Everything people ask us about getting a U.S. Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from outside the United States. Can't find your question? Message us on WhatsApp and a real person will reply.
An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is a nine-digit number issued by the IRS for U.S. federal tax purposes to people who need a U.S. taxpayer identification number but are not eligible for a Social Security Number (SSN). Every ITIN begins with the number 9.
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
Anyone who has a U.S. federal tax reason to be identified by the IRS but cannot get an SSN — for example, to file a U.S. federal tax return or to claim a tax treaty benefit. A spouse or dependant also needs a qualifying U.S. tax reason of their own, such as an allowable tax benefit.
Yes, if they have a U.S. federal tax reason for one and are not eligible for an SSN. You don't need to live in the United States.
No. U.S. citizens are eligible for a Social Security Number instead, so they cannot be issued an ITIN.
An ITIN is issued by the IRS only for federal tax purposes. An SSN is issued by the Social Security Administration to people who meet its eligibility rules, including U.S. citizens. An ITIN does not give the right to work in the U.S., change immigration status or provide Social Security benefits.
"TIN" (Taxpayer Identification Number) is the general term. An ITIN is one type of TIN; an SSN and an EIN are others.
An ITIN identifies an individual person. An EIN (Employer Identification Number) identifies a business, such as a company or partnership. Some people need both.
No. Where the IRS requires a U.S. taxpayer identification number, a foreign tax number can't take its place. If you can't get an SSN, you need an ITIN.
No. An ITIN is for tax purposes only. It does not give the right to work in the U.S. and does not change your immigration status.
Yes. An ITIN expires on 31 December of the third consecutive year in which it has not been used on a U.S. federal tax return. An ITIN issued before 2013 that has never been renewed has also expired. You need to renew it when you next need to use it on a U.S. federal tax return.
Yes. You can apply from anywhere in the world if you have a U.S. tax reason for an ITIN.
Yes. People living in the UK can apply for an ITIN in the same way as anyone outside the U.S. — see "How do I apply for an ITIN from the UK?" below.
You complete IRS Form W-7 and have your identity documents verified. With Fast ITIN, the whole process is remote: we prepare your W-7 with you, our dedicated Certified Acceptance Agent verifies your identity remotely, and the agent submits your application for you.
Yes. The IRS rules are the same wherever you live outside the U.S., and Fast ITIN handles the process 100% remotely.
Yes. You can apply from abroad, and with Fast ITIN you don't need to visit any office.
No. A visa is not what decides it. What matters is having a U.S. federal tax reason for the ITIN and not being eligible for an SSN.
Visiting the U.S. as a tourist is not a reason for an ITIN by itself. You need a U.S. federal tax reason, such as a U.S. tax return to file.
Usually, yes — the W-7 is normally sent together with a U.S. federal tax return. The IRS allows some exceptions, for example for certain tax treaty benefits, and each exception needs its own supporting documents. We check which applies to you before we start.
Only if one of the IRS exceptions applies to you. Otherwise the W-7 goes in together with the tax return the ITIN is needed for.
Not automatically. Owning a U.S. LLC doesn't by itself mean you need an ITIN — it depends on your own U.S. tax situation. Some foreign members of U.S. LLCs and partnerships qualify under a specific IRS exception, with the documents it requires. Message us with your situation and we'll tell you where you stand.
The IRS does not offer an online ITIN application; Form W-7 is submitted on paper. With Fast ITIN, everything on your side is done online and by WhatsApp — the Certified Acceptance Agent submits the application for you.
A completed Form W-7, proof of your identity and foreign status, and normally a U.S. federal tax return (or the documents for an exception). A valid passport is the only document that proves identity and foreign status on its own; without one, you need at least two other current documents, one with a photo.
For identity, yes — a current, valid passport is the one document the IRS accepts on its own. You still need the W-7 and any tax return or exception documents, and some dependants need extra evidence.
No. Your identity is verified remotely by our dedicated Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA), authorised by the IRS, so you never need to post your original passport or visit an office.
No. The IRS does not accept ordinary photocopies or notarised copies — documents must be originals or copies certified by the authority that issued them. That's why verification by a Certified Acceptance Agent matters.
With Fast ITIN you don't need to arrange this yourself. Our dedicated Certified Acceptance Agent verifies your passport remotely as part of the service.
Yes. You need at least two current documents from the IRS list that together prove your identity and foreign status, at least one with a photo — for example a national identity card plus a birth certificate. Extra rules apply to children and some dependants.
An expired passport can't be used for a new ITIN application. Renew it first, or use another acceptable combination of documents.
Form W-7 is the IRS form used to apply for an ITIN or renew one. It records your personal details, your reason for needing an ITIN and your documents. Fast ITIN prepares it with you.
1. Message us on WhatsApp. 2. We check that you need an ITIN and which documents apply. 3. We prepare your Form W-7 with you. 4. Our dedicated Certified Acceptance Agent verifies your identity remotely. 5. The agent submits your application to the IRS. You get updates from a real person throughout.
A Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) — an independent professional authorised by the IRS to verify identity documents for ITIN applications. The CAA is not part of the IRS, and Fast ITIN is not a government service.
Our dedicated Certified Acceptance Agent verifies your passport remotely, so your original documents stay with you.
No. Fast ITIN is a private UK service, not affiliated with the IRS or any government agency. We prepare your application and coordinate with an independent Certified Acceptance Agent authorised by the IRS.
Once your identity has been verified and your application is ready, the Certified Acceptance Agent submits it on your behalf.
Yes. You can send Form W-7 to the IRS yourself with your original documents or certified copies, or, if you're in the U.S., visit an IRS office. Many people living abroad use a Certified Acceptance Agent instead so they don't have to post their passport.
Spouses and children can get an ITIN when they have their own qualifying U.S. tax reason; each needs a separate Form W-7, and dependants may need extra documents. Message us with your situation and we'll tell you what's required.
No. Fast ITIN helps with the ITIN application. We don't give individual tax, legal or immigration advice — for that, speak to a qualified professional.
Our support is in English. Message us on WhatsApp and a real person will reply.
Message us on WhatsApp, tell us where you live and why you need an ITIN, and a real person will explain the requirements for your situation and the next steps.
Once your documents are ready, your application is normally submitted within a few working days. For applications from outside the U.S., the IRS currently advises allowing 9 to 11 weeks after it receives the application. Processing times vary and are set by the IRS.
Have a valid passport ready, make sure the W-7 is complete and correct, and include any required tax return or exception documents. Missing documents and errors on the form cause most avoidable delays — which is what we check before submission.
Common reasons are an incomplete or incorrect Form W-7, expired documents, unacceptable copies, and a missing tax return or missing evidence for an exception. The IRS may also write to ask for more information.
Choosing the wrong reason for applying on the W-7, leaving required boxes empty, sending plain photocopies or expired documents, details that don't match across your documents, and forgetting the tax return when one is required.
No service can guarantee faster processing by the IRS. What you can control is sending a complete, correct application the first time.
The IRS does not charge a fee for issuing an ITIN. Services like Fast ITIN charge for preparing the application and arranging identity verification.
One fixed fee, agreed before you start. Message us on WhatsApp and we'll confirm it and what it includes for your situation.
No. We agree the fee and what it covers before you start.
The IRS posts a letter (notice CP565) with your ITIN to the mailing address on your Form W-7. Keep it safe.
Call the IRS: 1-800-829-1040 from inside the U.S., or +1 267-941-1000 from outside the U.S. (not toll-free). If you applied through Fast ITIN, message us and we'll help.
The IRS may send notice CP566 asking for more information or documents, or CP567 if the application is rejected. Read the notice carefully and reply as it instructs — if you applied through Fast ITIN, send it to us and we'll help.
Check your IRS letter (CP565) or a previous U.S. tax return. If you can't find either, contact the IRS on the numbers above for help.
With a new Form W-7, ticking the renewal box, and the same identity documents as a first application. You need to renew when you next need to use the ITIN on a U.S. federal tax return. We help with renewals the same way as new applications.
If it hasn't been used on a U.S. federal tax return in the last three years, or it was issued before 2013 and never renewed, it has expired. Message us and we'll help you check.
Stop using your ITIN and tell the IRS, so your tax records are moved to your SSN.
Accountants, tax preparers and specialist ITIN services like Fast ITIN. Choose one that explains the requirements clearly, tells you who verifies your documents, works with a Certified Acceptance Agent authorised by the IRS and agrees its fee before you start.
A Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) is an independent professional authorised by the IRS to verify identity documents for ITIN applications. Using a CAA means you don't have to send your original passport to the IRS.
The IRS publishes a directory of acceptance agents on its Acceptance Agent Program page (irs.gov). Fast ITIN gives you access to a dedicated Certified Acceptance Agent and handles everything remotely, wherever you live.
The IRS never charges for an ITIN. Be careful of anyone who promises guaranteed approval or an exact date, claims to be part of the IRS, or won't tell you who will verify your documents.
Yes, many help with Form W-7. Only an acceptance agent authorised by the IRS can verify your documents, though. Fast ITIN specialises in ITIN applications and works with a dedicated Certified Acceptance Agent.
There is no IRS app for ITIN applications. With Fast ITIN you talk to a real person on WhatsApp and we handle the paperwork with you.
Fast ITIN is a trading name of Verion Systems LTD, a private UK company. Fast ITIN is not affiliated with the IRS or any government agency.