Not existing is getting old.... A vent.

[top_secret 2,421]

Probably the biggest thing for becoming "existent" in the US, is getting a state drivers license, or a state ID card if someone is not yet ready for a drivers license.  That is probably about the highest priority item for establishing ones existence.

[Cathi 5,748]

Capital One has a non-secured credit card for people with new, non-existent or bad credit. After I divorced my first husband 14 years ago my credit was as bad as it gets, Capital One gave me a non-secured card with like a $300 limit and after a few months they raised it. When my now husband first arrived 11 years ago, he applied for the same card and got it with absolutely no U.S credit. https://www.capitalone.com/credit-cards/preapprove/?external_id=WWW_LPT77_ZZZ_ONL-SE_ZZZZZ_T_SEM2_ZZZZ_c_Zg__kenshoo_clickid__605520924130_702363&target_id=kwd-343500506770&gclid=Cj0KCQjw852XBhC6ARIsAJsFPN0P1z6coibFrJTtX1fIvIzm8QGAK-fBMh6EutoI57cmPgnQx4S93l4aAiECEALw_wcB

[Loren Y 2,755]

22 hours ago, top_secret said:

As others have said get your husband to add you as an authorize3d user on his cards

I've seen a few people suggest this, and I did it for my fiancee before she even came to the US, and gave her a card to pay for things because it was no foreign transaction fees, and cheaper than Wise with the conversion rate on the credit card. OP mentioned her husband was rebuilding her credit, may not be the best idea to get tied to someone with a 500 credit score, may be worse off than you are now. I would suggest the secured card route, and depending on his score, keep your social away from his for a while. When my wife landed and they issued her social security number, it all ended up linking to the card I added her to, and she had a 7 year credit history, and an excellent score to start off with. T mobile prepaid is probably your best bet for a cell phone, and should work in your current phone if unlocked ( Probably is). Mint mobile is another option as mentioned, and it uses t mobile towers. If your looking to be able to call back to the UK for free with a cell phone, I have a phone just set up for international, but it works here in the US. Check out hello mobile. 5 dollar a month plan with Unlimited min included is their cheapest plan, but those unlimited min. can be used to call 60 different countries. You get the unlimited plan you can all all the time worldwide. It only includes 500 MG of data, but if your at home, you stay on the wifi and your good there.

Edited August 2, 2022 by Loren Y

[top_secret 2,421]

22 minutes ago, Loren Y said:

OP mentioned her husband was rebuilding her credit, may not be the best idea to get tied to someone with a 500 credit score, may be worse off than you are now. I would suggest the secured card route, and depending on his score, keep your social away from his for a while.

That's an excellent point about not "importing" bad credit by adding oneself to bad accounts.  Secured cards are another really good option.  One can however cherry pick and add an authorized user to any good accounts and skip the problem accounts.  Preferably accounts with perfect payment history and little or no balance carried.  Also, if one ever does find that being an authorized user has imported bad credit history they can just have the card canceled and then dispute it off their credit report.  Credit reporting agencies will always be willing to completely remove a canceled authorized user account if asked.

Edited August 2, 2022 by top_secret