Best Site for Offshore LLC
Summary
The best site for a US LLC as a non-resident depends on whether you want anonymity, lowest fees, or hand-holding. Wyoming is the most popular state — $100 filing, $60 annual report, member privacy. New Mexico is the cheapest with no annual report and no member disclosure. Delaware is the default if you plan to raise venture capital but adds a $300 minimum franchise tax. Stripe Atlas is the easiest integrated path for software founders. Northwest Registered Agent is the most-recommended bare-bones agent. LLC University is the free authoritative reference — read it before paying anyone. The FinCEN beneficial-ownership rule was narrowed in March 2025 to foreign-reporting companies only.
Top 5 at a glance
| # | Site | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming LLC via Northwest Registered Agent | Standard non-resident LLC with privacy and low ongoing cost | $100 state filing, $60 annual report, $39/year registered agent at Northwest |
| 2 | New Mexico LLC via LLC University guide | Cheapest long-term US LLC with no annual report | $50 one-time state filing, NO annual report, registered agent ~$100/year |
| 3 | Stripe Atlas (Delaware C-Corp or LLC) | Software founders wanting one-shot formation + EIN + banking integration | Around $500 one-time, plus Delaware state fees ($90 filing + $300/year franchise tax minimum) |
| 4 | Bizee (formerly IncFile) | Free LLC filing (you pay state fee only) with upsell-heavy add-ons | $0 service fee for basic filing + state fee, first year of registered agent often free, then $119/year |
| 5 | LegalZoom | Hand-holding with attorney access for non-technical founders | Tiered pricing starting around $0 + state fee, higher tiers $200-400+ |
Detailed rankings
Wyoming LLC via Northwest Registered Agent
Standard non-resident LLC with privacy and low ongoing cost
The default Wyoming setup. Pair with Mercury or Relay for banking once the EIN arrives.
Pros
- Wyoming does not list members or managers on the public filing
- Strong charging-order protection in the LLC statute
- No state income tax
- Northwest is the most-recommended registered agent — does not upsell aggressively
- Annual report only $60 — among the cheapest
Cons
- Annual report due each year — easy to forget and incur late fees
- Privacy is not absolute — registered agent and bank know the beneficial owner
- Banking eligibility for non-residents depends on the bank, not the state of formation
Price: $100 state filing, $60 annual report, $39/year registered agent at Northwest
New Mexico LLC via LLC University guide
Cheapest long-term US LLC with no annual report
The right pick when long-term cost is the priority and you do not need Delaware brand recognition. LLC University's free guide is the practical reference.
Pros
- No annual report and no annual fee in New Mexico — pay once, run forever
- Members not listed publicly on the state filing
- LLC University is a free authoritative guide that walks through the entire process
- Lowest steady-state cost of any US state for an LLC
Cons
- Less brand recognition than Wyoming or Delaware — some banks ask more questions
- New Mexico courts have less LLC case law than Wyoming or Delaware
- Must still maintain a registered agent (annual cost)
- Not ideal if you may later want venture funding
Price: $50 one-time state filing, NO annual report, registered agent ~$100/year
Sources: www.llcuniversity.com, www.sos.nm.gov
Stripe Atlas (Delaware C-Corp or LLC)
Software founders wanting one-shot formation + EIN + banking integration
The right pick when you value end-to-end convenience and Mercury banking integration. Pay the premium knowingly.
Pros
- Filing, EIN, registered agent for first year, and banking referral in one flow
- Strong founder community and templates (founder agreements, equity)
- Mercury banking pre-integration
- Stripe brand reduces 'who is this random LLC' friction with payment processors
Cons
- Delaware franchise tax of $300/year minimum — much higher than Wyoming or NM
- Delaware lists registered agent publicly but not members
- Best for C-Corp if raising VC; LLC route is fine but more expensive than Wyoming
- Eligibility list excludes some founder countries — check before paying
Price: Around $500 one-time, plus Delaware state fees ($90 filing + $300/year franchise tax minimum)
Sources: stripe.com
Bizee (formerly IncFile)
Free LLC filing (you pay state fee only) with upsell-heavy add-ons
The right pick when minimizing year-one cash outlay matters most. Northwest still wins on steady-state cost and reputation.
Pros
- $0 base service fee — only pay the state
- First year of registered agent included free in most plans
- Covers all US states
- Includes operating agreement template
Cons
- Heavy upsells during checkout — easy to add features you do not need
- Customer support quality has been criticized in user reviews after the IncFile-to-Bizee rebrand
- Renewals can be more expensive than Northwest steady-state
- Less transparent than Northwest on what is actually included
Price: $0 service fee for basic filing + state fee, first year of registered agent often free, then $119/year
Sources: bizee.com
LegalZoom
Hand-holding with attorney access for non-technical founders
The right pick when you value brand reassurance and intend to use the bundled legal services. Most experienced founders pick something cheaper.
Pros
- Best-known brand in this space — strong trust signal for non-technical users
- Attorney consultation add-on available
- Compliance calendar and tax filing add-ons available
- Trademark and operating agreement services bundled
Cons
- Significantly more expensive than Northwest or Bizee for equivalent service
- Heavy upselling — typical user ends up well above the advertised base price
- Better-suited to US-resident first-time founders than non-residents
- Slower turnaround than Bizee or Stripe Atlas
Price: Tiered pricing starting around $0 + state fee, higher tiers $200-400+
Sources: www.legalzoom.com
How we chose
- Eligibility for non-US residents — must not require US SSN to form.
- Annual cost — filing fee, annual report fee, registered agent fee.
- Privacy — does the state list members publicly?
- Banking compatibility — can the LLC actually open a US business account?
- Tax clarity — single-member LLC tax treatment for non-residents (Form 5472 + pro-forma 1120).
- Honest scope — an LLC is not tax avoidance for the founder's home country.
Frequently asked questions
Can I form a US LLC without a US visa or SSN?
Yes. None of the 50 states require US residency, citizenship, or an SSN to form an LLC. You will need an EIN (employer identification number) to open a bank account, which the IRS issues to non-residents via Form SS-4 by fax or mail. Most filing services handle EIN application as part of their service or as a paid add-on.
Do I have to pay US tax on my LLC's income?
It depends. A single-member LLC owned by a non-resident is by default a disregarded entity. The income is not subject to US federal income tax if there is no US trade or business and no effectively-connected income (ECI). However, you must file Form 5472 + pro-forma 1120 annually — penalty for non-filing is $25,000. Always confirm with a US tax preparer familiar with non-resident LLCs.
What is the FinCEN beneficial ownership reporting requirement?
The Corporate Transparency Act required most LLCs and corporations to report beneficial owners to FinCEN starting 2024. In March 2025, the Treasury narrowed enforcement to foreign-reporting companies only — most US-formed LLCs owned by US persons or non-residents no longer need to file the BOI report under the current rules. This area has been litigated heavily — confirm the current status before relying on this answer.
Wyoming vs Delaware vs New Mexico — which one actually?
Wyoming if you want the standard non-resident setup with privacy and low cost. New Mexico if you want the cheapest possible steady-state and do not need brand recognition. Delaware if you plan to raise venture capital or already work with US institutional investors. Skip Nevada — fees rose substantially in 2015 and the privacy advantages are no longer competitive with Wyoming.
Does forming a US LLC give me US residency or a visa?
No. The LLC is a business entity. It does not grant any right to live, work, or visit the US. You will still need to travel on the appropriate visa or visa waiver. Some founders pursue an E-2 visa after forming a US business but eligibility depends on your nationality and substantial investment.