ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)
An ITIN is a nine-digit tax ID the IRS issues to people who are not eligible for a Social Security number. Several major US issuers accept an ITIN in place of an SSN on credit card applications, which lets newcomers open accounts and start building a FICO score before an SSN arrives.
The credit bureaus don't actually require an SSN to maintain a file — they match accounts by name, address, and date of birth. An ITIN gives issuers a stable tax ID to attach to the application, which is why it unlocks credit access for many non-citizens.
Who gets one. Anyone with a US tax filing obligation who can't get an SSN: certain visa categories, dependents and spouses, and residents awaiting work authorization. You apply with IRS Form W-7, usually alongside a tax return; processing takes roughly 7-11 weeks.
Which issuers accept it. Policies differ sharply. Some major banks accept ITIN applications outright, others accept "no SSN" applications via passport in-branch, and some hard-require an SSN. The current issuer-by-issuer matrix lives in best credit cards accepting ITIN.
ITIN vs SSN. Once you receive an SSN, you contact the bureaus and issuers to merge your history — the accounts and their age carry over; see SSN vs ITIN for credit.
Common mistakes: assuming no SSN means no credit access (see cards without an SSN), and letting an ITIN expire — they lapse after three consecutive years of non-use on a tax return.