A good credit history in the United States can make your life a lot more
convenient and economical. A high credit rating allows you to easily apply for low
interest credit cards, obtain an equity line of credit, finance a car, and even
buy a house with a low interest mortgage. It is also helpful to have a good
credit history if you would like to rent a house or apartment, as many property owners
perform credit checks before they allow anyone to rent. Given the numerous
benefits of establishing a good credit history, many recent immigrants and other
individuals that are new to the United States wonder how to start building their
credit.
The "
How to Establish a Credit History and Get a Credit Card in the United
States" information guide was especially designed for immigrants and for people
with bad or no credit history. In general, it is easier to fix bad credit than
to start building your credit.
Having a U.S. credit card offers several benefits:
- A credit card reduces the need to carry cash around with you
- Credit cards can bail you out of emergencies (towing, phone
calls, hotel stays, etc.)
- Credit cards give you time to pay back the outstanding amount
if you do not have enough cash to pay the whole debt off every month
- A credit card is often necessary when renting a car
- Credit cards offer increased purchasing power
- If a charge shows up on your credit card statement, you are able to easily dispute charges that you did not authorize and get
your money back
The fact is that almost anyone may get a credit card
issued by a bank in the United States. You do not have to be a
United States citizen or a
Green Card holder to get an American credit
card. However, it is necessary to obtain a Social
Security Number in order to begin build your credit history. If a person is
legally in the United States on an F-1,
H-1B, H-2B,
J-1, B-2 visa (among
others types of visas), the person may apply for a
Social Security Number and subsequently begin
building their credit history.
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"Good credit is your key to financial success in the United States". |
"How to Get a Credit Card in the United States Information Guide" includes:
- How credit works
- How to get credit
- How your history is reviewed
- How to establish your credit history
- Credit bureaus
- What goes into your credit report
- How to understand your credit report
- How to monitor, correct, and clean up your credit history
- Sample Credit Report
- What is Social Security
- How to legally obtain a Social Security number
- Types of Social Security cards available for U.S. citizens, residents, and for non-U.S.
residents
- Credit cards for non-U.S. residents
- Unsecured and secured credit cards
- Student credit cards
- Airline frequent flyer credit cards
- How to protect your credit
- Information on how to be aware of unfair, misleading and illegal credit card offers
- How to find a reputable credit repair firm
