How to Get an EIN for a Foreign-Owned LLC Without an SSN

TL;DR

A non-resident owner without an SSN can still get an EIN for a U.S. LLC. The application simply lists the responsible party as a foreign person; you do not need an SSN or ITIN first. The EIN is your entity’s U.S. tax ID — needed for banking, payments, and filing Form 5472.

Can a foreign owner get an EIN without an SSN?

Yes. An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is the tax ID for a business, and the IRS issues one to a U.S. entity even when its responsible party is a non-U.S. person with no SSN. You don’t have to be in the United States, and you don’t need any personal U.S. tax number first.

The only difference from a U.S. applicant is the method: without an SSN you can’t use the instant online tool, so the application is submitted in a way that the IRS processes manually.

EIN vs ITIN — what’s the difference?

These are constantly confused, so here it is plainly:

You do not need an ITIN to get an EIN. A foreign-owned LLC can obtain its EIN with no individual U.S. tax ID at all.

What is an EIN used for?

For a foreign-owned LLC, the EIN is the key that unlocks almost everything:

• Opening a U.S. business bank account
• Connecting Stripe, PayPal, Amazon, or Shopify payouts
• Filing Form 5472 with a pro forma 1120 — the LLC needs an EIN to file

Without an EIN, most of these are blocked. It’s usually the very first step after forming the LLC.

What getting an EIN is NOT

• It is not the same as registering the company. Formation happens at the state level; the EIN is a separate federal step afterward.
• It is not an ITIN or an SSN. It identifies the business, not you personally.
• It does not, by itself, create a tax filing. Having an EIN doesn’t mean you owe anything — but it is required before you can file the returns you do owe, like Form 5472.

Steps to get an EIN as a foreign owner

1. Form the LLC at the state level (if not done already).
2. Identify the responsible party — the foreign owner — and their details.
3. Submit the EIN application with the responsible party listed as a foreign person (no SSN required).
4. Receive the EIN confirmation and keep it — you’ll need it for banking and every future filing.

Then, if your LLC has had any reportable transaction, remember it likely needs to file Form 5472 even with no income.

Official references: IRS — About Form SS-4 · IRS — How to apply for an EIN.

This article is general information, not tax or legal advice. Confirm the rules that apply to your specific situation before acting.