Lakay Finance / Credit Cards

Best Credit Cards for Immigrants

Build your credit history in America. Cards designed for newcomers, ITIN holders, and people starting from zero.

Secured Cards -- Best for Building Credit from Zero

Secured cards require a deposit that becomes your credit limit. They report to all 3 credit bureaus, so every on-time payment builds your score.

Best for Immigrants

Chime Secured Credit Builder

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No credit check. No interest. No annual fee. Move money from your Chime account to your Credit Builder card and spend it to build credit. Reports to all 3 bureaus.
Annual Fee
$0
APR
0% (use your own money)
Deposit
$200 min
Credit Check
None
No SSN Required

Firstcard

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Designed specifically for immigrants and international students. Build credit with no SSN required. Uses alternative data for approval.
Annual Fee
$0
SSN Required
No
Reports To
All 3 Bureaus
Best For
Visa/ITIN holders
Most Popular Secured

Discover it Secured

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Earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants. Automatic reviews to upgrade to unsecured card. Get your deposit back when you upgrade.
Annual Fee
$0
Cash Back
2% gas/restaurants
Deposit
$200 - $2,500
Upgrade
Automatic review

How Secured Cards Work

You put down a deposit (usually $200-$500). That deposit becomes your credit limit. Use the card for small purchases, pay your bill on time every month, and your credit score starts building. After 6-12 months of good payments, most banks will upgrade you to a regular card and give your deposit back. This is the #1 way immigrants build credit in America.

Cash Back Cards -- For People with Some Credit History

If you already have a credit score of 580+, these cards earn you money back on everyday purchases.

Great Cash Back

Discover it Cash Back

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5% cash back on rotating categories. Plus Discover matches ALL the cash back you earn in your first year. If you earn $150, they give you another $150.
Annual Fee
$0
Cash Back
5% rotating + 1% all
First Year
Cash back match
Min Credit
Fair (580+)
No Annual Fee

Capital One Quicksilver

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Flat 1.5% cash back on everything. Simple, no categories to track. Good for people who want easy rewards.
Annual Fee
$0
Cash Back
1.5% on everything
Sign-Up Bonus
$200
Min Credit
Good (670+)

How to Build Credit as an Immigrant

Get a Secured Card

Start with Chime or Firstcard. No credit history needed.

Use 10-30% of Limit

If your limit is $500, keep your balance under $150.

Pay on Time, Every Time

Set up autopay. Payment history is 35% of your score.

Upgrade in 6-12 Months

Get approved for better cards with higher limits and rewards.

Need Help Fixing Bad Credit?

Our credit repair specialists remove errors and negative items from your report. See results in 30-60 days.

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Disclosure: Lakay Finance may receive compensation when you apply for credit cards through links on this page. This does not affect our recommendations. Credit card terms, APRs, and rewards are determined by the card issuer and may change. Approval is not guaranteed and depends on your creditworthiness. Always review the full terms before applying. Lakay Finance is operated by JRICKSS Financial Services LLC.