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EIN for a Foreign Company: Who Needs One and How to Get It (2026)
If your company is registered outside the US, in Pakistan, the UK, the UAE or anywhere else, it can still get a US Employer Identification Number. Here is when a foreign company needs one, what the IRS asks for, and how we handle it for you.
Yes, a foreign company can get a US EIN without forming a US entity. It applies on IRS Form SS-4, usually because it receives US income, needs to complete Form W-8BEN-E, opens certain US accounts or hires in the US. Foreign companies generally cannot use the IRS online application. Our EIN service costs $30.
When Does a Foreign Company Need an EIN?
- It receives US-source income and wants to claim a tax treaty rate on Form W-8BEN-E.
- A US platform, marketplace or client asks for a US tax number.
- It must file a US tax return or information return.
- It hires employees in the US.
- It opens certain US financial or payment accounts.
Foreign Company EIN vs US LLC EIN
| EIN for the foreign company | EIN for a new US LLC | |
|---|---|---|
| Who gets the number | Your existing company abroad | A new US company you form |
| US state registration | None | Yes, in the state you choose |
| Typical use | Treaty claims, US income, withholding forms | US bank account, Stripe US, Amazon US, US contracts |
| Yearly US filings | Depends on US activity | Form 5472 and state report every year |
| With LLCPronto | $30 EIN service | Included in every LLC package, within 24 hours of state approval |
If your goal is a US bank account or Stripe US, a US LLC is usually the route. See our US LLC for non-residents guide.
What the IRS Asks For
- The company’s legal name, country of formation and address.
- The type of entity and why it needs the EIN.
- A “responsible party” who controls the company.
- Signature of an authorized person.
How LLCPronto Gets Your Company’s EIN
Send us your company’s registration certificate and the details above on WhatsApp. We prepare Form SS-4, submit it for you and send you the EIN letter once the IRS issues it. If you later lose the letter, we can also request a 147C EIN verification letter.
EIN for a Foreign Company: FAQs
Can a foreign company get a US EIN?
Yes. A company formed outside the US can get an EIN when it needs one for US tax purposes, for example to receive US income, claim treaty benefits on Form W-8BEN-E, open some US accounts or hire in the US.
Do I need a US LLC to get an EIN?
No. The EIN can be issued to the foreign company itself. A separate US LLC gets its own, different EIN.
Can a foreign company use the IRS online EIN application?
Generally no. The online application is meant for entities whose principal business, office or legal residence is in the US or its territories, so foreign companies apply on Form SS-4 by other means.
How long does it take?
It depends on how the application is sent and on IRS processing. With LLCPronto, the EIN service is $30 and we keep you updated on WhatsApp until the EIN letter is issued.
Is an EIN the same as registering the company in the US?
No. An EIN is only a tax number. It does not register the company with a US state; if you do business in a state, you may also need to register there or form a US LLC.
Based on the IRS Instructions for Form SS-4. Not personal tax advice.
Get an EIN for Your Company
$30 EIN service. We prepare and submit the application and keep you updated on WhatsApp.
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