01 — OverviewWhy EIN Timing Matters for Non-Residents
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is the 9-digit tax ID the IRS assigns to your US business entity. Without it, you cannot open a US bank account, activate Stripe or PayPal, sell on Amazon or Shopify, or meet your annual IRS filing obligations. For non-residents, the EIN is the single most time-sensitive step after your LLC is approved by the state.
The IRS offers four channels to obtain an EIN : online, fax, mail, and phone. Each channel has a different processing time, and — critically — not all channels are available to every applicant. Non-residents forming a US LLC without a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) are restricted to two of these channels.
This guide explains exact timelines for each method, which methods non-residents can actually use, and how to avoid the common errors that delay an otherwise straightforward application. All timelines are based on IRS guidance; always verify current processing times directly with the IRS, as these can change.
If you are not yet familiar with what an EIN is, who needs one, or how to complete Form SS-4, see our full guide: What Is an EIN and How Do Non-Residents Get One? This article focuses specifically on processing times and what to expect after you submit.
02 — DefinitionThe EIN Number vs the CP 575 Confirmation Letter
Before diving into timelines, it is important to understand that getting an EIN is actually a two-stage process. These two things arrive separately and on different schedules:
The EIN (the number itself)
- A 9-digit number in the format XX-XXXXXXX
- By fax: delivered on a cover sheet in ~4 business days
- By mail or phone: issued at the same time as the CP 575 or verbally
- Can be used immediately once issued — you do not need to wait for the CP 575
- This is what banks, Stripe, and PayPal primarily need to verify your business
The CP 575 Confirmation Letter
- The IRS's formal written confirmation of your EIN assignment
- Arrives by postal mail: 4–6 weeks after your EIN is issued
- Issued automatically, once only — it can never be reissued
- Contains your EIN, legal business name, address, and expected filings
- Required (or a 147C substitute) to open most US business bank accounts
When people ask "how long does it take to get an EIN," they are usually asking about two different things without realising it. By fax, your EIN arrives in days — but the written letter banks want to see takes weeks more. Plan for both stages when scheduling your business setup.
03 — EligibilityWhich EIN Method Can You Actually Use?
Your available submission methods depend on two factors: where your business entity was formed, and whether you hold an SSN or ITIN. The table below maps every applicant type to the correct channel.
| Applicant Type | Online | Fax | Phone (+1 267-941-1099) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-resident, US-formed LLC, no SSN or ITIN | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Non-resident, US-formed LLC, has ITIN | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| US citizen or resident with SSN | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✗ Not for US-formed entities |
| Foreign-formed entity (company formed outside the US) | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes — this line is for you |
The IRS international phone line at +1 267-941-1099 is designated for companies that were formed outside the United States. If you are a foreign national who has formed a US LLC or US corporation, your entity is a US-formed entity — and this phone number is not the correct channel for you. Using it risks receiving an EIN linked to incorrect entity information. Your correct methods are fax and mail.
04 — ProcessApplying by Fax: Step-by-Step
Fax is the recommended method for non-residents without an SSN or ITIN. It is faster than mail, creates a written submission record, and eliminates the risk of verbal transcription errors. Here is the complete process from start to finish.
Confirm your LLC is fully approved by the state
Do not submit Form SS-4 until your LLC formation is complete and you have received your state-approved Articles of Organization or Certificate of Formation. The EIN application must match the exact legal name on those documents. You will need to include a copy of your formation documents with the SS-4.
Wait for state approval firstDownload and complete Form SS-4
Download IRS Form SS-4 (PDF) from IRS.gov. Type into the PDF for legibility, or complete it by hand in capital letters. Enter your LLC name on Line 1 exactly as it appears on your state documents. On Line 7b, write Foreign if you have no SSN or ITIN. Leave the EIN field in the upper right blank — the IRS fills it in after approval. See IRS Instructions for Form SS-4 for a field-by-field guide.
Add your return fax number
This is the single most important step for speed. Enter a valid return fax number on the form. Without it, the IRS cannot fax your EIN back — they will mail it instead, adding 4–6 weeks to your timeline. If you do not own a fax machine, use a virtual fax service: eFax, HelloFax, or Fax.Plus all let you send and receive faxes as PDF files from any device.
Critical — do not skip thisSign the form
The Responsible Party named on Line 7a must sign and date the form, print their full name, and enter their title (e.g. Managing Member). An unsigned form will be rejected by the IRS.
Fax to the IRS
Fax your completed, signed Form SS-4 along with a copy of your state formation documents to the correct IRS fax number for your entity type and location. Refer to the IRS EIN page for the current fax number — these are periodically updated and should always be confirmed directly with the IRS before submitting.
Receive your EIN by fax (~4 business days)
Per IRS guidance, if all information is complete and legible, the IRS will fax back a cover sheet containing your EIN in approximately 4 business days. Save this immediately — it is your only rapid written confirmation of the number before the CP 575 arrives.
~4 business daysAwait the CP 575 letter (4–6 weeks)
The formal CP 575 EIN Confirmation Letter arrives by postal mail to the address on Lines 4a–4b of your Form SS-4. Most banks and processors require this letter (or the 147C substitute) as written proof of your EIN. Using a US registered agent address on your SS-4 speeds up domestic mail delivery significantly compared to an international address.
4–6 weeks by postal mail05 — Form TipsSS-4 Fields That Directly Affect Processing Speed
Most EIN delays are caused by a small number of preventable errors on Form SS-4. The following fields are where applicants most commonly make mistakes that force the IRS to hold, return, or mail rather than fax a response.
If you leave the return fax number blank, the IRS has no way to fax your EIN back. Your application will be processed, but the EIN will only be communicated via the CP 575 letter — which arrives by postal mail in 4–6 weeks. Always include a valid return fax number.
| Form SS-4 Field | What to Enter | Why It Affects Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Return fax number | A working fax number you can receive on | Without this, the IRS mails your EIN instead — adding 4–6 weeks |
| Line 1 — Legal name | Exact name from your Articles of Organization, including "LLC" | Any mismatch with your state documents can trigger a review or rejection |
| Line 7a — Responsible Party | Full legal name of a natural person (not a company name) | Entity names here cause rejections; must be an individual |
| Line 7b — SSN/ITIN/EIN | Write Foreign if you have no SSN or ITIN | Leaving this blank or writing "N/A" can cause the form to be returned for clarification |
| Lines 4a–4b — Mailing address | Full address including country name (no abbreviations for international addresses) | Incomplete international addresses delay CP 575 postal delivery |
| Signature | Signed, dated, with title of the Responsible Party | Unsigned forms are rejected outright and must be resubmitted |
| Form legibility | Type into the PDF, or use capital letters if handwriting | Illegible handwriting triggers manual review and processing delays |
Include a copy of your state-approved Articles of Organization or Certificate of Formation with your SS-4 submission. This confirms the entity exists under the exact name on the form, and prevents delays caused by the IRS being unable to verify your entity's legal status.
06 — ComparisonFax vs Mail vs Phone vs Online: Full Timeline Table
The table below summarises all four EIN application methods, the timelines for each, and which applicants can use each channel. Processing times are per IRS guidance and can vary during peak periods.
IRS processing times fluctuate — particularly during tax season (January–April) and following major legislative changes. Always verify current timelines on the IRS EIN page before planning your business timeline around them.
| Method | Who Can Use It | EIN Received | CP 575 Arrives | Error Risk | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 📠 Fax | Any applicant; SSN/ITIN not required | ~4 business days (faxed back) | 4–6 weeks by mail | Low — written submission | ✓ Recommended for non-residents |
| ✉️ Mail | Any applicant; SSN/ITIN not required | 4–6 weeks (included in CP 575) | 4–6 weeks (same letter) | Low — written submission | Use if fax is unavailable |
| 🌐 Online | SSN or ITIN required | Immediate (same session) | 4–6 weeks by mail | Very low | Not available to most non-residents |
| 📞 Phone (+1 267-941-1099) | Foreign-formed entities only | Same day (verbal) | 4–6 weeks by mail | High — verbal transcription errors | Not for US-formed LLCs owned by foreigners |
Both fax and mail are valid for non-residents without an SSN or ITIN, and both carry the same low error risk because you submit in writing. The difference is speed: fax returns your EIN in approximately 4 business days, while mail requires the full 4–6 week wait for both the EIN and the CP 575. If you need your EIN quickly to open a bank account or activate Stripe, fax is the clear choice.
07 — DocumentsCP 575 vs 147C: What You Receive and What to Do If It's Lost
After your EIN is issued, the IRS sends a formal confirmation document. There are two types. Understanding the difference matters when opening a US bank account or registering with payment processors.
EIN Confirmation Letter
- Issued automatically when your EIN is first assigned
- Sent by postal mail to the address on your SS-4 (4–6 weeks)
- Cannot be reissued — ever. Generated once by an automated IRS system
- Contains: EIN, legal business name, mailing address, expected tax filings
- If submitted by fax: EIN arrives via fax cover sheet first; CP 575 by mail follows
EIN Verification Letter
- Issued only on request — typically after the CP 575 is lost or never arrived
- Contains the same EIN, business name, and address as the CP 575
- Equally accepted by banks, Stripe, PayPal, Amazon — same legal validity
- Sent by fax (same day) or mail (4–6 weeks) — never by email
- Only the Responsible Party or authorized representative can request it
How to Request a 147C Letter
Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line: 1-800-829-4933 (Monday–Friday, 7 AM–7 PM local time). From outside the US, dial +1 267-941-1099. Ask the agent for a 147C EIN Verification Letter. Have your EIN, business name, address on file, and your role ready for identity verification. Request that the letter be faxed for same-day delivery.
Banks, Stripe, PayPal, and state agencies all treat the CP 575 and 147C as equivalent proof of your EIN. What matters most is that the business name and EIN on the letter match your state formation documents exactly. If there is any mismatch in name or address, resolve it before presenting the letter to a financial institution.
08 — Next StepsWhat to Do Immediately After Receiving Your EIN
Once your EIN arrives — whether via fax cover sheet or in the CP 575 letter — you can begin using it immediately. The following are the standard next steps for a non-resident with a newly formed US LLC.
Once you have your EIN and bank account, you can register with any US business platform that requires them. E-commerce: Amazon FBA, Walmart Marketplace, TikTok Shop, Shopify Payments — all require an EIN for tax reporting and identity verification. SaaS and digital products: Stripe Atlas, Paddle, Lemon Squeezy, and most US-based merchant-of-record platforms require an EIN to process payouts. Keep your EIN and EIN letter accessible — you will use them repeatedly in the months following formation.
Ready to open your US bank account next? See our complete guide: How to Open a US Bank Account as a Non-Resident.
09 — FAQFrequently Asked Questions
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