Skip the wait — a US LLC for Colombian founders that already has its EIN

Most Colombian founders come to us for one reason: speed to payments. With Stripe unavailable locally, the bottleneck is getting a US entity with an EIN that banks and Stripe will accept. There are two ways to get there.

Buy a ready-made Wyoming LLC. The company already exists, is in good standing, and — the part that actually unblocks you — its EIN already exists. The moment the transfer completes (within 24 hours), you can open a US business bank account, connect Stripe, and invoice in USD. No filing queue, no waiting on the IRS.

Or register a brand-new LLC from $549. If the exact company name matters more than speed, we file a fresh Wyoming LLC in your chosen name and obtain a same-day EIN by phone. It's the classic route, fully remote, with no SSN required.

Why Colombian entrepreneurs need US payment infrastructure

Colombia is emerging as one of Latin America's leading tech and remote work hubs. Bogotá, Medellín, and Barranquilla are home to growing startup ecosystems. The Colombian government's digital nomad visa and favourable timezone (UTC-5, same as US Eastern) have made the country a magnet for digital entrepreneurs.

Yet Colombian founders face a critical infrastructure gap: Stripe is not available in Colombia, PayPal is limited, and accessing USD payment infrastructure requires a workaround.

Stripe is not available in Colombia

Stripe does not operate in Colombia. Colombian founders who want to accept card payments through Stripe — the world's leading payment processor — simply cannot. This creates a significant disadvantage when competing for international clients.

Growing tech hub, missing payment rails

Colombia's tech scene is booming. Medellín's transformation into "the Silicon Valley of South America" has been remarkable. But all this talent and energy is constrained by the absence of global payment infrastructure.

The real cost of being locked out

Without proper payment infrastructure, Colombian entrepreneurs face:

• Stripe blocked — no native Stripe accounts available for Colombian businesses
• PayPal limitations — limited receiving capabilities and restricted withdrawal options
• USD invoicing challenges — Colombian peso invoicing creates friction with US and European clients
• Banking complexity — opening foreign currency accounts in Colombia involves significant bureaucracy
• Credibility gap — US clients expect US-registered entities for significant contracts

Colombia has the talent, the timezone, and the ambition to compete globally. A US LLC provides the missing piece: the payment and business infrastructure.

A US LLC unlocks Stripe, USD banking, and global market access

The solution used by thousands of entrepreneurs worldwide is straightforward: operate your international business through a US Limited Liability Company (LLC) — whether you buy one ready-made with its EIN already in place, or register a new one.

This is not a loophole. Stripe explicitly supports this model — their own product, Stripe Atlas, exists to help international founders form US companies. Our service provides the same outcome at a lower cost, with more state options, ready-made inventory, and personalised guidance.

Why Wyoming is the most popular choice

• No state income tax — Wyoming does not tax LLC income
• Strong privacy protections — member and manager names are not on public filings
• Low fees — $100 state filing fee, $60 annual report
• Asset protection — strongest charging order protections in the US
• Fast processing — online filing processed in 1-2 business days
• No franchise tax — unlike Delaware ($300/year) or California ($800/year)

What you need to get started from Colombia

Required documents

• Valid passport — Colombian passport or any government-issued passport
• Colombian residential address — your home or business address
• Email address — for correspondence and document delivery
• Phone number — Colombian mobile number is fine

What you do NOT need

• No SSN — not required for non-US residents
• No ITIN — not required for LLC formation or EIN
• No US visa — you never need to enter the United States
• No US address — your registered agent provides the US address
• No US bank account — this comes after formation (we guide you)
• No prior US business experience — first-time founders welcome

US bank account guidance for Colombian LLC owners

Once your LLC is yours and your EIN is in place, the next step is opening a US business bank account.

Recommended banks for non-residents

Mercury — the most popular choice among international founders. Free business banking, FDIC insurance up to $5 million, Stripe/PayPal integrations. Application completed online.

Relay Financial — no monthly fees, multiple checking accounts, profit-first budgeting. Accepts non-resident applications remotely.

Wise Business — ideal for multi-currency operations. Hold USD, COP, and 50+ currencies with low-cost transfers.

Documents you will need

• Articles of Organization (Certificate of Formation)
• EIN confirmation letter from the IRS
• Operating Agreement
• Valid passport (photo page)
• Business description and expected transaction volume
• Website URL (if applicable)

Same-day EIN for new Colombian LLCs

An EIN is your US federal tax ID, issued free by the IRS. Every LLC needs one for banking, payments, and taxes. (On our ready-made companies, the EIN is already issued — there's nothing to apply for.)

How we obtain your EIN

1. We prepare your Form SS-4 with your LLC and personal details
2. We call the IRS International EIN line at 267-941-1099 (Monday-Friday, 6am-11pm US Eastern)
3. The IRS assigns your EIN during the call — same-day issuance
4. We follow up with the signed Form SS-4 by fax within 24 hours
5. You receive your EIN confirmation immediately

The IRS charges no fee for EIN assignment.

Standalone EIN service

Already have a US LLC? Standalone EIN application: $199.

Form 5472: the filing every Colombian LLC owner must know about

If you are a non-US person who owns a US LLC — ready-made or newly formed — the IRS requires you to file Form 5472 every year, attached to a pro forma Form 1120.

Key facts about Form 5472

• Who must file: Any foreign-owned US disregarded entity (single-member LLC owned by a non-US person)
• What to file: Form 5472 attached to a pro forma Form 1120
• When to file: By April 15 of the following year (6-month extension via Form 7004)
• How to file: Paper only. Form 5472 cannot be e-filed — it must be mailed to the IRS
• What to report: All reportable transactions between you and your LLC

BOI reporting update (March 2025)

Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting under the Corporate Transparency Act has been eliminated for domestic LLCs as of March 2025. Foreign-owned LLCs should monitor FinCEN announcements for any future requirements.

Tax implications for Colombian-owned US LLCs

Understanding the tax position of your US LLC is essential. The information below is general factual information — consult a qualified tax professional.

US tax position

A single-member LLC owned by a non-resident alien is treated as a disregarded entity for US federal income tax purposes:

• The LLC itself does not pay US income tax
• Income passes through to the owner
• If the LLC has no US-source income, the US tax liability is typically minimal
• You must still file Form 5472 annually
• Wyoming has no state income tax

Colombia tax considerations

Colombia taxes its residents on worldwide income. Key considerations:

• Colombia has a tax treaty with the US that may provide some relief from double taxation
• Income earned through a US LLC is reportable to DIAN
• Colombian tax residents must declare all worldwide income and foreign-held assets
• Consult a Colombian contador público who understands cross-border structures

Tailored for Colombian founders

We understand the challenges and opportunities facing Colombian entrepreneurs. Our service is designed with Colombian founders in mind.

Local payment options

We accept international card payments (Visa, Mastercard) and bank wire transfers. We also accept Nequi, Daviplata, or Wise transfers. Contact us for details.

COP price reference

At current exchange rates (approximately 1 USD = 4,150 COP), the Business Ready package at $549 is approximately COP 2,278,350. Exchange rates fluctuate. Final COP amount depends on the rate at time of payment.

Support in your timezone

Colombia Standard Time (COT, UTC-5) aligns with US Eastern business hours. We are available via WhatsApp, email, and phone during hours that work for Colombian clients.

Why this matters for Colombian entrepreneurs

Colombia's tech ecosystem is one of the fastest-growing in Latin America. Medellín was named the world's most innovative city by the Urban Land Institute. The country's UTC-5 timezone — identical to US Eastern Time — makes real-time collaboration with US clients seamless.

A US LLC gives Colombian entrepreneurs the infrastructure to match their potential.