How to get a US credit card as a foreigner?
An ITIN is available to certain non-residents and resident aliens who need to file federal income tax returns in the U.S. when they don't qualify for an SSN. An ITIN can help people who are applying for a credit card or opening a bank account as well.
Many credit card applications will ask you for a Social Security Number (SSN). However, you don't necessarily need an SSN to complete an application or qualify for a credit card as a non-U.S. citizen. Some issuers are very clear about being able to apply without an SSN.
- OpenSky® Plus Secured Visa® Credit Card: Best for No credit check and no bank account required.
- Chime Secured Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card: Best for No credit check + flexibility and guardrails.
- Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card: Best for Unsecured card for bad credit.
As a first step, apply for a regular credit card with your ITIN even if you lack a credit history. If you are denied, then apply for a secured credit card to establish that history. It is easier to qualify for a secured credit card than for a regular card because you put down a cash deposit as collateral.
Whether you're in the U.S. temporarily as a student or employee, or live in the country permanently but aren't yet a citizen, it may be a good idea to establish a credit history so you can get a credit score.
Some credit card issuers also offer credit cards to those without an SSN such as international students or professionals relocating to the U.S. for work. They allow you to apply using other forms of identification, such as your passport and visa information.
- Chase Freedom Rise℠ New to Credit. ...
- Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card. Limited, Bad. ...
- Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card. Limited, Fair, Good, Excellent. ...
- Rates & Fees. Discover it® Secured Credit Card. ...
- Rates & Fees.
First Progress Platinum Elite Secured Mastercard: The First Progress Platinum Elite Secured Mastercard requires no credit history or minimum credit score for approval. Your security deposit is refundable, and the card is accepted nationwide.
- OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card.
- Discover it® Secured Credit Card.
- Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card.
- Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card.
- Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit.
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is our top pick for easiest credit card to get because it's geared toward those with limited/poor credit. It offers great rewards and charges a $0 annual fee. Plus, Discover will conduct monthly account reviews after seven months to see if you qualify to get your deposit refunded.
How to build credit as a foreigner?
- Apply for a Social Security number, if possible. An SSN can help you build credit. ...
- Open a bank account in the US. ...
- Apply for a credit card. ...
- Avoid debt and late payments. ...
- Pay rent and utilities on time.
Use an ITIN To Apply for a Credit Card
If you don't have a Social Security number, you might be able to open a credit card account with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, or ITIN. That move could help you establish a credit file with the three major credit bureaus.
These credit cards from our partners are options for newcomers to the United States. Nova Credit helps newcomers use their foreign credit history to apply for products in the U.S.
Getting a credit card may be one of the items on the financial to-do list of an undocumented immigrant. Undocumented immigrants can apply for a credit card in the U.S., but they might need to jump over some hurdles to do so. These could include obtaining a federal tax ID number or qualifying for a secured credit card.
The Bottom Line. Many banks and mortgage companies offer conventional and FHA home loans to non-U.S. citizens, provided they can verify their residency status, work history, and financial track record. Lenders that work with this population extensively tend to be more flexible with the documentation you need.
While financial institutions cannot discriminate based on “national origin,” they are free to discriminate based on immigration status. Asking for a customer's citizenship helps them do that. Legal status isn't an unreasonable factor for any lender to take under consideration when looking to limit their risk.
Recommended credit cards for immigrants include Capital One Secured Mastercard, Discover It Secured Mastercard, US Bank Secured Credit Card, First Progress Platinum Prestige MasterCard Secured Credit Card, and OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card, depending on individual needs and preferences.
Some popular banks that accept ITINs for credit card applications are Chase, Bank of America, American Express, Capital One, Citi and more. Banks and companies that unfortunately do not accept an ITIN in place of a Social Security number—at least for credit card applications—are Discover, Barclays and Synchrony.
Yes, you must have a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to apply for an American Express Card.
If you do not have a Social Security Number (SSN) enter your Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN). If you do not have an SSN or ITIN leave the entry field blank.
Can I get a Wells Fargo credit card without SSN?
Wells Fargo doesn't have a specific minimum income requirement, but it will only approve you if you have a form of income. Social Security number: If you don't have one, an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) also works.
Like most major issuers, Chase requires one of these means of identification to apply for a credit card. ITINs are available to people who cannot get an SSN but still need to report U.S. income and file federal taxes.
Some of the easiest unsecured cards to get approved for are the Indigo® Mastercard®, Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card and Milestone® Mastercard®.
The easiest credit card to get with bad credit (a credit score of 300-639) is a secured credit card with no credit check such as the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card or the OpenSky® Plus Secured Visa® Credit Card. This type of card requires a deposit but doesn't check your credit history, making it very easy to get.
What is an instant approval credit card? With an instant approval credit card, you can typically receive a response to your application within minutes. But whether you're approved or denied will depend on various requirements set by the issuer, such as income, credit score, housing payments and more.