How long does it take to get a business credit card?
Quick insights
- Approval for a business credit card can range from a few minutes for automated approvals to several weeks for manual reviews.
- It generally takes approximately 7-10 days to get a physical card in the mail once approved.
- Some card issuers may allow you to use a virtual version of your credit card before the physical card arrives.
Dedicated business credit cards can be useful financial tools for business owners. They may provide cardmembers with access to a line or credit, expense management tools and may allow cardmembers to earn rewards on business purchases. In this article, we’ll share how long it may take to get a business credit card and what to expect from the approval process.
Introduction to business credit cards
Business credit cards can play an important part in helping a company manage its finances. In addition to providing credit, business credit cards often allow cardmembers to earn rewards on everyday business purchases and provide tools to help streamline the expense management process. For example, the Chase Ink Business Unlimited® card earns 1.5% cash back on most purchases and issues employee credit cards at no additional cost.
Before you apply for a business credit card, you may want to start by researching which one is best for you and determining if you meet that specific card's requirements.
Business credit card approval process
Anyone who runs a business could be eligible to apply for a business credit card. A few examples include sole proprietors, partnerships, LLCs and corporations. Note that business credit cards may have different eligibility or documentation requirements for different business types.
Examples of documentation you may need to provide includes:
- Business license
- Tax identification number
- Financial statements
- Number of employees
- Years in business
- Personal information about the business owner
When evaluating your business, credit issuers often use the following to help determine approval:
- Credit score
- Business revenue
- Financial history
Keep in mind that most credit card approvals require a hard credit check, which will temporarily affect your credit score.
Timeframe for approval
The approval time for a business credit card can range from a few minutes for automated approvals to several weeks for manual reviews, depending on the card and card issuer. In some cases, additional information could be requested from the card issuer before an application is approved.
You can typically apply for a credit card online, via phone or at a local bank branch. Online approval may take less time than other options, especially if you’re applying for a business card from a financial institution or bank where you already have an account.
Some factors that could lead to delays in the approval process include incomplete applications, the need for additional documentation or issues with your credit history. The following steps may help increase the chance of a smoother approval process:
- Double-check application information
- Have documentation readily available
- Be responsive to issuer inquiries
With some business credit cards, it is possible to get near instant approval, which may take only minutes. Unlike consumer cards, though, pre-approved business credit card offers are less common.
Post-approval steps
Your card issuer may share your new credit card details upon approval. In this case, you can usually add your card to your digital wallet or use it for online purchases. Some issuers could also provide a virtual credit card upon approval.
It usually takes 7-10 business days for your physical card to be printed and sent to you in the mail.
If you need your card sooner, you may be able to request expedited shipping. That can reduce the wait time to as little as 1-2 business days, but you may have to pay an expedited shipping fee.
In summary
Getting approved for a business credit card can take anywhere from a few minutes for automated approvals to a few weeks for manual reviews. You can potentially increase the chance of a smooth approval process by having the proper documentation and promptly responding to any requests for additional information.
Once approved, it can take approximately 7-10 days to get a physical card in the mail. Some card issuers may issue a virtual credit card that you can use before the physical card arrives. If you need the physical card sooner, you may be able to request expedited shipping, but you card issuer could charge for the rush service.
