Stripe for founders outside the US: the US LLC route

Why a US LLC is the usual route to Stripe

Each Stripe account belongs to a legal entity in a given country. When that entity is a US LLC, you sign up as a US business: a US account, payouts in US dollars to a US bank account, and the full US product range, from Checkout and Payment Links to Billing for subscriptions and Invoicing.

This is why founders from India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Bangladesh or Vietnam who sell software, digital products or services to international customers often form a Wyoming LLC first. The company is yours, it is managed online, and it gives you the three things Stripe needs: a US company, an EIN and a US bank account.

What Stripe asks for

• The company’s legal details: its exact name as filed with Wyoming and its EIN. We request the EIN by fax with Form SS-4, and the IRS usually answers in about 4 business days. See EIN without SSN.
• A representative: you, as the owner, with your identity document and your personal address in your country of residence.
• A clear description of the business: what you sell, to whom, and a website or product page that shows it.
• A US bank account in the LLC’s name to receive payouts.

Stripe reviews each account on its own terms, so a clear website with your offer, prices, contact details and policies makes the review faster.

The bank account follows your country of residence

Stripe pays out to the LLC’s US bank account. Which bank opens that account depends on the country where you live, not on your passport. The table below shows, for each country of residence, the bank we open with you, the backups and whether a physical card is shipped.

If you hold one of these nationalities but live elsewhere, in the United Arab Emirates or in Europe for example, the bank of your country of residence applies. Check yours with our bank by country tool. Banks ask for a real home or office address, and it cannot be the registered agent’s address or a virtual address.

Step by step

1. You order your Wyoming LLC and tell us about your activity.
2. We file the company, act as its registered agent and request the EIN.
3. We help you open the US bank account that serves your country of residence.
4. You create your Stripe account as a US business, using the LLC’s name, EIN and bank account.
5. You connect Stripe to your website, store or invoicing tool and start accepting payments.
6. Payouts reach the LLC’s US account, from which you can transfer profits to your personal account, for example through Wise.

Keeping everything in good order

Stripe and the bank expect the company to stay active and up to date. That means a registered agent, the Wyoming annual report each year, and Form 5472 with a pro forma 1120 for a single-member LLC owned by a non-resident. The IRS applies a penalty of $25,000 per missing form, which is why our annual plan at $300 per year files it for you, together with the agent and the annual report.

Formation costs $489 all inclusive: state fee, registered agent for the first year, EIN, documents, help with the bank account and the first Form 5472. Compare the plans on our pricing page, or start your order today.