You can get approved for aCapital One credit cardif you are at least 18 years old, have proof of enough income to make your monthly minimum payment, and meet the specific card’s credit score requirement. Capital One will also take into account your monthly housing payment and all sources of income, among other factors.
If you’re unsure whether you’ll be approved, Capital One offers the possibility to check if youpre-qualifyfor any of their cards. This way, you can better assess your approval odds before you apply. Pre-qualification is quick and it’s done using asoft inquiry, so there’s no effect on your credit score.
- Meet the general requirements. You must be at least 18 years old with a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) in order to apply. You will also need to provide your birthdate and a physical U.S. address (no P.O. boxes).
- Report a sufficient annual income. Your application must include your annual income and the sources of that income. Capital One requires a monthly income that’s at least $425 more than your monthly housing payment.
- Know your credit score before you apply. Some Capital One cards require good credit for approval, which means a credit score of at least 700. Capital One also offers a number of credit cards for people with credit scores below 700. You cancheck your credit score for freeon WalletHub.
- Make sure bankruptcies have been discharged. Capital One will reject your application if you have an unresolved bankruptcy on your credit report.
- Check your Capital One account and application history. Your application will be denied if you’ve submitted a Capital One credit card application twice or more in the past 30 days. The same is true if you’re past-due or over your credit limit on any other Capital One credit card accounts.
If you are unable to get approved for a Capital One credit card, consider becoming anauthorized useron someone else’s credit card account. As an authorized user, you will receive your own card, which will be linked to the primary cardholder’s account. Plus, you can build your credit history while the primary cardholder assumes responsibility for all charges on the account.
This answer was first published on 05/21/21 and it was last updated on 04/28/23. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.
FAQs
While credit scores are very important, Capital One credit card approval depends on several other factors as well. For example, applicants need to have enough income to make payments on the card. Capital One will also look at your monthly housing costs and existing debts when considering your application.
Is it hard to get approved for a Capital One credit card? ›
It is not very hard to get a Capital One credit card because Capital One offers cards for people with bad credit or better. The easiest credit card to get from Capital One is the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card, which is available to applicants with bad credit.
What's the easiest Capital One card to get approved for? ›
Capital One credit cards for fair credit include QuicksilverOne, Quicksilver Secured, and the Platinum Mastercard. Your credit score is only one of the many factors that determine your credit approval odds. The best way to know if you'll qualify is to get pre-approved. It's quick, easy and won't hurt your score.
What score do you need for a Capital One credit card? ›
You need a credit score of 700 or higher (good to excellent credit) to get the best Capital One credit card offers. Other options are also available for people with lower scores, as it is possible to get approved for Capital One credit card with limited credit history or a bad credit score.
What is the minimum income for a Capital One credit card? ›
Capital One doesn't have an official minimum income requirement to qualify for the Venture X card. However, you will need to be able to show you can afford to make payments on your card and it's reasonable to expect a higher income to improve your approval odds.
Why would Capital One deny me? ›
A credit card issuer has to make sure you have enough income to make the required payments for your card. If you don't have enough income to make the minimum payments, you might not be approved.
Will Capital One approve me with bad credit? ›
The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card and the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card are the easiest Captal One credit cards to get. Both cards are available to applicants with bad credit and require a refundable security deposit, making them easy to get approved for.
Why are Capital One cards not accepted? ›
Capital One may place a restriction on your credit card for reasons that include an unactivated new card, fraudulent activity, credit limit or late payments.
What's the lowest credit limit for Capital One? ›
There is no general starting credit limit for Capital One credit cards. Your credit limit will be based on your creditworthiness once your application has been approved.
What credit card approves everyone? ›
First Progress Platinum Elite Secured Mastercard: The First Progress Platinum Elite Secured Mastercard requires no credit history or minimum credit score for approval. Your security deposit is refundable, and the card is accepted nationwide.
Getting pre-approved doesn't guarantee approval, but it can give you an idea of what cards you're likely to be approved for.
How many Capital One cards can I get approved for? ›
Capital One reportedly limits cardholders to one new Capital One credit card every six months. You can also have only two Capital One personal credit cards open at any given time, though co-branded Capital One cards and Capital One business credit cards don't fall under this restriction.
How accurate is the Capital One pre-approval tool? ›
In general, Capital One credit card pre-approval is likely to be fairly accurate. Because you provide your Social Security number and other identifying information, it's possible for Capital One to get an idea of your credit history and provide you with a reasonably accurate list of cards you qualify for.
Why is it so hard to get a Capital One credit card? ›
Some Capital One credit cards are hard to get because they require at least good credit, which means you need a credit score of 700+ for good approval odds. Other Capital One credit cards are easier for people with lower credit scores to get approved for, so it's important to choose wisely.
Is it hard to get approved for Capital One? ›
You need a credit score of 700 or higher (good to excellent credit) to get the best Capital One credit card offers. Other options are also available for people with lower scores, as it is possible to get approved for Capital One credit card with limited credit history or a bad credit score.
Does Capital One ask for proof of income? ›
Applicants must provide their previous two years' W-2's, and their most recent pay stub. The pay stub must be computer-generated, include year-to-date earnings and taxes withheld, contain no alterations, and must have been issued within 40 days of the faxed date.
What is the minimum credit limit for Capital One credit card? ›
There is no general starting credit limit for Capital One credit cards. Your credit limit will be based on your creditworthiness once your application has been approved.
Why is my Capital One credit card declined when I have money? ›
An online purchase can be declined if you enter the wrong card information, such as billing address, expiration date, or CVV number. Declines can also happen during in-person transactions because of a malfunctioning chip reader or your card's magnetic stripe not reading correctly when swiped.
How widely accepted are Capital One credit cards? ›
The Capital One cards issued in partnership with Visa and Mastercard include Venture Rewards, Venture X Rewards, VentureOne Rewards, Quicksilver Rewards and SavorOne Rewards. Both Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at retailers worldwide.
Does a Capital One credit card hurt your credit score? ›
If you're interested in a Capital One credit card, pre-approval is quick, easy and won't hurt your credit. You can see whether you're pre-approved online in these simple steps: Answer pre-approval questions.
