Instant approval credit cards

What is an instant approval credit card?

When you apply for a credit card online, you'll typically get a response within 60 seconds of submitting it. With instant credit card approval the card provider processes your application digitally.

But this near-instant credit card approval only happens if you:

• Have a good credit score.
• Meet the card's minimum income requirement or other criteria.
• Aren't spending too much each month (card companies look at your spending along with your income).

Once approved, you'll have to wait 5 to 10 business days for the physical card to arrive in the mail. If the card comes with a digital version you can set up the card in a smartphone app and use it instantly.

So how fast is "instant" really?

In the best case scenario you'd find the right credit card, spend about 10 minutes filling out an application and then get approved within 60 seconds. You usually get notified by text.

If you're not approved, or the credit card provider needs more details (sometimes known as "conditional approval"), they may ask for additional documentation such as payslips and bank statements. From there, it could take about 2-5 business days to receive the final outcome.

Which credit cards are the easiest to get approved for?

Low rate credit cards or credit cards with no annual fee are usually the easiest to get approved for. These cards have fewer perks and benefits and lower fees.

They're best suited to customers who have never had a credit card before, don't need a huge credit limit (the amount you can spend on the card) or have lower incomes.

It's harder to get approved for a fancy card that lets you earn frequent flyer or reward points.

How to get instant approval for a credit card in 4 steps

Getting an easy, fast credit card approval comes down to your position as an applicant and the type of card you apply for.

1. Choose the right card. Figure out what type of card you need.
2. Make sure you're eligible. Read the fine print on the bank or card company's website. Look at things like minimum income requirements, age (need to be 18), residency requirements. Check your credit score too.
3. Get all your documents ready. You'll need some ID (driver's license, passport) and information about your existing debts, spending and income. If you're applying for a balance transfer, you'll need to provide details of your existing account and the amount you want to transfer to the new card.
4. Complete the application. The application should take about 10 minutes. You may need to upload ID information and provide estimates of your monthly spending.

If your application falls through, try to figure out why you got rejected before applying again.

Our expert says

"The closest thing to an instant credit card approval in Australia is applying online for a card with a low credit limit (say, around $1,000-$2,000), getting approved in seconds and then adding a digital version of the card to your phone right away. And that can happen, but you need a Good or Excellent credit score and a decent full-time income."

Richard Whitten

Senior Money Editor

More ways to speed up your application

• Income verification. When applying for a credit card online, you may be asked to log in to your internet bank account through a secure, third-party service. This is a fast way for lenders to verify your income and any other relevant financial details.
• Apply with your current bank. Your current bank knows a lot about you. You can often get approved for a credit card with a pre-approved credit limit instantly if you meet the criteria. You can often apply directly via your bank's app.
• Apply jointly. Applying with a partner boosts your chances of getting a card application approved quickly.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I get an instant approval credit card with bad credit?

  If you already have bad credit, then it will be more difficult to get approved for a credit card straight away. So even if you apply for a credit card that offers a response within 60 seconds, it doesn't always mean you'll get "instant approval".

  If there are issues with the details you've provided or with your credit history, your application may be declined or result in "conditional approval" – a term which usually means you need to provide further details before you can get your credit card fully approved.

  Keep in mind: Every application you make is listed on your credit report and can lower your credit score. If you're worried about your score, improving it before you apply can increase your chances of approval.

• Can I get instant credit card approval without a credit check?

  In Australia, no credit card providers will give you a credit card without doing a credit check. This is to ensure that they don't take on excessive risk and that people who should not be issued credit do not get further into credit card debt.

• Which credit card has the fastest approval?

  The approval speed for a credit card provider depends on so many factors, so it's hard to say which credit cards have the fastest approval. Among the Big Four banks, many customers report getting credit cards approved by Westpac or NAB within hours, and being able to active virtual cards as soon as the approval comes through.

• What should I do before applying if I have bad credit?

  It's much harder to get an application approved quickly if you're not an ideal applicant.

  Make sure you check the eligibility criteria before you apply for any credit card. If you don't meet these requirements, your credit card application won't be approved and could affect your credit score.

  If you have bad credit history, you can work on improving your credit score or consider an alternative form of credit.

• Are there business credit cards that offer instant approval?

  Some business credit cards may offer an outcome within a few minutes of submitting an application. If you meet the eligibility criteria, that's as close as you'll get to instant approval. Some business credit cards and expense management plans also offer instant, virtual cards for employees, such as Volopay or Cape.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Richard Whitten as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Sarah Megginson

Money expert + media spokesperson

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Sarah is the author of How to Raise Rich Kids. With over 20 years of experience in property, finance and investment journalism, she is a trusted expert whose insights regularly appear across television, radio and print media, including Sunrise, Channel 7 News, Bloomberg and Yahoo! Finance. She has previously served as managing editor for Your Investment Property and Australian Broker. Her expert advice has been shared in the media over 4,000 times. Sarah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification, which complies with ASIC standards. See full bio

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Sarah has written 260 Finder guides across topics including:

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Co-written by

Richard Whitten

Senior Money Editor

Richard Whitten is Finder’s Senior Money Editor, with over eight years of experience in home loans, property, credit cards and personal finance. His insights appear in top media outlets like Yahoo Finance, Money Magazine, and the Herald Sun, and he frequently offers expert commentary on television and radio, helping Australians navigate mortgages and property ownership. Richard started his career in education and textbook publishing in South Korea. He holds multiple industry certifications, including a Certificate IV in Mortgage Broking (RG 206) and Tier 1 and Tier 2 certifications (RG 146), as well as a Bachelor of Education from the University of Sydney and a Graduate Certificate in Communications from Deakin University. See full bio

Richard's expertise

Richard has written 794 Finder guides across topics including:

• Home loans
• Credit cards
• Personal finance
• Money-saving tips