Form a US LLC from Pakistan
Pakistan has one of the world's largest freelance and IT-export workforces, yet Stripe and PayPal are not available to businesses based in Pakistan. A US LLC with its own EIN, US address and US bank account is the standard way Pakistani developers, agencies, Amazon sellers and SaaS founders solve that problem and bill international clients as a US company.
At a glance for Pakistani founders
The whole process is remote. Incofile forms the LLC in the state you choose, obtains the EIN from the IRS without an SSN, provides the registered agent and business address, and explains the yearly filings so the company stays in good standing.
Why Pakistani freelancers and sellers use a US LLC
The driver is payment infrastructure. With a US LLC you can open a Stripe account in the company's name, run PayPal Business tied to the LLC's US bank, sell on Amazon.com and Walmart Marketplace as a US entity, and invoice clients who will not pay a foreign individual. Many clients also simply trust a US company more.
The LLC separates business liabilities from your personal assets, and a Wyoming or New Mexico LLC costs little to maintain each year.
Rules to know on the Pakistani side
Acquiring shares or an interest in a foreign company by a resident of Pakistan is regulated under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act and the State Bank of Pakistan's rules; in principle outward investment needs SBP permission, and export proceeds earned by the LLC are expected to be repatriated. Enforcement and practice vary, so take advice from a Pakistani tax consultant before you start, and register with the Pakistan Software Export Board if you provide IT services — it unlocks tax concessions on IT exports.
Income you draw from the LLC is taxable in Pakistan as your worldwide income, with treaty credit for any US tax paid.
- Discuss SBP outward-investment rules with a local adviser before remitting
- Bring export proceeds back through banking channels to keep FBR and SBP records clean
- PSEB registration can reduce tax on IT and IT-enabled service exports
US taxes for a Pakistani-owned LLC
A single-member LLC is disregarded for US income tax. Services performed from Pakistan for clients abroad are generally not US-source effectively connected income, so there is often no US income tax — but the LLC must still file Form 5472 with a pro-forma 1120 every year (penalty $25,000 if missed). Amazon FBA inventory in US warehouses can create US-taxable income; the Pakistan–US treaty then applies. Multi-member LLCs file a partnership return (Form 1065).
Banking and payments from Pakistan
Fintech banks that onboard non-resident owners (Mercury, Relay, Wise Business and others) assess applications country by country and by industry, and some ask for proof of US business activity such as a website, invoices or marketplace listings. Apply as soon as the EIN arrives, with the LLC documents Incofile provides. Payoneer remains a useful bridge for receiving marketplace payouts and moving funds to Pakistan.
Keep your personal Pakistani accounts separate from the LLC's US account.
Which state should Pakistani founders choose?
Wyoming
Cheapest to maintain, owner names not published — the favorite for Pakistani freelancers.
What Incofile does for you
- Form the LLC in your chosen state
We prepare and file the formation documents, act as organiser and provide the registered agent in that state — your home address stays off the public record.
- Obtain the EIN without an SSN
As an IRS third-party designee we apply for your Employer Identification Number without a Social Security Number. Typical issue time is 1–3 weeks.
- US business address and mail scanning
A real US street address for banks, marketplaces and payment platforms, with every letter scanned to your portal ($155/year).
- Operating agreement and banking resolution
The documents banks, Amazon, Walmart and payment processors ask for, prepared in your company's name.
- Compliance calendar in your client portal
Annual report deadlines, registered agent renewal and tax-filing dates, with reminders before each one — plus 24/7 access to every document.
Ready to form your US LLC from Pakistan?
Transparent one-time pricing from $0 + state fee. Real humans answer your questions by email and chat, and your client portal shows every step of the filing.
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US LLC from Pakistan — frequently asked questions
Can I open a Stripe account with a US LLC from Pakistan?
Stripe US accounts are opened in the LLC's name using its EIN, US business address and US bank account. Stripe also verifies the owner's identity and may ask about where the business operates; many Pakistani-owned LLCs run Stripe successfully, but approval is Stripe's decision, not guaranteed by forming an LLC.
Do I need a US phone number or address?
The registered agent address (included) covers legal mail. For banks and platforms you will want a US business address — Incofile's virtual address service provides one with mail scanning.
Which state is best for a Pakistani freelancer?
Wyoming for most people: low formation fee, simple yearly license tax and privacy. New Mexico if you want the lowest possible upkeep. Delaware only if investors require it.
What do I have to file every year?
The state annual report or license tax (depends on the state), the registered agent renewal, and the IRS Form 5472 + pro-forma 1120 for a single-member LLC. Incofile reminds you of each deadline in your client portal.
Is my name public?
In Wyoming and New Mexico, member names are not part of the public filing. Incofile acts as organizer and registered agent, so your home address is not on the public record.