Start a Business in Charlotte

You've built a company in Europe and the American market is next. Here is the honest, practical roadmap for setting up in Charlotte, North Carolina as a foreign founder — the same path hundreds of European companies have taken, from paperwork to first handshake.

Last reviewed: August 2026

The roadmap, step by step

1. 1

   Choose your U.S. structure

   Most European SMEs form a North Carolina LLC as a subsidiary of the home company: clean liability separation, flexible taxation, and few formalities. A C-Corporation is the right call if you plan to raise money from U.S. investors. Operating as a mere branch of the foreign parent is rarely advisable — it drags the parent company into U.S. liability and tax exposure.

2. 2

   Appoint a registered agent

   North Carolina requires every company to name a registered agent with a physical street address in the state to receive legal and state mail. You don't need your own office for this — professional registered-agent services cover it for a small annual fee.

3. 3

   File with the NC Secretary of State

   An LLC is created by filing Articles of Organization (state fee $125 as of 2026); a corporation files Articles of Incorporation. Filing is done online, approval typically takes days, and your company name must be distinguishable from existing NC entities — check the name database first.

4. 4

   Get your EIN from the IRS

   The Employer Identification Number is your company's federal tax ID — banks, payroll, and tax filings all require it, and it's free. Founders without a U.S. Social Security Number can't use the IRS online tool: file Form SS-4 by phone (+1 267-941-1099, the IRS international line) or by fax. Plan one to several weeks for this step.

5. 5

   Open a U.S. bank account

   You're setting up in the second-largest banking center in the United States — use that. Banks typically want your formation documents, EIN confirmation, and the account signer's passport, and most still prefer an in-person visit to open the account.

6. 6

   Understand taxes and annual duties

   Federal corporate income tax is a flat 21%. North Carolina's corporate income tax is among the lowest in the nation and legislated to phase down further. Budget for an NC annual report, sales-tax registration if you sell taxable goods, and payroll taxes once you hire. Tax treaties (for example Germany–U.S.) generally prevent double taxation — bring in a cross-border tax advisor early.

7. 7

   Sort visas — if you'll work here

   Owning a U.S. company requires no visa at all. Working in it from U.S. soil does. The common routes: the E-2 treaty-investor visa (open to citizens of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, the UK and most European countries), the L-1 intracompany transfer for established companies relocating staff, and the B-1 for short setup trips. Immigration counsel is not optional here.

8. 8

   Arrive — and plug into the community

   The paperwork makes you legal; people make you successful. Join the Hub community, meet founders who've already made the move, and get warm introductions to the lawyers, bankers, and operators who do this every day.

Foreign founder FAQ

This guide is educational and reflects common practice for market entry into North Carolina — it is not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Rules and fees change; always confirm specifics with qualified advisors. The Hub connects members with vetted professionals for exactly that.