Applying for a credit card as a new immigrant to the U.S.

Getting a credit card can be a bit tricky for anyone. But as an immigrant, you may face additional challenges. But whether you’ve recently moved to the U.S. or have been a permanent resident for years, you have options.

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 both secured credit cards and unsecured cards for people new to 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., getting approved for certain cards can be difficult. 

You may be able to apply for an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) through the IRS. And some credit card issuers let you use an ITIN instead of an SSN when applying for a credit card. If you don’t qualify for an ITIN or an SSN, you could check whether card issuers accept alternative forms of identification, such as a passport.

There are several other things you can do to help you establish credit and increase your chances of qualifying for a card:

• Understand the income requirement. Your income may impact your ability to qualify for a card, but it isn’t necessarily limited to income from a job. You might be able to add other types of income, such as investments, grants, public assistance or a household member’s income from someone such as a spouse. 

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

• Build your credit first. 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.

Here are some alternative credit card options for recent immigrants to help establish and build a credit history in the U.S.

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

Unsecured credit cards can be tougher to qualify for because the card issuer won’t require a security deposit. However, there may still be options for people with a limited credit history. 

An unsecured card with flexible credit requirements is typically for individuals with limited credit histories and may offer lower credit limits and fewer rewards.

One way to determine your eligibility for an unsecured credit card is to get pre-approved first. And again, checking for pre-approval won’t affect your credit scores.

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 the charges made on the account.

If the card issuer reports the card activity of authorized users to the credit bureaus, which then includes 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.

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 get started, Capital One offers credit card options for people looking to build their credit through responsible use. Before you apply, you can check if you’re pre-approved without any impact on your credit.

New to credit or looking for your next credit card?

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

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

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