AT
Author
Alex Thomas
Founder of ITIN Club
Alex Thomas is the founder of ITIN Club. He was born in Europe and has lived for long stretches in Europe, Asia and the United States. He still travels the world.
He started ITIN Club so foreigners and immigrants could find clear, sourced answers about ITINs, US taxes, bank accounts and credit, in one place and in their own language.
Alex is responsible for every guide and answer on the site. Each one is checked against official sources, such as the IRS, the CFPB and the banks' own pages, and lists those sources at the end.
Has lived in
- Europe
- Asia
- United States
Writes about
- ITINs
- US taxes
- US bank accounts
- Credit cards
- Credit history
Guides by Alex
ITIN
ITIN: what it is and how to get one as a foreigner
What an ITIN is, how it differs from an SSN, who needs one, and how to apply with Form W-7 from the US or abroad, with documents and wait times.
Updated 7 min read
Read guide →Banking
How to open a US bank account as a non-resident
No SSN and no US home needed: which banks open accounts for non-residents, what to bring, how to do it through a US LLC, and when Wise is enough.
Updated 6 min read
Read guide →Cards
US credit card for non-residents: how to get one with an ITIN
Which issuers take an ITIN instead of an SSN, the secured cards that approve you with no US history, and the two ways to bring your credit history from home.
Updated 6 min read
Read guide →Credit
How to check your credit score with an ITIN
Equifax is the only bureau that takes an ITIN online. How to see your free Equifax score, get all three bureau reports in one place, and request the rest by mail.
Updated 5 min read
Read guide →Credit
ITIN lenders: how to get a loan or mortgage with an ITIN
Which lenders take an ITIN instead of an SSN for personal loans and home loans, what they ask for, typical down payments, and the offers to avoid.
Updated 6 min read
Read guide →ITIN
ITIN number vs SSN: which taxpayer number you need
ITIN number vs SSN is an IRS tax number versus a Social Security number. See who qualifies, how the digits differ, and which one you should apply for.
Updated 5 min read
Read guide →ITIN
ITIN renewal: how to renew an expired ITIN
ITIN renewal is a new Form W-7 for an expired number you need on a federal return. See which ITINs expire, what to send, and how long the IRS takes.
Updated 6 min read
Read guide →ITIN
ITIN vs EIN: which tax ID a person or a business needs
ITIN vs EIN separates a person's IRS tax number from a business tax ID. See whether an LLC can have an ITIN and when you need each one.
Updated 7 min read
Read guide →ITIN
ITIN processing time: how long the IRS takes
ITIN processing time is 7 weeks, or 9 to 11 weeks in peak season or from abroad. See how to check status, what delays it, and what the IRS charges.
Updated 6 min read
Read guide →ITIN
What you can do with an ITIN, and what you can't
What you can do with an ITIN is file US taxes and claim some credits. It does not let you work at Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Amazon, or anywhere else.
Updated 6 min read
Read guide →Answers by Alex
Can I apply for an ITIN online?
Can I get an ITIN without filing a tax return?
How do I find my ITIN if I lost it?
How do I get an ITIN for an H-4 dependent?
How do I get an ITIN for my spouse or child?
How do I know if my ITIN is active or expired?
How long does an ITIN number last?
How much does it cost to get an ITIN number?
What do I do with my ITIN after I get an SSN?
What do ITIN numbers start with?
What is an ITIN card?
Bank or credit union: where should I open an account?
Can I keep my US bank account if I move abroad?
Can I open a bank account with a passport?
Do I need a bank account?
Do I need an SSN to open a bank account?
Do I need money to open a bank account?
How do I open a bank account?
How long does it take to open a bank account?
How many bank accounts can I have?
What do I need to open a bank account?
What is a bank account?
What type of bank account should I open?
Which banks accept an ITIN?
Why can't I open a bank account?
Can I buy a house with an ITIN?
Does a checking account build credit?
How do I get my Equifax credit score?
Can I get a credit card without a bank account?
Do credit unions offer credit cards?
How do I get my first credit card?
How does a credit card work?
Can I drive for Uber, Lyft or DoorDash with an ITIN?
Can the IRS see my bank account?
Where can I find my TIN number?
Where can I get my Tax ID?
Where is my ITIN on a W-2?
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