ITIN without traveling: getting it from Europe through a Certifying Acceptance Agent
Yes, you can get an ITIN without traveling to the US and without mailing your original passport to the IRS. The key is three letters: going through a CAA, an IRS-authorized Certifying Acceptance Agent.
What the ITIN is, and who needs it
The Individual Taxpayer Identification Number is the tax number for people who aren’t eligible for a US Social Security Number. It applies to non-residents who own an LLC, earn US-source income or must file a return.
The role of the Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA)
Without a CAA, the standard route forces you to mail your original passport to the IRS in Austin, or to get a certified copy from the issuing authority. Slow, risky, stressful.
Step by step
- Showing the passport to the CAA (in person or via secure video call, depending on the case).
- Preparing Form W-7 and the certificate of accuracy (W-7-COA), in house.
- Attaching the tax document if needed (1040-NR return, applicable exception).
- Mailing the complete file to the IRS Austin, already reviewed.
How long it takes
The file is prepared in 24 to 48 hours at Altixia. The IRS then processes the request in about 7 weeks after mailing. Everything is handled in English, with no offshore subcontracting.
What your ITIN is for
It’s the first door to US credit: without it, no access to US credit cards or much of the financial system. It unlocks the next steps, up to US business credit.