The Walmart credit card process process starts on Walmart.com or the Walmart mobile app, takes about 10 minutes, and gives you a decision within seconds to a few minutes
Walmart offers two credit cards: the Walmart MoneyCard (a prepaid card that does not require a credit check) and the Walmart Credit Card (a traditional credit card issued by Capital One that does check your credit). The online process for the Walmart Credit Card asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information. You will see a decision when ready after you submit — either approved, approved with a credit limit, or denied. If you are approved, you can use the card in Walmart stores and online right away, even before the physical card arrives in the mail.
The Walmart Credit Card carries an annual percentage rate (APR) that varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates. Walmart does not publish a single APR; Capital One sets it individually. You will see your specific APR offer before you confirm the process. There is no annual fee.
Key Takeaways
- You can start the Walmart Credit Card process on Walmart.com or the Walmart app without leaving home, and you will know the outcome in minutes.
- The process requires your Social Security number, so have your ID and recent pay stub or tax return handy to verify income if asked.
- Walmart Credit Card decisions are made by Capital One, and your APR depends on your credit history and current rates — you see the exact offer before you accept it.
- If you are denied, you can reapply after addressing the reason (late payments, high debt, or insufficient credit history), though waiting three to six months typically improves your chances.
- The Walmart MoneyCard is a separate product that does not check credit and does not build credit history, so it works differently than the traditional credit card.
What information you need before you start
Gather your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID, and current address before you open the process. You will also need to know your annual household income — this includes wages, self-employment income, Social Security, disability payments, or any other regular money coming in. If you are asked to verify income (which happens sometimes but not always), you can upload a recent pay stub, tax return, or bank statement showing deposits.
Have your employment information ready: your employer's name, how long you have worked there, and your job title. If you are self-employed or retired, you can still explore — just enter that information in the employment field. Walmart does not require you to be currently employed, but the process will ask about your income source.
Step-by-step: explore on Walmart.com
Go to Walmart.com and look for the credit card offer, usually found in the top navigation menu under "Services" or "Money Services." Click on the Walmart Credit Card link. You will be taken to a page with the card details and an "explore Now" button. Click it, and you will be directed to Capital One's process portal.
Fill in your personal information: full name, date of birth, address, phone number, and email. Enter your Social Security number. On the next screen, provide your annual income and select your income source from the dropdown (employment, self-employment, Social Security, retirement, etc.). Enter your employer name and how long you have worked there. Review the information for accuracy, then submit.
Capital One will display your decision on screen. If you are approved, you will see your credit limit and APR. If you are approved but want to decline, you can close the browser or click "Decline." If you are denied, you will see a brief reason — usually "insufficient credit history," "too many recent inquiries," or "delinquent accounts." You can request a copy of the credit report Capital One used by following the link on the denial page.
explore through the Walmart mobile app
Open the Walmart app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right. Select "Money Services" or "Financial Services," then tap "Credit Card." You will see the Walmart Credit Card offer with an "explore" button. Tap it, and the process will open within the app or direct you to Capital One's portal in your phone's browser.
The process process is identical to the website version. Fill in your information, review it, and submit. You will see your decision on screen. If you are approved, you can add the card to your Walmart Pay digital wallet when ready and start using it at Walmart locations that accept contactless payment.
What happens after approval
Once approved, your credit card is active for online purchases and Walmart Pay transactions right away. The physical card will arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. When it arrives, call the number on the back to set up it, or set up it through the Capital One mobile app. You can set up automatic payments, view your balance, and check your statement online or through the Capital One app before the physical card ever reaches you.
Your first statement will arrive 30 days after your first purchase. Walmart Credit Card statements are issued monthly. You can set up automatic payments from your bank account to avoid missing a due date, or you can pay manually through the Capital One website or app.
Understanding the credit limit and APR
Your credit limit is the maximum amount you can charge to the card. Walmart Credit Card limits typically range from $300 to $3,000 for first-time applicants, though this varies based on your credit history and income. You can request a credit limit increase after you have held the card for six months and made on-time payments.
The APR (annual percentage rate) is the interest rate you pay if you carry a balance month to month. Walmart Credit Card APRs vary widely — from around 16% to 27% depending on your creditworthiness. If you pay your full balance by the due date each month, you pay no interest. The APR you see during the process is the rate Capital One is offering you based on your credit profile at that moment. You can see this offer before you confirm the process, so you know exactly what you are accepting.
If you are denied or want to reapply
A denial does not permanently block you from getting a Walmart Credit Card. The most common reasons for denial are insufficient credit history (you have few or no credit accounts), recent late payments or collections accounts, or too many recent credit inquiries (explore for multiple cards or loans in a short time). If you were denied, wait at least three to six months before reapplying. Use that time to pay down existing balances, make all payments on time, and avoid explore for other credit.
You can request a free copy of your credit report from each of the three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) once per year at AnnualCreditReport.com. Review your report for errors — incorrect late payments, accounts you did not open, or wrong balances. If you find errors, dispute them directly with the bureau. Correcting errors can improve your chances of approval on a future process.
Walmart MoneyCard vs. Walmart Credit Card
The Walmart MoneyCard is a prepaid card, not a credit card. You load money onto it from your bank account, and you can only spend what you have loaded. It does not check your credit, does not require a credit history, and does not report to credit bureaus, so it does not build your credit score. The MoneyCard is useful if you want a card for budgeting or do not have access to traditional banking, but it will not help you build credit history.
The Walmart Credit Card is a traditional credit card that reports your payment history to all three credit bureaus. Making on-time payments builds your credit score over time. If you are trying to build or repair credit, the credit card is the better choice — but only if you can pay on time consistently. If you are not sure you can manage monthly payments, the MoneyCard is a safer option.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get approved for a Walmart Credit Card?
You will see a decision within seconds to a few minutes of submitting your process online. If you are approved, you can use the card for online purchases and Walmart Pay when ready. The physical card arrives in 7 to 10 business days.
Can I explore if I have no credit history?
You can explore, but approval is less likely with no credit history. Capital One may deny you or offer a lower credit limit. If denied, consider the Walmart MoneyCard (prepaid, no credit check) or a secured credit card from another issuer to build credit first, then reapply in six months.
What is the difference between the Walmart Credit Card and the Walmart MoneyCard?
The Walmart Credit Card is a traditional credit card that reports to credit bureaus and builds your credit score. The MoneyCard is prepaid — you load money onto it and spend only what you have loaded. The MoneyCard does not check credit and does not build credit history.
Can I use the Walmart Credit Card at other stores besides Walmart?
Yes. The Walmart Credit Card is a Mastercard, so you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted. However, you will earn rewards only on Walmart and Walmart.com purchases — 2% cash back on Walmart purchases and 1% on everything else.
What should I do if I am denied?
Request a free copy of your credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com and look for errors. Pay down any existing balances and make all payments on time for the next three to six months. Avoid explore for other credit during this time. Then reapply — your chances improve significantly with a cleaner payment history.