Setting Up an LLC in the US as a Non-US Resident is not easy
Starting an LLC in the US as a non-US resident can be a challenging process, especially when navigating through the complexities of legal requirements and finding the right registered agent. This post shares my personal experience and a positive review of Northwest Registered Agent. It’s not an advertisement, just a diary-like entry.
As a non-American (Non-US Resident), I started a Shopify store as part of my nomadic lifestyle. Since Shopify Payments isn’t supported in my country, I needed to establish a US-based business entity. Setting up a US company as a foreigner almost “absolutely” requires a registered agent.
Here’s my journey to finding the best registered agent company.
Initial Failures
Failure 1
After researching where to set up my business, I chose Company A based on a recommendation from a YouTube video. However, a month passed, and they still hadn’t completed the first step of company name searching. Without an SSN, getting a Tax ID (EIN) takes longer for foreigners, and I lost an entire month. Including the refund period, it was about two months lost. I didn’t receive any replies to my refund requests until I involved PayPal, which resulted in a full refund as Company A didn’t respond to PayPal either. It felt like a ghost company, but thanks to PayPal, I got my money back.
Failure 2
Company B seemed reliable, with good reviews and recommendations from major news magazines. They helped with company formation for foreigners but didn’t provide a business address. Since I run an online business, I thought my home address would suffice. I failed to realize that I needed a specific US business address. Although they offered a registered agent address and mail scanning services, it wasn’t enough for my needs. They did, however, provide a full refund promptly when requested. I appreciated their professionalism.
Finding Northwest
After these two failures, I was months behind my original schedule. Despite having a checklist, the process was complex, especially for a foreigner. Some companies run by American lawyers in my country were too expensive for me to consider initially. If my Shopify store was already successful, spending around $2,000 might have been justified.
However, Northwest’s services cost less than $400, making them an affordable and practical choice.
Feeling discouraged after two failures, I decided to try one more time. I found Northwest through recommendations and good reviews. Initially hesitant due to their name, I wondered if they specialized in the Northwestern US. Nevertheless, I decided to contact them.
My Experience with Northwest
Before purchasing, I emailed them to clarify a few points:
- Can a foreigner without an SSN set up an LLC and obtain an EIN? Yes, as of June 2024, it costs $200 for the EIN.
- Do they provide a business address? Yes, and it’s free! They offer a physical street address for both physical and mailing address.
- Do they assist with necessary documents and filings like Form 5472 and FinCEN? Yes, they offer services to help with the Annual Report and more.
- Do they help with opening a business bank account? While you have to open the account yourself, they provide the necessary documents.
From the moment I paid, everything was impressive. Unlike Company A, which took over a month just for name searching, Northwest completed it within minutes. Their efficiency amazed me.
Although the LLC setup is still in progress and obtaining the EIN might take over 120 days, Northwest continuously ensured all my details were correct. They even reached out over the weekend to confirm my foreign address.
Throughout the process, they promptly updated me on the steps and required documents. Their dedication to ensuring everything was correct was evident, even sending follow-up emails if I didn’t respond within hours.
Their proactive approach and responsiveness were a breath of fresh air. I felt they were more dedicated to my success than I was, which was comforting.
Recently, I read Bob Proctor’s book “Change Your Paradigm, Change Your Life,” which talks about finding good partners who help each other succeed. Northwest turned out to be exactly that kind of partner for me.
Conclusion
If you’re not an American (Non-US Resident) and need to establish a US LLC, I highly recommend Northwest. I hope you find a great partner like I did and achieve success in your endeavors. Thanks for reading my story and best of luck!
Northwest website
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