You can get a credit card without an existing credit history by using a secured card, becoming an authorized user, or finding a card designed for first-time cardholders
A credit card company has no way to know if you'll pay them back if you've never borrowed money before. That's why most cards require a credit score, which you can't build without a credit history. The way around this is to start with a card that doesn't require one — usually a secured card that asks you to deposit cash upfront, or a card that looks at your income and banking history instead of your credit file.
The fastest route depends on your situation. If someone you trust has good credit, becoming an authorized user on their card can build your history in weeks. If you have steady income and a bank account, a secured card or a first-time cardholder card can open a line of credit within days of approval. The trade-off is that secured cards charge a deposit (usually $200 to $2,500) and may have higher fees or interest rates than cards for people with established credit.
Key Takeaways
- A secured credit card requires you to deposit cash with the card issuer, and your credit limit equals your deposit — this removes the risk for the bank and lets you build credit from zero.
- Becoming an authorized user on someone else's card can build your credit history in as little as 30 days if the primary cardholder has good payment history.
- Some card issuers offer cards specifically for people with no credit history and will look at your income, employment, and bank account instead of a credit score.
- Your first card will likely have a lower credit limit and higher interest rate than cards for established borrowers, but the rate can drop after you demonstrate consistent on-time payments.
- Whichever route you choose, making on-time payments every month is what actually builds your credit — the card type matters less than your behavior.
Secured cards: putting down a deposit to prove you'll pay
A secured credit card works like this: you give the card issuer a cash deposit, usually between $200 and $2,500. That deposit becomes your credit limit. You use the card like any other — make purchases, receive a bill, pay it back. The issuer reports your payments to the credit bureaus, and your credit score starts to climb.
The deposit stays in a separate account at the bank. It's not a fee you lose — it's collateral. If you stop paying your bill, the bank can take the money from the deposit. Most people never reach that point. After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, the card issuer will often convert your account to a regular unsecured card and return your deposit.
The catch is that secured cards usually charge an annual fee ($25 to $95) and a higher interest rate (often 18% to 24%) than cards for people with credit history. But you're paying for access to credit you couldn't otherwise get. If you pay your balance in full each month, the interest rate doesn't matter. The annual fee is the real cost — weigh it against how quickly you need to build credit.
To open a secured card, you'll need a Social Security number, a bank account, and proof of income (a recent pay stub or tax return). The process takes 10 to 15 minutes online. Approval usually comes within 24 to 48 hours. Once approved, you'll transfer your deposit to the bank, and your card arrives in the mail within 5 to 10 business days.
Becoming an authorized user: borrowing someone else's credit history
If a family member or close friend has a credit card with a good payment history and a low balance, you can ask them to add you as an authorized user. You'll receive a card with your name on it linked to their account. Their payment history — the on-time payments, the low balance relative to the credit limit — gets reported to the credit bureaus under your name too.
This can build your credit score faster than a secured card. Some credit bureaus begin reporting authorized user accounts within 30 days. If the primary cardholder has excellent payment history, your score can jump 50 to 100 points in a few months, even if you never use the card.
The risk is that you're tied to someone else's account. If they miss a payment or run up a high balance, it damages your credit too. And if they later remove you as an authorized user, that account may fall off your credit report, which can actually lower your score temporarily. Choose someone whose financial habits you trust and whose card you can monitor.
You don't need to use the card to benefit from it. Some people add authorized users just to help them build credit. Others give the cardholder permission to use it but keep the card themselves. Talk openly with the primary cardholder about what you're both comfortable with.
First-time cardholder cards: designed for people with no credit
Some card issuers offer cards specifically for people with little or no credit history. These cards don't require a credit score. Instead, the issuer looks at your income, employment history, and bank account to decide whether to approve you. Capital One, Discover, and some credit unions offer versions of these cards.
The approval process is similar to a secured card: you explore online, provide proof of income and a bank account, and get a decision within 24 to 48 hours. The difference is that you don't put down a deposit. Your credit limit is based on your income and banking history, not collateral. Limits are usually $200 to $500 to start.
These cards often have annual fees ($0 to $39) and higher interest rates (18% to 26%) than cards for established borrowers. But they're unsecured, so you're not tying up cash. If you can't get approved for a secured card or don't want to deposit money, this is the next option.
What happens after you open your first card
Your credit score doesn't exist until you have a credit account. The moment you open a card, the credit bureaus create a file for you. Your score starts at zero or doesn't exist yet. After your first payment is reported — usually 30 to 45 days after your first statement closes — you'll have a score. It's usually low (often in the 500s) because you have only one account and no history of managing credit over time.
Your score climbs as you demonstrate consistent behavior: paying on time every month, keeping your balance low (below 30% of your credit limit), and not opening too many new accounts at once. After 6 months of on-time payments, your score typically rises 50 to 100 points. After a year, you may may have access to for better cards or a loan with a lower interest rate.
Keep your first card open even after you get approved for a second one. The longer your oldest account stays open, the better it is for your credit score. Closing it can actually hurt your score because it reduces the total credit available to you.
Comparing your three main routes
| Route | Deposit Required | Credit Check | Time to Approval | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secured Card | Yes ($200–$2,500) | Soft pull (doesn't hurt score) | 24–48 hours | Building credit from zero with cash on hand |
| Authorized User | No | None | when ready to 30 days | Quick credit boost if someone trusts you |
| First-Time Card | No | Soft pull | 24–48 hours | Building credit without a deposit |
Red flags: what to avoid when you have no credit
Predatory lenders know that people with no credit history are desperate and may not know better. Watch out for cards that promise approval with no questions asked, charge fees just to explore, or advertise interest rates that seem too good to be true. Legitimate card issuers don't charge process fees. They don't may provide approval before you explore. And they disclose their interest rates upfront.
Avoid opening multiple cards in a short time. Each process triggers a hard inquiry, which can lower your score by a few points. More importantly, multiple new accounts signal risk to lenders. Space out your applications by at least 3 to 6 months.
Don't confuse a credit card with a prepaid card. A prepaid card lets you load money onto it and spend it, but it doesn't build credit because you're not borrowing. You're just spending your own money. Only credit cards — secured, unsecured, or authorized user accounts — report to the credit bureaus and build your score.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of a deposit do I need for a secured card?
Most secured cards require a minimum deposit of $200 to $500, though some go as low as $200 and others allow deposits up to $2,500. Your deposit becomes your credit limit, so a $500 deposit gives you a $500 credit limit. You choose the amount based on how much credit you want and how much cash you can spare.
Will being an authorized user hurt the primary cardholder?
No. Adding you as an authorized user doesn't change their credit limit, interest rate, or monthly payment. It only adds another person to the account. The only risk is if you use the card without permission or if they later remove you, which can temporarily lower both your scores.
How long does it take to build enough credit to get a regular credit card?
Most people can move from a secured card to a regular unsecured card after 6 to 18 months of on-time payments. Some issuers automatically convert your secured card after 6 months. Others wait longer. You can also explore for a different card once your score reaches 620 to 650, though approval isn't may provide.
What if I'm denied for all three types of cards?
If you're denied for a secured card, first-time card, and can't find an authorized user, look into a credit-builder loan from a credit union or online lender. You borrow a small amount (usually $300 to $1,000), which is held in a savings account. You make monthly payments, and once you've paid it off, you get the money back plus interest. This also builds credit and costs less than a secured card's annual fee.
Can I use my first card right away, or should I wait?
You can use it when ready. In fact, using it and making on-time payments is how you build credit. The key is to keep your balance low and pay it off in full each month. Don't wait to use it — the sooner you start demonstrating responsible behavior, the sooner your score climbs.