Can a Foreigner Form an LLC in Illinois?

Yes. Illinois permits foreign nationals to form LLCs without citizenship or residency requirements. Under 805 ILCS 180/5-5, one or more organizers—including individuals of any nationality age 18 or older—may establish an LLC. File Articles of Organization with the Illinois Secretary of State, pay the $150 filing fee, and your LLC becomes valid upon approval (typically 10 business days for online filings).

Organizer Requirements

Foreign individuals and business entities can serve as organizers. You must be at least 18 years old. No citizenship, visa status, or residency requirement exists under 805 ILCS 180/5-5. You'll provide your name, address, and signature on the Articles of Organization.

What You Must File

Submit Articles of Organization to the Illinois Secretary of State with:

• LLC name (with "LLC," "Limited Liability Company," or "L.L.C.")
• Principal place of business address
• Registered agent name and Illinois office address
• Organizer name and address
• Initial manager or member names and addresses

File online at https://apps.ilsos.gov/llcarticles/index.jsp or mail to the Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, 501 S. Second St., Rm. 350, Springfield, IL 62756.

Registered Agent Requirement

Illinois requires a registered agent with a physical office address in the state (805 ILCS 180/5-40). Foreign organizers without an Illinois address should use a registered agent service ($50–$300 annually). This service maintains your required Illinois office address and receives legal documents on your behalf.

Filing Fees & Timeline

The filing fee is $150. Standard processing takes approximately 10 business days for online filings. Expedited 24-hour service costs an additional $100.

Tax & EIN Considerations

After approval, obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. Foreign nationals may need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for federal tax purposes. Consult a tax professional regarding your specific situation.

Next Steps

1. Search available names at https://apps.ilsos.gov/businessentitysearch/
2. Reserve your name ($25, valid 90 days) if desired
3. Prepare Articles of Organization
4. File online or by mail with the $150 fee
5. Obtain an EIN from the IRS

Contact: Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, (217) 524-8008 or https://www.ilsos.gov/

This is general information, not legal advice.