Best International Student Credit Cards 2025
Karl says: “For international students, the Deserve® EDU Mastercard is a great choice, requiring no U.S. credit history or Social Security number to apply. It offers 1% unlimited cash back and includes perks like Amazon Prime Student after spending $500 in three months. The Petal® 1 Visa® Credit Card is another solid option, accepting applicants with no credit history or SSN, and uses banking history to evaluate eligibility, all while having no annual fee or foreign transaction fees.”
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Key offer
Deserve® EDU Mastercard is ideal for international students because it doesn’t require a U.S. credit history or Social Security number to apply — and it includes valuable perks like Amazon Prime Student and cell phone protection.
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• Apply using your passport, visa, and proof of U.S. bank account — no SSN or credit history required
• Earn 1% unlimited cash back on all purchases, plus a full year of Amazon Prime Student after spending $500 in 3 months
Welcome offer
• Get one year of Amazon Prime Student after spending $500 in the first 3 month
Annual fee
$0
Deserve’s unique underwriting considers academic records and bank balances instead of U.S. credit history, making approval accessible for international students. The included Amazon Prime Student membership ($79 value) effectively negates any opportunity cost of choosing this card.
Card Rewards
- Earn 1% cash back on all purchases.
Premium Benefits
• Earn 1% cash back on every purchase — simple, no-category rewards
• Get 12 months of Amazon Prime Student after spending $500 in your first 3 billing cycles
• No annual fee
• No foreign transaction fees — safe for use abroad
• No SSN required to apply — use passport, visa, and school documents
• Reports to all three major credit bureaus to help build U.S. credit
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• $30 referral bonus for you and your friend when they’re approved
• Manage spending, track payments, and freeze your card in the mobile app
Insurance & Protections:
• Cell phone protection up to $600 when you pay your bill with the card
• Mastercard Platinum benefits including ID Theft Protection and car rental coverage
• First late fee is waived
Minimum Qualifications
• This is one of the best cards for international students — no SSN needed.
• You don’t need a credit score, and it doesn’t rely on traditional credit reports.
• Instead, it uses financial things like your school, income, and U.S. bank account to assess your application.
• It’s designed for students, so being in school is the main qualifier.
Key offer
Petal® 1 Visa® Credit Card is a great option for international students because it accepts applicants with no credit history or SSN and offers automatic credit-building tools with no fees.
• You can apply with an ITIN instead of an SSN — Petal uses your banking history to evaluate eligibility
• No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and no deposit required — easy to manage from anywhere
Welcome offer
N/A
Annual fee
$0
Best For: Students with regular deposits or income
Card Rewards
2% – 10% Cash back at select local & national merchants
Premium Benefits
• No credit score required — approval based on income and cash flow
• No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, no security deposit
• Earn 2%–10% cash back at select merchants through Petal Offers
• Reports to all three major credit bureaus
• Starting credit limits range from $300 to $5,000
• Potential for credit limit increases after 6 months through the Leap Program
• Track your spending, automate payments, and manage your card in the Petal app
• Redeem cashback as a statement credit, ACH transfer, or check
Minimum Qualifications
• You don’t need a credit score to apply, but if you have one, they’ll check it.
• They also use cash flow data — like your income and bank account activity — to make approval decisions.
• This card is great if you’re not a student and have limited credit or none at all.
• You’ll need a U.S. phone number and SSN or ITIN.
Pro Tips
Documentation Preparation
- I-20 or F-1 visa
- Passport verification
- Bank statements (3 months)
- School enrollment proof
- U.S. address verification
Income Validation
- Part-time work authorization
- Scholarship documentation
- Family support letters
- Bank balance certificates
Timing Optimization
- Apply after U.S. bank account setup
- Wait for first semester enrollment
- Consider summer timing
- Plan around visa status