The Walmart credit card process process takes about 10 minutes online or in-store, and you'll get a decision within seconds to a few minutes

Walmart offers two main credit cards: the Walmart MoneyCard (a prepaid card that doesn't require a credit check) and the Walmart Credit Card (a traditional credit card that does a credit check). Most people asking about "the Walmart credit card" mean the traditional one, which you can open through Walmart.com, the Walmart mobile app, or in any Walmart store at the customer service desk. The process itself is short — name, address, income, Social Security number, and employment information — and Walmart's system makes a lending decision on the spot in most cases.

If you're approved, you'll receive a temporary card number when ready that you can use online right away. Your physical card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you're denied, you'll see the reason on screen, and you can reapply after addressing whatever triggered the decline — usually a very recent negative mark on your credit report or insufficient credit history.

Key Takeaways

  • You can start a Walmart Credit Card process on Walmart.com, the Walmart app, or at the customer service desk in any store, and you'll get a decision within minutes.
  • The process asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment details — have these ready before you start.
  • A temporary card number appears on screen when ready if you're approved, so you can use it online the same day.
  • Your physical card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days, and you can use the temporary number until it arrives.
  • If you're denied, Walmart tells you why on screen, and you can reapply once you've addressed the issue — usually waiting a few months or building credit history.

What you need before you start

Gather these documents or have this information ready before you open the process. You won't need to upload anything — you'll just type the information in — but having it in front of you makes the process faster and reduces mistakes that could slow down approval.

You need your Social Security number, current address, phone number, and email address. You'll also need to know your current employment status and employer name, your annual income (or household income if you're explore jointly), and whether you rent or own your home. If you've moved in the last two years, have your previous address ready. That's the full list. Walmart doesn't ask for tax returns, pay stubs, or bank statements during the process itself.

explore online through Walmart.com or the app

Go to Walmart.com and look for "Credit Card" in the top navigation or search bar. You'll land on a page that shows both the Walmart Credit Card and the MoneyCard side by side. Click on the Walmart Credit Card (the traditional one, not the prepaid). You'll see the interest rate, annual fee (there isn't one), and rewards structure, then a button that says "explore Now" or "Open Now."

Click that button and you'll move into the process form. Fill in your personal information, employment details, and income. The form asks whether you want the card for personal or business use — choose personal unless you're opening it for a business account. You'll also see a section asking whether you want to receive offers and communications from Walmart — you can say yes or no; it doesn't affect approval. Review everything once before you submit, then click the final submit button.

Within seconds to a few minutes, you'll see a decision screen. If you're approved, write down your temporary card number and CVV — you can use these online when ready. If you're denied, the screen will tell you why. You can also log into your Walmart account later to check your process status or see your temporary card number again.

explore in-store at the customer service desk

Walk into any Walmart and go to the customer service desk — it's usually near the front of the store or near the pharmacy. Tell the associate you want to open a Walmart Credit Card. They'll hand you a tablet or direct you to a kiosk where you'll fill out the same process you'd complete online. The process is identical: personal information, employment, income, then submit.

You'll get your decision on the same screen within minutes. If approved, the associate will print your temporary card number for you, and you can use it right away. Some stores will also offer you a physical card on the spot if you're approved, though this varies by location — ask the associate. Your official card will still arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

What happens after approval

Once you're approved, you have a temporary card number and a credit limit. Your temporary number works online and over the phone for 120 days while you wait for your physical card. You can start using your rewards when ready — the Walmart Credit Card currently earns cash back on Walmart and Walmart.com purchases, though the exact rate changes occasionally, so check your approval documents for the current structure.

Your physical card will arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. When it arrives, set up it by calling the number on the back or through the Walmart app. After set up, you can use it in stores and online. Your first statement arrives about 30 days after your first purchase, and you'll have a grace period (usually 21 days from the statement date) to pay your balance in full without interest charges.

What to do if you're denied

Walmart will tell you on screen why you were denied. The most common reasons are: you have recent negative marks on your credit report (late payments, collections, charge-offs), you have very limited credit history, your income is below a certain threshold, or you already have too much debt relative to your income. The denial doesn't hurt your credit — the process itself triggers a hard inquiry that shows on your report, but the inquiry itself has minimal impact.

If you were denied because of recent negative marks, wait 3 to 6 months and reapply. If you were denied because of limited credit history, open a secured credit card or become an authorized user on someone else's account to build history, then reapply in a few months. If income was the issue, reapply once your income has increased or once you can include household income if you're married or in a partnership. You can reapply as often as you want, but multiple applications in a short time can hurt your credit score, so space them out by at least a few months.

Walmart Credit Card vs. Walmart MoneyCard

The Walmart Credit Card is a traditional credit card backed by Capital One Bank. It reports to the three credit bureaus, builds your credit history with on-time payments, and charges interest if you carry a balance. The Walmart MoneyCard is a prepaid card — you load money onto it first, then spend what you've loaded. It doesn't require a credit check, doesn't build credit history, and has a monthly fee (currently $1 to $3 depending on how you load it).

If you're building credit or want rewards, the Walmart Credit Card is the right choice. If you have no credit history, a very low credit score, or you want to avoid credit altogether, the MoneyCard is an option, though it costs more over time because of the monthly fee. Both are available through the same process process — just choose which one you want before you start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my temporary card number before my physical card arrives?

Yes. Your temporary card number works online and over the phone for 120 days. You can start making purchases when ready after approval. Your physical card will arrive within 7 to 10 business days, and once it arrives and you set up it, you can use it in stores as well.

What credit score do I need to be approved?

Walmart doesn't publish a minimum credit score, but the Walmart Credit Card is generally easier to get than many other cards — people with fair credit (scores in the 580 to 669 range) are often approved. If you have poor credit or no credit history, you may be denied, but you can reapply after a few months or after taking steps to improve your credit.

Does the process hurt my credit score?

The process triggers a hard inquiry, which shows on your credit report and has a small temporary impact on your score — usually 5 to 10 points. The impact fades over time. Multiple applications in a short period can have a larger effect, so space out reapplications by at least a few months if you're denied.

Can I explore if I don't have a Social Security number?

No. Walmart requires a Social Security number to run a credit check and verify your identity. If you have an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) instead, contact Walmart customer service to ask whether you can use it, though most card issuers require an SSN.

What if I'm approved but change my mind?

You can cancel before your physical card arrives or shortly after. Call the number on your temporary card or log into your account online. Canceling won't hurt your credit, though closing a new account does have a small impact. If you've already used the card, pay off the balance first.