# I am American: can I set up a SAS or SASU in France?

Updated : 2026-10-24 · Source : https://legalrapide.fr/en/reponses/americain-creer-sas-france/

Yes. A US national who **does not live in France** can set up a SAS or SASU and act as its president **without a visa or residence permit**. Moving to France, or performing the role there on an actual and regular basis, requires a suitable residence permit (an "entrepreneur / profession libérale" card or a "passeport talent"). On the US side, owning or running a foreign company may require IRS filings, such as Form 5471.

## What to plan for
| Topic | In practice |
|---|---|
| Identity | Valid US passport |
| Registered office | An address in France is mandatory: an approved domiciliation provider if you stay in the United States |
| Capital | Deposit with a bank that accepts non-residents; the identity check is often the step that holds things up |
| US taxes | Form 5471 for certain shareholders, officers or directors of foreign companies: check with a US tax adviser |

A French SAS does not need a US EIN: it receives its SIREN number on registration.

## With LegalRapide
At LegalRapide, applications from founders of other nationalities are reviewed case by case, because opening the bank account and the domiciliation depend on checks by our partners.

## Sources
- [Service-public: can a foreign national start a business in France?](https://entreprendre.service-public.gouv.fr/vosdroits/F22494)
- [Service-public: how can a foreign national run a company in France?](https://entreprendre.service-public.gouv.fr/vosdroits/F36405)
- [IRS: Form 5471, foreign corporations owned by US taxpayers](https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-5471)