How to Apply for Instant Approval Credit Cards

Instant approval credit cards give applicants an approval decision within seconds or minutes. Fast approval speed is a major perk, but eligibility often still depends on factors like credit history, income, and the card issuer’s requirements.

Some instant approval cards also offer immediate access to an Instant Card Number for digital wallet purchases, which would allow you to start making purchases right away, even before your physical card shows up.

Here are a few common upsides to instant approval credit cards:

If you’re seeking instant approval and use, and you’re not standing at the register in a retail store asking for an instant approval store credit card, an online application is another option. Many credit card issuers process online applications in real time, while others offer instant approval for over-the-phone applications (but not necessarily instant card numbers). Here are three streamlined steps that may be involved when getting an instant approval credit card to use immediately:

Here are more detailed steps for the instant approval card application process:

1. Check Your Credit Score
Your credit score often plays a large role in determining important credit card terms like the annual percentage rate (APR) or the yearly cost you pay to borrow money.¹

2. Consider Prequalification
Prequalification and preapproval can rely on soft inquiries that may not impact credit scores to determine if your instant approval chances are high.² Gauging your approval chances with prequalification before applying reduces the risk of unnecessary hard inquiries that do impact your score. Using prequalification tools may help guide you toward the right cards and offers for products with better terms.

3. Prepare for a Hard Inquiry
Many card issuers conduct a thorough credit report check known as a hard inquiry when you apply, which can often temporarily lower your credit score. Infrequent hard inquiries are normal, but too many too close together may send a high-risk signal to lenders. Make sure another loan application doesn’t take priority first and avoid unnecessary credit applications.

4. Find Cards That Fit Your Credit Profile
After consulting your credit report, you’ll better understand how lenders view you and which cards are within closer reach. You may want to go for credit cards that align with your financial needs, like cash back for groceries or travel miles for eligible purchases.

A couple of factors can push your application into pending status:⁴

In general, the better your credit is, the more likely you are to get instant approval.⁵ But that doesn’t mean that only people with excellent credit scores should seek instant approval.

It’s worth noting that retail store credit cards exist somewhat outside this typical process. You may be able to apply for most co-branded/store credit cards in-store at the time you make a purchase and be either approved or denied. In some cases, an instant approval store credit card may only be used in the issuing store. It’s a good idea to confirm whether you’ll be able to use an instant card number elsewhere, as well as whether you’ll be able to use the physical card elsewhere.

Being approved for a credit card is not the same as being able to use it. And instant approval is not instant access. Most cards are still mailed, in which case it can take seven to 10 days to get to you. If you want it sooner than that, many credit companies may expedite shipping (even overnight), but they may charge extra for that service.⁶

If you truly want to use the card during the same lunch hour in which you apply, you’ll need to choose a card that offers an instant credit card number. Besides the co-branded/store cards, not all card issuers will give you an account number that you can use for online purchases right away.⁷ You can find online resources that identify creditors that offer instant credit access, or you can ask any credit card provider whether it offers that option.