If you are a non-U.S. resident without a Social Security Number, you can still get a U.S. credit card with an ITIN, and you can do it online from anywhere in the world. I have held an ITIN since 2024 and built my U.S. credit from zero this exact way, and it is the single most common question in the r/ITIN community I run.
Your ITIN works as a financial passport: when a U.S. issuer accepts it for identity verification, you can open and grow a U.S. credit profile remotely. All you need is a valid ITIN, a foreign passport, a U.S. mailing address, and a U.S. bank account to fund any security deposit. Below are the proven ways to get your first card, fact-checked for 2026, plus a quick comparison so you can pick fast.
Key Takeaways
- Yes, you can get a U.S. credit card with an ITIN and no SSN, and apply online from abroad.
- Easiest fully online picks: Capital One Platinum Secured (deposit from $49) and Zolve (unsecured, no deposit, no SSN).
- You need an ITIN, a foreign passport, a U.S. mailing address, and a U.S. bank account to fund any deposit.
- Every card here reports to all three U.S. credit bureaus, so on-time payments build your FICO score.
- One catch: Bank of America usually needs an in-branch visit for ITIN-only applicants, so it is the least remote-friendly option.
Can You Get a Credit Card With an ITIN and No SSN?#
Yes. Major U.S. issuers, including Capital One, Citi, and Synchrony (the bank behind the Amazon card), let you verify your identity with an ITIN instead of an SSN. Capital One confirms this directly: an ITIN can be used in place of an SSN on a credit card application. To apply remotely you will want four things ready:
- A valid ITIN and your ITIN assignment letter (CP-565).
- A foreign passport for identity verification.
- A U.S. mailing address so the physical card can reach you.
- A U.S. bank or fintech account with a routing and account number to fund a secured deposit by ACH.
Credit Cards That Accept an ITIN: Quick Comparison#
This is how the main ITIN-friendly options compare, with a full breakdown of each below.
1. Capital One Platinum Secured: the Easiest Starter Card for ITIN Holders#
Capital One Platinum Secured is built for newcomers and reports activity to all three credit bureaus, which is why many ITIN starters begin here. You open the account with a refundable deposit of $49, $99, or $200 for an initial line of at least $200, and you can deposit up to $1,000 for a higher limit. Use Capital One's soft-check pre-approval tool first so you can check eligibility without a hard inquiry, then decide whether to submit a full application with your ITIN.
What to prepare for Capital One:
- Card types: Platinum Secured, or beginner unsecured options like Platinum or QuicksilverOne if your profile qualifies.
- Funding the deposit: fund the refundable deposit within Capital One's window from a U.S. bank or fintech account.
- Growth: Capital One reviews secured accounts for a credit-line increase in as little as 6 months of on-time payments. A move to unsecured is possible but not guaranteed.
Apply for Capital One credit cards
2. Firstcard: a No-Credit-Check Secured Card for ITIN Newcomers#
Firstcard pairs a secured credit-builder card with a checking account, so you get a routing and account number for deposits, autopay, and everyday spending while you build U.S. credit as an ITIN holder. It runs no credit check, uses passport-based onboarding, and reports to all three credit bureaus, which helps when you are starting with a fresh ITIN. The whole process happens in the app, so it is fully online.
What to prepare for Firstcard:
- A foreign passport, your ITIN letter, and proof of a U.S. address.
- A subscription fee of roughly $72 to $144 per year, depending on the plan you choose.
Firstcard is discontinued
3. Bank of America Secured: Traditional, but Usually In-Branch for ITIN Holders#
Bank of America's secured card is a classic path: a refundable deposit of $200 to $5,000 sets your credit line, there is no annual fee, and monthly reporting builds your track record toward a possible deposit return or upgrade after about 12 months. The honest catch for non-residents is that ITIN-only applicants generally cannot finish the standard online application. Most have to apply in person at a branch, or by phone if they already bank with Bank of America. If you cannot visit the U.S., treat this as a later option rather than a first remote card.
What to prepare for Bank of America:
- Documentation: foreign passport, ITIN letter, and proof of a U.S. address.
- Access: plan for an in-branch visit, since the online flow usually will not accept an ITIN on its own.
Apply for the BankAmericard Secured Credit Card
4. Citi Secured Mastercard: Low Deposit, No Annual Fee#
Citi's Secured Mastercard is a no-annual-fee secured card that reports to the major bureaus and lets you choose a deposit from $200 to $2,500 in $100 increments. Citi's own requirements list an SSN or ITIN among the identity fields, which makes it a viable ITIN route, and it is offered mainly through Citi.com directly. Two honest caveats: like Bank of America, an ITIN-only applicant may not be able to finish the application fully online and can be routed to phone or branch verification. And graduating to an unsecured card requires a valid SSN on file, so an ITIN-only holder can open it and build credit but may not graduate it until they later obtain an SSN.
Apply for the Citi Secured Mastercard
5. Amazon Secured Card: a 10% APR Credit Builder#
The Amazon Secured Card, issued by Synchrony Bank, is one of the most accessible credit-builder tools for ITIN holders, even if you rarely shop on Amazon. A refundable deposit from $100 up to about $1,000 acts as your credit limit, and it reports your payments to all three major bureaus.
A standout detail for ITIN starters is the fixed 10% APR, which is far lower than most starter cards. It is a closed-loop card, usable only for Amazon.com and Amazon Fresh, but it is a strong bridge to broader U.S. credit. After 12 months of responsible use, Synchrony may move you to its store-card features and return your deposit.
What to prepare for Amazon:
- Identification: apply online with your ITIN. Synchrony may ask you to send your ITIN letter and a foreign passport for verification.
- Prime rewards: Prime members earn elevated rewards on Amazon purchases, one of the few reward-earning secured cards open to non-residents. Confirm the current rate on the Amazon offer page before you apply.
Apply for the Amazon Secured Card
6. Become an Authorized User: the Fastest Head-Start#
Being added as an authorized user (AU) on someone else's card can place a positive tradeline on your ITIN-based file, which may speed up early score development before or alongside a secured card. Pick an account with a long on-time history and low utilization so you inherit only good signals. A practical tip from experience: Chase reports full authorized-user data to all three bureaus, usually within about 30 days, while American Express often reports thinner AU data and may skip Equifax. If the goal is a complete credit file fast, Chase is the stronger host.
7. Zolve: an Unsecured Credit Card With No SSN Required#
Most ITIN cards are secured, so Zolve is worth knowing: it is an unsecured U.S. credit card with no annual fee that does not require an SSN, and you can apply with your passport or ITIN. Uniquely, you can apply and get a virtual card before you even arrive in the U.S., which makes it the best fit on this list for the truly remote, abroad-first applicant. If you want a card with no security deposit at all, start here.
Other ITIN-Friendly Options Worth Knowing#
If the cards above do not fit, these also accept an ITIN and show up often in 2026 roundups: OpenSky Secured (no credit check), Self (a credit-builder loan plus secured card), and Tilt (the WebBank-issued credit builder that replaced Petal, which no longer takes new applicants). Treat any single source as a starting point and confirm the current terms on the issuer's site before applying.
How to Apply for a Credit Card With an ITIN (Step by Step)#
- Get your documents ready: ITIN letter, foreign passport, U.S. mailing address, and a U.S. bank account for the deposit.
- Pre-qualify where you can: use soft-check tools (like Capital One's) to gauge approval odds without a hard inquiry.
- Use a real U.S. mobile number: issuers text a one-time code during the application, and a VoIP number (Google Voice, Skype) will fail this check. The cheapest legitimate option for non-residents is Red Pocket's $30/year eSIM on AT&T, which passes every major bank's verification.
- Fund the deposit on time: secured accounts do not open until the deposit arrives within the issuer's window, so fund it by ACH right away.
- Set autopay and track your score: keep utilization low, pay in full, and watch your FICO score grow so you are ready for unsecured approvals and higher limits.
Frequently Asked Questions#
Can I get a credit card with just an ITIN and no SSN?#
Yes. U.S. issuers like Capital One, Citi, and Synchrony (the Amazon card) let you verify identity with an ITIN instead of an SSN. You apply online with your ITIN, a foreign passport, a U.S. mailing address, and a U.S. bank account to fund any deposit.
Which credit cards accept an ITIN?#
Secured cards from Capital One, Citi, Bank of America, and Synchrony (Amazon), the Firstcard credit builder, and the unsecured Zolve card all accept an ITIN. You can also be added as an authorized user on a Chase or Amex account.
What is the easiest credit card to get with an ITIN?#
For most newcomers, Capital One Platinum Secured (deposit from $49) or Zolve (unsecured, no deposit) are the easiest fully online options. Firstcard runs no credit check at all.
Can I apply for a credit card with an ITIN from abroad?#
Yes. Most options here, including Capital One, Firstcard, Amazon Secured, and Zolve, can be completed online from outside the U.S. with a U.S. mailing address and a U.S. bank account to fund any deposit. Two exceptions: Bank of America usually needs an in-branch visit for ITIN-only applicants, and Citi may route ITIN-only applicants to phone or branch verification.
Do ITIN credit cards report to the credit bureaus?#
Yes. Every card in this guide reports to the three major U.S. credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion), which is how your ITIN-based credit file and FICO score get built.
Is there an unsecured credit card for ITIN holders?#
Yes. Zolve offers an unsecured U.S. credit card with no SSN and no security deposit, and you can apply before you arrive in the U.S. Capital One also has unsecured starter cards for stronger profiles.
Will a secured ITIN card graduate to unsecured?#
Often, but it depends on the issuer. Capital One reviews for a credit-line increase in as little as 6 months. Citi, however, requires a valid SSN on file before it will graduate its Secured Mastercard, so ITIN-only holders can build with it but may not graduate it until they later get an SSN.
Conclusion#
Building U.S. credit as a non-resident with an ITIN can be done entirely online. Start with Capital One Platinum Secured or Zolve, add an authorized-user tradeline for early history, and keep Firstcard, Citi, and Amazon Secured in mind as you grow. Apply responsibly, set autopay, keep balances low, and watch your score climb so your profile is ready for unsecured approvals and higher limits over the next few months.