Unsuccessfull application for the Halifax Clarity

soultil

Hello all,

it's my first time here, so nice to meet you! I've been looking around for solutions for my finances, since I just got a new job in the UK, coming from another EU country (dealt with euros so far). I have been in the UK for 3-4 months so far and my new job involves quite some traveling and that's where halifax clarity card comes into place. Just for that i even chose halifax to open my current account. Just for the record, I had no relation to any bank or other service in the UK up until now and never hold a credit card or other loan product even in my home country.

After receiving my salary in there for the first time, I went on to apply online for the clarity card, and got the automatic, system-generated rejection within a couple of minutes!
As far as I understand the situation, it must be that there is no credit history or other records of mine in the UK so far. But, having a nice job in a big company and quite decent paid, I thought would be enough to get the card. I will definitely need the card for spending abroad sooner or later, so I will re-apply at some point, but I don't know what to do to improve my scores and chances to get the card.

Any advice will be much appreciated!!

[Deleted User]

Continuing to have your salary paid into the Halifax current account is all you really need to do. Also ensure you are on the Electoral roll.
After only four months in the country, it's hardly surprising you were declined.

Gigabit

You'll probably need three years of address history in the UK before you'll be accepted for a card.

pupgrum

Gigabit wrote: »

You'll probably need three years of address history in the UK before you'll be accepted for a card.

I think 'probably' should be removed. No bank will give out a credit card to someone who lived less than 3 years in UK. I would keep using the current account, have salary paid into the same account, set up 1 or 2 direct debits like a mobile phone contract or paying your rent with. Just having a salary isn't enough. You need a direct debit for over a year to show you can make payments.

[Deleted User]

pupgrum wrote: »

Just having a salary isn't enough. You need a direct debit for over a year to show you can make payments.

Yes, I should have said the OP will need an active bank account with regular outgoings as well as salary deposits.

Basically, the OP has applied far too soon and it will be a few years before he/she is likely to be granted a credit card in this country.

SnowTiger

I think a credit card is out of the question for the time being because you don't have any credit history in the UK.

Other options:

a prepaid currency card. I've found them a bit hit and miss.

N&P Gold Classic Current Account, which offers free usage abroad like the Halifax Clarity card does.

pascal22p

You can have a credit card before 3 years. It probably depends on circumstances but I got a nationwide credit card after 1 year banking with them and 2 years after my arrival in the UK.

However after 2.5 years, I am still not elligible with halifax, tsb and lloyds even though I have a current account with them.

Oddly, American express gave me a card a few months after I arrived.

Almost all my rejections do not even pass the credit check so I do not have any mark in my report so I just keep applying regularly to different companies. I do keep between at least 6 months between 2 applications in the same company.

jonesMUFCforever

pascal22p wrote: »

However after 2.5 years, I am still not elligible with halifax, tsb and lloyds even though I have a current account with them.



.

Maybe because they have the 3 year residence policy before offering credit.

mistakehappens

Hello mate

I think you have applied for a good credit card too soon

Firstly, you need to apply for capital one or Luma, Vanquis stuff

Other thing you can do to build your history is check your eligibility on MBNA website as it won't harm your credit history and you will know before hand if you going to get the card or not.

chuckley

UK residents that frequently move also face rejections so you shou'd've expected a no from being here for so little.

CRAs probably wouldn't even have much records for you yet.

Electoral roll updates aren't instant either and as far as I'm aware are updated by councils each December.

so you need to live a debit card life for a good year.

soultil

Wow, that was so much help! I really thank you for all your input, you have pretty much confirm, what I already thought...

I expected that it would be difficult, but after all I was hopping that showcasing a steady full time job and salary could make it happen. And being paid in GBP and needing to spend in many places, especially out of the EU, clarity card would be ideal. I will take a look at some alternatives that some of you suggested and see how that goes...
After that I will try to build my good score and test my eligibility from time to time. Any further advice welcome!

Thanks one more!