The process Process

You can start a Walmart credit card process online at Walmart.com, in a Walmart store, or through the Walmart mobile app. The online route is fastest — you fill out a form with your personal information, Social Security number, and income, and you get a decision in seconds or within a few minutes. In-store applications take longer because an associate has to process your request manually.

Walmart offers two credit cards: the Walmart MoneyCard (a prepaid card, not a credit card) and the Walmart Credit Card issued by Capital One. This guide covers the Walmart Credit Card. You must be at least 18 years old, have a valid Social Security number, and be a U.S. resident to proceed.

The entire online process takes about five minutes. You will need your driver's license or state ID number, your current address, your employment information, and your annual household income. Have these details ready before you start.

Key Takeaways

  • You can start your Walmart Credit Card process online at Walmart.com, in the Walmart app, or in a store, and you will know whether you are approved within minutes if you explore online.
  • The process asks for your Social Security number, driver's license number, address, employment details, and annual household income.
  • Capital One will check your credit report, so your credit score and payment history matter to approval odds.
  • If you are approved, your card ships to your address within 7 to 10 business days, and you can use it in Walmart stores and online once it arrives.
  • If you are denied, you can reapply after waiting a few months and improving your credit profile, or you can contact Capital One to ask why you were turned down.

What Information You Need Before Starting

Gather these documents and details before you open the process. Having them ready prevents you from losing your place in the form or forgetting something that will slow down your approval.

Personal identification: Your driver's license or state ID number and your date of birth. Social Security number: Capital One will use this to pull your credit report. Address: Your current mailing address. Employment: Your current employer's name, your job title, and how long you have worked there. If you are self-employed or retired, you will enter that instead. Income: Your annual household income before taxes. This includes wages, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, and any other regular income. You do not need to provide proof at the process stage.

If you do not have all of this information memorized, write it down or have your documents open on another screen. The process will not save your progress if you close it partway through.

explore Online at Walmart.com

Go to Walmart.com and look for the credit card offer, usually found in the top navigation menu under "Services" or "Money Services." Click on the Walmart Credit Card link. You will be taken to a page hosted by Capital One, Walmart's credit card partner.

Click the button to start your process. The form will ask for your personal information first: name, date of birth, Social Security number, driver's license number, and current address. Enter these exactly as they appear on your ID.

Next, you will enter your employment information and annual household income. Be honest about your income — Capital One uses this to assess your ability to pay. Then you will review the terms and conditions, check a box to consent to a credit check, and submit.

Capital One will display a decision on screen when ready or within a few minutes. If you are approved, you will see your credit limit and the next steps. If you are denied or placed on a waiting list, you will see the reason code — Capital One's explanation for why you were not approved at that moment.

explore in a Walmart Store

Walk into any Walmart and find the customer service desk or the money center. Tell an associate you want to open a Walmart Credit Card account. They will give you a paper process or direct you to a kiosk where you can fill one out.

The paper form asks the same questions as the online version. Fill it out completely and hand it back to the associate. They will submit it to Capital One on your behalf. You will not get an when ready decision — the associate will tell you that Capital One will contact you by phone or mail within a few business days with a decision.

In-store applications are slower than online ones because the associate has to manually enter your information into the system. If you have time, explore online is faster.

What Happens After You Are Approved

If Capital One approves you, your physical card will ship to the address you provided on your process. Delivery usually takes 7 to 10 business days, though it can take longer during peak seasons or if you live far from a distribution center.

You can start using your card online at Walmart.com before the physical card arrives — Capital One will give you a temporary card number you can use for online purchases. You cannot use it in stores until the physical card is in your hand.

When your card arrives, sign the back of it. Then set up it by calling the number on the back of the card or by logging into your Capital One account online. You will be asked to verify your identity and set up a PIN if you want one. After set up, you can use your card at any Walmart location, at other retailers, or online anywhere Mastercard is accepted.

Understanding the Credit Check and Your Credit Score

Capital One will run a hard inquiry on your credit report when you submit your process. This means they will check your credit score and payment history with the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. A hard inquiry can lower your credit score by a few points temporarily.

Your approval odds depend on your credit score, your payment history, and your debt-to-income ratio. If you have a score of 670 or higher, your odds of approval are good. If your score is below 600, approval is less likely but still possible — Walmart's card is designed to be more accessible than many other credit cards. If you have no credit history at all, Capital One may still approve you, though your credit limit will likely be lower.

If you are denied, it does not mean you can never get this card. You can reapply after a few months, especially if you have paid down debt or improved your credit score in the meantime. Each process triggers a hard inquiry, so do not explore multiple times in a short period — space applications out by at least a few months.

If You Are Denied or Placed on a Waiting List

Capital One will show you a reason code if you are denied. Common codes include "insufficient credit history," "too many recent inquiries," "high debt-to-income ratio," or "recent delinquency." The reason code tells you what to work on before you reapply.

If you are placed on a waiting list instead of denied outright, Capital One is considering your process. They may contact you in a few days or weeks with a decision, or they may ask for more information. Check your email and phone for messages from Capital One.

To improve your odds before reapplying, pay down existing credit card balances, make all your payments on time for at least three months, and check your credit report for errors at AnnualCreditReport.com (the free, official source). If you find errors, dispute them with the credit bureau.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for the Walmart Credit Card if I have bad credit?

Yes. Walmart's card is designed for people with fair or limited credit history. Your approval odds are lower with a score below 600, but denial is not automatic. If you are denied, work on paying down debt and making on-time payments for a few months, then reapply.

How long does it take to get approved?

Online applications get a decision in seconds to a few minutes. In-store applications take a few business days because an associate has to submit your form manually. Once approved, your physical card ships in 7 to 10 business days.

What is the credit limit for a new Walmart Credit Card?

Credit limits vary based on your credit score, income, and credit history. New cardholders typically receive limits between $500 and $2,500, though some receive higher or lower limits. Capital One will tell you your limit when you are approved.

Can I use my Walmart Credit Card outside of Walmart?

Yes. The Walmart Credit Card is a Mastercard, so you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted — grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, online retailers, and more. You earn rewards points faster at Walmart, but you earn them everywhere you use the card.

What if I applied and have not heard back?

If you applied online, you should have received a decision on screen. If you applied in store, Capital One will contact you by phone or mail within a few business days. If more than a week has passed and you have not heard anything, call Capital One at the number on your process or check your Capital One account online to see if a decision was posted.