Country guide · Canada
Get an ITIN as a Canadian citizen
Last updated: August 2026
Bottom line
Get an ITIN as a Canadian citizen is straightforward once the Canada paperwork is in order. As a Hague Convention member, Canada issues a single apostille that the US recognizes without further legalization. Treaty status (for ITIN holders): Active US treaty available, use Form W-8BEN to claim reduced withholding once the ITIN is assigned.
CRA scrutiny on US LLCs is real, single-member LLC is treated as a foreign corporation, not a flow-through, for Canadian tax. Talk to a cross-border CPA before structuring. This is the country-specific guide for Canadian citizens to get an itin, apostille, banking, and treaty notes that change by jurisdiction. For the canonical procedural sequence (the steps everyone follows regardless of citizenship), see the main ITIN application page.
An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is the IRS-issued tax ID for non-US residents without an SSN. It unlocks US tax filings, US bank accounts at issuers that require a TIN, and, most importantly for digital nomads, a US credit file. The application is Form W-7 + a valid reason code + original ID documents. Wrong reason code is the #1 cause of rejection.
What Canadian citizens need to apply for an ITIN
Apostille
Global Affairs Canada (apostille since Jan 2024)
~2·3 weeks, ~USD 30. As a Hague Convention member, Canada issues a single apostille that the US recognizes without further legalization.
Banking flow
Canadian residents open Mercury remotely. USD outbound to RBC/TD/BMO USD accounts is same-day. Wealthsimple Cash accepts Mercury inflows.
Timezone
UTC-5 to UTC-8 depending on province. IRS Austin is on UTC-6 / Asunción Migración on UTC-3.
Country-specific note
Common: Canadian SaaS founders and creators with US customers who need an ITIN to file Form 1040-NR + claim treaty-rate withholding.
Treaty status (for ITIN holders): Active US treaty available, use Form W-8BEN to claim reduced withholding once the ITIN is assigned.
Questions Canadian citizens ask about itin application
How long does the apostille take for Canadian citizens? +
2·3 weeks through Global Affairs Canada (apostille since Jan 2024), at roughly USD 30. As a Hague Convention member, Canada issues a single apostille that the US recognizes without further legalization.
How do Canadian-resident clients usually handle banking with their US LLC? +
Canadian residents open Mercury remotely. USD outbound to RBC/TD/BMO USD accounts is same-day. Wealthsimple Cash accepts Mercury inflows.
What is the most common reason Canadian citizens apply for an ITIN? +
Common: Canadian SaaS founders and creators with US customers who need an ITIN to file Form 1040-NR + claim treaty-rate withholding.
Apply for your ITIN, Canadian citizen
See the full procedural sequence on the canonical ITIN application page, or jump straight to the apply form.
Apply for your ITINKeep going
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