How to get a business credit card with an EIN only
- What is an EIN-only business credit card?
- Pros and cons of credit cards with EIN only
- What you need to apply for an EIN-only business card
- How to apply for a business credit card with EIN
- Best business credit cards with EIN only
- Compare EIN-only business credit cards at a glance
- Alternatives to EIN-only business cards
- How to build business credit with your EIN
- How to maximize rewards with your EIN-only business card
- Get a Ramp corporate card using your EIN
You can apply for some business cards, mostly corporate cards, based on your business's EIN and financials instead of your personal credit. Most issuers still ask an owner for identity details to verify who you are. For example, a corporate card issuer might review your business bank balance and monthly revenue, while you only confirm your own ID.
EIN-only cards usually carry credit, revenue, and cash-on-hand requirements, and some still ask for your SSN at signup. If you run a smaller business, some of the best business credit cards come from Ramp and BILL. Each issuer works differently, so compare requirements before you apply.
What is an EIN-only business credit card?
An EIN-only business credit card is one you qualify for based on your business's EIN and financials instead of your personal credit. Most are corporate charge cards, because traditional bank small-business cards typically require an SSN and a personal guarantee.
Your employer identification number (EIN) is the nine-digit number the IRS assigns to your business. It does for your company what a Social Security Number (SSN) does for you. A business credit card with EIN only ties the account to your company instead of to you.
Most EIN-only business credit cards are charge cards, which means you pay the full balance each statement period. A revolving credit card, by contrast, lets you carry a balance from month to month and charges interest on it.
For example, a two-year-old LLC with steady deposits applies for a corporate card using its EIN. The issuer reviews its bank balance and revenue, while the owner only verifies their identity.
Can you get a business credit card without a SSN?
It's possible to get a business credit card using only an employer identification number (EIN) instead of a Social Security Number (SSN), though it isn't easy. If your business doesn't have established credit, you'll need to meet additional requirements to get approved for a card using just your EIN. Those requirements can involve meeting a certain monthly revenue threshold or having a certain amount of capital in the bank.
Discover Ramp's corporate card for modern finance
Some cards drop the personal requirements entirely. Ramp's corporate card requires no personal guarantee and no personal credit check.
While sole proprietors can get an EIN, they're typically not eligible for small business credit cards using only their EIN. If you have a large, established business, you can usually get a corporate card without using an individual SSN.
Can you apply for a business card without a SSN?
Yes, you can apply with an EIN, though many issuers still run a personal credit check or ask for a personal guarantee, especially for newer businesses. If you don't have an SSN, ask the issuer which alternative IDs it accepts for identity verification.
Benefits of using an EIN-only card
There are a few reasons you might prefer an EIN-only card over one that requires your SSN. Using an EIN helps separate your personal finances from those of your business, so you can avoid personal liability for your business's debts.
With a corporate card, your business, not you personally, is responsible for the balance. Cards that use only an EIN are also one of the few types of business credit cards that won't affect your personal credit.
Using an EIN can also help your business build a credit history over time, as long as the card issuer reports payments to business credit-rating agencies. That can give your company access to extra sources of capital later and make it more affordable to borrow money. Once you have your EIN, you can build business credit further by getting a free D-U-N-S number and opening tradelines, like net-30 vendor accounts, that report to the credit bureaus.
If you have bad personal credit, an EIN-only card also means you won't be denied based on your personal credit history. Just keep in mind that your business credit score is inextricably linked to your EIN, the same way your SSN is tied to your personal credit score. Credit bureaus use it to determine your company's creditworthiness.
Why some issuers don't approve applications with only an EIN
Many card issuers prefer an SSN over an EIN, and many may ask you to provide both, because they require business owners to provide a personal guarantee. That's because lending money to startups is extremely risky, and most credit cards don't require collateral. Lenders want to protect themselves from losses by requiring individuals to promise to repay their debts if their business can't.
Business credit card issuers that require a personal guarantee will look at your personal credit when deciding whether to approve your credit card application. In those cases, your personal credit will also factor into the size of the credit limit you receive and the interest rate, if applicable.
Some, but not all, business credit card issuers that require an SSN will report payments on the card to personal credit bureaus.
Pros and cons of credit cards with EIN only
EIN-only credit cards are a great option if you want a card with no credit check, but they have their drawbacks.
| Factor | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Finance separation | Using an EIN rather than your personal SSN keeps your business credit score separate from your personal credit score. | If a card requires a personal guarantee, you're still personally on the hook for the debt, so confirm each card's terms. |
| Business credit | Cards that use your EIN often report to the business credit bureaus, meaning that you can build your business credit score. | If you're a small business owner or have no business credit history to begin with, it may be harder to find a card that doesn't require your SSN. |
| Credit limits | EIN-only cards often come with higher credit limits, as long as your business can prove it's bringing in substantial revenue each month. | Higher credit limits open up the possibility of misuse if not managed properly. You can prevent this problem by choosing a card that allows for custom spending limits. |
What you need to apply for an EIN-only business card
You need proof of what your business is, how much cash it holds, and who owns it. Issuers use these details to underwrite on your business instead of your personal credit, so gathering them first makes approval smoother.
- Business entity and EIN: Many EIN-only corporate card providers accept registered corporations and LLCs, so confirm the issuer accepts your entity type. Sole proprietors can get an EIN, but most EIN-only cards don't accept them.
- Business bank account with a healthy balance or revenue: Issuers underwrite on your cash and revenue, so link the account that holds your operating funds. Minimums vary by issuer, so check each card's current requirements.
- Owner identity details: Owners still verify their identity, even when the card doesn't use personal credit.
- Business documents: Have your company name, legal structure, revenue, bank statements, and employee count ready.
- Online presence: A business website or professional email domain helps an issuer confirm your business is active.
For example, a five-person agency gathers its articles of organization, EIN confirmation letter, last three bank statements, and its owners' IDs before applying. If you're hunting for easy approval business credit cards with EIN only, this prep matters more than which card you pick.
How to apply for a business credit card with EIN
To apply with your EIN, you set up your business identity first, then compare cards and submit an application that an owner verifies. For the general process, read our guide on how to apply for a business credit card.
1. Get your EIN
You can get an EIN for free directly from the IRS online in minutes. Don't pay a third-party site to file for you, since the IRS doesn't charge for an EIN.
Already have one but can't find it? Our guide explains how to find your employer identification number.
2. Set up your business entity and bank account
Register your business as an LLC, corporation, or partnership, then open a business bank account in its name. You'll link this account to your card application, so keep business and personal funds separate from day one.
If you've formed an LLC, compare business credit cards for LLCs to see which issuers fit your entity.
3. Gather your business documents
Pull together the details issuers ask for so you can finish the application in one sitting:
- Legal name and structure: Your registered business name and entity type
- Registration date: The date you formed the business
- Revenue: Current and projected figures
- Bank statements: Recent statements from your business account
- Employee count: The number of people you employ
4. Compare EIN-only business credit cards
Look for cards that skip the personal guarantee and underwrite on your business finances. Then ask each issuer whether it reports to business credit bureaus, and weigh rewards against how your team actually spends.
5. Submit your application and verify your identity
Complete the business sections, link your business bank account, and finish owner identity verification. Some issuers run a soft credit check: BILL, for instance, uses an SSN only for a soft credit check.
For example, an LLC links its operating account, uploads two months of statements, and gets a decision after the issuer verifies one owner's ID.
Best business credit cards with EIN only
It's entirely possible to sign up for a business credit card using only your EIN, but it will have to be what's called a corporate card. If you want to apply primarily with your EIN instead of relying on personal credit, corporate cards are usually the best option. They're intended for established companies and usually come with requirements like high revenue and cash-on-hand.
Traditional bank corporate cards are generally aimed at larger, established companies. For small to mid-sized businesses and startups, online corporate card providers are a more suitable option.
The following corporate cards focus on your EIN and business finances rather than traditional personal credit checks. For example, if your startup keeps its cash in a business account and the founder won't guarantee the debt, these cards underwrite on that data.
Ramp Business Credit Card
- Higher credit limits: Ramp provides credit limits up to higher than traditional business credit cards by assessing factors like revenue and funds raised, rather than relying solely on your business credit score
- Flexible qualification options: Ramp partners with major commerce platforms such as Stripe, Shopify, and Amazon to determine credit limits for startups using sales data. With just 1 year of sales history on these platforms, your business can qualify and accelerate growth.
- Exclusive partner rewards: Ramp cardholders enjoy access to over $350K in rewards, including discounts, credits, and perks for services like UPS, AWS, QuickBooks, OpenAI, Notion, and more
- Simplified spend control: Customize and enforce expense policies with Ramp’s spend controls. Set limits by vendor, category, or transaction, and automatically flag out-of-policy or suspicious activity.
- Comprehensive financial tools: Ramp’s business credit card includes a suite of finance features such as expense management, financial reporting, accounting integrations, corporate travel booking, and accounts payable automation
- Eligibility: Only available to corporations, LLCs, or LPs; sole proprietors are ineligible
- Cash on hand: U.S. applicants must have $25,000 in a business bank account
- Balance transfers: Balance transfers are not supported
Ramp offers cashback rewards on purchases and comes with no annual fee. It includes advanced expense management tools to help you automate financial workflows, control spending, and improve reporting. Ramp doesn't require a personal guarantee and offers a straightforward approval process tailored to your business needs.
Designed for modern businesses, the card emphasizes simplicity and efficiency with features like spend controls, detailed analytics, and smooth integration with accounting software. With a focus on optimizing expenses, Ramp helps you manage your finances effectively while earning consistent rewards.
FairFigure Capital Card
- No personal guarantee required
- Reports two monthly tradelines to business credit bureaus, helping you build business credit faster
- Approves based on business bank account activity, not personal credit
- Technically a debit card with funding offers, not a traditional charge card
- Limited rewards compared to cashback or points-based cards
- Less established brand with fewer integrations than larger providers
FairFigure is a business credit-building card designed for you if you want to establish or strengthen your business credit profile. Unlike traditional charge cards, the Lift Card delivers revenue-based funding on a debit card, using your bank account activity instead of your personal credit. The card doesn't require a personal guarantee or personal credit check.
The standout feature is dual tradeline reporting. Each month, FairFigure reports two tradelines to business credit bureaus, which can accelerate your credit-building timeline compared to business credit cards that report only once. Confirm FairFigure's current eligibility requirements and any membership fees directly with FairFigure before you apply.
BILL Divvy Corporate Card
- No personal guarantee: Approval does not require a personal guarantee
- Rewards program: Earn points on eligible purchases through a points-based rewards system
- Expense management tools: Features built-in tools for tracking expenses and managing budgets
- No annual fee: Access the card without paying an annual fee
- US residency requirement: Restricted to businesses based in the United States
- Card type: Operates as a charge card, requiring full payment each billing cycle
- Redemption delay: Points can't be redeemed until you've held the account for 12 months, even once accrued.
The BILL Divvy Corporate Card provides a points-based rewards program and offers no annual fee. It includes budgeting tools to help you manage spend limits by category and align employee expenses with company policies. The card integrates directly with BILL's financial tools for streamlined payment processes.
BILL runs a soft credit check at application, so there's no hard inquiry, and it doesn't require a personal guarantee. The points-based rewards program may require more effort to maximize value compared to simpler cashback cards, and the features are geared more toward companies actively using BILL's ecosystem.
Brex Corporate Card
- Global reach: Supports multi-currency transactions and card acceptance in over 200 countries.
- Credit flexibility: Determines credit limits based on business performance instead of personal credit scores.
- Rewards program: Offers points on key spending categories with flexible redemption options.
- Expense management: Provides automated tools for tracking and managing expenses.
- No personal guarantee: Does not require a personal guarantee for approval.
- Partner perks: Includes discounts on business services and products.
- US-based businesses: Only available to companies with primary operations in the US.
- No cashback option: Rewards are points-based without direct cash-back functionality.
- Cash balance requirement: Requires a minimum cash balance of $50,000 for funded businesses, though this may vary based on referrals or other factors.
The Brex Card doesn't require a personal guarantee if you maintain a qualifying cash balance. Brex sets eligibility based on your cash balance and funding, and it sets credit limits dynamically based on your cash balance and business financials, adjusting them as your balance changes.
Capital One completed its acquisition of Brex on April 7, 2026, so it's still worth confirming current terms directly with Brex as the integration continues.
Compare EIN-only business credit cards at a glance
Card comparison
- Corporate card and spend management platform
- Cashback rewards on purchases
- Unlimited employee cards with custom spending limits
- Automated receipt matching
- Accounts payable software
- Must have $25,000 in a business bank account to qualify
- Balance must be paid in full each month
Annual Fee
$0
APR
N/A
BILL Divvy Corporate Card- Corporate card available to registered businesses with an EIN number and U.S. business bank account
- Requires an SSN, but only for a soft credit check, so there's no impact on your credit score
- Comes with expense management software
- Points-based rewards with bonus points in different categories
Annual Fee
$0
APR
N/A
FairFigure Capital Card- Business credit-building debit card with funding offers based on bank account activity
- No personal guarantee or personal credit check
- No annual fee
- Reports two monthly tradelines to business credit bureaus
- Requires three months in business and $2,500 in deposits to qualify
- Cashback on vendor purchases
APR
None
Annual Fee
$0
Personal Guarantee
Not required
Brex Corporate Card- No personal guarantee with a qualifying cash balance ($50,000 for funded startups, or higher without funding; $25,000 minimum to maintain any limit)
- Points-based rewards with category multipliers
- No fixed APR
- No annual fee
- No personal credit check during underwriting
- Late fees applied
APR
None
Annual Fee
$0
Personal Guarantee
Not required (with qualifying cash balance)
Alternatives to EIN-only business cards
If you have poor credit or don't meet the requirements for a corporate card, secured cards can be a good alternative. With these cards, you put down a cash deposit that will act as your credit limit. Many secured business cards report to business credit bureaus, so you can use them to build your credit score.
Although secured credit cards don't come with credit score or capital requirements, you'll have to provide your SSN to qualify. This is necessary for the personal guarantee you agree to with these cards.
Can you get a business credit card with a 500 credit score? A secured card is the typical route, because your deposit sets the limit. These secured business credit cards are worth comparing.
Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Mastercard credit card
This secured credit card from Bank of America has no annual fee and requires a minimum $1,000 cash deposit. When you're approved, your cash deposit will act as your line of credit. The card offers 1.5% cashback rewards with no annual cap, making it a good option for funding business expenses while improving your credit score.
The First National Bank Business Edition Secured Mastercard credit card
The First National Bank Business Edition Secured Mastercard Credit Card requires a single deposit between $2,000 and $10,000 (in multiples of $100), which acts as its credit limit. The card has a $39 annual fee.
Valley Bank Visa secured business credit card
The Valley Bank Visa Secured Business Credit Card requires a security deposit of 110% of your desired credit limit, up to $25,000, which acts as your line of credit. The card offers unlimited 1% cashback on every purchase, plus a 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 6 months.
There's no annual fee. Availability varies by state, so check with Valley Bank.
Two other options worth a look: fleet cards and prepaid cards. If gas or fleet spend matters more to you than building credit with just an EIN, a dedicated fleet card may be a better fit. Prepaid business cards are another no-credit-check option, though prepaid cards work differently: you're spending against a loaded balance, not a credit line.
How to build business credit with your EIN
You can build business credit with just an EIN by getting a business identifier, opening accounts that report, and paying them on time. For a deeper look at how scores work, read our guide to business credit scores.
1. Get a free D-U-N-S Number
A D-U-N-S Number is Dun & Bradstreet's unique identifier for your business, and it anchors your business credit file with that bureau. You can get one for free from Dun & Bradstreet.
2. Open vendor tradelines that report
Net-30 vendor accounts let you buy supplies now and pay within 30 days, and some vendors report those payments to business credit bureaus. Before you open one, ask each vendor whether it reports and to which bureaus. Corporate cards that report to business bureaus count as tradelines too.
3. Pay on time and monitor your reports
On-time payments build your score, so set up autopay or reminders for every tradeline. Check your business credit reports regularly and dispute any errors you find. Timing depends on when each issuer or vendor reports to the bureaus.
How to maximize rewards with your EIN-only business card
Getting approved is just the first step. The real value comes from using your card strategically.
- Match your card to your spending patterns: If your business spends heavily on software or advertising, look for cards with multipliers in those categories.
- Put recurring expenses on your card: Monthly subscriptions, cloud services, and regular vendor payments add up fast. Routing these through your corporate card means you're earning rewards on spend that's already happening.
- Consolidate your business spend: Splitting purchases across multiple cards dilutes rewards and complicates expense tracking. Pick one primary card to earn faster and simplify bookkeeping.
- Stack discounts with cashback: Partner perks and cashback aren't mutually exclusive. If your card offers exclusive vendor discounts, combine those savings with the rewards you're earning on your purchases.
Get a Ramp corporate card using your EIN
Ramp's corporate business credit cards offer more flexibility than other types of cards, as well as a range of additional perks for managing your business finances. You can use Ramp at all different types of stores. Plus, Ramp helps you save more with its rewards and has credit limits higher than traditional banks.
You can block out-of-policy spend at the swipe with merchant, category, and amount controls built into every card, and applications are approved in fewer than 48 hours.
We also make it easy to start an employee card program by allowing you to issue unlimited virtual credit cards. You can place spending limits or restrictions on where your employees can use the cards, empowering your company to spend as necessary while controlling for unnecessary expenses.
Plus, Ramp's cards come packaged with a suite of expense management tools that allow you to track your finances in real time. Try an interactive demo to see how Ramp's corporate card works.
How WizeHire sped up month-end close by 58% with Ramp
WizeHire, a growing HR-tech firm, needed a better way to manage spend as they scaled. Using Ramp's corporate card, they unlocked faster and more secure finance operations. Before switching, WizeHire funneled all spend through one shared Amex, resulting in limited control, significant receipt chasing, and net-12 closes.
Ramp allowed WizeHire to issue cards to individuals and set spend limits on each card. That switch drove a dramatic impact: WizeHire went from a 12-day to a 5-day close, shaving 58% off its month-end timeline. Its audit paperwork was also tied directly to its enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.
"Ramp is one of those secret advantages that maybe we shouldn't be talking so much about," said CEO Sid Upadhyay. "But we are."
Ramp's automated spend controls delivered:
- Sharpened expense reporting: Employees can spend within pre-set budgets.
- Full audit readiness: Audit documentation was already tied to the ERP.
- Department-level granularity: WizeHire sees ad spend by program and P&L the next day instead of waiting for month-end.
WizeHire's transition to Ramp checked several boxes: individual cards for every employee who needs one and spend limits on each card. The result? A finance stack that supports autonomy, accelerates decisions, and frees up cash flow to reinvest in growth.
The cashback percentages, limits, fees, and other figures mentioned in this article are for illustrative purposes only. They do not represent guaranteed or expected rates.
Actual terms, credit limits, rewards, and approval criteria vary by card issuer and may change at any time. Readers should verify current details directly with each issuer before applying.
The cashback percentages, limits, fees, and other figures mentioned in this article are for illustrative purposes only. They do not represent guaranteed or expected rates. Actual terms, credit limits, rewards, and approval criteria vary by card issuer and may change at any time. Readers should verify current details directly with each issuer before applying.
FAQs
A secured business card is the usual route, because your cash deposit sets the credit limit. EIN-only corporate cards are another option, since they underwrite on your business's finances instead of your personal credit score.
Open tradelines that report to business credit bureaus, like corporate cards and net-30 vendor accounts, and pay them on time. Timing depends on when each issuer or vendor reports to the bureaus.
It depends on your stage: many EIN-only corporate cards set a minimum cash balance, and requirements vary by issuer. If you don't meet those thresholds yet, start with a secured business credit card or vendor accounts to build credit first.
Yes, corporate charge cards like Ramp and BILL Divvy don't require a personal guarantee. The business itself is liable for card payments, so your personal assets aren't at risk if the business can't repay.
Yes. Many EIN-only corporate card providers accept LLCs, so check each issuer's current eligibility.
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