Yes. A non-U.S. citizen can get an EIN number in many situations. If you are starting a U.S. business, forming an LLC, opening a U.S. bank account for a company, hiring employees, or handling certain U.S. tax filings, you may need an EIN even if you do not have a Social Security number. The IRS allows foreign applicants to apply for an employer identification number, but the process is a little different from the standard online route used by many U.S.-based applicants.
For many international founders, freelancers, investors, and nonresident business owners, the real questions are not just what is an EIN number, but also how to get an EIN number, whether an ITIN is required, and how the IRS EIN number application works if the responsible party is outside the United States. This guide explains the basics in a practical way.
What is an EIN number?
An EIN number, or employer identification number, is a 9-digit federal tax ID issued by the IRS. The IRS uses it to identify businesses and certain other entities for tax filing and reporting purposes. An EIN can be assigned to corporations, partnerships, LLCs, estates, trusts, sole proprietors, and other entities that need a federal tax identification number.
In simple terms, it functions as the business equivalent of a tax identification number. In many cases, the EIN number for business purposes is required to file taxes, hire employees, open business banking relationships, or separate personal and business tax records.
Can a non-U.S. citizen apply for an EIN number?
Yes. The IRS does not require U.S. citizenship in order to issue an EIN. A foreign person can apply for a federal EIN number as long as there is a valid reason for the application, such as owning a U.S. entity or having a U.S. tax filing requirement. The key issue is not citizenship, but whether the applicant meets the IRS requirements and provides the correct responsible party information on Form SS-4.
This is especially relevant for people who form a U.S. LLC from abroad. Many foreign-owned LLCs need an EIN number for LLC operations, tax compliance, and banking, even when the owner has never lived in the U.S.
Do you need an ITIN or SSN to get an EIN?
Not always.
This is one of the biggest points of confusion in the EIN number IRS process. The IRS online EIN application generally requires that the responsible party have an SSN or ITIN, and the online tool is also limited to applicants whose principal place of business is in the U.S. or U.S. territories. If your principal place of business is outside the U.S., you cannot use the online EIN tool and must apply by phone, fax, or mail instead.
The good news is that the Instructions for Form SS-4 say that if the foreign responsible party does not have, and is not eligible to obtain, an SSN or ITIN, line 7b may be completed with “foreign” or “N/A.” That means some non-U.S. citizens can still obtain an EIN even without first getting an ITIN.
That said, whether you also need an ITIN depends on your broader tax situation. An EIN identifies the business or entity. An ITIN identifies an individual taxpayer who is not eligible for an SSN. In some structures, you may need both.
How to get an EIN number as a foreign applicant
If you are outside the United States, the usual IRS EIN number online system is generally not the route you will use. Instead, foreign applicants typically apply using Form SS-4 by phone, fax, or mail, depending on their situation and timing needs. The IRS specifically states that applicants outside the U.S. may apply by telephone, fax, or mail.
So if you are asking how to get an EIN number or how to obtain an EIN number as a non-U.S. citizen, the process usually looks like this:
You first complete Form SS-4. On that form, you identify the entity, describe why you need the EIN, and list the responsible party. If the responsible party is foreign and has no SSN or ITIN and is not eligible for one, the IRS instructions permit using “foreign” or “N/A” in the appropriate line. Once the form is complete, it can be submitted using one of the approved methods for foreign applicants.
Can you apply for EIN number online?
Sometimes, but often not if you are a foreign applicant.
The IRS says you can apply for an EIN online only if your legal residence, principal place of business, or principal office or agency is in the United States or U.S. territories, and you have the responsible party’s SSN or ITIN. If your principal place of business is outside the U.S., the online application is not available.
So while many people search to apply for EIN number online or IRS EIN number online, non-U.S. citizens applying from abroad usually need to use the international process rather than the standard online tool.
How long does it take to get an EIN number?
The timing depends on how you apply. The IRS notes that online applicants who qualify for the online system can receive an EIN immediately, but that only applies to eligible U.S.-based users of the tool. Foreign applicants using phone, fax, or mail may experience different timelines depending on IRS processing volume and the method used.
If timing matters, it is important to submit Form SS-4 carefully and use only one application method for each entity. The IRS specifically warns applicants to use only one method so they do not receive more than one EIN for the same entity.
Is an EIN the same as a tax ID number?
Often, yes in practice, but not always in the broadest sense.
An EIN is one type of taxpayer identification number. When people ask whether a federal tax ID number is the same as an EIN, they are often referring to business tax ID usage, and in that context the answer is usually yes. But “TIN” is a broader category that can include an SSN, ITIN, ATIN, or EIN depending on who or what is being identified.
So if you are comparing tax ID number vs EIN or TIN number vs EIN, the most accurate answer is that an EIN is a business-related form of tax identification number issued by the IRS.
Who is the responsible party on the EIN application?
The IRS requires you to identify a responsible party when you apply. This is generally the person who owns, controls, or exercises effective control over the entity and its assets. The IRS also makes clear that nominees are not authorized to apply for an EIN. In most cases, the responsible party must be an individual, not another entity, unless the applicant is a government entity.
This matters because a lot of EIN application mistakes happen when a third party is listed incorrectly or when the responsible party information is incomplete.
What if I already have an EIN and need to find it again?
If you already received an EIN and now need to find my EIN number, the IRS offers guidance through your prior confirmation notice, previously filed returns, business bank records, or direct IRS contact. The blog topic here is about getting an EIN as a non-U.S. citizen, but it is worth remembering that an EIN number lookup is not the same as applying for one. If you already have one, the next step is usually retrieval rather than a new application. The IRS also requires businesses to keep EIN information current and report certain changes using Form 8822-B.
Final thoughts
A non-U.S. citizen can absolutely get an EIN number if there is a legitimate U.S. business or tax reason for the application. In many cases, you do not need to wait for an ITIN first, especially if the foreign responsible party is not eligible for one and the Form SS-4 is completed correctly. The bigger issue is choosing the right application method, providing the correct responsible party information, and making sure the IRS EIN number application is prepared properly from the start.
If you are forming a U.S. company from abroad, applying for an EIN number for business purposes, or trying to understand whether you need an EIN, an ITIN, or both, it is much easier to get clarity before filing than to fix mistakes later.
Need help with an EIN or ITIN?
We help foreign founders, nonresident owners, and international applicants with EIN applications, ITIN applications, and related U.S. tax-document support. If you need help understanding how to get an EIN number, whether you can apply without an SSN, or how an EIN fits into your U.S. filing obligations, contact us for guidance based on your specific situation.
