Freelancers across the UK and Europe are increasingly working with American clients — and discovering that invoicing and getting paid creates friction that domestic work does not. US companies often prefer domestic vendors, international wires are slower and more expensive than ACH transfers, and contracts referencing EU law can slow legal approvals. A Wyoming LLC removes most of this friction by giving you a US legal entity, a US bank account, and the ability to invoice and receive payment like a domestic provider.
This guide covers the formation process from start to finish. For the broader strategic case, see our case study on a European consultant building a US client base.
Why Freelancers Choose Wyoming
Wyoming is the most popular US state for UK and European freelancers forming their first US entity. The reasons are consistent:
- No Wyoming state income tax — the LLC itself pays no state income tax
- Low annual fees — minimum $60 per year for the annual report
- Strong privacy protections — Wyoming does not publicly list LLC members in most cases
- Simple structure — minimal ongoing compliance compared with states like California or New York
- No requirement to live in or visit the US — the entire process is remote
Step 1 — Choose a Business Name
Your LLC must have a unique name registered with the Wyoming Secretary of State. The name must include "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company" at the end. Most freelancers register under their professional brand name or their own name followed by LLC. Before settling on a name, search the Wyoming Secretary of State's business registry to confirm it is available — similar names may be rejected.
Step 2 — Appoint a Registered Agent
Every US LLC must have a registered agent — a person or service with a physical street address in Wyoming who receives official legal notices and government correspondence on behalf of the company. As a non-resident, you cannot serve as your own registered agent. Professional registered agent services typically charge $50–$150 per year. We include registered agent service in our formation packages.
Step 3 — File the Articles of Organization
The Articles of Organization is the document that officially creates your LLC with the Wyoming Secretary of State. It records your LLC's name, the registered agent's details, and whether the LLC is member-managed or manager-managed (for a solo freelancer, member-managed is standard). The current Wyoming filing fee is $100. Processing typically takes a few business days for standard filing, or same-day for expedited filing at an additional fee.
Once the Secretary of State approves and stamps your Articles, your LLC legally exists and you will have the formation document you need for banking and EIN applications.
Step 4 — Obtain an EIN
An Employer Identification Number is your LLC's IRS tax identification number. You need it to open a US bank account, register with Stripe or PayPal, and file annual US tax returns. As a non-resident without a Social Security Number, you apply by fax or phone using IRS Form SS-4 — the online EIN tool requires an existing US taxpayer ID. Our Enrolled Agent Richard Williams handles EIN applications as part of our formation service. See our full guide on how non-residents get an EIN and our Form SS-4 line-by-line guide.
Step 5 — Open a US Business Bank Account
With your LLC formed and EIN confirmed, you can apply for a US business bank account. The three most popular platforms for non-resident freelancers are Mercury (best overall for remote founders), Relay (best for granular budget control with multiple accounts), and Wise Business (best for currency conversion). Have your Articles of Organization, EIN letter, passport, and proof of address ready before applying. See the full banking documents checklist.
Tax Considerations
A single-member LLC owned by a non-resident is treated as a disregarded entity for US tax purposes by default. If you perform all services from outside the US, your income is generally not Effectively Connected Income and does not trigger US federal income tax. However, the LLC must still file Form 5472 (an informational return) annually — and the $25,000 penalty for non-filing applies regardless of whether any tax is owed. See our guides on Effectively Connected Income and Form 5472 for the full picture.
You will also remain liable for tax in your home country on your worldwide income, including income earned through the LLC. Consult a tax adviser familiar with cross-border structures before your first filing deadline.
Ready to Form Your Wyoming LLC?
We help UK and EU freelancers form Wyoming LLCs and obtain EINs entirely remotely — handling formation filing, registered agent appointment, and IRS paperwork through our licensed Enrolled Agent Richard Williams.
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