jimmy911

I have had an excellent credit rating in the USA for years, will this help me get started on a new rating in the UK.

evoal2003

You may be able to transfer an Amex card to give you a start, but you will need to be in the UK for 3 years for normal credit. It is not all about score in the uk so much, as you know it.

JAJ

Many people manage to get credit long before the 3 years is up - but it helps to build up a track record with a UK bank. Have salary paid in to the account etc.

As long as you can trust yourself, it makes sense to keep US credit cards, at least until you qualify for UK ones.

Jeremy

Bangers&Mash

Barclays Bank were excellent. When I moved back in May I opened an account with them & applied for their Visa card & received one with quite a high limit within 2 weeks. I don't think your USA credit rating is worth very much here though.

Englishmum

I would certainly get copies of your credit scores from the major credit reporting agencies Experian, Equifax, Transperian etc. I do know that Experian and Equifax operate in the UK too, although as a seperate entity and if you're applying for credit cards in the UK I would certainly show copies of your US scores and ask that this goes on your file.

When it comes down to it, having a job or some sort of regular income is going to be the major determining factor into whether you will be able to obtain credit.

Don't forget to register to vote on the Electoral Roll when you have your accommodation sorted out....it's crucial for credit card companies as it's the first thing they look at as they need to have proof of a UK address (fixed abode LOL!). You can do this at your local Town Hall.

eurotramp

Maybe somebody knows..
In the last 15 years we only lived for one year in the UK, but we always had a bank account with Barclay and out of the 15 Years, hubby was 12 years in the army. We live in Belgium at the moment and will go to the UK in 2 years...will we have a problems to get a mortgage?

Englishmum

I've just come across these UK mortgage insurance brokers who help expats (without an established UK credit rating) get a mortgage:

http://www.expatriate-mortgages.co.uk

Lordflasheart

Not sure how the law currently stands at the moment, but I used to arrange mortgages for people 15 years ago and even people with zero credit rating from bangladesh with a couple of CCJs could get a mortgage with certain companies. The rate they paid was astronomical but it could be done.

This link offers advice on the current laws and there's a facility to speak to an advisor.




http://www.expat-mortgages.co.uk/


Good Luck Eurotramp.