How Non-US Residents Can Get an EIN Without an SSN
You do not live in the United States, you have no Social Security number, and you want to form a US LLC. The first question everyone asks is whether the IRS will still give you an EIN.
The answer is yes. The IRS has a well established process for foreign founders, and thousands of non-US residents get EINs every year.
The catch is that you cannot use the fast online application. This guide walks through the methods that actually work for you, and the exact way to fill out the form.
Why the Online Application Is Closed to You
The IRS online EIN assistant requires the responsible party to have a valid SSN, ITIN, or existing EIN. It also requires a US business location for most applicants.
If you have none of those, the system will reject your application. This is by design, not a glitch.
That leaves three official channels: phone, fax, and mail. Each one works, but they differ sharply in speed and convenience.
Step One: Form Your Entity First
Do not apply for an EIN before your LLC or corporation is approved by the state. The IRS wants the legal name exactly as it appears on your formation documents.
If the state later rejects or changes your business name, the EIN gets tied to the wrong name and you create a paperwork mess. Wait for the stamped approval first.
You will also need a responsible party. That must be a real individual who controls the business, normally you as the founder. It cannot be your registered agent or a nominee, which the IRS does not allow. For timing expectations across methods, see our guide on how long it takes to get an EIN.
How to Fill Out Form SS-4 Without an SSN
Form SS-4 is the one page IRS application for an EIN, and it is the same form everyone uses. You can download it free from the IRS website.
On line 7b, where the form asks for the responsible party’s SSN, ITIN, or EIN, the IRS instructions tell foreign applicants to enter “Foreign”. Do not leave it blank and do not invent a number.
Fill in your foreign mailing address where the form asks for the business address. Use the legal name of your LLC exactly as the state approved it, and select the correct entity type on line 9a. The official IRS instructions for Form SS-4 confirm each of these details.
Common rejection triggers include a legal name that does not match state records, the wrong entity type, and an unclear responsible party entry. Our roundup of free EIN versus paid EIN services also explains what formation companies actually do for the fee they charge.
Method 1: Apply by Phone (Fastest)
International applicants can call the IRS at +1-267-941-1099. This is not a toll-free number, so expect international calling charges.
The line operates Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Plan the time difference from your country before you call.
Have your completed Form SS-4 in front of you. The assistor will walk through the same questions, and if everything checks out, you receive the EIN during the call itself.
The person calling must be authorized to receive the EIN and must be able to answer questions about the form. If the assistor asks for the signed form afterward, you may need to fax or mail it within 24 hours.
Method 2: Apply by Fax
Faxing is the most popular method for non-residents who cannot easily call during US business hours. Complete Form SS-4 and fax it to the number for international applicants.
If you are faxing from outside the United States, the IRS directs you to 304-707-9471. Include a return fax number on the form so the IRS can fax your confirmation back.
Processing typically takes about four business days. The IRS faxes back your EIN confirmation letter, known as the CP 575 notice, to the number you provided.
Online fax services work fine for this. You do not need a physical fax machine, just a service that can send and receive.
Method 3: Apply by Mail (Slowest)
Mail the completed Form SS-4 to: Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN International Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999.
This method takes about four weeks, sometimes longer for international delivery. Use it only if phone and fax are not options for you.
Keep a copy of everything you send. If the application has an error, the IRS mails it back, and the whole cycle starts over.
What Happens After You Get the EIN
Your EIN arrives with a confirmation letter called the CP 575. Store it somewhere safe, because the IRS issues that exact letter only once.
With the EIN in hand, you can open a US business bank account, apply to payment processors like Stripe, and meet your federal filing obligations. The blank Form SS-4 PDF from the IRS is worth keeping as a reference for exactly what you submitted.
One important note: getting the EIN starts the clock on filing requirements. A foreign-owned single-member LLC generally must file Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 each year, even with zero US revenue. Factor that into your budget from day one.
Mistakes That Get Foreign Applications Rejected
International applications face extra scrutiny, so small errors that a domestic filer might survive will sink yours. These are the repeat offenders.
Writing anything other than “Foreign” on line 7b is the top one. Some applicants write “N/A” or leave it blank, and both trigger requests for clarification that add weeks.
Using a US address you do not actually control is another. Some founders list a friend’s address or a virtual mailbox as the business address. If the IRS cannot match it to anything real, the application stalls.
Selecting the wrong entity type on line 9a causes similar trouble. A single-member LLC owned by a foreign person is still an LLC, not a corporation and not a disregarded entity in the way the form means it. Match the form to your state filing.
Finally, applying before the state approves your entity remains the most common timing error. The IRS checks the legal name against state records, and a name that does not exist yet cannot be verified. Patience here saves a full reapplication cycle.
Single-member LLCs owned by non-residents have an extra annual duty after the EIN arrives: Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120. Our guide on EINs for single-member LLCs explains how the tax treatment works once the number is issued.
Watch: EIN Without an SSN, Step by Step
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an ITIN before applying for an EIN?
No. The IRS explicitly allows a responsible party with no SSN or ITIN to write “Foreign” on line 7b of Form SS-4. An ITIN is a personal tax number and is not a prerequisite for a business EIN.
Can my registered agent apply for the EIN on my behalf?
A third party can submit the paperwork as a designee, but the responsible party must still be a real individual who controls the business. The IRS does not accept a registered agent or formation company listed as the responsible party itself.
How long does the fax method take for international applicants?
About four business days for the IRS to process, plus the time for the confirmation to reach you. Including a return fax number speeds things up considerably.
Will the IRS mail the confirmation letter to my foreign address?
Yes, if you apply by mail or if you do not provide a return fax number. International mail adds weeks, which is why the phone and fax methods are strongly preferred.
Can I apply for the EIN before my LLC is approved?
You should not. The IRS ties the EIN to the legal name on your application, and if the state changes or rejects that name, you will have a mismatch to fix. Wait for state approval first.
Is the EIN free for non-residents too?
Yes. The IRS charges nothing for an EIN regardless of where you live. If a service quotes you a fee, you are paying for their labor, not for the number itself.
