Best Secured Cards for Immigrants

A secured credit card requires a security deposit. The deposit usually equals your credit limit. This is the most accessible way to start building credit history in the US.

What Is a Secured Card?

You make a deposit (usually $200-500), and the bank gives you a credit card with a limit equal to your deposit. You use the card normally, and the bank reports to credit bureaus. After 6-12 months, you can upgrade to an unsecured card and get your deposit back.

Top 3 Secured Cards

1. Discover it® Secured

• Annual fee: $0
• Deposit: from $200
• Cashback: 2% at gas stations and restaurants, 1% on everything else
• Bonus: Discover matches all cashback at the end of the first year

Best choice if you have an SSN. The only secured card with cashback.

2. OpenSky® Secured Visa®

• Annual fee: $35
• Deposit: from $200
• Accepts ITIN — no SSN needed!
• No credit check

Best choice for those who only have an ITIN.

3. Capital One Platinum Secured

• Annual fee: $0
• Deposit: can be as low as $49
• Automatic credit line review

Good option with potentially low deposit.

Tips for Using a Secured Card

1. Spend no more than 30% of your limit
2. Pay the full balance every month
3. Set up autopay so you never miss a payment
4. Don't close the card too early — length of history matters