How to Get a US Business Credit Card With an EIN Only (No SSN)
Ads promise a US business credit card with 'EIN only, no SSN needed.' The reality is more nuanced, and understanding it will save you weeks of rejected applications.
The short answer
Yes, non-US founders can get US business cards without a Social Security Number. No, it is not because a magic 'EIN only' card exists that ignores creditworthiness entirely. What actually happens is that a small group of fintech-friendly issuers underwrite the card against your business bank balance or cash flow instead of a personal credit score, and they accept an ITIN or simply no personal number at all in place of an SSN. Understanding this distinction is the difference between applying for the right products and getting declined by the wrong ones.
Credit card vs charge card, and why it matters
Most of the products marketed to founders as 'EIN only business credit cards' are technically charge cards, not revolving credit cards. A traditional credit card extends you a line of credit and expects repayment over time, with interest. Issuers price that risk using your personal credit history, which is why banks like Chase, Capital One and most traditional Amex products ask for an SSN or ITIN and run a personal credit check, and usually require you to be a US resident.
A charge card, by contrast, requires the balance to be paid in full each billing cycle, often daily or weekly in the fintech versions. Because the issuer is not extending long-term credit risk, they can underwrite based on the cash sitting in your connected US business bank account rather than your personal FICO score. This is the model behind cards from Mercury, Brex and similar providers, and it is the real mechanism behind most 'no SSN' card approvals for non-residents.
Where the personal guarantee actually comes in
A personal guarantee means you, the founder, are personally on the hook if the business cannot pay. Many people assume 'EIN only' means no personal guarantee. That is not always true. Some cash-secured charge cards skip the personal guarantee because they can simply freeze or debit your account balance if needed, so there is little risk to guarantee against. Other cards, especially anything closer to a true revolving credit line, will still ask a founder to personally guarantee the debt, which usually means providing an ITIN and sometimes a personal credit check, even if you are not a US resident.
So the honest framing is this: an EIN gets your LLC recognised by the IRS and lets you open business accounts, but it rarely gets you a card by itself. What gets you approved is a combination of a properly formed US LLC, a real US business bank account with activity or balance, and in some cases an ITIN to support a personal guarantee.
Where the ITIN fits in
An ITIN, or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, is issued by the IRS to people who need a US taxpayer number but are not eligible for an SSN. You do not need a US visa to get one, and you do not need one to form an LLC or to get an EIN. The EIN for a foreign-owned LLC is obtained separately via Form SS-4, filed by fax or mail since the online EIN application is not available when the responsible party lacks an SSN or ITIN.
Where an ITIN becomes useful is downstream: it lets you personally guarantee credit products that require a US taxpayer identifier, it can support building a personal US credit file over time, and some banks and card issuers simply prefer to see one on file even when it is not strictly mandatory. Think of the ITIN as widening the pool of financial products available to you, not as a legal requirement for the LLC or EIN itself.
Cards that actually work for non-US founders
| Provider | Card type | SSN or ITIN needed | Personal guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury (IO Card) | Charge card tied to account balance | Not required for the card itself | Generally no |
| Wise Business | Debit card, not credit | Not required | No, it spends your own balance |
| Relay | Debit card, not credit | Not required | No |
| Brex | Charge card underwritten on cash and revenue | Often not required for the card, but company profile matters | Typically no |
| Traditional bank cards (Chase, Amex classic lines) | Revolving credit | SSN or ITIN usually required | Usually yes |
Availability and underwriting criteria change often, and some of these providers restrict certain countries or industries, so always confirm current eligibility directly before assuming approval.
What you need in place before you apply
- A properly formed US LLC, most commonly in a low-cost, founder-friendly state like Wyoming, with a registered agent.
- An EIN issued by the IRS under the LLC's name.
- A US business bank account that can actually receive deposits and show activity, since most EIN-only card issuers underwrite against this balance.
- Ongoing federal compliance for a foreign-owned single-member LLC, which means filing Form 5472 together with a pro-forma Form 1120 every year, even if the company had no income. Skipping this filing carries a penalty of 25,000 dollars, so it is not optional paperwork.
- Optionally, an ITIN if you want access to products that require a personal guarantee or if you plan to file a personal US return down the line.
How Founders Credit helps
Founders Credit exists because most non-US founders do not want to learn IRS fax numbers and bank underwriting quirks from scratch. We handle LLC formation, the EIN application, ITIN where it makes sense, and set founders up with a US business bank account that is recognised by the card issuers above, entirely remotely with no US visits required. The goal is not just paperwork, it is making sure the entity, the bank account, and the compliance filings line up correctly so that when you do apply for a card, you are not the reason for the decline.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a US business credit card with only an EIN and no SSN or ITIN?
You can get certain charge cards, such as those from Mercury or similar fintech providers, without an SSN or ITIN because they underwrite against your business bank balance rather than personal credit. Traditional revolving credit cards from major banks generally still require an SSN or ITIN and a personal guarantee.
Do I need an ITIN to form a US LLC or get an EIN?
No. Non-residents can form a US LLC and obtain an EIN without an ITIN or SSN. The EIN is requested via Form SS-4 filed by fax or mail since the online application requires a responsible party with an SSN or ITIN.
What is the difference between a charge card and a credit card for a non-US founder?
A charge card must be paid in full each cycle and is often approved based on your business bank balance, which is why non-residents can get one without a personal credit history. A credit card extends revolving credit and typically requires a personal credit check tied to an SSN or ITIN.
Does a foreign-owned LLC still need to file taxes if it made no money?
Yes. A foreign-owned single-member LLC must file Form 5472 along with a pro-forma Form 1120 every year regardless of income. This is an information return, it does not calculate tax owed by itself, but failing to file it carries a 25,000 dollar penalty.
Will getting an ITIN guarantee I am approved for a business credit card?
No approval is guaranteed. An ITIN widens the range of products you can apply for, particularly those requiring a personal guarantee, but issuers still assess factors like business activity, account balance, and their own risk policies.
Want this done for you?
Founders Credit sets up your US LLC, ITIN, banking and credit cards end to end, 100% remote. Skip the guesswork.
Book a free strategy call →