Can you get a credit card with an ITIN?
Yes. You don't need a Social Security Number to get a U.S. credit card. Many issuers and most credit unions accept an ITIN, and the application often has a field where you can enter it in place of an SSN. If you're new to U.S. credit, a secured card is almost always the smartest first move.
Shopping specifically for a card? Our sister site is dedicated to cards: see its rundown of the best ITIN credit cards for current issuers, approval odds, and side-by-side comparisons. This lending site focuses on loans and mortgages.
Secured vs. unsecured ITIN cards
| Secured card | Unsecured card | |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit required | Yes (refundable, becomes your limit) | No |
| Approval with thin credit | Easy | Harder |
| Builds credit | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Starting from zero | Existing credit history |
Start secured, pay on time for several months, and most issuers will either raise your limit or graduate you to an unsecured card, returning your deposit.
How to build credit fast with an ITIN card
- Pay in full and on time, payment history is the biggest factor in your score.
- Keep utilization under 30%, and ideally under 10%, of your limit.
- Don't close your first card, length of history helps your score.
- Add accounts gradually, a card plus a small loan builds a fuller file.
As your card reports each month, track your progress: our sister site walks through how to check your credit score with an ITIN for free, and for a deeper side-by-side of specific cards see our sister site's best ITIN credit cards roundup.
Open a bank account first
Most ITIN holders find approval easier after opening a U.S. checking or savings account with their ITIN. It establishes a banking relationship and gives you a simple way to autopay your card, which protects the on-time payment streak that powers your credit growth.