guest user
5/15/2001 19:17 EST
" I had the same problem when I moved here. I suggest this. 1) Open your check account 2) Apply for a ''secured'' credit card. It is backed by a deposit in a savings account. Can''t touch the deposit, but it gets some interest. Your credit line will be equal to your deposit. It is not a debit card, it is a credit card. You still have to pay timely your statements. Good luck "
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guest user
3/21/2001 20:15 EST
" Hi, Moving to the US in a few weeks and trying to get a creditcard. Does anybody have positive experiences? It appears that 6 years of excellent payment history in Europe as well as a personal letter from Mastercard does not help you one bit in the US. Geert "
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guest user
3/21/2001 20:16 EST
" Hello Geert! I think your best bet is to get the credit card when you arrive here. But why bother? You can keep your ""foreign"" credit card if it''s a Visa or Mastercard, it doesn''t matter, because it will work here. I know this isn''t much help, but, it''s all I know! Abi "
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guest user
3/21/2001 20:17 EST
" You have two options: 1. Talk to your credit card company in Europe and tell them that you are moving and would like to continue doing business with them, how can they help? I got my credit cards transfered and I pay here in US$. I use VISA. 2. Apply when you come to the US. You will be considered a ""resident"" for credit card purposes once you have a verifiable address and a social security number assigned to you. Since you are coming to work, your H1-B visa allows you to obtain a Social Security Card. Good Luck! "
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guest user
3/21/2001 20:18 EST
" Geert, >From my experience, US companies will support their international employees and put in a good word with their bank, in order to get a credit card. If this can''t be done for you, don''t worry - 3 months is all it should take to build up a credit record. (Make sure you pay all your utility bills, rents etc. on time!) In the meantime use your European card. Don''t forget to give them your forwarding address, request they air mail the statements, and don''t forget to have your check book here. If you can''t ensure you have funds back home then you''ll have to wire funds to your bank. When you come here to the US, you really are starting from scratch! (Really frustrating!) Another tip: If you have a good driving record, ask your insurance company to write a letter saying you are a good driver - this will reduce your car insurance in the US. Good luck! Val "
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guest
5/6/2001 18:17 EST
" Hi Geert, We were afraid to encounter the same problems you mention, but as part of my package I got the services of a relocation company. Apart from helping through the generic way to arrange for things like that, they have their own contacts in e.g. banks so the request landed on the desk of someone in the international department, who has experience with people moving to the US, rather then the application landing on the desk of a ""normal"" application clerk. This helps a lot, also on gathering other ways to establish credit history. Lots of success Dolf & Judith "
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guest user
7/19/2001 14:38 EST
" You will definately need a Social Security number and a valid US address. If you still can''t get one from major names (Citibank, FirstUSA, MBNA, etc), you can get one through your bank when you open a checking account. If this still doesn''t work, sign up for any high interest card (the kinds that are given to students without a credit history!), purchase a few things, pay off your monthly statement (this will build your credit record), then cancel the card and apply for another company''s card. You can usually apply for credit cards online as well! "
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guest user
7/25/2001 13:19 EST
" Hello my friend is from Sweden, and he works for a Swedish company that is exporting products to the United States. Since he has a B1 visa rather than a H1B visa, he is having trouble getting ****#. His employer is Swedish and is only in Europe and do not have an office in the US. So he is building the market here, and its a bit difficult, getting a Cell phone, credit card, car & etc, without a Social Security Number. His B1 visa was issued for 10years, because he did not take a job from a US person. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to start up a credit history on this type of visa. "
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