credit card for a foreigner

augustinewantsahouse

I've been in the uk for nearly 12 months now (at the same address) and working for just under 6 months. I'm trying to get a credit card to improve my credit rating, but I have encountered problems when filling in online application forms. It seems I need to have a previous address but it won't let me use my French address, which means I can't complete the form. Does anybody have any ideas of what might help? :money:

parksajj

Try calling Barclaycard and explaining your issue. they should be able to help!

augustinewantsahouse

Thanks for your help :beer:

marvin

Have you got a bank account if so speak to your bank they should be able to help as they already have a relationship with you.

agrinnall

parksajj wrote: »

Try calling Barclaycard and explaining your issue. they should be able to help!

Not sure why Barclaycard was picked when the OP never mentioned them, but the advice probably holds true for whichever provider is being tried.

jonesMUFCforever

Most banks won't touch a customer from outside the UK until they have been here for at least 3 years.
So the cards to go for are the secured ones or Capital One or Aqua.

jckh14

augustinewantsahouse wrote: »

I've been in the uk for nearly 12 months now (at the same address) and working for just under 6 months. I'm trying to get a credit card to improve my credit rating, but I have encountered problems when filling in online application forms. It seems I need to have a previous address but it won't let me use my French address, which means I can't complete the form. Does anybody have any ideas of what might help? :money:

I hate to say it but your required to have at least 3 years address history in the UK before any credit company will even consider your application.

TakingControl

jckh14 wrote: »

I hate to say it but your required to have at least 3 years address history in the UK before any credit company will even consider your application.

That's not correct. I was given a credit card after 12 months being resident in the UK by my own bank.

To the OP - contact your own bank, might not be the best APR card but if you are merely looking for a card to start building a credit record and pay it off every month, the APR shouldn't matter anyway.

too_fast

If you have a French Amex card, they will open one in the UK for you based on your French history:

http://www.americanexpress.com/global-card-transfers/?market=france&intlink=franceGTfaq

If you don't have a French Amex, open one, and go through this process after 6 months.

CKhalvashi

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

Most banks won't touch a customer from outside the UK until they have been here for at least 3 years.
So the cards to go for are the secured ones or Capital One or Aqua.

Speak to your bank first, and explain the situation to them is my advice.

HSBC, upon seeing my first months wages, were perfectly happy to give one, however this was pre-recession (2004) which may affect how it's dealt with now.

It probably helped that we'd both banked with HSBC abroad, too.

augustinewantsahouse

Many thanks everyone for your replies!

I have had a look at my bank's credit card offers (Nationwide) and one of the requirements is to have been living in the UK for at least a year when applying.
Following your advice, I will go and talk to them in person to see if they can open one for me in branch before the year one limit.

I also got recommended Aqua, BarclayCard, Vanquis cards... All of them need a previous adress in the UK.
I've tried to call Aqua, no luck as it seems to be a recorded message...
Do you think it is worth going into a Barclays branch to ask/call them or will they tell me I need a current account with them?

@too_fast: Unfortunaterly I don't have a French Amex Card.

Thanks again and have a great Sunday :beer: