Beginner’s Guide: How to Build Credit in the U.S. Without an SSN

About SSNs and Credit History

SSN stands for Social Security Number. In the U.S., it is essentially a personal credit “ID,” and it can be used to look up your credit history. How important is your credit history? For example, when applying for a mortgage or auto loan, the interest rate you get depends heavily on your credit record. And if you want to apply for premium credit cards or other “good cards,” having a strong credit history is also very helpful.

But do you absolutely need an SSN, this “ID card,” in order to build credit? The answer is no. After all, an SSN is just a small identifier used to look up your history based on personal information such as your name, date of birth, and address history. So how can you build credit without an SSN?

This article introduces a few methods for readers who cannot get an SSN in the near term but still want to start building credit. That said, if you can work on campus or are about to start a summer internship/job and expect to get an SSN soon, the best move right now is probably to wait until you receive your SSN and then apply for a card like Discover it, which is often easy to get for students with no credit history who have school jobs such as TA or RA positions. Once you have built some credit history, you can then apply for stronger cards such as AMEX Blue Cash EveryDay.

Bank Secured Cards That Don’t Require an SSN

Visit branches of major banks and ask about applying for a secured card. Some secured cards do not require you to provide an SSN when applying, such as certain options from BofA and Citi.

A secured card reports to the three major credit bureaus just like a regular credit card. That means your payment history on a secured card affects your credit score too: paying on time can help your score, while missing payments can hurt it. Prepaid cards, by contrast, are not reported to the credit bureaus, because you are spending your own money rather than borrowing. That is why secured cards are often used by people with poor credit or no credit history to slowly build or repair credit. Note that this type of card is not a true unsecured credit card: you need to deposit money first and then spend against that deposit. Its main purpose is to help you build credit. In many cases, after 1-2 years, the card can be converted into a regular credit card.

• Introduction to Secured Cards

Pros: A credit card in your own name; builds credit history.

Cons: Requires a deposit; some have annual fees; almost no cash back; very low credit limit.

Student Credit Cards That Don’t Require an SSN

Local banks

Go to a bank branch and ask whether you can apply for a student credit card. Usually, these student cards can be issued without an SSN, though it is generally more convenient if you already have a checking account with that bank. Typically, the staff will need to make copies of your passport, visa, and other documents before processing the application. These are standard credit cards that can help build credit, but the rewards such as cash back are usually fairly limited.

• Chase Freedom student credit card
• BofA Cash Rewards (usually requires substantial deposits and/or a good relationship with your banker)
• Capital One Journey Students Rewards credit card
• Student version of Citi thank you preferred [discontinued]

Using BofA Cash Rewards as an example: if you do not have an SSN, you can open a checking account with BofA and apply in person for the BofA Cash Rewards Student version. If you have a sizable deposit or a good relationship with your banker, some bankers may be able to approve this card for you directly.

Pros: A credit card in your own name; builds credit history; no annual fee.

Cons: Low cash back; low credit limit.

Apply online

There is also the Deserve (EDU) credit card, which can be applied for online and is designed specifically for international students.

Pros: $30 upon approval; helps build credit history; reimburses Amazon Prime membership; No Foreign Transaction Fee (FTF); designed for international students; no annual fee

Cons: U.S. citizens and green card holders need an SSN to apply for this card; credit limit is not high

Become an Authorized User on a Family Member’s or Friend’s Existing Credit Card

If a family member or friend already has a credit card, becoming an authorized user on their card can also be a good option. After you are added, the credit bureaus may connect your name, date of birth, and address and create a credit report for you, allowing you to build credit history. One important condition: the primary cardholder needs to pay on time and have a decent credit score. Otherwise, it could negatively affect your own credit.

Pros: Can help you build credit history quickly; it is somewhat like having someone “vouch” for you (which shows how important the primary cardholder’s credit history is).

Cons: You need to ask someone else for help; you should confirm their credit history before being added; rewards earned from spending generally go to the primary cardholder.

Pay Rent and Utility Bills on Time in Your Own Name

Generally speaking, when you pay utility bills for your apartment or house, you need to open an account, for example with EverSource. That may count as a new account on your credit record, and each on-time payment helps build your credit history.

Some of my friends have also said that if you sign a lease with a formal property management company, paying rent on time may also show up on your credit record. Note that simply transferring money to a private landlord generally does not count.

Pros: You have to pay rent and utility bills anyway.

Cons: When you move, remember to cancel the utility accounts tied to your old address.

Use Financing When Buying Things

When buying a phone, especially an iPhone, you can try using financing from Apple itself or from carriers such as Verizon.

Pros: Lets you finance purchases in installments and reduce immediate financial pressure.

Cons: You may need to pay extra interest with each installment.

Have an International AMEX Card Before Coming to the U.S.

Currently, applicants from Australia, Canada, India, Mexico, and the UK who have local credit history in their home country may apply online for a U.S. American Express card through official public or referral links from AMEX. In other words, AMEX can use an international credit report provided by a third party to decide whether to approve you for a U.S. credit card. Other than that, the rest of the application information is the same. At present, the partner being used is Nova Credit. Hopefully, AMEX will continue expanding this international credit card application service to more countries. For more details, see

• A New Way to Apply for an AMEX Card Without an SSN: Transfer Your International Credit History.

Pros: You may be able to carry over your existing credit history from your home country and apply directly for an AMEX credit card.

Cons: Only available for a limited number of countries.

Final Thoughts

If you can get an SSN, then of course it is best to have one. However, during the pandemic, SSA offices also required materials to be submitted by mail, and processing times were not guaranteed. If you cannot get an SSN, then the best strategy is to use whichever of the above methods fits you best and start building credit history first.

The most recommended option here is to apply for a student credit card from a bank that does not require an SSN, especially the Deserve EDU credit card.