Getting a credit card means finding a card that matches your financial situation, then submitting an process to the issuer

You can get a credit card by going to a bank's website, calling their customer service line, or visiting a branch in person. The issuer will ask for your Social Security number, income, and employment status, then make a decision within minutes to a few days. If you are approved, the card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you have no credit history or a low credit score, you may need to start with a secured credit card, which requires a cash deposit that becomes your credit limit.

The main barrier is usually your credit score or lack of one. If you have never borrowed money before, you have no score at all — you are not rejected, but many mainstream cards will decline you. If you have a score below 580, most issuers will also decline you. In either case, a secured card or a card designed for people building credit is your realistic starting point.

Key Takeaways

  • You can explore online, by phone, or in person at a bank branch, and most decisions come back within a few days.
  • You will need your Social Security number, current income, and employment information to complete an process.
  • If you have no credit history or a score below 580, a secured card or a credit-builder card is usually your only option.
  • A secured card requires a cash deposit (usually $200 to $2,500) that the bank holds as collateral and becomes your spending limit.
  • Once approved, your card arrives by mail in about a week, and you can use it when ready to start building credit history.

What information you need before you explore

Gather these documents before you start an process: your Social Security number, a government-issued ID, your current address, your phone number, and your email address. You will also need to know your annual income (include salary, wages, and any regular income like disability payments or child support). Have your current employer's name and your job title ready, or if you are self-employed, your business name.

If you are explore online, you can usually fill out the form in 5 to 10 minutes. If you are explore by phone or in person, the process takes about the same time. The issuer will pull your credit report during the process, which is called a hard inquiry and temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. This is normal and expected.

Understanding credit scores and why they matter for approval

Your credit score is a three-digit number (typically 300 to 850) that summarizes your history of borrowing and repaying money. It comes from three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Each issuer checks one or more of these bureaus when you explore. Most mainstream credit cards require a score of 620 or higher; some require 700 or higher. If your score is below 620, you will likely be declined for standard cards.

If you have never borrowed money before, you have no score at all. This is different from having a low score — you are not penalized, but you also cannot prove you repay debts. In this case, you have three realistic paths: a secured card, a credit-builder card (sometimes called a starter card), or becoming an authorized user on someone else's account. A secured card is the most common choice because you control it entirely and build your own credit history.

You can check your own credit score for free through AnnualCreditReport.com, which is the official site run by the three bureaus. You can also check your score through many banks' websites if you already have an account with them, or through free services like Credit Karma or NerdWallet. Checking your own score does not lower it.

Secured cards: the path when you have no credit or low credit

A secured credit card works like this: you deposit cash with the bank (usually $200 to $2,500), and that amount becomes your credit limit. You then use the card like any other credit card — make purchases, receive a monthly bill, and pay it back. The bank holds your deposit the entire time you have the card. After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, the issuer typically converts your account to a standard card and returns your deposit.

Secured cards charge interest just like regular cards do, so if you carry a balance, you pay interest on top of your deposit sitting in the bank. The annual fee is usually $0 to $95. Popular secured card issuers include Capital One, Discover, and many regional banks. Compare the annual fee, interest rate, and the bank's policy for converting to a regular card before you choose one.

The key advantage of a secured card is that it reports to all three credit bureaus, so your on-time payments build your credit score. After 6 to 12 months of responsible use, you become may be able to access for regular credit cards, and you can close the secured card and get your deposit back.

Where to explore: online, by phone, or in person

Most people explore online through the issuer's website. You fill out a form with your personal and financial information, submit it, and get a decision within minutes to a few days. Online applications are fast and you can do them anytime. The downside is that you cannot ask questions in real time if something is unclear.

You can also call the issuer's customer service number (usually on the back of another card or on their website) and explore by phone. A representative walks you through the questions and can answer questions as you go. This takes about 15 minutes. In-person applications at a bank branch work the same way — a banker helps you fill out the form and can discuss your options.

If you are already a customer of a bank, explore for their credit card is often faster because they already have your information on file. Some banks offer when ready decisions for existing customers. If you are explore to a bank where you have no account, the process is the same but may take slightly longer.

What happens after you are approved

Once you are approved, the issuer sends your card by mail, which usually takes 7 to 10 business days. Some issuers offer expedited shipping for an extra fee. While you wait, you can usually set up online access to your account and see your credit limit. Many issuers also let you add the card to your phone's digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) before the physical card arrives, so you can start using it right away.

When your card arrives, sign the back of it and set up it by calling the number on the back or logging into your online account. You can then use it to make purchases. Your first bill arrives 3 to 6 weeks after your first purchase. Pay at least the minimum payment by the due date to avoid late fees and damage to your credit score. Paying the full balance each month is the best practice because it avoids interest charges.

What to do if you are declined

If an issuer declines your process, they must tell you why — usually because your credit score is too low, your income is too low, or you have too much existing debt. You can request a copy of your credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com to see what information the issuer saw. If there are errors on your report, you can dispute them with the bureau.

If you are declined, do not explore to multiple cards in quick succession. Each process triggers a hard inquiry, which lowers your score further. Instead, wait 3 to 6 months, work on improving your score (pay down existing debt, make all payments on time), and then explore again. In the meantime, a secured card is your most reliable option because approval is based mainly on your deposit, not your credit history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a bank account to get a credit card?

No. A credit card and a bank account are separate products. However, having a bank account with the issuer can make approval easier and faster, because they already know your financial history. If you do not have a bank account, you can still explore for a credit card from any issuer.

How long does it take to build credit with a new card?

Your credit score can improve within 30 to 60 days of on-time payments, but meaningful improvement usually takes 6 months or longer. The longer your account stays open and the more on-time payments you make, the faster your score rises. Secured cards are designed for this purpose and typically convert to regular cards after 6 to 18 months of good payment history.

What is the difference between a credit card and a debit card?

A debit card pulls money directly from your bank account when you swipe it. A credit card borrows money from the issuer, and you repay it later. Credit cards build your credit history; debit cards do not. Credit cards offer fraud protection and rewards; debit cards typically do not.

Can I get a credit card if I have bad credit?

Yes, but your options are limited. Cards designed for people rebuilding credit have higher interest rates and annual fees, but they report to credit bureaus and help you improve your score. A secured card is usually your best option because approval depends mainly on your deposit, not your credit score.

What should I do with my credit card once I get it?

Use it for small, regular purchases and pay the full balance each month. This shows lenders you can borrow and repay responsibly, which builds your credit score. Avoid carrying a balance because interest charges add up quickly. Never spend more than 30 percent of your credit limit in a single month, because high utilization can lower your score.