How long does a credit card application take?

A credit card application can take as little as 10 minutes to complete. However, how long it takes to be able to use that card will depend on both the lender and how you applied.

In this article, we’ll walk you through how long a credit card application takes and list some steps to help you out when you apply. 

How long does a credit card application take?

Thanks to technology, the process of applying for a credit card is quite simple—you can submit an online application from the comfort of your couch in just a few minutes. 

If you meet all the application criteria, such as having a suitable income, you may even be instantly approved. In some cases, the lender may want to take a closer look at your credit report to assess your borrowing history, and possibly even perform a fraud check.  But at most, you might have a 10-day wait ahead of you. 

Once your application is approved, you can expect your pin to arrive by post within five days followed by the delivery of your physical card within seven days, on average.  The card and pin are sent separately to ensure they can’t be stolen and used together. When both have arrived, you can usually activate your card quickly and securely in your mobile banking app or online, and the card will be ready to use immediately.

The best case scenario is that you’re able to complete the process from application to activation in seven or eight business days, although it could take double that time if you need to submit additional documentation. So if you’re looking for a credit card for a specific purpose, e.g., the holidays, it's always a good idea to begin any applications about a month before you need it.

What information do you need for a credit card application?

Aside from confirming that you’re older than 18 and a UK resident, credit card applications usually require basic information like your name, contact details, date of birth, address, and proof of income.

The lender in question is also likely to check your credit report and credit score to assess how well you manage your debt, and these checks can often be completed almost instantly. 

However, if your credit report has any negative markers—such as late payments—the lender may decide to screen you more closely and request additional information, making the application process longer. 

How to streamline the application process

While the timeline can vary between lenders, there are some things you can do to make sure your applications run as smoothly as possible.

Make sure you’re applying for the right card for you and your needs

While there are several types of credit cards, each has different terms, interest rates, and its own set of advantages. For example, let’s consider the average annual percentage rate (APR) of two common cards, each with its own benefits. The APR refers to the total cost of borrowing over a year:

• Balance Transfer Card. This type of card allows you to consolidate your debt in one place, moving the money you owe from one or more credit cards to another that charges less interest. You can expect to pay an average APR of 25.08% on a balance transfer card.

• Credit Builder Card. While these cards have a higher-than-average APR, around 35.32%, they’re aimed at people who may not qualify for traditional credit cards due to adverse credit history. As long as the balance is settled every month (which means avoiding paying the higher interest rate), credit builder cards can help the owner start to build a positive credit history. 

Matching your credit card to your needs ensures you don't pay unnecessary fees or interest and can enjoy all the benefits of a credit card. 

Check that you qualify

To qualify for a credit card in the UK, you’ll need to be 18 years or older and a UK resident with a regular annual income. Students and those who are unemployed can still access credit, although options are more limited and credit limits tend to be lower.

You can use a card provider’s eligibility checker to get an idea of your chances of being approved, most importantly, without impacting your credit score. These tools check your credit file to determine whether you’re likely to be accepted for a credit card. Eligibility checkers use soft credit checks—the other type of credit check is called a hard credit check. If you’re not familiar with these checks, here’s a quick overview:

• Soft credit checks don't impact your credit score. Soft searches, or checks, are often used for screening by lenders, prospective landlords, employers, and sometimes insurance providers. These checks reveal limited information on public records such as the Electoral Roll and court information.

• Hard credit checks can impact your credit score if you have too many on your report in a short period of time. When conducting a hard check, lenders can see all the information on your credit report.

The eligibility checker will give you an indication of which cards you’re more likely to be approved for. So applying for pre-approved cards can limit the likelihood of a formal application being denied, and decrease the amount of hard checks on your report that could impact future credit applications.

Check your credit report before you apply

Credit reports are compiled by the UK credit reference agencies (CRAs) — the main three are Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Your credit report is essentially a CV of your financial history. It contains information, such as your name, past and present addresses, Electoral Roll records, and information about how well you've managed your debt in the past. 

Making sure your credit report looks as good as possible before you apply can help your credit card application succeed. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Checking your information. It’s a good practice to make sure your credit report is free of any errors, such as inaccurate personal information or incorrect accounts listed (this can happen if someone else has the same personal details– such as name, date of birth and address as you do). If you do spot something that's incorrect, begin by contacting the lender who reported the information to inform them of the issue – it could be the result of identity fraud. If you find that the information is not amended after informing the lender, the next step is to raise a notice of dispute with the CRA showing the information, who will investigate the data with the lender and add a note to your report to let other organisations know that the information is under dispute. 

• Adverse court information. It's also important, when applying for a credit card, that you’re aware if you have any negative markers such as late payments, County Court Judgments (CCJs), Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) or bankruptcies listed on your report.  If your report does feature any of the above, it's not to say you won't be able to access credit, but it might limit your options to specific financial product providers. There are lenders who specialise in lending to those with adverse credit history, though it’s important to note these lenders often charge higher interest rates and offer lower credit limits. 

• The frequency of hard checks. Lenders do a hard check on your credit report as part of your credit card application. While the result of your application won't be recorded, these hard checks remain on your credit report. Too many hard checks, all at once, can signal to lenders that you’re struggling to get credit and are possibly in financial difficulty. Checkmyfile generally recommends around 10 hard checks a year, and spacing them out is a good idea too. Some banks in the UK also only allow you to apply for a new card if you have not been declined for one at that bank in the last 30 days.

So it makes sense to make sure your credit report accurately represents you and your finances before applying for credit to avoid being declined unnecessarily.

Know your credit score

Your credit score can affect the credit cards and rates you're offered. Every lender uses different formulas to calculate their own credit score for you, based on the information on your credit report. However, it’s worth checking out your credit score to get a sense of how likely you may be approved for a loan. 

Checkmyfile, the most detailed credit report you can get, allows you to see your information from all three main CRAs (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion) conveniently in one place.  You will also get insight as to how the information in your credit report affects your independent Checkmyfile credit score both positively and negatively, helping you to better understand how you may be assessed when applying for credit.

Make sure the forms are filled in correctly

Double-checking the information you've entered on the application to make sure there aren’t any mistakes is a good practice. The last thing you want is to have your application denied because of a simple error. A declined credit card application may affect your credit score negatively, which could have a detrimental effect on your next application. 

Apply online

Applying online is typically the quickest way to access a new credit card. Approval can be almost instant, and comparing the terms of various lenders is often easier from behind your own computer.

What’s next?

Once you’re approved for credit, it’s important to make sure you understand the terms offered by the lender, including APR, fees, payment due dates, and what percentage you'll need to repay to make the minimum monthly repayments. 

Each credit card application will include a hard check. These hard checks (though not the results) are recorded on your credit report, and having too many in a short period can impact your credit score. A flurry of applications all at once can signal financial difficulties to lenders, which could suggest a client may struggle to make repayments.

That’s why, if your application is rejected, it’s best to take a moment before sending your next one. 

Some banks will require you to wait at least 30 days before making another application. If you’re turned down for credit, it's only natural to want to apply again—but it’s helpful to find out why you were declined so you can improve on your next application. 

As quick as the online application for a credit card can be, taking the time to strengthen your application and make sure your information is correct beforehand can go a long way in helping you get approved.

Know your file

Whatever your number, whatever your goal, the first step towards growing is knowing. With Checkmyfile you get the most detailed credit report on offer. Captured in one convenient spot. Check your file