Apply for a credit card and get an instant decision

What’s an instant decision credit card?

An instant decision credit card is a product that shows you your chance of approval, usually within minutes, or sometimes seconds, of submitting your application.

The speed at which you could get an instant decision credit card will vary between providers and will depend on several factors, including the time of day you apply.

With a thimbl credit card, you can check your eligibility 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and find out your chance of approval in just 90 seconds.

Things to think about before applying for an instant decision credit card

It’s important to understand that a credit card application should never be rushed. You should take your time when filling out the application form; mistakes could result in processing delays further down the line.

You should also be sure to carry out thorough research before you make an application to ensure that the credit card is right for you. A credit card is a serious financial commitment, and you shouldn’t apply for one unless you’re confident that you’ll be able to afford to repay any money you spend.

Is an instant decision credit card the same as a guaranteed approval credit card?

No – there is no such thing as a guaranteed approval credit card.

When a provider assesses your eligibility for a credit card, they will consider certain factors, such as your creditworthiness and how affordable a credit product would be for you.

Every lender has their customer criteria, and even people with excellent credit scores are not guaranteed to be accepted for a credit card.

What’s the easiest credit card to get with an instant decision?

Looking for an easy-to-get, instant decision credit card?

thimbl could help.

No credit card is ‘easy to get’, as all responsible lenders will carry out a thorough creditworthiness assessment as part of the application process. However, the thimbl journey has been designed to be as straightforward as possible. Our form can be completed online in around 60 seconds, and following this, it takes just 10 seconds for us to reveal whether you’ve been pre-approved for a thimbl credit card.

Could I get a same-day credit card?

If you’re searching for a credit card, you might ask, ‘Is there a credit card I can apply for and use right away?’

Some products, such as the thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card, could give you access to a virtual version of your credit card on the same day your application is approved.

Your physical credit card and PIN will usually follow in the post several days later.

Please note that you may need to undergo some additional checks with your provider before you’re able to activate and use your virtual credit card.

What is a credit builder credit card?

A credit builder credit card could help you do just that: build your credit score.

This type of credit card could be especially useful for people with poor or limited credit history who are aiming to work towards a healthier credit position.

To be eligible for a thimbl credit card, you will need to have at least one credit account, such as a mobile phone contract, active for at least a year.

Use your credit builder credit card to cover the cost of a necessary purchase that you can afford to repay and make at least the minimum repayment amount due on your balance each month.

Your repayment activity will be reported to the credit reference agencies (CRAs), and if you’ve also kept on top of your bills and any existing credit commitments, you could notice an increase in your credit score over time.

Instant decision credit builder credit card

Find out if you’re eligible for a thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card in just 90 seconds.

If our eligibility checker reveals that you could be considered for a thimbl credit card and you’d like to make a full application, you’ll be redirected to our trusted partner, Zable, who will carry out a creditworthiness assessment.*

Please note that pre-approval does not guarantee acceptance.

Who can check their eligibility for a thimbl credit card?

You can check your eligibility for a thimbl credit card if you:

• Are between the ages of 18 and 70; 
• Are a UK resident with at least 1 year's UK address history; 
• Are employed, with a monthly net income of at least £800; 
• Have an active credit account that has been open for a minimum of 12 months; and 
• Do not already hold a Zable credit card. 

You will not be eligible if you have declared bankruptcy or have an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA).

Instant decision credit card: the thimbl journey

1. Fill out our online form.
2. Using a soft search with no impact on your credit score, we’ll check your eligibility and reveal your results in just 10 seconds.
3. If you’re pre-approved, you’ll be redirected to our partner, Zable, who will carry out further checks.*
4. If your application is then approved by Zable, your credit card will be posted to you within 5-7 working days.
5. Pending an additional fraud check via Open Banking, you could gain access to your virtual thimbl credit card the same day.

You can find out more about thimbl’s virtual credit card here.

Why choose thimbl for your instant decision credit card?

• Our online form takes just 60 seconds to complete.
• Get your instant decision in just 10 seconds.
• You could get instant access to a virtual credit card.**
• Manageable starting credit limit between £200 and £2,000 to help with responsible spending.
• thimbl has over 4,500 positive customer reviews.

Join our ever-growing family: as of June 2025, we’ve said ‘yes’ to over 150,000 customers!

Instantly approved credit card with no credit check.

If you lack confidence in your credit score, you might wonder whether you could apply for a credit card without a credit check.

You cannot get a credit card without undergoing a full credit check.

In the UK, all reputable and responsible lenders and credit providers are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). FCA guidelines require all companies to carry out a creditworthiness assessment on anyone who applies for credit.

Remember, a bad credit score doesn’t necessarily mean that your application for a credit card will be turned down. There are certain products, such as the thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card, that could be a suitable option for someone with bad credit.

If you’d like to check your eligibility for a thimbl credit card for bad credit, you’ll need to make sure you meet our eligibility criteria, as outlined above.

If you need to talk to someone about money worries…

The following sites offer free, confidential advice on money and debt management: StepChange, MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, and National Debtline.

If you’re finding it difficult to keep on top of your credit card repayments, please contact your provider. The sooner they’re made aware of your situation, the sooner they can work with you to come up with a suitable solution.

*Zable is a trading style of Lendable Ltd. If you choose to make a full application, a creditworthiness assessment will be carried out by Zable. This will consist of a hard search and Open Banking powered check. A hard search will remain on your credit file for up to 12 months, and multiple hard searches within a short period could hurt your credit score. Any credit obtained upon successful application will be provided by Lendable Ltd.

**Pending successful completion of additional security checks via Open Banking. Open Banking is a safe and secure procedure carried out by an authorised third party. With your consent, Open Banking will allow Zable to access your current online bank account and view your recent financial activity. You can withdraw your consent and remove access at any time.