Can Non-Residents Get an EIN Without an SSN?
Yes. Non-US residents can obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS without having a US Social Security Number. The IRS explicitly allows foreign nationals to apply for EINs using Form SS-4, entering "N/A" in the SSN field.
The IRS recognizes that millions of foreign entrepreneurs own US business entities. IRS Form SS-4 includes specific provisions for international applicants. Non-residents from 180+ countries have successfully obtained EINs for their Wyoming LLCs without ever visiting the United States.
The key difference for non-residents is the submission method. While US citizens and residents with SSNs can apply online, international applicants must submit Form SS-4 by fax or mail. This manual process takes longer but produces the same valid 9-digit EIN.
Key fact: No Social Security Number, ITIN, or US citizenship is required to obtain an EIN as a non-resident. The IRS issues EINs to foreign nationals who own US LLCs.
What Is an EIN and Why Do Non-Residents Need One?
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique 9-digit tax identification number assigned by the IRS to business entities operating in the United States. The EIN format is XX-XXXXXXX. The IRS uses this number to track business tax obligations.
Non-residents need an EIN for 6 critical business purposes: opening a US business bank account, registering for Stripe payment processing, filing federal tax returns, hiring employees, obtaining business licenses, and building US business credit. Without an EIN, a Wyoming LLC cannot access the US financial system.
US banks including Mercury, Relay, and Wise Business require an EIN to open a business account. Payment processors like Stripe, PayPal, and Shopify Payments verify EINs during business registration. The EIN proves to US institutions that the IRS recognizes your Wyoming LLC as a legitimate business entity.
What Can Non-Residents Do With an EIN?
- Open US business bank accounts at Mercury, Relay, and Wise Business
- Register for Stripe payment processing in 45+ countries
- Apply for PayPal Business accounts with US entity verification
- File IRS Form 5472 and other required tax returns
- Build business credit history in the United States
- Invoice US clients as a verified US business entity
Need help with your EIN application? WyomingLLC.co handles Form SS-4 preparation and submission.
Start on WhatsApp — FreeHow to Apply for an EIN as a Non-Resident?
Non-residents apply for an EIN by completing IRS Form SS-4 and submitting it by fax or mail to the IRS International Operation center. The process requires no SSN, no US address, and no visit to the United States.
Step-by-Step Form SS-4 Completion Guide
- Download Form SS-4. Get the official form from irs.gov. Use the current revision dated 2023 or later. Do not use outdated forms from third-party websites.
- Enter Line 1: Legal name of entity. Type the exact LLC name as approved by the Wyoming Secretary of State. The IRS name must match your Articles of Organization exactly.
- Enter Line 2: Trade name. Leave blank if your LLC operates under its legal name. Enter a DBA if your LLC uses a different business name for operations.
- Enter Line 3: Executor, administrator, trustee, "care of" name. Leave blank for single-member LLCs. This line is for estates and trusts only.
- Enter Line 4: Mailing address. Use your Wyoming registered agent address or your foreign address. The IRS sends your CP 575 confirmation letter to this address.
- Enter Line 7a: Name of responsible party. Enter your full legal name as the LLC owner. This must match your passport exactly.
- Enter Line 7b: SSN, ITIN, or EIN of responsible party. Enter "N/A" or "Foreign" since you do not have a US tax ID. This is the critical field for non-residents.
- Check Box 9a: Type of entity. Check "Limited liability company (LLC)" and enter the number of members. Single-member LLCs enter "1".
- Check Box 10: Reason for applying. Most non-residents check "Started new business" and specify "Wyoming LLC formation" as the business type.
- Sign and date the form. The responsible party (you) must sign and date Form SS-4. Unsigned forms are rejected automatically.
- Fax to (855) 641-6935 or mail to IRS. Fax submission processes in 4-8 weeks. Mailed submissions take 2-3 months.
Pro tip: Print Form SS-4 clearly in black ink. Illegible handwriting causes processing delays. Use a PDF editor to fill the form digitally, then print and sign.
What Information Is Required on Form SS-4?
Form SS-4 requires 11 key pieces of information about your Wyoming LLC and the responsible party. Accurate completion prevents rejection and processing delays. Review each field carefully before submission.
Form SS-4 Field Requirements
| Field | Required Information | Notes for Non-Residents |
|---|---|---|
| Line 1 | Legal name of LLC | Must match Wyoming Articles of Organization exactly |
| Line 2 | Trade name (DBA) | Leave blank if operating under legal name |
| Line 4 | Mailing address | Use registered agent address or foreign address |
| Line 5 | Street address | Same as Line 4 if no separate location |
| Line 6 | County and state | Enter "Wyoming" for Wyoming LLCs |
| Line 7a | Responsible party name | Full legal name matching passport |
| Line 7b | SSN/ITIN/EIN | Enter "N/A" or "Foreign" for non-residents |
| Line 8a | Limited liability company | Check the LLC box |
| Line 8b | Number of members | Enter "1" for single-member LLCs |
| Line 9a | Entity type | Check "Started new business" |
| Line 11 | Date business started | Date Wyoming LLC was formed |
Sample Filled Form SS-4 Description
Imagine a single-member Wyoming LLC named "Global Ventures LLC" owned by a non-resident from Pakistan named Ahmed Khan. Line 1 shows "Global Ventures LLC". Line 4 shows the Wyoming registered agent address. Line 7a shows "Ahmed Khan". Line 7b shows "Foreign" with a check in the "Foreign" third-party designee box. Line 8b shows "1" for one member. Line 10 shows "Started new business (LLC)" as the reason for applying.
Where to Fax or Mail Form SS-4?
Non-residents submit Form SS-4 to the IRS International Operation center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Choose between fax for faster processing or mail if fax is unavailable in your country.
IRS Submission Addresses for Non-Residents
| Method | Address / Number | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fax (Recommended) | (855) 641-6935 | 4-8 weeks |
| Internal Revenue Service Attn: EIN International Operation Cincinnati, OH 45999 | 2-3 months |
Fax submission to (855) 641-6935 is the fastest method for international applicants. The IRS processes faxed forms in the order received. Include a cover sheet with your name and phone number. Keep the fax confirmation receipt for your records.
Mailed submissions to Cincinnati, Ohio 45999 take significantly longer due to postal transit times and manual document processing. Use certified mail or a courier service with tracking. The IRS does not confirm receipt of mailed applications.
How Long Does EIN Application Take for Non-Residents?
EIN applications for non-residents take 4-8 weeks when submitted by fax and 2-3 months when submitted by mail. The IRS does not offer expedited processing for international EIN applications.
EIN Processing Timeline for Non-Residents
| Submission Method | Processing Time | Confirmation Method |
|---|---|---|
| Fax to (855) 641-6935 | 4-8 weeks | CP 575 letter by mail |
| Mail to Cincinnati, OH | 2-3 months | CP 575 letter by mail |
Processing times vary based on IRS workload and seasonal demand. January through April (US tax season) experiences the longest delays. Applications submitted in May through December typically process faster. The IRS does not provide status updates during processing.
Important: The IRS has experienced significant delays for international EIN applications. Some applications take 10-12 weeks during peak periods. Plan your Wyoming LLC formation timeline accordingly.
Avoid EIN delays. WyomingLLC.co prepares and submits Form SS-4 correctly the first time.
Get Started on WhatsAppCan I Apply for EIN Online as a Non-Resident?
No. Non-residents cannot use the IRS online EIN application system. The online application requires a valid US Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for identity verification.
The IRS online EIN application at irs.gov/businesses runs an automated identity check against Social Security Administration records. Foreign nationals without SSNs fail this verification step. The system rejects applications with "N/A" or "Foreign" entries.
Non-residents must submit Form SS-4 by fax or mail to the International Operation center. This manual process allows IRS staff to review international applications individually. The resulting EIN is identical to one obtained online.
Online vs. Fax/Mail for Non-Residents
| Method | SSN Required? | Available to Non-Residents? | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Application | Yes | No | Immediate |
| Fax to (855) 641-6935 | No | Yes | 4-8 weeks |
| Mail to IRS | No | Yes | 2-3 months |
What If My EIN Application Is Rejected?
EIN applications may be rejected for incomplete information, mismatched LLC names, missing signatures, or unclear foreign addresses. The IRS does not provide detailed rejection reasons, so review all fields carefully before resubmitting.
Common EIN Application Errors
| Error | How to Fix | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| LLC name mismatch | Verify exact name on Wyoming Articles of Organization | Copy and paste from state documents |
| Missing signature | Sign and date Line 18 of Form SS-4 | Use a checklist before submission |
| Unclear responsible party name | Enter full legal name matching passport | Use official ID documents as reference |
| Incomplete foreign address | Include country, postal code, and phone number | Follow your country's address format |
| Illegible handwriting | Type the form or print clearly in block letters | Fill digitally, print, then sign |
| Wrong entity type selected | Check "Limited liability company" for LLCs | Review entity classification rules |
If your application is rejected, correct the errors and submit a new Form SS-4 by fax. The IRS does not charge fees for EIN applications, so resubmission costs nothing except time. Consider using a formation service to avoid common mistakes.
Do I Need an ITIN Instead of an EIN?
No. Non-residents forming a Wyoming LLC need an EIN, not an ITIN. An EIN identifies your business entity for tax purposes. An ITIN is for individuals who file US personal tax returns but cannot obtain an SSN.
The EIN is mandatory for opening US business bank accounts, registering for payment processors, and filing business tax returns. The ITIN is only needed if you personally owe US taxes as an individual, such as rental income or investment income.
Most non-resident Wyoming LLC owners with no US-source income never need an ITIN. The EIN satisfies all business requirements. Your Wyoming LLC files Form 5472 using its EIN. You report LLC income on your home country tax return, not a US personal return.
EIN vs. ITIN Comparison
| Feature | EIN | ITIN |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Business tax identification | Individual tax identification |
| Required for Wyoming LLC? | Yes | No |
| Needed for US bank account? | Yes | No |
| Needed for Stripe? | Yes | No |
| SSN required to obtain? | No | No |
| Processing time | 4-8 weeks (fax) | 7-11 weeks |
How to Check EIN Application Status?
The IRS does not provide an online status checker for EIN applications. Non-residents can check application status by calling the IRS International Operation center after the standard processing period has passed.
Contact Information for Status Checks
| Method | Contact | When to Call |
|---|---|---|
| Phone (International) | 1-267-941-1099 | After 4 weeks (fax) or 8 weeks (mail) |
| Phone (US) | 1-800-829-4933 | Business account inquiries |
When calling, have your Form SS-4 information ready: LLC name, responsible party name, date submitted, and fax confirmation or mailing receipt. The IRS representative can confirm if your application is in process or if an EIN has been assigned.
International phone calls to the IRS may incur charges. Consider using internet calling services. The IRS phone lines experience high call volumes, especially during US tax season (January-April). Call early in the US business day for shorter hold times.
What Documents Do I Receive After Getting an EIN?
The IRS sends a CP 575 EIN Confirmation Letter by mail to the address provided on Form SS-4. This letter officially confirms your EIN assignment and serves as proof of your business tax identification number.
The CP 575 letter contains your LLC's legal name, the assigned 9-digit EIN, the date of assignment, and the IRS contact information. This document is essential for opening US bank accounts, registering for payment processors, and filing tax returns.
If you lose your CP 575 letter, request a 147C letter from the IRS. The 147C is a replacement EIN verification letter. Call 1-267-941-1099 to request a 147C. The IRS faxes or mails 147C letters to the address on file.
EIN Documents Comparison
| Document | When Sent | Purpose | Replacement Available? |
|---|---|---|---|
| CP 575 Letter | After EIN assignment | Official EIN confirmation | No (request 147C instead) |
| 147C Letter | Upon request | Replacement EIN verification | Yes (multiple requests) |
| Fax Confirmation | Upon fax submission | Proof of submission date | No (keep original) |
Important: Store your CP 575 letter securely. US banks require this document or a 147C letter to open business accounts. Digital copies are accepted by some banks, but keep the original safe.
Get your EIN without an SSN. WyomingLLC.co handles Form SS-4 preparation, submission, and follow-up for a $297 flat fee.
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