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

Processing times move around. Fax submissions are commonly measured in weeks and postal submissions take longer. Check the current guidance on the IRS site before planning around a date.

Do I need an ITIN before I can get an EIN?

No. A foreign responsible party without an SSN or ITIN can still apply using the paper route.

Does having an EIN mean I owe US tax?

Not automatically. Tax obligations depend on the entity type, where income is effectively connected and applicable treaties. This is a point to confirm with a qualified tax professional for your own situation.

How to get an EIN as a non-resident

5 min read · Updated 2026-08-13

Short answerA non-resident without a Social Security Number cannot use the IRS online EIN application. The standard route is to complete Form SS-4 and submit it by fax or post to the IRS international unit, leaving the responsible party's identifying number blank or marked 'foreign'. Fax responses typically come back faster than post. You do not need to pay a third party for this — the application itself is free.

What an EIN is for

An EIN — Employer Identification Number — is the federal tax identifier for a US entity. You need one to open a US business bank account, to onboard with most payment processors, to hire, and to file federal returns.

It is not proof of tax residence and it does not by itself create a US tax liability. It identifies the entity.

The process, step by step

First, form the entity. The EIN application asks for the legal name, the formation state and the formation date, so the company must exist first.

Second, complete Form SS-4. Name a responsible party — a real person with control over the entity — and their address. Where the form asks for that person's SSN or ITIN and they have neither, the accepted practice for foreign responsible parties is to write 'Foreign'.

Third, submit it to the IRS international fax number or address published on the current SS-4 instructions. Always take the number from the live IRS instructions rather than from an article, including this one.

Fourth, wait. Fax is commonly a matter of weeks; post is slower. Keep the confirmation notice — banks and processors will ask for it.

Common mistakes

Applying before the entity is registered, so the details don't match the state record.

Naming a formation agent as the responsible party rather than a real controlling person.

Paying a service several hundred dollars for a free filing. Paid help can be reasonable if you want the paperwork checked, but be clear that you are buying convenience.