Many international entrepreneurs wonder: Do I need to move to the U.S. to run my U.S. company? The answer is no. You can live abroad and still legally own and manage a U.S. business. Thousands of foreign founders do exactly that every year.
What matters is knowing how to meet U.S. compliance requirements, keep your company in good standing, and operate smoothly across borders.
This guide explains how foreign founders can run a U.S. company while living abroad, what challenges to expect, and how to stay compliant with both federal and state obligations.
You don’t need to live in the U.S. to own a U.S. company
The United States allows non-residents to form and own businesses. There is no requirement to be a U.S. citizen or green card holder. You also don’t need to have a U.S. address, as long as you maintain a registered agent in your state of formation. The registered agent acts as your company’s official contact for legal and state matters.
For example, a founder in India can form a Delaware C-Corp without ever setting foot in the U.S. As long as the company has a registered agent, it is legally valid.
The role of the registered agent
Every U.S. company must list a registered agent in its state of formation. The registered agent receives state correspondence, lawsuits, and official notices. This is not the same as running your business day-to-day—it simply ensures the state has a reliable point of contact inside the U.S.
If you form in Delaware or Wyoming, your registered agent will be based there and forward you any official documents.
Without a registered agent, your company can lose its good standing. So while you can live abroad, your company always needs that U.S.-based connection.
Banking and payments from abroad
One of the biggest practical challenges for foreign founders living abroad is banking. Most U.S. banks require a visit in person, which can be difficult if you don’t plan to travel. The good news is that fintech platforms like Mercury and Wise allow foreign-owned U.S. companies to open accounts remotely.
This makes it possible to receive payments from U.S. customers and pay U.S. vendors even while living overseas.
Having a U.S. bank account also makes accounting easier, since all transactions are in U.S. dollars. Bookmate doesn’t open bank accounts for you, but we ensure your company has the correct EIN and IRS filings needed to qualify for one.
Filing federal taxes while living abroad
Whether you live in the U.S. or not, your company must still file federal tax returns each year. The form depends on your entity type:
- C-Corporations file Form 1120.
- Multi-member LLCs file Form 1065 with K-1s for partners.
- Foreign-owned single-member LLCs file Form 5472 with a pro forma 1120.
- U.S. companies with foreign subsidiaries may also need to file Form 5471.
Your physical location doesn’t change these obligations. Even if you are based in Europe, Asia, or Africa, your U.S. company must submit IRS filings on time. Missing them can result in heavy penalties—$25,000 per year for missing Form 5472, $240 per partner per month for late 1065s, and $10,000 per year for late 5471s.
Bookmate handles these federal tax filings on behalf of foreign founders, so you don’t need to worry about mailing documents across borders or figuring out which form applies.
State filings from abroad
Your company also has state-level obligations. These are separate from IRS filings and are handled through your registered agent or state compliance provider.
- Delaware LLCs pay a $300 franchise tax each year by June 1.
- Delaware corporations must file an annual report and pay franchise tax by March 1.
- Wyoming LLCs file an annual report and pay at least $60 by the anniversary month of formation.
You don’t need to live in the U.S. to meet these requirements, but you do need to stay on top of deadlines. If you miss them, your company can lose good standing or be dissolved.
Running operations remotely
Living abroad does not limit your ability to sign contracts, manage employees, or raise funding. Most legal and financial processes can be handled digitally. Investors regularly back foreign founders running U.S. corporations, provided the company is structured properly.
You can also hire U.S. employees and pay them through U.S. payroll providers, while continuing to live abroad. Similarly, you can hire contractors globally. What matters is classifying them correctly and handling payroll taxes properly when U.S. workers are involved.
Real-world examples
- A founder in Nigeria forms a Wyoming single-member LLC to sell online services. He lives entirely abroad but still files 5472 with a pro forma 1120 each year through Bookmate, and pays Wyoming’s annual report through his registered agent.
- Two founders in Germany create a Delaware C-Corp to raise venture capital. They continue living in Berlin while investors in the U.S. wire money into the corporation’s Mercury account. The company files Form 1120 annually and remains compliant without either founder relocating.
Final thoughts
Yes, you can live abroad and still run a U.S. company. Thousands of international entrepreneurs do this successfully every year. The key is understanding your compliance obligations—federal filings with the IRS, state franchise taxes or annual reports, and keeping a registered agent.
With the right setup, you can operate globally, raise U.S. investment, and sell to U.S. customers, all while living outside the United States.
Bookmate helps by handling your federal tax filings so you don’t need to worry about IRS deadlines or penalties. State filings are handled by your registered agent, and banking can be managed through fintech solutions. Each situation is unique, but the model is proven.
Learn more at trybookmate.co or book a consultation today.
