How to get a US credit card as a non-resident
You don't need an SSN to get a US credit card. Capital One, Citi, Bank of America, American Express, and Chase all take an ITIN. What you do need is a US address and a first card that approves people with no US history. This guide shows which one to pick and how to move up from there.
Updated 5 min read
- Credit card
- Secured card
- Non-residents
- From abroad
Ask members who've already done this.
- Tax ID
- ITIN or SSN
- First card
- Secured, from $200
- US address
- Required
- First score
- About 6 months
What every issuer asks for
- An ITIN works in place of an SSN at the major issuers
- It goes in the same box as the SSN
- A passport alone almost never gets you a card
- A residential street address, not a P.O. box
- Mail-forwarding addresses are often rejected
- Be ready to show a bill or bank statement for it
- Income you can document, from any country
- A US bank account to pay the bill and fund a deposit
- Your housing cost, which most applications ask
No ITIN yet? Start there: How to get an ITIN as a foreigner. No US bank account yet? See How to open a US bank account as a non-resident.
Issuers that take an ITIN
| Issuer | Card to start with | Applying with an ITIN |
|---|---|---|
| Capital One | Platinum Secured or Quicksilver Secured | Online. Capital One names both cards for ITIN applicants |
| Citi | Citi Secured Mastercard — $200 to $2,500 deposit, no annual fee | Online or in a branch. The application asks for “SSN or ITIN” |
| Bank of America | BankAmericard Secured — $200 to $5,000 deposit, no annual fee | In a financial center. The online application sends ITIN holders to a branch |
| American Express | Unsecured cards only | Online, ITIN in the SSN box. Realistic once you have some US history — or through Global Transfer |
| Chase | Freedom Rise, or Freedom Unlimited with UK or Canadian history | Online or in a branch. Easier if you already bank with Chase |
Which card approved you first?
See which cards approved members with an ITIN and no US history, and ask about yours before you apply.
Three ways in
With no US credit history, an unsecured card will usually say no. These are the routes that work for newcomers:
- For anyone with no US history
- Your refundable deposit becomes your limit
- Reports to the bureaus like any card
- Upgrade or get your deposit back after 6–12 months
- Amex Global Transfer, if you hold an Amex card abroad
- Chase with Nova Credit, for UK or Canadian history
- Can mean a real rewards card on day one
- Someone with good credit adds you to their card
- Their on-time history can show up on your file
- Pick someone you trust: their late payments count too
Step by step
- 1
Get your ITIN and a US address
Both go on every application. Use the name exactly as it appears on your ITIN letter.
- 2
Open a US bank account
You'll pay your bill from it, and secured cards take the deposit from it. A checking account at the same bank as the card can make approval easier.
- 3
Check pre-approval first
Capital One lets you see if you're pre-approved without a hard inquiry. Use tools like this before you submit anything.
- 4
Apply for one card
A secured card if you have no US history, or a Global Transfer or Nova Credit card if you qualify. Each application is a hard inquiry, so space them a few months apart.
- 5
Use it lightly and pay in full
Put a small bill on it, set up autopay for the full statement balance, and keep the balance well below your limit when the statement closes.
- 6
Check your score after 6 months
That's when most scoring models can first score you. Equifax lets you check with an ITIN — see how to check your credit score.
- 7
Move up
After 6–12 months of on-time payments, ask for your secured card to become unsecured, or apply for a second card with rewards.
Habits that build the score
- Pay every statement on time. Payment history is the biggest part of your score.
- Keep the reported balance low — under 30% of your limit, and under 10% is better.
- Don't close your first card. Its age keeps helping your score for years.
- If you spend abroad, use a card with no foreign transaction fees. Capital One charges none on its cards.
- Keep your ITIN active by filing when you need to: it expires after 3 years without a federal tax return.
Questions
Sources
- Capital One: how to get a credit card with an ITINcapitalone.com
- Capital One: credit cards for recent immigrantscapitalone.com
- Citi Secured Mastercardciti.com
- BankAmericard Secured Credit Cardbankofamerica.com
- American Express: how to get a credit cardamericanexpress.com
- American Express: moving to the United Statesamericanexpress.com
- Chase: apply with international credit historychase.com
Join ITIN Club — it's free
Ask members who've already done it, follow the first-year course step by step, and message other members directly. No SSN needed.