Banks and payment providers ask for an EIN. The IRS route differs for applicants abroad and for a responsible party who has no SSN or ITIN.
How the IRS handles EIN applications from foreign owners and responsible parties.
A foreign person owning a US LLC or corporation is not barred from owning it by the IRS EIN rules: applicants whose principal business is outside the US may obtain an EIN by phone, fax or mail rather than through the online tool.
The IRS online EIN tool requires a US-based entity and a responsible party's SSN or ITIN. A responsible party who has neither and cannot get one enters 'foreign' or N/A on line 7b of Form SS-4, which is required.
International applicants can get an EIN by phone (non-toll-free, Mon-Fri, Eastern time). The IRS says fax processing generally takes about 4 business days and mail about 4 weeks. Nominees cannot apply for an EIN; the responsible party applies.
The IRS says an EIN can be used immediately for most business needs, including opening a bank account, but for some purposes (such as e-filing or electronic tax deposits) the IRS says to wait up to two weeks.
The IRS online EIN application allows only one EIN per responsible party per day.
Form SS-4 has a 'banking purpose' reason box for applicants requesting an EIN for banking purposes only, with the purpose to be stated on the form.
Employer ID numbers (EINs) — IRS
Get an employer identification number — IRS
Instructions for Form SS-4 — IRS
Fact sheet last reviewed 2026-09-28. Jurisdiction rules are confirmed against the sources above; a provider's own requirements differ and are confirmed by the provider.
Tell us about your structure, activity and payment needs — the essentials, not a full application.
We assess the structure and requirements against what providers typically accept before recommending a direction.
We identify a suitable regulated provider and explain what is realistically available for your case.
You complete official KYC/KYB directly with the regulated financial provider — not with Latynex.
The provider makes the final decision and activates the account. We stay involved if anything needs coordinating.
Latynex is not a bank or electronic money institution. Financial accounts and payment services are provided by independent, regulated financial institutions. Final eligibility and approval are determined by the selected provider, following its own KYC/KYB review.
The IRS online EIN tool requires a US-based entity and a responsible party's SSN or ITIN. A responsible party who has neither and cannot get one enters 'foreign' or N/A on line 7b of Form SS-4, which is required.
The IRS says an EIN can be used immediately for most business needs, including opening a bank account, but for some purposes (such as e-filing or electronic tax deposits) the IRS says to wait up to two weeks.
Not yet on a confirmed basis — Latynex is expanding provider coverage here. Your case is still reviewed on submission; where a suitable match exists we make the introduction, and where one doesn't yet, we say so plainly rather than promising one.
No. Latynex is not a bank, EMI or payment institution. We review your case and, where suitable, introduce it to an independent, regulated financial provider who handles the account itself.
No. No introducer can guarantee a banking or payment-account decision. The provider you are introduced to runs its own KYC/KYB review and makes the final call under its own policies.
Typically: certificate of incorporation, register of directors and shareholders, proof of UBO identity and address, a description of business activity, and evidence of source of funds. Exact requirements vary by provider.
Setup and ongoing fees vary with jurisdiction, ownership structure, business activity, expected turnover and compliance profile. The provider discloses its fees before you proceed, and any Latynex advisory fee is disclosed separately.
No obligation — we review your case and respond with a straight answer.
Tell us about your company and payment needs — we review the case and point you to a provider genuinely suited to it.
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