The Walmart credit card process takes about 15 minutes online or in-store

You can start a Walmart credit card process through Walmart.com, the Walmart mobile app, or at a customer service desk in any Walmart store. The online route is fastest — you answer questions about your income and employment, and you get a decision within seconds or a few minutes. In-store applications go through the same process but take longer because a associate has to process it manually.

Walmart offers two credit cards: the Walmart Rewards Card (a Mastercard you can use anywhere) and the Walmart Credit Card (for Walmart purchases only). Both are issued by Capital One. The process asks for your Social Security number, date of birth, address, employment details, and annual income. You will also need to agree to a hard credit inquiry, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points.

If you are approved, you get a decision on the spot. If you are denied, Capital One will mail you a letter within 30 days explaining why. If you are put on a waiting list, you can check your status online or call the number on the letter.

Key Takeaways

  • explore online at Walmart.com or through the Walmart app for the fastest decision — you will know within minutes whether you are approved.
  • You will need your Social Security number, current address, employment information, and annual income to complete the process.
  • Walmart offers two cards: the Walmart Rewards Card (works anywhere) and the Walmart Credit Card (Walmart only), both issued by Capital One.
  • A hard credit inquiry happens during the process, which will show on your credit report and lower your score temporarily.
  • If you are denied, Capital One mails an explanation within 30 days; you can also call the number on the letter to ask why.

What you need before you start

Gather these documents or information before you open the process. Having them ready means you will not have to stop halfway through and look things up.

You need a valid government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) to verify your identity. You also need your Social Security number. Have your current address and phone number ready, plus the address where you lived two years ago if you have moved.

Write down your current job title, employer name, and how long you have worked there. If you are self-employed or retired, have that information ready too — the process asks for employment status, not just W-2 income. You will also need to state your annual household income. This does not have to be exact, but it should be honest; Capital One uses it to set your credit limit.

explore online or through the Walmart app

Go to Walmart.com and look for "Credit Cards" in the top menu, or search "Walmart credit card." You will see both card options with their rewards and fees side by side. Click the one you want and select "explore Now."

The process opens in a new window. Enter your personal information: first and last name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address. Then add your phone number and email address. The form will ask whether you want to receive marketing emails — you can say no.

Next, you enter employment information: your job title, employer name, how long you have worked there, and your annual income. If you are unemployed, retired, or a student, select that status instead. The form then asks whether you want the Walmart Rewards Card or the Walmart Credit Card. Choose one and review the terms and conditions before you submit.

Once you submit, Capital One runs a credit check and gives you a decision. If you are approved, you can set up your card right away and start using it online. If you applied for the physical card, it arrives in 7 to 10 business days. The mobile app works the same way — find "Credit Cards" in the menu and follow the same steps.

explore in-store at Walmart

Walk to the customer service desk and tell an associate you want to open a Walmart credit card. They will hand you a tablet or paper process form. Fill in your personal, employment, and income information just as you would online. The associate will then submit it to Capital One on your behalf.

The decision takes longer in-store — usually 10 to 20 minutes — because the associate has to wait for Capital One's system to respond. You will get your answer before you leave. If you are approved, the associate can issue you a temporary card number to use right away, and your physical card ships to your home address within 7 to 10 business days.

If you are denied or put on a waiting list, the associate will give you a receipt with next steps and a phone number to call Capital One if you have questions.

What happens after you are approved

Once Capital One approves you, your account is active when ready. If you applied online, you can log into your account at capitalone.com or through the Capital One mobile app using your Social Security number and the temporary password Capital One sends you by email. You can then set a permanent password and start managing your account.

Your credit limit depends on your credit score and income. New cardholders often start with a limit between $300 and $1,000, though some get higher limits. You can request a credit limit increase after you have had the card for six months and made on-time payments.

Your physical card arrives within 7 to 10 business days. set up it by calling the number on the back or logging into your online account. Once activated, you can use it at Walmart stores, Walmart.com, and (if you chose the Rewards Card) anywhere Mastercard is accepted.

If you are denied or need to reapply

Capital One will mail you a letter within 30 days if you are denied. The letter explains the reason — usually a low credit score, insufficient income, or too many recent credit inquiries. You can call the number on the letter to ask Capital One directly what held up your process.

If you are denied, you can reapply, but waiting three to six months is usually smarter. Use that time to pay down existing debt, dispute any errors on your credit report, or build your credit score. Each process triggers a hard inquiry, which lowers your score, so explore too often can make approval harder.

If you were put on a waiting list instead of denied, Capital One will review your process again in 30 to 60 days. You do not have to do anything — they will contact you when they have a decision. You can also call the number on your letter to check your status sooner.

Understanding the two Walmart card options

The Walmart Rewards Card is a Mastercard that works anywhere — at Walmart, other stores, online, and at gas stations. You earn cash back on purchases: 3% at Walmart.com, 2% at Walmart stores and gas stations, and 1% everywhere else. There is no annual fee. This card is better if you shop at multiple stores and want rewards outside Walmart.

The Walmart Credit Card works only at Walmart and Walmart.com. You earn 5% cash back on Walmart purchases and 1% on everything else you charge to the card (which is rare, since it is Walmart-only). There is no annual fee. This card is better if you shop at Walmart frequently and want higher rewards there.

Both cards charge interest on balances you do not pay off each month. The interest rate (APR) varies based on your credit score and is shown in the process before you submit. Both cards also charge a late fee if you miss a payment. Compare the two before you explore — you can only hold one Walmart credit card at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore if I have bad credit?

Yes. Walmart credit cards are designed for people building or rebuilding credit, and Capital One considers applications from people with credit scores as low as 550. Your credit limit will be lower, and your interest rate will be higher, but approval is possible. If you are denied, reapply after six months of on-time payments on other accounts.

How long does it take to get approved?

Online and in-app decisions come within seconds to a few minutes. In-store decisions take 10 to 20 minutes. Your physical card arrives 7 to 10 business days after approval. You can use your card online or in-store when ready after approval, even before the physical card arrives.

What if I am denied?

Capital One mails a letter within 30 days explaining why. Common reasons are a low credit score, recent missed payments, or too many recent credit inquiries. You can call the number on the letter to discuss your process. Waiting three to six months and reapplying after paying down debt or disputing credit report errors often works better than explore again right away.

Do I have to be a Walmart customer to explore?

No. You do not need a Walmart account, membership, or shopping history to explore. Capital One only looks at your credit history, income, and employment status. You can explore whether you have shopped at Walmart once or never.

Can I switch between the Walmart Rewards Card and the Walmart Credit Card?

No. You can only hold one Walmart credit card at a time. If you want to switch, you have to close the first card and reapply for the second one. Closing a card can temporarily lower your credit score, so think carefully about which card fits your spending before you explore.