How Long to Form a US LLC and Get an EIN From Abroad?

Forming a US LLC and getting an EIN from abroad usually takes about 1 to 6 weeks in total. The LLC itself is often approved within a few business days in fast states like Wyoming and New Mexico. The EIN is what slows things down: without a Social Security Number, you can’t use the IRS online application, so you’re working with fax, phone, or mail.

Bottom line

• LLC approval: a few hours to about 2 weeks, depending on the state and its current backlog.
• EIN without an SSN: roughly 4 business days to 6+ weeks, depending on how you apply.
• Fastest realistic path: a fast-filing state, plus an EIN request by fax or phone right after approval.

The Full Timeline at a Glance

The timeline breaks into three steps: preparing, getting state approval, and getting the EIN. Most of the waiting happens in the last step.

Treat these as typical ranges, not guarantees. State and IRS processing times change over the year, so check the state’s business filing page and the IRS’s “About Form SS-4” page before you plan around a date.

How Long Does the LLC Formation Itself Take?

State approval of an LLC usually takes a few business days in fast online states, and up to two weeks or more in slower ones. Online filing is nearly always faster than mailing paper forms.

Articles of Organization are the formation document you file with the state to create the LLC. After the state approves them, your LLC legally exists, even if you don’t have an EIN or a bank account yet.

Here’s how speed tends to compare across the states non-residents pick most often:

• Wyoming: Online filings are often approved quickly, and it’s a common low-cost choice. The Wyoming Secretary of State charges $100 to file Articles of Organization online.
• New Mexico: Also known for low cost and fast online processing, with no annual report requirement for LLCs.
• Delaware: Standard processing can take longer, and the state sells paid expedite options. Delaware LLCs also owe a $300 annual franchise tax.

If speed is your top concern, see our breakdown of the best state to form an LLC for non-residents. Choosing a state for speed alone is rarely worth it if that state doesn’t fit your business in other ways.

Does Using a Formation Service Make It Faster?

A formation service usually saves you prep time and avoids filing mistakes, but it can’t make the state process your filing faster unless the state sells an expedite option. Most of what you gain is not having a filing rejected and sent back.

A rejected filing is one of the most common delays. Typical causes are a name that’s too close to an existing business, a missing registered agent, or an incomplete form. A service checks these before it submits.

Bizee is the low-cost option. You pay mainly the state fee plus optional add-ons, which works well if you want the filing done correctly without paying for extras. Northwest Registered Agent costs more up front and focuses on privacy: it can list its own address on public filings so your home address stays off the state record.

We compare both in detail in Bizee vs Northwest Registered Agent.

How Long Does It Take to Get an EIN Without an SSN?

Without an SSN or ITIN, an EIN usually takes about 4 business days to a few weeks by fax, can be issued during the call by phone, or takes 4-6 weeks or more by mail. The IRS online EIN application requires an SSN or ITIN, so non-residents can’t use it.

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is the federal tax ID the IRS gives your LLC. Banks, payment processors, and marketplaces almost always ask for one before you can open an account or get paid.

You can’t apply until the state has approved your LLC, because Form SS-4 asks for your legal entity name and formation date. Here are the three routes:

Fax

You fax a completed Form SS-4 to the IRS. If you include a return fax number, the IRS states it generally faxes the EIN back within about 4 business days. In practice it can take longer during busy periods. If you don’t own a fax machine, our guide on how to fax an SS-4 from abroad covers online fax services that work from any country.

Phone

International applicants can call the IRS business line for applicants outside the US. If you reach an agent and your answers are complete, the EIN can be issued during the call. The difficulty is getting through: hold times can be long, and the call is during US Eastern business hours, which may be late at night where you live. Check the IRS website for the current number and hours before you call.

Mail

Mailing Form SS-4 is the slowest route. The IRS lists about four weeks, and international mail transit adds more. Only use this if fax and phone aren’t options for you.

For a step-by-step walkthrough of the form, see how to get an EIN without an SSN.

What Slows Down the EIN Most Often?

Most EIN delays come from mistakes on Form SS-4 or from applying before the LLC is approved. Both can push your timeline back by weeks.

Common problems:

• Applying too early. The IRS can’t match a name the state hasn’t approved yet.
• Wrong entity classification. A foreign-owned single-member LLC is normally a “disregarded entity.” Selecting the wrong box creates problems later.
• Responsible party errors. Write “Foreign” or leave the SSN/ITIN field as the instructions direct. Don’t make up a number.
• Name mismatch. The LLC name on the SS-4 has to match the state filing exactly, including “LLC.”
• No return fax number. Without one, the IRS may mail the EIN letter instead, which adds weeks.

Can a Service Get the EIN for You?

Yes. Several formation services offer EIN filing for non-residents as an add-on. They usually use the same IRS fax or phone channels, so the main benefits are a correctly completed SS-4 and not having to wait on hold yourself.

That’s worth paying for if you’re short on time or worried about mistakes on the form. It isn’t a shortcut through the IRS queue. If a service promises an EIN for a non-resident within a specific number of hours, ask how they plan to get it.

Northwest Registered Agent offers EIN help as part of its non-resident setup. We cover how that works in Northwest Registered Agent EIN for non-residents. Bizee also sells EIN filing as an add-on to its formation packages. Check the current pricing page for each, because add-on prices change.

What Happens After the EIN?

After you have the EIN, the next step is usually a business bank account, which can take a few days to a few weeks. Fintech business accounts that accept non-residents tend to be faster than traditional banks.

Plan for these follow-up steps:

• Bank account: Most providers ask for your Articles of Organization, EIN letter, passport, and sometimes an operating agreement. See US business bank accounts for non-residents.
• Payment processing: Stripe, PayPal, and similar platforms run their own review. See payment processing for a non-resident LLC.
• First-year compliance: A foreign-owned single-member LLC generally has to file Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 every year, even if it had no income. The penalty for missing it is serious, so put it on your calendar now. See Form 5472 for foreign-owned LLCs.

A Realistic Week-by-Week Plan

A realistic plan for a non-resident is about two weeks from decision to EIN when things go well, and four to six weeks when they don’t.

• Days 1-2: Choose the state, check that the name is available, choose a registered agent, and gather owner details.
• Days 2-7: File the Articles of Organization online and wait for state approval.
• Day of approval: Fill out Form SS-4 and fax it with a return fax number, or call the international line.
• About 1 week later: If you faxed, the EIN should arrive. If it hasn’t come within a few weeks, follow up with the IRS before you resend, since duplicate applications can cause problems.
• Weeks 2-4: Apply for a bank account and payment processing.

Who Should Pick Bizee

Bizee fits founders who want the lowest reasonable cost and are comfortable handling some steps themselves. If you plan to fax the SS-4 yourself and mostly need the state filing done correctly, it’s a sensible choice. Read our Bizee review for what’s included.

Who Should Pick Northwest Registered Agent

Northwest fits founders who care about privacy and want more support during setup. If you don’t want your personal address on public records, or you’d prefer that someone else handle the EIN request, the higher price buys that. Our Northwest Registered Agent review covers the details.

This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Confirm your situation with a CPA or attorney who works with non-resident LLC owners.

FAQ

Can I get an EIN the same day I form my LLC?

Sometimes. If the state approves your LLC quickly and you get through on the IRS international phone line the same day, you can get the EIN during that call. Most non-residents should plan for a few days to a few weeks.

Can I apply for an EIN online without an SSN?

No. The IRS online EIN application requires the responsible party to have an SSN or ITIN. Non-residents without either have to apply by fax, phone, or mail using Form SS-4.

Do I need an ITIN to get an EIN for my LLC?

No. You can get an EIN without an ITIN by writing “Foreign” as the form instructions direct and applying by fax, phone, or mail. An ITIN serves different purposes, which we explain in ITIN vs EIN for non-residents.

Which state forms an LLC fastest for non-residents?

Wyoming and New Mexico are commonly cited for fast, low-cost online filing. Processing times change, so check each state’s current turnaround before you file.

Get Started

The state filing is quick. Most of the waiting is for the IRS, so the fastest approach is to file in a fast state and send your EIN request the day your LLC is approved. If you want a low-cost filing and plan to handle the EIN yourself, start with Bizee. If you want privacy and help getting the EIN, form your LLC with Northwest Registered Agent.