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Card review

OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card Review 2026

No credit check, no bank account required — the easiest secured credit card to get approved for.

SC
By Sarah Chen, AFC® Certified
No credit check
Our verdict

Should you get this card? Yes — if you have been denied for every other secured card, have a bankruptcy, or simply cannot pass a credit check. The OpenSky Secured Visa approves anyone with a $200 deposit, no exceptions. The $35 annual fee is the cost of that guarantee. If you can pass a credit check, the Discover it Secured is a better card with no annual fee and cash back rewards.

ApprovedCard score4.2 / 5
Annual fee$35
APR25.64%
Min. deposit$200
Max deposit$3,000
Credit checkNone
Bank account req.No
Reports toAll 3 bureaus
Apply for OpenSky Secured Visa →

Who should get the OpenSky Secured Visa?

The OpenSky is built for one specific situation: you need a credit card but cannot get approved anywhere else. This includes people with:

  • Active or recent bankruptcy
  • Multiple charge-offs or collections
  • No credit history at all (no SSN or ITIN required for some applicants)
  • Previous denials from Discover, Capital One, or other secured cards
  • No bank account (you can fund via money order)
Important: If you can pass a credit check, do not get this card. The $35 annual fee and lack of upgrade path make it inferior to the Discover it Secured or Capital One Platinum Secured for anyone who qualifies for those.

OpenSky pros and cons

Pros
  • No credit check — guaranteed approval with deposit
  • No bank account required
  • Lower APR than most bad credit cards (25.64%)
  • Up to $3,000 credit limit with larger deposit
  • Reports to all three bureaus monthly
  • Visa accepted virtually everywhere
Cons
  • $35 annual fee
  • No upgrade path to unsecured card
  • No rewards program
  • Must reapply elsewhere after building credit

How to use OpenSky to rebuild credit fast

  • Deposit the maximum you can afford. A higher deposit gives you a higher limit, which means lower utilization when you make purchases.
  • Make one small purchase per month. A recurring subscription like a streaming service keeps the card active without large balances.
  • Pay the full balance before the due date every month. Payment history is 35% of your score. One late payment wipes out months of progress.
  • After 12 months, apply elsewhere. OpenSky has no upgrade path. After a year of on-time payments your score should be high enough to qualify for a no-fee unsecured card. Apply for one, then close OpenSky and get your deposit back.

Frequently asked questions

Does OpenSky Secured Visa do a credit check?+
No. The OpenSky Secured Visa does not require a credit check of any kind — no hard pull, no soft pull. Anyone who can fund the $200 minimum deposit will be approved, making it the easiest secured credit card to get.
Does OpenSky report to credit bureaus?+
Yes. OpenSky reports to all three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — every month. On-time payments are reported just like any other credit card, making it effective for building credit.
Can you upgrade OpenSky Secured to an unsecured card?+
OpenSky does not have a direct upgrade path. After building your credit for 12 months, you would apply for a new unsecured card from another issuer, then close your OpenSky account to get your deposit back.
How long does it take to get an OpenSky card?+
After your deposit is processed, the card typically arrives within 7 to 14 business days. There is no instant approval decision since OpenSky does not do a credit check — approval is automatic once the deposit clears.
Advertiser disclosure: ApprovedCard.guide may earn a commission when you apply through our links. Card terms verified May 2026.