How to Get a US EIN Without an SSN
You do not need an SSN, an ITIN, or a US visit to get an EIN — but the fastest official route requires a phone call the IRS expects to come from inside the US.
Non-residents get an EIN by filing Form SS-4, leaving the SSN field blank. Faxing the form typically takes about 4 weeks; mailing it can take 4 months. A third-party designee — like a formation agent — calling the IRS directly can get it done in as little as same-day to 2 weeks, which is why most non-resident founders use one instead of applying alone.
This guide is for non-resident founders — including Indian founders — who've already decided on an entity and state, and now need the EIN required to bank, hire, and file taxes. It covers the SS-4 form itself, real turnaround times by method, and why applications get rejected.
One misconception worth clearing up first: needing an ITIN or SSN to get an EIN is the single most common reason non-resident founders think this step will be harder than it actually is.
What is an EIN and why do you need one before banking or hiring?
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a nine-digit number the IRS assigns to identify your business for tax purposes, similar in function to a company's PAN in India. You need it to open a US business bank account, file any US tax return or information return, and hire employees or contractors legally.
Nearly every US bank, including remote-friendly options like Mercury and Relay, requires a confirmed EIN before an account can be opened — which is why EIN delays are usually the actual bottleneck in launching, not the entity formation itself.
Can you get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN?
Yes. The IRS explicitly allows foreign applicants to obtain an EIN without an SSN or ITIN. On Form SS-4, you leave the SSN/ITIN field blank and note that you're a foreign individual — this does not block or slow the application on its own.
How do you fill out Form SS-4 as a foreign applicant?
The form itself is short — one page — but a few fields matter more for foreign applicants. Line 7b (SSN/ITIN) is left blank. Line 9a asks for entity type, and it must match exactly what you filed with the state. Line 10 asks the reason for applying, which should reference your specific formation (e.g., "started new business").
The responsible party section (discussed below) and the entity name must match your state formation documents exactly, character for character — this single mismatch is the most common cause of rejection.
How long does it actually take by phone, fax, or mail?
| Method | Who can use it | Typical turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | US-based callers, or a third-party designee | Same-day, if reached during IRS hours |
| Fax | Anyone, including foreign applicants | ~4 weeks |
| Anyone | ~4 months | |
| Third-party designee (phone) | Formation agent or CPA with authorization | Same-day to 2 weeks |
The gap between fax (~4 weeks) and a designee phone call (same-day to 2 weeks) is the single biggest lever founders have over their own timeline.
Who should you list as the "responsible party"?
The responsible party is the individual who controls, manages, or directs the entity and the disposition of its funds — for a foreign-owned single-member LLC or a founder-led startup, this is almost always the founder, even without an SSN. The IRS requires a named individual, not just the entity itself, in this field.
What are the most common reasons applications get rejected?
- Entity name mismatch — the name on Form SS-4 doesn't exactly match your state's Secretary of State filing.
- Applying before state formation is complete — the IRS can reject an EIN application if your state filing hasn't finished processing yet.
- Incomplete responsible party section — a missing name or unclear role for the responsible party.
- Wrong entity type selected — checking "corporation" when you formed an LLC, or vice versa.
A rejection typically adds 2–4 weeks to your timeline while you correct and resubmit, which is longer than most founders expect from what looks like a one-page form.
Can a formation service or CPA apply on your behalf?
Yes — you authorize them as a "third-party designee" on Form SS-4, which lets them call the IRS directly and receive the EIN on a live call rather than waiting on fax or mail processing. This is the fastest legitimate route for non-resident founders and is why most formation services bundle this into their EIN service rather than having the founder fax the form themselves.
What the IRS instructions don't make clear
Phone applications technically require a US caller
The IRS's phone line for EIN applications is designed around callers reaching it from within the US during specific hours. Non-resident founders calling directly from India often hit hold times and time zone mismatches that make fax more practical in practice, despite phone being officially the fastest method — which is why the designee route exists.
The 4-week fax estimate assumes no name mismatch
The commonly cited 4-week fax turnaround assumes the application is clean on the first submission. Any mismatch between your SS-4 entity name and your state filing adds a full resubmission cycle, not a quick correction.
Banks sometimes need more than the EIN confirmation letter
Some banks, particularly outside the Mercury/Relay remote-friendly category, want the official CP 575 EIN confirmation letter, not just the number itself. That letter can take several additional weeks to arrive by mail even after the EIN is assigned — worth requesting explicitly if your bank asks for it.
A real EIN delay: what it cost
A Delhi-based founder mailed his own Form SS-4 after forming a Wyoming LLC, expecting the process typically described online as "a few weeks." Eleven weeks passed with no confirmation, during which a signed enterprise contract with a 60-day payment clause sat unbilled because he had no US bank account to receive the wire.
We refiled by fax with a corrected entity name — his original mail submission had a minor punctuation mismatch against his Wyoming filing — and had the EIN confirmed in 26 days. The bank account followed a week later.
Total delay from his original filing to a working bank account: just under 15 weeks, during which the client's first invoice sat uncollected.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an SSN or ITIN to get an EIN?
No. Non-US residents can get an EIN without either an SSN or an ITIN. You leave that field blank on Form SS-4 and note foreign status.
How long does an EIN take for a foreigner?
By fax, typically about 4 weeks. By mail, it can take 4 months or longer. A third-party designee calling the IRS on your behalf can sometimes get it same-day to within 2 weeks.
Can I apply for an EIN online as a non-resident?
No. The IRS's online EIN application requires a US Taxpayer Identification Number, so non-residents without an SSN or ITIN cannot use it and must apply by phone, fax, or mail instead.
What is a responsible party on Form SS-4?
The responsible party is the individual who controls, manages, or directs the entity and its funds. For a foreign-owned single-member LLC or startup, this is usually the founder, even if they have no SSN.
Can my formation agent apply for my EIN?
Yes, if you authorize them as a third-party designee on Form SS-4. This is the fastest route for non-residents since it allows a call to the IRS on your behalf rather than waiting on a fax or mail submission.
What if my EIN application gets rejected?
The most common causes are a mismatched entity name against state filing records, an incomplete responsible party section, or filing before your state formation is fully processed. You correct the SS-4 and resubmit, which typically adds 2-4 weeks.
Do I need an EIN before opening a US bank account?
Yes. Nearly every US bank, including remote-friendly options like Mercury and Relay, requires a confirmed EIN before opening a business account.
Is there a fee to get an EIN?
No, the IRS issues EINs free of charge directly. Any fee you pay is for a formation service or CPA handling the application on your behalf, not the EIN itself.
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