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How Can I Get Credit Cards with No Deposit?

5 min read

Last Updated: April 23, 2025

Table of contents

Key Takeaways

Student credit cards can be a great way for those with no or limited credit to build a credit history with no deposit required.
If you can’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 can be frustrating to find out you might not qualify for a credit card without making a deposit to the credit card company. It can feel like you’re borrowing your own money or tying up cash you could be using 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 bad 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 access credit cards with no security deposit

If you have a limited credit history (or no credit history), there are two good ways to get a credit card without paying a 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 can keep if you fail to make payments.

Authorized users on someone else’s credit card don’t need to make a deposit

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 in a low-risk environment.

So, a friend or family member can help you build a credit history with responsible card use by adding you as an authorized user to their credit card account.

As an authorized user, you don’t have all the account capabilities of a primary account holder, but you can get a card and make purchases against the account’s credit limit.

If the primary account holder is responsible managing their account, you reap some of the benefits on your own credit as an authorized user. Many—but not all—credit card issuers report authorized user activity to the three major credit bureaus. The main account activity that’s sent to a credit bureau becomes part of your personal credit history. You’ll piggyback off the primary account holder’s good management of the account.

On the other hand, if the primary account holder misses or makes a late payment on the account, this might negatively impact your own credit score. Another credit score factor to keep in mind is if the card holder keeps a high credit utilization ratio (the total percentage of available credit in use).

Because the account holder’s actions reflect as your own, 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

Can students get credit cards with no deposit? A college student who is at least eighteen years old might 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 won’t 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 can be one way to help teens build credit history responsibly and with less 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 Discover Student credit cards.¹ Some student credit cards also may offer cash back rewards and can help you build a credit history, among several other benefits.

See If You’re Pre-Approved

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 can’t 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 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? At Discover, you can 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 higher credit score should come before completing any applications. Review your credit report and see if there are steps you can take now that may help your credit score. Having a good credit score shows you’re a responsible borrower and might make it easier to apply for credit cards that don’t require a security deposit.

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

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