Quick Answer
Yes — Capital One, Chase, and American Express accept an ITIN on cash back card applications. The most accessible is the Capital One Quicksilver Secured: 1.5% flat cash back, no annual fee, and a $200 refundable deposit. After you build credit, the no-deposit Chase Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5–5% with no annual fee, and the Amex Blue Cash Everyday earns 3% at U.S. supermarkets.
Can You Get a Cash Back Credit Card With an ITIN?
Yes. Capital One and Amex process cash back applications online with an ITIN; Chase generally requires a branch visit. The only real gate is credit history — flat-rate rewards cards expect an established score. With no U.S. history, a secured cash back card earns rewards while you build the file the unsecured cards require.
Which Cash Back Cards Accept an ITIN?
All cards below accept an ITIN in place of an SSN. They split into three styles: flat-rate (the same percentage on everything), tiered (higher rates in fixed categories), and rotating (categories that change each quarter). The table shows the rate, deposit, and annual fee for each.
| Card | Cash Back | Style | Deposit | Annual Fee | ITIN Apply Path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Quicksilver Secured | 1.5% everywhere | Flat-rate | $200 | $0 | Online |
| Capital One QuicksilverOne | 1.5% everywhere | Flat-rate | None | $39 | Online |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | 1.5–5% | Tiered | None | $0 | In branch |
| Amex Blue Cash Everyday® | 3% groceries / gas / online retail | Tiered | None | $0 | Online |
| Discover it® Cash Back | 5% rotating (SSN only) | Rotating | — | — | SSN required — not available with ITIN |
Terms set by each issuer and subject to change — confirm on the issuer's site before applying.
Is Flat-Rate or Bonus-Category Cash Back Better for ITIN Holders?
Flat-rate cards pay the same percentage on everything — simple, no tracking, and they reward every dollar. Bonus-category cards pay more on specific spending (groceries, dining) but only 1% elsewhere. The right pick depends on whether your budget is concentrated in one category or spread across many.
The simple math
If you spend $1,000/month and most of it is general spending, a flat 2% card earns about $240/year with zero effort. A 3% groceries card only beats it if you spend heavily in that one category — roughly $700+/month on groceries alone. For most people building credit, the flat-rate Capital One Quicksilver Secured wins on simplicity. Capital One lists current rates on its Quicksilver Secured page.
What Cash Back Card Can I Get With No or Thin Credit?
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured is the hero pick: 1.5% flat cash back, no annual fee, a $200 refundable deposit, and ITIN accepted online. If you have thin or fair credit and want no deposit, the Capital One QuicksilverOne earns the same 1.5% with no deposit and a $39 annual fee. Both report to all three bureaus.
1.5% flat cash back on every purchase, no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee. $200 refundable deposit. ITIN accepted online. Capital One reviews the account for an unsecured upgrade after several months of on-time payments — at which point your deposit is returned.
1.5% flat cash back with no security deposit — an unsecured card built for thin or fair credit. $39 annual fee. ITIN accepted online. A bridge between secured cards and full rewards cards: you skip the deposit and earn from day one.
No credit history yet? Start with a secured card, then read how to build credit with an ITIN from zero.
How Do You Redeem Cash Back?
Cash back is not automatic spending money — you redeem it. Most issuers offer three options: a statement credit that lowers your balance, a deposit to a linked bank account, or a paper check. Capital One and Chase have no minimum and let you redeem any amount anytime; some cards require you to reach $25 first.
- Statement credit: reduces your balance but does not count as your monthly payment — you still owe the minimum due.
- Bank deposit: sends cash to a linked checking or savings account — useful if you don't bank with the card issuer.
- Watch for expiration: rewards on most cards are forfeited if you close the account, so redeem before canceling.
How Do I Apply for a Cash Back Card With an ITIN?
For Capital One and Amex, apply online and enter your 9-digit ITIN in the Social Security Number field. For Chase, ITIN holders generally apply in branch with a passport and proof of U.S. address. The full step-by-step, including what to do if the online form rejects your ITIN, is on our main card guide.
See the complete walkthrough: How to apply for a credit card with an ITIN →. An ITIN is a tax ID issued by the IRS to people not eligible for an SSN — see the IRS ITIN page for official requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get a cash back credit card with an ITIN?
Yes. Capital One, Chase, and American Express all accept an ITIN on cash back card applications. The most accessible is the Capital One Quicksilver Secured, which earns 1.5% flat cash back, has no annual fee, and requires a $200 refundable deposit. After you build credit, the no-deposit Chase Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5–5% with no annual fee.
Is flat-rate or bonus-category cash back better for ITIN holders?
Flat-rate cards (1.5–2% on everything) are simpler and reward all spending equally — best if you do not want to track categories. Bonus-category cards pay more on specific spending like groceries or dining but only 1% elsewhere. If most of your budget goes to one category, a category card earns more; otherwise a flat 2% card usually wins with no effort.
What cash back card can I get with no or thin credit history and an ITIN?
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured earns 1.5% flat cash back with a $200 refundable deposit, no annual fee, and accepts an ITIN. If you have thin or fair credit but want no deposit, the Capital One QuicksilverOne earns the same 1.5% with no deposit and a $39 annual fee. Both report to all three credit bureaus.
How do you redeem cash back?
Most issuers let you redeem cash back as a statement credit that lowers your balance, a deposit to a linked bank account, or a paper check. Capital One and Chase have no redemption minimum and let you redeem any amount at any time. A statement credit does not count as a payment, so you still owe your minimum due even after redeeming.
Does the Chase Freedom Unlimited accept an ITIN?
Yes. Chase accepts an ITIN in place of a Social Security number, though ITIN holders usually need to apply in branch rather than online. The Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5–5% cash back with no annual fee and typically requires a credit score around 670 or higher. Bring your ITIN, passport, and proof of U.S. address to the branch.