Wyoming LLC EIN for Non-ResidentsWithout an SSN or ITIN
Every US bank, exchange and payment processor asks for one. Every foreign founder is told they need one. And every founder without a Social Security Number thinks it's impossible. It isn't. Here is exactly how to get a US EIN for your Wyoming LLC in 3–5 business days, without leaving your country and without hiring a US person.
The Myth: "You Need an SSN to Get an EIN"
This is the single most persistent piece of misinformation about US company formation. It appears on Reddit threads, on Facebook expat groups, in Twitter threads from people trying to sell you nominee-director services, and even on some competitor formation-agency pages. It is wrong.
The confusion comes from the IRS's online EIN application, which requires the responsible party to have an SSN, ITIN or existing EIN. That is a limitation of the online form — not of the underlying law. The IRS's own Instructions for Form SS-4 (Rev. December 2023) explicitly state that international applicants without an SSN or ITIN may apply by fax or by mail. Line 7b of Form SS-4 instructs you to write "Foreign" if you do not have an SSN. The IRS processes the application and issues the EIN.
The only differences between an EIN obtained by a US person online and one obtained by a non-US person via fax: the fax route takes 3–5 business days instead of 15 minutes, and the returned CP 575 letter is delivered by fax and by mail rather than downloadable immediately. The EIN itself is identical. Every US bank treats it identically. The IRS treats it identically.
The 5-Step EIN Process (Fully Remote)
Form the Wyoming LLC first
The EIN is issued to a specific legal entity. You cannot apply for an EIN before the LLC exists. If we are forming your LLC, this step runs in parallel with drafting Form SS-4.
Complete IRS Form SS-4
One page. Nine questions. On line 7a you write your full legal name; on line 7b you write 'Foreign' in place of the SSN. Line 8a you write 'LLC'. Line 9a you check 'Other' and write 'Disregarded entity — foreign owner'.
Sign as the responsible party
You physically sign the form (wet ink or e-signature, IRS accepts both). No US notarization required. No apostille required.
Fax to the IRS at +1 855-641-6935
The dedicated IRS fax line for international EIN applications. Confirmations arrive within 4 business days on average, sometimes as fast as 24 hours. We handle the fax on your behalf and monitor for the response.
Receive the CP 575 letter
The official EIN assignment letter. This is the document banks, exchanges and payment processors want to see during KYC. Store it in your encrypted client portal — you will use it dozens of times.
What Your EIN Unlocks
The nine-digit number is the key to the entire US financial system.
US business bank accounts
Mercury, Relay, Wise Business, Brale — all require an EIN. Most approve foreign founders within 3–7 days once you have it.
Corporate exchange accounts
Kraken, Bitstamp, Bitfinex, Coinbase Prime, Gemini — corporate KYC starts with the EIN and the LLC formation docs.
IRS filings
Form 5472, Form 1120 pro-forma, FBAR — every US filing your LLC ever makes references the EIN.
Stripe / Paddle merchant accounts
Payment processors require the EIN and a US bank account. Stripe is now available for LLCs owned by residents of 40+ countries via Atlas or direct application.
US utilities & SaaS
US phone lines, AWS/GCP billing, SaaS enterprise plans and dozens of vendors require a US EIN to bill your entity as a US business.
W-9 / W-8BEN-E forms
US clients paying your LLC will ask for a W-9 (or W-8BEN-E for foreign-owned) form — the EIN goes on both.
Common EIN Mistakes to Avoid
Do NOT use a US friend's SSN as the responsible party
The 'responsible party' is a legal designation of ownership control. Using someone else's SSN is a false statement to the IRS and can invalidate your EIN. Always list yourself with 'Foreign'.
Do NOT apply through the online IRS EIN Assistant if you have no SSN/ITIN
It will let you get to step 3, then reject you. Waste of an hour. Go straight to fax.
Do NOT let anyone charge you $200+ for an EIN
The IRS charges $0. A reasonable service fee for the paperwork is $50–$100. Anything more is upcharging.
Do NOT forget to keep the CP 575 letter
The IRS only issues it once. If you lose it, you must request a Letter 147C — which takes 30+ days and is a headache. Store the original in secure cloud storage.