How Much Does US LLC Formation Cost from Pakistan & Abroad in 2026?
By Shaheer Khan, founder of Markify Ecommerce
Summary
Every first-year and Year-2 renewal cost of forming a US LLC in Wyoming, New Mexico or Delaware as a non-US resident: state filing fees, Registered Agent, EIN without SSN, address and Form 5472.
When entrepreneurs in Pakistan, the UAE, India or the UK research forming a US Limited Liability Company (LLC), they often see "$0 + state fee" ads online — only to discover at checkout that an EIN without a Social Security Number (SSN), a US business mailing address, and Year-2 Registered Agent renewals cost $400 to $800 extra.
This guide breaks down the exact first-year and Year-2+ costs of forming and maintaining a compliant US LLC in 2026 as a non-US resident, with nothing hidden in fine print.
1. State filing fees & annual renewal fees compared (2026)
Every US LLC is registered with a specific state’s Secretary of State. The state filing fee goes directly to the US state government. For non-resident ecommerce sellers, SaaS founders and agencies, three states dominate:
| US State | One-Off State Filing Fee | Annual State Report / Franchise Tax (Year 2+) | Privacy on Public Register | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico (NM) | $50 | $0 / year (No annual report) | High (member names not listed online) | Lean ecommerce stores, freelancers & lowest ongoing cost |
| Wyoming (WY) | $100 | $60 / year minimum license tax | High (member names private on initial filing) | Amazon, eBay, Walmart & Shopify sellers wanting strong banking reputation |
| Delaware (DE) | $110 | $300 / year flat franchise tax | High | Tech startups planning to raise US venture capital |
| Texas (TX) | $300 | $0 / year (below $2.47M revenue threshold; public info report required) | Moderate | Sellers with physical operations or 3PL distribution in Texas |
| Florida (FL) | $125 | $138.75 / year annual report | Low (member/manager names public) | Importers and businesses operating in Florida |
For a deeper comparison of the two most popular states, read Wyoming vs Delaware LLC for Pakistani Amazon sellers.
2. What else a non-US resident actually needs (beyond the state fee)
A US citizen living in California or Texas can file their own LLC online and generate a free EIN on the IRS website in 5 minutes using their Social Security Number. A non-US resident cannot. To open a USD business account, Stripe or Amazon Seller Central account from abroad, you need five additional components:
- Articles of Organization & Operating Agreement: Banks and payment processors ask for both your state-stamped Articles of Organization and a signed Operating Agreement showing 100% member ownership.
- State Registered Agent (Required by law every year): A physical agent in your formation state to receive legal and government mail.
- US Business Address with Mail Scanning: A Registered Agent address is for legal notices only; banks and marketplaces ask for a business mailing or commercial suite address.
- IRS EIN via Form SS-4 (Without SSN): Non-residents must apply by fax or mail using IRS Form SS-4 ("Foreign" on Line 7b). Many budget US formation portals charge $150 to $300 extra just to file a non-SSN EIN.
- Banking & Payment Gateway Preparation: Matching your company details, NAICS code and website compliance pages for Wise Business, Payoneer, Airwallex, Stripe US and Amazon verification.
3. Full first-year cost with Markify Ecommerce
On our US LLC formation page, we bundle everything a non-resident founder needs into two flat packages, plus the exact state filing fee:
| Scope Item | Starter Package | Seller Pro Package |
|---|---|---|
| Markify Package Tier | Starter Package | Seller Pro Package |
| Articles of Organization & Operating Agreement | Included | Included |
| Registered Agent (Year 1) | Included | Included |
| EIN Application without SSN (Form SS-4) | Included | Included |
| US Business Address (Year 1) | Standard Business Address included | Unique Suite Commercial Address included |
| US Phone Number (3 Months) + Dedicated IP VPS (1 Month) | — | Included |
| Stripe, PayPal, Payoneer, Wise & Marketplace Setup Guidance | Basic Bank Prep | Full Seller Pro Onboarding |
| US Registered Agent + Mailing Address (1 Year) | Included | Included (Unique Commercial Suite) |
| IRS EIN (Form SS-4 Without SSN) | Included | Included |
| Marketplace & Banking Guidance | Banking readiness | Stripe, Payoneer, Wise, Amazon & eBay readiness |
4. Year-2 and ongoing annual compliance costs
Before forming a US LLC, make sure you budget for Year 2 and beyond so your company stays in Good Standing and avoids IRS penalties:
- State Annual Report Fee: $0 in New Mexico, $60/year in Wyoming (due on your formation anniversary month), or $300/year in Delaware (due June 1).
- Registered Agent & Address Renewal: Required annually to keep your LLC active with the Secretary of State.
- IRS Form 5472 + Pro-Forma Form 1120 (Critical for Foreign Owners): Every foreign-owned single-member US LLC must file an informational Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year with the IRS — even if the LLC made $0 profit and owes $0 US income tax. The IRS statutory penalty for failing to file Form 5472 is $25,000. Read our plain-English guide to US LLC taxes for Pakistani and non-resident sellers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest state to form a US LLC from Pakistan or the UAE?
New Mexico has the lowest state-level registration and maintenance requirements (with no annual state report obligation). Message our Lahore desk on WhatsApp or via our US LLC formation page for an exact custom first-year breakdown in New Mexico, Wyoming or Delaware.
Do I need an ITIN to form a US LLC or get an EIN?
No. You do not need an ITIN or SSN to form a US LLC or obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN). You only need a valid passport. See our step-by-step guide on how to get an EIN as a non-US resident.
Should I choose a US LLC or a UK Ltd if I am on a tight budget?
If you plan to sell in the UK or Europe (eBay UK, Amazon UK), a UK Ltd company is approved by Companies House in 1–3 working days. If your target market is Amazon US, Walmart Marketplace, eBay US or American B2B clients, choose a US LLC.
Calculate your US LLC total and start today
Use our interactive state calculator on the US LLC Registration page or message our Lahore desk for a written breakdown:
- Service page & calculator: US LLC Registration for Non-US Residents
- Office: Central Block, Bahria Orchard, Raiwind Road, Lahore 55150, Punjab, Pakistan
- Phone & WhatsApp: +92 321 3131641