What does it mean if your credit card application is pending?

John Schmoll is a former stockbroker with an MBA in Finance and more than 12 years of experience in finance and business writing. He’s passionate about helping readers reach their financial goals, whether that’s paying down debt, learning to invest, saving or earning more money. His writing and reviews have been published by GoBankingRates, Investopedia, Prudential, and U.S. News. He also runs the successful personal finance and review site, FrugalRules.com and writes for banks and business clients. He lives in Omaha with his wife and three children.

Jennifer Doss is a credit card analyst and the executive editor of CardRatings.com. She has worked as both a print and online journalist and has over a decade of experience in the media industry. Her published work has covered a broad range of topics, from finance and technology to travel and dining. Through extensive travel experiences and her personal interest in food, she has come to appreciate the unique rewards and benefits of responsible credit card use, and enjoys helping people understand the ins and outs of the industry. As a finance expert, she strives to provide user-friendly online resources that help everyday people get the most out of their credit cards.

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Most people want to know instantly if they’ve been approved for a new credit card. Many times, it’s possible to receive approval within seconds or minutes of completing an application. However, that’s not always the case. You may receive a screen explaining that your credit card application is pending and still under review. While it’s not a bad sign, it may test your patience.

A pending credit card application doesn’t necessarily mean your application is denied. Rather, it means the bank couldn’t instantly approve you for new credit.

By law, credit card issuers have 30 days to respond to your application, and it’s their way to communicate they need extra time to make a decision.

Possible reasons you didn’t receive instant approval

Every credit card issuer has its own specific requirements for approval, but there are some common reasons for receiving an “under further review” status when you apply.

• Something is incorrect on your application: Credit card issuers use the information you provide to make their decision. If you have a typo on the application, overlooked a field, or have an error, they need to update your information before moving forward to approval.
• Your credit is frozen: Have you experienced fraud on a credit card or been the victim of identity theft? You may have initiated a fraud alert on your credit report or froze your credit. If so, you must unfreeze your credit, as the credit card company cannot move forward until you do.
• The bank is working through a lot of applications: The issuer may have a promotional bonus for a rewards card, leading to a spike in applications. This can slow down the approval process.
• Fraud prevention: The bank must verify that it’s actually you who is seeking new credit. If you errantly submitted two applications on the same day or applied for multiple cards in a short-term period, this may trigger the “credit card application pending” screen.
• They need additional information: Occasionally, a credit card issuer may need to verify your income. Or, they may have seen something concerning on your credit report. In such cases, the bank could require additional information to make its decision. I have faced this before, and a simple call to the bank quickly cleared up the situation.

What to do if your credit card application is under review

Patience is essential if you have a pending credit card application. Most banks approve new cards relatively quickly. Chase, for example, says they often give a positive decision within minutes. However, credit card issuers legally have 30 days to respond.

Here are a few things you can do if you receive an “under further review” screen after applying for a new card.

Wait. Just because banks have 30 days to respond doesn’t mean they will take that long. If it’s a simple error or verification, it’s in their best interest to approve you. Depending on the credit card issuer, they will contact you via email or mail with any requests. If you have another card with the bank, they may contact you via your online account.

Check your application status. Some, though not all, issuing banks provide an online portal to verify your application status.

Each bank may ask for slightly different information. Make sure you provide the same information you entered on your application when consulting the status portal.

Call the bank. If you haven’t received notification within a few days, you can call the card issuer to learn what they need to proceed. They may be able to approve your application over the phone.

Some banks have reconsideration lines you can call. Regular customer service representatives might also be able to help. Here are the best numbers to contact major credit card issuers.

• American Express – 800-567-1083
• Bank of America – 866-422-8089
• Capital One – 877-383-4802
• Chase – 888-338-2586
• Citi – 800-347-4934
• Discover – 800-347-2683
• U.S. Bank – 800-285-8585
• Wells Fargo – 800-642-4720

Is it possible to avoid a pending credit card application?

There is nothing you can do to guarantee approval or denial of a credit card application. Even pre-screened credit cards don’t assure approval. Each bank operates differently, and there’s no proven way to avoid a situation where your application requires further review.

The best thing to do is to carefully complete the application and review it for accuracy. If your credit is frozen, unfreeze it before submitting your application.

The bottom line

Many credit card applications only require a minute or two to receive approval. Occasionally, the issuer requires further information to approve your request for a new card. Taking the extra time to complete your application adequately is a reasonable way to avoid delay. You may even consider a pre-screened credit card offer to increase your chance of approval.

John Schmoll is a former stockbroker with an MBA in Finance and more than 12 years of experience in finance and business writing. He’s passionate about helping readers reach their financial goals, whether that’s paying down debt, learning to invest, saving or earning more money. Read more

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