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Best Credit Cards for International Students
WalletHub makes it easy to find the best credit card for international students.
Best Credit Cards for International Students
WalletHub makes it easy to find the best credit card for international students.
Credit cards for international students are pretty much the same as any other student credit cards (some offers are from WalletHub partners). It’s just that not all international students can qualify for their own credit ca… show moreÂ
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Discover it® Student Cash Back Discover it® Student Cash Back
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- Earn rewards while building your credit history that can help you after graduation. And, get your free Credit Scorecard that includes your FICO® Credit Score and important details that help make up your score.
- No annual fee. No late fee on first late payment. No APR change for paying late.
- Refer-a-Friend: Once you become a Discover it® Student cardmember, you can earn a statement credit each time you refer a friend and they’re approved. Over half a million students got Discover Cards from their friends' recommendations.
- Freeze It® on/off switch for your account that prevents new purchases, cash advances & balance transfers in seconds.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
- Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 12.99% - 21.99% applies.
- Click "APPLY NOW" to see rewards, FICO® Credit Score terms, Cashback Match™ details & other information.
- See More Details & Reviews About TheDiscover it® Student Cash Back
Chase Freedom® Student credit card Chase Freedom® Student credit card
- $50 Bonus after first purchase made within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn 1% cash back on all purchases
- $20 Good Standing Rewards after each account anniversary for up to 5 years
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open
- No annual Fee
- Earn a credit limit increase after making 5 monthly payments on time within 10 months from account opening when meeting credit criteria
- Free credit score with Chase Credit Journey
- See More Details & Reviews About TheChase Freedom® Student credit card
Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card
- Up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments.
- 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away
- 2% - 10% cash back at select merchants
- No fees whatsoever. No late fee, foreign transaction fee, annual fee, or any-other-kind-of-fee, fee.
- $300 - $10,000 credit limits
- Variable APRs range from 12.99% - 26.99%
- No credit score? No problem. If eligible, we'll create your Cash Score instead.
- See if you're pre-approved within minutes without impacting your credit score.
- Build credit alongside hundreds of thousands of Petal Card members.
- Petal reports to all 3 major credit bureaus.
- No deposits required
- Card issued by WebBank, Member FDIC
- See More Details & Reviews About ThePetal® 2 Visa® Credit Card
Discover it® Student chrome Discover it® Student chrome
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- Earn rewards while building your credit history that can help you after graduation. And, get your free Credit Scorecard that includes your FICO® Credit Score and important details that help make up your score.
- No annual fee. No late fee on first late payment. No APR change for paying late.
- Refer-a-Friend: Once you become a Discover it® Student cardmember, you can earn a statement credit each time you refer a friend and they’re approved. Over half a million students got Discover Cards from their friends' recommendations.
- Freeze It® on/off switch for your account that prevents new purchases, cash advances & balance transfers in seconds.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
- Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 12.99% - 21.99% applies.
- Click "APPLY NOW" to see rewards, FICO® Credit Score terms, Cashback Match™ details & other information.
- See More Details & Reviews About TheDiscover it® Student chrome
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One Journey Student Rewards from Capital One
- Earn 1% cash back on all your purchases. Pay on time to boost your cash back to a total of 1.25% for that month
- Earn $5 per month for 12 months on Select Streaming Subscriptions when you pay on time. *Exclusions Apply
- Enjoy no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- You can help build your credit with responsible use of a card like this
- Pick the monthly due date that works best for you
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
- $0 fraud liability if your card is ever lost or stolen
- Monitor your credit profile with the CreditWise® app, free for everyone
- See More Details & Reviews About TheJourney Student Rewards from Capital One
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
- Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
- You can help build your credit with responsible use of a card like this
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
- $0 fraud liability if your card is ever lost or stolen
- Set up Autopay for your account and your payments will be made automatically every month
- See More Details & Reviews About TheCapital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Petal® 1 Visa® Credit Card Petal® 1 Visa® Credit Card
- $0 Annual Fee
- $300 - $5,000 credit limits
- Earn a credit limit increase in as little as 6 months. Terms and conditions apply.
- No credit score? No problem. If eligible, we'll create your Cash Score instead.
- 2% - 10% cash back at select merchants
- Variable APRs range from 19.99% - 29.49%
- See if you're pre-approved within minutes without impacting your credit score.
- No annual or foreign transaction fees.
- Build credit alongside hundreds of thousands of Petal Card members.
- Petal's mobile app makes it easy to manage your money, track your spending, and automate payments.
- Petal reports to all 3 major credit bureaus
- No deposits required
- Card issued by WebBank, Member FDIC
- See More Details & Reviews About ThePetal® 1 Visa® Credit Card
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
- No credit check to apply and find out instantly if you are approved.
- OpenSky gives everyone an opportunity to improve their credit with an 85% average approval rate for the past 5 years
- Get considered for a credit line increase after 6 months, with no additional deposit required
- You could be eligible for the OpenSky Gold Unsecured Card after as few as 6 months
- Reports to all 3 major credit bureaus monthly, unlike a prepaid or debit card
- Nearly half of OpenSky cardholders who make on-time payments improve their FICO score 30+ points in the first 3 months
- Your refundable* deposit, as low as $200, becomes your OpenSky Visa credit limit
- Easy application, apply in less than 5 minutes right from your mobile device
- Offer flexible payment due dates which allow you to choose any available due date that fits your payment schedule
- Enjoy protection from unauthorized purchases with $0 fraud liability
- * View the cardholder agreement
- See More Details & Reviews About TheOpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), with 1% on all other purchases. Plus, earn 8% cash back on tickets at Vivid Seats through January 2023
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
- Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
- You can help build your credit with responsible use of a card like this
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
- $0 fraud liability if your card is ever lost or stolen
- Set up Autopay for your account and your payments will be made automatically every month
- See More Details & Reviews About TheCapital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students
- Receive one year of Amazon Prime Student on Deserve after spending $500 in the first three billing cycles with your EDU card (Lifetime Value of $59).
- Earn 1% Cash Back on all purchases with your Deserve EDU Mastercard. Once approved, you'll automatically start earning cash back on all purchases.
- Feel secure with cell phone protection up to $600.
- Refer A Friend Program: Refer anyone to Deserve using your personal referral code. Upon approval, card activation and use, you'll receive $30 and so will your referral. Referral bonuses are unlimited!
- No deposit required. No annual fees.
- No international transaction fees on purchases abroad so you can travel with confidence.
- No Social Security Number required for international students to apply.
- Manage and track your spending, set automatic payments and securely freeze your card all through one easy to use app.
- See if you prequalify with no impact to your credit score in minutes.
- Deserve Mastercards are issued by Celtic Bank, Member FDIC.
- Enjoy Mastercard Platinum Benefits intended to make your life easier like Mastercard ID Theft Prevention™ and Master Rental®.
- See More Details & Reviews About TheDeserve® EDU Mastercard for Students
What are the best credit cards for international students?
The best credit cards for international students all have a few things in common. None of them charge annual fees or foreign transaction fees. And all of them are available to students who aren't U.S. citizens. Some require a Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. Others ask only for a passport (from any country) and a student ID.WalletHub's editors compared 1,000+ offers based on those criteria to find the best cards for different types of students. You can see the results below.
2022's best credit cards for international students:
| Best For… | Card Name | Annual Fee | ID Required |
| Cash Rewards | Journey Student Rewards from Capital One | $0 | SSN or ITIN |
| International Travel | Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students | $0 | SSN, ITIN or Passport |
| No Annual Fee | Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students | $0 | SSN, ITIN or Passport |
| Bonus Cash Back | Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students | $0 | SSN, ITIN or Passport |
| Secured Card | Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card | $0 | SSN or ITIN |
| No Credit Check | OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card | $35 | SSN or ITIN |
Fortunately, we've got some tips that will help you get the most out of your card. You can check them out below. And you can track your progress by checking your latest credit score for free on WalletHub. No other site offers free credit scores and reports that are updated on a daily basis.
6 Credit Card Tips for International Students
- Apply for a Social Security number. If you have a U.S. work permit, you can apply for an SSN. As long as your information is accurate and valid, you should receive your number within “several weeks,” according to the SSA website. Foreign students with an SSN can apply for a credit card from any of the 10 largest issuers.
- Find a part-time job. Credit card companies need to know that you can afford the monthly payments. And having a job is the only way you'll be able to get an SSN.
- Look into getting an Individual Tax Identification Number. You're eligible for an ITIN if you're not employed in the U.S. but still need to pay U.S. taxes. This could be the case if you have investments or property in the U.S. or if you're earning any income, which includes scholarship money.
Most major credit card companies accept an ITIN in lieu of an SSN for at least some of their cards. But you may have to apply at an actual bank branch.
- Consider other methods of identification. A few issuers will even accept just your passport and student ID, along with some basic information such as where you work. American Express and Bank of America are two examples. And the SelfScore Student Mastercard accepts passports as well.
- Become an authorized user. If you can get someone you trust to add you as an authorized user on their credit card, you may not need your own account.
- Talk to your school's credit union. Credit unions base their membership on some kind of shared quality – in this case, going to a certain school. So you might be able to get your school's branded credit card without jumping through a lot of hoops. After all, your school's credit union shouldn't have much trouble verifying your identity since you're enrolled in class.
- Get a secured card. Secured credit cards require you to put down a security deposit that serves as your credit line. Because this prevents you from going into debt, these cards don't always require an SSN or ITIN.
About the author
John Kiernan has covered the credit card industry for more than 10 years as a writer and editor for WalletHub. His work has been featured by major media outlets such as The Washington Post and The New York Times and has been cited by industry regulators such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Read Full Author Bio
Questions & Answers
Comparing credit cards for international students can be tough. But you’ve got the knowledgeable WalletHub community on your side. We encourage everyone to share their knowledge while respecting our content guidelines. Please keep in mind that editorial and user-generated content on this page is not reviewed or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution. In addition, it is not the financial institution’s responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered.show more
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What's the best Citibank international student credit card? Reply
Citibank currently doesn’t have any cards specifically designed for international students as they all require a Social Security Number (SSN). With the exception of Citibank’s Citi® Secured Mastercard®, all cards also require applicants to have credit history.
Given most students’ limited credit history and time-constrained earning capabilities, a secured card like the Citi Secured is a good and inexpensive option for building credit as it accepts applicants with limited credit and features a $0 annual fee. A refundable security deposit between $200 and $2,500 will act as your credit limit. The Citi Secured belongs to the Mastercard network, so international transactions won’t be an issue either. As long as you have a SSN, the Citi Secured is a good way to start building credit.
The Journey Student Rewards from Capital One is a much better option for international students as applicants can use an Individual taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of an SSN. Capital One Journey also has a $0 annual fee and can earn you rewards as well, with 1 - 1.25% cash back on purchases.
To get a better picture of the best credit card options for international students, it’s worth taking a look at the student cards among these recommendations.
Is there a Bank of America credit card for international students? Reply
Yes, there is a Bank of America credit card for international students. In fact, there are two, and neither require an SSN, you can apply with an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number):
The Bank of America Cash Rewards for Students. It offers:
- $200 initial bonus for purchases of at least $1,000 in the first 90 days of account opening
- 3% back in one of the following categories: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement / furnishings (terms apply)
- 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
- 1% back on every other purchase
For travelers, the Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students is the choice for you. It offers:
- 25,000 points initial bonus for purchases of at least $1,000 in the first 90 days of account opening
- 3 points for every dollar spent at the Bank of America Travel Center
- 1.5 points for every dollar spent on all other purchases
Both cards come without an annual fee, and a purchase intro APR of 0% for 12 months. What's even better, you can apply with fair credit or limited credit history.
Featured Credit Cards
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