How to get an EIN for your US LLC without an SSN

You don't need an SSN or ITIN to get an EIN for a US LLC. The IRS issues EINs to foreign owners through paper Form SS-4 submitted by fax — typically within 4 to 6 weeks (IRS, Form SS-4 instructions for foreign applicants). The trick is filling in field 7b correctly: write the literal text "Foreign", not a placeholder number.

This is the same EIN your LLC needs to open a bank account, register with Stripe, and — crucially — file Form 5472. Here's the full process.

What you need before you start

• A formed US LLC with its state-issued formation documents (Wyoming Articles of Organization, Delaware Certificate of Formation, etc.).
• A registered agent address in the LLC's home state.
• A working fax line or an online fax service.
• Your passport (for your own records — not submitted with SS-4).

You do not need a US address, US phone number, US bank account, SSN, ITIN, or US visa.

How to fill out Form SS-4 as a non-resident

Download the latest Form SS-4 from IRS.gov. The fields that matter for a non-resident-owned single-member LLC:

• Line 1 — Legal name of the entity (the LLC's name exactly as registered).
• Line 4a / 4b — The LLC's mailing address. Your registered agent's address is fine.
• Line 7a — Your full name as the responsible party.
• Line 7b — Write "Foreign". This is the field that trips most people up. Do not invent a number. Do not write your foreign tax ID. The literal word "Foreign" tells the IRS you're a non-resident without a US tax ID.
• Line 8a — Yes, this is an LLC.
• Line 8b — Number of members (1 for a single-member LLC).
• Line 8c — Whether the LLC was formed in the United States (Yes).
• Line 9a — Tick "Other" and write "Foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entity."
• Line 10 — Reason for applying: tick "Banking purpose" or "Started new business," whichever fits.
• Line 11 — Date the LLC was formed (from your state filing).
• Line 12 — Closing month of the LLC's accounting year (December for a calendar year).
• Line 16 — Tick the principal business activity that fits.
• Bottom — Sign and date. As the responsible party, you sign this yourself.

How to submit it

Foreign applicants without a US ITIN cannot use the IRS online EIN system. You have two options:

Option 1 — Fax (recommended)

Fax the completed Form SS-4 to the IRS at +1-855-215-1627 (the international applicant fax number; verify on the current IRS Form SS-4 instructions before sending). Include a cover sheet with your return fax number if you want the EIN faxed back; otherwise it will be mailed.

Typical turnaround: 4 weeks by mail, sometimes faster by fax-back.

Option 2 — Phone (faster, but harder for non-residents)

The IRS used to accept EIN applications by phone for international applicants at +1-267-941-1099. The line is staffed Mon–Fri, 6:00 am to 11:00 pm Eastern. Wait times are long and you'll need to read the SS-4 verbatim to the agent. Most non-US founders use fax instead.

Common mistakes

Writing your foreign tax ID in line 7b

Don't. The IRS does not accept foreign tax IDs as SSN/ITIN substitutes on SS-4. Write the literal word "Foreign."

Listing yourself with a US address you don't have

Use your registered agent's address. Inventing a US address you don't actually have causes problems later (bank verification, mail you'll never receive).

Using an online "EIN service"

Many of these charge $200–$500 to do exactly what you can do for free — fax the SS-4 yourself. If you formed the LLC through a service like doola, Firstbase, or Stripe Atlas, the EIN was usually included in the formation package; check your dashboard before paying twice.

What you do with the EIN once you have it

The EIN unlocks:

• Opening a US bank account — Mercury, Wise Business, Relay, and others accept foreign-owned LLCs with an EIN. None require you to visit the US.
• Connecting Stripe — Stripe Atlas customers get an EIN automatically; if you formed independently, you'll add it when you create your Stripe account.
• Filing Form 5472 — the EIN goes at the top of the pro forma Form 1120 cover sheet. Even if the LLC made $0, you still need to file.

The conservative summary

• Use Form SS-4 by fax to the international applicant number.
• Line 7b = the literal text "Foreign."
• Allow 4 weeks; faster by fax-back.
• The EIN does not give you any US tax-residency status — you are still a non-US person, and your LLC is still a disregarded entity.
• Once you have the EIN, your annual Form 5472 obligation begins.

When you're ready to file your first Form 5472, Snapfile takes 12 questions and $89.