credit card for a foreigner

jonesMUFCforever

I don't understand how you think a branch employee can overide their corporate/mutual rulebook?
I feel you are wasting your time.

Thrugelmir

augustinewantsahouse wrote: »

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.

Why not just wait? Unlikely that you will receive priority treatment. Rules are made for a reason.

augustinewantsahouse

I don't understand how you think a branch employee can overide their corporate/mutual rulebook?

A few people have mentionned that my own bank would know my history and I imagine they could probably be more flexible than an online application form that doesn't allow me to get past Page 1 just because I can't give an overseas adress as previous adress.

Why not just wait?

It seems like I don't have much choice than waiting at least being in the country for a full year. :undecided

I have been advised to get a credit card as soon as possible to build my credit history.
I wanted to see if anyone else has had the same problem and what they did?

jonesMUFCforever

augustinewantsahouse wrote: »

A few people have mentionned that my own bank would know my history and I imagine they could probably be more flexible than an online application form that doesn't allow me to get past Page 1 just because I can't give an overseas adress as previous adress.


It seems like I don't have much choice than waiting at least being in the country for a full year. :undecided

I have been advised to get a credit card as soon as possible to build my credit history.
I wanted to see if anyone else has had the same problem and what they did?

Why do you think all companies have rulebooks?
I'm finished on this thread - I suggest you stop being a time waster here too.

augustinewantsahouse

TakingControl wrote: »

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

Many thanks for your reply. That is making me more hopefull!
Do you mind me asking which bank are you at?

too_fast

augustinewantsahouse wrote: »

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

I'd open one now back in France (using a family or friends address), make a few purchases on it every month, so they can see it's being used, then after 3 months (I double checked the site, and it's 3 not 6 months membership needed), you can make the transfer to the UK.

I did this with a UK Amex, and was able to open one in the US with minimal hassle.

keiran

But surely we shouldn't trust foreigners with a credit card....?

zerog

Just ignore the naysayers and give it a go. HSBC gave me a UK credit card before I came to the UK.

Nationwide gave my friend a card (the Select card) 6 months after he arrived in the UK, in 2012. The branch manager might have been making this up, but she said that the computer would allow it if he switched an account with direct debits and paid in money for 3 months (i.e. their "main" account criteria)

He didn't have any credit searches recorded for the credit card, only for the initial current account application - which was the same case with me