How Long Does it Take to Get a Debit Card?


Creating a bank account is an essential step toward financial stability. With a bank account, you can deposit cash, withdraw money, and write cheques to pay bills. Consumers can now buy stuff and access bank money by withdrawing or writing checks using debit cards. While new bank account users may be happy to receive their card payments and begin tapping, your new phone may take some time to enter the mailbox.

Visa gift debit card

Debit cards resemble credit cards but function as electronic verification, allowing customers to swipe their cards to finalize purchases. Consumers confirm the transaction by punching in a secret PIN instead of just registering for it. Because monies are withdrawn straight from your bank account, be sure you have sufficient cash in your fund to avoid costs. Otherwise, you risk a payment overdraft. ATM withdrawals can also be made with card payments. Consumers who use ATMs owned by their bank will not be charged; however, numerous ATMs will charge consumers who use debit cards tied to checking accounts not controlled by that bank.

In the previous article, we discussed checking whether my debit card is active. Now, let’s see how long it takes to get a card.

How long does it take to get a debit card?

Usually, to get a debit card from the bank in your mail, you need to wait 7-10 days. However, some banks, like Wells Fargo, offer debit cards for 1-3 days in your mail, while banks like PNC Financial Services provide debit cards Instantly (when you open a bank account).

Debit cards offer a convenient way to access your money without carrying cash. You can use them to make purchases in stores or online, and many debit cards also provide added benefits like rewards programs and fraud protection.

If you want a debit card from your bank, you may wonder how long it will take to receive it in the mail. Banks typically send debit cards within 7-10 days of opening an account. However, some banks, like Wells Fargo and PNC Financial Services, offer instant debit cards, which means you’ll receive the card as soon as you open an account.

So, if you need a new debit card and want to know how long it will take to get one from your bank, check out this list of banks that offer instant cards. And, if you’re unsure which bank is right for you, read our article on the best banks for students.

In the table below, we can see how long a debit card takes to arrive from your bank to your mail:

BankHow long does it take to get a debit card?
JPMorgan Chase3-5 days
Bank of America4-6 days
Wells Fargo1-3 days
Citigroup7-10 days
Goldman Sachs7-10 days
Morgan Stanley5-7 days
PNC Financial ServicesInstantly
U.S. Bancorp7-10 days
Charles Schwab Corporation3-5 days
Truist Financial5-10 days
TD Bank, N.A.Instantly
The Bank of New York Mellon7-10 days
Capital One5-7 days
TIAA7-10 days
State Street Corporation7-10 days
HSBC Bank USA7-10 days
Fifth Third Bank7-10 days
USAA7-10 days
State Farm7-10 days
American Express7-10 days

Reviewing the Typical Wait Time

Debit cards for new checking account users may arrive on varied timetables depending on the institution. In most situations, customers should get new contactless payments in five to ten business days, depending on the bank.

It’s conceivable that the timeframe for shipping debit cards set by your lender is also specified on the documentation you received when you started the bank. If you didn’t recall and weren’t told what shift occurred, your bank’s policy allows you to obtain contactless payments, call the bank, or go to its website and read the policy announcements.

How Long Did I Wait to Get a Debit Card?

I am an analytical person. So, I will share my debit or credit card waiting time data.

Usually, if I request on Monday or Tuesday, I will get a debit card in 2 to 3 days without a problem. However, in my experience, if I order a credit card or debit card on Sunday, Thursday, or Friday, I need to wait to receive the card until next week.

The reason is that most banks do not work at full capacity during the weekend, and if you have a request at the end of the week, you need to wait another week to start getting documents or cards from the bank.

Daniel Smith

Daniel Smith

Daniel Smith is an experienced economist and financial analyst from Utah. He has been in finance for nearly two decades, having worked as a senior analyst for Wells Fargo Bank for 19 years. After leaving Wells Fargo Bank in 2014, Daniel began a career as a finance consultant, advising companies and individuals on economic policy, labor relations, and financial management. At Promtfinance.com, Daniel writes about personal finance topics, value estimation, budgeting strategies, retirement planning, and portfolio diversification. Read more on Daniel Smith's biography page. Contact Daniel: daniel@promtfinance.com

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