MastercardFirstcard Secured Credit Builder Card
One of the few US credit builders that accepts international students without an SSN.
Welcome Bonus
None
No welcome offer
Spend Requirement
None
Annual Fee
$48
3% FTF
Credit Score
No
credit history required (no SSN needed)
Historical Offers Chart
Every public offer change we've tracked. Hover for details, timing your application is worth hundreds of dollars.
Last verified 2026-06-11 · spot an outdated offer? Tell us in the comments.
Earning Rates
- 1xAll eligible purchases
- 1xSelect partner merchants earn up to 15%
Credits
No statement credits, this card wins on earn rates, not coupons.
Benefits
- ✦Applies without an SSN: passport and visa documents work for international students
- ✦No credit check, no APR, and no late or penalty fees
- ✦Deposited funds earn 0.75% to 4.00% APY depending on plan tier
- ✦1% cash back on purchases plus up to 15% at partner merchants
- ✦Reports to all three credit bureaus, issued by Regent Bank
Why it earns its spot
- +Solves the no-SSN problem that blocks most international students
- +Cash back plus interest on the deposit is rare in this category
- +Reports to all three bureaus
Where it costs you
- −Subscription pricing: roughly $48 to $120 a year depending on tier
- −The free job is being done elsewhere by Chime, Varo, and Zolve
- −ATM and foreign transaction fees apply on lower tiers
The Compound Verdict
For a US citizen this is a paid version of things you can get free. For an F-1 student with no SSN and no US file, the calculus flips: Firstcard approves applicants nearly everyone else turns away, reports to all three bureaus, and pays interest on the deposit while doing it. Treat the subscription as the price of admission to the US credit system, then graduate to a real card.
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