Best Credit Cards for ITIN Holders With No SSN in 2025

If you live in the United States but don't have a Social Security number — whether you're a recent immigrant, a non-resident, or someone who simply doesn't qualify for an SSN — you might think the credit card market is closed to you. It's not.

The key is an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), a nine-digit tax-processing number issued by the IRS. While an ITIN wasn't originally designed for credit, the major U.S. card issuers have quietly opened their doors to ITIN holders. Of the top ten credit card issuers, seven now accept an ITIN in place of an SSN.2 That means you can apply, get approved, and start building a U.S. credit history — the things actually worth buying — without ever handing over a Social Security card.

We dug through issuer policies, verified application requirements, and compared the best options for ITIN holders across three categories: rewards, cash back, and credit building. Here are our picks.

Best for Rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards

For ITIN holders with established credit who want travel rewards, the Capital One Venture is a standout. Capital One is widely recognized as one of the most ITIN-friendly issuers, accepting the number across multiple product lines.2

The Venture earns an unlimited 2× miles per dollar on every purchase, with a straightforward redemption structure: miles transfer to over 15 travel partners or can be applied as a statement credit against travel purchases at a rate of 1 cent per mile. There's no foreign transaction fee, which makes it especially useful if you travel internationally — a common scenario for many ITIN holders.

The annual fee is $95 (waived the first year), and the card requires good to excellent credit. If you're newer to credit, Capital One also offers secured and student cards that accept ITINs, making it a versatile issuer for the things actually worth buying at any stage.

Specs: Rewards: 2× miles on everything | Annual Fee: $95 (waived year 1) | Foreign Fees: None

Best for Cash Back: Citi Double Cash

For ITIN holders who prefer cold, hard cash back, the Citi Double Cash is the most straightforward value proposition in the category. Citi accepts ITINs and passports for select card applications, including the Double Cash.2

Here's the math: you earn 2% cash back on every purchase — 1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay it off. No categories to track, no rotating bonuses, no caps. It's the kind of simplicity that rewards good habits, and for ITIN holders building a credit history, paying in full each month is the habit that matters most.

The card has no annual fee, and it reports to all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion), which is critical for ITIN holders establishing a U.S. credit footprint.1

Specs: Rewards: 2% total cash back (1% + 1%) | Annual Fee: $0 | Credit Bureau Reporting: All three

Best for Credit Building: Chase Freedom Rise

If you're new to U.S. credit entirely, the Chase Freedom Rise is arguably the best card on the market for ITIN holders. Chase specifically designed this card for credit newcomers, and it explicitly accepts ITINs as an alternative to SSNs.1

The Freedom Rise earns 1.5% cash back on every purchase, with no annual fee. But the real value isn't the rewards rate — it's the pathway. Chase reports to all three bureaus, and the card is structured to help you graduate to premium products like the Chase Sapphire Preferred (which also accepts ITINs for applicants with established credit).1

There's no security deposit required, which sets it apart from secured cards. If you have at least $250 in a Chase checking account at the time of application, you may improve your approval odds — a helpful tip for ITIN holders who may have limited credit history.

Specs: Rewards: 1.5% cash back | Annual Fee: $0 | Security Deposit: None required

Secured vs. Unsecured: What ITIN Holders Should Know

For ITIN holders, the choice between secured and unsecured cards comes down to your existing credit profile. Secured cards require a refundable security deposit (typically $200–$500) that becomes your credit limit. They're easier to get approved for and are a legitimate tool for building credit from scratch.

But as our picks show, unsecured options are increasingly available to ITIN holders — especially the Chase Freedom Rise and Citi Double Cash. If you have any U.S. credit history (even a few months of a secured card or a credit-builder loan), you may qualify for an unsecured card directly.

The key is reporting to all three bureaus. Not all cards do, and for ITIN holders, every positive payment needs to be visible to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to build a robust credit file.1 All three of our picks report to all three bureaus.

Why Reporting to All Three Bureaus Matters

When you apply for a mortgage, an auto loan, or an apartment lease in the U.S., lenders pull your credit report. If your credit file only exists at one or two bureaus, you may get a thinner file — or no file at all. For ITIN holders, this is the single most important factor in choosing a credit card.

Cards that report to all three bureaus ensure that every on-time payment builds a comprehensive credit history. Over 12–24 months of responsible use, ITIN holders can achieve a credit score in the 700s, unlocking access to premium cards, better rates, and the full U.S. financial system.

Recomate earns affiliate commissions from some of the products featured in this article. Our picks are based on independent research and testing — we only recommend the things actually worth buying.

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