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Having poor credit — or no credit at all — can make everything from qualifying for an apartment to getting a new cell phone more difficult. But a secured credit card, such as the Secured Self Visa® Credit Card, can help you establish and rebuild your credit.
Previously, Self only allowed customers of its credit-builder loans to apply for its credit card. However, the company announced in 2025 that it was eliminating that requirement, so the Secured Self Visa card is now more accessible.
- Annual fee$25
- Welcome offerNone
- Purchase APR28.24% variable
- Recommended credit scoreNo credit history required
- Rewards rateNone
- Benefits
- No credit check required
- Your card activity is reported to all three credit bureaus, which can help build your credit
- Minimum security deposit of $100 can be funded with a bank account, debit card, or Self Credit Builder Account²
Who is the Secured Self Visa Card best for?
If you're one of the millions of people in the U.S. with less-than-stellar credit — according to Experian, 29% of Americans have a credit score in the poor to fair range — a secured card can be a useful tool as you rebuild your credit. Secured credit cards typically require an initial deposit that acts as your credit limit. Your activity on the card is reported to the major credit bureaus, so with a positive payment history and responsible use, your credit can increase over time.
As of January 2025, the secured Self Visa Credit Card is available to the general public, and you can qualify for the card without a credit check. Plus, the Self Visa card has a low security deposit requirement. While some secured cards require users to deposit $200 or more (which could be a hardship if you're short on cash), the Self Visa card allows you to put down just $100.
Self will automatically review your account, and based on your activity, you could qualify for a higher credit limit or an unsecured credit card in as little as six months.
Self Visa Credit Card pros
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No credit check required
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Low security deposit minimum
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Positive customer reviews and highly-rated mobile app
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The card's security deposit can be funded with a Self Credit-Builder Loan
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Free credit scores and credit monitoring
Self Visa Credit Card cons
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Charges a $25 annual fee
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Doesn't offer a rewards program
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Higher-than-average APY
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The maximum credit limit is just $3,000
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Outdated FAQs online
Where can you use the Self Visa Credit Card?
As a Visa card, the Self Visa Credit Card can be used anywhere Visa is accepted in the U.S. However, the credit card cannot be used while traveling in other countries or for international transactions.
How to make a secured Self Visa Credit Card payment
Self Visa Credit Card customer service info
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Phone: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. CST
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Chat: 7 days a week, 7 a.m.- midnight CST
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Phone number: 1-877-883-0999
Alternative cards to consider
Although the secured Self Visa Credit Card could be a good option for those who want a low security deposit, the card does have an annual fee and a relatively low credit limit. If you're looking for alternatives, consider these cards.
- Annual fee$0
- Welcome offerNone
- Purchase APR29.74% variable
- Recommended credit scoreNo credit history required
- Rewards rate
- 5% unlimited cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 1.5% unlimited cash back on every purchase, everywhere
- Benefits
- No annual or hidden fees; see if you're approved in seconds
- Earn back your $200 security deposit as a statement credit when you follow card best use practices, such as making payments on time
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit in six months with no additional deposit
Why we like it: With no annual fee and 1.5% cash back on every purchase, the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Card has a lot to love. Though it does require a higher security deposit than the Secured Self Visa Card, you can earn that money back with responsible use.
Read our full review of the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards card
- Annual fee$0
- Welcome offerNone
- Purchase APR29.74% variable
- Recommended credit scoreNo credit history required
- Rewards rateNone
- Benefits
- No annual or hidden fees; see if you're approved in seconds
- Earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you follow best practices, such as making payments on time
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit in six months with no additional deposit
Why we like it: Unlike the Self Visa Credit Card, the Platinum Secured card from Capital One has no annual fee. Plus, you can put down as little as $49 as a security deposit and qualify for a higher credit line in as little as six months.
Read our full review of the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card.
- Annual fee$35
- Ongoing Purchases APR24.64% (variable)
- Recommended credit scoreNo credit check
- Rewards rateEarn up to 10% cash back through the OpenSky Rewards program
- Benefits
- 88% average approval rate
- $200 minimum security deposit
- Graduate to an OpenSky Unsecured Gold Card in as little as 6 months
Why we like it: Like the Secured Self Visa Card, the OpenSky Secured card doesn't require a credit check. But, the OpenSky Secured card may offer more flexibility; it allows cardholders to apply for a credit limit increase and boost their security deposit.
Read our full review of the OpenSky Secured Visa.
This article was edited by Alicia Hahn
¹ The secured Self Visa® Credit Card is issued by Lead Bank or First Century Bank, N.A., each Member FDIC.
² Credit Builder Accounts & Certificates of Deposit made/held by Lead Bank, Sunrise Banks, N.A., or First Century Bank, N.A., each Member FDIC. Subject to credit approval.
Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
