Quick Answer
Yes — American Express and Chase both list an ITIN as an accepted taxpayer ID for business card owners: Amex's business application asks for your SSN or ITIN to verify identity, and Chase's business checklist lists SSN, ITIN or foreign TIN for owners. Corporations and partnerships also need an EIN; sole proprietors usually don't.
Can You Get a Business Credit Card With an ITIN?
Yes. You can get a business credit card with an ITIN at issuers that accept one for the owner's identity check, including American Express and Chase. The issuer typically reviews your personal credit history under that ITIN, and a multi-member LLC or corporation applying in its own name also needs a 9-digit EIN from the IRS.
American Express's business card application asks partnerships and corporations for a Federal Tax ID (EIN) and asks the applicant for an SSN or ITIN to verify identity. Chase's business account checklist lists each owner's Tax Identification Number as "SSN, ITIN, FTIN" when applying for a business credit card. Approval is never guaranteed; both issuers still run their own credit review. For personal cards, see credit cards that accept an ITIN.
Which Business Credit Cards Accept an ITIN?
American Express and Chase are the two major issuers whose own materials list an ITIN for business card applicants. Amex's Blue Business Plus and Blue Business Cash and Chase's Ink Business Unlimited and Ink Business Cash carry a $0 annual fee. Capital One and Bank of America don't say whether their business card applications take an ITIN.
| Card | Annual fee | Takes an ITIN? | Needs an EIN? | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Blue Business Plus | $0 | Yes — SSN or ITIN for identity | Corporations and partnerships | Amex business application |
| Amex Blue Business Cash | $0 | Yes — SSN or ITIN for identity | Corporations and partnerships | Amex business application |
| Chase Ink Business Unlimited | $0 | Yes — owner Tax ID: SSN, ITIN or FTIN | Yes, except single-member LLCs (SSN or ITIN) | Chase |
| Chase Ink Business Cash | $0 | Yes — owner Tax ID: SSN, ITIN or FTIN | Yes, except single-member LLCs (SSN or ITIN) | Chase |
| Capital One Spark cards | Varies by card | Doesn't say | Varies | Capital One |
| Bank of America business cards | Varies by card | Doesn't say | Varies | Bank of America |
| Ramp corporate card | See issuer | Doesn't say | Yes, plus $25,000 cash | Ramp |
| Mercury IO card | See issuer | Doesn't say | Yes (U.S.-registered company) | Mercury |
Annual fees and rewards change; confirm the current terms on the issuer's rates-and-fees page before you apply. For how each bank treats ITIN holders overall, see our American Express and Chase guides.
Do You Need an EIN for a Business Credit Card?
Not always. American Express says corporations and partnerships apply with their EIN, while a sole proprietor most likely uses their own taxpayer number unless they have an EIN. An EIN is free from the IRS, and an ITIN holder can request one online in a few minutes.
The IRS lets a responsible party with an ITIN apply for an EIN online at no cost. Having an EIN separates your business and personal tax records and is required to open most business bank accounts. See ITIN vs EIN, starting an LLC with an ITIN and business bank accounts with an ITIN.
How Do You Apply for a Business Credit Card With an ITIN?
Apply in 4 steps: get an EIN if your business is a multi-member LLC or corporation, gather your ITIN letter and business details, choose an issuer that lists an ITIN for owners, then apply online or at a branch. Expect the issuer to check your personal credit report and ask for your annual business revenue.
- Get an EIN if you need one. LLCs with more than one member, partnerships and corporations need an EIN from the IRS.
- Gather your details. Your ITIN (from IRS letter CP565), legal name, home address, business name, industry, years in business, annual business revenue and estimated monthly spending.
- Pick an issuer that lists an ITIN. American Express and Chase both do; Capital One and Bank of America don't say.
- Apply online or at a branch. At Chase, a banker can collect each owner's information in person, including the ITIN, for owners with 25% or more of the business.
New to U.S. business? Start with how to start a business with an ITIN.
Are Corporate Cards Like Ramp or Mercury an Option?
Sometimes. Ramp requires a registered corporation, LLC or LP with an EIN and at least $25,000 in a U.S. business bank account, so sole proprietors can't apply. Mercury says owners don't need to be U.S. citizens or residents, but the company must be registered in the U.S. Neither says whether it takes an ITIN.
Ramp lists its requirements on its EIN-only business card page, and Mercury lists its own on its account eligibility page. These cards set limits mainly from your company's cash and revenue, so they fit funded LLCs and corporations more than new sole proprietors.
Does a Business Credit Card Affect Your Personal Credit?
It can. Business card issuers usually check the owner's personal credit when you apply, which adds a hard inquiry to the report tied to your ITIN at one or more of the 3 major credit bureaus. Whether later payments show on your personal report depends on each issuer's reporting policy, so ask before applying.
If your main goal is building a U.S. credit history, a personal card is the more direct route. See how to build credit with an ITIN and Capital One's list of cards you can get with an ITIN.
Need financing too? See business loans with an ITIN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a business credit card with an ITIN and no EIN?
Often, if you're a sole proprietor. American Express says a sole proprietor most likely applies with their own taxpayer number unless they have an EIN, and Chase lets single-member LLCs use an SSN or ITIN. Partnerships and corporations need an EIN.
Does American Express accept an ITIN for business cards?
Yes. American Express's business card application asks the applicant for an SSN or ITIN to verify identity, and asks partnerships and corporations for their Federal Tax ID (EIN). Approval still depends on Amex's credit review.
Does Chase accept an ITIN for Ink business cards?
Yes. Chase's business account checklist lists each owner's Tax Identification Number as an SSN, ITIN or foreign TIN when applying for a business credit card, and requires every owner with 25% or more to be included.
Does Capital One Spark accept an ITIN?
Capital One doesn't say. Its ITIN card list covers personal cards only, and its Spark employee guide lets employee cardholders use an ITIN, but neither page says whether the owner can apply for a Spark card with an ITIN.
Will a business credit card build my personal credit with an ITIN?
It depends on the issuer. Most issuers check the owner's personal credit when you apply, but whether later payments appear on your personal report depends on each issuer's reporting policy. A personal card that accepts an ITIN is the more direct way to build credit.