What are the minimum requirements to apply for a credit card?

To apply for an Ocean Credit Card, you must be: At least 18 years old A resident of the UK

What’s the difference between a hard search and a soft search?

A hard search is a full review of your credit report and leaves a mark on your file. Multiple hard searches over a short period of time may reduce your chances of being accepted for credit. Meanwhile, a soft search involves verifying basic information such as your name, DOB and repayment history. Soft searches are only visible to you, and do not affect your credit score or any other applications for credit.

How to improve your chances of being eligible for a credit card?

Improving your eligibility for a credit card could be a matter of a few simple steps. These include: Making sure you’re registered on the electoral roll Checking for any mistakes on your credit report Reducing your credit utilisation Paying off outstanding debt where possible Ensuring your current bills are paid on time Being able to demonstrate stable employment By doing as many of these as you can, you should start to see your credit score improve within a few months, making you more likely to be accepted. You can check your credit report with a service like CredAbility . From there, you can get personalised tips to improve your chances of being accepted for a card.

Can you apply for a credit card with bad credit?

Yes, there are bad credit credit cards designed for this reason. They typically have lower credit limits, and if used responsibly (paying your balance off in full each month), can help to build your credit rating.

Does checking your credit card eligibility affect your credit score?

No, it does not. The purpose of an eligibility checker is to find out your chances of being approved, without affecting your credit score. To do this, a soft search is completed, which is only visible to you. If you complete an application, then a hard search is conducted. This can decrease your credit rating temporarily and is visible to potential credit providers viewing your report for up to 1 year.

How long is my pre-approval valid for?

After checking your eligibility with QuickCheck, your pre-approval is valid for 30 days. If you’re not ready to finish your application straight away, we’ll send you an email with a link to complete it later. If you wanted to apply again after 30 days, you’ll need to complete QuickCheck again.

Why am I not eligible for a credit card?

There are several factors that can affect your eligibility. These can include: Multiple credit applications in a short period of time Incorrect information on your credit report Financial links to someone with bad credit Missed or late payments to credit providers (like loans and other credit cards) Defaulted accounts County Court Judgments (CCJs) Individual Voluntary Agreements (IVAs) or bankruptcy Although many of these will remain on your credit report for up to six years, they’re all assessed differently. And the more time that passes, the less they’ll affect your credit rating.

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Intelligent Lending Ltd (credit broker). Capital One is the exclusive lender.

How does an eligibility checker work?

An eligibility checker shows how likely you are to be accepted for a credit card before you apply. It carries out a soft search on your credit report and uses the results to see if you’ll be successful.

You’re the only one who can see this soft search on your report, so you can check your eligibility as many times as you need. It has no effect on your credit score.

Why should you check your eligibility?

Checking eligibility doesn’t affect your credit score, while applying does.

When you apply for credit, it adds a hard search to your credit report. Other credit providers can see this search.
If you have multiple hard searches over six months, it could make you less likely to be accepted for credit. Lenders may see it as a sign you’re struggling financially.
Checking eligibility can protect your score and your chances of being accepted for credit. This is because checking uses a soft search, which only you can see.
If you’re pre-approved for a credit card after checking eligibility, you can apply knowing you’re likely to be accepted.

While an eligibility checker can give you an idea if you’ll be accepted, the result can change depending on the findings of a hard search and final checks from the lender.

How to check your credit card eligibility

Fill out some basic details - using our QuickCheck tool.
See if it's a yes or no - in 60 seconds.
If accepted - you can complete a full application.

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Why the Ocean Credit Card?

Get your card within 10 days
Credit limit of £200 to £8,000
No annual fee
From 28.9% APR (variable)
You may be eligible for 0% on balance transfers and purchases for 6 months Balance transfers will be subject to a 2.9% fee

Representative example

Representative 39.9% APR (variable)

Purchase rate 39.94% APR (variable)

Assumed Credit Limit £1,200

What information do you need to check eligibility?

Checking your eligibility for the Ocean Credit Card is simple and straightforward.

All you need to provide is:

Your name and date of birth
Your current address (and previous addresses from the last three years)
Your employment status and income
Details of any dependants and additional household income

QuickCheck will give you a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ within 60 seconds, so you can be confident you'll be accepted before you apply.

Any details provided are used only to check your eligibility and won’t be used for marketing purposes unless you agree otherwise. You can read our Privacy Policy for more information.

39.9% APR Representative (variable)

What happens after using an eligibility checker?

At the end of your eligibility check, you’ll be told on-screen whether you’re pre-approved for a credit card, or unsuccessful this time.

If you’re pre-approved – you can apply with Capital One for the next 30 days. A hard search will be carried out to check your credit history. You’ll then be told if you’re accepted, declined, or if your application needs further review.

If you’re unsuccessful – you'll be told on screen. Remember, as this eligibility check only uses a soft search, it won’t affect your credit score.

You can always try again if your financial situation changes. For example, if you’ve built your credit score, paid off some debt, or changed your income.

Use QuickCheck before you apply to see if you'll be accepted.

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Using an eligibility checker is a great way to see how likely you are to be accepted for a product before you apply. They’re quick to complete, don’t require too much information, and won’t affect your credit rating.
Fiona Peake, Personal Finance Writer