What is the Minimum Credit Score Required to Get a Credit Card?
Last Updated : Oct. 30, 2026, 1:24 p.m.
A good Credit score is required to get easy and trouble free approval for a credit card. Let us now read on to find out what is the minimum Credit score for hassle free approval of credit cards.
Having a low credit score or no credit history might stop you from using best credit cards . Some of the top credit card providing companies have a minimum credit score requirement. Credit is among the top credit bureaus companies that provides credit score and report. The score generated by them is called Credit score which is a 3-digit number showing the payment history of an individual. The score ranges from 300-900 wherein the higher range represents strength of the score. Financial institutions consider a credit card application suitable on the basis of this score. In this article, we will talk about the minimum Credit score required to apply for a credit card or get approval for it.
What is the Minimum Credit Score for Credit Cards?
Credit cards vary according to your needs. One of the most important factors required to qualify for a credit card is a good credit score. Generally, a Credit score of 750 or above is considered excellent for credit cards. The closer the score is to 900, the easier the approval for credit cards. Many banks also accept a Credit score between 700 to 750. Some banks even give credit cards to people with a low Credit score, but applicants also have to meet other eligibility criteria like income, age, employment, residence, etc. Those applicants who are new to credit history or credit score can procure secure credit cards.
Why Do Financial Institutions Check Your Credit Score for Credit Card Approval?
Financial institutions and banks check your Credit score before sanctioning a credit card in order to avoid risky customers and default issues. This is an easy and assured way of determining the financial capability of a person. Banks do this by referring to Credit scores and reports, which the credit bureau will provide on request. Banks will come to know about your defaults and late payments by evaluating your credit history. They also ascertain your financial discipline and the number of credit card and loan applications made by you. The bank will come to know about your credit utilization ratio, credit history, number of active accounts with past payments, missed payments, days past dues (DPD) etc. Often, your credit card application may be rejected if the bank is not convinced about your credit report. Further, having no credit score or credit history is also considered poor credit history.
Benefits of Having a Good Credit Score for Credit Cards
The advantages of having a good Credit score for credit cards are as follows:
Eligibility for top credit cards
Suitability for a higher credit limit
Lower interest rates on credit cards
Hassle free and easy credit card approval.
Power to negotiate on credit card interest rates and thus getting preferential interest rates.
Reasons for Why Even a Good Credit Score is Not Enough?
Sometimes, even a good Credit score is not enough to get approval for a credit card. Given below are some red flags which lead to credit card application rejection.
Excessive debt (Even if one pays them off on a regular basis).
Higher credit utilization ratio
When you have more unsecured loans as compared to secured loans.
Payments delayed recently, DPDs, or other negative entries in the credit report.
High EMI to NMI ratio
Short credit history
How to improve your Credit Score for Easy Credit Card Approval?
It is very important to check your Credit score before applying for credit cards. If your score is low, you can take steps to enhance it. Here are some ways in which you can boost your Credit score.
Repay your dues on time: It is very important to repay your dues like EMIs and credit card bills on time to maintain a good Credit score. Even one single default can bring down your Credit score by a few points.
Do not apply for multiple credit: Every time you apply for a loan or credit card, a hard inquiry will be conducted by credit bureaus. They will want access to your credit report in order to ascertain your financial capability. Every time a hard inquiry is done, your credit score goes down. Besides if you have too many credit applications, you will be perceived as credit hungry. So, apply for credit only when needed and do not put several credit applications.
Do not close old active accounts: Your Credit score is determined by the length of your credit history. The greater the length, the higher your Credit score. So, do not close old active accounts which you have paid off.
Low CUR: Experts recommend a CUR within 30%. The credit utilization ratio is a percentage of the credit limit you use. A low CUR indicates that you are financially disciplined and in control of your spending. A low CUR helps you to maintain a good Credit score, get affordable interest rates on your loans, and also enhances your chances to get a higher credit limit.
Regular monitoring of your Credit Score and report: Regularly monitor your Credit report to check if there are any errors pulling down your Credit score. If there are any, you can immediately dispute it with the bureau and clear them. Also, checking your Credit report regularly will help you know where you are placed with respect to your Credit score. If it is not up to the mark, you can take immediate action to improve it.
Credit Cards for People with a Low Credit Score
Although credit cards can be obtained in a hassle free manner for those who have a good Credit score, there are credit cards available for those with a low Credit score also. Secured credit cards are available for people with low Credit scores. These are credit cards that you can obtain against your fixed deposit. The credit limit of your credit card will be equal to or little less than the amount in your fixed deposit. Credit limits often vary between 80 to 100% of the FD amount. These credit cards help you build or improve your Credit score. Obtain a secured credit card and pay your dues on time. You can then get your secured credit card converted to an unsecured one. Some of the best secured credit cards in India are SBI Card Unnati, Axis Insta Easy Credit Card, IDFC First WOW Credit Card!, Kotak 811 #DreamDifferent Credit Card, and a lot more.
How to Check Credit Score Free Online?
If you haven’t checked your Credit score yet, you may follow the below steps wherein it can be done with PAN instantly. Here are the simple steps that are to be followed to check Credit score check for free .
Visit ‘Check Credit Score’ page at Wishfin.com
Provide your full name as mentioned on the PAN card
Enter your Date of Birth
Choose the gender you belong to
Mention your PAN card number
Enter your contact address
Provide the email ID fn which you want to get the credit report
Enter your mobile number
Submit the form
Which Banks Give you Credit Card with Zero Credit Score?
As mentioned above, there are many banks that accept credit card applications from those who have zero Credit score or no credit history if you have a salary account with the bank. Some of the banks offering this facility are mentioned below:
- SBI
- HDFC Bank
- ICICI Bank
- Kotak Mahindra Bank
- Axis Bank
- RBL Bank
- Standard Chartered Bank
Conclusion
On a concluding note, if you want to enjoy the maximum benefits on a credit card, you must maintain a minimum Credit score of 750.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
