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How Can I Get Credit Cards with No Deposit?

6 min read

Last Updated: January 30, 2026

Table of contents

Key Takeaways

Student credit cards may be a great way for those with no or limited credit to build a credit history with no deposit required.
If you don’t qualify for a no-deposit credit card, a secured credit card may be an alternative.
Authorized users on someone else’s account don’t need to put down a deposit.

It may be frustrating to find out you may not qualify for a credit card without making a deposit to the credit card company. It may feel like you’re borrowing your own money or tying up cash you might otherwise use to pay a bill.

If you have an income and a good credit score, you may get approval for an unsecured credit card with no deposit. These traditional, unsecured credit cards include cash back, travel, and student credit cards.

But what if your credit isn’t great (or you have poor credit)? What if you’re new to credit and don’t have a credit history at all? Are there other ways to get credit cards with no deposit?

How to get credit cards with no deposit

What many consider a “traditional credit card” is sometimes called an “unsecured card” and they are the most common credit cards offered. They’re called unsecured because your credit card company doesn’t have you protect your debt through collateral, such as a deposit that they may keep if you fail to make payments.

If you apply for a credit card that doesn’t require a deposit, card issuers will look at your credit history, assess your creditworthiness (or how likely it is that you’ll repay your loan), and examine your income to determine your eligibility.

Apply for a credit card with no deposit

If you’re interested in applying for a credit card with no deposit, you’ll first want to check your credit score. Your credit score is a key factor in the kind of card you may be approved for by a lender, so knowing this information ahead of time may help you decide which cards to consider.

Then, you’ll want to review the card issuer’s terms. To do this, visit their website and read about different credit card options. You may also check for pre-approval to see if you qualify for certain cards before you submit an application, which won’t harm your credit score.

Pre-qualifying for several credit cards may help you compare interest rates, fees, and potential rewards across different cards. Many credit card issuers have pre-qualifying tools on their websites to help you find the best credit card for you.

See if You’re Pre-Approved

If you have a limited credit history (or no credit history) and you don’t qualify for an unsecured card, there are still some ways to get a credit card without paying a deposit.

Become an authorized user on someone else’s credit card

Becoming an authorized user on a credit card account allows you to use someone else’s credit card account as if it were your own, even if you can’t qualify for a card on your own. This is a great way to build credit history responsibly in a low-risk environment.

A friend or family member may help you with building credit by adding you as an authorized user to their credit card account. You won’t have all the account capabilities of a primary account holder, but you may get a card and make purchases against the account’s credit limit.

If the primary account holder is managing their account responsibly, you may reap some of the benefits on your own credit. But because the account holder’s actions reflect on you, it’s a good idea to make sure any card you become authorized to use has a responsible card holder.

Open a student credit card without putting a deposit down

Are students able to get credit cards with no deposit? A college student who is at least 18 years old may qualify for a credit card without a deposit.

A student credit card usually has terms and conditions specifically for college students. That means, in most cases, a credit card issuer may not require a credit score or credit history to apply. Instead, a credit card company may consider a student’s age and income when reviewing applications. Income requirements for student credit cards are lower than those for regular credit cards.

Because of their typically lower credit limits, a student credit card may be one way to help teens build credit history responsibly and with lower risk. These kinds of cards may also offer reward perks, such as cash back on every eligible purchase.

Did you know?

Some student cards don’t require a security deposit. If you’re a student, there’s no credit score required to apply for a Discover^® Student credit cards.¹ Some student credit cards may also offer cash back rewards and help you build a credit history.

Learn More

If you’re interested in applying for a student card, you’ll want to make sure you have the right information to apply and get the right card for you.

Secured credit cards may be an alternative to no-deposit credit cards

If you aren’t able to find a no-deposit credit card that works for you, an alternative could be to start with a secured card. A secured credit card like the Discover it^® Secured Credit Card helps you build/rebuild your credit history with responsible use,² but will require a security deposit that’s used as collateral. With the Discover it^® Secured Credit Card, your credit line will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200.³

When will you get your deposit back? With Discover, you may get your deposit back after 6 consecutive on-time payments and maintaining good status on all your credit accounts.⁴ You may want to learn more about how secured cards work before deciding if it’s the right starter card option for you.

Improve your credit score before applying for credit cards

Educating yourself on what type of behavior leads to a better credit score should come before completing any applications. Review your credit report and see if there are steps you should take now that may help your credit score. Having a good credit score shows you’re a responsible borrower and might make it more likely to apply for credit cards that don’t require a security deposit.

The bottom line

If you’re looking for a credit card with no deposit, you have several options, such as an unsecured or traditional card. If you’re a student, consider a student credit card. You might also become an authorized user on someone else’s card if you’re focused on building or rebuilding credit in a low-risk way. If you’re unable to get approval for a card with no deposit, consider a secured credit card.

With a bit of preparation and a commitment to good credit habits, you may find a credit card with no deposit that may help you create a stronger financial future.

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