Your First Credit Card: How to Get Started in the US
A complete guide for those who have never had credit or are new to the country.
Why You Need Credit in the United States
The American system works differently from other countries. Credit is not a luxury. It's a necessity.
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Without a credit score, you cannot:
- Rent a decent apartment
- Buying a car with financing
- Getting a home loan
- Sometimes not even opening a utility account
Owners check scores. Banks check scores. Some employers check scores.
The Beginner's Trap:
To get credit, you need credit. But how do you get your first loan if no one gives you any opportunities?
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This is the frustration millions feel. You're new. You have no history. Doors are closing.
The good news: There are cards designed exactly for this situation.
How Credit Score Works (Basic)
Credit score is a number between 300 and 850. It measures how reliable you are with borrowed money.
FICO Score Composition:
35% – Payment History (Do you pay on time?) 30% – Credit Usage (Do you use up your limit?) 15% – History Length (How long have you had credit?) 10% – New Requests (Are you over-applying?) 10% – Credit Mix (Different Types?)
For beginners, first two factors are crucial.
Always pay on time. Use less than 30% of the limit. These two alone build a decent score.
Realistic Timeline:
Month 0: No score Month 3-6: First score appears (usually 600-650) Month 12: Score stabilizes (650-700 if used well) Month 24: Strong score possible (700+)
It's not instantaneous. But it's predictable if you follow the rules.
Secured Card vs Student Card vs Starter Card
Three types of cards for beginners. Each has a different purpose.
Secured Card
How it works: You deposit money as collateral. Your deposit limit becomes yours.
Deposits $300 = limit $300 Deposits $500 = limit $500
Advantage: Almost everyone approves. No existing score is needed.
Disadvantage: You must have money for deposit.
Ideal for: who has no score or a very low score.
Student Card
How it works: University student card. Proof of enrollment required.
No deposit required. Low initial limit (usually $300-500).
Advantage: builds credit without a deposit.
Disadvantage: For students only. Requires income (even a small one).
Ideal for: international students or college students.
Starter Card (Unsecured for Beginners)
How it works: normal paper but designed for beginners.
No deposit. Approve with a low score or no score.
Advantage: Normal paper experience from day 1.
Disadvantage: It often has an annual fee and limited benefits.
Ideal for: those with a stable income but no history.
Security Deposit: What You Need and How It Works
If you choose a secured card, deposit is an essential part.
How much to deposit:
Minimum: Usually $200 Maximum: Varies per card ($500-$2,500) Recommended: $300-$500 to start
What happens with deposit:
It stays in a separate bank account. You can't use it. It acts as a guarantee for the bank. If you don't pay your bill, the bank uses the deposit. If you always pay, the deposit is never touched.
When you get your deposit back:
When you close your card (not recommended early) When your card graduates to unsecured (better option) When you upgrade to a better card from the same issuer
Graduation explained:
After 6-12 months of perfect payments, some banks automatically:
- They return the deposit
- They transform paper into unsecured
- Increase limit
Discover Secured is famous for this. Capital One too.
Check details on the Discover's official website.
Getting Started: How to Use Paper to Build Scores
You have paper. Now what? Using it correctly is crucial.
Step 1: Make small monthly purchases
Buy something small every month. Coffee, gas, grocery store.
It doesn't matter how much. What matters is showing regular activity.
Step 2: Always pay the full invoice
Never, ever carry a balance. Pay everything before the due date.
Juros don't build scores. They destroy finances.
Step 3: Maintain usage under 30%
If your limit is $500, don't spend more than $150 a month.
Ideally, keep it under 10% for maximum score impact.
Step 4: Set up automatic payment
Life happens. You forget. Payment is lost.
Automatic payment ensures you never miss a deadline.
Step 5: Monitor scores monthly
Credit Karma, Experian, free services show progress.
Seeing the score go up motivates you to continue doing well.
Fatal Errors That Destroy Scores From the Start
Some mistakes don't just cause harm. They devastate.
Error 1: Late Payment
Even a day late can be reported. 30 days late is a disaster.
Payment history is 35% do score. Mistaking this factor is fatal.
Solution: automatic payment always.
Error 2: Maxar Card
Using 100% of the limit every month will kill your score.
Banks see this as financial desperation.
Solution: use maximum 30%, ideally 10%.
Mistake 3: Applying For Too Many Cards
Every application is a hard inquiry. Too many inquiries signal risk.
Solution: one card at a time. Wait 6 months before the second.
Error 4: Closing First Card
The first card marks the beginning of the story. Closing reduces the average length of the story.
Solution: Always keep the first card open, even if you no longer use it.
Mistake 5: Ignoring Report Errors
Credit reports contain errors. Accounts that aren't yours. Payments marked incorrectly.
Solution: Check reports annually. Dispute errors immediately.
You can get free reports on AnnualCreditReport.com.
Timeline: How Long to Get a Decent Score?
Realistic expectations prevent frustration.
Month 0-3:
- Apply and receive card
- Start using it for small purchases
- Pay bills perfectly
- No scores visible yet
Month 3-6:
- First score appears (usually 600-660)
- Continue perfect payments
- Keep usage low
Month 6-12:
- Score stabilizes and grows (650-700)
- Possible graduation if secured card
- You can consider second card
Month 12-24:
- Strong score possible (700+)
- Best options available
- You can apply for cards with benefits
Key: Consistency beats speed. Perfect payments over 12 months build a solid foundation.
Best Secured Cards
Not all secured cards will create trouble. Algumas are superior.
Discover it Secured
Why it's better:
- No annual fee
- Real cashback (rotating categories 5%, rest 1%)
- Match cashback first year (double your earnings)
- Automatic graduation after 7-8 months
Deposit: from 200 dollars Limit: equal to deposit
For whom: beginners who want real benefits from day 1.
Capital One Platinum Secured
Why it's good:
- Possible upper deposit limit
- Deposit $49, $99 or $200 for $200 limit
- Graduation possible
- Regular reviews for limit increase
For whom: those who have little money for an initial deposit.
Chime Credit Builder
Why it's different:
- Technically it is not a traditional secured card
- No deposit required
- No credit check
- No interest (you can't carry over a balance)
How it works: Transfer money from checking to Credit Builder. That becomes "credit."
For whom: chi vuole começar sem deposito e sem rischio debito.
See current options on Capital One website.
Student Cards: An Option for University Students
If you're a student, you're at an advantage. Special cards just for you.
Discover it Student Cash Back:
- Mesmos benefits from secured but without deposit
- Requires proof of registration
- Cashback match first year
- No fee
Capital One Journey Student:
- 1% basic cashback, 1,25% if you pay on time
- No fee
- Free score tracking
Bank of America Student:
- Cashback in categories
- Possible bonuses for good grades
- No fee
Common requirements:
- University enrollment test
- Minimum 18 years old
- Some form of income (part-time job, allowance, bolsa)
Starter Cards Unsecured
Some cards approve beginners without a deposit.
Petal 2 Visa:
- Analyze cash flow instead of score
- 1-1.5% cashback
- No fee
- Approve SEM score
OpenSky Secured (special mention):
- No credit check
- He approves of literally everyone
- Deposit only required
- It has an annual fee ($35)
Credit One Bank:
- Approve bad credit
- But be careful: high fees and rents
- Use only if no other option
Income: How Much Do You Need?
Cards require income. But the definition is more flexible than you might think.
Acceptable income includes:
- Salary from work
- Financial aid (available part)
- Parental Allowance
- Scholarship money
- Gig economy (Uber, DoorDash)
- Freelance income
How much you need:
Secured cards: minimum 10-12k annually Student cards: even less acceptable Starter cards: usually 15k+
Important: You must have regular access to money to pay bills. Your declared income must be honest.
How to Apply (Step by Step)
The application process is similar for all cards.
Step 1: Choose appropriate paper
Based on your situation: student, available deposit, income.
Step 2: Collect documents
SSN or ITIN (obrigatório) Proof of income (paystub, bank statements) If a student: proof of enrollment
Step 3: Apply online
Go to the official emissor's website. Avoid third-party sites.
Fill out the application honestly. False information = denial + problems.
Step 4: Wait for decision
Some cards are approved instantly. Others take 7-10 days.
Step 5: If approved, card arrives
7-10 business days by mail. Activate online or by phone.
Step 6: If secured, make a deposit
Some require a deposit before application. Others require approval.
Follow the card's specific instructions.
SSN vs. ITIN: Which Is the Best?
SSN (Social Security Number):
Citizens and permanent residents. Authorized employment.
Preferred by banks. Multiple card options available.
ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number):
For those who pay taxes but do not have an SSN.
Some cards accept it. Discover and Capital One do. Others don't.
Without either of the two:
Extremely limited options. It's almost impossible to get traditional paper.
Foca em obtener ITIN prima se applica al tua situazione.
Conclusion
The first credit card is the gateway to the American financial system.
You don't need perfect paper. You need paper that approves and allows you to start building.
Essential steps:
- Choose secured, student or starter based on situation
- Apply with correct documents
- Use card monthly for small purchases
- Always pay in full and on time
- Keep usage under 30%
- Track progress monthly
After 6-12 months With responsible use, you've established a score. Doors open. Options improve.
But everything starts with the decision to take first card today.
Check the options on the Experian website to monitor your progress.
Your credit journey begins with a single step. Today is that day.
