Getting a credit card means finding a card that matches your credit history, then completing an process with the issuer
If you have no credit history or a limited one, you will likely start with a secured credit card — a card backed by a cash deposit you make upfront. If you already have some credit history, you may go straight to a standard card. Either way, the process is the same: you choose a card, fill out an process (online, by phone, or in person), and the issuer decides within minutes to a few days whether to approve you.
The card issuer pulls your credit report from one of the three major bureaus — Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion — and checks your credit score if you have one. They also verify your income and look for any missed payments or unpaid debts. If approved, your card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days, and you can start using it when ready once it arrives.
Key Takeaways
- A secured card requires you to deposit cash upfront (usually $200 to $2,500) that becomes your credit limit, and is the most common first card for people with no credit history.
- You will need a Social Security number, proof of income (a recent pay stub or tax return), and a current address to complete any process.
- Your credit score, if you have one, is the single biggest factor in approval — scores above 670 open more options, but cards exist for scores below 580.
- After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, many secured card issuers convert your account to a standard card and return your deposit.
- explore for multiple cards in a short time can lower your score temporarily, so space applications at least a few weeks apart.
Secured cards versus standard cards: which one you can get
A secured credit card is designed for people building credit from scratch or rebuilding after past problems. You deposit money into a savings account held by the card issuer — typically $200 to $2,500 — and that amount becomes your credit limit. You then use the card like any other: make purchases, receive a monthly bill, and pay it. The issuer reports your payments to the credit bureaus, which builds your credit score over time. Your deposit stays in the account untouched; it is there as insurance for the issuer in case you stop paying.
A standard (unsecured) credit card requires no deposit. The issuer gives you a credit limit based on your credit score, income, and payment history. If you have a score of 670 or higher, you have many standard card options. If your score is between 580 and 669, you can still find standard cards, though they often come with higher interest rates or annual fees. If you have no credit score at all — because you have never borrowed before — you will almost certainly need a secured card first.
The choice is not permanent. After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments on a secured card, most issuers will convert you to a standard card automatically and return your deposit. Some let you request conversion earlier if your score improves quickly.
What you need to have ready before you explore
Gather these documents before you start an process. You will need your Social Security number, which the issuer uses to pull your credit report. You will also need proof of income — a recent pay stub (within the last 30 days), a tax return from the past two years, or a bank statement showing regular deposits. If you are self-employed, a profit-and-loss statement or tax return works. If you receive benefits, a benefits statement counts.
Have your current address ready, and know your monthly income before taxes. If you are explore for a secured card, you will also need to decide how much you can deposit upfront — the issuer will ask this during the process. Most secured cards require a minimum deposit of $200, though some go as low as $100. Your deposit becomes your credit limit, so if you deposit $500, your limit is $500.
If you are explore online, you can usually complete the process in 10 to 15 minutes. If you explore by phone, a representative will walk you through the same questions. In-person applications at a bank branch take about the same time.
How the approval decision works
When you submit your process, the issuer runs what is called a hard inquiry — they pull your full credit report from one of the three bureaus and check your credit score. This inquiry appears on your credit report and lowers your score by a few points, usually 5 to 10 points. The effect is temporary and fades over a few months, but multiple inquiries in a short time add up, so space applications at least two to three weeks apart.
The issuer looks at three main things: your credit score (if you have one), your income, and your payment history. If you have no credit history, they focus on your income and whether you have any negative marks like collections or bankruptcy. Most secured card issuers approve people with almost any income level, as long as you can cover the deposit. Standard card issuers are stricter — they typically want to see a monthly income of at least $1,000 to $1,500, though this varies by card.
You will usually get a decision within minutes if you explore online, or within a few days if you explore by phone or in person. If approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days. If denied, the issuer sends you a letter explaining why, and you have the right to request a free copy of your credit report to see what they saw.
Using your card responsibly from day one
Once your card arrives, set up it by calling the number on the back or using the issuer's app. Then use it for small, regular purchases — a gas fill-up, a grocery trip, a subscription you already pay for. The goal is to show the issuer that you can borrow money and pay it back on time, every time.
Pay your full balance by the due date each month. This does two things: it avoids interest charges (which can be 18% to 25% or higher on a new card), and it shows the issuer you are reliable. Even if you can only afford to pay the minimum, do it on time. A single late payment can set back your credit score by 100 points or more and may trigger a higher interest rate.
Keep your balance low — ideally below 30% of your credit limit. If your limit is $500, try to keep your balance under $150. This ratio, called your credit utilization, is the second-biggest factor in your credit score after payment history. High utilization signals financial stress, even if you pay on time.
When to explore for a second card or upgrade
After 6 to 12 months of on-time payments, you become a stronger candidate for a second card or a better card. At this point, you can explore for a standard card even if you started with a secured one. You can also ask your current issuer to convert your secured card to a standard card — many do this automatically, but you can request it if they do not.
Do not explore for multiple cards at once. Each process triggers a hard inquiry and lowers your score slightly. Instead, space applications 2 to 3 months apart. This gives your score time to recover and shows issuers that you are not desperately seeking credit.
Once you have two cards, keep both open even if you stop using one. Closing a card lowers your available credit and can hurt your score. Instead, use each card for a small purchase every few months to keep the accounts active.
What happens if you are denied
If an issuer denies your process, they must send you a letter within 30 days explaining the reason. Common reasons include a low credit score, insufficient income, too many recent hard inquiries, or negative marks like collections or bankruptcy on your report. The letter also tells you how to request a free copy of your credit report from the bureau they used.
If you were denied for a standard card, explore for a secured card instead. Secured cards have much higher approval rates because the deposit protects the issuer. If you were denied for a secured card, the issue is likely your income — you may need to wait until your income increases, or you may need to add a co-signer (though few secured card issuers allow this).
Before you explore again, check your credit report for errors. You can get a free report from each of the three bureaus once a year at annualcreditreport.com. If you find mistakes — a payment marked late that you made on time, or an account that is not yours — dispute it with the bureau. Fixing errors can improve your score enough to change a denial to an approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a credit score to get a credit card?
No. If you have never borrowed before, you have no credit score. Secured card issuers will still approve you as long as you have income and can make the deposit. Your first card will build your score from zero.
What is the difference between a credit card and a debit card?
A debit card pulls money directly from your bank account. A credit card borrows money from the issuer, which you pay back later. Only credit cards build your credit score, because the issuer reports your payments to the credit bureaus.
Can I use my credit card right away, or do I have to wait?
You can use it as soon as it arrives and you set up it. You do not have to wait for a statement or anything else. However, you cannot use it before it arrives — online approval does not mean you can use the card number when ready.
What if I cannot afford the deposit for a secured card?
Some issuers allow deposits as low as $100 to $200. If that is still too much, you could ask a family member to co-sign a standard card process, though most issuers do not offer co-signer options. Another option is to wait a few months and save up the deposit.
Will getting a credit card hurt my credit score?
The process itself (the hard inquiry) lowers your score by a few points temporarily. But once you have the card and make on-time payments, your score will rise over time. The long-term benefit far outweighs the short-term dip.