Moved to the UK a year ago, how do you get credit?!

PRAISETHESUN

I had a very similar time when I first moved to the UK. It took me about 9 months before I was able to get my first credit card (with a tiny £250 limit!). I always recommend to get started by registering on the ER and applying for a bank account – try either a “basic” account with a branch near you or Monzo/Starling. My hardest part was getting documentation to prove my address – my advice is to check out what forms of ID are acceptable before you apply. Utility bills, council tax bill, letter from the Home Office/HMRC, etc are usually good bets. It sounds like you’ve done most of this however.

Other then that it’s just a matter of time really. Try a few eligibility checkers to see if you can get a sub-prime credit card. You’ll struggle with some lenders application forms as not all of them allow for foreign addresses to be included. This can sometimes be overcome by applying in person/over the phone, but other times you’ll just have to walk away mid-application as it’s a “computer says no” problem. I had success with the LUMA card by Capital One in case it helps. Otherwise I’d recommend trying for a credit card with whoever you bank with, as they may be sympathetic to your situation since you have a pre-existing relationship.

As for getting access to your credit reports, write to Experian, Equifax and TransUnion directly requesting copies of your statutory credit information – they are legally obliged to provide you with this information if you request it. If/when they can’t link a file to your name, they should request additional ID. The process can be a bit cumbersome but it’ll get sorted eventually. As above however, ignore any reference to scores or ratings as they don’t matter for anything in the UK.

System

Willing2Learn wrote: »

Hi,

You are incorrect. No-one needs a 'credit score'. When you apply to open a bank account, the bank does not see or use your 'credit score'. The bank only sees the data held in your three credit files.

I'm intrigued - are there credit cards which accept someone who doesn't have any information in a credit file? The OP seemed to suggest she has no credit history as Experian can't set up an account so presumably doesn't have any data that matches?

Flossymuldoo

My husband managed to get one after he came to the UK. It was a ridiculously high APR and a limit of about £100. He put his petrol on it and paid it off every month. Slowly over the years they raised his credit limit.

He opened a basic bank account too and then got his Uk driving licence and after a couple of years got a mobile phone contract. It didn’t happen overnight but he slowly but surely built a good credit history