You can apply for a Costco credit card (the Costco Anywhere Visa, or your local Costco-branded card like the CIBC Costco Mastercard in Canada) either online, by phone, or in a warehouse, but you must have an active Costco membership first. Once you are a member, the application is a standard credit‑card form where you enter personal, employment, and income details, then wait for approval and receive the card by mail.

Quick Scoop

  • You must be an active Costco member before you can apply for a Costco credit card.
  • You can usually apply:
    • Online via Costco or the issuing bank (Citi in the U.S., CIBC in Canada, etc.).
* By phone through the card’s application line.

* In person at a Costco warehouse kiosk in some regions.
  • The card doubles as your Costco membership card at many locations, so you carry one less card.
  • Approval is based on standard credit‑card criteria (credit history, income, etc.), and decisions can be instant or take a few days.

Step‑by‑Step: How to Apply

1. Get or confirm your Costco membership

  • Make sure you have an active, paid Costco membership in your own name; non‑members must join first.
  • You can sign up:
    • In‑warehouse at the membership desk with a government ID.
* Online at Costco.com or your country’s Costco site.

* By calling Costco member services.

2. Choose the right Costco credit card

Different regions have different issuers:

  • United States: Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi (personal and business versions).
  • Canada: CIBC Costco Mastercard (and CIBC Costco World Mastercard for higher incomes).
  • Japan and some other markets: Costco Global Card via local issuer.

Check which card applies in your country on your local Costco website or at the membership desk.

3. Apply online (most common)

  1. Go to the Costco website and look for “Credit Card” or “Services.”
  1. Click through to the Costco credit card page and select Apply Now.
  1. You’ll be redirected to the issuing bank’s secure application form (Citi, CIBC, etc.).
  1. Enter:
    • Full name and contact information.
    • Date of birth and Social Security / SIN / national ID (varies by country).
 * Employment status, income, and housing information.
  1. Review the terms and conditions (APR, fees, rewards rules) and submit your application.

Many people receive an instant decision, but some applications need manual review and take a few days.

4. Apply by phone or in warehouse

  • Phone:
    • In the U.S., there are dedicated phone numbers listed on Costco’s credit card page for personal and business Costco Anywhere Visa cards.
* An agent gathers the same personal and financial information as the online form.
  • In‑warehouse:
    • At many warehouses, staff can help start your application at a kiosk or membership desk.
* You still need to provide ID and financial details, and approval may be instant or mailed later.

What You’ll Need Ready

Having details handy makes the process smoother:

  • Active Costco membership number.
  • Government‑issued photo ID information.
  • Social Security number / SIN / national ID.
  • Employment information and annual income, plus housing info (e.g., rent or mortgage).[

After You Apply

  • If approved, your physical card typically arrives by mail within a couple of weeks.
  • In many regions, your card also acts as your Costco membership ID , so you show it at the door and use it at checkout.
  • Rewards are usually paid once a year as a certificate you redeem at Costco for cash or merchandise (e.g., annual cash‑back certificate in the U.S. and Canada).

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.