Best Secured Credit Cards for Building Credit in the U.S. (Guide for Immigrants and Beginners)

Card terms, fees, and features may change. Always verify current offers on the issuer’s official website before applying.

Top Picks Breakdown

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Discover’s secured card remains the strongest all-around option for credit builders. It earns real cashback rewards, charges no annual fee, and automatically reviews your account after 7 months for a potential upgrade to an unsecured card.

• Annual fee: $0
• Minimum deposit: $200
• Rewards: 2% cashback at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 combined purchases per quarter); 1% on everything else
• Credit check: Yes — soft pre-qualification available

Why it works for credit builders: You earn rewards while building credit, pay no annual fee, and have a defined path to graduating to a regular card.

Pros:

• No annual fee
• Cashback rewards — rare for a secured card
• Cashback Match in your first year
• Automatic upgrade review after 7 months
• Reports to all three major bureaus

Cons:

• Requires SSN
• $200 minimum deposit required
• Discover accepted at fewer places internationally than Visa or Mastercard

Best for: Someone with an SSN who can afford a $200 deposit and wants the best overall value while building credit.

👉 See Official Offer

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Capital One’s secured card is one of the few where your required deposit may be lower than your credit limit. Depending on your application, you may qualify for a $200 credit limit with only a $49 or $99 deposit.

• Annual fee: $0
• Minimum deposit: $49, $99, or $200
• Rewards: None
• Credit check: Yes

Why it works for credit builders: Lower deposit barrier than most secured cards, with automatic credit line reviews starting at 6 months.

Pros:

• No annual fee
• Deposit may be lower than credit limit
• Automatic credit line review after 6 months
• Reports to all three major bureaus
• Widely accepted on the Visa network

Cons:

• No rewards
• Requires SSN
• Deposit still required

Best for: Someone who wants to minimize their upfront deposit while still building credit effectively.

👉 See Official Offer

OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card

OpenSky requires no credit check and accepts an ITIN in place of a Social Security Number. For people who have been denied elsewhere or do not yet have an SSN, this is one of the most accessible secured cards available.

• Annual fee: $35
• Minimum deposit: $200
• Rewards: None
• Credit check: None
• SSN required: No — ITIN accepted

Why it works for credit builders: No credit check and no SSN requirement removes the two biggest barriers for immigrants and newcomers.

Pros:

• No credit check
• ITIN accepted
• Reports to all three major bureaus
• Straightforward approval process

Cons:

• $35 annual fee
• No rewards
• No formal upgrade path to unsecured card

Best for: Someone with no SSN, no credit history, or who has been denied by other issuers.

👉 See Official Offer

Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa®

Chime’s Credit Builder card has no minimum deposit requirement and no hard credit pull. You move money from your Chime spending account into your Credit Builder account, and that balance becomes your available credit.

• Annual fee: $0
• Deposit: No minimum — you set the amount
• Rewards: None
• Credit check: No hard pull
• Requirement: Chime spending account with qualifying direct deposit

Why it works for credit builders: Complete flexibility on deposit size, no hard inquiry, and no annual fee make this one of the lowest-barrier options available.

Pros:

• No annual fee
• No hard credit check
• No minimum deposit
• You control your own spending limit
• Reports to all three major bureaus

Cons:

• Requires a Chime bank account first
• Requires qualifying direct deposit to activate
• No rewards
• No traditional upgrade path

Best for: Someone who wants full control over their deposit and no hard inquiry on their credit file.

👉 See Official Offer

Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Quicksilver Secured card offers something rare in the secured card space — unlimited flat-rate cashback on every purchase, with no annual fee. It is a step up from the basic Capital One Platinum Secured, giving you rewards while you build credit.

• Annual fee: $0
• Minimum deposit: $200
• Rewards: 1.5% cashback on every purchase; 5% on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Credit check: Yes
• SSN required: Yes

Why it works for credit builders: Unlimited cashback with no annual fee on a secured card is genuinely strong value. You build credit and earn rewards at the same time, with a clear path to upgrade.

Pros:

• No annual fee
• Unlimited 1.5% cashback on all purchases — no categories to track
• Automatic credit line review after 6 months
• Clear upgrade path to unsecured card
• Reports to all three major bureaus

Cons:

• Requires SSN
• $200 minimum deposit required
• Harder to get approved than the Capital One Platinum Secured

Best for: Someone with an SSN who wants straightforward cashback rewards and a clear path to upgrading.

👉 See Official Offer

How to Apply: Step by Step

Step 1 — Know what ID you have Most secured cards require an SSN. If you have an ITIN instead, OpenSky is your strongest option. Confirm your documentation before applying.

Step 2 — Open a U.S. bank account You will need a U.S. bank account to fund your deposit and receive your card. If you do not have one yet, open one first.

Step 3 — Choose one card Match your situation to the right card using the comparison table above. Apply for one card only — not multiple at the same time.

Step 4 — Apply online Have your ID, SSN or ITIN, U.S. address, income information, and bank account details ready before you start.

Step 5 — Fund your deposit After approval, fund your security deposit within the timeframe provided by the issuer. Your credit limit will typically equal your deposit amount.

Step 6 — Use the card and pay on time every month Make small, regular purchases. Pay your full balance each month. This is what builds your credit score over time.

How to Get Approved Faster

• Apply for one card at a time. Multiple applications create multiple hard inquiries and can hurt your chances.
• Use accurate income information. Include all sources — part-time work, freelance income, and financial support from family members are typically accepted.
• Start with your minimum deposit. You can increase it later. Starting small keeps your cash available.
• Have all documents ready before you apply. SSN or ITIN, a valid government-issued ID, your U.S. address, and bank account information.
• If denied, wait before reapplying. Wait at least 30 to 60 days and review the denial reason before trying again.

What Happens After You Get the Card

Getting the card is just the beginning. What you do next determines how fast your credit grows.

Use it for small, regular purchases. Gas, groceries, or a subscription you already pay for each month.

Pay the full balance every month. This avoids interest charges entirely and demonstrates responsible use to the bureaus.

Keep your utilization below 30%. If your credit limit is $200, try not to carry a balance above $60 at any time.

Do not close the card too soon. Length of credit history matters. Keep your first secured card open even after you qualify for a better one.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing a payment. Payment history is the single most important factor in your credit score. Set up autopay to avoid this.
• Maxing out your card. High utilization — using most of your available credit — lowers your score even if you pay on time.
• Applying for multiple cards at once. Each hard inquiry temporarily lowers your score. Be selective.
• Choosing a card with high fees. Some secured cards charge monthly fees, processing fees, and annual fees that add up quickly. Avoid them.
• Closing your secured card too early. Wait until you have been approved for an unsecured card before closing your first account.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a secured credit card? A secured credit card requires a cash deposit that acts as your credit limit. You use the card like any regular credit card. The deposit reduces the issuer’s risk, which is why approval is easier for people with no credit history.

How long does it take to build credit with a secured card? Most people begin to see a credit score established within 3 to 6 months of consistent use. Building a strong score typically takes 12 to 24 months.

Will a secured card hurt my credit score? No. Used responsibly, a secured card builds your score. Applying may cause a small, temporary dip from the hard inquiry — but consistent on-time payments will overcome that quickly.

Can I get a secured card with an ITIN? Yes. OpenSky® Secured Visa® accepts an ITIN. Some credit unions and community banks may also accept an ITIN for secured card applications.

When can I upgrade from a secured card to a regular card? It depends on the issuer. Discover reviews accounts after 7 months. Capital One reviews after 6 months. Others may require up to 12 months of consistent payments. Always ask your issuer about their upgrade criteria.

What happens to my deposit when I upgrade? When you graduate to an unsecured card, your deposit is returned to you — either as a check or as a statement credit.

The Right Card Depends on Your Situation

• If you want the best overall value → Discover it® Secured
• If you want the lowest deposit possible → Capital One Platinum Secured
• If you have no SSN or have been denied elsewhere → OpenSky® Secured Visa®
• If you want flexibility with no fixed deposit → Chime Credit Builder
• If you want the best rewards on a secured card → Capital One Quicksilver Secured

Start with one card. Use it consistently. Pay on time every month.

That is how credit gets built in America.

Related MARVODYN Guides

• Best Credit Cards for People With No Credit History in the U.S.
• How to Build Credit in the U.S. Without a Social Security Number
• How to Open Your First Bank Account in America

Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Card terms, fees, rewards, and approval requirements are subject to change. Always review the official terms on each issuer’s website before applying. MARVODYN may receive compensation if you apply for a product through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial standards or the order in which products appear.