According to the Taxpayer Advocate Service, more than 3.8 million U.S. tax returns were filed using an ITIN in a recent year, with those filers paying roughly $16 billion in taxes. Yet many of those same taxpayers still wonder whether they can access even the most basic credit products. The short answer for secured credit cards: yes, and a secured card is actually the best starting point for most ITIN holders.
Why would I want a secured card instead of a regular credit card?
A question we hear often: A secured credit card works the same way as a regular credit card for purchases, but you fund a refundable cash deposit upfront that becomes your credit limit. That deposit removes most of the risk for the issuer, which is exactly why these cards have much looser approval requirements than unsecured cards.
For ITIN holders with little or no U.S. credit history, this matters a lot. Most unsecured cards require an existing credit score and a credit file that lenders can evaluate. A secured card sidesteps that requirement entirely. You build your U.S. credit file by using the card, paying on time, and keeping your balance low. After 6-12 months, many issuers will review your account and either upgrade you to an unsecured card or refund your deposit automatically.
This path is also distinct from a credit-builder loan, which locks funds in a savings account while you make payments. With a secured card, you actually spend money and repay it, which mirrors real-world credit behavior and tends to build a FICO score faster because it demonstrates both payment history and responsible revolving credit use.
Which secured credit cards actually accept an ITIN?
Not every issuer is transparent about ITIN acceptance, so the table below reflects only cards that are publicly confirmed or verified to accept an ITIN in place of an SSN.
| Card | Minimum Deposit | Annual Fee | Reports to All 3 Bureaus | Upgrade Path |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Quicksilver Secured | $200 | $0 | Yes | 6-month review |
| Discover it Secured | $200 | $0 | Yes | 7-month automatic review |
| Bank of America Customized Cash Secured | $300 | $0 | Yes | Periodic review |
| Firstcard Secured Builder | $0 (no minimum) | $0 | Yes (all 3) | No formal upgrade; apply for new card |
| U.S. Bank Secured Visa | $300 | $0 | Yes | Annual review |
Deposit amounts are minimums as of mid-2026. Always verify current terms directly with the issuer before applying, since deposit floors and fee structures do change.
How do I actually apply for a secured card with my ITIN?
Readers frequently ask: The application process for an ITIN holder is nearly identical to that for an SSN holder. You simply enter your nine-digit ITIN in the tax identification field. Here is what to have ready before you start:
- Your ITIN assignment letter from the IRS (CP565 notice) to verify your number
- A government-issued photo ID, typically a foreign passport
- A U.S. mailing address so the physical card can be delivered
- A bank account with enough funds to cover the security deposit (a checking or savings account, or even a fintech account with a routing number, usually works)
- Proof of income (pay stubs, bank statements, or a tax return), which some issuers request but others skip entirely for secured cards
Capital One offers a soft-pull pre-approval tool online, which lets you check whether you are likely to be approved before triggering a hard inquiry on your credit report. For ITIN holders just starting to build credit, avoiding unnecessary hard inquiries early on is worth the extra step.
What credit score do I need to get approved?
For most secured cards, the answer is: none. Secured cards are specifically designed for people with no credit history or damaged credit, so issuers typically do not require a minimum score to apply. Capital One, for example, accepts the Quicksilver Secured application from people with limited or no credit history. Discover’s secured card is similarly open to first-time credit applicants.
If you do have some existing U.S. credit history (perhaps from a credit-builder loan or as an authorized user on someone else’s account), that can only help. But it is not a prerequisite for a secured card.
How fast will a secured card actually build my credit score?
This one comes up a lot: Credit scoring timelines vary by individual, but the general pattern for ITIN holders starting from zero is fairly consistent. Most people see a scoreable file appear at the credit bureaus after about 3-6 months of account activity. After 12 months of on-time payments and keeping the balance below 30% of the credit limit, scores in the 680-720 range are common.
Payment history is the single largest factor in a FICO score, accounting for roughly 35% of the calculation, according to FICO. The second-largest factor is credit utilization (amounts owed), at about 30%. On a secured card with a $200 limit, that means keeping your monthly balance below $60 before the statement closes. Using the card for small, regular purchases (gas, groceries, a streaming subscription) and paying the full balance each month is the most effective pattern.
Also check that your card reports to all three bureaus. Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax each maintain a separate file, and future lenders (including ITIN mortgage lenders) may pull from any one or all three. A card that only reports to one bureau limits how quickly you build a well-rounded credit profile.
Can I get a secured card from a credit union with an ITIN?
Credit unions are often more flexible with ITIN holders than large banks, and many community and regional credit unions have dedicated ITIN lending programs that include secured credit cards. The application process at a credit union typically involves becoming a member first, which may require opening a savings account with a small deposit (often as little as $5-$25).
Once you are a member, credit union secured cards frequently come with lower interest rates and more personalized service than mass-market products. Some credit unions also allow alternative forms of identity verification, such as a consular ID (Matrícula Consular) alongside your ITIN, which can be helpful if your foreign passport has expired. If you are exploring this path, our guide to opening a bank account with an ITIN covers which credit unions actively welcome ITIN holders.
What happens to my deposit when I graduate to an unsecured card?
A question we hear often: When you are approved for an upgrade to an unsecured card, most issuers refund your security deposit as a statement credit or a check within a few billing cycles. The account itself usually remains open (sometimes with a new card number), so the age of the account continues to count positively toward your credit history.
If you close the secured account rather than upgrade it, you still get your deposit back (minus any outstanding balance), but you lose the account age, which can temporarily reduce your credit score. For most ITIN holders who eventually plan to apply for an ITIN mortgage or a larger loan, preserving account age is worth keeping the account open even after upgrading.
Are there any risks I should watch for?
Two things to keep on your radar:
First, interest rates on secured cards are typically high, often 25%-29% APR. This only matters if you carry a balance from month to month. Paying the statement balance in full each month means you never pay interest, and the APR becomes irrelevant.
Second, some predatory issuers target ITIN holders and immigrants with secured cards that charge excessive upfront fees that eat into the available credit. The CFPB has flagged this pattern in the past. A straightforward way to avoid it: any legitimate secured card should have a security deposit that equals your credit limit, a refundable deposit policy, and no processing fees that exceed a small annual fee (or none at all). If a card charges $75 in fees on a $200 credit limit before you even make a purchase, skip it. All five cards in the table above pass this test.
For more on building your overall credit profile from the ground up, our guide on how to build credit with an ITIN number covers the full strategy, including secured cards, credit-builder loans, and becoming an authorized user.