How to get approved for your first credit card without credit history – tips to build credit, apply smart, and start growing your score from scratch
Getting your first credit card can feel like a catch-22—you need credit history to get approved, but you need a credit card to build credit history. Don’t worry, it’s totally possible to get approved even if you’re starting from scratch.
Whether you’re a student, a young adult, or someone new to the U.S. credit system, this guide will walk you through the smartest ways to get that first approval—and build your credit score along the way.
Why Credit History Matters for Card Approval
Credit history is your track record of how you’ve handled borrowed money in the past. It shows lenders how risky—or safe—it might be to lend you money.
When you apply for a credit card, the credit card company checks your credit report to see things like:
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How many loans or cards you’ve had
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Whether you pay your bills on time
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How much debt you carry
If there’s no history there—because you’ve never borrowed before—it’s harder for lenders and underwriters to know what kind of borrower you’ll be.
Your FICO® score and VantageScore® are two of the most common types of credit scores. Both are based on your credit history and range from 300 to 850. A higher score usually means better chances of getting approved for credit and lower interest rates.
But here’s the good news: there are several ways to start building credit even if your report is blank. In the next section, we’ll show you how to do just that—step by step.
Can You Get a Credit Card With No Credit History?
Yes, you absolutely can.
While some credit cards are only for people with an established credit score, others are made specifically for beginners—people who are just starting their financial journey. These include secured credit cards, student cards, and even credit-builder accounts.
Some banks and fintech companies also look at alternative credit data, like your income, bank activity, or even how reliably you pay your rent or phone bill.
If you don’t have a credit history yet, lenders will look at whatever other info they can find to figure out if you’re likely to repay what you borrow.
The trick is knowing which options to go for—and how to show you’re a trustworthy borrower, even without a traditional credit score.
Best Ways to Get Your First Credit Card Without a Credit History
Let’s break down the most effective ways to get started:
1. Apply for a Secured Credit Card
A secured credit card is one of the easiest credit cards to get approved for when you’re starting out.
Here’s how it works:
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You pay a refundable deposit—usually $200 or more
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That deposit becomes your credit limit
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You use the card like any other card, and pay your balance on time
Why this helps: Most secured cards report your payment history to the three major credit bureaus—Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. That means you’re actively building your credit profile.
Look for secured cards that:
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Have no annual fee
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Upgrade to an unsecured card after a few months of good behavior
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Report to all three credit bureaus
2. Become an Authorized User
Another simple way to start building credit is to become an authorized user on someone else’s credit card.
This means a parent, sibling, or close friend adds you to their account. You get a card in your name, but they’re still the main account holder.
If they have a good payment history, you’ll benefit from it too—because their card activity gets added to your credit report.
Make sure:
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The card issuer reports authorized user activity to the credit bureaus
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The main account holder pays on time and keeps their balance low
This method works fast, but choose someone responsible. Their mistakes can affect your credit too.
3. Use Alternative Credit Reporting Services
If you’re paying bills on time—like rent, your phone plan, or streaming services—you can start getting credit for it with tools like Experian Boost® or UltraFICO®.
These services connect to your bank account, look at your positive payment history, and add that info to your credit file. It’s a way to show lenders that you’re reliable, even if you don’t have a traditional credit account yet.
Some benefits:
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It’s free and quick to set up
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You might see an instant bump in your credit score
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You don’t have to open a new credit account to get started
Just keep in mind:
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These tools only affect your Experian credit report (not all lenders use that one)
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Not every bill qualifies, but phone, utility, and streaming services often do
This is a great option if you’re already managing bills well and want to show that to future lenders.
4. Get a Student or Starter Credit Card
If you’re in college or recently started working, student credit cards and starter cards are designed just for you. These cards often come with:
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Lower credit limits
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Easier approval, even with no credit history
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Basic rewards or cashback
Lenders look at things like your income, school enrollment, and whether you have a checking or savings account.
To improve your chances:
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Apply with your actual income (even part-time work counts)
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Include any financial aid or regular allowances you receive
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Avoid applying for too many cards at once
Once approved, keep the balance low and pay off your bill in full each month. That’s how you grow your credit score over time.
5. Open a Credit-Builder Loan
A credit-builder loan is another great tool for people with no credit history. It’s not like a typical loan where you get the money upfront. Instead, here’s how it works:
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The lender puts a small amount (like $300–$1,000) into a locked savings account
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You make monthly payments on that amount (usually $25–$50)
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Once you’ve paid it off, you get the money—and a history of on-time payments
Why it works: These loans are reported to the credit bureaus, which helps build your payment history—the biggest factor in your credit score.
You can find credit-builder loans at:
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Online services like Self or SeedFi
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Community banks or credit unions
Make sure you:
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Choose a payment you can afford every month
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Set up auto-pay to avoid missing a due date
This method is low-risk and helps you save money while building credit at the same time.
Key Tips to Improve Your Chances of Approval
If you’re applying for your first credit card with no credit history, you want to make sure your application looks as strong as possible. Here are a few tips to help you get that “approved” message:
Show Proof of Income
Even without a credit history, lenders want to know you can afford to pay them back. That means they’ll look at your income.
You can list:
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Pay from a part-time or full-time job
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Freelance income or side gigs
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Regular money from parents or guardians
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Financial aid or scholarships (if you’re a student)
Use a Co-Signer If Possible
Some credit cards allow a co-signer—someone with good credit who agrees to take responsibility if you can’t pay.
This makes your application stronger, but remember: if you miss payments, it affects both of your credit scores.
Open a Bank Account First
Having a checking or savings account helps prove that you manage money responsibly. Some banks are more likely to approve you for a starter card if you’re already a customer.
Report Your Rent and Utilities
Services like RentTrack, LevelCredit, and others can report your on-time rent and utility payments to the credit bureaus. This adds more positive info to your credit profile and helps show lenders that you’re reliable.
How Long Does It Take to Build Credit?
If you’re just starting, you might be wondering how long it takes to see your first credit score pop up. The short answer: usually three to six months of activity.
Here’s what matters:
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Opening a credit account that reports to the credit bureaus (like a secured card or credit-builder loan)
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Making payments on time, every time
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Keeping your balance low (under 30% of your credit limit is best)
The more positive information you add to your credit report, the faster your score will grow.
After about six months, you can expect to see a score from FICO and VantageScore—the two most used scoring systems by lenders. And from there, it only gets better with good habits.
How to Monitor Your Credit as You Start Building
Once you’ve started building credit, it’s important to keep an eye on it. That way, you can catch mistakes, track your progress, and make sure your efforts are paying off.
Get Your Free Credit Report
You can check your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion for free at AnnualCreditReport.com. You’re entitled to one free report from each bureau every year.
These reports show:
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Your open accounts
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Payment history
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Any late payments or collections
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Credit inquiries
Keep an eye out for errors—fixing mistakes can give your score a quick boost.
Use Free Credit Monitoring Tools
Some companies offer tools that help you keep track of your credit score and alerts for any changes:
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Credit Karma (TransUnion, Equifax)
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CreditWise from Capital One (VantageScore)
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Experian (offers FICO score and monitoring tools)
These apps are free, easy to use, and give you a clearer picture of how your actions are affecting your credit.
FAQs About Getting Your First Credit Card Without Credit History
Q: How old do I have to be to get a credit card?
You need to be at least 18 years old. If you’re under 21, you’ll also need to show proof of income or have a co-signer to get approved.
Q: Can I get a credit card if I’m not a U.S. citizen?
Yes, but it depends on the issuer. Some credit card companies accept applications from international students or newcomers with an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) instead of a Social Security number.
Q: Does paying rent help build credit?
It can—if your rent payments are reported to the credit bureaus. You can use services like RentTrack, LevelCredit, or Experian RentBureau to make sure your rent counts toward your credit history.
Q: What’s a good credit score to aim for?
Most credit scores start at 300 and go up to 850. A score above 670 is considered good, and over 740 is excellent. But when you’re just starting, the goal is simply to build a positive history—your score will grow over time with good habits.
Q: Can I get more than one card to build faster?
You can, but take it slow. Opening too many accounts at once can hurt your score temporarily. Start with one or two and focus on paying them off in full each month.
Final Thoughts: Starting Smart Without a Credit History
Getting approved for your first credit card without a credit history isn’t just possible—it’s totally doable with the right steps.
Start with beginner-friendly options like a secured credit card, becoming an authorized user, or using credit-building tools like Experian Boost or a credit-builder loan. Build a habit of paying on time, keeping balances low, and checking your credit report regularly.
Remember: building credit is a long game. What matters most is being consistent and smart with how you borrow and repay. Each on-time payment is a step closer to better financial opportunities—whether that’s qualifying for a car loan, renting an apartment, or getting your dream rewards credit card.
Take your first step today, and your future self (and your credit score) will thank you.
