Why Wyoming
Wyoming created the LLC in 1977 and has spent five decades refining it. For a non-resident founder running an online business, agency, or holding structure, it offers a rare combination:
- Privacy. Members and managers are not listed on the public record. Combined with a registered agent address, your name and home address stay off state databases.
- No state income tax. Wyoming levies no personal or corporate income tax, and no franchise tax.
- Low, predictable fees. $100 to form; $60 per year to maintain. Compare Delaware's $300 annual franchise tax or California's $800 minimum.
- Strong asset protection. Charging-order protection extends even to single-member LLCs — unusual among U.S. states.
Requirements for non-residents
There is no citizenship, residency, or visa requirement. You need three things: a unique company name, a registered agent with a physical Wyoming address, and articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State. No U.S. address, SSN, or in-person visit is required.
Step by step
- Name search — confirm availability with the Wyoming Secretary of State.
- Appoint a registered agent — mandatory for all Wyoming entities.
- File articles of organization — $100 fee; approval typically within 24 hours online.
- Adopt an operating agreement — not filed with the state, but essential for banking and liability protection.
- Obtain an EIN — see our EIN guide for non-residents.
- Open banking — see opening a U.S. account from abroad.
Ongoing obligations
One annual report ($60 minimum license tax) due on the first day of your anniversary month, plus continuous registered agent coverage. Federally, a non-resident-owned single-member LLC generally files Form 5472 with a pro-forma 1120 each year — a disclosure filing, not necessarily a tax bill. Confirm your position with a qualified tax professional.
Westmark forms Wyoming LLCs in 24–48 hours — filing, operating agreement, EIN, and first-year registered agent included. See what's included →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Wyoming LLC cost?
The state filing fee is $100 ($102 online). The annual report license tax is $60 minimum, due each year on the first day of your anniversary month. Add registered agent service, which is required for non-residents.
Is a Wyoming LLC anonymous?
Wyoming does not list member or manager names on the public formation record, so your ownership is not publicly searchable. Note that banks, the IRS, and your registered agent will still know who owns the company.
Does a Wyoming LLC pay state taxes?
Wyoming has no state income tax, no franchise tax, and no tax on out-of-state income. A non-resident-owned LLC with no U.S. operations typically owes Wyoming nothing beyond the $60 annual report fee.
Can I open a bank account with a Wyoming LLC from abroad?
Yes — fintech platforms such as Mercury, Relay, and Wise Business onboard non-resident-owned Wyoming LLCs remotely, using your formation documents and EIN.
How long does Wyoming LLC formation take?
Online filings are typically approved within 24 hours. Your EIN, as a non-resident without an SSN, takes an additional 2–6 weeks from the IRS.