Credit Card?

[Flames9_RN 358]

I'm with President's Choice and do not pay any extra fees for using my MasterCard here in the US. When I called PC to tell them I was moving, they did tell me that I'd need to close my credit card account with them eventually as permanent residents of the US are not supposed to use their Canadian credit cards. For now, it just has a travel advisory added to the card so that it my purchases are not flagged and card blocked. They did tell me that I'd have issues getting a new card when this one expires but it isn't until 2015 so I hope to have everything figured out by then.

My plan is to keep my Canadian checking account (debit card) but eventually close out my credit card.

For PC--I just use my parents addy in Canada! I closed out my mastercard with them yrs ago, but kept open the chequing acct

[Kimbear 53]

Before I moved to California, I contacted my bank to tell them about the move and to change my address. I even changed my credit card type and no issues were mentioned. Yesterday, I called to see if I could change my name on my card and found out from the person that supposedly I wasn't allowed to have a Canadian credit card per federal government rules because I was permanently moving to the USA. Does anyone else here still have a CAD credit card, or know more details on this? It was a bit upsetting to suddenly find this out as most of my money is still in my bank account in Canada, so my credit card was my main way of accessing it until I got my banking situation down here figured out. Fortunately I was finally able to get a bank account at a local credit union so I can wire more down here soon, but it kind of sucks that I'm apparently not allowed to have a proper credit card in either Canada or the US yet (US because I'm jobless still).

i've had a td visa since 1993. i had no issues calling them to change my name, or to change my Canadian address to USA. He had to override a couple of things to make it say usa rather than Canada on the mailing address but it was no problem for him.

Which location did you call or number? I made sure to call the Toronto number for out of country Canadians.

[Kimbear 53]

How is using a credit card in the US any different than using a credit card in Canada? Its pretty much the same thing, no extra fees that I've encountered. Hubby and I have several cards that serve different purposes, points and rewards etc.

I still have my scotiabank credit card, even though I haven't used it in 3 years. I changed my info with them, and they never said it was an issue.

Like flames mentioned Capital One has a new resident card designed for people with no credit who just moved to the US. I had no issues getting approved, but I did wait until I had a job. When I moved my husband added me as an authorized user on his cards so It wasn't an urgent need. If that's an option for you, it will at least establish a credit file, and sometimes helps you start building credit... it worked for me.

Scotia Bank is also affiliated with bank of america. so if i'm up in Canada i can use Scotia atms with out any extra fees etc. Eeach bank has an international section on the website to show what other banks in other countries they are networked with so you can avoid all the nasty charges.

I know that was the case with Presidents choice! Just gave them my parents addy! I just kept the bank account--closed my Credit cards.

I believe Capital one has a CC for people with no to poor credit history

They do. its actually just their basic card. I got one with a 500$ limit after 6 months of living here. no annual fee but the Apr is not exactly great i think its liek 26%. After 3 months they upped my limit to 750$. And its a normal card, not a secured card. Although secured cards will do the same thing and build your credit just that technically you loaning yourself the money, and its more like a prepaid card drawn from your own funds.

Edited October 29, 2012 by Kimbear

[SapphireDreams 71]

I had the same problem when I called TD Canada Trust to change the address on my credit card. I can't remember who I called initially, but I think I called my bank initially and they told me I couldn't do it and then I called the credit card directly and they changed it no problem and told me that whoever I talked to didn't have the right information and I could keep it and live in the US.

I think you should try calling back or try calling a different number.

[Kimbear 53]

Here is the number i always call:

416-307-7722

Outside U.S. and Canada

7:00 am to 12:00 am EDT

seven days a week.

Edited October 29, 2012 by Kimbear

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I kept my TD VISA and in fact they recently mailed my new one to my US address - I would check back with them. I've lived in the US 5 years now. In fact I believe it was an issue initially so I registered myself as my parent's address (I had a balance which needed to be paid off) but at some point I remember TD telling me their policies had changed and they didn;t ahve an issue with me living in the US.

I agree with Sapphire

Edited October 29, 2012 by Udella&Wiz

[Marilyn. 340]

I have my savings account open still at the Prospera credit Union in Canada. And I have my ATM card down here. I only get charged fees when I withdraw money from an ATM but if I use it at a store I don't get charged a fee.

[zentaco 28]

I just called TD again and they confirmed that I can't have a CC.. Apparently people can slip by by not saying that it's a permanent move, but if it is the card has to be closed. Too bad.

[SapphireDreams 71]

I just called TD again and they confirmed that I can't have a CC.. Apparently people can slip by by not saying that it's a permanent move, but if it is the card has to be closed. Too bad.

I think that's just not true. They mail me a new card everytime mine expires to a US address and I keep my Canadian TD account open with my US address. Or, just tell them that it's not permanent to keep it open. It's not a lie if you don't give them specifics. I wouldn't let them close it.

[The Mean Lady 604]

That just seems fishy to me if you can get US/Canada cross border accounts that TD does have.

My RBC accounts both go to my US address, so them stating it's a law for some reason is just not true.

[NikLR 13,227]

Anyone know anything about BMO - Bank of Montreal and its credit cards? Does the same apply to them? If I use my parent's address (which is my current address) on my credit card after I move to the USA, can I still use it even if I'm not living there? Hmm... I'd like to know more about the government regulations on this. As usual it seems we get conflicting reports depending on who we ask!!

BMO has a credit card that you pay $25 per year on and it's all in US dollars.

I was thinking of switching to that or switching to RBC since I know they have bank accounts you can use in the USA and Canada.

Right now I'm on my husband's bank account but I would like it be easier for my mom (I have a joint savings with her with BMO that I opened in 1999) to send me money for presents vs the present (she likes it that way better.) I would also like an account that I can give my daughter money for presents as she gets older if she chooses to stay with her father vs me.

[NikLR 13,227]

There is a BMO Canadian site and a BMO American site.

here is the Canadian shopping in the USA card:

http://www.bmo.com/home/personal/banking/credit-cards/us-dollar-mastercard

here are the American Credit Card options:

https://www4.harrisbank.com/us/personal-finance/credit-cards

[The Mean Lady 604]

There is a BMO Canadian site and a BMO American site.

here is the Canadian shopping in the USA card:

http://www.bmo.com/home/personal/banking/credit-cards/us-dollar-mastercard

here are the American Credit Card options:

https://www4.harrisbank.com/us/personal-finance/credit-cards

Not that I fully believe them, but I did call BMO harris and they said they were in no way affiliated with BMO canada and could not do a cross boarder account.

[NikLR 13,227]

LOL I love how they have BMO in front of the name and can say "We're not affiliated" Actually dude, you are. Have you checked your name recently? Do you know what BMO stands for?" Morons. Anyhow.... I'll probably just switch to RBC. it seems to be the best option even though I've been with BMO for so long and no matter what, there are NO branches or atms from any Canadian bank anywhere close to where I will be living. I just want to make sure I have a Canadian bank account for visits, to send my kid money, to receive money from important people and to keep a credit line there for if we ever move.

[Flames9_RN 358]

LOL I love how they have BMO in front of the name and can say "We're not affiliated" Actually dude, you are. Have you checked your name recently? Do you know what BMO stands for?" Morons. Anyhow.... I'll probably just switch to RBC. it seems to be the best option even though I've been with BMO for so long and no matter what, there are NO branches or atms from any Canadian bank anywhere close to where I will be living. I just want to make sure I have a Canadian bank account for visits, to send my kid money, to receive money from important people and to keep a credit line there for if we ever move.

Lot of companies that have the same name are not really affiliated--such as Honda Canada and Honda USA! You buy your new Honda in the USA and take it to Canada--even though it brand new--it no longer has a warranty!! As they say they are two different companies! My 2011 CRV we bough tin the USA and brought to Nicaragua--again has no warranty--even though they have a Honda dealership here!!