Top credit cards for international students without SSN (2024)

If you’re an international student in the US to further your education, you’re in for a great experience. However, there are some practical considerations which can be tougher when you’re overseas compared to in your home country. One common issue is getting a credit card for international students in the USA without an SSN.

If that sounds like you, you're in the right place, as we’ll round up the best credit cards for international students without an SSN, and also introduce the Wise Account and international debit card if you’re more in the market for a low cost debit option.

Learn more about Wise

What's an SSN?

A Social Security Number — or SSN — is normally issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) for US citizens and people in the country with the right to work.

It’s used to identify you, and to file your taxes. Because most US residents have an SSN, it’s commonly asked for as a form of ID when opening a bank account, getting a credit card or opening other types of official accounts.

Can international students have an SSN?

According to the SSA, international students who have a visa class which allows them to work legally may be able to apply for an SSN. In this case you’ll probably have F-1 or M-1 status, and you’ll need to apply for your Social Security Number online¹.

What does US banking look like if you're an international student without a social security number?

As an international student in the US you’ll likely face a couple of banking challenges — not having the paperwork you need to get services from regular banks (like your SSN or proof of address) — and no local credit history.

If you’re not eligible for an SSN, you may still be able to apply for a tax identification number from the IRS (Internal Revenue Service)². This is commonly referred to as an ITIN, an individual taxpayer identity number. In some cases you’ll be able to use your ITIN in place of an SSN.

You may also be able to use proof of address from your home country to access some services — particularly if you choose a provider which is experienced in supporting international students, expats and travelers.

Overcoming the issue of credit history can be trickier. Using a secured credit card, paying your bills on time, and increasing your income can all help to rapidly build a credit score here in the US, giving you broader access to other options like consumer and secured credit when you need it.

It’s also good to know that some credit card issuers like American Express can take into account international credit history from a range of countries, which may help you clear this hurdle when the time comes.

How to get a credit card without a SSN

When it comes to getting a credit card without an SSN you’ll probably have a few different options:

• Choose a provider which allows you to use your ITIN instead of an SSN

• Get a specialist credit card for international students, which doesn’t need an SSN

• Become an additional card holder on a US family member’s account

We’ll cover some good options for credit cards from specialists and major banks which may be worth a look, a little later. The third option may also apply if you’ve got close friends or family in the US who may be willing to add you as an authorized user onto their credit cards.

Of course, this isn’t right — or possible — for everyone, but may be an option to consider depending on your personal situation.

More of a debit card person? Get a Wise card

Credit cards aren’t the best choice in all situations. You may end up with high fees for spending and withdrawals, and could run up interest charges or penalties if you can’t pay on time.

If you’re looking for a low cost — and low risk — alternative, check out the Wise Account and international debit card. Just use your ID and proof of address* from your home country to open an account online or in the Wise app in just a few minutes.

With your Wise Account you can hold 50+ currencies, get local bank details to get paid like a local in 30+ countries, and order a linked international debit card for spending and withdrawals in 170+ countries.

Whenever you need to switch currencies — or send or receive payments from your home country — you’ll get the mid-market exchange rate and low, transparent fees that can beat the banks.

There are no fees to open or maintain your account, and no minimum balance, making this an easy, cheap and convenient way to manage your money across currencies.

Get a Wise Account
in minutes 🚀

Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information

What are some of the best credit cards for international students without SSN?

Let’s take a look at some ideas for credit cards for international students who don’t have an SSN.

Discover Student Cards

Discover has a couple of credit cards which are aimed at students: the Student Cash Back card, and the Chrome for Students card³.

With the cash back card you can earn up to 5% on your spending, with the places you can earn changing every quarter. On the Chrome card, you can get 2% cash back on specific spending on fuel and eating out.

Discover student cards do require a credit check, but there’s the possibility that you’ll get a card issued even if you don’t meet the minimum credit score, as other factors are also taken into account when assessing applications⁴.

Apply using your ITIN in place of an SSN, as long as you’re over 18 and a US resident.

• Card APR: variable fee of 15.99% to 24.99%⁵
• Card fees: 10 USD or 5% cash advance fee, up to 41 USD late payment fee
• Credit check required? Yes, but you may still get a card with little to no US credit history

Citi Simplicity Card

Citi allows you to enter an ITIN in place of an SSN, which means you may be able to get a credit card approved even as an international student.

Check out the other eligibility criteria to help you pick one — or take a look at our selection, the Citi Simplicity Card⁶.

This card has no annual fee, no penalty fee and no late fee — making it a pretty safe way to manage your money.

Keep on top of your bills to build your credit history, with peace of mind that you won’t need to pay a fee if you’re a bit late clearing your balance.

• Card APR: variable fee of 16.99% to 27.74%
• Card fees: 10 USD or 5% cash advance fee, 3% foreign transaction fee
• Credit check required? Yes

Chase Freedom Student Credit Card

Chase will let you apply for a credit card with an ITIN — but remember, if you’re under 21 you might have to provide some proof of income or have a cosigner to get your card⁷.

A good one to look at is the Chase Freedom Student Credit Card⁸ which has one of the best available APRs, at 17.99%⁹ at the time of writing, with similar fees to most other competitor products.

You’ll also get free access to your credit score, a limit increase as long as you pay on time, and a bonus of 20 USD a year if you keep your account in good standing. A great way to boost your credit score and earn a few dollars, at the same time.

• Card APR: 17.99%
• Card fees: 10 USD or 5% cash advance fee, 3% foreign transaction fee, up to 40 USD late payment fee
• Credit check required? Yes

Bank of America Travel Rewards Card

Bank of America may allow you to get a credit card with an ITIN instead of an SSN as long as you meet all the other eligibility requirements for the specific card.

We’ve picked out the Bank of America Travel Rewards Card¹⁰ as a good option for international students, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, plus an opportunity to earn rewards on spending.

• Card APR: variable fee of 16.99% to 26.99%¹¹
• Card fees: 10 USD or 3% cash advance fee, up to 40 USD late payment fee
• Credit check required? Yes

American Express Blue Cash Everyday

American Express may be able to use your local credit history from your home country¹², which can mean getting easy access to a credit card with a decent limit, with no SSN.

This service is specifically for newcomers to the US, and can apply across many Amex products — although the one we’ve picked out as a top credit card for international students is the Blue Cash Everyday¹³. This card has no annual fee, and cash back opportunities on spending of up to 3%.

• Card APR: variable fee of 16.99% to 27.99%¹⁴
• Card fees: 10 USD or 5% cash advance fee, 2.7% foreign transaction fee, up to 40 USD late payment fee
• Credit check required? Yes, credit history from your home country may be admissible

Deserve Student Card

The Deserve Student card¹⁵ is our last pick, with Amazon Prime Student for a year, no foreign transaction fee, and no annual fee to pay.

There are a few limits on this account as compared to other credit cards — such as no balance transfers or cash advances — but the upside to this is lower fees.

International students can apply in the Deserve app with an ITIN and with no worries about not having an SSN.

• Card APR: 21.74%¹⁶
• Card fees: up to 25 USD late fees
• Credit check required? yes, but you can pre qualify without impacting your credit score

How can you build your credit in the US?

You might want to get a US credit card in order to build a credit history in the US. This is useful to access other products like loans and mortgages, and may even be a factor in finding a job or a place to live.

Here are a few tips on how to build your US credit score more easily as an international student or expat new arrival:

See if you can transfer your local credit history to the US, or pick a provider which will take international credit history into account Get a secured credit card which lets you quickly build a credit score as long as you repay your bills on time every time Upgrade to a regular credit card when you’re able to, and keep an eye out for products with higher credit limits, as these can also help build your history Make sure you’re up to date with your rent — late rental payments can also negatively impact your credit score Don’t max out your credit, and make sure you’re on top of all the payments and deadlines — always talk to the card issuer if you’re struggling to pay Learn about credit scores, how they work and how you can monitor yours, using the US government information available online¹⁷

---

Getting a credit card as an international student in the US can help you build a local credit history — handy for future loans and access to credit.

While you’ll usually need an SSN, as well as a US credit history, to get a credit card here, there are providers which have come up with alternative application options for people who may not have a local credit score, or who have an ITIN rather than an SSN.

That means that with a bit of research you should be able to find a credit card even with no social security information to hand.

If you’re not so worried about building a credit score — or if you simply need a better way to manage your money across currencies — you may prefer the Wise Account and international debit card.

Get an account online or in the Wise app — and even before you move to the US** — to get a USD balance, and local US bank details to get paid fee free.

---

Sources:

1. SSA - SSN for non citizens
2. IRS - ITIN
3. Discover student cards
4. Discover student card - FAQ
5. Discover application terms
6. Citi Simplicity Card
7. Chase - Financial education
8. Chase Freedom Student Credit Card
9. Chase Freedom Student Credit Card fees
10. Bank of America Travel Rewards Card
11. Bank of America Travel Rewards Card fees
12. American express - FAQ
13. American Express Blue Cash Everyday
14. American Express Blue Cash Everyday - Fees
15. Deserve Student Card
16. Deserve Student Card fees
17. US government - Credit score information

* Wise may request additional documents to verify a customer's identity

** Eligibility is subject to verification of customers identity

Sources checked on 12.07.2022