Credit Cards Without a Social Security Number

Short answer: Yes — several U.S. issuers accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) in place of an SSN, and a smaller number accept a passport alone. Secured cards are the most realistic starting point if you have no U.S. credit history yet; a few unsecured cards are also reachable without an SSN. Card data last verified 2026-07-21

4 Card Matches

2026-07-21 Last Verified

Your 3 real paths

Which path fits depends on what identification you already have and whether you have any U.S. credit history yet.

You have an ITIN

The most common path. Several issuers, including some secured-card programs, accept an ITIN directly on the application — no separate approval step needed.

You have a passport but no ITIN or SSN

A smaller set of secured cards will accept a passport as your only identification. This is usually the fastest option if you haven't applied for an ITIN yet.

You have no U.S. credit history at all

Start with a secured card or a credit-builder account regardless of which ID path applies to you — building 6-12 months of on-time history is what unlocks better cards later.

Card matches

Petal 2 Visa Credit Card

Eligible Match

Issuer: WebBank (Petal / Tilt Card, Inc.) Annual fee: $0

itin accepted no ssn required no annual fee no credit history ok unsecured

Check current terms

OpenSky Secured Visa

Eligible Match

Issuer: Capital Bank, N.A. Annual fee: $35 Min deposit: $200

itin accepted no ssn required passport accepted no credit check no bank account required secured

Check current terms

Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card

Info Only

Issuer: Capital One Annual fee: $0 Min deposit: $200

itin accepted no ssn required secured no annual fee

Check issuer site

Chase / American Express — ITIN accepted on most applications

Info Only

Issuer: Chase, American Express

itin accepted no ssn required

What you'll actually need

ITIN letter (CP565) or a valid passport
Proof of U.S. address (lease, utility bill, or bank statement)
Proof of income or employment, if applying for an unsecured card
A U.S. bank account for most (not all) cards — some secured cards don't require one

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a credit card with just a passport?

A limited number of secured cards accept a passport as sole identification, without an SSN or ITIN. Coverage varies by issuer and changes over time, so confirm directly on the current application before assuming.

Does using an ITIN affect my credit score differently than an SSN?

No — once an account is open, it reports to the credit bureaus the same way regardless of whether it was opened with an SSN or ITIN. The identification method doesn't change how your payment history is scored.

Do I need a U.S. address to apply?

Most issuers require a U.S. residential address for the application. A small number of secured-card programs accept alternative documentation — check the specific issuer's current requirements.