How Long Does It Take to Get an EIN? (2026 Guide)

How long does it take to get an EIN? If you have a US Social Security Number (SSN) or ITIN, you can get an EIN online in minutes. Without one, expect a few business days by fax or roughly four to eight weeks by mail. Your method and residency status decide the timeline.

Last updated: July 2026

What Is an EIN and Why the Timeline Matters

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a nine-digit tax ID the IRS assigns to your business, much like a Social Security Number identifies a person. Your LLC needs one to open a US business bank account, hire staff, work with payment processors like Stripe, and file federal tax forms. So how long does it take to get an EIN is not just a paperwork question — it is often the gate that blocks your bank account and your first payment.

The catch for international founders: the fastest route (the IRS online tool) is closed to anyone without an SSN or ITIN. That single rule creates two very different timelines, which is why this guide splits the answer by residency and application method.

How Long Does It Take to Get an EIN, by Application Method

The IRS offers several ways to apply for an EIN using Form SS-4, but they are not equal in speed — and not all are open to non-residents. The table below compares each method, its typical turnaround, and who can use it (figures as of 2026; always confirm current IRS processing times at IRS.gov before you rely on them).

Method	Typical Turnaround	Who Can Use It
Online (IRS EIN Assistant)	Immediate — EIN issued at the end of the session	Only applicants with an SSN or ITIN as the responsible party
Fax (Form SS-4)	About 4 business days (often 4-5)	Anyone, including non-residents with no SSN/ITIN
Mail (Form SS-4)	About 4 to 8 weeks	Anyone, including non-residents
Phone (international applicants)	Same call, if eligible	International applicants; the IRS may still ask for a signed SS-4

The takeaway is simple: US persons get an EIN the same day online, while non-residents route to fax, mail, or phone. If you are a non-resident, fax is almost always the smartest choice — days instead of weeks.

A Note on the Phone Option

The IRS operates an international EIN line for applicants located outside the United States. It can work, but hold times are long, the representative may still request a faxed or mailed SS-4 to verify details, and language or time-zone barriers can complicate the call. Most non-resident founders find fax faster and more reliable.

EIN Timeline If You Don't Have an SSN or ITIN

If you are a foreign founder with no SSN or ITIN, you cannot use the online tool at all. You must file Form SS-4 by fax or mail, and on line 7b you write "Foreign" instead of a US tax ID. Here is the realistic path and timeline:

Prepare Form SS-4. Complete the application accurately, entering "Foreign" on line 7b as the responsible party's ID. Errors here are the top cause of delays. See our full walkthrough of the SS-4 form and how to fill it out.
Choose fax over mail. Fax your SS-4 to the IRS international fax number, +1 (304) 707-9471. Faxed applications are typically processed in about 4-5 business days, and the IRS faxes the EIN back if you provide a return fax number.
If you mail instead, expect roughly 4 to 8 weeks for the EIN to arrive by post — a long wait when a bank account is on hold.
Confirm your EIN in writing. Keep the CP 575 confirmation notice the IRS issues; you will need it for banking and tax filings.

There is no same-day online EIN for applicants without an SSN or ITIN — the IRS online system requires one of those numbers before it will issue a number. If a service promises a non-resident an "instant" online EIN, treat that claim with caution. For the complete process, read our guide to getting an EIN without an SSN or ITIN.

Common Reasons EIN Applications Get Delayed

Even a fax application can stall if the paperwork is not clean. The most frequent causes of delay include:

Errors on Form SS-4 — a mismatched entity name, missing responsible party, or a blank line 7b for a foreign applicant.
Applying before the LLC is officially formed — the IRS wants your entity approved by the state Secretary of State first.
Duplicate applications — submitting by fax and mail (or online) at once can create conflicts and slow everything down.
No return fax number — without it, the IRS mails the EIN instead of faxing it, adding weeks.
Peak-season backlogs — IRS processing times stretch during busy periods; verify the current turnaround on IRS.gov before you plan around a deadline.

Filing a clean SS-4 the first time is the single best way to keep your timeline short.

What to Do While You Wait for Your EIN

Waiting does not have to mean idle time. Use the gap to move your business forward:

Draft your operating agreement and gather formation documents so banking applications are ready to submit the moment your EIN lands.
Compare US business bank options such as Mercury, Relay, and Wise so you can apply immediately.
Keep proof of your EIN handy. Once your EIN is issued, if you ever lose the original CP 575 notice, you can request a 147C letter from the IRS to re-verify your existing number. Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 1-800-829-4933. A 147C confirms an EIN you already have — it does not speed up a first-time application.

Think of the 147C as interim proof of an existing EIN, useful when a bank or processor asks for official confirmation and you cannot find your original notice.

Does the EIN Timeline Affect Opening a US Bank Account?

Yes — directly. Nearly every US business bank, including fintech options like Mercury, Relay, and Wise, requires a valid EIN before it will open an account. That means your bank timeline stacks on top of your EIN timeline. If your EIN takes eight weeks by mail, your account cannot open until after that.

This is exactly why non-residents should fax the SS-4 rather than mail it, and why keeping your CP 575 or a 147C letter on hand matters. For a step-by-step account walkthrough, see our guide to opening a US business bank account as a non-resident. Getting the EIN sequence right can be the difference between banking in one week and banking in two months.

How UpToNova Speeds Up the EIN Process

UpToNova forms US LLCs for non-residents — no SSN, no US address, and no travel required — and we handle the EIN filing for you. We have helped founders across 50+ countries, and our pricing is a flat $200 service fee plus the state filing fee (the state fee varies by state; verify the current amount with your state's Secretary of State).

Every package includes the LLC filing, one year of registered agent service, EIN filing obtained without an SSN, an operating agreement, and guidance to open a US business bank account with Mercury, Relay, or Wise. Formation filing typically completes in about 3 days; because we prepare and fax a clean Form SS-4 with "Foreign" correctly entered on line 7b, we avoid the common errors that push EIN timelines out to eight weeks.

A quick tax reminder: a foreign-owned single-member (disregarded) LLC must file Form 5472 attached to a pro forma Form 1120 every year — even with $0 US tax owed. The minimum penalty for a late or missing filing is $25,000 under IRC Section 6038A, and it is generally due April 15 (or October 15 with an extension). Also note that beneficial ownership (BOI) reporting rules at FinCEN changed in 2025 and remain volatile; always verify the current FinCEN requirement at FinCEN.gov before you file or skip anything.

Ready to start? See UpToNova's flat-fee pricing and start your US LLC filing today. We will manage the EIN so you can focus on your business.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get an EIN online?

If you have an SSN or ITIN, the IRS online EIN Assistant issues your number immediately at the end of the session — usually within minutes. However, the online tool is closed to applicants without an SSN or ITIN, so most non-resident founders cannot use this same-day method and must apply by fax or mail instead.

Can a non-resident get an EIN without an SSN?

Yes. A non-resident with no SSN or ITIN applies using Form SS-4, writing "Foreign" on line 7b, and submits it by fax or mail. Fax to the IRS international number +1 (304) 707-9471 is fastest, typically about 4-5 business days. There is no online same-day option without an SSN or ITIN.

How can I speed up getting my EIN?

Fax your Form SS-4 rather than mailing it, include a return fax number, and make sure the application is error-free — especially line 7b for foreign applicants. File only after your LLC is approved by the state, and avoid submitting duplicate applications, which can trigger IRS conflicts and delays.

What is a 147C letter and how long does it take?

A 147C letter re-verifies an EIN you already have; it is not a first-time application. You request it by calling the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 1-800-829-4933. The IRS can often provide it during the call by fax or mail. It is useful as interim proof of an existing EIN for banking.

Do I need my EIN before opening a US bank account?

Yes. US business banks and fintechs such as Mercury, Relay, and Wise require a valid EIN before opening an account, so your bank timeline depends on your EIN timeline. Non-residents should fax the SS-4 to shorten the wait and keep the CP 575 notice or a 147C letter as official confirmation.

Last updated: July 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice — consult a licensed attorney or CPA for your situation.

How Long Does It Take to Get an EIN? (2026 Timeline for US and Non-US Founders)