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2026 Guide for Pakistani Founders

How to Get an EIN Without an SSN as a Foreign LLC Owner

TL;DR: Can a Pakistani citizen get an EIN without an SSN? Yes. Use Form SS-4, write "Foreign" on Line 7b, and fax to +1 304-707-9471. Expected time: 4 business days.

Your US LLC is useless until you have an EIN. No Stripe. No Mercury or Wise. No getting paid by US clients through proper channels. Without that nine-digit number, the LLC exists on paper and nothing else. You don't need a Social Security Number to get one. Not an ITIN either. As a founder based in Pakistan, you can get your EIN directly from the IRS through a process built for exactly this situation. This guide covers the whole thing, start to finish.

The EIN is what puts a founder in Lahore or Karachi on the same footing as someone sitting in a Delaware co-working space. The process is old-school - paper-based, fax-dependent - but it's precise. Get it right once and you're done.

12 min read
Beginner Friendly
Updated for 2026
Pakistani Founders
What's in this guide
01 Eligibility for Foreign Owners 02 Three Ways to Apply Without an SSN 03 Why 40% of Applications Fail 04 Essential Documents Checklist 05 Post-EIN Requirements for NRPs 06 Frequently Asked Questions 07 Pakistan Founder Checklist
Section 01

Eligibility for Foreign Owners

Most people assume the EIN process is for US residents only. It isn't. Any non-US person who owns a US LLC can apply. No citizenship requirement. No residency requirement. No minimum time spent in the country.

The one rule the IRS enforces: the "Responsible Party" - the person signing the application - has to be a real individual. Not a company, not another entity. If you personally own the LLC, you qualify.

Eligibility by LLC type

  • Single-Member LLC (1 owner) - Foreign owners are fully eligible. Passport identification is enough - no SSN or ITIN required.
  • Multi-Member LLC (2+ owners) - Foreign owners are fully eligible. Only one responsible party is needed to sign the application.
  • No citizenship requirement - Pakistani citizens qualify just like any other foreign national.
  • No residency requirement - You don't need to have ever set foot in the United States.
LLC Type Foreign Owner Eligible? SSN/ITIN Needed?
Single-Member LLC (1 owner) ✓ Yes ✗ No - passport ID is enough
Multi-Member LLC (2+ owners) ✓ Yes ✗ No - one responsible party needed
Important Clarification One thing worth clearing up: an EIN is a business tax ID. It's not a work permit and has nothing to do with visa applications. Getting an EIN does not give you the right to work in the US and doesn't touch your immigration status in any way. A lot of foreign founders mix this up, so better to get it out of the way now.
Section 02

Three Ways to Apply Without an SSN

The IRS gives foreign applicants three ways to apply for an EIN. For most Pakistani founders, one method is clearly better than the other two.

1
The Fastest 2026 Option

Method 1 - Fax (The Fastest 2026 Option)

⚡ 4 Business Days

Faxing is the fastest method available to foreign applicants in 2026. Fill out Form SS-4, fax it to the IRS international line, and get your EIN faxed back within 4 business days.

The number is +1 304-707-9471. This is the IRS international fax line for applicants outside the US. Don't use domestic IRS fax numbers from older blog posts - those are for US residents and won't route correctly for foreign applications.

From Pakistan, you can send and receive faxes through online fax services like eFax or MyFax. Before signing up, check one thing: make sure the service supports the T.38 protocol. It's a more stable transmission standard for long-distance international faxes, and without it, failed or incomplete transmissions are a lot more likely.

Critical Point

One critical point most guides miss - don't use a one-way outgoing fax service. If your service can't receive incoming faxes, the IRS confirmation has nowhere to go. You need a service with a dedicated receive number.

The "Sign-and-Scan" rule: Print the SS-4, sign it with a physical pen, scan it, and send that version. The IRS has flagged forms with digital-only signatures as potentially invalid. A handwritten signature scanned as a PDF is the safest approach, full stop.

Timing Tip

Faxing at 8:00 PM Pakistan time (10:00 AM Eastern) is a reliable window. It hits the IRS queue during active processing hours for the International Department instead of sitting overnight in a backlog.

4 Business Days T.38 Protocol Required Two-Way Fax Required
2

Method 2 - Mail (The Reliable Backup)

🕑 4-6 Weeks

Mail is slower - typically 4 to 6 weeks for foreign applicants - but it's a solid fallback if fax isn't working.

Send your completed Form SS-4 to:

Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN International Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999, USA

The IRS mails back the CP 575 confirmation letter once your application is processed. That's the official document confirming your EIN - what you'll use to open bank accounts and register with payment processors. Don't lose it.

Honest Note

If your local postal service is unreliable for international correspondence, use a US-based registered agent or mail scanning service as your mailing address. The CP 575 is too important to risk on an uncertain delivery chain.

4-6 Weeks CP 575 Mailed Back
3

Method 3 - Phone (The Midnight Vigil)

📞 Same Day (If Reached)

Phone is technically available, but for a Pakistani founder it means staying up until 2:00 AM PST to sit on hold for 45 minutes. The IRS international EIN line runs Monday through Friday, 6 AM to 11 PM Eastern Time - which translates to 3 PM to past midnight in Pakistan Standard Time.

If you do call, have Form SS-4 in front of you and answer the agent's questions verbally. Everything checks out, they assign an EIN on the call. It works, but the time zone makes this a last resort for most people here.

Mon-Fri 6AM-11PM ET 2:00 AM PKT Start Time Last Resort
Section 03

Why 40% of Applications Fail (And How to Avoid the Same Mistakes)

Most rejected EIN applications come down to the same handful of errors. Here's what to watch for.

40% of EIN applications are rejected due to avoidable errors
#1 cause: Line 7b left blank or filled incorrectly by foreign applicants
4 business days lost per rejected application before resubmission

Navigating Section 7b - The "Foreign" Instruction

Line 7b is the SSN or ITIN field. If you're a foreign owner without either, write "Foreign" in that box. That's it. This is the IRS-approved instruction, not a trick or a workaround.

Don't leave it blank - blank triggers a rejection or a request for more information. Don't write zeros or make up a number. Both are worse than leaving it blank. Just write "Foreign." That's the signal to the IRS processor that you're a non-resident applicant and the field doesn't apply to you.

This is the single most important line on the form for Pakistani founders.

✓ Do This
  • ✓Write the word "Foreign" in Line 7b
  • ✓Use a physical pen to sign the form
  • ✓Scan the signed form before faxing
✗ Never Do This
  • ✗Leave Line 7b blank
  • ✗Write zeros or a made-up number
  • ✗Use a digital-only signature
Form SS-4 - Key Fields
Line 1 - Legal Name of Entity
Your LLC Name, LLC
Line 4 - Mailing Address
Your Pakistan address
Line 7a - Name of Responsible Party
Your Full Legal Name
Line 7b - SSN, ITIN, or EIN ▲ Critical Field
Foreign
Write exactly this word. Do not leave blank.
✗ Common Error - Blank Field
[left empty]
Blank triggers automatic rejection or follow-up request.
✗ Common Error - Zeros
000-00-0000
Worse than blank. Never fabricate an ID number.

Address Requirements - Local Pakistan Mailing vs. US Business Address

Form SS-4 uses two separate address fields with different purposes.

Line 4

Mailing Address

This is where the IRS sends the CP 575 letter. Use your actual Pakistan address here - full street address in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, wherever you're based.

If local postal delivery is inconsistent, use a registered agent's address that offers mail scanning. A lost CP 575 is a completely avoidable problem.

Line 3

Business Address

If your LLC has a US registered agent, use that address here. It's your LLC's official US address on record.

No US address? Your Pakistan address works, but a registered agent address adds credibility to the filing.

Section 04

Essential Documents Checklist

Before you send your application, have these ready.

01

Valid Passport

Your primary identification as a foreign applicant. You don't need to include a copy with the fax unless the IRS follows up, but keep it accessible.

Required
02

Completed Form SS-4

Download the current version from irs.gov. Fill every field. Line 7b says "Foreign." Sign with a real pen - digital signatures have been flagged as invalid.

Required
03

Articles of Organization or LLC Formation Documents

Proof the LLC exists. Have these available in case the IRS has follow-up questions about your entity.

Have Ready
04

US Registered Agent Address

For the business address field on the form (Line 3). If applicable, use your registered agent's US address here for official filings.

If Applicable
05

Online Fax Service with T.38 Support

Both inbound and outbound capability are essential. Verify T.38 protocol support before signing up. Without incoming fax, you'll never receive the IRS response.

Required for Fax Method

Ready to Send Your Application?

Run through this checklist before faxing. Every item matters - a single missing piece can delay your EIN by days.

  • Form SS-4 downloaded from irs.gov (current version)
  • Line 7b reads "Foreign" - not blank, not zeros
  • Form signed with a physical pen and scanned to PDF
  • Fax service confirmed: T.38 protocol + incoming fax enabled
  • Passport accessible in case of IRS follow-up
  • LLC formation documents on hand
5/5 items
Ready to Apply
Section 05

Post-EIN Requirements for NRPs - The $25,000 Mistake

Getting your EIN is the first step. Once your foreign-owned LLC is active, the IRS has ongoing filing requirements that most new founders don't find out about until it's too late.

Form 5472 - The Filing You Cannot Miss

The most important one is Form 5472. Single-member LLCs owned by foreign individuals must file Form 5472 each year if there are any reportable transactions. That includes capital contributions, owner withdrawals, intercompany loans - basically any money moving between you and the LLC.

Form 5472 is filed alongside a pro forma Form 1120, which acts as a placeholder corporate return for the LLC. The penalty for missing this filing starts at $25,000 per violation. That's not a typo. It's one of the steeper IRS penalties in the foreign-owned entity space, and it applies even if the LLC had minimal or no income.

⚠
IRS Penalty Warning $25,000 Per Violation

The penalty for missing the Form 5472 filing starts at $25,000 per violation. That's not a typo. It's one of the steeper IRS penalties in the foreign-owned entity space, and it applies even if the LLC had minimal or no income.

This guide covers the EIN step specifically. Form 5472 is a separate annual obligation. If you're unsure about your compliance requirements, speak with a US tax professional who works with foreign-owned entities before you start moving money in or out.

Important Note Don't risk a $25,000 compliance error on Form 5472 by figuring it out after the fact. If you want someone to handle both the EIN setup and the 5472 filing properly, an EIN service that covers foreign-owned LLCs is worth every cent.
Annual Compliance

Required Annual Filings for Foreign-Owned LLCs

Form 5472 Annual
Required if there are any reportable transactions - capital contributions, owner withdrawals, intercompany loans, or any money movement between you and the LLC.
Pro Forma Form 1120 Annual
Acts as a placeholder corporate return for the LLC. Filed alongside Form 5472 each year, even for single-member LLCs.
$25K
Per-violation starting penalty Applies even with minimal or zero LLC income. Not a typo.
Ready to get started?

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You now know exactly how the process works. We handle the paperwork, the fax, and the follow-up - so your EIN arrives correctly the first time. No rejections. No delays.

Foreign founders only
4-business-day turnaround
Form 5472 covered
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Section 06

Frequently Asked Questions

6 Questions Answered

  • No. An ITIN and an EIN are completely separate tax IDs for different purposes. An ITIN is for individuals filing US personal tax returns - your LLC doesn't need that. Writing "Foreign" on Line 7b of Form SS-4 is the only step required for foreign owners.

  • No, you can't. The IRS online EIN application is only available to applicants with a valid SSN or ITIN. Without one, the online portal won't let you complete the process. Your options are fax (fastest), mail (slowest), or phone - which, from Pakistan, means a very late night.

  • Typically 4 business days. The IRS faxes the EIN back to the same receive number you sent from, which is why your fax service must support incoming faxes. If you have downstream deadlines like a bank account opening, build in a full week as a buffer.

  • Nothing. Applying directly through the IRS is free. Third-party services that handle the application for you do charge a fee - and they can be worth it if you'd rather not deal with the process yourself - but the IRS charges nothing.

  • Some do offer EIN filing as an add-on service, yes. If you go that route, make sure the person listed as Responsible Party on the SS-4 is a real individual, not the registered agent company itself. An entity listed as Responsible Party is grounds for rejection.

  • Section 9 of the form lets you name a Third-Party Designee - someone in the US or elsewhere who's authorized to receive the EIN and discuss the application with the IRS on your behalf. If you have a trusted contact in the US, this can sometimes speed up delivery and cut out international mailing delays entirely.

Section 07

Pakistan Founder Checklist - Quick Reference

Everything you need to go from zero to EIN - in order, without missing a step.

  • 1
    Download the current Form SS-4 from irs.gov Always use the current version directly from the IRS website - not a third-party copy that may be outdated. Start Here
  • 2
    Fill in your LLC name, address, and entity type Complete every applicable field. Leave nothing blank unless the IRS instructions say it doesn't apply to your situation.
  • 3
    On Line 7b, write "Foreign" Not blank. Not zeros. Not a made-up number. The single word "Foreign" is the IRS-approved instruction for non-resident applicants without an SSN or ITIN. Critical Step
  • 4
    List your Pakistan mailing address on Line 4 Or a registered agent address if local postal delivery is unreliable. This is where the IRS sends your CP 575 confirmation letter.
  • 5
    Add your US registered agent address on Line 3 Your LLC's official business address on record. If you don't have one, your Pakistan address works here too.
  • 6
    Print the form, sign with a real pen, and scan it The IRS has flagged digital-only signatures as potentially invalid. Handwritten signature scanned as PDF is the only safe approach. Sign-and-Scan Rule
  • 7
    Sign up for an online fax service that supports T.38 protocol and can receive faxes Both matter. Services like eFax or MyFax work - just confirm T.38 support and that incoming faxes are enabled on your account before using. Both Required
  • 8
    Fax the completed form to +1 304-707-9471 Ideally at 8 PM Pakistan time (10:00 AM Eastern). Hits the IRS queue during active processing hours for the International Department. Best Time: 8 PM PKT
  • 9
    Wait approximately 4 business days for the IRS to fax your EIN back The response comes back to the same incoming fax number you used. Build in a full week if you have downstream deadlines. 4 Business Days
  • 10
    Save the CP 575 confirmation letter This is your proof of EIN for bank accounts, Stripe, Mercury, and everything else. Don't lose it. Save Permanently
If You Hear Nothing After 5 Business Days

Check your receive inbox first. No response at all? Send again. International fax lines occasionally drop transmissions. If fax keeps failing, switch to the mail method.

Don't risk a $25,000 compliance error on Form 5472 by figuring it out after the fact. If you want someone to handle both the EIN setup and the 5472 filing properly, an EIN service that covers foreign-owned LLCs is worth every cent.

Quick Reference

Key Facts at a Glance

📟
IRS Fax Number
+1 304-707-9471
🕑
Expected Turnaround
4 Business Days
🕑
Best Fax Time (PKT)
8:00 PM Pakistan Time
📄
Line 7b Entry
Write: "Foreign"
🔒
Protocol Required
T.38 (send + receive)
⚠
Annual Filing Penalty
$25,000 (Form 5472)
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Ready to Apply

Your EIN is 4 Business Days Away

You have everything you need. Form SS-4, Line 7b, fax number, timing. We handle the full process for Pakistani founders - correctly, the first time - so you can get on with building.

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No SSN or ITIN required
4-business-day turnaround
Form 5472 compliance covered
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