You need a business structure, an EIN, and a way to prove the business exists

A business credit card is issued in your company's name rather than your personal name, though most issuers will also run your personal credit report. Banks require proof that your business is real: a business license, an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, or both, depending on the card issuer. Some cards will accept a sole proprietorship with just your Social Security Number, while others demand a registered LLC or corporation with a separate EIN.

The process itself is straightforward — you fill out a form with your business information, personal information, and the bank pulls your credit. What changes between issuers is what documents they want to see before they approve you, and whether they will issue the card if your personal credit is weak but your business revenue is strong. A few cards are designed specifically for new businesses or businesses with limited credit history; most require at least one to two years of business operation and a credit score in the 650 to 700 range.

Key Takeaways

  • Most business credit cards require proof of business existence: a business license, an EIN, or both, plus your personal Social Security Number.
  • Banks will check your personal credit score and often your business credit history, though some cards accept applicants with limited business credit if revenue is documented.
  • Sole proprietorships can explore with just an SSN, but LLCs and corporations need an EIN, which you can obtain free from the IRS in minutes online.
  • The card issuer will ask for business revenue, the number of employees, and how long the business has been operating — have tax returns or bank statements ready to support these claims.
  • Approval typically takes three to five business days, and the card arrives within one to two weeks of approval.

What business structure you have determines what documents you need

A sole proprietorship — where you operate the business under your own name or a DBA (doing business as) — does not require a separate EIN. You can explore for a business credit card using your Social Security Number alone. Some issuers will still ask for a business license or proof of business income, but they will not require an EIN. This is the fastest route if you are just starting out, because you do not have to wait for an EIN to be issued.

An LLC or corporation must have an EIN. You obtain one free from the IRS at irs.gov/ein. The process takes minutes online, and you receive the number when ready. You will need your business formation documents (the articles of organization for an LLC, or articles of incorporation for a corporation) when you explore for the card. Some banks will ask you to upload these documents directly in the process; others will request them by email after you submit your initial form.

A partnership also requires an EIN. Each partner will need to provide their Social Security Number, and the bank will typically run a credit check on all partners with significant ownership stakes (usually 20 percent or more). If one partner has poor credit, some issuers will still approve the card, but others will decline.

Banks will check both your personal credit and your business history

The bank will pull your personal credit report and score as part of the process. This is true even though the card is issued to the business. Your personal credit matters because the bank views you as personally liable for the card's debt if the business cannot pay. A score of 650 to 700 is often the minimum; cards marketed to newer businesses may accept scores as low as 600, but interest rates will be higher.

The bank will also check whether your business has a credit history. Business credit is tracked separately from personal credit by agencies like Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, and Equifax Business. If your business is new or has never borrowed money, you will have no business credit history. Some issuers will overlook this if your personal credit is strong and you can show business revenue. Others require at least a year or two of business operation before they will issue a card.

You will be asked to provide business revenue, usually for the past year or two. Have your tax returns, profit-and-loss statements, or bank statements ready. If you are a new business with no tax returns yet, some issuers will accept bank statements showing deposits, or a signed contract with a major client showing expected revenue. Be honest about these figures — the bank may verify them, and overstating revenue can result in a declined process or, later, fraud charges.

The process asks for specific business and personal details

You will need to provide your business name, the type of business (retail, services, manufacturing, etc.), the business address, and how long the business has been operating. You will also be asked for the number of employees, annual revenue, and the business's primary purpose or industry classification.

On the personal side, you will provide your name, Social Security Number, date of birth, and personal address. If you are explore as an LLC or corporation, the bank will ask whether you are the sole owner or whether there are other owners, and what percentage you own. If there are other owners, you may need to provide their information as well, depending on the issuer's policy.

Some issuers will ask whether you have other business credit cards or business loans. They want to know your total business debt and how you have managed it. If you have missed payments on other business accounts, that will show up in your business credit report and may result in a decline or a higher interest rate.

Different issuers have different requirements for new businesses

Major banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo typically require at least one to two years of business operation and a personal credit score of 670 or higher. They will ask for tax returns or financial statements to verify revenue. These cards often come with higher credit limits and better rewards, but the bar to entry is higher.

Smaller banks and online issuers like Brex, Lendio, and Kabbage (now part of Amex) are more willing to work with newer businesses. Some will issue a card to a business that has been operating for only a few months, though the credit limit will be lower and the interest rate higher. Brex, for example, focuses on startups and does not require a personal credit check for some of its cards — it looks at business metrics instead.

If your personal credit is weak but your business is profitable, look for cards that weight business revenue more heavily than personal credit. American Express and some regional banks offer cards that prioritize business metrics. You may still be declined, but your chances are better than with a traditional bank that treats personal credit as the primary factor.

After approval, the card arrives and you can set spending rules

Once approved, the card typically arrives within one to two weeks. You will receive it in the business's name, though it may also have your name on it as the authorized user. Some issuers allow you to order additional cards for employees when ready; others require you to wait until the primary card arrives.

Most business credit card issuers offer online account management where you can set spending limits per card, restrict certain types of purchases, or turn cards on and off. This is useful if you issue cards to employees — you can limit what they can spend and where. You can also read transaction data for accounting purposes, which is one of the main reasons businesses use these cards instead of personal cards.

The card will have an annual fee (ranging from $0 to $500 or more, depending on the card), an interest rate, and a credit limit. The credit limit is usually lower than what you might get on a personal card, especially if the business is new. As you use the card and pay on time, the issuer may increase the limit automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a business credit card if my personal credit score is below 650?

Some issuers will approve you if your business revenue is strong and you can document it. Brex and a few other online issuers focus on business metrics rather than personal credit. Traditional banks are less flexible. If you are declined, wait three to six months, improve your personal credit score, and reapply.

Do I need an EIN if I am a sole proprietor?

No. You can explore for a business credit card using your Social Security Number. However, getting an EIN is free and takes minutes online at irs.gov/ein. Many sole proprietors get one anyway because it separates personal and business finances and can help build business credit.

What if I have other owners in my business?

The bank will ask for information on all owners with a significant stake (usually 20 percent or more). It may run credit checks on all of them. If one owner has poor credit, some issuers will still approve the card, but others will decline. Ask the issuer upfront whether all owners need to be approved or just the primary applicant.

How long does approval take?

Most issuers make a decision within three to five business days. Some online issuers can approve you in hours. Once approved, the physical card arrives within one to two weeks. You can usually start using a virtual card number when ready after approval, even before the physical card arrives.

Will getting a business credit card hurt my personal credit?

The process will trigger a hard inquiry on your personal credit report, which may lower your score by a few points temporarily. Once approved, the card itself should not hurt your score if you pay on time. In fact, it can help by adding to your available credit and showing responsible credit use.