topic Re: Credit Card for International Student without Credit History in Credit Cards

Credit Card for International Student without Credit History

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 16:31:05 GMT

Hi ,

I recently got my SSN thanks to a job on-campus and while getting a lease off-campus I realized that I have no credit history in the US so I'm in the market for a good and nice first time Credit Card to build up some credit score and I have to say that I'm not doing well with all the choices and things I see in multiple banks' websites. I have seen many people recommended the Capital1 for newcommers but that one doesn't seem to be available anymore.

So my question is, do you guys know of any good credit cards for international students with no credit history?

Thank you!

Re: Credit Card for International Student without Credit History

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 16:33:54 GMT

I don't know if any CCC will extend unsecured credit to you with no credit history. I'd look into a Bank of America secured card. Those cards tend to graduate to unsecured lines if you treat them right.

Re: Credit Card for International Student without Credit History

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 16:36:37 GMT

I actually just found that one and seems pretty good. Any banks that I should stay away from? I also was looking at AMEX for the blue card for students.

Re: Credit Card for International Student without Credit History

Ghoshida — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 16:40:36 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Hi ,
I recently got my SSN thanks to a job on-campus and while getting a lease off-campus I realized that I have no credit history in the US so I'm in the market for a good and nice first time Credit Card to build up some credit score and I have to say that I'm not doing well with all the choices and things I see in multiple banks' websites. I have seen many people recommended the Capital1 for newcommers but that one doesn't seem to be available anymore.
So my question is, do you guys know of any good credit cards for international students with no credit history?
Thank you!

Hi. It's difficult to get credit with a new SSN and especially being an international student. You could (and should) try the following:

1. Your university may have a credit union associated with it. Try there.

2. If not, try a local area credit union. You may need to move your deposits and stipend, scholarship etc.

3. Try banks around the university. They may have products suited for your needs.

4. Try secured credit cards. Read this link for a list.

Re: Credit Card for International Student without Credit History

Ghoshida — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 16:43:21 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I actually just found that one and seems pretty good. Any banks that I should stay away from? I also was looking at AMEX for the blue card for students.

A lot of cards, while marked "student" are intended for US students with longer history than yours. Many of them have been authorized users on their parents' cards, have student loans, have been cosigned. Some "student" cards have pretty strong credit requirements. Many don't accept under 6 months of history.

I wouldn't advice applying, at best, for more than 1 unsecured credit card online. You don't want your brand new report to be lined with inquiries.

Re: Credit Card for International Student without Credit History

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 16:53:11 GMT

That sounds reasonable. The list you just provided me is perfect to compare cards and banks. Should I focus on not having annual fees and the lowest APR? What out of all those cards would you guys pick? The Discover ones look pretty good but I don't know if they are the best. I live in Minneapolis just in case some of those banks have branches here. Thanks so much for your help!

Re: Credit Card for International Student without Credit History

Ghoshida — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 17:02:06 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
That sounds reasonable. The list you just provided me is perfect to compare cards and banks. Should I focus on not having annual fees and the lowest APR? What out of all those cards would you guys pick? The Discover ones look pretty good but I don't know if they are the best. I live in Minneapolis just in case some of those banks have branches here. Thanks so much for your help!

I'd suggest non-AF cards.

I started with UFCU, and after 6 months, added Citi Dividend (student), Cap One Platinum, and Discover it. All were unsecured.

This CU might be in your vicinity: https://www.affinityplus.org/banking/visa®-cards/credit-card

You could start with their basic card; that gets you going. Look for better opportunities once you've got payments being reported for 5-6 months.

Re: Credit Card for International Student without Credit History

sponge_gto — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 17:26:46 GMT

How to get a Chase credit card with absolutely no credit history:

- Open a checking account with them. You may have to do so in branch since non-residents aren't supposed to open accounts with them online.

- Park $10k in the account.

- Apply for a credit card. The Freedom is a fairly rewarding choice.

- Prepare to be denied.

- Call the backdoor number for reconsideration. Gently remind them to consider "banking relationship".

- Prepare to be approved.

- Do with your deposit what you please.

We did that when DGF was fresh off the boat. Didn't even have an SSN and just went ahead with an ITIN. After she got the card we put the money back in my high-yield accounts.

Re: Credit Card for International Student without Credit History

Ghoshida — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 17:38:42 GMT

@sponge_gto wrote:
How to get a Chase credit card with absolutely no credit history:

- Open a checking account with them. You may have to do so in branch since non-residents aren't supposed to open accounts with them online.
- Park $10k in the account.
- Apply for a credit card. The Freedom is a fairly rewarding choice.
- Prepare to be denied.
- Call the backdoor number for reconsideration. Gently remind them to consider "banking relationship".
- Prepare to be approved.
- Do with your deposit what you please.

We did that when DGF was fresh off the boat. Didn't even have an SSN and just went ahead with an ITIN. After she got the card we put the money back in my high-yield accounts.

I'd recommend this for an expat but I typically do not see many international students being able to park that much money at once Which is why I offered the other options.

OP, if you do have that much cash, this is a pretty good route.

Re: Credit Card for International Student without Credit History

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 18:03:22 GMT

Not sure if it still exists but when we moved stateside a couple years ago we got the Capital One card for Newcomers. It had a lousy $500 limit on it but has pretty soon been upgraded to a Quicksilver and has > $4k CL on it. It's my oldest account (and one of the lowest CLs I have!).

Re: Credit Card for International Student without Credit History

Aarvard — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 18:21:57 GMT

When I opened my Citi checking and saving account the banker offered to open a Citi Forward card. I had no credit history back then because I just came to US a month before that.
And it's weird that they did a HP despite the 0 history and no SSN

Re: Credit Card for International Student without Credit History

sponge_gto — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 19:21:23 GMT

@Ghoshida wrote:
@sponge_gto wrote:
How to get a Chase credit card with absolutely no credit history:

- Open a checking account with them. You may have to do so in branch since non-residents aren't supposed to open accounts with them online.
- Park $10k in the account.
- Apply for a credit card. The Freedom is a fairly rewarding choice.
- Prepare to be denied.
- Call the backdoor number for reconsideration. Gently remind them to consider "banking relationship".
- Prepare to be approved.
- Do with your deposit what you please.

We did that when DGF was fresh off the boat. Didn't even have an SSN and just went ahead with an ITIN. After she got the card we put the money back in my high-yield accounts.
I'd recommend this for an expat but I typically do not see many international students being able to park that much money at once Which is why I offered the other options.

OP, if you do have that much cash, this is a pretty good route.

Interestingly we are both students (it was only last November). As far as I'm aware, international students do typically sit on large piles of cash due to lack of investment opportunities and the need to regularly cough up large sums for tuition payments etc. But I'm sure the OP knows best how much money he/she can comfortably manoeuvre into a Chase account..

Re: Credit Card for International Student without Credit History

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 23:03:22 GMT

Capital One Journey might also be a good option. I have heard international students being approved for that.

BoA is a good bet. If you bank with them apply for their nonsecured student card. If they don't want to approve they will counter with secured, which is still a good option as stated above

Re: Credit Card for International Student without Credit History

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 23:47:10 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Hi ,
I recently got my SSN thanks to a job on-campus and while getting a lease off-campus I realized that I have no credit history in the US so I'm in the market for a good and nice first time Credit Card to build up some credit score and I have to say that I'm not doing well with all the choices and things I see in multiple banks' websites. I have seen many people recommended the Capital1 for newcommers but that one doesn't seem to be available anymore.
So my question is, do you guys know of any good credit cards for international students with no credit history?
Thank you!

I would suggest applying for a student credit card before considering a secured card. I got approved for Discover It Student card with no history & know a few others who got approved for other student cards with no history. It's definitely worth a shot. Not sure why some suggest secured before a student card

Re: Credit Card for International Student without Credit History

PointLager — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 02:32:45 GMT

You can start with a Bank of America travel card as a secured $500 card.

Re: Credit Card for International Student without Credit History

drewrico — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 04:49:35 GMT

Capital One used to have the Capital One for Newcomers Card but its no longer on their website. It was a card designed for people new to the U.S. with limited credit history. Dont think they still offer it though..

UPDATE: of course this card has already been mentioned in the thread and i just was too lazy to read all the responses before applying. Sorry

Re: Credit Card for International Student without Credit History

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 05:25:57 GMT

And this doesn't seem to be common for international students, but if you had an Amex card in your home country, you can (possibly) use global transfer and get one here. If this works it seems a really good route for establishing credit.

Re: Credit Card for International Student without Credit History

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 06:47:57 GMT

Try capital one/discover. They are nice to people without history.

Re: Credit Card for International Student without Credit History

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 07:04:57 GMT

Try Citi Thank You Preferred. My boyfriend is an international grad student from China and Citi offered him this card. He isn't currently working either.