Pre-Build U.S Credit Score

[SailorSiri 1]

Good afternoon,

 

I read that your Canadian credit score doesn't go with you when you immigrate to the U.S. I know there are several Canadian banks like RBC, TD & Scotia that have US money credit cards and I was wondering if these would be something I could use to build up my US credit score before moving or if they would still only affect my Canadian score.

 

Any advice is much appreciated.

 

Thanks

[Cndn 98]

I was pretty annoyed that my credit score didn’t transfer from Canada too, especially because I worked hard to maintain a great score! But honestly it hasn’t been that hard to start building it up in the states. I thought I would have to get a secured credit card, but not even. I applied for and got a regular credit card with a pretty low limit and I have used it to pay bills and then pay it off right away. I think my husband adding me to his checking account as our joint account is what helped, so I’d recommend that if possible. It was also help you come time for your green card interview (if you’re a K1?) in terms of AOS evidence. I don’t know about building up a US score beforehand hopefully someone else can give you more info on that. 

Edited November 21, 2019 by Cndn

[SailorSiri 1]

Just now, Cndn said:

I was pretty annoyed that my credit score didn’t transfer from Canada too, especially because I worked hard to maintain a great score! But honestly it hasn’t been that hard to start building it up in the states. I thought I would have to get a secured credit card, but not even. I got a US bank credit card (I’m a stay at home mom by the way). I think my husband adding me to his checking account as our joint account is what helped, so I’d recommend that if possible. It was also help you come time for your green card interview (if you’re a K1?) in terms of AOS evidence. I don’t know about building up a US score beforehand hopefully someone else can give you more info on that. 

Thank you for sharing your experience. That's good to hear if I can't pre-build credit. I was also disheartened when I found out I couldn't take the score I've been working so hard on with me haha.

[Cndn 98]

Just now, SailorSiri said:

Thank you for sharing your experience. That's good to hear if I can't pre-build credit. I was also disheartened when I found out I couldn't take the score I've been working so hard on with me haha.

I know! A downside to immigrating for sure. I’ve heard of services you can use to transfer your score but i tend to think that’s a scam. Good luck! 

[NicoleS 189]

I built a US credit score BEFORE I entered the US! Go to RBC and get their US-based bank accounts and credit card. I had these accounts about 8 months before i entered and still use them. Paid our wedding expenses monthly with it. Its super easy to transfer money between my CAD accounts too. Highly reccomend!! You will need a SSN though for it to build credit history in the US (which I had from being on a student visa 6 years ago). They base the US credit card on your Canadian credit history though which was awesome cause i had no US credit score at the time.

[NicoleS 189]

I cant remember but I should also add that it is very possible you need a SSN for those accounts (not only the credit card)

[patrick33 19]

I tried to do this too before I moved. RBC would only let me have a debit card/bank account, not a credit card, without an SSN. Although, even when I got an SSN they wouldn't approve me for a US credit card, despite having good credit in Canada, so I ended up going with PNC after I got here. PNC said they could pull my Canadian credit report(can't verify this) and gave me a credit card with a small limit so I built it from there.

[SailorSiri 1]

Thanks for the info! Sadly I won't likely have a SSN until I get there but if I manage to get one before hand I'll definitely look into RBC.

On 11/21/2019 at 4:33 PM, patrick33 said:

I tried to do this too before I moved. RBC would only let me have a debit card/bank account, not a credit card, without an SSN. Although, even when I got an SSN they wouldn't approve me for a US credit card, despite having good credit in Canada, so I ended up going with PNC after I got here. PNC said they could pull my Canadian credit report(can't verify this) and gave me a credit card with a small limit so I built it from there.

Can I ask how long it took you roughly to build your score up to a decent level once you got there?