Foreign EIN Number for Non-U.S. Residents

Are you a non-U.S. resident looking to start a business in the United States? One of the first things you’ll need to do is get an Employer Identification Number (EIN). But if you don’t have a Social Security number (SSN), you may be wondering if you’re eligible to apply for an EIN as a non-U.S. resident. We’ll walk you through the process of obtaining a foreign EIN number for non-U.S. residents. 

Eligibility Requirements for Obtaining an EIN Number as a Non-U.S. Resident

Most non-U.S. residents apply for an EIN because they have a business or trade in the United States, or plan to start one soon, but that isn’t an IRS eligibility requirement. Foreign applicants with no U.S. filing requirement can also get an EIN for other reasons, such as claiming tax treaty benefits or satisfying a third party’s withholding and reporting needs, by stating that reason on line 10 of Form SS-4. If the responsible party has a Social Security number (SSN) or an ITIN, you could apply for an EIN online, but only if your business was formed in the United States or a U.S. territory and your principal place of business is there as well. As a non-U.S. resident, though, you can still get an EIN without an SSN, but the process is more involved.

Can I apply for EIN without SSN?

Yes, you can apply for an EIN number without an SSN if you’re a non-U.S. resident. You’ll do so by completing Form SS-4 and submitting it to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by postal mail or by fax. If you have no legal residence, principal place of business, or principal office or agency in the United States or a U.S. territory, you can also call the IRS at (267) 941-1099 (not a toll-free number), 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, and get your EIN on the call. The online application isn’t open to applicants without an SSN or ITIN.

How long this takes depends on how you file. As of August 2026, the IRS says a faxed Form SS-4 generally gets your EIN back within four business days, while a mailed application takes approximately four weeks, so complete the form at least four to five weeks before you need the number. Faxing is faster than mail.

How can a foreigner get a tax ID number?

A tax ID number is an umbrella term for several such numbers, including SSN, EIN, and Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). An ITIN is a tax number available only to certain resident and nonresident aliens, their spouses, and dependents who can’t get an SSN.

To get an ITIN, you would need to complete Form W-7, IRS Application for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. However, you don’t need an ITIN to get an EIN. If you do apply for an ITIN, you normally include your U.S. federal tax return in the Form W-7 package rather than filing it separately, and five published exceptions let you apply with no return at all: passive income subject to third-party withholding or treaty benefits, other income or wages and scholarships covered by a treaty, U.S. mortgage interest reporting, dispositions of U.S. real property, and e-filing by representatives of foreign corporations. You just need to complete Form SS-4 to get your EIN.

Important note: The IRS’s Form SS-4 is very misleading about what’s required to apply for an EIN. In section 7b of the form, you’re asked to provide an SSN, ITIN, or EIN, implying that you need one of these numbers to get an EIN. However, if you’re a non-U.S. resident and don’t have any of those tax identification numbers, you can simply write “Foreign” in this space. There’s a lot of confusion and misinformation online about this issue, but our EIN experts at ZenBusiness have confirmed that the IRS can accept this method of completing the form, and the IRS Instructions for Form SS-4 tell you to do exactly this.

Steps for Obtaining an EIN Number as a Non-U.S. Resident

Step 1: Determine your eligibility for an EIN number as a non-U.S. resident

Before applying for an EIN, make sure you know why you need an EIN. Most non-U.S. residents apply because they have a business or trade in the United States, or plan to start one soon, but that isn’t an IRS eligibility requirement. You can also get an EIN for other reasons, such as claiming tax treaty benefits or satisfying a third party’s withholding and reporting needs, by stating that reason on line 10 of Form SS-4.

If you’re starting a state-registered business like a limited liability company (LLC) or a corporation, wait until your business has been approved by the state before applying for your EIN. This matches IRS guidance to register the entity with your state first, so your EIN matches the entity the state actually approved. If your business name changes later, you don’t need a new EIN; you report the change on your entity’s tax return or by letter to the IRS. 

Step 2: Obtain a physical mailing address in the United States

While you technically don’t need a physical address in the U.S. to get an EIN, having one will make it much easier to get a bank account in the U.S. 

Related: U.S. Address for Businesses of Non-Residents

Step 3: Complete the IRS Form SS-4

Complete Form SS-4, the application for an Employer Identification Number. You’ll need to provide information about your business, including the legal name and address, as well as your personal information.

Step 4: Submit the completed Form SS-4 to the IRS by fax or postal mail

Once you have completed the IRS Form SS-4, you can submit it to the IRS by fax or postal mail. You can find the appropriate mailing address and fax number on the IRS website. International applicants with no U.S. place of business can also apply by phone at (267) 941-1099 and get the EIN on the call. When submitting the form, be sure to include all the necessary information and double-check that everything is accurate. If there are any errors on the form, the processing time may be delayed or the application may be rejected altogether.

Step 5: Wait to receive your EIN number from the IRS, which takes about four business days by fax and about four weeks by mail.

After submitting the completed Form SS-4, you’ll need to wait for the IRS to process your application and issue your EIN number. As of August 2026, the IRS returns an EIN by fax generally within four business days and by mail in approximately four weeks, so complete Form SS-4 at least four to five weeks before you need the number. International applicants who apply by phone receive the EIN during the call, and any route can take longer at peak times. Once you’ve received your EIN number, be sure to keep it in a safe place because you’ll need it for tax purposes.

Step 6: Notify the IRS if there are changes to your business

Once you have obtained your EIN number, it’s important to keep the IRS updated on changes to your business. Specifically, this means changes to your business mailing address, business location, or the identity of your responsible party. Changes to your responsible party must be submitted within 60 days.

You can notify the IRS of these changes by submitting Form 8822-B, which is available on the IRS website. If your old business address was in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin, you will send the form to the IRS service center listed for that group. Florida is no longer part of this group and is routed to a different service center, so check your state against the current “Where To File” table on Form 8822-B before you mail it.

If your old business address was in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, or any place outside the United States, you will send the form to: Internal Revenue Service Ogden, UT 84201-0023. States have moved between service centers since these groups were printed, so if your state doesn’t appear in either group above, check the current “Where To File” table on Form 8822-B before you mail it.

By keeping the IRS informed of any changes, you help ensure that your business remains compliant and avoids any potential penalties or fines.

Alternative to Applying for an EIN Number

If you’re unable to apply for an EIN number or prefer not to, you could use a third-party service to obtain an EIN number on your behalf. This can eliminate much of the stress and worry involved in the process. 

We can help!

At ZenBusiness, we understand that obtaining an EIN number as a non-U.S. resident can be a complex and time-consuming process. That’s why we offer a range of services designed to help make the process as easy and stress-free as possible. From assisting with the completion of Form SS-4 to providing a registered agent in the United States, we’re here to assist you every step of the way. With our EIN service, you can obtain your EIN number quickly and efficiently, so you can focus on what really matters — building your business.