There's no set waiting period after a credit card application is declined. Here's what ClearScore data shows about how long it can take, and what you can do in the meantime.

Key takeaways

• There's no rule that says how long you have to wait before applying for another credit card after being declined. Each lender sets its own criteria.

• 52% of ClearScore users who were declined for a credit card got one within 6 months: 31% from a different lender and 21% from the same lender.

• A full credit card application usually leaves a hard search on your credit report, and several close together can make lenders more cautious.

• Checking your credit report and your eligibility first uses a soft search, which other lenders can't see and which doesn't affect your credit score.

• A declined application is one lender's decision at one point in time. It isn't a verdict on you, and your situation can change.

How long does it take to get a credit card after being declined?

There's no fixed timeframe. How long it takes depends on why you were declined, what changes before you apply again and which lender you apply to next. Every lender weighs your credit report, income and existing borrowing in its own way, so any future application is subject to individual circumstances and lender criteria.

ClearScore's own data gives a sense of what usually happens next. Just over half of ClearScore users who were declined the first time they applied for a credit card went on to get one within 6 months.

Source: internal ClearScore data, more than 35,000 users, outcomes tracked up to 6 months post-decline. Association only - many factors affect credit card applications and outcomes, and individual results will vary.

The other 48% didn't have a credit card by the end of that 6-month window. The data doesn't show what happened after that point, and it doesn't show why some people got a card sooner than others.

Is there a minimum wait before you can apply again?

No. There's no rule that says how long you must wait before making another credit card application. Some lenders may give their own guidance on reapplying to them, so it's worth checking the email or letter you received about your application.

MoneyHelper advises against repeatedly reapplying after you've been declined, because several applications in a short period can damage your credit score and make lenders less likely to lend to you.

So a more useful question than "how many weeks has it been?" is often "what's changed since my last application?"

Why can applying again straight away make things harder?

When you make a full credit card application, rather than just checking your eligibility, the lender usually runs a hard search. This is a full check of your credit report that other lenders can see. Hard searches can stay on your credit report for up to two years, according to MoneyHelper. Our guide explains how long hard searches last in more detail.

A hard search could affect your credit score. Several in a short space of time can suggest to lenders that you're relying too much on credit, which may make them more cautious. MoneyHelper suggests it's good not to have more than one or two hard searches every few months.

A soft search is different. It happens when you check your own credit report or use an eligibility checker. Other lenders can't see it, and it doesn't affect your credit score.

Should you apply to the same lender or a different one?

Either can work. Of the ClearScore users who were declined the first time they applied, 31% got a card from a different lender within 6 months and 21% got one from the same lender. This shows what happened, not why, and individual results will vary.

Lenders set their own criteria, so a decline from one doesn't mean every lender will say no. If you're thinking of going back to the same lender, check whether it has said when you can apply again. If it was your own bank that declined you, our guide to being declined by your own bank covers that situation. Always make sure you can afford repayments.

What should you do in the first week after a decline?

Pause before applying again, and find out what you can about the decision. These steps can help.

• Ask the lender why. Lenders don't have to give you a reason, but it's worth asking. They should tell you which credit reference agency (CRA), the company that holds your credit report, they used.

• Check your credit report. Start with the report from the CRA the lender used. If that was Equifax, you can see your Equifax report free on ClearScore. Every CRA also has to give you a free statutory report. Look for anything you don't recognise, such as accounts, addresses or searches, and if something's wrong, you can ask the CRA to fix report mistakes. If you're not sure what you're looking at, read our guide to what a credit check shows.

• Compare your application with your report. Details like your address history should match. A small mismatch can make it harder for a lender to confirm who you are. Our guide explains how your address affects your credit score.

• Hold off on another full application. Give yourself time to look into the points above before any new hard search goes on your report.

If you're not sure what led to the decision, our guide to common decline reasons goes through the main ones.

What can you change while you wait?

What you can change depends on what's behind your decline, if you're able to find out. Some things can be sorted fairly quickly, while others take longer.

None of these steps guarantees a different outcome. Any future application is subject to individual circumstances and lender criteria. For more ideas, see how to improve your score.

At ClearScore, we don't see a declined application as a judgement on you. It's one lender's view of your circumstances at one moment, and those circumstances can change. Wherever you're starting from, taking a little time to understand your credit report puts you in a better position to decide what to do next.

How can you check your chances before applying again?

An eligibility check gives you an indication of how likely you are to be accepted before you make a full application. It uses a soft search, so other lenders can't see it and it doesn't affect your credit score. You can find out more about using an eligibility checker.

An eligibility result is only an indication. The lender still carries out its own checks, including a hard search, when you make a full application. Always make sure you can afford repayments.

Disclaimer: Credit reference agencies provide credit-report information and may calculate their own scores; lenders use their own criteria and may assess the same applicant differently.

Track your credit score for free with ClearScore

ClearScore gives you free, forever access to your Equifax credit score and report, updated every week. Checking your own score and report doesn't affect your credit score.

After a decline, you can use it to check your Equifax report for anything that looks wrong and keep track of changes as you work on your credit. That's especially useful if the lender told you it used Equifax. When you feel ready, you can check your offers and see your chances of acceptance before making a full application.

ClearScore is a credit broker, not a lender. Always make sure you can afford repayments.

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Frequently asked questions

Does being declined for a credit card affect your credit score?

The application usually does. When you apply for a credit card, the lender typically runs a hard search on your credit report, which could affect your credit score. Other lenders can see hard searches, and several close together may make them more cautious. That's why it can help to space out applications.

How many credit card applications is too many?

There's no fixed number. MoneyHelper says there are no strict rules on how many hard searches are too many, but suggests it's best not to have more than one or two every few months. Using eligibility checks first can help you avoid unnecessary hard searches.

Will the lender tell me why I was declined?

Not always. Lenders don't have to give you a reason, but it's worth asking. They should tell you which credit reference agency they used, so you know which credit report to check first.

Does checking my eligibility affect my credit score?

No. Eligibility checks use a soft search, which only you can see. It doesn't affect your credit score, and other lenders can't see it when they look at your credit report.

How long does a declined credit card application stay on my credit file?

The application usually leaves a hard search on your credit report. MoneyHelper says hard searches can stay for up to two years. Our guide to how long credit checks stay on your report explains this in more detail.

Can I apply for a different credit card with the same lender?

It depends on the lender. Some may consider a new application for a different card, while others may ask you to wait. Check any guidance in your decline email or letter, or ask the lender directly before applying again. Any application is subject to individual circumstances and lender criteria. Always make sure you can afford repayments.

Important information

This article provides general information only and does not constitute financial advice. Individual circumstances vary, and you may wish to seek independent advice before making financial decisions. Information is accurate at the time of writing and may change.