US company registration from India in 2026.

1. Decide state + entity. Delaware C-Corp if US VC in 12-month plan. Wyoming LLC otherwise. Delaware LLC is a middle option.
2. File Certificate of Incorporation / Formation with the Delaware or Wyoming Secretary of State. 1-5 business days.
3. Appoint registered agent in state. Required for every US entity.
4. Obtain EIN via Form SS-4. Non-SSN founders use fax or international phone route. Phone (+1-267-941-1099) is faster — same-day EIN possible. Fax typically 4-8 weeks.
5. Open US business bank account. Mercury or Brex are the standard options for Indian founders. Fully remote onboarding. 2-4 weeks.
6. FEMA ODI on India side. Outward remittance via your Indian authorised dealer bank (HDFC / ICICI / Axis / SBI). Form ODI filed within 30 days via the AD bank. UIN obtained from RBI.
7. Set up year-1 compliance. Delaware franchise tax (annual, 1 March), Form 5472 (foreign-owned LLC, 15 April), Form 1120 (C-Corp), state registrations.

Total timeline: 3-6 weeks from kickoff to funded Mercury account.

Delaware: standard for VC-track C-Corps. Delaware Court of Chancery, Delaware General Corporation Law, VC-friendly preferred-stock machinery. Delaware franchise tax USD 400+ annually using Assumed Par Value Method (critical to use the right method).

Wyoming: lower-cost LLC alternative. Annual fee USD 60. Privacy-friendly (no public member disclosure). Pass-through tax. NOT VC-fundable.

California, New York, Texas, Florida: rarely the right choice for an Indian founder's primary US entity unless the business specifically needs in-state presence (e.g., California office with California-resident founder). Delaware or Wyoming formation + foreign qualification in operating states is usually more efficient.

Nevada: occasionally considered for privacy but Delaware or Wyoming typically covers the same ground more cheaply.

Non-SSN founders cannot obtain an EIN via the IRS online EIN system (which requires an SSN or ITIN of a responsible party). The alternatives:

1. Form SS-4 via fax (+1-855-215-1627 for international applicants). 4-8 weeks typical processing. Reliable but slow.
2. Form SS-4 via international phone (+1-267-941-1099, Mon-Fri 7am-7pm Eastern). Same-day EIN possible if the call is scripted correctly. Faster but requires live call with specific wording.
3. Via a CA / preparer with existing third-party designee authorisation. BQP uses the phone route primarily.

EIN assignment letter (CP-575) is retained — required for US bank account, Stripe, future tax filings.

Mercury (preferred for most Indian founders in 2026):

• Fully remote onboarding from India.
• FDIC coverage via partner banks (Choice Financial, Evolve, etc.).
• Treasury yield on balances USD 500K+.
• No monthly fees.
• Approves earlier-stage founders including pre-revenue.
• Approval typically 2-5 business days.

Brex:

• Better for funded companies with 5+ team needing corporate cards + spend management.
• Historically has declined pre-revenue founders.
• Add Brex after Mercury if you need the spend-management features.

Start with Mercury. Add Brex at Series A if the team hits 10+ and you need the spend-management features.