If You're Not a U.S. Citizen, Can You Get an EIN for Your Business?
Non-U.S. citizens can get an EIN for their business — you don't need a Social Security number. Learn how to apply using Form SS-4 by fax, mail, or phone.
Bizee Editorial Staff
Editorial Team
Introduction
Yes, non-U.S. citizens can get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for their business. The IRS issues EINs based on a business's need for one, not the owner's citizenship. You don't need a Social Security number — but the application process works differently depending on whether you have a U.S. taxpayer identification number.
What is an EIN and why does your business need one?
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a 9-digit federal tax ID the IRS assigns to a business — it works the way a Social Security number works for an individual. Any business that needs to file federal tax returns, open a business bank account, hire employees, or build business credit will need one.
- File federal and state tax returns for your business
- Open a business bank account in your business's name
- Pay employees and handle payroll taxes
- Apply for business credit and maintain your business's legal standing
Can a non-U.S. citizen get an EIN without an SSN?
Yes. The IRS does not require U.S. citizenship or U.S. residency to issue an EIN. Non-U.S. citizens — including nonresident aliens and foreign-owned entities — can get an EIN as long as there's a valid reason under IRS rules, things like starting a new business, hiring employees, or meeting U.S. tax filing requirements.
The common misconception is that you need a Social Security number (SSN) to get an EIN. You don't. SSNs identify individual people; EINs identify business entities. The IRS treats them as separate categories. What matters for the EIN application is whether you can identify a responsible party — the individual who controls the business — and provide their taxpayer identification number. That number can be an SSN, an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), or in some cases no U.S. number at all.
Most people don't realize the online EIN application is actually the restricted path here — it's the fax and mail routes that open the door for international applicants.
How to apply for an EIN as a non-U.S. citizen
The application method depends on whether you have a U.S. taxpayer identification number and whether your business is located in the U.S. All applicants use IRS Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number — the difference is how you submit it.
Online application — if you have an SSN or ITIN
The IRS online EIN application is available only to applicants whose principal business is located in the United States or U.S. Territories, and the responsible party must have a valid SSN or ITIN. If you meet both conditions, you can apply at irs.gov and get your EIN immediately. The session can't be saved — you need to complete it in one sitting.
If you don't have an SSN but could qualify for an ITIN, you can apply for one using IRS Form W-7. Getting an ITIN first then unlocks the online EIN application path.
Fax or mail — if you have no SSN or ITIN
If you don't have an SSN or ITIN, you can't use the online application. Instead, complete Form SS-4 and submit it by fax or mail to the IRS International Operation. The IRS allows foreign applicants to provide foreign identifying information in place of a U.S. taxpayer identification number.
Fax your completed Form SS-4 to 855-215-1627 if you're in the United States, or to 304-707-9471 if you're outside the United States. To apply by mail, send Form SS-4 to: Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN International Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999.
Processing times for fax and mail applications are longer than the instant online route — plan for several weeks. Make sure every required field on Form SS-4 is complete before you send it. An incomplete form or a mismatch in the responsible party's information are the most common reasons the IRS delays or rejects an application.
FAQ
Yes. You don't need a Social Security number to get an EIN. Non-U.S. citizens without an SSN can apply by completing Form SS-4 and submitting it to the IRS by fax or mail. The online application requires an SSN or ITIN, but the fax and mail routes are open to international applicants who provide foreign identifying information instead.
Yes. An ITIN is not a requirement for getting an EIN. The IRS allows international applicants to apply for an EIN using Form SS-4 without a U.S. taxpayer identification number. You'll need to submit by fax or mail rather than online, and provide foreign identifying information for the responsible party on the form.
Yes. The IRS issues EINs to foreign individuals and foreign-owned entities. Eligibility is based on the business's need for an EIN — things like filing U.S. tax returns, hiring employees, or opening a U.S. business bank account — not on the owner's citizenship or residency. Foreign applicants use Form SS-4 and apply by fax, mail, or phone.
Complete IRS Form SS-4 and submit it by fax or mail to the IRS International Operation. If you're outside the United States, fax to 304-707-9471 or mail to: Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN International Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999. If you have an ITIN, you can also use the online application at irs.gov as long as your business is located in the U.S. or U.S. Territories.
It depends. The IRS issues EINs based on business need, not immigration status. An undocumented person who doesn't have an SSN can apply for an ITIN using Form W-7 if they have a U.S. tax filing requirement — and an ITIN can then be used to apply for an EIN online. Without an SSN or ITIN, the fax or mail route using Form SS-4 is still available. A tax professional can help you figure out the right path for your situation.
The IRS won't issue an EIN if the Form SS-4 is incomplete, the responsible party's information doesn't match IRS records, or the entity type is incorrectly identified. An application can also be rejected if the IRS can't identify a valid legal entity to assign the number to, or if the business already has an EIN and is submitting a duplicate application.
