How to open a company in the United States

Written by the Miami Soluções team

Yes — you can open a company in the United States even if you don't live there. No visa, Green Card or any US immigration status is required to be a member of an LLC or shareholder of a Corporation — US law does not require members to be citizens, residents, or even to visit the country. What changes is that owning the company does not, by itself, grant the right to live or work in the US — that falls under a different category of law: immigration law.

Business meeting in a US office, illustrating the company formation process

LLC or Corporation — quick overview

The two structures most commonly used to form a US company are the LLC (Limited Liability Company) and the Corporation (C-Corp). In simple terms: the LLC tends to be simpler to maintain and has more flexible taxation, making it the most common choice for service providers, e-commerce and small businesses. The Corporation is the structure institutional investors and venture capital funds typically require, with stricter accounting and corporate governance rules. The right choice depends on what you intend to do with the company — it's worth understanding the differences before deciding.

See the full guide: LLC or Corporation, which to choose →

Step by step to open a company in the US

1. Choose the type of company

Decide between an LLC and a Corporation (or, in specific cases, another structure) based on the business's goal, the members' profile, and how the company intends to operate.

2. Choose the state of registration

Every US state has its own rules, fees and maintenance obligations. Florida and Delaware are two of the most common choices, for different reasons — see the full comparison below.

3. Register the company and appoint a registered agent

Every state requires a "registered agent" — a person or company with a physical address in the state, responsible for receiving official notices and legal documents on the company's behalf.

4. Get the EIN

The EIN (Employer Identification Number) is the American equivalent of a tax ID: the number the IRS uses to identify the company for tax purposes, opening a bank account, and hiring.

5. Open a US bank account

With the company registered and the EIN in hand, the next step is opening a US bank account in the company's name — a step that tends to require more documentation for those not physically in the country.

How much it costs and how long it takes

The total cost has two parts: the official fee charged by the state you choose (fixed, and the same for any provider) and the cost of the formation-and-support service itself, which varies by company type and the items you contract (registered agent, virtual address, accounting). Because these figures change often, we cover the topic with up-to-date numbers in a dedicated guide, rather than publishing a table here that goes stale.

See the up-to-date cost guide →

Does opening a company in the US give you a visa or Green Card?

Not automatically, no. Owning an American company does not grant a visa, work authorization, Green Card or citizenship. There are visa categories connected to business activity — like the L-1, for those who already have a company abroad and want to open a US branch — but each has its own requirements that go well beyond simply being a member of an LLC.

Understand the real relationship between a company and immigration → · Learn more about the L-1 visa →

After opening the company: accounting and ongoing obligations

Opening the company is the beginning, not the end, of the process. Most American companies have ongoing obligations — annual state filings, and, depending on entity type, ownership and tax classification, federal, state and local tax obligations. Proper accounting from month one prevents bigger problems (and penalties) down the road.

See how ongoing accounting works for your US company →

Where to open your company: Florida, Miami, Orlando or Delaware?

Miami and Orlando are cities in the state of Florida — opening a company in either one follows the same Florida state registration process, with regional particularities worth knowing. Delaware is a separate state, with its own business law, traditionally popular among startups and companies seeking investment.

Florida

No state personal income tax, strong Brazilian presence.

Miami

Gateway for business with Latin America.

Orlando

Lower operating costs, strong in tourism and services.

Delaware

Traditional business law, popular among startups.

Still unsure? See the direct comparison between Florida and Delaware →

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a US visa to open a company in the US?
No. There is no visa, Green Card or immigration status requirement to be a member of an LLC or shareholder of a Corporation in the United States. This is different from having authorization to live or work physically in the country — those are separate matters.
Do I need a US Social Security Number to open a company?
No — you don't need a Social Security Number (SSN) to register the company. To get an EIN (the company's federal tax ID) without an SSN, there is a specific process with the IRS, which tends to take longer than when the applicant already has an SSN or ITIN.
How long does it take to open a company in the US?
State registration usually comes through within a few business days. The EIN can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the application method and whether the responsible party has an SSN/ITIN. Opening a bank account is the step that varies the most, depending on the bank chosen.
Can I run the company remotely, without living in the US?
Yes. Many of Miami Soluções' clients run their American company remotely — from Brazil or elsewhere — with the support of a virtual address, an accountant and, when needed, a registered agent in the state of registration.
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