Meta Description: IRS may process EINs in just 4 business days — but only after receiving a flawless SS-4 form. For non-U.S. residents, understanding and completing this form is often the hardest part. Here’s what delays the process and how to speed things up.
🧠 The Real Delay Happens Before You Submit
You may have heard:
“Just fax the SS-4 form, and you’ll get your EIN in 4 days.”
✅ That’s technically true — if your form is perfect.
❌ But for foreign applicants, filling out the SS-4 correctly can take days or even weeks without help.
Why?
Because the form is:
- In English
- Full of tax and legal terminology
- Designed with U.S. citizens and SSN holders in mind
🧾 Why Is SS-4 So Difficult for Foreign Applicants?
1. 📚 It’s written in complex, technical English
- Fields like “Responsible Party,” “Withholding Agent,” and “Entity Classification” require deep understanding
- One mistake in terminology can lead to rejection
2. ❌ No SSN? Many fields become traps
- Line 7b asks for a taxpayer ID — what do you put if you don’t have one?
- Leaving it blank or writing “None” might lead to silent denial from the IRS
3. 📑 The formatting is rigid
- All answers must be typed in UPPERCASE ENGLISH
- Non-U.S. addresses must follow U.S. postal format
- No foreign characters, P.O. Boxes, or ambiguous business types
📌 The IRS does not send back a correction notice — they often just don’t reply.
📬 EIN Application Methods and Timeframes
| Method | Available to Foreigners? | Timeframe | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | ❌ No (SSN required) | Instant | U.S. residents only |
| Fax | ✅ Yes | About 4 business days | ✅ Fastest method if accurate |
| ✅ Yes | 4–6 weeks or more | ❌ Slow and hard to track |
🔍 The “4-day” promise only starts after the IRS receives a flawless SS-4 form.
❌ Common Mistakes That Delay or Void Your EIN
| Line | Common Error | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 7b | Writing “None” or incorrect number | IRS doesn’t process |
| 9a | Wrong entity type selected | Misclassified for tax purposes |
| 10 | Vague reason like “open a bank account” | May be deemed invalid |
| 17 | Generic business description | IRS may disregard the request |
✅ The Solution: Use SpeedEIN for a Hassle-Free Experience
SpeedEIN specializes in helping non-U.S. residents get EINs quickly and correctly — even if you have no SSN, no U.S. address, and no experience with U.S. tax forms.
We provide:
- ✅ Full SS-4 form preparation, tailored to your case
- ✅ Direct fax submission to the IRS
- ✅ EIN delivered via email in 4–5 business days
- ✅ Support in multiple languages, including English, Chinese, Spanish, and more
Perfect for:
- Foreign freelancers and entrepreneurs
- Non-U.S. companies
- Amazon, Stripe, Shopify, and PayPal sellers
- International investors and remote businesses
🌐 Don’t Waste Time — Get Your EIN the Right Way
Why risk delays and silence from the IRS?
Let our team handle the process and deliver results, fast and error-free.
👉 Start now at: www.speedein.com