The Wells Fargo process process takes about 10 minutes online
You can start a Wells Fargo credit card process on their website or in a branch. The online route is faster — you answer questions about income, employment, and existing debts, and Wells Fargo tells you within seconds whether you are approved, pending review, or declined. If you are approved on the spot, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days. If your process goes to pending, a decision usually comes within 2 to 3 business days.
You will need your Social Security number, current income, and employment information. Have a recent pay stub or tax return handy if you are self-employed. If you already bank with Wells Fargo, the process is even shorter because they already have some of your information on file.
The process itself does not cost anything. Wells Fargo will pull your credit report, which creates a hard inquiry on your credit file — this temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points but recovers within a few months.
Key Takeaways
- Wells Fargo credit card applications are processed online in about 10 minutes, with approval decisions often when ready or within 2 to 3 business days.
- You will need your Social Security number, current income, and employment details; existing Wells Fargo customers can skip some verification steps.
- A hard credit inquiry is part of the process and will temporarily lower your credit score by a few points.
- Approved cards ship within 7 to 10 business days, and you can set up and use them when ready upon arrival.
What information you need before you start
Gather these documents before opening the process. Having them ready means you will not have to stop halfway through and come back later.
You need your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address. Wells Fargo will also ask for your annual income — this includes salary, wages, investment income, and any other regular money coming in. If you receive Social Security, disability, or pension payments, those count as income too.
Have your current job title and employer name ready. If you have been at your job less than two years, you may be asked about your previous employer. Self-employed people should have a recent tax return available to show income.
If you already have a Wells Fargo checking or savings account, log into your online banking before you start the credit card process. The system will pull your existing account information and you will skip several verification steps.
Step-by-step: explore online at wellsfargo.com
Go to wellsfargo.com and click "Credit Cards" in the main menu. You will see a list of their current card offerings — each one shows the annual percentage rate range, rewards structure, and annual fee (if any). Click on the card you want.
Click the button to start the process. You will be asked whether you are an existing Wells Fargo customer. Answer honestly — if you already bank there, say yes, because it speeds up the process. If you are new to Wells Fargo, say no.
Fill in your personal information: full name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, phone number, and email. Then enter your employment information: current job title, employer name, how long you have been there, and annual income. If you are self-employed, enter your business name and the year you started it.
The next section asks about your existing debts. List any other credit cards you hold, car loans, student loans, or mortgages. You do not need exact balances — Wells Fargo will see those when they pull your credit report. Just give a rough total of how much you owe across all accounts.
Review the information you entered. Wells Fargo will ask you to agree to their terms and authorize them to pull your credit report. Click submit. Within seconds to a few minutes, you will see a decision.
What happens after you submit your process
If you see "Approved" on the screen, your card is on its way. Wells Fargo will send it to the address you provided, usually within 7 to 10 business days. You can set up it as soon as it arrives by calling the number on the back of the card or using the Wells Fargo mobile app.
If you see "Pending," Wells Fargo needs more information or wants to review your process manually. This usually takes 2 to 3 business days. They will contact you by phone or email with a decision. Keep an eye on your email and answer calls from unknown numbers during this time.
If you see "Declined," your process was not approved. Wells Fargo does not always explain why, but common reasons include a low credit score, recent late payments, high existing debt relative to income, or too many recent credit inquiries. You can call Wells Fargo customer service to ask for more detail, but they may not provide specifics.
If you are declined, you can reapply after 30 days. In the meantime, focus on paying down existing balances and making all payments on time — these changes will help your next process.
explore in person at a Wells Fargo branch
You can also start a credit card process at any Wells Fargo branch during business hours. A banker will walk you through the same questions you would answer online. The advantage is that they can answer questions in real time and help you choose which card fits your spending habits.
The disadvantage is that in-branch applications take longer — usually 20 to 30 minutes — and you still get the same decision timeline. You will not walk out with a card in hand; it will be mailed to you just like an online process.
In-branch applications make sense if you are already a Wells Fargo customer, have questions about which card to choose, or prefer talking to a person. Otherwise, the online process is faster and just as straightforward.
What happens to your credit score
When you submit your process, Wells Fargo requests your credit report from one or more of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion). This is called a hard inquiry and it shows up on your credit report.
A hard inquiry typically lowers your credit score by 5 to 10 points. This drop is temporary — your score usually recovers within 3 to 6 months as long as you make payments on time. Multiple applications within a short period (like explore for several cards in one week) count as multiple inquiries and have a bigger impact, so space out applications if you are planning to open more than one card.
Once your card is approved and you start using it, the account itself will help your credit score over time — as long as you pay your bill on time and keep your balance low relative to your credit limit.
If your process is denied or pending
A declined process does not mean you can never get a Wells Fargo card. It means you were not approved at that moment, based on the information Wells Fargo saw in your credit report and process.
If you were declined, call Wells Fargo at the number on the decline letter or visit a branch. Ask whether you can reapply when ready or whether you should wait. Some banks allow reapplication right away if you can provide new information (like a recent raise or paying off a debt); others ask you to wait 30 days.
If your process is pending, do not submit another process while you wait. Multiple applications in a short time can hurt your chances. Wait for Wells Fargo to contact you with a decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get approved for a Wells Fargo credit card?
Most decisions come when ready or within a few minutes of submitting your process online. If your process goes to pending review, you will hear back within 2 to 3 business days. Once approved, the physical card arrives in 7 to 10 business days.
Can I use my card before it arrives in the mail?
Not before it arrives, but some Wells Fargo cards offer a digital wallet option. Once approved, you may be able to add your card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay and use it when ready for online and in-store purchases while you wait for the physical card.
What if I do not have a Social Security number?
Wells Fargo requires a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to open a credit card account. If you do not have either, you will not be able to open a credit card through Wells Fargo at this time.
Can I explore for a Wells Fargo credit card if I have bad credit?
Wells Fargo has cards designed for people rebuilding credit, though approval is not may provide. A secured credit card, which requires a cash deposit, is often easier to get approved for than an unsecured card. Visit wellsfargo.com to see which cards they currently offer for different credit profiles.
What should I do if I am declined?
Wait at least 30 days before reapplying. In the meantime, focus on paying down existing balances, making all payments on time, and checking your credit report for errors at annualcreditreport.com. These steps improve your chances on the next process.