Country guide · Colombia
Get an ITIN as a Colombian citizen
Last updated: August 2026
Bottom line
Get an ITIN as a Colombian citizen is straightforward once the Colombia paperwork is in order. As a Hague Convention member, Colombia issues a single apostille that the US recognizes without further legalization. Treaty status (for ITIN holders): No active US treaty. Default 30% backup withholding on US-source passive income unless the ITIN holder files Form 1040-NR with effectively-connected business income.
DIAN does not have a tailored regime for foreign-entity ownership by Colombian residents; transparent structures + clean intercompany agreements keep you out of trouble. This is the country-specific guide for Colombian 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 Colombian citizens need to apply for an ITIN
Apostille
Cancillería de Colombia (online)
~1 weeks, ~USD 35. As a Hague Convention member, Colombia issues a single apostille that the US recognizes without further legalization.
Banking flow
Colombian residents open Mercury remotely. USD wires to Bancolombia/Davivienda work; Wise COP rails are competitive vs spread at the banks.
Timezone
UTC-5, same as IRS Austin. IRS Austin is on UTC-6 / Asunción Migración on UTC-3.
Country-specific note
Common: Colombian online founders selling SaaS to US customers who need an ITIN + Mercury + W-8BEN to operate cleanly without 30% backup withholding.
Treaty status (for ITIN holders): No active US treaty. Default 30% backup withholding on US-source passive income unless the ITIN holder files Form 1040-NR with effectively-connected business income.
Questions Colombian citizens ask about itin application
How long does the apostille take for Colombian citizens? +
1 weeks through Cancillería de Colombia (online), at roughly USD 35. As a Hague Convention member, Colombia issues a single apostille that the US recognizes without further legalization.
How do Colombian-resident clients usually handle banking with their US LLC? +
Colombian residents open Mercury remotely. USD wires to Bancolombia/Davivienda work; Wise COP rails are competitive vs spread at the banks.
What is the most common reason Colombian citizens apply for an ITIN? +
Common: Colombian online founders selling SaaS to US customers who need an ITIN + Mercury + W-8BEN to operate cleanly without 30% backup withholding.
Apply for your ITIN, Colombian 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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