Recently relocated to UK

docemmettlbrown

Hi everybody,

I relocated to UK in january of this year from another European country. I have a full time job with a good paycheck, but unfortunately I'm being constantly rejected because of NO credit history in this country. It's very frustrating, considered that in my country I have a really good credit history.

I have an account with HSBC and was approved for an AmEx, now I need an additional credit card since AmEx is not universally accepted, and I want to avoid to use my debit card.

Barclays is refusing me, because of Equifax. Now, is there any credit card I can do which helps me to build a credit history? I would prefer a VISA contactless enabled, but it's not something I desperately need.

I was looking at AQUA/CapitalOne, any clue?

HappyMJ

Register to vote wait a little while then get a store card and work from there.

docemmettlbrown

Hi HappyMJ, I'm already registered to vote, from the first month By store card, what do you mean? Like an ASDA card?

rachelonna

There's on of the Vanquis card, which Martin recommends as a "Credit History" builder

Alternatively, Tesco are more leniant, and Barclaycard tend to be more strict, so you could try them?

Mrs_Ryan

When I worked for them Capital One used to have a rule that you had to have been in the UK for two years before they would lend to you, whether that's still the case I'm not sure. Have you asked HSBC for a credit card? That might help

Buzby

Credit files exist for all countries - they are not UK specific. By providing your previous address this links all existing data, so any application that provides for you giving your previous address will create the link.

chexum

Buzby wrote: »

Credit files exist for all countries - they are not UK specific. By providing your previous address this links all existing data, so any application that provides for you giving your previous address will create the link.

Positive credit history is not that common. Though most countries keep a record of defaulted credits the absence of those records would not help any bank to trust you. Even disregarding that sharing it between countries, because of privacy plus financial regulation is almost completely non-existent.

Amex has a feature to get you a credit card if you had a card directly from them in a few select countries, but the poster has one now.

There are very few credit applications online that let you specify a different country for an address. Most of them don't even let you proceed unless you have provided 3 years of continuous UK address history, preferably backed by the electoral registry data.

This sounds reasonable, but do you think someone should go without a full bank account for 3 years when immigrating? Well, some would consider living without credit cards as a positive thing, but if this is a normal family with two working adults, no access to credit cards can be quite a set-back.

One loophole is that *some* credit applications let you get away by two addresses, even if they don't cover three full years (Capital One was like that).

But to the OP, I can only say they need to be patient, stop applying and have a plan for the next 6-12 months. Most credit scoring methods (and don't mind the score) will punish you for living less than 6 months at your current place. So roughly the quickest way you can get *some* credit is if you have lived at a place for a few months (registered on the ER), then moved somewhere else (registered again), and stayed there for 6+ months. Any inconsistency won't help either, missing an address in an application that you used in another one can be fatal.

If you don't have stability in your addresses, most banks won't even talk to you. But if you really can't get credit, you should try your own bank. You probably needed to approach them in person to open the account - now's the time to talk to them again in the branch, and ask for a credit card.

If you attempted to apply more than a few times in the last 6-12 months, you won't get new credit, not even from your own bank though. If your circumstances are stable enough, and your bank is not too helpful, you can try capital one, as they've got a bit braver by providing a secured credit card with quite a shabby limit, but they are known to get higher.

If you have one or two cards (as you've already got an Amex, this should not be a problem), and a full bank account, you really just need to sit tight for 6-12 months, to let the green zeros tick on your credit report, and then try again. Don't try to apply more than 2 times every 6 months, especially for credit cards.

Buzby

All the UK CRA's have overseas affiliates and link to these countries - it is a commercial enterprise in every respect. Insurers take it a differen way, they want confirmation of of UK residency and may not accept driving experience elsewhere as relevant.

As with all things, you need to find the firm that is simpatico with your circumstances.

zerog

Get an HSBC card. Since you have the Amex, you should soon be able to get another ccard once some history from there is showing.

gglaze

Buzby wrote: »

Credit files exist for all countries - they are not UK specific. By providing your previous address this links all existing data, so any application that provides for you giving your previous address will create the link.

Hmm... I'm sure you're correct in theory - but in my experience I've found this to be untrue in practice. I have a very long credit history in the US (and now quite long in the UK as well) - but when I came to the UK years ago, it was as if I was starting with a clean slate - somehow they were unaware of my credit in the US. Now, with many years of history in US and UK under my belt, I still observe regularly that they seem to be completely unaware of each other. The has worked out both positively and negatively for me. But at the moment it's great because I have high revolving balances on both sides of the ocean, and neither side seems to be aware of the complete total of my debt.

mauriphonic

Whilst the CRA's may have international affiliations, your credit history does not automatically follow you. They do not cross reference your histories automatically.
Some banks such as HSBC run international accounts that allow you to carry your internal history with you. I'm sure there will be others, Citigroup possibly, but others do not.
When I returned to the UK I had to work through card issuers such as Vanquis and Aqua to obtain mainstream cards about 18months later.
Get on electoral roll, use your Amex and pay it each month, after a few months HSBC might offer you a card based upon your account conduct (not sure of this as I have no personal experience with them).
Vanquis and Aqua were the 2 sub prime lenders that offered me cards initially, then it is a matter of time until you can apply for mainstream credit. Don't make loads of applications, and make sure that your existing accounts and cards are reporting correctly to the CRA's is all you can really do. Be patient, and be meticulous with your payments and then it will come with time.