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The Daily Insight Hub

Can foreigners have US credit cards?

Author

William Jenkins

Updated on February 12, 2026

Though it’s not always easy, foreigners living in the United States can get a credit card. One’s immigration status will dictate the number of options available. Most immigrants and international students may be able to apply for secured credit cards or become authorized users on somebody else’s account.

How can I get a US credit card without a US address?

Without a US address, you won’t be approved for any US cards. The easiest way around this is to use the address of a friend or family member who doesn’t mind forwarding you any mail that you get.

How can a non resident get a U.S. debit card?

To open a bank account as a non-resident, you will usually need the following documents¹:

  1. Proof of address with contact information and personal details.
  2. Two forms of ID – Passport and government-issued ID or valid driver’s license.
  3. Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

Can you get a credit card if you live abroad?

So if you’re living overseas, can you apply for US cards? So regardless of where you live, in almost all cases you’ll need to have an existing credit report at a US credit agency — the major ones are Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — to be eligible for a US credit card.

How can a non resident get a US debit card?

Can you build credit history without SSN?

Building credit without a Social Security number can be quite difficult, but it isn’t impossible. Credit card issuers can’t require you to provide a Social Security number. Instead, many credit card issuers ask for an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN).

Can a non US citizen use a US credit card?

Then once you’ve actually got the card and have begun to use it, paying the bill from a non-US bank account can be problematic and expensive, especially since US credit cards must be paid using US-denominated funds. Second, it’s possible you may not see the same online credit card offers as people physically located in the US.

Can a US expat apply for a US credit card?

First, if you’re a US expat applying from overseas, you’re going to need to maintain a US address and a US bank account like Ariel does. Most banks don’t allow you to use a foreign address to apply for credit cards online, and even if they do, it’s probably not the most secure way to have a credit card physically delivered to you.

What do I need to get an American credit card?

Now, in order to have a credit card, you’ll need to have a social security number and a permanent address. To have a social security number, you’ll need to have a job in the US. There might be other ways to obtain an American credit card, but you have to be a little creative and research them on the internet.

Where can I get a credit card with no credit history?

Discover Bank is one of the banks that is great for people with no credit history to start with, though according to many data points they are not generous on credit limit. It is also easy to get a card from the bank you have your checking account opened. This article may be helpful for you to get started.