Woman rides an escalator holding a rolling traveling suitcase

Can New Immigrants Get a Credit Card?

7 min read

Last Updated: April 16, 2025

Table of contents

Key Takeaways

You don’t have to be a U.S. citizen to qualify for a credit card
Some credit card companies may accept applications from immigrants without a Social Security number, but may require an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
Immigrants who don’t qualify for a standard credit card may be eligible for a secured credit card or a student credit card.

Immigrants to the United States may face challenges in getting credit cards. Some people come from countries where credit cards are less commonly used, so they may not have an established credit history recorded by U.S. credit bureaus. Even if they’ve built credit history, it may not always transfer to the United States. Other immigrants may not have all the documentation needed to apply for certain credit cards.

But new immigrants to the U.S. may get a credit card if they meet the credit card issuer’s requirements. If you’ve recently immigrated to the U.S., you should keep these points in mind when applying for credit cards.

What does an immigrant need before applying for a credit card?

While non-U.S. citizens may find it difficult to qualify for a credit card in the U.S., it’s not impossible. Knowing the steps in the process could help make applying for a credit card as an immigrant easier.

Credit history

U.S. credit card issuers typically look at your credit report and credit score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card.

Your credit score is based on information from your credit report, like your payment history, outstanding debt, and other factors. Many people who are recent migrants to the U.S. haven’t yet had an opportunity to build credit history.

If you don’t already have a credit card or another credit account—like a car loan or home loan—that has been open in your name for at least six months, you might not have any credit history in the U.S. credit reporting system. Even if you’ve opened an account recently, you may not yet have a credit score. It can take around six months of credit use to build your credit history and establish a credit score, according to Experian^®.

If you’re not new to managing credit and you’ve established credit in a different country, keep in mind that differences in credit reporting systems mean your international credit history might not transfer to the U.S. Some services may be able to help you transfer international credit history to the U.S., but you should always make sure a company is legitimate before giving them sensitive information or showing documents like your ID card.

If you may have to start building credit history from scratch, fortunately, good credit habits like paying on time and keeping your balance low can be helpful regardless of immigration status. You might have a few options at first, but building credit history can help you get the best credit cards possible.

For immigrants, building a credit history can be an important step in getting established within the U.S. financial system. You can request a free credit report to see if you have a credit history or what’s recorded in your U.S. credit history.

Social Security number or ITIN

While most credit card issuers ask for a Social Security number to verify your identity and check your credit history, applying for some credit cards without a Social Security number is possible. A credit card company may instead request an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), which the IRS (not the Social Security Administration) may issue to individuals who are still ineligible for a Social Security card.

In some states, you may also be able to use your ITIN to qualify for other documents, like a driver’s license or state ID card.

How to get credit cards for foreigners, non-U.S. citizens, and international students

Getting credit cards can be challenging if you’re currently a non-U.S. citizen, but a credit card can be a helpful tool for securing your financial future in the U.S.

Immigrants to the U.S. have several options for acquiring a credit card. What’s available depends on that person’s particular financial situation. Some of the more common credit card options for immigrants include:

One option to start building credit history may be to become an authorized user on a friend or family member’s credit card, as long as the creditor reports to the credit bureaus. Check to see whether the credit card issuer has specific immigration status requirements for authorized users. Remember that if the primary cardmember on this account fails to make payments on time, that adverse credit history may also be reflected on the authorized user’s credit report.

If you lack credit history in the U.S. or have a poor credit history and haven’t been able to qualify for a standard, unsecured credit card, you could consider applying for a secured credit card. A secured credit card is a real credit card account that requires a cash deposit. With a Discover It^® Secured Credit Card, your credit line will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200.¹ Discover^® secured cards also offer cash back rewards on eligible purchases. Unlike a debit card or prepaid credit card, a secured card gives you access to a line of credit and may report your activity to a credit bureau, so it affects your credit score.

Did you know?

The Discover It^® Secured Credit Card helps you build your credit history with responsible use.² You can also get your deposit back after six consecutive months of on-time payments and maintaining good status on all your credit accounts. If you qualify to get your deposit back, you’ll automatically be considered for a credit line increase.³

Learn More

If you have a U.S. credit history, you may qualify for an unsecured credit card with rewards such as cash back or miles, like the Discover it^® Cash Back Credit Card. Unlike a secured card, an unsecured credit card doesn’t require a deposit. There are many types of unsecured credit cards to choose from, especially once you build a good credit score.

As an international student in the U.S., per the Department of Homeland Security, you may be eligible for a Social Security number and qualify for a student credit card if you meet the creditor’s requirements.

Credit card rewards immigrants should consider

When comparing credit cards, new immigrants should consider whether they can earn rewards for their spending. With Discover, you earn rewards on all purchases every time you use your card.

Cash back rewards

Some credit cards may offer cash back rewards, which let you earn rewards based on your spending. As a new immigrant, you may have extra relocation expenses, and redeeming your rewards as a statement credit can help you cover the costs.

Travel credit cards

Travel rewards credit cards may be especially appealing for new immigrants who make trips abroad. Foreign travel tends to be expensive. A card like the Discover it^® Miles Card can turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more.⁴ If you’re traveling somewhere that uses a different currency, your credit card company may charge a foreign transaction fee when you use it there. Discover^® has no foreign transaction fee.

The bottom line

A credit card can be a helpful financial tool for people who have recently arrived in the U.S. Without existing credit history or a Social Security card, you may still qualify for some credit cards from certain card issuers. The best credit card option for this phase in your life depends on your specific circumstances and priorities.

Important Information >