SSN and building credit

[SamuelTheKitty 1]

I’m currently living in the USA temporarily on a NATO-2 visa with my USC wife. After this posting, we are planning on returning to the USA from Canada at the end of my time in the military, so in the mean time I am trying to set the conditions for that eventual return while we enjoy our time here in the interim.

 

I’ve recently applied for and received my SSN card annotated as “valid for work only with DHS authorization”. Other than calling my bank and credit card (RBC Bank through their cross border banking and American Express) and having my SSN added to my banking/credit card profile with a W-8BEN form, is there anything else I should do to ensure I am starting to build a US credit rating?

 

Thanks!

[TBoneTX 45,259]

Thread is moved to the Tax & Finances forum -- topic is credit rating.

[ScarletWitch6x 62]

Keep in mind that US credit rankings only apply to credit based trade lines (loans, credit cards, mortgages). They do not factor in bank accounts.

 

 

Edited August 8 by ScarletWitch6x

[appleblossom 2,446]

Get credit - as above, a bank account makes no difference at all. Take any credit you are offered, even just a store card. And if you have an Amex in your home country, then that's a really easy way to do it via their country transfer. They'll use your credit score in your home country for the US and give you a similar credit limit, my US credit score went from zero to over 750 in 2 days thanks to my Amex (which I set up in the UK specifically for that reason!).

[ScarletWitch6x 62]

~Not financial advice, please do your research~

 

If you do not qualify for your own credit lines right off the bat you can also try:

1. Secured credit cards, where a small deposit secures your credit card and allows you to build credit. 

2. If your spouse is a responsible credit user you can look into becoming an authorized user on one of their cards. This does not open a trade line in your name but does start a credit history for you. 

Edited August 9 by ScarletWitch6x

[Petra Rose 0]

My husband had an Amex in the UK and as soon as he got his SSN, before we were even married on K1, he was able to get one in the US with a huge line of credit due to his worthiness over there. so it’s just a time thing using his Amex and all that. He personally hasn’t gotten a credit score yet, but should soon. 
 

if you have the SSN we have apps like kickoff/self to help build credit for $5 a month. I have kickoff myself and it’s built up my credit from very low due to medical debt to ideal in about a year and a half! But if the move you’re wanting to do isn’t immediate, something low cost like that could set you up for when you’re more permanently here. Credit line age and all that.