply with state sales tax regulations.
💡 For international, remote, and online businesses, an LLC from Wyoming balances the most in cost, ease of management, and regulations.
Step 3: Hire a Registered Agent
A registered agent is responsible for receiving any legal or governmental correspondence and other documents for your firm. They have to be located physically at the registered address of your firm.
What to look for:
- Registered agent services catering to international business owners.
- Provides a digital overview containing scanned documents.
- Cheap options ($50-100 a year).
Since you cannot utilize your Nepali address, acquiring a registered agent becomes necessary.
Step 4: Submit Your Company Formation Documents
You have to now submit your business registration with the Secretary of State in the state of your preference. Said documents contain:
- Organization Articles (for LLCs) or Incorporation Articles (for Corporations)
- Company Denomination
- Registered Agent information
- Business Objectives
- Member information (for LLCs) and/or Manager.
This step carries out the formation of your US company, which is usually created in 1–3 days if done through online submission.
A Certificate of Formation will be sent out once approved.
Step 5: Request an EIN (Employer Identification Number)
Your company registers an account which requires an EIN (Employer Identification Number) with the IRS, serving as a tax identification number.
The following requires you to have an EIN:
- To open a US bank account
- To apply for Stripe or PayPal
- If filing taxes is needed
- Optional; hire employees
As a non-resident, having to apply for an EIN will involve:
- Completing the IRS Form SS-4
- Sending it via fax or mail (this step can extend from 1–4 weeks)
- OR employing a service provider to do it instead
Note: To save time and avoid waiting, let a professional handle the initializing filing; the EIN can take as little as 1–7 days to receive.
Step 6: Open A US Business Bank Account
With a United States business bank account, receiving payments in USD is easy, funds can be managed professionally, and financial platforms like Stripe, PayPal, and Wise can be utilized.
Options include:
🏦 Traditional Banks (Chase, Bank of America)
- Requires US address and in-person visit (typically not suitable for non-residents).
💻 Online Business Banks (Fintech)
- Mercury, Relay, Wise Business, Payoneer.
- Designed specifically for international founders.
- No travel to the US is required.
- An uncomplicated application process involving presentation of company documents, EIN, and a passport is all that’s needed.
When the company is registered with a US business bank account, platforms and clients perceive the company as “real”.
Step 7: Apply For An ITIN (Not Required But Recommended)
A tax ID for foreigners without a SSN is the ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number).
Reasons why you might need an ITIN:
- Personal US taxes need to be filed.
- Payments from US businesses need to be received.
- Tax treaty benefits need to be claimed.
- Avoiding the 30% withholding tax on income sourced from the US.
Form W-7 when submitted alongside a certified copy of the passport is all you need. Some services aid with notarization and filing, especially for taxpayers outside the US.
Step 8: Comply with US Laws and Guidelines
It’s as important to maintain compliance as it is to form a business. Here’s something to keep an eye on:
🔁 Annual State Reports
Every territory requires companies to perform periodic compliance, also known as “annual report,” and pay a nominal fee in order to remain active.
- Wyoming: = $60/year
- Delaware: = $300/year
📝 BOI Report (Beneficial Ownership Information)
Beginning January 2024, FinCEN mandates all corporations to submit a BOI report detailing the ownership structure which has to be done 90 days after the company is registered.
💰 Tax Compliance Filings
You must submit returns to the IRS every year even if you do not owe tax. For a single member foreign-owned LLC, use Form 5472 and 1120.
🌐 Can I use a Service to form an US Company from Nepal?
Yes! There are lots of companies that help foreigners incorporate businesses in the US.
Services you should consider using include but are not limited to:
- LLC or C-Corp formation
- Registered Agent
- EIN application
- BOI filing
- Business bank account assistance
- ITIN application assistance
- Proactive compliance services
👉 Bizstartz is among the many trusted service providers Nepali founders use to aid in the legal and affordable remote formation of US companies.
🤝 How Bizstartz Helps You Form a US LLC from Nepal
Nepali freelancers, startups, and entrepreneurs face numerous challenges setting up and registering an online company in the US. Bizstartz takes pride in offering customer-centric solutions. We guide our clients in each of the following stages:
✅ LLC Formation: we assist you in the registration of your company in Wyoming and Delaware including name check and filing articles of organization.
🧾 Registered Agent Service: We offer a virtual registered agent service complete with a real US address and native US citizens who will legally permit you to use their address.
🆔 EIN Application: Even in the absence of a social security number, we file for your EIN through the IRS.
💳 US Business Bank Account Support: we assist you in obtaining a US business bank account with companies like Mercury and Relay without setting foot in the US.
🏢 Business Address in the United States: Obtain a professional US address with digital mail scanning services.
📋 BOI Report Filing: We submit your Beneficial Ownership Information report to FinCEN as needed by US legislation (effective in 2024).
🧾 ITIN Assistance (Optional): Assistance If obtaining your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number is necessary for tax purposes or payment platforms, we help you file the application.
🔄 Annual Compliance: We issue reminders and assist with state renewals, IRS filings (1120 & 5472), and other necessary documents to keep your LLC in compliance.
💼 All-in-One Affordable Packages: For business founders in Nepal, we provide everything from business registration to ongoing compliance under one umbrella.
👉 With Bizstartz, you can set up a US LLC entirely online from Nepal and do it quickly, legally, and affordably.
✍️ Final Thoughts
Establishing a company in the US from Nepal isn’t only feasible; it has never been simpler. With adequate support, one can obtain a legally registered US LLC, an EIN, and even a US bank account within a matter of weeks.
This single action can help propel your business to new heights while simultaneously enhancing credibility and providing access to opportunities worldwide.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. If I am not a US citizen or do not hold a visa, can I form a US company?
✅ Yes. You can form a US company without being a US citizen or holding a visa. Non-residents from Nepal can legally register an LLC or Corporation in the US without needing to set foot in the country.
2. Can a US bank account be opened without visiting the US in person?
✅ Yes. With Bizstartz, remote registration of a US business bank account is possible with Mercury, Relay, and Wise Business, which are geared towards international founders.
3. Am I liable to pay US taxes if I form a US LLC while residing in Nepal?
💡 It depends. If your LLC does not have income sourced from the US (such as US customers or a physical presence offices), and you are a non-resident, then you may not owe US income tax. Anytime reports and certain forms must still be submitted. Bizstartz assists with these obligations.
4. What is the processing time for forming a US LLC from Nepal?
🕒 Generally, the entire process takes:
- 3–5 business days to set up the LLC.
- 1–7 days to secure your EIN.
- 1–2 weeks to acquire a US bank account.
Bizstartz aids in expediting the process by managing all necessary steps.
5. May I utilize my US LLC to apply for a Stripe or PayPal account?
✅ Definitely. A US LLC with a valid EIN and US bank account can easily open Stripe, PayPal, and other international payment accounts which are unavailable to Nepalese companies.
