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Instant credit cards

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What is an instant approval credit card?

With an instant approval credit card, lenders will give you an instant decision on whether your application has been approved or not. Depending on the provider, you could get an answer in as little as 60 seconds.

How do instant decision credit cards work?

With instant decision credit cards, you’ll usually know straight away if your online application has been successful or not.

In some cases, the lender may ask you for additional information to complete the application process. They may want to take a closer look at your credit report or confirm your identity. This means you may have to wait a little longer until a decision is made.

How quickly will I receive my instant credit card?

Even if you get instant approval online, you’ll still have to wait to receive the physical card in the post. It could take 5-14 working days to arrive.

You can start using your card once you receive your 4-digit PIN number. This is sent out separately and could arrive a couple of days before, or after, you receive the card.

Find credit cards with instant approval using our eligibility checker

Our eligibility checker will show which instant approval credit cards you’re likely to be accepted for before you apply. It’s a soft search credit check, so it won’t affect your credit score in any way.

Check your eligibility

What do I need to get a credit card with an instant decision?

Each lender has their own eligibility criteria but, typically, you’ll need a good credit score to get an instant decision credit card.

To apply for a credit card in the UK, you must also be:

Over 18 (for some credit cards you need to be at least 21)
A UK resident.

Some credit cards providers may require you to earn above a certain amount per year.

When you apply for an instant credit card online, you’ll need to provide some personal information. This may include:

Your name and address
Proof of identity – such as your driving licence or passport number
Employment status and yearly income.

An online application should only take around 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Once you’ve submitted the required information, you should receive a response within 60 seconds or so. You’ll know instantly if you’ve been approved, declined or if your lender needs further information.

Read more in our guide on how to apply for a credit card.

Compare the Market Limited acts as a credit broker, not a lender. To apply you must be a UK resident and aged 18 or over. Credit is subject to status and eligibility.

Are there instant approval credit cards for bad credit?

It may be more difficult to find instant approval credit cards with bad credit. Typically, those with excellent or very good credit scores are most likely to get instant approval.

Even if you manage to find an instant decision credit card with bad credit, you may find it comes with a higher APR (annual percentage rate) – what your credit card borrowing will cost you over a year – and a lower credit limit.

If you have a poor credit history, it might be worth considering a credit builder credit card. These are specifically aimed at people with bad credit or a low credit history. You could have a better chance of getting instant approval.

Credit building cards tend to have a much lower credit limit and stricter conditions. But, used responsibly, they could help you build up your credit score over time.

How can I increase my chances of instant approval?

The best way to increase your chances of instant approval is to improve your credit score. The higher your credit rating, the better your chance of being accepted for the best instant credit cards with lower APRs.

Here are some of the simplest ways to improve your credit score:

Register to vote – lenders use information on the electoral roll to confirm who you are and where you live.
Check your credit report – to ensure it’s up to date and the details are correct. Even a small mistake on your credit file could damage your score.
Pay your bills on time – setting up direct debits for regular monthly bills can help avoid late or missed payments. Having some utility bills in your name could also boost your credit score.

Find out what other steps you can take to build your credit score.

What are the easiest credit cards to get?

The easiest cards to get are ones with wider eligibility criteria. For example, if your credit score isn’t that great, it may be easier to get a credit building credit card.

Just be aware that credit builder cards tend to have higher APRs and lower credit limits. But if used responsibly over several months, they can be a great way to boost your credit score. This means you’ll have easier access to better credit card deals in the future.

Our eligibility checker can make it easy to find the right credit card for you. It shows which cards you’re likely to be accepted for without impacting your credit score.

Check your eligibility

Why use Compare the Market?

Check your eligibility in just a few minutes without impacting your credit score

Compare up to 98 credit cards^[1] to find one that suits your needs

Filter by type of card you’re comparing

^[1]Correct as of June 2024.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between instant approval and a pre-approved credit card?

Instant approval means that you’ll get an instant decision on whether your credit card application has been accepted or declined.

A pre-approved credit card is one that the lender thinks you’re likely be accepted for based on the information they have about you. However, this information may be incomplete or out of date, so approval is not guaranteed.

What is an instant-use credit card?

An instant-use credit card is a virtual version of a physical credit card. It can be used straight away to make online payments and link to services, such as Google Pay and Apple Pay.

However, unlike virtual debit cards, instant-use credit cards aren’t available to use in the UK. You’ll still need wait for your physical credit card to arrive before you can activate the virtual one.

Can I make my credit card application faster?

You can speed up your application by applying online. The process can be quicker than applying in branch or by phone.

Before you apply, it’s a good idea to check your credit file. This will give you time to fix any mistakes that could affect or delay your application.

What can I do if I’m rejected for an instant credit card?

If you’ve been rejected for an instant credit card, don’t apply for another immediately. Too many card applications over a short period of time can damage your credit score. This could make it even more likely that you’ll be rejected again.

You could ask the provider to explain why you were rejected. You could also check the information on your credit file. It might show you why your credit card application was declined.

You can then take steps to improve your credit score before applying again.