How Long Does It Take to Get a Credit Card?

With most credit card issuers, you can apply for a new card online, over the phone or via mail. Approval is typically the quickest for online applications, whereas applying via mail tends to take the longest.

Some issuers provide instant approval of credit cards. And you may even be able to start using your new card immediately. However, receiving your physical card via mail may take up to 10 business days.

Having all the required information at hand when applying for a new card will ensure you can complete the process quickly and accurately. Even if you are pre-approved or pre-qualified for the card, you will still need to submit a formal application if you decide to move forward.

On This Page:

• How Long Does It Take per Credit Card Issuer?
• How to Get a Credit Card Fast
• How to Apply for an Instant Credit Card Online
• Other Questions You May Have About Credit Cards

How long it takes before you can use your new card depends on the card issuer. While some let you use your new card shortly after they approve your application, others require that you wait until you receive your physical card. Moreover, not all card issuers provide instant approval credit cards.

The need or desire to quickly have money at your disposal is not new. So, you might not want to wait for a physical credit card to arrive via mail before tapping into your credit line.

For instance, you may wish to use your card to purchase an item with a steep discount available for a limited time. In such a scenario, your search should ideally focus on instant approval credit cards with instant use.

Some of the leading issuers let you apply for a credit card online and get instant approval. While the process is not exactly instantaneous, it usually takes no more than a few minutes to find out if the issuer has approved or denied your application.

However, in some cases, card issuers might need more time to go through your application.

Credit card companies that offer cards with instant approval include:

• American Express
• Chase
• USAA (need to become a USAA member first)
• Capital One (not for all applicants)
• Bank of America (not for all cards and applicants)

If you need quick access to money, you ideally need to limit your search to credit cards you can use immediately upon approval. With these cards, while you wait for the physical card to arrive via mail, your card’s issuer gives you online access to your card’s details, which means you can start using your card immediately. Bear in mind that not all cards that offer instant approval offer instant access to the card itself.

American Express Blue Cash Everyday Card
The Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card comes with no annual fees. You stand to earn $200 back as a welcome bonus if you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first six months.

This card comes with an intro 0% APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months. It offers up to 3% cash back on purchases through its bonus categories. You will need to pay foreign transaction fees if you use this card outside the U.S.

Once you get online approval, American Express will give you your card details immediately. You may use this number with any merchant that does not require a physical card.

Chase Freedom Unlimited Card
You pay no annual fees to use the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card. It comes with a low intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers as well as a spend-based welcome bonus. This card lets you earn up to 5% cash back through category-based spending. However, you will need to pay foreign transaction fees if you use it outside of the U.S.

Upon your card’s online approval, you may use the Spend Instantly feature to start using your card right away. To do this, you need to add your card to a digital wallet such as Google Pay, Apple Pay or Samsung Pay. Then, you may make online or in-store purchases.

Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card doesn't charge any annual or foreign transaction fees. All new cardholders get a $100 Amazon Gift Card. This card offers up to 5% cash back through its bonus categories. You can also earn 10% cash back or more on select Amazon.com purchases. This card offers complimentary travel coverage.

Once you receive online approval, you may access your card through your Amazon.com account and use it to make purchases on this platform.

Credit card companies look at different aspects when deciding if they should approve applications for new cards. The process involves verifying the details you provide and the information an issuer gets through your credit report. While not the norm, there are instances when you may have to wait a few days even if you apply for an instant approval credit card because its issuer might need more time to process your application.

Your credit score plays a key role in determining which cards you qualify for, the APR assigned to your card and your credit limit. In addition, having poor credit might delay the approval process.

If you have poor or no credit history and are looking for fast credit card approval, consider checking out what the Indigo Unsecured Mastercard and the Credit One Bank Platinum Visa Card for Rebuilding Credit have to offer. For those with fair/average credit, the Capital One Platinum Credit Card might be a good fit.

Your credit utilization ratio refers to the amount of credit you’ve used from your total available credit.

For instance, if you have three credit cards with a combined credit limit of $12,000, of which you’ve used $4,800, your credit utilization ratio would be 40%. When it comes to getting approved for a new card and getting a low APR, this number should ideally be below 30%. If your credit utilization ratio is higher, a card issuer might take longer to review your application.

Credit card companies ask you for income details to confirm you can make monthly payments on any balance you charge to the card. They will look at your income both to determine if they should approve your application and to arrive at a suitable credit limit for your new card.

Reading through the answers to other commonly asked questions about instant-use credit cards will give you a better idea of whether you might benefit by applying for one.