Having no credit history may lead you to face challenges when trying to get a credit card in the UK.

On the other hand, you need to access credit to build credit. Although it seems contradictory, institutions use credit ratings to determine if it is worth giving you credit since credit ratings reflect the consumer’s creditworthiness.

So, basically, if you have no credit, there is no history of how you behave as a consumer. Then, you will probably have difficulty accessing credit solutions, including credit cards.

On the other hand, you can work on finding alternatives or even search for cards that accept no or bad credit applicants.

Continue reading to learn more about how to get a credit card in the UK with no credit history.  

Before searching for a card that accepts bad or no credit applicants, it is important to consider some tips to work on building a solid financial structure. 

Remember that credit refers to borrowed money. Thus, you must be ahead of your finances to build credit with confidence, no matter if you choose a credit card or other credit resource.  

Firstly, you can show you are a reliable consumer by paying your bills on time. That’s one way of starting to build your creditworthiness to apply for a credit card even without wide credit reports.

Consider putting household bills in your name. But don’t do it before checking the next tip!

If you don’t have full control of your finances, it is not a good idea to put your household bills in your name to start building your creditworthiness.

So, first, build a solid financial structure. 

You can rely on a spreadsheet to help you organize your earnings and expenses. Also, there are mobile apps you can download to help you control your finances with ease.

Then, knowing that you can assume bills and pay them on time, consider putting them in your name to build your credit reports and history.

It involves living at the same address for quite some time. 

Furthermore, it means making sure you are working to stabilize your situation.  

If you are in control of your finances, it is worth considering arranging overdraft facilities with your bank.

However, make sure you can pay it back quickly. Otherwise, you will sink into debt as well as damage your creditworthiness. 

Institutions will see you as a reliable consumer if you manage to get an overdraft facility and pay it back quickly.  

Nowadays, there are some online services you can use to search for credit cards for no-credit history applicants.

Usually, these services are free and don’t impact your reports whatsoever.

Also, they allow you to fill out your needs and objectives, so they can help you find the best credit card in the UK for you.  

Many card issuers feature a Credit Checker. The Credit Checker is a resource that doesn’t run a hard pull in the credit reports. 

To sum up, it works like a prequalification process. 

It runs a soft credit search, so you can know in advance if you would be eligible for a credit card in the UK with no credit history.

Some banks, stores, and other financial institutions issue credit cards for no credit history or bad credit applicants in the UK.

Then, check out the list below and compare the cards to decide which fits your needs and goals better.

Capital One offers the Classic credit card for those who need to improve their credit. The bank allows you to check eligibility without affecting your credit. 

Also, the card comes with credit limits that range from £200 to £1,500.

HSBC offers the Classic credit card that comes with no annual fee. Plus, the card provides up to £1,000 as a credit limit.

The bank is also known as one of the biggest worldwide, which means you will always be attended to no matter where you are.

Zopa is a digital bank that allows you to check your eligibility with simplicity. The process doesn’t harm your credit.

Also, the card is an amazing choice for frequent travelers since it doesn’t charge fees overseas. 

Of course, it is easy to use and manage since it is all digital. In fact, it was elected as one of the best cards in the UK.

Lastly, Tesco offers a credit card that allows you to collect rewards while building your credit history.

In summary, the card comes with limits that vary from £250 to £1,500.

And it provides you with access to your credit score through Tesco Bank CreditView (TransUnion provider).

Additionally, you can check your eligibility with no harm to your credit before deciding to go further with an application.

So, if you want to learn more about Tesco Bank Foundation Credit Card, including the advantages and disadvantages to balance the pros and cons before applying, check out the full review in the following article.