Jump to content

50 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted (edited)

Haha, of course. It's probably just me.

No it's definitely not you!

Similar to lgg's situation, my husband and I are a bit "older." :lol: He has an excellent credit score here and I did in Canada. He added me to his Chase credit card and I have been using it since I arrived yet have been denied twice for a card in my own name. I hold two accounts at Chase in my own name with higher balances than the credit limit on my husband's card but they still don't consider me suitable to hold my own card! Even the account manager at the bank was surprised they turned me down. It is very demoralizing after years in Canada with my own credit. Every once in a while I take out my CIBC card and remember the good old days! :lol:

Let us know if you eventually find something that works. Good luck.

Edited by OBX

USCIS

NOA1 08/19/08

NOA2 01/20/09

NVC

Received 01/26/09

Completed 02/13/09 (19 Days)

Interview Assigned 03/27/09 (6 weeks after NVC completion)

Medical

04/14/09 (Toronto)

Interview

Montreal 05/12/09 (88 days after NVC completion) **APPROVED**

POE

06/16/09 Buffalo

07/02/09 Welcome Letter Received

07/07/09 Applied for SSN

07/10/09 "Card production ordered" email received

07/13/09 SSN received

07/14/09 "Approval notice sent" email received

07/17/09 GREEN CARD received

Removal of Conditions

03/21/11 I-751 mailed to VSC

03/23/11 I-751 received at VSC

03/29/11 Cheque Cashed

03/30/11 NOA1 received (3/24/11)

04/11/11 Biometrics appointment notice received

05/05/11 Biometric appointment

12/13/11 **Approval date** (5 days short of 9 months!)

12/19/11 Approval letter and green card received

Naturalization

05/16/2019 Filed online (estimated completion February 2020)

05/18/2019 Biometrics scheduled

05/21/2019 Receipt notice and biometrics notices posted to online account.05/23/2019 Hard copy of NOA1 received

05/24/2019 Hard copy of biometrics appointment received

06/07/2019 Biometrics appointment (estimated completion January 2020)

12/31/2019 Email received "Interview scheduled"

01/01/2020 Interview date notice posted to online account (02/19/2020)

01/05/2019 Hard copy of interview appointment received

02/19/2020 Interview (**Approved**) and same day Oath Ceremony. 

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

As I stated above, there are a few different ways one can be on another persons credit card, some of those "ways" do not do nay good in gaining you any credit. I forget the "term" one has to use to get the credit to follow you. And I imagine some credit cards just don't allow piggybanking. Another thing I was told, is that 1 may have a high credit #, but if its only been for a short duration, that too doesnt much help you. The fun and games in moving to a different country

Canadians Visiting the USA while undergoing the visa process, my free advice:

1) Always tell the TRUTH. never lie to the POE officer

2) Be confident in ur replies

3) keep ur response short and to the point, don't tell ur life story!!

4) look the POE officer in the eye when speaking to them. They are looking for people lieing and have been trained to find them!

5) Pack light! No job resumes with you

6) Bring ties to Canada (letter from employer when ur expected back at work, lease, etc etc)

7) Always be polite, being rude isn't going to get ya anywhere, and could make things worse!!

8) Have a plan in case u do get denied (be polite) It wont harm ur visa application if ur denied,that is if ur polite and didn't lie! Refer to #1

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted (edited)

As I stated above, there are a few different ways one can be on another persons credit card, some of those "ways" do not do nay good in gaining you any credit. I forget the "term" one has to use to get the credit to follow you. And I imagine some credit cards just don't allow piggybanking. Another thing I was told, is that 1 may have a high credit #, but if its only been for a short duration, that too doesnt much help you. The fun and games in moving to a different country

I am obviously not listed on his card in one of those magical "ways." The account manger inferred that even as a secondary holder I would be able to build up credit and eventually get my own card within six months. Guess she was wrong. :bonk:

I'm pretty blasé about credit here...I left most of my financial stuff in Canada.....working on convincing my husband to eventually move back one day.

Edited by OBX

USCIS

NOA1 08/19/08

NOA2 01/20/09

NVC

Received 01/26/09

Completed 02/13/09 (19 Days)

Interview Assigned 03/27/09 (6 weeks after NVC completion)

Medical

04/14/09 (Toronto)

Interview

Montreal 05/12/09 (88 days after NVC completion) **APPROVED**

POE

06/16/09 Buffalo

07/02/09 Welcome Letter Received

07/07/09 Applied for SSN

07/10/09 "Card production ordered" email received

07/13/09 SSN received

07/14/09 "Approval notice sent" email received

07/17/09 GREEN CARD received

Removal of Conditions

03/21/11 I-751 mailed to VSC

03/23/11 I-751 received at VSC

03/29/11 Cheque Cashed

03/30/11 NOA1 received (3/24/11)

04/11/11 Biometrics appointment notice received

05/05/11 Biometric appointment

12/13/11 **Approval date** (5 days short of 9 months!)

12/19/11 Approval letter and green card received

Naturalization

05/16/2019 Filed online (estimated completion February 2020)

05/18/2019 Biometrics scheduled

05/21/2019 Receipt notice and biometrics notices posted to online account.05/23/2019 Hard copy of NOA1 received

05/24/2019 Hard copy of biometrics appointment received

06/07/2019 Biometrics appointment (estimated completion January 2020)

12/31/2019 Email received "Interview scheduled"

01/01/2020 Interview date notice posted to online account (02/19/2020)

01/05/2019 Hard copy of interview appointment received

02/19/2020 Interview (**Approved**) and same day Oath Ceremony. 

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

No it's definitely not you!

Similar to lgg's situation, my husband and I are a bit "older." :lol: He has an excellent credit score here and I did in Canada. He added me to his Chase credit card and I have been using it since I arrived yet have been denied twice for a card in my own name. I hold two accounts at Chase in my own name with higher balances than the credit limit on my husband's card but they still don't consider me suitable to hold my own card! Even the account manager at the bank was surprised they turned me down. It is very demoralizing after years in Canada with my own credit. Every once in a while I take out my CIBC card and remember the good old days! :lol:

Let us know if you eventually find something that works. Good luck.

Are you employed? I wonder if that makes a difference. Once I found a full time job and had direct deposit regularly, I think that also helped me get a credit card. I mean, I know LGG isn't employed yet, so that might not be it... but maybe the combined family income needs to be above a certain number?

Removing Conditions

Sent package to VSC - 8/12/11

NOA1 - 8/16/11

Biometrics - 9/14/11

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted (edited)

I am obviously not listed on his card in one of those magical "ways." The account manger inferred that even as a secondary holder I would be able to build up credit and eventually get my own card within six months. Guess she was wrong. :bonk:

I'm pretty blasé about credit here...I left most of my financial stuff in Canada.....working on convincing my husband to eventually move back one day.

ya, i feel the same way, its not a big deal, as my wife has good credit. Took me some time to gain a credit card when i first moved down. And its not always easy to take over bills as some companies do try and look at ur credit rating--which of course u dont have,lol so then they want u to put down a deposit!

I have been here since dec 2004, and just started to work last Sept.

Edited by Flames9_RN

Canadians Visiting the USA while undergoing the visa process, my free advice:

1) Always tell the TRUTH. never lie to the POE officer

2) Be confident in ur replies

3) keep ur response short and to the point, don't tell ur life story!!

4) look the POE officer in the eye when speaking to them. They are looking for people lieing and have been trained to find them!

5) Pack light! No job resumes with you

6) Bring ties to Canada (letter from employer when ur expected back at work, lease, etc etc)

7) Always be polite, being rude isn't going to get ya anywhere, and could make things worse!!

8) Have a plan in case u do get denied (be polite) It wont harm ur visa application if ur denied,that is if ur polite and didn't lie! Refer to #1

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted (edited)

Are you employed? I wonder if that makes a difference. Once I found a full time job and had direct deposit regularly, I think that also helped me get a credit card. I mean, I know LGG isn't employed yet, so that might not be it... but maybe the combined family income needs to be above a certain number?

No, I'm a "young" retiree.

I think you have hit the nail on the head though. With no employment income and no debt, (hence nothing for them to base a credit rating on) regardless of my husband's' income or my assets I appear to be out of luck. I suppose I could try to apply for store cards but I don't like to carry cards that I know I won't use. I have no plans to buy a house or car here or get a loan so while I understand credit is important, in my situation, I think I'll leave it for now.

Edited by OBX

USCIS

NOA1 08/19/08

NOA2 01/20/09

NVC

Received 01/26/09

Completed 02/13/09 (19 Days)

Interview Assigned 03/27/09 (6 weeks after NVC completion)

Medical

04/14/09 (Toronto)

Interview

Montreal 05/12/09 (88 days after NVC completion) **APPROVED**

POE

06/16/09 Buffalo

07/02/09 Welcome Letter Received

07/07/09 Applied for SSN

07/10/09 "Card production ordered" email received

07/13/09 SSN received

07/14/09 "Approval notice sent" email received

07/17/09 GREEN CARD received

Removal of Conditions

03/21/11 I-751 mailed to VSC

03/23/11 I-751 received at VSC

03/29/11 Cheque Cashed

03/30/11 NOA1 received (3/24/11)

04/11/11 Biometrics appointment notice received

05/05/11 Biometric appointment

12/13/11 **Approval date** (5 days short of 9 months!)

12/19/11 Approval letter and green card received

Naturalization

05/16/2019 Filed online (estimated completion February 2020)

05/18/2019 Biometrics scheduled

05/21/2019 Receipt notice and biometrics notices posted to online account.05/23/2019 Hard copy of NOA1 received

05/24/2019 Hard copy of biometrics appointment received

06/07/2019 Biometrics appointment (estimated completion January 2020)

12/31/2019 Email received "Interview scheduled"

01/01/2020 Interview date notice posted to online account (02/19/2020)

01/05/2019 Hard copy of interview appointment received

02/19/2020 Interview (**Approved**) and same day Oath Ceremony. 

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

Nope, I'm not employed yet but they did want to see our joint tax returns from the past two years. I dunno, It's a mystery to me. I had already assumed that being a secondary card holder would have zero impact on my credit score -- this is just one of those odd things that worked out in our favour?

For once.

;)

Are you employed? I wonder if that makes a difference. Once I found a full time job and had direct deposit regularly, I think that also helped me get a credit card. I mean, I know LGG isn't employed yet, so that might not be it... but maybe the combined family income needs to be above a certain number?

USCIS

NOA #2: Approval June 25th, 2009 - 92 days

NVC

July 8, 2009 to August 10, 2009 - 28 days

Interview Assigned - December 3, 2009 - FINALLY!!

Medical - December 14, 2009 - Passed

Embassy/Interview - January 26, 2010 Montreal, Quebec Canada - 167 days PASSED!!!

Port of Entry - February 26, 2010 Baltimore International, Maryland

USCIS -- ROC package sent off

November 26, 2011 to Vermont station November 30, 2011 received NOA1December 16, 2011 received biometrics appointment.

January 04, 2012 Biometrics

September 2, 2012, RFE Received.

September 22, 2012 RFE responded to

October 15, 2012 ROC approved, 10 Green card on its way.

kermit_the_frog1237963302.jpg

"Here's some simple advice: Always be yourself. Never take yourself too seriously.

And beware of advice from experts, pigs, and members of Parliament."

Kermit the Frog

Visit my News Feed Page -- Good Reads for Everyone!

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

Joint tax returns from the past two years... so this may not work for someone who came in on a K1 and is not yet married?

Yeah it looks like they take income into consideration. I know on the Capital One form it asked for my "household" income - when I applied with just my husband's income, it wasn't enough - when I applied again just after I got a job with our joint household income they approved it. That was also after piggybacking. I bet it's a combination of net worth (savings) and income, along with having some credit from piggybacking.

Removing Conditions

Sent package to VSC - 8/12/11

NOA1 - 8/16/11

Biometrics - 9/14/11

Posted

This would be a great idea... if my husband had good credit :(

I have to start over so I can get good credit, my husband's is terrible... sadly.

Oh well.

~*Relationship Info In Profile And Fiance(e) Visa/Adjustment of Status/Removal Of Conditions Info In My Timeline*~

Looking for your favourite Canadian foods that you can't find in the US?

Try this site! http://www.canadianfavourites.com/

Posted (edited)

I had no problem getting a credit card once I had a job for two months. Had previously issued SSN from 2001 but no credit history and yet Chase decided to approve me followed by AmEx.

Currently have higher CC limits than my husband - he just does not get that he can't go over his credit limit, took me forever to pay down his card. Plan is to get his CC closed and move him to my AmEx acct.

With the recent CC legislation it seems to be more difficult to get a CC you want - I tried out for the new card from Chase but was rejected due to not enough history (I have been here for 3 years) but great credit report score. Go figure.

So heads up!

Forgot to add: USAA seems to have good rates and low APRs for military members. We're thinking of moving our banking with them. Non-members can also join - I think it's a type of credit union.

Edited by milimelo

ROC 2009
Naturalization 2010

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

I had no problem getting a credit card once I had a job for two months. Had previously issued SSN from 2001 but no credit history and yet Chase decided to approve me followed by AmEx.

Currently have higher CC limits than my husband - he just does not get that he can't go over his credit limit, took me forever to pay down his card. Plan is to get his CC closed and move him to my AmEx acct.

With the recent CC legislation it seems to be more difficult to get a CC you want - I tried out for the new card from Chase but was rejected due to not enough history (I have been here for 3 years) but great credit report score. Go figure.

So heads up!

Forgot to add: USAA seems to have good rates and low APRs for military members. We're thinking of moving our banking with them. Non-members can also join - I think it's a type of credit union.

USAA opened some stuff to non-military people as well, not sure what though. As well you (or husband) doesn't have to be military, one can tag along ur parents. We got our USAA a a few yrs ago from my wifes parents, who piggy backed off his fathers,lol USAA has been great to deal with. I love how one can scan a cheque on ur home computer and viloa, the $$$ is in ur acct and no need to mail in the cheque!! Love it.

Canadians Visiting the USA while undergoing the visa process, my free advice:

1) Always tell the TRUTH. never lie to the POE officer

2) Be confident in ur replies

3) keep ur response short and to the point, don't tell ur life story!!

4) look the POE officer in the eye when speaking to them. They are looking for people lieing and have been trained to find them!

5) Pack light! No job resumes with you

6) Bring ties to Canada (letter from employer when ur expected back at work, lease, etc etc)

7) Always be polite, being rude isn't going to get ya anywhere, and could make things worse!!

8) Have a plan in case u do get denied (be polite) It wont harm ur visa application if ur denied,that is if ur polite and didn't lie! Refer to #1

Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

Be careful when dealing with credit card companies (as if I really need to tell you but seriously they're all corrupt). I called up Discover where I had an account and asked for a card in my mom's name so I could give it to her for emergencies. They sent me the card but I ended up never giving it to her. I did get her a card on one of my other accounts that she didn't use, either. Anyway, all I had to do was call and ask for them to send the card. They even had a thing online where I could log into my account and add them and they ship me the card. They didn't ask for any kind of personally identifying info or anything!

So fast forward and my mom is going bankrupt and I'm going bankrupt. She tells me that she wants to make sure that she's "off" my card accounts so I call up and get her taken off.

My hubby also had a card in his name which he used a few times and now he has one credit report (the other agencies don't seem to know he exists?) and it's MY credit cards on it even though HE never signed anything or gave them any personal information.

So technically if you know you're going to go bankrupt, you can have a few cards made in the names of whoever you want, use them to run up purchases, then when you are delinquent it will ruin THEIR credit reports.

(There is another method of actually adding a person to your account whereby you fill out forms and have them sign etc. but the credit card reporting agencies don't really seem to care which way it's done -- your spouse, friend, family member or WHOEVER could be affected by this even if they have no knowledge of your getting a card in their name, using it and defaulting on it. Then they have to fight to get rid of it.

Technically just because I had a card in my mom's name or hubby's name should not make them responsible for the balance of the account. It is MY account, NOT theirs. I am allowing them to use it but I am the responsible party.

credit card companies are all shady so be careful. They have all sorts of ways to destroy you if you don't know how to play the game.

4.16.08 -- Packet received at Chicago lockbox

4.22.08 -- checks cashed

4.21.08 -- NOA for I-485, I-765, I-130, I-131

4.23.08 -- Biometrics Appointment letter

5.14.08 -- Biometrics

5.19.08 -- RFE

6.28.08 -- Sent evidence by overnight

7.02.08 -- Evidence received

7.03.08 -- Touched

8.05.08 -- Travel document issued

8.11.08 -- Employment Authorization card issued

09.08 Interview date set

10.23.08 AOS Interview and Approval

  • 3 weeks later...
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

so i was browsing all the equifax sites etc and finally got hard copy paper info on credit with canada us as a dual citizen etc and equifax usa vs canada:

http://www.equifax.com/cs/Satellite/EFX_Content_C1/1172608896725/5-1/5-1_Layout.htm?packedargs=Locale%3Den_US

states down the page that:

How do I obtain my American file if I am a resident from another country or I am becoming an American resident?

You must first determine if you have an American file. If the companies in which you currently do business with are not reporting members of Equifax U.S., then you do not have an American file.

In order to establish an American file you can apply for credit with American companies who are reporting members of Equifax. Most major credit card companies e.g. American Express, MasterCard, Visa and Discover are reporting members of Equifax.

How do I merge my Canadian file with my American file due to dual citizenships?

You cannot merge your Canadian and American files. You must maintain separate credit files from each country due to various laws and/or provinces.

HWDWm6.png

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

Quick question LGG - when your husband added you on his card, did he provide your social with it? My hubby just added me, but they didn't ask for my social.

***Removing Conditions***

Submitted I-751: March 4, 2011

Check cashed: March 10, 2011

NOA1: March 8, 2011

Biometrics Appt: April 21, 2011

Early Bio Walk-in: April 7, 2011

Approved: September 7, 2011

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...