Checklist · first 12 months · your ticks are saved
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How it works
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What credit history is and why you need it right after moving
In the US almost every “grown-up” decision is checked against your credit history: renting an apartment, car insurance, a phone payment plan, setting up electricity and internet, sometimes even a job. It’s a record of how you use credit and whether you pay on time.
Reports are compiled by three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. They’re used to calculate your credit score, most often FICO, from 300 to 850. Your history from another country doesn’t reach these bureaus: after moving you start from a blank slate.
Without a history you won’t be refused everything, but it will cost more: a double rental deposit, higher insurance, no payment plans. That’s why it’s worth starting in your very first month.
What you need to get started
A number: an SSN (Social Security Number) if you have work authorization, or an ITIN — a tax number from the IRS for those without an SSN. Many banks and credit unions issue cards with an ITIN — check in advance.
A US bank account (checking account) and a US address where your card and letters will arrive. You’ll pay off your card from this account.
What makes up a FICO score
35% — whether you pay on time. This matters most. 30% — how much of your limit you use: the less, the better. 15% — how long your history is. 10% — how many new applications you’ve made. 10% — different types of credit (card, loan).
Hence the simple rules: always pay in full, spend only a little on the card, don’t close your first card and don’t open many new ones at once.
Your first-year plan, month by month
Month 1: SSN or ITIN, a bank account, a secured card. Set up autopay for the full statement balance.
Months 2–5: use the card for 1–2 regular purchases and pay it off in full. Check at annualcreditreport.com that the card appears on your reports. Place a credit freeze — free protection from fraud.
Month 6: your first FICO score appears — your bank’s app will show it. To speed things up, consider a credit builder loan at a credit union or becoming an authorized user on a trusted person’s card.
Months 6–12: ask your bank to convert the secured card to a regular one and return your deposit. By the end of the year, with careful payments, your score usually lets you rent an apartment without a double deposit.
Common beginner mistakes
Paying only the minimum payment — the rest accrues 20–30% interest a year. Using almost your whole limit, even if you pay it off later — your score drops because of high utilization. Applying to every bank in a row — each hard inquiry lowers your score.
Paying for “quick credit repair”. Official reports are free only at annualcreditreport.com, and you can dispute an error yourself, for free, through the bureau’s website. If someone promises you “750 in a month”, be on your guard.
Where to check the facts
Free reports: annualcreditreport.com (the official site; reports from all three bureaus are available every week). Clear explanations and complaints: the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov. The rules of a specific card: only on your bank’s website. This checklist is general information, not financial advice.
FAQ
How long does it take to get a credit score?+
Usually about 6 months from when your first card starts appearing on your reports. A good score (670+) with careful payments often builds within 12–24 months.
Can I start without an SSN?+
Yes, many banks and credit unions issue cards with an ITIN, which the IRS issues. Check the terms at a specific bank before applying.
What percentage of my limit can I use?+
What counts is your balance on the statement date. Keep it under 30% of your limit, ideally under 10%. High utilization lowers your score even if you pay in full later.
Does credit history transfer from another country?+
As a rule, no. Some services consider foreign history for certain countries and banks, but that’s the exception — plan to start from zero.
How long does a late payment stay on my report?+
A payment more than 30 days late stays on your report for up to 7 years. That’s why autopay is the most important item on this checklist.
Is it free to check my credit history?+
Yes. Official reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion are available free at annualcreditreport.com, and checking your own report doesn’t lower your score.
The magazine’s tools are for self-checking. They don’t diagnose and don’t replace a specialist’s advice. Calculations run in your browser.
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