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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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What credit score do you need for business credit cards?
Katie Genter is a digital nomad who has traveled full time since June 2017. She writes and edits stories about points and miles, and loyalty programs, often letting her personal experiences color these stories.
Credit card writer Danyal Ahmed is an avid traveler, averaging about 100,000 aeronautical miles per year. He regularly applies that knowledge and his expertise in credit cards to his role as a credit card writer at TPG.
also contributed to this story
February 10, 2025 • 7 min read
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Quick summary
Small-business credit cards are accessible even for new or informal businesses, provided certain criteria are met.
Approval typically depends on your personal credit score, with good or excellent credit increasing your chances.
Secured cards can be an option for those with lower credit scores, though they require a deposit and may have fewer benefits.
Applications generally require business details such as legal name, industry and annual revenue, and often a social security number.
What to consider
Personal credit is usually reviewed alongside business credit, unless your business has a well-established credit history.
Secured cards may be easier to obtain for those with poor credit but often come with higher fees and fewer perks.
Providing accurate business information and following application best practices can improve approval odds.
What you'll miss from the article
Step-by-step guidance on completing business card applications and tips for improving your approval chances.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
If you're ready to apply for a new credit card for your small business, you may wonder whether you'll be approved. Here's what you need to know about getting approved for a business credit card.
What credit score do you need for business credit cards?
Most issuers will perform a credit check with consumer and business credit bureaus when you apply for a business credit card. Unless you have an established business that's incorporated or a Limited Liability Company, have a federal Employer Identification Number and meet other requirements, you likely won't have any business credit history.
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In most cases, you'll need a good or excellent credit score to be approved for a business credit card. However, you may be able to find some issuers that will accept you for a card with a lower credit score — especially if your business is well-established or has significant annual revenue.
The easiest business credit card to get will be a secured credit card. Secured credit cards require a security deposit but can provide a low-fee option for business owners with poor credit who need a credit card.
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There are various secured credit cards for consumers, and these cards may be a better option if you're mainly interested in improving your credit score. If you need a business credit card and have poor credit, you may want to consider a secured credit card such as the Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card (no longer open to new applicants) or a personal secured card such as the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card. However, once your credit improves, you'll likely want to move on to a more traditional business credit card with lower fees, higher rewards and better benefits.
The information for the Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
You may be able to get a secured business credit card even if you have bad credit. But, you'll generally need to improve your credit before applying for traditional business credit cards that offer rewards.
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Whether you get a consumer or a secured credit card meant for a business, you'll want to focus on paying your balance in full and on time each month, staying below your credit limit and keeping your credit utilization as low as possible. Once your credit score has improved, you may be able to be approved for a business credit card.
How do I get approved for a small-business credit card?
You can apply for most business cards online, and the process is similar to what you'd go through for a personal credit card. However, instead of asking personal questions regarding monthly rent, mortgage and annual income, it'll generally ask you questions about your business. For example, most business credit card applications ask for the legal business name, type of business, industry, number of employees and annual revenue.
To make sure you fill out the application correctly, check out the following guides:
Remember to use your name as the business name if you're applying as a sole proprietor unless you've registered with your local or state government for a DBA (or a "doing business as") name.
When applying for a small-business credit card, you'll generally be asked for your business' federal EIN and social security number. Of course, if you are applying as a sole proprietor, you won't need to provide an EIN.
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You'll generally be required to provide your social security number on business credit card applications because the primary cardholder is usually personally responsible for debt accrued on the account. This is one of the primary reasons some companies decide to move from a small-business credit card to a corporate card as their business grows.
Are business credit cards hard to get?
Business credit cards can be relatively easy to get if you have excellent credit and a bonafide business with solid revenue. But if your credit is less than excellent or your business doesn't seem healthy, you may have trouble getting approved for some small-business cards.
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You may also face issues getting a business credit card if you make up a name for your business or can't provide compelling business details during a call with the issuer. Maximize your approval odds by following our guide to applying for a business credit card.
Bottom line
Many excellent small-business credit cards offer business-related bonus categories. Most credit card issuers consider personal credit as well as business credit (when available) to decide whether to approve an application. But, if you have a successful business and a high credit score, you may be successful when applying for a small-business credit card.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
