Credit cards for bad credit

Whether you're accepted for a credit card depends on the provider's criteria and your personal situation. This includes your credit history. The better your credit history, the more likely you are to be accepted. But even if you have bad credit, you might still be approved for a card that is designed for your circumstances.

We have an eligibility checker that tells you how likely you are to be approved. This checker uses a soft search, which doesn’t affect your credit score. So, you can check your eligibility before applying without any risk.

If you then apply and aren’t approved, wait 3-6 months before applying again. During this time, work on improving your credit score and use an eligibility checker before trying again.

Yes, you can still get a credit card if you're unemployed, but your options may be limited. You might face higher interest rates and lower credit limits. Lenders usually consider your past borrowing history and other factors, like your personal circumstances, when deciding whether to approve your application.

Before applying, think carefully about whether a credit card is the right choice for your situation. 

A County Court Judgment (CCJ) can make it harder to get credit, but some lenders, like Ocean, specialise in offering credit cards to people who have had difficulty accessing credit in the past. You should wait at least 6 months from the date you satisfied your CCJ before applying for credit to give yourself the best chance of being approved. However, you’re still not guaranteed to be accepted after the 6-month period has passed. Read more about how to get a credit card with a CCJ. 

The APR you’re offered depends on your personal situation. For the Ocean Credit Card, the representative APR is 39.9%, which means at least 51% of our customers receive this rate or lower.

It’s important to only borrow what you can afford, as missing payments can seriously affect your credit history. If you want to qualify for better interest rates, you might consider building up your credit history before applying for a credit card.

You can check your credit score online for free with the three main credit reference agencies in the UK: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Since different lenders report to different agencies, it’s a good idea to check your details with all three. 
You can also access your Equifax report for free through our member-only platform, CredAbility.

You can check your eligibility with us before you start your application. This will show you whether you’re eligible, without impacting your credit score. You’ll also be able to see your guaranteed APR and credit limit if you’re pre-approved.

The eligibility checker gives a strong idea of your chances of approval, provided that all the information you’ve given is accurate. 

You can check your eligibility for a credit card without affecting your credit score. This allows you to see if you’re likely to be approved without any impact on your score.

However, when you actually apply for a credit card, a hard credit check will be done. This may cause a temporary drop in your score, which will recover on its own. 

Negative marks on your credit record stay for up to 6 years. Over time, the impact on your credit score should lessen if you manage your credit responsibly. This even includes serious actions like a default or a CCJ.

During this period, you can improve your score by paying bills on time, registering on the electoral roll, and limiting the number of credit applications you make.

If you’ve declared bankruptcy in the past, it can make getting approved for credit harder, even if you’ve now been discharged from bankruptcy. However, it’s not impossible, and there may still be options available to you.

If you’re applying for a credit card with a limit under £500, you don’t need to mention your bankruptcy. For limits over £500, you must disclose it, as this could make you a higher risk in the eyes of lenders.

Choosing a lender that specialises in poor credit may improve your chances of approval. To rebuild your credit score, it’s important to pay off your credit card balance in full each month. 

Credit cards for bad credit work just like regular credit cards—they’re plastic, contactless, and come with an account number, sort code, and 16-digit card number. They also have Section 75 protection and can be used to spend just the same way.

The main differences are in eligibility, APR, and credit limits. Credit cards for bad credit usually have more flexible requirements, making it easier to get approved if your credit history isn’t perfect. However, you may face higher interest rates and lower credit limits compared to standard cards. 

• Get on the electoral roll. Registering to vote is a simple way to boost your credit score. It helps credit reference agencies verify your identity and credit history, making it more likely for you to be accepted for credit.
• Limit your applications. Each credit application leaves a mark on your report. Applying for too many cards or loans in a short time can lower your score and make you seem risky to lenders.
• Don’t miss payments. Always pay your bills on time to show that you’re a reliable borrower. Setting up Direct Debits can help ensure you never miss a payment.
• Check for mistakes. Errors on your credit report can unfairly affect your score. Regularly check your report to catch and correct any mistakes.

The Ocean Credit Card starts with a minimum credit limit of £200 and can go up to £1,500. The exact limit you receive depends on your credit history and financial situation. We keep the credit limit lower to help you build your credit without taking on too much debt.

If you use your card responsibly, you might qualify for higher credit limits in the future. Just remember, a larger limit can mean a bigger balance, which could take longer to pay off and may increase your interest costs. 

If you have bad credit, a credit card designed for people with poor or no credit can help you improve your credit score over time. These cards are usually easier to get approved for, but often have higher interest rates and lower credit limits.

To show lenders that you’re a responsible borrower, make sure to stay within your credit limit and pay your bills on time. Going over your limit, paying late, or missing payments can hurt your credit score.

Using a bad credit credit card responsibly can make you eligible for a better deal next time you apply for credit.

You can use a credit card to pay for various goods and services, or to cover bills. Just make sure you can afford to pay off your balance in full and on time to avoid interest charges.

A credit card can also help you build your credit score. Using it responsibly shows lenders that you’re reliable, which can improve your credit score and increase your chances of getting credit in the future.  

Checking your eligibility before applying helps you see if you’re likely to be approved without affecting your credit score. This way, you can avoid multiple applications that might lower your score.

An eligibility checker gives you a better idea of your chances and helps you apply knowing you’ll be accepted. This also allows you to choose the best card for your situation, saving you time and avoiding unnecessary hard credit checks. 

There isn’t a specific lowest credit score that guarantees approval for a credit card, as requirements vary by lender and card type. Generally, credit cards for poor credit or those designed for people with poor credit histories have more flexible requirements.

If you have a low credit score, you might still qualify for these types of cards. Using an eligibility checker can help you understand your chances without affecting your credit score.

Bad credit indicates past issues managing credit, while no credit means you have little or no credit history. Both scenarios can make getting credit harder, but lenders might view them differently.

If you have no credit: You haven’t used credit products like loans and credit cards. Small steps like joining the electoral roll and having your name on a household bill can make you more likely to be accepted for a credit card.

If you have bad credit: You've had past issues managing credit, like missed payments, defaults, or high amounts of debt. Improving your chances of being accepted for a card could include paying down debts, reducing your credit utilisation, and checking your report for mistakes.