Can You Get A Credit Card With No Credit Score?

Last Updated on July 22, 2026 by Amrita Das

Yes, you can get a credit card in the US without a credit score. Secured credit cards, student credit cards, and select store cards are all designed for people with no credit history. These products help you build credit from scratch, often requiring little more than a security deposit or proof of enrollment.

No credit history is one of the most common financial hurdles Americans face—especially young adults, recent immigrants, and anyone who has simply avoided borrowing in the past. The frustrating part? You often need credit to get credit. Lenders want proof that you can manage debt responsibly, but that proof only comes from having debt in the first place.

The good news is that several types of credit cards are specifically designed for people with no credit score, and getting approved is more achievable than most people assume. More importantly, the right card can set you on a path toward a strong credit profile in as little as six months.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know—from the types of cards available, to the features worth comparing, to the habits that will grow your score fastest.

Table of Contents

What Does “No Credit Score” Actually Mean?

Before diving into card options, it helps to understand what no credit score actually means. Credit bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—calculate your score based on your borrowing history. If you’ve never opened a credit account, there simply isn’t enough data to generate a score.

This is meaningfully different from having a bad credit score. A poor score signals past financial missteps: missed payments, maxed-out cards, or defaults. No score, by contrast, signals a blank slate. Lenders are cautious either way, but the blank-slate situation is typically easier to recover from.

According to Bankrate, if you have no credit history at all, you likely have no score rather than a “zero.” The credit bureaus need at least one account reported over a minimum period—usually six months—before they can calculate a score.

What Types of Credit Cards Are Available With No Credit History?

Secured Credit Cards

Secured cards are the most accessible option for people with no credit score. They work by requiring a refundable cash deposit upfront, which typically becomes your credit limit. A $200 deposit gives you a $200 credit line.

The deposit reduces the lender’s risk, which makes approvals far more common. Once you’ve demonstrated responsible use—usually 12 to 18 months—many issuers will upgrade you to an unsecured card and return your deposit.

Popular options include(Credit Card With No Credit Score):

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card – No annual fee, accessible entry point
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card – No credit check required, 89% approval rate
Varo Believe Secured Credit Card – No interest, no annual fee, no minimum deposit. According to Varo’s data (as of September 2025), more than 90% of customers with no credit score had one after just one month of use

Student Credit Cards

Student credit cards are designed specifically for college students who haven’t yet established credit. They typically come with lower credit limits, no annual fees, and student-focused rewards—like cash back on dining or streaming services.

The Discover it® Student Cash Back card, for example, charges no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, making it useful for students who study abroad. These cards are worth considering if you’re currently enrolled, since issuers tend to have more flexible approval standards for student applicants.

Store or Retail Credit Cards

Store credit cards are another entry point with relatively low approval requirements. Retailers like Amazon, Target, and TJX often approve applicants with limited credit history.

The tradeoff: most store cards are “closed-loop,” meaning you can only use them at that specific retailer. That said, they can serve as a useful tool for building a payment history—provided the issuer reports to all three major credit bureaus.

Unsecured Cards for No Credit

Some issuers offer unsecured cards for applicants with no credit history. These don’t require a deposit but often come with lower credit limits and higher interest rates.

The Chase Freedom Rise® is one example, offering 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no annual fee, available to applicants with no credit history. Having a Chase checking account with at least $250 can improve your approval odds.

How Long Does It Take to Build a Credit Score From Scratch?

Most people can expect to see an initial score within six months of opening their first credit account—provided the issuer reports monthly to the credit bureaus. Reaching a “good” score (670–739 on the FICO scale) typically takes longer, depending on how consistently you manage your account.

According to Navy Federal Credit Union, cardholders with 12 to 18 months of responsible use on a secured card may become eligible to upgrade to an unsecured card. OpenSky® data shows that two out of three cardholders see an average credit score increase of 47 points after six months.

Patience matters here. Credit building is a long game, but the results—better loan rates, higher limits, and more card options—are well worth the effort.