How to apply for a credit card online

You can typically apply for a credit card online in a few simple steps, but it's important to get the facts about what is included in an online card application. To make the process easier, gather all the information you need before you get started.

Who can apply online for a credit card

What you need to submit a credit card application

How to apply for a credit card online

How credit card applications affect your credit

Getting started: apply for a credit card online

Can I apply for a credit card online?

Online credit card applications are open to US residents-in other words, people with a mailing address in the US who are over 18 and either have a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN).

Following the passage of the Credit CARD (Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure) Act of 2009, applicants under the age of 21 will need a co-signer or proof of income as part of the application process.

While credit card applications are open to nearly anyone, note that credit card issuers evaluate applications based on many different factors and criteria, which could include your reported income and your credit score.

What you need to submit a credit card application

Card issuers are interested in getting a full picture of your financial health. Besides collecting your basic contact information, they will use your SSN to pull your credit report. Consider finding out your credit score before you apply so you know what kinds of cards you're eligible for.

Most online card applications require:

Your full legal name. This is the name you use on your official government documentation, like your driver's license and passport.

Your SSN and/or ITIN. The Social Security Administration provides SSNs, while the Internal Revenue Service issues ITINs. A credit card application typically requires only one or the other.

Your mailing address. This is the address where you expect to receive your credit card statements.

Your gross annual income. "Gross" refers to your income before taxes. Card issuers use this information to estimate whether you can pay off your card debt and determine what your credit line will be.

Your employment status. This identifies whether you are employed, unemployed or self-employed. You may need to provide your employer's phone number (or, if you are self-employed, a tax document) for verification purposes.

Your housing costs. Because this information doesn't appear on your credit report, card issuers may ask you about it directly, whether you rent or own your home.

Your phone number. Some card issuers may ask for additional information like your phone number as well as options for the best times of day to reach you. You may receive a call for follow-up requests or questions.

How to apply for a credit card online

Determine your credit health. Before you shop around for credit cards, consider ordering a copy of your credit report to review your credit history and look for errors. You can get one free annual copy of your credit report from each of the three credit bureaus (Equifax®, Experian® and TransUnion®) at Your credit scores are not included on these free credit reports so it is recommended to check other sources for your credit scores to help you identify which cards you're eligible for.

Do your research. There are hundreds of different credit cards available with a variety of offers, fee structures and rewards programs. Chart your spending behaviors so you know which categories you spend most heavily in, and then shop around for the card that matches your credit profile and best fits your needs.

Pull together all of the required information. You won't need a lot of personal information to apply for a credit card, but it's important that all of your data is up-to-date and accurate.

Follow internet security best practices. When you're ready to apply, make sure both your web browser and operating system are up to date. Consider filling out the application on a mobile data connection or a safe, private network to prevent the risks of someone intercepting your personal information. And if you have any doubt about the legitimacy of an email from a card issuer, navigate directly to the issuer's website rather than clicking on any links in the email.

Submit your application. Most of the time, approvals and rejections are nearly instantaneous, but some credit issuers may take a longer time to make a decision, such as 8-15 business days. Keep in mind that it can take up to two weeks for you to receive your new card.

Will applying for a credit card affect my credit score?

Any time you apply for credit or a loan, the creditor or lender will order a copy of your credit report. This is known as a "hard inquiry." A significant number of hard inquiries may indicate that you are looking for credit and could lower your credit score.

New accounts make up just 10% of your FICO® score, however. Some scoring models will treat multiple inquiries as a single new-account activity, which won't affect your score much at all.

Applying online is a flexible and easy way to apply for a credit card and, with the right documentation in hand, the process only takes a few minutes. Before you get started, shop around to find the best card, and ensure that you only submit your application on a secure internet connection.

What do I need to apply for a credit card? 4 requirements

Getting a new credit card is always subject to application approval from the bank or card issuer. The exact requirements you’ll need to meet vary between credit card providers, but there are a few common eligibility requirements you’ll have to meet and information that you will have to provide that will be consistent from bank to bank.

This guide outlines the basic requirements and information you need to ensure your credit card application process goes as smoothly as possible.

What are the eligibility requirements?

The basic credit card eligibility criteria vary based on the type of credit card and the provider, but generally include the following:

Age. You must be 21 years old to apply for a credit card in the United States. You can apply if you are at least 18 if you have a parent’s permission or a verifiable source of income .

You must be 21 years old to apply for a credit card in the United States. You can apply if you are at least 18 if you have . Residency status. Most credit card providers require you to be a permanent resident or citizen of the U.S. But there are a limited number of cards available for temporary residents with valid visas.

Most credit card providers require you to be a permanent resident or citizen of the U.S. But there are a limited number of cards available for temporary residents with valid visas. Income. Before the CARD Act of 2009, credit card companies would give cards to anyone, even those with no income. But more standards are in place, and income can sometimes be a factor in the credit card you apply for.

Before the CARD Act of 2009, credit card companies would give cards to anyone, even those with no income. But more standards are in place, and income can sometimes be a factor in the credit card you apply for. Credit history. You must have good credit history to apply for most credit cards. If you’re struggling with no or low credit, you can rebuild your credit score using a secured credit card.

What information will I need to provide on my application?

The order of this information could vary depending on the credit card you’re applying for, but you will need to include details in the following categories.

Personal information

Most credit card applications begin by requesting details about your personal information. Ensure that all of the following information you provide is correct:

Personal information. This includes your full name and date of birth.

This includes your full name and date of birth. Citizenship. Are you a citizen of the U.S.?

Are you a citizen of the U.S.? Social Security number. Most banks require a Social Security number, but there are ways around it. You might be able to supply your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), if you have one, instead. Anyone can obtain an ITIN to apply for a card. Regardless of immigration status, you can apply for one through the IRS.

Most banks require a Social Security number, but there are ways around it. You might be able to supply your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), Residential address. These details relate to your current home address and the length of time you have been there. In certain cases, you could also be asked to provide information on previous residential addresses.

These details relate to your current home address and the length of time you have been there. In certain cases, you could also be asked to provide information on previous residential addresses. Contact details. Most lenders now require a valid email address as well as a phone number.

Note that if you are applying for a joint credit card account, all of the same information will be required for the additional applicant.

Employment and income information

The financial institution that you are applying with may want to verify that you are receiving a steady income. To do this they will ask for:

Your occupation. For example, you’ll need to provide your title and the field you work in, and whether you work full or part time.

For example, you’ll need to provide your title and the field you work in, and whether you work full or part time. Employer information. You’ll need to specify the amount of time you’ve been with your current employer and provide your employer’s name and contact information. In some cases, you may also be asked to list previous employment details as well.

You’ll need to specify the amount of time you’ve been with your current employer and provide your employer’s name and contact information. In some cases, you may also be asked to list previous employment details as well. Income. Include details of your annual income before taxes, as well as any secondary income you may receive, such as benefits or child support.

Include details of your annual income before taxes, as well as any secondary income you may receive, such as benefits or child support. Self-employed. If you are self-employed when applying for a credit card, you may need to provide your previous year’s income tax returns to verify your income.

Financial information

The financial information portion of a credit card application helps to determine if you qualify for the card. It also helps in determining your credit limit. Information you’ll need to provide here includes:

Account details. This includes details for savings and checking accounts, along with the current balances.

This includes details for savings and checking accounts, along with the current balances. Assets. Assets could include savings, investments and property.

Assets could include savings, investments and property. Monthly housing payments. You will be asked to provide the amount of your monthly mortgage or rent payment.

You will be asked to provide the amount of your monthly mortgage or rent payment. Credit and other bets. You’ll need to provide details of any existing credit accounts or debts, such as credit cards, personal loans or car payments.

Card preferences

At this point in your application, you will be asked for your card preferences and often given the option for a balance transfer. Information in this section will include:

Additional cardholders and their details. If you have an eligible partner or dependent who you’d like to add as an additional cardholder, make sure to have their personal details on hand for this part of the application. You will need to provide their full name, age and contact information.

If you have an eligible partner or dependent who you’d like to add as an additional cardholder, make sure to have their personal details on hand for this part of the application. You will need to provide their full name, age and contact information. Balance transfer. If you are applying for a balance transfer from an existing card to the new card, you will need to include details of your current credit card account, the financial institution and the amount of debt that you wish to transfer. Also note that you may not be able to transfer the balance from a card that is issued by the same provider. For example, you can’t transfer a balance from one Citibank card to another Citibank card.

After you have completed these steps, you will be asked to review your details before hitting the “submit” button. Thoroughly check your form for accuracy, and remember that the application cannot be recalled once it’s submitted. It will also trigger an inquiry on your credit file, so make sure it’s worthwhile.

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What else do I need to remember when applying?

Depending on the type of credit card you’re applying for, you may be required to provide proof of your income and other supporting financial documentation for approval.

Supporting documentation. After you have submitted the initial application (or during the application), you may be required to provide documentation that supports the information provided. This typically includes identifying documents with a photo, several recent paystubs and/or tax documents.

After you have submitted the initial application (or during the application), you may be required to provide documentation that supports the information provided. This typically includes identifying documents with a photo, several recent paystubs and/or tax documents. Document submission. Check out how the process works for verifying your documents. In some cases, you may be able upload copies online via a secure service, while in others you might have to bring them into a branch.

Check out how the process works for verifying your documents. In some cases, you may be able upload copies online via a secure service, while in others you might have to bring them into a branch. “Instant” approval. Most credit card applications you submit online will provide you with a response within 60 seconds. Remember that if you are approved at this stage, you may still have to provide the supporting documents in order to receive and activate your card.

If you do the research first and gather together all of the information required, filling out a credit card application online will only take a few minutes. And thanks to the convenience of 60-second approval times, you could know within 15 minutes of clicking “Apply now” whether you will be getting a brand new credit card.

Frequently asked questions

What Do You Need to Apply for a Credit Card?

Key points: Understanding the minimum requirements for getting a credit card, as well as the information card providers will ask for, can help you prepare a credit card application. There are certain factors that increase the chances of your credit card application being accepted. If you don’t have your credit card application approved at first, there are other options that might help you build your credit history until you’re ready to apply again.

How to apply for a credit card

To apply for a credit card, you’ll need to submit personal and financial information to the credit card issuer. Applying itself is easy — most lenders let you fill out applications online. Whether you get approved depends on your past credit history, income, and other eligibility factors .

If you’re just starting to build credit, you can consider applying for a secured card, like the Discover it Secured Credit card, and choose to check if you’re pre-approved within minutes — without harming your credit score or directly going to an application. In both cases, a hard inquiry will be placed on your credit report if you apply for an offer.

Requirements to get a credit card

In the U.S., you can apply for your own credit card as soon as you turn 18. But if you’re under 21, you will need to show you have independent income. If you’re 21 or older, you may include another person’s income that is available to you.

You’ll have additional card options if you have good credit. But while unsecured credit cards typically require a higher credit score, others cards have less stringent requirements. Some secured and student credit cards, for example, are designed for users with no or limited credit history.

Information to submit on your credit card application

When applying for a credit card, you’ll need to fill out identifying information that issuers use to check your creditworthiness, including:

Full name

Social Security number (though an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number sometimes works, too)

Birth date

Address (and how long you’ve lived there)

Annual income

Current employer (and how long you’ve worked there).

You may also want to include an email address ,so your issuer can get in touch with you. And some lenders may ask for insights into your financial assets.

Card issuers may also want to know whether you own or rent your home, and the amount of your monthly mortgage or monthly rent payment..

What makes your credit card application more likely to be approved?

A good credit score may boost your chances of approval, and also makes you more likely to qualify for lower interest rates, and cards that offer higher cash back rewards on purchases, and other perks.

How do you know if your score makes the cut? Positive factors are maintaining a history of paying past credit bills on time and in full, keeping a low credit utilization ratio, and carrying little or no debt.

You can request a This lets you identify any factors that might stand in the way of getting approved. You can then take steps to correct any issues before applying for a new card. If you don’t have a credit score, keep your eye out for options that don’t require credit history, like some secured credit card or student credit card.

Beyond your credit score, you’re also more likely to be approved if you have sufficient income. Also, if you’re a current cardholder, keep in mind that a high debt-to-income ratio is a red flag for lenders, as it suggests you don’t earn enough to pay off other balances.

Can you get a credit card if you don’t meet the requirements?

If you don’t meet all the requirements for an unsecured credit card, you may be approved for one with a higher interest rate and lower credit limit. But there’s also a chance you might get denied outright.

If you are concerned about being denied or want to build your credit before submitting an application, you can consider becoming an authorized user on someone else’s account. This way, you get access to the primary cardholder’s line of credit, and their account becomes a part of your credit history. If the primary cardholder makes on-time payments each month and you use the credit card responsibly, you can build your credit history and eventually apply for your own card.1

But there are other routes toward building a credit history.

Student Credit Cards

If you’re in college, a student credit card is designed for first-time cardholders looking to build a credit history. Some of them even come with benefits programs.

Take the Discover it Student Cash Back card, which offers rewards on every purchase, and the Discover it Student Chrome cards which gives you 2% cash back on gas stations and restaurants on up to $1000 in combined purchases each quarter2. Both of these cards also let you sign up for reminders to pay on time and other helpful alerts.

Secured Credit Cards

Another credit-building option a secured credit card. This requires you to put down a security deposit, which then (usually) becomes the value of your monthly credit limit.

Keep in mind that this is an actual credit card that reports your transactions to all three credit bureaus. Late or missed payments can hurt you as much as responsible use can help you. And if you don’t pay off your balance when you close the account, your lender will keep your deposit.

You can usually apply for these cards online, and you aren’t guaranteed approval.

Many of these cards provide few perks, but the Discover it Secured Credit card offers 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.2 There’s no annual fee, and you can get a dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.3 You can apply for this card online.