Appealing credit card rejection: what are my chances as a recent EU migrant?

MaebyFunke

I moved (back) to the UK in May, having studied here from 2006-8, opening a new bank account and setting up a mobile phone contract. I am a pretty well-paid permanent employee with my firm where I've worked for 18 months (previously, I was in their Dublin office then got transferred to the London office).

I recently got rejected from 2 credit card applications, the second with my own bank. I'm incredibly frustrated: I've had an Irish credit card for 10 years and have an impeccable credit rating there but there seems to be no way to take that into account and I live here now so ideally want to cancel my Irish card and set up a UK one.

Having reviewed the report my credit rating is 'poor' because: all my accounts (bank and phone) are new, I have 'revolving credit that has been open for less than 10 months' (the phone contract) I 'have recently opened 1 or more new credit accounts' (utility bills/the fact my current account comes with an overdraft) and I 'have no successfully settled non-mail order accounts.' (which seems to mean, I haven't been here long enough to have paid in full any previous contracts.)

I really don't want to wait another 5 months as I travel a lot both for work and personally and really need a credit card to facilitate that.

I am wondering (1) does anyone have any advice on how likely it is that an actual person reviewing my accounts would realise that I am a pretty good bet for credit - I have a lease in my name and permanent employment here, I've never been late or overdrawn in my life - but just don't have the background and (2) if there is any way to get banks to take into account your credit history in another EU country?

V frustrated that banking systems are so parochial given how increasingly migrant everyone has to be for work these days. Any advice would be great.

happycamel_2

are you on the electoral roll? That would make a big difference, if not.

MaebyFunke

I've sent the forms in, but we only moved last month so I don't think they've been updated yet. Do you know how long it would take for that info to trickle through? Unfortunately, when I first moved over it was to the house my boyfriend had been in which was a pain for work so we knew we'd move as soon as possible so wasn't on the electoral register there (only lived in that house 4 months, though still longer than planned).

InsideInsurance

If it was a month ago then it is during the annual canvassing and so the registry is frozen until that is completed. I did mine in August last year (during the freeze) and it wasnt showing until December in the CRAs