Applying for the Capital on Tap Business Credit Card

Your step-by-step guide to the application journey, from checking eligibility to spending on your card.

Overview

Applying for the Capital on Tap Business Credit Card is quick and done entirely online:

• Apply online in minutes, using basic business and personal details - there's nothing to book and no branch to visit.

• We run a soft credit search that does not affect your personal credit score.

• All you need to do is a quick identity check (a selfie and a photo of your ID).

• Most applicants get a decision in under 2 minutes.

• You can access funds as soon as you're approved, via a virtual card or a bank transfer.

• Your physical card arrives within 2-5 business days.

The application journey, step by step

Step 1: Check you are eligible

You can apply if:

• You are an active director or a majority shareholder (25%+) of the company, and reside in the UK.

• Your business is a private limited company (Ltd), a limited liability partnership (LLP), or a public limited company (PLC), registered in the UK.

• You and your business have no unsatisfied County Court Judgements (CCJs) in the last 12 months.

• Your business is listed as active on Companies House. There's no minimum trading history required, so businesses of any age can apply.

• Your business is not in a high-risk industry.

For more details on eligibility see our Business Credit Card Eligibility guide.

Step 2: Start your online application

• Head to our website and start your online application.

• Have your Companies House number to hand.

• Enter your basic personal and business details.

Step 3: We check your credit

• A soft search on your personal credit file. This does not affect your credit score and is not visible to other lenders.

• A hard search only appears on your business credit file once you sign your credit agreement - not at this stage.

If your personal credit file is frozen, you will need to unfreeze it before we can proceed.

Step 4: Verify your identity

• You will complete a quick check to confirm your identity.

• This needs a selfie and a photo of a valid passport or driving licence.

• It is done via a secure link in the app, portal, or email, usually in a few minutes.

• Identity verification is mandatory - you cannot skip it.

Step 5: Provide any extra information we ask for

Occasionally we email you within 1 business day to ask for a bit more, for example:

• Proof of address

• A business bank statement

• Confirmation of beneficial ownership

Providing this quickly helps us finish your review without delay.

Step 6: Get your decision

• Most decisions are made in under 2 minutes.

• Some applications need a manual review, which can take a few business days.

Step 7: Sign your personal guarantee

• We ask for a personal guarantee from a director or major shareholder.

• This is a standard part of the application.

Step 8: Access your funds straight away

Once approved, you do not need to wait for your physical card. You can immediately create a virtual card in your portal. Use it for online purchases or add it to your digital wallet (e.g. Apple Pay).

Step 9: Receive and activate your card

• Your physical card arrives at your registered business address within 2-5 business days.

• When it arrives, log in to your portal and go to the 'Cards' page.

• Activate it there, and you can start using it straight away.

What happens if my application isn't approved within 2 minutes?

Some applications need a manual review, which usually takes a few business days.

We may email you during this time to ask for extra information, such as proof of address or a bank statement. It's worth keeping an eye on your inbox, and checking your spam or junk folder in case our emails land there.

You do not need to reapply while a review is in progress.

My application was declined. Can I find out why, and can I reapply?

We may decline applications for several reasons. Common ones include not meeting our eligibility criteria, information on your credit file, or details that do not match our records.

We are not always able to share the reason. If you would like to apply again, you can usually do so after 6 months.

Read our guide to why applications are declined for the full list of reasons and what you can do next.

I get an error saying my email or account already exists. What should I do?

This usually means the email address is already linked to a Capital on Tap account or a previous application.

Each account needs its own unique email address, so try applying again with a different email.

If this looks like a mistake, or you need to reuse an email from a closed account, contact us. We'll help.

Will applying affect my credit score?

No. We only need to conduct a soft search on your personal credit file at application. Only you can see this, and it doesn't affect your score. A hard search only appears on your business's credit file once you sign your credit agreement.

How much does it cost to sign up?

• Free: No joining, annual, or monthly fees.

• Pro: £299/year, which includes benefits like unlimited airport lounge access, Radisson Rewards VIP status, and a complimentary subscription to The Times and Sunday Times.

What information do I need to apply?

You'll need to provide basic personal and business details, including your registered Companies House number.

We may email you within 1 business day for additional information, such as proof of address or a business bank statement.

How long will my physical card take to arrive?

Your physical card arrives at your registered business address within 2-5 business days. Contact us if it has not arrived after 6 business days.

I run more than one business. Can I apply for another card?

Yes. If you are a director of more than one company, you can hold a Capital on Tap account for each. Each account needs its own unique email address.

If you apply for a second account, you may see a message that says 'It looks like you already have an account with us.' This is expected, and means your application has been sent to the correct team for review. We'll update you within 2 business days.

Why isn't my business name appearing in the list on the application page?

The list is all legally registered businesses in the UK from Companies House. It does not include sole traders. Your business name must match the legal trading name on Companies House.