Build credit in the US without a Social Security Number! Learn how to use an ITIN, which banks accept non-citizens, and proven strategies to establish credit as an immigrant.
You don't need to be a US citizen to build credit in America. You don't even need a Social Security Number (SSN).
I know this because I helped my cousin (who came to the US on a work visa) build her credit from zero to 720 in just 18 months—all without an SSN.
Here's everything you need to know about building credit as a non-citizen.
Can You Build Credit Without Being a US Citizen?
Yes, absolutely!
Your immigration status doesn't matter for credit building. What matters is:
- Having a valid tax ID (SSN or ITIN)
- US address
- US bank account
- Income (from legal sources)
People building credit without citizenship include:
✅ Green card holders (permanent residents)
✅ Work visa holders (H-1B, L-1, O-1, etc.)
✅ Student visa holders (F-1, J-1)
✅ Undocumented immigrants (using ITIN)
✅ Refugees and asylees
SSN vs. ITIN: What's the Difference?
Social Security Number (SSN)
What it is: A 9-digit number issued by the Social Security Administration
Who can get one:
- US citizens
- Permanent residents (green card holders)
- Temporary workers with work authorization
- Students with on-campus employment or approved work authorization
Used for:
- Employment
- Tax filing
- Opening bank accounts
- Credit applications
- Government benefits
How to get one:
Apply at a Social Security office with proof of work authorization or lawful presence.
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
What it is: A 9-digit tax processing number issued by the IRS (starts with 9)
Who can get one:
- Non-citizens who need to file US taxes but don't qualify for an SSN
- Undocumented immigrants
- Spouses or dependents of visa holders
- Foreign investors or business owners
Used for:
- Tax filing ONLY (officially)
- Some credit applications (unofficially—more on this below)
- Opening bank accounts at some banks
Cannot be used for:
- Employment authorization
- Claiming Social Security benefits
- Most government programs
How to get one:
File Form W-7 with the IRS along with your tax return or proof of need.
Building Credit with an SSN (Easier Path)
If you have an SSN, you have access to almost all credit-building options:
Option 1: Secured Credit Cards
Best cards for non-citizens with SSN:
- Discover it® Secured
- Capital One Platinum Secured
- Citi® Secured Mastercard®
How it works:
- Deposit $200-$500 (refundable)
- Use card responsibly
- After 6-12 months, upgrade to unsecured
Option 2: Credit Builder Loans
Where to get them:
- Self (online)
- Local credit unions
- Community banks
How it works:
- "Borrow" $500-$1,000
- Payments are reported to credit bureaus
- Get money back at the end
Option 3: Become an Authorized User
Ask a family member or friend with good credit to add you to their credit card.
Benefits:
- Instant credit history
- No application needed
- Can boost score by 50-100 points
Option 4: Student Credit Cards (If Applicable)
If you're a student with an SSN:
- Discover it® Student Cash Back
- Capital One SavorOne Student
- Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students
Building Credit with an ITIN (Harder, But Possible!)
The ITIN path is more challenging because most major credit card companies require an SSN. However, there ARE options:
Option 1: ITIN-Friendly Credit Cards
Banks that accept ITIN for credit cards:
1. Bank of America
- Offers secured credit cards to ITIN holders
- Requires ITIN, passport, US address
- Start with secured card, upgrade after 12 months
2. Deserve® (For Students)
- Accepts ITIN from international students
- No SSN required
- Unsecured card with rewards
3. Some Credit Unions
- Latino Community Credit Union (NC)
- Unitus Community Credit Union (OR)
- Self-Help Credit Union (CA, NC)
- Check local credit unions in your area
How to find ITIN-friendly options:
- Google "[Your City] + credit union + ITIN"
- Call local credit unions and ask directly
- Visit community banks that serve immigrant populations
Option 2: Alternative Credit Cards
1. FS Card (First Savings)
- Accepts ITIN
- Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
- Secured card option
2. Self Visa® Credit Card
- Available after opening a Self credit builder account
- Accepts ITIN
- No hard credit check
Option 3: Credit Builder Loans with ITIN
Self Credit Builder Account
- Accepts ITIN
- $25-$150/month payments
- Reports to all 3 bureaus
Local Credit Unions
Many credit unions that serve immigrant communities accept ITIN for credit builder loans.
Option 4: ITIN-Friendly Auto Loans
Some auto lenders accept ITIN:
- Santander Consumer USA
- Westlake Financial
- Credit unions
Why this helps: Auto loans build credit through on-time payments.
Option 5: Rent Reporting
Use services that report rent to credit bureaus:
- Experian Boost (FREE, accepts ITIN)
- Boom Report (FREE)
- RentTrack ($6.95/month)
How it helps: Turns rent payments into credit history.
Step-by-Step: Building Credit with ITIN
Step 1: Get Your ITIN (If You Don't Have One)
How to apply:
- Download Form W-7 from IRS.gov
- Attach required documents (passport, visa, etc.)
- Submit with tax return OR through Certifying Acceptance Agent
- Wait 6-8 weeks for ITIN
Required documents:
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- National ID card
- US visa (if applicable)
Step 2: Open a US Bank Account
ITIN-friendly banks:
- Bank of America
- Wells Fargo
- Chase (some branches)
- Citibank
- Credit unions
What you'll need:
- ITIN
- Passport or government ID
- Proof of US address
- Initial deposit ($25-$100)
Step 3: Apply for ITIN Credit Building Products
Start with the easiest options:
- Credit builder loan (Self or credit union)
- Secured credit card (Bank of America or credit union)
- Rent reporting (Experian Boost - free!)
Why all three?
Combining strategies builds credit faster.
Step 4: Make On-Time Payments (Critical!)
- Set up autopay
- Pay in full every month (credit cards)
- Never miss a payment (the #1 most important factor)
Step 5: Monitor Your Progress
Use free tools:
- Credit Karma (accepts ITIN)
- Experian (free account)
Check your credit score after 6 months—you should have one by then!
Step 6: Graduate to Better Products
After 12 months of good payment history:
- Apply for an unsecured credit card
- Request credit limit increases
- Consider additional credit builder loans
Goal: 700+ credit score within 18-24 months.
Transferring International Credit History
Some banks let you use your home country credit history to get US credit:
American Express Global Transfer
How it works:
- Have an Amex card in your home country
- Apply for a US Amex card
- Provide proof of your international credit
- Amex may approve you based on foreign history
Countries eligible:
Australia, Canada, India, Mexico, UK, and others (check Amex website)
HSBC Expat Program
How it works:
- HSBC customers in one country can transfer credit history to HSBC in another country
Required: HSBC account in home country
Nova Credit
What it is: Service that translates foreign credit reports for US lenders
Countries covered: Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Mexico, Nigeria, South Korea, UK
Partner lenders: Some US credit card companies and lenders accept Nova Credit reports
Common Challenges (And Solutions)
Challenge 1: "We require an SSN"
Solution:
Try different banks. Many say they "require" SSN but actually accept ITIN if you apply in person or call.
Challenge 2: Limited Options
Solution:
Start with what's available (credit builder loan, secured card, rent reporting), build for 12 months, then more options open up.
Challenge 3: No US Credit History
Solution:
- Become an authorized user (if possible)
- Use international credit transfer (Amex, Nova Credit)
- Start with secured products
Challenge 4: Language Barriers
Solution:
Many banks have Spanish-language services. Credit unions often serve immigrant communities and may have multilingual staff.
What Happens If You Eventually Get an SSN?
Good news: Your ITIN credit history can transfer to your SSN!
How to do it:
- Get your SSN
- Notify all your creditors (credit card companies, lenders)
- Ask them to update your records with your SSN
- Check your credit reports to ensure everything transferred
Timeline: Can take 1-3 months for everything to update.
Documents You'll Need
Keep these ready when applying for credit with ITIN:
✅ ITIN (obviously!)
✅ Passport or government-issued ID
✅ Proof of address (utility bill, lease, bank statement)
✅ Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements)
✅ Employment verification (if applicable)
✅ Visa documents (if applicable)
Realistic Timeline
Month 0: Get ITIN, open bank account
Month 1: Apply for credit builder loan or secured card
Month 6: First credit score appears (620-650 range)
Month 12: Score reaches 680-700 (if perfect payment history)
Month 18: Qualify for unsecured credit cards
Month 24: Score reaches 720+ (excellent credit!)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a mortgage with an ITIN?
Yes! Some lenders offer ITIN mortgages, though requirements are stricter and rates may be higher. You'll typically need:
- 2 years of ITIN tax returns
- Larger down payment (15-25%)
- Proof of income
Will using an ITIN affect my immigration status?
No. Credit reporting is separate from immigration enforcement. Lenders cannot share your information with immigration authorities without a warrant.
Can I build credit if I'm undocumented?
Yes, using an ITIN. Many undocumented immigrants have excellent credit scores (700+) by using ITIN-friendly credit products.
What if I have an SSN but it's restricted (says "Not Valid for Employment")?
You can still use it for credit applications. The restriction only applies to employment, not financial products.
Your Action Plan
Week 1:
- Apply for ITIN (if you don't have SSN)
- Research ITIN-friendly banks and credit unions in your area
Week 2:
- Open US bank account
- Set up direct deposit (if employed)
Month 1:
- Apply for credit builder loan (Self or credit union)
- Apply for secured credit card (Bank of America or credit union)
- Sign up for Experian Boost (free rent reporting)
Months 2-12:
- Make every payment on time (set up autopay!)
- Keep credit card balance low (under 30%)
- Check credit score at month 6
Month 12+:
- Apply for unsecured credit card
- Request credit limit increase
- Celebrate your 700+ credit score!
Resources for Non-Citizen Credit Building
IRS ITIN Information:
irs.gov/individuals/itin
Find ITIN-Friendly Credit Unions:
mycreditunion.gov (search by zip code)
Free Credit Monitoring:
Credit Karma (accepts ITIN)
Experian (free account)
Community Resources:
- Local immigrant resource centers
- Community development financial institutions (CDFIs)
- Nonprofit credit counselors
The Bottom Line
You don't need citizenship or even an SSN to build excellent credit in the United States.
With an ITIN and the right strategy, you can:
- Build a 700+ credit score in 18-24 months
- Qualify for credit cards, auto loans, and even mortgages
- Establish financial stability and opportunity
The path is harder than for SSN holders, but it's absolutely possible. Thousands of non-citizens build excellent credit every year—you can too!
Keep Building Your Credit
- The Complete Guide to Building Credit in America ← Full strategy
- How to Get Your First Credit Card ← Start here
- Best Credit Builder Loans for 2026 ← Essential for ITIN holders
Non-citizens: Share your credit-building success story in the comments!
Last Updated: January 2026
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