Credit card... joint and authorized user.

[Hydey 0]

Hi VJers!

I am going through the AOS process, i currently am awaiting my interview in February, i have my EAD, SSN and am working 2 part-time jobs. I am an authorized user on my Wife's credit card, but how do i go about becoming a joint holder? As in both being responsible for the payments? Can i do that now that i have a SSN?

And with this being done, does that mean that the credit rating will go onto my name to when we pay everything off each month above the minimum payment?

Thanks,

Hydey!

[Cuchita 1]

All I know if it helps you is that you have to build your own credit. That will be once you apply for a checking account having proof of a stable job and get direct deposit. That's how I did it, go to a bank near you and ask for the requirements to open a checking account.

What I also did is bought a new car and my father was the co-signer but the monthly payments came under my name and that also helped build my credit.

Good luck!

[alexpapa 4]

Hi VJers!

I am going through the AOS process, i currently am awaiting my interview in February, i have my EAD, SSN and am working 2 part-time jobs. I am an authorized user on my Wife's credit card, but how do i go about becoming a joint holder? As in both being responsible for the payments? Can i do that now that i have a SSN?

And with this being done, does that mean that the credit rating will go onto my name to when we pay everything off each month above the minimum payment?

Thanks,

Hydey!

Depends on the credit card company. They would most likely be happy to have you as a responsible person for the account, but not sure if they want to report credit for two people on one card.

Just get your own card, Capital One is the easiest company (at least for me) to get a card from, and make sure you pay the balance off every single month.

Or look up secured credit cards.

[Mononoke28 134]

Definitely start your own separate credit. I also added my husband to my cards, not only as an authorized user and it didn't do anything for him. After applying on his own with different companies, the only one who was willing to give him a credit card was Capital One with no money down.

Diana

[Hydey 0]

I couldn't get a card at capital one based on me now having a credit history! What can i do?

[Hydey 0]

*BUMP*

[alexpapa 4]

*BUMP*

Did you look up secured credit cards before bumping before the hour was out?

[Mononoke28 134]

I couldn't get a card at capital one based on me now having a credit history! What can i do?

Oh that's probably because you applied for the wrong card, they actually have a special cards for people with no credit or bad credit who want to establish credit in the US. It's under the Young Adults Credit Cards and they're almost a sure shot at getting one.

Diana

Edited December 17, 2008 by Mononoke28

[venusfire503 54]

My husband couldn't get a credit card (although, we did not try a secure card) when he first got here. Then I added him on my credit cards as a joint card holder. Now his credit history looks longer than it really should. The company didn't make any kind of notes, so it looks like he's had the card as long as I have. I think that really helped him out, and then he was able to easily get a card in his own name - without having to tie up any money on a secured card. Of course, this will only work if the USC has good credit - if it's bad, it will give the SO the same bad credit rating. Also, of course, it's important to be careful about how you use the cards and pay them off (and check your credit report at least annually) to make sure everything is good. If your SO doesn't know much about credit, make sure to tell him or her. I know some of this is obvious, but... it can't hurt to mention it.

Best of luck!

[reeses16 8]

Being an authorized user is a great start. Wait until you have had a job for a few months before applying for your own card. This allows the credit bureaus to see that you have employment.

When you are added to your wife's account as a joint account holder, do so selective. If she doesn't have good credit don't do it. If her credit is good, be selective. I added my hubby to the card I've have open the longest (so he would "inherit a long history) and with the lowest balance (so that he would have a low debt/income ratio). He got his own card 5-6 months after being in the US. He got a card through WaMu, it allows you to track your credit score monthly for free and does not count as a hard inquiry on your credit report.

[When2RNLove 6]

I couldn't get a card at capital one based on me now having a credit history! What can i do?

Try HSBC. They are usually good about accepting those with little or no credit history and even not so good history.

Link is www.householdbank.com

[Wishes 2]

Hydey, I couldnt ever get any of my credit card companies to turn my accounts into joint accounts. However I added my wife to every credit, bank, and savings account I had. At the interview all the officer wanted was our most recent bank account statement showing both our names and he took my most recent Chase credit card statement. On my Chase statement is breaks down the transactions per user. So my wifes transactions were showed seperate than mine. I offered him more and he said that was all he needed to see.

Obviously each officer is different and may want different things, but he had no issues with my wife just being an authorized user and it not being a joint account.

[gazarama 0]

You could also try getting a small loan from a local loan company. We have several in the town where we live and they all report to the credit bureaus. My wife has been using them to rebuild her credit. Granted, they don't have the same impact on your credit score as a credit card, but it helps nonetheless.

Edited December 18, 2008 by gazarama

[JVKn'CVO 11]

I couldn't get a card at capital one based on me now having a credit history! What can i do?

Is your wife or a direct relative a member of a credit union?

What we did is: My MIL is a member of a credit union through her work. She was able to add me as a direct family member. Then my husband co signed for my credit card application, and I was able to get an unsecured card with a low APR

Saludos,

Caro

[Hydey 0]

Thanks guys for the replies. As for the interview i am not worried, we have a joint active bank account together which both our work direct deposits go into, and i am an authorized user on her credit card. I was trying to become a joint card holder so that i could inherit some credit history, my Wife has good credit, when we bought her car we were told it was in the range of 650ish.

My plan is to become a joint card holder, and then after the interview and working a couple more months to apply for my own card and keep the balance up to speed to help my credit.

Is this a good bet?