Best No SSN Credit Card Options for Students & Newcomers

Many people living in the U.S., including immigrants, international students, temporary workers, and non-resident individuals, often face rejection when applying for a credit card. It is all because of a lack of a Social Security number (SSN). But if you don’t have an SSN, it doesn’t mean you don’t have any options. In this comprehensive article, we will discuss how you can get a no ssn credit card to build your credit history. Also, we will discuss its benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, alternative ways, and how you can apply for it. Therefore, stay with us to learn more about it.

What is a No SSN Credit Card? 

A no SSN credit card is a credit card that allows you to apply without submitting an SSN number. Instead, issuers may ask for alternative documents, like 

• Can ask for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). 
• Your Passport. 
• Visa/Immigration documents.
• Foreign driver’s license.
• Alternative data or your banking history. 

By using these alternative documents, you can get a credit card without an SSN in the United States. The cards available without an SSN are mainly designed for: 

• New immigrants.
• International students.
• Foreign workers.
• Business professionals.
• Or non-US residents who are living temporarily in the country. 
• These credit cards are ideal for individuals who lack a credit history.

Top No SSN Credit Cards for Individuals

Below, we have listed some of the best credit cards for you that allow ITIN or other documents, instead of an SSN. Please have a look to grab the best deal.

1. Deserve EDU Mastercard

Considered ideal for international students

• Features
  • The card doesn’t require an SSN. 
  • Do not require any security deposit. 
  • Comes with no annual fee.
  • Especially designed for students with no credit history. 
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • Comes with cellphone protection (up to $600 per claim).
• Eligibility Criteria
  • You should have a valid U.S. address.
  • Passport and visa details. 
  • You should have proof of U.S. enrollment. 
• Rewards 
  • Offer a flat 1% cash back on all purchases. 
  • Cash back is redeemed as statement credits. 
  • Offer Amazon Prime students a credit bonus with qualifying spend. (Only when available).
• Pros 
  • Application accessible without SSN. 
  • Ideal for first-time credit users. 
  • Comes with no annual fees.
  • Offer real benefits like cellphone insurance. 
• Cons 
  • The card comes with a low rewards rate compared to other student cards. 
  • Do not offer balance transfer features. 
  • No cash advance features.
  • The rewards and perks are more modest than premium student credit cards. 
• Best For
  • Considered best for international students and beginner individuals without an SSN or credit history. 
  • Ideal for students who are looking for a card with perks, low cost, and simplicity. 

2. American Express (Select Cards)

• Features
  • Amex Cards (like Blue Cash Everyday, Amex Green, Amex Gold, etc.) come with rewards points, cashback, and benefits.
  • Amex membership rewards program (only with certain cards).
  • Offer premium perks on certain products, like travel credits, dining offers, and airport lounge access on select cards. 
• Rewards
  • Cash back rate on categories like groceries, gas, and streaming. 
  • Offer points on travel, dining, and other purchases with premium cards. 

Note: The rewards depend on the specific Amex card. 

• Eligibility Criteria 
  • Some Amex cards accept applications with an ITIN instead of an SSN. 
  • The card offers the ability to use international credit history transfer programs. 
  • However, one will have to meet other issuer criteria, such as income, financial information, etc. 
• Pros 
  • The card offers robust rewards and premium benefits. (Depending on your card). 
  • The Amex card comes with additional shopping and travel perks. 
  • Also, offer membership rewards points on many products. 
• Cons 
  • Not all Amex cards accept applications without an SSN or with an ITIN. 
  • Some Amex cards come with an annual fee and a higher standard.
  • A foreign transaction fee may apply to some cards. 
• Best For 
  • The card is considered ideal for applicants with some income or foreign credit history who are looking for rewards and perks. 
  • The individuals who are planning to build credit and use premium card benefits. 

3. Capital One Platinum Secured/Capital One Platinum

• Features
  • The secured version requires a refundable security deposit (minimum $49 – $200 for a $200 credit line). 
  • Comes with no annual fee.
  • The card reports to all three major credit bureaus. 
• Rewards 
  • It doesn’t offer a reward program on the basic platinum secured card. 
  • Also, the unsecured Capital One Platinum doesn’t offer rewards.
• Eligibility Criteria
  • Accepts applications with limited or no credit history 
  • One can use an ITIN instead of an SSN. 
  • You must provide proof of income or financial stability. 
• Pros
  • The card is accessible for beginners and individuals without established credit. 
  • Comes with no annual or foreign transaction fees.
  • Your deposit can be returned.
  • It offers to upgrade to unsecured by using it responsibly. 
• Cons 
  • The card doesn’t offer any cash back or points.
  • The APR can be high if one carries a balance. 
  • Comes with limited perks. 
• Best For 
  • The card is considered ideal for those who are rebuilding credit or who want a simple, reliable card to start reporting credit behavior.

4. Bank Of America Secured Credit Card

• Features
• The card required a refundable security deposit (typically $200 – $5000). 
• It reports activity to all three major credit bureaus. 
• Comes with no annual fee for most of the secured versions. 

• Rewards
  • Some Bank of America cards offer 1.5% cash back on all purchases. 
  • Apart from this, other variants offer 3% in chosen categories. 
  • Offer 2% cashback on groceries/wholesale (with a cap). 
• Eligibility Criteria 
  • The Bank of America credit card accepts an ITIN or a passport instead of an SSN on many cards. 
  • You are required to fund a security deposit.
• Pros
  • Help to build credit while earning rewards. 
  • Comes with no annual fee and many options.
  • Offer a solid path to an unsecured card with good credit.  
• Cons 
  • The card required an upfront security deposit.
  • Some of the products come with foreign transaction fees. 
  • The rewards and perks are more modest than premium unsecured cards.
• Best For 
  • The card could be an ideal choice for people who are looking to build credit with rewards with a secured product. 

     5. Petal 1 and Petal 2 Cards

• Features
  • The card comes with no annual fee.
  • The approval is based on cash flow and banking history.
  • It doesn’t require any deposit or SSN.
  • ITIN and other alternate IDs are accepted. 
• Rewards 
  • Petal 1 offers cashback of 2% to 10% at selected merchants.
  • Petal 2 usually offers 1% cash back on all purchases. 
  • The cash back increases to 1.5% after 12 on-time payments. 
• Eligibility Criteria 
  • The Petal card evaluates banking history and financial behavior rather than credit score.
  • Petal accepts ITIN. 
• Pros 
  • No security deposit required.
  • Easy to qualify with the help of an alternate credit profile. 
  • Petal 2 provides consistent cash back. 
• Cons 
  • Petal 1 rewards depend on select merchant offers. 
  • Comes with fewer perks than premium rewards cards.
  • Petal required good banking documentation to qualify. 
• Best For 
  • The cards are considered ideal for newcomers and credit-invisible consumers who want a starter card without an SSN. 

These are some of the best No SSN credit cards that help individuals to start a credit history.

How to Apply for a No SSN Credit Card? 

Below, we have listed all the steps for you to apply for a credit card without an SSN. Have a look at it. 

1. Get an ITIN  

ITIN is one of the easiest alternatives to an SSN and can be applied for through : 

• IRS Form W-7
• IRS-authorized acceptance agents. 

2. Open a U.S. Bank Account

The bank account helps issuers to verify identity and assess financial stability. 

3. Choose the Right Card for You

There are several options available for no ssn credit card. Choose accordingly ➖

• Student credit cards 
• Secured credit cards
• Cash-flow-based cards.
• Immigrant-friendly programs card. 

4. Prepare Your Documents 

Have a digital copy ready of the required documents, like : 

• Passport
• Visa 
• Address Proof
• ITIN or tax documents 
• Employment/Student enrollment later. 

5. Submit Your Application 

Once you prepare your documents, submit your documents as per your convenience. You can submit online or by visiting the branch. 

6. Build Your Credit Responsibly

To build your credit always : 

• Pay on time
• Keep your utilization low
• Avoid closing accounts.

By following the above steps, one can apply for the no ssn credit card easily. 

Who Can Apply for a No SSN Credit Card 

Not everyone can apply for a no ssn card. Below, we have listed everyone who can apply for this no ssn card : 

1. International Student – International students in the U.S. on F-1, J-1, or N-1 visas can apply for the card if they have a valid passport. 
2. New immigrants /  Permanent Residents – The people who recently moved to the U.S and people waiting for their SSN. Also, new green card holders can apply. 
3. Non-Resident Foreign Nationals – People or individuals who are living outside the U.S. and require a U.S credit can apply via ITIN, Passport, or Supported Fintech.
4.  Working professionals without an SSN – The people who work in the U.S. and have no SSN. 
5. People with an ITIN – people who have an ITIN number- should apply for a credit card. 
6. Looking to Build Credit – The card is ideal for the Individuals who are looking to Build Credit for the First time can apply for the card. 

Things to Consider Before Applying for a No-SSN Credit Card

There are some things that one should consider before applying for a No SSN credit card. Below we have listed everything for you. Have a look at it.:

1. Does the Card Accept ITIN or Not?

Remember, many no ssn cards require an ITIN instead of an SSN. So, before applying, check whether the bank accepts : 

• ITIN
• Passport 
• Visa/I-20/DS-2019 (For the Students)

2. Type of Card You’re Applying For 

No SSN cards can be : 

• A secured card that requires a refundable deposit. 
• It can be a student’s card.
• No SSN card can be a cash-flow-based card. Like Petal, Deserve, etc. 

Choose the card based on your income and convenience. 

3. Documents Requirements

A bank can ask for multiple documents, like: 

• Your Passport
• Proof of the U.S. address.
• The Bank Statement
• Visa status Documents. 

Before applying, make sure you have all these documents ready. 

4. Check the Fee, Interest Rates, and Deposit

Always check for the: 

• Annual fee of the card
• Amount required for security deposit
• APR (Interest)
• Check for the Foreign Transaction fees

Compare all the costs before applying for one. 

5. Credit Reporting

Make sure the card reports to all major credit bureaus in the U.S. 

• Experian
• Equifax 
• TransUnion

Remember, this is essential to building credit history quickly.

6. Check the Approval Requirements

 Several banks in the U.S. are flexible with students or new immigrants, while others are strict. So check the eligibility criteria : 

• Check the minimum income
• Residency status
• The bank requirement
• Your age (Usually more than 18 years)

7. Rewards and Benefits

Check for the rewards and benefits : 

• Check the cash back rate
• If you are a student, check student benefits. 
• Check whether the card requires a deposit or comes with no deposit features. 

8. Check for the Foreign Transaction Fees

If you are a student who spends internationally or spends online in foreign currencies, go for a card that offers 0% foreign transaction fees. This will help you save a handsome amount every year. 

9. The Credit Building Features

• Do not pick the prepaid or debit-style card; they do not help to build your credit.
• Go for a proper credit card that reports your monthly activity to major credit bureaus. 

10. Check Upgrade path

Pick the card that offers you: 

• Automatic credit limit increases
• Graduation to an unsecured card
• Deposit Return after responsible usage. 

This simple checklist helps you to grow your credit profile. 

11. Check for Customer Support for Non-Citizens

Before finalizing any card, check whether the bank offers: 

• The bank offers support for the ITIN applicants
• Offer easy online verification 
• Provide reliable customer service. 

These are some things that you need to check before applying for any no ssn credit card. 

Benefits of a No-SSN Card

No SSN card offers several benefits that we have listed for you below: 

• Helps you build a U.S. credit history without an SSN. 
• Allow access for new immigrants and international students with no SSN. 
• Offer an easy online application. 
• Instead of an SSN, it accepts an ITIN or a Passport. 
• Provide you with access to credit-based purchases. 
• Offer to build financial stability. 
• Comes with rewards and cashback. 
• Provide fraud protection and safety. 
• It doesn’t require a U.S. credit score. 
• Offer upgrade options after responsible use. 

Conclusion

If you are a new immigrant or an international student in the U.S, a no ssn credit card is an ideal tool for you. One can get a credit card by using their ITIN, Passport, or banking history. If you choose the right issuer and use your card responsibly, you can build an attractive U.S. credit history easily. 

Moreover, we have provided everything in the article, from eligibility criteria to its benefits. However, it is important to pick a card that aligns with your financial needs. In addition, do not go for the premium option as a student or immigrant; this may hurt your credit badly if you fail to pay the amount on time. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Discalimer

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