ITIN Application Status Inquiry Guide

1. Check IRS Processing Timeline Online

You can visit the IRS official page below to understand the general processing progress:

This page only shows monthly processing status, not individual cases. For example, it may display that applications submitted in October 2025 are currently being processed. This is for reference only and does not confirm your individual ITIN status.

2. When Will You Receive the ITIN Letter?

After the IRS finishes processing your ITIN application, the approval letter is usually mailed out within 8 to 10 days. The letter will be sent to our U.S. mailing address.

Once we receive the letter, we will scan and send it to you immediately. If you want the ITIN number earlier, you can call the IRS directly to ask for it by phone.

Please note that the IRS allows ITIN status inquiries only after 14 weeks. We strongly recommend calling around 90 days after the IRS received your application.

3. IRS ITIN Inquiry Phone Number

The IRS ITIN Office phone number is (800) 908-9982. If calling from outside the U.S., dial +1 800 908 9982.

Google Voice (GV) does not work. You must use a real U.S. phone number or an international phone line.

Business hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Eastern Time. If calling from China, you can usually start calling after 10:00 PM Beijing Time.

After the call connects, press 1 for English service. Press 2 for Spanish.

You will hear something like "Get W-7 forms" - ignore this. Then press 2 to check the status of your ITIN application.

The system may say the wait time is long and suggest a callback. You can press 1 for a callback, or simply stay on the line.

You will then hear hold music, usually piano music. In the best case, the wait is 15 to 30 minutes. In the worst case, it may be up to 1 hour.

5. When You Are Connected to an IRS Officer

The officer will introduce themselves and give their employee ID number. You can start with:

Hello Officer, I would like to inquire about the status of my ITIN application. It has been over 10 to 14 weeks since I submitted it. Thank you.

Please note that the IRS officially allows calls after 14 weeks.

6. Identity Verification Questions

The officer will say: "For security reasons, I need to ask you a few questions to verify your identity."

You can reply: "Sure."

The first question is about your name. The officer may ask "What's your name?" or "What's your first name and last name?"

Example answer:

My full name is XXXXXX XXXX. The first name is spelled X-X-X-X-X-X, and the last name is spelled X-X-X-X.

If asked about a middle name, say:

No, I don't have a middle name.

The second question is about your nationality or place of birth. The officer may ask "What's your nationality?" or "Where were you born?"

Simply answer:

China.

The third question is about your address, and this is very important. The officer will ask "What's your address?"

You should provide your home or residential address in English, and remember to include your postal code. If the officer specifically asks for the mailing address, provide:

1606 Headway Cir STE 19098 Austin, TX 78754 USA.

7. Possible Results You Will Hear

If your ITIN is still being processed, the officer may say:

We received your application on September 26th, and we're still processing it. It will likely be completed soon.

If your ITIN has been approved, the officer may say:

We sent it out on October 22nd. You should receive it by October 31st. Would you like me to tell you the number now?

You can reply:

Yes, please tell me the number now.

The officer will read it slowly, for example: "It's 9XX-XX-XXXX." You can say "Pardon?" or "Uh-huh?" to confirm and make sure you write it down correctly.

8. Ending the Call

You can politely close the call by saying:

Thank you very much, Officer. I have no further questions. Have a nice day. Bye.

How to Check Your ITIN Application Status by Calling the IRS