How to get a credit card when you have no credit score
If you have never borrowed money, never had a credit card, and have no credit history, most standard credit cards will turn you down. Banks use your credit score to decide whether to approve you, and you cannot have a score without a history. The path forward depends on whether you have a Social Security number, a bank account, and access to cash upfront.
The most direct route is a secured credit card, which requires you to deposit cash as collateral. You borrow against your own money, use the card normally, and after six to eighteen months of on-time payments, the bank converts it to a standard card and returns your deposit. A second option is a credit-builder loan through a credit union or online lender, which works differently but builds your score faster. A third is to become an authorized user on someone else's established card, though this depends on finding someone willing to add you.
Key Takeaways
- Secured credit cards require a cash deposit (usually $200 to $2,500) that acts as your credit limit, and most convert to unsecured cards after consistent on-time payments.
- Credit-builder loans lock your borrowed money in a savings account while you make monthly payments, building your score without requiring you to spend the money.
- Becoming an authorized user on someone else's card can build your score if the primary cardholder has good payment history, but you have no control over the account.
- Your first card or loan should report to all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) so your payments actually build a score.
- On-time payments matter more than credit limit size — a $300 card used responsibly builds your score as fast as a $5,000 card.
Secured credit cards: how they work and which ones to consider
A secured card is a real credit card issued by a real bank. You deposit money into a savings account held by the bank, and that deposit becomes your credit limit. If you deposit $500, your limit is $500. You then use the card to buy things, receive a bill each month, and pay it back — exactly like a standard card.
The bank reports your payments to the credit bureaus, so every on-time payment builds your score. After twelve to eighteen months of perfect or near-perfect payments, most banks will convert your card to an unsecured card (no deposit required) and return your money. Some cards convert faster if you ask; others do it automatically once your score reaches a certain threshold.
The deposit is not a fee — it is your money sitting in a bank account. You do not lose it. What you do pay is an annual fee, usually $25 to $95, and interest on any balance you carry. To build your score fastest, charge a small purchase each month (a coffee, a tank of gas) and pay the full bill when it arrives. Never carry a balance unless you have to.
Banks that offer secured cards include Capital One, Discover, and U.S. Bank. Each has different deposit minimums, annual fees, and conversion timelines. Compare them by checking whether they report to all three credit bureaus and how quickly other customers report conversion to unsecured status.
Credit-builder loans: building credit without spending money
A credit-builder loan is not a credit card, but it builds your score in a similar way. You borrow money (usually $300 to $1,000) from a credit union or online lender. That money goes into a savings account that you cannot touch. You then make monthly payments on the loan, and after you finish paying, you get the money back.
This sounds circular — you borrow your own money and pay it back — but it works because the lender reports your payments to the credit bureaus. Each on-time payment builds your score. The money sits untouched in savings, so you are not tempted to spend it, and you end up with both a higher score and a small savings cushion.
Credit unions often offer credit-builder loans with lower fees and interest rates than online lenders. If you belong to a credit union, ask whether they offer them. If not, online lenders like Self and MoneyLion offer credit-builder loans to people with no credit history. The loan term is usually twelve to twenty-four months, and monthly payments range from $25 to $100 depending on the loan size.
One advantage of credit-builder loans over secured cards: you build your score without paying annual fees. One disadvantage: you do not get a card to use for everyday purchases, so you cannot practice managing a real credit card.
Authorized user status: borrowing someone else's credit history
If a family member or close friend has an established credit card with good payment history, you can ask them to add you as an authorized user. You receive a card in your name linked to their account, and their payment history reports to your credit file.
This can build your score quickly — sometimes within one or two months — because you inherit their history. If they have a ten-year account with perfect payments, that history now appears on your credit report. The catch is that you have no control over the account. If they miss a payment or run up a high balance, your score drops too. You are also responsible for any charges you make on the card, even if the primary cardholder disputes them.
This route works only if the person trusts you completely and you trust them to manage the account responsibly. It also depends on the card issuer reporting authorized user activity to the credit bureaus — most do, but some do not. Ask before you ask to be added.
What to avoid: predatory cards and common mistakes
Some companies target people with no credit by offering cards with extremely high fees, high interest rates, or both. A card with a $95 annual fee, a $25 processing fee, and a $25 program fee leaves you $155 in the hole before you even use it. Avoid cards where fees exceed 25 percent of your credit limit in the first year.
Another trap is carrying a balance to "build credit faster." Paying interest does not build your score any faster than paying in full. It only costs you money. Use your card for small purchases you would make anyway, then pay the bill in full each month.
Do not explore for multiple cards at once. Each process creates a hard inquiry on your credit report, and multiple inquiries in a short time can lower your score. Space applications at least three to six months apart.
Finally, do not confuse a secured card with a prepaid card. A prepaid card is not a credit card — it does not report to credit bureaus and does not build your score. You load money onto it and spend it down, like a gift card. It is useful for budgeting but useless for building credit.
Building your score after your first card or loan
Once your first card or loan reports to the credit bureaus for six months, you will have a credit score. It may be low (300 to 500 range), but it exists. At that point, you can start building it faster by adding a second card or loan, as long as you keep both accounts in good standing.
Your score depends on five factors: payment history (35 percent), amounts owed relative to your limits (30 percent), length of credit history (15 percent), mix of credit types (10 percent), and new inquiries (10 percent). To raise your score, focus first on never missing a payment. Second, keep your balances low — use no more than 10 to 30 percent of your available credit. Third, keep old accounts open even after you pay them off, because closing them shortens your credit history.
After twelve to eighteen months of on-time payments on a secured card, convert it to an unsecured card if the bank offers. If they do not offer automatically, call and ask. Once you have an unsecured card, you can close the secured card (after the bank returns your deposit) and move on to building a longer history with the unsecured one.
Timeline and realistic expectations
Building credit from zero takes time. You cannot rush it, and anyone who promises to build your score in weeks is lying. Here is what a realistic timeline looks like:
- Months 1–3: You open a secured card or credit-builder loan. The first report to credit bureaus happens 30 to 60 days after your first payment.
- Months 4–6: You have three to four months of payment history. Your score appears, usually in the 300 to 500 range.
- Months 7–12: With six to twelve months of history, your score rises to the 500 to 650 range if you have made all payments on time.
- Months 13–24: After a year or more of perfect payments, your score reaches 650 to 700, and you become may be able to access for standard credit cards and small loans.
This assumes you make every payment on time and keep balances low. Missing even one payment can set you back months. The goal is not to reach a perfect score quickly — it is to build a reliable history that lenders trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Social Security number to get a credit card?
Yes. All credit cards issued in the United States require a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If you do not have one, you cannot open a credit card account. You can obtain an ITIN from the IRS if you are not may be able to access for a Social Security number.
What if I cannot afford a deposit for a secured card?
A credit-builder loan may be a better fit. Deposits for secured cards start at $200 to $500, but credit-builder loans start as low as $300 and you get the money back after you finish paying. Some credit unions also offer secured cards with lower minimums than banks.
Will being an authorized user hurt the primary cardholder?
No. Adding you as an authorized user does not lower their score or change their account in any way except adding your name to the card. Their credit limit and interest rate stay the same. The only risk is if you use the card and do not pay — then they are responsible for the debt.
How long does it take to convert a secured card to unsecured?
Most banks convert after twelve to eighteen months of on-time payments. Some do it automatically; others require you to call and ask. Check your card's terms when you open it to see what the bank's policy is. A few cards convert faster if your score reaches a certain threshold.
Can I use a secured card and a credit-builder loan at the same time?
Yes. Using both builds your score faster because you are showing you can manage two different types of credit. However, only do this if you can afford both monthly payments without missing one. A single missed payment hurts more than the benefit of having two accounts.