Quick Answer
Yes — many $0-annual-fee cards accept an ITIN. The most accessible is the Capital One Quicksilver Secured: no annual fee, 1.5% cash back, and a $200 refundable deposit. After you build credit, the Chase Freedom Unlimited (1.5–5%) and Amex Blue Cash Everyday (3% at U.S. supermarkets) are both $0-fee and accept an ITIN. All report to the three major bureaus.
Can You Get a No-Annual-Fee Credit Card With an ITIN?
Yes. Most starter and everyday rewards cards charge no annual fee, and Capital One, Chase, and Amex all accept an ITIN. A $0-fee card is the right default while building credit — you keep the account open for years to age your credit file without paying to hold it. Just watch for other fees beyond the annual one.
Which No-Annual-Fee Cards Accept an ITIN?
Every card below has a $0 annual fee and accepts an ITIN. They range from a secured starter card to no-deposit rewards cards for established credit. The table confirms the $0 fee, the rewards, the deposit (if any), and how ITIN holders apply.
| Card | Annual Fee | Rewards | Deposit | ITIN Apply Path |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Quicksilver Secured | $0 | 1.5% everywhere | $200 | Online |
| Capital One Platinum Secured | $0 | None | $49–$200 | Online |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | $0 | 1.5–5% | None | In branch |
| Amex Blue Cash Everyday® | $0 | 3% groceries / gas / online retail | None | Online |
| Discover it® Secured | $0 (SSN only) | 2% gas & dining | — | SSN required — not available with ITIN |
Terms set by each issuer and subject to change — confirm on the issuer's site before applying.
Which No-Annual-Fee Secured Cards Work With No Credit History?
If you have no U.S. credit history, a secured card is the starting point — and the best ones charge no annual fee. The Capital One Quicksilver Secured ($200 deposit, 1.5% cash back) and Capital One Platinum Secured ($49–$200 deposit, no rewards) both accept an ITIN and cost $0 to hold.
$0 annual fee, 1.5% flat cash back, no foreign transaction fee. $200 refundable deposit. ITIN accepted online. The best no-fee secured card if you want to earn rewards while building credit — your deposit comes back when the account graduates to unsecured.
$0 annual fee. $49–$200 deposit for a $200 credit limit — one of the lowest deposits available. No rewards, but reports to all three bureaus and reviews for an unsecured upgrade. ITIN explicitly accepted. The cheapest way to start a U.S. credit file from zero.
For the full secured-card lineup, see secured cards that accept ITIN and credit-builder loan vs. secured card.
When Is a Card With an Annual Fee Worth It Over a No-Fee Card?
A fee only pays off when the extra rewards and credits exceed it. The benchmark is what a free 1.5–2% card would have earned you. If a fee card earns more than that plus its fee, it wins; otherwise the no-fee card keeps more cash in your pocket.
The break-even, in numbers
The Amex Gold costs $325/year but earns 4x on dining and U.S. supermarkets. To beat a free 2% card, your bonus-category spending has to earn more than $325 in extra rewards above that 2% baseline — roughly $6,500+/year on dining and groceries combined, before counting the card's annual credits. Below that, a $0-fee card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited is the better math.
What Other Fees Should ITIN Holders Watch For?
A $0 annual fee does not mean a free card. Several other fees can cost more over a year than a small annual fee would — especially the foreign transaction fee if you spend in your home country.
- Foreign transaction fee: usually ~3% on purchases abroad or in a foreign currency. Capital One and many Amex cards charge $0; check before a trip home.
- Monthly maintenance fee: some secured and fintech cards charge a monthly fee that quietly exceeds a modest annual fee. The Capital One secured cards do not.
- Late and cash-advance fees: avoidable, but steep. Set autopay for at least the minimum and never use a card for cash advances.
How Do I Apply for a No-Annual-Fee 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 no-annual-fee credit card with an ITIN?
Yes. Many no-annual-fee cards accept an ITIN. The Capital One Quicksilver Secured charges $0 annually, accepts an ITIN, and earns 1.5% cash back with a $200 refundable deposit. Once you build credit, the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Amex Blue Cash Everyday are both $0-fee rewards cards that accept an ITIN. All report to the three major credit bureaus.
Which no-annual-fee secured cards work with no credit history and an ITIN?
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured and Capital One Platinum Secured both charge no annual fee, accept an ITIN, and require a refundable deposit starting around $49–$200. Both report to all three credit bureaus and can graduate to an unsecured card after several months of on-time payments, at which point your deposit is refunded.
When is a card with an annual fee worth it over a no-fee card?
A fee is worth it only when the extra rewards and credits exceed it. The Amex Gold costs $325 but earns 4x on dining and supermarkets plus annual credits. If your bonus-category spending earns more than $325 in extra rewards beyond what a free 1.5–2% card returns, the fee pays for itself. If your spending is modest, a no-annual-fee card keeps more money in your pocket.
What other fees should ITIN holders watch for on no-annual-fee cards?
A $0 annual fee does not mean a free card. Watch for foreign transaction fees (often 3%, which matters for spending in your home country), monthly maintenance fees on some secured cards, late payment fees, and cash advance fees. Some no-annual-fee secured cards charge monthly fees that quietly cost more than a small annual fee would.
Does the Chase Freedom Unlimited have an annual fee?
No. The Chase Freedom Unlimited has no annual fee and earns 1.5–5% cash back. Chase accepts an ITIN in place of a Social Security number, though ITIN holders usually need to apply in branch rather than online. It typically requires a credit score around 670 or higher, so it is a strong next step after a secured card.