How to Get an EIN Without an SSN (Non-Resident Guide)

I have held EINs for my US entities since 2007. I have filed Form SS-4 by fax, by phone, and through formation services. The whole thing is simpler than it looks once you understand why the IRS blocks the online option for non-residents.

You have three paths: fax Form SS-4 (4 business days to 4 weeks), call the IRS international line at (267) 941-1099 (same-day), or let a formation service like Doola, Firstbase, or Stripe Atlas handle it (1-6 weeks). The EIN itself is free. Formation services that list "EIN obtainment" as a line item are charging for the labor of filing, not for the number.

Why non-residents cannot use the online EIN application

The IRS online EIN application demands an SSN or ITIN. No foreign passport option. No "none" option. If you are forming a US LLC from abroad with no prior US tax history, the form simply will not let you through.

Same problem if your ITIN application is still pending. ITINs take 7-11 weeks, and waiting that long before you can even apply for an EIN pushes your bank account and payment processor setup back by months.

The IRS says this directly in the Instructions for Form SS-4: "If you do not have a legal residence, principal place of business, or principal office or agency in any state or US territory, you cannot use the online application."

So you go analog. Fax, phone, or mail. All three accept a foreign passport number instead of an SSN or ITIN. On line 7b of Form SS-4, write "FOREIGN" or "N/A."

Method 1: Form SS-4 by fax

Faxing is the default for non-residents who want a paper trail without sitting on hold.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Form SS-4 from the IRS website. Use the December 2025 revision.

2. Fill it out. Key fields for non-residents:

   • Line 1: Legal name of the LLC, exactly matching the articles of organization
   • Line 3: Executor/administrator/trustee name. Leave blank for LLCs.
   • Line 4a-b: Mailing address. Your foreign address works.
   • Line 7a: Responsible party (the LLC member/owner)
   • Line 7b: SSN/ITIN of the responsible party. Enter "FOREIGN" if you have neither.
   • Line 8a: Type of entity. Check "LLC" and enter the number of members.
   • Line 9a: State where the LLC is organized
   • Line 10: Reason for applying. Check "Started new business."
   • Line 16: Check the foreign country box if the responsible party's address is outside the US

3. Fax to (855) 215-1627. That is the international applicant number. The domestic number (855) 641-6935 is for US-based applicants only.

4. Wait. The IRS Fax-TIN program returns your EIN by fax within 4 business days. During peak season (January-April), expect up to 4 weeks.

Include with the fax:

• Completed Form SS-4
• Cover sheet with your return fax number
• Nothing else. No passport copies, no articles of organization.

The IRS faxes back a CP 575 confirmation letter with your EIN. Keep it. Banks and payment processors treat it as proof of assignment.

Method 2: Form SS-4 by phone

This is the fastest path. You call, answer questions, and walk away with an EIN the same day.

IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line (International):

• Number: (267) 941-1099
• Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM Eastern
• Not toll-free. International calling rates apply.

This line is only for international applicants. US-based callers get redirected to the online application or fax.

Have this ready before you call:

What happens:

1. An IRS agent walks through the Form SS-4 questions verbally.
2. You answer from the table above.
3. The agent issues the EIN on the spot and reads it to you.
4. A CP 575 confirmation letter arrives by mail in 4-6 weeks.

Hold times range from 15 minutes to over an hour. Calling early (6:00-8:00 AM Eastern) or late evening helps. Avoid January-April entirely if you can.

The caller must be authorized to receive the EIN. If you are the sole LLC member, that is you. Third parties (formation services, attorneys) need separate authorization.

Method 3: Through a formation service

If you are already using a formation service for your LLC, they will handle the EIN filing too. It is included in the base price.

The formation service files articles of organization with the state, fills out Form SS-4, submits it to the IRS, and hands you the EIN when it comes back. They also handle any IRS follow-up or correction requests, bundle a registered agent and operating agreement, and save you from needing a fax machine or international phone call.

The trade-off is control. When you fax or call the IRS directly, you know exactly when the form went in and can follow up yourself. With a formation service, you are in a queue alongside hundreds of other applications. During IRS backlogs, their timelines stretch because everyone is funneled through the same channel.

The formation pricing comparison maps the full cost over three years.

What you need before applying

The LLC has to exist before the IRS will assign it an EIN. You cannot apply for an EIN for a company that has not been filed with a state yet.

Before filing Form SS-4, gather:

Form first, EIN second. That order is not flexible. Formation services handle the sequencing automatically.

Common mistakes that delay EIN applications

Applying before the LLC is formed. The IRS rejects Form SS-4 for entities without a state filing. If you fax the form the same day you submit articles of organization, the LLC may not exist in the state's records yet when the IRS processes it. Wait for state confirmation first.

Name mismatch. If the LLC name on Form SS-4 does not match the state filing exactly, the IRS may reject the application or assign the EIN to a differently-named entity. A missing comma, "LLC" vs "L.L.C.," or a typo is enough. This becomes a real problem at the bank, because they cross-reference the EIN letter against the articles.

Wrong entity type on line 8a. A single-member LLC owned by a non-resident is a "limited liability company" treated as a disregarded entity. Selecting "sole proprietor" or "corporation" changes the tax classification and creates filing complications that require Form 8832 to fix.

Wrong fax number. Non-residents fax Form SS-4 to (855) 215-1627, not the domestic number (855) 641-6935. Wrong number means your form gets routed to the wrong IRS department, or just sits there.

Losing the CP 575. The CP 575 is the official IRS letter confirming your EIN. Banks, payment processors, and state agencies all accept it as proof. The IRS does not reissue CP 575 letters. If you lose it, you have to request a separate 147C verification letter, which takes additional processing time.

EIN vs ITIN — do you need both?

The EIN identifies your LLC. The ITIN identifies you as an individual foreign taxpayer. Different numbers, different forms, different purposes.

Every US LLC needs an EIN, full stop. It is required under IRC Section 6109 and goes on Form 5472, bank accounts, payment processor applications, and W-9 forms.

Not every non-resident LLC owner needs an ITIN. You only need one when you have individual-level US tax obligations: US-source income on Form 1040-NR, or treaty benefits claimed on Form W-8BEN. I know founders who operated for years with just an EIN and added an ITIN later when individual filings became necessary.

Practical sequence:

1. Form the LLC (state filing)
2. Get the EIN (Form SS-4)
3. Open a bank account using the EIN
4. Figure out if you need an ITIN based on your individual tax situation
5. Apply for an ITIN if needed (Form W-7, filed with a federal tax return)

The EIN vs ITIN comparison covers when each number is used and the mistakes that come from confusing them.

After you get your EIN

Once you have the EIN, whether verbally from the phone call or on the CP 575, three things happen next.

Open a US business bank account. Mercury opens accounts during the Stripe Atlas formation process. Wise Business accepts non-resident LLC applications with an EIN and passport verification. Both need articles of organization, EIN confirmation, and the operating agreement. The banking comparison covers the full requirements.

Set up payment processing. Stripe, PayPal, and other processors require the EIN during onboarding. It also goes on the W-9 form that clients may request before paying your LLC.

Mark your Form 5472 deadline. Every foreign-owned single-member LLC must file Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 annually under IRC Section 6038A. This filing uses the EIN. Deadline is April 15 (or the 15th day of the 4th month after your tax year ends), with a 6-month extension via Form 7004. The penalty for missing it is $25,000 per form per year. The Form 5472 guide covers the full consequences.

Store the CP 575, your copy of Form SS-4, and any IRS correspondence in one folder. You will need the EIN for every tax filing, every bank interaction, and every compliance document for as long as the LLC exists.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get an EIN without an SSN?

By phone: same day. The IRS issues the EIN during the call to (267) 941-1099. By fax: 4 business days under the Fax-TIN program, though it can stretch to 4 weeks during peak season (January-April). By mail: about 4 weeks. Through a formation service: 1-6 weeks depending on their processing queue and IRS backlog.

Is there a fee for getting an EIN from the IRS?

No. The IRS charges nothing for EIN assignment regardless of method. Formation services that list "EIN obtainment" as a line item are charging for the labor of filling out and submitting Form SS-4, not for the number itself.

Can I get an EIN before forming my LLC?

No. The EIN is assigned to a legal entity, and that entity does not exist until the state approves your articles of organization. Formation services handle this automatically, filing with the state first and submitting Form SS-4 only after the LLC is approved.

What if I already have an ITIN — can I apply for the EIN online?

Yes. Enter your ITIN (format: 9XX-XX-XXXX) where the online application asks for the responsible party's taxpayer identification number. You get the EIN immediately. If you already have an ITIN, this is by far the fastest method.

What address do I use on Form SS-4 if I live outside the US?

Your foreign residential address. The LLC itself may have a US address on line 4a-b (often the registered agent's address), but the responsible party's address on line 7a can be foreign. The IRS mails the CP 575 confirmation letter to whatever address you put on the form.

Key Takeaways

• No SSN or ITIN? The IRS online application is blocked for you. Fax, phone, or formation service are your three options.
• Fastest: call (267) 941-1099. EIN issued during the call. Monday-Friday, 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM Eastern.
• Fax Form SS-4 to (855) 215-1627 for 4 business days to 4 weeks turnaround depending on IRS volume.
• Doola ($297), Firstbase ($399), and Stripe Atlas ($500) all include EIN filing. The number itself is free.
• Your LLC must exist in the state's records before you can apply. Form first, EIN second.
• On Form SS-4 line 7b, write "FOREIGN." On line 8a, select "limited liability company," not "sole proprietor" or "corporation."
• Once you have the EIN, open a bank account and mark the annual Form 5472 deadline ($25,000 penalty for missing it).

Related Reading

• EIN vs ITIN: What Non-Resident Founders Need
• Stripe Atlas vs Firstbase vs Doola: Pricing Comparison 2026
• Mercury vs Wise vs Relay: Best Banking 2026
• How to Form a US LLC as a Non-Resident (2026)
• What Happens If You Miss Form 5472?
• Cross-Border Compliance Checklist 2026

References

• IRS: Apply for an EIN — Online EIN application (requires SSN/ITIN)
• IRS: Form SS-4 — Application for Employer Identification Number
• IRS: Instructions for Form SS-4 (December 2025) — Current filing instructions, fax numbers, mailing addresses
• IRS: Employer Identification Number — EIN overview and application methods
• IRS: Form 5472 — Information Return for foreign-owned US entities
• IRS: Lost or Misplaced EIN — How to request a 147C verification letter
• IRS: Form 7004 — Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File
• IRS Data Book — Annual IRS processing statistics including EIN applications
• Stripe Atlas — Delaware formation with EIN ($500)
• Firstbase — Wyoming/Delaware formation with EIN ($399)
• Doola — Formation for global founders with EIN ($297)
• Mercury — US business banking for startups
• Wise Business — Multi-currency business account

Compare formation services interactively →

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