Credit Card Eligibility Checker
Find out in
60 seconds
- Up to £8,000 credit limit
- Use your card before it arrivesOnce approved, register to use your card details before your physical card arrives. After you've registered, you can use your details securely online. Access subject to ID checks.
- Checking won’t affect your credit score
Why should I check my eligibility first?
Know before you apply
Check as often as you like
Avoid unnecessary declines
What is a credit card eligibility checker?
An eligibility checker shows you how likely you are to be accepted for a credit card — before you apply.
It uses a soft search on your credit file, so checking won't affect your credit score no matter how many times you do it.
39.9% APR Representative (variable)
How to check
Fill in a few details
Without affecting your credit score
We’ll tell you if it’s a yes
Usually in under 60 seconds
Apply if you’re eligible
If approved, you'll receive your card within 10 days
What you'll need
- Your name and date of birth
- Your current address (and previous addresses if you've moved recently)
- Your employment status and income
- Details of any dependants and household income
How to improve your chances
Register on the electoral roll
Lenders use the electoral roll to verify your identity - and it takes minutes to sort.
Set up Direct Debits
Even one missed payment can leave a mark on your file. Direct Debits takes the risk of forgetting out of the equation.
Check your credit report
Errors can affect your chances without you even knowing. All three main credit agencies offer free reports.
Don't apply for lots of credit at once
Every full application leaves a mark on your file. Several in a short space of time can raise red flags with lenders.
What happens after you check?
If you’re pre-approved
If you’re unsuccessful
Let's make
it a yes
Got Questions?
To apply for an Ocean Credit Card, you must be:
- At least 18 years old
- A resident of the UK
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.
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.
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.
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.
Last updated
Reviewed by: Matt Waller
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