No, you don’t need to visit in order to set up your company here. With rare exceptions, however, it is necessary to come to the US to open your bank account.

Every corporation or LLC formed in (or doing business in) the US must obtain an EIN/federal tax number. In order to obtain an EIN, IRS Form SS4 must be prepared and signed by a Responsible Party, who is the person who ultimately owns or controls the entity or who exercises ultimate effective control over the entity. If this person does not have a Social Security Number (ITIN does not work), then the SS4 must be faxed or mailed to the appropriate IRS office, where within a few months the IRS will process the application and return it to the mailing address provided on the form. Once again, we are here to help and can guide you through the process just as efficiently as possible.

It depends. For treaty visas, like the E-1 and E-2, a company has to be set up and operational before applying for the visa. L-1 visas also require that the US company exist and be capitalized before an application can be submitted. If you hold a B1/B2 visa, then having a US company can be a valid reason to enter the US temporarily, but these visas do not allow you to do work for the company, aside from attending board meetings and other high-level functions. 

The cost of setting up a company will depend on which state you choose, and which entity type the company will be. There are additional costs as well, including obtaining the federal tax number, getting a BE-13 waiver, company secretary service, mail forwarding or virtual office service, and other items. Some situations will require additional business registrations and other extended services.

Every situation is unique, and our clients typically require a combination of services to achieve their goals. Rather than provide a “sample price” on our website, we’d rather truly understand your needs and provide an accurate, honest quote.

We understand! You have a lot of decisions to make, a business to start, and want to save money wherever possible. In this case, we would encourage you to look beyond cost, and consider value.

As U.S.company formation experts, the professional you speak with has been highly-trained and isn’t just reading from a script. This investment in the quality of service you receive may cost more up front, but it turns into time and money saved. 

We know how to help you make the best choices possible, and answer your questions regarding the type of entity you need, which state to incorporate in, how the tax system works, whether you need to register to do business in other states, immigration, and more. If needed, we will refer you to one of our legal or accounting experts for direction based on your individual situation.