For many non-U.S. residents, the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is the most powerful tool for financial inclusion. If you are not eligible for a Social Security Number (SSN), an ITIN serves as your "financial passport," allowing you to apply for U.S. credit cards online from anywhere in the world.
When U.S. issuers accept an ITIN for identity verification, it opens the door to the most lucrative credit market on the planet. With a valid ITIN, a reliable U.S. mailing address, and a way to fund security deposits via a U.S. bank account, you can establish and grow a U.S. credit profile remotely. This guide outlines exactly how to secure your first cards and start building your FICO score without ever having to step foot in the United States.
What is an ITIN and how to get one remotely
1: Capital One starter card#
Capital One Platinum Secured is built for newcomers and reports activity to all 3 credit bureaus, which is why many ITIN starters begin here to establish on-time payment history and credit file online. Use Capital One’s online pre-approval tool to check eligibility with a soft check and then decide whether to submit a full application with an ITIN, which helps avoid unnecessary hard inquiries early on. Expect to provide a foreign passport for identity, ITIN letter for verification, and a residential U.S. mailing address so the physical card arrives.
What to prepare for Capital One:
- Card types: Platinum Secured, or beginner unsecured options like Platinum or QuicksilverOne depending on eligibility and profile.
- Funding the deposit: the secured card requires a refundable security deposit that must be funded in the issuer’s window, and having a U.S. bank or fintech account with routing and account number is must.
- Growth: accounts can be reviewed over time for higher limits or unsecured upgrades within 6-12 months and if on-time payments are consistent.
Apply for Capital One Credit Cards
2: Firstcard (discontinued)#
Firstcard combines a secured credit builder card with an checking account, which gives a routing and account number for deposits, autopay, and day-to-day money spending while building U.S. credit as an ITIN holder. App materials highlight no credit check, passport-based onboarding, and reporting to all 3 credit bureaus, which can be helpful when starting with a fresh ITIN. Applications and identity verification occur in the app, so the entire process is online.
What to prepare for Firstcard:
- Foreign passport, ITIN letter, and a proof of U.S. address.
- $48-$120/year fees.
3: Bank of America secured card#
Bank of America’s secured credit card is a traditional path where a refundable deposit sets the credit line while monthly reporting builds a track record toward possible graduation or higher limits over time. Educational resources from Bank of America explain how secured cards function like regular cards, with the deposit acting as collateral until an upgrade or closure returns funds when terms are met. The application can be started online, making it workable for ITIN holders who can pass digital identity checks and receive the physical card at a U.S. mailing address.
What to prepare for Bank of America:
- Documentation: foreign passport, ITIN letter, and a proof of U.S. address.
- Funding the deposit: fund the deposit during the online application from a U.S. bank or fintech account with routing and account numbers so the account can be opened.
Apply for BankAmericard® Secured Credit Card
4: Citi Secured Mastercard#
Citi’s Secured Mastercard is a no-annual-fee secured credit card that reports to major credit bureaus and lets applicants select a deposit amount within a defined range during the online application process. Citi’s own materials and independent reviews confirm a minimum deposit of 200 dollars with a typical maximum of 2,500 dollars, and U.S. News notes a deposit window after approval to fund and open the account. Citi’s requirements pages state that applicants provide SSN or ITIN among standard identity fields, which makes this a viable ITIN route when documentation and address validation pass.
Apply for Citi Secured Mastercard
5: Amazon Secured Credit Card#
The Amazon.com Secured Card, issued by Synchrony Bank, is one of the most accessible "credit builder" tools for ITIN holders even if you do not shop on Amazon. This card is specifically designed for those with no credit history or a limited U.S. credit profile. Unlike many other retail cards, this secured version focuses on helping you establish a track record by reporting your payment activity to the three major credit bureaus.
The card operates with a refundable security deposit (from $100 to $1,000) that acts as your credit limit. A standout feature of this card for ITIN starters is its transparency; it offers a fixed 10% APR, which is significantly lower than most starter cards. While it is a "closed-loop" card (meaning it is used only for Amazon.com and Amazon Fresh), it serves as a powerful bridge to more traditional U.S. credit products. After 12 months of responsible use, Synchrony may "graduate" you to an unsecured store card and return your deposit.
What to prepare for Amazon:
- Identification: You can apply online using your ITIN. You may need to contact Synchrony Bank to provide your ITIN letter and a foreign passport for identity verification.
- Prime Benefits: If you are an Amazon Prime member, this card also earns you 2% back on Amazon purchases, making it one of the few reward-earning secured cards available to non-U.S. residents.
6: Become an authorized user#
An authorized user relationship can place a positive tradeline on an ITIN-based file if the issuer reports AU data and personal information matches, which may accelerate early score development before or alongside a secured card. Amex provides general support guidance for adding additional card members, and Chase provides AU education and add-user flows that align with using ITIN for identity when requested, making AU a practical bridge for non-U.S. residents. Choose an account with on-time payment history and low utilization to avoid inheriting negative factors as an AU while aiming for a first primary approval later.
Fully remote and deposit funding#
All options above are designed for online remote applications that can be completed from abroad. For secured cards, plan ahead for the refundable deposit by having a U.S. bank or fintech account with routing and account numbers for ACH funding, since the account does not open until the deposit is received within the issuer’s funding window.
Conclusion#
Starting as non-US resident with an ITIN can be done entirely online by applying Capital One, Firstcard, Bank of America’s secured card, and an authorized user strategy for early positive history. Apply responsibly, set autopay, manage balances conservatively, and track credit score as it grows so that the profile is ready for regular credit card approvals and higher limits over the next few months.
Need Help Getting Your ITIN?#
- If you don’t have an ITIN yet, we can help you apply for one remotely.
- We specialize in helping non-U.S. residents get an ITIN and start building their U.S. credit.