sarp

Hi all,

in the future I am considering to move to US. Soon I'll be going to US. I just wanted to know if I get a credit card in the US would that affect my credit score when I move to US on a work visa?

ian-mstm

Most likely, yes - it would. Keep in mind that having a credit score isn't the same as having a good credit store. Good credit is based on a number of things including: credit to debt ratio, length of credit history (which is sometimes more important), and repayment history!

Since this isn't actually an immigration issue - I suggest you ask such questions in the general USA forum.

Ian

Guindalf

How are you proposing to get a credit card without a US address, SSN, job or any permanent residence?

Pulaski

What he said!

Without a SSN and US income at a minimum you stand no chance of getting a credit card. People who move to the US with a job, an SSN, and an address often find it difficult to get a credit card!

In any case, credit scores are indexed off an SSN, so even if hypothetically you found a bank willing to give you a credit card, it wouldn't do you any good with respect to building a credit score because the bank would have no way to report your credit activity to the credit scoring bureaux.

sarp

Oh my question is, whether they care if I am not authorised to work visa (or not being in the US) effects the credit score at all.

My plan is to get AMEX (I have a platinum one in my country) and then just pay for the annual fee and then never use it. I'll probably be in the US for 2 weeks, so it's long enough for them to ship the card.

What I am worried is, say I started working in the US 3-4 years later, then apply for a loan then someone says that I was not living in the US before, I was just visiting therefore it doesn't count (or something similar).

Pulaski

See my post above - "no SSN" = no way to report a credit score.

Secondarily, no activity = nothing to report. A credit score reflects usage, not just that you have a credit card.

sarp

I did the online estimation and one of the question was how old is my oldest credit card. So I thought that increases the credit score.

Pulaski

Without an SSN you don't have a credit score!

1004ron

Without credit history in the US, you're not likely to get offered a credit card, ....... you wont even be able to get a Macy's card.

My US Bank manager got me set up - I put $2K down and he created a secured Visa Credit card, and not long after that I got multiple pre-approved offers in the mail.

A dormant credit card account is not going to build a credit score - take a look on Credit Karma and you'll see that a few active credit accounts are needed.

Guindalf

Let me spell this out for you.

1. Without an SSN, there is NO credit score to improve or otherwise!
2. Without a visa to enter the US and become a PR (permanent or temporary), no SSN.
3. No SSN, no credit card.

As Pulaski stated, people WITH the above have difficulty in qualifying for a CC. What exactly is it that makes you think YOU'RE special???

dj6372

Harsh...............but fair

ian-mstm

He's Australian! Hands down, that's got to be a tad bit better than another Pommie wanker!

Ian

Guindalf

Sometimes you need to spell it out!

...and Ian, I guess you're right. Those convicts think they're better than us!!

lansbury

OP is suggesting an American Express card via an existing account.

In 2006 I got a US American Express card based off of my UK account. I didn't have a job in the US, I didn't have an address in the US as I wasn't a LPR, and I didn't have a SSN. Guess I am more special than even I thought.

I still have my UK Amex card.

scrubbedexpat099

Just look at the info they ask on an application...

You could get a pre loaded one at a supermarket