Credit Scores.... do we honestly lose our credit history?

[amicablebride 25]

I Ok so I applied for a few U.S. credit cards... Amazon, target, basic ones like that. I kept getting denied because of NO credit history. In Canada? I have perfect credit... an A+ credit score. I recently opened a bank account here in CT and I asked the bank manager, "can you not see my credit history?" She said no, she was from England and when she immigrated 10+ years ago, she had to build up her credit all over again in the U.S. So I said to her... "ok so a Canadian can go bankrupt, foreclose, whatever and come to the U.S. to start fresh?"

I'm sorry but that seems ridiculous. When my American boyfriend foreclosed in 2008, we were going to move to Manitoba and my bank there said his credit score showed up there. So.... I guess Canada has more advanced credit checking technology or..... maybe once I actually have my greencard, my credit history will show up? I am currently awaiting my EAD. Just got married 2 months ago on the K1 visa which has now expired.

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

Unfortunately, this is the US. We don't dance to the tune of others just our own. You are most certain to start afresh..

[arken 4,197]

It has nothing to do with who has the advanced credit checking technology, it's just that US credit reporting system doesn't allow transfer of one's credit history from other countries so there is no reason to have a mechanism to check your history from Canada.

Anyway, you should not be applying for lots of credit cards especially after denial, coz those rejections/inquiries will remain your record since they will be associated with your SSN. Those sort of rejections will have negative impact on your credit report/score.

The best is open a secured credit card account in the bank where you opened a checking/savings account. Keep using that for say a year and after that you can request the bank to convert your secured credit account to non secured and/or you can also apply for a new one since by that time you will have one year worth of credit history.

Edited June 13, 2016 by arken

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

Your credit history will not "show up". Credit history for virtually anything you apply for here will be local, not international.

[amicablebride 25]

That sucks... sucks starting from the bottom.

[Lemonslice 4,841]

I have AMEX and used their Global transfer service, my credit history transferred... there are ways.

[iBillz 1]

I am(was) a student from Canada. If you make a Bank Of America Account They will let you sign up for a credit card with no history.

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

I have AMEX and used their Global transfer service, my credit history transferred... there are ways.

I worked at a bank for almost 4 years and never had a single person who was able to get approved for anything other than low-risk limited credit card based solely on international credit, even in the instances where it was "found".

You must have gotten pretty lucky.

[Lemonslice 4,841]

I worked at a bank for almost 4 years and never had a single person who was able to get approved for anything other than low-risk limited credit card based solely on international credit, even in the instances where it was "found".

You must have gotten pretty lucky.

I know at least a dozen immigrants who did the same with AMEX.n AMEX gave me the same credit line I had in Canada, so 12-15K... I'm sure they still look at current income though.

I bought an apartment on my own two months after moving and they had "years" of history in my name.

Edited June 13, 2016 by Lemonslice

[Lemonslice 4,841]

Here's the link, if it can help someone

https://www.americanexpress.com/global-card-transfers/

[Star561 10]

I don't know who you banked with in Canada. But have you looked into RBC Or TD USD credit cards. I went in and talked to RBC and I can get a card based on my Canadian credit history and then when I get a SSN, they will add it to my account to build US credit history. I haven't added my SSN yet so I can't comment on the last part yet but at least I could get a USD credit card before I left Canada.

[amicablebride 25]

Thank you Star561! That's actually a great idea!!!! You're an angel seriously

I don't know who you banked with in Canada. But have you looked into RBC Or TD USD credit cards. I went in and talked to RBC and I can get a card based on my Canadian credit history and then when I get a SSN, they will add it to my account to build US credit history. I haven't added my SSN yet so I can't comment on the last part yet but at least I could get a USD credit card before I left Canada.

Edited June 13, 2016 by amicablebride

[NikLR 13,227]

What star did is exactly what I did. Had a great credit score in Canada and used it to get an unsecured card in the USA. I got my credit reports and it is recorded there. I have to send more info to equifax to get my credit report from them though.

However i would wait to apply for the IS card until you're in the USA. Sometimes the USD one is still Canadian vs American.

US not IS....

[AstroCanada 206]

The US and the Canadian credit bureaus don't share information. I imagine much of that is due to the different credit reporting laws between countries...things like what is reportable, when bankruptcies leave the report, etc. I had the reciprocal problem as an American moving to Canada. TD was completely unwilling to budge even though I had an investment account with their US affiliate. The one thing I was able to do was to get my mobile phone provider in Canada to check my American credit record.

I would suggest prior to moving to the US that you get a copy of your credit report from Canada. It will definitely come in handy when looking for rentals or a mortgage. Maybe you can persuade a bank to accept it as well.

[simsim2 50]

Go to TD Bank. They pull up your Canadian Credit ;-) Thats how I got my first US credit card!