A secured credit card is the most practical first step for ITIN holders who are new to the U.S. credit system — and the good news is that the process is more straightforward than most people expect. This guide covers which cards accept an ITIN, exactly what to bring to the application, and how to turn that first secured card into a strong U.S. credit profile.
What exactly is a secured credit card, and why does it matter for ITIN holders?
A secured credit card works just like a regular credit card — you swipe it, get a monthly statement, and pay the bill — but it requires an upfront refundable cash deposit to open the account. That deposit reduces the issuer’s risk, which is why secured cards are far easier to approve than unsecured ones, especially when you have no U.S. credit history at all.
For ITIN holders specifically, this matters a lot. Most premium or rewards cards require an established credit score, which you simply won’t have when you arrive. A secured card is the bridge: you build a payment history over 6–12 months, your score climbs, and then you either upgrade to an unsecured card or apply for one with better rewards. The deposit isn’t a fee — it’s your own money sitting in a holding account, and you get it back once you graduate. According to Capital One, most secured cards require a deposit of $200 or more, though some are available with as little as $49 depending on your profile.
For ITIN holders who want to understand the full credit-building roadmap beyond just getting the card, our guide on how to build credit with an ITIN covers the next steps in detail.
Which secured credit cards actually accept an ITIN in 2026?
A question we hear often: not every “secured card” list online tells you which ones specifically allow an ITIN. Here’s a clear breakdown.
| Card | Issuer | Min. Deposit | Annual Fee | Reports to All 3 Bureaus | ITIN Online? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Platinum Secured | Capital One | $49–$200 | $0 | Yes | Yes |
| Capital One Quicksilver Secured | Capital One | $200 | $0 | Yes | Yes |
| Citi Secured Mastercard | Citi | $200 | $0 | Yes | Yes |
| Bank of America Customized Cash Secured | Bank of America | $300 | $0 | Yes | Yes |
| OpenSky Secured Visa | Capital Bank | $200 | $35/yr | Yes | Yes |
| Self Visa® Credit Card | Self | ~$100+ | $25/yr | Yes | Yes |
| Wells Fargo Secured Card | Wells Fargo | $300 | $0 | Yes | Branch only |
Always verify directly with the issuer before applying — ITIN acceptance policies can change at the product level, and branch staff don’t always follow the same process as online applications.
According to WalletHub, seven of the top 10 credit card issuers in the U.S. accept an ITIN, including Bank of America and Capital One. That’s a meaningful number — it means you have real choices, not just one fallback option.
I have my ITIN — what documents do I actually need to bring to the application?
This one comes up a lot: people get their ITIN and then aren’t sure what else they need. Here’s the standard document checklist for a secured card application as an ITIN holder:
- Your ITIN — the actual nine-digit number (format: 9XX-XX-XXXX) or the IRS ITIN assignment letter.
- A valid government-issued photo ID — a foreign passport is the most universally accepted. Some issuers also accept a consular ID (matrícula consular) or a state-issued ID if you have one.
- Proof of U.S. mailing address — a signed lease agreement, a utility bill in your name, or a bank statement showing your address. The physical card will be mailed here.
- Proof of income — recent pay stubs, an employer offer letter, or a tax return. Issuers are required by law to assess your ability to repay.
- A U.S. phone number — many online applications send a one-time passcode during identity verification. A VoIP number like Google Voice will fail this check; you need a real U.S. mobile number.
- A funded U.S. bank account — you’ll need a way to pay the security deposit via ACH transfer. If you don’t have a U.S. bank account yet, opening one first is step zero.
For in-person applications at Chase or Bank of America, bring all of the above in physical form. For online applications at Capital One, Citi, or OpenSky, have the documents scanned and ready to upload.
How do I actually fill out the application when it asks for a Social Security Number?
Readers frequently ask: this is a specific pain point that trips people up. Most credit card applications have a field labeled “Social Security Number” — but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck.
Here’s what to do:
- Look for an ITIN option. Many issuers — including Capital One and Citi — include a dropdown or checkbox that says “I have an ITIN instead of an SSN” or “I don’t have a Social Security number.” Click it and enter your ITIN in the field that appears.
- Try entering your ITIN directly. For some issuers, simply typing your ITIN into the SSN field (it’s the same format: 9XX-XX-XXXX) works without any extra steps.
- If the online form rejects your ITIN, don’t give up. Call the issuer’s customer service line and apply by phone, or visit a branch. Branch applications always allow ITIN. Some issuers process ITIN applications through a separate review path that the online system can’t handle.
According to Capital One, if an issuer accepts ITINs, the credit card application process is generally the same as it would be with an SSN — you’re just substituting one nine-digit number for another.
Does the security deposit actually come back to me? When and how?
Yes — the deposit is refundable. It’s not a fee; it’s collateral that the issuer holds while you establish a track record.
You get it back in one of two ways:
Upgrading to an unsecured card: Most ITIN-friendly issuers automatically review your account for an upgrade after a set period of responsible use. Capital One reviews after about six months of on-time payments; Discover reviews after approximately seven months. When you’re upgraded, your account converts to an unsecured card, your deposit is released, and you typically receive it back within 7–10 business days.
Closing the account in good standing: If you’ve built enough credit history to qualify for a better card elsewhere and want to close the secured card, pay your balance in full first and then request closure. The deposit is returned after your final statement is settled — typically within one to two billing cycles depending on the issuer.
One important rule: don’t close your first card just because you’ve opened a second one. The length of your credit history is a factor in your score (worth about 15% of your FICO score according to FICO), and your oldest account anchors that timeline. Keep it open, use it occasionally, and let it age.
Most secured cards require a deposit between $200 and $500, which becomes your credit limit. This is fully refundable when you close the account or upgrade to an unsecured card.
What’s the fastest way to raise my credit score once the secured card is open?
Three rules cover 90% of what matters:
1. Pay the full balance every month, on time, without exception. Payment history is the single largest factor in your credit score — accounting for 35% of your FICO score. The CFPB recommends setting up automatic payments so you never miss a due date. Even one 30-day late payment can set you back months.
2. Keep your credit utilization below 30%. The CFPB recommends keeping the ratio of what you owe to your credit limit below 30% — ideally even lower. If your secured card has a $300 limit, that means keeping your running balance under $90 at any point in the billing cycle. High utilization hurts your score even if you pay on time. Research on immigrant credit behavior published by the University of Colorado at Boulder found that immigrants actually maintain consistently lower credit card utilization than non-immigrants, which contributes to their relatively strong credit scores once they do enter the credit system.
3. Don’t apply for multiple cards at once. Each application triggers a hard inquiry that temporarily lowers your score. Space applications at least three to six months apart. After 12 months of on-time payments on a secured card, your score will typically be in the 680–720 range — enough to qualify for most standard unsecured cards.
For ITIN holders who want to accelerate the process, adding a credit-builder loan alongside the secured card diversifies your credit mix (worth 10% of your FICO score) and can speed up score growth. Our guide to building credit with an ITIN covers the full multi-product strategy.
Is it true that my credit score from my home country doesn’t transfer to the U.S.?
A question we hear often: yes, unfortunately it’s true — U.S. credit bureaus only track U.S. credit activity. A perfect 10-year payment history in Mexico, India, Brazil, or anywhere else means nothing to Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. You start from zero.
There is one exception worth knowing: a service called Nova Credit can translate credit histories from select countries — including India, Mexico, Canada, the UK, Australia, and a few others — into a format that some U.S. lenders will accept during the application process. American Express is one issuer that uses this tool, which it calls Credit Passport, allowing new immigrants with strong foreign credit histories to potentially qualify for Amex cards before they’ve built a U.S. file.
For most ITIN holders, though, the practical path is simpler: get a secured card, use it responsibly, and let 12–18 months of on-time payments do the work. There’s no shortcut, but the timeline is shorter than most people expect. Consistent, responsible use of a single secured card is realistic for building a score in the 680–720 range within about 12 months.
Are there any secured card options that don’t require a deposit at all?
A few options blur the line between “secured” and “credit-builder” products in ways that may work for ITIN holders who don’t want to tie up $200+ in a deposit:
- Current Build Card — Accepts ITIN, charges no annual fee, no minimum deposit required, and carries 0% APR. Your spending is funded from your linked Current account, and the activity is reported to all three bureaus. It functions more like a charge card than a traditional credit card, but the bureau reporting is real.
- Self Visa® Credit Card — Pairs a savings-backed credit builder loan with a secured card. As you make monthly loan payments, those savings unlock your card’s credit limit. Your effective “deposit” is the savings you’re building. ITIN is accepted.
- Kikoff — A credit-builder account with no hard credit check and no interest. It doesn’t function like a traditional card but reports to the major bureaus, making it a low-risk first step for ITIN holders who aren’t ready for even a small deposit.
None of these options are identical to a traditional secured card, and some are more limited in where they can be used. But for ITIN holders who need to start building a file with minimal upfront cash, they’re worth knowing about.