An online application for a credit card generally requires you to fill out the application with some personal details, like your name, date of birth, income and Social Security number. You can often find out whether you’re approved within minutes.
Read on to learn more about online credit card applications.
What you need to apply for a credit card online
You’ll typically be asked for some personal and financial information when filling out your application. This information can help card issuers verify your identity and pull your credit report.
Credit card applications usually require your:
- Full legal name
- Street address
- Date of birth
- Social Security number (SSN) or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN)
- Annual gross or net income
- Employment status (whether you're employed, unemployed or self-employed)
- Monthly housing cost (rent or mortgage)
- Contact information, such as your phone number and email
Reasons to fill out a credit card application online
There are benefits to filling out a credit card application online. It’s convenient – you don’t have to go to the bank or pick up the phone – and you may receive a decision within minutes.
It’s also easy to evaluate your credit card options online before applying. You can research multiple credit cards right before applying and read customer reviews. Many card issuers have a pre-qualification form you can fill out that will let you know which credit cards you may be approved for.
Choosing a credit card
With so many options, it can be tough to decide on the right credit card for you. Here are some tips to help you narrow down your choices:
- Check your credit: This can give you an idea of what types of credit cards you might qualify for. For example, rewards credit cards with great benefits may require good to excellent credit scores. Cards for people building their credit, like secured credit cards, may have less stringent credit score requirements.
- Pre-qualify: Many card issuers let you see what cards you pre-qualify for by filling out a form on their website. This can be a quick way to get an idea of what cards you may qualify for. You may also receive credit card offers in the mail or via email.
- Consider what you're looking for in a credit card: Are you looking to sign up for your first credit card and establish credit? Do you want a card that earns cash back on groceries? What about a travel card with no foreign transaction fees? Are you looking to take advantage of a low intro APR offer for a big purchase or a balance transfer? What are your spending habits? These kinds of questions can help you decide what kind of credit card you’re looking for.
- Research and compare: Now that you know what kind of credit card you’re looking for, research and compare your options.
Filling out an online credit card application
When the time comes to fill out your online application, you’ll typically enter your personal and financial information, authorize a hard credit check (this allows the card issuer to review your credit report) and submit your application. You might get an instant decision, or it may take longer. This depends on the card, issuer and your creditworthiness.
If you’re approved for the credit card, you might be prompted to set up an online account. The card issuer will usually mail your credit card within a few business days. If you’re denied, the issuer must send you an adverse action notice explaining why you were denied within 30 days, though you may receive the notice sooner.
Disclosure: This article is for educational purposes. It is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and is not a substitute for professional advice. It does not indicate the availability of any Citi product or service. For advice about your specific circumstances, you should consult a qualified professional.
