Country Guide
EIN for Vietnamese Entrepreneurs
Apply for your US EIN from Vietnam without an SSN or ITIN. ein.so handles the IRS fax filing for Vietnamese freelancers, Amazon sellers, and manufacturers. $49 Standard. $97 Express.
Last updated: June 2, 2026
Vietnamese entrepreneurs can get a US EIN by submitting IRS Form SS-4 by fax. Your Vietnam passport number replaces the SSN requirement on Line 7b. The IRS online tool is blocked for applicants without an SSN, so the fax method is your path. ein.so prepares your SS-4, faxes it to the IRS, and delivers your EIN by email. Standard costs $49 (4-7 business days). Express costs $97 (2-3 business days).
Vietnam is one of Asia's fastest-growing economies, with a GDP near $409 billion and a population of 99 million. Vietnamese founders increasingly build for the US market: manufacturers and trading companies shipping goods to American buyers, Amazon and Shopify sellers, software outsourcing firms, and freelancers invoicing US clients in dollars. Every one of them needs a US EIN to operate a US business entity. This guide explains how Vietnamese applicants get an EIN without an SSN, how to complete Form SS-4, and how to set up US banking and payments after approval. The IRS charges $0 for the EIN.
| Factor | Vietnam | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Common entity | Ho kinh doanh / Cong ty TNHH | LLC / Corporation |
| Business ID | Tax Code (10-13 digits) | EIN (XX-XXXXXXX) |
| Tax authority | General Department of Taxation | IRS |
| VAT / sales tax | VAT (standard 10%) | State sales tax (varies) |
| Currency | Vietnamese Dong (VND, ~0.000041 USD) | USD |
| Population | 99 million | 330 million+ |
Use Cases
Why Do Vietnamese Entrepreneurs Need a US EIN?
Vietnamese entrepreneurs need a US EIN because a US LLC cannot open a bank account, accept US payments, or file US taxes without one. The EIN is the federal tax ID that connects your Vietnamese-owned company to the US financial system.
Vietnam's strong manufacturing base, export sectors, and growing software industry push founders toward the US, where customers, payment processors, and capital concentrate. Here are the most common reasons Vietnamese applicants come to ein.so.
E-commerce and Amazon.com
Manufacturers and Trading Companies
Freelancers and Outsourcing
SaaS and Digital Products
Every use case above shares one requirement: the EIN comes before the bank account, the marketplace registration, and the payment processor. Learn more on EIN for non-residents and the full EIN application process.
Step-by-Step
How Do Vietnamese Citizens Apply for a US EIN?
Vietnamese citizens submit IRS Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627, using a Vietnam passport number in place of an SSN. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so the fax method is the only path for Vietnamese applicants. The IRS issues most correctly filed EINs within 4-7 business days.
Form Your US LLC
Gather Your Documents
Complete Form SS-4
Submit by Fax and Receive Your EIN
Vietnam-Specific SS-4 Field Guide
| SS-4 Field | Vietnamese Entry |
|---|---|
| Line 1 (Legal name) | Your US LLC name |
| Line 4 (Address) | Your Vietnam address (phuong, quan, tinh) |
| Line 7a (Responsible party) | Your full name as on your passport |
| Line 7b (SSN/ITIN/EIN) | Your Vietnam passport number |
| Line 10 (Reason) | Started new business |
| Line 16 (Principal activity) | E.g., "e-commerce," "manufacturing," "consulting" |
The most common Vietnamese rejection cause is address formatting. The phuong and quan structure does not map cleanly to the SS-4 layout, and the IRS silently rejects malformed international addresses. ein.so reformats Vietnam addresses to an IRS-accepted style. See the full SS-4 form guide and the EIN without SSN guide.
Banking & Payments
How Do Vietnamese Entrepreneurs Use Their EIN for US Banking and Payments?
Vietnamese entrepreneurs use their EIN to open a US business bank account and connect US payment processors, which together give a Vietnam-owned LLC full access to the dollar economy. Mercury and Relay approve most Vietnamese LLC owners remotely within a few business days.
US Business Bank Account
Stripe on a US Entity
PayPal Business (US)
Wise and International Transfers
Together, a US LLC, an EIN, and a US bank account let you invoice American clients in dollars, accept card payments through Stripe, and repatriate profits to Vietnam when the rate is favorable.
Pricing & Timing
How Much Does an EIN Cost for a Vietnamese Applicant?
The IRS charges $0 for an EIN. ein.so charges $49 for Standard service (4-7 business days) and $97 for Express service (2-3 business days), covering Form SS-4 preparation, the fax to the IRS, and email delivery of your EIN letter.
The choice for Vietnamese applicants is method, not price floor. Calling the IRS at 267-941-1099 means international calls during US business hours, long holds, and live English Q&A. The fax method removes the call entirely.
| Option | Cost | Processing Time | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| ein.so Standard | $49 | 4-7 business days | We file everything |
| ein.so Express | $97 | 2-3 business days | We file everything |
| DIY fax (855-215-1627) | $0 | 4-7 business days | You prepare and fax SS-4 |
| DIY phone (267-941-1099) | $0 | Same call | International call, English Q&A |
The IRS does not charge for the EIN under any method. ein.so charges for accuracy and speed. See EIN cost and EIN processing time for full detail.
Tax Considerations
What Should Vietnamese Entrepreneurs Know About US Tax Compliance?
A single-member US LLC owned by a Vietnamese resident is usually a disregarded entity for US federal income tax. The LLC owner files Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year. The penalty for not filing is $25,000.
US Filing: Form 5472 + 1120
BOI Report to FinCEN
Vietnam Reporting
Treaty and Withholding
ein.so handles the EIN application and does not provide tax advice. Work with a Vietnamese tax professional and a US CPA familiar with non-resident matters. Your EIN is the starting point for US tax compliance, not the end. The ITIN service from ein.so costs $197 Standard or $297 Express if you later need an individual tax ID for treaty claims or personal filings; confirm with a CPA whether you need one.
Next Steps
After Getting Your EIN From Vietnam
- Open a US bank account — Mercury, Relay, and Wise accept non-resident LLC owners
- File your BOI report — required for most LLCs, free at fincen.gov/boi
- Set up payments — connect your EIN to Stripe, PayPal, or Payoneer
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
- Sell on US platforms — Amazon, Shopify, Etsy
Learn the fundamentals on how to get an EIN, EIN without an SSN, and the SS-4 form guide.
Other country guides: India | UK | Canada | Nigeria | Pakistan | Philippines. Browse all on EIN for non-residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Vietnamese citizens get a US EIN without visiting America?
Yes. Vietnamese citizens apply for a US EIN entirely from Vietnam. The IRS does not require you to be present in the United States. You submit Form SS-4 by fax using your Vietnam passport number on Line 7b. ein.so handles the whole process remotely for $49 Standard or $97 Express.
Do I need an SSN or ITIN to get an EIN from Vietnam?
No. Vietnamese applicants do not need an SSN or ITIN. Your Vietnam passport number serves as identification on Form SS-4 Line 7b. The IRS online EIN tool requires an SSN, which is why Vietnamese applicants must use the fax method that ein.so files for them.
How long does it take for a Vietnamese applicant to receive an EIN?
Through ein.so, Standard processing takes 4-7 business days for $49 and Express takes 2-3 business days for $97. The DIY fax method to 855-215-1627 takes 4-7 business days when the form is error-free. The IRS charges $0 for the EIN itself.
Can I open a US bank account from Vietnam with my EIN?
Yes. With your EIN and LLC formation documents, you open accounts at Mercury, Relay, and Wise remotely from Vietnam. You receive US account and routing numbers for ACH and domestic wires. Your EIN is the first requirement before any US bank will open a business account.
What is the EIN equivalent in Vietnam?
The Vietnam equivalent is the Tax Code (Ma so thue), a 10-13 digit number issued by the General Department of Taxation. Your Vietnam Tax Code has no standing in the United States. You need a separate US EIN to operate a US business entity, open US banking, and file US returns.
Can Vietnamese Amazon sellers use a US LLC and EIN?
Yes. Amazon requires a US tax identification number to complete the seller tax interview on Amazon.com. Vietnamese sellers form a US LLC, get an EIN, and register their store through that entity. The EIN unlocks FBA warehouses, US payouts, and access to American buyers.
What US tax forms does a Vietnamese-owned US LLC file?
A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year. The penalty for not filing is $25,000. Most US LLCs also file a BOI report with FinCEN. These are information returns, not always a tax bill. Confirm your situation with a CPA.
Does ein.so handle Vietnamese address formatting on the SS-4?
Yes. Vietnamese addresses use phuong, quan, and tinh structures that do not map cleanly to the SS-4 address fields. The IRS silently rejects malformed international addresses. ein.so reformats your Vietnam address to an IRS-accepted style so your application is not rejected without notice.
How much does an EIN cost for a Vietnamese applicant?
The IRS charges $0 for an EIN. ein.so charges $49 for Standard service (4-7 business days) and $97 for Express service (2-3 business days). The fee covers preparing your Form SS-4, faxing it to the IRS at 855-215-1627, and delivering your EIN letter by email.
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