While there may be many ways to apply for a Visa® card, the method used may ultimately depend on what bank is used. Visa® is a branded product that is used by many different banks, just like Mastercard® or other credit cards. Each one may have a slightly different process when it comes to applying for a credit card.
In nearly all cases, a completed application will be required to apply for a Visa® card. This application may be filled out online or by hand, depending on the situation. In some cases, very little additional information will be required, especially if you already have a relationship with the bank. In other cases, the information required to apply for a Visa® card could be very extensive.
To expedite the application process, it is important to have a number of different pieces of information handy. A fair amount of personal information will be required under normal circumstances in order to apply for a Visa® card or any other type of credit card. In the United States, a Social Security number will be required, as will other personal information such as your name and address.
The application will also ask for your personal income. Some things, such as child support, need not be included if you do not want it to count as income. However, for those who want to get the highest credit limit possible, it is important to include all your income. For those who are not disciplined with credit limits, it may be better to go ahead and not report income that is not required.
When one wishes to apply for a Visa® card, it is important, after filling out the application, to carefully read over the information making sure all fields are filled out correctly. If there are mistakes, they may be caught by the processor and cause a delay in the final decision. In other cases, it could cause the application to be denied altogether.
In worst-case scenarios, those who deliberately falsify information could be prosecuted. This could be especially serious if someone deliberately uses a Social Security number that does not belong to them. As the terms for many cards are determined by credit history, using a Social Security number of someone with a good credit score may bring more favorable terms or be the difference being between approved or denied. In many cases, forgery or identity theft is a serious crime, which can include large fines and time in prison.
