Firstcard Secured Credit Builder Card
By Alex Compton · Last verified
One of the few US credit builders that accepts international students without an SSN.
Welcome Bonus
Under review
Current claim suppressed
Spend Requirement
Under review
Annual Fee
Under review
Last recorded terms remain in the history below
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.
No numeric welcome bonus recorded
This product has no points- or cash-denominated offer to plot. Dated no-offer observations, non-points benefits, corrections, and primary-source links remain preserved in the table below.
| Observed | Offer | Requirement | What changed | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06 | $0 | No recorded spend | Earliest recordNo welcome offer | Archive record · no attached snapshot |
Primary-source verification log
Append-only evidence ledgerEvent-level primary-source attachments begin with the September 2026 verification system. Older records remain visible but are not retroactively presented as evidenced.
Source checked 2026-06-11 · spot an outdated offer? Report a correction above.
Last Recorded Earning Rates
These terms are historical context and are not presented as current.
- 1xAll eligible purchases
- 1xSelect partner merchants earn up to 15%
Last Recorded Credits
No statement credits, this card wins on earn rates, not coupons.
Last Recorded Benefits
Confirm availability and enrollment requirements with the issuer.
- ✦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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