You filed your taxes, got an ITIN, and now you're wondering if it unlocks anything beyond Form 1040-NR. Specifically, can you use it to apply for a credit card since you still don't have an SSN? The answer is more nuanced than most articles admit.
Quick answer: A small number of US credit cards accept an ITIN in place of an SSN, but the major ones (Discover, Capital One, Chase, and Citibank) do not. The cards that do accept ITINs are mostly secured cards or credit union products. For most F-1 students, the more practical path is the Deserve EDU Mastercard, which accepts a passport and skips the SSN/ITIN question entirely.
What You Need to Know First
SSN (Social Security Number) is a 9-digit number issued by the Social Security Administration to US citizens, permanent residents, and non-immigrants authorized to work (including F-1 students with campus jobs, CPT, or OPT).
**The Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a tax processing number issued by the IRS to individuals who are required to have a US taxpayer identification number but who are not eligible to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN). Many F-1 students receive an ITIN when they file Form 1040-NR using software like Sprintax or through their university tax office.
The key distinction: An SSN proves identity and employment eligibility. An ITIN proves only that you have a tax filing relationship with the IRS. They look similar (both are 9 digits in the XXX-XX-XXXX format), but they are legally and functionally different, and credit card issuers know the difference.
⚠️ Never use your ITIN in a field that says "SSN." Some students enter their ITIN where the application asks for an SSN. This can flag your application as fraudulent and potentially trigger identity review. Always use the correct number in the correct field.
Which Credit Cards Accept an ITIN for International Students?
The honest answer is: fewer than you'd expect, and not the ones most commonly recommended.
| Card | ITIN Accepted? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deserve EDU Mastercard | N/A: uses passport | Best option: no SSN or ITIN needed |
| Self Visa® Secured Card | ✅ Yes | Credit-builder focused: requires deposit |
| OpenSky® Secured Visa | ✅ Yes | No credit check, $200 deposit required |
| DCU Visa Platinum Secured | ✅ Sometimes | Credit union: varies by branch |
| Citibank (select cards) | ⚠️ Sometimes | For existing international banking clients |
| Bank of America (select cards) | ⚠️ Sometimes | Requires existing BofA relationship |
| Discover it Student | ❌ No | SSN required, ITIN not accepted |
| Capital One (any card) | ❌ No | SSN required |
| Chase (any card) | ❌ No | SSN required |
| American Express | ⚠️ Sometimes | Accepted for some applicants via Nova Credit path |
The pattern is clear: secured cards are more likely to accept ITINs than unsecured cards. This makes sense: the deposit reduces the lender's risk, so they can be more flexible on identity verification.
How to Apply for a Credit Card Using an ITIN
If you want to use your ITIN to apply for a credit card, the most reliable paths are secured cards with no credit check requirements.
OpenSky® Secured Visa is the most ITIN-friendly mainstream option. They don't pull a credit report at all: approval is based on your ability to fund the deposit ($200 minimum). An ITIN is accepted for identity purposes. The card reports to all three major credit bureaus, so it builds your US credit file just like any other card.
Here's the process:
- Go to openskycc.com and click "Apply Now"
- When asked for your SSN, enter your ITIN in the same format (XXX-XX-XXXX) and note it in the ITIN field if one is provided
- Choose your security deposit amount ($200–$3,000)
- Fund the deposit with a debit card or bank transfer
- Receive your card in 7–14 business days
Self Visa® Secured Card takes a different approach. You first open a Self Credit Builder Account (an installment loan), make monthly payments for 3 months, and then unlock the Self Visa as an add-on. The Self card accepts ITINs. This path is slower but builds two types of credit simultaneously: a credit card and an installment loan.
Why Don't Major Card Issuers Accept ITINs?
The practical reason is regulatory. Major card issuers like Chase, Capital One, and Discover use SSNs for Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance: the federal requirement to verify customer identity before opening a financial account. Their systems are built around SSN verification, and accepting ITINs would require additional compliance infrastructure most large issuers haven't built.
A secondary reason: an ITIN holder may not be authorized to work in the US. Card issuers use SSNs partly because employment eligibility verification is easier with SSNs. ITIN holders include both authorized workers (F-1s with campus jobs who happen to also have an ITIN) and non-authorized individuals, which creates a more complex underwriting picture.
This isn't a judgment about ITIN holders. It's a compliance and infrastructure decision made at the bank level.
What's Better: ITIN Path or Passport Path?
For most F-1 students, the passport path through Deserve EDU is dramatically better than the ITIN path through secured cards. Here's why:
-
Deserve EDU (passport):
-
Unsecured: no deposit required
-
$0 annual fee
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1% cash back on all purchases
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Reports to all three credit bureaus
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Apply online in 10 minutes
-
OpenSky Secured (ITIN):
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Secured: $200 deposit required (your money is tied up)
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$35 annual fee
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No rewards
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Reports to all three credit bureaus
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Apply online
If you're choosing between these two paths and you don't have an SSN yet, the Deserve EDU wins in every category except one: if for some reason your Deserve EDU application is denied (rare but possible), the OpenSky Secured is a reliable fallback that doesn't require a credit check.
Can You Get an ITIN as an F-1 Student?
Yes. F-1 students who need to file a US tax return (which is required even if you earned no US income, via Form 8843) may need an ITIN if they have any US-sourced income from scholarships, fellowships, or investments that requires tax filing beyond Form 8843.
To get an ITIN as an F-1 student, you'll need:
- Completed IRS Form W-7
- Your passport (original or certified copy)
- A completed US tax return (1040-NR) or documentation showing tax treaty benefits
- Proof of foreign status (your I-20 and visa)
You submit these by mail to the IRS, through an IRS Certifying Acceptance Agent (many universities have one), or in person at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center.
Processing time: 7–11 weeks during peak tax season (January–April), 4–6 weeks off-peak.
⚠️ Timing note: If you applied for your ITIN to file taxes and you're now applying for a credit card, you can use it immediately: there's no waiting period after receiving your ITIN.
Whether you use an SSN or ITIN to build credit, the goal is the same: a strong US credit score that opens doors to better financial opportunities. Read our guide on how to file taxes on OPT as an F-1 student.
Real Student Scenarios
Priya's situation: Priya had an ITIN from filing her first-year taxes but no SSN yet. She applied for Deserve EDU with her passport (no ITIN or SSN needed) and was approved within an hour. She didn't pursue the secured card route because the Deserve EDU gave her the same credit-building result without tying up $200. When her SSN arrived from her campus job, she applied for Discover it Student and now runs both cards.
Wei's situation: Wei has neither an ITIN nor an SSN in his first semester, he hasn't worked and isn't required to file taxes yet. He opened Deserve EDU with his passport alone. His Deserve EDU was his only credit card for 10 months until he got his SSN through his CPT internship.
Sanjay's situation: Sanjay received an ITIN after filing Form 1040-NR with a $1,200 fellowship stipend. He tried using his ITIN for a Discover it Student application: it was rejected. He then applied for the OpenSky Secured Visa with his ITIN, put down a $200 deposit, and used it for 8 months before getting his SSN and switching to Discover it Student. His OpenSky card remains open and continues aging in his credit file.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Entering your ITIN in a field labeled "Social Security Number." Fix: Only enter your ITIN where the application specifically mentions ITIN or a taxpayer ID. Never substitute an ITIN where SSN is explicitly required, this can be flagged as fraudulent.
2. Assuming an ITIN gives you the same access as an SSN for credit cards. Fix: It doesn't. Most major card issuers require SSNs specifically. An ITIN helps only with secured and niche products.
3. Getting a secured card with ITIN when Deserve EDU was an option. Fix: Check Deserve EDU first. It's unsecured, has no annual fee, and requires only your passport. The $200 deposit in a secured card is opportunity cost.
4. Paying the $35/year OpenSky annual fee indefinitely. Fix: Once you get your SSN, graduate to a no-fee card (Discover, Capital One) and close the OpenSky, or downgrade if they offer a no-fee version.
5. Not applying for your SSN the moment you're eligible. Fix: The SSN unlocks far more: Discover, Capital One, Chase, and eventually premium travel cards. Apply the same week you start your on-campus job or receive your EAD card.
Bottom Line
An ITIN can get you a secured credit card in the US, specifically OpenSky and Self, but it won't get you the cards most worth having. If you have an ITIN and no SSN: apply for Deserve EDU first (no ITIN or SSN needed, just your passport). If you get rejected, fall back to OpenSky Secured using your ITIN. Either way, your clock is ticking toward your SSN: the moment it arrives, apply for Discover it Student.
The ITIN pathway is genuinely useful in a narrow set of cases, but I've seen too many students tie up $200 in a deposit and pay annual fees when the Deserve EDU was sitting there the whole time. Check the passport-only option before you commit to a secured card.
FAQ
Q: Can I use an ITIN to apply for a credit card as an international student? A: Yes, but only for a limited number of cards: primarily secured cards like OpenSky Secured Visa and Self Visa. Major issuers like Discover, Capital One, and Chase require a Social Security Number and do not accept ITINs.
Q: Is an ITIN the same as an SSN for credit card applications? A: No. An ITIN is a tax identification number issued for tax filing purposes only. An SSN is an identity and employment eligibility number. Most major credit card issuers specifically require an SSN and will reject applications that use an ITIN in the SSN field.
Q: What is the easiest credit card to get as an international student without an SSN or ITIN? A: The Deserve EDU Mastercard. It accepts your passport for identity verification: no SSN or ITIN required. It's unsecured (no deposit), has no annual fee, and reports to all three credit bureaus.
Q: Does having an ITIN help my credit score? A: An ITIN itself does not affect your credit score. What matters is having a credit account that reports to the bureaus. Whether you use an SSN or ITIN to open that account, the payment history is what builds your score.
Q: When should I apply for an SSN instead of relying on an ITIN? A: As soon as you're eligible: the moment you receive work authorization (on-campus job, CPT, or OPT). An SSN unlocks the full range of US financial products, including the best student credit cards. Apply at your local Social Security Administration office with your passport, I-20, and employment verification letter.
