How to Apply for a US Credit Card From Canada (Step by Step)
You can apply for a US credit card from Canada, and the simplest route is a Canadian bank's US arm, such as RBC Bank, which accepts your Canadian address and credit history. The catch: most other US issuers expect a genuine US address, and many require a US taxpayer number.
At a glance
| Our pick for most Canadians | RBC Bank Visa Signature Black, paired with a US checking account |
| What you need | A Social Insurance Number (SIN) or Social Security Number (SSN), a government ID, and an age of 18 or older |
| Time | About 5 minutes to apply online, according to RBC |
| Cost | $0 annual fee and a $50 USD opening deposit, as of November 2, 2026 |
| Who it suits | Sellers and travelers with regular US dollar spending |
Do you need a US credit card?
You don't need a US card to sell on Amazon.com, but one can cut your costs if you spend heavily in US dollars. Amazon staff say your card must accept international charges and have a billing address in an eligible country. A Canadian credit card can meet that test.
The main benefit is avoiding foreign transaction fees. Many Canadian cards charge 2.5% on US dollar purchases.
Here's a worked example. Say you spend $3,000 USD a month on Amazon ads:
- A 2.5% fee costs $75 a month, or $900 a year.
- A card with no fee on US dollar purchases removes that $900.
- RBC's checking account has been listed at $39.50 USD a year with eStatements, and that fee can be waived in the first year.
- After that fee, you save about $860.50 USD a year, before any exchange costs.
That last caveat matters. A US card only removes the conversion cost if you already hold US dollars. If you fund it from Canadian dollars, your bank's exchange rate still applies.
A US card is likely a good fit if you:
- Spend US dollars every month on ads, tools or suppliers
- Hold US dollar income you can use to pay the bill
- Spend extended time in the US
Consider a simpler option if you only want to avoid conversion fees. The TD U.S. Dollar Visa costs $39 USD a year as of November 2, 2026, and is issued in Canada. Our guide to Canadian ecommerce credit cards also covers cards with no foreign transaction fee.
Related Reading: Canadian Amazon Sellers Report
Which route should you choose?
We recommend RBC Bank for most Canadians, because it was the only route we checked that's built for people who still live in Canada. The other routes suit people with a real US home or a genuine US tax filing need.
| Route | Best for | US address needed? | SSN or ITIN needed? | Main catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RBC Bank Visa Signature Black | Most people living in Canada | No | No, a SIN works | Modest rewards at 1 point per $1 |
| Amex Global Card Transfer | Amex Canada cardholders moving to the US | Yes | Passport details, SSN or ITIN | Limited to one US card at this stage |
| Amex with Nova Credit | Newcomers to the US with Canadian credit history | Yes, and you may have to prove it | Yes | No route without an SSN or ITIN |
| TD Bank TD Cash | TD clients with a US address | Yes | Check TD's application | Requires an existing TD relationship |
All details are as of November 2, 2026. Confirm the current terms with each issuer before you apply.
The RBC card has real downsides:
- It charges a 1.5% fee on purchases in currencies other than US dollars, so it isn't ideal for every overseas supplier.
- The ongoing rate is Prime plus 9.99%–16.74%, which works out to 16.99%–23.74% with Prime at 7.00% as of September 17, 2026.
- You may get a Visa Platinum instead if your credit line is under $5,000. That card charges 3% on those non-USD purchases.
How to apply through RBC Bank, step by step
RBC says the online application takes less than 5 minutes, and you need only $50 USD to open the account. Allow extra time for your card to arrive and your account to be set up.
- Confirm you qualify. You must be 18 or older, live in Canada or the US, and have a SIN or SSN. Have a government ID ready, plus your client card number if you already bank with RBC.
- Check your Canadian credit report. RBC uses your Canadian credit history, so fix any errors before you apply. All credit products are subject to approval.
- Choose your bundle. As of November 2, 2026, both offers run through April 30, 2027. The 3-year offer rebates monthly fees if you keep a $1,500 USD minimum daily balance, use eStatements and are already an RBC client. The 1-year offer waives the fee with no minimum balance.
- Apply for both products on the same business day. The offers require this. Use your Canadian address. You can also apply by phone at 1-855-723-9416 or at a Canadian RBC branch.
- Fund your US account. Transfers between your RBC accounts in Canada and the US are free and instant, up to $25,000 per transfer. Check the exchange rate before you convert Canadian dollars.
- Set up your payment routine. Pay the bill in full from your US account. The 0% introductory rate lasts 6 months, and late fees run up to $35.
- Add the card to your seller tools. Amazon staff say the card must be chargeable in the currency of the store it's used for. Enter your details exactly as they appear on your statement.
This is a personal card, so keep business purchases easy to separate. Ask your accountant how you should record them.
Related Reading: Amazon pay-per-click (PPC) guide and Amazon fee calculator
How to apply for an American Express US card
Choose this route only if you're moving to the US or have a real US home. American Express describes its Global Card Transfer as a way to keep your membership status when you move.
To use it, your existing Amex card must be open, in good standing and held for at least 3 months, with you as the primary cardholder. You'll need:
- Your Amex account number
- A US home address and phone number
- US bank account details
- Passport details, an SSN or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Your employment details
To apply:
- Choose a card on the American Express US site.
- Select the “Already a Card Member” option on the application, or call 877-621-2639 for a personal card.
- Enter your existing account number and US details.
- Send any identity or address documents that Amex requests.
Amex says the process takes 7–10 working days. You can apply for only one US card at this stage.
If you don't hold an Amex card, the alternative is Nova Credit. It shares your Canadian credit file with Amex at no cost to you. Nova Credit says you must have an SSN or ITIN and that you should be able to prove your US residential address. You may see older guides saying neither number is needed, so follow the current requirement.
When do you need an ITIN?
You need an ITIN only if you have a federal tax purpose and aren't eligible for an SSN. The IRS says an ITIN is issued for federal tax purposes only. Wanting a credit card isn't one of those purposes.
A genuine reason could be a legal requirement to file a US federal return. Your Amazon.com sales alone don't settle that question, so ask a cross-border tax professional.
As of October 28, 2026, the IRS says to allow 7 weeks for a response, or 9–11 weeks if you apply from overseas or during tax season. A return with all zero entries generally doesn't show a federal tax purpose.
Will this build your US credit?
A US card alone may not give you a complete US credit file. RBC says its personal credit products are reported to US credit bureaus, but bureaus generally require three credit accounts, a valid US address and a taxpayer number such as an SSN or ITIN.
Without those, your US report or score may be incomplete or missing. So choose the RBC route for lower costs and US dollar convenience, not as a quick way to a US credit score.
Tactics that put your account at risk
Forums and travel blogs often share shortcuts for getting US cards. We don't recommend them, because each one can involve giving an issuer or the IRS false information. The possible results include a closed account, lost rewards and legal trouble.
- Entering your SIN in the SSN field. Your 9-digit SIN could match a real person's SSN. Never use it as a substitute.
- Listing a mail-forwarding address as your home. A mailbox isn't a residence, and Amex may ask you to verify your address.
- Claiming a move you aren't making. Don't tell an issuer you're relocating or being transferred unless it's true.
- Creating small US income just to get an ITIN. The IRS issues ITINs for federal tax purposes, so a return staged to obtain one could create a bigger problem than it solves.
If your situation is unclear, ask the issuer directly or speak with a cross-border lawyer or accountant first.
FAQ
Can a Canadian get a US credit card without an SSN?
Yes. RBC Bank accepts a SIN and your Canadian credit history for its US credit cards. Approval isn't automatic, and many other US issuers ask for an SSN or ITIN.
Can I get a US credit card without a US address?
Yes, through RBC Bank, which lets you apply with your Canadian address. American Express and TD Bank's US card require a US address.
Do I need a US credit card to sell on Amazon.com?
No. Amazon staff say you need a card that accepts international charges and has a billing address in an eligible country. A US card is a cost decision, not a requirement.
Is a US dollar card from a Canadian bank the same as a US credit card?
No. A card like the TD U.S. Dollar Visa bills you in US dollars but is issued in Canada. It can avoid conversion fees on US dollar purchases, but it's not a US-issued card.
Bottom line
We recommend the RBC Bank route if you live in Canada and regularly spend US dollars. It avoids the address and taxpayer-number problems that block most other applications. If you spend little in US dollars, keep your Canadian card. Your next step is to total your last 3 months of US dollar spending and run the fee math above.
