The basic steps to open a Wells Fargo credit card
You can open a Wells Fargo credit card online, by phone, or in person at a branch. The online route is fastest — you fill out an application on Wells Fargo's website, answer questions about your income and credit history, and get a decision within minutes to a few business days. If you apply by phone, call 1-800-869-3557. If you go to a branch, bring a government-issued ID and be ready to provide your Social Security number, income, and employment details.
Wells Fargo will check your credit report during the process. This is called a hard inquiry, and it temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. You do not need perfect credit to be approved — Wells Fargo offers cards for different credit profiles — but the card you are approved for and your credit limit depend on your credit score and payment history.
Once approved, your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You activate it by calling the number on the back or logging into your Wells Fargo online account. You can use it immediately after activation.
Key Takeaways
- Apply online at wellsfargo.com, by phone at 1-800-869-3557, or in person at a Wells Fargo branch — online is usually fastest.
- Wells Fargo checks your credit report, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points, but you do not need perfect credit to be approved.
- The card you are approved for depends on your credit score and income; Wells Fargo offers different cards for different credit profiles.
- Your card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days and you activate it by phone or online before using it.
- You will need your Social Security number, proof of income, and employment information to complete the application.
What Wells Fargo credit cards are available
Wells Fargo offers several credit cards aimed at different credit levels and spending habits. The Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa is designed for people building or rebuilding credit and has no annual fee. The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card rewards cash back on all purchases and also has no annual fee. The Wells Fargo Propel American Express offers higher rewards on travel, dining, and gas but requires stronger credit.
Wells Fargo also offers cards for specific purposes: a student card, a business card, and a secured card (which requires a cash deposit and is meant for people with very limited or damaged credit). When you apply, Wells Fargo may show you which cards you are likely to be approved for based on your credit profile, or you can choose a specific card before applying.
Each card has different rewards, annual fees, and credit requirements. Read the terms for the specific card you are interested in before you apply, because the approval decision is based partly on which card you choose.
What information you need to provide
Wells Fargo will ask for your full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address. You will also need to provide your annual income (from employment, self-employment, investments, or other sources) and your employment status. If you are self-employed, have a side income, or receive disability or Social Security payments, include those — they count toward your income.
You will be asked whether you have a Wells Fargo checking or savings account. If you do, mention it — existing customers sometimes receive faster approval or better terms. You will also answer questions about your housing (whether you rent or own) and your monthly housing payment.
Have your most recent pay stub or tax return handy if you are applying online, because you may need to verify your income. If you are applying in person or by phone, the representative can help you gather what you need.
How credit score affects your approval and card offer
Your credit score is the main factor Wells Fargo uses to decide whether to approve you and which card to offer. A higher score usually means approval for a card with better rewards and a higher credit limit. A lower score may mean approval for a basic card with a lower limit, or you may be directed toward the secured card option.
Wells Fargo does not publish exact credit score cutoffs for each card, so you cannot know for certain whether you will be approved before you apply. However, most of their no-annual-fee cards are designed for people with fair to good credit (roughly 580 and up), while their rewards cards typically require good to excellent credit (700 and up).
If you are denied, Wells Fargo will send you a letter explaining the reason — usually a low credit score, too much existing debt, or a recent negative mark on your credit report. You can request a copy of your credit report for free at annualcreditreport.com to see what Wells Fargo saw.
Timeline from application to first use
Online applications usually receive a decision within minutes to a few hours. Some applications are flagged for manual review and take 1 to 3 business days. Phone and in-person applications may take longer because the representative has to enter your information and submit it.
Once approved, your physical card ships within 3 to 5 business days and arrives within 7 to 10 business days. During this waiting period, you can often use a temporary digital card number in your Wells Fargo mobile app or online account to make purchases online or in stores that accept contactless payments.
When your physical card arrives, activate it before using it. Activation takes less than a minute and you can do it by calling the number printed on the back of the card or logging into your Wells Fargo account online.
What happens if you are denied
If Wells Fargo denies your application, you have the right to know why. The denial letter will cite the reason — usually credit score, income, debt-to-income ratio, or a negative item on your credit report such as a late payment or collection account. You can also call Wells Fargo at 1-800-869-3557 and ask for details.
A denial does not prevent you from applying again, but applying multiple times in a short period creates multiple hard inquiries, which further lowers your credit score. Wait at least 30 days before reapplying, and use that time to improve your situation: pay down existing debt, dispute any errors on your credit report, or build your income if possible.
If your credit is very limited or damaged, ask Wells Fargo about the secured card option. A secured card requires you to deposit cash (usually $500 to $2,500) as collateral, and your credit limit equals your deposit. After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, Wells Fargo may convert it to a regular card and return your deposit.
Fees and costs to know about
Most Wells Fargo credit cards have no annual fee. The exceptions are their premium rewards cards, which charge $95 or more per year. Check the specific card's terms before you apply to know whether there is an annual fee.
Wells Fargo charges interest on balances you carry from month to month. The interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) depends on your credit score and the card you are approved for. It typically ranges from 16% to 28%, but you can avoid interest entirely by paying your full balance by the due date each month.
Late payments trigger a late fee (usually $25 to $35 for the first late payment, more for repeat lates) and can raise your APR. Cash advances and balance transfers also carry fees and higher interest rates than regular purchases. Read the card's fee schedule in the terms and conditions before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a Wells Fargo credit card if I have no credit history?
You can apply, but approval is unlikely without any credit history. Wells Fargo has no credit history to evaluate, so they cannot predict whether you will pay on time. Consider starting with a secured card, which requires a cash deposit and is designed for people building credit from scratch. After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, you can graduate to a regular card.
How long does a hard inquiry stay on my credit report?
A hard inquiry from a credit card application stays on your credit report for about two years, but its impact on your credit score fades after a few months. Multiple hard inquiries in a short time (within 14 to 45 days, depending on the scoring model) may count as a single inquiry, so applying to several cards within a few weeks does less damage than spreading applications over months.
What is the difference between being pre-approved and being approved?
Pre-approval means Wells Fargo did a soft inquiry (which does not lower your score) and determined you likely meet basic requirements. It is not a may provide. When you formally apply, Wells Fargo does a hard inquiry and makes a final decision. Pre-approval offers are often mailed to existing customers or people with good credit, but they are not binding.
Can I use my credit card before it arrives in the mail?
Many Wells Fargo cards allow you to use a temporary digital card number in the mobile app or online account as soon as you are approved, even before the physical card arrives. This works for online purchases and contactless payments. Check your account after approval to see if this option is available for your card.
What should I do if I am approved but the credit limit is too low?
You can request a credit limit increase after you have had the card for at least 6 months and made on-time payments. Call the number on the back of your card or log into your account online. Wells Fargo may do a soft inquiry (which does not lower your score) or a hard inquiry, depending on the situation. Some customers receive automatic increases without asking.