Moving Abroad?

gema21

Hi, I totally think this is the wrong place to put it but I'll try anyway!

I'm 23, and looking to just completely emigrate to America and start afresh there. Currently in the UK I have a bit of debt which I'm working hard to clear and obviously a not so good credit rating.

If I move abroad, is my credit rating starting again from scratch? As if I'm just turned 18 again. Obviously I'm going to need quite a bit of help financially when I first move over with mortgage, mobile phone etc. Or does it carry over from UK to US?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Gem

pania

Hi Gem, have a look on any embassy websites you can find, or ay a visit to america house in london, i've been to NZ house and i find the embassies are generally very helpful and can answer lots of queries such as this. I think theya re generally in or around the haymarket area but again web should tell you. They will also let you know the criteria required for acceptance.
Hope this helps.
P
xx

angelavdavis

There is information on the Payplan web sites about moving abroad when you have UK debts, etc:

http://www.payplan.com/frequently-asked-questions/debt-in-general.php#LivingAbroad

The bottomline is that creditors will pursue you for the debts.

In addition, related directly to your question, yes you start with no credit rating in the US - you would have to build up your own record. So you won't be able to get a mortgage for a good while - it will be renting only. I would also switch my account to a banking company that also trades in the US, you will have more chance of carrying across your credit history with them.

When you apply for credit, you are likely to be asked about your previous credit history - even in UK.

I believe the US does ask about bankruptcy, etc as part of the application process.