How to get a credit card
Getting a credit card means finding a card that matches your financial situation, meeting the issuer's requirements, and completing an process — either online, by phone, or in person at a bank branch. Most issuers check your credit report and score to decide whether to approve you and what interest rate to offer. If you have no credit history or a low score, you may need to start with a secured card (one backed by a cash deposit) or become an authorized user on someone else's account before moving to a standard card.
The entire process usually takes a few minutes to a few hours online, though approval decisions can take anywhere from when ready to several business days. Once approved, the card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days in most cases.
Key Takeaways
- Credit card issuers review your credit report and score to decide approval and your interest rate, so checking your own credit report first helps you understand what you will see.
- If you have no credit history or a damaged credit score, a secured credit card (backed by a cash deposit you control) is often the fastest path to approval.
- Online applications are fastest and usually give you an when ready or same-day decision, while in-person applications at a bank may take longer.
- You will need to provide your Social Security number, income, employment status, and address during the process, so have that information ready.
What credit card issuers look for
Card issuers use your credit score — a three-digit number based on your payment history, how much debt you carry, and how long you have held credit accounts — to decide whether to approve you. A higher score (typically 670 or above) makes approval more likely and usually gets you a lower interest rate. A lower score does not automatically mean rejection; it means you may be offered a card with a higher interest rate or a lower credit limit.
Beyond your score, issuers want to see that you have income and a stable address. They also check whether you have unpaid debts, recent late payments, or accounts in collections. If your credit report contains errors — a late payment that was not yours, a debt you have already paid, or an account you never opened — you can dispute it with the credit bureau before you explore, which may improve your score.
Your income does not have to be from employment; it can include Social Security, disability payments, retirement income, or income from a side business. You will need to state your income on the process, but most issuers do not verify it against tax returns unless the amount seems inconsistent with your credit history.
Checking your credit before you explore
Before you explore for a card, pull your own credit report from one of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. You can get a free report once per year from each bureau at AnnualCreditReport.com, the only official source for free reports. Checking your own report does not lower your score; only applications for new credit do.
Look for errors: accounts you do not recognize, late payments that were not late, or balances that do not match what you owe. If you find mistakes, contact the bureau in writing and include copies of documents that prove the error (a bank statement, a paid-off letter from the creditor, or a police report if the account is fraudulent). The bureau has 30 days to investigate and correct or remove the error.
If your report is clean but your score is low because of past late payments or high debt, those items will improve over time. Late payments drop off your report after seven years. High balances hurt your score less once you pay them down, even if you do not pay them off completely.
Types of credit cards and where to explore
Standard credit cards are offered by banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo offer cards both online and in branches. Credit unions often have lower interest rates and more flexible approval standards for members. Online-only issuers like Capital One and Discover often approve people with lower scores or shorter credit histories.
Secured credit cards require a cash deposit (usually $200 to $2,500) that becomes your credit limit. You use the card like any other, and after 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, the issuer may convert it to a standard card and return your deposit. Capital One Secured, Discover Secured, and U.S. Bank Secured are common options. Secured cards are designed for people building credit or rebuilding after damage.
Student credit cards are marketed to people in school or recent graduates and often have lower credit score requirements. Retail cards (offered by stores like Target or Amazon) sometimes have lower approval thresholds than bank cards but usually carry higher interest rates.
You can explore online (fastest), by phone, or in person at a branch. Online applications take minutes and often give you a decision within seconds or hours. Phone applications require speaking to a representative and may take a few days. In-person applications at a bank branch let you ask questions but do not speed up approval.
What happens during the process
The process asks for your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, employment status, employer name, annual income, and whether you rent or own your home. Have this information ready before you start. The issuer will also ask whether you want to be considered for a higher credit limit or whether you want to add an authorized user (someone else who can use the card but is not responsible for the bill).
Once you submit, the issuer pulls your credit report from one or more of the three bureaus. This is called a hard inquiry and it lowers your score by a few points for about three months. Multiple applications within a short time (a few weeks) count as separate inquiries and can add up, so space out applications if you are explore to several cards.
The issuer then makes a decision: approved, approved with conditions (like a lower limit), or denied. If approved, you will see your credit limit and interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate). If denied, the issuer must tell you why — usually because of your credit score, income, or a negative item on your report.
After approval: receiving and using your card
Once approved, your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Some issuers offer a temporary card number you can use online when ready while you wait for the physical card. When it arrives, sign the back and set up it by calling the number on the back or using the issuer's app or website.
Your first statement arrives about 30 days after your first purchase. You will owe at least a minimum payment (usually 1 to 3 percent of your balance) by the due date shown on the statement. If you pay the full balance by the due date, you owe no interest. If you pay less than the full balance, interest accrues on the remaining amount at your APR.
To build credit, use the card regularly (a few small purchases per month) and pay on time, every time. Payment history is the largest factor in your credit score, so even one late payment can lower your score. After six months to a year of on-time payments, your score will likely improve, and you may become may be able to access for cards with better rates or rewards.
If you are denied
A denial does not mean you cannot get a card. It means the issuer decided the risk was too high at that moment. You have the right to know why — the issuer must provide a reason in writing or by phone. Common reasons include a low credit score, high existing debt, recent late payments, or too many recent applications.
If you were denied, wait at least a few months before explore again. In that time, pay down existing debt, make all payments on time, and dispute any errors on your credit report. A secured card is almost always an option, even with poor credit, because your deposit reduces the issuer's risk. After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments on a secured card, you can explore for a standard card from the same issuer or a different one.
If you have no credit history at all (never had a loan, credit card, or utility account in your name), becoming an authorized user on someone else's account can help. The primary cardholder's payment history may appear on your credit report, which builds your score without you having to explore for your own card first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score do I need to get a credit card?
There is no single minimum score. Cards marketed to people with fair credit (typically 580 to 669) are easier to get than cards for excellent credit (750+), but secured cards and some retail cards have no score requirement because the deposit or retail relationship reduces risk. Check the issuer's website to see what score range they typically approve.
How long does it take to get approved for a credit card?
Online applications usually get an when ready or same-day decision. Phone applications may take a few business days. Once approved, the physical card arrives within 7 to 10 business days, though some issuers offer a temporary card number you can use online when ready.
Will explore for a credit card hurt my credit score?
The process itself (called a hard inquiry) lowers your score by a few points for about three months. Multiple applications within a short time add up, so space them out. However, the score recovers, and building credit with a new card usually improves your score over time as you make on-time payments.
Can I get a credit card if I have no credit history?
Yes. A secured card is the most direct path — you deposit cash, and that becomes your credit limit. You can also become an authorized user on someone else's account, which may add their payment history to your credit report. After 6 to 12 months of on-time payments, you can move to a standard card.
What is the difference between a secured and unsecured credit card?
A secured card requires a cash deposit that becomes your credit limit; an unsecured card does not. Secured cards are designed for people building or rebuilding credit. After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, most issuers convert a secured card to unsecured and return your deposit.