Credit card for non-EU citizen

mb232232

Hi, I have a question: what's the best credit card for a non-EU citizen to start building up a credit history?

Obviously my wife (who this concerns) can't go on the electoral roll, which is usually said to be the starting point for getting credit for the first time. She's had credit overseas, and I recall it being suggested to get records of that and try and apply in person to someone who cares... is that hassle necessary? If so, what would be a good place to ask? We have joint accounts with several UK banks (I'm a UK citizen). I'd prefer something simple we can just apply for online - is that at all realistic? Thanks for your advice! PS We don't actually need any credit, it's purely for building up a credit history for possibly one day getting a mortgage. So would pay off the card each month no problem.

BugsyBrowne

mb232232 wrote: »

Hi, I have a question: what's the best credit card for a non-EU citizen to start building up a credit history?

Obviously my wife (who this concerns) can't go on the electoral roll, which is usually said to be the starting point for getting credit for the first time. She's had credit overseas, and I recall it being suggested to get records of that and try and apply in person to someone who cares... is that hassle necessary? If so, what would be a good place to ask? We have joint accounts with several UK banks (I'm a UK citizen). I'd prefer something simple we can just apply for online - is that at all realistic? Thanks for your advice! PS We don't actually need any credit, it's purely for building up a credit history for possibly one day getting a mortgage. So would pay off the card each month no problem.

Move back to her country of citizenship and ask the bank there....

Mids_Costcutter

I take it that your wife's not from a Commonwealth country either? Otherwise I'd suggest applying for a credit card from a provider you already bank with, as this seems to help a little in credit scoring.

milan_ns

I'm a non-eu citizen and have plenty of cards & sizeable overdraft.

As long as you behave (financially), banks don't care about your citizenship (except for mortgage).

Open a bank account & make sure your salary goes in there. After 6+ months apply for a credit card or overdraft...

bengalknights

HSBC are very good for non brits especially for overdraft and then after 6 months you usually can get a credit card

mb232232

Thanks for those comments. No, it's not a Commonwealth country, and she doesn't have a salary (self-employed/student at the mo) so I'm looking at things like Capital Classic, but they mostly seem to care about electoral roll. Only Aqua seems to want to be helpful in this situation, so will probably try them.

zppp

milan_ns wrote: »

As long as you behave (financially), banks don't care about your citizenship (except for mortgage).

Um, I work for a financial institution (one of the big 4) and they do care actually. Alot of personal borrowing for major high street banks is done on the basis of the expiry of a visa etc.

walesrob

My wife is from Philippines. When she first came to the UK on a spouse visa (valid for 2 years) she was able to get an HSBC Basic Bank Account, then 6 months later, she was upgraded to the regular account and given a credit card. Always best to get a NI number before opening an account as well. I seem to remember HSBC used her previous bank statement in Philippines as proof of ID for opening a basic account.

jonesMUFCforever

Why can she not go on electoral roll?

milan_ns

zppp wrote: »

Um, I work for a financial institution (one of the big 4) and they do care actually. Alot of personal borrowing for major high street banks is done on the basis of the expiry of a visa etc.

Six credit cards, overdraft & walking out of Cargiant with a £10k car says otherwise - nobody ever asked me for a passport.

Two credit cards with £12k balance were delivered to my address with no ID check what so ever.

The only person interested in my immigration status was the mortgage broker.

Though, things could have changed in the past 12 months.

FB13

milan_ns wrote: »

Six credit cards, overdraft & walking out of Cargiant with a £10k car says otherwise - nobody ever asked me for a passport.

Two credit cards with £12k balance were delivered to my address with no ID check what so ever.

The only person interested in my immigration status was the mortgage broker.

Though, things could have changed in the past 12 months.

I could be wrong, but I believe he is talking about longer term debt. Credit cards and an overdraft are one thing, but a mortgage is a different story. Who would want to give someone a 15 or 30 year mortgage if the person may have to leave the country in a year or two?