US Branch Setup — Step 2 of the L-1A Journey

What We Set Up For You

End-to-End US Branch Formation

Setting up your US branch is more than filing paperwork. USCIS looks for a real operational US entity — with a physical address, legal standing, a bank account, and a tax ID. We handle all of this remotely so you don't need to travel to the US before your visa is approved.

Entity Formation & Registration

LLC, C-Corporation, or branch office registered in the optimal US state. Articles of Incorporation, operating agreement, and all required state filings handled end-to-end.

EIN — Federal Tax ID

Employer Identification Number (EIN) obtained from the IRS — essential for banking, payroll, hiring, and all US federal and state tax filings. Usually takes 1–2 weeks.

US Business Bank Account

Checking, savings, and merchant accounts at reputable US financial institutions. We navigate the non-resident account-opening process — including alternatives for founders who haven't yet arrived.

Physical Office Space

Real, USCIS-compliant office space with a signed lease agreement. Executive suites to full commercial leases — in any major US city — backed by our 16 physical US offices.

Registered Agent Services

Every US company requires a registered agent in its state of formation. We provide or coordinate registered agent services to ensure full compliance.

US Phone & Professional Address

Dedicated US business phone number, professional mailing address, email domain, and communication setup so your US entity looks — and is — real and operational.

Our Biggest Competitive Advantage: 16 Real US Offices

Unlike any other L-1A advisory, USAIS operates 16 physical offices across the United States. We can host your initial setup, provide meeting rooms for USCIS site visits, sign on your behalf where legally permitted, and offer on-the-ground support no competitor can match. Your US address is a real USAIS office — not a mailbox service.

Choosing Your State & Entity Type

Not all states — or entity types — are equal for L-1A purposes. The choice affects taxes, compliance, hiring flexibility, and your EB-1C green card strategy. We advise based on your specific situation.

Consideration	LLC	C-Corporation
Best for	Smaller, simpler operations	Growth-focused, investor-ready companies
Tax treatment	Pass-through (usually)	Corporate tax + dividends
EB-1C suitability	Good	Preferred for multi-employee companies
Raising investment	More complex	Standard — issue stock easily
Annual compliance	Lower	Higher (board meetings, minutes)

Setup Timeline

3–7 days

Entity Formation

State registration and Articles of Incorporation filed

1–2 wks

EIN Receipt

Federal Tax ID from the IRS

1–3 wks

Bank Account

Business banking accounts opened

2–4 wks

Office Secured

Physical premises with lease agreement

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a virtual office address for L-1A?

A virtual office alone is generally insufficient. USCIS requires evidence of secured physical premises where your business genuinely operates. We start with an executive suite or physical space and can graduate to a full commercial lease as you grow.

Do I need to be physically in the US for company registration?

No. We handle everything remotely. You sign documents electronically — we manage all filings from our US offices. You don't need to travel until your visa is approved.

Which US state should I register in?

Delaware is popular for C-Corps due to legal flexibility. But for most L-1A clients, we recommend registering in the state where the office will be physically located — this simplifies compliance and strengthens the USCIS evidence package.

What if USCIS visits my US office?

Our physical US offices are legitimate business premises. If USCIS conducts a site visit, our on-site team is prepared and the office is real — not a mailbox. This is a critical advantage no other advisory can offer.

US Branch Setup — Office, Entity & Banking