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 |
|---|---|---|
| 7-10 business days | Not available | |
| 7-10 business days | 1-2 business days (free) | |
| Up to 10 business days | Within 72 hours (free) | |
| 14 calendar days | Not available | |
| 7-10 business days | 2-3 business days ($16) | |
| 5-7 business days | Not available | |
| 7-10 business days | Not available | |
| 7-10 business days | Not available | |
| 7-10 business days | Not available | |
| 7-10 business days | 1-2 business days ($15) | |
| 10 business days (avg.) | Not available | |
| 7-10 business days | Not available | |
| 7-10 Business Days | Not available | |
| 5-7 business days | Not available | |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 business days (avg.) | Overnight (free) | |
| 3-5 business days | 1-2 business days (free) | |
| 7-10 business days | Overnight (free) | |
| 4-7 business days | 2-3 business days (free) | |
| 4-6 business days | 2-3 business days ($16) | |
| 4-6 business days | Overnight (free) | |
| 3-7 business days | 2-3 business days ($15) | |
| 5-7 calendar days | 1-3 business days ($16) | |
| 7-10 business days | 2-3 business days ($20) | |
| 7-10 business days | 1-2 business days ($15) | |
| 10 business days (avg.) | Not available | |
| 7-10 business days | 3-5 business days ($25) | |
| 10-14 business days | 3-5 business days (free) | |
| 7-10 business days | 2 business days ($25) | |
| 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. Here 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 I Use My 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.
Finally, 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.
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