How long does it take to build credit history?

Since your payment history and the length of your credit history combine to be the biggest factors in determining your credit score, building up to a prime credit score can take some time — especially if you’ve made some credit missteps in the past. Fortunately, having no credit history can expedite the process since you’re starting with a clean slate. The fastest way to build up good credit is by paying your balance on time, which can establish a positive credit history on your FICO report after your first six months and after just a month or two on your VantageScore report.

Can you get a credit card with no credit history and no job?

It's possible to access a credit card without a job or a credit history. Here are a few options to consider: Find a co-signer: Having a co-signer on your credit card application could bolster your chances of approval depending on the strength of your co-signer’s credit history, income and other factors. Get a secured credit card: Rather than income, a secured credit card prioritizes whether or not you can pay a security deposit. If you can afford the upfront cost of a security deposit, then this type of card might be accessible even without a job. Apply for a joint credit card account: Some banks may allow you to apply for a joint credit card with someone, like a spouse or partner. Both applicants get a credit check, but the income is considered jointly.

When can you get your first credit card?

You can’t get approval for your own credit card if you’re under 18. For applicants younger than 21 years old, the Credit CARD Act of 2009 requires proof of independent income or a parent or guardian cosigner. Credit card applications also ask for your annual income, so you must have an income source or access to one. If you don’t have an independent source of income, you may list your parent’s, guardian's or partner’s income as long as you have “reasonable expectation of access,” like having a shared bank account.

What are some credit-building alternatives to credit cards?

If you don’t want a credit card or are having a hard time qualifying for one, here’s how you can build your credit without using a credit card: Pay your student loans Use Experian Boost Get a credit-builder loan Responsibly pay installment loans Become an authorized user

Best Credit Cards for No Credit History in May 2025

Compare Bankrate's top credit cards for no credit history

Card name	Best for	Annual fee	Regular APR	Bankrate review score
Discover it® Student Cash Back	Students	$0	Intro Offer: Cashback Match Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. Regular APR: 17.24% - 26.24% Variable APR	5.0 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Discover's secure site See Rates & Fees
Chase Freedom Rise®	No deposit	$0	Intro Offer: $25 statement credit Earn a $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account. With automatic payments, just pick a date and dollar amount to make sure your Credit Card gets paid on time. Regular APR: 25.99%	4.2 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Chase's secure site See Rates & Fees
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card	Credit line upgrade	$0	Intro Offer: N/A Regular APR: 29.74% (Variable)	4.1 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card with Cashback	Hybrid card	N/A	Intro Offer: N/A Regular APR: 0% APR	3.0 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Firstcard's secure site See Rates & Fees
Discover it® Secured Credit Card	Secured card for gas and dining	$0	Intro Offer: Cashback Match™ Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year! There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match. Regular APR: 27.24% Variable APR	5.0 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Discover's secure site See Rates & Fees
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card	Starter rewards card	$0	Intro Offer: N/A Regular APR: 29.74% (Variable)	4.2 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card	Flexible deposit	None	Intro Offer: N/A Regular APR: N/A	4.2 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Chime's secure site
The secured Self Visa® Credit Card¹	Building credit with savings	$0 annual fee first year, $25 annual fee thereafter.	Intro Offer: N/A Regular APR: 28.24% APR Variable	3.1 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Self's secure site
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card	Unbanked Consumers	$35	Intro Offer: N/A Regular APR: 24.64% (variable)	3.1 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on OpenSky's secure site

Researching the best credit cards for no credit

50+

cards rated

500+

data points analyzed

250+

fees tracked

40+

perks evaluated

We thoroughly rate and research the best cards for no credit based on key criteria to help you make confident decisions when choosing your next credit card. Learn more about our methodology below.

How to establish credit with a credit card

When you have no credit, it can be difficult to get approved for the financial product you want and need. While having no credit can be better than having bad credit, you still need to start positive credit habits. Here's how to do that with a credit card:

Always pay on time. The biggest factor in your credit score is your payment history, so always paying your monthly minimum card payment on time is the best thing you can do to build credit. Setting up an autopayment could help keep you on track.
Keep your balance as low as possible. Naturally, it takes some time to establish a good payment history and a lengthy credit age (another credit scoring factor). Your credit utilization accounts for about a third of your score, and it's the biggest factor you can actively control, so it's important to pay off your card in full each month. Otherwise, keep your balance below 30 percent of your available credit if you can.
Consider keeping your first credit account open. Closing your first credit card could hurt your credit score if you don't have a lengthy credit history with more than one credit account. It could be worth keeping your starter card open until your credit profile is a bit more seasoned.

What makes a great card for no credit?

While you're researching which cards are the best fit to establish your credit profile, here are a few factors to help you determine which options are a cut above the rest.

Bankrate insight

About 28 million Americans are "credit invisible," meaning they have no traditional credit report with the three major credit bureaus. Without a documented credit history, lenders have no record of your ability to pay back debt, which could make it harder to borrow money, obtain excellent insurance coverage and some housing or job opportunities.

The data behind getting approved with no credit

If you’ve never had a credit card and have noticed the Federal Reserve keeping interest rates at the lowest point since 2023 to help curb inflation, you might be thinking that lower APRs could make now a good time to apply for your first card and establish a credit history.

But as someone with limited or no credit, you’re unlikely to be assigned a low rate. Plus, the Fed announced in its most recent meeting that it would keep rates steady since the January 2025 rate cut pause, delaying rate cuts, instead of continuing the streak of cuts we saw at the end of 2024.

With this in mind, the best time to get a credit card will depend more on how you plan to use it, whether you can afford its fees or a security deposit and if you’re confident you can pay your bill on time and in full. Beyond that, it’s helpful to have a sense of your approval odds before you apply for a given card.

Our proprietary data indicates that 13.70 percent of Bankrate users with thin credit who applied for a card on our pages were approved — a fairly low approval rate. Although it can be hard to say which individual cards offer the best approval odds, you should have a better chance with cards on this page.

Along with getting a sense of your approval odds, consider using resources like Reddit and other personal finance subreddits to hear first-hand perspectives from cardholders.

On Reddit, Discover and Chase cards are among the cards most commonly discussed and suggested as options for people with no credit. In particular, several users in the r/CreditCards subreddit praise the Discover it® Secured Credit Card and Chase Freedom Rise®. According to one commenter, the Freedom Rise is “an unsecured credit builder card without any real disadvantages when compared to ‘normal’ cards.” This could make the card a great long-term option that holds value even after you’ve built credit history.

*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Be sure to check the issuer's website/terms and conditions for all up-to-date content. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.

Learn more: How expert Ana Staples built her credit with cards

Bankrate's experience with building credit

You can choose a secured card or an unsecured card for getting started, but the right choice for you will depend on what you’re most comfortable with and what you can afford. Whichever route you take, it’s best to look for cards that offer a clear upgrade path to better cards once you’ve established a credit history and raised your score.

Bankrate experts Steve Dashiell, Benét J. Wilson and Harlan Vaughn offer insight on just how many options you have for building credit, even if you have no credit history.

Bankrate staff insights

“Rather than thinking of your lack of credit history as a negative, think of it as a blank slate. You’re unproven to most lenders, which means that while you may not qualify for some of those juicy high-earning rewards cards, you still have a variety of credit-building options available through most issuers.

And if you don’t feel comfortable managing your own credit card just yet, you can do what I did: ask to become an authorized user on a trusted family member’s credit card. This lets both of you benefit from the main cardholder’s credit habits but frees you from managing payments. Once your score improves, and you become more comfortable with how a credit card works, you can apply for a card in your own name.”

Steve Dashiell, Bankrate credit cards editor

“I got the BankAmericard® Credit Card for Students* in 1981 — during the wild west of credit cards when card companies recruited at colleges with free T-shirts, Frisbees and maybe even a beer (depending on the state's drinking age back then). You'd get a flyer with the fine print, but we were too busy tossing Frisbees to actually read it.

I got the card because my grandfather was a bank manager at Bank of America, and he walked me through the fine print (which I forgot five minutes after the lecture). Looking back, I would have chosen the same card, but I would have been a lot more responsible with it.”

Benét J. Wilson, Bankrate credit cards lead writer

“My first credit card was a Chase student card that's no longer available. I used its $500 credit limit for books and supplies in college, and I still use it regularly 22 years later after eventually upgrading it to a Chase Freedom Unlimited® card. It has served me incredibly well for over many life changes and is an anchor in my credit history.”

Harlan Vaughn, Bankrate credit cards senior editor

Frequently asked questions about credit cards for no credit history

It's possible to access a credit card without a job or a credit history. Here are a few options to consider:
- Find a co-signer: Having a co-signer on your credit card application could bolster your chances of approval depending on the strength of your co-signer’s credit history, income and other factors.
- Get a secured credit card: Rather than income, a secured credit card prioritizes whether or not you can pay a security deposit. If you can afford the upfront cost of a security deposit, then this type of card might be accessible even without a job.
- Apply for a joint credit card account: Some banks may allow you to apply for a joint credit card with someone, like a spouse or partner. Both applicants get a credit check, but the income is considered jointly.
If you don’t want a credit card or are having a hard time qualifying for one, here’s how you can build your credit without using a credit card:

How we assess the best cards for building credit

When evaluating the best cards available with a limited credit history, we consider a mix of factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether cards offer features that make it easy to build credit history while keeping costs low.

We analyzed over 50 of the most popular cards designed for people with a limited credit history and rated each based on its cost, APR, credit-building features and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup.

Here are some of the key factors that we considered:

Build credit, minimize fees

Cards available with no credit score can include no-annual-fee secured cards, pricey unsecured cards and many options in between. While fees tend to be a bit more forgiving on cards designed for people with limited credit than cards available with bad credit, cost is still a major consideration. As such, cost is a key factor in our credit-building card rating methodology, along with how easy it is to build credit with the card.

Here’s how overall scoring breaks down for credit-building cards.

Cost 45.00%
Ease of building credit 25.00%
APR 10.00%
Perks 10.00%
Customer experience 10.00%

Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email, find us on Facebook, or Tweet us @Bankrate.

*The information about the BankAmericard® Credit Card for Students, Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card, and Navy Federal Credit Union nRewards® Secured Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

We use primary sources to support our work. Bankrate’s authors, reporters and editors are subject-matter experts who thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate, timely and relevant.
1. “Financial inclusion and access to credit.” OliverWyman. Accessed on April 1, 2025.
2. “Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (Credit CARD Act).” Federal Trade Commission. Accessed on April 1, 2025.

Steve Dashiell Editor, Credit cards

Steven Dashiell is an editor for Bankrate and CreditCards.com with expertise in rewards credit cards, financial literacy, and helping consumers build and maintain their credit.

Courtney Mihocik Senior editor, credit cards

Courtney Mihocik is an editor at Bankrate Credit Cards and CreditCards.com specializing in credit card news and personal finance advice. Previously, she led insurance content at…

* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.

Best credit cards for no credit history in May 2025

+ Show Summary

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Chase Freedom Rise®

Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card with Cashback

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card

Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card

The secured Self Visa® Credit Card¹

OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card

Compare Bankrate's top credit cards for no credit history

Researching the best credit cards for no credit

How to establish credit with a credit card

What makes a great card for no credit?

Low minimum deposit

Minimal card costs

Upgrade opportunity and credit-building features

Reward opportunities

Possible preapproval

The data behind getting approved with no credit

Bankrate's experience with building credit

Bankrate staff insights

Frequently asked questions about credit cards for no credit history

How long does it take to build credit history?

Can you get a credit card with no credit history and no job?

When can you get your first credit card?

What are some credit-building alternatives to credit cards?

How we assess the best cards for building credit

Build credit, minimize fees

Relatively low cost and APR

Solid credit-building features

Relevant perks

Article sources

Best credit cards for no credit history in May 2025

+ Show Summary

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Chase Freedom Rise®

Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card with Cashback

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card

Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card

The secured Self Visa® Credit Card1

OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card

Compare Bankrate's top credit cards for no credit history

Researching the best credit cards for no credit

How to establish credit with a credit card

What makes a great card for no credit?

Low minimum deposit

Minimal card costs

Upgrade opportunity and credit-building features

Reward opportunities

Possible preapproval

The data behind getting approved with no credit

Bankrate's experience with building credit

Bankrate staff insights

Frequently asked questions about credit cards for no credit history

How long does it take to build credit history?

Can you get a credit card with no credit history and no job?

When can you get your first credit card?

What are some credit-building alternatives to credit cards?

How we assess the best cards for building credit

Build credit, minimize fees

Relatively low cost and APR

Solid credit-building features

Relevant perks

Article sources

The secured Self Visa® Credit Card¹