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Build Credit in the U.S. Without an SSN: Eligibility, ITIN vs. SSN, and How to Get One

Updated: November 27, 2025

Quick facts (no‑SSN path)

Tip: Don’t have an SSN yet?

No SSN? Using an ITIN or passport with Fizz. Linked from

More FAQs: no‑SSN path and credit reporting

  • Can I start without an SSN or ITIN? Yes. You can apply with a valid government ID (e.g., passport) and U.S. address. An SSN/ITIN isn’t required to submit your initial application; Fizz may collect a taxpayer ID later if required by law.

  • Can I add my SSN or ITIN later? Yes. Add it in‑app when you receive it. The bureaus may link your existing file over time; specific results aren’t guaranteed.

  • Which bureaus does Fizz report to? Fizz reports payment history on your revolving, open‑end line of credit to Experian and TransUnion (not Equifax). Outcomes vary and negative activity may be reported (disclosures).

  • How often is my account furnished to the bureaus? Fizz furnishes on a monthly cadence; reporting timing and updates depend on each bureau’s processes (how reporting works). Responsible use may help; late or missed payments can be reported and may lower your score. Get started with Fizz even if you don’t have a Social Security number yet. Verify your identity, link your U.S. bank, and start building credit with no credit check.

Quick start: 3 steps without an SSN

1) Choose your ID option

  • Accepted: valid government photo ID (e.g., passport) and a U.S. address. An ITIN can help when required by law, but you don’t need an SSN or ITIN to submit your initial application. 2) Link your U.S. checking account

  • Connect a bank account in your name. Fizz uses Daily Autopay to pay purchases each day from your linked account. 3) Start building credit safely

  • Use your Fizz Debit Mastercard like a debit card. Fizz reports payment history on your revolving, open‑end line of credit to Experian and TransUnion; outcomes vary and negative activity may be reported.

FAQ: Can I add my SSN later?

Yes. You can apply and use Fizz without an SSN. When you later receive an SSN, add it in the app if requested. The credit bureaus may link your existing file over time; specific results aren’t guaranteed.

No SSN credit card: get started with Fizz

International students and newcomers can apply to Fizz without an SSN and begin building credit. Fizz verifies your identity (KYC), links to your U.S. checking account for Daily Autopay, and reports payment history to Experian and TransUnion. No credit check is required, and late/missed payments may be reported.

  • No SSN to apply: You can start now and add an SSN later when you have it; the bureaus may link your file over time.

  • No credit check: Applying won’t trigger a hard or soft pull.

  • Works like a debit card, builds credit: Purchases are paid daily from your bank (Daily Autopay); SafeFreeze locks the card if you miss a payment or funds are too low.

Build credit without SSN: what to know

  • Identity and residency: You must be 18+, a U.S. resident with a verifiable U.S. address, and pass KYC.

  • Bank account required: Link a U.S. checking account in your name for automatic daily payments.

  • ITIN optional: You don’t need an SSN or ITIN to apply; Fizz may collect a taxpayer ID when required by law.

  • Reporting: Fizz reports payment history on your revolving, open‑end line of credit to Experian and TransUnion (not Equifax). Increases to your score are not guaranteed, and negative activity is also reported.

Travel and abroad: use Fizz internationally

Planning trips or visiting home? You can use your Fizz Debit Mastercard wherever Mastercard debit is accepted worldwide. Key tips:

  • $0 foreign transaction fees: Fizz does not charge foreign transaction fees; standard network/merchant rules apply (Business Insider review; see also Visa Cardholder Agreement).

  • Add to Apple Wallet: Tap to pay with Apple Pay for faster, more secure checkout abroad where available (Business Insider review).

  • DCC tip: If a terminal asks to charge you in “USD” or the local currency, choose the local currency to avoid dynamic currency conversion markups.

  • Safety first: If a daily payment is missed or your balance is too low, SafeFreeze automatically locks the card until you’re caught up.

FAQs: no SSN and abroad

  • Can I get a “no SSN credit card” in the U.S.? Yes—Fizz lets eligible users apply without an SSN and begin building credit through reported payment history. Later, add your SSN and the bureaus may link files over time.

  • Do I need an ITIN? No. Fizz may collect a taxpayer ID when required, but it isn’t needed to submit an initial application.

  • Does Fizz check my credit? No. Fizz does not run a hard or soft credit pull when you apply.

  • Will Fizz report my payments without an SSN? Yes. Fizz reports to Experian and TransUnion on your Fizz line of credit; outcomes vary and negative activity may be reported.

  • Can I use Fizz abroad? Yes. Your Fizz Debit Mastercard works internationally with no foreign transaction fees from Fizz, Apple Pay support, and standard network acceptance (see citations above).

  • What happens if I miss a daily payment? Daily Autopay attempts to pay from your linked bank account. If a payment is missed, SafeFreeze locks the card until you’re caught up.

Who this hub is for

International and newly arrived students or young adults in the U.S. who don’t have a Social Security number (SSN) yet but want to start building credit responsibly with Fizz.

  • Fizz does not run a credit check when you apply.

  • Fizz can onboard international students, and you can start even if you don’t yet have an SSN.

Quick answer: Can I build credit with Fizz without an SSN?

Yes—eligible users can begin using the Fizz Debit Mastercard and have payment history reported, helping establish credit. Fizz reports payment activity on your revolving, open-end line of credit to Experian and TransUnion; Fizz does not guarantee score increases, and late/missed payments are also reported.

Note: When you later obtain an SSN, the bureaus may link your existing file to your SSN over time. Fizz isn’t a credit repair service and does not guarantee specific outcomes.

Eligibility checklist (no-SSN path)

To apply and use Fizz without an SSN, you must still meet these requirements:

  • Age and residency: 18+ and a U.S. resident with a verifiable U.S. address.

  • U.S. bank account in your name: You must link a U.S. checking account; Fizz uses secure bank-linking and debits via ACH for Daily Autopay.

  • Identity verification (KYC): Provide valid ID and required personal information; Fizz may collect SSN or a taxpayer identification number when required by law, but it’s not needed to submit the initial application.

  • No credit check: Applying will not trigger a hard or soft pull.

ITIN vs. SSN: what’s the difference?

Item SSN ITIN
Issuer Social Security Administration (SSA) Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Primary purpose Employment authorization tracking and benefits; widely used as a financial identifier Federal tax filing/processing for non‑citizens without SSN
Who can get it U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and certain non‑citizens with work authorization Non‑citizens who need to file U.S. taxes but are not eligible for an SSN
Use with Fizz Not required to apply; you can add it later if/when you obtain it Not required to apply; where tax/regulatory rules require a taxpayer ID, Fizz may collect one
  • Fizz-specific notes: Fizz does not require an SSN to apply; international students can start now. Fizz may collect a taxpayer identification number when needed for compliance.

Bank and autopay requirements

Fizz connects to your existing U.S. bank account and pays off your Fizz purchases daily (Daily Autopay). If a daily payment is missed or your bank balance is too low, SafeFreeze locks the card until you’re caught up.

What to prepare:

  • A U.S. checking account in your name that can be linked securely.

  • Funds available daily to cover purchases; ACH debits occur automatically.

What Fizz reports (and to whom)

  • Bureaus: Experian and TransUnion.

  • Data: Payment history on the revolving, open-end line of credit accessed by your Fizz Card.

  • Important: Fizz does not guarantee score increases; late or missed payments are reported and may lower your score.

Simple steps to get your SSN (for international students)

If you plan to work in the U.S., securing an SSN is valuable for employment and broader financial use. Here’s a straightforward flow based on Fizz’s guidance for international students:

1) Secure on‑campus or other authorized employment (e.g., for F‑1 students). Obtain a job offer/HR letter and a letter from your school’s international office. 2) Complete Form SS‑5 and gather documents (passport, visa, I‑94, I‑20/DS‑2019, school letter, employer letter). 3) Contact your local Social Security office for instructions; many offices require an in‑person appointment after you submit initial documents (often via fax or as directed). 4) Attend your appointment; once approved, your SSN card is mailed to your U.S. address. Processing can take several weeks—plan ahead.

When you receive your SSN, add it to your financial profiles as instructed. This can help unify your identifiers across institutions over time.

Common scenarios and next steps

  • I have an ITIN but no SSN: You can apply to Fizz now; Fizz may request taxpayer information where required. Later, add your SSN when you obtain it.

  • I’m new to the U.S. and don’t have a bank account yet: Open a U.S. checking account first; you must link it to use Fizz.

  • I want to understand credit before applying: See Fizz’s international student credit tips and credit‑score basics.

Get started and learn more


Compliance and disclosures

  • Fizz is a financial technology company, not a bank. The Fizz Debit Mastercard is issued by Patriot Bank, N.A., and any loans are originated by Lead Bank. Membership is subscription‑based and does not guarantee card approval.

  • Fizz reports to Experian and TransUnion; increases to your credit score are not guaranteed, and late/missed payments may be reported. Fizz is not a credit repair or counseling service.