What everyone asks before getting started
How long does formation take?
We prepare and file your LLC as soon as your file is complete; the approval time from there depends on the state and on whether its expedite fee is paid. The EIN depends on IRS timelines: with a Social Security number it is quick, and without one the IRS only accepts the application by fax or by mail, which usually means several weeks. In Hong Kong we confirm timelines in the initial consultation, because they depend on the provider, the bank and the processor. Every timeline we give is an estimate, and we tell you which part depends on a third party.
Who actually handles everything?
We manage your file from start to finish and work with licensed providers in each jurisdiction: a registered agent and the filings in the United States, a firm with a TCSP license in Hong Kong, and an IRS-authorized acceptance agent for ITINs. You have a single point of contact, which is us, and everything is set up in your name and with your documentation.
What happens if the bank or PayPal says no?
We do not guarantee approval or timelines, because that decision is not ours. If an application is denied, we explain the reason we are given and prepare a new filing or an application with another provider, at no additional cost for our work. Public fees and third-party charges already paid are non-refundable. It is written into the service agreement you sign before paying.
What exactly are you: a law firm, an accounting practice or a bank?
We are a specialized intermediary. We handle the formation of your company and the onboarding with banks and payment processors from start to finish, and we stay with you throughout the process. We are not a law firm, tax advisors or a financial institution: we do not give legal or tax advice, and we are not the ones who approve your account. Our job is to get you to each door with a properly assembled file and knowing what to expect.
Is it legal to form a company outside my country?
Yes. Forming a company in the United States or in Hong Kong as a non-resident is completely legal and thousands of businesses do it every year. What makes the difference is doing it properly: identifying yourself correctly, reporting what applies in each jurisdiction and keeping the company up to date. Everything we set up is in your name and with your real documentation. We do not work with nominees and we do not hide ownership.
Is this a way for me to avoid paying taxes?
No, and be wary of anyone who tells you otherwise. Having a company abroad does not remove your tax obligations where you are a tax resident. What it gives you is a structure that works for getting paid and for operating internationally. How that is taxed in your country is something a tax advisor in your country has to look at, and we strongly recommend having one before you start.
What do you mean by a “sustainable” structure?
One that holds up over time. It is easy to set up something quick and cheap that works for three months and then falls apart: account closed, funds held and back to square one. We build the structure with the aim that it is still standing two years from now, with the right jurisdiction, documentation that is consistent across store, company and bank, and the annual obligations covered. If something you ask us for compromises that, we tell you before charging you.
Do you work with any type of business?
No. We review each case beforehand and there are sectors and situations we do not accept, either because we know they would not get past the screening of banks and processors, or because we do not want to take part in them. We would rather tell you in the first consultation that your case is not a fit than charge you and leave you halfway.
Do I need to travel to the United States or to Hong Kong?
No. The whole process is 100% remote and digital, from formation to opening accounts. You will never need to get on a plane.
Can I open the company without an SSN?
Yes. The service is designed for non-residents without a US Social Security number. We handle the EIN all the same — the IRS accepts an application from a foreign responsible party, though not through the online route — and if you need to operate in your own personal name, we add the ITIN.
What exactly is the ITIN and do I need it?
The ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is a tax identification number issued by the IRS to people who cannot obtain an SSN. It is not a work or residence permit: it is a tax identifier. It is used above all to open bank and processor accounts in your name and to file returns in the US. The application is handled through an IRS-authorized acceptance agent, so you never have to send us your original passport.
Why Hong Kong and not just an LLC?
Because they solve different problems. The LLC gives you a solid, inexpensive US entity. Hong Kong gives you access to banking and payment processors on terms that a US or European entity does not reach, which is exactly what you need when the problem is holds and blocked payments.
How is it decided which state my LLC goes in?
You decide, with our comparison in front of you. We look at what you sell, where you operate from, whether you have partners, whether you need privacy and how much you expect to bill, and we set out what each state costs to form in, what it costs to maintain, what it publishes about you and how banks and processors treat it. Wyoming, Delaware, New Mexico and Florida are the four states we work with. We explain the reasoning and the final decision is yours.
What do I need to get started?
Your passport or identity document and some basic details about the business: what you sell, where you sell and roughly how much you bill. We do the rest of the paperwork.
What happens each year with my company?
Each jurisdiction has its own renewals. For the LLC, maintenance from the second year onwards starts at 175 per year for the registered agent, plus the state’s annual report fee, which varies by state and is passed on at cost. The first year is included in the formation price. Hong Kong has its own annual obligations and we confirm their cost in the consultation. In every case we let you know in advance so that your company never lapses.