Chase offers credit cards through its website, mobile app, and branches, and the process takes about 15 minutes online
You can open a Chase credit card in three ways: online at chase.com, through the Chase mobile app, or in person at a Chase branch. The online route is fastest — you'll get a decision in seconds to minutes, and you can start using your card within days. In-branch applications take longer but let you ask questions face-to-face. You'll need a Social Security number, current address, income information, and a valid ID to complete any application.
Chase runs a hard inquiry on your credit report when you submit an application, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. This inquiry stays on your report for about two years but stops affecting your score after roughly three months. If you're denied, you can call the reconsideration line to ask Chase to review your application again — sometimes they'll approve you or offer a different card if you explain your situation.
Key Takeaways
- Online applications at chase.com take 15 minutes and give you a decision immediately, while branch applications let you speak to someone but take longer.
- You need a Social Security number, proof of address, income details, and a valid ID; Chase will pull your credit report as part of the review.
- Chase typically mails your physical card within 7 to 10 business days, but you can often use a temporary card number online right away.
- If you're denied, call the reconsideration line within 30 days to ask Chase to review your application or suggest a different card you might may have access to for.
- Chase has different cards for different credit profiles — those with excellent credit, fair credit, or no credit history may each have a better option.
What you need before you start an application
Gather these documents before you open chase.com or walk into a branch. You'll need your Social Security number, a current government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID), your current address, and your annual household income. If you've moved recently, have your previous address handy — Chase asks for it if you've lived at your current address for less than two years.
You should also know your employment status and employer name. If you're self-employed, retired, or receive income from investments or benefits, have that information ready. Chase will ask whether you have other credit cards and what your total credit limit is across all of them — this helps them decide how much credit to offer you. If you don't know these numbers exactly, your best estimates are fine.
How to apply online at chase.com
Go to chase.com and click "Credit Cards" in the top menu. Browse the cards available and click the one you want. Read the offer details — they change frequently and may include sign-up bonuses, intro rates, or waived annual fees. Click "Apply Now" and you'll be taken to a secure application page.
Fill in your personal information: name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, and phone number. Enter your employment status and annual income. Chase will ask if you're a current Chase customer and whether you have other Chase accounts. Answer honestly — lying on a credit application is fraud. Review everything before you submit, because once you do, Chase pulls your credit report and you can't undo that inquiry.
After you submit, Chase usually tells you the decision right away. You might see "Approved," "Pending," or "Denied" on the screen. If it's pending, check your email and phone for messages from Chase — they may need to verify information by phone. Approved applicants can usually set up a PIN and view their card details immediately, even before the physical card arrives.
What happens after you're approved
Chase mails your physical card within 7 to 10 business days. The card arrives with a PIN already set, or you can set one yourself through the app or website before it arrives. Many Chase cards let you use a temporary card number online immediately after approval — check your account to see if this option is available for your card.
Your credit limit appears in your account as soon as you're approved. You can use your card right away through the app or online, even if the physical card hasn't arrived yet. Your first statement closes 21 to 25 days after your account opens, and your first payment is due about 21 days after that. Chase sends statements by email or mail depending on your preference.
If your card comes with a sign-up bonus (like cash back or points), the terms are in your welcome materials. Most bonuses require you to spend a certain amount within a set timeframe — usually 3 to 6 months. The bonus posts to your account once you meet the requirement, though it may take a few billing cycles to appear.
Applying in person at a Chase branch
Walk into any Chase branch with your ID, Social Security number, and proof of address (a recent utility bill or lease works). Tell a banker you want to open a credit card account. They'll pull up the available cards on their computer and explain the features, fees, and rewards of each one. This is a good time to ask questions about which card fits your situation.
The banker will fill out your application while you're there, or they may hand you a tablet to enter your information yourself. They'll pull your credit report and tell you the decision before you leave — usually within 15 to 20 minutes. If you're approved, they'll explain your credit limit and when your card will arrive. If you're denied, ask them to explain why and whether you can reapply for a different card.
If Chase denies your application
Chase sends a denial letter to your address within a few days. The letter explains the reason — usually "credit score too low," "too many recent inquiries," "insufficient credit history," or "too much existing debt." You have the right to a free copy of your credit report from the bureau Chase used; the letter tells you how to request it.
Call the Chase reconsideration line within 30 days of your denial. The number is on your denial letter. Explain your situation — if you've had recent income changes, paid down debt, or have a good reason for the score, tell them. Sometimes they'll reverse the decision. If not, ask whether a different Chase card (like one designed for fair credit or no credit history) might work instead. Reconsideration calls don't trigger a new hard inquiry.
If you're denied because your credit score is low, wait 3 to 6 months, pay down existing balances, and make all payments on time. Then reapply. Each application triggers a hard inquiry, so space them out — applying multiple times in a short period hurts your score and signals desperation to lenders.
Chase cards for different credit situations
Chase offers cards across the credit spectrum. If you have excellent credit (typically 750+), you can pursue premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Freedom Unlimited, which offer higher rewards and better perks. If your credit is good (typically 670–749), cards like the Chase Freedom Flex or Chase Sapphire Preferred may still be within reach, though you might get a lower credit limit.
If your credit is fair (typically 580–669), Chase offers cards designed for that range, though they may have higher interest rates and annual fees. If you have no credit history or very limited history, a secured card (where you deposit money as collateral) may be your entry point. Chase doesn't currently offer a secured card, but after you build credit with another issuer, you can reapply for a standard Chase card.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get approved for a Chase credit card?
Online applications get a decision in seconds to minutes. In-branch applications take 15 to 20 minutes. Your physical card arrives within 7 to 10 business days, but you can use a temporary card number online immediately after approval on most Chase cards.
Can I apply for multiple Chase cards at the same time?
Yes, but each application triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report. Applying for two cards on the same day counts as one inquiry for scoring purposes, but applying on different days counts as separate inquiries. Space applications out by at least 3 months to minimize damage to your score.
What if I don't have a Social Security number?
Chase requires a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to open a credit card. If you don't have either, you won't be able to open an account with Chase. Some banks offer cards to people without an SSN, but Chase does not.
Do I have to activate my Chase card when it arrives?
No. Most Chase cards are active as soon as your account opens. When the physical card arrives, you can start using it immediately — no separate activation step is needed. You can set a PIN through the app or website before the card arrives if you want to use it at an ATM.
What happens if I'm approved but don't want the card anymore?
Call Chase customer service and ask to close the account before your card arrives. If the card has already arrived, you can close it anytime. Closing a new card right after opening it can hurt your credit score slightly, but it's better than paying an annual fee you don't want.