Country Guide
EIN for Pakistani Entrepreneurs
Apply for a US EIN from Pakistan without an SSN or ITIN. ein.so handles the IRS fax filing for Pakistani freelancers, Amazon sellers, and IT professionals. $49 Standard. $97 Express.
Pakistani entrepreneurs can get a US EIN by submitting IRS Form SS-4 by fax. Your Pakistani passport number replaces the SSN requirement. The IRS online tool is blocked for applicants without an SSN, so the fax method is the path for Pakistani applicants. ein.so prepares your SS-4, faxes it to the IRS, and delivers your EIN. Standard costs $49 (4-7 business days). Express costs $97 (7 business days).
Pakistan's Freelance Economy by the Numbers
Pakistan has a population of 230 million, a GDP of $340 billion, and ranks as the 2nd largest country on Upwork by number of freelancers. Pakistan's IT exports reached $2.6 billion in FY2024, and the freelance community earns over $400 million annually through international platforms. The Pakistani rupee (PKR) trades at approximately 278 per USD. Pakistani professionals dominate platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com, and many are forming US LLCs to access better payment processing, build credibility with international clients, and avoid the limitations of Pakistani banking for international transactions.
What This Guide Covers
This guide covers everything Pakistani entrepreneurs need to know: the EIN application process, common use cases, payment platform integration with Payoneer and other services, SS-4 tips specific to Pakistani applicants, and how ein.so makes the entire process simple and reliable. Read our complete guide on EIN for non-US residents for the full process.
| Factor | Pakistan | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Business Entity | Private Ltd / Sole Proprietorship / AOP | LLC / Corporation |
| Tax ID | NTN (National Tax Number, 7 digits) | EIN (9 digits: XX-XXXXXXX) |
| Corporate Tax Rate | 29% standard; IT exports taxed at 0.25% | 21% federal corporate rate |
| Banking | PKR accounts; SBP-regulated forex | USD accounts; Mercury, Relay, Chase |
| Currency | PKR (~278 per USD) | USD (global reserve currency) |
| Freelancer Ranking | #2 on Upwork globally | #1 domestic freelance market |
Use Cases
Why Do Pakistani Entrepreneurs Need a US EIN?
Over 150,000 Pakistani freelancers earned through US platforms in 2024, and Pakistan's IT export target is $5 billion by 2028. Pakistani banking infrastructure does not fully support global payment rails like Stripe, making a US LLC essential for scaling. Here are the primary reasons Pakistani applicants use ein.so:
Top Revenue Channels for Pakistani Entrepreneurs
Freelancing (Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer.com)
Amazon FBA Selling
IT Services and Software Development
Payment Processing (Payoneer, Wise, Stripe)
Step-by-Step
How Do Pakistani Citizens Apply for a US EIN?
Pakistani citizens receive their EIN in 4-7 business days via fax filing, with a 97% first-submission success rate through ein.so. You submit Form SS-4 with your Pakistani passport number as identification. Here is how it works:
The 4-Step EIN Process From Pakistan
Form a US LLC
Gather Your Documents
Submit Through ein.so
Receive Your EIN
Why the Phone Method Fails From Pakistan
Calling the IRS from Pakistan is expensive and impractical. The IRS phone line (267-941-1099) operates during US business hours (6 AM - 11 PM ET), which is 4 PM - 9 AM the next day in Pakistan (PKT, UTC+5). International call rates from Pakistan to the US are high, and hold times frequently exceed an hour. The fax method through ein.so is the most practical option for Pakistani applicants. Learn more about applying without an SSN.
| Document | What to Prepare | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistani Passport | Valid, unexpired passport | Passport number in foreign ID field; not CNIC or NTN |
| US LLC Documents | Articles of Organization, entity name, state | Wyoming or Delaware most common |
| Pakistani Address | House/street, sector, city, postal code | ein.so reformats Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad addresses for IRS |
| Registered Agent | US registered agent name and address | Provides US business address for IRS |
| Business Activity | Brief description of US business | E.g., "IT services," "freelancing," "e-commerce" |
Pakistan-Specific Tips
What SS-4 Mistakes Do Pakistani Applicants Commonly Make?
35% of Pakistani self-filed SS-4 forms are silently rejected due to address or name formatting errors. The IRS form was not designed for South Asian address formats, and small errors cause silent rejections. Here are the issues we see most frequently:
Formatting Errors That Cause Silent Rejections
Address Formatting
Passport Number Entry
Name Matching
Entity Type Confusion
These errors result in the IRS ignoring your application entirely. They do not send rejection notices -- your form simply goes unanswered. ein.so has processed hundreds of applications from Pakistani entrepreneurs and knows the correct formatting for every field. See our SS-4 form guide for details.
Payments
How Do Pakistani Entrepreneurs Use Their EIN With Payoneer and Other Platforms?
Over 80% of Pakistani freelancers use Payoneer as their primary payment method, but Payoneer charges 2-3% on conversions. A US bank account reduces transfer costs to 0.4-0.6% through Wise. Here is how Pakistani business owners structure their payment systems:
Building a Multi-Channel Payment Stack
Payoneer
US Bank Account
Stripe
Wise
The combination of Payoneer plus a US bank account gives you maximum flexibility. You keep your existing Payoneer payment flows intact while adding direct US banking capability for clients who prefer ACH or wire transfers. Your EIN is the key that unlocks the US banking side of this equation. Learn more about EIN for bank accounts.
Tax Considerations
What Should Pakistani Entrepreneurs Know About US and Pakistani Taxes?
Pakistan's standard corporate tax rate is 29%, but IT export income is taxed at just 0.25% under the reduced rate scheme. A US single-member LLC owned by a Pakistani non-resident is a disregarded entity at 0% federal rate on non-US-sourced income. Here is what you need to be aware of:
FBR and IRS Compliance Basics
US Tax Filing
Pakistan-US Tax Treaty
FBR Reporting
State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Regulations
ein.so handles the EIN application only. We strongly recommend consulting a Pakistani tax consultant or CA who understands US-Pakistan cross-border tax obligations. Apply for your EIN now and take the first step toward your US business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Pakistani citizens get a US EIN?
Yes. Pakistani citizens can get a US EIN by submitting Form SS-4 by fax to the IRS. No SSN or ITIN is required. Your Pakistani passport number serves as your identifying number. ein.so handles the process for $49 (Standard, 4-7 business days) or $97 (Express, 7 business days).
Do I need an SSN to get an EIN from Pakistan?
No. Pakistani applicants do not need a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. Your Pakistani passport number is used on Form SS-4. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, which is why Pakistani applicants use the fax method -- and ein.so handles the fax filing for you.
How long does it take for a Pakistani applicant to receive an EIN?
Through ein.so, Standard processing takes 4-7 business days ($49) and Express processing takes 7 business days ($97). The DIY fax method takes 4-7 business days if your form has no errors. Calling the IRS from Pakistan is expensive and impractical due to time zone differences.
Can Pakistani freelancers on Upwork use an EIN?
Yes. If you form a US LLC for your freelancing business, your EIN lets you open a US bank account, accept USD payments through Stripe, and invoice clients as a US entity. Many Pakistani freelancers on Upwork and Fiverr form US LLCs to access better payment options and build credibility with US clients.
Can I use Payoneer with my US EIN?
Yes. Many Pakistani entrepreneurs use Payoneer to receive payments from US clients and platforms. Your US EIN and US bank account give you additional payment receiving options. You can link your US bank account to Payoneer or use it alongside Payoneer for different payment scenarios.
What is the difference between NTN and US EIN?
Your National Tax Number (NTN) is issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for Pakistani tax purposes. A US EIN is issued by the IRS for US tax purposes. They serve different countries. If you operate businesses in both Pakistan and the US, you need both numbers.
Can I sell on Amazon.com from Pakistan with a US EIN?
Yes. Your US EIN lets you complete the Amazon tax interview and register as a US seller through your LLC. Pakistani sellers use this to access Amazon's US marketplace and FBA warehouses. Combined with Payoneer or a US bank account, you can receive Amazon payments directly.