Getting a credit card means choosing between standard cards, secured cards, and student cards, then submitting an process to a bank or card issuer
A credit card is a line of credit you borrow against each month and repay. When you use it and pay the bill on time, the card issuer reports your payment history to credit bureaus, which builds your credit score. If you have no credit history yet, a secured credit card — one backed by a cash deposit you put down — is usually the easiest first card to get. If you have some credit history but it is thin or damaged, a standard card from a bank or online issuer may still accept you, though the interest rate will be higher. If you are a student, student credit cards exist but are not always easier to get than secured cards.
The process itself takes 10 to 15 minutes online. You will need your Social Security number, current income, and a mailing address. The issuer will pull your credit report and decide within minutes to a few days. If you are denied, you can reapply to a different issuer or move to a secured card, which has a much higher approval rate because your deposit covers the bank's risk.
Key Takeaways
- A secured credit card requires a cash deposit (usually $200 to $2,500) that becomes your credit limit, and approval is nearly certain if you have a bank account and valid ID.
- Standard credit cards from banks and online issuers do not require a deposit but have stricter approval rules and higher interest rates if your credit is new or poor.
- Your process will ask for your Social Security number, monthly income, and current address; approval or denial usually comes within a few days.
- Using the card and paying your full statement balance each month builds credit faster than paying only the minimum, because it shows you can manage credit responsibly.
- After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments with a secured card, you can often convert it to a standard card and recover your deposit.
Secured cards: the easiest path if you have no credit history
A secured credit card is backed by a cash deposit you place with the card issuer. That deposit becomes your credit limit. For example, if you deposit $500, your credit limit is $500. You then use the card like any other card — make purchases, receive a monthly statement, and pay it back. The deposit stays in the bank's account the whole time and covers their risk if you do not pay.
Secured cards are designed for people building credit from scratch. Approval rates are very high because the bank's money is already protected. You will need a valid ID, a Social Security number, and a bank account to receive statements. Most issuers do not check your credit score at all for a secured card, or they check it but do not use it to decide. Capital One Secured Mastercard, Discover Secured Card, and U.S. Bank Secured Visa are common options, but many regional banks offer them too.
The deposit is not a fee — you get it back. After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, the issuer will usually convert your secured card to a standard card and return your deposit. Some issuers do this automatically; others require you to ask. Check the card's terms before you explore to see what the issuer's timeline is.
Standard credit cards: faster if you already have some credit
A standard credit card does not require a deposit. Instead, the issuer decides whether to approve you based on your credit score, income, and credit history. If you have never had credit before, you will likely be denied by most standard card issuers. But if you have a thin credit file — a few months of on-time payments on a secured card, a student loan, or an authorized user account — some issuers will approve you.
Standard cards come in three tiers. Premium cards (like Chase Sapphire or American Express Platinum) require a credit score of 750 or higher and offer rewards and travel benefits. Mid-tier cards require a score of 650 to 750 and offer modest rewards. Starter cards are designed for people with scores below 650 and offer no rewards but lower interest rates than premium cards. If you are new to credit, look for starter cards from issuers like Capital One, Discover, or Chime.
The process process is the same: online, 10 to 15 minutes, and a decision within a few days. You will be asked for your income, employment status, and whether you rent or own your home. The issuer will pull your credit report. If you are denied, you can ask why — sometimes it is because your income is too low, sometimes because you have no credit history. Reapply to a different issuer or move to a secured card.
Student credit cards: designed for college students but not always easier
Student credit cards are marketed to people currently enrolled in college or university. They often have lower credit score requirements than standard cards and may not require proof of income — you can list your parents' income or your student loan amount instead. Discover Student Card and Capital One Journey Student Rewards are common examples.
However, student cards are not always easier to get than secured cards. You have to prove you are a student (usually with a .edu email address or school ID), and the issuer still pulls your credit report. If your credit score is very low or you have no credit history at all, a secured card may have a higher approval rate. Student cards also tend to have lower credit limits ($500 to $1,500) and higher interest rates than standard cards for people with good credit.
The main advantage of a student card is that you do not need a deposit. If you are enrolled in school and have a credit score of 600 or higher, a student card is worth trying. If you are denied or your score is lower, a secured card is a more reliable option.
What happens after you are approved
Once approved, the card issuer will mail you a physical card, usually within 7 to 10 business days. You will also receive a welcome packet with your account number, PIN, and terms. Some issuers let you use your card online or through their app before the physical card arrives.
Your first statement will arrive 20 to 30 days after your first purchase. It will show your balance, minimum payment due, and due date. To build credit, pay the full balance by the due date each month. Paying only the minimum keeps your account open but costs you interest and builds credit more slowly. If you miss a payment by 30 days or more, the issuer will report it to credit bureaus and your credit score will drop.
After 6 to 12 months of on-time payments, your credit score will begin to rise. You may receive offers to increase your credit limit or move to a card with rewards. Do not explore for multiple cards at once — each process triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your score. Space applications out by at least 3 to 6 months.
Interest rates, fees, and what to watch for
Every credit card has an annual percentage rate (APR), which is the interest you pay if you carry a balance from month to month. Starter and secured cards typically have APRs between 18% and 26%. Premium cards have APRs between 12% and 18%. The APR you receive depends on your credit score and the issuer's decision — two people approved for the same card may receive different rates.
Most credit cards charge an annual fee, an annual percentage rate (APR), and a late payment fee. Secured cards often charge a $25 to $50 annual fee. Starter cards may charge $0 to $95 per year. Late payment fees are typically $25 to $35 for the first late payment and $35 to $40 for subsequent ones. Read the card's terms before you explore so you know what you are signing up for.
Avoid cards that charge an upfront processing fee or process fee. These are red flags for predatory issuers. Legitimate banks do not charge you to explore or to open an account. Also avoid cards that require you to pay a fee to set up rewards or to access customer service — these are not standard practices.
Building credit with your new card
Using a credit card and paying it on time is the fastest way to build credit. Your payment history makes up 35% of your credit score, so on-time payments matter more than anything else. Set up automatic payments for at least the full statement balance each month so you never miss a due date.
Your credit utilization — the percentage of your credit limit you use each month — makes up 30% of your score. If your limit is $500 and you spend $250, your utilization is 50%. Keeping utilization below 30% (in this example, spending less than $150) builds credit faster. However, you do not need to spend nothing — using the card and paying it off shows you can manage credit responsibly.
After 6 to 12 months of on-time payments, check your credit score through a free service like Credit Karma, Experian, or AnnualCreditReport.com. Your score should rise by 50 to 100 points if you have been paying on time and keeping utilization low. Once your score reaches 650 or higher, you can explore for a standard card or a secured card conversion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a credit card if I have no credit history at all?
Yes, through a secured card. Because your deposit covers the bank's risk, approval is nearly certain if you have a valid ID, Social Security number, and bank account. Standard cards are much harder to get without any credit history, so a secured card is the standard first step.
What if I am denied for a credit card?
Ask the issuer why you were denied — they are required to tell you. Common reasons are no credit history, low income, or too many recent applications. If the reason is no credit history, explore for a secured card instead. If the reason is low income, wait a few months and reapply, or explore to a different issuer that has lower income requirements.
Do I have to pay interest if I pay my full balance each month?
No. Interest only applies to the balance you carry from one month to the next. If you receive a statement for $300 and pay the full $300 by the due date, you pay no interest. This is the fastest way to build credit without paying extra money.
How long does it take to build credit with a credit card?
Your credit score will start to rise within 30 to 60 days of your first on-time payment, though the increase will be small. After 6 months of on-time payments, you should see a meaningful increase of 50 to 100 points. After 12 months, your score may rise another 50 to 100 points if you have kept utilization low and made no late payments.
Can I convert my secured card to a standard card?
Yes, most issuers convert secured cards to standard cards after 6 to 18 months of on-time payments. When this happens, your deposit is returned to your bank account. Some issuers do this automatically; others require you to ask. Check your card's terms to see what the issuer's policy is.