OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card logo

OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card

3.8/5

Secured Visa credit card with no credit check and 87% approval rate. No bank account required. Reports to all 3 bureaus. Issued by Capital Bank, N.A. (FDIC insured).

Editorially reviewed by Harvey Brooks

From Free/mo BBB: A Visit Website

OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card Review

The OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card is one of the most accessible secured credit cards available in the United States. Issued by Capital Bank, N.A. (FDIC insured, headquartered in Rockville, Maryland), OpenSky is designed specifically for consumers with no credit, low credit, or damaged credit who are looking to build or rebuild their credit history.

What makes OpenSky stand out from other secured cards is that it requires no credit check to apply — approval is based on your ability to make the required security deposit, not your credit score. This results in an industry-leading 87% approval rate, making it one of the easiest credit cards to get approved for.

Another unique feature is that OpenSky does not require a bank account to apply. Most secured cards require linking a checking account for the security deposit, but OpenSky accepts deposits via debit card or money order, opening the door for unbanked consumers who need to build credit.

The OpenSky Secured Visa requires a minimum security deposit of $200 (up to $3,000), which becomes your credit limit. The original OpenSky card has a $35 annual fee, while the newer OpenSky Plus Secured Visa has no annual fee. Both cards report payment activity to all three major credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — every month, which is essential for building credit.

Cardholders who demonstrate responsible use (on-time payments, low utilization) may qualify for unsecured credit line increases and can eventually graduate to the OpenSky Gold unsecured card, allowing you to get your security deposit back while keeping your credit line.

The card can be used anywhere Visa is accepted, both in-store and online. There are no rewards or cashback features — this is purely a credit-building tool. Interest rates are high (typical for secured cards), so carrying a balance is not recommended. The best strategy is to make small purchases and pay the full balance each month.

OpenSky is a strong choice for consumers who have been denied by other secured card issuers, people with no credit history (including new immigrants and young adults), and anyone who needs to rebuild credit without a hard inquiry on their credit report.

Secured credit cards are one of several tools in the credit-building toolkit. Consumers may also consider credit builder loans, which report positive payment history to all three bureaus while building savings, or rent reporting services that add on-time rent payments to credit reports. For those dealing with existing negative items, credit repair services can help dispute inaccuracies that drag down scores. Credit monitoring helps track progress over time, and personal loans for bad credit become accessible as scores improve. Many credit rebuilders find that combining a secured card with other strategies — monitoring, disputes, and responsible borrowing — produces faster results.

Services & Features

Secured Visa credit card
No credit check approval
Monthly reporting to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
Online account management portal
Mobile app for account access
Unsecured credit line increase eligibility
Graduation to OpenSky Gold unsecured card
Deposit via debit card or money order (no bank account needed)

Feature Checklist

Credit Education
Identity Theft Protection
Score Tracking
Mobile App
Online Portal
Personal Advisor

Pricing Plans

OpenSky Secured Visa

$35.00 /mo
  • No credit check required
  • 87% approval rate
  • No bank account required
  • Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
  • $200-$3,000 credit limit (equals deposit)
  • Use anywhere Visa is accepted
  • Graduation path to unsecured card
Get Started
Most Popular

OpenSky Plus Secured Visa

Free /mo
  • No annual fee
  • No credit check required
  • 87% approval rate
  • No bank account required
  • Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
  • $200-$3,000 credit limit (equals deposit)
  • Use anywhere Visa is accepted
  • Graduation path to unsecured card
Get Started

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • No credit check required — won't add a hard inquiry to your credit report
  • 87% approval rate — one of the highest for any credit card
  • No bank account required — accepts deposits via debit card or money order
  • Reports to all 3 major credit bureaus monthly — essential for credit building
  • OpenSky Plus option has no annual fee
  • Graduation path to unsecured OpenSky Gold card
  • FDIC-insured issuing bank (Capital Bank, N.A.)
  • Accepted anywhere Visa is accepted

Cons

  • Original card has $35 annual fee (Plus version is free)
  • No rewards, cashback, or points — purely a credit-building tool
  • High APR — not designed for carrying balances
  • Security deposit required ($200-$3,000)
  • Mixed customer service reviews
  • No credit monitoring or score tracking included

Rating Breakdown

Value
4.2
Effectiveness
4.0
Customer Service
3.4
Transparency
3.8
Ease of Use
4.5

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card legitimate?

Yes. OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card is a registered company headquartered in Rockville, MD, founded in 2012. They hold a A rating with the Better Business Bureau and are BBB-accredited.

How much does OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card cost?

OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card plans start at Free per month with no setup fee. No money-back guarantee is offered.

How long does OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card take to show results?

Card typically arrives within 7-10 business days of approval. Credit bureau reporting begins after the first billing cycle (approximately 30 days). Most cardholders see credit score improvements within 2-6 months of responsible use.

Quick Facts

Founded
2012
Headquarters
Rockville, MD
Employees
201-500
BBB Rating
A
BBB Accredited
Yes
Certifications
BBB A Accredited (February 2023) FDIC Certificate #35278 Visa Network
Starting Price
Free/mo
Setup Fee
None
Free Consultation
No
Money-Back Guarantee
No
Visit OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card

CreditDoc Diagnosis

Doctor's Verdict on OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card

One of the most accessible secured credit cards available — no credit check, no bank account needed, 87% approval rate. Reports to all 3 bureaus, making it an effective credit-building tool. The OpenSky Plus version eliminates the annual fee entirely. Best for consumers who have been denied everywhere else or who need to build credit without a hard inquiry.

Best For

  • People with no credit history who need to build credit from scratch
  • Consumers rebuilding credit after bankruptcy, collections, or charge-offs
  • Unbanked individuals who don't have a checking account
  • Anyone who has been denied other secured credit cards
  • New immigrants or young adults establishing US credit for the first time
  • People who want to avoid a hard inquiry on their credit report
Updated 2026-04-05

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Financial Wellness Guides

Financial Terms Explained (4 terms)

New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.

Credit & Scoring

Credit Score

A 3-digit number (300-850) that summarizes how reliably you've handled borrowed money. Higher scores mean lower risk to lenders and better loan terms for you.

Why it matters

Your credit score determines whether you get approved and at what rate. A 100-point difference can mean thousands of dollars more or less in interest over a loan's life.

Example

On a $250,000 30-year mortgage: a 760 score gets you 6.2% ($1,536/month). A 660 score gets 7.4% ($1,729/month). Over 30 years, the lower score costs you $69,480 more.

Credit Utilization — Credit Utilization Ratio

The percentage of your available credit that you're currently using. If you have $10,000 in credit limits and owe $3,000, your utilization is 30%.

Why it matters

Utilization is the second-biggest factor in your credit score (after payment history). Keeping it below 30% helps your score; below 10% is ideal.

Example

You have 3 cards with a $15,000 total limit. You're carrying $4,500 in balances (30% utilization). Paying down to $1,500 (10% utilization) could boost your score by 20-50 points.

Credit Mix — Credit Mix (Types of Credit)

The variety of credit accounts you have — credit cards (revolving), auto loans (installment), mortgage, student loans, etc. Having multiple types shows you can manage different kinds of debt.

Why it matters

Credit mix accounts for about 10% of your FICO score. Having only credit cards isn't as strong as having a card, an installment loan, and a mortgage.

Example

Borrower A has 3 credit cards. Borrower B has 2 credit cards, a car loan, and a student loan. Even with the same payment history and utilization, Borrower B's score is typically higher.

Credit Cards

Credit Limit

The maximum amount a credit card company allows you to borrow on a single card. Going over this limit can trigger fees and hurt your credit score.

Why it matters

Your credit limit directly affects your utilization ratio. A higher limit with the same spending means lower utilization and a better score. You can request limit increases.

Example

Card A: $3,000 limit, you spend $1,500 = 50% utilization (bad). Card B: $10,000 limit, you spend $1,500 = 15% utilization (good). Same spending, different impact on your score.

Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.

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