Setting up a US LLC as a British Citizen without Residency

A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a popular business structure in the United States. It combines the benefits of a corporation (limited liability) with the simplicity of a sole proprietorship.

Key features:

• Limited liability protection for owners

• Simple setup and management

• No US citizenship or US address required

• No minimum capital needed

With the right structure, a US LLC can operate tax-free in the US, provided there’s no effectively connected income.

Yes – absolutely. You can form a US LLC as a British citizen without a US or UK residency. Many digital nomads, expats, and international freelancers choose this setup to run their businesses independently of any tax residency complications.

To start, you’ll need:

• A valid passport

• A company name

• A Registered Agent in a US state (like Wyoming or New Mexico)

• A business address in the US (usually provided with the agent)

• An EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS

• Optionally: a business bank account with IBAN via Wise or similar providers

This setup is particularly attractive for digital nomads or entrepreneurs living abroad:

• No taxation in the US (with proper structure)

• No US or UK residency required

• Access to US platforms like Stripe, PayPal, and Amazon

• Ability to issue invoices in USD, EUR, GBP

• Easy to manage remotely

• Not tied to UK company regulations or tax obligations

Step-by-step guide to forming a US LLC as a non-resident

• Choose a state – Wyoming and New Mexico are popular for their low fees

• Form your LLC online – via a registered agent or service provider

• Apply for an EIN – required for tax registration and banking

• Open a business account – e.g. with Wise (includes US account + IBAN)

• Connect tools like Stripe, PayPal, Shopify

• Stay compliant – file your Annual Report and maintain a Registered Agent

What about taxes as a British citizen without residency?

• If you no longer live in the UK and aren’t considered a UK tax resident, your LLC income may not be subject to UK taxation. And if properly structured, the LLC may also not owe any US tax.

  Important: While this setup can be extremely tax-efficient, we always recommend consulting a tax advisor about your personal tax situation.

What can you do with your LLC?

• Invoice clients worldwide (in USD, EUR, GBP)
• Open a business bank account with US and EU banking details
• Use Stripe for card payments
• Sell products or services online
• Operate completely remotely from anywhere in the world