new to the uk/no credit history

kimbles

Hi

I am just wondering if anyone has any suggestions for me.

I moved to the UK 18months ago. I have a permanent job, earning 30k+ per year. I am also registered on the electoral role at my current address. I have been living at my current address for 1 year (rented). I had to move because my old accomodation was to be knocked down.

Now, I would like to get a credit card. I have recently applied for a credit card that specialises in "people new to the UK or with no credit history" and was rejected.

I have checked my credit report since this has happened, there was nothing wrong with it (ie no mistakes). Obviously I have no credit history and I was listed as being on the electoral role - all correct. But also, there was no mention of anyone actually searching my credit report, including the company I had been rejected from.

So now I am confused. What else can I do to help increase my credit score?

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks

stephane_2

kimbles wrote: »

Hi

I am just wondering if anyone has any suggestions for me.

I moved to the UK 18months ago. I have a permanent job, earning 30k+ per year. I am also registered on the electoral role at my current address. I have been living at my current address for 1 year (rented). I had to move because my old accomodation was to be knocked down.

Now, I would like to get a credit card. I have recently applied for a credit card that specialises in "people new to the UK or with no credit history" and was rejected.

I have checked my credit report since this has happened, there was nothing wrong with it (ie no mistakes). Obviously I have no credit history and I was listed as being on the electoral role - all correct. But also, there was no mention of anyone actually searching my credit report, including the company I had been rejected from.

So now I am confused. What else can I do to help increase my credit score?

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks

The fact that the credit card company did not conduct any searches means that you did not mean their basic criteria. The fact you have only been in this country for 18 months will play against you, some lenders have closed application to non residents. You may find it very difficult to get approved if not here for 3 years minimum. I would suggest that your bank would be the first place to start to see what they say.

izools

Who do you bank with? Some are better with super-approvals than others.

kimbles

I bank with Barclays, but they were the ones who rejected me.

Also I am a resident, just not a citizen.

Thanks

BigCraigJohn

Mobile phones seem to accept a lot of people. Just try a cheap contract and get some history???, sorry i'm not 100% which company, just going on the fact my little sister got one with no income yet it comes up on her history as any other credit card etc. I guess the risk is low, especially if its a cheap phone as they can just switch you off.

izools

+1

I would try for a Three Sim Zero - they accepted me six months after being discharged with Bankruptcy.

Six months later you should be al right re-applying for a Barclaycard Initial

It might also be worth taking out a Vanquis card along side the Three Sim Zero contract and this will vastly increase your chances of getting a Barclaycard Initial after six months (no sooner).

be careful and make sure to clear the Vanquis card in full each month, because although they're likely to accept, their APR is as high as 59.9%

dylanuk

You could also start building a credit history with a CashPlus Prepaid MasterCard - you do have to pay fees though, but it has a 'creditbuilder' facility. There's more info on it here http://www.credit-card-comparison-online.co.uk/.../guaranteed-credit-cards.html

There is also Vanquis and Capital One Classic, which are both sub-prime cards. I think Vanquis is the easier one to get.

I'd be cautious about applying for too many though, especially as Barclays has rejected you and you're already a current account customer. Although - Barclays haven't left a footprint, so you don't have that credit application on your report so it won't effect your chances if you did apply with Vanquis or Capital One.

izools

To be fair, I don't think there's any need to consider the cash plus (which cost £5 a month) unless Vanquis and Three (Sim Zero) turn you down.

You loose nothing applying for the Vanquis & Three Sim and they are without doubt the most likely to accept than any other creditor in the land (bar Provident / Greenwood, but let's not go there!!) and it won't cost you a penny building up your credit as long as you pay the Vanquis in full each month.

Capital One Classic is more tightly scored than the Vanquis and given you'll be paying in full each month the APR is moot.

Good luck matey and let us know how you get on - if Vanquis / Three's computer says no, let us know and we'll point you in the right direction of something else

stephane_2

kimbles wrote: »

I bank with Barclays, but they were the ones who rejected me.

Also I am a resident, just not a citizen.

Thanks

You are not considered a resident after only 18 months.

Dewi

kimbles wrote: »

Hi

I moved to the UK 18months ago. I have a permanent job, earning 30k+ per year. I am also registered on the electoral role at my current address. I have been living at my current address for 1 year (rented). I had to move because my old accomodation was to be knocked down.

Where from? Did/do you have credit relationships in your previous place of residence? I managed to get an Amex card after living in the US for twelve years on the strength of that relationship. It has helped get my foot in the door. I've been back two years and have an MBNA, HSBC, Barclaycard all after that initial Amex card - so if you can, do something like that.

Purely from a neutral viewpoint, if you are not from the EU and are a permanent resident, you should not be on the electoral register. I

KPR11

Dewi wrote: »

Purely from a neutral viewpoint, if you are not from the EU and are a permanent resident, you should not be on the electoral register. I

Commonwealth citizens (which means additional 50+ countries outside the EU including the likes of Canada and Australia and New Zealand) are eligible to be on the electoral register (http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/who_can_register_to_vote.aspx)