Apply for EIN as a Non-Residents: Complete Guide

How to Apply for an EIN as a Non-Resident in 2026

If you are a non-resident who owns or plans to operate a business in the United States, you may need an EIN for non-residents.

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit federal tax identification number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It is used to identify businesses and other entities for federal tax purposes.

The EIN application process can be different for entrepreneurs who live outside the United States. In particular, an applicant with no legal residence, principal place of business, or principal office or agency in the United States or its territories cannot use the standard IRS online EIN application. The IRS provides other application methods for international applicants.

This guide explains how to apply for an EIN as a non-resident, whether you need an SSN or ITIN, how Form SS-4 works, how to apply from India, how much an EIN costs, and common mistakes to avoid.

What Is an EIN?

An EIN, or Employer Identification Number, is a federal tax identification number issued by the IRS.

An EIN is used in connection with business activities and can be required for federal tax filing and reporting. It may also be relevant for activities such as business banking, hiring employees, and other business-related processes.

An EIN identifies the business or entity. It is different from an individual's Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

An EIN should not be used as a replacement for an SSN or ITIN.

Can a Non-Resident Get an EIN?

Yes. A non-resident can obtain an EIN when the business or entity meets the applicable IRS requirements.

The important distinction is the application method.

If you have no legal residence, principal place of business, or principal office or agency in the United States or its territories, the IRS says you cannot use the standard online EIN application. International applicants can instead apply by telephone, fax, or mail.

Therefore, a non-resident should not assume that the same online process available to a U.S.-based applicant will apply to them.

Do Non-Residents Need an EIN?

Whether you need an EIN depends on the business structure and your federal tax responsibilities.

An EIN may be required for businesses such as:

• LLCs

• Corporations

• Partnerships

• Certain sole proprietorships

• Other entities with applicable federal tax obligations

The IRS determines EIN requirements based on the entity and its circumstances.

If you have formed a U.S. LLC, you should determine whether the LLC needs an EIN based on its tax classification and activities.

How to Apply for an EIN as a Non-Resident

The process generally involves the following steps.

Step 1: Have Your Business Information Ready

Before applying, prepare accurate information about the business.

You may need:

• Legal business name

• Trade name, if applicable

• Business address

• Mailing address

• State where the business was formed

• Type of entity

• Responsible party information

• Reason for applying

• Date the business started or was acquired

• Principal business activity

Having the information ready can help avoid mistakes when completing Form SS-4.

Step 2: Complete Form SS-4

Form SS-4 is the IRS form used to apply for an EIN.

The form establishes the business's federal tax account and requests information about the entity and its responsible party.

Non-resident applicants should pay particular attention to:

• Entity name

• Entity type

• Business address

• Responsible party

• Reason for applying

• Tax classification

• Principal business activity

Incorrect information on Form SS-4 can cause delays or require clarification.

Step 3: Identify the Responsible Party

The IRS requires the responsible party to be an individual in most cases.

The responsible party is generally the individual who ultimately owns or controls the entity.

For an LLC, this may be the individual owner or another appropriate individual who has the required ownership or control.

Do not automatically use a formation service, registered agent, or nominee as the responsible party.

Step 4: Choose the Correct IRS Application Method

This is one of the most important parts of the process for non-residents.

If your legal residence, principal place of business, or principal office or agency is outside the United States and its territories, you cannot use the standard online EIN application.

International applicants can use the IRS-approved alternatives:

• Telephone

• Fax

• Mail

The appropriate method depends on your circumstances.

Can I Get an EIN Without an SSN?

Yes, in certain circumstances.

The IRS Form SS-4 instructions specifically address applicants who do not have and are ineligible to obtain an SSN or ITIN. In those circumstances, the responsible party can enter “foreign” or “N/A” on line 7b.

This means a non-resident should not automatically assume that an SSN or ITIN must be obtained before an EIN application can be submitted.

The correct approach depends on the applicant's circumstances and the information required by the IRS.

Do I Need an ITIN Before Applying for an EIN?

Not necessarily.

An ITIN and EIN serve different purposes.

An EIN identifies a business or other entity for federal tax purposes.

An ITIN identifies an individual who needs a U.S. taxpayer identification number but is not eligible for an SSN.

A non-resident may have an ITIN, but having an ITIN is not automatically a prerequisite for every EIN application.

If you also need an individual taxpayer identification number, see our guide to ITIN for non-residents.

How to Apply for an EIN From Outside the USA

Non-residents whose principal place of business is outside the United States can use IRS international application methods.

Apply by Telephone

The IRS provides a telephone option for international applicants.

The current Form SS-4 instructions list:

267-941-1099

as the international EIN telephone number. The number is not toll-free, and the IRS states that international applicants can use this method when they are not eligible for the online application.

The person making the call must be authorized to receive the EIN and answer questions concerning Form SS-4.

The IRS recommends completing Form SS-4 before calling because the representative may use the information on the form to establish the business tax account.

Apply by Fax

International applicants can also submit Form SS-4 by fax.

The IRS states that international applicants faxing from outside the United States can use the international fax number listed in the current Form SS-4 instructions.

The IRS says fax applications can generally be processed within about four business days when the application is complete and the applicant provides a fax number.

Apply by Mail

You can also apply by mailing Form SS-4 to the IRS.

The IRS recommends allowing additional time for mail applications. Current instructions say applicants should generally submit the application 4 to 5 weeks before the EIN is needed, and mailed applications may take approximately four weeks.

Can I Apply for an EIN Online as a Non-Resident?

Not always.

This is one of the most common misunderstandings about getting an EIN.

The IRS online EIN application has eligibility requirements. If you have no legal residence, principal place of business, or principal office or agency in the United States or its territories, you cannot use the online application.

For example, an entrepreneur living in India with a business principal place of business outside the United States should not assume that the standard IRS online EIN application is available.

Instead, the international application methods should be considered.

Can I Apply for an EIN From India?

Yes, eligible applicants in India can apply for a U.S. EIN.

However, an applicant whose principal place of business is outside the United States generally cannot use the standard IRS online EIN application.

The IRS provides international application options including:

1. Telephone

2. Fax

3. Mail

Before applying from India, prepare your Form SS-4 information and make sure the business details and responsible-party information are accurate.

If you are forming a U.S. LLC from India, you can also review our US LLC formation for non-residents service.

EIN for a Non-Resident LLC

A non-resident who owns a U.S. LLC may need an EIN depending on the LLC's tax classification and circumstances.

For example, an EIN can be relevant when an LLC has federal tax filing or reporting obligations, employees, or other circumstances that require an EIN.

However, simply being a non-resident LLC owner does not mean that every individual automatically needs an EIN personally.

The EIN belongs to the business or entity.

The individual owner may separately have SSN or ITIN considerations.

EIN vs. ITIN

These two numbers are often confused.

EIN	ITIN
Identifies a business or entity	Identifies an individual
Issued by the IRS	Issued by the IRS
Used for business/federal tax purposes	Used for individual federal tax purposes
Commonly associated with businesses and entities	For individuals who need a taxpayer ID but cannot obtain an SSN
Does not replace an ITIN	Does not replace an EIN

The IRS specifically states that an EIN should be used for business activities and should not be used in place of an SSN or ITIN.

How Much Does an EIN Cost?

The IRS does not charge a fee to issue an EIN.

You can obtain an EIN directly from the IRS without paying an EIN issuance fee.

However, a professional company may charge a separate service fee if it assists with preparing or submitting the application.

Therefore, distinguish between:

IRS EIN fee: $0

Professional assistance fee: May vary by provider.

How Long Does It Take to Get an EIN?

Processing time depends on the application method.

According to the current IRS Form SS-4 instructions:

• International telephone applications can receive the EIN during the call when the application is successfully processed.

• Fax applications can generally be processed within about 4 business days.

• Mail applications can take approximately 4 weeks.

Processing times can change, so applicants should check the current IRS instructions when applying.

Common EIN Application Mistakes for Non-Residents

1. Trying to Use the Online Application When Not Eligible

If your principal place of business is outside the United States, the standard online EIN application is not available to you.

2. Assuming an ITIN Is Always Required

A non-resident should not automatically obtain an ITIN solely because they want an EIN.

The IRS provides specific instructions for responsible parties who do not have and are ineligible for an SSN or ITIN.

3. Entering the Wrong Responsible Party

The responsible party should be the appropriate individual who owns or controls the entity.

4. Using Inconsistent Business Information

Make sure the business name, entity type, address and formation information are consistent with the company's official records.

5. Applying More Than Once

Do not submit multiple EIN applications for the same entity simply because you have not received an immediate response.

The IRS advises applicants to file only one Form SS-4 for an entity.

EIN Application Checklist for Non-Residents

Before applying, prepare:

• Legal business name

• Trade name, if applicable

• Entity type

• State of formation

• Business address

• Mailing address

• Responsible party's full name

• SSN, ITIN, EIN, or applicable foreign/N/A information

• Reason for applying

• Business start date

• Principal business activity

• Completed Form SS-4

• Appropriate IRS application method

Having these details ready can make the application process easier.

Can a Non-Resident Get an EIN Before Forming an LLC?

The answer depends on the type of entity and the reason for requesting the EIN.

For an LLC that is being newly formed, it is generally sensible to have the relevant legal entity information available before completing Form SS-4.

The EIN application asks for information about the entity, including its legal name and structure.

Therefore, if you are forming a new U.S. LLC, understand the state formation process before applying for the EIN.

Can an EIN Be Used for a Bank Account?

An EIN can be used as a business tax identification number and may be requested during business banking or other financial processes.

However, an EIN by itself does not guarantee that a bank will open an account.

Banks and financial institutions can have their own requirements for:

• Identity verification

• Business documents

• Ownership information

• Address

• Proof of business activity

• Additional compliance checks

Therefore, EIN approval and bank-account approval are separate processes.

Can Jupiter Filing Help With an EIN for Non-Residents?

Yes.

Jupiter Filing provides an EIN Application Service for entrepreneurs establishing U.S. businesses.

If you need assistance with the EIN process, you can explore our EIN application service.

If you are establishing the complete business from outside the United States, you can also review our US LLC formation for non-residents service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a non-resident get an EIN?

Yes. Eligible non-residents can obtain an EIN, but the application method may differ from the standard U.S. online process.

Can I get an EIN without an SSN?

In certain circumstances, yes. The IRS allows a responsible party who does not have and is ineligible to obtain an SSN or ITIN to enter “foreign” or “N/A” on Form SS-4 line 7b.

Can I apply for an EIN from India?

Yes. International applicants can apply through the IRS methods available to applicants outside the United States.

Can I apply for an EIN online from India?

If your principal place of business is outside the United States, you cannot use the standard IRS online EIN application. Other IRS application methods are available.

Is an EIN free?

Yes. The IRS does not charge a fee to issue an EIN.

Do I need an ITIN to get an EIN?

Not necessarily. The requirement depends on the responsible party and the circumstances of the application.

What form is used to apply for an EIN?

The standard IRS application form is Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number.

How long does an EIN take for a non-resident?

The time depends on the application method. The IRS currently states that fax applications can generally be processed within about four business days, while mail applications can take approximately four weeks.

Does an EIN give a non-resident a U.S. visa?

No. An EIN is a federal tax identification number for business activities. It does not provide immigration status or work authorization.

Can a non-resident use an EIN to open a U.S. bank account?

An EIN may be requested for business banking, but each bank has its own account-opening requirements. An EIN alone does not guarantee approval.

Final Thoughts

Getting an EIN for non-residents is possible, but international applicants need to pay attention to the IRS application rules.

The biggest difference is the application method. If you have no U.S. legal residence, principal place of business, or principal office or agency, the standard online EIN application is not available. The IRS provides telephone, fax, and mail options for international applicants.

Before applying, prepare accurate Form SS-4 information, identify the correct responsible party, understand whether an SSN or ITIN is applicable, and choose the appropriate IRS application method.

If you are establishing a U.S. business from outside the country, Jupiter Filing can assist with U.S. LLC formation, registered agent and EIN-related services.

This article provides general information and is not tax or legal advice. IRS requirements can change and individual circumstances vary. Check the latest IRS instructions or consult a qualified tax professional for advice about your specific situation.