How to Get an EIN-Only Business Credit Card
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An EIN-only business card doesn’t rely on your personal credit for approval. Instead, an issuer makes its decision based upon your company’s performance.
Because providers vet your financials, EIN-only options typically skip the personal guarantee. This can make these cards much more attractive. But it also means they’re rarer — and harder to get.
Here are the most common types of EIN-only cards:
Corporate cards. These are issued to companies, not individuals. You’ll need steady cash flow and at least $20,000 in a business bank account to qualify. (Jump to top picks.)
Revenue-based cards. Companies like Square and Shopify decide whether you qualify based on your sales. Other cards give you financing based on your accounts receivable. (Jump to top picks.)
Fuel cards or fleet cards. These offer rebates when you buy gas at specific brands. You may need to own or operate a minimum number of vehicles. (Jump to top picks.)
Who can get an EIN-only business card?
Most EIN-only options are corporate cards. Historically, you’d need millions in revenue and strong business credit to get these cards. Financial technology companies are making these more accessible, though.
Qualifications vary by issuers. But instead of focusing on personal credit, they’ll consider factors like:
Annual revenue and cash flow.
Business bank account balances.
Company size and type (sole proprietors typically aren’t eligible).
You may be able to get other EIN business cards based on the nature of your business. For instance, a commercial fleet operator could qualify for a fuel card. Or a company with strong sales may be eligible for a revenue-dependent credit line.
Can you apply for a business card with just an EIN?
Typically, no. Anti-money-laundering laws require card issuers to know who their customers are. So you’ll need to submit some kind of personal identification on an EIN-only business credit card application.
This could be your Social Security number, individual tax identification number or something else. For instance, Ramp lets you apply with a foreign passport and proof of address
Card issuers will use whatever you provide to verify your identity. But most won’t use this information to look at your personal credit. If they do, it will likely be a “soft pull” that won’t impact your credit score.
Why do business credit cards check your credit?
Business card issuers care about your personal credit because it reduces their risk. Most small-business credit cards require a personal guarantee. In other words, you agree to cover any purchases, even if your business goes under.
Providers want to see if you'll be able to handle any debt you take on. A typical business credit card requirement is good to excellent personal credit (a FICO score of at least 690).
EIN-only cards usually don’t have personal guarantees. But they mitigate risk in other ways. For instance, you likely won’t be able to carry a balance. You’ll need to pay in full. Providers will often debit these payments directly from a linked bank account. They might do this weekly or even daily, depending on your qualifications.
You may not be able to avoid a personal guarantee on a business credit card. But you can still protect your personal assets if you operate an LLC or other registered business. Use your business card for business purchases only. That’s the simplest way to separate your professional and personal finances.
How does an EIN-only card affect your credit?
Activity on EIN-only cards typically won’t impact your personal credit. But this is true for most business credit cards. The majority only share information with consumer credit bureaus if your account is seriously delinquent. (Learn more about which business cards affect your personal credit.)
Generally, business credit cards report to commercial credit bureaus. That history leads to a separate set of business credit scores. This means you don’t need an EIN-only card to build business credit. You simply sync your EIN with your business credit card accounts. You can do this when you apply for a business card.
How to build your personal and business credit
An EIN-only card may be attractive if you have low or thin personal credit. But your personal credit score will play a role throughout the life of your business — for instance, when it’s time to apply for a business loan. Don’t let it hold you back. Here are nine steps you can take to build your personal credit.
Your company has business credit scores, too. You can build this by establishing trade lines with your suppliers and using financing products that report to business credit bureaus.
Great business credit won’t cancel out bad personal credit. Improving both gives you the best shot at getting financing. Here’s how you can start building your business credit.
Pros and cons of EIN-only cards
EIN-only business cards have distinct selling points. But there are also drawbacks versus other options. Here’s a general overview. (Remember, individual card details will vary.)
No personal guarantee.
Approval doesn’t depend on personal credit.
Robust expense management tools.
Potential for high spending limits.
Can’t carry a balance.
Strong business financial required for approval.
Ongoing rewards may be lacking or confusing.
Less competitive welcome bonuses (if even available).
Care more about the cons than the pros? A traditional business credit card may be a better fit. Check out our editorial team’s picks for the best options.
Business credit cards available with an EIN only
These cards are some of the best options.
Corporate cards
In general, corporate cards are designed for medium to large companies. They offer tools meant to simplify expense tracking and accounting. A few options are available to relatively small businesses, like:
Ramp Card
This card is available to registered businesses that have at least $25,000 in a business bank account. For identity verification purposes, business owners have to provide their Social Security numbers or passport numbers, but there’s no credit check.
BILL Divvy Corporate Card
The BILL Divvy Corporate Card offers a wide range of credit limits — anywhere from $1,000 to $5 million — and has a minimum bank balance of $20,000. It's also available to sole proprietors (Ramp is not). You’ll have to provide your SSN or passport number as part of the application. BILL will check your credit, but it’s a soft credit pull. That means it will not affect your credit score.
BILL Divvy Corporate Card
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Credit cards from payment processors
Companies with existing access to your revenue data may offer you EIN-only financing. For instance, payment processor Square invites certain users to sign up for its credit card. It bases eligibility on your payment processing history.
If you’re a sole proprietor, you have to provide your Social Security number when you sign up for Square. Other business types can use their EIN. And if you’re invited to apply for the credit card, Square says it won’t affect your personal or business credit.
Shopify also has a no-credit-check business card that some users are eligible for. Applicants have to provide a Social Security number to verify their identity. But qualification is based on your Shopify sales history, not your personal credit score.
To qualify for either of these cards, you’ll need to use the linked platform for at least a few months. You’ll also need consistent revenue.
Advances on your future sales
A few types of business financing don’t require credit checks.
Some credit issuers will buy outstanding invoices from you at a discount. They'll then collect the full payment from your customer later on. This is called invoice factoring.
A merchant cash advance is similar. MCA companies lend you money based on your sales history. Then you pay them back with a portion of your future sales.
Some EIN-only cards essentially work the same way. They include:
FairFigure Card. FairFigure is a business credit building service. When you sign up for the card, FairFigure purchases your future receivables at a discount. You then pay FairFigure back in weekly installments. These payments are reported to business credit bureaus as tradelines, which will show up on your business credit reports.
Revenued Card. Revenued is a revenue-based financing company. Revenued will buy your invoices at a discount. When your client pays you back, Revenued gets the full value of the invoice To qualify, you’ll need a registered business (not a sole proprietorship) at least a year old and earning at least $20,000 in monthly revenue.
In general, this kind of financing is expensive. You’ll pay back more than you borrowed (potentially a lot more) in just a few weeks or months. It’s best for bridging temporary cash flow gaps, not giving you a runway for growth.
Fuel cards
If your business manages multiple vehicles and drivers, a fleet card may be a fit. These cards are best for controlling employee spending, but they do offer savings on gas as well. (Learn more about fleet cards.)
Like the other options on this list, card issuers will consider your application based on the size and strength of your business. You’ll have to provide details about your fleet and how much you spend on fuel as part of your application.
WEX FlexCard
This card lets you carry a balance, which can make it easier to manage your cash flow. You’ll get a promotional rebate of 3 cents per gallon at participating retailers for your first six months.
AtoB
These fuel cards can save you 45 cents per purchase on average, AtoB says. You can create spend controls on employee cards to limit fraud risk. AtoB also reports to Experian, helping you build business credit.
Coast
Coast may do a soft credit pull as part of its application. But the card doesn't require a personal guarantee. Coast offers rebates on gas (amounts depend on where you fill up). It also earns you 1% cash back on purchases not made at gas stations.
Alternatives to EIN-only business cards
In general,. most business credit cards check your credit. Your credit score plays a big role in whether or not they decide to approve you. So if your score keeps you from other financing options, make a plan to improve it. The stronger it is, the more options you’ll have.
Secured business credit cards: Best if you have bad or fair credit
A secured business card is a good option for business owners who want to build business credit but don't have the personal credit score or the business revenue to qualify for other options. You can’t apply with only your EIN. Secured business credit cards require an SSN or ITIN. But approval is not based on your personal credit score.
Our top choice is Bank of America’s Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card. It earns unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. You need to put down a security deposit (minimum of $1,000), which is equal to your credit limit. Bank of America will periodically review your secured card and may upgrade you to an unsecured card if and when you qualify. This card has no annual fee.
Business loans with EIN only: Best if you need more financing
If you need more runway than a secured card offers, look for a startup loan you can apply for with an EIN only. These loans may use personal or business assets to offset your lack of time in business. Others may come from alternative lenders with more lenient qualification requirements.
Many of these lenders will consider applicants with poor personal credit. They can fund amounts up to $1.5 million, depending on the type of financing and your available collateral. These loans can also build your business credit to help you qualify for additional financing in the future.
Business credit card methodology
NerdWallet's business credit card team selects the best small-business credit cards without outside input from partners or other business interests. We evaluate business cards based on value and simplicity, weighing fees, sign-up bonuses and reward rates, alongside perks like interest-free periods, statement credits and elite status (for travel cards). Business cards that earn the highest scores deliver the most value to the greatest number of business owners.
Notable changes to our methodology for 2025 include factoring in whether spending on employee cards earns rewards and counts toward the welcome offer requirements. We also now consider what information the card issuer reports to consumer credit bureaus. Learn how NerdWallet rates small-business credit cards.
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