This guide aggregates verified application data from each issuer’s own documentation and live application flows so you can see exactly where your ITIN works, whether you can apply online or need to visit a branch, and what to bring. Most “ITIN credit card” lists on the internet repeat each other and include issuers that actually require an SSN. This one does not.
How we compiled this: Each issuer row was verified against official application pages, help text, and issuer documentation. Issuers with conflicting or unconfirmed data are labeled as such. Last verified: October 12, 2026.
The master table: which banks and credit unions accept an ITIN for credit cards?
Twelve issuers, including American Express, Bank of America, Citi, and Wells Fargo, have a verified ITIN path as of 2026. The table below shows each issuer, their ITIN verdict, how the number is entered, whether an online application is possible, and the minimum deposit where applicable.
| Issuer | ITIN Accepted? | Online Apply? | ID Field / Pathway | Min. Deposit | Best Card for ITIN Starters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One | Yes | Yes | ITIN in place of SSN; preapproval available | $49-$200 (secured) | Platinum Secured |
| Citi | Yes | Usually | ”SSN or ITIN” field on live application | $200 (secured) | Citi Secured Mastercard |
| American Express | Yes | Yes | ITIN entered in SSN field; help text confirms | None for most cards | Blue Cash Everyday |
| Chase | Yes | Yes | ”SSN and/or ITIN” on application checklist | None (unsecured) | Freedom Rise |
| Bank of America | Yes | No (branch only) | ITIN accepted; online flow redirects to branch | $200-$5,000 (secured) | BankAmericard Secured |
| Wells Fargo | Yes | Verify | Combined SSN/ITIN field on application | Varies | Active Cash (secured) |
| TD Bank | Yes | Yes | ”Have your SSN or ITIN available” in Easy Apply | Varies (secured) | TD Cash Secured |
| Barclays US | Yes | Yes | Field labeled “Social Security Number or ITIN” | None for co-brands | AARP Essential Rewards |
| Synchrony | Yes | Yes | Combined “SSN/ITIN” field in eApply flow | Varies by card | Amazon Secured Card |
| OpenSky (Capital Bank) | Yes | Yes | No credit check; ITIN accepted | $200-$3,000 | OpenSky Secured Visa |
| Juntos Avanzamos CUs | Yes | Varies | ITIN, foreign passport, or Matrícula Consular | $5-$25 membership | Credit union-issued Visa/MC |
| Discover | No | N/A | Requires SSN; no ITIN path confirmed | N/A | N/A |
”Do I really need to go to a branch, or can I apply online with my ITIN?”
A question we hear often: whether you need to physically show up somewhere is one of the most practical questions for ITIN holders, especially those who are new to the U.S. or live far from a major city. The honest answer: it depends entirely on the issuer.
Bank of America requires a U.S. resident to apply, and while SSN holders can apply online or at a local branch, ITIN holders may only apply in person at a branch. Existing Bank of America customers may also apply over the phone at (855) 307-3887.
Capital One is the opposite. Capital One’s preapproval page runs a soft check that causes no score harm, and Capital One states that both the Platinum Secured and Quicksilver Secured accept ITIN applications. You can complete the entire process from your phone or laptop.
Citi is mostly online, with one important caveat. You can apply for the Citi Secured Mastercard online or at Citi branches, providing personal information including your name, address, and SSN or ITIN. That said, an ITIN-only applicant may not always be able to finish fully online and can be routed to phone or branch verification.
For Chase, you can get a Chase credit card without an SSN. Chase accepts an ITIN in place of a Social Security number, and the Freedom Rise, its beginner-friendly unsecured card, lists “SSN and/or ITIN” directly on its application checklist.
Bottom line on online vs. branch: Capital One, Citi (usually), American Express, Chase, TD Bank, Barclays, Synchrony, and OpenSky can all be done entirely online. Bank of America is branch-only for ITIN holders. See our full breakdown in Apply for a Credit Card With an ITIN: Online vs. In Branch.
What documents do I need to bring or have ready?
This one comes up a lot: applicants often show up to a branch or start an online application without the right materials and get turned away. Here is the standard document list, verified across multiple issuers.
When applying for a credit card with an ITIN, you may be asked for your full legal name, date of birth, address, proof of income, employment status, and foreign credit history.
Beyond the basics, the documents that differ from an SSN application are:
- Your ITIN number (the 9-digit number beginning with 9). Bring your IRS CP565 assignment letter as backup, especially for branch visits.
- Government-issued photo ID: a foreign passport is universally accepted. Standard document requirements for ITIN holders at credit unions include your ITIN number or CP565 letter, one to two forms of government-issued photo ID (foreign passport or Matrícula Consular), and proof of U.S. address.
- Proof of a physical U.S. address: a utility bill, lease agreement, or official mail in your name. Most issuers will not accept a P.O. box.
- Proof of income: a pay stub, bank statement, or employer letter.
Having a checking or savings account at the same institution where you are applying for a credit card dramatically improves your approval odds. Many banks that accept ITINs for bank accounts also accept them for credit cards.
Which specific cards can I actually get with an ITIN?
Readers frequently ask: not just which banks, but which exact products within those banks are accessible. Some issuers accept ITINs broadly; others restrict them to secured cards only.
Capital One (broadest ITIN access)
All Capital One credit cards accept an ITIN in place of an SSN. For beginners, the Platinum Secured is the recommended starting point. It requires an initial security deposit of $49, $99, or $200 and opens an account with a credit line of at least $200. You can raise the credit limit by depositing more than the minimum. Capital One automatically considers you for a higher limit after six months of on-time payments.
If your credit profile is slightly stronger, the Platinum card is an unsecured option for people with no credit history or fair credit. In as few as six months you may be considered for a credit limit increase, with no security deposit required and no annual fee.
Citi (low deposit, fully online)
The minimum requirements for the Citi Secured include being at least 18 years old and having a valid SSN or ITIN. Applicants must put down a security deposit of $200 or more, and there is no minimum credit score requirement since the Citi Secured is designed for beginners with little or no borrowing history.
The card requires only a $200 security deposit, which is fully refundable after closing the account with no balance. Applicants can deposit up to $2,500, and the deposit amount determines the credit limit. There is a $0 annual fee.
One meaningful limitation: graduating to an unsecured card requires a valid SSN on file, so an ITIN-only holder can open the Citi Secured and build credit but may not graduate it until they later obtain an SSN.
American Express (rewards access with an ITIN)
American Express is notable because ITIN holders can access rewards cards, not just secured products. The online application accepts an ITIN entered in the SSN field, and Amex’s own help text confirms this. Cards like the Blue Cash Everyday offer 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. online retail, and U.S. gas stations, with no annual fee, and ITIN is accepted. For tips on the full Amex ITIN process, see our American Express Credit Card With an ITIN guide.
Chase (unsecured starter card)
Chase is the clearest unsecured path for ITIN holders new to U.S. credit. The Freedom Rise is specifically designed as a starter card and lists “SSN and/or ITIN” on the application materials. Chase accepts an ITIN in place of a Social Security number. For the full picture, our Chase Credit Card With an ITIN article walks through approval odds and strategy.
OpenSky (the no-credit-check option)
The OpenSky Secured Credit Card is one of the few secured cards that openly approves applicants without an SSN, with an ITIN working in place of one. There is no credit check during application, which makes it accessible if your U.S. credit history is thin or nonexistent. You set the credit limit with your refundable security deposit, OpenSky reports your account activity to all three major credit bureaus every month, and there are no hidden fees.
OpenSky now offers three different secured Visa tiers and an unsecured graduation card, and the brand says more than 1.6 million people have used one of them to start or rebuild their credit. All three tiers skip the hard pull and report to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
Should I start with a bank or a credit union?
The choice matters more than most ITIN guides acknowledge. Here is a direct comparison.
| Factor | Major Bank | Juntos Avanzamos Credit Union |
|---|---|---|
| Online application | Usually available | Usually branch/in-person |
| ID flexibility | Passport typically required | Passport, Matrícula Consular, or state ID |
| Membership required | No | Yes (small fee, usually $5-$25) |
| Geographic reach | Nationwide | Regional or community-based |
| Bilingual staff | Sometimes | Usually |
| Approval flexibility | Credit-score dependent | Often more holistic |
| Products available | Wide range | Visa/Mastercard, often credit-builder loans |
Seven of the ten largest U.S. card issuers accept ITIN according to WalletHub’s 2026 data, but credit unions go further because ITIN acceptance is part of their mission.
The key designation to look for is Juntos Avanzamos. When researching credit unions, look for the Juntos Avanzamos (“Together We Advance”) designation, a national certification from the Inclusiv network given to credit unions that have formally committed to serving immigrant and ITIN-holding members. Juntos Avanzamos-certified credit unions accept ITIN for all accounts, often have bilingual staff, and are explicitly set up for members without traditional immigration documents.
Rivermark Community Credit Union, for example, recently joined a network of more than 167 designated credit unions across 34 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia.
Two credit unions are open to anyone in the U.S.: Self-Help Credit Union (join via a one-time $5 nonprofit fee) and Hope Credit Union, which serves Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee for a $10 membership fee.
For a dedicated credit union guide, see our Credit Union Credit Cards for ITIN Holders article.
”I have no U.S. credit history at all. Which issuer should I start with?”
A question we hear often: this is the most common situation for newly arrived immigrants and ITIN holders who have only recently obtained their number. The right answer depends on whether you can fund a deposit and whether you need to apply remotely.
If you can apply online and want the lowest deposit: Start with Capital One’s preapproval tool. Capital One says the check takes as little as 90 seconds and causes no score harm. If the Platinum Secured appears in your result, its displayed terms show a $0 annual fee and a $49, $99, or $200 minimum refundable deposit. That $49 entry point is the lowest of any major bank secured card.
If you want no credit check at all: OpenSky Secured accepts ITINs without a hard pull. OpenSky advertises an 89% approval rate with zero credit risk to apply. The tradeoff is a $35 annual fee (original tier) or a $300 minimum deposit for the no-fee Plus tier.
If you are already banking with a particular institution: Having a checking or savings account with Bank of America improves your approval odds significantly, and their secured credit card is a solid starting option for ITIN holders with no U.S. credit history.
If you want a credit union route: Join a Juntos Avanzamos credit union first with your ITIN and a small membership deposit. After a few months of banking history, apply for their secured or credit-builder card. The approval criteria tend to be more holistic than those at large banks.
Whichever card you start with, the credit-building mechanics are the same. For the ranked comparison, see Best ITIN Starter Credit Cards (2026): Ranked From Zero.
What is the step-by-step application process once I pick an issuer?
Here is the process that applies across most ITIN-friendly issuers, with issuer-specific notes where the flow differs.
Step 1: Gather your documents first. Collect your ITIN letter, photo ID, proof of address, and income documentation before you start. Stopping mid-application to find a document can cause your session to expire.
Step 2: Use a soft-check prequalification tool where available. Capital One offers one. Banks and card issuers can legally accept an ITIN under the Patriot Act’s Know Your Customer rules, but not every issuer chooses to do so. A soft-check prequalification tool lets you confirm ITIN acceptance before a hard inquiry hits your credit file. Citi does not offer prequalification, so with Citi you go straight to the full application.
Step 3: Enter your ITIN where the form asks for an SSN. Issuers typically ask for your Social Security number or ITIN in the same field. For American Express, the help text on the SSN field explicitly states that an ITIN may be used in its place. For Capital One, the field accepts both formats.
Step 4: Complete income and housing payment fields. You may be asked for your full legal name, date of birth, address, proof of income, employment status, and foreign credit history. You can count a foreign employer’s income if you are newly arrived.
Step 5: Fund the deposit promptly if applying for a secured card. If Capital One approves a secured card, make the minimum deposit within 35 days after approval, as Capital One states this deadline in its 2026 guidance. Missing the deposit window will cancel your approval.
Step 6: If redirected to a branch (Bank of America), visit in person. Bank of America’s online application stops ITIN holders with “If you have an ITIN, visit a financial center to continue,” and the branch is the official path. Bring your ITIN letter, foreign passport, and proof of U.S. address. Existing Bank of America customers can also call.
Issuer-by-issuer application detail: what exactly happens when I apply?
Here is a closer look at the five most commonly used ITIN-friendly issuers, with verified application mechanics.
Capital One
The Capital One Platinum Secured is easy to obtain because it is collateralized by your required security deposit, which starts as low as $49. Approved applicants receive a $200 initial credit line regardless of the deposit amount.
Capital One offers three deposit requirements: $49 for those with good credit, $99 if your credit is fair, and $200 if you have poor credit. You will not know which tier applies to you until after the soft preapproval check. Capital One reports secured accounts to all three major credit bureaus.
Citi
Citi says its Secured Mastercard application accepts an SSN or ITIN, requires a $200-$2,500 deposit, and reports to all three major credit bureaus. The deposit can be set in $100 increments within that range, which gives you more control over your credit limit than most issuers allow. The upgrade limitation noted earlier applies here: Citi requires an SSN on file to graduate to an unsecured card.
Bank of America
Bank of America’s secured card follows a straightforward model: a refundable deposit of $200 to $5,000 sets your credit line, there is no annual fee, and monthly reporting builds your track record toward a possible deposit return or upgrade after about 12 months. The honest catch for non-residents is that ITIN-only applicants generally cannot finish the standard online application and most have to apply in person at a branch, or by phone if they already bank with Bank of America.
TD Bank
TD Bank’s live application tells applicants to have an “SSN or ITIN” available and format-validates ITINs, verified on the TD Cash and TD Cash Secured products. TD Bank operates in the northeastern U.S., so this option is geographically limited compared to Capital One or Citi.
Barclays US
The Barclays US shared application’s identity field is literally labeled “Social Security number or ITIN,” and its help dialog states “Only valid U.S. Social Security Numbers or ITIN will be accepted.” Barclays primarily issues co-brand cards (airline, retailer, and affinity cards), so the card you apply for through Barclays will carry a partner brand. As of 2024, Barclays has started allowing ITIN holders to apply for credit cards, though some applicants are asked to provide U.S.-issued identification, so results may vary.
Does it matter whether I already have a bank account at the same institution?
Yes, and this is one of the most underappreciated factors in ITIN credit card approvals. Having a checking or savings account at the same institution where you are applying dramatically improves your chances, and many banks that accept ITINs for bank accounts also accept them for credit cards.
When you already have an account, the bank has direct visibility into your income deposits, average balance, and account tenure. That gives underwriters a tangible data point beyond your thin or absent U.S. credit file. Bank of America, for example, may favor existing customers with better approval odds for those who already hold an account with the bank.
This is also why credit unions are structurally advantageous: to apply for any product at a credit union, you must first become a member, which means you already have an account relationship in place when you apply for the card. Most credit unions require an in-person visit for the first account, a small membership deposit (typically $5-$25), and proof you fit the field of membership, such as living in the service area.
The practical strategy: open a checking or savings account with your target institution first, let it sit for 60-90 days with regular deposits, then apply for the credit card.
What about Synchrony’s store cards? Can I get an Amazon or other retail card with an ITIN?
Readers frequently ask: store cards issued by Synchrony are one of the most overlooked ITIN opportunities because they are tied to familiar retailers rather than presented as “ITIN credit cards.”
Major U.S. issuers including Capital One, Citi, and Synchrony, which is the bank behind the Amazon card, let you verify your identity with an ITIN instead of an SSN. Applicants need to be 18 or older with a U.S. mailing address and an SSN or ITIN, and approval is not particularly difficult if you have at least fair credit.
The Amazon Secured Card, issued by Synchrony, is a useful option because it earns rewards on Amazon purchases while functioning as a credit builder. You apply online with your ITIN, and Synchrony may ask you to send your ITIN letter and a foreign passport for verification.
Synchrony also issues cards for retailers like Sam’s Club, PayPal, and numerous others. The eApply flow uses a combined “SSN/ITIN” field across these products.
What if my application is denied?
Getting denied is not the end of the road. See our Credit Card Denied With an ITIN? Here’s What to Do guide for a full action plan. The short version: a denial from one issuer does not mean all doors are closed. Consider moving to an issuer with lower barriers (OpenSky’s no-credit-check route), calling the credit card reconsideration line, or opening a credit-union relationship first to build a banking history before applying again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a credit card with just an ITIN and no SSN? Yes. At least 12 issuers accept an ITIN in place of an SSN, including Capital One, Citi, American Express, Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo. Some require a branch visit, but Capital One and Citi accept ITINs fully online.
Which banks accept an ITIN for credit cards online, without visiting a branch? Capital One, Citi, American Express, Chase (Freedom Rise), TD Bank, Barclays, and Synchrony all accept ITINs through their standard online applications. Bank of America stops ITIN holders mid-application and directs them to a branch.
Does Capital One accept an ITIN for credit card applications? Yes. Capital One explicitly accepts an ITIN in place of an SSN for all of its credit cards, including the Platinum Secured. You can check eligibility online using their soft-inquiry preapproval tool, which does not affect your credit score.
Does Bank of America accept an ITIN for credit card applications? Yes, but ITIN-only applicants cannot complete the standard online application. Bank of America routes them to a financial center (branch). Existing BofA customers may also apply by phone at (855) 307-3887.
What documents do I need to apply for a credit card with an ITIN? You typically need your ITIN (and the IRS CP565 assignment letter as backup), a valid government-issued photo ID (foreign passport or Matrícula Consular), proof of a physical U.S. address (utility bill or lease), and proof of income.
What is a Juntos Avanzamos credit union and why does it matter for ITIN holders? Juntos Avanzamos is a national certification from the Inclusiv network given to credit unions formally committed to serving immigrant and ITIN-holding members. These credit unions accept ITINs for all accounts, often have bilingual staff, and accept a wider range of ID documents including Matrícula Consular cards.
Can I get an unsecured credit card with an ITIN? Yes, but it is harder without U.S. credit history. Chase Freedom Rise is an unsecured starter card that lists “SSN and/or ITIN” on its application checklist. American Express also accepts ITINs for its consumer cards, including unsecured rewards cards, for applicants with an established credit file.
Does Discover accept an ITIN for credit card applications? No. Discover requires a Social Security Number for credit card applications and does not currently accept an ITIN as a substitute. This makes it one of the most notable gaps in the ITIN-friendly issuer landscape.
Will the Capital One Platinum Secured card let me graduate to an unsecured card with just an ITIN? Capital One can automatically consider you for a higher credit limit and an upgrade after six months of on-time payments, and an ITIN is sufficient throughout that process. Citi, by contrast, requires an SSN on file before it will graduate its Secured Mastercard to an unsecured product.
What is the minimum deposit for a secured credit card using an ITIN? It varies by issuer. Capital One Platinum Secured starts as low as $49 (depending on your credit profile) for a $200 credit line. Citi Secured Mastercard requires at least $200. OpenSky Secured Visa requires $200 (standard) or $300 (Plus tier). Bank of America Secured accepts deposits from $200 up to $5,000.