Passport never mailed
Self-applicants mail the original to the IRS, taking months and risking loss. Assisted filing verifies identity locally and issues the certificate, so your passport never leaves your hands.
U.S. Individual Taxpayer Number · Form W-7 · Identity Verification
U.S. Individual Taxpayer Number ITIN Application
No trip to the U.S., and no passport in the mail: a passport copy and a signed Form W-7 are enough. We verify your identity over video from where you are and submit the file on your behalf. IRS review usually runs 8-15 weeks, and approval is decided by the IRS.
- Your passport stays with you — no international courier risk
- Identity verified over video from where you are, no U.S. trip
- Every document checked line by line to avoid returns
Verification-capable channel
Local video verification
Bilingual support
One written quote
This page describes the process and documents; approval and review time are determined by the IRS.
All you need: a passport copy and a signed Form W-7
Verification-capable channel
Passport stays with you
Local video identity check
IRS review: 8-15 weeks
No U.S. visa required
Spouse and children eligible
Written quote before signing
Document-by-document review
Verification-capable channel
Passport stays with you
Local video identity check
IRS review: 8-15 weeks
No U.S. visa required
Spouse and children eligible
Written quote before signing
Document-by-document review
The basics
What is an ITIN and who needs one?
An ITIN is a personal U.S. tax number
U.S. tax filings normally require a Social Security Number (SSN). Individuals without an SSN — for example foreign residents outside the U.S. — can apply to the IRS for a substitute number: the ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number). It is a nine-digit number starting with 9, used for tax filing, refunds and identity verification by certain platforms and institutions.
One thing worth knowing up front: applying to the IRS for an ITIN carries no official fee — you only need Form W-7. The difficult part is identity verification. Self-applicants usually mail their original passport to the U.S., with a real risk of loss; with an authorized verification channel, identity can be checked locally and the passport stays in your hands.
One thing many people miss: applying to the IRS yourself carries no official fee — you only need Form W-7. The hard part is the identity check. Self-applicants usually mail the original passport to the U.S., while a verification-capable channel can verify it locally and the passport stays with you.
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Non-resident with U.S. incomeYou have U.S. interest, dividends or rental income to report but no SSN.
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Resident under the day countYour days of presence meet the standard so you must file, but you have no SSN.
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Spouse or child of a filerFamily members without an SSN who want to file jointly for deductions.
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Treaty benefits claimantsClaiming reduced withholding under a tax treaty requires a taxpayer number.
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Students and scholarsYou must file a U.S. return but cannot obtain an SSN.
How we handle it
Identity verified locally, passport never mailed to the U.S.
A verification-capable channel can check the applicant's passport in person and issue the supporting certificate, then submit the file to the IRS — so when you work with us, the original passport stays in your hands throughout.
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The channel can verify identity: We check your passport against IRS verification requirements and issue the supporting certificate.
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Documents are checked first: Form W-7 and supporting documents are reviewed line by line to reduce IRS returns.
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Strict confidentiality: Your passport and personal data are used only for this application.
To be clear: working through an agent does not make the IRS review faster — the same review period applies to every applicant. What it removes is the courier risk of mailing your passport to the U.S. and the back-and-forth of a returned, incomplete file.
What we work with: the passport data page plus a signed Form W-7
Verification-capable channelPassport checked to IRS requirements
Three-region networkU.S. · Hong Kong, China · Singapore
Bilingual communicationDocuments and status updates
In-house teamNo sub-contracting
A few basics
Four numbers worth remembering
9 digits
ITIN format — nine digits, starting with 9
8-15 weeks
IRS official review period
2 items
Core documents you need to prepare
4 steps
From preparing documents to submission
Two ways to apply
DIY versus assisted filing
Either way the IRS reviews and issues the number. The difference is whether your passport must be mailed and whether someone checks the documents.
Item
Apply to the IRS yourself
Assisted by Zhongcheng Huigu
Original passport
Mailed to the U.S.; long round trip and risk of loss
Verified locally; the original never leaves you
Identity check
Usually consular notarization or mailing the original
In-person or video verification under the accepted process
Form W-7
Self-prepared; errors mean rejection and re-queuing
Guided by purpose and checked line by line
Progress
You chase the IRS in English
A dedicated contact keeps you updated
If not approved
Time and costs on you
Service fees refunded under the written agreement
Why assisted filing
Every step from documents to submission is covered
The ITIN process is short, but document details decide how smoothly it goes.
Flexible verification
Show your passport on a video call; if that is inconvenient, a photo holding the passport works as supporting material — no consulate visit.
Forms filled correctly
Incorrect forms are a common reason ITIN applications are returned. We guide you by purpose and check each item before submitting.
Fees set out clearly
A written quote before signing; service fees refunded under the agreement if not approved. No hidden charges.
Once you have it
What an ITIN unlocks
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File U.S. personal tax
Report U.S. interest, dividends or rental income without an SSN.
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Claim refunds
Rental income of non-residents is subject to withholding; with an ITIN you can file and claim back the excess.
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Joint family filing
Once a spouse or child has an ITIN, the family can file jointly for deductions.
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U.S. credit cards
Most U.S. banks require a taxpayer number; building U.S. credit usually starts with an ITIN.
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U.S. brokerage accounts
Some U.S. brokers require an SSN or ITIN to open an account.
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Payments and platforms
Certain U.S. payment channels and marketplaces accept an ITIN for personal verification.
How it works
Four steps
After submission the IRS reviews the file, typically in 8-15 weeks. The January-April filing season is busier and may take longer, so plan ahead.
Prepare documents
A passport copy and a signed Form W-7, per our checklist.
Verify identity
Show your passport on a video call, or provide a photo holding it; we issue the verification certificate.
Check and submit
We check every item against your purpose and submit to the IRS, together with your return if applicable.
Wait for the IRS letter
Once approved the IRS mails a confirmation letter; we keep you posted throughout.
What do you need? Only two things
1) A valid passport copy; 2) a signed Form W-7. Usually no notarization, proof of assets or U.S. visa is needed; for some cases the IRS may ask for extra documents, which we explain in advance.
How long does it take?
IRS review typically runs 8-15 weeks, plus mailing time for the letter. The filing season is busy, so leave enough lead time before filing, banking or platform onboarding.
About us
See our services and how we verify
Browse all services
What Zhongcheng Huigu does
We support companies going global with incorporation, bank account opening, tax filing and compliance maintenance across the U.S., Hong Kong (China), Singapore and other common jurisdictions. ITIN applications are handled by the same in-house team — nothing is sub-contracted.
Verification-capable channelHandled to IRS verification requirements
Corporate service experienceIncorporation, tax and compliance
Written quote before signingAll fees set out once
Corporate account paymentInvoices available
Browse all services
FAQ
Questions we hear most
What is an ITIN?
An ITIN is a tax filing number issued by the IRS to individuals without an SSN. It has nine digits starting with 9 and looks similar to an SSN, but cannot be used for work authorization or social benefits.
Can I apply without a U.S. visa?
Yes. A passport is the primary identity document; no U.S. visa is required and you can apply from outside the United States.
Can I apply for my spouse or children?
Yes. Provide their passports and the corresponding Form W-7. With ITINs, family members can file jointly and claim related deductions.
How long does it take?
IRS review typically takes 8-15 weeks, longer during the January-April season. Apply early if you need it for filing, banking or platform onboarding.
Does an ITIN expire?
An ITIN itself has no expiry, but if it is not used on a return for three consecutive years the IRS retires it and you must reapply. Filing with it at least once every three years keeps it active.
ITIN vs EIN — what is the difference?
An ITIN is a filing number for individuals; an EIN is a tax ID for companies and entities. Clients running U.S. companies often deal with both.
Why pay you when the IRS charges nothing?
The official fee is indeed zero, but self-filing means mailing your passport and managing document details and English correspondence yourself. Our fee covers verification, form guidance and progress tracking.
What if the application is returned?
Check the IRS reason first — usually missing documents or form errors. We help correct and resubmit; if not approved, service fees are refunded under the agreement.
Further reading
Articles worth a look
People applying for an ITIN usually also need incorporation, banking or payment channels — these pieces explain the details.
Company Formation
How to Choose Where to Register Your Overseas Company
The same business can carry very different costs, banking difficulty and compliance burden depending on where it is registered. This article reviews location choices through four lenses: customer base, fund flows, tax costs and fundraising plans.
Read article
Company Formation
Overseas Incorporation: Documents and Common Rejection Reasons
A complete file submitted once beats weeks of back-and-forth. This article lists the core documents for overseas incorporation, how to write the business description, and the common defects such as expired IDs and mismatched addresses that cause files to bounce.
Read article
Banking
Bank Account Preparation: What Banks Really Check
Account opening is often the least predictable step of going global. This article breaks down the four questions banks actually ask - beneficial owner background, business authenticity, source of funds and account usage - plus a preparation checklist and realistic timelines.
Read article
Global Tax
Annual Tax Compliance Timeline for Businesses Going Global
Incorporation is only the start; annual compliance is the long-term work. This article maps renewal, audit and filing deadlines for overseas entities, explains what late filing actually costs, and shows how multi-entity companies should build a compliance calendar.
Read article
Global Tax
Offshore Profits Claim Explained: How Territorial Taxation Works
An offshore claim is an active, case-by-case application, not a default entitlement that comes with incorporation. This article explains how tax authorities assess the source of profits, what evidence a claim needs, and the misconceptions that sink applications.
Read article
IP & Trademark
Trademark Strategy Before Going Global: Order and Refusal Risks
Trademarks should be handled at the brand planning stage, not after a dispute. This article covers market searches, a three-tier filing order, choosing classes and formats, and the refusal grounds you are likely to meet.
Read article
Also available
Beyond ITIN, we can also handle these
ITIN applicants often also need a company, a bank account or tax filing. Take them together or pick just one.
U.S. company registration
All 50 states, including EIN application and annual reports.
Learn more
Bank account opening
Start the assessment over a video call; final rules follow the bank.
Learn more
Offshore company tax filing
Bookkeeping and filing for U.S., Hong Kong (China) and Singapore entities.
Learn more
Marketplace onboarding
Prepare Amazon, TikTok Shop and similar onboarding files and reviews.
Learn more
Notarization and apostille
Apostille and consular legalization, scoped to how you will use the document.
Learn more
Trademark registration
Trademark filing and maintenance through local agents.
Learn more
Assess first, then file
Confirm whether you need an ITIN and how to apply
Tell us your purpose — tax filing, refund, platform verification or family filing — and we will confirm whether an ITIN applies, what to prepare, and the arrangements and fees.
Approval and review time are decided by the IRS; this page is a process description, not tax or legal advice. You can also reach the Contact page and have an account manager walk you through the arrangements one to one. Contact
