Discover the Process to Apply for the Varo Believe Card
Varo Believe, true to its name, opens the door for the world to trust in you and grant you the credit you rightfully earn.
If you’re looking to safely build or enhance your credit in the U.S. without any hidden fees, the Varo Believe Credit-Builder Card could be the perfect solution for you.
Key Information You Should Know
Varo Bank is a financial technology company that provides easily accessible banking services, completely digital and free from the fees typically associated with traditional banks.
With a customer base exceeding 4 million, Varo provides a free checking account, early direct deposits, cash advances, fixed-rate personal loans, and a secured credit card.
The Varo Believe functions as a genuine credit card—not a prepaid option—allowing users to make everyday purchases. It’s secured by a deposit moved from your checking account into a separate secured account.
The funds you deposit into the card’s account set your spending limit. For instance, if you put in $400, that amount will be available for spending in the billing cycle.
This card has no annual fees, offers 0% APR, and does not charge foreign transaction fees. To prevent debt, the Varo app triggers Safe Pay, which reserves the necessary funds and pays off your full statement each billing cycle.
Varo reports your payment history to all three major credit bureaus in the U.S.: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Users typically see an average increase of over 40 points in their credit score within the first 3 months of responsible usage.
Varo does not carry out a hard credit check. This is because the card’s aim is to assist in building or rebuilding credit.
Eligibility Criteria
The Varo Believe Card is accessible to a broad audience, specifically crafted to cater to various financial situations.
Here are the criteria:
- Maintain an active Varo bank account. The account is free and can be opened via the app.
- Receive at least $200 in eligible deposits (salary, external transfers, etc.) in the past 31 days.
- Have a positive balance in your Varo account and no delays with the “Varo Advance” feature.
If you fulfill these requirements, you’ll receive an invitation from the Varo app to apply for the Believe Card.
This means you won’t have to hunt for an ‘Apply’ button on the site—the application will pop up automatically once you qualify.
One important detail: there’s no standard credit check (no hard pull). This is perfect for those just getting started or anyone wanting to sidestep a temporary dip in their score.
How Can I Apply for the Varo Believe?
The initial step to obtain the card is to set up a Varo account, if you haven’t done so yet:
- Get the Varo Bank app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Opening an account is completely free and done online.
- After setting up your account, wait for the necessary deposits to qualify.
Once you meet the requirements, the Varo app will send you a prompt to apply.
Simply follow the instructions on your device.
After approval, you can activate your card and deposit the amount you wish into the secured account—this will serve as your credit limit.
- For instance: If you transfer $300, your limit will be $300.
- Your maximum limit for billing cycles is $10,000.
Use the card like you normally would to build your credit. At the close of each billing cycle, your statement gets settled, and your positive history is reported to credit agencies.
Additional Information
Inside the app, Varo provides your VantageScore 3.0 for free. Many users with no credit history can obtain a score in under 30 days.
Those with an existing score typically see an average boost of 40+ points within just 3 months if they manage 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, robust encryption, and dependable digital support.
The Varo Believe card operates on the Visa network, making it a popular choice for transactions in the U.S. and abroad.
Interested in another alternative?
If you’re seeking a different secured credit card in the U.S., consider Current, which is another digital banking option offering similar features.
The terms are quite similar, making it a solid choice for daily transactions. Discover how to apply.
