Last Updated on 4 days ago by Hector Reyes
A secured credit card is the fastest, most reliable way to start a U.S. credit history when you have none — you put down a deposit, that deposit becomes your limit, and the issuer approves almost anyone regardless of credit history. Here’s which ones actually accept ITIN applicants, what they cost, and how to pick the right one for your situation.
How Secured Cards Actually Work
You provide a refundable cash deposit — typically $200, though some cards let you choose anywhere from $100 to $3,000 — and that amount becomes your credit limit. The issuer only touches the deposit if you stop paying entirely and default; it’s not there to cover your monthly bill. Use the card responsibly and the deposit comes back to you in full whenever you close the account or graduate to an unsecured card.
Best Secured Cards for ITIN Holders — Comparison
| Card | Deposit | Credit Check | Annual Fee | Reports To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenSky Secured Visa | $200–$3,000, you choose | None | $0 first year, $25 after | All 3 bureaus |
| Current Build Card | None required | None | $0 | All 3 bureaus |
| Capital One Platinum/Quicksilver Secured | $200 (may increase to $1,000+ over time) | Soft check | $0 | All 3 bureaus |
| Self Visa Credit Card | Paired with a Credit Builder loan; ~$100 minimum saved | None | $25 | All 3 bureaus |
| Kikoff Secured Card | Low deposit (smaller than most competitors) | None | Varies | All 3 bureaus |
Deposit amounts, fees, and approval criteria change — always confirm current terms on the issuer’s site before applying.
Our Top Picks by Situation
No deposit at all — Current Build Card
If putting down even $100–$200 upfront isn’t realistic right now, Current’s card requires no minimum deposit and no credit check. You spend from your Current account like a debit card, and the activity reports to all three bureaus as if it were a traditional credit account. The tradeoff: no upgrade path to an unsecured card within Current’s own lineup, so you’ll apply elsewhere once you’re ready to graduate.
Best traditional secured card for ITIN — OpenSky Secured Visa
OpenSky is one of the few secured cards that openly and clearly accepts ITIN in place of an SSN, with no credit check at all. You choose your own deposit amount, which means you control your own credit limit from day one — useful if you want a higher limit to keep utilization low.
Best if you want rewards while building — Capital One Quicksilver Secured
Capital One accepts ITIN applicants and, unusually for a secured card, offers cash back rewards. It can also increase your credit line over time with responsible use, sometimes without requiring an additional deposit. If you’re weighing this against other Capital One options for your specific visa situation, our guides on credit cards for non-US residents and credit cards for H1B visa holders cover how it fits each audience.
Best for building credit mix — Self Visa Credit Card
Self pairs a small installment loan (the Credit Builder Account) with a secured Visa card funded by the payments you’ve already made. This gives you both an installment and a revolving account at once — FICO scoring rewards having both, and most people starting from zero have neither.
What to Check Before You Apply
- Does it explicitly accept ITIN, or just say “no SSN required”? Some cards advertise broadly but have unclear ITIN policies in practice — check the issuer’s FAQ or call before applying.
- Is there a credit check? Cards with no credit check (Current, OpenSky, Kikoff) are the safest bet with zero credit history, since there’s no hard inquiry to worry about.
- Does it report to all three bureaus? All the cards above do — but always confirm, since a card that only reports to one bureau limits how quickly you build a usable file.
- What’s the real APR? Secured card APRs run high (often 25%+), which barely matters if you pay in full every month — but matters enormously if you don’t.
How to Use a Secured Card to Build Credit Fastest
- Keep utilization under 30% of your limit — on a $200 limit, that’s under $60 at any time.
- Set up autopay for at least the minimum, ideally the full statement balance.
- Use it for one small recurring charge (a streaming subscription) so the account stays active without any effort.
- Check your score at month 6 — most people see their first FICO score within 3–6 months of their first reported account.
- Don’t close it right after graduating to an unsecured card — length of history matters, so keep the secured card open if there’s no annual fee, or close it only after you’ve built a longer track record elsewhere.
If You’re Applying as a Student or With No SSN at All
If your situation is more specific than “no credit history” — for example, you’re an international student or you don’t have an SSN or ITIN at all yet — our guides on credit cards for international students and how to get a credit card without an SSN cover those situations in more depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a secured credit card with only an ITIN, no SSN?
Yes. OpenSky, Current Build, Self, and Capital One’s secured cards all accept ITIN holders, though you should always confirm current policy directly since terms can change.
Will I get my deposit back?
Yes, as long as you close the account in good standing or graduate to an unsecured card — the deposit isn’t a fee, it’s collateral that returns to you.
How long until I can upgrade to an unsecured card?
Typically 6–12 months of on-time payments and low utilization, though it varies by issuer. Some cards, like Capital One’s, may automatically review your account for an upgrade.
Do secured cards actually build credit as fast as regular cards?
Yes — once your account reports to the bureaus, the scoring math treats it identically to any other credit card. The “secured” label only affects approval, not how your credit score is calculated.
Written by Hector Reyes — card terms based on 2026 market research. Deposits, fees, and approval policies change frequently; always confirm current terms directly with the issuer before applying.