There are plenty of secured and student cards to choose from.
If you want a credit card but have no credit history, there are plenty of options — as long as you limit your search mostly to secured and student cards. Use our table to compare your options and narrow your search by clicking "Show filters" to see products that fit your credit range and have features that will benefit you most.
{"userFilters":[{"config":{"MULTISELECT":true,"VALUES":"Poor (300-579),Fair (580-669),Good (670-739),Very good (740-850),New (no credit score), New (limited credit history)"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"DETAILS.CREDIT_RANGE"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Credit score","order":1},{"config":{"MULTISELECT":true,"VALUES":"Business,Secured,Student"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"DETAILS.CARD_CATEGORY"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Card type","order":null},{"config":{"MULTISELECT":true,"VALUES":"Balance transfer,0% intro APR,No annual fee,No foreign transaction fee"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"DETAILS.CARD_FEATURES_FILTER"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Features","order":null},{"config":{"MULTISELECT":true,"VALUES":"American Express,Bank of America,Barclaycard,Capital One,Chase,Credit One,Citi,Discover,HSBC,Luxury Card,Penfed,TD Bank,USAA,U.S. Bank,Wells Fargo"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"DETAILS.PROVIDER_FILTER"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Issuer","order":null},{"config":{"MULTISELECT":true,"VALUES":"Any reward type,Crypto,Cash back,Travel,Airline,Hotel"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"DETAILS.REWARDS"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Rewards","order":null}],"niche":{"currencySymbol":"$","decimalPoint":".","decimalPlaces":"2","thousandsSeparator":",","filterBoundsMap":{"product.DETAILS.CREDIT_RANGE":null,"product.DETAILS.CARD_CATEGORY":null,"product.DETAILS.CARD_FEATURES_FILTER":null,"product.DETAILS.PROVIDER_FILTER":null,"product.DETAILS.REWARDS":null}},"prefilled":false}
{"menuItems":[{"label":"4 of the best credit cards for no credit","anchorName":"#4-of-the-best-credit-cards-for-no-credit"},{"label":"Use an ITIN if you're without a Social Security number","anchorName":"#use-an-itin-if-you-re-without-a-social-security-number"},{"label":"3 steps to get a credit card with no credit","anchorName":"#3-steps-to-get-a-credit-card-with-no-credit"},{"label":"3 steps to start building credit","anchorName":"#3-steps-to-start-building-credit"},{"label":"4 types of credit cards for no credit","anchorName":"#4-types-of-credit-cards-for-no-credit"},{"label":"How to choose a credit card for no credit","anchorName":"#how-to-choose-a-credit-card-for-no-credit"},{"label":"What's considered \"no credit?\"","anchorName":"#readmore"},{"label":"Why it's important to build credit?","anchorName":"#why-it-s-important-to-build-credit"},{"label":"Bottom line","anchorName":"#bottom-line"}]}
A rare secured card for no credit that lets you apply with no credit check.
Pros
No credit check. OpenSky uses your ID to confirm your identity and it won't do a credit pull.
Build your credit. The card reports to all three major credit bureaus, which can help strengthen your credit. All you have to do is keep your utilization low and make timely payments.
Credit line. You have full control over your credit line, as it's the sum of your security deposit. You can make a deposit from $200 up to $3,000.
Cons
Annual fee. The card comes with a $35 annual fee. A small price to pay for no credit check.
Foreign transaction fee. Every transaction made abroad or online with foreign merchants will cost you 3% of the amount.
No rewards. You won't earn rewards on your purchases.
Build your credit with rewards and no fees: Apply if you're new to credit or have a fair to good score.
Pros
Cashback rewards. You’ll earn 1% cash back on all eligible purchases. To reward responsible spending, that cashback value will be bumped to 1.25% after six on-time payments and 1.5 after 12 on-time monthly payments. The Petal 2 also earns 2% to 10% back at select retailers, including Gap, Old Navy, Casper and more.
No credit history required. If you have no credit score or limited credit history, your income and financial records, including your checking accounts and bill payments, may be analyzed to determine your eligibility. You can still apply if you already have a good credit history and you want to take advantage of the card’s generous fee structure.
No fees. There’s no annual, foreign transaction, overlimit or even late fees.
Cons
No intro APR period. Most cashback cards come with a 0% intro APR period on purchases, balance transfers or both. Unfortunately, that’s one perk you won’t get with the Petal 2.
No signup bonus. Unlike many of its competitors that offer signup bonuses or introductory offers, Petal has no such offer.
The Self Visa® Credit Card is unique in that it just requires you open a credit building account with Self to qualify.
Pros
No credit history required. To apply, you'll need to open a credit-building account with Self and meet their requirements. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
Choose your own credit limit. Once you qualify for the Self Visa, you can choose your own credit limit based on the amount you saved in your Self account.
Cons
No rewards. This card doesn't offer opportunities to earn rewards on purchases.
The Tomo Credit Card is a straightforward credit-building card that has a $0 annual fee and doesn't require a credit score. What gives this card an extra nudge to our list however is that you can apply even if you're not a US citizen provided you have an ITIN.
Pros
No credit history required. To apply, you'll need to open a credit-building account with Plaid.
No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
SSN not required. You can apply for the Tomo Credit Card so long as you have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
Cons
No signup bonus. This card doesn't offer a signup bonus.
Not a credit card. The Tomo Credit Card is a charge card, meaning you'll need to pay off your purchases as required by Plaid.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
N/A
Balance transfer APR
N/A
Welcome Offer
N/A
Rewards
None
Welcome Offer
n/a
Rewards
None
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
New to credit
How do I get a credit card if I’m an immigrant in the US?
If you’ve recently moved to the US, you’ll want to look at credit cards that cater to those without prior credit history and a Social Security number. Though your choices are more limited than traditional credit cards, you do have several strong no-credit options for immigrants.
Use an ITIN if you’re without a Social Security number
If you want to apply for a credit card but don’t have a Social Security number, there’s another option: Get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Once you start building a credit history, you’ll eventually able to apply for a wider variety of financial products.
What’s an ITIN?
An ITIN is a nine-digit tax processing number issued by the IRS. Many people who can’t obtain Social Security numbers opt for ITINs instead.
An ITIN can be useful if you want to apply for a credit card. Most card providers require a Social Security number in their applications, but some let you use an ITIN instead.
Mail the form to the IRS along with your immigration documentation and proof of identity, such as a visa or passport. Or, submit the required materials to an IRS walk-in office or Acceptance Agent.
Look for a card that’s open to those in your financial circumstances. These typically include secured and student cards, but may include unsecured and store products. Avoid cards that are stacked with features, as they usually require strong credit.
Check the requirements. Depending on the type of card, you may need to supply a security deposit.
Apply for the card. Have information such as your contact details, Social Security number and total annual income on hand. If you’re applying for a secured card, you’ll need to provide info from the bank that’s funding your security deposit.
Here are a few tips to increase your odds of approval:
Check reviews to see if a card is open to applicants new to credit. We include this information with every review at Finder.
Read the issuer’s requirements to see if you qualify. Issuers often include details on their card pages on guidelines for getting approval.
Apply for one card at a time. Take your time and research cards you have a high likelihood of qualifying for. Then, narrow your choice to one card and apply only for that one.
3 steps to start building credit
If you have no credit history, follow these steps to start building it:
Decide on a credit account. Compare different types of credit accounts that can help you start accumulating data on your credit report. One option is to get a credit-builder loan.
Compare lenders or issuers. Make sure your lender reports your activity to the three major US credit bureaus: TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. Over time, these bureaus provide information to create your credit score. Your score with each bureau is important because lenders often pull credit reports from only one when making approval decisions.
Be consistent with your payments. Once you’re approved for a credit account, make your payments on time and keep your account in good standing. This will ensure your lender reports positive activity to the credit bureaus. After at least six months of credit activity, you’ll get a credit score.
Additionally, keep your card balance low, retain your card accounts for a long time, open other types of credit accounts and new accounts sparingly to keep your score in great shape. The aim is to eventually build a good credit score — at least 670 for your FICO score.
A 670 gives you the opportunity to apply for more valuable credit cards and get better interest rates on loans. There are four types of credit-building credit cards that are especially useful if you’re just starting out.
4 types of credit cards for no credit
Apply for credit cards that offer a good chance of approval for your financial situation. These include:
Secured credit cards. A secured card requires an upfront deposit — typically at least $200. While the deposit is a bummer, you’ll have many secured cards to choose from. Most of these cards require no prior credit history.
Student credit cards. These can be great options if you’re enrolled in a college or university. Most student credit cards don’t require security deposits, unlike secured cards.
Business credit cards for no credit. If you’re a business owner, you might want this type of card to separate your personal and business expenses. While you’re mostly limited to secured cards, you might also want to consider a line of credit.
Unsecured cards for no credit. If you don’t want to put down a deposit for a secured card, look for providers that welcome applicants new to credit.
How to choose a credit card for no credit
When you’re looking for the right credit card for no credit, you’ll want to ask yourself a few questions to narrow down your choices:
Do you have a Social Security number? If you’re a newcomer to the US, you’ll want to see if the card requires an SSN to apply.
Are you still in school? There are a variety of credit cards designed for students. These are often preferable options if you qualify for them.
Do you need a business card? You’ll find a few no-credit options designed specifically for businesses.
Do you intend on carrying a balance? If so, you’ll want to choose a card with a low APR. It’s also wise to look for a card with low fees just in case you’re worried about missing payments in the early months.
What’s considered “no credit?”
If you have no credit, it means you have no history on your credit report.
Your credit report is a record that shows information such as your debt, payment history and how long you’ve had credit accounts. If you haven’t borrowed money — for example, through a loan or credit card — you won’t have a credit history.
A credit history is important because it’s similar to a report card. It’s something lenders can use to judge your reliability as a borrower. If you have no credit, you’re a question mark to lenders, and they’ll be more hesitant to accept you as a customer.
Why it’s important to build credit?
Your credit score plays an important role in whether providers are willing to lend to you when it comes to making big purchases. Personal loans, mortgages, and auto loans are only a few of the big-ticket items you’ll need to consider as you make life’s big purchases. Depending on your credit score, the amount a provider is willing to loan you can increase or decrease.
Use one of the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian or TransUnion — to check your credit score.
Look for a product that’s available to someone new to credit — such as a secured card. Unlike an unsecured card, a secured card requires you to put down a deposit which serves as your credit limit.
As you spend with your card and pay your card bill on time, your provider will report your positive payment activity to the credit bureaus. Eventually, you’ll get a credit score. And as you continue being a responsible cardholder, you’ll steadily see your score rise.
Scott Nelson, CEO of MoneyNerd Ltd, tells Finder that building credit is important for several reasons.
“In today’s society, it is very rare for an individual to be able to go through life without the need for credit, a mortgage or any other financial product,”
“For this reason, in order to qualify for the best financial products and, more importantly, the lowest interest rates granted to prime borrowers, one must have a strong credit history.
“Without a strong credit history, you may be declined loans, receive extremely high interest rates and end up in greater debt through being forced into taking out poor financial products like payday loans.”
Bottom line
If you have no credit, there are plenty of good credit cards to start with. As you make card payments on time, you’ll steadily build your credit score. With a strong score, you can apply for better credit cards, including cashback and travel products.
Kevin Chen is a personal finance expert and a former writer at Finder. His expertise has been featured in CNN, U.S. News and World Report, Lifehacker and CreditCards.com, among other top media.
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Advertiser Disclosure
finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which finder.com receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. finder.com compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.