LLC filing fees range from $35 (Montana) to $500 (Massachusetts), according to state government filing schedules. Most articles stop there. For non-resident founders based in India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the UAE, or the Philippines, that number is almost meaningless.
You pay in layers. Every US LLC requires a registered agent (a US-based person or company that receives legal documents on your behalf): roughly $100 per year. Add a formation service — Bizstartz Basic is $199 — plus an EIN (Employer Identification Number, your 9-digit federal tax ID) service. State fees are the smallest part.
True first-year all-in cost varies sharply by state: New Mexico runs approximately $349. Wyoming approximately $459. Delaware approximately $709. Nevada approximately $1,074. California hits $1,169 or more, partly due to an $800 mandatory franchise tax that applies regardless of revenue.
As of 2025, the average cost to form an LLC in the US is $132 in filing fees alone, but for non-residents, total first-year costs typically run $349–$2,510 depending on state. State selection is a banking and tax decision, not a filing fee decision. A founder from Lagos choosing Delaware over New Mexico saves nothing on fees. The right state depends on which payment processors and banks will approve your account.
Why State Filing Fee Tables Mislead Non-Resident Founders
Most fee tables show one number: the state filing fee. For non-residents, that number is the smallest part of the total cost.
Every non-resident forming a US LLC (Limited Liability Company) pays four distinct cost layers. Understanding the sequence prevents expensive surprises.
The four costs every non-resident pays
State filing fee is a one-time payment to register your LLC with the state. This is the only cost most tables show.
A registered agent — a US-based person or service that receives legal documents on your behalf — is mandatory in every state. Non-residents have no US address, so hiring one is not optional. Expect $50–$150 annually.
Formation service handles your paperwork remotely. Non-residents cannot walk into a state office. Bizstartz charges $199 for its Basic plan, with state fees billed separately.
An EIN (Employer Identification Number, your US federal business tax ID) is free from the IRS directly. As of 2025, non-residents cannot apply online; the IRS requires Form SS-4 submitted by fax (4 business days) or mail (4–6 weeks). Formation services charge for handling this process.
These costs arrive in sequence: state fee at formation, EIN after formation, registered agent every year.
The publication trap: New York, Nebraska, Arizona
Three states require LLCs to publish a notice of formation in local newspapers. This cost appears in almost no fee comparison table.
New York mandates publication within 120 days of formation, according to New York Business Corporation Law §206. Cost: $200–$2,000 depending on the county (upstate counties are cheapest; the five NYC boroughs are the most expensive), plus a $50 Certificate of Publication filing fee. New York’s $200 filing fee can reach $710–$2,510 in year one.
Nebraska requires a three-week newspaper publication costing roughly $40–$300 by county. Arizona requires publication only when your registered agent is outside Maricopa and Pima counties — roughly $60–$300 where it applies.
For context: the entire first-year cost of a Wyoming LLC — filing fee ($100) plus registered agent plus formation service — runs roughly $459. New York’s publication requirement alone can exceed that.
California presents a different trap. The $70 filing fee looks low, but according to the California Franchise Tax Board, the state charges an $800 minimum franchise tax annually regardless of revenue. Combined with the $70 filing fee, ~$100 registered agent, and $199 formation service, first-year cost exceeds $1,169 — and this applies to founders from India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the UAE, and the Philippines equally.
Total First-Year Cost by State: The Non-Resident Budget Table
Methodology: how each total was calculated
Each total below adds four layers: state filing fee + estimated annual fee (year one) + ~$100 registered agent service + $199 Bizstartz Basic (which includes EIN filing). Registered agent cost varies by provider — $100 is a conservative estimate. These are estimates, not guarantees. Always confirm current fee amounts with the relevant state agency before formation.
Comparison table: 8 states, true first-year cost
| State | Filing Fee | Annual Fee | Reg. Agent Est. | Formation Service | Est. First-Year Total | Non-Resident Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $100 | $60 | ~$100 | $199 | ~$459 | Best banking profile |
| New Mexico | $50 | $0 | ~$100 | $199 | ~$349 | Lowest legitimate total |
| Delaware | $110 | $300 | ~$100 | $199 | ~$709 | VC-track founders only |
| Florida | $125 | $138.75 | ~$100 | $199 | ~$563 | No state income tax |
| California | $70 | $800 | ~$100 | $199 | ~$1,169 | Avoid |
| Nevada | $425 | $350 | ~$100 | $199 | ~$1,074 | Worst value for non-residents |
| Texas | $300 | $0 | ~$100 | $199 | ~$599 | No franchise tax below $2.65M annual revenue (2026 threshold, Texas Comptroller); no state income tax |
| New York | $200 | $9 | ~$100 | $199 | ~$710–$2,510 | Avoid — publication adds $200–$2,000 by county |
California charges only $70 to file, but its $800 annual franchise tax hits in year one. Nevada’s $425 filing fee plus $350 annual list produces the worst cost-to-benefit ratio for founders operating outside the US.
New Mexico has no annual report fee, making ~$349 the lowest verified first-year total. Wyoming at ~$459 costs slightly more but offers a stronger banking profile with Mercury and similar fintechs.
Annual Recurring Cost by State: What You Owe Every Year After Formation
State annual fees are not a compliance checkbox. For non-residents earning $0 in the US, they are a fixed yearly expense with no offset.
States with zero annual fees
New Mexico, Missouri, and Ohio charge $0 annually. No annual report is required. These three states carry the lowest recurring cost for any LLC structure.
Arizona also charges $0 annually, but requires a one-time newspaper publication only if your registered agent is outside Maricopa and Pima counties (roughly $60–$300). That cost is one-time, not recurring. After year one, Arizona costs nothing to maintain.
South Carolina charges $0 unless the LLC elects S-Corp tax status. For a standard foreign-owned single-member LLC, the recurring fee is $0.
States where annual fees exceed the filing fee
California charges an $800 minimum annual franchise tax, according to the California Franchise Tax Board (as of 2025). It applies at $0 US revenue. No tax treaty between the US and India, Nigeria, Pakistan, UAE, or the Philippines eliminates this obligation. A founder who forms a California LLC and generates nothing still owes $800 every year.
Delaware charges a flat $300 annual franchise tax, due June 1, according to the Delaware Division of Corporations (as of 2025). Delaware does not tax LLCs operating outside Delaware, but the $300 fee still applies regardless.
Maryland charges a $300 minimum annual personal property tax. Massachusetts charges $500 annually, the highest recurring fee among major LLC states.
Nevada costs $350 per year (annual list plus business license). Wyoming costs $60 minimum annually, the lowest recurring fee among privacy-friendly states, according to the Wyoming Secretary of State.
For non-residents, every dollar of annual fees is a direct out-of-pocket cost. There is no US income to absorb it.
Best States for Non-Resident LLC Owners: Cost-to-Benefit Analysis
State selection for non-residents is a banking and payment processor decision, not a filing fee decision. You never live in any US state, so tax residency rules don’t apply. The criteria that matter: no state income tax, low recurring fees, Mercury acceptance, and Stripe compatibility.
Wyoming: best overall for banking access
Wyoming charges no state income tax and a minimum $60 annual fee, according to the Wyoming Secretary of State (as of 2025). Mercury bank accepts Wyoming LLCs with an EIN (Employer Identification Number, your US business tax ID), passport, and formation documents.
Stripe works for UAE and Philippines founders with Wyoming entities. True first-year cost runs approximately $459, including registered agent fees. Wyoming delivers the same privacy and asset protection as Nevada at roughly half the annual cost ($60 vs. $350).
New Mexico: best for the tightest budget
New Mexico has no annual fee and no annual report requirement. The one-time filing fee is $50. No state income tax applies. True first-year cost is approximately $349.
Mercury accepts New Mexico LLCs, though its compliance team recognizes them less readily than Wyoming entities — expect occasional requests for additional documents. Best for founders who need to minimize year-one spend and can absorb minor banking friction.
Delaware: only for VC-track founders
Delaware’s $300 annual franchise tax makes it expensive for non-residents without investor requirements. US venture capital firms expect a Delaware C-corp or LLC — that is the only reason to choose Delaware. True first-year cost reaches approximately $709.
Do not choose Delaware for tax benefits or privacy; Wyoming achieves both at lower cost.
Country-specific routing: UAE, Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Philippines
UAE: Wyoming or Delaware — both work with Stripe and Mercury.
Philippines: Same as UAE — Stripe available, Wyoming recommended.
India: Stripe is invite-only regardless of state — a US LLC makes you eligible to apply, but approval is not guaranteed. Wyoming is recommended for Mercury banking access.
Nigeria: Wyoming plus Mercury for banking. Stripe does not directly support Nigerian businesses — use Paystack.
Pakistan: Wyoming plus Mercury solves banking. As of 2025, Stripe is unavailable in Pakistan regardless of which US state you form in — no state selection changes this, so address it before formation.
A Wyoming LLC with an EIN (Employer Identification Number) and Mercury bank account solves the US banking need, but payment processing requires alternative providers such as Wise or Payoneer for cross-border transactions. No US state filing fee, formation service, or LLC structure can override Stripe’s country-level availability restrictions.
Hidden Costs the Top Results Do Not Show
State fee tables show filing fees. They do not show the costs that can double your first-year bill. Newspaper publication in New York, Nebraska, and Arizona is the most expensive of these — covered in the publication section above. Two more hidden costs apply no matter which state you pick.
EIN timeline: the invisible cost in every state fee table
An EIN (Employer Identification Number, your US business tax ID) is required to open a Mercury bank account and activate Stripe payment processing. No EIN means no US banking.
According to the IRS (as of 2025), non-residents cannot apply for an EIN online. The IRS requires Form SS-4 submitted by fax, mail, or international phone.
- Fax method: 4 business days
- Mail method: 4–6 weeks
Every week without an EIN is a week without US banking access, regardless of which state you formed in. No fee table mentions this.
One additional cost appears later: if you operate in a state different from your formation state, you must register a foreign LLC there. That means a second filing fee, not shown anywhere in formation cost comparisons.
Use-Case Routing: Which State Fits Your Situation
No two founders need the same state. Your budget, banking priority, and investor plans determine the right choice — not which state has the lowest filing fee.
Decision Table by Founder Type
| Founder Situation | Best State | True First-Year Cost | Key Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early-stage, budget under $500 | New Mexico | ~$349 | $0 annual fee, no recurring report |
| Banking + Stripe priority (UAE, Philippines) | Wyoming | ~$459 | Mercury accepts these founders; Stripe available |
| Raising US venture capital (India, UAE, Singapore) | Delaware | ~$709+ | Investors expect Delaware structure |
| Serving US clients in Florida / Southeast | Florida | ~$563 | No state income tax; strong banking access |
| Was considering California | Wyoming or New Mexico | ~$349–$459 | California costs ~$1,169 first-year; $800 annual franchise tax starts at $0 revenue |
| Was considering Nevada | Wyoming | ~$459 | Nevada costs ~$1,074; Wyoming achieves the same asset-protection result cheaper |
Bizstartz formation packages start at $199 (Basic), $299 (Pro), or $699 (Premium), each plus state filing fees. The right package depends on whether you need EIN assistance, registered agent service, or compliance support included.
Frequently Asked Questions
I see Montana has a $35 filing fee. Why should I not form my LLC there as a non-resident?
Montana’s $35 filing fee is the lowest in the US, according to the Montana Secretary of State. However, Montana’s tax advantages apply only to Montana residents. A non-resident gains zero tax benefit from forming there. True first-year cost reaches roughly $354, similar to New Mexico (~$349), but New Mexico has no annual report fee, making it the stronger low-cost choice for non-residents.
Does the state I choose affect whether I can open a Mercury bank account?
Mercury accepts non-residents from eligible countries regardless of state, requiring an EIN (Employer Identification Number — your US business tax ID), passport, and LLC documents. Wyoming and Delaware are widely recognized by Mercury’s compliance team. Having your EIN ready before applying matters more than your state choice.
Will forming a Wyoming or New Mexico LLC help me get Stripe if I am from Pakistan?
No. As of 2025, Stripe is unavailable in Pakistan regardless of which US state your LLC is formed in. A Wyoming LLC with Mercury solves your US banking need. State selection cannot override Stripe’s country-level restrictions.
The state fee table I found shows California at $70. Why is your first-year estimate over $1,100?
According to the California Franchise Tax Board (as of 2025), California charges an $800 minimum franchise tax annually — regardless of revenue. Add the $70 filing fee, ~$100 registered agent (US-based person receiving legal documents on your behalf), and $199 formation service, and first-year costs exceed $1,169. The $800 applies even if your LLC earns nothing.
What is the New York LLC publication requirement and how much does it cost?
According to New York Business Corporation Law §206, New York requires LLCs to publish a formation notice in two local newspapers within 120 days of formation. As of 2025, newspaper cost ranges from about $200 in upstate counties to $2,000 in NYC boroughs, plus a $50 Certificate of Publication fee. Failure can result in LLC suspension — yet this cost almost never appears in state fee comparison tables.
How long does it take to get an EIN after forming my LLC, and does my state choice affect this?
According to the IRS (as of 2025), non-residents cannot apply for an EIN online. Fax processing of Form SS-4 takes 4 business days; mail takes 4–6 weeks. State choice does not affect EIN timeline, it is entirely an IRS process. Without an EIN, you cannot open Mercury or activate payment processors like Stripe or Payoneer.
Do I need to pay state taxes in Wyoming or New Mexico if I live outside the US?
Neither Wyoming nor New Mexico imposes state income tax, according to each state’s revenue department (as of 2025). As a non-resident with no physical presence in those states, you generally owe no state income tax there. You still owe taxes in your home country, confirm specifics with a tax advisor familiar with your country’s rules.
Is the Bizstartz formation fee included in the state filing fee?
They are separate charges. Bizstartz Basic is $199. State filing fees are paid directly to the relevant state agency: $100 for Wyoming (Wyoming Secretary of State), $50 for New Mexico (New Mexico Secretary of State), $110 for Delaware (Delaware Division of Corporations). Your total upfront cost is the Bizstartz plan fee plus the applicable state filing fee.
What IRS form do non-residents use to apply for an EIN?
Non-residents apply for an EIN using IRS Form SS-4 (Application for Employer Identification Number). As of 2025, the IRS does not allow non-residents to use the online EIN application portal, it requires a Social Security Number (SSN). The fax method (4 business days) or mail method (4–6 weeks) are the two reliable options. International phone applications are possible but IRS international lines frequently disconnect.
What is BOI reporting and does my US LLC have to file?
According to the FinCEN interim final rule published March 26, 2025, entities formed in the United States — including US LLCs owned by non-residents — are exempt from filing a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report under the Corporate Transparency Act. When you form a US LLC in any state, you are a “domestic reporting company” and currently have no BOI filing obligation. The requirement now applies only to entities formed under the law of a foreign country that then register to do business in a US state — not to a US LLC you form directly. There is no BOI filing fee in any case. Note: FinCEN has indicated it may finalize this rule during 2026, so confirm the current status before relying on the exemption.
Conclusion
Filing fees are one of four cost layers non-residents pay. True first-year cost runs from ~$349 (New Mexico) to ~$2,510 (New York), according to state filing schedules and formation cost analysis (as of 2025).
A Wyoming LLC (~$459 first year) gives the strongest combination of banking access and tax profile. New Mexico (~$349) works when budget is the primary constraint. California and Nevada offer non-residents no structural advantage, at two to three times the cost — compare your options on best states to file an LLC.
State selection does not unlock Stripe in Pakistan. Stripe access for non-resident LLC owners must be confirmed before formation, not after. EIN delay blocks Mercury access in every state — sort your EIN before you form.
See your true all-in first-year cost before you commit. Ready to open a US bank account for non-residents? Start with the right state.
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