Can I form a US LLC from Kenya without visiting the US?
Yes. The entire process is done remotely. You do not need to travel to the United States, have a visa, or hold a Social Security number. We handle the filing with the Secretary of State, obtain your EIN by calling the IRS, and guide you through the bank account application — all while you remain in Kenya. If you need to start faster, you can also buy a ready-made US LLC that already has its EIN and have it transferred into your name within 24 hours.
Will I get full Stripe access with a US LLC?
Yes. Once your LLC is formed and you have an EIN and a US bank account, you can register for a full Stripe account using your US business details. This gives you access to Stripe's complete payment processing platform — card payments, subscriptions, invoicing, Stripe Connect, and more. Stripe is not available directly from Kenya, so a US LLC is the standard solution for Kenyan founders who need it.
Can I still use M-Pesa alongside my US LLC?
Absolutely. Your US LLC is a separate entity for international payments. Your existing M-Pesa Paybill, Till numbers, and Kenyan business operations continue unchanged. Many Kenyan founders run both — M-Pesa for local Kenyan customers and Stripe through their US LLC for international customers.
How do I get money from my US bank account back to Kenya?
Wise Business is the most popular method. You can transfer USD from your US bank account to your Kenyan bank account or directly to M-Pesa at real mid-market exchange rates. Wise typically processes transfers to Kenya in 1-2 business days. You can also use Payoneer or traditional wire transfers, though fees are higher.
What is Form 5472 and why does it matter?
Form 5472 is an IRS information return required for every US LLC owned by a non-US person. You must file it annually with a pro-forma Form 1120, even if your LLC earned no income. It must be filed on paper — the IRS does not accept electronic filing for this form. The penalty for not filing is $25,000 per form, per year. Our annual compliance service ($999/year) handles this filing for you, along with your Wyoming annual report and registered agent renewal.
Do I need a US address for my LLC?
Your LLC will have a registered agent address in Wyoming (included in our service) for official state correspondence. However, for banking purposes — particularly Mercury — you may need a US virtual office address. Mercury is known to reject applications that use a registered agent (RA) address as the business address. We help you arrange a suitable virtual office address that banks accept.
Is BOI reporting still required?
No. Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirements were eliminated in March 2025. You do not need to file a BOI report with FinCEN. This simplifies compliance — your main annual obligation is Form 5472 plus your state annual report.
How does this compare to registering a company in Kenya?
A Kenyan company is essential for local operations, KRA compliance, and M-Pesa integration. A US LLC serves a different purpose — it gives you access to international payment infrastructure (Stripe, PayPal) and the ability to invoice clients in USD from a US entity. Many successful Kenyan tech founders operate both. The US LLC is not a replacement for your Kenyan company; it is an international payment and credibility layer.
ID-verified purchase · Same-day EIN on new formations · No SSN required
