Credit cards...
 

Hey everyone.

So I'm currently in Canada on a WHV which expires this September when I will be returning home to the UK permanently.

I currently am trying to pay off a credit card bill of around $1400 but with the time I have left here, my job not paying the best wage and the expense of living here, I've figured I'm really going to struggle to pay it all off before I leave without leaving myself short of money each month.

I originally had to get this credit card to pay for a dental emergency shortly after I arrived in Canada, and what with the interest and such, the amount has snowballed.

Anyway, I was wondering if anything would happen if I should leave the country in September with the outstanding balance left unpaid? I'm still going to try and pay off as much as possible before I leave but there may be a bit owing on it since I'm struggling financially.

Will there be any repercussions in England? I have no assets here and don't plan to return to Canada to live.

Just curious about this. Thank you!

Re: Credit cards...
 

You don't need to pay it back before you leave, you can continue to pay it from the UK. So just carry on paying it off for now and then that will continue when you're in England until the debt is repaid in full.

HTH.

Re: Credit cards...
 

Yeah it makes no difference where you are. We moved to Canada in january with a UK credit card each- we weren't able to afford to pay them off before we left so kept making payments while living here and were fortunately able to afford to pay them both off last month. So long as you pay them off- the credit card issuers aren't bothered where you are.

Re: Credit cards...
 

Did you try claiming on your (compulsary) insurance for your dental emergency? Most policies include dental issues, so it may be worth checking.

:)

Re: Credit cards...
 

Dental coverage is usually very limited with travel insurance. Many UK polices only cover £500 at the most.

Re: Credit cards...
 

If you're going to struggle to pay it off once you return to the UK (because you don't have a job etc), it would be best to get in touch with your creditors early to explain your situation and put a payment plan in place. Most creditors will be accommodating and willing to work with you to find a way for you to repay.

A default in Canada won't affect your UK credit score, but there is a reciprocal agreement between the UK and Canada that would allow a court judgement of this nature issued in Canada to be enforced in the UK.

Re: Credit cards...
 

You say that now but don't potentially make a mistake that could cause things to be a lot more difficult for you in the future. None of us ever truly know what will happen tomorrow or where we will be/want to be in 10 years from now.