You can get a credit card without a Social Security number, but your options are narrower and the process takes longer

A credit card issuer does not legally require a Social Security number to open an account. Federal law allows you to use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead, which the IRS issues to people who file taxes but do not have a Social Security number. Some issuers also accept a passport number or state ID number as your primary identifier. The catch: most major banks will still run a credit check using alternative data, and many will decline you if you have no credit history at all.

The real barrier is not the number itself — it is that without a Social Security number, you have fewer banks willing to take the risk. You will need to search for issuers that explicitly state they accept ITINs, and you may pay higher interest rates or get a smaller credit limit than someone with a Social Security number and established credit.

Key Takeaways

  • An ITIN issued by the IRS works as a substitute for a Social Security number when you open a credit card account.
  • Most large national banks require a Social Security number, but some regional banks and credit unions accept ITINs or alternative IDs.
  • You will likely need to call the bank directly to confirm they accept non-SSN applicants, because their online forms often do not offer that option.
  • Secured credit cards — where you deposit cash as collateral — are easier to obtain without a Social Security number than unsecured cards.
  • Building credit without a Social Security number takes longer because credit bureaus have less historical data to work with.

Which banks accept ITINs instead of Social Security numbers

No major national bank (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank) will let you apply online without a Social Security number. Their systems are built around SSN-based credit checks and will reject you at the form stage. However, some regional banks and credit unions do accept ITINs if you apply in person or by phone.

BBVA USA, which operates in the Southwest and has a large immigrant customer base, has historically accepted ITIN applications. Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones (Bladex) serves customers in Latin America and the Caribbean and accepts ITINs. Some local credit unions, particularly those serving immigrant communities, will also work with you — but you have to ask directly, because their websites do not advertise it.

Your best approach is to call the bank's customer service line and ask: "Do you accept an ITIN instead of a Social Security number for a credit card application?" If they say yes, ask whether you can apply by phone or whether you must visit a branch in person. Do not rely on the online application — it will almost certainly reject you.

How an ITIN works as your identifier

An ITIN is a nine-digit number that looks like a Social Security number but starts with 9. The IRS issues it to people who file taxes but are not may be able to access for a Social Security number — typically non-citizens who work in the United States. You apply for an ITIN through the IRS using Form W-7, and you need a valid passport or national ID from your home country plus proof of a U.S. address.

When you give a bank your ITIN instead of an SSN, the bank still runs a credit check, but it uses different databases. The three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) can link credit history to an ITIN, though the process is slower and less standardized than SSN-based reporting. Some smaller credit bureaus that specialize in alternative credit data may also be involved.

The bank will also verify your ITIN with the IRS to confirm it is real and matches your name and address. This verification step adds time to the application — expect two to four weeks instead of the instant or next-day approval you might get with an SSN.

Secured cards are your fastest route without a Social Security number

A secured credit card requires you to deposit cash into a savings account held by the bank. That deposit becomes your credit limit — if you deposit $500, your card limit is $500. The bank holds the deposit as collateral, so they take almost no risk. This makes secured cards far easier to obtain without a Social Security number.

Many banks that will not touch an unsecured application will approve you for a secured card over the phone. You will need to fund the deposit account (usually $300 to $2,500 minimum), and the card arrives within one to two weeks. You then use it like a normal card, and after 12 to 24 months of on-time payments, the bank may convert it to an unsecured card and return your deposit.

Secured cards do charge annual fees — typically $25 to $95 — and the interest rates are higher than unsecured cards (often 18% to 24% APR). But they work, and they build credit history that you can use to move to an unsecured card later.

What happens to your credit report without a Social Security number

Credit bureaus can report on you using an ITIN, but the process is inconsistent. Some issuers report to all three bureaus; others report to only one or two. This means your credit history may be fragmented across different bureaus, and your credit score (if you have one) may vary depending on which bureau a lender checks.

You may also find that you have no credit score at all when you first apply, because the bureaus need at least one account and some payment history before they generate a score. This is why secured cards are useful — they give you a starting point. After six months of on-time payments on a secured card, you should have enough history for a score to appear.

Once you have a score, it works the same way as anyone else's: on-time payments raise it, missed payments lower it, and high balances relative to your limit hurt it. The difference is that rebuilding from zero takes longer without a Social Security number, because fewer lenders report to the bureaus and the bureaus themselves may be slower to update your file.

Alternative identification methods some banks accept

A few banks will accept a passport number or state ID number in place of a Social Security number, though this is rare. You will have to call and ask directly. Some credit unions also accept a combination of documents — for example, a passport plus a utility bill plus a bank statement — to verify your identity without an SSN.

If you have a state ID number (not a driver's license, but an actual state ID card), some issuers will use that as your primary identifier. However, state ID numbers are not standardized across states, and most large banks do not have systems set up to process them. Again, calling ahead is your only way to know.

Do not assume that because one bank accepts an alternative ID, others will. Each issuer has its own underwriting rules and data systems. What works at a credit union may not work at a regional bank, and vice versa.

The application process by phone or in person

Once you have confirmed that a bank accepts ITINs or alternative IDs, ask how to apply. Most will require you to call their customer service line or visit a branch — the online application will not work for you. Have your ITIN (or alternative ID), proof of address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and income information ready.

The bank will ask for your name, address, date of birth, ITIN, employment status, and annual income. They will verify your ITIN with the IRS and run a credit check. If you have no credit history, they may ask for a deposit to secure the card, or they may simply decline. If they approve you, they will tell you the credit limit and annual fee (if any) and send the card by mail.

The entire process typically takes two to four weeks from approval to card arrival. Some banks may call you back to verify information or ask follow-up questions, so make sure the phone number you provide is one you check regularly.

Building credit history as a non-citizen or ITIN holder

Your credit history starts from zero when you first open a card with an ITIN. The bureaus have no prior data to work with, so your score (if one is generated) will be low or nonexistent. This is why your first card should be one you use regularly and pay on time — every payment counts.

Use your card for small, recurring purchases (groceries, gas, a subscription) and pay the full balance every month. This shows the bureaus that you can manage credit responsibly. After six months, you should have enough history for a score to appear. After 12 months, you can apply for a second card or request a credit limit increase.

Keep your credit utilization low — use no more than 30% of your available credit each month. If your limit is $500, keep your balance below $150. This signals to lenders that you are not desperate for credit and can manage what you have.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Social Security number to get any credit card at all?

No. Federal law does not require a Social Security number. You can use an ITIN, and some banks accept passport numbers or state IDs. However, most large banks do require an SSN, so your options are limited. Calling smaller banks and credit unions directly is the fastest way to find one that will work with you.

Can I get a credit card if I am not a U.S. citizen?

Yes, if you have an ITIN or a valid passport. You will also need a U.S. address and proof of income. Some banks require you to have been in the country for a minimum time (often six months to one year) before they will approve you. Call ahead to confirm the bank's requirements.

Will my credit score be lower if I use an ITIN instead of a Social Security number?

Not directly. Your score is based on your payment history, credit utilization, and other factors — not on whether you have an SSN or ITIN. However, because fewer lenders report to the bureaus when you use an ITIN, your credit history may be thinner, which can result in a lower score or no score at all initially.

How long does it take to build credit with an ITIN?

You should see a credit score appear after six months of on-time payments. However, building a strong score (700+) typically takes 18 to 24 months. This is longer than for someone with an SSN and prior credit history, because the bureaus have less data to work with.

What if a bank asks for a Social Security number and I do not have one?

Tell them you have an ITIN instead and ask if they can process your application with that. If they say no, ask if they have a manager or specialist who handles ITIN applications — sometimes the front-line representative does not know the policy. If they still say no, move on to the next bank.