Discover the Steps to Apply for the Varo Believe Card
Varo Believe, true to its name, represents a journey for the world to trust in you and award you the credit you rightfully earn.
If you’re looking to establish or rebuild your credit safely in the U.S. without unexpected fees, the Varo Believe Credit-Builder Card could be the perfect fit for you.
Essential Information
Varo Bank is a digital finance platform that provides easier banking options, completely online, and free from conventional banking fees.
With a customer base exceeding 4 million, Varo provides a no-cost checking account, early access to direct deposits, cash advances, fixed-rate personal loans, as well as the secured credit card.
The Varo Believe functions as a genuine credit card—not a prepaid one—that can be utilized for daily expenses. It is supported by a security deposit moved from your checking account into a dedicated secured account.
The amount you put into the card’s account sets your spending limit. For instance, if you deposit $400, that’s what you can spend during the billing cycle.
This card has no annual fee, offers 0% APR, and imposes no foreign transaction fees. To prevent debt, the Varo app automatically enables Safe Pay, which allocates necessary funds and clears your full statement each billing cycle.
Varo reports your payment history to all three major credit bureaus in the United States: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Users have reported an average score increase of over 40 points within the first 3 months of responsible usage.
Varo does not conduct a hard credit inquiry because the card is designed to assist in building or rebuilding credit.
Eligibility Criteria

The Varo Believe Card is available to a broad audience, specifically tailored to accommodate various financial situations.
Below are the requirements:
- Have an active Varo bank account. The account is free and can be opened through the app.
- Receive at least $200 in eligible deposits (salary, external transfers, etc.) within the last 31 days.
- Have no negative balance in your Varo account and no delays in the “Varo Advance” feature.
If you qualify, the Varo app will directly send you an invitation to apply for the Believe Card.
So, there’s no need to hunt for an “Apply” button online—the application automatically shows up when you’re eligible.
One more thing to note: there’s no standard credit check (no hard pull). This is a huge benefit for those new to credit or anyone looking to dodge a temporary dip in their score.
How Can I Apply for the Varo Believe?
First things first: you need to create a Varo account if you haven’t done so already:
- Get the Varo Bank app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Opening the account is totally free and done online.
- After setting up your account, wait to receive the necessary deposits to qualify.
Once you fulfill the requirements, the Varo app will automatically prompt you to apply.
Just follow the steps on your phone.
When approved, you’ll activate your card and deposit the amount you wish into the secured account—this will be your credit limit.
- For instance: If you deposit $300, your limit will be $300.
- The highest limit per billing cycle is $10,000.
Use the card normally to build your credit. After each billing cycle, your statement is settled, and your positive payment history is reported to the credit bureaus.
Additional Information
Through the app, Varo offers your VantageScore 3.0 at no cost. Most users without a credit history can build a score in under 30 days.
Users who already have a score typically see an average boost of 40+ points within 3 months of responsible card use—at least, that’s what many report.
Varo operates as a licensed bank in the U.S. with national charter status since 2020, providing FDIC insurance of up to $250,000 per customer, top-notch encryption, and dependable digital support.
The Varo Believe card operates on the Visa network and is accepted widely throughout the U.S. and for overseas transactions.
Interested in exploring another choice?
If you’re seeking another secured credit card in the U.S., consider Current, another digital banking option that provides a similar offering.
The requirements are quite similar, making it a solid choice for daily transactions. Discover how to apply.
