KittyKatalyst

Oh, I doubt it would be possible to see that kind of resolution of detail in a credit report. What I meant was that, around the start of Feb next year, I'm hoping/expecting a starting score of about 680. If it's north of that, I might well assume that my Amex age had something to do with it. But you are right, I'll never really know.

If you have an Amex abroad, and have had it for more than 12 months, you can (in most cases) request a US Amex card to replace your foreign card. The advantage is, with a good foreign history, chances of approval are very high, plus, the age of your account goes back to the first issuance of your Amex card abroad !

Has anyone tested this last piece of advice out here in USA? It would be exciting if it is true. I just came here as an international graduate student, and have decided not to work for the first 6 months. I just got my Oz Amex transferred to USA (with minimal limit of $2000, but better than nothing as a start). I'd be stoked if they fed my Oz account age into the FICO formula as I got the card in 2012! I'll update my findings here once I start to see scores.

One other way to get going on the credit score is to be an authorized user in a cell phone plan or credit card with someone else (U.S. citizen/LPR) who already has a good credit score.

I never considered the cell phone plan! My GF has an excellent score -- this could be a solid idea for us too. Thank you.

You go into the local bank and request a credit card. First they ask for your name, employer, SSN, yearly income. They type in that SSN and get a prompt return on your credit history. No valid SSN or no credit history, you can not get the loan. The three credit reporting agencies in the US use the SSN as an ID number. That is they way they set it up. No SSN, no way to look up your information. No information, no credit extended to you--that includes CCs, car loans, home mortgages, etc. The only way you could build credit quickly in the US would be to get a SSN and transfer your investments into a US brokerage or financial firm under your SSN and wait about 6-8 months. You will then show a very high equity amount verses no debt and your credit score should reflect this. That is how my wife who has no job managed to have a 720 rating after only 6 months--she was co-owner on all of our investments and had no debt.

To play the credit game in the US you need a SSN. Period. End of Story. As that is how those that run the game set up the rules.

In the context of my original question, this answer was categorically wrong. Outside of that context, you are right to a limited degree. From everything I have read, the lack of a SSN may be enough incentive for some credit providers to walk away. But the credit history can still be pulled with as little as Name + Address.

To play the credit game in the US, you don't have to have a SSN. But it helps if you do.

I'm happy to chase this through and see if I can get a direct answer from one of the CRAs.

It seems like the CRAs are hard to communicate with. Their websites make it almost impossible to log an enquiry. In lieu of that, I have found a well-sourced article that should serve as confirmation of what I have said:

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit/build-credit-without-social-security-number.aspx

Here is the main bit:

I'll ask that question as well. I imagine it would require mailing in documents.

The article above implies that the information comes via the credit provider, so that's where the update should go. I'm still guessing that it may be possible to snailmail each of the CRAs as well in order to unify your credit history records under the new SSN.

I'd like to know more about this. Any reference from the CRAs themselves?

I'm happy to chase this through and see if I can get a direct answer from one of the CRAs. I'm satisfied for myself that this is the answer as someone in my very situation (i.e. international student with no SSN or ITIN) generated a credit score via Amex after 7 months.

Don't forget that many US citizens have no idea how everything ties together. They are born and raised in the SSN world, and many never come close to a business (Where ITINs are used most commonly). You should get a hold of an accountant to explain the whole deal to you, I personally don't know exactly how the transition from ITIN credit score to SSN credit score works...

OK, I've been trawling around the MyFICO forums for the last couple of hours or so and I think I might finally have the definitive answer to the original question I posed. Here is my summary:

• You don’t need a SSN or ITIN to generate a credit score. Credit scoring begins automatically with 6+ months of credit history, and is ID’d by the CRAs with as little as your name and address
• Financial institutions usually don’t require a SSN to open new products. A passport is usually enough in person, but an ITIN can replace a SSN in online applications. All non-SSN IDs are not passed through to the CRAs.
• The only numeric identifier that CRAs use is SSN, and they will only accept SSNs for adhoc score requests by consumers (with the exception of Experian, who will accept other IDs by mail)
• Financial institutions can provide you with your score through their customer-facing reporting mechanisms (e.g. statements, online banking)
• If you get an ITIN, you should update your financial institutions with this number, as this facilitates future identification for other products
• If you get a SSN, you should update all of your creditors, and also ask the CRAs to update your credit files

If a SSN is inevitable in your near future (as is the case for me), then the ITIN is pointless.

You can actually use an ITIN if you are not eligible for SSN, but if you plan on obtaining permanent residency in the future, try to get an SSN already.

I've wondered about using the ITIN previously. When I mentioned it to my university advisor a few weeks ago, she poo-poo'd the idea and said something about it being a legacy identifier and that I shouldn't pursue it. But if it starts my credit score, why wouldn't I?

I'd prefer not to take the very first campus job I see, so if I can transition my credit history from my ITIN to my SSN, that would be awesome. Any thoughts on this?

The three credit reporting agencies in the US use the SSN as an ID number.

That's the categorical information I was looking for. Thank you Dave, and thanks for the many other helpful responses I received. I can see that I am going to need a campus job.

As for Amex USA, I need to see whether they will accept my foreign investment income and assets or not.

Thanks guys. One thing I have going for me is that I have investment income in Australia, and I also have an Australian Amex card. Amex USA will transfer my card to USA -- without a SSN I am told. I am also able to set up a 0% tuition plan with my university, which I am hoping will generate an alternate type of credit reporting for me.

Do any of these facts change my need for a SSN? I would not need any further credit lines at this stage, as I have plenty of Australian credit.

Hi all,

I am coming to the USA in August on an F-1 visa (international student). While I intend to work here and pursue an E-3 visa within the next year, I wish to concentrate on my studies at first. I am keen, however, to start establishing my credit score.

Do I need a SSN in order to trigger my credit reporting? Or is it tracked some other way? I'm in a position from Day 1 to generate financial activities that would build my score.

The only way to get a SSN in my first year here would be to get a campus job.

I made some notes on dual-intent (most llikely from visacoach.org):

While it is true that E-3 visa holders will not be shielded from the presumption of immigrant intent that their H-1B cousins enjoy, in practice an expression of willingness to depart when E visa status expires, something that may not happen for years to come, normally should suffice to alleviate any 214(b) concerns. Remember, as Greg Siskind aptly points out, that E visa holders do not have to maintain a non-abandoned foreign residence abroad. 9 F.A.M. Sec. 41.51, N.15. This is dual intent in all but name.

They are not dual intent in the sense of H-1Bs and L-1s, but they do not have a foreign residence requirement. Applicants need to attest that they intend to depart when their status terminates. A statement is usually enough unless they have clear intentions showing the opposite. But there is case law stating that the expression of a desire to remain in the US permanently as opposed to intending to remain even if legally not permitted, is permissible on an E visa. In other words, wanting to remain permanently is okay as long as one is willing to leave if this is not permitted by law.

Thanks Jason. I too am a procrastinator from a long way back I wish you all the best with your AOS!

Awesome! Thanks kitthekat.

Hmm, I'm thinking you are right. I-130 + I-485 = Adjustment of Status.

So in the meantime, I would just keep working under my E-3 status and renew as needed? And also stay in country throughout?

This just seems to be a link to a generic K-3 process. I'm specifically asking for what to do if I was on an E-3 already. Wouldn't I just file for Adjustment of Status?

I am trying to think far ahead on my journey to work in the USA. If I marry a US citizen while I am on my E-3 visa, what is the transition path to Permanent Residence? Would I need to leave the country at all?

Hi everyone! First time poster, long time listener

I want to check out my understanding of the E-3 visa process for Australians. My understanding is that I basically need an LCA from my prospective employer, then I come back to the US Consulate in Melbourne for an interview (applying online via DS-160). Is it really this easy? Everything I have researched about it says yes, but I want to check here as it seems like I get to bypass the USCIS petition process.

I also want to check if there are any conditions about taking up courses of study while on the E-3. I can't find any restrictions online so far, and my guess is that there shouldn't be. Would love confirmation of that too if possible.