🇺🇸 Credit Card Requirements in United States

Comparing cards in the US comes down to welcome bonuses and category overlap, because the market is crowded enough that two cards often pay nearly the same. Approval leans on your FICO score (300 to 850; 670+ is generally considered good as of 2026), and issuers weigh recent applications heavily, so opening several cards fast can hurt you. Bonuses are unusually rich here, sometimes worth $600 to $1,000, but they carry minimum-spend requirements you shouldn't manufacture. Watch the go-to APRs, which often top 22%, and confirm any current offer on the issuer's official site.

The score that matters

Banks in United States lean heavily on your FICO Score (it runs 300–850). Clear 670+ and the premium cards open up; sit below it and you'll still find secured and starter cards built for thinner files.

What you'll usually need

• To be old enough — 18+, sometimes 21+ on certain cards
• ID that checks out (passport, national ID or the local equivalent)
• Something that proves where you live
• Evidence you earn — payslips, bank statements or tax records
• A FICO Score in the qualifying range
• Residency, or a visa/work permit that allows it

Tilting the odds your way in United States

• Pull your FICO Score first — most bureaus let you see it free.
• Apply only for cards that match your score band; scattershot applications mean needless rejections.
• Keep balances low and never miss a due date.
• No history yet? Begin with a secured or entry-level card and build from there.

Regulator: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Every issuer sets its own bar — confirm on the official application page before you apply.