It is completely normal to be denied for a traditional credit card when you first arrive. Lenders usually look for a FICO score, which is a number credit bureaus generate based on your borrowing history, and you do not have one yet. However, federal rules do not require banks to use FICO scores. You can get a starter card from companies that look at your bank account instead.

The agencies recognize that use of alternative data may improve the speed and accuracy of credit decisions and may help firms evaluate the creditworthiness of consumers who currently may not obtain credit in the mainstream credit system. ... For example, the agencies are aware that some firms are automating the use of cash flow data to better evaluate borrowers’ ability to repay loans.

But regulations are so different in other countries that its generally not possible to simply transfer the credit files of new immigrants or international students. That means new arrivals in this country are typically starting from zero when it comes to building credit.

To assess your creditworthiness, lenders typically review your credit history to see how you’ve managed debt, including credit card accounts and other lines of credit (LOC), in the past. A thin credit file could make it difficult to qualify for a credit card.

Credit bureaus use credit reports to generate credit scores, which are numbers that reflect how risky you are as a borrower.

These so-called "alternative" credit cards dont require a security deposit, nor do they rely on the traditional FICO-based method of credit evaluation. Instead of pulling your credit history, they can use their own proprietary underwriting models to determine your creditworthiness, taking into account things like your school or employer, your income, or your bank account information.

A debit-credit hybrid card is a cross between a debit card and a credit card. You can use them like a credit card, making purchases and paying them off over time. Like a debit card, however, the amount you can spend is usually determined by how much money you have in a linked checking account or loaded onto the card.

You dont need a Social Security number to get a credit card, but it helps to get an individual taxpayer identification number.

If you get a loan or a credit card and the issuer doesnt report to the credit bureaus, your responsible use of that credit doesnt count in your favor.