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Guides by founder and goal

Specific situations — non-resident founders, e-commerce, holdings, residence — with the official rules that apply.

Delaware

Delaware C-Corp for venture-backed startups

Most US venture investors expect a Delaware C-Corp.

DelawareRead

Wyoming

How non-US founders open a US LLC

Non-US founders can own a Delaware or Wyoming LLC without a visa or US address of their own.

WyomingRead

A US LLC for online stores and marketplace sellers

An LLC gives an online store a US legal entity, but sales tax depends on where your buyers are, not where the LLC is formed.

WyomingRead

A Wyoming LLC for freelancers and consultants

Freelancers choose Wyoming for its low state fees and no state income tax.

WyomingRead

United Kingdom

Registering a UK company as a non-resident

Non-residents can own and direct a UK Ltd.

United KingdomRead

A UK company for an online shop

A UK Ltd is quick to set up for an online shop; the obligations that matter are Corporation Tax registration soon after trading starts and VAT once turnover passes the threshold..

United KingdomRead

UAE

Freelancing in the UAE: permit or free zone company

Freelancers in the UAE can work under a freelance permit or set up a free zone company.

UAERead

Company ownership and UAE residence visas

Owning or investing in a UAE business can support a residence visa — the Green visa for investors or, above set investment thresholds, the 5- or 10-year Golden visa.

UAERead

Singapore

Registering a Singapore company as a foreigner

Foreigners can own 100% of a Singapore company, but at least one director must be ordinarily resident in Singapore.

SingaporeRead

Singapore tax for new companies

New Singapore companies can claim a partial exemption on their first chargeable income for the first three years of assessment, if they meet the residency and shareholder conditions..

SingaporeRead

Hong Kong

Registering a Hong Kong company from abroad

Non-residents can be directors of a Hong Kong company.

Hong KongRead

How Hong Kong’s territorial profits tax works

Hong Kong taxes only profits sourced in Hong Kong, at two-tier rates.

Hong KongRead

Estonia

Opening an Estonian company with e-Residency

e-Residency is a government digital ID that lets you found and run an Estonian company online.

EstoniaRead

An Estonian OÜ for a SaaS business

Estonia taxes company profit only when it is distributed, which suits software businesses that reinvest.

EstoniaRead

Cyprus

Cyprus as a holding company location

Cyprus offers a dividend participation exemption and no tax on gains from selling securities, subject to conditions.

CyprusRead

Cyprus companies with foreign shareholders

Companies majority-owned by non-EU shareholders can register as foreign-interest companies with the government’s business support centre and hire skilled non-EU staff through a simplified process..

CyprusRead

Ireland

An Irish company with non-EEA directors

Every Irish company needs at least one EEA-resident director.

IrelandRead

Ireland for tech startups

Ireland taxes trading income at 12.5%, offers an R&D tax credit and gives new companies start-up relief in their first three years, within limits..

IrelandRead

Netherlands

Registering a Dutch BV from abroad

A director living abroad can run a Dutch BV.

NetherlandsRead

The Dutch holding BV

A Dutch holding BV can benefit from the participation exemption on qualifying shareholdings.

NetherlandsRead