Credit record for foreigners

brocollli

I have moved to UK a few weeks ago. Unsurprisingly, I have no credit history. But I can’t find any products that account for it, automated systems don’t recognize me. A Company that was doing background check for my landlord cancelled the check, saying it is not applicable to foreigners. Even the soft credit checker from this site throws an error saying it cannot match my data. What can I do to start existing in the UK credit records?

[Deleted User]

 At this point you probably won't get one. You need to establish a presence in the Uk. A tenancy, utility bills in your name, normal banking etc. 

ilikewatch2

If eligible you should ensure that you're on the Electoral Register.

I haven't been here long enough to post links, but if you go to gov.uk and search "register to vote" you should find some further info.

jimbo26

You need to start building a history, it will obviously take time, but not much different from an 18yr old starting out. Get a basic bank account, get a PAYG SIM contract to start with, over time you might be eligible for a credit builder credit card.

brocollli

Thanks guys, some clarificarions:
I am not a UK citizen - so I cannot register to vote
I do have a bank account and sim card already
I do not pay utility bills since they are included in my rent

The eligibility checks don't like that I haven't been here for at least 2 years. I find it funny that I have savings and decent income and cannot get even a low limit credit card here. There must be plenty of immigrants with the same issue.

annetheman

brocollli said:

Thanks guys, some clarificarions:
I am not a UK citizen - so I cannot register to vote
I do have a bank account and sim card already
I do not pay utility bills since they are included in my rent

The eligibility checks don't like that I haven't been here for at least 2 years. I find it funny that I have savings and decent income and cannot get even a low limit credit card here. There must be plenty of immigrants with the same issue.

Could you not apply for a credit card with a bank in your home country for use here if you need it now?

Because otherwise I think there's not a lot you can do but wait, stay with your bank account open and pay your phone bill, perhaps even move somewhere where you can pay a bill or two by direct debit.

Others may have better ideas, though!

[Deleted User]

Welcome to the UK. If you wait a few more weeks you should find your bank account has created a new credit record for you, that's assuming it's an actual bank and not something like Revolut. It could then be 6-12 months or more before you can get accepted for a credit card.

There are credit builder products for people in your position but they cost money and it is unknown whether they actually help. You can have your rent reported to credit reference agencies for free but again it's unknown whether any lenders take it into account.

[Deleted User]

brocollli said:

Thanks guys, some clarificarions:
I am not a UK citizen - so I cannot register to vote
I do have a bank account and sim card already
I do not pay utility bills since they are included in my rent

The eligibility checks don't like that I haven't been here for at least 2 years. I find it funny that I have savings and decent income and cannot get even a low limit credit card here. There must be plenty of immigrants with the same issue.

 Somebody non British citizens can register to vote. Eu citizens and commonwealth citizens. 

Dr_Crypto

Dunno if it’s the same but when a friend of mine went to the USA they were able to open an AMEX card there as USA AMEX checked with the UK division (they’d been a customer in the UK). 

vic_msn

brocollli said:

Thanks guys, some clarificarions:
I am not a UK citizen - so I cannot register to vote
I do have a bank account and sim card already
I do not pay utility bills since they are included in my rent

The eligibility checks don't like that I haven't been here for at least 2 years. I find it funny that I have savings and decent income and cannot get even a low limit credit card here. There must be plenty of immigrants with the same issue.

If you have a current account and even if you don't have a over draft facility your record would still be sent to the agencies.
Start with getting a credit card from your bank, most banks offer credit cards to their existing customers, so get this and always pay off in full every month.
Even if you are not a UK Citizens you could still be eligible to vote, example (from the Commonwealth?), so recommend you check here [gov.uk/register-to-vote]

Thanks

sasha20

There's generally speaking 6 companies you can turn to for a credit card that may accept people with limited or no previous credit  of which 5 accept new applications at the moment. These are:

• Tesco Bank (Foundation Card)
• Newday (aqua, marbles, opus, Amazon Classic and others)
• Vanquis (Chrome, Vanquis and others)
• Barclaycard (Forward)
• Capital One (Classic)

I have actually just put up a YouTube video where I talk about credit cards that are good for people with no previous history like you so feel free to check it out (This is completely not paid or promotional - just genuinely helpful information!) I can't paste links because I am new to the forum, but look up MoneyFox on Youtube and you should find it!