EIN for Foreign-Owned LLC: Application Guide

TL;DR: If your LLC is foreign-owned, you can’t always use the IRS online EIN application — you’ll generally apply by phone (international applicants), fax, mail, or via a third-party (CAA or registered agent). Prepare a completed Form SS-4 with the LLC’s details and the responsible party’s information, expect timelines from immediate (phone) to several weeks (mail), and consider using a service that handles the SS-4 for you.

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Lo que vas a aprender

Why the online IRS EIN application often won’t work for an EIN foreign LLC and which methods are allowed.
The exact information you need on Form SS-4 (SS-4 foreign details) to obtain an EIN.
Practical step-by-step submission options: phone, fax, mail, and using an acceptance agent.
Realistic timelines and how to track or confirm your IRS EIN application.
How a full-service provider like Rely speeds up the process and what’s included.

Context — the problem for foreign owners trying to obtain an EIN

Many entrepreneurs from Latin America and other regions form a U.S. LLC to access customers, payment processors, and U.S. banking. The first administrative hurdle is the IRS EIN application (tax ID LLC). While U.S. residents usually obtain an EIN quickly via the IRS online EIN application, that online route is often unavailable for foreign-owned entities or responsible parties without a Social Security Number (SSN) or ITIN. This creates confusion: which method to use (phone, fax, mail), what to put on the form SS-4 foreign entries, and how long the IRS will take to respond.

SEO keywords: EIN foreign LLC, obtain EIN foreigner, IRS EIN application, tax ID LLC, SS-4 foreign — these are central to this guide.

Solution — step-by-step: methods, required info, timelines

Step 1 — Decide how you’ll apply (overview of methods)

Phone (international applicants): Often the fastest. The IRS assigns an EIN during the call when eligibility is confirmed.
Fax: Submit a completed Form SS-4 by fax and receive a response by fax (faster than mail; expect business-day processing).
Mail: Traditional method; slowest (several weeks).
Third-party / Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) / Registered Agent: They prepare and submit the SS-4 on your behalf and often expedite confirmation and follow-up.

Note: The IRS online EIN application is generally not available to foreign applicants who do not have an SSN or ITIN. Always check the current IRS guidance before starting.

Step 2 — Prepare Form SS-4 (what to include)

Before submitting, gather and confirm the following items. Missing or inconsistent info delays processing.

Required/important fields (high-level — consult Form SS-4 instructions):

Legal name of the LLC (as filed in the state) and DBA/trade name if any.
Mailing address (can be foreign) and street address (if different).
Employer identification: purpose of EIN (e.g., opening U.S. bank account, hiring U.S. employees).
Responsible party: full name of the LLC’s “responsible party” (an individual who controls/disposes of funds). If they have an SSN/ITIN, include it; if not, leave blank but be prepared to explain that the responsible party is a foreign person.
Type of entity: check “Limited liability company” and list number of members and classification (disregarded entity, partnership, corporation).
Date business started or acquired.
Principal activity — brief description (e.g., software development, e‑commerce).
Expected number of employees (if any) and first payroll date.
Contact phone number for the person completing the form.
Signature/date (if mailing a physical form).

For SS-4 foreign specifics: On Line 7a put the responsible party’s legal name; Line 7b for SSN/ITIN can be left blank if the individual doesn’t have one (the IRS will still issue an EIN). Always keep a copy of the completed SS-4.

Step 3 — Apply by phone (fastest for many foreign owners)

International applicants can call the IRS’s designated phone line for EINs from abroad to apply by phone and often receive the EIN immediately at the end of the call. The IRS representative will ask the SS-4 questions and then assign the EIN.
Best for: applicants who can allocate time to a coordinated phone call and provide answers live.
Immediate confirmation: the IRS will provide the EIN by phone and usually mail or fax confirmation if requested.
Tip: Have the SS-4 filled out before calling to speed the process. Also confirm current international phone procedures and operating hours on the IRS website.

Step 4 — Apply by fax (quick, documented)

Fax your completed SS-4 to the IRS number designated for international/fax submissions (check current IRS contact details).
Typical timeline: responses are often returned by fax within a few business days, but times can vary.
Best for: when you want a documented submission and do not need an immediate phone call.

Step 5 — Apply by mail (slowest, but an option)

Mail the SS-4 to the IRS address listed for EIN applications from foreign entities (verify address on the IRS site).
Typical timeline: up to 4–6 weeks or more depending on workload and postal times.
Use tracked mail and keep copies.

Step 6 — Use a third-party or CAA / your registered agent

Certified Acceptance Agents, CPAs, attorneys, or registered agent services can submit the SS-4 and often manage follow-up with the IRS. They commonly request a signed authorization form.
Advantages: less risk of mistakes, faster handling, and they can help interpret “SS-4 foreign” fields.
Fees vary; weigh the convenience against cost.

Timelines summary (approximate)

Phone: Immediate (assigned during call).
Fax: Usually within 2–7 business days.
Mail: 4–6+ weeks.
Third-party/CAA: Variable — same-day to a few days depending on provider.

Remember: IRS processing times change. If you need an EIN quickly for banking or contracts, the phone or an experienced provider are the usual choices.

Practical example (short)

Scenario: A solo entrepreneur in Mexico forms a single-member US LLC to open a US bank account. They complete the SS-4, call the IRS international line during business hours, provide the responsible party name (no SSN), and receive the EIN during the call. With the EIN, they open an account with a US-friendly online bank within 24–48 hours. If they had used mail, they would have waited weeks.

How to follow up / verify

Keep the SS-4 copy and any IRS confirmation.
If you applied by fax, save the transmission confirmation.
For phone applications, request written confirmation (faxed or mailed) from the IRS.
If you don’t receive confirmation within the expected timeframe, contact the IRS or your third-party provider to check status.
For tax-specific questions or complex ownership structures (e.g., multiple foreign owners or treaty considerations), it’s recommended to consult a U.S. tax professional.

Cómo Rely te ayuda

Rely simplifies the whole formation-to-EIN workflow for entrepreneurs from LATAM. Con planes desde USD 449 hasta USD 649, Rely incluye la formación de la LLC, registered agent, obtención del EIN, y documentos legales clave como el Operating Agreement y BOIR, además de soporte por email o chat. El proceso es 100% online y no necesitás viajar a EE. UU.

En términos de tiempos, Rely gestiona la formación de la LLC y la obtención del EIN dentro del flujo estándar de 5–7 días hábiles; si necesitás todo urgente, con el servicio express la LLC puede formarse en 1 día y podés estar 100% operativo en menos de 5 días. Algunos planes también incluyen la apertura de cuenta bancaria con Mercury o Relay, lo cual acelera el uso práctico del tax ID LLC que obtengas. Para más detalles y contratar el plan que mejor se ajuste a tu caso, visitá Rely.

Próximos pasos

Revisa tu información y completa un borrador del Form SS-4.
Decide si aplicarás por phone, fax, mail o vía un agente.
Si querés evitar contratiempos y acelerar el proceso, contratá un plan con soporte que incluya EIN y apertura bancaria con Rely.

If you want, I can: 1) walk through filling a sample SS-4 for a single-member foreign-owned LLC, or 2) map which Rely plan fits your situation—tell me your country and whether you need a US bank account.