How to Get an ITIN from India: 2026 Guide

Who can apply for an ITIN from India?

Living in India is neither an automatic qualification nor a barrier. The two threshold questions are whether the applicant is ineligible for an SSN and whether a US federal tax administration purpose exists. Common examples include filing Form 1040-NR, reporting US rental income, receiving partnership income, claiming an allowed treaty position, or appearing as an eligible spouse or dependent on a return.

An ITIN does not authorize work or change immigration status. If Social Security Administration rules make you eligible for an SSN, the IRS expects you to pursue the SSN instead. Start with our ITIN eligibility guide before preparing documents.

What documents does an applicant in India need?

A valid passport is the simplest evidence because it normally proves both identity and foreign status. For India, passports are issued through the Passport Seva system of India's Ministry of External Affairs. The IRS accepts an original passport or a copy certified by the issuing agency. Ordinary photocopies and copies certified only by a notary are not accepted as issuer-certified copies.

Without a passport, the IRS permits combinations from its list of approved documents. These may include a national ID card, civil birth certificate, foreign driver license, visa, or other listed record, subject to age and dependent rules. Every document must be current as defined in the Form W-7 instructions and must support the exact name and birth details entered on the form.

Indian passports are normally bilingual in Hindi and English, so a separate English translation is generally unnecessary when the entries are readable. Never translate or shorten a legal name merely to make it fit a preferred order; use the passport presentation and explain a genuine discrepancy.

How do you submit Form W-7 from India?

1. Confirm SSN ineligibility and identify the correct W-7 reason box.
2. Complete and sign the current Form W-7 using the same identity details shown in the passport.
3. Attach the federal return, unless you qualify for a listed exception and include all exception evidence.
4. Provide acceptable original or issuer-certified identity evidence, or use a Certifying Acceptance Agent where appropriate.
5. Send the assembled packet to the current IRS ITIN Operation address shown in the W-7 instructions and retain delivery proof.

Use tracked international delivery and keep a scan of the complete packet before dispatch. An IRS-authorized Certifying Acceptance Agent can review most passport evidence so the applicant does not mail the original to the IRS, although special document rules can apply to dependents.

Does a US tax treaty change the application from India?

The United States has an income tax treaty with India, but eligibility depends on the income type and the specific treaty article. A treaty benefit is never based only on nationality. Tax residence, income source, beneficial ownership, permanent-establishment rules, and the text of the relevant article may all matter.

A tax-return exception on Form W-7 also needs the evidence named in the current instructions. Do not leave out the return simply because a payer requested Form W-8BEN or because a treaty might apply. When the treatment is uncertain, consult a qualified US tax professional.

What mistakes delay ITIN applications from India?

• Using an old Form W-7 revision or leaving the reason-box detail incomplete.
• Sending a notarized passport copy instead of an original, issuer-certified copy, or accepted CAA certification.
• Omitting the tax return without documenting a specific IRS exception.
• Entering a name, date, or foreign address that conflicts with the identity evidence.
• Using an unreliable return address or failing to retain tracked-delivery evidence.