Can you apply for a business credit card without having a business? (2024)

Business credit cards can provide an array of benefits, from easier separation of personal and business expenses to higher credit limits, potentially more useful bonus categories than some personal cards and more.

Oftentimes, being approved for a business credit card may be easier than you think. You may still be eligible if you're just working a side hustle or have another way of making additional cash and don't have a formally registered business.

CNBC Select walks through everything you need to know about who can qualify for a business credit card.

• Can you get a business credit card without a business?
• What do you need to apply for a business credit card?
• Choosing a business credit card
• Bottom line

It is possible to open a business credit card without a registered business like an LLC or a corporation. Any independent work you do that generates income (or intends to) can make you eligible for the top business credit cards.

Here are some examples of nontraditional ventures, side hustles and profitable hobbies that card issuers could consider legitimate businesses:

• Selling products online
• Babysitting
• Dog walking
• Tutoring
• Rideshare and delivery driving
• Owning or managing a rental property
• Graphic design
• Freelancing part-time
• Personal training

Although not a requirement, an easy way to determine whether you may be eligible to apply would be if you get a 1099 for the work that you do instead of a W-2.

While you don't need a physical location for your business or multiple employees to get a business credit card, there are some other stipulations that you need to meet.

The process of applying for a business credit card is similar to applying for a personal one, but you'll need to provide some additional information about your business, including its name, annual revenue (or estimated revenue), type of business and more. Card issuers generally also ask for an employee identification number (EIN), but if you're a sole proprietor, you can generally provide your social security number instead.

As with personal cards, credit scores are an important factor in determining eligibility for a business credit card. Issuers may consider yourpersonal credit scoreif you don't have abusiness credit report.According to Experian, most small business credit cards are geared towards people with an average credit score of 670 or higher, which means "good" credit or higher based on the FICO scale.

There are business credit cards that cater to an assortment of needs and budgets. CNBC Select has many lists that can help you find the right card for you, including lists of the topbusiness credit cards with no annual fee,business credit cards for bad credit and easiest business credit cards to get approved for.

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a top choice for small businesses that want to earn travel rewards on common business expenses, such as travel; shipping purchases; internet, cable and phone services; and advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines. The card comes with a modest annual fee of $95 and and provides helpful perks, such asno foreign transaction fees, auto rental collision damage waiver and cell phone protection.

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At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card guide is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.

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*Information about the Capital One Spark Cash Plus has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.

For rates and fees of the The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, click here.