Instant approval credit cards

What is an instant approval credit card?

When you apply for a credit card online, you'll typically get a response within 60 seconds of submitting it. With instant credit card approval the card provider processes your application digitally.

But this near-instant credit card approval only happens if you:

• Have a good credit score.
• Meet the card's minimum income requirement or other criteria.
• Aren't spending too much each month (card companies look at your spending along with your income).

Once approved, you'll have to wait 5 to 10 business days for the physical card to arrive in the mail. If the card comes with a digital version you can set up the card in a smartphone app and use it instantly.

So how long is "instant" really?

In the best case scenario you'd find the right credit card, spend about 10 minutes filling out an application and then get approved within 60 seconds. You usually get notified by text.

If you're not approved, or the credit card provider needs more details (sometimes known as "conditional approval"), they may ask for additional documentation such as payslips and bank statements. From there, it could take about 2-5 business days to receive the final outcome.

Which credit cards are the easiest to get approved for?

Low rate credit cards or credit cards with no annual fee are usually the easiest to get approved for. These cards have fewer perks and benefits and lower fees.

They're best suited to customers who have never had a credit card before, don't need a huge credit limit (the amount you can spend on the card) or have lower incomes.

It's harder to get approved for a fancy card that lets you earn frequent flyer or reward points.

How to get instant approval for a credit card in 4 steps

Getting an easy, fast credit card approval comes down to your position as an applicant and the type of card you apply for.

1. Choose the right card. Figure out what type of card you need.
2. Make sure you're eligible. Read the fine print on the bank or card company's website. Look at things like minimum income requirements, age (need to be 18), residency requirements. Check your credit score too.
3. Get all your documents ready. You'll need some ID (driver's license, passport) and information about your existing debts, spending and income. If you're applying for a balance transfer, you'll need to provide details of your existing account and the amount you want to transfer to the new card.
4. Complete the application. The application should take about 10 minutes. You may need to upload ID information and provide estimates of your monthly spending.

If your application falls through, try to figure out why you got rejected before applying again.

More ways to speed up your application

• Income verification. When applying for a credit card online, you may be asked to log in to your internet bank account through a secure, third-party service. This is a fast way for lenders to verify your income and any other relevant financial details.
• Apply with your current bank. Your current bank knows a lot about you. You can often get approved for a credit card with a pre-approved credit limit instantly if you meet the criteria. You can often apply directly via your bank's app.
• Apply jointly. Applying with a partner boosts your chances of getting a card application approved quickly.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I get an instant approval credit card with bad credit?

  If you already have bad credit, then it will be more difficult to get approved for a credit card straight away. So even if you apply for a credit card that offers a response within 60 seconds, it doesn't always mean you'll get "instant approval".

  If there are issues with the details you've provided or with your credit history, your application may be declined or result in "conditional approval" – a term which usually means you need to provide further details before you can get your credit card fully approved.

  Keep in mind: Every application you make is listed on your credit report and can lower your credit score. If you're worried about your score, improving it before you apply can increase your chances of approval.

• Can I get instant credit card approval without a credit check?

  In Australia, no credit card providers will give you a credit card without doing a credit check. This is to ensure that they don't take on excessive risk and that people who should not be issued credit do not get further into credit card debt.

• Can I get an instant card approval as an applicant with bad credit?

  It's much harder to get an application approved quickly if you're not an ideal applicant.

  Make sure you check the eligibility criteria before you apply for any credit card. If you don't meet these requirements, your credit card application won't be approved and could affect your credit score.

  If you have bad credit history, you can work on improving your credit score or consider an alternative form of credit.

• Are there business credit cards that offer instant approval?

  Some business credit cards may offer an outcome within a few minutes of submitting an application. If you meet the eligibility criteria, that's as close as you'll get to instant approval. Some business credit cards and expense management plans also offer instant, virtual cards for employees, such as Volopay or Cape.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Richard Whitten as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Sarah Megginson

Head of editorial

As an authority on all things personal finance, Sarah Megginson is passionate about helping you save money and make money. She is an editor and money expert with 20 years’ experience and an extensive background in property and finance journalism. Sarah holds ASIC RG146-compliant Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification, and she's a regular media commentator, appearing weekly on TV (Sunrise, Channel 7 news, Nine news), radio (KIIS FM, Triple M, 3AW, 2GB, 6PR) and in digital and print media. See full bio

Sarah's expertise

Sarah has written 192 Finder guides across topics including:

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Co-written by

Richard Whitten

Editor

Richard Whitten is a money editor at Finder, and has been covering home loans, property and personal finance for 6+ years. He has written for Yahoo Finance, Money Magazine and Homely; and has appeared on various radio shows nationwide. He holds a Certificate IV in mortgage broking and finance (RG 206), a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification and a Tier 2 General Advice Deposit Products (RG 146) certification. See full bio

Richard's expertise

Richard has written 562 Finder guides across topics including:

• Home loans
• Property
• Personal finance
• Money-saving tips