How to get an ITIN in India through an acceptance agent

You apply for a US Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) on Form W-7, and from India you can do this with an IRS-approved acceptance agent.

Who needs an ITIN

The IRS says you need an ITIN if you have a federal tax purpose and you are not eligible for a Social Security number. Form W-7 gives these reasons to apply:

• Nonresident alien who needs an ITIN to claim a tax treaty benefit.
• Nonresident alien filing a U.S. federal tax return.
• U.S. resident alien filing a U.S. federal tax return.
• Dependent of a U.S. citizen or resident alien.
• Spouse of a U.S. citizen or resident alien.
• Nonresident alien student, professor, or researcher.
• Dependent or spouse of a nonresident alien who holds a U.S. visa.
• Other.

An ITIN is for federal tax purposes only. The IRS says it does not give you Social Security benefits. It does not change your immigration status or your right to work.

Attach a tax return

You must include a U.S. federal tax return with Form W-7 unless you meet an exception. The instructions list five exceptions:

• Passive income with third-party withholding or tax treaty benefits.
• Other income, if you claim a treaty benefit.
• Mortgage interest with third-party reporting.
• A foreign person's disposition of a U.S. real property interest.
• Treasury Decision 9363.

Read the Form W-7 instructions to see if one applies to you.

What an acceptance agent does

The IRS describes an acceptance agent (AA) as someone authorized to help foreign persons get an ITIN. An AA can help you complete and file Form W-7.

A certifying acceptance agent (CAA) can verify your original documents and certified copies. A CAA can authenticate identification documents for primary and secondary applicants, except foreign military ID cards. For a dependent, a CAA can authenticate the passport and civil birth certificate. The CAA must send other original or certified documents to the IRS.

A CAA attaches a Certificate of Accuracy to each Form W-7. The IRS pages call it Form W-7 (COA). AAs and CAAs must interview each applicant in person. They may use video for the interview only.

Documents you need

You must send original documents or certified copies from the issuing agency. A valid passport is the only stand-alone document. Without a passport, you need at least two document types that prove identity and foreign status.

The IRS list includes these categories:

• National identification card, with name, photograph, address, date of birth and expiration date.
• Foreign driver's license.
• Foreign voter's registration card.
• Civil birth certificate.

The list names categories, not specific Indian cards. Ask your agent which of your documents fit. If the IRS does not return your original documents within 60 days, you can call the IRS.

Time, cost and ways to apply

The IRS says to allow 7 weeks. It can take 9 to 11 weeks if you apply from overseas or between January 15 and April 30.

The IRS marks both agent types as fee-based and says fees may vary. The IRS lists its Taxpayer Assistance Centers as free, but only in the U.S.

You have these options from India:

• Use an acceptance agent. The IRS lists agent services as U.S. and international.
• Mail your package to Internal Revenue Service, ITIN Operation, P.O. Box 149342, Austin, TX 78714-9342.

Agents and help for India

The IRS page "Acceptance agents - India" lists agents. It shows the notice "Page Last Reviewed or Updated: 22-Sep-2026".

The IRS treaty page lists an income tax treaty with India, dated 1989. The treaty page does not mention ITINs. The Form W-7 instructions say that if you claim a treaty benefit, the treaty country must match the country on line 3.

From outside the US, call the IRS at 267-941-1000. It is not a toll-free number.

Before you book

Confirm current details with the agent and with the IRS before you pay or send documents. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the IRS. The agent list data comes from the IRS.