Can I get a credit card without a bank account or citizenship?
Having a credit card isn’t 100% necessary to American life, but it does make life more convenient. Can you have a credit card without a bank account or citizenship? You can and you should as credit cards can help you build your credit and credit is another essential part of American personal finance. There are several options for those who are new to the American financial system who want to get a credit card and start building credit including secured credit cards, becoming an authorized user, and credit cards that don’t have the standard requirements.
Bank Accounts Do you need a bank account to apply for a credit card?
You do not need a bank account to be approved for a credit card. But having a checking account will make life easier and less expensive. Most people use checking accounts to receive their pay via direct deposit and pay bills. Without a checking account, you may have to pay for things like cashing your paycheck and buying money orders to pay bills. Checking accounts are also a safe place to keep your money.
Do you need a bank account to apply for a credit card? You don’t have to be a citizen to open a bank account. The requirements are similar to those needed to apply for a credit card which we’ll detail next.
Verifying Identity Getting a credit card without a bank account
Not all credit cards require a bank account. But what they do all require is verification of your identity and some financial information. When applying for a credit card, you’ll need to provide:
Name and date of birth
Photo identification
U.S. address
Contact information
Social Security Number or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN)
Citizenship status
Country of citizenship
Employment status
Income
Monthly housing costs
If you have a bank account
If you’re applying with a foreign passport, you will need the passport number and visa information.
Credit Card Options Without A Bank Account or Citizenship
Many credit cards are internationally accepted. If you have credit cards issued in your home country, they will likely work in the U.S. But those cards won’t help you build credit here. And building credit is an integral part of American personal finance.
If you want to do things like open a credit card, borrow money from a bank for a car, a home, or to start a business, or rent an apartment, potential lenders and landlords will look at your credit score. A credit score is your credit history expressed as a number typically ranging from 300-850. The higher your score, the better.
Essentially a credit score tells a lender or landlord how likely you are to pay your bills, loans, and rent on time. Any credit history you have in your home country doesn’t count towards your American credit history. There is an exception to this. American credit card issuer American Express works with a company called Nova Credit that translates credit reports from some countries into an equivalent of a U.S. credit report. If Nova Credit doesn’t work with your country, you’ll be starting from scratch.
That’s okay! Plenty of Americans are in the same situation; maybe they’re young and haven’t established credit or older people who prefer to operate on a cash basis. People in these categories will have what is termed a “thin” credit file.
Opening a credit card is a great way to start building credit. There are several ways to get a credit card without a bank account or citizenship:
A secured credit card. This kind of credit card requires you to pay a deposit. If you don’t make the payments, the lender keeps the deposit. After a certain number of on-time payments, you may be able to transition to a traditional card.
Become an authorized user. This means someone who has a credit card adds you to their account. You get a credit card with your name on it, and you can make the payments, but if you don’t, the account holder is responsible. If you’re looking for credit cards that don’t require a bank account or deposit, this is your best option, provided you have someone willing to add you to their account.
There is a demand for credit cards with no bank account needed, so some alternative cards have popped up to fill the void. These cards don’t require a deposit and don’t look at credit scores. Instead, they take into account things like employment history, schooling, and income.
It is Possible! Credit cards without a bank account are possible
Those without a bank account or citizenship can absolutely get a credit card! You may have to jump through a few more hoops, but it can be done. And once you have a credit card, you’ll be on your way to building a credit history and score in your new home.
Upwardli was created to help those new to the American financial system-immigrants, young people, and those with limited financial histories-find the financial tools they need. We match members with personalized product recommendations like banks, credit cards, and credit building products. We can help you navigate the American personal finance system with confidence.
