establish credit for new comers to USA

[LexandAra 4]

Before i get my post moved or deleted, take in mind this is a k1 topic issue...

Anyone have any tips or experiences on establish credit for new comers?

Are there any banks, retail stores that opened an account for new comers?

My fiancee is coming soon and although we dont need money, i would like for her to start a credit history.

Any advice from people going through this process?

[photomile 101]

There's quite a few people who have posted in the Moving Here and Your New Life in America subforum where this topic would be better placed.

Also, you need to update your timeline. Texas service center does not process K1 petitions, you'll be in either Vermont or California. EAC is Vermont, and WAC is California on your receipt number.

Thanks!

[Adriene H 89]

A great way to establish credit is getting your partner's

name added to basic every day utilities, ie Electricity,

Cable TV, Gas, Water, Phone, Rent, etc. Good luck!

[LexandAra 4]

Does that really work? Cause i dont see any of that stuff on my experian credit report. All I see are major credit cards, retail cards and mortgage. I dont see phone or utility bills.

[Inky 1,110]

Not a k-1 progress report or case filing or question. - moved to " moving here and your new life in america " as this is part of starting a life in america.

[Peter_Pan 661]

I'd like to know more myself.

[웃 910]

Get your fiancee a social security number and figure out what legal name she will have after you marry.

Then call customer service on your oldest card and add her as an authorized user.

Like magic your fiancee will have a long history of on-time payments dating back to the first month you opened that card.

My wife's credit traces back to late 2007 even though she had NO CREDIT in 2009.

My brother's credit goes back to the mid 80s even though he was only 5 years old in 1990!

[Pooh Pee 1]

Your fiancee can apply for a secure credit card. It is only to the amount you use to secure it.

[wdm1986 2]

Before i get my post moved or deleted, take in mind this is a k1 topic issue...

Anyone have any tips or experiences on establish credit for new comers?

Are there any banks, retail stores that opened an account for new comers?

My fiancee is coming soon and although we dont need money, i would like for her to start a credit history.

Any advice from people going through this process?

Add her as an authorized user on your credit cards.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Your fiancee can apply for a secure credit card. It is only to the amount you use to secure it.

bolded portion is incorrect. This is the CC I got: http://www.capitalone.com/creditcards/mastercard-secured-credit-card/r/?linkid=WWW_1010_CARD_TGUNS11_CCBRWPOP_C3_36_T_CP35616RW I paid $49 for a $200 balance. Got the card in August 2011 and my credit score is over 700. I pay if off on time so the high interest rate isn't an issue. Try not to max it out. Credit score depend on the amount of credit you have, compared to the amount you've used. When I have money owing on my CC my credit score drops by a couple of points, then goes back up when I pay it off.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Are there any banks, retail stores that opened an account for new comers?

I tried Kohls but with no credit history they wouldn't permit. My husband doesn't believe in CC's so he's never had one and so there was no piggy backing for me.

Electric bills etc aren't worth anything. Some companies maybe. phone bills maybe but it meant starting a new contract. I personally recommend this card: http://www.capitalone.com/creditcards/mastercard-secured-credit-card/r/?linkid=WWW_1010_CARD_TGUNS11_CCBRWPOP_C3_36_T_CP35616RW it's cheap (in the grand scheme) and in no time she'll have a good score and can start getting other cards like a Kohls or Walmart store card to help build even more. I've considered getting a kohl's card now my score is higher because they use household income and not individual (good for house wives ).

[kytwell 179]

Add your spouse to utilities and onto your Credit card's as an authorized user. At some point get them their own secure credit card. Also a few pro-tips if you want to get their credit up in order to get a mortgage or car loan, from my sister-in-law who works for a mortgage lender. Don't ever at any point have more than 40% of the available credit used(ex. $1000 card, no more than $400 on it). If your bill is due on the 30th of each month pay it between the 24th and 28th, but do not pay off the entire amount, leave between 25 and 29 dollars on it and then pay that off on the 1st if you want. When I was going for a mortgage after my previous marriage, I was able to jump my score up within 3 months using these tips/tricks.

[Gosia & Tito 199]

Before i get my post moved or deleted, take in mind this is a k1 topic issue...

Anyone have any tips or experiences on establish credit for new comers?

Are there any banks, retail stores that opened an account for new comers?

My fiancee is coming soon and although we dont need money, i would like for her to start a credit history.

Any advice from people going through this process?

The sooner you get a SSN in the 'system' the faster you will start building that history. Additionally, What I did, was to request CCs in her name since about the time I filed the paperwork for the K1, and would use that card from time to time. Upon arrival, bank accounts (joint).

[Tygrys 143]

A great way to establish credit is getting your partner's

name added to basic every day utilities, ie Electricity,

Cable TV, Gas, Water, Phone, Rent, etc. Good luck!

Utilities do not report accounts in good standing to credit bureaus.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Utilities do not report accounts in good standing to credit bureaus.

This is 100% true. I waited around for my husband to populate a score from utilities, etc, and I found out late that doesn't work at all.

Get a credit card - either a secure card or one for new immigrants.