I am an international student and just received my SSN. I want to build my credit score from scratch. Which bank's credit card is best for students and why?
You do not need an existing US credit score to get approved for your first credit card. While traditional major banks might turn you down at first, you can qualify for alternative unsecured credit cards or a secured card to start building your history.
You can cross this worry off your list: having no credit history will not shut you out of the US financial system, and you already have the Social Security number you need to get started.
You asked if issuers require an existing US credit history to approve you, and whether you must use a secured card. The answer to both is no. Alternative credit card issuers have created cards that do not require a security deposit or a traditional credit score. Instead of pulling a credit history, they use their own models to determine your creditworthiness by looking at your school, your income, or your bank account information.
You also asked which bank's credit card is best. The documents do not name one single best card, but they highlight specific options that work well for international students:
Alternative unsecured cards: Issuers like Zolve, Petal, and Neu are strong options because they specifically target applicants with no credit history and do not require a deposit.
Secured cards: If you choose a secured card, the Discover it Secured card is a good option. It requires a $200 minimum deposit, but Discover automatically reviews your account after seven months to see if you are eligible to upgrade to a regular unsecured card.
University credit unions: If your school has a credit union, they often offer limited-credit cards to their students.
Home-country credit translation: If you have a credit history in your home country, a service called Nova Credit allows immigrants from certain countries to use that history to apply for American Express credit cards.
Other ways to build credit include becoming an authorized user on a trusted friend or family member's US credit card, or using a rent-reporting service to build credit from your monthly apartment rent payments.
