Compare credit cards with instant and near-instant approval and more realistic eligibility requirements to increase your chances of success.
While most credit cards can offer approval within 60 seconds when you apply online, you’ll still need to meet a number of eligibility requirements to be successful. Some credit cards have stricter eligibility requirements than others, so it’s important to know what type of credit card you’re eligible for before you apply. Use this guide to compare credit cards with near-instant approval, lower income requirements and to understand exactly what you need to do to improve your chances of approval when applying for your next credit card.
If you have low or no credit, this card offers easy-to-meet eligibility criteria - with no fees or credit check required.
Editor's Pick: Green Dot primor® Mastercard® Gold Secured Credit Card
Compare easy credit cards to apply for
These secured and unsecured credit cards tend to be easy to apply and get approved for.
The most popular questions about instant approval credit cards
Which types of cards are easier to apply for?
Credit card requirements generally increase in demand with premium cards which include more perks and benefits. The following types of credit cards have fewer requirements for successful application:
Secured credit cards.-
Low-interest rate and credit limits. Not all credit cards charge the same interest, and if you plan to keep balances in your account rolling from one month to the next, getting a card with a low-interest rate on your purchases is a worthwhile bet. A typical low-interest rate would not offer extras like concierge access and complimentary insurances, but it would offer all basic features you can expect from a credit card.
People who have a low income can’t expect to get cards with high credit limits, so their options are cards that come with low credit limits. You can expect to start off with a credit limit of around $500, and you can then work your way up as you build a positive account history. - Joint account. If you don’t earn enough to apply for a credit card, you can consider applying for one as a joint applicant, by combining your income with your partner’s income. If your partner has an existing credit card, you can even think about getting an additional card linked to it for you.
- Low annual fee. Annual fees on credit cards vary, but the majority are reasonably priced and only applied to your card once per year. Read our guide to no annual fee credit cards to compare your options.
What are the benefits and limitations of applying for one of these cards?
Pros
- Suitable for those with low credit scores. This, without a doubt, is the biggest advantage of such cards, given that people with lower credit scores don’t have too many options. If you have no credit or a low credit score (300 – 619), you can think about applying for one of these credit cards.
- Expenses in check. One risk of getting a credit card is over spending. A typical low-income credit card comes with a low credit limit, ensuring that you don’t end up making excessive purchases.
- Promotional interest rates. Certain low-income credit cards come with promotional interest rates that stay in place for varied time periods, typically in between six to 12 months. These promotional rates normally apply only to balance transfers, but some cards offer these rates on purchases as well.
Cons
- Paying high interest. Credit cards charge interest on purchases and cash advances, and these might or might not be the same. With a card that charges high interest, if you don’t pay your balances in full each month you could end up paying a significant amount in the form of interest.
- Fees and charges. Depending on the credit card you wish to get, you might have to pay application fees and ongoing account keeping fees. If you don’t make timely repayments you could have to pay late charges.
- Spend more than you can repay. Getting a credit card gives you the means to buy things even when you don’t have the money to pay for them at the time, and if you give in to your impulses you can end up with debt that is hard to repay. When you use a credit card, it is important that you plan ahead and know just where future repayments would come from before buying anything.
How to apply for one of these credit cards
Once you’ve compared your options, you can apply for a card and receive a response within 60 seconds. Before you apply, though, make sure you’ve made sure you meet the eligibility requirements and have the relevant documents handy.
Eligibility requirements
To apply, you would usually have to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- You’re at least 18 years of age
- You’re a permanent resident of the U.S.A or an American citizen
- You have a regular source of income
Necessary documents
You also need to provide different types of information, which could include the following:
- Your complete name, date of birth, and details from your American driver’s license or passport
- Your residential address, email address, and phone number
- Your employer’s name, phone number, and address
While you don’t have to earn a lot of money to get a credit card, bear in mind at all times that you would have to repay the money you borrow, maybe, along with interest. If you still wish to apply, make sure you compare your options well before deciding to select the option that suits your unique financial situation.
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