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ITIN for Asylum Seekers and Refugees

itin.so Editorial Team

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itin.so Editorial Team

IRS-Authorized Certifying Acceptance Agents · Last updated: August 2026

Illustration of identity documents accepted for an ITIN application without a passport

What this guide does and does not cover

This is general information about IRS tax identification requirements only. It is not immigration legal advice and nothing here should be used to decide anything about an asylum case. For questions about your immigration status, consult an attorney or a representative accredited by the Department of Justice. Free and low-cost providers are listed on the EOIR pro bono provider list.

Asylum seekers can apply for an ITIN before receiving employment authorisation. If you have US-source income while your asylum case is pending, an ITIN allows you to file a tax return and comply with IRS requirements. Refugees who receive Social Security Numbers through the resettlement process generally do not need an ITIN.

Quick answer

The IRS issues ITINs based on tax filing need and SSN ineligibility, not immigration status. A passport is not required — 12 other documents are accepted in combinations of two. Application is free and takes 6-11 weeks. Once you become SSN-eligible you stop using the ITIN and ask the IRS to merge the records. Verified August 2026.

Asylum seeker or refugee? The answer differs

SituationSSN-eligible?Needs an ITIN?
Asylum application pending, no EAD yetNoYes, if you have US-source income
Asylum applicant with an approved EADYesNo — apply for an SSN instead
Granted asylumYesNo
Refugee admitted through resettlementYes, typically on arrivalNo
Spouse or child who is not SSN-eligibleNoYes, to be claimed on a return

The rule underneath all of this is simple: the IRS issues an ITIN only to someone who is not eligible for an SSN. If you become eligible, the SSN replaces the ITIN.

Applying without a passport

Many asylum seekers left without a passport, or had one retained. This does not block an ITIN application. A passport is simply the only standalonedocument — it proves identity and foreign status at once. Without one you supply two documents from the IRS list, at least one bearing a photograph, and between them they must establish both identity and foreign status. Commonly used combinations include:

  • National identification card from your country of origin
  • Birth certificate (establishes foreign status)
  • Foreign driver's licence
  • USCIS photo identification
  • Foreign voter registration card
  • Foreign military identification card

Our full list of 13 accepted documents sets out which prove identity, which prove foreign status, and which do both.

Why document handling matters more here

Filing by mail means sending original documents or copies certified by the issuing agency to Austin, Texas, and waiting weeks to get them back. If your identity documents are difficult or impossible to replace — which is common for people who left a country under pressure — that is a real risk. A Certifying Acceptance Agent verifies your documents and issues a Certificate of Accuracy (Form 13551) so the originals never leave your hands. Notarised copies are not accepted by the IRS as a substitute.

What to do when you receive an SSN

  1. Begin using the SSN on all returns from that point onward. Do not file with both numbers.
  2. Write to the IRS ITIN Operation, P.O. Box 149342, Austin, TX 78714-9342, asking that your ITIN records be merged into your new SSN.
  3. Include a copy of your CP565 ITIN assignment notice and a copy of your Social Security card.
  4. Update your employer, bank and any credit accounts so your payment history follows you to the SSN rather than stranding it under a retired ITIN.

Learn more: What is an ITIN? · ITIN for immigrants · ITIN vs SSN

ITIN for Asylum Seekers: Frequently Asked Questions

Can asylum seekers get an ITIN?
Yes. The IRS issues ITINs based on tax filing need and SSN ineligibility, not immigration status. An asylum applicant who has US-source income and cannot obtain a Social Security Number can apply using Form W-7. Applying for an ITIN does not affect your asylum case and the IRS does not decide immigration matters.
Can I get an ITIN without a passport?
Yes. A passport is the only document that proves both identity and foreign status on its own, but the IRS accepts 12 other documents in combinations of two. Many asylum seekers use a national identification card, birth certificate, foreign driver's licence, or USCIS photo identification instead.
Do refugees need an ITIN?
Usually not. Refugees admitted through the US resettlement process normally receive employment authorisation and can obtain a Social Security Number, which replaces any need for an ITIN. Someone who is SSN-eligible should apply for the SSN rather than an ITIN.
What happens to my ITIN when I receive an SSN?
You stop using the ITIN and use the SSN instead. Write to the IRS ITIN Operation asking them to merge your prior tax records into the new SSN, including a copy of your CP565 notice and your SSN card. This preserves your filing history rather than leaving it split across two numbers.
Does applying for an ITIN put me at risk?
Federal law restricts the IRS from sharing taxpayer return information with other agencies except in narrowly defined circumstances. The IRS states that ITIN applicants' information is used for tax administration. If you have concerns specific to your situation, speak with an accredited immigration legal representative before applying.

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