How to Get an EIN as a Non-US Resident Without an SSN

June 12, 2026
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Category: EIN

Key Takeaways

Non‑US residents can get an EIN without an SSN by applying with Form SS‑4 and using “Foreign” or “N/A” in specific SSN/ITIN fields.
The IRS requires a “responsible party” name on the SS‑4; for foreign applicants, the SSN/ITIN line can be left as directed for foreign status.
Phone, fax, and mail are common options for non‑US residents; the online IRS EIN tool typically requires an SSN/ITIN.
Have your legal name, entity details, US mailing address (if any), and business start date ready to avoid delays.

Getting a US Employer Identification Number (EIN) as a non‑US resident is possible even if you don’t have a Social Security Number (SSN). The key is choosing the correct application method and completing Form SS‑4 accurately for foreign ownership.

Can a non‑US resident get an EIN without an SSN?

Yes. A non‑US resident can obtain an EIN without an SSN by applying with IRS Form SS‑4 and completing the “responsible party” section using the instructions for foreign applicants.

What the IRS expects from foreign applicants

Responsible party: The IRS requires the name of a “responsible party” (an individual who controls, manages, or directs the entity and its funds). This person is listed on Form SS‑4.
SSN/ITIN/EIN for the responsible party: If the responsible party is a foreign person without an SSN or ITIN, Form SS‑4 is typically completed using the foreign-applicant convention (commonly “Foreign” on the SSN/ITIN line). The entry must be consistent with the rest of the form (foreign address, foreign ownership, and applicable filing reason).
Entity type and reason for applying: You must select the correct entity type (LLC, corporation, partnership, sole proprietor, etc.) and a reason that matches your situation (starting a business, hiring employees, banking purposes, compliance, or changing entity type).

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What is the fastest way to get an EIN as a non‑US resident?

For many non‑US residents without an SSN, the fastest practical route is often applying by phone (when available for international applicants) or by fax using Form SS‑4, because those methods avoid the SSN/ITIN requirement that commonly blocks the standard online EIN tool.

Typical application methods (and what to expect)

Method	Best for	What you need	Typical output
Phone (international)	Applicants outside the US who need an EIN quickly	Completed SS‑4 details available during the call	EIN issued during the call if accepted
Fax	Applicants who want a written submission and quicker turnaround than mail	Signed SS‑4	Faxed EIN confirmation letter when processed
Mail	Applicants who prefer paper submission or have special facts	Signed SS‑4	Mailed EIN confirmation letter
Online EIN tool	Applicants with SSN/ITIN and principal business in the US	SSN/ITIN and eligibility confirmation	EIN issued immediately online

Timing notes that affect speed

Single EIN per responsible party per day: If you submit multiple EIN requests tied to the same responsible party, plan around the “one EIN per day” limitation.
Name and address consistency: Mismatched legal names, missing country codes, or an unclear entity type can trigger follow‑up or rejection.
Banking deadlines: If you need the EIN for a US business bank account, request the EIN before you schedule the bank appointment to avoid week‑long gaps.

How do I fill out Form SS‑4 if I don’t have an SSN or ITIN?

Complete Form SS‑4 using your legal entity details and follow foreign-applicant conventions for identification fields you do not have. The goal is to provide a complete, internally consistent SS‑4 that clearly shows foreign ownership and a valid reason for the EIN.

Form SS‑4 fields that commonly cause delays

Line 1–3: Legal name and trade name

Line 1 (Legal name): Use the exact legal name on your formation document (or your legal name if you are a sole proprietor).
Line 2 (Trade name): Only include a DBA if you actively use one; otherwise leave it blank.
Line 3 (Executor/Trustee “Care of”): Use this only for special structures (estates, trusts, or when mail should be routed through a representative).

Line 4–5: Mailing address and street address

Foreign address formatting: Include the full city, region/province, postal code, and country. Incomplete international addresses are a frequent processing issue.
US mailing address (optional): If you have a reliable US mailing address (registered agent, mail service, or office), you can list it as the mailing address while still showing foreign ownership elsewhere.

Line 6: County and state

If you do not have a US location, this line is often left blank or completed based on the address used. Avoid guessing a state if your business does not have a US street address.

Line 7a–7b: Responsible party and taxpayer ID

Line 7a: Enter the responsible party’s full legal name.
Line 7b: If the responsible party has no SSN/ITIN, use the foreign-applicant entry method (commonly “Foreign”) rather than inventing a number or using zeros.

Lines 8a–9a: Entity type selection

LLC: Indicate the number of members and whether you’re filing as a corporation if applicable.
Corporation: Select the correct box (including whether it’s an S‑corp election later, if relevant).
Foreign-owned single-member LLC: Be especially careful to select the correct structure because it drives IRS correspondence and related filing obligations.

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Non‑US resident EIN requirements checklist

Information you should prepare before applying

Entity legal name and formation location (US state or foreign country)
Entity type (LLC, corporation, partnership, sole proprietor, trust/estate)
Responsible party name (and SSN/ITIN if you have one)
Mailing address where you can reliably receive the EIN confirmation letter
Reason for applying (banking, compliance, hiring, starting a business, etc.)
Date business started or acquired (month/day/year)
Highest number of employees expected in the next 12 months (enter “0” if none)
Principal activity (e.g., consulting, e‑commerce, software, real estate) and a brief product/service description

Common scenarios for non‑US residents

Opening a US business bank account: Many banks ask for an EIN confirmation letter before account opening. Plan to apply for the EIN early so you can schedule banking and payment processor setup without delays.
Hiring US employees: If you will hire employees, the EIN is required for payroll reporting. Your SS‑4 should reflect an employment tax need and an anticipated employee count.
Forming a US LLC while living abroad: Foreign ownership increases the importance of accurate responsible‑party details, the correct LLC member count, and consistent address information throughout the SS‑4.

Process details: what happens after your EIN is issued?

EIN confirmation letter and recordkeeping

Confirmation document: Keep the EIN confirmation letter with your formation documents and banking records.
Where you’ll use the EIN: Banking, W‑8/W‑9 related requests, vendor onboarding, payroll accounts, and certain federal/state registrations.
Updates: If your business name, address, or responsible party changes, update IRS records using the appropriate method for your entity type.

When an EIN is not needed

A sole proprietor without employees may not need an EIN if they do not need one for banking or withholding purposes. Many non‑US owners still obtain an EIN because US financial institutions and payers frequently request it to set up accounts and payment profiles.