Can a resident of Venezuela own a Florida LLC?
Yes. Florida has no citizenship or residency requirement for LLC owners. You form the LLC online, with a Florida registered agent, without traveling.
What you need from Venezuela
- A valid passport. US banks and online identity checks usually ask for a passport rather than the cédula de identidad.
- Your home address in Venezuela. The LLC's principal office can be abroad.
- A Florida registered agent. Required for every Florida LLC. We provide it.
Getting the EIN without a US Social Security number
Without an SSN or ITIN, the EIN is requested with IRS Form SS-4 by fax, mail or phone for international applicants. You don't need an ITIN first. See EIN guide.
US taxes and the treaty with Venezuela
The United States has an income tax treaty with Venezuela, listed on the IRS treaty page. A treaty can reduce US withholding on some payments, such as dividends or royalties, when you qualify for its benefits.
A single-member LLC owned by a foreign person files Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 for each year in which it has a reportable transaction with its owner or related parties (for example, money put in or taken out). The penalty for missing it starts at $25,000, so ask a CPA whether you had one. More in LLC for non-residents and the Form 5472 guide.
Taxes in Venezuela
Venezuela taxes residents on worldwide income. The US and Venezuela have an income tax treaty, which can matter for withholding on payments between the two countries.
Good to know for Venezuela
US sanctions on Venezuela target the government and listed persons, not private individuals in general. As a US company, we can't serve persons or entities on US sanctions lists or government entities. Some US banks and payment apps also apply stricter reviews to owners who live in Venezuela, so ask about eligibility before you apply.
Documents between Florida and Venezuela
Venezuela is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so documents travel with an apostille instead of consular legalization.
- Florida documents going to Venezuela: your LLC records get a Florida apostille, and often a Spanish translation.
- Documents from Venezuela used in the US: USCIS generally needs only a certified translation, not an apostille. When another US office does ask for one, it is issued in Venezuela by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MPPRE) through its online legalization system.
The document US offices ask for most often is the birth record. In Venezuela it's called the Partida de nacimiento. We translate it for USCIS.
Another state instead of Florida?
Florida is not your only option. You can also form the LLC in another state we sell, such as Delaware, Wyoming, Texas or Nevada, with Coral Filings as your registered agent there. Compare fees in LLC cost by state, or see Delaware and Wyoming. We don't say one is better: ask a licensed attorney or CPA which state suits you.
One order for founders in Venezuela
The Founder Abroad bundle, available for Florida LLCs only, forms your LLC with a registered agent and EIN, and includes a certified copy of your Articles with the Florida apostille and a Spanish translation, prepared for use with a bank or registry in Venezuela; the receiving office decides whether to accept it. $444 in total: $319 for our service, which covers the State's certified-copy and apostille fees, plus the $125 Florida filing fee.
Founders from other countries
The steps above are the same for every country we cover. Guides for the other countries: Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Spain, Peru, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Venezuelan citizen open an LLC in Florida?
Yes. Florida has no citizenship or residency requirement. You need a Florida registered agent and a passport.
Does Venezuela have a tax treaty with the United States?
Yes, it appears on the IRS list of income tax treaties.
Do I have to travel to the US?
Not to form the LLC or get the EIN. Some banks may ask for an in-person visit to open an account.
This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. For your specific situation, talk to a licensed attorney or CPA.