No, OpenSky Secured Visa does not run a credit check when you apply, and that single detail is exactly why it appeals to people rebuilding credit or starting completely from scratch. It changes who can realistically qualify compared with most other credit cards on the market.
That doesn’t mean the application is a rubber stamp, though. OpenSky still looks at a few things before approving you, just not your credit report.
How OpenSky Approves Applicants Without Checking Credit
Most credit cards lean on your credit history to decide whether to approve you and what limit to offer. OpenSky flips that model.
Because the card is secured, your refundable deposit acts as the collateral that protects the issuer if you stop paying. That deposit removes the need for a hard or soft pull during the application, which is why applicants with no credit history at all, or with a damaged history, can still open an account.
The mechanism is simple once you see it: risk gets covered by cash instead of a credit score. No credit check means neither a hard inquiry nor a soft inquiry shows up on your credit report from the application itself.
What OpenSky Checks Instead
Skipping the credit check doesn’t mean skipping every check. OpenSky typically verifies your identity, your income, and whether you can fund the required deposit.
Income matters because the issuer wants some assurance you can handle the monthly payment obligation once the card is open. Funding the deposit matters even more, since the account can’t be opened until the deposit clears.
Other no-credit-check style products use a different approach entirely. The Chime Credit Builder review breaks down a model built around a linked spending account rather than a traditional deposit, which is worth comparing if you want to see the full range of options before committing to one card.
“Secured cards that skip the credit check still evaluate ability to pay through income and deposit funding, so applicants should expect some verification even without a credit pull.”
See how a refundable deposit can open the door to your first credit card, even with no credit history.
No Credit Check
Apply without a hard or soft pull showing up on your credit report.
Reports to All Three Bureaus
On-time payments can help you start building a credit history.
🔒 A straightforward path for building credit from scratch.
How OpenSky Compares to Other Starter Cards
Not every beginner card skips the credit check, and the differences matter when you’re deciding where to apply.
This is where the mechanism really shows up: cards without a credit check tend to rely on either a deposit or a linked account instead, while cards that do pull your credit generally offer a bit more flexibility on deposit size in exchange.
✅ Read the full OpenSky Secured Visa review →
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
Skipping the credit check is a real advantage if your file is thin or bruised, but it comes with tradeoffs worth understanding first.
Your deposit amount becomes your credit limit, so a smaller deposit means a smaller limit to work with. The card also reports to all three major credit bureaus, which is the part that actually helps you build a track record over time.
For a full breakdown of fees, deposit ranges, and what the account looks like day to day, the OpenSky Secured Visa review covers the details beyond just the approval process.
Curious whether the tradeoffs are worth it for your situation? Is OpenSky worth it? weighs the pros and cons against other starter options.
Conclusion
OpenSky Secured Visa stands out precisely because it removes the credit check from the equation, relying instead on your refundable deposit and income verification.
That structure makes it a realistic option for people who’ve been turned down elsewhere, as long as you’re comfortable funding the deposit upfront and understand how the limit works.