Applying for a credit card as a new immigrant to the US

Applying for a credit card could feel daunting for anyone—let alone someone who recently moved to a new country. But there are options. And this guide is intended to help explain how to apply for a credit card if you’re an immigrant to the U.S.

What you’ll learn: 

• New immigrants who may not be eligible for a Social Security number might apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

• Recent immigrants may be candidates for credit cards for people who are building credit. 

• Becoming an authorized user on the established account of a trusted family member or friend could be another option.

While immigrants can qualify for a credit card in the U.S., credit card issuers will need to verify your identity before approving you for an account. But depending on your immigration status, you might not be eligible for a Social Security number (SSN). If you don’t have an SSN or a credit history in the U.S., you may be able to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) through the IRS. 

Before you apply for credit cards, you may want to get pre-approved to see which cards you could be eligible for. Pre-approval typically involves a soft inquiry, which means it won’t affect your credit scores. But applying for a credit card generally involves a hard inquiry, which can temporarily lower your scores slightly.

When people mention traditional credit cards, they may be referring to unsecured credit cards. These types of cards can be harder to qualify for because they don’t involve a security deposit. But there may still be options for people with a limited credit history. Seeing if you’re pre-approved can help give you an idea about whether you’ll be eligible.

You could apply for a secured credit card, which requires a deposit to open. Think of it like the security deposit you might pay upfront to rent a house or an apartment.

Deposit amounts can vary. For example, a $200 deposit might mean your account has a $200 credit limit. However, some cards might provide a credit limit higher than the security deposit amount. That’s sometimes the case with the Capital One Platinum Secured card, which could have a credit line of $200 with an initial security deposit of $49, $99 or $200, depending on your credit history.

As you explore secured credit card options, remember all issuers have their own policies. So it might be helpful to confirm a few things before you apply, like:

1. Whether the issuer reports activity to credit bureaus

2. How to pay a deposit and whether it requires a U.S. bank account

3. How secured deposit refunds work

Becoming an authorized user on someone else’s credit card means the primary cardholder has given you access to their account. For example, this person could be a responsible family member or friend.

As an authorized user, you might receive your own card for purchases. But the primary cardholder is ultimately responsible for all charges on the account.

If the card issuer reports the card activity of authorized users to credit bureaus that then include that information on credit reports, that could help you establish a credit history. If the information doesn’t appear in credit reports, it can’t help. 

Keep in mind that responsible use of credit is important for both the authorized user and the primary cardholder. That’s because the actions of either, whether positive or negative, can affect both people’s credit. So if you want to be an authorized user, it’s important to ask someone you trust.

Using a credit card responsibly might be one way to start building credit, but you can also start with other types of accounts. For example, you may be able to get a credit-builder loan or work with a peer-to-peer lender.

Still have questions about your credit card options as a new immigrant in the U.S.? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.

Building credit might feel overwhelming for recent U.S. immigrants. But there are options. If you’re ready to start, Capital One offers credit cards for people looking to build their credit through responsible use.

New to credit or looking for your next credit card?

• Check for pre-approval offers with no risk to your credit score.

• Explore Capital One’s credit cards for building credit with responsible use.

• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day with a cash back card.