How To Apply For A Credit Card With An ITIN Number (2024)

Each bank or credit card company will have different steps you will need to complete, but the good news is that you can apply for a large number of cards with an ITIN number. Generally, you can apply for cards online, over the phone or in person at a local branch. However, for most people, applying online is the fastest, most straightforward way to get a new card.

The general process for applying for a credit card online is as follows:

1. Check your credit score. This will help determine which cards you can reasonably expect to be approved for.
2. Visit the card issuer’s website and locate the card you want to apply for.
3. Follow the prompts on the page. Even with an ITIN, this process shouldn’t take more than five to 10 minutes. For credit card companies that do not require a SSN, there will be an option to use your ITIN. Make sure you do not enter your ITIN as a SSN. Submit the application.
4. Await approval. This can happen instantly or may take as long as a few weeks.
5. If approved, wait for the physical card in the mail. Certain companies will issue a virtual card number so you can make online purchases while you wait for a physical card.
6. If you are denied, you can contact the card company and ask for more information or, in some cases, ask for reconsideration if you believe an error has been made.

Some popular banks that accept ITINs for credit card applications are Chase, Bank of America, American Express, Capital One, Citi and more.

Banks and companies that unfortunately do not accept an ITIN in place of a Social Security number—at least for credit card applications—are Discover, Barclays and Synchrony.

Issuers consider a number of factors when evaluating a credit application. Be aware though that some companies may view the lack of a SSN as an increased risk and may therefore be less likely to approve such an application.

However, there are cards you can get without needing a Social Security number. To learn more, see our article about the best cards that don’t require an SSN.

Thankfully, being an immigrant has no effect on whether or not you can apply for a credit card using an ITIN. You follow the same steps as a United States citizen would take when filling out the credit card application, either online or over the phone.

An important—if slightly controversial—topic is the relationship between an ITIN number and undocumented immigrants. Some feel that if they file for an ITIN number, they will be put at an increased risk of immigration enforcement action. Therefore, it should come as a relief to know that the IRS has very strict privacy practices in place under IRC Section 6103, which says that the IRC “generally prohibits the release of tax information by an IRS employee.”

Please refer to the section above which outlines a general process for filling out a credit card application with an ITIN. Individual card companies will have slightly different processes, but the general structure of applying is similar enough.

Short answer? Yes, you can get a credit card without a Social Security number. The main difference between a SSN and an ITIN number is that a SSN is issued to citizens and eligible non-citizens, whereas an ITIN is not.

An ITIN is primarily for immigrants who are not eligible for a SSN, whether they are documented or not. The IRS states that an ITIN is issued “regardless of immigration status.”

If you don’t have an ITIN number, don’t worry! Applying for one is not too complicated and you have a few options for how you want to do it.

• Option 1: Mail your W-7 form to the IRS. You also need to mail your tax return, proof of identity and foreign status documents. The W-7 form is the ITIN application form.
• Option 2: Applying for an ITIN using the services of a Certifying Acceptance Agent. You may choose to do this in lieu of sending your sensitive documents in the mail. What is interesting is these agents are not only in the U.S., and you can see if the country you reside in has Acceptance Agents available to accept ITIN applications.
• Option 3: Apply in person at a designated IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center. The benefit is the same as option 2. These centers are only in the U.S.

Although applying can be straightforward, the IRS can take up to seven weeks to approve your ITIN application.

Applying for a credit card without a Social Security number is possible when you use an ITIN or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. Many of the largest credit card companies allow immigrants and those without Social Security numbers to apply for and use credit cards, regardless of immigration status. The best part is that the process is almost exactly the same. So if you are looking to get credit but don’t have an SSN, you have options.