How to get a credit card with no credit history

Summary

• You may get a credit card without having a credit history, but you may have to apply for a secured card or become an authorized user.
• Building credit with a credit card is an important step toward bigger financial goals like paying for college or buying a house.

Nobody starts out life with a credit history. In fact, about 30 million Americans are “credit invisible,” meaning they have no credit history, according to a 2024 Yahoo Finance report.¹ Many don’t realize that you don’t need a credit history to get a credit card. However, the process may be a little different than if you do have one. Let’s take a closer look at how to get a credit card with no credit history.

Can you apply for a credit card with no credit history?

You don’t need a credit history to apply for a credit card. Many people don’t have one, especially young people who are just starting their financial journeys. Not every type of credit card is right for somebody without a credit history. That said, many card providers offer credit cards that are geared toward people who have little or no credit history.

Credit cards for people with no credit history

There are a few options for people who have no credit history and who want to start using a credit card.

Secured Cards

Most credit cards are unsecured, which means they don’t require collateral to open. People with no credit history or who are rebuilding their credit, however, may not be able to get approved for an unsecured credit card. They may be approved for a secured credit card though.

A secured credit card uses a refundable security deposit as collateral. Your deposit serves as both collateral and your credit limit. If you fail to repay what you borrow on the card, the card provider could take the security deposit. As long as you keep paying your account balance, the card may help you build credit history until you’re ready to apply for an unsecured card.

U.S. Bank offers several secured credit cards to help you build credit, including the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Secured Visa® Card, the U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured Visa® Card and the U.S. Bank Secured Visa® Card.

Alternatives if you aren’t approved for beginner credit cards

If you aren’t approved for a secured credit card or other type of beginner card, you could still become an authorized user. In this arrangement, a person with strong credit adds you to their card as an authorized user. You could use the card to make purchases, while the primary account holder pays the account balance. Both you and the primary account holder may build credit history as they make regular payments.

Why building credit is important

Debt is often essential to reach personal and financial goals. Most people can’t afford to buy a new car, pay for college, or buy a house with cash. That’s why building credit is so important. Your credit score and history help you qualify for credit cards and loans that make these goals a reality. Moreover, the better your credit score, the better interest rates and loan terms you receive.

By using credit wisely, you may access loans to upgrade your vehicle, get an education, and take more steps to improve your earning potential.

Start building credit.

You don’t need a credit history to get a credit card. Whether you’re brand new to credit or rebuilding it, you could establish a positive history by using a secured credit card or becoming an authorized user. U.S. Bank offers several secured credit cards to help you start building your credit while earning benefits.

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