Easiest Credit Cards to Get Approved for in the U.S.

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

Top Picks Breakdown

OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card

OpenSky is the easiest credit card to get approved for in the United States — full stop. No credit check. No SSN required. No prior credit history needed. If you have a $200 deposit and a valid ID, your approval odds are extremely high.

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

Why approval is easy: With no credit check and no SSN requirement, OpenSky removes every major barrier to approval. The deposit is the only real requirement.

Pros:

• No credit check — highest approval odds of any card on this list
• ITIN accepted
• No credit history required
• Reports to all three major bureaus
• Fast approval process

Cons:

• $35 annual fee
• No rewards
• No formal upgrade path
• Requires U.S. bank account for deposit

Best for: Anyone who has been denied elsewhere, has no SSN, or wants the absolute easiest approval available.

👉 See Official Offer

Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa®

Chime’s Credit Builder card has no minimum deposit, no hard credit pull, and no annual fee. You fund the card by moving money from your Chime spending account — that balance becomes your available credit. No fixed deposit amount. No credit check. No annual fee.

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

Why approval is easy: No hard inquiry and no minimum deposit means the barrier to entry is almost zero — as long as you can open a Chime account.

Pros:

• No annual fee
• No hard credit check
• No minimum deposit
• Full control over spending limit
• Reports to all three major bureaus

Cons:

• Requires SSN for Chime account
• Requires qualifying direct deposit to activate
• No rewards
• No traditional upgrade path

Best for: Someone with an SSN who wants maximum flexibility and no hard inquiry on their file.

👉 See Official Offer

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Capital One’s secured card is one of the most beginner-friendly options from a major issuer. The approval process is straightforward, and your required deposit may be as low as $49 — lower than almost any other secured card available.

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

Why approval is easy: Capital One is known for approving applicants with limited or no credit history. The low minimum deposit and no annual fee make this one of the most accessible cards from a major bank.

Pros:

• No annual fee
• Deposit may be as low as $49
• Possible credit limit higher than deposit
• Automatic credit line review after 6 months
• Reports to all three major bureaus

Cons:

• No rewards
• Requires SSN
• Hard credit inquiry required

Best for: Someone with an SSN who wants the lowest possible deposit from a major issuer.

👉 See Official Offer

Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card

Petal 1 is an unsecured card — no deposit required — that approves applicants based on banking history rather than credit score alone. If you have a U.S. bank account with regular activity, Petal may approve you even with zero credit history.

• Annual fee: $0
• Minimum deposit: None
• Rewards: 2%–10% cashback at select merchants
• Credit check: Yes
• SSN required: Yes

Why approval is easy: Petal looks beyond your credit score. A healthy bank account with consistent deposits and responsible spending can be enough to get approved — even with no credit history at all.

Pros:

• No deposit required
• No annual fee
• Alternative approval using bank history
• Cashback rewards at select merchants
• Reports to all three major bureaus

Cons:

• Requires SSN
• Rewards limited to select merchants
• Credit limit may start low
• Hard credit inquiry required

Best for: Someone with no credit history who has a healthy U.S. bank account and wants to skip the deposit.

👉 See Official Offer

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Discover’s secured card offers soft pre-qualification — you can check your approval odds without any impact on your credit score. Combined with no annual fee and real cashback rewards, this is the easiest approval among cards that offer genuine long-term value.

• Annual fee: $0
• Minimum deposit: $200
• Rewards: 2% cashback at gas stations and restaurants; 1% everywhere else
• Credit check: Yes — soft pre-qualification available
• SSN required: Yes

Why approval is easy: Soft pre-qualification lets you see your odds before committing. Discover is also known for approving applicants with no prior credit history as long as basic requirements are met.

Pros:

• No annual fee
• Soft pre-qualification available
• Real cashback rewards
• Cashback Match in year one
• Automatic upgrade review after 7 months
• Reports to all three major bureaus

Cons:

• Requires SSN
• $200 minimum deposit
• Discover accepted at fewer places internationally

Best for: Someone with an SSN who wants the easiest approval among reward-earning secured cards.

👉 See Official Offer

Discover it® Student Cash Back

For anyone currently enrolled in a college or university, the Discover it® Student card offers easy approval with no deposit required. Discover is known for welcoming student applicants with no credit history — and the rewards structure is genuinely strong for a first card.

• Annual fee: $0
• Minimum deposit: None
• Rewards: 5% cashback in rotating quarterly categories; 1% on everything else
• Credit check: Yes
• SSN required: Yes

Why approval is easy: Discover designed this card specifically for students with no credit history. Enrollment status and income — including financial aid — are considered in the approval decision.

Pros:

• No deposit required
• No annual fee
• Strong rotating cashback rewards
• Cashback Match in year one
• Good grades reward — $20 statement credit for 3.0 GPA or higher
• Reports to all three major bureaus

Cons:

• Requires SSN
• Must be enrolled as a student
• Rotating categories require quarterly activation

Best for: Students with no credit history who want easy approval and strong rewards with no deposit.

👉 See Official Offer

How to Apply: Step by Step

Step 1 — Know what documents you have Most cards require an SSN. If you only have an ITIN, OpenSky is your best option. Confirm your documentation before applying.

Step 2 — Open a U.S. bank account if you have not already Most issuers require a U.S. bank account to fund your deposit and receive your card. Open one before applying.

Step 3 — Use soft pre-qualification when available Cards like Discover let you check your approval odds without a hard inquiry. Always use this option when it exists.

Step 4 — Choose one card and apply Pick the card that matches your situation from the list above. Apply for one card only — never multiple at the same time.

Step 5 — Fund your deposit if required After approval, fund your security deposit within the timeframe given. Your credit limit will typically equal your deposit.

Step 6 — Set up autopay immediately As soon as your card arrives, set up automatic payments. This protects you from missed payments — the single biggest threat to your credit score.

How to Maximize Your Approval Odds

• Apply for one card at a time. Multiple applications create multiple hard inquiries. Too many in a short period signals risk to lenders and lowers your odds.
• Start with a secured card if unsure. A secured card approval is always better than an unsecured card denial. Secured cards exist precisely because approval is easier.
• Include all income sources. Part-time work, freelance income, financial support from family members, and scholarships are typically accepted as income.
• Have your documents ready before you start. SSN or ITIN, a valid government-issued ID, your U.S. address, and bank account details.
• Do not apply right after being denied elsewhere. Wait at least 30 to 60 days. Each hard inquiry sits on your file for two years.
• Check your bank account activity. For cards like Petal 1 that use banking history, make sure your account shows regular deposits and responsible spending before applying.

What to Do If You Get Denied

Getting denied is not the end. Here is what to do next.

Step 1 — Read the denial letter carefully. Issuers are required by law to tell you why you were denied. The reason tells you exactly what to fix.

Step 2 — Do not apply for another card immediately. Wait at least 30 to 60 days. Multiple denials in a short period make future approvals harder.

Step 3 — Apply for a lower-barrier card. If you were denied for an unsecured card, apply for a secured card. If you were denied for a secured card with a credit check, try OpenSky — which has no credit check at all.

Step 4 — Address the root cause. Common denial reasons include insufficient income, no credit file, or too many recent applications. Address whichever applies before applying again.

Step 5 — Try again in 60 days. With the right card and the right preparation, approval is very achievable.

Common Mistakes That Lead to Rejection

• Applying for cards above your approval level. Premium and rewards cards require established credit. Start with beginner cards.
• Applying for multiple cards at once. This is one of the most common beginner mistakes. Each application is a hard inquiry. Apply for one, wait for the decision, then decide next steps.
• Providing inaccurate income information. Always use honest income figures. Including all legitimate sources — not just employment income — is allowed and encouraged.
• Not having a U.S. bank account first. Most issuers require one. Open a bank account before applying for any card.
• Applying with an expired ITIN. ITINs expire if not used for three consecutive tax years. Confirm yours is active before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest credit card to get approved for in the U.S.? OpenSky® Secured Visa® is the easiest. It requires no credit check and no SSN — just a $200 deposit and a valid ID. Approval odds are among the highest of any card available.

Can I get approved for a credit card with no credit history? Yes. All cards on this list are designed for people with no credit history. Secured cards in particular have high approval rates regardless of credit background.

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

How many cards should I apply for at once? One. Only ever apply for one card at a time. Multiple simultaneous applications lower your approval odds and hurt your credit file.

Will a secured card help me build credit? Yes — as long as it reports to all three major credit bureaus, which every card on this list does. With on-time payments and low utilization, most people establish a credit score within 3 to 6 months.

What if I get denied for every card on this list? Start with OpenSky. If you have a $200 deposit and a valid ID, OpenSky’s no-credit-check process means denial is very unlikely. If you were denied for OpenSky, contact them directly — the issue may be related to your bank account or deposit method rather than your credit.

How long does approval take? Most online applications receive an instant decision. Some may take 7 to 10 business days if additional review is needed. OpenSky typically provides fast decisions.

The Right Card Depends on Your Situation

• If you want the absolute easiest approval → OpenSky® Secured Visa®
• If you want easy approval with no deposit → Petal® 1 Visa®
• If you are a student → Discover it® Student Cash Back
• If you want no hard inquiry and flexible deposit → Chime Credit Builder
• If you want the lowest deposit from a major bank → Capital One Platinum Secured
• If you want easy approval plus rewards → Discover it® Secured

Apply for one card. Get approved. Use it responsibly.

That is the only way this works — and it does work.

Related MARVODYN Guides

• Best First Credit Cards for Beginners in the U.S.
• Best Credit Cards for ITIN Holders in the United States
• Best Secured Credit Cards for Building Credit in the U.S.

Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Approval is never guaranteed and is subject to each issuer’s terms and eligibility requirements. Card terms, fees, rewards, and approval criteria 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.