The honest answer depends entirely on who is applying and how. A US resident with an SSN gets an EIN online in about 15 minutes. A foreign owner without an SSN waits weeks. Here are the realistic numbers, the reasons behind them, and what you can do about it.
Processing times by method
| Method | Who can use it | IRS stated time | Realistic time for foreign owners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online (irs.gov) | Applicants with an SSN or ITIN and a US address | Immediate | Not available without SSN or ITIN |
| Fax | Anyone | About 4 business days | 4 to 12 weeks, sometimes longer |
| Anyone | About 4 weeks | 6 to 12 weeks plus international postage | |
| Phone (international line) | International applicants | Same call | Same call if you get through; hold times of one to two hours are common |
| Third party designee (SwiftEIN) | Anyone | n/a | 72 hours or less for 99% of orders |
Why the fax route takes so long
The IRS stated turnaround for faxed SS-4 forms is about four business days, and for domestic applicants that is often true. International applications go to a separate unit with far less capacity. During busy periods, which now seem to be most of the year, the queue stretches to several weeks. Forms with a missing signature, an unclear entity type, or an ambiguous name are set aside, and you do not find out until you call. There is no tracking number and no status page.
What happens after the EIN is assigned
Two things arrive at different speeds:
- 147c letter by fax: can be obtained the same day the number is assigned, if someone requests it from the IRS. This is what SwiftEIN emails you.
- CP 575 notice by mail: the IRS prints and posts it to the LLC address. For foreign-filed applications, expect 3 to 4 weeks after assignment, occasionally longer. You do not need it to open a bank account if you have the 147c.
How SwiftEIN gets to 72 hours
We prepare the SS-4 correctly the first time, file it through our established process and contacts, follow up directly, and request the 147c letter by fax as soon as the number exists. We do not have a special arrangement with the IRS, and nobody does. What we have is a process that avoids the common delays and a team that does this every day. The result: 99% of our orders are complete within 72 hours of payment. The remaining 1% are usually applications that need a second attempt because of a name mismatch or an existing EIN. If your order is one of the few that take longer, we reach out by email before you have to ask; usually it means a few more days. If it takes considerably longer than that, we offer a partial or full refund depending on the situation, and if the IRS does not issue an EIN at all, we refund you in full.
What slows applications down, whoever files them
- The LLC name on the SS-4 does not match the state filing
- The LLC was formed very recently and the state record is not yet visible (usually a matter of days)
- An EIN already exists for the entity (for example, the formation service applied for one)
- The responsible party is a company rather than a person
- The business description is missing or unclear
Getting these right up front is the single biggest time saver. Our SS-4 guide shows the correct entry for each line.
Already faxed the form and still waiting?
You do not have to start over or worry about a duplicate. The IRS assigns one EIN per entity; a second application for the same LLC is matched to the first, not issued twice. If you order from us after filing yourself, upload the SS-4 you sent and we check where it stands, retrieve the number if it exists, and send you the 147c letter.
Planning your timeline
- LLC formation: 1 to 10 business days depending on state and expedite options
- EIN: 72 hours or less with SwiftEIN (99% of orders), 4 to 12 weeks by fax
- Bank account: 1 to 7 days after you submit a complete application with EIN proof
With the EIN step compressed, a foreign owner can realistically go from nothing to a funded US business account in about two weeks.