You may not need a US company
Freelance work for clients abroad
You can be paid from abroad as an individual and declare the income in Vietnam. A US company adds US filings and Vietnam's rules on investing abroad, so it needs a reason.
From Vietnam · Asia-Pacific
Start a US company from Vietnam
For Vietnamese founders who need US card payments, a US contracting party or a company for US platforms. Formation and the EIN happen remotely, without an SSN. Mercury and Wise's USD accounts won't serve founders who live here, and Vietnam's 2026 investment and tax laws set out how you may own and pay for the company.
Launch + Wyoming filing; the tax return is separate.Checked by Saais Patel, compliance reviewer.
At a glance
Mercury doesn't open for founders living in Vietnam, and Wise gives no USD account details there. Try Payoneer.
The banks, in detailYou can form a US LLC while living in Vietnam, without an SSN or a US visit. Launch starts at $351.40 in Wyoming, including our plan and state filing fee. Mercury and Wise's USD accounts won't serve founders who live here; check Payoneer first. Since March 2026 individuals may invest abroad, and small projects only register the foreign exchange transaction through their bank.
Watch
The first year from Vietnam, in 5 minutes
About to pay for a US company from Vietnam? Under the Law on Investment 2025, individuals may invest abroad, not only companies, and owning a US company is exactly that, so the money goes through your bank.
Before you form
Start with whether you need a US company at all.
BaseAcross's Wyoming LLC and Delaware C-Corp options for founders in Vietnam
Wyoming LLC
Owner-run business that needs Stripe or a US contracting party; plan the bank first.
- State filing
- $102.40
- Yearly state charge
- From $60
Delaware C-Corp
Raising from investors who want shares.
- State filing
- $110
- Yearly state charge
- $450 for the model shown
Both charges are the state's, before our plan, optional services and your advisers' fees. Wyoming sets a minimum yearly charge, and Delaware's franchise tax depends on how it's calculated. Staff, stock or premises in another state can bring obligations there. An S-corporation isn't an option, because nonresident aliens can't hold its shares.
Prepare the information
Different documents are needed at different stages.
You provide
Before state filing
- Your proposed company name, business activity and chosen structure.
- Owners' names exactly as on their passports, ownership shares, management and home addresses.
- Any Vietnamese company you already run, and whether it or you will own the US company.
- The approved company name and formation details.
- The responsible party. Without an SSN or ITIN, the application goes on Form SS-4.
- Accurate mailing and principal business addresses, and your signed authorization where required.
You confirm; we prepare
After formation, for the EIN
- A passport for each owner the provider asks about.
- Formation documents, the EIN confirmation and the operating agreement.
- A real business address, your website, a description of the business and the source of funds, as each provider asks.
The provider verifies
For bank and payment applications
- Your bank's foreign exchange registration for the investment, and the capital account it opens.
- The outward investment registration certificate, if your project is above the Government's threshold.
- Your tax code and personal income tax return, with income from the company in it.
You and your bank
For your bank and the tax office in Vietnam
You don't need a Vietnamese company to form a US LLC. Your bank needs the investment's foreign exchange registration, and a larger project needs the outward investment registration certificate. The EIN is the US company's tax ID, and it doesn't replace your tax code. Send identity documents through a secure request, and only the ones asked for.
How it works
Seven steps from Vietnam to a maintained US company.
The state approves the company, the IRS issues the EIN and each provider approves its own account. In Vietnam, your bank registers the foreign exchange transaction and your advisers handle the investment law and tax; we don't file either.
You, your bank and your adviser
Check the Vietnamese side first
Decide whether you need a US company at all, how you'll register the investment and send the money, and how you'll be paid for your own work.
You leave this stage with: A funding and payment plan that fits Vietnam's rules.
01 / 07
You choose; BaseAcross checks
Choose the name and registered agent
We check the proposed name and provide the registered agent in the formation state. The registered office is for legal papers, not your operating address.
You leave this stage with: Confirmed filing details and a registered agent.
02 / 07
BaseAcross files; the state approves
File the company with the state
We submit the formation filing and send you the state's documents once it's approved. The company exists from that approval.
You leave this stage with: State-approved formation documents.
03 / 07
BaseAcross
Prepare the operating documents
We draft the LLC Operating Agreement or corporate bylaws. Check every name and share against your passport before you sign.
You leave this stage with: Operating documents for your records, your bank and US providers.
04 / 07
BaseAcross prepares; the IRS issues
Apply for the EIN
The EIN is a separate application after formation. Without an SSN or ITIN, it goes on Form SS-4 rather than the IRS's online tool.
You leave this stage with: The IRS's EIN confirmation once it's issued.
05 / 07
You apply; the providers review
Apply for banking and payments
Start with Payoneer, since Mercury won't open for you and Wise won't give you USD account details. Use the same names, addresses and business description everywhere.
You leave this stage with: An approved account, if a provider accepts the application.
06 / 07
You, your US preparer and your tax adviser
Keep records and file in both countries
Record every payment between Vietnam and the company, and what it was for. Put Form 5472, your Vietnamese return and any investment report on one calendar.
You leave this stage with: A yearly calendar with someone responsible for each filing.
07 / 07
Plan the wait
Formation, the EIN and banking have separate timelines.
Published service estimates and prerequisites for a Wyoming company from Vietnam
- Your bank's foreign exchange registrationYour bank's review
- Wyoming formationSame day
- Ordinary EINsix to eight weeks
- Expedited EINtwo to three weeks
- Bank and payment accountsProvider review
- US Stripe accountStripe's review
These are service estimates, not promised completion dates. The IRS and each provider set their own processing times. Names or addresses that differ between documents slow every stage.
What it costs
The same price from Vietnam as from anywhere.
Charged in US dollars, with the Wyoming state fee passed on at cost. Where you live changes which bank we introduce you to, not the price.
The full cost from Vietnam
What a Wyoming LLC costs from Vietnam, line by line, and what to budget for outside our plans.
Included in both plans
- State formation filing
- Registered agent and registered office
- EIN application without an SSN
- LLC Operating Agreement or corporate bylaws
- Bank and payment application guidance
- Filing calendar and reminders
The registered agent renews with the plan. Operate adds its published business tools and bookkeeping. Neither plan files your tax returns in either country.
What a Wyoming LLC costs from Vietnam, on each plan
Launch
To start, before optional extras
$351.40
- Our feeFor the first year; the plan renews each year
- $249
- Wyoming filing feePaid to the state, passed through at cost
- $102.40
- Recurring subtotal, fromPlan renewal + minimum state charge, before extras
- $309
OperateBilled yearly
To start, before optional extras
$2,490.40
- Our feeFor the first year; the plan renews each year
- $2,388
- Wyoming filing feePaid to the state, passed through at cost
- $102.40
- Recurring subtotal, fromPlan renewal + minimum state charge, before extras
- $2,448
Optional extras are priced before you order, such as filing ahead of our next batch for $39. See full pricing.
Budget for the work outside that subtotal
Managed annual state compliance
$149 service fee / year
Optional on both plans. The state's charge is separate, and a reminder alone doesn't file the report.
State filing serviceUS federal return preparation
Arrange separately
You or your accountant handle Form 5472 and any other US returns on Launch and Operate. Ask the preparer for their scope and fee.
Federal filing responsibilitiesLegal and tax advice in Vietnam
Quote from your advisers
Registering the investment, the capital account and how the company's payments to you are taxed depend on your circumstances.
Optional tools after free periods
Published in full pricing
Check domain renewals and when Launch's email, phone and site trials end. Operate includes its stated tools while subscribed.
Plans, trials and add-onsWhat the totals assume
The $309 Launch renewal example is the $249 plan renewal plus Wyoming's $60 minimum license tax. Wyoming charges the greater of that minimum or 0.0002 of the company's assets located and employed in the state, and paying online can add a processor fee. The Operate example uses the same minimum.
Prices are in US dollars. Paying from Vietnam is part of your investment abroad, so ask your bank how to register and send it.
Get started from Vietnam
Use the first-year cost calculator to compare plans and optional tools. Then add your advisers' fees, US return preparation and bank charges to that budget.
Launch
To start
$351.40
$249 our fee + $102.40 Wyoming fee
Renews from $309 a year
OperateBilled yearly
To start
$2,490.40
$2,388 our fee + $102.40 Wyoming fee
Renews from $2,448 a year
Included in both plans
- State formation filing
- Registered agent and registered office
- EIN application without an SSN
- LLC Operating Agreement or corporate bylaws
- Bank and payment application guidance
- Filing calendar and reminders
What changes because you live here
The filing is the same from anywhere. Four things aren't.
Treaty status, payment availability, bank eligibility and time zones. Sources checked 14 October 2026; account approval remains with the provider.
1 of 4: The tax treaty
The tax treaty
The tax treaty: None
There's no US income tax treaty in force with Vietnam.
US-source dividends, interest and royalties paid to you are withheld at 30% unless a US exemption applies. Pay for work you do in Vietnam generally isn't US-source income, so nothing is withheld on it.
Investing and money
Owning the company is investing abroad, under Vietnam's 2026 Investment Law.
These come from the Law on Investment 2025 and the Law on Personal Income Tax 2025, and they run alongside the US steps below. Read them before you order, because they decide how you register the investment and send the money.
Before you send money
You and your bankYou and your bank
Individuals may invest abroad. A project below the level the Government sets doesn't need an outward investment registration certificate, but the foreign exchange transaction is registered under the foreign exchange rules, through your bank.
Capital and profits
You and your bankYou and your bank
The Government's rules decide how the capital account is opened, how the money is sent, how profits are used abroad and how they come home.
After you invest
YouYou
The Law sets reporting duties for investors abroad, including yearly reports and the foreign company's financial statements. Ask which apply to a small project.
Every tax year
You and your tax adviserYou and your tax adviser
As a resident you're taxed on income from inside and outside Vietnam, under the personal income tax law in force since 1 July 2026. It covers business income and dividends.
Good to know
Paying our fee and the state's fee from Vietnam is part of your investment abroad. Ask your bank how to register and send it.
What Vietnam expects
Owning a US company doesn't take you out of Vietnam's tax system.
Vietnam taxes its residents on income from inside and outside the country, under a new personal income tax law in force since July 2026. Investing abroad is allowed, but the money goes through registered foreign exchange channels.
Law on Investment · Investing abroad
Since 1 March 2026, the Law on Investment lets individuals as well as companies invest abroad. A small project below the level the Government sets doesn't need an outward investment registration certificate, but you still register the foreign exchange transaction under the foreign exchange rules.
Capital and profits
The Government's rules decide how you open the capital account, send the money abroad, use profits abroad and bring them home. The Law also sets reporting duties for investors abroad, including yearly reports and the foreign company's financial statements.
Personal income tax · Worldwide income
As a resident you're taxed on income from inside and outside Vietnam. You're resident after 183 days in Vietnam in a calendar year or 12 months, or if you have a registered permanent residence or a rented home there.
The new tax law
A new Law on Personal Income Tax took effect on 1 July 2026, with higher deductions and five rate bands. It covers business income, including e-commerce and digital platform business, and dividends and other income from capital.
On the record
We form US companies. We aren't Vietnamese tax advisers. These are the rules as they're generally published, they change, and how they apply to you depends on details this page can't know. Take this list to a tax adviser in Vietnam before you order, and we'll tell you what the US forms need.
After formation
Someone has to own each filing, in each country.
US information reporting
A US LLC with one foreign owner is usually a disregarded entity that files Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 when it has reportable transactions with you. Money you put in, take out or are paid for your work can count even in a year without sales. The IRS penalty for not filing starts at $25,000.
For a calendar-year company, the return is usually due 15 April, and Form 7004 requests an extension before then. A C-Corp, or an LLC with more than one owner, files different returns.
Form 5472 and the pro forma 1120State, Vietnam and ownership checks
Keep the registered agent active and track the state's yearly charge. In Vietnam, your return covers income from inside and outside the country, and the Investment Law's reports cover the company abroad.
US-created companies are exempt from BOI reporting under FinCEN's current rule, effective 14 August 2026. Banks and payment providers still verify who owns the company.
| Task | Who handles it | Where the responsibility ends |
|---|---|---|
| Formation and EIN application | BaseAcross prepares and submits | The state approves formation; the IRS issues the EIN. |
| Bank and payment applications | You, with our guidance | The provider verifies the information and decides. |
| Investment registration and money sent abroad | You and your bank | Your bank applies the foreign exchange rules; we don't file in Vietnam. |
| Vietnamese return and tax | You and your tax adviser | We provide the US company records they need. |
| Annual state filing | You, or our optional filing service | Reminders are included; managed filing and the state charge are separate. |
| US federal returns | You and your US tax preparer | Launch and Operate remind you; they don't file the return. |
Prepare the conversation
Take these questions to a Vietnamese adviser before you order.
Bring the owners, where each lives for tax, the business activity, how you'll register the investment and how money will move between Vietnam and the company. Agree who handles each filing in Vietnam and in the US.
Download the checklist for your adviser (.txt)- 01
Is my project below the Government's threshold for an outward investment registration certificate, and what foreign exchange registration does my bank need?
- 02
How do I open the capital account and send the money, and when must profits from the company come home?
- 03
Which reports must I file as an investor abroad, and does a small project file them too?
- 04
How will the tax office treat what the company pays me: as business income, employment income or a return on capital?
- 05
How do I declare income from the company under the new personal income tax law?
- 06
Without a US treaty in force, how is any US tax treated in Vietnam?
- 07
How should I keep records for both the US return and my Vietnamese return?
Questions
Questions from Vietnam.
If yours is not here, email us at hello@baseacross.com before you order.
Can a Vietnamese resident own a US LLC?
Yes, as far as US law goes. It doesn't require an LLC's owners to be US citizens or residents, and formation, the EIN and the bank applications all happen remotely. On the Vietnamese side, the Law on Investment's rules on investing abroad and the personal income tax law apply. Owning a US company doesn't give you a US visa.
May an individual in Vietnam invest in a company abroad?
Yes. The Law on Investment 2025, in force since 1 March 2026, lets individuals as well as companies invest abroad. A project below the level the Government sets doesn't need an outward investment registration certificate, but the foreign exchange transaction still has to be registered under the foreign exchange rules.
How do I send the money to the company?
Through the channel the foreign exchange rules set, which your bank operates. The Government's rules cover opening the capital account, sending the money abroad, using profits abroad and bringing them home. Ask your bank before you pay anything.
Do I need a US company to get paid as a freelancer in Vietnam?
Not necessarily. You can be paid from abroad as an individual and declare the income in Vietnam. A US company is for Stripe, US contracts and platforms that need one.
How much does a US company from Vietnam cost?
Launch starts at $351.40: $249 for the plan plus $102.40 for the Wyoming filing. The plan and Wyoming's minimum yearly charge then total $309 a year. A Vietnamese lawyer, your tax adviser, US return preparation and bank charges in Vietnam are separate. Wyoming's license tax can be more than its $60 minimum.
Should I form a Wyoming LLC or a Delaware C-Corp from Vietnam?
A Wyoming LLC usually suits an owner-run business selling to customers abroad. A Delaware C-Corp suits raising from investors who want shares. Nonresident aliens can't hold shares in an S-corporation.
Can I get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN?
Yes. Without an SSN or ITIN, the application goes on Form SS-4 instead of the IRS's online tool. We prepare it after the company is formed, and the IRS issues the number. Your Vietnamese tax code isn't part of it.
How long does it take from Vietnam?
Each stage has its own clock. Wyoming's published turnaround is same day once a complete filing is accepted. Our ordinary EIN estimate is six to eight weeks after the application, or two to three weeks with the $199 expedited option. Your bank's foreign exchange registration, payment providers and Stripe each set their own times. These are estimates, not promises.
Can I open a Mercury account from Vietnam?
No. Mercury's prohibited-countries list includes Vietnam, and it goes by where you live, not your passport.
Which account can a founder in Vietnam use?
Start with Payoneer, which serves Vietnam with a Vietnamese site and support, and ask whether it will open an account in your US company's name. Wise gives no USD account details to founders living in Vietnam. Relay doesn't bar Vietnam, but it asks every owner for a physical US address.
Will a US LLC get me Stripe from Vietnam?
It lets you apply. Stripe doesn't list Vietnam, but a US LLC with an EIN and a US bank account can apply for a US Stripe account. Stripe reviews the business and the person behind it, and approval isn't guaranteed.
Do I pay US tax on work I do from Vietnam?
Generally not. Pay for work you do in Vietnam is generally not US-source income, so a single-owner LLC with no US office or staff often owes no US income tax on it. It still files Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 when it has reportable transactions with you.
How does Vietnam tax me as a US company owner?
As a resident you're taxed on income from inside and outside Vietnam. You're resident after 183 days there in a calendar year or 12 months, or with a registered permanent residence or a rented home. The new personal income tax law, in force since 1 July 2026, covers business income and dividends.
Is there a US–Vietnam tax treaty?
Not one in force. US-source dividends, interest and royalties paid to you are withheld at 30% unless a US exemption applies. Pay for work you do in Vietnam generally isn't US-source income anyway.
Does BaseAcross file the US and Vietnamese returns for me?
On Launch and Operate, we add deadlines and reminders; you or your accountant file the federal returns. Managed annual state compliance is an optional $149 service fee a year, with the state's charge separate. Your Vietnamese return, the foreign exchange registration and any investment reports are for you, your bank and your advisers.
How do I bring the company's money to Vietnam?
Through your bank, under the Government's rules on bringing profits home from an investment abroad. Pay for your own work and profit from the company are taxed differently, so record which each payment is.
Does my new US LLC need a BOI report?
US-created companies are exempt under FinCEN's current BOI rule, effective 14 August 2026. A company formed outside the US and registered to do business there is a different case. Banks still collect ownership details for their own checks.
Sources and editorial scope
Check the published rules behind the explanation.
Prepared by the BaseAcross team and reviewed by Saais Patel, compliance reviewer. Sources checked . This is general formation information, with source links for the tax and banking context. An individual tax or legal review remains with your qualified advisers.
Vietnam
United States (IRS, Treasury and FinCEN)
Banks and payments
The Law on Investment is read from the government portal's English text and the personal income tax law from Viet Nam News's English text; both laws are new, and their implementing decrees set the figures. Confirm the current position with your advisers before acting.
Ready when you are
Answer the questions. We do the filing.
It takes about four minutes. You see the whole order, state fee included, before anything is charged.
Compare the plansYour company's route
Nothing charged yetFrom
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
To
Wyoming
LLC · Cheyenne, WY
- Plan
- Launch
- First year
- $351.40
- To order
- 10 steps
Launch · $249 + $102.40 Wyoming · Same day