We checked the US and Pakistani rules on this page in September 2026. Rules change, so we confirm them again before we start your work. We are not lawyers or tax advisers. Where a license is needed, we work with licensed partners.
The short answer
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can a Pakistani own a US company? | Yes. You do not need to be a US citizen or resident, and you do not need a visa. |
| Do I need to visit the US? | No. Everything is done by email, video call and courier. |
| How long does it take? | The state usually approves the company within a few business days. The EIN usually takes a few days to a few weeks. |
| What does it cost? | $599 with us, plus the state filing fee (from $50). The EIN is free from the IRS. |
| What must I do every year? | Keep a registered agent, file the state yearly report where required, and file IRS Form 5472. |
What you get
- A US LLC (limited liability company) formed in New Mexico, Wyoming, Illinois or another state you choose
- Your EIN, the US federal tax number your company needs for banks, buyers and platforms
- A registered agent for the first year, as every US state requires
- A Chicago mailing address for the first year. We scan your mail and email it to you
- A US phone number for the first year, forwarded to your phone in Pakistan
- An operating agreement, the basic rule book for your company
- Help preparing your US bank and payment platform applications
- A yearly compliance calendar and reminders before every report and tax form is due
Why exporters open a US company
A US company is not just a name. It changes how American buyers, banks and platforms see you. These are the main reasons exporters open one:
- Buyer trust. Many US buyers prefer to sign contracts with, and pay, an American company with a US address and phone number.
- Payments. Many US payment platforms do not accept businesses based in Pakistan. A US company can apply as a US business.
- Importing stock. To send stock to a US warehouse or to Amazon, someone must be the importer of record. Your US company can do this.
- Online stores. A US company makes it easier to set up Shopify, Amazon and US payment providers.
- Contracts and insurance. Some buyers want a US party to sign with and to hold product liability insurance.
If you only sell to a few buyers who already pay you in Pakistan without problems, you may not need a US company yet. We will tell you honestly.
Step by step: how we set up your company
- 1PlanWe agree the state, company name and who owns it.
- 2DocumentsYou send your passport and address. We check them.
- 3State filingWe file the Articles of Organization with the state.
- 4EINWe apply to the IRS for your company's tax number.
- 5Address and phoneYour Chicago address and US number go live.
- 6BankingWe prepare your bank and payment applications.
1. A short planning call
We talk through what you sell, who your buyers are and how you want to be paid. Then we recommend a state and confirm who will own the company. One owner is simplest. If you have partners, each owner's share is written into the operating agreement.
2. Name check and documents
You send two or three name choices. The name must end with LLC or Limited Liability Company and must not match a company already registered in that state. We check availability before we file, so the filing is not rejected.
3. Filing the company with the state
We file the Articles of Organization with the state and pay the state fee. Most states approve a simple LLC within a few business days. You receive the approved Articles by email. This is your company's birth certificate.
4. The operating agreement
We prepare an operating agreement in plain English. It says who owns the company, who can sign for it and what happens if an owner leaves. Banks and payment platforms often ask to see it.
5. Getting your EIN from the IRS
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your company's US federal tax number. The IRS does not charge for it. Owners without a US Social Security number cannot use the IRS online form. International applicants apply with Form SS-4 by phone, fax or mail. By fax, the IRS usually replies in about four business days. By mail, it takes about four weeks. We prepare Form SS-4 for you, and you sign it. When the EIN arrives, you get the IRS confirmation letter, which banks ask for.
6. Address, phone and banking
Your Chicago mailing address and US phone number go live. We then prepare your bank and payment platform applications: your Articles, EIN letter, operating agreement, passport, proof of your address and a clear description of your business.
Choosing a state
You can form a US company in any state. You do not need to live there or visit it. For most exporters, the choice comes down to cost and simplicity:
| State | Filing fee | Yearly state fee | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $50 | None | Lowest cost. No yearly report. |
| Wyoming | $100 | $60 minimum yearly report | Popular with owners outside the US. |
| Illinois | $150 | $75 yearly report | Best if you want your company registered in the same state as our Chicago office. |
State fees are set by each state and can change. We confirm the current fee before we file and charge it at cost.
If your company later has staff, an office or a warehouse in another state, it may also need to register in that state. This is called foreign qualification. We tell you if and when this applies.
US rules you must follow
Owning a US company comes with a small number of yearly duties. None are hard, but missing them can be costly. We track all of them for you.
| Rule | What it means for you | Who is in charge |
|---|---|---|
| Registered agent | Your company must always have a registered agent in its state to receive legal papers. If it lapses, the state can dissolve your company. | The state |
| State yearly report | Wyoming and Illinois require a yearly report and fee in your company's anniversary month. New Mexico has no yearly report. | The state |
| IRS Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 | A US LLC with one foreign owner must file this every year it has transactions with its owner. Putting money into the company or taking money out counts, so almost every company files. The penalty for not filing is $25,000. | IRS |
| Due date | For a company using the calendar year, the form is due April 15. An extension to October 15 is available with Form 7004. | IRS |
| Beneficial ownership report | Under FinCEN's 2026 final rule, companies formed in the US no longer file this report. Only foreign companies registered to do business in the US still file. | FinCEN (US Treasury) |
| Sales tax | Only applies if you sell to US consumers, for example on Shopify, and only once your sales into a state pass that state's limit. Amazon collects sales tax for its marketplace sales. | Each state |
| Records | Keep company money in the company's own bank account, with invoices and receipts for every payment in and out. | You, with our help |
About tax
A US company does not decide your tax on its own. Whether your company owes US income tax depends on how and where it does business, for example whether it has staff, a warehouse or someone in the US who signs deals for it. As a resident of Pakistan, you still report your income in Pakistan under Pakistani law. Our US CPA partner reviews your setup, and we work with your chartered accountant in Pakistan.
Pakistani rules to know
Your US company lives under US law, but you and your Pakistani business still follow Pakistani law. These are the main points. We are not Pakistani tax advisers, so we work alongside your bank and chartered accountant.
| Rule | What it means for you | Who is in charge |
|---|---|---|
| Owning a company abroad | The State Bank of Pakistan has rules for investing in a company outside Pakistan. Export companies can set up a subsidiary or branch abroad through their bank, within limits linked to their export earnings. Individuals follow different rules. Ask your bank which route fits you before you send money to your US company. | State Bank of Pakistan, through your bank |
| Export proceeds | Money for goods exported from Pakistan must come back to Pakistan through a bank, within the time limit set by the State Bank. If your US company buys from your Pakistani company and resells, it must pay your Pakistani company within that limit. | State Bank of Pakistan |
| Export declaration | Exporters file an undertaking and declaration in the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) system for every export, confirming the full value and that payment will come through their bank. | PSW and your bank |
| Tax in Pakistan | As a tax resident of Pakistan, you declare your assets, including a share in a US company, in your wealth statement, and report your income under Pakistani law. | FBR |
Bank accounts and payments
A US bank account is the step most owners worry about, so here is the honest picture:
- Every bank and payment platform makes its own decision. No one can promise you an account.
- Some banks ask owners who live outside the US to visit a branch. Others, including some online business banks, accept applications from abroad.
- Applications go faster when your documents match exactly: the same company name, address and owner name on every page.
- A clear website and a real business description help. Banks want to see what you sell and who your customers are.
We prepare your application pack and help you answer the bank's questions. Our bank account guide explains the options in more detail.
Full costs
| Cost | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Company setup, first year | $599 (about Rs. 168,000) | Pak Export Partners |
| State filing fee | From $50 (New Mexico) to $150 (Illinois) | The state, at cost |
| EIN | Free | IRS |
| Yearly renewal from year two: agent, address, phone, reminders | $399 per year | Pak Export Partners |
| State yearly fee | None in New Mexico, $60 minimum in Wyoming, $75 in Illinois | The state, at cost |
| Form 5472 and pro forma 1120 | From $450 per year | Our CPA partner |
Company setup is included in our US Launch Package and US Sales Desk plans. See all prices on our pricing page.
What we need from you
- A clear color copy of your passport
- Your home address in Pakistan, with a recent utility bill or bank statement in your name
- Two or three company name choices
- A short description of what your business sells and to whom
- The names and shares of any other owners
- Your email address and mobile number
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying a cheap LLC package that forms the company and then leaves you alone with the yearly filings
- Missing Form 5472 because the company had no sales. The form is about owner transactions, not sales
- Letting the registered agent lapse, which can lead to the state dissolving your company
- Using different spellings of your name or company name on different forms
- Mixing personal and company money in one account
- Using a US address in a way that suggests you have staff or an office you do not have
Common questions
Do I need to visit the US to open a US company?
No. The whole process is done by email and courier. You do not need a visa or a US address of your own.
Can a Pakistani citizen own a US LLC?
Yes. US states allow people from other countries to own an LLC. You do not need to be a US citizen or resident.
How long does US company setup take?
State approval usually takes a few business days. The EIN usually arrives in about four business days by fax, or about four weeks by mail.
What is Form 5472?
It is a yearly IRS form that a US LLC owned by one foreign person must file, together with a pro forma Form 1120. Missing it can bring a $25,000 penalty. Our CPA partner can file it for you.
Do I need to file a beneficial ownership report with FinCEN?
Not for a company formed in the US. Under FinCEN's 2026 final rule, only foreign companies registered to do business in the US still file.
Which state is best for a Pakistani owner?
New Mexico has the lowest running cost. Wyoming is popular with owners outside the US. Illinois suits owners who want their company in the same state as our Chicago office.
Does a US company mean I pay no tax?
No. Whether your US company owes US tax depends on how it does business, and you still report income in Pakistan. Our CPA partner reviews your setup.
Can I get a US bank account?
We prepare your application and help you through it, but every bank makes its own decision. Approval is not guaranteed.