An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is the IRS issued nine digit number for people who file US taxes but cannot get a Social Security Number. About 4.4 million people in the US used an ITIN to file taxes last year, including many immigrants, international students, and undocumented residents. Most mainstream banks ask for an SSN on personal loan applications, which leaves ITIN holders shut out of traditional credit.
The good news is that a small but growing group of lenders accept an ITIN instead of an SSN for personal loans. This guide ranks the five best personal loans with an ITIN number in 2026, with realistic APR ranges and approval criteria. If you have an ITIN, steady income, and any US banking history, you have real loan options. For a wider overview of borrowing without a Social Security Number, see our personal loan with no SSN guide.
If you do not yet have an ITIN, the IRS Form W-7 application typically takes 7 to 11 weeks to process. You can apply through an IRS Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) to speed up the document verification step. Our walkthrough on how to get an ITIN covers the form, fees, and document checklist. The fastest 100 percent online path right now is TheITIN.com, which handles the IRS submission and document verification for non US residents.
TheITIN.com
TheITIN.com
No SSN? No problem. TheITIN.com makes getting your U.S. tax ID (ITIN) fast and painless — 100% online. Perfect for people who need to start building credit, file taxes, or open bank accounts in America.
Standout feature
100% online ITIN application. No hidden fees. Trusted by thousands with 4.8★ on Trustpilot.
Fees
Starting at $497
Pros
Fast, fully online process. Highly rated customer support (4.8★ Trustpilot). Transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
Cons
Processing time depends on IRS (can take up to 14 weeks).
What ITIN Lenders Actually Check
Lenders that accept an ITIN usually verify the same things mainstream lenders check, just with different identity documents. Common requirements include:
- Valid ITIN (from a recent tax filing)
- Government photo ID, often a passport, consular ID (matrícula consular), or driver's license
- Proof of US address (utility bill, lease, bank statement)
- Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, employer letter)
- Active US bank account (some lenders accept prepaid debit accounts)
Loan approval is usually based on income stability and bank account history, not US credit score (which most ITIN holders do not have yet). APRs are often higher than for SSN holders because the lender is taking on more risk with thinner credit data. If your priority is avoiding a credit pull at all, see our personal loans with no credit check breakdown for parallel options.
The 5 Best Personal Loans With an ITIN Number
The lenders below all explicitly accept an ITIN. Ranked by APR competitiveness, application accessibility, and approval flexibility.
1. Stilt
Stilt is the top pick for ITIN borrowers because it specializes in immigrants and international students. Loans of $1,000 to $35,000 with APRs typically 7 to 36 percent. Considers education, employment, and visa status instead of FICO score. Soft pull only at prequalification. Reports to all three bureaus, which helps build US credit. Available in 19 states plus DC as of 2025.
2. Camino Financial
Camino Financial offers small business and personal loans for Latino entrepreneurs, including ITIN holders. Personal loan amounts $5,000 to $35,000 with APRs typically 18 to 36 percent. Terms of 24 to 36 months. Bilingual application available. Funds in 1 to 4 business days.
3. Self-Help Federal Credit Union
Self-Help FCU is a community development credit union that accepts ITIN for membership and lending. Personal loans of $500 to $25,000 with competitive APRs (often 10 to 18 percent depending on credit profile). Branch network in California, North Carolina, Florida, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Online membership available for some non residents.
4. Latino Community Credit Union
Latino Community Credit Union (based in North Carolina with online and branch services) accepts ITIN for personal loans. Loan amounts from $500 to $15,000 with APRs typically 10 to 18 percent depending on credit profile. Designed specifically for Spanish speakers and Latino immigrant communities.
5. Mission Asset Fund
Mission Asset Fund (MAF) is a nonprofit that runs Lending Circles, a peer based credit building loan program. Loan amounts $300 to $2,400 at 0 percent APR (yes, truly zero interest). Group based model where 6 to 12 participants pool funds and take turns receiving the lump sum. Reports to all three bureaus. Free to participate but requires completing a financial education module. Available nationally through partner organizations.
Why Mainstream Lenders Reject ITIN
Most major banks, online lenders, and credit unions still require an SSN for personal loans. The reasons come down to risk management and regulatory caution.
- Identity verification systems built around SSN. Most underwriting tech stacks pull credit reports keyed on SSN and have not yet integrated ITIN flows
- Regulatory uncertainty. Some lenders worry about complying with FinCEN and KYC rules for non SSN borrowers, even though ITIN is explicitly accepted by federal regulators
- Smaller market size. Until recently, the ITIN borrowing market was considered too small to justify product investment. That is changing fast as fintechs target the segment
The lenders on this list have actively built ITIN flows into their underwriting and identity verification. They are the ones to start with, not mainstream banks where you will likely get denied even if you are otherwise qualified.
How to Build US Credit With an ITIN
If this is your first US loan, you can start building a US credit history alongside it. Our full guide on how to build credit with an ITIN covers the 90 day plan, but here are the three highest leverage moves.
- Open an ITIN credit card. Self Visa accepts ITIN. Petal and Capital One both offer ITIN paths for some applicants. Our roundup of the best credit card with an ITIN number ranks the top picks. Build a positive card tradeline at the same time as the loan.
- Add a rent reporting service. Boom, Rental Kharma, and Esusu accept ITIN holders and report rent payments to the major bureaus, adding more positive tradelines.
- Use ITIN secured credit builder products. Many community credit unions offer credit builder loans starting at $200 to $500, with on time payments reporting to all three bureaus.
Stacking 2 to 3 of these credit building products plus an ITIN personal loan can produce a FICO score in the 650+ range within 12 to 18 months, even starting from no US credit history.
Documents to Have Ready Before Applying
Gather these documents before starting the application to speed things up.
- ITIN card or recent tax return showing your ITIN
- Valid government photo ID (passport, matrícula consular, or state issued ID)
- Proof of US address from the last 60 days (utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement)
- Proof of income for the last 2 to 3 months (pay stubs, employer letter, recent tax return)
- US bank account routing and account number
- Social Security card if you have one in addition to ITIN (some lenders are more flexible if both are available)
Most applications take 10 to 20 minutes if you have these ready. Funding typically arrives within 1 to 4 business days for approved applications.
Final Thoughts
Having an ITIN instead of an SSN no longer locks you out of personal loans. The five lenders above have built real ITIN approval flows, with APRs ranging from 0 percent (Mission Asset Fund) to 36 percent (commercial lenders). Stilt is the best mainstream option if you have any US credit history. Mission Asset Fund is unbeatable for true first time borrowers. Community development credit unions like Self-Help and Latino Community CU offer the lowest commercial rates. Pair any of these with an ITIN friendly secured card and rent reporting, and you can build a usable US credit score within 12 to 18 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a personal loan with only an ITIN, no SSN?
Yes. Lenders like Stilt, Camino Financial, Self-Help FCU, Latino Community Credit Union, and Mission Asset Fund all explicitly accept ITIN borrowers for personal loans. APRs range from 0 percent (MAF Lending Circles) to about 36 percent depending on lender and credit profile.
Does a personal loan with an ITIN build my US credit score?
It can, if the lender reports payments to the three major credit bureaus. Stilt, Self-Help FCU, Latino Community Credit Union, and MAF all report to the bureaus. On time payments help build a US credit history that can unlock mainstream financial products over time.
What is the easiest ITIN personal loan to get approved for?
Mission Asset Fund Lending Circles have one of the highest approval rates because they are peer based and designed specifically for first time borrowers. Stilt is also designed for ITIN and visa holders with limited US credit history. Both consider factors beyond traditional credit score.
Can I refinance a payday loan with an ITIN personal loan?
Yes, if you qualify. Stilt and Camino Financial both allow debt consolidation as a loan purpose. An ITIN personal loan at 18 to 30 percent APR is dramatically cheaper than a payday loan at 300 to 700 percent APR, so refinancing usually saves significant money.
