An EIN is the number that turns a freshly formed LLC into a company you can actually use. Without it, you cannot open a US bank account, get approved by Stripe, or file the returns the IRS expects. For non-resident owners it is also the step that takes the longest, so it pays to understand it early.
This guide answers the question directly, do you need an EIN for a US LLC, and then covers why banks insist on it, whether you can operate without one, and how to get it when you have no US Social Security Number. It pairs with our non-resident formation guide and the tax guide.
In this guide
What an EIN actually is
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a nine-digit federal tax ID issued by the IRS, formatted like 12-3456789. Think of it as a Social Security Number for your business: it identifies the company to the IRS, banks, and payment processors. It is free to obtain directly from the IRS, and once issued it stays with the company for life.
EIN is for the company, not for you
An EIN identifies your LLC. It is different from an SSN or ITIN, which identify an individual. You do not need an SSN or ITIN to get an EIN for your company.
Do you need an EIN for a US LLC?
For practical purposes, yes. In narrow cases a US-resident single-member LLC with no employees can use the owner's SSN instead, but that exception does not help non-residents, and it does not get you a bank account. If you are a non-resident owner, you need an EIN for two unavoidable reasons:
- Banking and payments: every US business bank and processor asks for it before they will open an account.
- Federal filing: a foreign-owned single-member LLC must have an EIN to file its required Form 5472 each year.
So while the LLC technically exists the moment the state approves it, it is the EIN that makes it usable. Treat the EIN as a required step, not an optional extra.
Why banks and processors require it
US banks and payment companies are bound by know-your-customer and anti-money-laundering rules. The EIN is how they confirm your business is a real, IRS-registered entity and how they report to the tax authorities. No serious provider will onboard a US business without one.
- Mercury, Relay, and other business banks require an EIN to open an account.
- Stripe and PayPal require an EIN to verify a US business and release payouts.
- Wholesale suppliers and some marketplaces ask for it to set up an account.
Can you operate an LLC without an EIN?
Technically the company is formed without it, but you cannot do the things that make a US LLC worth having. With no EIN you cannot open a US bank account, you cannot get approved by Stripe or PayPal, and you cannot file the federal information return a foreign-owned LLC owes. In short, an EIN-less LLC is a shell you cannot transact through.
Do not skip it to save time
Some founders try to launch before the EIN arrives and get stuck at the bank application. Because the EIN is the slowest step for non-residents, start it the moment your LLC is approved.
How to get an EIN as a non-resident with no SSN
US citizens and residents can get an EIN online in minutes. Non-residents without an SSN cannot use the online tool, so the application follows a different path:
- 1Complete IRS Form SS-4, the EIN application, with your LLC's details.
- 2On the line asking for the responsible party's SSN or ITIN, write "Foreign" rather than leaving it blank.
- 3Submit the form to the IRS by fax or mail (the online tool is not available without an SSN).
- 4Wait for the IRS to assign your number and issue the confirmation letter (CP 575).
You do not need an ITIN first, and you do not need to call the IRS yourself. With usllc.io, the SS-4 is prepared and filed for you as part of formation, so the EIN arrives without you navigating IRS fax lines. See pricing for packages that include the EIN application.
How long an EIN takes
For non-resident applicants without an SSN, the fax or mail route typically takes 2 to 4 weeks. This is usually the longest single step in setting up a usable US LLC, which is why it should run in parallel with formation rather than after everything else. Once issued, you can move straight to opening your bank account.
EIN vs ITIN vs SSN: clearing up the confusion
These three are constantly mixed up. Two identify a person; only one identifies your company.
| ID | Identifies | Do non-residents need it for an LLC? |
|---|---|---|
| EIN | Your business (the LLC) | Yes, for banking and filings |
| SSN | A US citizen or authorized resident | No, and you cannot get one as a non-resident |
| ITIN | An individual without an SSN, for personal tax | Not required to form an LLC or get an EIN |
After approval: CP 575 and the 147C letter
When the IRS issues your EIN, it sends a confirmation notice called the CP 575. Keep it safe, as banks often ask for it. If you ever lose it, the IRS will not reissue the CP 575, but you can request a replacement verification letter called the 147C, which serves the same purpose for proving your EIN to a bank.
Common EIN mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until after formation is fully done to start the EIN, then losing weeks at the bank stage.
- Believing you need an ITIN or SSN first. You do not.
- Leaving the responsible-party ID line blank instead of writing "Foreign".
- Discarding the CP 575 confirmation letter that banks later request.
Get your US LLC and EIN together through usllc.io
Every package includes preparing and filing your EIN application, so your company arrives ready to bank and accept payments. No SSN, no IRS phone calls.