What you need to do to get a credit card

Getting a credit card involves finding a card that matches what you need, filling out an application (online, by phone, or in person), and waiting for the issuer to make a decision. Most decisions come back within minutes to a few days. If you are approved, the card arrives by mail within one to two weeks. If you are denied, the issuer must tell you why — usually because of your credit score, income, or credit history — and you have the right to see your credit report for free.

The process is straightforward if you have an established credit history and a steady income. It becomes more complicated if you have no credit history, a low credit score, or unstable income, but other routes exist for those situations.

Key Takeaways

  • You can start a credit card application online, by phone, or at a bank branch, and most issuers decide within minutes to a few days.
  • Credit card companies look at your credit score, income, employment history, and existing debts to decide whether to approve you.
  • If you have no credit history or a low score, secured cards, cards designed for people rebuilding credit, or becoming an authorized user on someone else's card are real alternatives.
  • When you are denied, the issuer must provide the reason and tell you how to get your free credit report to see what they saw.
  • Once approved, your credit limit depends on your creditworthiness, and you can request a higher limit after six months to a year of on-time payments.

What credit card companies look at when you apply

Credit card issuers use several pieces of information to decide whether to approve you and how much credit to give you. Your credit score — a three-digit number based on your payment history, how much debt you carry, and how long you have had credit accounts — is the biggest factor. Scores range from 300 to 850, and most mainstream cards require a score of at least 620 to 670, though some require higher.

The issuer also looks at your income and employment status. You do not need to be employed full-time; self-employed people, retirees, and students can all state their income on an application. They verify this information against what you report on your application, and they can ask for proof if something seems inconsistent.

They also check your debt-to-income ratio — how much you already owe compared to what you earn — and your payment history with other lenders. If you have missed payments, defaulted on a loan, or filed for bankruptcy, that information stays on your credit report and affects your chances of approval.

How to apply for a credit card

Most applications happen online through the card issuer's website. You enter your personal information (name, address, Social Security number), income, employment status, and whether you own or rent your home. The issuer runs a hard inquiry on your credit report — a check that temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points — and makes a decision.

You can also apply by phone by calling the card issuer's customer service number, or in person at a bank branch if the card is issued by that bank. The information you provide is the same regardless of how you apply. Some issuers offer instant decisions online; others take a few business days to review your application and mail you a decision letter.

Keep your Social Security number, recent pay stubs or tax returns, and information about your current debts and accounts handy when you apply. You may need to provide this information to verify what you stated on your application.

What happens if you are denied

If the issuer denies your application, they must send you a letter explaining the reason within 30 days. Common reasons include a credit score that is too low, insufficient income, too much existing debt, or negative marks on your credit report such as late payments or collections accounts.

You have the right to a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — once per year through annualcreditreport.com. Request your reports and look for errors. If you find mistakes, you can dispute them directly with the bureau, and correcting errors can improve your score.

If your score is low but your report is accurate, you can work on building credit before applying again. This typically means making all payments on time, paying down existing balances, and waiting for negative marks to age off your report (most fall off after seven years).

Credit cards for people with no credit history or low scores

Secured credit cards are designed for people rebuilding credit or starting from scratch. You deposit money into a savings account held by the card issuer — typically $200 to $2,500 — and that amount becomes your credit limit. You use the card like a regular card, and your on-time payments are reported to the credit bureaus. After six to 18 months of responsible use, many issuers convert the card to a regular unsecured card and return your deposit.

Cards designed for people rebuilding credit have higher interest rates and annual fees than mainstream cards, but they do not require a deposit. They are easier to get approved for if your score is between 550 and 669. Using one responsibly — paying your full balance or at least the minimum on time every month — improves your score over time.

You can also become an authorized user on someone else's credit card account. The primary cardholder adds you to their account, and the account's payment history appears on your credit report. This works only if the primary cardholder pays on time; if they miss payments, it hurts your score too.

How your credit limit is set and how to increase it

When you are approved, the issuer assigns you a credit limit based on your creditworthiness. Someone with a high score and low debt might receive $5,000 or more; someone with a lower score might receive $500 to $1,000. This limit is not permanent.

After six months to a year of on-time payments, you can request a credit limit increase. Some issuers do this automatically; others require you to call and ask. A higher limit can lower your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your available credit that you are using — which can improve your credit score. However, requesting an increase triggers a hard inquiry, which temporarily lowers your score, so space out requests.

What to know about interest rates and fees

Every credit card has an annual percentage rate (APR) — the interest rate charged on balances you do not pay in full each month. APRs vary widely depending on the card and your creditworthiness. Someone with excellent credit might receive a card with a 15% APR; someone with fair credit might receive one with a 24% or higher APR.

Many cards also charge an annual fee — a yearly charge just for having the card — though many mainstream cards do not. Premium cards with rewards often charge $95 to $450 per year. Cards for people rebuilding credit often charge $25 to $99 per year.

Some cards offer an introductory period with 0% APR for a set number of months (often three to 12 months), during which you pay no interest on new purchases or balance transfers. After the introductory period ends, the regular APR applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a credit card without a Social Security number?

Most issuers require a Social Security number to run a credit check and verify your identity. If you do not have one, some banks and credit unions offer cards to people with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), though options are limited. Contact banks in your area to ask which ones accept ITINs.

What is the difference between being approved and pre-approved?

Pre-approval means the issuer has reviewed your credit and believes you likely may have access to, but it is not a may provide. A full application and hard inquiry still happen, and you can still be denied. Approval means the issuer has completed the full review and decided to issue you a card.

How many credit cards should I apply for at once?

Each application triggers a hard inquiry that lowers your score slightly. Applying for multiple cards in a short time can lower your score noticeably and signal to issuers that you are desperate for credit. Space applications at least a few months apart, and apply only for cards you actually intend to use.

What happens to my credit score when I get approved?

Your score drops a few points from the hard inquiry, but it recovers within a few months. Opening a new account also temporarily lowers your average account age, which affects your score. However, if you use the card responsibly and pay on time, your score typically improves over the following months as your payment history builds.

Can I use a credit card right away after approval?

If you are approved online, you may be able to use your card number immediately for online purchases while you wait for the physical card to arrive by mail. If you are approved in person at a bank branch, you may receive the card the same day. Otherwise, expect one to two weeks for delivery.