More than 10 major U.S. credit card issuers accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number in place of a Social Security number in 2026, yet most ITIN holders still apply by guesswork, hitting dead ends with issuers that quietly require an SSN. This guide pulls together verified, issuer-by-issuer data so you can apply once, confidently, to the right card for your situation.
How we compiled this: our editorial team cross-referenced each issuer’s own application disclosures, published cardholder agreement PDFs, and multiple independent reviews (NerdWallet, WalletHub, Bankrate, Forbes Advisor) to verify ITIN acceptance, deposit minimums, APR ranges, credit limits, and approval odds. We excluded any issuer where ITIN acceptance could not be confirmed from at least two independent sources. Cards are grouped by tier so you can match your current credit situation.
Last verified: October 26, 2026.
At a glance: every ITIN-accepting issuer in 2026, ranked by accessibility
The table below is the fastest way to find your card. Issuers are sorted from most accessible (no credit history required) to most selective (established credit needed).
| Issuer / Card | Type | Min. Deposit | Annual Fee | APR (Variable) | Online App? | Credit Check | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenSky Secured Visa | Secured | $200 | $35 | 23.89% | Yes | None | Zero history, no bank account needed |
| OpenSky Plus Secured Visa | Secured | $300 | $0 | 28.24% | Yes | None | Zero history, no annual fee |
| OpenSky Launch Secured Visa | Secured | $150 | $0 + $2-3/mo | 28.74% | Yes | None | Lowest entry deposit |
| Capital One Platinum Secured | Secured | $49-$200 | $0 | ~29.99% | Yes | Soft pre-qual | Thin/no credit, major bank path |
| Capital One Quicksilver Secured | Secured | $200 | $0 | 29.24% | Yes | Soft pre-qual | Cash back while building credit |
| Zolve Classic | Unsecured | None | $0 | 19.50%-39.50% | Yes | Soft | Newcomers, no deposit, no U.S. history |
| Tilt Motion Visa (fka Petal) | Unsecured | None | $0 | 29.49%-34.49% | Yes | Soft pre-qual | No deposit, limited/fair credit |
| Citi Secured Mastercard | Secured | $200 | $0 | ~28.74% | Yes (see notes) | Hard | Any credit level, Citi relationship |
| U.S. Bank Secured Visa | Secured | $300 | $0 | ~28.99% | Yes | Hard | Higher limit ceiling ($5,000) |
| Bank of America Secured | Secured | $200 | $0 | Variable | In-branch only for ITIN | Hard | Existing BofA banking relationship |
| Chase Freedom Rise | Unsecured | None | $0 | Variable | Yes | Hard | Fair credit (670+), Chase checking helps |
| Wells Fargo Active Cash | Unsecured | None | $0 | ~20.24% | Yes | Hard | Flat 2% cash back, good credit (670+) |
| American Express (most cards) | Unsecured | None | Varies | Varies | Yes | Hard | Established credit (670+), travel rewards |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | Unsecured | None | $95 | ~21.49% | Yes | Hard | Strong credit (720+), travel rewards |
Which issuers accept an ITIN, and which still say no?
A question we hear often: “I thought most big banks accepted an ITIN, but I keep getting rejected. Which ones actually work?”
At least seven of the top ten U.S. credit card issuers accept an ITIN in place of an SSN, including Capital One, Chase, American Express, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citi.
The details matter, though. 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.
Discover is the largest major issuer that still requires a Social Security number. According to Bankrate’s issuer table, Barclays, Synchrony, and TD Bank (for most unsecured cards) also still require an SSN, though TD Bank accepts ITIN for select secured cards.
Here is a clean yes/no breakdown:
| Issuer | Accepts ITIN? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Capital One | Yes | All personal and business cards |
| Chase | Yes | All cards; branch always available |
| American Express | Yes | Enter ITIN in the SSN field |
| Bank of America | Yes | In-branch only for ITIN applicants |
| Wells Fargo | Yes | Combined SSN/ITIN field online |
| Citi | Yes | Online field reads “SSN or ITIN” |
| U.S. Bank | Yes (secured only) | Unsecured cards require SSN |
| TD Bank | Yes (secured only) | Easy Apply mentions ITIN |
| OpenSky | Yes | No SSN or credit check required |
| Zolve | Yes | Passport also accepted |
| Tilt (formerly Petal) | Yes | SSN or ITIN accepted |
| Barclays | No | SSN required |
| Discover | No | SSN required |
| Synchrony | No | SSN required |
I have zero U.S. credit history. Where do I even start?
This one comes up a lot: applying for your very first card is the hardest step because virtually every score-based card requires a history you do not yet have.
For applicants with no U.S. credit file at all, two paths stand out.
The first is OpenSky. It is the most accessible option because it requires no credit check, only a $200 minimum refundable deposit and a valid ITIN. The approval rate across OpenSky’s three secured cards sits at 89%, according to the company. That figure is backed by issuer-reported data: based on Q1 2025, the OpenSky Secured Visa average approval rate is 86.14%. OpenSky also offers two fee variations: the original card at $35/year with a lower 23.89% APR, or the Plus Secured at $0/year with a $300 minimum deposit. OpenSky accepts money orders and other payment methods, which opens the door for applicants who are unbanked or working on establishing banking access.
The second is Capital One Platinum Secured. You can get approved with a deposit as low as $49, $99, or $200 depending on your creditworthiness, and your credit limit starts at $200 regardless of which deposit amount you pay. Capital One will begin automatically reviewing your account after six months to see if you qualify for a higher credit line with no additional deposit.
A third option worth knowing: Zolve Classic, an unsecured card that requires no deposit at all. Zolve uses employment-based and income-based underwriting rather than credit history, making it a reasonable starting point for immigrants relocating on a student or work visa who want to begin credit building before they arrive. Country eligibility is not universal; Zolve accepts applicants from select countries and may not approve all nationalities.
What exactly are the fees, deposits, and limits I should expect?
Readers frequently ask: “Everyone says $200 deposit, but can I go higher? What is the real ceiling?”
Here is the full fee and limit picture for the most commonly used 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 + ~$2-3/mo | 28.74% | $150 | $3,000 | None |
| Capital One Platinum Secured | $0 | ~29.99% | $49-$200 | $1,000+ | Soft pre-qual |
| Capital One Quicksilver Secured | $0 | 29.24% | $200 | $3,000 | Soft pre-qual |
| Citi Secured Mastercard | $0 | ~28.74% | $200 | $2,500 | Hard |
| U.S. Bank Secured Visa | $0 | ~28.99% | $300 | $5,000 | Hard |
| Bank of America Secured | $0 | Variable | $200 | $5,000 | Hard |
For most zero-history ITIN holders who can fund $300, the OpenSky Plus Secured is the better long-run value over the original: no annual fee, no monthly fee, no credit check, and all three bureaus reporting. If $300 is a stretch, the Capital One Platinum Secured’s $49 deposit tier is the most accessible entry point at a major bank.
U.S. Bank will accept an ITIN as a replacement for SSN identification, but this applies to secured cards only. If you want a U.S. Bank unsecured card down the road, you will likely need to obtain an SSN first or use an alternative path. That said, the U.S. Bank Secured Visa accepts deposits up to $5,000, one of the highest ceilings available to ITIN holders and useful if you want a meaningful credit limit from day one.
What APRs will I actually be paying, and how do they compare?
A question we hear often: “The fees look fine, but what about the interest rate? Are ITIN cards penalizing me because I’m new?”
APRs on ITIN-accessible cards range widely depending on whether the card is secured or unsecured, and whether it targets thin-file or established borrowers.
OpenSky cardholders see an average increase of 47 points after 6 months of use, which means most people move up the rate ladder faster than they expect. In the short term, though, rates matter if you ever carry a balance. Here is the realistic picture by card type:
Secured ITIN cards run 23%-29% APR. The OpenSky Secured Visa’s 23.89% variable APR is actually lower than average for a secured card. The Capital One Platinum Secured and Quicksilver Secured both sit at around 29.24%-29.99% variable. The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Card’s interest rate is well above the average for a secured credit card offer (21.95%), per WalletHub’s research, but carrying a balance on a secured card is a bad idea regardless of the rate.
Unsecured fintech ITIN cards run 29%-35% APR. The ongoing APR for the Tilt Motion Visa is 29.24%-34.24% variable. The Zolve Classic carries a 19.50%-39.50% variable APR, a wide range; your actual rate depends heavily on the income and employment profile you submit.
Established-credit unsecured ITIN cards run 19%-28% APR. Once you build enough history to qualify, the Wells Fargo Active Cash runs around 20.24% variable for well-qualified applicants, and the Chase Freedom Rise is broadly comparable. That rate compression is real and worth the 12-18 months of secured card work to get there.
The core rule across all these cards: pay the statement balance in full every month. Credit building works through payment history, not through carrying balances. Every card on this list charges enough interest that a running balance erases the value of any rewards earned.
How do the top zero-history ITIN cards compare for rewards?
Readers frequently ask: “Can I earn cash back while building credit with an ITIN, or do I have to wait?”
You do not have to wait. Several ITIN-accessible cards earn real rewards from day one:
| Card | Rewards Rate | Annual Fee | Cash Back on All Purchases? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Quicksilver Secured | 1.5% flat + 5% on Capital One Travel | $0 | Yes |
| OpenSky Secured Visa | Up to 10% at select merchants | $35 | No (select merchants only) |
| Tilt Motion Visa | 1%-10% at select merchants | $0 | No (select merchants only) |
| Zolve Classic | 1%-10% at select merchants | $0 | No (select merchants only) |
| Capital One Platinum Secured | None | $0 | No |
| Citi Secured Mastercard | None | $0 | No |
For pure earning simplicity, the 1.5% flat rate on the Capital One Quicksilver Secured is the real draw. No rotating categories, no activation required, no quarterly limits, no mental math about whether your grocery run qualifies.
The average credit limit for members matched with the Tilt Motion Visa or similar cards is $1,195, with $550 being the most common starting limit. That relatively low starting limit is worth knowing before you apply: it is enough to build credit but may not cover large monthly expenses.
If rewards are your priority right now, the Capital One Quicksilver Secured is the strongest ITIN-accessible card in this tier: no annual fee, meaningful flat-rate cash back, and a clear upgrade path to unsecured.
Which ITIN cards graduate to unsecured, and how long does that take?
This is one of the most practically important questions for ITIN holders, because graduating to unsecured means getting your deposit back, freeing up that cash, and keeping your credit history intact without closing an account.
With responsible use, holders of the Capital One Quicksilver Secured may get their deposit returned as a statement credit, effectively turning their secured card into a regular unsecured one. Even before that, cardholders can be considered for an automatic credit line increase after at least six months.
Capital One does not publish a fixed upgrade timeline the way Discover does. Discover commits to a review at 7 months. In practice, most Capital One secured cardholders with on-time payments and low utilization see upgrade offers between 12-18 months.
For Tilt Motion: eligible cardmembers can be reviewed for a credit limit increase as early as 4 months. According to Tilt’s own data, 66.6% of customers approved through their website had been denied credit elsewhere in the past 6 months, and 80% of customers receive a limit increase in their first 6 months.
Bank of America and Citi typically require you to apply for a new unsecured card rather than converting the existing one. Plan your timeline so you are not leaving a deposit locked up for years when you could have it back.
A general graduation timeline by issuer:
| Issuer | Automatic Review? | Typical Timeline | Deposit Return Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One (Secured) | Yes | 6-18 months | Returned as statement credit |
| OpenSky | Limited (Gold card by invitation) | 12+ months | Account closure or conversion |
| Citi Secured | No | Apply for new card | Deposit returned on closure |
| Bank of America Secured | No | Apply for new card | Deposit returned on closure |
| U.S. Bank Secured | No | Apply for new card | Deposit returned on closure |
For more detail on managing this process as an ITIN holder, see our guide on how to upgrade from secured to unsecured with an ITIN.
What about unsecured ITIN cards with no deposit required?
This one comes up a lot: “I do not want to tie up $200. Is there any way to get a real credit card with an ITIN without putting down a deposit?”
Yes, under the right conditions. There are two realistic paths.
Path 1: Zolve Classic. The Zolve Classic Credit Card works well for international students and H-1B 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. There is no security deposit or credit history requirement. The card has a $0 annual fee, a rewards rate of 1%-10% cash back, and a variable APR of 19.50%-39.50%. Zolve also advertises limits up to $15,000 based on income and employment data, according to verified data from WalletGrower.
Path 2: Tilt Motion Visa. You can pre-qualify in minutes with no impact to your credit score, no security deposit, and no credit history required. Tilt acquired the Petal portfolio of credit cards in 2024, and Tilt’s three new credit cards have replaced Petal’s three cards. As of May 2026, Petal 1 and Petal 2 are no longer accepting new applications; new applicants are offered Tilt cards instead, while existing Petal cardholders keep their accounts and benefits. The Tilt Motion accepts applicants with no or limited U.S. credit history using cash-flow underwriting.
One honest caveat: if you have no U.S. credit history, an unsecured card is very unlikely from any major bank issuer. Zolve and Tilt are the practical exceptions, and both carry APRs well above average. Neither is a card you want to carry a balance on. Use them as charge-and-pay-in-full instruments to build the file you need to qualify for better unsecured cards within 12-18 months.
How do Chase, Amex, and Wells Fargo handle ITIN applicants differently from Capital One?
Readers frequently ask: “I have been building credit for about a year now and want to move to a major bank card. Do Chase and Amex actually work with ITINs, or is that only on paper?”
They do work, but each major bank has its own quirks.
Chase: applicants generally need to be 18 or older with a U.S. mailing address and an SSN or ITIN to get a Chase credit card. The best personal Chase card for ITIN applicants is the Freedom Rise, which has a $0 annual fee and is open to applicants with no credit history. Opening or having a Chase personal checking or savings account with at least a $250 balance improves your approval odds. For Chase Freedom Unlimited, you generally need a score of 670 or higher. For premium cards, Chase Sapphire Preferred and Amex Gold typically require a score of 720 or higher.
American Express: Amex accepts ITINs across its consumer card lineup. You enter your ITIN in the SSN field, and the application’s own help text confirms this is accepted. The Blue Cash Everyday and Blue Cash Preferred are the most realistic ITIN targets for applicants with 670+ scores. The Amex Gold and Platinum sit in the 720+ tier.
Wells Fargo: the online application uses a combined “SSN/ITIN” field, making it one of the cleaner online application experiences for ITIN holders. The Active Cash card earns a flat 2% cash back on all purchases with no annual fee, making it one of the best straightforward rewards cards once your score clears 670. Note the 3% foreign transaction fee on most Wells Fargo cards if you travel internationally.
Bank of America: you must be a U.S. resident to apply. You may apply online or at a local branch if you have a Social Security number, but ITIN holders must apply in person only. Opening a Bank of America checking account first, even a basic one, meaningfully changes your approval odds for their credit cards.
For a deep dive into any single issuer, see our dedicated guides: Capital One with an ITIN, Chase with an ITIN, American Express with an ITIN, Citi with an ITIN, and Wells Fargo with an ITIN.
What credit score tier do I need for each level of ITIN card?
ITIN holders move through roughly four credit stages. The right card for each stage is different:
| Stage | Score Range | Best ITIN Card Options | Annual Fee | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No history (0-5 months) | No score yet | OpenSky Plus Secured, Capital One Platinum Secured, Zolve Classic | $0-$35 | No credit check (OpenSky); no deposit (Zolve) |
| Early building (6-17 months) | 580-669 | Capital One QuicksilverOne, Tilt Motion Visa | $39 / $0 | 1.5% flat cash back; unsecured, no deposit |
| Established (18+ months) | 670-719 | Chase Freedom Rise, Chase Freedom Unlimited, Wells Fargo Active Cash | $0 | 1.5%-2% flat cash back; upgrade path |
| Strong credit (24+ months) | 720+ | Amex Gold, Chase Sapphire Preferred, Capital One Savor | $95-$325 | Travel rewards, dining multipliers, transfer partners |
A score of 300-579 generally limits you to secured cards only. Fair credit (580-669) opens some unsecured cards including Capital One cards and select store cards, but premium travel cards remain out of reach. Most ITIN holders reach the 670 threshold within 12-18 months of opening a secured card with consistent on-time payments and low utilization.
For step-by-step guidance on moving through these stages, see how to build credit fast with an ITIN credit card.
What documents do I need to apply for a credit card with an ITIN?
Before you sit down to apply, gather these items:
- Your ITIN. You will enter this in the tax identification or SSN field. Have your IRS CP565 notice (the ITIN assignment letter) or W-7 approval document available. If your ITIN has expired, renew it before applying. See our guide on what happens if your ITIN expires.
- A government-issued photo ID. A foreign passport is the most universally accepted. Some issuers (notably Amex and Bank of America) also accept a national ID card.
- A U.S. mailing address. A valid street address, not a P.O. box.
- Proof of income. Pay stubs, bank statements, or an employer offer letter. Secured cards are more flexible here; unsecured cards from major banks look more carefully at income.
- A U.S. bank account (for secured cards). Most secured cards fund the deposit via ACH from a checking account. OpenSky is the exception: it accepts money orders and other payment methods, which opens the door for applicants who are unbanked or working on establishing banking access.
For a full walkthrough of the application process, including how to enter your ITIN on each issuer’s form, see how to apply for a credit card with an ITIN.
Should I apply online or go to a branch with an ITIN?
A question we hear often: “I keep hearing I might need to go to a branch. Is that really true, or can I just apply online?”
For most ITIN-accepting issuers, you can apply fully online. Capital One, Chase, OpenSky, Zolve, Tilt, Citi, and Wells Fargo all have online application fields that explicitly accept an ITIN. Wells Fargo uses a combined “SSN/ITIN” field directly on the online application. Chase’s Freedom Rise application checklist explicitly reads “SSN and/or ITIN.”
The exception is Bank of America. ITIN holders must apply in person at a branch financial center; online applications only work with an SSN. This is not a barrier if you have a BofA branch nearby, but an in-person visit is required regardless.
For a detailed comparison of online versus branch application experiences across every major issuer, see our online vs. in-branch application guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which credit cards accept an ITIN instead of an SSN in 2026? Capital One, Chase, American Express, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citi, U.S. Bank (secured cards only), OpenSky, Zolve, Tilt (formerly Petal), TD Bank, and Barclays all accept an ITIN on credit card applications. Discover and Synchrony still require 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 requires no credit check at all, just a $200 refundable deposit and an ITIN. Capital One Platinum Secured and Zolve Classic are also strong zero-history options. All three report to all three credit bureaus monthly.
Q: What is the minimum deposit for an ITIN secured credit card? OpenSky Launch requires the lowest deposit at $150. Capital One Platinum Secured can be as low as $49 depending on your creditworthiness, though your credit line starts at $200 either way. Most secured cards start at $200.
Q: Does Bank of America accept ITIN online or only in a branch? Bank of America only accepts ITIN applicants in-branch, not online. If you have an SSN you can apply online, but ITIN holders must visit a financial center in person. Having an existing BofA checking or savings account significantly improves approval odds.
Q: What credit score do I need for an ITIN credit card? It depends on the card. OpenSky and the Self Visa require no credit score at all. Capital One Platinum Secured and Zolve Classic accept zero U.S. history. Unsecured cards from Chase, Citi, and Amex typically require 670 or higher. Premium cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred require 720 or above.
Q: Does Discover accept ITIN for credit card applications? No. Discover still requires a Social Security number for all its credit cards as of 2026. It is the largest major issuer that has not opened its application to ITIN holders.
Q: How long does it take to upgrade from a secured ITIN card to unsecured? Capital One reviews secured accounts for automatic upgrade starting at 6 months. Discover reviews at 7 months. Bank of America and Citi do not have a formal conversion path; you typically apply for a new unsecured card once your score improves. Most ITIN holders with consistent payments upgrade within 12-24 months.
Q: Can I get an unsecured credit card with an ITIN and no U.S. credit history? The practical options are Zolve Classic and the Tilt Motion Visa. Zolve uses employment and income-based underwriting, so no U.S. credit history is required. Tilt uses cash-flow data and accepts applicants with limited or no credit history. Major bank unsecured cards almost always require at least 6-12 months of U.S. credit history first.
Q: What documents do I need to apply for a credit card with an ITIN? You typically need your ITIN (IRS CP565 notice or W-7 approval letter), a foreign passport or government-issued ID, a U.S. mailing address, and proof of income (pay stubs, bank statements, or an offer letter). Secured cards also require a funded U.S. bank account or money order for the deposit.
Q: Which ITIN card has the highest credit limit? Zolve Classic advertises limits up to $15,000 based on employment and income underwriting. Bank of America Secured and U.S. Bank Secured both accept deposits up to $5,000, which sets your limit at $5,000. OpenSky caps its deposit-based limit at $3,000.