What you need to get a credit card

To get a credit card, you need to be at least 18 years old, have a valid Social Security number or ITIN, and provide proof of income or assets. Most issuers also check your credit report — they want to see your payment history, how much debt you already carry, and whether you have missed payments in the past. If you have no credit history at all, you can still get a card, but you may need to start with a secured card or find an issuer that works with people building credit for the first time.

The actual process is straightforward: you fill out an application (online, by phone, or in person), the issuer reviews your information within minutes to a few days, and you get a decision. If approved, your card arrives in the mail within one to two weeks. If denied, the issuer must tell you why — usually because your credit score is too low, your income is too recent, or you already carry too much debt.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be 18 or older with a valid Social Security number or ITIN to open a credit card account.
  • Issuers check your credit report to see your payment history and existing debt, so your credit score affects which cards you can get.
  • If you have no credit history, a secured card (which requires a cash deposit) is often the easiest first step.
  • The application process takes minutes to days, and you will receive a written reason if you are denied.
  • Different card types — rewards cards, cash back cards, balance transfer cards — have different approval requirements and work best for different spending patterns.

Where to find credit cards and how to compare them

You can get a credit card from a bank, a credit union, or an online-only issuer. Banks include national names like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo, as well as regional banks in your state. Credit unions often have lower fees and more flexible approval standards, but you must be a member first. Online issuers like Capital One and Discover have no physical branches but typically offer fast decisions and clear fee structures.

Before you apply, compare what each card charges and what it offers. Look at the annual percentage rate (APR) — the interest rate you pay if you carry a balance — the annual fee (some cards charge $0, others charge $95 or more), and any introductory offers like 0% APR for the first six months. Read the fine print on rewards: a card that gives 2% cash back on groceries only helps if you spend a lot on groceries. A card with a high annual fee only makes sense if you use the rewards or benefits enough to offset it.

How credit scores affect which cards you can get

Your credit score is a three-digit number (typically 300 to 850) that summarizes your credit history. It comes from three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — and is based on your payment history (35%), how much debt you carry relative to your limits (30%), how long you have had credit accounts (15%), the mix of credit types you use (10%), and how often you have applied for new credit recently (10%).

Cards marketed to people with excellent credit (750+) usually have low APRs and high rewards. Cards for good credit (670–749) have moderate APRs and rewards. Cards for fair credit (580–669) have higher APRs and lower rewards but are easier to get. Secured cards are designed for people with poor credit or no credit history — you put down a cash deposit (usually $200 to $2,500), and that becomes your credit limit. After six to 18 months of on-time payments, many issuers convert your account to an unsecured card and return your deposit.

You can check your own credit score for free through AnnualCreditReport.com, which is the only site authorized by federal law to provide free reports from all three bureaus once per year. Many credit card issuers also show you your score for free once you log into your account.

What happens during the application process

When you apply, you provide your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number or ITIN, employment information, and annual income. The issuer pulls your credit report (called a "hard inquiry") and runs it through their approval system. This takes anywhere from a few minutes to a few business days. You will get a decision by phone, email, or mail.

If you are approved, the issuer tells you your credit limit — the maximum you can charge on the card. If you are denied, federal law requires them to send you a written notice within 30 days that explains the reason. Common reasons include a credit score that is too low, insufficient income, too many recent credit applications, or existing debt that is too high relative to your income. A denial is not permanent; you can reapply after improving your credit or waiting a few months.

Each time you apply for a credit card, the issuer does a hard inquiry, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. Multiple applications in a short time can add up, so space out your applications by at least a few weeks if you are planning to apply to more than one card.

Building credit if you have no history

If you have never had a credit card, loan, or other credit account, you have no credit history, and most issuers will deny you because they have nothing to judge you on. The fastest way to build credit is to get a secured card. You deposit money (usually $200 to $2,500) into a savings account held by the issuer, and that amount becomes your credit limit. You use the card like any other card, pay your bill on time every month, and after six to 18 months, the issuer converts it to a regular unsecured card.

Another option is to become an authorized user on someone else's credit card account. If a family member or friend adds you to their account, their payment history and credit limit show up on your credit report, which can help you build history faster. You do not need to use the card or pay the bill — the account holder does. However, if the account holder misses payments, that also shows up on your report.

A third option is a credit-builder loan from a credit union or online lender. You borrow a small amount (usually $500 to $1,000), and the lender holds the money in a savings account while you make monthly payments. Once you pay it off, you get the money back, and your payment history is reported to the credit bureaus.

What to do if you are denied

If an issuer denies your application, you have the right to know why. The denial notice must include the reason and the name and phone number of the credit bureau they used. Call the bureau and request your free credit report — you are may have access to to one free report per year from each of the three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. Review it for errors: incorrect payment dates, accounts you did not open, or debts that have been paid off but still show as open. If you find errors, dispute them with the bureau in writing.

If your credit score is the issue, focus on paying all bills on time for the next few months, paying down existing debt, and not opening new accounts. Even small improvements can move you into a different approval tier. If your income is the issue, wait until you have been at your current job for at least two years, or look for a secured card instead. If you have too many recent applications, wait at least three months before applying again.

Understanding fees and interest rates

Credit cards charge several types of fees. An annual fee is charged once per year just for having the card (some cards charge $0, others charge $95 to $500). A late payment fee is charged if you miss a due date (typically $25 to $40). A cash advance fee is charged if you withdraw cash using your card (typically 3% to 5% of the amount). A balance transfer fee is charged if you move debt from one card to another (typically 3% to 5%). A foreign transaction fee is charged if you use the card outside the United States (typically 1% to 3%).

The APR is the interest rate you pay if you carry a balance from month to month. Most cards have a variable APR, which means it can change over time based on the prime rate set by the Federal Reserve. Some cards offer an introductory APR — for example, 0% APR for the first 12 months on purchases or balance transfers. After the introductory period ends, the regular APR kicks in. If you pay your full balance by the due date every month, you pay no interest regardless of the APR.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a credit card if I have bad credit?

Yes. A secured card is designed for people with poor credit or no credit history. You deposit money (usually $200 to $2,500) as collateral, and that becomes your credit limit. After six to 18 months of on-time payments, most issuers convert it to a regular card and return your deposit. Some issuers also offer unsecured cards for people with bad credit, but they charge higher APRs and lower credit limits.

How long does it take to get a credit card after I am approved?

The card usually arrives in the mail within one to two weeks after approval. Some issuers offer instant virtual card numbers that you can use online immediately while you wait for the physical card. A few issuers allow you to pick up a card in person at a branch location on the same day you are approved.

Will applying for a credit card hurt my credit score?

Yes, but only temporarily. Each application triggers a hard inquiry, which lowers your score by a few points. The impact fades after a few months, and multiple inquiries within 14 to 45 days (depending on the scoring model) usually count as one inquiry. Avoid applying for several cards in a short time unless you are rate shopping for a mortgage or auto loan, which has a longer grace period.

What is the difference between a secured card and a regular card?

A secured card requires a cash deposit that becomes your credit limit. A regular unsecured card does not require a deposit. Secured cards are easier to get if you have poor credit or no history, but they charge higher fees and APRs. After you prove you can pay on time, most issuers will convert your secured card to an unsecured card.

Do I have to use my credit card every month?

No. You can charge nothing and pay nothing, and the account stays open. However, some issuers close accounts that show no activity for 12 months or longer. If you want to keep the account open, use it occasionally (even a small purchase counts) and pay the bill on time. This also keeps your account active on your credit report, which helps your credit score.