Best Credit Cards for International Students in the USA 2026

Getting a first U.S. credit card can be difficult for international students.

Many arrive with:

• No U.S. credit history
• No U.S. credit score
• No Social Security Number (SSN)
• Limited local income

Fortunately, several credit cards are designed for students, newcomers, or people building credit from scratch.

The best option depends on whether you already have:

• An SSN
• An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
• U.S. credit history
• A security deposit

This guide compares the best credit cards for international students in the USA in 2026.

Best Credit Cards for International Students in the USA : Quick Comparison

Approval is never guaranteed. Each issuer applies its own identification, income, residency, and credit requirements.

1. Zolve Credit Card

Best for international students without an SSN or U.S. credit history

Zolve is one of the most international-student-focused options available.

The company currently states that eligible applicants can apply without:

• An SSN
• Previous U.S. credit history
• A security deposit

Zolve says international students may use documents such as their passport and visa information and that account activity is reported to the major U.S. credit bureaus. (zolve.com)

Main features

Depending on the card version and current offer:

• No U.S. credit history required
• No security deposit
• $0 annual fee on its base no-deposit option
• 1% cash back on the base card described in current student guidance
• Credit-building opportunities

Best for:

• Newly arrived F-1 students
• Students waiting for an SSN
• Students starting U.S. credit from zero

Important

Zolve products, rewards, APRs, and country eligibility can change. Check the final card agreement before applying.

2. Capital One Quicksilver Rewards for Students

Best for simple flat-rate cash back

Quicksilver Student is a strong option for students who do not want to track spending categories.

Current benefits include:

• Unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases
• $0 annual fee
• Credit-building opportunity with responsible use

Capital One is also currently offering eligible new student cardholders a:

$100 cash bonus

after spending:

$300 within the first three months

Best for:

• Everyday student expenses
• Students who want simple rewards
• Those who dislike rotating categories

Capital One also allows prospective applicants to check for pre-approval without risking their credit score through a hard inquiry at that stage.

3. Capital One Savor Rewards for Students

Best for dining, groceries, entertainment, and streaming

Savor Student can offer better value than a flat-rate card for students who spend heavily on food and entertainment.

Current rewards include:

• 3% cash back at grocery stores
• 3% on dining
• 3% on entertainment
• 3% on eligible popular streaming services
• 1% on other purchases

The card currently has a $0 annual fee and offers eligible new cardholders a $100 bonus after spending $300 within three months.

Best for:

• Students who eat out regularly
• Grocery spending
• Streaming subscriptions
• Entertainment purchases

Between Capital One’s two student cards:

• Choose Quicksilver Student for simplicity.
• Choose Savor Student for higher rewards in student-friendly categories.

4. Discover it Student Cash Back

Best for maximizing first-year cash back

Discover it Student Cash Back offers one of the strongest rewards structures among traditional student cards.

Current benefits include:

• 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories after activation, up to the quarterly maximum
• 1% cash back on other purchases
• $0 annual fee
• No credit score required to apply

Discover also automatically matches all cash back earned at the end of the first year for new cardmembers under its current Cashback Match offer.

Main limitation for international students

Discover currently states that applicants need:

• A Social Security Number
• A U.S. address
• Required application information
• Proof of school enrollment

Therefore, this is a much better option for an international student who already has an SSN.

Best for:

• Students with an SSN
• Students willing to activate quarterly categories
• Applicants seeking strong first-year rewards

5. Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students

Best for international students who travel frequently

This card can be particularly useful for students who:

• Fly home during university breaks
• Travel internationally
• Make purchases in foreign currencies

Current benefits include:

• Unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent
• $0 annual fee
• No foreign transaction fee

The current online offer also provides:

25,000 bonus points

after at least:

$1,000 in purchases during the first 90 days

The points can be worth a $250 statement credit toward eligible travel and dining purchases.

Current introductory APR offer

Bank of America currently advertises:

• 0% introductory APR for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases
• Standard variable APR of 17.49%–27.49% after the introductory period

Best for:

• International travel
• Students visiting home regularly
• Students wanting simple travel rewards

6. Chase Freedom Rise

Best for students and newcomers starting a credit history

Freedom Rise is not exclusively an international student card, but Chase markets it toward people establishing credit.

Current benefits include:

• Unlimited 1.5% cash back
• $0 annual fee
• No minimum cash-back redemption requirement

Chase also currently offers a $25 statement credit when an eligible cardholder signs up for automatic payments within the first three months and remains enrolled for at least 90 days. (chase.com)

Chase explains that credit card applications may require an:

• SSN
• ITIN

depending on the application and applicant.

Best for:

• Students starting U.S. credit
• Applicants already building a Chase banking relationship
• Students who want simple cash back

7. Bank of America Travel Rewards Secured Credit Card

Best secured card for students with no credit history

A secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit to establish the credit line.

The Bank of America Travel Rewards Secured card currently requires:

Minimum deposit: $200

Maximum deposit: $5,000

Current features include:

• Unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent
• $0 annual fee
• No foreign transaction fee
• Opportunity to establish U.S. credit with responsible use

Best for:

• Students rejected for unsecured cards
• Students with no U.S. credit history
• Students who can provide a security deposit

Bank of America also specifically recommends considering a secured card when an international student has no U.S. credit history. (bankofamerica.com)

Can International Students Get a Credit Card Without an SSN?

Sometimes.

Possible routes include:

• A card that accepts alternative identity documents
• An issuer that accepts an ITIN
• A secured credit card

Zolve currently markets its credit card to international students without an SSN or U.S. credit history. Discover, by contrast, explicitly requires an SSN for its student card applications. (zolve.com) (discover.com)

Some traditional issuers may accept an ITIN.

The IRS issues ITINs to certain people who need a U.S. taxpayer identification number for federal tax purposes but are not eligible for an SSN. Form W-7 is used to apply. (irs.gov)

An ITIN does not guarantee credit card approval.

Special Rule for Students Under 21

Credit card rules are stricter for applicants under age 21.

Under federal rules, a card issuer generally cannot open an account for someone under 21 unless the applicable ability-to-pay requirements are satisfied or another legally permitted arrangement applies. (consumerfinance.gov)

Students should report income accurately and never invent income on an application.

How to Choose the Best Card

Choose Zolve if:

You have no SSN and no U.S. credit history.

Choose Quicksilver Student if:

You want simple 1.5% cash back.

Choose Savor Student if:

Most of your spending is on groceries and dining.

Choose Discover it Student if:

You have an SSN and want strong first-year rewards.

Choose BofA Travel Rewards Student if:

You travel internationally.

Choose Chase Freedom Rise if:

You are new to credit and prefer Chase.

Choose a secured card if:

You cannot qualify for an unsecured card.

How to Build Credit Correctly

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends:

• Paying on time, every time
• Paying the balance in full when possible
• Avoiding getting too close to the credit limit
• Applying only for credit you need

You do not need to carry a balance and pay interest to build credit.

Paying the full statement balance every month can build credit while helping you avoid finance charges.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying for several cards at once

Multiple applications can make approval harder.

Choosing rewards over approval chances

Your first goal is building credit safely.

Carrying a balance to build credit

This is unnecessary and expensive.

Ignoring foreign transaction fees

Important for international students who travel home.

Spending the full credit limit

High credit usage can hurt your credit profile.

Final Thoughts

The best credit card for an international student depends mainly on whether they have an SSN and U.S. credit history.

For a new arrival without an SSN, Zolve is one of the most directly targeted options.

For students with stronger traditional eligibility:

• Quicksilver Student is best for simple cash back.
• Savor Student is best for dining and groceries.
• Discover it Student offers strong first-year rewards.
• BofA Travel Rewards Student is excellent for international travel.
• Chase Freedom Rise is a practical starter option.
• A secured card can help when unsecured approval is difficult.

The most valuable reward from your first credit card is not cash back.

It is building a strong U.S. credit history without paying unnecessary interest.

Official Sources

• Zolve – Credit Cards for Global Citizens
• Capital One Quicksilver Rewards for Students
• Capital One Savor Rewards for Students
• Discover it Student Cash Back
• Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students
• Chase Freedom Rise
• Bank of America Travel Rewards Secured
• IRS – Apply for an ITIN
• CFPB – How to Build Credit