Nevada LLC for UK Founders

Many UK founders looking to access the US market already have a UK Ltd. The question they're asking isn't "should I form a US entity" — it's "should I use Stripe Atlas, or go direct, and which state?"

The short answers: skip Stripe Atlas (the fees and Delaware lock-in aren't worth it for most founders), and choose Nevada if you want the strongest asset protection and privacy. Here's why, and exactly how the process works.

Can UK Residents Form a Nevada LLC?

Yes, completely and legally.

US law places no citizenship or residency requirement on LLC ownership. Founders living in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland form US LLCs regularly. You need:

• A valid passport (UK passport or BRP card)
• A registered agent with a Nevada address (eCorp provides this)
• Nevada state filing fees (~$425, included in eCorp's all-in pricing)
• An EIN (eCorp handles the IRS Form SS-4 application on Pro and Premium plans)

No SSN. No US visa. No office. The entire process is remote.

Why UK Founders Choose Nevada

US market access. US clients — particularly enterprise companies and government contractors — often require a US-registered vendor. A Nevada LLC lets you operate as a US business entity, issue US invoices, and accept ACH payments from US clients.

Payment processing. Stripe's UK entity has higher fees and more friction than its US equivalent. A US LLC with a Mercury bank account lets you run a US-based Stripe account, which typically means lower fees and faster payouts for US sales.

Credibility for US contracts. For consulting, professional services, and SaaS businesses with US enterprise customers, a US entity removes procurement friction. Clients who won't pay a UK company will often pay a Nevada LLC without hesitation.

Running both entities. A UK Ltd for UK operations and a Nevada LLC for US operations is a common structure for UK founders scaling transatlantically. The two entities are separate — you can own both simultaneously.

Nevada adds privacy (no public member listing), no state income tax, and charging order protection that limits what personal creditors can access from your LLC assets.

Stripe Atlas vs. Forming Directly: What UK Founders Should Know

Stripe Atlas is a formation service that creates a Delaware C-Corporation for $500, with the Atlas infrastructure bundled in. It's well-marketed to startup founders.

For most UK founders, it's the wrong choice.

• Why Stripe Atlas doesn't make sense for most UK founders:
• Atlas forms a Delaware C-Corporation, not an LLC. C-Corps have more complex tax filing requirements, franchise taxes, and administrative overhead than LLCs.
• Delaware C-Corp means US corporate tax at the federal level plus Delaware franchise tax (which can be substantial depending on share structure).
• Stripe Atlas pricing includes the $500 formation fee, but annual Delaware franchise taxes and ongoing costs add up.
• Atlas is designed primarily for VC-seeking startups. If you're not planning to raise from US institutional investors in the next 12 months, a Delaware C-Corp is overkill.

A Nevada LLC through eCorp is simpler, cheaper to maintain, and better suited for most UK founders who want US market access without the complexity of US corporate governance.

What UK Founders Need to Know: US-UK Tax Treaty

The US and UK have a comprehensive tax treaty, which is good news for UK founders with Nevada LLCs.

• Key implications:
• The treaty generally prevents double taxation on the same income — you shouldn't pay both US federal tax and UK income tax on the same dollar of income
• Which country gets to tax depends on the nature of the income (business profits, royalties, dividends) and whether you have a "permanent establishment" in the US — an LLC alone typically doesn't create a permanent establishment if you have no US employees or physical office
• UK residents generally owe US federal tax only on US-sourced income — income from US clients for services performed in the US

HMRC reporting: UK residents are taxed on worldwide income. Your Nevada LLC income needs to be declared to HMRC. How it's treated depends on whether HMRC views the income as US-sourced or UK-sourced. A UK accountant with US cross-border experience can structure this correctly.

This is not complicated compared to founders from countries without a US tax treaty — but it does need professional advice, not DIY.

What You Need

• Documents:
• Valid UK passport or BRP
• Proof of UK address (utility bill or bank statement)

• What eCorp handles:
• LLC name check and filing
• Articles of Organization with Nevada Secretary of State
• Registered agent service (Nevada address on file for your LLC)
• EIN via IRS Form SS-4 (Pro and Premium plans)
• Operating agreement (Pro and Premium plans)
• Annual compliance reminders

• Timeline:
• Standard: 2–3 weeks
• Rush (Pro): 3–5 business days
• Express (Premium): 1–3 business days

Banking for UK Founders

Mercury — The most common choice for UK-based Nevada LLC owners. Remote application, no monthly fees, fast approval, full US banking features. Mercury is comfortable with UK-owned US entities.

Wise Business — Particularly useful for founders who need to transfer funds between USD and GBP at scale. Wise Business accounts hold balances in both currencies at the real exchange rate, with no spread markup.

Relay — Good for multi-account structures if you want separate accounts for tax reserves and operating funds.

Traditional US banks require in-person visits. Not practical from the UK.

Common Questions from UK Founders

Do I need a US visa to form a Nevada LLC? No. Formation is entirely remote. You can run a Nevada LLC from the UK indefinitely without a US visa. A visa only becomes relevant if you want to physically work in the US.

Can I keep my UK Ltd and form a Nevada LLC at the same time? Yes. Many UK founders operate both — UK Ltd for UK clients, Nevada LLC for US clients. The two entities are legally separate. You can be the director of one and the sole member of the other.

Is a Nevada LLC treated as a "company" for UK tax purposes? HMRC has specific rules about how it treats foreign entities for UK tax purposes. A US LLC's tax treatment in the UK can vary. Your UK accountant needs to confirm how HMRC classifies your specific LLC structure. This is worth getting right upfront.

Will my Nevada LLC income affect my UK self-assessment? Almost certainly yes — UK residents declare worldwide income. Nevada LLC income will need to be reported on your self-assessment. The US-UK tax treaty may reduce or eliminate double taxation. Again: UK accountant with US cross-border experience is the right person to advise.

Is Nevada better than Delaware for a UK founder? For UK founders not raising US venture capital, yes. Nevada's stronger privacy and asset protection are more relevant to most UK founders' needs than Delaware's Court of Chancery.

Start Your Nevada LLC

eCorp has helped UK founders form Nevada LLCs for US market operations, payment processing access, and alongside existing UK Ltd companies. All-in pricing starts at $199/yr and includes Nevada state fees (~$425) and registered agent service.

[Start your Nevada LLC today →]

This page provides general information only. US-UK tax treatment is complex and depends on individual circumstances. Consult a UK accountant with US cross-border experience and a qualified US tax professional before forming.