For International Investors
How to Set Up a US LLC as a Foreign Investor
Why a US LLC is the foundation of financing US investment property as a non-resident, and how to form one, even without a US Social Security number.
Almost every question about financing US property as a foreigner comes back to one thing: the US LLC. It is the entity that holds the property, the borrower on the loan, and the reason the financing is business-purpose rather than consumer.
The good news is that a non-resident can own a US LLC with no US citizenship or residency, and forming one is fast. Here is what you need to know.
Why you need a US LLC
We lend to a US LLC only, never to an individual. Holding investment property in an entity keeps the loan business-purpose rather than consumer, which is how US investment real estate is properly structured and is standard for international investors.
Beyond financing, an LLC separates the asset from your personal affairs and gives you a clean, recognized vehicle for owning and one day selling the property.
Can a foreigner own a US LLC?
Yes. There is no US citizenship or residency requirement to own a US LLC. A non-resident can be the sole member. You do not need to be in the United States to form one.
How to form one: the steps
- Choose a state to form in (investors commonly use the state where the property sits, or a business-friendly state)
- Appoint a registered agent with a US address
- File the formation documents and pay the state fee
- Obtain an EIN (the LLC's federal tax ID), available to non-residents without a Social Security number
- Put a simple operating agreement in place
- Open the LLC's US bank account and fund it
Getting an EIN without a Social Security number
An EIN is the LLC's tax identification number, and you do not need an SSN to get one. Non-residents apply using IRS Form SS-4 (by fax or mail rather than the online tool). It is a routine step, and your formation provider can handle it for you.
Tools and providers
You do not have to assemble this alone. Specialist providers form a US LLC for non-residents and obtain the EIN as part of the package. doola is built specifically for non-resident owners and ongoing compliance, while Stripe Atlas is a solid option that leans toward Delaware and startup structures. Both handle the no-SSN EIN process.
For banking, digital-first business banks like Mercury and Relay are usually easier to open remotely than traditional banks such as Chase, which often require an in-person visit. Eligibility varies by country and by entity type, and some banks expect the company to have genuine US operations, so the right fit depends on your situation. We can introduce you to vetted partners for formation, US tax, and banking, then handle the financing once the structure is in place, so you get a single guided path from setup to funding.
How the LLC lets you borrow
Once the LLC exists and its account is funded, it becomes the borrower. The loan is made to the LLC, secured by the investment property, and underwritten on the asset and your ability to service it, not on your personal US credit. That is what makes financing available to you as a non-resident, on the same terms a US investor gets.
One caveat
This is a practical financing overview, not legal or tax advice. Foreign-owned US LLCs also carry ongoing US filing obligations (for example IRS Form 5472, which has steep penalties if missed), and entity choice and tax treatment depend on your home country, so confirm the structure with a qualified US tax advisor before you file. We can introduce you to advisors who work with international investors. On the financing side, we will tell you exactly what the lender needs.
Frequently asked questions
Can a non-resident foreigner own a US LLC?
Yes. There is no citizenship or residency requirement. A non-US resident can be the sole member of a US LLC and form it without being in the United States.
Can I get an EIN without a Social Security number?
Yes. Non-residents obtain an EIN, the LLC's federal tax ID, using IRS Form SS-4 (submitted by fax or mail). An SSN is not required, and a formation provider can handle it for you.
Why do I have to borrow through an LLC instead of personally?
We lend to a US LLC only. Holding investment property in an entity keeps the loan business-purpose rather than consumer, which is how US investment real estate is structured for international investors. It also separates the asset from your personal affairs.
How long does it take to set up?
LLC formation is fast, often a few days, and inexpensive. Obtaining the EIN and opening the bank account add a little time, but the whole structure can typically be ready well within the timeline of a deal.
Ready to finance your US deal?
Tell us about the property and your timeline. We will come back with the structure and next steps, usually within 24 hours.