How can immigrants build credit from scratch in the U.S.?
If you are an immigrant in U.S. and don’t have a credit score yet, there are several good credit card options designed to help you build credit from scratch.
Presented below are several recommended credit card options for your consideration.
Secured Credit Cards
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
No credit score required to apply.
Refundable security deposit required , $200.
No annual fee.
Reports to all 3 credit bureaus.
Automatic review for upgrade to an unsecured card.
Earn 2% cashback at gas stations and restaurants.
Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all your other purchases.
Capital One Platinum Secured
No credit score required to apply.
Refundable security deposit required,starting at $49.
No annual fee.
Reports to all major credit bureaus
Rewards like cash back or miles may be limited with secured cards.
🌐 International-Friendly Cards
Petal® 1 Visa Credit Card
No annual fee.
No security deposit.
Uses alternative data (like bank history) to assess eligibility.
Earn cash back at select local & national merchants.
Good for building credit without needing an SSN.
Deserve® EDU Mastercard
No annual fee.
Earn 1% cash back on all purchases.
No SSN required for international students.
Includes Amazon Prime Student subscription.
✅ Tips for Immigrants Starting Credit in the U.S.:
Get an ITIN or SSN because some cards require a Social Security Number(SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number(ITIN).
Start with a secured card if you don’t qualify for an unsecured one.
Pay in full every month to avoid interest and build a strong credit history.
Keep Credit Utilization Low by using less than 30% of your credit limit.
Monitor your credit using free tools (like Credit Karma / Credit Sesame / Experian).
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