Can I get a credit card with an ITIN and no credit history?

Yes. OpenSky Secured Visa does not perform a credit check and accepts ITIN holders with no US credit history. You provide a $200-$3,000 security deposit that becomes your credit limit. OpenSky reports to all 3 credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion), helping you build credit from zero. After 6-12 months of on-time payments, you can upgrade to an unsecured card.

What is the lowest deposit required for an ITIN credit card?

Capital One Platinum Secured requires the lowest deposit: as low as $49 for a $200 credit limit, depending on your creditworthiness. OpenSky requires a $200 minimum deposit. Discover Secured requires a $200 minimum deposit. Chime Credit Builder requires $0 deposit but you need a Chime checking account with qualifying direct deposits.

Do ITIN credit cards report to credit bureaus?

Yes. All 4 cards compared here report to the 3 major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This is essential for building US credit history. On-time payments are reported monthly. After 6-12 months, you should see a credit score appear (typically 600-700 depending on usage). Keep utilization below 30% of your credit limit for the best score impact.

What annual fees do ITIN credit cards charge?

OpenSky charges a $35 annual fee. Capital One Platinum Secured charges $0 annual fee. Discover it Secured charges $0 annual fee. Chime Credit Builder charges $0 annual fee. If minimizing fees is your priority, Capital One, Discover, or Chime are better choices than OpenSky. OpenSky's advantage is the no-credit-check policy.

Can I upgrade from a secured to an unsecured ITIN credit card?

Yes. After 6-12 months of responsible use, most issuers review your account for an upgrade. Capital One automatically reviews accounts for upgrade to an unsecured card with your deposit refunded. Discover upgrades qualified accounts after 8 months of on-time payments. OpenSky does not offer automatic upgrades but you can apply for other cards once you have a credit score.

How long does it take to build credit with an ITIN credit card?

You can establish a FICO credit score within 6 months of opening a credit card. After 12 months of on-time payments with utilization below 30%, most ITIN holders achieve a score of 650-720. After 24 months, scores typically reach 700-750+. Building credit is essential before applying for ITIN mortgages (620 minimum) or auto loans.

Can I get an unsecured credit card with an ITIN?

Unsecured credit cards are available to ITIN holders who have established US credit history. After 12-18 months with a secured card and a credit score above 650, you may qualify for unsecured cards from Capital One, Discover, or other issuers. Some credit unions offer unsecured cards to ITIN holders with established banking relationships.

What is the difference between a secured and unsecured credit card?

A secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit ($49-$3,000) that serves as your credit limit. An unsecured card requires no deposit and the issuer extends credit based on your creditworthiness. Both types report to credit bureaus. Secured cards are designed for people with no credit or bad credit. Most ITIN holders start with secured cards.

Updated April 2026

Best ITIN Credit Cards Compared 2026: OpenSky vs Capital One vs Discover vs Chime

Q: Which ITIN credit card has the best rewards?

Discover it Secured offers the best rewards: 2% cashback at gas stations and restaurants (on up to $1,000 per quarter), and 1% on all other purchases. Discover also matches all cashback earned in your first year (Cashback Match program). No other ITIN-accessible secured card offers comparable rewards. OpenSky, Capital One Secured, and Chime offer no rewards.

Building credit with an ITIN starts with the right credit card. 4 secured credit cards accept ITIN holders in 2026: OpenSky (no credit check, $200 deposit), Capital One Platinum Secured (as low as $49 deposit), Discover it Secured (2% cashback rewards), and Chime Credit Builder ($0 deposit). This comparison covers deposits, fees, rewards, credit reporting, and upgrade paths to help you choose the best card for building your ITIN credit score.

How Do the 4 Best ITIN Credit Cards Compare?

Feature	OpenSky	Capital One	Discover	Chime
Min deposit	$200	$49	$200	$0
Max deposit	$3,000	$200	$2,500	N/A (spending-based)
Annual fee	$35	$0	$0	$0
Credit check	No	Soft pull	Yes	No
Rewards	None	None	2% gas/restaurants, 1% all	None
APR	22.64%	30.74% variable	28.24% variable	0% (no interest)
Credit bureaus	All 3	All 3	All 3	All 3
Auto upgrade	No	Yes (auto review)	Yes (8+ months)	N/A
Best for	No credit, guaranteed approval	Lowest deposit	Cashback rewards	$0 deposit, no interest

What Makes Each ITIN Credit Card Unique?

OpenSky Secured Visa

OpenSky is the easiest card to get with an ITIN because it performs no credit check at all. Approval is based solely on your ability to pay the security deposit ($200-$3,000). The trade-off is a $35 annual fee and no rewards. OpenSky is ideal if you have absolutely no US credit history and want a guaranteed approval. Reports to all 3 bureaus monthly. Full OpenSky ITIN guide

Capital One Platinum Secured

Capital One offers the lowest deposit in the market: as low as $49 for a $200 credit limit. No annual fee. Capital One automatically reviews your account for an upgrade to an unsecured card, and when you upgrade, your deposit is refunded. The trade-off is a soft credit pull (not a hard inquiry) and no rewards program. Full Capital One ITIN guide

Discover it Secured

Discover is the only ITIN-accessible secured card with meaningful rewards: 2% cashback at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 per quarter, and 1% on everything else. Discover also matches all cashback earned in your first year (Cashback Match). No annual fee. Automatic review for upgrade after 8 months of on-time payments. Requires a hard credit pull. Full Discover ITIN guide

Chime Credit Builder

Chime Credit Builder is unique: $0 deposit, $0 annual fee, and 0% APR (no interest charged). Your credit limit is based on the money you move to a secured account from your Chime checking. You need a Chime checking account with qualifying direct deposits to be eligible. No credit check. Reports to all 3 bureaus. Best for ITIN holders who already use Chime for banking.

What Is the Best Credit Building Strategy for ITIN Holders?

Follow this 4-step strategy to build credit efficiently:

Month 1: Open a secured card (OpenSky for guaranteed approval, Capital One for lowest deposit). Set up autopay for the full balance each month.
Months 1-6: Use the card for 1-2 small recurring charges (subscriptions, gas). Keep utilization below 30% of your limit. Pay the full balance monthly.
Month 6-12: Your credit score should appear (typically 650-700). Consider adding a second card (Discover for rewards) to increase your total credit limit.
Month 12+: Request an upgrade to unsecured. Your credit score should be 680-720+. You now qualify for better financial products including ITIN mortgages (620 minimum) and auto loans.

For detailed credit building strategies, see build credit with ITIN and ITIN credit builder guide.

Which ITIN Credit Card Should You Choose?

Choose OpenSky if: You have zero credit history and want guaranteed approval with no credit check.
Choose Capital One if: You want the lowest possible deposit ($49) and a path to automatic unsecured upgrade.
Choose Discover if: You want cashback rewards (2% gas/restaurants + first-year match) and are willing to do a credit check.
Choose Chime if: You already have a Chime account and want $0 deposit with 0% interest.

ITIN Credit Cards: Frequently Asked Questions

The best card depends on your situation. OpenSky is best if you have no credit history (no credit check required, $200 minimum deposit). Capital One Platinum Secured is best for the lowest deposit ($49 minimum). Discover it Secured is best for rewards (2% cashback at gas stations and restaurants). Chime Credit Builder is best if you want $0 deposit and already have a Chime account.

Need an ITIN to start building credit? Apply through itin.so starting at $297.

Apply for Your ITIN Today