In the United States, credit history is required to apply for bank credit cards, loans, etc, so it is important that you try to get your very first credit cards to start building credit history.

Important: You do need SSN or ITIN to build US credit profile. If you are not eligible for a SSN yet, consider apply for ITIN in the meantime.

You are just starting out!

If you have no US credit history at all, you have several options to start building US credit history:

Option 1: Credit Card Issuers that accept international credit history

There are several credit card issues that can use international credit history to offer you a credit card in the US:

• American Express: If you have an American Express credit card in other countries, you can apply for a US American Express credit card through either Global Transfer or NovaCredit. You can apply online, but you do need to provide your US address, US phone number, and SSN/ITIN (required for NovaCredit, but not required for Global Transfer application)
• Canadian Banks with US subsidiaries: TD Cross Border Banking and RBC Cross Border Banking programs allow you to apply for their US credit card using Canadian credit history. Please note that TD and RBC offers both USD denominated Canadian credit cards and US credit cards, so make you you applied for the US credit cards, which are issued in by their US subsidiaries. You can apply online, even before you have US address and US phone number. You can also have the US credit cards shipped to Canada, but please note that you do need to add US address in order to build US credit history.
• US Banks located near the US/Canada border: US Banks that have main operations near the US/Canada border usually allow you to apply for their US credit card using Canadian credit history. However, these banks do require you to apply in branch. Examples include Banner Bank and Key Bank.

Option 2: Secured Credit Cards

If Option 1 doesn’t work for you, you can consider Secured Credit Cards. Most US Banks offer secured credit cards that you can apply with a cash deposit, which serves as collateral should you default on payments. Note:

• If you are a student, please note that some US Banks offer student credit cards, which tend to have low credit limit, but these unsecured credit cards are better than Secured Credit Cards.
• If you open a checking account, deposit a large sum of money and you are employed with well-known employers, some banks might approve your credit card application for an unsecured credit card, but that can be hit-or-miss.

You have 6 month – 1 year of US credit history

Once you have at least 6 month – 1 year of US credit history, you can consider apply for other credit cards. Some credit card issuers are known to be friendly with people with “thin” credit profile. You can use their pre-approval tools to see if you are likely to be approved before applying:

• Discover
• CapitalOne

You have an excellent US credit profile

Once you have longer credit history and at least 2-3 credit cards that you use regularly and make payment before due date, your credit profile will likely be considered as excellent. You can now apply for other credit cards that offer great benefits and welcome bonuses. Again, many credit card issuers provide pre-approval tools.

• American Express (all personal credit cards applications go through pre-approval process)
• Chase
• Citi (which is known to require excellent credit profile)
• US Bank (which is known to require excellent credit profile. No pre-approval tool)
• Bank of America (their pre-approval tool is known to be not reliable)
• Well Fargo

Note: Although you might have a chance of approval with these banks after 6 month – 1 year credit history, do expect credit limit to be low.

US Credit Reports

If you have a SSN, you can request your US credit reports for free here, which provide credit reports from the 3 largest Credit Bureaus in the US: Experian, Equifax and Transunion. You can also signup with these Credit Bureaus directly to access your credit report and credit score.

If you only have an ITIN, it is difficult to access your credit report, unfortunately.

• Equifax is the only Credit Bureau that shows credit reports to ITIN holders. You might be able to access your Equifax credit report through Equifax or myFico.
• Although you cannot access Experian credit report with ITIN, you might be able to view your Experian credit score through bank mobile apps (e.g. American Express), or through 3rd party app (e.g. credit.com)