topic Re: Approved. No SSN, No ITIN, No US Credit History in Credit Card Approvals

Approved. No SSN, No ITIN, No US Credit History

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 02:28:50 GMT

Hello,

First of all, thank you everybody on Myfico for posting great info. I have been learning on the forum for a long time.

I'm not a US resident so I do not have SSN nor ITIN. Both Amex and Citi just approved my application.

Citibank - I opened a checking account with Citi mid 2014 and have been getting some direct deposits. Tried to apply for a secured card early 2015 but was denied.

I went back to the US last month (Mar 16) and visited the branch. The banker said it was possible to get a credit card, not a secured card without SSN/ITIN. I applied for Simplicity. The banker was a bit worried as I didn't have many direct deposits past 3 months. Balance was around 20k.

A week later I received SMS from Citi wanting to discuss my app but I was in the meeting so I called a bit later and the reference number was not valid anymore. I checked my email and found Citi approved Thankyou Preferred with a CL of $7500.

Citi only wanted my ID and proof of income, in my case, a bank statement.

Amex - I applied using 'Go to shorter application' and enter my Australian Amex number there. I believe it is called a global transfer program. The next day I called Amex asking if they need any document. A lovely lady asked for my passport details. Then we did a 3-way call with Citi to verify my US address. Premier Gold Reward card was aprroved on the spot. Amex only wanted my passport details and address verification.

I have a lot of cards here but very excited about my first 2 US cards. Banks in the US are very generous Next step might be trying to get ITIN so I can apply online.

lilfishy

Re: Approved. No SSN, No ITIN, No US Credit History

JSS3 — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 02:33:34 GMT

Interesting...

Curious how the two cards can build history for you without a social to attach the history to? Also, once you do get a social, will the info be backdated?

Re: Approved. No SSN, No ITIN, No US Credit History

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 03:08:59 GMT

I don't know an answer to the second question but for the first one, I read somewhere on myfico (and some other sites) that SSN is just a part of it. Only name and address are required to build a credit history. Will see if Amex and Citi display my score after 6 months.

Re: Approved. No SSN, No ITIN, No US Credit History

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 03:11:00 GMT

Congrats!

Re: Approved. No SSN, No ITIN, No US Credit History

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 05:47:18 GMT

This is more common than you think. Part of my family is foreign and study in the US and most all have Bank Issued credit cards without any SSN or ITIN. I am sure that AMEX and CITI being as global as they are have these programs, but companies like Capital One and other US banks that arent so global will not approve a credit card to someone without a SSN, ALien registration Number, ITIN, F1 Visa, etc.

Re: Approved. No SSN, No ITIN, No US Credit History

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 06:00:08 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
This is more common than you think. Part of my family is foreign and study in the US and most all have Bank Issued credit cards without any SSN or ITIN. I am sure that AMEX and CITI being as global as they are have these programs, but companies like Capital One and other US banks that arent so global will not approve a credit card to someone without a SSN, ALien registration Number, ITIN, F1 Visa, etc.

You might be surprised at Cap 1. I know they have Canadian and UK branches.

Re: Approved. No SSN, No ITIN, No US Credit History

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 06:27:42 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
This is more common than you think. Part of my family is foreign and study in the US and most all have Bank Issued credit cards without any SSN or ITIN. I am sure that AMEX and CITI being as global as they are have these programs, but companies like Capital One and other US banks that arent so global will not approve a credit card to someone without a SSN, ALien registration Number, ITIN, F1 Visa, etc.

When I first did a research, I almost gave up as everybody said it was impossible to get a credit card without SSN. Some even said bank account as well. Then I heard about ITIN which is difficult to get when I don't live in the US.

Thankfully I'm only interested in Amex, Citi and Chase cards. Already in good term with 2. I was so stupid and didn't open an account with Chase last month when in the US. Walked past so many branches in Chigaco. I heard parking some $$ would make things easier there. I was trying to get Citi to issue me a letter about interest bearing account so I can apply for ITIN but they ended up sending a consular reference letter lol

Re: Approved. No SSN, No ITIN, No US Credit History

KSK1912 — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 06:35:46 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I don't know an answer to the second question but for the first one, I read somewhere on myfico (and some other sites) that SSN is just a part of it. Only name and address are required to build a credit history. Will see if Amex and Citi display my score after 6 months.

That is correct. Furthermore, even a US citizen can deny to give out their SSN during a credit application. It is not necessarily mandatory. But in return, the creditor has the right to refuse a loan / not accept the application. If you think about it, we all get several pre approved offers and such, and do online pre approvals without giving a complete SSN.

Re: Approved. No SSN, No ITIN, No US Credit History

newhis — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 19:06:58 GMT

@JSS3 wrote:
Interesting...

Curious how the two cards can build history for you without a social to attach the history to? Also, once you do get a social, will the info be backdated?

I think I read that the bureaus can open a file with only a Name and Address, everything else helps, like DOB, SSN/ITIN, other info.

When you get a social, you need to update your info with the credit cards, so they can report the number to the bureaus. You can contact the bureaus and ask them to include your SSN on your file, everything else stays the same. I guess there is not a new file so no need to backdate.

I have ITIN and it expires. I hope I can get a SSN before expiration, if not, I'll need to update all my credit cards/reports with my new ITIN. I don't expect any loss in score for this.

I added my brother (no SSN/ITIN) to a couple of cards. Afther few months he started getting offers from Cap1. Now he gets offers even for loans. I think one of the cards asked for DOB. Next time he visits he will apply for a credit card I hope the history helps to get a regular unsecured card with good limit.

Re: Approved. No SSN, No ITIN, No US Credit History

newhis — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 19:08:47 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
This is more common than you think. Part of my family is foreign and study in the US and most all have Bank Issued credit cards without any SSN or ITIN. I am sure that AMEX and CITI being as global as they are have these programs, but companies like Capital One and other US banks that arent so global will not approve a credit card to someone without a SSN, ALien registration Number, ITIN, F1 Visa, etc.

I know that BofA give secured credit cards to people without SSN/ITIN, don't know if they unsecure the cards at some point.

Re: Approved. No SSN, No ITIN, No US Credit History

newhis — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 19:18:56 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
This is more common than you think. Part of my family is foreign and study in the US and most all have Bank Issued credit cards without any SSN or ITIN. I am sure that AMEX and CITI being as global as they are have these programs, but companies like Capital One and other US banks that arent so global will not approve a credit card to someone without a SSN, ALien registration Number, ITIN, F1 Visa, etc.
When I first did a research, I almost gave up as everybody said it was impossible to get a credit card without SSN. Some even said bank account as well. Then I heard about ITIN which is difficult to get when I don't live in the US.

Thankfully I'm only interested in Amex, Citi and Chase cards. Already in good term with 2. I was so stupid and didn't open an account with Chase last month when in the US. Walked past so many branches in Chigaco. I heard parking some $$ would make things easier there. I was trying to get Citi to issue me a letter about interest bearing account so I can apply for ITIN but they ended up sending a consular reference letter lol

With ITIN I was able to app online for Amex, Cap1 and Chase. Discover no longer give cards to people with ITIN, only SSN.

Some people say that if you have 10k with Chase, things get easier. Anyway, if your credit history started on March 2016, I will say wait 6-12 months before trying Chase. You need 6 months of credit history before you can get a FICO score.

I wonder if Amex will provide your EX FICO once it generates, or your file needs ITIN/SSN to get that information. Cap1 say that I can't get the "track my credit score" feature because I have ITIN and the bureau asks for SSN.

Re: Approved. No SSN, No ITIN, No US Credit History

Anonymous — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 02:25:22 GMT

Just a bit of an update. After 5 months of holding these 2 cards, I decided to apply for more.

- Citi will not process my application (Phone) without SSN. Online application is not possible as well. I was told the only way is to visit the branch to apply. Maybe I go to the US next year. Not sure if I should do a HUACA.

- For Amex, online application returned an error (probably due to the lack of SSN/ITIN). I rang to apply for a Platinum card using PRG card as a reference. The agent couldn't give me the result straight away so I called the next day. The issue was there was no SSN in my application. I was asked for a Passport number and within 5 seconds, APPROVED! Seen 100k bonus in the past but I need the card quick so it will be 40k only but I'm very happy.

Amex approved a Platinum card for someone who has no SSN/ITIN and no credit score with 5 months of a credit history in the US Looks like they really value the relationship. Will apply for some non charge cards next year.

Edited: Just logged in and Amex is showing my credit score. Looks like I showed up after I applied for this card.