Do I need an ITIN before applying for an EIN?

No. The IRS instructions for Form SS-4 provide for a responsible party who has no US tax identification number. The ITIN process is considerably slower than the EIN process, so following this advice delays banking and payments for no benefit.

How long does it take?

The IRS does not reliably publish current processing times for international applicants, and they move around. Fax is generally faster than post. Treat any specific figure you read online as an estimate and apply the day your entity exists.

Can a formation service apply on my behalf?

Yes, and it can be worth paying for if you are filing on paper from abroad. What you are buying is correct completion and submission, not the number itself, which is always free from the IRS.

Building a US business from outside the United States

Guide · 2 min read

How to get an EIN without an SSN

The online application is closed to you. The EIN is not. Here is the paper route, and the one field everyone gets wrong.

The short answer

Founders without a Social Security Number obtain an EIN by submitting Form SS-4 to the IRS by fax or mail rather than using the online application. On line 7b, where the form asks for the responsible party's tax identification number, you enter "Foreign". You do not need an ITIN first.

The IRS online EIN application requires the responsible party to have an SSN or ITIN. Without one you are on the paper route — which works perfectly well, and is the standard path for foreign owners.

The lines that matter

Line	What it asks	What to put
1	Legal name of entity	Exactly as on the state certificate, including "LLC"
4a–4b	Mailing address	Your address abroad is fine — it need not be in the US
7a	Responsible party	A natural person — the owner. Never a company
7b	Their SSN / ITIN / EIN	"Foreign" if they have none
9a	Type of entity	Match what you actually formed
10	Reason for applying	Normally "Started new business"
18	Prior EIN?	Answer honestly — a duplicate delays everything

Read the current IRS instructions before filing. Form layouts and submission channels change.

Before you submit

Check the entity name against the state certificate character by character. A mismatch stalls the application.
Confirm the responsible party is a person, not a holding entity.
If the company was formed in the last week or two, a short wait can help — state data needs to reach the IRS.
Keep the fax transmission confirmation. It is your only evidence of the submission date.

Once the EIN exists, banking is the next step and the one where founders outside the US meet real friction.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an ITIN before applying for an EIN?: No. The IRS instructions for Form SS-4 provide for a responsible party who has no US tax identification number. The ITIN process is considerably slower than the EIN process, so following this advice delays banking and payments for no benefit.
How long does it take?: The IRS does not reliably publish current processing times for international applicants, and they move around. Fax is generally faster than post. Treat any specific figure you read online as an estimate and apply the day your entity exists.
Can a formation service apply on my behalf?: Yes, and it can be worth paying for if you are filing on paper from abroad. What you are buying is correct completion and submission, not the number itself, which is always free from the IRS.

Sources

Last reviewed August 23, 2026. Verify against the primary source before acting.

Founders 8 does not provide tax advice. Tax residency depends on facts and rules specific to each jurisdiction — review your position with a qualified adviser.

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