Can I Apply for a US Credit Card Outside the US?

Introduction

I spend most of my time outside the United States – sometimes almost the whole year. Can I apply for a US credit card outside the US, and have it delivered here?

This was my question exactly. Ever since I moved to Mexico, I haven’t almost applied for any credit cards, as I barely go back to the US these days.

Solution

Researching online, it looks like the best option is to apply to the credit card of your choosing, and you’ll have to have a friend or relative send it to you in whatever country you’re in (or FedEx / UPS it). Or just physically bring it to you when they visit.

You can have it sent to a different address in the US, not necessarily your home address (ie. send it to your friends / relatives house) BUT it could show up on a credit score and you might have to do some explaining as to why you’re sending it to an address that’s not your home address.

Other Options

• You can also request the credit card company to send you a replacement card outside the US. After you apply, just call them up (after 24h of acceptance) and ask them to overnight or somehow ship the card to you. Some will do it for free, or for a nominal fee. Though you might feel embarrassed telling them you lost the card on the first day.

• Another option is to just have your friends / family send you the numbers on the card, and just use it in your country to buy things online. Or with Apply Pay. This is most likely what I’m going to do applying for a card while I’m outside the US.
  
• Traveling Mailbox was recommended to me by some fellow expats. They give you a US Physical Address that you can send your card to, and then have them forward it to you anywhere in the world.
  
  Anytime Mailbox is what I personally use as a Virtual Mailbox (the cheapest option I found for a non PO Box address) though I haven’t tried forwarding mail to another country with them. Also definitely an option.

Conclusion

Ever since I started travelling a lot more, and spending more time living abroad, I’ve definitely cut down on applying to credit cards for the sign-up bonuses.

However now we’ve found various ways you can still apply for credit cards outside of the US, to keep those sweet sweet airline miles rolling in, to fuel the next legs of our adventure.

Comment on your favorite strategy to apply and get your credit card to you, from outside the U.S.!