“I moved to the US from Canada about a month ago and have no US credit history. I want to use the Amex Global Transfer program, but I don't have a Canadian Amex card. Should I apply for a Canadian Amex card, wait a few months, and then try to transfer, or is there another way to use my Canadian credit history to get a US credit card?”
Not having a U.S. credit file does not mean you must start with a Canadian Amex: Chase and RBC Bank each expressly describe using Canadian history to consider an application. The practical hurdle is meeting the particular issuer’s identification and account requirements, not waiting for your Canadian score to appear in the U.S.
Your quickest documented choices depend on which identification and existing bank or Amex accounts you already have.
If you have a U.S. SSN or and U.S. mailing address, apply for Freedom Unlimited or Freedom Flex and select the international-credit-history checkbox. Chase says its route accepts Canadian history for these two cards; both advertise a $0 annual fee. [Chase’s application route](https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/novacredit) · [Chase application guidance](https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/education/basics/everything-to-know-when-applying-for-credit-card-online)
If you have a Canadian or U.S. SSN, government ID, and the RBC client-card number on its checklist, RBC Bank says it considers your Canadian credit history for a U.S. card. Its Visa Signature Black card advertises no annual fee. This is especially relevant if you have a SIN but not a U.S. SSN or ITIN; the separate U.S.-bank-account prerequisite remains unclear. [RBC Bank U.S. cards](https://www.rbcbank.com/cross-border/us-credit-cards.html) · [Visa Signature Black](https://www.rbcbank.com/cross-border/us-credit-cards/visa-signature-black-card.html)
If you have an otherwise eligible Amex issued by American Express outside Canada, does not say it must be a Canadian card. You must be its primary cardholder and meet Amex’s three-month holding and account-standing rules; you then apply for a new U.S. card using the existing Amex account number. A recently cancelled eligible card has a narrow exception. [Amex U.S. eligibility](https://www.americanexpress.com/global-card-transfers/united-states.html/1000/)
Your Canadian credit history alone cannot satisfy this particular Amex program’s existing-Amex requirement. It is an application for a new local card using eligible Amex membership history, not an instant transfer of a Canadian credit file. [Amex U.S. eligibility](https://www.americanexpress.com/global-card-transfers/united-states.html/1000/) · [Amex program description](https://www.americanexpress.com/us/customer-service/global-card-relationship)
This slower route is conditional: **if you are still a Canadian resident with a Canadian credit file**, Amex Canada says you may apply, and Amex U.S. requires at least three months as the primary holder of an eligible card before its U.S. application. **If you no longer meet Canadian residency requirements, this Canadian-card route is ruled out for you.** You need not take this detour if Chase or RBC’s route fits. [Amex Canada eligibility](https://www.americanexpress.com/ca/en/credit-know-how/credit-card-application) · [Amex U.S. eligibility](https://www.americanexpress.com/global-card-transfers/united-states.html/1000/)
These issuers can consider Canadian history when deciding on a new U.S. card; none promises approval or says your Canadian credit score automatically becomes a U.S. score. [Chase](https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/novacredit) · [RBC Bank](https://www.rbcbank.com/cross-border/us-credit-cards.html) · [Nova Credit](https://www.novacredit.com/credit-passport)
These steps let you use a documented Canadian-history route first and avoid an unnecessary Canadian Amex detour.
Before applying
Match your identification to a route
Chase’s general application guidance lists a U.S. mailing address and SSN or ITIN; RBC Bank lists a SIN or SSN, government ID, and 16-digit client-card number. If you have neither a U.S. SSN nor an ITIN but do have the RBC items, RBC is the documented alternative to prioritize. [Chase](https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/education/basics/everything-to-know-when-applying-for-credit-card-online) · [RBC](https://www.rbcbank.com/cross-border/us-credit-cards.html)
Requirements
If you meet Chase’s U.S. application requirements
Apply for a Chase Freedom card using Canadian history
Start at https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/novacredit, select Freedom Unlimited or Freedom Flex, and check the box saying you want Chase to consider international credit history. Chase says it will send further submission instructions if needed. Both cards advertise a $0 annual fee; Chase states no waiting period for its Canadian-history option. [Chase process](https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/novacredit) · [Unlimited](https://creditcards.chase.com/cash-back-credit-cards/freedom/unlimited) · [Flex](https://creditcards.chase.com/cash-back-credit-cards/freedom/flex)
Requirements
Alternative if you have the RBC items
Use the RBC Bank U.S. route instead, if its checklist fits
RBC’s U.S. card page is https://www.rbcbank.com/cross-border/us-credit-cards.html; its online application link is https://apply.rbcbank.com/apply/customerCreation?promotional_code=W-FTR. RBC says it considers Canadian history, and its Visa Signature Black card advertises no annual fee. Its published FAQ does not supply an accessible answer about whether a separate RBC U.S. bank account must come first. [RBC cards](https://www.rbcbank.com/cross-border/us-credit-cards.html) · [card terms](https://www.rbcbank.com/cross-border/us-credit-cards/visa-signature-black-card.html)
Requirements
After approval
Pay your new card on time
Pay each bill by its due date. The CFPB identifies on-time payments as a critical step toward building a good credit score; RBC says its new U.S. card can help you build U.S. credit. [CFPB](https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/201612_cfpb_credit_invisible_checklist.PDF) · [RBC](https://www.rbcbank.com/cross-border/us-credit-cards.html)
Requirements
You are not the first to go through this. Here is how it went for others who asked the same thing.
u/Inner_Parfait_6906r/amexAug 16, 2026
u/RaxrBlader/PersonalFinanceCanadaJun 14, 2026
The answer rests on American Express, Chase, RBC Bank, Nova Credit, and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau publications.
American Express Global Card Transfer — United States
Amex states whose existing card can support a new U.S. card application, including the three-month rule and recently cancelled-card exception.
Eligibility for a new Card in the U.S.
To be eligible for a new Card in the U.S., your existing Card must be issued by American Express, you must be the primary Cardholder, and have held the Card for at least 3 months. Your Card Account must be open and in good standing at the time you apply for a new Card in the U.S. If the Card was previously cancelled by you, it must have been cancelled within the last 3 months. American Express Corporate Cards and American Express Cards issued by Banks other than an American Express Bank are not eligible through this Card application process.
American Express Global Card Relationship
The Amex program involves applying for a new card in the destination country, rather than moving the old card itself.
As a Card Member, when you move abroad, applying for a new local credit card account is not only possible, it's seamless.
American Express Canada — How to Apply for a Credit Card
Opening a Canadian Amex is conditional on Canadian residency and a Canadian credit file.
Who can apply for a Credit Card?
You are a Canadian resident and have a Canadian credit file.
Chase — Nova Credit | Credit Cards
Chase expressly accepts Canadian history for consideration through its Nova Credit partnership.
How you can use your international credit history
Thanks to our partnership with Nova Credit, you can use the credit history you’ve built in the United Kingdom and Canada — with more countries to be added soon — when applying for select Chase cards.
Chase — Nova Credit | Credit Cards
Chase limits this particular international-history application option to two named cards.
Apply for Freedom Unlimited or Freedom Flex
Please note: While Nova Credit is currently only available for Freedom Unlimited and Freedom Flex, more Chase cards will be added in the future.
Chase — Nova Credit | Credit Cards
Chase tells applicants how to request consideration of their international history.
Tell us about your credit history
While completing your application, check the box letting us know that you have international credit history you want us to consider.
Chase — Nova Credit | Credit Cards
Chase may send a follow-up request to complete the foreign-history submission.
Submit your application
If necessary, you'll receive additional instructions on how to submit your international credit history after completing the initial application.
Chase — How to Apply for a Credit Card Online
Chase’s general U.S. application guidance identifies the address and tax-identification information applicants ordinarily need.
Who can apply for a credit card
Credit card applications are open to U.S. residents — in other words, people with a mailing address in the U.S. who are over 18 and either have a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN).
RBC Bank — U.S. Credit Cards for Canadians
RBC Bank confirms it considers Canadian credit history for its U.S. card.
U.S. credit cards for Canadians
We use your Canadian credit history to consider your application, and your new U.S. card can help toward building your U.S. credit — setting you up for whatever comes next.
RBC Bank — U.S. Credit Cards for Canadians
RBC’s published checklist permits a Canadian SIN or a U.S. SSN.
What you’ll need to bank in the U.S.
Have a SIN or SSN
RBC Bank — U.S. Credit Cards for Canadians
RBC lists a client-card number among the items to have ready.
What you’ll need to bank in the U.S.
Have your client card number (16-digit number on your card)
RBC Bank — Visa Signature Black U.S. Credit Card
RBC describes the annual fee on this particular card as zero; that is not a promise of interest-free borrowing.
Visa Signature Black U.S. Credit Card
No annual fee ²⁰
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Chase advertises no annual fee for Freedom Unlimited.
Card benefits
No annual fee
Chase Freedom Flex
Chase also advertises no annual fee for Freedom Flex.
NO ANNUAL FEE (dagger).
Nova Credit — Credit Passport
Nova Credit describes providing translated foreign credit information for a lender’s decision, not automatically creating a U.S. credit score.
How it works
After authentication, we send the data to you and to the customer simultaneously, in a standardized format.
CFPB — Building Credit from Scratch
The CFPB identifies timely payments as an important way to build a U.S. credit record.
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Paying your credit card bills or other loan payments on time is one critical step in building a good credit score.
These are the issuers’ and CFPB’s published statements available as of September 24, 2026; card terms and application routes can change.
This is general information about official credit-card processes, not legal advice, and SettleKit is not a law firm.
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