The easiest credit card to get is going to be a secured credit card, a credit builder card, or a student credit card.
Each of these credit cards offers different features, has different requirements, and suits different client profiles and credit scores.
We’ll explore each of these factors below while also answering common questions we receive from our members.
This article is part of our free series on applying for credit cards in the US, including how to get a US credit card with an ITIN number, which you can access here.
Feel free to use the table of contents to jump ahead to the sections most relevant to you.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Easiest Credit Card to Get?
- What Are the Benefits of Obtaining the Easiest Credit Card?
- Do I Need to Provide Credit History?
- How to Apply for the Easiest Credit Cards?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Ready to Open Accounts With Banks in the USA?
What Is the Easiest Credit Card to Get?
The easiest credit card to get in terms of application approval will be a secured credit card or a card designed for credit building. These cards often accept applicants with bad credit, a low credit score, or no credit history.
While most credit cards that cater to this type of client are secured by a security deposit, it is possible to obtain an unsecured credit card for individuals with poor credit history as well.
That said, if you are looking for instant approval or guaranteed approval, the only credit card options available to you will be secured credit cards.
On the other hand, if your reason for seeking an easy approval credit card is low-income requirements, pre-qualification is still possible as long as you have a reasonable credit history.
What Are the Benefits of Obtaining the Easiest Credit Card?
There are a number of benefits to obtaining one of the easiest credit card options available, starting with an increased chance of approval. After all, if a card did not have an increased chance of being obtained, it wouldn’t fit into this category.
That said, the more important benefits include the fact that the easiest credit card to get is also a credit card that can help strengthen your credit score. Likewise, these cards help you develop responsible spending and repayment habits.
Additionally, if you choose the right credit card, you can also access certain benefits that are usually reserved for unsecured credit cards. These extra benefits include low fees, sign-up bonuses, and spending rewards.
Of course, each card will offer you a different set of benefits and largely depends on your client profile and existing history. With this in mind, it’s important to review all of your options before choosing.
Here’s a closer look at the benefits that you can expect when applying for one of the easiest cards.
- Increased chance of approval compared to unsecured cards
- Building credit and establishing a higher credit score
- Developing responsible spending habits
- Earning rewards and points (with certain cards)
- Saving money by obtaining cards with low (or no) fees
- Ability to complete online and in-person purchases
Do I Need to Provide Credit History?
When applying for easy-to-obtain credit cards, you do not need to provide a credit history. This is because most of these cards are designed for individuals without a history. However, as shared above, without providing a credit history, you will need to make a secure deposit in order to get approved.
In other words, if you do not have a credit history you normally need to leave a deposit with the card issuer to act as a secure deposit. This deposit is what gives the bank confidence that you will repay your card balance because you have already left the money in the account.
After around six months of responsibly using a secure card, you should be able to apply for unsecured cards. That said, this does depend on your starting credit history at the time that you apply.
How to Apply for the Easiest Credit Card?
To apply for the easiest card, you first need to identify which card you want to get. To do this, you should compare all of the available options against your own priorities and credit profile. Otherwise, you might find that the card you end up choosing is not a realistic option for you.
Here are the main factors to consider when looking at the easiest cards to get:
- Required credit score (if any)
- Required minimum security deposit
- Annual card fee
- Other fees
- Sign up bonuses
- Ongoing rewards programs
After you have decided which card is best for your needs, you can proceed with applying through the card issuer’s website. You will need to provide important information, depending on your profile. With this in mind, let’s look at the requirements for a few of the most common applicants looking for the easiest card to get.
How Can I Apply for a Card With Limited Credit History?
- Minimum age of 21
- Proof of income
- Proof of address
- Social security number (SSN)
- Qualifying credit score (if applicable)
- Security deposit (if applicable)
* Individuals can apply for a card before 21 if they have a suitable cosigner.
How Can I Apply for a Credit Card as a Non-Resident?
- Minimum age of 21
- Proof of income
- Proof of US address
- US bank account
- Individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN)
- Qualifying credit score (if applicable)
- Security deposit (if applicable)
* Non-residents can apply for a card before 21 if they have a suitable cosigner.
How Can I Apply for Student Cards?
- Minimum age of 21
- Proof of income (part-time or full-time)
- Proof of US address
- US bank account
- Social security number (SSN)
- Proof of university or college enrollment
- Security deposit (if applicable)
* Students can apply for a card before 21 if they have a suitable cosigner.
How Can I Apply for a Business Credit Card?
- Company name
- Proof of company address
- Annual revenue
- Employer identification number (EIN) of the company
- Social security number (SSN) of the applicant
- Security deposit (if applicable)
* Businesses can apply for unsecured cards by using the owner’s history.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Below are six of the most common questions we receive from people looking into this topic. If you have further questions you would like to ask our team, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
What Is the Easiest Card to Get Approved For?
The easiest credit card to get approved for will be a secured credit card, where the cardholder makes a qualifying security deposit with the card issuer. This deposit is held as a guarantee that the balance on the card will be paid. After six months to one year of using a secured card, the cardholder can then apply for unsecured cards as their score should be strengthened.
Can I Get a Credit Card With Bad Credit?
Yes, you can get a credit card with bad credit. That said, the options available to individuals with bad scores for unsecured cards are very limited. On the other hand, individuals with bad scores can qualify for secured cards, which require the cardholder to make a security deposit with the card issuer.
Which Bank Offers Credit Card Easily?
Most major banks offer cards that are easy to get. This includes banks like Bank of America, Capital One, Discover, and more. Importantly, each card has its own requirements and offers different benefits and features. So, you should compare all cards before deciding which one best suits your needs.
Can You Get Any Credit Cards With a 500 Credit Score?
Yes, you can get credit cards with a 500 credit score. In fact, there are certain cards that you can obtain with a bad score ranging from 300 to 500. That said, the cards that are available to individuals with bad or fair scores may have certain restrictions. So, it’s important to review all of the restrictions, features, and fees, before choosing which card to apply to.
Is Capital One the Easiest Credit Card to Get?
Capital One offers several card options for individuals. That said, they are not the only option. In fact, there are a number of secure, builder, and student cards that are relatively easy to get and being offered by many major banks in the United States.
What Are the Easiest Credit Cards for Business Owners?
The easiest cards to get for business owners tend to be secured. These are cards that require the business owner to make a security deposit at the card issuer, which is used as a guarantee that any transactions on the card will be paid.
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