establishing credit etc

[jw07 0]

Hi everyone

I sent my aos/ead package off last week and hopefully will receive my first noa soon.Assuming all goes well,and i get my ead,apply for a ssn..i want to finally be able to start establishing credit here,with a credit card etc- just curious if anyone knows for sure what happens with my canadian credit? I have closed off all accounts and anything financial related there,but when applying for a credit card here will they pull my canadian credit info? (my credit there isn't horrible but not the best) or do i get to start fresh here? I have tried googling on this subject but can't find anything concrete on the matter.

Regardless,it will be nice to be independant again! I'm so tired of needing my husband to put everything in his name,phone billrental cars,etc....and to be able to work finally! I know most people here came on a type of visa where they were probably able to work right way,but for me it's been a long time and will (assuming) be another 3 months or so until the ead comes.It will be a major adjustment going back into the work world again..well i'm rambling but if anyone knows about the credit transfer issue,please let me know,

Thanks!

[Jashley820 0]

Hi everyone

I sent my aos/ead package off last week and hopefully will receive my first noa soon.Assuming all goes well,and i get my ead,apply for a ssn..i want to finally be able to start establishing credit here,with a credit card etc- just curious if anyone knows for sure what happens with my canadian credit? I have closed off all accounts and anything financial related there,but when applying for a credit card here will they pull my canadian credit info? (my credit there isn't horrible but not the best) or do i get to start fresh here? I have tried googling on this subject but can't find anything concrete on the matter.

Regardless,it will be nice to be independant again! I'm so tired of needing my husband to put everything in his name,phone billrental cars,etc....and to be able to work finally! I know most people here came on a type of visa where they were probably able to work right way,but for me it's been a long time and will (assuming) be another 3 months or so until the ead comes.It will be a major adjustment going back into the work world again..well i'm rambling but if anyone knows about the credit transfer issue,please let me know,

Thanks!

I totally understand where you're coming from....I've been off work for more than a year now, and it's starting to get a bit rediculous!

Just to let you know- there are no ties whatsoever between Canada and U.S. in terms of credit, especially if you changed your name when you got married. I have my SSN in my married name, and I've already tried to open some accounts/credit cards and I have been denied due to non-existent credit. I almost feel like I don't have an identity here! I had my SSN added to my husband's AMEX, so I hope that helps the credit situation. You should do the same!

Good luck!

Edited July 6, 2007 by Jashley820

[cdancer 0]

Well...I held onto my Canadian credit cards as I have a much lower interest rate of 6 & 8 %

no way am I giving those cards up! Just keep signing my maiden name and I have my

BC Licence for picture ID.

I to am trying to establish credit...Maceys dept store gave me their Credit Card.

I gave them my Canadian SIN and they accepted my application and gave me a card,

even though I am not working! Amazing!

[Jashley820 0]

Well...I held onto my Canadian credit cards as I have a much lower interest rate of 6 & 8 %

no way am I giving those cards up! Just keep signing my maiden name and I have my

BC Licence for picture ID.

I to am trying to establish credit...Maceys dept store gave me their Credit Card.

I gave them my Canadian SIN and they accepted my application and gave me a card,

even though I am not working! Amazing!

The thing with giving them your Canadian SIN is that it won't do anything to build your credit in the U.S.....maybe after a few months you should call and give them your SSN. The SSN is THE key to building/demolishing credit in the US of A, unfortunately!

[no one 0]

Like others said, your Canadian credit info won't transfer here.

In my case, I first had my name added to my husband's credit card, but I don't think that helps in building your credit history.

I had an HSBC bank account back in Canada, so decided to open up one here in the U.S. too. A few months after opening a joint bank account with my husband, I asked about getting a credit card through HSBC, thinking that I'd be declined (because at the time, I had no Green Card, no EAD, no job, ... nada). To my surprise, my banker told me that I'm approved for a credit card with a $7000 limit!! I was in complete shock, but hey, I was able to start building my credit here! So, ask everywhere, including your bank... you never know if you don't ask.

[Jashley820 0]

Like others said, your Canadian credit info won't transfer here.

In my case, I first had my name added to my husband's credit card, but I don't think that helps in building your credit history.

I had an HSBC bank account back in Canada, so decided to open up one here in the U.S. too. A few months after opening a joint bank account with my husband, I asked about getting a credit card through HSBC, thinking that I'd be declined (because at the time, I had no Green Card, no EAD, no job, ... nada). To my surprise, my banker told me that I'm approved for a credit card with a $7000 limit!! I was in complete shock, but hey, I was able to start building my credit here! So, ask everywhere, including your bank... you never know if you don't ask.

Yep, you're right- just adding your name to your husband's card won't build credit UNLESS you give them your SSN number too. If they don't take it down, ask them if they need it.

[Emancipation 2]

Well...I held onto my Canadian credit cards as I have a much lower interest rate of 6 & 8 %

no way am I giving those cards up! Just keep signing my maiden name and I have my

BC Licence for picture ID.

I to am trying to establish credit...Maceys dept store gave me their Credit Card.

I gave them my Canadian SIN and they accepted my application and gave me a card,

even though I am not working! Amazing!

Just a note on using CDN credit cards.. My VISA actually charges and extra 2% for "foreign" charges on the account. So.. it does increase my interest rate using the CDN card here in the US