OpenSky Secured Visa Review
Turned down by other issuers? You are not alone, and a denial is not the end of the road.
The OpenSky Secured Visa is built for that situation.
OpenSky says it does not check your credit to approve you, and you can apply without a bank account. The price is a $35 annual fee and a refundable deposit.
Looking for a $1,000 limit? On a secured card your limit equals your deposit, so a $1,000 limit means a $1,000 refundable deposit.
The short version
- Who it fits: people with no credit or bad credit who were denied elsewhere and can fund a $200 minimum deposit.
- No credit check to apply, according to OpenSky. It still verifies your identity and income.
- What it costs: $35 a year and a 23.89% variable APR on any balance you carry.
- What you get: a real Visa that reports to all three credit bureaus.
Not sure this card is for you?
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $35 |
| Purchase APR | 23.89% variable |
| Security deposit | $200 to $3,000, refundable. Earns no interest |
| Credit limit | Equal to your deposit |
| Credit check to apply | None, per OpenSky |
| Bank account | Not required to apply |
| Credit bureaus | Equifax, Experian, TransUnion |
| Rewards | Up to 10% cash back at participating merchants |
Source: OpenSky, checked October 26, 2026. Rates can change; confirm before you apply.
In plain English
- Secured card: a real credit card backed by a deposit you pay first. The deposit is your credit limit.
- Credit limit: the most you can spend on the card. Here it equals your deposit, so a $200 deposit means a $200 limit.
- APR: the yearly interest rate. It only costs you money on a balance you carry past the due date.
- Reports to the bureaus: your on-time payments are sent to the companies that build your credit score.
Who this card is for
This card fits you if most of these are true:
- You were denied before, or you have no credit history, and you want a card that does not use your credit history to decide.
- You do not have a checking account. OpenSky says no linked bank account is required.
- You can set aside $200 or more without touching money you need for rent, food or bills.
- You accept the $35 annual fee as the price of access, and you will pay on time every month.
It is a weaker fit if a no-fee secured card would approve you, or if you need the card in your hands this week. OpenSky says delivery can take up to 12 to 14 business days after approval and deposit.
What you need before you apply
- Your personal details. OpenSky asks for your name, address, date of birth and other identifying information. You may be asked for a driver’s license or other ID.
- A valid Social Security number. OpenSky lists an invalid number, or one it cannot verify, among the reasons it can reject an application.
- Income that covers the payment. OpenSky can reject you if your monthly expenses are greater than your monthly income.
- A plan for the deposit. The fastest way is a debit card at application. You can also pay later by Western Union or by mailing a check or money order.
- A look at your free credit reports. Federal law lets you get a free report from each bureau every 12 months at AnnualCreditReport.com. Fix errors before you apply.
Only have an ITIN? OpenSky’s rejection reasons mention the Social Security number, so ask OpenSky before you pay a deposit.
Ready to see if you qualify? OpenSky says there is no impact on your credit score if you are declined:
How the deposit works
- Apply. OpenSky says it takes about two minutes and you get an answer in real time.
- Fund your deposit. You choose any amount from $200 to $3,000. That amount becomes your credit limit.
- Wait for the card. After approval and deposit, OpenSky says the card can take up to 12 to 14 business days to arrive.
- Use it and pay on time. Gas and groceries are enough.
Where your deposit goes. OpenSky holds it in an FDIC-insured account that earns no interest. You get it back after you close the account and pay the balance in full. OpenSky says that usually takes less than four weeks and can take up to eight.
What it really costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $35 a year |
| Deposit | $200 or more, refundable |
| Interest | 23.89% variable APR on a balance you carry |
| Hidden fees | None, per OpenSky |
Here is the math, for illustration only. The $35 fee is about $2.92 a month. If you carry a $200 balance for a full year, interest is about $48 (23.89% of $200), or about $3.98 a month. Paying your full balance each month is what keeps your cost at $35 a year.
Want $0 a year? OpenSky also offers the Plus Secured Visa: $0 annual fee, a $300 minimum deposit and a 28.24% variable APR. You trade the fee for a bigger deposit and a higher APR.
How it can help your credit score
FICO says your score weighs payment history at 35% and amounts owed at 30%, followed by length of history (15%), new credit (10%) and credit mix (10%). A secured card works on the two biggest factors:
- Payment history: OpenSky reports once a month, when your statement is generated, to all three bureaus. It does not flag the account as secured. Turn on autopay so a payment is never late.
- Amounts owed: keep your balance low compared with your limit. A common guideline is under 30%, which is $60 on a $200 limit.
- New credit: avoid applying for several cards at once. FICO counts inquiries for 12 months, and they stay on your report for two years.
OpenSky also lets you view your FICO score for free in your online account or app, after you opt in. No card can promise a higher score. Your result depends on your starting point and your habits.
What the numbers say
- Approval rate: OpenSky states an average approval rate of 85.91% for Q1 2025. It adds that individual results vary.
- Reviews: OpenSky’s page shows a 4.4 rating from more than 12,000 Trustpilot reviews (checked October 26, 2026).
Both figures come from OpenSky’s own site, so read independent reviews on Trustpilot before you decide.
Your first year, step by step
- Week 1: apply and fund the deposit. A debit card is the fastest way.
- Weeks 2 and 3: your card arrives. Activate it and turn on autopay and alerts in the OpenSky app.
- Months 1 to 6: use it for one or two small bills. Pay on time and check your score monthly, not daily.
- Month 6: OpenSky says it may review you for a higher limit after 6 consecutive on-time payments, and every three months after that. It does not pull your credit for an increase.
- Months 6 to 12: OpenSky says you may become eligible for its unsecured card. Your secured card stays secured, and the unsecured card involves a credit check.
- Month 12: compare other options. See the Capital One Quicksilver Secured and, once your credit is stronger, the Wells Fargo Reflect.
OpenSky vs Quicksilver Secured
| Feature | OpenSky | Quicksilver |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $35 | $0 |
| Minimum deposit | $200 | $200 |
| Purchase APR | 23.89% variable | 29.24% variable |
| Rewards | Offers at participating merchants | 1.5% cash back |
| Credit check | None to apply, per OpenSky | Eligibility check, no score impact |
OpenSky can be an option if you want to apply without a credit history check or without a bank account. The Quicksilver Secured costs less each year. Read the Capital One Quicksilver Secured review.
Mistakes to avoid
- Using money you need for rent or food as the deposit.
- Carrying a balance. At 23.89%, interest adds up fast on a small limit.
- Maxing out the card. A high balance against a small limit can hurt your score.
- Missing a payment. Payment history is the largest factor in your score.
- Applying for several cards at once. New credit counts 10% of your score.
Who should not choose this card
- You can be approved for a secured card with no annual fee. Check the Capital One Quicksilver Secured first.
- You cannot fund a $200 deposit right now without hurting your budget.
- Your monthly expenses are higher than your income. OpenSky lists this as a reason to reject an application.
- You need a higher limit quickly. Your limit equals your deposit. Compare other options by limit.
- You plan to carry a balance from month to month.
The verdict: is it worth it?
Yes, for a specific person: someone who needs a card that does not use credit history to decide, may not have a bank account, can fund a deposit and will pay on time. It reports to all three bureaus and lets you start with $200. It is not the cheapest way to rebuild, and it is not for someone who can get a no-fee secured card.
Ready to choose your next step?
Option 1: Compare before you decide. Go back to the limit options and see whether another card fits you better.
Option 2: Go to the issuer. If this card fits, apply on the official OpenSky site.
Frequently asked questions
Does OpenSky check my credit?
OpenSky says there is no credit check to apply, and no impact on your credit score if you are declined. It still verifies your identity and can decline an application.
Do I need a bank account?
No. OpenSky says no linked checking account is required. You can pay the deposit with a debit card when you apply, or later by Western Union or by mailing a check or money order.
How much deposit do I need?
The minimum is $200, up to $3,000 subject to approval. Your deposit equals your credit limit.
Is the deposit refundable?
Yes. OpenSky returns it after you close the account and pay the balance in full. It says this generally takes less than four weeks and can take up to eight. The deposit sits in an FDIC-insured account that earns no interest.
How long until I get my card?
OpenSky says it can take up to 12 to 14 business days after your application is approved and your deposit is processed.
When does OpenSky report to the credit bureaus?
Once a month, when your billing statement is generated, to all three major bureaus. It does not flag the account as secured.
Can I raise my limit?
After 6 consecutive on-time monthly payments, and every three months after that, OpenSky may review you for an increase without more deposit. You can also add deposit at any time to raise your limit. OpenSky says increases do not require a hard credit pull.
Will the card ever become unsecured?
No. Your secured card stays secured. OpenSky offers a separate unsecured card, and you may become eligible for it after as little as 6 months. The unsecured card involves a credit check.
Is there a card with no annual fee?
Yes. OpenSky offers the Plus Secured Visa with a $0 annual fee, a $300 minimum deposit and a 28.24% variable APR. The Capital One Quicksilver Secured also has no annual fee.
What can get my application rejected?
OpenSky lists these: you are not a US resident, your Social Security number is invalid or your identity cannot be verified, you are under 18, your monthly expenses are greater than your income, you lack the income or assets to make the monthly payment, you have two or more open credit cards with Capital Bank, or your history with Capital Bank is not in good standing.
How we checked this page
We read OpenSky’s card page and FAQ, compared the card against the Capital One Quicksilver Secured and checked every number on October 26, 2026. We confirmed the score factors with FICO. Offers change, so confirm them with the issuer. Happen Place does not issue cards or approve applications.
Sources: OpenSky Secured Visa official page; OpenSky FAQ; myFICO, What’s in your credit score; AnnualCreditReport.com; CFPB credit card tools. Consulted on October 26, 2026.
