sherbert

I want to start building up credit history and am thinking of applying for a secured credit card in my own name from the local credit union where I have my bank account.

But as a H4-visa-from-hell holder, I have no income and no SS number. No one in their right mind would give me a credit card but hey, we're in America...

Has anyone here on a H4 applied for and subsequently received a credit card?

Another option is if my OH gives me a credit card via his credit card - but I am unsure of whether this builds credit in my name or not. It seems unlikely. Does any one know?

Sally Redux

Good question. But do you need your own credit rating? It's community property in CA.

sherbert

Hmmm. I just thought it would be beneficial for apartment hunting in the future (some places said 'we check the the credit history of everyone living in the property, not just the lease signer').

And really, if one half has a crap credit rating, it actually affects the other's credit rating?

Sally Redux

I don't know exactly how it works, but I think that requirement is for places in multiple occupation ie not married couples. We rented an apartment in LA earlier this year; I had to pay an application fee but had no income so it just went by my husband's.

It may well be a useful thing to try to get, but I'm just saying it may not be too much to worry about if you can't.

sherbert

Yes, I suppose that makes sense! Well I will see if the CU laughs me out of the bank when I try to apply for one ... they were quite happy to give me an overdraft (even though I declined it.)

Sally Redux

Good luck!

rpjs

If you're an additional cardholder on your spouse's card that definitely gets taken into consideration for credit scoring. My wife's two cards that I'm an additional cardholder of appear on my Credit Karma app.

Steve_

Can't you just file a W-7 and get an ITIN? You can get a secured credit card easily enough.

sherbert

Yeah, I can get an ITIN. Do I need it for a secured credit card?

SarahG

I got a Capital One credit card when I was on H4 visa. It wasn't secured. I have also since got a Discover card and a Delta American Express. (I am still on H4 until GC application is approved)

brit_usa2014

I am like you on H4 visa, up until recently I had a credit card under my OH's name but no bank account.

I recently went to a bank and was able to open my own account (debit, but was given the option of credit card).

Might be worth checking into..

Marc_ely

My wife (on H4) was given a secured card by Bank of America a few days after we landed.

sherbert

Thanks all. I have an account in my own name and just never bothered even asking for a card as I thought they'd say no.

@marc_ely - was the card your wife got in her own name or a secondary card on your account?

Marc_ely

It was in her name, but we have a joint bank account.

sherbert

Yeah, I'm trying to get one in my own name on my own account ...with no job or regular money going into the account. Hmmmm!