What an EIN Is and How to Apply for One from Outside the United States
An EIN identifies your business with the IRS. Here’s what it is, what it’s used for, who can apply online, and what to do if you have no presence in the United States.
When you start a business in the United States, the EIN is one of the first things almost everyone will ask for: banks, payment processors, platforms, and marketplaces. Here’s a practical explanation based on the information published by the IRS in the Form SS-4 instructions.
What an EIN is
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a nine-digit number assigned by the IRS to identify an entity for tax purposes. In practice, it is your company’s "tax ID" in the United States.
Two important clarifications:
- It does not replace an SSN or an ITIN. An EIN identifies the business; SSNs and ITINs identify individuals.
- Having one does not mean you have employees. The name can be misleading: it is also used by businesses without payroll.
What you’ll need it for
- Filing the tax returns and information returns required for the business.
- Applying for a business bank account (approval always depends on the bank).
- Signing up with payment processors and platforms.
- Signing contracts and issuing documents with the company’s tax identification.
Who can use the IRS online assistant
The IRS offers a free online application, but there is a clear requirement: the applicant must have a legal residence, principal place of business, office, or agency in the United States or its territories, and the responsible party must have a valid taxpayer identification number (SSN, ITIN, or, in certain cases involving government entities, EIN).
If you form your LLC from Mexico, Spain, or any other country and do not meet this US presence requirement, the online assistant is not an option for you.
How to apply if you have no presence in the United States
By phone
International applicants can call 267-941-1099 (this is not a toll-free number), from 6:00 to 23:00 Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. The caller must be authorized to receive the EIN and answer questions about Form SS-4.
By fax
Under the Fax-TIN program, the IRS states that you will generally receive the EIN in about 4 business days, provided you include a fax number for the response.
By mail
According to the IRS, applications by mail take approximately 4 weeks.
These are IRS estimates. None of these methods guarantees a specific issuance date.
SS-4 line 7b, the most common trouble spot
On line 7b, you must enter the responsible party’s taxpayer identification number. If that person does not have and cannot obtain an SSN or an ITIN, the IRS instructs you to write "foreign" or N/A. The field cannot be left blank: it is required.
The responsible party must be an individual, not an entity (except for government entities).
If the responsible party changes
Changes to the responsible party must be reported to the IRS using Form 8822-B within 60 days of the change. It is a small compliance task that is often overlooked and should be added to your compliance calendar along with the other annual LLC requirements.
Common mistakes
- Trying to use the online assistant without meeting the US presence requirement.
- Leaving line 7b blank or making up a number.
- Listing a company as the responsible party instead of an individual.
- Applying for a new EIN when the company has already been assigned one.
How it fits with everything else
The usual order is to form the LLC in the state, obtain the EIN, and only then open a bank account or sign up with payment processors. If you also need a personal taxpayer identification number, that is where the ITIN comes in. It is a separate process with its own timelines.
Notice. Maera is an administrative service: we assist you with the operational and documentation side of the process. We are not a law firm or accounting firm, and this article provides general information, not legal or tax advice for your specific situation. Before making a decision, check the linked official sources and, if your situation requires it, consult a professional in your country.
Frequently asked questions
Does an EIN replace an SSN or ITIN?
No. An EIN identifies a business or other entity to the IRS, while an SSN and ITIN identify individuals for specific purposes. An EIN is requested using Form SS-4; an ITIN, when applicable, using Form W-7. Having an EIN does not make the owner a U.S. tax resident, grant work authorization, or guarantee a bank account, Stripe, or any other financial service. Nor does it necessarily mean that the business has employees. If a procedure requires identification of both the entity and its responsible party, different numbers may be requested depending on each person's eligibility and obligations.
Can I apply for an EIN online from Mexico or Spain?
Not through the online assistant if you are an international applicant and the business's principal location is outside the United States or its territories. The Form SS-4 instructions allow you to apply by fax at 304-707-9471 or by mail to “Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN International Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999.” You may also call 267-941-1099, which is not toll-free, if the caller is authorized to receive the EIN and answer the SS-4 questions. The application must correctly identify the entity, its responsible party, and the reason for applying. No application method guarantees a specific assignment date or subsequent approval by banks or platforms.
How long does it take to get an EIN?
For planning today, use an operational expectation of 10 business days after receipt for a faxed application and 30 days after receipt for a paper application. Those times appear on the current IRS processing-status page and may change with workload. The Form SS-4 instructions still describe a general target of about four business days by fax and about four weeks by mail, but those figures should not be treated as the current operating status. An international telephone call may allow assignment during the conversation if the caller is authorized and the IRS can complete its review. No timeframe guarantees approval; avoid duplicate applications and keep proof of submission.
What should I enter on line 7b if I do not have an SSN or ITIN?
You must write “Foreign” or “N/A” on line 7b when the responsible party does not have and is not eligible to obtain an SSN or ITIN. The Form SS-4 instructions specify this treatment to avoid making up a number or leaving the responsible party's identification unresolved. Line 7a must show that person's name, and, except for certain government entities, the responsible party must be an individual who effectively controls or manages the entity. Writing “Foreign” or “N/A” does not guarantee that the IRS will issue the EIN without additional questions; the rest of Form SS-4 must be consistent with the stated ownership, address, and business activity.
What should I do if my company's responsible party changes?
You must report the change to the IRS using Form 8822-B within 60 days. Form 8822-B and its instructions are used to update the responsible party and, when applicable, the business's mailing address or location. Filing it does not create a new EIN: the entity normally keeps its existing EIN and updates its information with the IRS. We recommend keeping a signed copy, proof of submission, and the internal documents that approved the change. Updating the IRS also does not replace any amendments that must be made with the state, registered agent, banks, processors, licensing authorities, or tax authorities in other jurisdictions.
Sources
- IRS — Instructions for Form SS-4
- IRS — Form SS-4
- IRS — About Form 8822-B
- IRS — Processing status for Form SS-4
Verified on September 17, 2026