Most credit card companies require a Social Security number (SSN) for identity verification and credit reporting purposes. But if you don’t have an SSN because you recently moved to the US or you’re an international student, there are international-friendly credit cards to check out.
How to get a credit card without an SSN
If you don’t have an SSN, a credit card issuer may accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). An ITIN is a unique tax processing number issued by the IRS for individuals who either can’t or don’t have an SSN, and it can serve as an identification number much like an SSN can.
You can apply for an ITIN through the IRS. The required form is called a W-7, and you can mail the completed form, along with your tax return, proof of identity and foreign status documents, directly to the IRS. If you’d rather not mail your sensitive information, you can also apply for an ITIN through a Certifying Acceptance Agent or by visiting a Taxpayer Assistance Center.
Firstcard accepts SSNs, ITINs and passports for its applications, making it a great option for immigrants, international students or non-US citizens. It's heavily designed for students looking to get their first credit card and start building credit history, and it's very accommodating toward international students by offering a translated site in Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese. Firstcard includes two accounts: a deposit account, where you deposit your funds to determine your spending limit, and a credit account, where you borrow money to make purchases. With autopay enabled, your credit account's balance is automatically repaid with the deposit account, so there's 0% APR. You can also earn up to 15% cash back with select partner merchants. However, your credit limit is determined by how much you deposit, which may not cover larger purchases.
Welcome Offer
n/a
Rewards
Up to 15% cash back
Annual fee
$0
Firstcard accepts SSNs, ITINs and passports for its applications, making it a great option for immigrants, international students or non-US citizens. It's heavily designed for students looking to get their first credit card and start building credit history, and it's very accommodating toward international students by offering a translated site in Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese. Firstcard includes two accounts: a deposit account, where you deposit your funds to determine your spending limit, and a credit account, where you borrow money to make purchases. With autopay enabled, your credit account's balance is automatically repaid with the deposit account, so there's 0% APR. You can also earn up to 15% cash back with select partner merchants. However, your credit limit is determined by how much you deposit, which may not cover larger purchases.
Capital One accepts ITINs for some credit cards, including the QuicksilverOne Rewards. This card offers 1.5% unlimited cash back on all purchases. You can earn up to 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. This specific Quicksilver card accepts fair credit, but be aware of the 29.99% variable purchase APR and the $39 annual fee.
Welcome Offer
n/a
Rewards
Up to 5% cash back
Annual fee
$39
Minimum credit score
580
Capital One accepts ITINs for some credit cards, including the QuicksilverOne Rewards. This card offers 1.5% unlimited cash back on all purchases. You can earn up to 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. This specific Quicksilver card accepts fair credit, but be aware of the 29.99% variable purchase APR and the $39 annual fee.
Pros
Unlimited 1.5% cash back
Up to 5% on Capital One Travel purchases
Accepts fair credit
Cons
High purchase APR
$39 annual fee
Annual fee
$39
Purchase APR
29.99% variable
Balance transfer APR
29.99% variable Balance Transfer Fee applies to balances transferred at a promotional rate (0% at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you)
The Fizz card is a credit card that works like a debit card. It requires a US bank account with at least $150 in it, but Fizz accepts SSNs and ITINs. The Fizz card has no annual fees. There are no interest charges either because your balance is automatically repaid from your linked bank account. Fizz is designed for students and offers cash back at places commonly found near college campuses, also making it a great fit for international students. However, since your linked account balance also determines your spending limit, it isn't ideal in emergencies.
Welcome Offer
n/a
Rewards
Up to 100% cash back
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
580
The Fizz card is a credit card that works like a debit card. It requires a US bank account with at least $150 in it, but Fizz accepts SSNs and ITINs. The Fizz card has no annual fees. There are no interest charges either because your balance is automatically repaid from your linked bank account. Fizz is designed for students and offers cash back at places commonly found near college campuses, also making it a great fit for international students. However, since your linked account balance also determines your spending limit, it isn't ideal in emergencies.
A top credit card on its own, the Amex Express Blue Cash Everyday Card accepts SSNs, ITINs and passport numbers. Amex is also partnered with Nova Credit, which means your foreign credit history can be considered when you apply. The Blue Cash Everyday Card has no annual fee and offers cash back on everyday purchases. You can earn up to 3% cash back on groceries at US supermarkets, US online retail purchases and US gas stations up to a total of $6,000 in eligible purchases. After you've reached that $6,000 cap, the rate drops to 1%. You also earn 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases. Additionally, you can get monthly statement credits for qualifying purchases with sites like Disney+ and Home Chef. However, like most Amex credit cards, you may need a good credit score to qualify.
Welcome Offer
$200
Rewards
Up to 3% cash back
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
670
A top credit card on its own, the Amex Express Blue Cash Everyday Card accepts SSNs, ITINs and passport numbers. Amex is also partnered with Nova Credit, which means your foreign credit history can be considered when you apply. The Blue Cash Everyday Card has no annual fee and offers cash back on everyday purchases. You can earn up to 3% cash back on groceries at US supermarkets, US online retail purchases and US gas stations up to a total of $6,000 in eligible purchases. After you've reached that $6,000 cap, the rate drops to 1%. You also earn 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases. Additionally, you can get monthly statement credits for qualifying purchases with sites like Disney+ and Home Chef. However, like most Amex credit cards, you may need a good credit score to qualify.
Pros
Accepts SSN, ITIN or passport number
Up to 3% on everyday purchases
1% unlimited cash back
Partnered with Nova Credit
No annual fee
Cons
May need good credit to qualify
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 18.74% to 29.74% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 18.74% to 29.74% variable) Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Welcome Offer
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
Chase accepts ITINs on credit card applications, and it has a lot of cards to choose from. We're calling out the Chase Freedom Unlimited as it's easily one of Chase's top cards for students, thanks to its $0 annual fee and up to 1.5% cashback rewards on purchases. You can also earn up to 3% on dining and up to 5% on travel purchases made through Chase Travel. However, plan on needing a decent credit score, such as above 670, to qualify.
Welcome Offer
$150
Rewards
Up to 5% cash back
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
670
Chase accepts ITINs on credit card applications, and it has a lot of cards to choose from. We're calling out the Chase Freedom Unlimited as it's easily one of Chase's top cards for students, thanks to its $0 annual fee and up to 1.5% cashback rewards on purchases. You can also earn up to 3% on dining and up to 5% on travel purchases made through Chase Travel. However, plan on needing a decent credit score, such as above 670, to qualify.
Pros
$0 annual fee
At least 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Up to 5% cash back on Chase Travel purchases
Cons
May require good credit
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 20.49% to 29.24% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 20.49% to 29.24% variable) $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days
U.S. Bank accepts ITINs for some of its cards, including its Secured Credit Card. There's also no annual fee, and you can choose your payment due date. The card is secured with a minimum deposit of at least $300, up to $5,000. This card typically allows you to upgrade to an unsecured U.S. Bank card with a positive history, but you can only upgrade with an SSN. U.S. Bank doesn't require a minimum credit score for this card, so if you have limited credit history, this might be a solid option. However, customers report you must call or go to a branch to apply with an ITIN, as they don't accept online applications without an SSN.
Welcome Offer
n/a
Rewards
None
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
300
U.S. Bank accepts ITINs for some of its cards, including its Secured Credit Card. There's also no annual fee, and you can choose your payment due date. The card is secured with a minimum deposit of at least $300, up to $5,000. This card typically allows you to upgrade to an unsecured U.S. Bank card with a positive history, but you can only upgrade with an SSN. U.S. Bank doesn't require a minimum credit score for this card, so if you have limited credit history, this might be a solid option. However, customers report you must call or go to a branch to apply with an ITIN, as they don't accept online applications without an SSN.
Designed for Amazon purchases only, the Amazon Store Card is a secured card that accepts SSN or an ITIN and a minimum security deposit as low as $100. It also has a very low 10% variable purchase APR, significantly lower than nearly all other credit cards. The main benefit is the cashback rewards for Amazon Prime members, offering up to 2% on Amazon purchases. With careful management, you may also become eligible to upgrade to the Amazon Store Card that offers up to 5% cash back on Amazon purchases with a Prime membership.
Welcome Offer
n/a
Rewards
2 % cash back
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
New / limited credit
Designed for Amazon purchases only, the Amazon Store Card is a secured card that accepts SSN or an ITIN and a minimum security deposit as low as $100. It also has a very low 10% variable purchase APR, significantly lower than nearly all other credit cards. The main benefit is the cashback rewards for Amazon Prime members, offering up to 2% on Amazon purchases. With careful management, you may also become eligible to upgrade to the Amazon Store Card that offers up to 5% cash back on Amazon purchases with a Prime membership.
Pros
Low 10% variable APR
No annual fee
Up to 2% cash back on Amazon purchases with Prime
Low minimum security deposit
Upgrade available
Cons
Can only be used with Amazon
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
10% fixed
Balance transfer APR
N/A
Welcome Offer
N/A
Rewards
2 % cash back
Welcome Offer
n/a
Rewards
2 % cash back
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
New / limited credit
Why do I need an ITIN or SSN for a credit card?
There are two main reasons credit card issuers require an SSN, ITIN or other form of identification.
First and foremost, they need to verify your identity before they can approve you for the credit line. An SSN and ITIN are unique numbers, so they’re often used to verify your identity, along with other information, such as your address and government-issued ID.
The second reason has to do with credit reporting. Credit cards are a form of credit, meaning the card’s credit limit, owed balance and payment history are reported to the credit bureaus. To report that information accurately, the credit card company asks for your SSN or ITIN.
Can I get a credit card without an ITIN?
It’s possible to get a credit card without an ITIN or SSN. Some credit card issuers accept a passport number, including Amex or Bank of America.
However, if you don’t have an SSN or ITIN, it severely limits your credit card options. If you can get an ITIN, it can make building a US credit history much easier and significantly expand your opportunities for US lines of credit.
What if I don’t have a US credit history?
Some credit card issuers partner with Nova Credit, a cross-border credit bureau designed to help US newcomers establish a credit history and open US lines of credit and accounts.
In a nutshell, credit card companies that work with Nova Credit can consider foreign credit history for US credit products. For example, American Express partners with Nova Credit, making it a great place to start looking for cards if you’re new to the US.
Do credit cards build credit history?
Yes, credit cards can greatly impact your credit history — for better or worse.
Credit cards are a form of revolving credit, meaning you can use the credit line repeatedly. Even if you max out your credit card limit, you can pay it down and access the credit again. Other forms of credit, like installment loans, are a one-and-done type of loan, where the account closes once you pay it off.
It’s very possible to get a credit card without an SSN, but for most options, you’ll likely need an ITIN instead. While they exist, very few credit card companies accept a passport number in place of an SSN or ITIN. For more information on ITINs and how to apply, we recommend visiting the IRS’s website.
Bethany Hickey is the banking editor and personal finance expert at Finder, specializing in banking, lending, insurance, and crypto.
Bethany’s expertise in personal finance has garnered recognition from esteemed media outlets, such as Nasdaq, MSN, Yahoo Finance, GOBankingRates, SuperMoney, AOL and Newsweek. Her articles offer practical financial strategies to Americans, empowering them to make decisions that meet their financial goals. Her past work includes articles on generational spending and saving habits, lending, budgeting and managing debt.
Before joining Finder, she was a content manager where she wrote hundreds of articles and news pieces on auto financing and credit repair for CarsDirect, Auto Credit Express and The Car Connection, among others.
Bethany holds a BA in English from the University of Michigan-Flint, and was poetry editor for the university’s Qua Literary and Fine Arts Magazine. See full bio
Bethany's expertise
Bethany has written 424 Finder guides across topics including:
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