Quick Answer
Yes — you can use all three with an ITIN. Wise and Remitly accept an ITIN in place of an SSN to verify your identity, and Western Union accepts a foreign passport plus a government ID. Send limits depend on your verification tier, not your ITIN. This page covers the account-opening and KYC step only — for fees and rates, see our send-money guide.
Can You Use Wise, Remitly, or Western Union With an ITIN?
Yes. All three services verify ITIN holders. Wise and Remitly both accept an ITIN in place of a Social Security number to confirm your identity, and Western Union accepts a foreign passport plus a government-issued ID. You do not need an SSN to open and verify an account with any of these three providers.
| Service | Accepts ITIN? | Accepts passport? | When it asks for SSN/ITIN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | Yes | Yes | At debit card / USD account step |
| Remitly | Yes | Yes | At sign-up identity verification |
| Western Union | Via passport | Yes | Passport accepted in place of SSN |
An ITIN is the IRS tax-processing number many immigrants use where an SSN is requested — the IRS explains it on its Individual Taxpayer Identification Number page. For how transfers actually cost and the 2026 remittance tax, see our guide on how to send money abroad with an ITIN.
How Do You Verify a Wise Account With an ITIN?
An ITIN works as the SSN alternative on Wise. You enter it during identity verification just as a U.S. citizen would enter an SSN. Wise typically asks for an SSN or ITIN specifically at one point: when you order a Wise debit card or open USD account details. Up to that step, basic transfers do not require either number.
If you would rather not provide an ITIN at the card or USD-account step, you can contact Wise to verify your identity another way. For everyday apps that work without an SSN at all, see our roundup of payment apps that work without an SSN.
How Do You Open a Remitly Account With an ITIN?
Remitly accepts a passport, SSN, ITIN, or other government-issued ID for U.S. identity verification, so you open an account with whichever document you have. You sign up, enter your details, and submit the ID Remitly requests — an ITIN is one of the four accepted options, alongside a foreign passport for senders without any U.S. number.
Because Remitly accepts four document types, it is one of the easier services for ITIN holders to verify. Once verification is complete, the lower caps on unverified accounts lift. If you are still choosing where to keep your money, compare options in our guide to the best banks for ITIN holders.
Can You Use Western Union With an ITIN or Passport?
Yes. Western Union accepts a foreign passport plus a government-issued ID for identity verification, so a passport stands in for an SSN. You provide your name, date of birth, and U.S. address with the passport, which makes Western Union a practical route for ITIN holders who prefer to verify with a passport rather than a number.
Western Union runs both an app and a large network of in-person agent locations, so you can verify and send either online or at a counter. The identity check is the same in both channels. Curious how an ITIN differs from an SSN in the first place? See ITIN vs. SSN explained.
What ID Documents Do These Services Require From ITIN Holders?
All three ask for your name, date of birth, and a U.S. address, plus one identity document: an ITIN, a foreign passport, or another government-issued ID. Wise and Remitly accept an ITIN as the SSN alternative; Western Union and Remitly accept a passport. The core data — name, DOB, address — is identical across the three.
An ITIN is issued by the IRS for tax purposes; the IRS documents what it is and how to apply on its ITIN page. Keep the physical document or letter handy, since some flows ask you to photograph the passport or read the number from your ITIN assignment letter (CP565).
Do Send Limits Differ for ITIN-Verified Accounts?
No. Send limits track your verification tier, not your ITIN status. An unverified account carries lower caps on all three services; completing full identity verification — whether you verified with an ITIN, an SSN, or a passport — lifts those caps to the standard limits. Using an ITIN does not place you in a lower tier than an SSN user.
If your limits feel low, the fix is finishing verification, not switching your document type. The actual dollar limits and any per-transaction fees vary by service and corridor — those belong to the cost side. See our send-money guide for current fees, rates, and the 2026 remittance tax.
What If an App Asks for an SSN You Don't Have?
Request alternate ID verification. On Wise and Remitly an ITIN substitutes directly for the SSN field, and a foreign passport works on Remitly and Western Union. If a form labels the field "SSN" with no ITIN option shown, contact support and ask to verify your identity another way — none of the three require a U.S.-born SSN.
This is the same pattern across most fintech apps: the SSN prompt is a verification step, not a citizenship test. For a fuller list of services that onboard without an SSN, see payment apps without an SSN, and compare account options in best banks for ITIN holders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Wise require an SSN to send money?
No. Wise accepts an ITIN in place of an SSN to verify your identity. Wise may ask for an SSN or ITIN specifically when you order a Wise debit card or open USD account details. If you would rather not provide it, you can contact Wise to verify your identity another way.
Will Remitly accept my passport instead of an ITIN?
Yes. Remitly accepts a passport, SSN, ITIN, or other government-issued ID for U.S. identity verification, so you can use whichever document you have. A foreign passport is a common choice for senders without an SSN or ITIN. Completing verification lifts the lower send caps on unverified accounts.
Can I get a Wise USD account or debit card with only an ITIN?
Yes. An ITIN works as the SSN alternative for Wise. The card and USD account details step is the point where Wise may ask for an SSN or ITIN specifically. If you do not want to provide a number, contact Wise to verify your identity another way before ordering the card.
Does Western Union need an SSN?
No. Western Union accepts a foreign passport plus a government-issued ID for identity verification, so you do not need an SSN to open an account or send money. You provide your name, date of birth, and U.S. address along with the ID document Western Union accepts.
Which of the three is best if I only have a passport?
If you only have a foreign passport, Western Union and Remitly are the most direct, because both accept a passport as the identity document. Wise leans on an SSN or ITIN at the card and USD-account step, though you can ask Wise to verify your identity another way. This page covers verification, not fees.
Do international transfers with an ITIN get reported to the IRS?
Your ITIN status does not change how a transfer is reported. Reporting rules apply to the transaction and amount, not to whether you used an ITIN or an SSN to verify. For the 2026 remittance tax and fee details, see our guide on how to send money abroad with an ITIN rather than relying on unverified ZIP-code or threshold rumors.