What credit cards are available if you have no credit history
If you have never borrowed money before, you have no credit score — which means most credit card companies will turn you down. But several real options exist. Secured credit cards require you to deposit cash upfront, which becomes your credit limit. Unsecured cards for no credit exist from a handful of issuers and require no deposit, though they often come with higher interest rates and lower limits. Retail cards from stores like Target or Amazon are easier to get approved for than bank cards. Becoming an authorized user on someone else's card can build your score without your own card at all.
The goal of any first card is not to borrow money — it is to prove you pay bills on time. Once you have six to twelve months of on-time payments, you can move to a better card with lower rates and higher limits.
Key Takeaways
- Secured cards require a cash deposit but report to credit bureaus and help you build a score from zero.
- Unsecured cards for no credit exist but usually charge higher interest rates and come with lower spending limits.
- Retail store cards are often easier to get approved for than bank credit cards when you have no history.
- Authorized user status on someone else's card can build your credit without requiring your own card or deposit.
- Your first card should be used for small, regular purchases you pay off in full each month.
How secured credit cards work
A secured card works like this: you deposit money into a savings account held by the card issuer. That deposit becomes your credit limit. If you deposit $500, you get a $500 limit. You then use the card like any other card, and the issuer reports your payments to the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. After twelve to eighteen months of on-time payments, many issuers will convert your card to an unsecured card and return your deposit.
The deposit is not a fee — it sits in an account and earns a small amount of interest. You can close the card and get your money back at any time. The card issuer makes money from the interest you pay if you carry a balance, not from the deposit itself.
Secured cards are offered by major banks including Capital One, Discover, and U.S. Bank. Interest rates vary but often fall between 18% and 24% APR. The key is to never carry a balance. Charge a small purchase each month — a tank of gas, a coffee — and pay the full statement balance before the due date. This proves you can borrow and repay without paying interest.
Unsecured cards that accept no credit history
A few card issuers will approve you for an unsecured card with no deposit and no credit history. Chime, LendingClub, and some credit unions offer these. The tradeoff is that limits are usually very low — $300 to $500 — and interest rates are higher than secured cards, often 24% to 36% APR.
These cards are worth considering only if you cannot save a deposit for a secured card right now. Once you have saved $300 or $500, a secured card from a major bank is usually the better choice because the interest rate will be lower and the card is more widely accepted.
Before you explore, check whether the issuer reports to all three credit bureaus. Some smaller lenders report to only one or two, which means your on-time payments will not build your score as quickly. The card's terms should say "reports to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion" or list all three by name.
Retail and store credit cards
Target, Amazon, Walmart, and many other retailers issue their own credit cards. These cards are often easier to get approved for than bank cards because the retailer wants to encourage spending in their stores. Approval standards are usually lower, and some will approve people with no credit history.
The catch is that retail cards can only be used at that store or its affiliated stores. A Target card works at Target and Target.com, but nowhere else. This limits how useful the card is for building credit, because you can only use it when you shop there.
Retail cards also tend to have higher interest rates — often 18% to 27% APR. If you do get approved for a retail card, use it the same way you would use a secured card: make a small purchase, pay the full balance before the due date, and never carry a balance. After six to twelve months of on-time payments, you will have enough credit history to move to a better card.
Becoming an authorized user on someone else's card
If a family member or close friend has a credit card in good standing, you can ask them to add you as an authorized user. This means you get a card with your name on it, but the account belongs to them. They remain responsible for the bill.
When you are added as an authorized user, the card's entire payment history — going back years — may appear on your credit report. If the account has a long history of on-time payments, your credit score can jump significantly in a single month. This is one of the fastest ways to build credit from zero.
The risk is that if the primary account holder misses a payment or carries a high balance, your score will be damaged too. Before you ask someone to add you, make sure their account is in good standing and they understand that their payment behavior will affect your credit. You should also agree on whether you will actually use the card or straightforward have it added to your report.
What to do with your first card
Your goal with a first card is not to borrow money — it is to prove you pay bills on time. Use the card for one small, regular purchase each month. Buy gas, groceries, or a coffee. Charge the same amount each time so the purchase is predictable and you do not forget about it.
When the statement arrives, pay the full balance when ready. Do not carry a balance from month to month. Paying interest does not help you build credit faster; it only costs you money. Credit bureaus care about whether you pay on time, not about how much interest you pay.
Keep the card open and active for at least six to twelve months. After that period, you will have enough credit history to move to a better card with a lower interest rate and higher limit. At that point, you can close your first card or keep it open — closing it will not hurt your score as long as you have other cards open.
Comparing your options side by side
| Card Type | Deposit Required | Typical APR | Typical Limit | Where You Can Use It |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secured card | Yes, $300–$2,500 | 18%–24% | Equal to deposit | Anywhere Visa or Mastercard accepted |
| Unsecured, no credit | No | 24%–36% | $300–$500 | Anywhere card network accepted |
| Retail card | No | 18%–27% | $300–$1,000 | That retailer only |
| Authorized user | No | Depends on primary account | Depends on primary account | Anywhere primary card accepted |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Social Security number to get a credit card?
Yes. All credit card issuers require a Social Security number to open an account. If you do not have one, you cannot get a credit card. If you are not a U.S. citizen, some issuers will accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead, but this is less common. Call the issuer directly to ask whether they accept ITINs.
Will getting turned down for a credit card hurt my credit score?
A credit card process creates a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can lower your score by a few points. However, the damage is small and temporary — the inquiry falls off your report after two years. Multiple applications in a short time period do more damage, so space out your applications by at least a few weeks.
Can I use a debit card to build credit instead?
No. Debit cards are not reported to credit bureaus, so using one does not build your credit score. A debit card only spends money you already have. To build credit, you need a credit card or loan that is reported to the bureaus.
What if I cannot save money for a secured card deposit?
Look for an unsecured card for no credit, or ask a family member to add you as an authorized user on their card. Both options require no deposit. If neither is possible right now, focus on saving the deposit amount — even $300 is enough to get your free guide with a secured card.
How long does it take to build enough credit to get a better card?
Most issuers want to see six to twelve months of on-time payments before they will approve you for an unsecured card or convert your secured card. Some will move faster if you have other positive credit history, like a car loan or utility payments reported to the bureaus.