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Most credit card applications ask for a Social Security number. If you are an international student in the U.S. on an F-1, J-1, or other visa without work authorization, you may not have one. The good news: several major issuers accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead, and a growing number of fintech lenders specifically designed for immigrants and international students require neither. Here is what actually works in 2026.
ITIN vs SSN: What Credit Card Issuers Accept
An ITIN is a nine-digit tax processing number issued by the IRS for people who are required to file U.S. taxes but are not eligible for a Social Security number. International students who receive scholarships, fellowships, or other U.S.-source income typically apply for an ITIN when filing taxes.
Not all issuers treat ITINs the same way. Some accept ITINs on their application forms but run into processing issues. Others have specific programs for ITIN applicants. The clearest path to approval depends on which issuer you use and whether they have a defined process for non-SSN applications.
Best Options for International Students with an ITIN
1. Deserve EDU Mastercard — Best Overall for International Students
Deserve was built specifically for international students and does not require an SSN or U.S. credit history to apply. The EDU Mastercard uses a non-traditional underwriting model that looks at academic enrollment, anticipated income, and banking data rather than a FICO score. International students with an F-1 visa are explicitly eligible.
- Annual fee: $0
- Rewards: 1% cash back on all purchases
- SSN required: No — accepts ITIN or applies without either for eligible students
- Credit history required: No
- Security deposit: No
- Notable: $30 Amazon Prime Student reimbursement annually
This is the most accessible card for new international students who have not yet established any U.S. credit. The approval process requires proof of enrollment at a U.S. college or university.
2. Nova Credit + American Express — Best for Transferring Foreign Credit History
Nova Credit is a cross-border credit bureau that translates credit history from other countries into a U.S.-equivalent credit report. American Express, MUFG, and a handful of other issuers accept Nova Credit reports as a substitute for a U.S. credit history. If you have a credit history in your home country (India, Mexico, Canada, Australia, UK, Philippines, South Korea, Brazil, Germany, Dominican Republic, Kenya, Nigeria, and others), Nova Credit can translate it and submit it directly to American Express during the application process.
American Express cards available through Nova Credit include the Blue Cash Everyday and the Amex EveryDay. These are full unsecured credit cards with no security deposit. You still need an ITIN (or SSN) for the application, but your foreign credit history replaces the U.S. credit history requirement.
3. Petal 2 Visa — Best for Building Credit from Zero
Petal evaluates applicants using “cash score” underwriting — looking at bank account data (income, spending patterns, savings behavior) rather than requiring a credit history. Petal accepts ITIN in place of SSN for eligible applicants. The Petal 2 is an unsecured card with no annual fee and rewards that increase as you demonstrate responsible payment behavior (1% cash back rising to 1.5% after 12 on-time payments).
- Annual fee: $0
- SSN required: No — accepts ITIN
- Security deposit: No
- Credit limit: $300 to $10,000 based on cash score underwriting
- Best for: Students with a U.S. bank account and income but no credit history
4. Secured Card from a Bank Where You Already Have Accounts
If you have a checking or savings account at a major U.S. bank — Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citi — applying for their secured credit card with your existing account relationship is often more successful than applying cold with an ITIN. Banks are more willing to approve secured cards for existing customers even without SSN-based credit history, because your deposit history gives them additional information about your financial behavior.
Secured cards require a deposit (usually $200-$500) that becomes your credit limit. You use the card like a normal credit card and pay the bill monthly. After 12-18 months of on-time payments, most banks will upgrade you to an unsecured card and return your deposit.
5. Apple Card — Accepts ITIN Since 2024
Apple Card now accepts ITIN in place of SSN for applications, a change implemented in 2024. Apple Card has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, earns 2% cash back on Apple Pay purchases and 3% at Apple and select merchants. The underwriting uses Goldman Sachs’s model and looks at overall financial profile rather than just credit score, which can benefit applicants with limited U.S. credit history. Apply directly through the Wallet app on an iPhone.
What to Avoid
Cards marketed specifically to “no credit, no SSN” applicants with high fees: Some issuers charge $75-$99 annual fees, monthly maintenance fees, or high interest rates specifically targeting people with few alternatives. Check the Schumer Box (the standardized fee disclosure table) before applying. No legitimate starter card requires a $75 annual fee.
Prepaid debit cards: Prepaid cards do not build credit because they are not credit accounts. Using a prepaid card for two years does nothing for your credit file. Only credit cards (secured or unsecured) with payments reported to credit bureaus build credit.
Building Credit Faster After You Get Your First Card
- Pay the full balance every month — not just the minimum. On-time payment history is the most important factor in your credit score
- Keep utilization below 30% of your credit limit. On a $500 limit card, that means keeping balances below $150 at statement close
- Do not close the account even after upgrading — older accounts improve your average account age
- After 6-12 months of on-time payments, ask for a credit limit increase — higher limit plus same balance means lower utilization
- Check your credit report at annualcreditreport.com annually to ensure your payments are being reported correctly
How to Apply Without an SSN
When applying online, most issuers have an option to enter an ITIN in the Social Security number field. The ITIN has the same format as an SSN (nine digits) but always begins with the number 9. If the application system does not accept a number beginning with 9, call the issuer’s application line directly and ask about their ITIN application process — many issuers have a phone-based process for ITIN applicants even if the website does not flag it clearly.
For Deserve and Nova Credit, the application process is designed for non-SSN applicants from the start and does not require workarounds.
Card terms, eligibility requirements, and acceptance policies change. Verify current ITIN acceptance directly with the issuer before applying. This article is for informational purposes only. Finance Pulse may earn a commission if you apply through links on this page.
