Issuing of IIN number

The IIN is the first six digits of the long number found on the front of debit or credit cards, and other personalized cards such as those used for health systems. It is a standardized global numbering scheme used to identify the institution that issued the card.

The IIN structure is defined within ISO/IEC 7812-1Identification cards – Identification of issuers – Part 1: Numbering system, developed by the ISO/IEC joint technical committee JTC 1, subcommittee SC 17, Cards and personal identification, adopted by BAS/TC 1, Information technology, adopted by BAS/TC 1, Information technology.

Each card issuer can only be assigned one (1) Issuer Identification Number (IIN). The IIN should be used to identify the card issuer only. Having only one IIN means that you must use this IIN in such a way that it can identify all products, services, geographic locations and technologies that your company currently offers or might wish to offer in the future. Applications for a second IIN are automatically rejected.

In today’s world where new card products and services are being introduced almost daily, it is vital that proper preparation for your company’s future card business begins now.

In order to obtain more information on this subject and to complete the form, we recommend that you purchase the standards BAS ISO/IEC 7812-1:2018Identification cards - Identification of issuers - Part 1: Numbering system and BAS ISO/IEC 7812-2:2018Identification cards - Identification of issuers - Part 2: Application and registration procedures (standards are in English).

The purchase of these standards is not mandatory.

Read more about the IIN number here.

Download the application form for issuing the IIN number here.

If you have additional questions, contact us via email stand@isbih.gov.ba.