How to Get a US Employer Identification Number (2026)

An Employer Identification Number is the federal tax ID that determines whether your US business can legally open a bank account, hire staff, file taxes, or even qualify for certain visa and investment pathways — and for immigrants, foreign founders, and international entrepreneurs without a Social Security Number, getting one involves navigating rules most guides gloss over. Whether you’re forming an LLC to receive US client payments, setting up a corporation ahead of an investor visa, or preparing documentation for a business bank account application, this guide walks through every application method, every field on Form SS-4, and every mistake that can delay you by weeks.

For founders building toward long-term US operations, the EIN is only the first document in a much larger compliance and financial picture — one that eventually touches business banking, tax preparation services, liability insurance, and in many cases, immigration and visa planning. Getting each step right the first time can save significant legal, banking, and accounting fees down the line, which is exactly why this guide goes deep rather than wide.

Why an EIN Matters in 2026 — Especially for Immigrants and Foreign Founders

An EIN functions for your business the way a Social Security Number functions for an individual: it’s the identifier the IRS, banks, and payroll providers use for every tax filing, every wage report, and every official record. Without one, you cannot open a US business bank account, run payroll, file most business tax returns, or, in many cases, be taken seriously by lenders, insurers, or investors.

In 2026, the EIN carries even more weight for international founders, for three reasons.

Business Banking and Loan Applications Now Require Tighter Documentation

Following expanded anti-money-laundering and beneficial-ownership requirements, US banks are applying stricter checks before opening accounts or extending business credit lines. An EIN tied to a properly formed entity with a clearly named responsible party makes account opening — and future access to business loans, credit cards, or lines of credit — considerably smoother. Even the most immigrant-friendly digital banks require a valid EIN before activating an account or considering you for financing.

Tax Compliance Has Become Non-Negotiable

Foreign-owned single-member LLCs are under consistent IRS scrutiny for Form 5472 filings, which must be attached to a pro-forma Form 1120. Both require an EIN, and penalties for skipping this filing can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. Many founders in this position choose to work with a CPA or enrolled agent who specializes in foreign-owned business taxation — an investment that often costs far less than a single IRS penalty notice.

Visa and Investment Pathways Depend on Business Documentation

Founders pursuing investor or entrepreneur visas, including the E-2 Treaty Investor category, must show that a real, compliant US entity exists. An EIN is core evidence in that trail, and immigration attorneys typically request it as one of the first documents when building a visa petition.

What Exactly Is an EIN?

The Employer Identification Number — also called a Federal Tax Identification Number or FEIN — is issued by the IRS under federal tax law. It always follows the format XX-XXXXXXX.

Despite the word “employer,” you don’t need employees to qualify. Entities that typically need an EIN include:

• LLCs, including single-member LLCs taxed as corporations or owned by non-residents
• Corporations (C-Corps and S-Corps)
• Partnerships and multi-member LLCs
• Sole proprietors who hire staff, file excise taxes, or maintain a retirement plan
• Trusts, estates, and non-profits
• Foreign entities with US tax obligations

Even a single-member LLC with zero employees usually needs an EIN simply to open a business bank account or file the correct tax return.

The Four Application Methods: A Comparison

There are four main ways to apply for an Employer Identification Number: online, by fax, by mail, or by phone. The best method depends largely on whether you have a US Social Security Number and whether you are applying from inside or outside the United States.

The online application through IRS.gov is generally the fastest option for applicants who have a valid US Social Security Number. In many cases, the EIN is issued immediately after the application is completed successfully. There is no government fee for applying online, making this method especially convenient for US residents and citizens who meet the eligibility requirements.

Foreign founders and non-residents who do not have a US Social Security Number can usually apply by fax using Form SS-4. This method is available to both US and international applicants, and processing may take around four business days. The application itself is free. For many foreign entrepreneurs outside the United States, faxing Form SS-4 is one of the most practical ways to obtain an EIN.

Applicants can also submit Form SS-4 by mail. This option is available regardless of nationality or residency status, but it is usually much slower. Processing can take approximately four to six weeks, making it more suitable for applicants who are not working under a tight deadline. There is no IRS application fee for submitting Form SS-4 by mail.

Another option for certain international applicants is applying through the IRS international phone service. This method is intended for eligible applicants outside the United States and may allow the EIN to be issued during the same call when the required information is provided correctly. The application is free and can be one of the fastest options for qualified foreign founders.

Processing times can change depending on IRS workload, application accuracy, and current procedures. Applicants should always confirm the latest requirements and processing timelines directly with the IRS before submitting an EIN application.

Method 1: Apply Online (US SSN Required)

Available on IRS.gov, Monday through Friday during published hours.

1. Go to IRS.gov and locate the official EIN application — never a third-party lookalike site.
2. Select your entity type.
3. Answer questions about structure, state of formation, and the responsible party.
4. Enter the responsible party’s SSN or ITIN. This is where most foreign founders hit a wall; the fax or phone method is more reliable if you don’t hold a US tax ID.
5. Submit and receive your EIN instantly. Download the confirmation notice immediately — the IRS does not mail a paper copy automatically.

The session cannot be resumed if it times out, so have every detail ready before starting.

Method 2: Fax Application (Form SS-4) — Best for Most Foreign Founders

Form SS-4 is free to download from IRS.gov, and faxing it is often the most practical route for international applicants.

Key fields to get right:

• Line 1: Legal entity name, exactly as it appears on formation documents
• Lines 4a–4b: Mailing address, which can be foreign or a registered agent’s US address
• Line 7a–7b: The responsible party must be a real individual, not an entity. If you have no SSN or ITIN, write “foreign” with a brief explanation — the EIN will still be issued
• Line 9a: Reason for applying — commonly “Started a new business” or “Banking purposes”
• Line 12: Expected employees in the next 12 months; enter “0” if none

Always confirm the correct international fax number directly on IRS.gov, since it differs from the domestic number and can change.

About four business days after a successful fax, the IRS returns your stamped SS-4 as your official EIN confirmation. Store it permanently — banks, lenders, and tax preparers will ask for it repeatedly.

Method 3: Phone Application (Fastest for International Founders)

The IRS operates an international EIN line specifically for applicants with no US residence or place of business. Have Form SS-4 fully completed before calling, since the agent works through it in real time. At the end of the call, you’ll receive your EIN verbally and can request a fax or mailed confirmation.

Note that the line runs on US Eastern Time, so founders in Asia, Africa, or the Middle East often need to call very early in their local morning.

Method 4: Mail (Slowest Route)

Indicatively four to six weeks. Only recommended if fax and phone access are both unavailable.

EIN Without an SSN: The Foreign Founder Pathway in Detail

The most common question from international readers: how do you get an EIN without a Social Security Number?

You don’t need one. The SSN or ITIN requirement applies only to the online tool — fax and phone applications accept foreign nationals with no US personal tax ID at all.

Do you need an ITIN first? No. You can obtain an EIN before an ITIN. However, as a foreign owner with US-source income, you’ll likely need an ITIN eventually for personal filings, which typically means working with a tax preparer familiar with non-resident returns.

Sequence matters. You must form your LLC or corporation in your chosen state first — the EIN application asks for the entity’s formation date, so you cannot apply before the entity legally exists.

Illustrative Worked Examples

These examples are entirely fictional and used only to demonstrate the process.

Example A: Solo Consultant, No SSN

A Lagos-based consultant forms a Wyoming LLC to invoice US clients. With no SSN or ITIN, she completes Form SS-4, marking the tax ID field “foreign individual, no SSN/ITIN,” and faxes it to the IRS international number. Four business days later she receives her EIN and uses it to open an online business bank account, later filing for an ITIN to report her LLC income correctly. Total government cost: $0.

Example B: Investor Visa Applicant

A couple forms a Delaware C-Corp as an investment vehicle ahead of an immigration attorney’s visa petition. Because of time pressure, they use the IRS international phone line and receive the EIN the same business day — a detail their attorney includes directly in the visa documentation package.

Example C: SSN Holder Forming a Side LLC

A visa holder who already has a Social Security Number forms an LLC and uses the standard online tool, receiving her EIN instantly. (Whether her visa category permits this kind of business activity is a separate question for an immigration attorney.)

What Comes After the EIN: Your Immediate Next Steps

Getting the EIN is a milestone, not a finish line.

1. Open a business bank account. Your EIN plus formation documents are usually the minimum a bank needs. Non-residents often find online-first business banking platforms more accessible than traditional branches.

2. Understand your annual filing obligations. State annual reports, franchise taxes, and federal returns vary significantly by state and entity type.

3. Know your federal tax return requirements. A foreign-owned single-member LLC files Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120; a C-Corp files Form 1120 directly. A CPA with international-client experience is worth seeking out here, since foreign-ownership tax rules are unusually easy to get wrong.

4. Consider your insurance obligations. Once operational, most businesses need general liability insurance, and any business with employees typically needs workers’ compensation coverage. Requirements and providers vary by state.

5. Register for state taxes if applicable. An EIN is a federal ID only — sales tax, state income tax, and employer accounts are handled separately at the state level.

7 Common EIN Application Mistakes — and How to Avoid Them

1. Using the online tool without a US SSN. Solution: apply by fax or international phone instead.
2. Listing an entity, not an individual, as the responsible party. Solution: name a real person, ideally the principal owner.
3. Getting the entity name wrong. Solution: copy it character-for-character from your formation documents.
4. Applying before the entity is legally formed. Solution: confirm state formation is complete first.
5. Losing the EIN confirmation letter. Solution: scan and store it in multiple secure locations immediately.
6. Paying a third party that implies its fee is a government charge. Solution: apply directly through IRS.gov at no cost, and only pay a professional when you need genuine structuring advice.
7. Applying for multiple EINs for the same entity. Solution: call the IRS to check status before reapplying.

EIN vs. ITIN vs. SSN: Quick-Reference Summary

A foreign founder typically accumulates all three over time: an EIN for the business, an ITIN for personal US tax filings, and potentially an SSN later if work authorization or permanent residency follows.

Do You Need a Third-Party EIN Filing Service?

Probably not, for a straightforward single-member LLC or corporation with one clear responsible party — Form SS-4 isn’t complicated, and thousands of founders file it correctly on their own every year.

Professional help genuinely adds value when you have:

• Complex, multi-tier, or foreign-corporate ownership structures
• Trust or estate applications
• No practical access to international faxing
• Uncertainty over entity tax classification (partnership vs. S-Corp vs. C-Corp), which should be resolved with a CPA before you answer related SS-4 questions

If you do hire help, choose a licensed CPA, enrolled agent, or attorney for anything beyond simple filing — not an unregulated document service for a matter with real tax stakes.

A Note on Immigration Status and Business Ownership

An EIN does not authorize you to work in the US and has no bearing on visa status — tax registration and immigration status are entirely separate systems. Conversely, certain visa categories restrict active business management or self-employment, so anyone building a business as part of a broader immigration strategy should confirm each step with a licensed immigration attorney before acting, particularly around entity formation, EIN timing, and any visa petition tied to a US investment.

Frequently Encountered Edge Cases

Can I reuse an old EIN for a new business? No — each entity needs its own, and EINs cannot be transferred or sold between entities.

What if my business changes structure? Certain conversions, such as a sole proprietorship becoming an LLC, require a new EIN; others don’t. Confirm with the IRS or a CPA.

What if the IRS says an EIN already exists? Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line, which can look up an existing EIN using your entity’s details.

Summary: Your EIN Application Checklist

Before applying:

• Entity is legally formed in the relevant state
• Legal name matches formation documents exactly
• Responsible party identified, with tax ID if available
• Mailing address (US or foreign) confirmed
• Correct method chosen based on SSN status
• Current IRS fax/phone number verified on IRS.gov

After receiving your EIN:

• Confirmation letter saved securely
• Business bank account opened
• State tax registrations completed as needed
• CPA consulted on federal filing obligations (1120, 1065, 5472, or Schedule C)
• Ongoing state compliance obligations confirmed

This article provides general educational information about the EIN application process and does not constitute tax, legal, or immigration advice. Rules and processing times change; always verify current requirements directly at IRS.gov, and consult a licensed CPA, enrolled agent, or attorney for guidance specific to your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an SSN to get an EIN?
No. Foreign nationals without an SSN can apply by fax or phone using Form SS-4, leaving the SSN/ITIN field blank or noting “foreign.”

Can a non-US citizen get an EIN for a US LLC?
Yes. The entity must be formed under US law, but the responsible party doesn’t need to be a US citizen or resident.

What’s the difference between an EIN, SSN, and ITIN?
An EIN identifies a business for federal tax purposes; an SSN is a personal ID for citizens and eligible workers; an ITIN is a personal tax ID for individuals who must file US taxes but can’t get an SSN.

Is the IRS EIN application really free?
Yes, when applied for directly through the IRS by any method. Third-party services charge their own fees, typically ranging from roughly $50 to $300 or more, which go to the service provider, not the IRS.

What is the “responsible party” on Form SS-4?
The individual who owns, controls, or manages the entity — usually the sole member for a single-member LLC. The IRS generally requires this to be a person, not another entity.

Can I use an EIN to open a US business bank account?
Yes. Most banks require an EIN plus formation documents before opening an account, and several online-first banking platforms have become popular specifically because they work well with non-resident, foreign-owned LLCs.

How long does it take to get an EIN in 2026?
Instantly online with a US SSN; about four business days by fax; same-day by international phone; four to six weeks by mail. Always confirm current timelines on IRS.gov.

What happens if I make a mistake on Form SS-4?
Minor errors can often be corrected by phone with the IRS; entity name or responsible party errors may require written correction. Having a CPA or enrolled agent review the form before filing is the safest approach for complex or foreign-owned structures.

Disclosure: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, immigration, tax, or financial advice. Rules, fees, and eligibility criteria change frequently and vary by individual circumstance. Consult a qualified attorney or licensed professional before acting on anything you read here.