Quick Answer
Some issuers may accept an ITIN in place of an SSN, but policies vary and approval is never guaranteed. Confirm the current requirements before applying. General starting points:
- No U.S. credit: Compare secured cards with documented deposits and reporting terms.
- Established history: Check rewards-card eligibility and current terms with each issuer.
- Travel rewards: Check the issuer's current identification and credit-history requirements.
Apply only through an issuer that confirms it accepts your ITIN and application channel. Some applicants may need additional identity documents or a branch or phone application.
The In-Branch Chase Approach
A path some ITIN holders have used for a first U.S. credit card: open a Chase checking account in person, then ask the banker about the Chase Freedom Unlimited the same day — even with zero U.S. credit history, no prior cards, and nothing on file. Bankers often recommend the Freedom Flex first since it can be easier to qualify for with thin credit. Applicants can ask to be considered for the Freedom Unlimited instead. A common piece of branch advice: funding the new Chase account with a meaningful deposit can strengthen the application. Reported starting limits in these cases tend to be modest, and approval, timing, and credit limits depend on the full credit profile and the bank's policies at the time. Approval is never guaranteed.
Some applicants report applying online for the Chase Sapphire Preferred roughly six months later. Having an existing banking relationship may help the conversation but does not guarantee approval. If you're considering applying in branch, call ahead and ask what documents and credit profile they typically look for.
After two Chase cards have reported several months of on-time payments, some ITIN holders go on to apply online for the Capital One Savor, the Amex Blue Cash Everyday, the Amex Gold, and the Amex Blue Business Plus. Approval criteria and ITIN acceptance can change, so check the issuer's current application before you apply.
Can You Get a Credit Card With an ITIN?
Some issuers may accept ITIN applications, but policies and approval criteria vary. Confirm the current requirements directly with the issuer. If you have no U.S. credit history, compare secured cards first, then consider rewards cards only after you have established a record that meets the issuer's criteria.
Newer to the U.S. and weighing all your options? See best credit cards for immigrants, which compares secured, newcomer, and ITIN cards by situation, and our guide to how immigrants build credit in the U.S. If you still need a checking account, start with the best banks for immigrants or our full banking guide for immigrants.
Which Credit Cards Accept ITIN in 2026?
ITIN acceptance is issuer- and product-specific and can change. With no U.S. credit history, compare secured cards and verify deposits, fees, reporting, and identification requirements. After building history, use each issuer's current eligibility guidance rather than assuming a particular card or approval timeline.
| Card | Deposit | Annual Fee | Credit Check | Cash Back | Foreign Txn Fee | All 3 Bureaus | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Platinum Secured | $49–$200 | $0 | Hard pull | None | None | Yes | First card, zero credit history |
| OpenSky® Secured Visa® | $200–$3,000 | $35 | None | None | 3% | Yes | No credit check — if denied elsewhere |
| Self Visa® Credit Card | $100+ (from savings) | $0 yr1 / $25 | None | None | 1% | Yes | Build savings + credit simultaneously |
| BofA Customized Cash Secured | $300–$4,900 | $0 | Hard pull | 3% chosen category | 3% | Yes | Building credit with some cash back |
| Capital One QuicksilverOne | None | $39 | Hard pull | 1.5% everywhere | None | Yes | Thin/fair credit, rewards without deposit |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | None | $0 | Hard pull | 1.5–5% | None | Yes | Good credit, top no-fee rewards card |
| Amex Blue Cash Everyday® | None | $0 | Hard pull | 3% groceries/gas/retail | None | Yes | Everyday spending, established credit |
| Discover it® Secured | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSN required — not available with ITIN |
Terms set by each issuer and subject to change — confirm on the issuer's site before applying. Credit check type reflects the application inquiry.
Which Rewards Cards Can ITIN Holders Get?
Each card below requires current issuer verification for ITIN eligibility, application channel, fees, and credit history. A U.S. address or established history may be required, but there is no universal timeline. Read the issuer's terms before applying and avoid relying on community reports as confirmation.
For category-specific picks, see the best travel, cash back, dining & grocery, and no-annual-fee credit cards for ITIN holders.
Chase Cards
1.5–5% cash back on all purchases. No annual fee. Review the issuer’s current identification, credit-score, and approval requirements before applying; do not assume an ITIN can be entered in the SSN field.
5x points on Chase Travel, 3x on dining. $50 annual hotel credit. Review current identification and credit requirements directly with Chase; approval and ITIN acceptance are not guaranteed.
American Express Cards
For how Amex handles ITIN applications and which cards approve fastest, see our full guide to American Express with an ITIN.
3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. online retail, and U.S. gas stations. No annual fee. Verify current identification and approval requirements with American Express before applying.
2x Membership Rewards points on all purchases up to $50,000/year. No annual fee. Excellent for freelancers and self-employed ITIN holders. Counts as a business card but does not require a formal business — sole proprietors qualify.
4x points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, 3x on flights. $120 dining credit + $120 Uber Cash annually. Review current identification, credit, and fee requirements with American Express; approval is not guaranteed.
Capital One Cards
Capital One is one of the most ITIN-friendly issuers — see our dedicated guide to opening a Capital One account with an ITIN.
3% cash back on dining, entertainment, streaming, and grocery stores. No annual fee. Verify current identification and approval requirements with Capital One before applying.
1.5% cash back on every purchase — no categories, no rotating quarterly limits. No security deposit required — this is an unsecured card. Review current identification, annual-fee, credit, and upgrade terms with Capital One before applying.
Which Secured Cards Work for ITIN Holders With No Credit History?
If you just got your ITIN and have no U.S. credit history, compare secured cards first. A secured card generally requires a cash deposit that becomes your credit limit. The timing and score outcome vary by bureau, scoring model, account data, and reporting; on-time payments help, but no product guarantees a score or approval.
Capital One lists $49, $99, or $200 minimum deposits, no annual fee, and reporting to the three major bureaus for Platinum Secured. Confirm current identification, approval, and possible upgrade-review terms directly with Capital One.
Deposit, fees, reporting, identification requirements, and approval criteria vary by product. Confirm Bank of America’s current secured-card terms directly before applying.
OpenSky lists different secured-card products and terms. Its standard application currently lists a $200 minimum deposit and $35 annual fee; confirm current inquiry, reporting, identification, and approval terms directly.
Self lists a $100 minimum deposit for its secured card, says it does not require a hard inquiry, and says it reports to all three bureaus. It lists a $0 first-year annual fee and $25 after; confirm current eligibility and product terms, including ITIN acceptance, directly.
$200 minimum deposit. 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, 1% everywhere else. No annual fee. Excellent card — but requires an SSN. ITIN is not accepted. If you're building credit with an ITIN, use Capital One Platinum Secured instead.
Does Discover accept ITIN? →The one rule that matters
Pay your full balance before the due date every single month. Never carry a balance. This builds your score faster than anything else. Setting up autopay for the full balance removes the risk of ever missing a payment.
How Do I Apply for a Credit Card With an ITIN?
Apply online and enter your 9-digit ITIN in the application's Social Security Number field — most issuer forms accept it, and Chase, American Express, and Capital One all process ITIN applications. You'll also need a U.S. address, income information, and (for rewards cards) an existing credit history. Follow these steps:
An ITIN is a tax ID issued by the IRS to people not eligible for an SSN — see the IRS ITIN page for official requirements.
- Choose the right card for your credit level. No credit history: start with a secured card (Capital One Platinum Secured or OpenSky). Score of 670+: you can apply for unsecured rewards cards like Chase Freedom Unlimited or Capital One Savor.
- Go to the issuer's website and start the application. Use the official issuer site — not a third-party comparison site — to avoid misdirected applications.
- Follow the issuer’s identification instructions. Do not assume an ITIN can be entered in an SSN field. If the form rejects your identification, contact the issuer and do not submit repeated applications.
- Apply in-branch if the online form fails. Visit a branch location and apply at the counter. Branch applications always allow ITIN — the representative can process it manually. Bring your ITIN, a government-issued photo ID (passport), and proof of U.S. address.
- Wait for approval and activate. Approval usually takes 7–10 business days by mail. Once approved, activate the card, set up autopay for the full statement balance, and keep utilization below 10% of your limit.
What Mistakes Should ITIN Holders Avoid With Credit Cards?
- Applying for rewards cards before any credit history. Chase, Amex, and Capital One rewards cards require an established credit score. If you apply with no history, you'll be declined and take a hard inquiry hit. Build 12 months with a secured card first.
- Carrying a balance. Paying only the minimum costs you interest and keeps your utilization high — the single biggest drag on your score. Pay the full statement balance before the due date every month.
- Closing your first secured card once you upgrade. Your first card's age and credit limit both help your score. Don't close it — just stop using it or put one small recurring charge on it. Many secured cards graduate to unsecured automatically.
- Applying for multiple cards at once. Each hard inquiry temporarily dips your score. Space applications at least 3–6 months apart, especially in the early stages of building credit.
- Assuming every product reports the same way. Reporting policies differ by issuer and product. Confirm whether the account reports to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion before applying.
- Assuming Discover or other SSN-only cards will accept your ITIN. Discover it Secured is a great card — but it requires an SSN. Don't apply and take the denial. Use Capital One Platinum Secured or OpenSky instead.
How Do I Check My Credit Score With an ITIN?
You can check your credit information without assuming that an ITIN works everywhere an SSN is requested. A score appears only when the scoring model has enough qualifying data, and timing varies. AnnualCreditReport.com’s request form provides an ITIN option; follow its current instructions and verify your identity.
AnnualCreditReport.com has the mail-in forms, and the CFPB's credit reports guide explains your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. For ongoing monitoring, many credit cards (including Capital One and Chase) show your score for free in their apps once your account is open.
For a full walkthrough, see: How to check your credit score with an ITIN →
Do I Qualify for a Travel Credit Card With an ITIN?
Some ITIN holders may qualify for travel rewards cards, but issuer identification and approval rules vary. Review the current application and eligibility requirements for each card. Credit history, income, debt, and other factors may matter; a secured card can be a lower-risk starting point if you have little U.S. history.
If you have less than 1 year of U.S. credit history with an ITIN, the Capital One Platinum Secured is the fastest path to building the score you'll need for travel cards. Capital One also offers the Venture X (a travel card) and uses a holistic underwriting model that can be more favorable to newer-history applicants than other issuers.
Full breakdown: best travel credit cards with an ITIN →
Which Banks Accept ITIN for Credit Cards?
Issuer policies differ and can change. Capital One, Citibank, Bank of America, Chase, and American Express should be checked individually for current ITIN eligibility, application channel, and documentation. Discover's secured-card application currently lists an SSN, U.S. address, and U.S. bank account.
Capital One offers several card products, including Platinum Secured. American Express also offers multiple products. Identification, credit, income, and approval requirements are product-specific and can change, so verify them directly with each issuer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can undocumented immigrants get a credit card?
Some people can obtain credit cards using an ITIN, but issuer policies, identity requirements, and approval criteria vary. A U.S. address, income, and credit history may be required. Capital One lists $49, $99, or $200 minimum deposits for its Platinum Secured card; confirm ITIN eligibility directly before applying. Discover's secured-card application lists an SSN.
What credit score do I need to get a Chase or Amex card?
For the Chase Freedom Unlimited, you generally need a score of 670+. For the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Amex Gold, you typically need 720+. Capital One Savor is more flexible and sometimes approves scores in the 650–670 range. These are general guidelines — actual approval depends on your full credit profile.
How long does it take to go from no credit to a rewards card?
There is no reliable universal timeline or score range for moving from no credit to a rewards card. Reported account history, income, existing debt, application rules, and the issuer's scoring model all matter. Build history with accounts whose eligibility you confirm, pay on time, and use prequalification when available.
Which secured credit cards for ITIN holders report to all three bureaus?
Capital One and Self state that their secured cards report to the three major credit bureaus. Verify OpenSky's current reporting terms before applying. Reporting does not guarantee that every bureau will display an account at the same time. Discover also states that its secured card reports to the major bureaus, but its application lists an SSN.
Is there a credit card for ITIN holders with no credit check at all?
OpenSky advertises secured-card products with different deposits and fees, including a $200 minimum deposit and $35 annual fee for its standard card. Self states that its secured card does not require a hard credit inquiry and uses eligibility criteria such as income and expenses. Neither product guarantees approval; confirm current ITIN eligibility directly with the issuer.
Can I get a credit card with an ITIN and no credit history?
Capital One lists $49, $99, or $200 minimum deposits for its Platinum Secured card and says the account reports to the three major credit bureaus. Self states that its secured card does not require a hard credit inquiry and reports to all three bureaus. Confirm ITIN eligibility and current terms before applying.
Does applying for a credit card with an ITIN hurt my credit score?
A credit-card application may result in a hard inquiry, depending on the issuer and application stage. Self states that its secured card does not require a hard inquiry; confirm other products' terms before applying. A hard inquiry can affect scores, but the effect varies. Use prequalification tools where available and avoid applying for several cards at once.