Strategy to obtain US Amex

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Hoping for some advice from the brains trust here. I applied for an ITIN at the end of June, was granted one at the start of September, but am yet to see either the ITIN confirmation letter or my passport. Does anyone know roughly how much longer I should be waiting? Getting somewhat anxious as I have a couple of overseas trips coming up shortly.

Timeline:
30 June: ITIN application and passport sent
8 July: package delivered to Austin Texas
1 September: ITIN granted (I called in mid September and was informed of this)

Don't quote me on this but I recalled reading somewhere that they always recommend giving the IRS 2-3 months to return your passport. I'm assuming the ITIN letter is automated. So you should definitely see the ITIN letter first.

I'm assuming these are Australian addresses? If so there isn't much you can do but wait. I'm surprised you didn't do the certified option via the consulate.
 
Thank you both!
Did you apply direct to the IRS, or through an Acceptance Agent? My ITIN application was through EIN Express and I did not need to send my passport away. EIN Express emailed me a copy of the IRS approval letter.
I applied directly to the IRS, mainly because I didn't want a third party handling my personal information (and also because I was reasonably confident that I could navigate the forms myself).

Don't quote me on this but I recalled reading somewhere that they always recommend giving the IRS 2-3 months to return your passport. I'm assuming the ITIN letter is automated. So you should definitely see the ITIN letter first.

I'm assuming these are Australian addresses? If so there isn't much you can do but wait. I'm surprised you didn't do the certified option via the consulate.

Yep sent from Australia and expecting to be sent back to an Australian address, and yes I definitely regret not going down the certify via consulate path. I had read some data points around them refusing to certify if they didn't think you had grounds to apply for an ITIN, so thought I might have better chances by just sidestepping that issue altogether. Succeeded in one way, failed in others :(

Do you remember if the 2-3 months is from ITIN approval to passport in hand, or from ITIN application submission?
 
Thank you both!

I applied directly to the IRS, mainly because I didn't want a third party handling my personal information (and also because I was reasonably confident that I could navigate the forms myself).



Yep sent from Australia and expecting to be sent back to an Australian address, and yes I definitely regret not going down the certify via consulate path. I had read some data points around them refusing to certify if they didn't think you had grounds to apply for an ITIN, so thought I might have better chances by just sidestepping that issue altogether. Succeeded in one way, failed in others :(

Do you remember if the 2-3 months is from ITIN approval to passport in hand, or from ITIN application submission?

They only certify if you cleaim tax treaty I think, ticking a/h ie expecting some income/royalty income/interests which needs extra docs from those companies. If you apply for ITIN to file tax (which I believe most companies use this route), they won't do it.

I got them to certify mine using the royalty income route which I heard not working anymore. I got a certified copy of my passport back around a week before receiving ITIN in the mail. This was before Covid though. They used snail mail so it could take at least 3 - 4 weeks or more these days. At least you haven't got both. I would be worried if I got one and not the other after a few weeks.
 
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I got my ITIN approved a few weeks ago. How does one verify that you’re good to go to apply for new bank accounts/cards using the ITIN?
 
I used mine straight away though Sina Bonabi from EIN Express whose service I used for mine recommended I wait a month. By then I'd made my first application for the CSP. In hindsight had I gotten that advice before rushing headlong to start applying, I would have done so.
 
Yep sent from Australia and expecting to be sent back to an Australian address, and yes I definitely regret not going down the certify via consulate path. I had read some data points around them refusing to certify if they didn't think you had grounds to apply for an ITIN, so thought I might have better chances by just sidestepping that issue altogether. Succeeded in one way, failed in others :(

Do you remember if the 2-3 months is from ITIN approval to passport in hand, or from ITIN application submission?

It was 2-3 months after approval. Mainly due to snail mail and just getting caught up in the transit.

I got my ITIN approved a few weeks ago. How does one verify that you’re good to go to apply for new bank accounts/cards using the ITIN?

I would wait a month so you give your cards a chance to link up with a "profile". There are many DPs about ITIN not linking etc but I would sit tight and just give it some time so you don't get rejected for no reason.
 
I used mine straight away though Sina Bonabi from EIN Express whose service I used for mine recommended I wait a month. By then I'd made my first application for the CSP. In hindsight had I gotten that advice before rushing headlong to start applying, I would have done so.
As a DP, my ITIN was approved by the IRS six weeks ago. I tried yesterday for the Amex checking account. However, it seems that my ITIN is not in the system for Credit Bureaux as Amex is unable to verify my identity (presumably through Experian, and maybe others). After speaking with Amex, it seems that I will need to do Notary cam and send a copy of my ITIN approval as well. I already have 4 x Amex cards (by GT) so it’s all a bit mysterious.
 
As another DP, my ITIN was approved by IRS dated about a week ago and approved for Amex checking account last night after sending in AU passport and ITIN docs
 
There's a new Chase Freedom Unlimited Welcome Bonus Offer: double rewards on all purchases for the first 12 months, with no caps.

How does this card work? Is it like Citi Double Cash where you can convert your cashback to reward points?

EDIT: Argh, those two cards have foreign transaction fees :-(
 
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As another DP, my ITIN was approved by IRS dated about a week ago and approved for Amex checking account last night after sending in AU passport and ITIN docs
That sounds good. When they asked for a copy of the IRS ITIN approval and a copy of the AU passport, were you able to upload those through an Amex website or by some other means? I’m just looking at my options for ID verification
 
That sounds good. When they asked for a copy of the IRS ITIN approval and a copy of the AU passport, were you able to upload those through an Amex website or by some other means? I’m just looking at my options for ID verification
After application I got an email requesting more info by fax, mail or by calling in. Gave the number a call and verified via existing US Amex. The rep then sent an email detailing instructions to submit the docs through.

It’s kind of like a portal but not exactly. You make an “EncryptedExchange” account and send them an “email” via the webpage to the address given in the instructions email. Pretty straightforward and quick, got an approval 4-5 hrs later. There’s a $250 SUB available now as well. It took a few tries before the offer visibly shows up on the side panel during the application screen so watch out for that.

The rep asked for a front of a drivers license and the ITIN form, while the original email requesting additional info asked for a Government ID and IRS letter 685c. I sent them the IRS ITIN form that I received (CP565) and my AUS passport and had no issues.
 
Received an email from Wise this morning advising that our US Bank details are changing.

This is relevant for those of us that use Wise for our US Amex DD payments

Based on the ACH it looks to be the Community Federal Savings Bank (no longer Evolve) but I have put in a support question to Wise and will post the answer when I get it
 
Would it be better to signup with someones Chase Card referral vs. Applying directly through Chase?


Its not for me as I do not have an ITIN right now, but a friend of mine has a US Chase, just considering when I do get my ITIN, which is actually better value, or maybe they're both the same.
 
Would it be better to signup with someones Chase Card referral vs. Applying directly through Chase?


Its not for me as I do not have an ITIN right now, but a friend of mine has a US Chase, just considering when I do get my ITIN, which is actually better value, or maybe they're both the same.
You should get the same bonus regardless. But it’s a nice helpful thing to use a referral link so your friend gets a small reward. Every bit helps!
 
You should get the same bonus regardless. But it’s a nice helpful thing to use a referral link so your friend gets a small reward. Every bit helps!
Yes, I want to use it when I also apply for mine, because they get 75k bonus points or approx $900 worth so it’s a really good deal, maybe I could snag half 😏
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Apparently people are getting confirmation email for welcome bonus within few days of qualifying DD followed by posting cash deposit within few couple of days of the email.
Doctor of credit forum is pretty good for getting data points on US card and bank deals….
When you credit the $500, can you withdraw it afterwards like say 10-20 mins, or does it need to stay there in the account for a set period of time to qualify for the bonus?
 
Received an email from Wise this morning advising that our US Bank details are changing.

This is relevant for those of us that use Wise for our US Amex DD payments

Based on the ACH it looks to be the Community Federal Savings Bank (no longer Evolve) but I have put in a support question to Wise and will post the answer when I get it
Got a reply from Wise, this evening

in part the email said …

”[…] Please be informed that we’re moving all existing customers (consumer and business) from Evolve USD account details to CFSB.“

So you’ll need to update your Amex DD details accordingly
 
Uploaded passport and US bank statement for Hyatt Business card as requested. Then I get a letter to my personal account with CSP saying they declined an application that used my details due to suspected ID theft. LOL.

Anyone encountered this and will ringing up result in approval?
 
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