Doing business in the United States.
The world's largest economy — and our home base. We help Brazilian and Guyanese companies set up, and U.S. companies expand from state to state and abroad.
Why United States, now.
The United States offers the largest consumer market and the deepest capital markets in the world, with clear rules and fast company formation. The decisions that matter most come early: which entity, which state, and how the company will be taxed and banked.
Every state has its own company law, taxes, fees and annual filings, so where you set up should follow where you will sell, hire and raise money. We compare the options for each case and coordinate the registrations in every state where the company needs to operate.
Step by step.
A non-resident can own a U.S. company without living in the country. The usual path looks like this:
- 01
Choose the entity
An LLC is flexible and simple to run; a C-Corporation is usually preferred by venture investors and for raising capital.
- 02
Choose the state
Based on where you will operate, hire and sell, and whether you plan to raise investment. Each state requires a registered agent, and a company formed in one state registers in the others where it does business.
- 03
File and organise
Articles of organization or incorporation filed with the state's Secretary of State, plus an operating agreement or bylaws.
- 04
Federal tax ID
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS — available to non-residents without a Social Security number.
- 05
Bank and registrations
Business bank account (some banks require a visit in person), and state licences and sales tax registration where they apply.
What weighs most.
How the company is taxed
A C-Corporation pays 21% federal income tax plus state corporate tax where it applies, which varies by state. An LLC is taxed through its owners by default, which has different consequences for foreign owners — model both before choosing.
Foreign-owned LLCs
A single-member LLC owned by a foreign person must file Form 5472 with the IRS every year, even with no income. Missing it carries heavy penalties.
Beneficial ownership (BOI)
Since March 2025, companies formed in the U.S. are exempt from FinCEN's BOI reporting; foreign companies registered to do business in a U.S. state still report. We check the current rule for each case.
Sales tax
There is no federal VAT. Sales tax is set state by state, often with local rates on top, and some states have none — your obligations depend on where you sell.
General information, checked in October 2026. Rules change — we confirm the current position with licensed professionals for every project.
Moving people to United States.
Owning a company does not, by itself, give the right to live or work in the United States. Where people need to move, immigration is handled with licensed immigration attorneys, and we take care of everything around the move.
Anywhere in the countryWe assist equally in any state — from New York, Florida, Texas and California to smaller cities and towns — with the same level of service.
- Housing: landlords usually check U.S. credit history, which newcomers don't have — we negotiate alternatives such as larger deposits or corporate leases.
- Schools: public schools are assigned by address, so the home and the school are chosen together; private and international schools are another option.
- Health: there is no universal public system — health insurance, usually through the employer, is essential from day one.
- Banking and IDs: a bank account, a Social Security number or ITIN, and a local phone are the first practical steps.
- Getting around: most cities depend on the car; driver's licence rules vary by state, and many require a local test after a period.
- Cost of living: it changes a lot from city to city — we compare housing, schools and taxes before you choose where to live.
- Daily life: tipping is expected in restaurants and services, and everything from utilities to school runs on online accounts — we set them up with you.
One plan. One team.
We help you choose the entity and the state, coordinate formation, EIN and banking with licensed professionals, keep the annual filings on the calendar, and build the website, systems and marketing for your U.S. launch.
About United States.
Can I open a U.S. company without living there?
Yes. Non-residents can own LLCs and corporations, obtain an EIN and, in many cases, open a bank account — although some banks ask for a visit in person. Owning the company, however, is different from being allowed to work in it from inside the United States.
Which state should I choose?
It depends on where you will operate, hire and sell, and on whether you plan to raise investment. A company formed in one state usually has to register in every state where it does business, so we compare total costs and obligations for your case before you decide.
Can I travel to the U.S. for meetings before opening the company?
Yes, with a business visitor visa (B-1), which allows meetings, negotiations, conferences and site visits — but not working or being paid in the U.S. Citizens of Brazil and Guyana are not in the Visa Waiver Program, so they need the visa before travelling.
Which visas do business owners and executives usually use?
The most common routes are the L-1, to transfer a manager, executive or specialist who has worked at least one year in the last three for the company abroad to its U.S. affiliate; the EB-5 green card, through an investment of US$800,000 in a targeted area or infrastructure project, or US$1,050,000 elsewhere, creating at least ten full-time jobs; and the O-1, for people with extraordinary ability. Each case is assessed by licensed immigration attorneys.
Can Brazilians and Guyanese use the E-2 investor visa?
Not with Brazilian or Guyanese citizenship alone — neither country has an E-2 treaty with the United States. People who also hold citizenship of a treaty country, such as Italy or Portugal, may qualify through that nationality.
What should I know before hiring in the U.S.?
Employment is usually "at will", but there is a federal minimum wage and many states and cities set higher ones. Employers verify every worker's eligibility to work (Form I-9), withhold payroll taxes, and in most states must carry workers' compensation insurance.
Are there special rules for foreign owners?
A few that matter: a single-member LLC owned by a foreigner files Form 5472 every year; investments in sensitive technology, critical infrastructure or large sets of personal data can be reviewed by CFIUS; and when a foreigner sells U.S. real estate, part of the price is withheld for tax (FIRPTA).
Which sectors welcome foreign investment?
The U.S. actively attracts foreign companies: SelectUSA, at the Department of Commerce, supports investors, and states compete with their own incentives. Software and IT, real estate, manufacturing and industrial equipment, life sciences, energy, logistics, food and agribusiness, hospitality and professional services are among the sectors that receive the most foreign investment.
Let's talk about United States.
Tell us what you have in mind. We reply within two business days.