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Instant credit cards

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What is an instant approval credit card?

With an instant approval credit card, you’ll know right away if your application has been successful or not. Depending on the instant credit card provider, you could get an answer in as little as 60 seconds.

How do instant approval credit cards work?

With instant approval credit cards - also known as instant decision or instant credit cards - you’ll usually get an immediate yes or no on whether you’ve been accepted. Compare this to a regular card application, where the decision usually takes between five and 10 days. But you might not always find out straightaway.

Sometimes, the lender may ask you for some more information to decide if you’re eligible. For example, it could decide to take a closer look at your credit report or do an identity check. If this happens, you may have to hold on for a little longer to find out the result.

How quickly will I receive my instant credit card?

Even if you get instant approval online, you’ll still have to wait for your physical card to arrive at your home. This can take between five and 14 working days in the post.

You can start using your card once you get your 4-digit PIN. This is mailed out to you separately and could arrive a couple of days before, or after, your 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 successfully apply for an instant decision credit card.

You must also be:

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

Some credit card providers may need you to earn above a certain amount each year before you can apply.

When you make an application for an instant credit card online, you’ll need to share 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.

Filling out an online application usually only takes around 10 to 15 minutes. Once you’ve submitted everything, a decision should come through 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.

Should I get an instant credit card?

To help you work out if an instant credit card could be right for you, here are some advantages and disadvantages to consider:

Pros of instant credit cards

Quick approval – Many providers give you an answer within minutes or sometimes inside 60 seconds.
Apply online in minutes - it’s usually a straightforward process and shouldn’t take longer than 15 minutes.

Cons of instant credit cards

Higher APRs – interest rates on instant credit cards tend to be higher, so if you don’t clear your balance each month, costs can soon add up.
Further checks might be needed – you might not get an instant answer if the lender needs more information to decide.
Strict criteria – some providers could need you to earn a minimum amount each year or have a high credit score.

Are there instant approval credit cards for bad credit?

It may be more difficult to find instant approval credit cards if you have a poor credit history. Typically, those with excellent or very good credit scores are most likely to be able to get an instant approval credit card.

Even if you manage to find an instant decision credit card with bad credit, you may discover it has a lower credit limit and higher APR. The APR (annual percentage rate) is the total cost of your credit card borrowing over a year.

If you have a poor credit history, it might be worth considering a credit builder credit card. These cards:

Are specifically aimed at those with a poor credit score or no credit history.
Tend to offer much lower credit limits and less strict conditions.
Could help you build up your credit score over time.

Quick tip

It’s free to check your credit score with any UK credit reference agency (CRA).

Make the most of this before applying for a credit card to see where you can boost your score or even spot and correct any errors.

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 you can boost 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.
Keep your credit utilisation low – this is the percentage of your available credit that you’ve spent. There may well be times you need to use your card that push it above this. Try to generally keep it under 30% of your limit, for example, no more than £600 on a £2,000 card limit.

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 those 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.

But be aware that credit builder cards tend to have higher APRs and lower credit limits. However, if used responsibly over several months, they can be 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 121 credit cards^[1] to find one that suits your needs

Filter by type of card you’re comparing

^[1]Correct as of June 2025.

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 yes or no on whether your credit card application was successful.

In contrast, a pre-approved credit card is one where the lender thinks you’re likely to be accepted based on what they already know about you. Keep in mind, though, that the lender’s information may be incomplete or out of date, so it’s not guaranteed you’ll get the card.

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 buy goods online and link to payment services such as Google Pay and Apple Pay.

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?

Yes, 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. Instead:

Ask the provider to explain why you were rejected.
Check the information on your credit file. It might show you why your credit card application was declined.