Newcomer to UK, how to get a normal credit card

AnxiousMum

Darkfallout - can you not get a letter of reference from your bank in your home country? Also, if you are required to put that kind of money out up front for business expenses, does your company not provide a corporate credit card, or an advance so that you're using their money not yours?

DarkFallout

Curt. wrote: »

Yeah, residency criteria and all is one of the few things i the UK that doesnt cowtow to immigrants just yet - you wont get any sympathy from most folks on that one.



A building society with overseas use? Doesn't seem obvious at all...



And those constant searches against your name for so many accounts are what is hurting you.

I have right to reside and I am ordinarily resident in UK. I think you misintepret something. It is not the residency criteria, but the short period of stay.

Regarding NationWide their cards are the most convient to use in Europe - no withdrawal and currency charges at all.

sukysue

I don't understand why you cant use your cc from back home. After all with your good income you must have one , these can be used in other countries with prior notice to the cc company.Problem solved.

Curt.

DarkFallout wrote: »

I have instant access to my credit report at all times.

I am on electoral roll 3 weeks after coming to this country. The entry was not in my credit report so I had to send an e-mail to Experian to correct their mistake.

Different credit agencies can and are used - does Equifax also have it on the system?

Get a report from them and see, if it isnt, that may be the problem if lenders are checking with one or the other. (Or both and there is info that is inconsistant).

I had a pre-arranged overdraft of 1500 with Lloyds even before coming to UK and when I moved to Halifax they almost matched it.

Okay so what is the problem in regards to the Bank A/C's? You keep chopping and changing and everytime you do it scores you - they search your credit report everytime...which is why it may be lowering your chance of a CC.

I have right to reside and I am ordinarily resident in UK. I think you misintepret something. It is not the residency criteria, but the short period of stay.

But you said this, below:

Be patient sounds nice, but living on the mainland and having an offshore account is not so nice.

If you meet the residency criteria, why have you only gotan off shore account?

You need to give more information as some of this is not adding up - or maybe some of us are missing something...

Also why do you then keep closing off the other accounts you have?

Regarding NationWide their cards are the most convient to use in Europe - no withdrawal and currency charges at all.

Yeah i should have included that in my last post, but even including that, why not go for a Euro account or something? But forget that, you seem happy with nationwide at least.

Any other ideas?

Asking your company for a company Credit Card to use? (Or have you already tried that and its also a no go?)

DarkFallout

sukysue wrote: »

I don't understand why you cant use your cc from back home. After all with your good income you must have one , these can be used in other countries with prior notice to the cc company.Problem solved.

I have 3 credit cards from my country.

Do you have any idea how much are currency exchange charges?

As I used them in my frist month here I find it unacceptable to pay to my banks 3-4-5% losing in exchange rates and different charges just because UK banks are reluctant to give me a normal credit card.

DarkFallout

If you meet the residency criteria, why have you only gotan off shore account?

I am repeating probably for a third time, I got this account few months before coming here (August) and this was the only way to make it convinient and to recieve my card, etc. at my home country. I came here on 2nd of November, pay-roll cut off was 6th or 7th. I am at work during the day and I would not risk being without my first salary.

This things are quite simple and I don't understand the purpose of digging into them. They are a lot of people coming here and staying with basic accounts for 12 months. This is not my case.

Asking your company for a company Credit Card to use? (Or have you already tried that and its also a no go?)

Good idea. I will check this. As I often rent cars from Hertz, may be they have some company Amex card.

Darkfallout - can you not get a letter of reference from your bank in your home country? Also, if you are required to put that kind of money out up front for business expenses, does your company not provide a corporate credit card, or an advance so that you're using their money not yours?

Yes I can get a letter, but it appears the problem is that I don't seem to be settled enough for the banks in UK.

Regarding the corporate card, see above, I will check it.

Fergie76

Why do I get the feeling, you just want to run up as much in debt in your two years here and the foxtrot oscar?

As other people have said, get a company card or get them to foot the bill on currency exchange on your cards from home.

Curt.

DarkFallout wrote: »

I am repeating probably for a third time, I got this account few months before coming here (August) and this was the only way to make it convinient and to recieve my card, etc. at my home country.

No, i got all that - i just dont understand why you STILL have that as, as per your comments:

Darkfallout wrote:

Be patient sounds nice, but living on the mainland and having an offshore account is not so nice.

Well?

I came here on 2nd of November, pay-roll cut off was 6th or 7th. I am at work during the day and I would not risk being without my first salary.

I'm not entirely sure wha the relevance in that is to your inability to gain a CC...

This things are quite simple and I don't understand the purpose of digging into them.

Well it may help explain the reason you are being declined...but its your call as to what you want to say.

They are a lot of people coming here and staying with basic accounts for 12 months. This is not my case.

?

That's your own doing is it not? You have chosen other accounts and from what you have said thus far, they havent rejected you for a basic account...

Material_Girl_2

Curt. wrote: »

Asking your company for a company Credit Card to use? (Or have you already tried that and its also a no go?)

That would have been my suggestion as well. Either a company travel card or use a credit card from your home country perhaps? Or ask your company if they will advance certain travel expenses?

Curt.

DarkFallout wrote: »

I have 3 credit cards from my country.

Do you have any idea how much are currency exchange charges?

As I used them in my frist month here I find it unacceptable to pay to my banks 3-4-5% losing in exchange rates and different charges just because UK banks are reluctant to give me a normal credit card.

Well, why not obtaining a CC in your home country that does not have a charge for using the card abroad? Then use it wherever you want in Europe? (Seeing as your ability to obtain credit there is better than in the UK).