A US company, from Pakistan.
PayPal still does not operate a receiving product in Pakistan, which pushes serious freelancers and agencies toward Payoneer, Wise, and eventually a US LLC of their own. Here is what actually needs sorting out, without the parts that do not apply to you.
What's included
- LLC or C-Corp filed in the state you choose, in 1-2 business days
- EIN from the IRS with no SSN or ITIN required
- Registered agent and a US business address
- Operating agreement and your stamped formation certificate
- The domain, if you still need one, at the price you keep renewing at
- Bookkeeping and US tax filing when the company starts trading
What it costs
Plus the state filing fee, paid straight through to the Secretary of State. Wyoming $100, New Mexico $50, Delaware $110 with a $300 annual franchise tax on top.
What to know before you start
Why PayPal is not the answer
PayPal has never launched a full receiving account for Pakistan. This is the single biggest reason Pakistani freelancers and agencies route payments through Payoneer or Wise instead, and it is also a large part of why forming a US LLC with its own Stripe and banking access is worth the effort here specifically.
SBP governs how money moves, not whether you can form the company
The State Bank of Pakistan regulates foreign exchange inflows and outflows under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act. Forming a US LLC is unrestricted. Bringing profit home in size is where SBP rules and reporting apply, so get a proper read on current limits before you move meaningful amounts.
Pakistan has historically taxed IT and IT-enabled export income favourably
Successive Finance Acts have given exporters of IT and IT-enabled services preferential, often very low, tax treatment compared with the standard rate, though the exact mechanism and rate changes from year to year. If your LLC's revenue is software, development or IT-enabled services billed to clients abroad, ask an FBR-registered tax adviser whether your current setup qualifies before you assume the standard rate applies.
Can you actually open a US bank account?
The honest answer, which is more than most providers will give you.
What actually works for Pakistani founders
- Payoneer is the dominant tool for Pakistani freelancers and agencies already, and remains the most reliable starting point.
- Wise Business works and is simple to set up alongside it.
- Stripe becomes usable once the LLC has its EIN.
What to know before you rely on it
- Mercury does not accept Pakistan. It is on their prohibited list, so do not spend time applying.
- Relay does not accept Pakistan either. Same answer.
- A registered agent address is not a business address, which matters for whichever provider you end up using.
- The EIN takes 4-6 weeks for non-US founders, and most payment tools need it before they fully activate.
Why we say this out loud. Every competitor advertises a US bank account as though it were part of the package. It is not, for anyone, and pretending otherwise just moves the disappointment to after you have paid. Form the company for the entity, the EIN and the ability to take Stripe payments. Treat the bank account as a separate application with a real chance of rejection.
Real platforms this comes up against
Everything else your US company needs
EIN without an SSN
The step that stalls most non-US founders. We run the SS-4 process end to end.
Form 5472 and US filings
Foreign-owned LLCs file every year even at zero income. The penalty for missing it is $25,000.
Form the company
LLC or C-Corp in any of the 50 states, with the EIN and registered agent included.
Founders from other countries
Exchange control, your SARS position, and the honest answer on US banking.
CBN currency rules, Stripe access, and which banks actually work.
BoG licensing rules, GRA filing, and the Stripe-Paystack workaround.
PayPal's 2026 freeze wave, CBK's no exchange controls, and the KRA position.
PayPal's 8% conversion tax, CBE forex rules, and the zero-rated VAT on exports.
BIR registration, remittance limits, and Mercury vs Relay.
PayPal's announced-but-not-live access, CBSL's 2026 repatriation rules, and IRD's new freelancer tax.
Bangladesh Bank's 2026 forex overhaul, the IT tax exemption, and Mercury's ban.
SBV forex rules, Decree 117's platform withholding, and why Stripe needs a US LLC.
Why Stripe is invite-only, Mercury's ban, and the DHE repatriation rules.
The 100% tax deduction that still needs a foreign bank, and why Stripe still says no.
The cepo cambiario after 2025, why Stripe still won't onboard you, and the LEC.
The 9x IOF shock, why Stripe needs a CNPJ, and the Carne-Leao filing.
The ATO LLC classification trap, CFC rules, and the DTA.
IRD's foreign investment fund rules and the US-NZ DTA.
How this works. NameMarshal is not a law firm or an accountancy practice, and nothing on this page is legal or tax advice. Company formation, EIN and registered agent services here are fulfilled by our formation partner doola. Foreign-owned US LLCs generally have to file Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 every year, even with no income, and the penalty for missing it is steep. Ask us and we will point you at someone licensed to handle it.