How to Get an EIN Without SSN (2026): Non-Resident Step-by-Step | USLLCGlobal
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Guide · EIN for non-residents

Get an EIN without an SSN — or skip the wait entirely

There are 7 real steps to getting an EIN as a non-resident, and most people fail Step 4: the live IRS phone call at 267-941-1099. Below is the honest process — the Form SS-4 boxes that get applications rejected, the timezone trap, the Third Party Designee shortcut. But there's a faster route: buy a ready-made Wyoming LLC that already has its EIN, transferred into your name within 24 hours, so you start trading today.

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Last updated: June 2026 · By Shepherd Nyakudya, Founder & IRS Third-Party Designee

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Quick answer. You can get an EIN without an SSN. To apply for an EIN without an SSN, a foreign responsible party files IRS Form SS-4 by fax or mail and writes the word "Foreign" on line 7b instead of a social security number — you do not need an SSN or an ITIN. Fax issues the EIN in about 4 business days; mail takes about 4 weeks. The IRS international EIN phone line, +1-267-941-1099, issues it live during the call. The online IRS EIN Assistant is the only method that requires a US tax ID. Or skip all of it and buy a ready-made Wyoming LLC that already has its EIN, transferred to you within 24 hours.
Key facts — EIN without an SSN (last updated June 2026)
  • You do not need an SSN or an ITIN to get an EIN — a foreign responsible party applies on Form SS-4 and writes "Foreign" on line 7b, per the IRS Form SS-4 instructions.
  • A foreign applicant submits Form SS-4 by fax or mail (not the online assistant), per the IRS Responsible Parties guidance.
  • A faxed EIN is typically issued in about 4 business days; a mailed application takes about 4 weeks, per the IRS "How to Apply for an EIN" page.
  • The IRS phone line for international applicants is +1-267-941-1099 (not toll-free), open 6:00 AM–11:00 PM US Eastern, per the IRS.
  • The IRS limits issuance to one EIN per responsible party per day, per the IRS Form SS-4 instructions.
  • There is no IRS fee to obtain an EIN, per the IRS.

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Why does the IRS online EIN form reject non-residents?

Non-residents get an EIN without an SSN by filing IRS Form SS-4 by phone, fax, or mail — the online IRS EIN Assistant rejects applicants without a US tax ID. Phone (267-941-1099) is the only same-day method; fax takes 4–6 weeks and mail takes 6–8. The fastest practical route for most foreign founders is to authorise an IRS Third Party Designee on Form SS-4 so a US-based filer makes the call on your behalf — or to sidestep the application entirely with a ready-made company.

You went to IRS.gov, started the EIN Assistant, and hit a wall: Box 7b requires an SSN or ITIN. There is no "I am a foreign person, I have neither" checkbox. The system kicks you out.

This is not a glitch. The online assistant is designed only for applicants who already have a US tax identifier. Foreign founders without an SSN or ITIN have three official paths: phone, fax, or mail. Mail takes 6–8 weeks. Fax takes 4–6 weeks. Phone is the only method that issues the EIN the same day — and it's the one almost nobody in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, or Brazil wants to use, for reasons we'll get into.

"As an international person you'll need to call them (can't use their online system), but it's doable." — Reddit user, r/llc, December 2024

"Doable" is doing a lot of work in that sentence. Let's see how doable it actually is.

What other non-residents are actually saying

We pulled a few hundred Reddit posts and comments from non-resident founders forming US LLCs in late 2025 and early 2026. The same themes repeat in r/llc, r/llc_life, r/ecommerce, r/PakistaniTech, r/indianstartups, and r/Brazil. The single most-quoted fear:

"I'm in the idea stage of setting up a US LLC but don't want to get stuck on the EIN step." — Reddit user, r/ecommerce, January 2026

That fear is rational. Plenty of non-residents form their LLC in Wyoming or New Mexico (about $100–$200 in state fees), then sit on it for months because the EIN step kills momentum. Without an EIN, you can't open a Mercury or Wise account, can't connect Stripe, can't actually do business. The LLC becomes a dead asset. A ready-made company removes that risk entirely — the EIN already exists before you ever buy.

What follows is the real process, with the friction surfaced. If you decide it's not worth it, scroll to "Ready-made vs DIY".

How do non-residents get an EIN without an SSN, step by step?

1
Confirm your LLC is actually formedThe IRS won't issue an EIN to a "pending" LLC. You need approved Articles of Organization with a Secretary of State filing date. Wyoming 1–3 business days; Delaware 5–10; New Mexico 1–2; Florida 5–7. "Filed" or "Approved" = good; "Pending review" = wait.
2
Download and fill Form SS-4Get Form SS-4 from IRS.gov — the 2-page PDF, not a third-party copy (outdated revisions are rejected). It looks simple. It isn't. Specific boxes reject foreign applications constantly — see the four most-failed boxes below.
3
Decide: phone, fax, or mailMail to IRS, Attn: EIN International Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999 — 6–8 weeks. Fax to 855-641-6935 — 4–6 weeks. Phone 267-941-1099 — same day, 6:00 AM–11:00 PM US Eastern, Mon–Fri. 95% of non-residents who finish use phone.
4
Make the call (where most people fail)Average hold 30–90 minutes; up to 2.5 hours in tax season. The agent fires 12–18 questions in spoken English: legal name, state, formation date, NAICS code, responsible party, citizenship, passport number. They won't slow down. Mishear one answer and the EIN can be flagged and held for weeks. Drop the call and you start over.
5
Write down your EIN liveIf everything passes, the agent reads your EIN as XX-XXXXXXX. Write it twice, read it back letter by letter, and confirm the LLC name on file. Once you hang up it's permanent. CP 575 mails to your registered agent in 4–6 weeks — you don't wait for it; the EIN is usable immediately.
6
Wait for CP 575 (or don't)CP 575 is the official confirmation letter — 4–10 weeks total once your agent forwards it internationally. Bank of America and Chase may want to see it; Mercury, Wise and Relay accept the EIN number alone or a CP 575-A replacement. The number is what matters; the paper is just a receipt.
7
Use your EIN (and file Form 5472 next year)As a foreign-owned single-member LLC you must file Form 5472 + a pro-forma 1120 every April 15, even with $0 revenue. The IRS Form 5472 instructions set the penalty at $25,000 per missed filing. EIN is step one of an annual obligation, not a one-and-done.
The shortcut

Skip steps 1–7 entirely

A ready-made Wyoming LLC already exists and already has its EIN. No SS-4, no IRS phone call, no hold music — transferred into your name within 24 hours.

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Which 4 Form SS-4 boxes cause most non-resident rejections?

We've filed over a thousand SS-4s for non-residents. These four boxes cause 80% of all rejections, IRS holds, and EIN-mismatch issues:

Box 7a — Name of Responsible Party

This is your full legal name as it appears on your passport. Not your LLC name. Not "Member" or "Manager." Not your business email address (yes, we've seen this). It must match the name on the Articles of Organization. The IRS defines the "responsible party" in its Responsible Parties and Nominees guidance as the natural person who actually controls the entity. If your passport reads "MUHAMMAD AHMED KHAN" but your Articles say "Ahmed Khan," the IRS may issue the EIN under the wrong responsible party, which becomes a nightmare when you file Form 5472 and the names don't reconcile.

Box 7b — SSN, ITIN, or "Foreign"

Foreign applicants without an SSN or ITIN write the word "Foreign" in this box. Do not leave it blank. Do not write "N/A." Do not write zeros. The exact word is "Foreign." This is also where you tell the IRS phone agent verbally: "I am a foreign individual without an SSN or ITIN." If you have neither tax ID, see our dedicated walkthrough: how to get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN.

Box 9a — Type of Entity

If you formed a single-member LLC, check the box for "Other" and write "Foreign-owned U.S. Disregarded Entity." Do not check "Sole proprietor" (that's for individuals operating without an LLC). Do not check "Corporation" or "Partnership" unless you elected that tax treatment via Form 8832 first. About 30% of DIY rejections we see come from incorrect Box 9a checkmarks.

Box 10 — Reason for Applying

Check "Started new business" and specify the type ("e-commerce," "consulting," "SaaS," "freelance services"). Do not check "Banking purpose only" — this can flag the application for additional review and delays the EIN by 4–6 weeks. Even if your real reason is "I need it to open Mercury," write "Started new business."

Box 11 — Date Business Started. This must be on or after your LLC's filing date with the Secretary of State. If you write a date before your LLC was formed, the IRS may reject or flag the SS-4 because the entity didn't legally exist on that date. Use your Articles of Organization filing date as the safe default.

How does the IRS phone-line timezone work for callers in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Brazil?

The IRS International EIN line is open 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM US Eastern Time, weekdays only. Translate that to where you actually live:

  • Pakistan (PKT, UTC+5): 4:00 PM – 9:00 AM next day. Doable in the evening, but the IRS lunch-hour rush (US 12:00–2:00 PM = your 10:00 PM – 12:00 AM) is when wait times balloon.
  • India (IST, UTC+5:30): 4:30 PM – 9:30 AM next day. Same window as Pakistan.
  • Bangladesh (BST, UTC+6): 5:00 PM – 10:00 AM next day. Late evening calls work; expect long holds.
  • Nigeria (WAT, UTC+1): 12:00 noon – 5:00 AM next day. The most workable timezone for IRS calls from this list.
  • Brazil (BRT, UTC-3): 8:00 AM – 1:00 AM next day. The closest to a normal workday of all common non-resident origin countries.
  • UAE (GST, UTC+4): 3:00 PM – 8:00 AM next day.
  • Philippines (PHT, UTC+8): 7:00 PM – 12:00 noon next day. Tough.

The shortest IRS hold times are 6:00–7:30 AM ET. For most non-residents that's the middle of the night. Add to this: international call costs ($0.10–$1.50/minute on most carriers), near-native English on technical tax vocabulary, and the fact that one wrong answer to "What's your principal business activity?" can flag the application.

The cheap workaround that nobody tries. Get a US virtual number from Skype Out or Zoom Phone (~$5/month, no US number required). Calls to 267-941-1099 cost about $0.02/minute. This solves the cost problem — but not the timezone or English-fluency problem. The only thing that solves all three is not making the call at all.

What is the Third Party Designee shortcut on Form SS-4?

The IRS officially allows you to appoint a "Third Party Designee" on Form SS-4 — the section near the bottom of the form, just above the signature line. By signing it, you authorise a named third party to:

  • Call the IRS on your behalf at 267-941-1099
  • Answer all SS-4 questions for your LLC
  • Receive your EIN and the verbal confirmation
  • Discuss the application with IRS agents

The designation lasts only until the EIN is issued, then automatically expires. The designee never receives any ongoing access to your LLC's IRS account.

This is the same mechanism used by every reputable formation service: doola, Firstbase, Stripe Atlas, and us. The differences are speed, accuracy, and price. But there is now a route that skips the call altogether — buy a company whose EIN is already issued.

"Main thing I care about is not having to deal with a million follow-up steps after formation like getting stuck without a bank account or missing some random compliance filing." — Reddit user, r/llc_life, March 2026

Ready-made vs DIY: the honest comparison

The IRS does not charge for an EIN. You can absolutely do it yourself for $0. Here's the honest comparison so you can make the right call:

 DIY (file SS-4 yourself)Register new LLC ($549)Buy ready-made (already has EIN)
Company existsYou file & wait for the stateWe file; state approval in daysAlready registered
EIN issuedPhone call to IRS; 4–8 wks if rejectedWe obtain it same-day by phoneAlready issued
IRS phone callYou make it (30–150 min hold)We make it as designeeNone — skipped entirely
Ready to bank & take payments2–8 weeksDaysWithin 24 hours
English fluency / timezoneOn youHandledIrrelevant
If something goes wrongYou chase the state & IRSWe fix itMoney-back guarantee

DIY ($0 + your time): free, and you learn the process — useful if you'll form multiple LLCs. But 60–120 minutes on hold, tax-vocabulary English required, and one SS-4 mistake means 4–6 weeks of delay. Realistic time cost: 4–8 hours including rework if rejected.

Register a brand-new LLC ($549): we file the company in your exact chosen name and obtain the EIN by phone as your authorised designee. Slower than buying ready-made, but right when the specific name matters more than speed. See the full comparison.

Buy ready-made (recommended for speed): the company already exists and the EIN already exists. No SS-4, no IRS call, no timezone misery. Transferred into your name within 24 hours so you can open Mercury, connect Stripe and invoice the same day.

Start trading today, not next month

Browse ready-made Wyoming LLCs that already have their EIN. Pick one, verify, and it's yours within 24 hours. Prefer a fresh registration in your own name? That's $549.

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Related guides

Buy a ready-made US LLCAlready formed, EIN already issued→ EIN without SSN or ITINApply with neither tax ID — the "Foreign" line 7b route→ Buy an LLC with EINSkip Form SS-4 — EIN already issued, yours in 24h→ Form 5472The annual filing that avoids the $25,000 penalty→ Wyoming vs DelawareWhich state for a non-resident LLC?→ US bank accountMercury, Wise & Relay for non-residents→ Wyoming LLCPrivacy, tax & why we use it→ All guidesEvery non-resident formation guide→

Questions, answered

Can I get an EIN without an SSN?
Yes. You do not need an SSN or an ITIN to get an EIN. A foreign responsible party applies on IRS Form SS-4 by fax or mail, writing the word "Foreign" on line 7b where the SSN/ITIN would go, or by calling the IRS international EIN line at +1-267-941-1099. The online IRS EIN Assistant is the only method that requires a US tax ID, which is why non-residents use fax, mail, or phone instead. See also getting an EIN without an SSN or ITIN.
How do I apply for an EIN without an SSN?
Complete IRS Form SS-4, enter the word "Foreign" on line 7b instead of an SSN or ITIN, check "Other" on line 9a and write "Foreign-owned U.S. Disregarded Entity," then submit by fax (855-641-6935, EIN issued in about 4 business days) or mail (Cincinnati, about 4 weeks). Alternatively, call the IRS international line at +1-267-941-1099 to apply live during the call. There is no IRS filing fee for an EIN.
Can a non-US citizen get an EIN?
Yes. A non-US citizen with no SSN, no ITIN, and no US address can be the responsible party on an EIN application. The IRS issues EINs to foreign-owned US LLCs and corporations regardless of the owner's citizenship or immigration status. The foreign responsible party simply writes "Foreign" on Form SS-4 line 7b and applies by fax, mail, or the international phone line at +1-267-941-1099.
How long does it take to get an EIN without an SSN?
By fax, the IRS typically issues the EIN in about 4 business days. By mail it takes roughly 4 weeks. By phone (+1-267-941-1099) the EIN is issued live during the same call, usually within 30 to 90 minutes including hold time. The fastest route of all is to buy a ready-made Wyoming LLC whose EIN is already issued, transferred into your name within 24 hours.
Can I skip the EIN application entirely?
Yes. Instead of forming an LLC and chasing an EIN, you can buy a ready-made Wyoming LLC that already has its EIN issued. Ownership transfers into your name within 24 hours, so you can open Mercury, connect Stripe and start trading immediately — no IRS phone call, no SS-4. We also still register brand-new LLCs from $549 if the exact company name matters more than speed.
Can I get an EIN without an LLC?
You can get a sole-proprietor EIN as a foreign individual without forming any entity, but most non-residents shouldn't. Without the LLC structure, you have no liability protection, no clean tax-treaty position, and US fintechs (Mercury, Wise, Relay) won't onboard you for business banking. The standard path is: form the LLC first (Wyoming or New Mexico, ~$100–$200 in state fees), then get the EIN for that LLC.
How long does it take to get an EIN as a non-resident in 2026?
Phone (267-941-1099): issued live during the call, typically 30–90 minutes including hold time. Fax (855-641-6935): 4–6 weeks. Mail to Cincinnati: 6–8 weeks, sometimes longer. Or skip it entirely: buy a ready-made US LLC that already has its EIN and is transferred into your name within 24 hours.
What if my Form SS-4 is rejected?
Mailed/faxed SS-4s come back with a CP error letter, taking another 4–8 weeks to receive. The most common rejection reasons: LLC name doesn't match Secretary of State records exactly (including "LLC" vs "L.L.C."), Box 7a missing the responsible party's full passport name, Box 9a checked incorrectly (not "Other — Foreign-owned Disregarded Entity"), Box 10 set to "Banking purpose only," or signature missing. Phone applications are corrected live with the agent, which is the main reason phone is the only sane option.
Do I need an ITIN before I can get an EIN?
No. EIN and ITIN are independent. You get the EIN first (for the LLC). You only need an ITIN later, and only if you have personal US tax filing obligations — for example, if your LLC's income becomes "effectively connected" to a US trade or business, or if you want to claim US tax-treaty benefits on personal income. Most non-resident single-member LLC owners with foreign-only operations never need an ITIN.
What's the difference between an EIN and an ITIN?
EIN (Employer Identification Number) is the 9-digit tax ID for a business entity (LLC, corporation, partnership). ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is the 9-digit tax ID for individuals who don't qualify for an SSN. Both are issued by the IRS, both are 9 digits in XX-XXXXXXX format, but they serve different purposes. EIN is for the LLC. ITIN is for the person.
Can I use a fake or someone else's SSN on Form SS-4?
No. Do not do this. The IRS cross-references SSNs with the Social Security Administration database in real time on the online application. Mailed/faxed SS-4s with invalid SSNs get flagged for fraud review. Some YouTube tutorials suggest entering "000-00-0000" or making up a number — this is incorrect 2026 advice and will result in your EIN being held, your LLC being flagged, and potentially much worse downstream. Write "Foreign" in Box 7b. That's the legal answer.
Do I need a US fax number to apply for an EIN?
Only if you choose the fax application route (which we don't recommend — takes 4–6 weeks). Fax goes to 855-641-6935. You can use any e-fax service like HelloFax, eFax, or FaxBurner ($5–$15/month, accept international cards). For phone applications, no fax is needed. The IRS does NOT fax CP 575 confirmation letters — those are mailed only.
What is Box 9a on Form SS-4 and why does it matter?
Box 9a is "Type of entity." For a foreign-owned single-member US LLC, you check "Other" and write "Foreign-owned U.S. Disregarded Entity." Don't check "Sole proprietor" (that's for individuals without an LLC). Don't check "Corporation" or "Partnership" unless you've already filed Form 8832 to elect that tax treatment. This single box is responsible for roughly 30% of all rejections we see from DIY applications.
When do I receive the CP 575 confirmation letter?
CP 575 mails 4–6 weeks after EIN issuance to the LLC's US address (your registered agent's address). Your registered agent then forwards it internationally, adding another 1–3 weeks. Total time to receive the physical letter: 5–10 weeks. You don't wait for it — your EIN is fully usable from the day it's issued. If CP 575 is lost, you can request a CP 575-A (replacement letter) by calling the IRS later. Mercury, Wise, Relay, and most fintechs accept the EIN number alone for account opening.
Can an undocumented immigrant in the US get an EIN?
Yes, the EIN process is identical — the IRS does not check immigration status when issuing EINs. Immigration status affects ITINs (which require Form W-7 and identity verification) but does not affect EIN eligibility. Form SS-4 only asks about the entity, not the responsible party's immigration status. Use the phone method at 267-941-1099 with "Foreign" in Box 7b if you don't have an SSN or ITIN.
What if I need to change my EIN information later?
The EIN itself never changes. To update the responsible party (Form 8822-B), business address, or business name, you submit IRS Form 8822-B by mail. Allow 4–6 weeks for processing. If your LLC is later acquired or restructured, you may need a new EIN entirely — this is rare for single-member LLCs.
About the author
Shepherd Nyakudya — Founder of USLLCGlobal. Has helped non-resident founders from Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Brazil, and 35 other countries form US LLCs, get EINs without SSNs, buy ready-made companies, and open US business banking. Every guide on this site reflects real cases his team has handled.
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