How we compiled this: Our editorial team cross-referenced issuer application pages, published card terms, and reports from WalletHub, Forbes Advisor, CNBC Select, NerdWallet, and Capital One’s own ITIN resource page (updated April 2026), then layered in regulatory analysis of the May 2026 White House executive order. Cards are ranked within each tier by approval accessibility for ITIN holders, not by rewards value.
Last verified: July 5, 2026.
The at-a-glance answer: which issuers accept an ITIN?
Of the top 10 credit card issuers, seven accept an ITIN, including Bank of America and Capital One. That is better odds than most ITIN holders expect, but the details matter: some issuers only accept ITINs for specific cards, some require an existing banking relationship, and a few route ITIN applicants through an in-branch process rather than a standard online form. The table below maps every confirmed issuer as of mid-2026.
Master issuer reference table
| Issuer | ITIN Accepted? | Cards Available | Apply Online? | Min. Credit Score (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One | Yes, all cards | Platinum, Quicksilver Secured, QuicksilverOne, Savor Student | Yes | None (secured); 650+ (unsecured) | Pre-qualification tool uses soft pull |
| Chase | Yes, all cards | Freedom Rise, Freedom Unlimited, Sapphire Preferred, and more | Yes | 670+ (Freedom Unlimited); 720+ (Sapphire) | Branch application always available |
| American Express | Yes, SSN or ITIN | Blue Business Plus, Gold, Platinum, and more | Yes | 670+ (most cards) | Can import foreign Amex history in some countries |
| Bank of America | Yes | Customized Cash Rewards Secured, others | Varies by citizenship | 670+ (unsecured) | Existing BofA account strongly helps approval |
| Wells Fargo | Yes, all cards | Active Cash, Autograph, Reflect | Yes | 670+ (Active Cash) | 3% foreign transaction fee on Active Cash |
| Citi | Yes (select cards) | Secured Mastercard; some unsecured with banking relationship | Varies | None (secured) | Branch relationship often required for ITIN applications |
| U.S. Bank | Yes (secured only) | U.S. Bank Secured Visa | Yes | None | $300-$5,000 deposit; upgrade path to unsecured |
| OpenSky | Yes | Secured Visa ($35/yr), Plus Secured ($0/yr), Launch | Yes | None (no credit check at all) | $200-$3,000 deposit; 89% approval rate cited |
| Zolve | Yes (passport also accepted) | Zolve Classic | Yes | None | For H1-B, L-1, F-1 visa holders; up to $10,000 limit |
| Tilt (fka Petal) | Yes (SSN or ITIN) | Tilt Motion Visa | Yes | 580+ (fair credit ok) | No deposit, no annual fee; cash-flow underwriting |
| Discover | No | None | N/A | N/A | SSN required; no ITIN accepted |
”I have no U.S. credit history at all. Where do I even start?”
This is the most common situation for recent immigrants and new ITIN holders, and the answer is more accessible than most people expect.
For most people without an SSN, the fastest path to a real credit card is through a credit-builder card that does not require a credit check, and two options stand out as the easiest to qualify for with an ITIN.
The first is the OpenSky Secured Visa. OpenSky is one of the few secured credit cards that openly approves applicants without an SSN: an ITIN works, there is no credit check during the application, which makes it accessible if your U.S. credit history is thin or nonexistent, and OpenSky reports your account activity to all three major credit bureaus every month. A $200 minimum deposit is required, and the card charges a $35 annual fee. You can choose a deposit from $200 to $3,000, and the amount sets your starting credit limit. OpenSky also now offers the Plus Secured Visa with no annual fee (minimum $300 deposit) and the Launch Secured Visa starting at just $100, though the Launch card carries a monthly maintenance fee that works out to roughly $36 per year after year one.
The second strong option for zero-history applicants is the Capital One Platinum Secured. An initial security deposit of $49, $99, or $200 can open an account with a credit line of at least $200. Capital One will begin automatically reviewing your account after just six months to see if you qualify for a higher credit line with no additional deposit, and with continued responsible card usage you may even get your deposit back and receive an upgrade to an unsecured version of the Quicksilver card.
For applicants who cannot or would rather not tie up cash in a deposit, Zolve Classic offers an unsecured option. The Zolve Classic Credit Card is friendly to international students and H1-B and L-1 visa holders: if you lack a Social Security number, you can qualify with alternative documentation like offer letters, pay slips, or other eligible documents. Zolve advertises limits up to $10,000 based on alternative underwriting. Note that Zolve accepts applicants from select countries and may not approve all nationalities, so check eligibility at zolve.com before applying.
”What if I already have some U.S. credit history? Which cards are now open to me?”
Once you have 12-18 months of on-time payments on a secured card, a meaningful portion of the major-issuer card catalog opens up. The typical timeline from no credit to a rewards card is 12-18 months: start with a secured card, pay on time every month, and consider adding a credit-builder tool after three months.
Three of the largest issuers in the U.S., Chase, American Express, and Capital One, accept an ITIN on credit card applications. Here is what each tier of credit history can realistically access:
ITIN credit card options by credit-history stage
| Stage | Score Range | Best Card Options | Annual Fee | Key Perk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No history (0-5 months) | No score yet | OpenSky Plus Secured, Capital One Platinum Secured, Zolve Classic | $0-$35 | No credit check (OpenSky); auto review (Cap One) |
| Building (6-17 months) | 580-669 | Capital One QuicksilverOne, Tilt Motion Visa, U.S. Bank Secured | $39 / $0 / $0 | 1.5% cash back (QuicksilverOne); no deposit (Tilt) |
| Established (18+ months) | 670-719 | Chase Freedom Rise, Chase Freedom Unlimited, Wells Fargo Active Cash | $0 | 1.5% flat cash back; upgrade path (Freedom Rise) |
| Strong credit (24+ months) | 720+ | Amex Gold, Chase Sapphire Preferred, Capital One Savor | $95-$325 | Travel rewards, dining multipliers, transfer partners |
For the Chase Freedom Unlimited you generally need a score of 670 or above. For the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Amex Gold, the typical threshold is 720 or higher. Capital One Savor is more flexible and sometimes approves scores in the 650-670 range.
”I keep hearing that Petal accepted ITINs. Is that still true in 2026?”
Petal was a widely cited ITIN-friendly card, and many older guides still list it. The situation has changed.
As of May 2026, Petal 1 and Petal 2 are no longer accepting new applications. After Empower Finance signed a definitive agreement to acquire Petal and closed the deal, the brand has transitioned to Tilt Card, Inc. New applicants are now offered Tilt cards instead, while existing Petal cardholders keep their accounts and benefits.
The successor, the Tilt Motion Visa, keeps the core features that made Petal appealing: no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, no deposit requirement, and cash-flow underwriting that can approve applicants even with a thin credit file. It accepts an ITIN in place of an SSN. The APR range runs roughly 29%-34% variable, which is typical for a no-deposit credit-building card. If you are an existing Petal cardholder, nothing changes: your account, terms, and credit history remain intact.
If you applied for Petal recently and were declined, or if you are searching for a similar no-deposit ITIN card, the Tilt Motion Visa is the direct replacement to check.
”What are the real fees and limits I should expect, card by card?”
Issuers often bury the most useful numbers in footnotes. Here is the consolidated data, pulled from issuer disclosures and third-party reviews current as of July 2026.
Fee and limit snapshot: ITIN-accepting secured cards
| Card | Annual Fee | APR (variable) | Min. Deposit | Max. Deposit / Limit | Credit Check? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenSky Secured Visa | $35 | 23.89% | $200 | $3,000 | None |
| OpenSky Plus Secured Visa | $0 | 28.24% | $300 | $3,000 | None |
| OpenSky Launch Secured Visa | $0 + $3/mo fee | 28.24% | $100 | $1,500 | None |
| Capital One Platinum Secured | $0 | 29.99% | $49-$200 | $1,000+ (auto review at 6 mo.) | Soft pre-qual available |
| Capital One Quicksilver Secured | $0 | 29.99% | $200 | $1,000+ | Soft pre-qual available |
| U.S. Bank Secured Visa | $0 | ~28.99% | $300 | $5,000 | Yes |
| Citi Secured Mastercard | $0 | ~27.74% | $200 | $2,500 | Yes |
A few numbers worth flagging: the OpenSky Secured Visa’s 21.14% variable APR makes it a better choice than most secured cards if you do not pay your balance in full each month. That is meaningfully lower than the 28%-30% range common across Capital One’s secured lineup. The U.S. Bank Secured Credit Card requires a minimum deposit of at least $300, up to $5,000. This card typically allows an upgrade to an unsecured U.S. Bank card after a period of responsible use, which makes it a strong long-term option for applicants who can fund a larger deposit.
One concrete data point worth remembering: on average, OpenSky cardmembers see their scores jump 47 points in six months.
”What does the 2026 executive order actually mean for my credit card application?”
This is the most urgent question circulating in the ITIN community right now, and it deserves a precise answer rather than alarm or dismissal.
A May 19, 2026 executive order designates “the use of an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) to obtain credit products or open depository accounts where the applicant lacks verified lawful immigration status” as a risk factor. Although an ITIN facilitates tax compliance, its use in lieu of a Social Security number or valid work-authorized visa may be identified as a risk factor requiring enhanced due diligence.
What the order does and does not require matters a great deal. For the many legitimate ITIN holders, including non-citizen spouses, foreign dependents, nonresident aliens with U.S. filing obligations, and visa holders awaiting a Social Security number, the order itself does not change tax law or eliminate ITIN access to banking. The order does not prohibit ITIN holders from opening accounts or obtaining credit, and it explicitly acknowledges that an ITIN facilitates tax compliance. What it does is direct banks to look more closely when an ITIN is the sole identifier on file, and there is no documented lawful immigration status alongside it.
The practical consequence: banks may begin requesting supplemental documentation alongside your ITIN, such as a visa, green card, or other proof of lawful status, when you apply for a credit card. When an ITIN is presented in lieu of a Social Security number or valid employment authorization document to obtain credit products or open an account, banks are encouraged to assess whether the use of an ITIN may be a relevant risk factor. This is guidance, not a prohibition.
The data from Experian is also worth knowing: ITIN holders have a lower debt-to-income ratio and have fewer accounts with payments past due compared to SSA holders, according to a 2026 Experian white paper. That is a meaningful counterweight to any narrative that ITIN holders represent elevated credit risk.
If you have a valid visa, green card, or other immigration documentation, keep it current and have it ready to provide alongside your ITIN when applying. If you are undocumented, the landscape is more uncertain, and issuers that have historically been more flexible (OpenSky, Capital One, Zolve) remain the most practical starting points.
”How does Wells Fargo’s ITIN policy compare to Bank of America and Citi?”
These three large traditional banks all accept ITINs, but with meaningfully different processes and card access levels.
Wells Fargo accepts an ITIN in place of an SSN for all of its credit cards. That is the most permissive policy among the three. The Wells Fargo Active Cash earns a flat 2% cash back on all purchases, one of the strongest flat-rate rewards available to any credit card holder, ITIN or SSN. The Active Cash card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, which makes it less than ideal for use outside the U.S., and you will likely need a good to excellent score to improve your chances of approval. If you travel internationally, pair Wells Fargo’s ITIN acceptance with a no-foreign-transaction-fee card from Capital One or Chase.
Bank of America accepts ITINs, and your citizenship country and status determine whether you can apply online or must go in-branch. If you have a checking or savings account with them, your chances of approval improve significantly. This relationship banking dynamic matters: opening a Bank of America checking account first, even a basic one, meaningfully changes your approval odds for their credit cards.
Citi accepts ITINs for credit card applications, especially if you have an existing banking relationship with them. The Citi Secured Mastercard is a strong option for ITIN holders looking to build credit. Citi’s ITIN acceptance tends to be more conditional than Capital One or Chase: having a Citi checking or savings account first is effectively a prerequisite for the smoothest application experience.
The editorial takeaway: if you are choosing between these three for your first major-bank card, Wells Fargo is the most open to ITIN applicants with good credit, while Capital One remains the most accessible across all credit levels.
”Can I get an unsecured card with an ITIN right away, or do I always need a deposit first?”
This is the question that separates realistic expectations from wishful thinking, and the answer depends heavily on whether you already have credit history.
If you have no U.S. credit history, an unsecured card is very unlikely from any major bank issuer. The practical exception is Zolve, which uses employment-based and income-based underwriting rather than credit history. Zolve is the right starting point for immigrants relocating on a student or work visa who want to begin credit building before they arrive and who do not yet have an ITIN. It is also the strongest option for applicants who want an unsecured card (no deposit) from day one.
For applicants who have been building credit for 12 or more months, the unsecured options expand significantly. The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a solid cash-back card to consider if you have average credit or are building your credit history, and you can apply for this card online using your ITIN number instead of a Social Security number, earning a straightforward 1.5% cash back on every purchase. The QuicksilverOne carries a $39 annual fee but no deposit requirement, making it a logical graduation card from the Capital One Platinum Secured.
The Tilt Motion Visa (the Petal successor) also requires no deposit and accepts ITINs, making it a viable unsecured option for thin-file applicants who can demonstrate income and positive bank account history through its cash-flow underwriting.
”What documents do I actually need to bring to a credit card application as an ITIN holder?”
The application itself is usually straightforward, but having the right supporting documents ready prevents delays or unnecessary denials.
If you are getting a credit card without an SSN, you will still need to meet the card issuer’s other application requirements. The lender may review your credit history, request alternative forms of identification, require a checking or savings account, and factor your income into its decision.
For most ITIN credit card applications, prepare the following:
- Your ITIN (nine digits starting with 9, issued by the IRS on Form W-7).
- Valid government-issued photo ID, typically a foreign passport or consular ID card.
- Proof of a U.S. address such as a lease, utility bill, or bank statement. P.O. Box addresses are not accepted by any major issuer.
- Proof of income, either pay stubs, tax returns, or bank statements showing regular deposits.
- Immigration status documentation where available (visa, green card, EAD), which has become more relevant following the May 2026 executive order.
Most Chase, Amex, and Capital One applications include either an option to select “I have an ITIN instead of an SSN” or simply allow you to enter your ITIN directly in the SSN field. If neither works online, visiting a branch in person and applying at the counter always allows ITIN.
For Bank of America and Citi, the in-branch route is often more reliable for ITIN applicants regardless. Bring everything listed above plus a second form of ID.
”Does my ITIN expire, and could that affect my credit card?”
This is a detail many ITIN holders overlook until it becomes a problem.
SSNs do not expire or need to be renewed, but ITINs can expire if they are not used on a federal tax return at least once every three years. An expired ITIN can complicate credit card applications and, in some cases, trigger account reviews by your card issuer. The fix is simple: file your federal tax return each year using your ITIN, and the IRS will automatically keep it active. If your ITIN has already expired, file IRS Form W-7 to renew it. Allow up to 11 weeks for processing.
For credit card purposes, an expired ITIN may prevent a new application from clearing the automated system. If that happens, call the issuer’s customer service line before applying to confirm your ITIN status and ask for a manual review option.
”What is the fastest realistic path from zero credit to a rewards card with an ITIN?”
Here is the specific, honest timeline most applicants should plan around:
Month 1: Apply for OpenSky Plus Secured Visa or Capital One Platinum Secured. Fund the deposit. Set up autopay for the full balance. You will typically have a scoreable credit file after six months of account activity.
Months 2-6: Use the card for regular, small purchases (gas, groceries). Pay the full statement balance before the due date every month. Keep utilization below 30% of your credit limit.
Month 6: Request a credit limit increase or let Capital One’s automatic review process work. A higher limit with the same spending means lower utilization and a faster-improving score.
Months 12-18: After 12 months of on-time payments, your score will typically be in the 680-720 range and you can apply for mainstream cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited or Capital One QuicksilverOne, both of which accept ITINs and offer real cash-back rewards.
Months 18-24: With two or more established accounts and a score above 720, the premium rewards tier opens: Amex Gold, Chase Sapphire Preferred, Capital One Savor. Once an immigrant enters the credit system, they have credit scores 26.7 points higher on average by age 30 compared to non-immigrants the same age living in the same area, according to data cited in a 2026 Forbes Advisor analysis, which suggests that disciplined credit building pays compounding dividends over time.
See our guide on how to build credit fast with an ITIN credit card for a deeper look at the month-by-month tactics, and our page on how to get a credit limit increase with an ITIN for the specific steps that accelerate the process.
”Are credit unions a better option than big banks for ITIN credit cards?”
Many local credit unions and community development financial institutions (CDFIs) accept ITINs for credit cards and loans. These organizations often have more flexible requirements than big banks. Credit unions that specifically serve immigrant communities, sometimes called “immigrant-friendly” or “CDFI” credit unions, frequently offer secured and unsecured credit cards with lower APRs, smaller deposit requirements, and more human underwriting processes than automated bank systems.
The main tradeoff is access: not every credit union is available in every city, and many require membership based on employer, geography, or community affiliation. If you have a credit union available to you that explicitly serves ITIN holders, it is often the lowest-cost path to a secured card. Our full guide on credit union credit cards for ITIN holders maps the major ITIN-friendly credit union programs by region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which credit cards accept an ITIN instead of an SSN? Capital One, Chase, American Express, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citi, U.S. Bank (secured cards only), OpenSky, Zolve, and the Tilt Motion Visa all accept an ITIN. Discover is the largest major issuer that still requires a Social Security number.
Q: Can I get approved for a credit card with an ITIN and no U.S. credit history? Yes. OpenSky Secured Visa (no credit check, $200 minimum deposit), Capital One Platinum Secured ($49-$200 deposit), and Zolve Classic (unsecured, no deposit for eligible visa holders) are consistently approved for applicants with zero U.S. credit history.
Q: What credit score do I need to get a Chase or Amex card with an ITIN? For the Chase Freedom Unlimited you generally need a score of 670 or higher. For the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Amex Gold, the typical threshold rises to 720 or above. Capital One Savor is more flexible and sometimes approves scores in the 650-670 range.
Q: Does the May 2026 executive order mean banks will stop accepting ITINs? No. The order designates ITIN use as a potential risk factor requiring enhanced due diligence, but it does not prohibit ITIN-based credit card applications. Banks may request additional documentation, but ITIN-accepting cards remain available.
Q: What is the credit limit I can get on a secured ITIN card? OpenSky lets you set your own limit from $200 to $3,000 equal to your deposit. Capital One Platinum Secured starts at $200 and can auto-increase after six months. Zolve advertises limits up to $10,000 based on alternative underwriting.
Q: Do ITIN credit cards report to all three credit bureaus? The strongest ITIN-accepting cards, including Capital One, OpenSky, Chase, Amex, Wells Fargo, and the Tilt Motion Visa, all report to Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. Always confirm before applying.
Q: Can I apply online for a credit card with an ITIN? Yes. Capital One, Chase, and American Express allow online applications where you enter your ITIN in the SSN field or select an ITIN option. OpenSky and Zolve are also fully online. Bank of America and Citi may route some ITIN applicants to an in-branch process.
Q: How long does it take to build enough credit to qualify for a rewards card using an ITIN? Most applicants reach a scoreable credit file after six months of account activity. With consistent on-time payments, you can typically reach the 670-720 range needed for mainstream rewards cards in 12-18 months.
Q: Does using an ITIN hurt my credit score compared to an SSN? No. Once a credit account is opened with your ITIN, it reports to the credit bureaus exactly the same way as any SSN-linked account.
Q: Is Discover still an option for ITIN holders in 2026? No. Discover requires a Social Security number and does not accept ITINs as of 2026. If you were denied by Discover, pivot to Capital One, OpenSky, or Chase.