XaploreNewcomer Picker

First credit card

Which first credit card can you actually get?

Everyone starts at zero in the US — your credit history from China or anywhere else does not carry over automatically. Tell us your situation and see the paths people in it usually start with, from easiest to try first.

1Your situation

Social Security number (SSN)
US credit history
Credit history in another country
Income you can show

“Some” = stipend, scholarship, part-time or regular family support.

College student
US checking account

2Paths that fit, in order

Starter card / bank relationship

Try first

Unsecured cards marketed to people with limited or no credit. An existing checking account at the same bank often helps.

  • An existing checking account with the same bank can help a no-history application.
Chase Freedom Rise® · Chase
$0 annual feeSSN required

To apply: Not secured. Having at least $250 in Chase checking or savings increases your chances of approval. You may need to provide documents such as a U.S.-issued driver's license and Social Security card after applying.

Upgrade: Evaluated for a credit line increase in as soon as 6 months, and automatically evaluated each year to upgrade to Chase Freedom Unlimited (requires a purchase and on-time payments in the past 12 months, among other conditions).

Chase's card for people new to credit; earns 1.5% cash back on purchases.

Checked 2026-10-31 · source

Capital One Platinum Credit Card · Capital One
$0 annual feeSSN or ITIN

To apply: Marketed for fair credit; no credit score required to apply. Capital One's ITIN guide lists this card among those you may be able to get with an ITIN.

Upgrade: Automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months.

An unsecured, no-rewards card with no deposit required.

Checked 2026-10-31 · source

How to graduate: Ask for a credit limit increase after 6–12 months of on-time payments; product-change to a rewards card later.

Secured card

Also consider

You pay a refundable security deposit that usually equals your credit limit. It reports to the credit bureaus like any card — the most reliable first step when nothing else is approved.

  • You put down a refundable deposit, which usually becomes your credit limit. Approval is easier because the deposit protects the bank.
  • Use it like a normal card for 6–12 months; many issuers review you for an upgrade and a deposit refund.
Discover it® Secured Credit Card · Discover (now a Capital One company)
$0 annual feeSSN/ITIN not statedDeposit: $49, $99, or $200 based on creditworthiness (credit lines start at $200); due within 35 days of approval

To apply: Not stated (SSN/ITIN not stated on the product page). Deposit must be funded by electronic transfer from a bank account.

Upgrade: Per the page, once you establish a positive track record you earn your deposit back and upgrade to the Discover it Cash Back card; no review timing is stated.

Earns 5% cash back in quarterly rotating categories (on activation, up to a quarterly max) and 1% elsewhere; the page is now hosted under Capital One's terms after the acquisition.

Checked 2026-10-31 · source

Capital One Platinum Secured · Capital One
$0 annual feeSSN or ITINDeposit: $49, $99, or $200 refundable deposit, determined by creditworthiness; must be paid within 35 days of approval

To apply: No credit score required to apply. Capital One's ITIN guide lists this card among those you may be able to get with an ITIN.

Upgrade: With responsible use you may get your deposit back and upgrade to an unsecured card in as little as 6 months.

A no-rewards secured card whose deposit can be as low as $49 for some applicants.

Checked 2026-10-31 · source

Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards · Capital One
$0 annual feeSSN or ITINDeposit: $200 minimum refundable deposit

To apply: Requirements not listed on the product page; you can check eligibility without a credit score impact. Capital One's ITIN guide lists this card among those you may be able to get with an ITIN.

Upgrade: With responsible use you could earn your deposit back and upgrade to an unsecured Quicksilver card; no timing stated.

Earns unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase.

Checked 2026-10-31 · source

BankAmericard® Secured Credit Card · Bank of America
$0 annual feeSSN/ITIN not statedDeposit: $200 minimum, $5,000 maximum

To apply: Not stated on the product page.

Upgrade: Bank of America periodically reviews the account and you may qualify to have your security deposit returned; not all customers qualify. No upgrade to an unsecured card is stated.

A no-rewards secured card from a large bank where many newcomers already open checking accounts. The page checks availability by ZIP code.

Checked 2026-10-31 · source

Citi® Secured Mastercard® · Citi
$0 annual feeSSN/ITIN not statedDeposit: You choose $200 to $2,500; the deposit sets your credit limit

To apply: SSN/ITIN for applying not stated; the page says a valid SSN on file is needed to graduate.

Upgrade: Reviewed for graduation starting at 9 months, then every 12 months; a valid SSN on file is required to graduate.

A no-rewards secured card where you pick a deposit between $200 and $2,500.

Checked 2026-10-31 · source

How to graduate: Many issuers review secured accounts for an upgrade to unsecured with the deposit returned; close it only after you graduate.

Credit-builder account or card

Also consider

Fintech products that report your on-time payments without a traditional credit check, often tied to a checking or savings account with them.

  • Credit-builder products report on-time payments to the credit bureaus without a traditional credit check.
Chime Card™ (formerly Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa®) · Chime (fintech; card issued by a partner bank)
$0 annual feeSSN/ITIN not statedDeposit: No minimum security deposit; money you add becomes your spending limit and is held as collateral

To apply: Must also open a Chime Checking Account; no credit check to apply. SSN/ITIN not stated.

A secured credit card with no interest that reports to TransUnion, Experian and Equifax; Chime says "Credit Builder is now Chime Card."

Checked 2026-10-31 · source

Self Visa® Credit Card (secured) · Self Financial (fintech; card issued by a partner bank)
$0 the first year for new customers, then $25 per yearSSN/ITIN not statedDeposit: $100 minimum (fund with a debit card, bank account, or Self Credit Builder Account)

To apply: Short application with income and expense details; no hard credit inquiry. SSN/ITIN not stated.

Reports to all three credit bureaus, and you can apply directly without first opening a Self Credit Builder Account.

Checked 2026-10-31 · source

Kikoff Credit Account · Kikoff (fintech)
Subscription: Basic $5/month, Premium $20/month, Ultimate $35/monthSSN/ITIN not stated

To apply: No credit check; subject to approval and identity verification. SSN/ITIN not stated.

Not a credit card: a credit-builder line (Basic tradeline $750) with no interest, reported to Equifax, Experian and TransUnion; cancel anytime.

Checked 2026-10-31 · source

How to graduate: Use it alongside a first credit card; once you have a score, a regular card is usually the better long-term tool.

Authorized user on someone else’s card

Also consider

A spouse, partner or relative with good US credit adds you to their account. You get a card in your name; they stay responsible for the bill.

  • A spouse or relative with good US credit can add you to their card. Many issuers report the account on your report too — confirm with the issuer.

How to graduate: Treat it as a boost, not a replacement — open your own card as soon as you can.

Build credit in 12 months: checklist

  1. Month 0Open one first card. Set autopay for the statement balance. Put one small recurring bill on it (e.g. your phone plan).
  2. Months 1–3Keep the balance reported on each statement low — many guides suggest under 30% of the limit, lower is better. Never miss a payment.
  3. Month 3Check your free credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion at AnnualCreditReport.com; make sure the card shows up and your name and address are right.
  4. Month 6myFICO says a file needs an account at least 6 months old (and one updated in the last 6 months) to get a FICO score. Do not open several new cards at once.
  5. Months 6–9Ask for a credit limit increase, or for a secured card upgrade, if the issuer offers it.
  6. Months 9–12Consider a second, no-annual-fee card from a mainstream issuer. Keep your oldest card open — length of history counts.

What not to do

  • Don’t pay late — payment history is the largest part of a FICO score (35%).
  • Don’t max out the card, even if you pay in full later; the statement balance is what gets reported.
  • Don’t apply for many cards in a few weeks — each application can mean a hard inquiry.
  • Don’t pay for “credit repair” or buy “tradelines”; and never share your SSN with someone promising a fast score.
  • Don’t close your first card after you upgrade; an old account helps the length of your history.

FAQ

Does my credit history from China transfer to the US?

No — US credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) do not import Chinese credit reports, so you start with no US file. A few issuers can look at credit reports from certain other countries through a cross-border service; check whether your country is on their list.

What is the difference between an ITIN and an SSN?

An SSN comes from the Social Security Administration and is for people authorized to work in the US. An ITIN comes from the IRS (Form W-7) for people who have a federal tax reason but are not eligible for an SSN; it is for tax purposes only and does not authorize work. Some card issuers accept an ITIN on applications; many still require an SSN.

How does a US credit score work?

FICO scores run from 300 to 850. FICO weights payment history 35%, amounts owed 30%, length of credit history 15%, credit mix 10% and new credit 10%. Paying every bill on time and keeping balances low matter most.

Is a secured card a bad card?

No. A secured card reports to the credit bureaus the same way as other cards. The deposit only protects the issuer. Many people graduate to an unsecured card and get the deposit back within a year.

How do I check my credit report for free?

AnnualCreditReport.com is the official site for free reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion; according to the CFPB you can view them online for free once a week. Checking your own report does not hurt your score.

Is this financial advice?

No. This is general information about common starting paths, with product details copied from official pages on the date shown. Issuers decide approvals and change terms often — always read the issuer’s current terms before applying.

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Official references