New Immigrant CC

shredfg

Hey guys,
I moved to UK 3 months ago and working as a software engineer with decent income. However every single time I try credit card search tools it requires 2+ address history. How do i get one before 2 years? I have Lloyds and Barclays account currently.

Thank you

oldagetraveller

Have you tried with Lloyds or Barclays? Having accounts with them might help.

shredfg

I asked when i opened the account and they said it is not possible at that time.

Anthorn

shredfg wrote: »

Hey guys,
I moved to UK 3 months ago and working as a software engineer with decent income. However every single time I try credit card search tools it requires 2+ address history. How do i get one before 2 years? I have Lloyds and Barclays account currently.

Thank you

I find it surprising that with no U.K. address history you can get an account with Lloyds and Barclays assuming they are U.K. current accounts but not a credit card.

Try the eligibility checker at Barclays. You might at least get a Barclaycard Initial credit card:
https://www.barclays.co.uk/credit-cards/check-your-eligibility/

Having a U.K. credit history will help but whether it will kick in before 2 years in the U.K. is debatable. Try a contract mobile phone account which reports to a CRA: In that respect iD Mobile rolling one month SIM-only contract is a good one and reports as Carphone Warehouse. In credit cards try Aqua and if that fails try Vanquis and if Vanquis fails you can probably bid farewell to a U.K. credit card for now.

shredfg

Well you can use water bill, council tax etc for current account to prove current address, they don’t care about overseas. Monzo, Starling doesn’t even want a proof. On the other hand I can’t try barclays eligibility tool as it also requires 2+ history

Krisko

Wait until you have 6 months history with the bank your salary gets paid into and apply in branch.

It also wouldn't hurt to have a sim only plan reporting to the CRAs.

shredfg

I have sim contract (12 mnth) and broadband(18 months) but it seems like they did credit check so it hurts searches

jonesMUFCforever

Try Capital one where you can put a deposit down equalling the limit until such time as they think you fit for a proper card.

shredfg

will check out! Thanks

18cc

have you tried tandem ?

mustiuc

Why do you need a cc? Your credit history can be build by other forms of credit. Monthly car/house insurance, mobile and broadband contracts, gas/electricity and so on. With 3 months in uk you wont find anyone to offer you a cc. Credit history is build in time and you can't rush things. Stop and don't belive in "quick ways to improve credit rating in 3 months" or other c*ap like that.
Even with long address and history your first cc will be a stupid one (aqua/capital/etc) with 39.99% apr and minimum limit (under 500).
I applied for my first cc in apr2017 but being a resident since oct2015. I wanted one to use it when i rent cars abroad. I only had an EE monthly rolling internet dongle and my bank account. I hate contracts/debts/loans. I always pay everything with cash( no cash, don't buy). I was approved in apr2017 for aqua advance with 300 limit. In june i applied for capital and got 200limit( they never increased, i dont use it). After 1 year of using them monthly and pay in full each month, this year i've been approved for virgin with 3k limit in may and from my bank (barclays) i got a Bcard with 5k limit in October. Do the math and see how long it take for an "immigrant" to get credit.
I consider i have now enough cc's and next year i.ll close aqua and capital for their ridiculous high apr and keep the other two ONLY for renting cars...paying deposits(hotels) and nothing else. I build my history by paying all my bills on time and the reward for good credit is "pre approved" loans for 20k from different lenders but refused every time. I don't need their loans.
Ps. My wife, with aqua 49.99 apr !!!!! and house insurance paid monthly by dd can't take a cc from her bank. She is still at that level where you can get 35+% apr. In january next year I.ll move my bills to her name to build her history a bit faster (all the bills and contracts are in my name).

Sorry for long post but... people always think credit and history is a easy thing and can be done in a matter of months. It doesn't.