Must I be a UNITED STATES CITIZEN to form a new California corporation or to buy an existing California shelf corporation?
A. No. You do NOT need to be a UNITED STATES CITIZEN to do either of those things; you can be a resident or non-resident alien (non-citizen). An alien (non-citizen) can be a shareholder, director and / or officer of a California corporation. Example: Mary, a citizen of the United Kingdom, may legally form a new California corporation and be its president, secretary, treasurer, sole board member, and sole shareholder. She may also buy a California shelf corporation and hold the same positions. However, please note that before an alien (non-citizen) can legally accept employment inside the United States, he or she must comply with United States immigration laws.
