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How long does it take to get a credit card approved?
You can usually apply for a credit card online or at your provider’s nearest branch. For online applicants, it generally takes between five and 15 minutes to complete your application.
You’ll then need to wait for your application to be approved or rejected. If your application is approved, you will need to wait for your physical card to arrive in the mail before you can use it unless you have applied for a virtual credit card.
Many credit card providers offer instant approval, including CommBank, NAB and Westpac. Instant approval means you should get a response within 60 seconds of submitting your application.
That said, instant approval does not mean approval is guaranteed. Instead, instant approval means your application can immediately be ‘conditionally approved’, or approved subject to the credit card provider verifying your identity and financial information. If a provider needs more information or documents from you, it will usually contact you within a few business days.
The time it takes to process your application will vary. Based on credit cards on Canstar’s database, the processing time for online applications generally ranges from one to five days.
When will I get my credit card?
After getting approved, your provider will send your new credit card and a welcome kit in the mail. The exact time frame depends on your credit card provider, but it can take up to ten business days.
Credit card delivery time frames
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| Provider | Card dispatch time |
|---|---|
| American Express | 5–7 business days |
| ANZ | 5–7 business days |
| Commonwealth Bank | 7 business days |
| Citi | 5—7 business days |
| ING | 5–7 business days |
| NAB | 5 business days |
| Westpac | 5—7 business days |
Source: Provider websites.
If you haven’t received your credit card within the expected time frame, you may want to contact your credit card provider directly for an update.
How can I get a credit card approved faster?
Before you apply for a credit card, you may want to make sure you meet all the eligibility criteria and have all the relevant information available. Usually you’ll need to provide details of your employment, income, assets, debt and general living expenses. Having the relevant documents ready in advance could help speed up your application.
Credit card providers will also look at your credit report to help them work out whether to approve your application, and to help calculate the maximum credit limit they’re willing to offer. You may want to consider checking your credit score before you apply, as this can give you a better idea of how a credit provider sees you, and a more realistic idea of if your credit application is likely to succeed..
When you apply for a credit card and the provider checks your credit report, a credit enquiry will appear on your report. Be aware that if you make a number of applications in a short space of time, this can make a negative impact on your credit score, as it may indicate that you are in credit stress.
How do I activate my credit card?
Once your credit card arrives, you’ll need to activate it before you can start using it. You can usually activate your credit card through your provider’s mobile app or online banking. Some providers have a ‘card’ section that you can click or tap and follow the prompts to activate your credit card and set your PIN. Alternatively, you may be able to activate your card over the phone, or by visiting a branch.
Many providers also support digital wallets, such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. You can usually add your credit card to your digital wallet and make contactless payments with your phone or wearable device.
Some providers will give you the digital version of your new card immediately to use while you wait for your card to arrive in the mail.
