Applying for a US credit card as a nonresident without an SSN

For many people it is a dream to move to the land of opportunity or to spend a long stretch of time there, whether to work, study or travel.

But even people who don't want to, or can't, live in the USA are often interested in a US credit card. That's because US credit cards come with plenty of advantages, even if you live elsewhere.

Our page on the US credit card shows you how to get US credit cards even without an SSN.

1Key benefits of a US credit card for people who don't live in the USA

• Ideal if you are planning a financial fresh start, for example after bankruptcy. In the USA nobody cares about your debts abroad. You are a blank page.

• As your credit history grows, your credit limit can rise; the card issuer decides how high it goes.

• Good credit in the USA lets you take out further credit there, including financing for real estate, cars and more.

• Completely outside the EU. Build an entirely new financial identity in the USA, independent of the rest of your life.

• No automatic exchange of information under the OECD CRS.

• Whether a card issuer accepts you without US residence is the issuer's own decision, and it may take your residence status into account; a US residential address does not replace that review.

• Ideal if you plan to move to the USA in a few years and want to build that all-important credit in advance (you'll need it to rent an apartment in the USA!)

• Also ideal combined with a US driver's license: keep your ability to act and stay independent of possible EU restrictions. You stay mobile and liquid worldwide.

• Some attractive rewards and discount programs.

2What if you don't have a Social Security Number?

But if you want to apply for a US credit card as a nonresident, you face a challenge: many card providers require a Social Security Number (SSN), the American social security number.

US citizens already have an SSN automatically, so they don't need to apply for one. For people who neither live in the USA nor hold US citizenship, applying for a credit card can be harder. Fortunately, there are ways to get a credit card without an SSN.

Some card providers accept alternative proof of identity, such as an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), a student visa or a residence permit.

Not every card can be applied for online, though; some require you to appear in person at the relevant bank branch.

In this article we give you an overview of the key aspects and terms that come up when getting a credit card in the USA, along with what card issuers look for in applications without an SSN.

3What is an SSN and what is it used for?

An SSN is a nine-digit Social Security number issued by the US federal government to everyone who works in the USA. It contains an identification code used for various purposes, above all tax and social security. You also need an SSN for many other things in the USA, such as opening a bank account or renting an apartment.

4Why do card issuers ask for an SSN?

The U.S. Patriot Act of 2001 is a major reason card issuers ask for an SSN. The law is designed to track illegal activity such as money laundering and to identify potential terrorist threats. But it also makes every bank responsible for every single account it opens.

To verify customers' identity and personal details, banks use the US Social Security database, a very efficient and secure way to check an individual's identity in the USA. That's why many banks and card issuers require a valid SSN.

Without an SSN, banks can't check your creditworthiness, because your credit reports aren't linked to your identity. However, there are various alternative ways to verify identity without an SSN, depending on which card company you choose.

5What is an ITIN?

An ITIN is a nine-digit identification number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the US tax authority. Unlike the SSN, the ITIN is used only for tax matters.

The ITIN is issued to people who have US tax obligations but cannot get an SSN. These include, for example, immigrants without a valid visa or residence status and foreigners without US residence who have US income. According to the IRS, anyone with a US visa that includes work authorization must apply for an SSN first; only those who cannot get an SSN may apply for an ITIN.

To get an ITIN, you have to submit an application to the IRS, together with sufficient documents to identify you. As a rule, the IRS requires your passport (and your US visa, if applicable) in the original or as a copy certified by the issuing authority; a notarized copy is not enough. Further documents may be required, depending on your situation.

An ITIN is not a general substitute for an SSN: if you already have one because of US income, you can use it on some applications. Some card issuers let applicants use an ITIN when they don't have an SSN. You do need to check whether the card provider you want accepts an ITIN. You can read more about the number itself on our ITIN page.

6How to get a credit card without an SSN

If you already have an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) because of US income, some card issuers accept it instead of an SSN; each issuer decides for itself. Issuers often ask for further documents alongside the ITIN to verify the applicant's identity. You also need a credit history (credit score). If you haven't built a credit score yet, applying for a credit card gets harder.

Some issuers accept an ITIN only for certain cards. Contact the card company directly to find out exactly which documents you need and which steps to take to get a card.

7How to apply for a business credit card without an SSN

Getting a business credit card without a Social Security Number (SSN) isn't easy. A good alternative for companies that want one is the Employer Identification Number (EIN). Like the ITIN, it is issued by the IRS and used for tax matters. You'll find everything else on our EIN page. Note, however, that this number is meant only for companies.

If you already have a company registered in the USA, such as a US LLC without a US permanent establishment as set up by our sister site zerotax.llc, you very likely already have an EIN. Otherwise, you apply for the EIN free of charge with the IRS. Online applications only work if the responsible party has an SSN or ITIN and the company has its principal place of business in the USA; otherwise the application goes by phone, fax or mail.

Besides an EIN, you also need a business bank account. If you don't have one yet, you'll need to open one before applying for a business credit card. An EIN is no guarantee of good terms for your business account, though. For that you'll most likely also need a high balance and income.

8Building credit: how to get a good credit score in the USA

Your credit score in the USA depends on several factors, including your credit history, how much debt you carry, how punctually you pay your bills and how you use your credit cards. The key to a high or growing score is handling your loan payments responsibly.

First, always pay on time and in full. Late payments can hurt your credit score and land you with high interest and fees.

Second, keep your debt as low as possible. This affects your "credit utilization ratio", how much of your card's limit you use. Here it's important that your payments always arrive on time. It also helps if utilization across all accounts does not exceed 30%. That can improve your credit score.

If you want to apply for a credit card in the USA, a positive credit score is the basic requirement. It's roughly comparable to the credit rating agencies you know from home. In the USA the credit score is often called the "FICO Score", and it is calculated by the Fair Isaac Corporation.

To build a credit score in the USA, it's a good idea to apply for a secured credit card. With this type of card you put down a deposit equal to the credit limit you want. The deposit and the credit line are exactly the same amount, often between $200 and $5000. If you use your secured card responsibly and pay on time, you can build and improve your credit score.

9How do I apply for a US credit card with an ITIN?

Step one is finding a bank that accepts an ITIN. Then you can apply for a credit card by phone or at a branch. Banks that accept an ITIN usually don't have online forms where you can enter one, so be ready to deal with the bank in person or over the phone.

Opening a bank account in the United States is relatively easy: for a standard account with a debit card, banks ask foreigners for ID and an identification number, such as your passport number or an existing ITIN. And of course you need to prove a US address, because you can't open an account without one.

Another key point is the time it takes to apply for a US account and a credit card. Depending on the bank and the process, it can take a while. So find out in advance which banks accept an ITIN and which processes are fastest.

10What card issuers look for in applications without an SSN

Whether an issuer accepts an application without an SSN is its own decision, and it may take your immigration status into account.

11What this means for you

So it is entirely possible to get a credit card in the US without an SSN, but it depends on your personal situation. An ITIN alone won't get you a card: you also need a credit history, and the road can be hard or at least slow. A good US credit score or an established relationship with a US bank can make the process easier, and so can a residential address in the US.

With our US Bank Account Opening you get a US residential address with your own phone line, your own US bank account and ITIN Express included, saving you a lot of time and hassle. To learn how to open a US account with no SSN at all, read our article on opening a US bank account as a non-resident without an SSN; to see how the score itself works, read our article on the US credit score for immigrants. You'll find more articles under News.

In short

• A US credit card without an SSN is possible. Whether an issuer accepts you is its own decision, and it may take your immigration status into account.
• Some issuers accept an ITIN instead of an SSN. The ITIN is for tax purposes and won't get you a card on its own.
• You build your credit score with on-time payments and low utilization, traditionally starting with a secured credit card.
• For a business credit card, your company needs an EIN and a business account.
• A residential address in the US and an existing relationship with a US bank make the road easier.

How we help you

• US Bank Account OpeningYour own access to the American financial system, even without an SSN.
• Credit BuilderCredit for your company and for you, built step by step.
• ITIN ExpressYour ITIN through our special procedure, no tax return needed.
• ConsultationOne hour with the firm: your case, your questions, a clear answer.