Best Credit Cards You Can Get With an ITIN

Best ITIN Credit Cards Compared

Ranked for someone with an ITIN and no US credit history. Terms checked September 2026; issuers change them, so confirm on the application.

1. Capital One Platinum Secured

• Annual fee: $0
• Deposit: $49, $99 or $200 for a $200 line
• Reports to: All 3 bureaus
• Approval: Easy to moderate (hard pull)

The best first card for most ITIN holders. Capital One names this card on its own ITIN guidance and takes the ITIN directly on its online application. The deposit you pay depends on the credit review, but every tier opens a $200 line, and Capital One reviews the account for a higher limit after as little as 6 months of on-time payments.

2. Bank of America Secured Credit Card

• Annual fee: $0
• Deposit: $200 to $5,000
• Reports to: All 3 bureaus
• Approval: Moderate (hard pull, in branch)

The strongest big-bank option. ITIN applicants apply in person at a branch rather than online, which is simpler if you already opened checking there. Bank of America periodically reviews secured accounts and can return the deposit when it upgrades you to an unsecured card.

3. Citi Secured Mastercard

• Annual fee: $0
• Deposit: $200 to $2,500
• Reports to: All 3 bureaus
• Approval: Moderate (hard pull)

Citi accepts an SSN or ITIN, though ITIN applicants may be routed to a phone or branch application instead of finishing online. A good fit if you bank with Citi or live near one of its branches.

4. OpenSky Secured Visa

• Annual fee: $35
• Deposit: $200 minimum
• Reports to: All 3 bureaus
• Approval: Easiest (no credit check)

OpenSky runs no credit check and does not require a bank account to fund the deposit, which makes it the fallback if a Capital One, Bank of America or Citi application is declined. The $35 annual fee is the trade-off.

5. Firstcard Secured

• Annual fee: $0, plus a $48 to $120 yearly plan
• Deposit: No minimum
• Reports to: All 3 bureaus
• Approval: Easiest (no credit check, no SSN or ITIN)

Firstcard is a fintech card built for newcomers. It requires neither an SSN nor an ITIN, so it can start your credit file before your ITIN arrives. It ranks last because the required subscription costs more over a year than the other cards on this list.

Banks That Accept ITIN for Credit Cards

A bank that opens checking with an ITIN will not necessarily issue you a card. Capital One, Bank of America and Citi take credit card applications with an ITIN; Capital One online, Bank of America in branch, and Citi sometimes by phone or branch. Chase is the opposite case: it opens checking with an ITIN but has no secured card and underwrites its cards against an SSN-linked credit file. American Express accepts an ITIN too (it has required an SSN or ITIN since August 2023), but its cards are unsecured and need an existing credit history.

If you have not opened an account yet, start with our comparison of banks that accept ITIN. Applying for a card where you already bank is usually the easier approval.

Cards Often Listed for ITIN Holders That Don't Work

Older ITIN card lists still recommend these. We checked each one in September 2026.

• Chime Credit Builder (now the Chime Card). Chime's own FAQ says it can only offer accounts to members with a valid SSN.
• Deserve Pro and EDU. Applications were paused in September 2023 and all accounts closed in August 2025.
• Petal 1 and Petal 2. Empower bought Petal in 2024 and replaced the cards with Tilt; Petal no longer takes applications.
• Self Visa and Varo Believe. Neither issuer confirms ITIN acceptance for the card, and both require their own account first. Ask the issuer before you apply.

What Is the Difference Between Secured and Unsecured ITIN Credit Cards?

Federal law does not require credit card issuers to use SSNs, and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (15 USC 1691) prohibits credit discrimination based on national origin. What decides your options is your US credit history, not your ITIN. Without one, start secured. If you want the full comparison against authorized-user status and credit-builder loans, see how to build a credit score with an ITIN.

How Credit Bureaus Handle ITIN Credit Files

Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion each create separate credit files for ITIN holders. Your ITIN serves as the unique identifier, just as an SSN does for US citizens. Payment history, credit utilization, account age, and credit mix all factor into your FICO score identically. There is no separate scoring model for ITIN holders.

How Do You Build a 700+ Credit Score with an ITIN?

Building a strong credit score requires 5 consistent practices over 12 to 18 months. The FICO scoring model weighs these factors identically for ITIN and SSN holders.

Pay in Full Every Month (35% of FICO Score)

Payment history accounts for 35% of your FICO score. Pay your full statement balance by the due date every month. Set up autopay to prevent missed payments. A single 30-day late payment drops your score by 80 to 110 points.

Keep Utilization Below 30% (30% of FICO Score)

Credit utilization is 30% of your FICO score. If your limit is $500, keep your balance under $150. Below 10% utilization produces the strongest scores. Pay mid-cycle if needed to keep reported balances low.

Keep Your First Card Open (15% of FICO Score)

Length of credit history is 15% of your score. Your first credit card establishes the age of your credit file. Keep it open even after you get better cards. A longer credit history produces higher scores.

Space Applications 6 Months Apart (10% of FICO Score)

New credit inquiries account for 10% of your score. Each hard inquiry reduces your score by 5 to 10 points. Wait at least 6 months between credit applications.

Monitor Your Credit Report (Free)

Check your report at annualcreditreport.com. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 USC 1681), you are entitled to one free report from each bureau per year. Stagger requests: Experian in January, Equifax in May, TransUnion in September. Report errors within 30 days for fastest correction.

What Is the Timeline to Good Credit with an ITIN?

Here is the month-by-month credit building timeline based on consistent on-time payments and under-30% utilization.

A credit score of 680+ opens the door to ITIN mortgage programs for buying a home. Learn about all the financial products available in our what can you do with an ITIN guide.

What Laws Protect ITIN Credit Card Holders?

3 federal laws protect your rights as an ITIN credit card holder.

Equal Credit Opportunity Act (15 USC 1691)

Prohibits credit discrimination based on national origin, race, or immigration status. Lenders cannot deny your application solely because you have an ITIN instead of an SSN.

Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 USC 1681)

Gives you the right to access your credit report, dispute errors, and receive one free report per bureau per year. These rights apply equally to ITIN holders.

Truth in Lending Act (15 USC 1601)

Requires card issuers to disclose interest rates, fees, and terms clearly before you open an account. Applies to all credit cardholders regardless of tax identification type.

What Are the First Steps to Getting an ITIN Credit Card?

Follow this 4-step process to get your first ITIN credit card.

1. Get your ITIN. Apply through itin.so (Standard $197, Express $297). Processing takes 6 to 11 weeks via IRS Form W-7.
2. Open a bank account. Visit our ITIN bank account guide to choose between Mercury, Relay, Wise, or a traditional bank. Bank of America takes ITIN card applications in branch, which is easier if you already bank there.
3. Apply for one secured card. Start with Capital One Platinum Secured unless you already bank with Bank of America or Citi. Have your ITIN, passport, and proof of address ready.
4. Use responsibly for 12+ months. Small purchases, full payments, under 30% utilization. Your score reaches 680+ within 12 to 18 months.

Once you have credit established, explore ITIN real estate investing, freelancing with an ITIN, and PayPal and Stripe verification.