If you are a foreign founder who just formed a U.S. LLC or corporation, you will quickly hit the same question: can I get an EIN without a Social Security Number? Yes, you can. This guide explains how the process works for international applicants, based on the IRS Instructions for Form SS-4 (Rev. December 2025).
What Is an EIN?
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit federal tax ID that the IRS assigns to businesses. You need one to open a U.S. business bank account, file business tax returns, hire employees, and work with payment processors such as Stripe or PayPal.
Can a Foreign Owner Get an EIN Without an SSN or ITIN?
Yes. On Form SS-4, line 7b asks for the responsible party’s SSN or ITIN. According to the IRS instructions, if the responsible party does not have and is not eligible to get an SSN or ITIN, you enter “Foreign” (or N/A) on that line instead. You do not need to get an ITIN first just to obtain an EIN.
Why You Can’t Use the IRS Online Application
The IRS online EIN application is only available when the business has a legal residence, principal place of business, or principal office in the U.S. or a U.S. territory, and the responsible party has a valid SSN, ITIN, or EIN. Most foreign founders without an SSN or ITIN don’t meet these conditions, so they must apply another way.
3 Ways International Applicants Can Apply
- By phone: International applicants can call the IRS at 267-941-1099 (not toll-free), Monday–Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The phone option is only available to international applicants.
- By fax: Fax a completed Form SS-4 to 304-707-9471 if you are outside the United States. Fax applications are generally processed within about 4 business days.
- By mail: Mail Form SS-4 to Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN International Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999. Mail takes about 4 weeks, so the IRS suggests applying 4 to 5 weeks before you need the number.
What Information You Need
- Legal name of the business (exactly as on your formation documents)
- Entity type (LLC, corporation, partnership, etc.) and state of formation
- Business mailing address
- Responsible party’s full legal name and title
- Reason for applying and the date the business started
- Principal activity of the business
Common Mistakes That Cause Delays
- A business name that doesn’t match the state filing
- Choosing the wrong entity type or number of LLC members
- Leaving line 7b blank instead of writing “Foreign”
- Applying more than once on the same day — the IRS limits EIN issuance to one per responsible party per day
Next Steps After You Get Your EIN
Keep your IRS confirmation letter (CP 575) safe. You will need it to open a business bank account and set up payment processing. If you own a single-member LLC as a foreign person, ask a tax professional about your annual U.S. filing requirements.
Get Help With Your EIN
EinFilingTax prepares and files your EIN application for you, reviews it for errors before it reaches the IRS, and re-files for free if it is rejected. Start your EIN application →
EinFilingTax is a private third-party service and is not affiliated with the IRS. You can apply for an EIN for free at IRS.gov. This article is general information, not legal or tax advice.
