I moved from Brazil to the US 7 months ago. I have a job and a Chase deposit account, but I still don't have any credit history. How can I start building credit here, and what banks or methods are best for someone in my situation?
You can start building your US credit right away using your existing bank account. You do not have to settle for a secured card or wait months to apply for a standard credit card.
You can cross this worry off your list. Because you already bank with Chase, you have a clear path to an unsecured starter card that does not require any prior US credit history.
You are not restricted to secured credit cards. While secured cards are an option that require an upfront cash deposit, you can apply directly for an unsecured starter card like the Freedom Rise. You also have the option to use your international credit history to apply for an American Express card using a service called Nova Credit.
You do not have to wait a specific period of time before applying for a standard starter card. You can apply right now. However, once you open an account, you must wait one to six months for the credit bureaus to calculate your initial US credit score based on your payment history.
