Executive Summary: A non-US resident without an SSN or ITIN cannot use the IRS online EIN application, so the realistic routes are phone, fax or mail. The IRS says a faxed Form SS-4 is processed within four business days, a mailed one in about four weeks, and international applicants can get an EIN on the phone the same day if they get through. In practice, LLC formation services that file for non-residents advertise 2 to 6 weeks. GenZone delivers EINs for non-resident founders in 3 to 5 business days.
An EIN is the first thing your US LLC needs after it is formed. Without one, you cannot open a US business bank account, connect Stripe or PayPal, or file the annual IRS forms that foreign-owned LLCs must submit. So the question most non-resident founders ask is simple: how long will it take?
The honest answer depends on two things: which IRS route you use, and how cleanly your Form SS-4 is prepared. This guide gives you the official IRS timelines for each route, what LLC formation services actually advertise for non-residents, and what slows an application down.
The Short Answer: EIN Processing Times for Non-Residents
| Method | Who can use it | Official IRS timeline | What to expect in practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Only if the responsible party has an SSN, ITIN or EIN | Immediately | Not available to most non-resident founders |
| Phone267-941-1099 | International applicants only | Same call, if you get through | Long queues; 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. US Eastern time, Monday to Friday |
| FaxForm SS-4 | Anyone, including non-residents | Within 4 business days | Often 2 to 6 weeks, based on providers’ own published timelines |
| MailForm SS-4 | Anyone, including non-residents | About 4 weeks | Plan for 4 to 6 weeks or more |
| Through GenZone★ Recommended | Non-resident founders, no SSN or US address needed | — | 3 to 5 business days |
The IRS figures come from its own guidance on employer identification numbers and the Form SS-4 instructions.
Why Non-Residents Can’t Use the Online EIN Application
The online application is the only route that issues an EIN instantly, but it is not open to most non-resident founders. The IRS requires the responsible party, the individual who ultimately owns or controls the LLC, to have a valid SSN, ITIN or EIN to apply online.
If you have none of these, you apply on Form SS-4 by phone, fax or mail, and write “Foreign” on line 7b where the SSN or ITIN would go. You do not need an ITIN to get an EIN. Our guide to LLC, EIN and ITIN for non-resident founders explains when an ITIN actually becomes necessary.
The Three Routes Open to Non-Residents
1. Phone: fastest, if you can get through
The IRS still issues EINs by phone, but only to international applicants. You call 267-941-1099 (not toll-free) between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. US Eastern time, Monday to Friday. The caller must be authorised to receive the EIN and able to answer questions about the SS-4. If the call goes through and the details are correct, you get the number on the call. The catch is time: the line is busy, the hours fall overnight for much of Asia and Australia, and one mistake on the form means calling again.
2. Fax: the standard route for non-residents
International applicants fax Form SS-4 to 304-707-9471 from outside the US, or 855-215-1627 from within it. The IRS says it faxes the EIN back “generally within 4 business days”, but only if you include a return fax number. Most formation services use this route, often as your authorised third-party designee, which lets them receive the EIN on your behalf.
3. Mail: the slowest option
A mailed SS-4 takes about four weeks once the IRS receives it, and the IRS advises applying four to five weeks before you need the number. International post adds time on top. Mail only makes sense if you are in no hurry to open a bank account or start trading.
Why Real-World Timelines Are Longer Than the IRS Says
The IRS’s four-day fax figure is a best case. Every formation service we checked that publishes a timeline for founders without an SSN quotes weeks, not days. The usual reasons are:
- SS-4 errors. A wrong entity type, a mismatched company name or an incomplete responsible party section gets the application rejected, and you start again.
- No return fax number. The four-day figure only applies if the IRS can fax the EIN back. Without one, the EIN is posted.
- Manual review. Applications with “Foreign” on line 7b cannot be matched against an SSN or ITIN, so they go through slower processing.
- One EIN per responsible party per day. If you are forming more than one company, each application waits its turn.
- Time zones. Following up by phone from Dubai, London or Sydney means calling during US office hours, often late at night.
Even once the EIN is issued, the IRS posts the confirmation letter (CP 575) to the address on your SS-4. Some banks ask for that letter, so build its delivery time into your plan.
EIN Timelines by Provider, as Advertised
This table shows what each service says on its own website about getting an EIN for founders without an SSN, checked in November 2026. Where a provider does not publish a non-resident timeline, we say so rather than guess.
| Provider | Advertised EIN timeline without an SSN | EIN cost | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| GenZone★ Recommended | 3 to 5 business days | Included in all US LLC plans, from $499 a year | GenZone EIN service |
| Stripe AtlasGenZone vs Stripe Atlas | Up to 3 weeks; “several weeks” without an SSN, US address or US phone | Included in the $500 setup fee | Stripe support |
| Tailor Brands | Around 2 to 6 weeks; you submit the SS-4 yourself | Not stated | Tailor Brands help centre |
| DoolaGenZone vs Doola | 4 to 6 weeks, up to 8 to 10 weeks in tax season | Included in plans | Doola blog (updated April 2025) |
| Business Anywhere | 4 to 6 weeks by fax; mail about 2 weeks longer | $97 | Business Anywhere |
| FirstbaseGenZone vs Firstbase | 20 to 30 business days | Included in formation | Firstbase help centre |
| Northwest Registered AgentGenZone vs Northwest | Not stated for its no-SSN service | $200 without an SSN | Northwest |
| Bizee, LegalZoom, ZenBusiness, ClemtaGenZone vs Bizee · GenZone vs LegalZoom · GenZone vs ZenBusiness · GenZone vs Clemta | Not stated for non-residents | Varies | Provider websites |
Two patterns stand out. Every provider that publishes a non-resident timeline quotes weeks, not days, because they all rely on the same IRS fax and mail queues. And several of the best-known brands advertise fast EINs that only apply to founders with an SSN, so check which timeline you are actually reading. For a wider comparison, see our top 10 US LLC formation services for non-residents.
How to Get Your EIN Faster
- Form the LLC first. The company name and formation date on your SS-4 must match your state filing exactly.
- Get the SS-4 right first time. Check the entity type, the responsible party’s name and “Foreign” on line 7b. Rejections are the biggest cause of delay.
- Choose fax or phone, not mail. Include a return fax number so the IRS can send the EIN back.
- Use a third-party designee. Authorising a formation service to receive the EIN means someone in a US time zone handles IRS contact for you.
- Apply for one company per day. The IRS only issues one EIN per responsible party per day.
What Happens After You Get Your EIN
With the EIN in hand, you can apply for a US business bank account and payment processors. Our guide to opening a US business bank account as a non-resident covers what banks ask for. Your LLC also takes on annual IRS filings from the first tax year, including Form 5472 and a pro-forma Form 1120 for foreign-owned single-member LLCs.
Where GenZone Fits
GenZone gets EINs for non-resident founders in 3 to 5 business days, with no SSN or US address needed. Our team prepares and checks every field of your SS-4 before filing, handles all contact with the IRS, and keeps you updated on WhatsApp through a dedicated manager. The EIN is included in every US LLC plan, alongside formation, a registered agent and banking support, and you can track each step in GenZone LaunchPad.
Since launching our US LLC service, we have formed more than 800 US LLCs for founders from over 50 countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take a non-resident to get an EIN?
By fax, the IRS says within four business days; by mail, about four weeks; by phone, on the call itself for international applicants. In practice, formation services that file for founders without an SSN advertise 2 to 6 weeks. GenZone delivers EINs for non-residents in 3 to 5 business days.
Can a non-resident apply for an EIN online?
Usually not. The IRS online application requires the responsible party to have an SSN, ITIN or EIN. Non-residents without one apply on Form SS-4 by phone, fax or mail.
Do I need an ITIN to get an EIN?
No. If you have no SSN or ITIN, you write “Foreign” on line 7b of Form SS-4. An ITIN is only needed for specific situations, such as filing a personal US tax return.
Can I get an EIN on the same day as a non-resident?
Yes, by calling the IRS international line on 267-941-1099 between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. US Eastern time, Monday to Friday, if you get through and your details are correct. The EIN is issued during the call.
Why is my EIN taking longer than four business days?
The four-day figure is the IRS best case for faxed applications. Errors on Form SS-4, a missing return fax number, applying without an SSN and peak-season backlogs all add time.
Can I open a US bank account before I receive my EIN letter?
You need the EIN number itself, which arrives by fax, phone or post. Some banks also ask for the IRS confirmation letter (CP 575), which is posted to the address on your SS-4, so allow time for it to arrive.
How many EINs can I apply for at once?
The IRS issues one EIN per responsible party per day, whichever method you use. If you are forming several companies, apply for each on a different day.
Sources
- IRS: Employer identification number (EIN)
- IRS: Instructions for Form SS-4 (12/2025)
- Taxpayer Advocate Service: Getting an EIN
- Provider timelines: each provider’s own website, linked in the table above, checked November 2026
This article is general information, not tax or legal advice. IRS processing times and provider timelines change, so check the latest guidance before you apply.
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