How to open a company in Orlando

Written by the Miami Soluções team

Orlando is a city in Florida — opening a company in Orlando follows the same Florida state registration process, handled through the state's Division of Corporations. This page explains what is actually specific to operating a business in the Orlando region within that single statewide process, not a separate registration process.

Business meeting between professionals, illustrating the process of opening a company in Orlando

Why Orlando specifically

Orlando is known mainly for its tourism and entertainment economy — the region's theme parks attract tens of millions of visitors a year, sustaining a large ecosystem of lodging, food, entertainment and visitor services. Orlando also tends to have lower operating costs (commercial rent, labor) than Miami, which attracts cost-sensitive businesses that don't depend on being in an internationally-facing coastal region.

The city also has a meaningful Brazilian community, particularly in areas like Kissimmee and nearby regions — many Brazilians move to the area precisely because of the presence of other Brazilians and the proximity to the parks.

The process (the same Florida state process)

The steps are identical to any company registered in Florida: choosing the company type, state registration, registered agent, EIN and bank account. For the full step-by-step, see the state guide.

See the full process for opening a company in Florida →

Considerations specific to operating in Orlando

Businesses with a physical presence in Orlando — especially those focused on tourism and hospitality — usually need municipal or county (Orange County) licensing, plus possible sector-specific licenses (for example, for short-term lodging). For remote operations run from Brazil, these requirements generally don't apply.

Miami or Orlando?

Both cities are in Florida and follow the same registration process — the difference is in the regional economic profile. Orlando tends to make more sense for businesses tied to tourism, hospitality and lower operating costs; Miami tends to be better suited to international trade and financial services.

Compare with Miami

See the business profile and specific considerations for Miami.

After opening your company

After registration, every company in Florida needs to keep its accounting up to date and meet ongoing obligations, such as the state Annual Report.

See how accounting works for Brazilians in the US →

Frequently asked questions

Is opening a company in Orlando different from opening one in Florida?

Not from a legal standpoint — Orlando is a city in Florida, and registration follows the same state process used in any city in the state, handled through the Division of Corporations (Sunbiz). There is no city-specific company registry.

Is Orlando cheaper than Miami for opening a company?

State registration fees are the same throughout Florida. The cost difference between Orlando and Miami usually shows up in local operating expenses — commercial rent, labor and overall cost of living tend to be lower in Orlando than in Miami.

Is Orlando a good choice for tourism-related businesses?

Orlando has one of the largest tourism and hospitality economies in the United States, built around the region's theme parks, which creates relevant opportunities for businesses focused on that sector — lodging, entertainment, visitor services and related retail.

I want to open my company in Orlando