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Building credit from scratch is one of the most important financial steps you can take — but it requires a credit card to get started. The best starter credit cards for people with no credit history offer low fees, credit-building tools, and a path to better cards within 12–18 months. We evaluated 20+ cards to find the top picks for immigrants, students, and young adults in 2026.
Our Top Picks
Best Secured Card Overall
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Cash Back2% at restaurants & gas
Annual Fee$0
Why we recommend it: The Discover it Secured card is the best starter card available — it earns 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations, has no annual fee, and automatically reviews your account for upgrade to an unsecured card after 7 months. Discover also matches all cash back earned in your first year.
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Best for Low Deposit
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Security DepositAs low as $49
Annual Fee$0
Why we recommend it: Capital One's secured card requires as little as a $49 deposit for a $200 credit line — the lowest deposit requirement of any major secured card. No annual fee and automatic credit limit reviews after 6 months.
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Best Unsecured Starter Card
Petal® 2 'Cash Back, No Fees' Visa®
Cash Back1% – 1.5% on purchases
Annual Fee$0
Why we recommend it: Petal 2 uses bank account data (not just credit score) to approve applicants with no credit history. No security deposit required, no annual fee, and cash back increases to 1.5% after 12 on-time payments.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a credit card with no credit history?
Yes — secured credit cards, student credit cards, and some unsecured starter cards (like Petal) are designed for people with no credit history. Secured cards require a refundable deposit that becomes your credit limit.
How long does it take to build credit from zero?
You can establish a credit score within 3–6 months of opening your first credit card and using it responsibly. To reach 700+, most people need 12–24 months of on-time payments and low utilization.
What's the fastest way to build credit with no history?
Three steps: (1) Open a secured credit card, (2) Use it for small purchases each month and pay the full balance on time, (3) Keep utilization below 30%. After 6–12 months, you'll have enough history to qualify for better cards.
Can immigrants get a credit card in the US?
Yes — many lenders accept ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) instead of SSN. Discover, Capital One, and some credit unions work with ITIN applicants. Nova Credit also helps immigrants transfer foreign credit history to US lenders.