Learn How to Apply for the Varo Believe Card

If you need to build or rebuild credit in America safely and without surprise fees, the Varo Believe Credit-Builder Card might be exactly what you’re looking for.

What do you need to know?

Varo Bank is a fintech that offers more accessible banking services, 100% digital, and free from traditional bank fees.

With over 4 million customers, Varo offers a free checking account, early direct deposit, cash advances, fixed-rate personal loans, and the secured credit card.

The Varo Believe is a real credit card—not prepaid—that the cardholder can use for everyday purchases. It’s backed by a security deposit transferred from your checking account into a separate secured account.

The amount deposited into the card’s account becomes your spending limit. So, if you deposit $400, you’ll have $400 to spend during the billing cycle.

The card has no annual fee, charges 0% APR, and has no foreign transaction fees. To avoid debt, the Varo app automatically activates Safe Pay, a feature that reserves the needed funds and pays off your full statement each cycle.

Varo reports your payment history to all three major credit bureaus in the U.S.: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Users report an average score increase of more than 40 points within the first 3 months of responsible use.

Varo does not perform a hard credit inquiry. That’s because the card’s purpose is to help build or rebuild credit.

Who can apply?

The Varo Believe Card is open to a wide range of people, specifically designed to serve diverse financial backgrounds.

Here are the requirements:

1. Have an active Varo bank account. The account is free and can be opened through the app.
2. Receive at least $200 in eligible deposits (salary, external transfers, etc.) within the last 31 days.
3. Have no negative balance in your Varo account and no delays in the “Varo Advance” feature.

If you meet these conditions, the Varo app itself will send you an invitation to apply for the Believe Card.

That means you don’t need to search for an “Apply” button on the website — the application appears automatically once you’re eligible.

Another key point: there’s no traditional credit check (no hard pull). That’s great for people just starting out or anyone trying to avoid a temporary score drop.

How do I Apply for the Varo Believe?

The first step to get the card, of course, is to open a Varo account, if you haven’t already:

• Download the Varo Bank app from the App Store or Google Play.
• The account opening is 100% free and digital.
• After creating your account, wait until you receive the required deposits to qualify.

Once you meet the criteria, the Varo app will automatically send you a notification to apply.
Just follow the steps directly on your phone.

Once approved, you’ll activate your card and transfer the amount you want to the secured account—this becomes your credit limit.

• Example: You transfer $300? Then your limit will be $300.
• The maximum billing cycle limit is $10,000.

Use the card as normal and build credit. At the end of each billing cycle, your statement is paid off, and your positive history is reported to the credit bureaus.

More Details

Varo shows your VantageScore 3.0 for free inside the app. Most users with no prior credit history are able to generate a score in less than 30 days.

Those who already have a score often see an average increase of 40+ points in just 3 months if they use the card responsibly — at least that’s what most users report.

Varo is a licensed bank in the U.S. with national charter status since 2020. The bank offers FDIC insurance up to $250,000 per customer, strong encryption, and reliable digital support.

The Varo Believe card is issued on the Visa network and is widely accepted across the U.S. and for international purchases.

Want to learn another option?

Looking for another secured credit card option in the U.S.? Current is another digital bank that offers a similar service.

The conditions are quite comparable, and it’s a good option for everyday use. Check how to apply.

Written by

Gabriel Gonçalves