How long does it take to get a credit card?
Once you've been approved, most cards arrive within 7–10 working days — and with some providers, you can start using your credit before the physical card even lands on your doormat.
3 min read
How long does a credit card application take?
If you apply online, most credit card applications only take a few minutes. Some may be a little longer, but rarely any more than 15 minutes. You could use an eligibility checker to see if you'll be accepted before you apply. This can take as little as 60 seconds to give you an answer, and it won't affect your credit score.
How long does it take to get approved for a credit card online?
Many lenders can tell you if you’ve been approved immediately, so you can find out there and then.
However, you may have to wait a little longer if the lender wants to carry out any additional checks. Your application may show as pending if:
- Your income or personal information need to be verified
- There are mistakes in your application
It's always a good idea to double check your details before you send off your application. This includes checking your credit report for any mistakes. The longer you take to make sure everything is accurate, the faster the process could be overall.
How long does a credit card take to arrive?
Generally, you should receive your card within 7–10 working days. However, this can vary by lender, as well as being dependent on your postal service.
Your PIN will usually arrive separately from your card, sent in a different envelope for security reasons so the two can't be intercepted together. Depending on the provider, your PIN may arrive before or after the card itself. With app-based providers, you can often set and manage your PIN in the app, without needing a postal PIN at all.
Can I get a credit card on the same day?
You will likely be able to get credit card approval on the same day (if you are eligible), but not your physical card.
However, some providers offer instant access to credit, even before the actual card arrives. This is usually limited to online purchases only but can be helpful if you need to use credit immediately.
Ocean Credit Card
See if it's a YES before you apply
- Up to £8,000 credit limit
- Checking won't affect your credit score
- Get a response in 60 seconds
39.9% APR Representative (variable)
Intelligent Lending Ltd (credit broker). Capital One is the exclusive lender.
How can I get my credit card faster?
The amount of time it takes to get a credit card depends on the lender. That said, you could try to speed up the process by:
- Checking your eligibility first and only applying for a card you're pre-approved for — this may be quicker than completing multiple applications and won't affect your credit score
- Applying online rather than by phone or post — online applications are processed faster, and you can track progress
- Applying at the start of the week — most lenders only process applications on working days, so applying on a Monday or Tuesday gives your application the best chance of being processed quickly
- Having your documents ready — payslips, bank statements, and proof of ID to hand means fewer delays if the lender asks for additional information
Can I use my credit card immediately?
In many cases, once activated, you can use your credit card immediately after approval.
Some lenders provide instant access to a digital version of the card. This can be added to a mobile wallet (such as Apple Pay or Google Pay) to be used straight away.
What should I do if my credit card hasn't arrived?
If your card hasn't arrived within the timeframe given by your provider, here's what to do:
- Check your emails and junk folder — the lender may have sent a message asking for additional information or flagging a delay
- Contact your card provider directly — they can check whether your card was dispatched and, if needed, cancel the original and send a replacement
- Don't use the card details if you receive them digitally while waiting — report the missing card first so the provider can issue a new one securely
I've been declined. Will this slow down future applications?
Being declined for a card doesn't necessarily slow down future applications. But making multiple applications in a short space of time could reduce your credit score, as a hard search is added to your report with each application. Multiple hard searches on your report can make it less likely for you to be accepted for credit.
An eligibility checker only performs a soft search on your credit file, which isn't visible to lenders and doesn't affect your credit score. If you're unsure which cards you're likely to be accepted for, our eligibility checker lets you check in 60 seconds — so you can apply with confidence.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure content is correct when published. Information on this website doesn't constitute financial advice, and we aren't responsible for the content of any external sites.
