i'm new in the US, no credit history, how to start building my credit history, how to apply for a credit card

Question

i'm an immigrant, an no job yet

i only have a debit card

i only have a debit card

Answer 1

I am a us citizen who lived all my life outside the states. so till 1 month ago I had no credit history. here is what happened to me
I first opened a cheking account at hsbc and got a debit card. I applied for credit card several times but got refused for insufficient credit history and no banking history. I applied in one of the sites that provide free credit score but got no score.
even though I didn't have a job, 3 month later I had an offer from hsbc to get a credit card. I applied and got a $2000 credit card. I never used it except for one payment per month to avoid the 15 dollar fee if I didn't use it. about three month later, and after 3 month of a part time low paying job. I checked my credit score to find it suddenly rose to 739 (which is awesome).
there is a solution that can accelerate this for you. ask about the so called protected credit card. which means that you go to a bank and give them a secuirty deposit and apply for a credit card that doesn't exceed that deposit. and use it till you get a report, another solution is to get a co-signer ( a person who has good credit history who would take the responsibility for paying if you didn't pay).
just make sure you pay all your bills on time so you are not reported to a collection agency which will decease your rating
welcome to the states

Answer 2

Open a bank account and be sure to get a debit/credit card. If you don't have employment yet you may want to hold off on a regular credit card until you get a job. To apply for a credit card you just have to ask if your bank offers one and if you are a good customer with that bank they'll be more than happy to help you with the paper work. Or you can call any credit card company and fill out an application online. But going through your bank would be easier. To get good credit you'll of course need to pay the card off each month and the interest, and if you don't use it that often then at least the monthly payment. But you'll want to get a job first and then open a bank account.

Answer 3

the best thing to do would be to get a credit card issued by a bank not at a retail store bonus points if they offer frequent flyer miles or other bonuses and purchase a product then when the bill comes pay it off this will build your credit student loans then start paying on them when you get them don't let any credit bill go pay it as soon as you get it.. need more info amil or im me i also have learned about messing up credit trying to build credit don't want you to make those mistakes.

Answer 4

Not to state the obvious, but if you don't have a job I don't think you want to borrow any money.
Open a checking AND savings account. Establish some utilities in your name. I would not suggest applying for any credit cards for at least 6 months after you have had steady work. Then apply for a retail store card. If you are declined, do not apply for another card for 6 months. Credit inquiries are negative.

Answer 5

Debit card doesn't help your credit history. Get a store credit card, many of them are easier, especially if you buy something relatively small and take credit to do it--say a vacuum cleaner. Then you build from there.

Answer 6

The best way to start is to get a department store card first, or oil company credit cards are pretty easy to get.
You'll need a job first; no one will extend credit to someone without a job.

Answer 7

You can start by getting a checking account and secured credit card to start building your credit.

Answer 8

If you have a green card or satisfactory identification you can get a secured credit card. This will help start building your credit history. Ask at a bank.

Answer 9

Well it may be hard to get credit in the first place
but once you get it you can improve your credit rating by purchasing things on your credit card AS LONG AS YOU CAN PAY IT BACK; the more money you have proven yourself good for improves your score. Do not create debt either that only lowers it.

Answer 10

First, you can easily get credit cards even if you don't have credit history, simply by applying store cards or student credit cards.

Go to these sites and apply:
https://www.firstpremierbankgold.com

https://www.centennialapplication.com/

https://www.premierplatinumcards.com

https://www.cfcapply.com/gold1mc/

No credit and bad credit, it's okay! They will definitely approve you!