For International Entrepreneurs
EIN for Non-US Residents: How to Apply From Abroad (2026)
You don't need an SSN, ITIN, or US visa to get an EIN. ein.so handles the entire IRS fax filing process for non-residents in 100+ countries. $49 Standard. $97 Express.
Non-US residents can get an EIN by submitting IRS Form SS-4 by fax, as outlined in IRS Publication 1635. No SSN or ITIN is required -- your passport number and foreign address are sufficient (enter 'N/A' on Line 7b per IRS instructions). The IRS online application is not available to non-residents, which is why the fax method exists. Non-residents fax Form SS-4 to the IRS at (855) 641-6935 for international applicants. ein.so was built specifically for this: we prepare your SS-4, fax it to the IRS, track the response, and deliver your EIN. Standard processing costs $49 (4-7 business days). Express costs $97 (7 business days).
If you are a non-US resident starting a business in the United States, an EIN is the first thing you need. Without it, you cannot open a bank account, register on Amazon, accept payments through Stripe or PayPal, or file US taxes. The problem is that the IRS makes it unnecessarily difficult for international applicants to get one. This guide explains exactly how the process works and why ein.so exists to solve this problem.
Whether you are forming a US LLC from Bangladesh, starting an Amazon FBA business from the UK, or opening a US bank account from Japan, the EIN application process is the same. You need a correctly completed Form SS-4 faxed to the IRS. That is what ein.so does, every day, for entrepreneurs around the world.
The Problem
Why Can't Non-Residents Use the IRS Online Tool?
The IRS EIN Assistant blocks 100% of applicants without an SSN or ITIN at the identity verification step. Over 500,000 non-US residents need US EINs annually, yet the IRS has not built an online alternative. The system requires a valid Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to verify the applicant's identity. There is no workaround.
Why the IRS Online Tool Excludes Non-Residents
This restriction exists because the IRS uses SSN/ITIN as a primary identity verification mechanism in its online systems. The agency has not built an alternative verification method for international applicants, despite the growing number of non-residents who form US businesses each year.
Fax vs. Phone: Two Paths for Non-Residents
The result is that non-residents are forced to use one of two offline methods: fax or phone. The fax method (submitting Form SS-4 to 855-215-1627) is the most reliable. The phone method (calling 267-941-1099) works but involves long hold times, limited hours, and potential language barriers.
| Method | Eligibility | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ein.so Express (Fax) | Any non-resident, any country | 7 business days | $97 |
| ein.so Standard (Fax) | Any non-resident, any country | 4-7 business days | $49 |
| DIY Fax (Form SS-4) | Any non-resident with fax access | 4-7 business days if accepted | Free + fax costs (~$3-10) |
| IRS Phone (267-941-1099) | Any non-resident, English speakers | Same day (if connected) | Free + international call costs |
| IRS Online (EIN Assistant) | US residents with SSN/ITIN only | Instant | Free |
| IRS Mail (Form SS-4) | Any applicant, any country | 4-6 weeks | Free + postage |
How ein.so Eliminates the Guesswork
This is the exact gap that ein.so fills. We take the fax process -- which requires completing an IRS form correctly, finding a fax machine, transmitting the form, and monitoring for the IRS response -- and handle every step for you. For $49, you get your EIN without ever touching a fax machine or calling the IRS. Learn more about applying without an SSN.
How It Works
How Do Non-Residents Get an EIN Using the Fax Method?
The fax method is the primary way non-US residents obtain an EIN. It uses IRS Form SS-4 (Application for Employer Identification Number), which is a one-page form that captures your business and personal information. Here is how the process works:
Form SS-4 Fax Process
Step 1: Complete Form SS-4
Fill out the form with your business entity details (LLC name, state of formation, business type) and your personal details (name, passport number, foreign address). The responsible party must be an individual, not a business entity.
Step 2: Fax to the IRS
Send the completed form to the IRS at 855-215-1627. This is the dedicated EIN fax line. The form must be clear and legible -- blurry or cut-off forms are not processed.
Step 3: IRS Processes Your Application
The IRS reviews your SS-4, verifies the information, assigns an EIN, and prepares an EIN assignment letter (Form CP 575). This takes 4-7 business days during normal periods.
Step 4: Receive Your EIN
The IRS faxes your EIN assignment letter back to the fax number you provided on the form. This letter contains your 9-digit EIN and serves as official confirmation from the IRS.
The challenge for most non-residents is that errors on the SS-4 are common and result in rejection. The IRS does not call or email you to explain the error -- they simply do not respond. You are left waiting, not knowing if your form was received, is being processed, or was rejected. This uncertainty is what makes the DIY fax method so frustrating for international applicants.
Required Documents
What Documents Do Non-Residents Need for an EIN?
3 documents are required, and 0 of them need to be US-issued. You do not need an SSN, ITIN, US driver's license, US visa, or any US-based identification. The IRS accepts passports from every country.
Non-Resident EIN Document Requirements
Valid Passport
US Business Entity Details
Foreign Address
That is it. No SSN. No ITIN. No visa. No proof of US presence. The IRS issues EINs to non-residents specifically because foreign-owned entities operating in the US have tax obligations that require a federal tax ID. For more details on applying without an SSN, see our EIN without SSN guide.
Our Service
Why Does ein.so Exist? We Solve This Problem.
ein.so exists because the IRS makes it unnecessarily hard for non-US residents to get an EIN. The online tool is locked behind an SSN requirement. The phone line has hour-long hold times. The fax method requires a form that most people fill out incorrectly on their first try. We fix all of this.
When you use ein.so, here is exactly what happens:
You fill out a simple form
We prepare your Form SS-4
We fax it to the IRS
We monitor and follow up
We deliver your EIN
Global Coverage
EIN for Non-Residents: Country-Specific Tips
ein.so has filed EIN applications for clients in 100+ countries. The application process is the same regardless of your country, but 5 regions have specific considerations:
Region-Specific EIN Application Tips
United Kingdom & EU
UK and EU residents commonly form Wyoming or Delaware LLCs for e-commerce businesses. Your UK/EU passport number works on the SS-4. VAT registration in your home country is separate from your US EIN.
Canada
Canadian residents can use the IRS phone method since there are no international calling barriers, but wait times are long. The fax method through ein.so is faster and more reliable. Your Canadian passport number is used on the SS-4.
India & Bangladesh
A large number of our clients are from India and Bangladesh. Your passport number is all you need. ein.so provides support in Bengali and Hindi in addition to English. We handle address formatting for South Asian addresses.
Australia & New Zealand
Australian and New Zealand residents often form US LLCs for SaaS businesses or Amazon FBA. The time zone difference makes calling the IRS impractical (IRS hours are 6 AM - 11 PM ET). Fax through ein.so is the most convenient option.
Middle East & Africa
Applicants from the Middle East and Africa can apply with any valid passport. There are no country restrictions on EIN issuance. We have successfully filed EIN applications for clients in every region of the world.
Regardless of where you are located, the process is the same: fill out our simple application, and we handle the rest. For more information on how non-residents use their EIN, see our guides on EIN for Amazon sellers and EIN for bank accounts.
Next Steps
What Can Non-Residents Do With an EIN?
Your EIN unlocks 6 critical US business capabilities that are impossible without a federal tax ID:
6 Things You Can Do With Your EIN
Open a US Bank Account
Banks like Mercury, Relay, and traditional banks accept EINs from non-resident LLC owners. Learn more
Sell on Amazon
Complete the Amazon Seller Central tax interview and start selling through FBA. Learn more
Accept Payments via Stripe
Set up Stripe with your EIN to accept credit card payments from US customers.
File US Tax Returns
Report income, claim deductions, and comply with IRS requirements for your US entity.
Hire US Employees
Use your EIN for payroll tax reporting, W-2 issuance, and employer obligations.
Build Business Credit
Establish a credit profile with Dun & Bradstreet using your EIN as the identifier.
The EIN is the foundation of your US business presence. Everything else -- banking, selling, hiring, taxes -- builds on top of it. The sooner you get your EIN, the sooner you can start operating. Apply for your EIN now and have it in as few as 7 business days with Express processing.
Timeline
How Long Does It Take for Non-Residents to Get an EIN?
| Method | Processing Time | Cost | Recommended? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ein.so Express | 7 business days | $97 | Best for urgent needs |
| ein.so Standard | 4-7 business days | $49 | Best value |
| DIY Fax | 4-7 business days (if no errors) | Free + fax costs | High rejection risk |
| IRS Phone | Same day (if you reach an agent) | Free + call costs | Long hold times, limited hours |
For a detailed comparison of all EIN processing methods and timelines, see our EIN processing time guide.
By Country
Country-Specific EIN Guides
EIN for Indian Entrepreneurs
EIN for Canadians
EIN for UK Residents
EIN for Pakistani Entrepreneurs
EIN for Nigerian Entrepreneurs
EIN for German Entrepreneurs
EIN for Chinese Entrepreneurs
EIN for Filipino Entrepreneurs
EIN for Mexican Entrepreneurs
EIN for Brazilian Entrepreneurs
EIN for Bangladeshi Entrepreneurs
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a non-US resident get an EIN from the IRS?
Yes. The IRS issues EINs to non-US residents who have US tax obligations or who own US business entities. Non-residents apply using Form SS-4, submitted by fax to 855-215-1627 or by calling 267-941-1099. The IRS online EIN application is not available to applicants without an SSN or ITIN.
Do I need an SSN to get an EIN as a non-resident?
No. Non-US residents do not need a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to get an EIN. On Form SS-4, you enter your passport number and foreign address instead. The IRS specifically designed the fax and phone application methods to accommodate applicants without US identification numbers.
How long does it take for a non-resident to get an EIN?
By fax (the most common method), EIN processing takes 4-7 business days. By phone, you may receive your EIN the same day if you reach an agent. ein.so offers Standard processing ($49, 4-7 business days) and Express processing ($97, 7 business days) for non-residents.
What documents do non-residents need to apply for an EIN?
Non-residents need a valid passport (or other government-issued ID) and the details of their US business entity (LLC name, formation state, business address). No SSN, ITIN, or US visa is required. If you are applying as a foreign individual (not through an LLC), you need your passport number and foreign address.
Why can't non-residents use the IRS online EIN application?
The IRS online EIN Assistant requires a valid SSN or ITIN for identity verification. Non-US residents who do not have either of these numbers are locked out of the online system. This is a system limitation, not a policy against non-residents. The IRS provides the fax and phone methods specifically for applicants without US identification numbers.
How much does ein.so charge for non-resident EIN applications?
ein.so charges $49 for Standard processing (4-7 business days) and $97 for Express processing (7 business days). This covers SS-4 preparation, fax filing, IRS follow-up, and delivery of your EIN confirmation letter. The EIN itself is free from the IRS -- our fee covers the service of handling the application process.
Can I get an EIN from outside the United States?
Yes. You can apply for an EIN from any country in the world. There is no requirement to be physically present in the United States. ein.so serves clients in over 100 countries, handling the entire process remotely. You never need to visit the US, call the IRS, or find a fax machine.
What can I do with my EIN as a non-resident?
With your EIN, you can open a US business bank account, register as an Amazon seller, set up payment processors like Stripe and PayPal, file US tax returns, hire US-based employees or contractors, and comply with IRS reporting requirements. Your EIN is your key to operating a legitimate business in the United States.