It takes 7 to 10 business days to get a credit card after being approved for one, in most cases. Many people get an instant decision when they apply for a credit card online, but it can take up to 30 days to get approved after submitting a credit card application, depending on the issuer and your particular situation.
How Long It Takes to Get a New Credit Card in the Mail
Issuers mail out credit cards shortly after they approve your application, and they usually take 7-10 business days to arrive. By law, credit card issuers have to respond to your application with a decision within 30 days. However, it’s pretty common to get approved within minutes of applying.
So, in the best case scenario, it could take less than two weeks from when you apply to when you have the card in your hand, with normal shipping. You can also contact the issuer’s customer service department to ask about expedited delivery, which can significantly speed up shipping. However, you may have to pay a small fee for the privilege.
Below, you can see some of the top issuers’ policies, including the timeframe for delivery, whether they offer expedited shipping, and any associated cost. This content is not provided, commissioned or endorsed by any issuer. Information was independently collected by WalletHub on May 15, 2025 and is likely to have changed since.
| Issuer | Standard Timeframe | Expedited Delivery |
| American Express | 7-10 business days | Not available |
| Chase | 7-10 business days | 1-2 business days (free) |
| Bank of America | Up to 10 business days | Within 72 hours (free) |
| Citibank | 14 calendar days | Not available |
| Capital One | 7-10 business days | 2-3 business days ($16) |
| Discover | 5-7 business days | Not available |
| U.S. Bank | 7-10 business days | Not available |
| Wells Fargo | 7-10 business days | Not available |
| USAA | 7-10 business days | Not available |
| Barclays | 7-10 business days | 1-2 business days ($15) |
| Synchrony | 10 business days (avg.) | Not available |
| PNC | 7-10 business days | Not available |
| First National Bank | 7-10 Business Days | Not available |
| TD Bank | 5-7 business days | Not available |
| Navy Federal Credit Union | 7-10 business days | 2-3 business days ($12) |
How Long It Takes to Get a Replacement Credit Card
If you need a replacement credit card because the original was lost, stolen or damaged, it will take 3-14 business days, depending on the issuer. Most credit card companies offer free expedited shipping for replacement cards (often overnight). You just have to ask. Others charge a fee for faster delivery, while some don’t offer the service at all.
| Issuer | Standard Timeframe | Expedited Delivery |
| American Express | 3 business days (avg.) | Overnight (no fee) |
| Chase | 3-5 business days | 1-2 business days (free) |
| Bank of America | 7-10 business days | Overnight (free) |
| Citibank | 4-7 business days | 2-3 business days (free) |
| Capital One | 4-6 business days | 2-3 business days ($16) |
| Discover | 4-6 business days | Overnight (free) |
| U.S. Bank | 3-7 business days | 2-3 business days ($15) |
| Wells Fargo | 5-7 calendar days | 1-3 business days ($16) |
| USAA | 7-10 business days | 2-3 business days ($20) |
| Barclays | 7-10 business days | 1-2 business days ($15) |
| Synchrony | 10 business days (avg.) | Not available |
| PNC | 7-10 business days | 3-5 business days ($25) |
| First National Bank | 10-14 business days | 3-5 business days (free) |
| TD Bank | 7-10 business days | 2 business days ($25) |
| Navy Federal Credit Union | 7-10 business days | 2-3 business days ($12) |
How to Get a Credit Card Faster (and Get By in the Meantime)
There’s really no way around the timeframes quoted by credit card companies for new and replacement cards. That's why it’s important to plan for the period in which you may be card-less. Below are some tips for getting by while your card is on the way, and perhaps speeding up the process just a bit.
Make the Request as Soon as Possible
The sooner you apply for a new card or request a replacement, the faster you’ll get it. That’s obvious. But it’s important, especially if you’re replacing a lost, stolen or damaged card. You don’t want to lose a shipping day, for one thing, and putting it off will increase the burden on your finances in the meantime.
If your current card is about to expire, you shouldn’t have to ask for a replacement, as the issuer will likely send one automatically. But it can’t hurt to ask, just to be sure.
Apply Online
Applying online is the most dependable way to make sure you get your credit card as quickly as possible. It ensures the issuer receives your application immediately, and you could be approved instantly if you clearly meet your chosen card’s requirements.
Ask for Expedited Shipping
After you’re approved for a card, call the issuer’s customer service and tell them you’d like expedited shipping if they offer it. You can speed up your delivery by a few days, either for free or for a small fee. The same applies for replacement cards.
Ask for Branch Pick-Up
Some issuers may let you get a new or replacement card from a branch location. In the case of a replacement card, they may even issue temporary plastic until your new card comes in.
Withdraw Cash From a Branch
You should be able to get a cash advance from your credit card account at a branch location if you absolutely need money in the absence of a physical card. Don’t do this on a whim, though, as cash advances are very expensive. We only recommend doing them in emergency situations.
Get a Tracking Number
This won’t make your card come any quicker, but knowing where it is while in transit will make planning easier.
Can You Use a Credit Card Before It Arrives?
Certain credit card issuers offer instant use credit cards to eligible cardholders, which allow you to make purchases with your credit card immediately after approval, before the physical card arrives by mail. You will be given the credit card’s information right after approval, including the card number, expiration date and security code.
Since you don’t have the physical card yet, you can use the information mainly for purchases online and over the phone. In some cases, you may be able to add your card to a digital wallet such as Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay and then use that to make purchases in person.
Issuers That Offer Instant Use Credit Cards
- American Express – On all credit cards
- Bank of America – On all credit cards
- Barclays – On certain co-branded credit cards
- Capital One – On most credit cards
- Chase – On some credit cards
- Citibank – On some credit cards
- Synchrony Bank – On certain store cards
- USAA – On all credit cards
To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide on instant credit cards.
If you haven’t picked a card yet, you can’t go wrong with one of WalletHub’s editors’ picks for the best credit cards. We regularly compare 1,500+ credit card offers to identify the top cards in the most popular categories for people of all credit levels. And if you want a personalized recommendation, just sign up for a free WalletHub account. We’ll find you the best cards with high approval odds, based on an analysis of your credit history.
How Long Does It Take to Get Approved for a Credit Card?
It can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few weeks to get approved for a credit card. Most credit cards offer the chance on instant approval if you apply online.
If you’re not approved instantly, you’ll typically get a decision within 7-10 business days. However, it’s possible that an issuer could take up to 30 days to come to a decision.
To maximize your chances of getting approved as quickly as possible, apply online, aim for cards whose requirements you definitely exceed or that you’ve already been pre-approved for, and double check that all of the information on the application is complete and accurate before submitting it.
You can learn more about how long it takes to get approved for a credit card here on WalletHub.
How Does Credit Card Approval Work?
During the credit card approval process, the credit card issuer evaluates your application to determine whether you’re “creditworthy” enough to get the card. The credit card issuer does a hard pull of your credit report to get a detailed look at your credit history. This includes things like what accounts you have open and how long you’ve had them, whether you’ve paid on time, negatives like bankruptcies or debt settlements, and certain public records.
The credit card company will also evaluate the other elements of your application – such as your income, employment status and monthly housing payment – against its internal requirements. These factors will collectively help the issuer decide whether you can afford to make payments on a credit card.
The approval process isn’t just for determining whether or not you get an account. It also involves setting your credit limit and APR based on the information in your application. You can learn more from WalletHub’s in-depth credit card approval guide.
What to Do After You Get Your Credit Card
After you get your credit card, you should activate it as soon as possible by calling the number on the sticker or paper that came with your card. You won’t be able to use your physical card until you activate it.
You should also use your new card to set up any necessary recurring payments (such as utility bills, insurance, or streaming services), and add it to any digital wallets you like to use. Most importantly, you should keep your card secure and shouldn’t share its information with anyone else or let other people borrow it.
Finally, you should make sure to use your card responsibly in order to raise your credit score and improve your financial life. You can learn more about how to use a credit card and how to build credit with a credit card here on WalletHub.
WalletHub's personal finance experts are frequently cited by leading media outlets. Contact our media team to arrange an interview.