How to get an ITIN from abroad as a foreigner

If you are a nonresident who is ineligible for a Social Security number, learning how to secure an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from abroad is the best way to handle your taxes and protect your financial interests.

Our guide explains how to get an ITIN from abroad as a foreigner, who qualifies, and which myths to ignore.

Key takeaways

Question	Quick answer	What to do next
🪪 Do you need an ITIN?	Usually only if you need a federal taxpayer ID and cannot get an SSN.	Confirm your federal tax purpose first.
📄 Which form do you use?	Form W-7, usually with Form 1040 or 1040-NR.	Prepare the full application package before you submit it.
🚫 Can you apply without a tax return?	Most first-time applications need a federal tax return, unless an IRS exception applies.	Check the latest Form W-7 instructions before assuming you qualify.
🌍 How can you apply from abroad?	By mail, through a Certifying Acceptance Agent, or in person if you will be in the US.	Compare document risk, fees, and convenience.
⏳ How long does it take?	Usually 7 weeks, or 9 to 11 weeks in tax season and for overseas applications.	Keep copies and use trackable delivery.
💻 Can you get an ITIN number online?	Online prep help exists, but the IRS does not offer a full first-time ITIN application online.	Avoid any service that promises instant digital approval.

Important: This article is informational only, and not tax, legal, or immigration advice.

What an ITIN is and who needs one

An ITIN is an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number issued by the IRS for people who need a US taxpayer ID for a federal tax purpose but cannot get a Social Security number.

In IRS language, a nonresident alien usually does not meet US tax residency tests, while a resident alien for tax purposes does, and both may have filing duties if they are not eligible for an SSN.

ITIN vs SSN vs TIN terms explained

Term	Meaning	Issued by
TIN	The broad term for taxpayer identification numbers.	IRS or SSA
SSN	A Social Security number for people eligible through the Social Security Administration.	SSA
ITIN	An IRS taxpayer ID for federal tax purposes when someone cannot get an SSN.	IRS

💡 A TIN is not the same as an SSN. An SSN is one type of TIN, and an ITIN is another.

When you do not need an ITIN

If you are eligible for an SSN, you should not apply for an ITIN. An ITIN is not a general ID card, does not authorize work, does not create immigration status, and may not be needed at all if you do not have a valid federal tax purpose.

How to apply for an ITIN from abroad

Think of the process as three steps: confirm you have a federal tax purpose, gather Form W-7 and the right documents, then choose the best submission route.

The official IRS process is outlined on the How to apply for an ITIN page, but the best route from abroad depends on your documents and whether you can part with your passport.

➡️ Step 1: Confirm you have a federal tax purpose

Start with the reason, not the form. The IRS issues an ITIN only when you can show a real federal tax purpose, which means a valid tax related reason under IRS rules.

• Filing a US federal income tax return, often Form 1040-NR for a nonresident
• Claiming a refund or a treaty benefit
• Being listed as a spouse on a qualifying joint return
• Being claimed as a dependent for an allowable tax benefit

A return full of zeroes usually is not enough. For example, a foreign spouse filing jointly with a US citizen may need an ITIN, while someone with no filing duty and no IRS tax purpose may not.

➡️ Step 2: Complete Form W-7 and gather your documents

Form W-7 is the ITIN application, and each person applying needs a separate form. Most first-time applicants send it with a paper federal income tax return, unless an IRS exception applies under the current Instructions for Form W-7.

A valid passport is the simplest stand-alone document because it can prove identity and foreign status by itself. If you apply without one, you must provide two alternative documents from the official IRS list, at least one of which must include a photograph. You can find the current rules on the IRS ITIN supporting documents page.

Checklist:

• Completed Form W-7
• Paper Form 1040 or 1040-NR, unless an exception applies
• Original documents or certified copies from the original issuing agency
• Extra US residency proof for dependents in some cases

One thing worth knowing is that notarized copies are generally not accepted. Dependents can face extra residency proof rules, so read the document list carefully before you send anything.

➡️ Step 3: Choose mail, CAA, or in-person submission

A Certifying Acceptance Agent, or CAA, is an IRS-authorized professional who can review Form W-7 and authenticate most documents. A Taxpayer Assistance Center, or TAC, is an IRS office in the US that can review ITIN documents in person.

Option	⭐ Best for	🔑 Key benefit	⚠️ Watch out for
Mail to the IRS	Applicants focused on the lowest direct cost	Straightforward if your full package is ready	You may need to send original documents or issuing-agency certified copies
Certifying Acceptance Agent	People abroad who do not want to mail a passport	Can authenticate most documents and return them after review	Fees vary, and CAAs have limits for some dependent documents
In-person at a Taxpayer Assistance Center	People who will be in the US soon	Most documents can be authenticated and returned at the appointment	TACs are in the US only, and appointments can take time

The easiest way to get an ITIN number depends on your location. If you are abroad and cannot risk mailing your passport, a CAA is often the most practical route, while mail can work if cost matters more and your documents are already in order.

The IRS also has a page on obtaining an ITIN from abroad that explains the abroad-first options.

Can you apply for an ITIN without a tax return?

Usually, no. Most first-time ITIN applications require a federal tax return, but limited IRS exceptions do exist, and they only work if you send the right supporting proof.

• 1. Read the current Form W-7 instructions and find the exception category that matches your case.
• 2. Check which documents the IRS wants for that exception, such as a withholding letter or treaty-related paperwork.
• 3. Do not assume that having US income or needing an IRS tax ID number automatically puts you in an exception.

✅ How to verify: Use the latest Form W-7 instructions and the current ITIN overview page before you file. This is one of the biggest areas where people rely on outdated summaries and get delayed.

How long it takes and how to track your application 🗓️

The IRS says to allow 7 weeks for status updates, or 9 to 11 weeks during tax season, which runs from January 15 to April 30, and for overseas applications. If you mailed original supporting documents, the IRS says they are generally returned within 60 days.

At a high level, the notices work like this:

• CP565: your ITIN was assigned
• CP566: the IRS needs more information
• CP567: the application was rejected and must be resubmitted

If you are outside the US and need a status check after the normal wait window, the IRS says individuals abroad can call 267-941-1000. Keep copies of everything you submit, and use trackable delivery if you mail the package.

Common ITIN mistakes foreigners make ⚠️

• Applying without a valid federal tax purpose: If you do not actually need a US taxpayer ID, the application can fail before the document review even matters.
• Assuming the process is fully online: Some ITIN services help prepare forms online, but a first-time IRS submission is generally still by mail, through an agent, or in person.
• Sending unclear, notarized, or noncompliant copies: The IRS usually wants originals or certified copies from the issuing agency, not ordinary photocopies.
• Missing dependent residency rules: Dependents may need extra US residency proof, even when a passport is included.
• Mailing a passport without comparing alternatives: You can mail original documents if you choose, but a CAA, issuing-agency certified copy, or future in-person visit may be less risky if you need that passport soon.

A common question is, “Should I mail my passport to the IRS?” You can, if you follow IRS rules, but it is usually worth checking whether a CAA or certified copy can reduce the risk and disruption.

What to do after you get your ITIN

After approval, use the ITIN for the federal tax purpose that justified it in the first place. It can help with tax filing and withholding records, but it does not replace an SSN, give work permission, create immigration status, or guarantee access to tax credits.

Practical next steps:

• Review your filing duties with our moving to the US checklist if relocation is part of the picture.
• Learn how to open a bank account if you are setting up basic finances after arrival.
• Read our guide to banking in the US for more information on the broader system and common requirements.
• Compare best bank accounts for non-residents if you are still abroad or newly arrived.

⚠️ One thing worth knowing is that major local banks such as Chase and Bank of America may ask for more than an ITIN, including photo ID, proof of address, or immigration-related documents.

💡 If you still need to move money across borders while settling in, you can also look at digital provider options like Wise. You can open an account with Wise for holding money in 40+ currencies or sending funds internationally. You can get a link debit card to make purchases conveniently in the US or make cash withdrawals if you need to.

FAQs about getting an ITIN from abroad

Can I get an ITIN number online?

Not as a full first-time IRS application. Some services help you prepare Form W-7 online, but the official ITIN package is usually submitted by mail, through an acceptance agent, or in person.

Is a TIN the same as an SSN?

No. A TIN is the broad category for taxpayer identification numbers, and an SSN is one specific type. An ITIN is another type of TIN used for federal tax purposes when someone cannot get an SSN.

What is the easiest way to get an ITIN number?

It depends on where you are and whether you can part with original documents. For many applicants abroad, a Certifying Acceptance Agent is easier than mailing a passport, but it can cost more.

Who is required to get an ITIN?

Only people who need a US taxpayer ID for a federal tax purpose and are not eligible for an SSN. Common examples include a nonresident filing a US return or a foreign spouse or dependent included on a qualifying tax return.

Useful resources

Checked 16th July 2026

• How to apply for an ITIN | Internal Revenue Service: Official submission packages, delivery routes, IRS notices, and standard processing timelines.
• Individual Taxpayer Identification Number | Internal Revenue Service:Basic definitions, federal tax purpose rules, and legal limitations of the number.
• ITIN Supporting Documents | Internal Revenue Service: Passport regulations, certified copy requirements, and dependent residency proof rules.
• Obtaining an ITIN from Abroad | Internal Revenue Service: Specific application pathways and document handling guidance for applicants outside the US.
• ITIN Application Frequently Asked Questions | Internal Revenue Service: Clarifications on common misconceptions, document safety, and dependent applications.