US BUSINESS SETUP FOR NON-RESIDENTS
Your US business, set up correctly, from wherever you are.
Personalized 1:1 consulting for non-US founders. You complete every step yourself, live on screen-share, while Cotual guides you from formation to your first Stripe payment.
Do-with-you, never done-for-you. Your EIN, US Bank, and Stripe details stay with you.
Musa Adeyemi Ayinde・Founder, Cotual
US-registered consulting company
Guided founders from Africa, Europe, and Asia
5-star reviews on Google and LinkedIn
EXECUTION INFRASTRUCTURE
How we work together
01 LIVE GUIDANCE
1:1 Execution Calls
Book live calls at each key point in your plan. You execute on screen-share while we guide you.
Unlimited Chat Support
Message us anytime between calls. We reply as soon as we are available, till setup is complete.
02 YOUR PLAN
Personalized Execution Plan
A detailed plan for each phase, built around your nationality, country of operations, and goals.
Timed Action Steps
What to do, when to do it, and why it matters for your US structure.
03 TRACKING
Client Portal
A private portal that tracks every phase, step by step. Access opens at onboarding.
Document Tracker
Know which documents to prepare before each phase. You show documents on screen; never send them.
YOUR SAFEGUARDS
How we protect your setup
01
Pre-Submission Review
Before you submit any bank or Stripe application, we review every detail with you live, so nothing conflicts. This is one of our strictest policies.
02
Decline Recovery
If an application is declined, we diagnose why with you and fix the cause before you resubmit. Where needed, we explore alternatives.
03
Compliance Handover
In Phase 6, Structural Compliance, you learn what your business must file and renew each year, and when. Every deadline is tracked in your portal, so nothing is missed.
THE PHASES
Your setup in six phases
Average: 2 weeks (14 business days)
01
Onboarding
Day 1
Access your portal and set your plan together.
Your personalized execution plan, including your entity type and formation state.
02
Entity Formation
Days 2 to 3
Form your LLC or C-Corp, guided live.
Formation documents, operating agreement or bylaws, registered agent, and US business address.
03
EIN Application
Days 4 to 10
Apply for your US federal tax ID.
Your EIN and IRS confirmation letter, used for banking, payments, and tax filings.
04
US Business Banking
Days 11 to 12
Apply after our pre-submission review.
A US business account in your company’s name, once approved, with ACH, wire, and SWIFT details.
05
Payment Processing
Day 13
Set up Stripe, aligned to your company records.
An active Stripe account, once approved, with payouts to your US bank account.
06
Structural Compliance
Day 14
Learn your tax filings, state reports, renewals, and deadlines.
Your tax filing, state report, and renewal deadlines, tracked in your portal.
All days are business days. EIN timing depends on IRS processing; banking timing depends on your nationality and country of residence.
WHY COTUAL
Formation platforms vs Cotual
WHAT YOU NEED
FORMATION PLATFORMS
COTUAL
Company and EIN
Included, or a paid add-on
Included, guided live
US Bank Account
A referral link, if any
Guided live, with pre-submission review
Stripe
Usually left to you
Guided live, aligned to your records
If an application is declined
Usually not covered
Diagnosed, fixed, and resubmitted; alternatives if needed
Built around your country
One standard process
Personalized to your nationality, residence, and business
Annual tax filing (Form 5472)
Not offered, or a paid add-on
Explained in depth after setup
Based on published 2026 features of major formation platforms. Offerings vary by provider.
CLIENT RESULTS
What our clients say
“From my first message on LLC formation to a live Stripe payment link took about 2 weeks, even with the extra manual verification banks require for Ethiopian applicants. The process was structured into clear phases, each completed live with Musa guiding me while I did the work myself.”
Nathnael T. Agafari
Founder, MoveWise LLC · Ethiopia
“This is not generic consulting. Every step was personalized to my exact situation, my country, and my business. He knew what Stripe needed, why they were asking for it, and precisely how to respond.”
Mohamed Ibrahim
Engine Shop, TMA · Maldives
OUR COMMITMENT
Approval Support Guarantee
We keep guiding you, at no additional cost, until each outcome is achieved, or until all viable alternatives are exhausted. If any cannot be achieved despite you meeting every condition, we refund 100% of your Consulting Fee.
Conditions apply, as set out in your service agreement. Refunds exclude third-party and government fees. Approval decisions belong to banks, Stripe, and the IRS.
US Entity Formation
Phase 2
EIN Issuance
Phase 3
US Business Bank Approval
Phase 4
Stripe Account Activation
Phase 5
FAQ
Questions founders ask
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Yes. Non-US residents and citizens can own a US LLC or C-Corp. Cotual guides you through forming it, getting your EIN, and opening your US bank and Stripe accounts, all online from your country.
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No. Cotual is do-with-you: you complete every step yourself, live on screen-share, while we guide you. Nothing is submitted on your behalf. This keeps your EIN, bank, and Stripe details private and fully under your control, and you understand your own US structure from day one.
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Never. You show documents on your own screen when we need to confirm them. We never ask for passwords, one-time codes, full card numbers, or copies of your documents.
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About 2 weeks (14 business days) on average. EIN timing depends on IRS processing, and banking timing depends on your nationality and country of residence.
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No. Non-US founders apply for an EIN without an SSN or ITIN, and every step of the setup is completed online from your country. No travel to the US is required.
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Founders outside the US, mainly in Africa, Asia, and Europe. Some banks restrict certain countries, so we review your situation on your first call.
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We diagnose why with you and fix the cause before you resubmit. Where needed, we explore alternatives. Our Approval Support Guarantee sets out what happens if every option is exhausted.
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Your Consulting Fee depends on your situation and is discussed on your call. Third-party fees are paid directly to the provider, never to Cotual.
Ready to build your US business?
Book a call. We review your situation and show you the right path for your country and business.