Wyoming LLC vs New Mexico LLC vs Missouri LLC: Which Is Best for Non-Residents? (2026)
This is the question every non-US founder asks before forming their LLC. Wyoming is the one people have heard of. New Mexico is the one Reddit recommends for the low fees. Missouri is the one that's actually fastest. All three are valid. None of them is universally "best".
I've helped hundreds of international founders choose between these states. Here's the honest, no-fluff breakdown of what actually matters for someone outside the US.
The Quick Answer
Factor | Wyoming | New Mexico | Missouri |
|---|---|---|---|
Formation Fee (Entryly) | $260 | $160 | $160 |
Annual Renewal Cost | $90/yr | $35/yr | $35/yr |
Formation Speed | 3-5 business days | 7-14 business days | 2-5 business days |
Annual Report Required | Yes ($90) | No (just Reg. Agent) | No (just Reg. Agent) |
Member Info Public | No (anonymous) | No (anonymous) | Yes (public) |
Asset Protection | Very strong | Good | Good |
State Reputation | Premium (startup-friendly) | Low-profile | Standard |
Best For | Privacy + protection | Lowest ongoing cost | Speed + affordability |
Wyoming LLC — The Premium Choice
Why Wyoming is famous
Wyoming was the first US state to create the LLC structure back in 1977. It's spent 40+ years refining its business laws to be as founder-friendly as possible. Today, it's known for three things: strong asset protection, genuine anonymity, and no state income tax.
Wyoming LLC cost breakdown
Formation (one-time): $260 through Entryly (includes registered agent first year, EIN, Mercury Bank, Stripe)
Annual renewal: $90/yr (combined registered agent + state annual report)
State income tax: None
Who should choose Wyoming
Wyoming makes the most sense if:
You want your name kept off public records (Wyoming doesn't list member names in the public database)
You're building a business you plan to scale, potentially take funding for, or eventually sell
You're in a country with high political or legal risk and want maximum separation between your identity and your US entity
You want the strongest possible charging order protection against personal creditors
Wyoming's one real downside
The $90/year annual cost is higher than New Mexico or Missouri's $35/year. Over five years, that's $450 vs $175 — a $275 difference. For a high-revenue business, this is irrelevant. For someone forming an LLC to earn their first $10,000, it adds up.
New Mexico LLC — The Budget Choice
Why New Mexico is unique
New Mexico has one property no other US state has: there is no annual report requirement. Once you form a New Mexico LLC and pay the registered agent fee each year, that's it. No state filings, no renewal forms, no annual fee to the state itself. The only recurring cost is your registered agent — typically $35/year.
New Mexico LLC cost breakdown
Formation (one-time): $160 through Entryly (includes registered agent first year, EIN, Mercury Bank, Stripe)
Annual renewal: $35/yr (registered agent only — no state annual report)
State income tax: None on LLC income from outside New Mexico
Who should choose New Mexico
New Mexico is the right choice if:
You want the absolute lowest ongoing cost — $35/year is the cheapest legitimate US LLC maintenance available
Your priority is keeping your operating costs minimal while you're building revenue
You don't need Wyoming's premium asset protection or reputation
You're forming an LLC primarily for Stripe and Mercury Bank access and don't anticipate taking investment
New Mexico's downsides
Formation takes 7–14 business days — the slowest of the three states. If you need your LLC quickly, New Mexico isn't ideal. The state also has less name recognition than Wyoming in US business circles, though this rarely matters for international e-commerce founders.
Missouri LLC — The Popular Choice
Why Missouri is our most popular package
Missouri hits a sweet spot that most international founders are looking for: fast formation at the same low price as New Mexico. Your LLC can be registered in 2–5 business days for $160 — and like New Mexico, Missouri has no mandatory annual state report. Your ongoing cost is just your registered agent fee ($35/year).
Missouri LLC cost breakdown
Formation (one-time): $160 through Entryly (includes registered agent first year, EIN, Mercury Bank, Stripe)
Annual renewal: $35/yr (registered agent only)
State income tax: None on LLC income earned outside Missouri
Who should choose Missouri
Missouri is the best default for most non-US founders because:
You get the same $160 price as New Mexico but 2-4x faster formation
Same $35/year ongoing cost
You want your LLC running as quickly as possible to start accepting payments
You don't have specific privacy concerns that would push you toward Wyoming
Missouri's one notable difference
Missouri does list member information in its public business database. If business privacy is important to you — for personal security reasons or because you don't want your name attached to a US entity publicly — Wyoming or New Mexico are better choices, as neither publishes member names.
The Question Nobody Asks But Should: Does the State Matter for Taxes?
Here's something that confuses a lot of founders: your LLC's state does not determine where you pay US taxes.
As a non-US resident owning a single-member LLC with no US employees and no physical US operations, you are likely not subject to US federal or state income tax on your LLC's income — regardless of whether your LLC is in Wyoming, New Mexico, or Missouri.
What determines your tax situation is:
Where your customers are located
Whether you have employees or contractors in the US
Whether you have a physical presence (office, warehouse) in the US
Your home country's tax treaty with the US
None of these factors are affected by which state you form in. Wyoming, New Mexico, and Missouri all charge zero state income tax on LLC income earned outside their borders. This makes them equally attractive from a tax perspective for international founders.
Important disclaimer: Tax rules are complex and jurisdiction-specific. Always consult a qualified US tax advisor for your specific situation.
Does the State Affect Stripe or Mercury Bank Approval?
No. Stripe and Mercury Bank do not filter applications by state of formation. A Wyoming LLC, New Mexico LLC, and Missouri LLC are all equally eligible for US Stripe accounts and Mercury Bank accounts. The approval decision is based on your business type, EIN, and identity verification — not your state.
The Real Decision Framework
Use this to decide:
Do you need your LLC in under 5 business days? → Missouri or Wyoming. Skip New Mexico.
Is ongoing cost your top priority? → New Mexico or Missouri (both $35/yr). Skip Wyoming.
Is privacy important (name off public records)? → Wyoming or New Mexico. Skip Missouri.
Do you want premium asset protection for a high-value business? → Wyoming only.
Just want to get started fast at the lowest price? → Missouri. It's our most popular package for a reason.
A Note on States You Might See Elsewhere
You may have read about Delaware LLCs being the "gold standard" for startups. Delaware is excellent for venture-backed C-corps — but for a single-member LLC owned by an international founder, Delaware offers no advantage. It has a $300/year minimum franchise tax regardless of revenue, and its advantages (specialized Court of Chancery, investor familiarity) only matter if you're raising institutional capital.
Nevada is also frequently mentioned. It was popular in the 2000s but has become less competitive as Wyoming improved its laws. Nevada charges more and offers little that Wyoming doesn't.
For non-US founders accessing Stripe and Mercury Bank: Wyoming, New Mexico, and Missouri cover 99% of use cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my LLC's state after formation?
Yes, through a process called domestication or redomestication. It requires dissolving the original state registration and reforming in the new state, which involves paperwork and fees in both states. It's easier to choose the right state upfront. Entryly can help you evaluate before you form.
Will my customers know which state my LLC is formed in?
Rarely. Your customers see your business name and website, not your state of formation. If you send invoices with your LLC's registered address, they may see a US address — but the state is not typically displayed.
What happens if I stop paying the annual fee?
Your registered agent will notify you before the renewal deadline. If you don't renew, the registered agent will eventually resign, and the state may administratively dissolve your LLC. This does not happen immediately — you usually have 6–12 months of notices. Entryly sends compliance reminders before every deadline.
Can I have employees in any of these states?
Yes, but hiring employees in a state creates nexus (legal and tax presence) in that state, which triggers additional compliance requirements. Most international founders operate as solo founders without US employees, which keeps the compliance picture simple regardless of state.
Which state has the best reputation for international business?
Wyoming has the strongest international recognition among business attorneys and investors. If you ever plan to bring in US investors or advisors, Wyoming signals that you've set up properly. New Mexico and Missouri are perfectly fine for e-commerce, SaaS, freelance, and service businesses.
Our Recommendation
If you're an international founder accessing Stripe and Mercury Bank for your online business: start with Missouri. It's the fastest, cheapest path to a live US company. If privacy or asset protection matters to you, upgrade to Wyoming.
All three states are included in Entryly's formation packages. The price difference ($100) between Wyoming and the other two states is the only financial variable — every other deliverable (EIN, Mercury Bank, Stripe, Registered Agent, US address, Operating Agreement) is identical.
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