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If you’re a U.S. citizen, your Social Security number (SSN) is your lifeline for so many things, including getting approved for a credit card. Financial institutions typically require an SSN to open a new credit card account. However, if you’re a newly settled immigrant, international student or another noncitizen who’s not eligible for one, your options may not be as straightforward.
When applying for a credit card, your identity needs to be verified. This is one of the many steps financial institutions take to protect identity and mitigate fraud. An SSN is the golden ticket to identity, and since it’s the go-to verification route for lenders, it may be tricky to get a credit card if you don’t have one.
Typically, only noncitizens authorized to work in the U.S. can get an SSN, so your options may be limited in getting one if you don’t have a work visa. Otherwise, you may need to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), which we’ll review, or use a passport.
Learn more about your credit and options for those trying to get a credit card without an SSN.
Whenever you apply for a credit card, it’s important to do your research. Look for cards that align with your qualifications—for example, if your budget is tight and you have a short credit history, look for cards that have low to no annual fees and are meant for new credit users.
If you don’t have an SSN, only apply for cards that will accept your ITIN or passport instead. It’s worth shopping around to see if your bank has any options, but we’ve also rounded up some of the best no SSN credit cards.
Secured credit cards differ from traditional unsecured credit cards because they require cardholders to supply a deposit to secure the line of credit. This is why Capital One’s Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards card is an excellent choice for individuals using an ITIN or who have a limited credit history.
Capital One offers another version of this card—the QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards credit card—with similar cashback features. However, it's a traditional unsecured credit card that requires applicants to have a good credit score.
Capital One’s Platinum credit card is a no annual fee credit card available for those with limited to average credit. It's a common favorite because it's fairly easy to be approved without an SSN. However, there aren't any reward benefits with this card.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is a cashback credit card that’s straightforward to use. It’s best for those with good to excellent credit scores. The downside to the Freedom Unlimited card is its 3 percent foreign transaction fee.
Individuals can apply for the American Express Blue Cash Everyday card without an SSN if they have an ITIN or passport number. This card is recommended for those with good to excellent credit scores.
Thanks to a partnership with Nova Credit, American Express accepts applications with credit history from the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Australia, Brazil, Kenya, Nigeria and India.
One of the best student credit cards without SSN requirements is the Capital One Journey Student Rewards credit card. As a credit card for students, those with a low credit score can still apply.
The Capital One Spark Cash Select credit card is a great option for a business credit card without SSN requirements. Applicants can instead submit their ITIN, though it’s recommended they have good to excellent credit.
Capital One also offers two other versions of the Spark card—the Spark Miles and Spark Miles Select—for businesses, but cardholders earn miles instead of cashback. The Spark Cash Select card offers a $500 bonus, and the Spark Miles card offers 50,000 miles as an introductory bonus upon meeting the spending requirements.
Another option if you don't have an SSN is prepaid cards. If you're looking for a card to shop online or limit your cash use—and not to establish credit—it may be worth considering prepaid cards. Prepaid cardholders load money onto the card, almost like a gift card. These differ from secured credit cards because prepaid cards do not affect credit history, whereas secured cards do.
Every credit card is different, and there are many factors to consider. Annual percentage rates (APRs), annual fees, rewards programs, secured or unsecured, healthy credit or no credit—it can all definitely feel overwhelming at first. Talk to your bank or creditor to see what your options are and figure out which card will work best for you, especially if you’re applying with your ITIN.
Ready to get a credit card? Time for some paperwork.
Once you’ve done your research on the types of credit cards and which ones are right for you, you’ll submit an application with your personal information that typically includes your Social Security number—this is to verify your identity, check your credit and vet your application.
A few things to keep in mind about what you’ll need to qualify:
So what happens if you have all of these qualifications except the SSN? Thankfully, there are ways to obtain a no SSN credit card, such as:
|
Credit card issuer |
Identification requirements |
|
American Express |
SSN, ITIN or passport number |
|
Chase |
SSN, ITIN or passport number |
|
Capital One |
SSN or ITIN |
|
Citi |
SSN or ITIN |
|
Discover |
SSN only |
The most common way for individuals without an SSN to get a credit card is by applying for an ITIN. An ITIN is a type of Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) everyone needs to file taxes in the U.S. An ITIN uses the same nine-digit layout (XXX-XX-XXXX) as an SSN.
ITINs are available to certain nonresidents (international students and noncitizen immigrants, for example) and their spouses and dependents.
Say you've recently emigrated to the U.S. or you're studying abroad and looking to move permanently—signing up for a credit card can be a smart move to start building your credit history. When applying for credit cards, you'll use your ITIN as you would an SSN on your application.
To get an ITIN, you must apply for one via the IRS. You’ll need to prove your identity with one of the accepted documents, such as your passport, national identification card, or U.S. or foreign driver’s license or visa, just to name a few. Once approved, you can use your newly acquired ITIN to apply for a credit card.
A healthy credit history is always an important part of your overall financial well-being—not just when you need to apply for a credit card without an SSN. Keep in mind that a healthy credit history will help you get approved for a credit card, and using that card responsibly will directly contribute to your financial health.
Once you have a credit score, it’s important to make sure you maintain it. When your credit score drops, it can raise your interest rates and make it difficult to secure a loan. Here at CreditRepair.com we offer a wide range of credit education and credit repair services. We’ll challenge credit report errors on your behalf and provide you with tools to ensure great credit health.
Note: The information provided on CreditRepair.com does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice; instead, it is for general informational purposes only.
