How to apply for a credit card

Halifax offer credit cards to suit most borrowing needs. Find one to suit you.

Why do you need a credit card?

Even if you’ve got a good idea about what you want from a credit card, it might help to learn about the different credit card types available at Halifax.

For a deeper understanding, read our guide to how a credit card works.

Are you eligible?

To be accepted for a Halifax credit card, you must:

  • Be a UK resident, aged 18 or over, with a regular annual income.
  • Be free from County Court Judgements (CCJs), Individual Voluntary Agreements (IVAs) and bankruptcy.
  • Not be a student or unemployed.
  • Not have been declined for a Halifax credit card within the last 30 days.

Think through your options

  • Does this option suit my borrowing needs, or should I consider other alternatives?
  • Will I be able to make repayments, even if my circumstances change?
     

Other borrowing options

 

If you’ve already got a Halifax credit card and your needs have changed, you could apply for a second card (excludes Student Credit Card customers), or swap your existing card.

Two steps to apply

1. See if you’re eligible

An eligibility check makes it easy to find and compare Halifax credit cards. Our short form only takes around five minutes to complete.

  • We’ll tell you which Halifax credit cards you’re likely to be accepted for.
  • You’ll see the credit limit you’re likely to get. 
  • With no impact to your credit score.

2. Select a card and apply

After your eligibility check, select the credit card you’d like to apply for, then follow the on-screen instructions and fill out the rest of the application.

Just so you know, we’ll complete a full credit search when you submit your application, which will be registered on your credit record.

Check your eligibility

Apply with confidence

Our privacy policy covers the way we use and securely store your information.

To keep your details safe, we automatically clear the form if you stop working on it.

To save wasted effort, get a decision around halfway through the application.

When you apply

You’ll need to give us

  • At least three years’ UK address history.
  • An email address and phone number.
  • Your primary bank account number and sort code.

Things that can affect our decision

  • The level of your current borrowing and financial commitments.
  • Your employment status and how long you’ve held your job.
  • Your residential status, including how long you’ve lived in one place.
  • Whether or not you’re on the electoral register. 
  • Whether you’ve kept up with any loan or credit card payments.
  • The length of time you’ve held your current account.

Requesting a balance transfer

You can request a balance transfer as part of your application, so you don’t have to wait to take advantage of your new credit card benefits.

We’ll need the details of the credit card or store card you’d like to transfer a balance from. If approved, we’ll arrange the transfer to your new Halifax credit card. Transfer fees might apply.

Of course, you can request a transfer later if you’d prefer.

You can request a balance transfer from most credit cards and some store cards which display the Mastercard®, American Express® or Visa® logos, but not from loan companies, bank accounts or other Halifax credit cards.

More on balance transfers

After you've submitted your application

  • Your PIN will be delivered by post within five working days.
    Your new credit card will follow, arriving within seven working days.

    We send these separately for security. If your card doesn’t arrive within 2 days of your PIN being delivered, please call us on 0345 944 4555. Speak to an adviser 7am-11pm, seven days a week.

    You’ll also receive two emails:

    1. Pre-contract information – the legal contract we provide before you accept the terms and conditions.
    2. Adequate explanation and Credit Card Agreement – a copy of the terms and conditions you’ve signed. This is issued once your application is complete.

  • Was it an eligibility check?
    Although it’s disappointing to be told you’re not eligible, the good thing about eligibility tools is, to make an eligibility decision, a 'quotation' or 'soft search' is completed. This won’t affect your credit score.

    Or a full credit application?
    If you submit a full credit application, a full credit search will be completed. If you’re declined, this will affect your credit score.

    Multiple applications in a short period can negatively impact your credit score too, which could further affect your chances of being accepted.

    Why an application could be declined

Other ways to apply

It’s quick and easy to apply for a Halifax credit card online, and some offers might only be available through our website, but you could also give us a call on 0800 028 3258. Speak to an adviser Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 8am-6pm, and Sun 9am-5pm. Or visit a branch.

A summary on applying for credit cards

At Halifax you can apply online, by phone or by visiting a branch.
 

  • Before you apply, consider your borrowing needs and all options. Will you be able to make repayments, even if your circumstances change?
  • To apply for a credit card, you must be a UK resident aged 18 or over. Other criteria apply. Credit is subject to an assessment of your personal circumstances.
  • Use an eligibility checker to find and compare cards you’re likely to be accepted for, without impacting your credit score. The Halifax version is called Simple Check.
  • Once you’ve found a card that suits you, complete and submit your application. Just bear in mind, a full credit search applies at this point, which will be registered on your credit record.

Want to read more?

Credit card basics

Related guides

Find a credit card

Halifax is a division of Bank of Scotland plc. Registered in Scotland No. SC327000. Registered Office: The Mound, Edinburgh EH1 1YZ. Bank of Scotland plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under registration number 169628.