Do You Qualify for a Business Credit Card?

By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated June 2026
The short answer: You do not need an LLC or a registered company to get a business credit card. Freelancers, gig workers, resellers, and side-hustlers usually qualify as sole proprietors using their own name and Social Security number, reporting honest business income that can be modest.

What counts as a business

A business card does not require a corporation. If you earn or intend to earn money outside a regular job, you likely qualify as a sole proprietor. That includes freelancing, consulting, rideshare and delivery, selling online, tutoring, photography, renting out property, and many side hustles. Your business name can simply be your own name.

SSN or EIN

As a sole proprietor you can apply with your Social Security number as your tax ID, with no EIN required. You can get a free EIN from the IRS if you prefer to keep your SSN off applications, but it is optional. Either way you personally guarantee the account, so approval is based largely on your personal credit.

Filling out the application

Use your legal name or business name, your SSN or EIN, your industry, your time in business (which can be zero if you are just starting), and your annual business revenue, which can be modest or reasonably projected. Be honest and conservative. See personal vs business cards for the wider comparison.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an LLC to get a business credit card?
No. Most people qualify as a sole proprietor using their own name and Social Security number, reporting even small or side-business income. An LLC or EIN is optional.
Can I get a business card with a side hustle?
Usually yes. Freelancing, gig work, reselling, and other side income generally qualify you as a sole proprietor. Report honest revenue, which can be modest.

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Bryce Casson

Bryce Casson, Founder of Cardocrat. Every card is ranked by what it actually returns, with all points valued at a flat 1 cent and offers verified against issuer sources. About the author.