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 notify you of approval 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 will be overall.
How long will it take to receive my card?
Generally, you should receive your card within 10 working days. However, this can vary by lender, as well as being dependent on your postal service.
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.
How can I get my credit card faster?
The amount of time it takes to get a credit card depends on the lender. However, you could try to speed up the process by checking your eligibility first, and only applying for a card that you’re pre-approved for. This may be quicker than completing multiple credit card applications, and it won’t affect your credit score.
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.
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.
To increase your chances of approval, you’re better making as few applications as possible. A good way to avoid being rejected for multiple cards is to use an eligibility checker to find out if you’ve been accepted before you apply. You can then go ahead and only apply for a card that you’re confident you’ll be approved for.
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. While only you can see soft searches on your credit report, hard searches are visible to lenders each time you make a full credit application.
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.
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.
Fiona Peake
Personal Finance Writer
Fiona is a personal finance writer with over 7 years’ experience writing for a broad range of industries before joining Ocean in 2021. She uses her wealth of experience to turn the overwhelming aspects of finance into articles that are easy to understand.
