How Long Does It Take to Get an ITIN: A Step-by-Step Process & Turn Around Time

How long does ITIN issuance take? What’s the process and timeline? Why do applications get rejected? Get all the answers in this complete step-by-step guide.
How long does it take to get an ITIN

Table of Content

Applying for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) can be essential for non-U.S. residents for various reasons, such as owning a U.S. company, filing taxes, or property-related matters.

At Business Globalizer, we streamline the ITIN application process to ensure a smooth experience. Here’s a detailed process sequence and turnaround time (TAT) for obtaining an ITIN.

Step 1: Determining the Reason for Applying

Before applying, an applicant must determine the reason for needing an ITIN. There are seven common scenarios, each requiring specific documents.

7 Common ITIN Application Scenarios & Required Documents

Scenario 1: Owning a U.S. Company as a Non-U.S. Resident (Most Common Case)

Required Documents:

  • Articles of Organization (Company formation document).
  • Home Country Address Proof (Bank statement).
  • EIN Document (CP575 or 147C – Official IRS letter).
  • Company Ownership Document.
  • Scanned Copy of Passport (Applicant’s).
  • Signature.

Scenario 2: Spouse of a U.S. Citizen or Resident Alien

Required Documents:

  • Federal Income Tax Return (Signed, filed, and paid receipt).
  • SSN/ITIN of U.S. Citizen/Resident Alien.
  • U.S. Citizen’s ID card, Driver’s License, or Passport.
  • Scanned Copy of Passport (Applicant’s).
  • Home Country Address Proof (Bank statement or utility bill).
  • Signature.

Scenario 3: Dependent of a U.S. Citizen or Resident Alien

Required Documents:

  • Federal Income Tax Return (Signed, filed, and paid receipt).
  • SSN/ITIN of U.S. Citizen/Resident Alien.
  • Scanned Copy of Passport (Applicant’s).
  • Home Country Address Proof (Bank statement or utility bill).
  • U.S. Citizen’s ID card, Driver’s License, or Passport.
  • Signature.

Scenario 4: Selling a Property in the U.S.

Required Documents:

  • Real Estate Sales Contract or Settlement Statement.
  • Form 8288, 8288-A, or 8288-B (Tax forms related to U.S. property sales).
  • Scanned Copy of Passport (Applicant’s).
  • Home Country Address Proof (Bank statement or utility bill).
  • Signature.

Scenario 5: Owning Property in the U.S.

Required Documents:

  • Sale Contract (Homeowners) or Rental Agreement.
  • Property State Records.
  • Scanned Copy of Passport (Applicant’s).
  • Home Country Address Proof (Bank statement or utility bill).
  • Email & Contact Number for Communication.

Scenario 6: Non-U.S. Resident Student, Professor, or Researcher Filing a U.S. Tax Return

Required Documents:

  • Federal Income Tax Return (Signed, filed, and paid receipt).
  • Scanned Copy of Passport (Applicant’s).
  • Proof of Residential Address.
  • Signature.

Scenario 7: Non-U.S. Resident Filing a Federal Income Tax Return

Required Documents:

  • Scanned Copy of Passport (Applicant’s).
  • Federal Income Tax Return (Signed, filed, and paid receipt).
  • Home Country Address Proof (Bank statement or utility bill).
  • Signature.

Step 2: Document Verification

The Business Globalizer team reviews all submitted documents. If any missing or incorrect documents are found, the client will be notified to provide the correct information.

Step 3: ITIN Application Form Preparation

Once all documents are verified, we proceed with the following:
Fill out the ITIN application form (Form W-7).

Step 4: Sending the Form for Client’s Physical Signature

The completed ITIN application form is sent to the client for a physical signature.

Step 5: Client Signs & Returns the Form

The client signs the form and sends it back to Business Globalizer.

Step 6: CAA Signature & IRS Submission

The form is then signed by our Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) and shipped to the IRS for processing.

Step 7: IRS Processes the Application

The IRS begins processing the ITIN application upon receiving the form.

Step 8: ITIN Issuance (If Everything Goes Smoothly)

The IRS will issue the ITIN after successful processing.

ITIN Processing Time: Standard & Exceptional Cases

Standard Processing Time

7 weeks from the date the IRS receives the form.

Exceptional Cases Where Processing Can Take Longer (9-12+ Weeks)

Processing time may be extended due to:

  • U.S. Holidays Nov-Dec).
  • IRS Rush Seasons (e.g. Tax season) (Jan-April).
  • High Application Volume.
  • Errors in Required Information or Documents.
  • Misplaced Documents (by IRS).
  • Delays in Shipment & Shipping Methods.
  • IRS Internal Processing Issues.

Sometimes, the IRS simply delays processing with no explanation—no reason provided, no official response. In many cases, delays occur due to high workload during tax season, missing or incorrect documents, slow shipment handling, or internal IRS processing inefficiencies.

But sometimes, despite everything being in order, they just delay without any justification. As a third-party service provider, we actually don’t have any say or control over this.

Errors in Required Information or Documents That Can Delay ITIN Processing

Mistakes in an ITIN application can cause significant delays. Here are some common errors and how to avoid them:

1. Incomplete or Incorrect Forms

    Mistake: Missing signatures, incorrect names, or incomplete Form W-7 (due to client errors).
    Solution: Double-check all information before sending us. Ensure your names match passport records.

    2. Providing Incorrect or Mismatched Documents

    Mistake: Submitting a home country document that doesn’t match IRS requirements.
    Solution: Follow the exact document list per your scenario. Ensure documents are translated into English if required.

    3. Expired or Invalid Passport Copies

    Mistake: Sending an expired passport copy.
    Solution: Provide a valid and clear scanned copy of your passport.

    4. Incorrectly Notarized or Certified Documents

    Mistake: Sending improperly notarized copies of documents.
    Solution: Use an IRS-approved Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA) or get documents certified at a U.S. embassy.

    5. Filing With an Incorrect Reason for Applying

    Mistake: Selecting an incorrect reason on Form W-7.
    Solution: Ensure you choose the correct scenario based on your requirements. And inform us accordingly.

    6. Missing Home Country Address Proof

    Mistake: Forgetting to send us a bank statement or utility bill as proof of address.
    Solution: Ensure your address proof is recent (within the last 3 months).

    7. Errors in Federal Tax Filing (When Required)

    Mistake: Submitting an incomplete or incorrect federal income tax return.
    Solution: Ensure your tax return is correctly signed, filed, and includes a payment receipt. Then, provide it to us properly for processing.

    Real-World Exceptions

    Fastest Case

    We take pride in having Bangladesh’s first IRS-Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) on our team! In a standout case, our CAA personally delivered an ITIN application to the IRS in the U.S., expediting the process. As a result, the ITIN was approved in just 4 weeks instead of the standard 6 weeks.

    Delayed Case

    A form was shipped to the IRS in May 2024 but the applicant still hasn’t received the document, even though the ITIN has been issued. The IRS, when contacted, sometimes asks for more documents or simply delays sending the final document.

    Important Disclaimer: Business Globalizer’s Role in the Process

    • Business Globalizer facilitates the ITIN application process by verifying documents, preparing the application, and submitting it to the IRS. However, once the application is shipped to the IRS, we have no control over their processing timeline or final approval.

    • Our support team regularly follows up with the IRS for updates on behalf of our clients, ensuring that any additional information or documents requested by the IRS are promptly provided. However, we cannot guarantee an exact processing time or influence the final outcome.

    • Business Globalizer holds no responsibility for any delays, misplaced documents, or additional requirements imposed by the IRS. The final decision and timeline remain solely under IRS control.

    Final Thoughts

    The ITIN application process requires careful document preparation and submission. While Business Globalizer ensures a smooth and efficient process, external factors like IRS processing delays can sometimes extend the timeline.

    Need help applying for an ITIN? Business Globalizer is here to assist you at every step!

    Get started today!

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