Credit Cards Without an SSN:
ITIN and Passport Options
Most U.S. card applications ask for a Social Security number or an ITIN. A few accept a passport instead. Here is what each option needs, which ones have closed, and how to build a U.S. credit file from zero.
The short answer
You can get a U.S. credit card without a Social Security number, but your choices are narrower:
- With an ITIN: many big-bank applications ask for “an SSN or ITIN”, so an ITIN opens most of the same doors. Each issuer decides, though, and some accept an ITIN only for some of their cards.
- With no SSN or ITIN: a small number of newcomer-focused companies, such as Zolve, say no SSN is needed. Chase notes that some issuers offer student cards that need only a passport.
- Your credit history from home doesn’t come with you. You start a U.S. credit file from scratch either way.
Every policy below was checked on the company’s own website on October 13, 2026. Policies change, so confirm on the application page before you apply.
Options if you have no SSN
| Option | What you can apply with | What it is | What the company says |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zolve credit card | “No SSN needed” (Zolve’s words; check which ID it asks for) | Mastercard credit card for newcomers | “No SSN needed”, $0 annual fee, limits up to $15,000 depending on approval and verified income. Zolve is a fintech; its banking partner is Continental Bank, Member FDIC. (zolve.com) |
| Kikoff Credit Account | SSN or TIN (ITIN) | Credit-builder line of credit, not a spending card | Plans from $5 a month; payments are reported to Equifax, Experian and TransUnion every month. (kikoff.com) |
| Big-bank cards (Chase, Citi, Capital One, Wells Fargo) | SSN or ITIN | Regular secured and unsecured cards | Each bank’s own guide says applications ask for an SSN or ITIN. Capital One adds that “policies for accepting ITINs differ” and some issuers accept ITINs only for some cards. (Chase · Capital One) |
| U.S. Bank secured card | ITIN holders can keep one | Secured card | U.S. Bank says it can only upgrade a secured card to an unsecured one if you have an SSN. (usbank.com) |
Not an option without an SSN (as of October 2026)
- Chime Credit Builder: Chime requires a valid Social Security number to open an account.
- Tomo: it accepted an SSN or ITIN, but its FAQ says it is not accepting new applications.
- Deserve student cards: deserve.com shows only a “Launching Soon” page, so treat these as unavailable.
How to get an ITIN
The IRS describes an ITIN as “a tax processing number only available for certain nonresident and resident aliens, their spouses, and dependents who cannot get a Social Security Number.” If you can get an SSN, you should get that instead.
- Fill out Form W-7, the ITIN application. In most cases it goes in with your federal income tax return. The W-7 instructions list exceptions for people who must apply without a return.
- Send your identity documents: originals or certified copies, or have them checked by an IRS Certifying Acceptance Agent so you don’t have to mail your passport.
- Wait: the IRS says to allow 7 weeks, or 9 to 11 weeks during tax season (January 15 to April 30) or if you apply from overseas.
Source: IRS, How to apply for an ITIN.
A first-year plan for building U.S. credit
Many banks and credit unions open accounts for noncitizens with an ITIN, a passport or another accepted ID. Card issuers often ask for bank details on the application.
A card you can get with your documents, or a credit-builder account, starts your file. Your score depends on on-time payments from here, so set up autopay.
A FICO score generally needs an account that has been open for six months or more. Use a small part of your limit and pay it off each month.
Ask each card and loan company to update your records, so the history you built stays with you. Then compare secured cards and cards for no credit: once you have an SSN, the whole market is open to you.
Why your credit history from home doesn’t count
U.S. credit bureaus only hold U.S. credit history. In Wells Fargo’s words, your credit history from your home country “does not transfer to the US: you must build credit history here.” Some lenders can review foreign credit data through services such as Nova Credit, but these programs change often, and American Express’s newcomer page for them no longer loads. Don’t count on one.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a credit card with just a passport?
From a few companies. Zolve says its card needs no SSN, and Chase’s guide notes that some issuers offer student cards that need only a passport, but most mainstream cards ask for an SSN or ITIN.
Is an ITIN as good as an SSN for credit?
Not quite. An ITIN works on many applications, but issuers decide card by card, and some features need an SSN. For example, U.S. Bank says it can upgrade a secured card to unsecured only for customers with an SSN.
Does my credit score from another country transfer?
No. U.S. credit reports only hold U.S. history. As Wells Fargo puts it, your credit history from your home country “does not transfer to the US.” You build a new U.S. file.
How long until I have a U.S. credit score?
A FICO score generally needs at least one account open for six months, so most people with a new file get a first score about six months after opening their first account.