Best Credit Cards for International Students

When you're studying in the U.S., it's good to have a student credit card. The best credit cards for international students will help you build a credit history, which is very important if you plan to stay in the country. Many of them also offer extra perks, such as cash back on your purchases.

The top student credit cards can work well for international students. But you also need to take into account their requirements. Many require a Social Security number, but if you don't have one yet, there are some cards you can get with a passport and a student visa.

How to pick a U.S. credit card as an international student

Here's what to look for as an international student when comparing credit cards:

• No annual fee: Your first credit card shouldn't have any unnecessary fees because you don't want it to cost you money. Look for a card with no annual fee or monthly maintenance fee. Those are fees some cards have just for keeping the account open, but there are plenty of no annual fee credit cards that don't.
• No credit history required: Your credit history is the financial data that the U.S. credit bureaus have on you, such as loan or credit card payments you've made. As an international student, you likely don't have much or any credit history yet. Look for student credit cards that you can get with no credit history. You could also look for a secured credit card. This type of card requires a security deposit equal to its credit limit. Or pick a card that allows a cosigner -- a person who has built their credit history and is willing to take responsibility for the card with you.
• No foreign transaction fee: Some credit cards tack on an additional fee, usually 3%, for foreign transactions. That includes any purchases made outside the U.S. or that go through a foreign bank. Many of the best student credit cards have no foreign transaction fee, and that's better for international students. If you take a trip back home or anywhere else abroad, you can keep using your credit card without paying extra.

LEARN MORE: How to Choose the Right Credit Card

Why should international students get a U.S. credit card?

The main benefits of getting a U.S. credit card are building credit and having a safe, convenient way to pay for purchases.

If you plan to live in the U.S., your credit history will be very important. That and your credit score (which is based on your credit history) are used in a variety of ways.

Here are a few examples:

• Renting: Landlords run a credit check to decide if they'll rent to you when you apply for rental housing.
• Loans: Lenders decide whether to approve you for a loan and, if so, your loan's interest rate based on your credit.
• Auto insurance: In most states, car insurance companies can use your credit to help set the insurance rates drivers pay.
• Jobs: Employers can review your credit history before deciding to hire you.

Last but not least, by getting a good credit score, you can qualify for the best credit cards. These have a lot more benefits and can help you save money.

One of the simplest ways to build credit is to get a credit card. After you have a student card, you just need to use it regularly and pay the bill on time. This will put positive activity on your credit history.

Besides building credit, a credit card is also a useful tool to pay for purchases. Credit cards are widely accepted in the United States, and it's safer to carry a credit card instead of cash.

Just make sure you pay your bill in full every month to avoid credit card debt. Even if you have a card with a good credit card APR (annual percentage rate), it's still not worth it to pay interest charges.

How to get a U.S. credit card as an international student

The easiest way to get a U.S. credit card is with a Social Security number or an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). International students are generally eligible to apply for these. You can apply for a Social Security number from the Social Security Administration if you have a job. Otherwise, you can apply for an ITIN from the IRS.

Here are the basic steps of how to apply for a credit card:

1. Find a credit card available for applicants with no credit history.
2. Go to the credit card page and choose the "Apply Now" option.
3. Fill out and submit the application to the credit card company.

If you aren't able to get a Social Security number or an ITIN, you have a few alternatives. One is to visit a branch of the bank that offers the credit card. Some banks require a Social Security number or an ITIN if you apply for a card online but will let you apply with other documentation in person.

You can also choose a student card that lets you apply online using your passport and student visa.

Another way to get started with credit is to become an authorized user on another person's credit card. Many card issuers only require a name and address to add someone as an authorized user. But they do typically need a Social Security number or ITIN to report card activity on your credit history, which is how you build credit.

Can I get a credit card if I'm not a U.S. citizen?

Yes, you can get a credit card if you're not a U.S. citizen. Credit cards are available to legal residents, and some card issuers approve applicants of any citizenship status.

Keep in mind that the credit card issuer must verify your identity before approving you for a card. The documentation accepted for identity verification depends on the card issuer.

Can I get a credit card if I don't have a Social Security number?

You don't need a Social Security number to get a credit card. Credit card companies ask for a Social Security number during the application process to verify your identity. Most will also accept an ITIN as an alternative.

Some card issuers allow international students to apply for a card using their passport and student visa.

What do I need to apply for a U.S. credit card?

Here's the personal information that credit card companies ask for during the application process:

• Full name
• Home address
• Phone number
• Date of birth
• Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN)
• Annual gross income

If you don't have a Social Security number or ITIN, the card issuer may accept other types of identification.

Our student credit cards methodology

At The Motley Fool Ascent, we rate student credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rate, credit score requirements, annual fees, and perks specific to students.

Our highest-rated student credit cards have:

• A rewards rate above 1.5% (or 1.5x points) with average spending
• Flexible credit score requirements
• No annual fees
• Perks that bring value to students like APR offers, purchase protections, and no foreign transaction fees

We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best student credit card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring student cards from reputable brands.

Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how The Ascent rates credit cards.