Skip the wait — buy a US LLC that already has its EIN

Zimbabwe has one of the largest and fastest-growing freelance economies in the world. With an estimated 3 to 5 million freelancers contributing to the digital economy, Zimbabwe consistently ranks among the top five countries on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com.

Yet Zimbabwean professionals face a structural barrier that limits their earning potential and business growth: they cannot access the payment infrastructure that the rest of the world takes for granted.

Stripe is not available in Zimbabwe

Stripe, the world's leading online payment processor — used by companies from early-stage startups to Fortune 500 enterprises — does not operate in Zimbabwe. There is no native Stripe account available to Zimbabwean businesses or individuals. This means Zimbabwean founders cannot accept card payments through Stripe on their own websites, SaaS products, or digital platforms.

PayPal is severely restricted

While PayPal operates in Zimbabwe in a limited capacity, withdrawing funds to a Zimbabwean bank account remains blocked. Freelancers who receive PayPal payments often have to rely on third-party exchange services or maintain accounts in other countries — adding cost, complexity, and risk.

The real cost of being locked out

Without access to Stripe and reliable PayPal withdrawals, Zimbabwean freelancers and businesses face:

• Lost clients — many international clients only pay via Stripe or PayPal
• Higher fees — alternative payment methods (Payoneer, wire transfers) carry higher costs and slower settlement
• Limited scalability — you cannot build a subscription-based SaaS, e-commerce store, or digital product business without reliable card processing
• Credibility gap — international clients and partners perceive businesses without standard payment options as less professional
• Currency restrictions — difficulty holding and managing USD earnings efficiently

The frustration is real. Zimbabwean developers, designers, writers, and digital agency owners are building world-class products — but they are competing with one hand tied behind their back because of payment infrastructure limitations they cannot control.

The solution used by thousands of Zimbabwean founders, freelancers, and digital entrepreneurs is straightforward: operate your international business through a US Limited Liability Company (LLC). The fastest way to get there is to buy a ready-made Wyoming LLC that already has its EIN — but whether you buy ready-made or register fresh, the outcome is the same: a legitimate US entity that unlocks the payment rails Zimbabwe blocks.

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

Why Wyoming is the most popular choice for Zimbabwean founders

Our ready-made companies — and the new LLCs we register — are Wyoming LLCs, the preferred state for most international formations, and for good reason:

• No state income tax — Wyoming does not tax LLC income at the state level
• Strong privacy protections — member and manager names are not listed on public filings
• Low fees — $100 state filing fee, $60 annual report
• Asset protection — Wyoming provides the 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)

If speed is your priority — and for most founders trying to take a payment this week it is — a ready-made company wins. The EIN already exists, so there is no IRS queue between you and your first invoice. If the exact company name matters more than getting live immediately, we register a brand-new Wyoming LLC in your chosen name with a same-day EIN from $549.

The entire process is handled remotely. You do not need to visit the US, have a US visa, or have a Social Security Number.

Getting a US LLC from Zimbabwe is simpler than most people expect. Here is exactly what you need:

Required documents

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

What you do NOT need

• No SSN (Social Security Number) — 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 through it)
• No prior US business experience — first-time founders welcome

Once your LLC is yours and its EIN is confirmed, the next step is opening a US business bank account. We guide you through this process and help you prepare your application documents.

Recommended banks for non-residents

Mercury — the most popular choice among international founders. Mercury offers free business banking with no monthly fees, FDIC insurance up to $5 million, and integrations with Stripe, PayPal, and accounting software. The entire application is completed online.

Relay Financial — another strong option with no monthly fees, multiple checking accounts, and profit-first budgeting features. Relay also accepts non-resident applications remotely.

Wise Business — ideal for multi-currency operations. Wise allows you to hold USD and 50+ other currencies with low-cost international transfers.

Documents you will need for a bank application

• 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)

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is your US federal tax identification number, issued free by the IRS. Every LLC needs an EIN to open a bank account, accept payments, and file taxes. With a ready-made company the EIN already exists — that is what lets you bank and take payments within 24 hours. For a new registration, we obtain it for you same-day.

How we obtain your EIN (new registrations)

Non-US residents cannot apply for an EIN online (the IRS online application requires an SSN or ITIN). Instead, we apply on your behalf as an IRS Third Party Designee:

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 (available Monday-Friday, 6am-11pm US Eastern Time)
3. The IRS verbally assigns your EIN during the call — same-day issuance
4. We follow up with the signed Form SS-4 by fax within 24 hours as required by the IRS
5. You receive your EIN confirmation immediately

The IRS charges no fee for EIN assignment. Our service fee covers the preparation, phone application, and follow-up paperwork.

Standalone EIN service

If you already have a US LLC and only need an EIN, we offer a standalone EIN application service for $199.

If you are a non-US person who owns a US LLC, the IRS requires you to file Form 5472 every year, attached to a pro forma Form 1120. This is an information return, not a tax payment — but the consequences of not filing are severe.

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 (US Corporation Income Tax Return)
• When to file: By April 15 of the following year (6-month extension available by filing Form 7004)
• How to file: Paper only. Form 5472 cannot be e-filed — it must be mailed to the IRS as a physical document
• What to report: All reportable transactions between you and your LLC (capital contributions, distributions, payments for services, loans)

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 that may apply to foreign reporting companies.

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

US tax position

A single-member LLC owned by a non-resident alien (NRA) is treated as a disregarded entity for US federal income tax purposes. This means:

• The LLC itself does not pay US income tax
• Income passes through to the owner
• If the LLC has no US-source income and no effectively connected income (ECI), the US tax liability is typically minimal
• You are still required to file Form 5472 annually (information return)
• Wyoming has no state income tax, so there is no state-level tax liability

Zimbabwe tax considerations

Zimbabwe taxes its residents on worldwide income. Income earned through your US LLC may be taxable in Zimbabwe under Zimbabwean tax law. Key considerations:

• There is no US-Zimbabwe tax treaty for income tax, so consult a Zimbabwean tax advisor regarding worldwide income reporting
• You should report your US LLC income to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA)
• Consult a Zimbabwean tax advisor (Chartered Accountant) who understands cross-border structures

We understand the specific challenges and opportunities facing Zimbabwean entrepreneurs in the global digital economy. Our service is designed with Zimbabwean founders in mind.

Local payment options

We accept international card payments and bank transfers for our service fees. If you prefer to pay using EcoCash or InnBucks, contact us via WhatsApp and we will arrange an alternative payment method for your convenience.

Pricing in USD

Zimbabwe uses USD as its primary trading currency, so our pricing is already in the currency you trade in — no conversion guesswork. The Business Ready package is $549; ready-made companies are priced per listing on the companies page.

Support in your timezone

Central Africa Time (CAT, UTC+2) overlaps with our UK support hours. We are available via WhatsApp, email, and phone during business hours that work for Zimbabwean clients.

Why this matters for Zimbabwean freelancers

Zimbabwe ranks as the fastest-growing freelancing market in Southern Africa. The Zimbabwe IT and ITeS industry exported over $2.6 billion in the fiscal year 2022-23. The government's Digital Zimbabwe initiative and the Learning and Earning Development Project (LEDP) are training hundreds of thousands of new digital workers.

Yet these skilled professionals are held back by payment infrastructure limitations. A US LLC removes that barrier entirely, giving Zimbabwean founders the same access to Stripe, PayPal, and US banking that their competitors in supported countries already enjoy.

Other countries where we help entrepreneurs get US LLCs:

• Form a US LLC from Nigeria
• Form a US LLC from Kenya
• Form a US LLC from Ghana
• Form a US LLC from Pakistan
• Form a US LLC from India

View all countries →