How long does it take to get a credit card?

Each credit card issuer is a little different when it comes to how long it can take to get the card once you’re approved. In general, approval can be nearly instant, and some cards also provide instant access and use. But it usually takes seven to 10 business days to receive the physical card. 

What you’ll learn:

• The exact timeline to get approved for a credit card varies. But issuers must tell you their decision within 30 days.

• Many credit card issuers, including Capital One, say new cardholders can expect to receive new cards in the mail within seven to 10 business days.

• If you reported your card lost or stolen, a replacement credit card will likely be delivered within one to seven business days.

• Virtual card numbers might let you access your credit line as soon as you’re approved without having to wait for your physical card to arrive.

Getting approved or denied for a credit card could take anywhere from seconds to weeks. Depending on the issuer, you could be approved for a credit card right away if you apply online. You could also get approved or denied quickly if you apply over the phone or in person. But if the issuer needs more information to decide, it could take longer.

If you apply by mail, you’ll have to wait for your application to get to the card issuer and for them to mail back the decision. However you apply, issuers must give you a decision within 30 days of receiving your complete application.

If you’ve applied for a Capital One credit card, you can check your application status online anytime.

If your card issuer allows you to use a virtual credit card, you can use it as soon as you’re approved. If not, you’ll have to wait for the physical card to arrive in the mail.

Sometimes, you may find out almost instantly that you’re approved for a new credit card. Other times, the issuer may need more time to review your application or ask for additional information. 

Here are a few reasons why your credit card application may be pending or taking longer:

• Your credit reports could be frozen.

• Your income or personal information may need to be verified. 

• The credit limit you’re applying for might be above average.

• There could be mistakes in your application.

• The lender may be reviewing a lot of applications. 

If you had your credit reports frozen, you’ll have to unfreeze them, at least temporarily, to allow lenders to review your credit history.

Many issuers, including Capital One, say you can expect to receive your physical credit card in the mail within seven to 10 business days of being approved. This time frame could be even shorter for replacement cards. But exactly how long it takes to receive your credit card in the mail depends on the issuer and the U.S. Postal Service.

Keep in mind that if you’re approved for a secured credit card, you’ll have to fund the deposit before the card ships.

For most major card issuers, the standard delivery time for replacement cards is one to seven business days. You can check with your card issuer to get more specifics on what to expect. But to get the process started, you first need to let your card issuer know that your card is lost or stolen. 

Once your issuer knows, it usually deactivates the missing card and sets up a new card, which might include assigning a new card number. If your card is damaged and you need a replacement, you may not be assigned a new number. Capital One cardholders can report lost or damaged cards and request replacement cards online.

Cards may take longer than 10 days to arrive in the mail. It doesn’t necessarily mean anything has gone wrong. But if you’re concerned your card has been lost or stolen on its way to you, you can contact the issuer to cancel the card and send a new one.

Can’t wait for your credit card? The fastest way to get a credit card will depend on a number of factors, but here are some ways you can try to speed up the process:

Getting pre-approved lets you see which cards you may be eligible for. And that can save you time by focusing your search on cards you’re more likely to be approved for. 

To see whether you’re pre-approved, the lender will usually ask you for some basic information. Pre-approval typically won’t affect your credit scores because it usually involves a soft inquiry of your credit.

But remember that pre-approval, like pre-qualification, is just an indicator. And applying for a credit card will result in a hard inquiry of your credit. This could affect your credit scores.

Despite its name, instant approval doesn’t mean approval is always guaranteed. Instead, it refers to how quickly you may receive a decision after applying.

Instant use also isn’t the same as instant approval. With instant-approval credit cards, you could know whether your application gets approved within minutes, but you’ll typically have to wait until you receive your card to use it. If instant use is what you’re after, you can look for credit cards that offer it.

Depending on the card and card issuer, you might be able to access your account details as soon as you’re approved. That means you might not have to wait until you get the physical card in the mail to use the credit line.

Here’s how you could start using your new line of credit:

• Online: You may have access to your new credit card details online or via a mobile app. Some issuers may also give you access to virtual cards for more secure shopping online. Many Capital One credit cards give eligible cardholders the option to access and use their virtual card once approved, so you could start using your credit line the same day you apply. 

• In person: If you can add your credit card to your digital wallet, you can use your phone, watch or other eligible smart device to make in-store purchases at participating retailers. Digital wallets also come in handy if you forget your physical card at home.

If you can’t wait the standard seven to 10 business days to receive your credit card in the mail, you could ask whether your issuer offers expedited shipping. Just keep in mind there might be a fee.

Once you get it in the mail, you can typically activate your card through the card issuer’s website or mobile app or by calling. Many card issuers provide specific activation instructions with the physical card.

Here are a few steps to consider taking after activating your card, if you haven’t already:

• Set up online access. Creating an online account with the card issuer lets you do things like check your balance, schedule payments and redeem rewards. Many issuers, including Capital One, also have a mobile app that helps you manage your account on the go. 

• Review your rewards. If you have a rewards card, familiarize yourself with how your card lets you earn and redeem rewards. Some cards offer the same rewards rate on every purchase, for example. Others let you earn a higher rate on certain kinds of purchases. And when it comes to redeeming rewards, you might have multiple options there too. 

• Check out your card’s security features. Many credit card issuers have security features, like card lock and fraud alerts, to help you keep your account secure. Get to know the ways you can use these benefits to help keep your account secure. 

• Practice responsible use. Getting a new credit card is only the first step. Once you have the card, it’s important to use it responsibly, especially if you want to build credit. That includes paying your bills on time and staying below your credit limit.

There are many reasons a credit application can be denied, ranging from an error on the application to insufficient income. But no matter the reasons, the credit card issuer is required by law to tell you what they are. For example, if your credit scores were too low, the notice will explain that and which credit bureau the information came from. Or they’ll tell you how you can get that information yourself.

You may be able to request that the credit card company reconsider your application, which might require you to send additional information. If your application is denied, you could look for a new credit card to apply for that has eligibility requirements you can more easily meet.

Getting access to a new credit card can take seconds or weeks. But you can help smooth the process with a bit of preparation. Having a clear sense of your credit score and getting pre-approved can help expedite the process and get your credit card into your hands faster.

If you’re looking for a new credit card, Capital One can help. 

• Check for pre-approval offers with no risk to your credit score.

• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day, with a cash back credit card.

• Explore Capital One’s credit cards for building credit with responsible use.