How to Get a Credit Card With No Credit in 2025

It can feel like a catch-22: you need a credit history to qualify for a credit card, but you need a credit card to build a credit history. The system may seem stacked against you, but there are beginner-friendly ways to break in.

Whether you’re a student, new to credit, or simply starting fresh, lenders have products designed for people with no history. With the right card and smart habits, you can begin building a credit history in just a few months.

Steps to Improve Your Approval Odds With No Credit

Before you apply for your first credit card, a few simple steps can improve your chances of being approved and help you avoid unnecessary denials.

1. Check If You Prequalify Online

Many credit card issuers let you see if you prequalify before you submit a full application. These checks use a “soft inquiry,” which does not appear on your credit report and will not affect your credit score.

Prequalification helps you avoid unnecessary denials. If you see offers where you prequalify, you can apply with more confidence that you’ll be approved.

2. Consider Using a Cosigner

Another way to improve your approval odds is to apply with a cosigner. This is someone—often a parent or close relative—who agrees to share responsibility for the account. If you fall behind, the cosigner is legally required to make the payments.

Things to weigh before choosing this option:

• Shared responsibility: Both your credit history and the cosigner’s credit history are affected by the account.
• Relationship strain: Missed payments can damage not only your cosigner’s credit score but also your relationship.
• Best use case: Works well if you make small purchases and can reliably pay them off every month.

3. Become an Authorized User

If you’re not ready to open a credit card on your own, you can ask a trusted family member to add you as an authorized user on their account. The primary account holder remains responsible for payments, but the activity is reported to the credit bureaus under your name as well.

To get the most benefit:

• Low balances: The primary cardholder should keep balances below 30% of the limit.
• Reporting: Make sure the issuer reports authorized user activity to all three credit bureaus.
• Trust: Only join an account where you know payments are made on time.

4. Show Proof of Income

Credit card issuers want to see that you have income to repay what you borrow. This matters even more if you’re under 21, since you can only list your own earnings on an application.

Tips for boosting your chances:

• Part-time income counts: Wages from part-time jobs or work-study can help.
• Consider side income: If you earn money from tutoring, freelance work, or gig jobs, include it.
• Start small: Apply for cards with lower limits if your income is modest.

Best Credit Card Options for No Credit

If you have little or no credit history, certain types of credit cards are designed to give you a starting point. Each option has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to pick the one that matches your situation.

1. Apply for a Secured Credit Card

Secured credit cards require a refundable security deposit, which usually becomes your credit limit. For example, if you put down $200, you’ll have a $200 limit.

Over time, if you make on-time payments and show responsible use, many issuers will allow you to upgrade to an unsecured card and refund your deposit.

Pros and cons include:

• Easy approval: Secured cards are specifically designed for people with no credit history.
• Refundable deposit: You get your deposit back once you close or upgrade the account in good standing.
• Limited perks: Rewards and benefits are often minimal compared to traditional cards.

See also: How to Build Credit With a Secured Credit Card

2. Start With a Student Credit Card

Student credit cards are designed for college students who may not have an established credit history or high income. They usually have lower limits and fewer requirements, making them easier to qualify for.

Common features include:

• Lower limits: Helps you build credit without the temptation of overspending.
• Credit-building tools: Some issuers include free access to your credit score.
• Rewards potential: A few student cards offer cash back or points on everyday spending.

3. Use a Starter or Credit Builder Card

Some banks and credit unions offer starter cards, sometimes called credit builder cards, with limits as low as $200 to $500. These unsecured cards don’t require a deposit, but approval can be harder if you don’t have any income or history.

Why they can help:

• Small limits: Keeps your spending in check while you learn to manage credit.
• Path to better cards: A positive payment history opens the door to higher-limit cards within months.
• Low risk: With a small limit, balances stay manageable as long as you make payments on time.

4. Apply for a Store Credit Card

Retail store credit cards are often easier to qualify for because issuers use more lenient approval standards. They can be a quick way to start building credit, but they come with risks.

Key points to keep in mind:

• Higher approval odds: Retailers want to encourage spending, so requirements are looser.
• High interest rates: Balances that carry over from month to month can get expensive.
• Best strategy: Use the card only for small, planned purchases and pay them off in full every month.

Alternatives to Credit Cards

If you’re not ready to open a credit card or your applications keep getting denied, there are other ways to start building credit. These options can help you create a positive history with the credit bureaus without using a traditional credit card.

Apply for a Credit Builder Loan

Credit builder loans are designed to help people with no history establish one. Instead of receiving the loan money upfront, the bank or credit union holds it in an account while you make monthly payments. Once you’ve paid the balance in full, the funds are released to you.

Benefits include:

• Guaranteed reporting: Payments are reported to all three credit bureaus, helping you establish history.
• Small amounts: Loan balances are typically low, often between $300 and $1,000.
• Savings effect: At the end, you receive the loan amount in full, almost like forced savings.

Explore Other Credit-Building Tools

Beyond loans, there are services that can add positive payment history to your credit profile. These tools can be especially helpful if you rent or have regular monthly bills.

Options include:

• Rent reporting services: Some companies will report your on-time rent payments to the credit bureaus.
• Phone and utility reporting: A few services allow you to add bills like cell phones or utilities to your credit history.
• Buy now, pay later plans: Certain installment services now report to the credit bureaus, though you should use them carefully to avoid overspending.

See also: 8 Ways to Build Credit Without a Credit Card

Best Secured Credit Cards for Beginners

Secured credit cards are often the easiest way to start building credit if you have no history. Here are some of the top options, each with features that make them beginner-friendly.

Current Build Credit Card

The Current Build Credit Card provides a simple way to grow your credit score while avoiding debt. Instead of borrowing, you use your own money to set your spending limit.

• No credit check: Approval is not based on credit history.
• No annual fee: You can build credit without extra costs.
• Rewards program: Earn cash back at more than 14,000 merchants.
• Full-service banking: Features like early direct deposit and fee-free overdraft come with your Current account.

Chime Card

The Chime Card is a secured credit card that helps you build credit without interest charges or annual fees. You fund a Secured Deposit Account, which sets your spending limit.

• No credit check: Approval does not depend on your credit history.
• No annual fee: You won’t pay recurring account charges.
• No interest charges: Purchases are covered by your own deposits.
• Credit building: On-time payments are reported to all three major credit bureaus.

Discover it Secured Credit Card

Discover offers one of the few secured cards that combines credit building with rewards.

• Cash back rewards: Earn 2% on gas and restaurants (up to $1,000 per quarter) and 1% on all other purchases.
• Upgrade path: Account reviews after several months may allow you to move to an unsecured card.
• No annual fee: No ongoing cost to maintain the account.
• Security deposit: $200 minimum refundable deposit required.

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Capital One offers flexible deposit options with the potential for a higher credit limit over time.

• Flexible deposits: Depending on your application, you may deposit $49, $99, or $200.
• No annual fee: You won’t pay yearly maintenance costs.
• Credit line increase: Eligible for a higher limit after five months of on-time payments.
• Online management: Full access through the bank’s mobile app and website.

Use Your Credit Responsibly

Getting approved for a starter card is only the first step. The way you use it determines how fast your credit history grows and whether your credit score improves.

Make Payments on Time

Payment history is the most important factor in your credit score. Even one missed payment can stay on your credit report for years.

• Always pay on time: Set reminders or autopay to avoid late fees.
• Pay in full: Carrying a balance is not required to build credit. Paying the statement balance shows responsibility.

Keep Your Balances Low

Credit utilization—how much of your available credit you use—also has a major impact on your credit score.

• Stay under 30%: If your limit is $500, try to keep balances below $150.
• Smaller is better: Using less than 10% of your limit gives the strongest credit score boost.

Start With Small Purchases

Using your card for budgeted, everyday expenses is the safest way to build credit without overspending.

• Stick to essentials: Groceries, gas, or streaming subscriptions are good choices.
• Pay right away: Paying the charge soon after posting keeps balances from growing.

Avoid Applying for Too Many Cards

Multiple applications in a short time can hurt your approval odds and put unnecessary hard inquiries on your credit report.

• One card is enough: Focus on managing one account well before adding more.
• Wait and review: After 6–12 months of positive history, reassess your options.

How Long Does It Take to Build Credit?

If you have no credit history, it usually takes about three to six months of activity for the credit bureaus to generate your first credit score. From there, your progress depends on how consistently you use credit.

• 3–6 months: Expect a starting credit score to appear once you’ve made several on-time payments.
• 6–12 months: Lenders begin to see you as more reliable, improving your odds of approval for better cards.
• 12+ months: With steady payments and low balances, you may qualify for unsecured rewards cards and higher limits.

Patience is key. Building credit is about consistency, not speed.

Final Thoughts

Getting a credit card with no credit may feel out of reach, but there are plenty of ways to start. Whether you choose a secured card, a student card, or even a credit-builder loan, the important thing is to show lenders that you can manage credit responsibly.

Make small purchases, pay your balance on time, and keep your usage low. Within months, you’ll have a solid foundation that leads to better cards, higher limits, and a stronger financial future.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest credit card to get with no credit?

The easiest cards to qualify for with no credit are secured credit cards and student credit cards. Secured cards only require a refundable deposit, while student cards are designed for those with limited or no history. Both options report your payments to the credit bureaus, helping you build a positive record.

How long does it take to qualify for better credit cards?

Most people see their first credit score within three to six months of responsible use. After about a year of on-time payments and low balances, you may qualify for cards with higher limits and rewards. The stronger your payment history, the sooner you’ll be considered for premium credit cards.

Should I get more than one starter credit card?

Starting with a single card is usually the best move. Managing one account well builds your credit history without adding unnecessary hard inquiries. Once you’ve shown consistent, responsible use for six to twelve months, you can decide if adding another card makes sense for your financial goals.

Is no credit better than bad credit?

Yes, having no credit is better than having bad credit. With no credit history, lenders don’t have any information about your borrowing habits, which can make approval harder but not impossible. With bad credit, lenders see a record of missed payments or high balances, which signals risk and makes approval much less likely.

How can I get a credit card with no credit and no income?

If you have no income, most credit card issuers will not approve you for your own account because income is required to show you can make payments. The best option is to become an authorized user on a family member’s card, which allows their payment history to build your credit. Without income, opening a secured or student credit card will be difficult since you still need to make monthly payments.