Credit Cards for New Immigrants in the U.S.: Build Credit Fast in 2025

Credit Cards for New Immigrants in the U.S.: Build Credit Fast in 2025

Moving to the United States as a new immigrant comes with many challenges – and building a credit history is one of the biggest. A good credit score is essential for things like renting an apartment, getting a car loan, or even a cellphone plan. However, newcomers often have no U.S. credit record, making it hard to qualify for traditional credit cards. The catch-22 is that you need a credit card or loan to build credit, but lenders hesitate to give you credit without a history. Fortunately, in 2025 there are credit card options specifically designed to help new immigrants and people with no credit build credit fast. In this guide, we’ll explain how to start building credit from scratch and review some of the best credit cards for new immigrants in the U.S.

Why Credit History Matters and the Newcomer Challenge

In the U.S., your credit score (often the FICO score) is a numerical summary of how reliably you pay back borrowed money. It ranges from 300 to 850, and a higher score unlocks better financial opportunities.

Importance of Credit: A good credit score can get you approved for loans and credit cards with lower interest rates. It can also be checked by landlords, utility companies, and even employers. Essentially, it’s a key to financial trustworthiness.
New Immigrant Hurdle: When you arrive in the U.S., you likely have a blank credit report. Even if you had an excellent credit history in your home country, U.S. banks and credit bureaus generally won’t consider it (with a few exceptions if using special services). This means you start at ground zero.
Standard Credit Card Approval: Most prime credit cards require an established credit history and a Social Security Number (SSN) for the application. New immigrants might not have an SSN yet (some may have an ITIN, an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, which many issuers do accept in place of SSN). Plus, without a credit score, approvals are tough.

Given these challenges, it’s important to actively work on building credit as soon as you can. The good news: by using the right credit card products and strategies, you can establish a solid credit score within 6 to 12 months.

How to Start Building Credit from Scratch (Fast!)

Before we dive into specific cards, here are a few quick strategies new immigrants can use to build credit:

Apply for a Starter Credit Card: These include secured credit cards, student credit cards, or special cards for people with no credit. We’ll cover many of these options below. Use the card for small purchases and pay the bill on time every month.
Become an Authorized User: If you have a family member or close friend in the U.S. with a good credit card, they can add you as an authorized user on their account. You’ll get a card in your name linked to their account. Their card history can start to appear on your credit report, jump-starting your score (make sure they have a good track record!). This is a quick way to establish credit without even having your own card initially.
Use Credit-Building Tools: Some banks and fintech companies offer credit-builder loans or services that report activities to credit bureaus. For example, a small secured loan or services that report your rent payments can help generate a credit history. While not a credit card, these can complement your efforts.
Pay On Time, Every Time: This is crucial. Your payment history is the number one factor in your credit score. Even if you can only get a card with a $300 limit, treat it like gold – never miss a payment and ideally pay the balance in full each month.
Keep Balances Low: Another major credit factor is credit utilization – the percentage of your credit limit you use. If you have a $300 limit, try not to carry a balance above $90 (30%). Using less of your available credit and paying it off shows you’re responsible.

By following these practices, many newcomers find they can go from no credit to a fair or good credit score within a year. Now, let’s look at some of the best credit card options to get you started on that journey in 2025.

Best Credit Cards for New Immigrants to Build Credit (2025)

The following credit cards are well-suited for people with no U.S. credit history. Some are secured credit cards (which require a refundable security deposit), while others are unsecured cards designed for newcomers. All of them report to the major credit bureaus, which is essential for building your credit profile.

1. Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Why It’s Great: The Discover it Secured is often recommended as one of the top starter cards. It’s a secured credit card, meaning you put down a security deposit (minimum $200, which becomes your credit limit), but it offers features you’d expect from a regular credit card.

No Annual Fee & Rewards: This card has no annual fee, so it doesn’t cost you anything to carry. Uniquely for a secured card, it pays cash back rewards: 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to a combined $1,000 in purchases each quarter), and 1% on everything else. Plus, Discover matches all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year (a nice bonus for new cardholders).
Credit Reporting: Discover reports your payments to all three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion), which will build your credit history as you use the card responsibly.
Upgrade Path: Discover will start reviewing your account after seven months to see if you qualify to “graduate” to an unsecured card. If you’ve been paying on time, they may convert you to an unsecured Discover card and refund your deposit. This is a key benefit – it means the card can grow with you.
No SSN for Application: Discover does require an SSN or ITIN to apply. If you don’t have an SSN yet, an ITIN is acceptable. Many new immigrants obtain an ITIN through filing taxes or other means if not eligible for an SSN.
Extra Perks: You get a free FICO credit score each month on your statement, which is helpful to track your progress. Discover’s customer service is U.S.-based and highly rated, which can be comforting when you’re new to the credit system.

Bottom line: The Discover it Secured is a top-notch card to start your credit journey. Use it for routine expenses (like groceries or utility bills), pay it off monthly, and you’ll build credit while even earning some cash back.

2. Capital One Quicksilver Secured Rewards Credit Card

Why It’s Great: Capital One is known for being more accessible to people with limited or no credit. The Quicksilver Secured card, introduced in recent years, is an excellent secured card that also earns rewards.

Cash Back & No Fees: This card earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases – a simple, flat reward rate. There’s no annual fee. Earning rewards on a secured card is a big plus, as not all secured cards offer them.
Security Deposit: The minimum deposit can be as low as $200 (for a $200 credit line). Some applicants may be required to deposit more, depending on their qualifications. Capital One will indicate what you qualify for. One nice feature: you might get a higher credit line than your deposit (for example, some people put down $200 and receive a $500 credit limit based on Capital One’s evaluation).
Credit Building: Capital One reports to all major bureaus. They are also known for reviewing accounts for credit line increases. After as few as 6 months, you might be automatically considered for a higher credit limit (without additional deposit) if you use the card responsibly.
Upgrade Possibility: Capital One doesn’t guarantee graduation to an unsecured card, but many users report being offered an upgrade to the unsecured Quicksilver (the regular one) or another Capital One card after several months of on-time payments.
Ease of Application: Capital One allows the use of an ITIN if you don’t have an SSN yet. They also don’t require U.S. credit history—this card is designed for those establishing credit. However, you will need a U.S. bank account to fund the security deposit.
Additional Benefits: You get the standard Mastercard or Visa benefits (Capital One issues Quicksilver on either network). That includes things like $0 fraud liability and access to your credit score via Capital One’s CreditWise app.

Bottom line: The Capital One Quicksilver Secured is a fantastic option for new immigrants – you can start with a modest deposit and earn unlimited 1.5% cashback. Its straightforward approach and Capital One’s reputation for giving newcomers a chance make it a go-to choice.

3. Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa Credit Card

Why It’s Great: The Petal 2 Visa is an unsecured credit card (no deposit required) that was created for people with no credit history. Petal (backed by WebBank) uses a unique underwriting approach: they can evaluate your banking history (with your permission) to determine creditworthiness.

No Fees: As the name suggests, Petal 2 has no fees at all – no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, no late payment fees. (Of course, you should still pay on time to build credit, but the lack of punitive fees is forgiving if you make a mistake.)
Cash Back Rewards: Petal 2 offers 1% cash back on purchases right away. Then, as a reward for good payment history, it increases to up to 1.5% cash back after 12 on-time monthly payments. They also have select merchants where you can earn 2% - 10% back through their offers.
Credit Reporting: Petal reports to all three credit bureaus, helping you build credit. Since it’s unsecured, your starting credit limit could be higher than a typical secured card. Petal’s credit limits range roughly from $300 up to $10,000 depending on your financial picture.
No Credit Required: Petal is marketed to those with no prior credit. When you apply, they may do a “cash flow underwriting” – meaning if you link your bank account, Petal’s algorithm analyzes your income and expenses to decide if you’re creditworthy. This is perfect for someone new to the country who might have a job and income, but no credit score.
Application Needs: You will need an SSN or ITIN to apply. Petal’s application process is fully online, and they’ll do a soft credit check initially (which doesn’t affect your credit score) to let you know if you’re pre-approved and what terms you might get. If you accept, then a hard inquiry is done.
Modern App: Petal has a sleek mobile app that helps you track spending, due dates, and even provides a “Petal Leap” program that sets goals for you to increase your cash back percentage by making timely payments.

Bottom line: Petal 2 is ideal for new immigrants who already have U.S. income or a steady cash flow. It lets you skip the deposit requirement and still get a decent credit line to start. Just remember to use it responsibly, because it’s easy to spend when you have a larger credit limit.

4. Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students

Why It’s Great: The Deserve EDU card is designed specifically for international students studying in the U.S., but any student (international or domestic) with limited credit can apply. What makes it stand out is that no SSN is required for international students – you can apply with your passport, student visa, and proof of school enrollment.

No Annual Fee & Rewards: Deserve EDU has no annual fee. It offers 1% cash back on all purchases – a simple rewards structure. Additionally, as a perk, they give students a free year of Amazon Prime Student (reimbursed as statement credit) after you spend a certain amount in the first three months. This is a nice bonus, especially if you order textbooks or supplies from Amazon.
Credit Building: Deserve reports to the credit bureaus, so using this card will start building your credit. Many international students use it as their first U.S. credit card because of the easy acceptance criteria.
No Credit History Needed: Deserve evaluates applications by looking at factors like your school, major, graduation date, and any available U.S. financial info (they may ask for bank statements or proof of income such as an on-campus job or assistantship, but many students get approved without income).
Credit Limit: Typical starting limits range around $500 to a few thousand dollars, depending on your profile. This is an unsecured card, so no deposit is needed.
Application Requirements: You’ll need to upload copies of your passport, student visa, and I-20 or DS-2019 (forms that prove you’re a student) if you don’t have an SSN. The process is pretty straightforward online.
Future Opportunities: Using Deserve EDU responsibly can help you later qualify for other cards or even Deserve’s non-student card (Deserve Pro) once you graduate and have income.

Bottom line: If you’re an international student, Deserve EDU is tailor-made for you – it removes the biggest barriers (SSN and credit history) and gives you a useful credit card that will establish your credit quickly. Even if you’re not a student, there are other similar fintech cards emerging that use alternative criteria to approve applicants.

5. Chime Credit Builder Visa Card

Why It’s Great: The Chime Credit Builder card is a newer type of secured credit card that’s very friendly to those just starting out. It’s technically a secured card, but it works a bit differently than others: you don’t have a fixed credit limit or interest, because you can only spend what you’ve moved into the Credit Builder account.

No Credit Check to Apply: Chime does not run a credit check for this card. That means any credit profile (even completely blank or bad credit) can get it. This is excellent for new immigrants who might otherwise get denied by other issuers.
No Fees or Interest: There’s no annual fee, no interest charges (because you’re not technically borrowing money in the traditional sense – it’s your money being used as collateral in real time). You transfer money from your Chime spending account to your Credit Builder account, and that amount becomes your spending limit on the card. At the end of the month, they automatically use those funds to pay off your balance. It’s impossible to overspend or carry a balance, which enforces good habits.
Credit Reporting: Chime reports your Credit Builder card usage to all three credit bureaus. People using this card have reported significant jumps in their credit scores over a few months, largely because it guarantees a perfect payment record if used correctly (since it auto-pays from your secured funds).
Requires Chime Account & Direct Deposit: To get the Credit Builder card, you need to open a Chime Spending Account (which is a free online checking account) and receive at least one direct deposit of $200 or more. This means you’d need a U.S. source of income (like a job that pays via direct deposit). Once that first deposit hits, you’re eligible to apply for the Credit Builder Visa.
Usage: You can use the Chime card like any Visa credit card, anywhere Visa is accepted. A smart strategy is to use it for one or two recurring expenses (like gas or a utility bill) each month, let it auto-pay, and thus generate a steady history.

Bottom line: Chime Credit Builder is a powerful tool for someone who has a steady paycheck and wants a nearly foolproof way to build credit. It’s great for new immigrants who have started working in the U.S., even if they can’t get approved for a normal card yet. Just note the requirement to set up direct deposit into Chime.

6. Firstcard Secured Credit Card (No SSN Required)

Why It’s Great: Firstcard is a newer entrant aimed squarely at international individuals and students. It’s a secured Mastercard that stands out because it explicitly accepts applicants without an SSN – you can use your passport and U.S. visa to apply.

Build Credit with No Credit Check: Firstcard does not run a hard credit inquiry, so applying won’t hurt your (nonexistent) credit score. They’re looking to provide a starting point, not judge your past.
Security Deposit & Limit: You’ll need to provide a security deposit (it can be as low as $100). That deposit determines your credit limit. The card has an annual fee of $0 for the basic version (there are also “Plus” and “Premium” tiers with monthly fees that offer some extra perks like higher savings interest or more cashback, but as a new credit-builder, you can stick to the free plan).
0% APR: Interestingly, Firstcard markets a 0% APR. This is because, like Chime, they actually prevent you from overspending beyond your deposited amount, so there’s no carried balance accruing interest. Essentially it functions more like a charge card where you must pay in full.
Cashback: Firstcard offers some cashback rewards – up to 1% on all purchases (if you are on their premium plan; the free plan might have lower or variable cashback with “random” rewards). They also advertise up to 15% back at select merchants which could be useful.
Credit Reporting: The card reports to the credit bureaus, helping you establish a credit history quickly.
Extra Features: Firstcard comes with a mobile app that lets you track your spending, and they provide credit score monitoring in-app. Your funds in the account are FDIC-insured up to $250k (in case you were worried about the security of your deposit).
Application: Since you can apply with just passport/visa, this is very accessible early on. For example, if you’re a recent immigrant on a work visa or an international student who hasn’t gotten an SSN yet, you could start with Firstcard to get the ball rolling on credit.

Bottom line: Firstcard is tailored to the needs of newcomers. It requires some upfront money (as do all secured cards) but removes the SSN and credit history barriers entirely. It’s a strong option to consider alongside more established players like Discover and Capital One, especially in 2025 as it’s gaining popularity.

Tips for Using Your New Credit Card to Build Credit Fast

Getting a credit card is just the first step. How you use it will determine how fast and how well your credit score grows:

Always Pay On Time: This cannot be stressed enough. Enable automatic payments or reminders so you never miss a due date. Even one payment reported late can seriously set back your credit-building efforts.
Keep Utilization Low: If your card has a $500 limit, try not to let the balance go much above $150 before paying it down. You don’t have to wait for the monthly statement; you can make multiple payments in a month to keep the balance low relative to the limit.
Don’t Max Out the Card: Using the full limit regularly (even if you pay it all off) can sometimes hurt your score or raise eyebrows with the issuer. It’s okay to use the card actively, but making a payment before the statement closes can help lower the reported balance.
Avoid Unnecessary Applications: Each time you apply for a credit card, it can put a small dent in your credit score (a hard inquiry). As a newcomer, stick to one or two good starter cards. Don’t apply for every card under the sun – build with the ones you have, and after a year you can try for a better, unsecured card.
Mix It Up Over Time: As you establish credit, having a mix of credit types can boost your score. This might include a credit card and later perhaps a small auto loan or credit-builder loan. But don’t rush into loans you don’t need; only take on credit that makes sense for your life.
Monitor Your Credit: Use free tools (like Credit Karma, or the free FICO score from Discover or Capital One) to track your credit. Watch for errors – if something looks wrong (e.g., a payment marked late when you paid on time), you have the right to dispute it and fix your report.

By using your new credit card wisely, you’ll likely see your credit score climb into the high 600s or even 700+ within a year or so. At that point, you’ll have more options – you could apply for prime credit cards with better rewards or a higher limit, and you’ll find other aspects of life (loans, rentals) become easier too.

Conclusion

Starting from zero credit can feel daunting, but in 2025 new immigrants have more credit-building tools at their disposal than ever before. By choosing the right credit cards – whether it’s a secured card like the Discover it Secured or Capital One Quicksilver Secured, an alternative no-credit-needed card like Petal 2 or Deserve EDU, or newer fintech options like Chime Credit Builder or Firstcard – you can quickly establish a positive credit history.

Remember, the key is to use credit cautiously and deliberately: spend only what you can afford, pay your bills on time, and keep your balances low. With those habits, you’ll send all the right signals to the credit bureaus. Before you know it, you’ll graduate from starter cards to regular unsecured credit cards, and you’ll be eligible for things like auto loans or mortgages at competitive rates.

Building credit is truly a step-by-step process, but every on-time payment is a step in the right direction. Embrace the process, keep an eye on your goals, and welcome to the U.S. financial system – may your credit journey be successful and your opportunities plentiful in your new home

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