How NRIs can Build Credit Score in the USA: 12 Month Roadmap

Month 0–1: Prepare Before or Just After Arrival

The first month in the US plays a vital role in building financial foundations that support your credit score. You should take these steps right after arrival to get ahead.

Check if you qualify for Amex Global Transfer

American Express's Global Transfer program gives NRIs who have an Amex card in India a special advantage. The program lets you use your existing Amex relationship to get a US credit card without US credit history. Your existing Amex card must meet these requirements:

• Active and in good standing for at least 3-6 months
• Issued directly by American Express (not through a partner bank)

The best part? You can skip the usual US credit history requirement and start building your NRI credit score right away. You don't need an SSN or ITIN to apply at first, though getting one later is a good idea.

Open a US bank account with global banks like HSBC or Citi

A US bank account is the foundation of your financial life here. Global banks that operate in both India and the US make things easier:

HSBC International Banking:

• You can open an account before leaving or after arriving
• One online platform manages all global accounts with free transfers between them
• Services are available in many countries including the US and India

Citibank:

• No minimum deposit needed for checking accounts, but accounts empty for 90 days may close
• Monthly fees ($5-$15) go away with direct deposits of at least $250 each month

Both banks usually need:

• Your passport or government-issued photo ID
• Proof of address (utility bills, lease agreement)
• Some money to deposit (amount varies by bank)

Some banks let you apply online if you can't visit, but you might have limited access until you verify your identity at a branch.

Apply for an ITIN or SSN if eligible

Getting an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or Social Security Number (SSN) is key to building credit:

Social Security Number (SSN):

• Available mostly to noncitizens with work authorization from the Department of Homeland Security
• You can apply in your home country while getting an immigrant visa
• Or wait 10 days after arriving to apply at a local Social Security office

Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN):

• This works if you can't get an SSN
• Credit bureaus need this to track your credit properly
• Fill out Form W-7 with certified ID documents to apply
• Processing takes 6-8 weeks in normal times

Amex Global Transfer might not ask for these numbers at first, but you'll need them to build complete credit history and make sure all your payments show up in the US financial system.

Month 1–3: Get Your First Credit Product

You've set up your banking foundation. The next big step to build your NRI credit score in the US is to get your first credit product. A secured credit card works best as a starting point for most newcomers to enter the American credit system.

Apply for a secured credit card (Discover, Capital One, etc.)

Traditional unsecured credit cards will likely reject your application since you have no US credit history as an NRI. Your best bet is to look at secured cards made for credit beginners. Here are some top choices:

Discover it® Secured Card:

• You don't need a credit score to apply
• The company reviews your account each month after 7 months and might upgrade you to an unsecured card
• You'll need a Social Security number, US address and US bank account

Capital One Platinum Secured Card:

• A security deposit of $49, $99 or $200 can get you an account with at least a $200 credit line
• You might get credit limit increases without putting down more deposits
• The credit limit could be higher than what you first deposit

Bank of America Secured Card:

• Put down at least $200 as security deposit (up to $5,000)
• The bank reviews your account from time to time and might give your deposit back
• No yearly fee

Understand how secured cards work and deposit requirements

Secured cards need a refundable security deposit that works as collateral. This makes it easier for the lender to approve you. Here's what you should know:

• Your deposit amount usually sets your credit limit, starting at $200
• Capital One might let you put down just $49 for a $200 credit line based on your application
• You need to fund your deposit quickly after approval—Capital One gives you 35 days
• Some banks let you make deposits in smaller chunks instead of all at once
• The maximum deposit ranges from $1,000-$10,000 depending on the bank

Use the card for small purchases and pay in full monthly

Your credit score growth depends on how you use your secured card. Here's what works best:

1. Buy small things you can easily pay back
2. Keep your balance under 30% of your credit limit for a good utilization ratio
3. Set up auto-pay so you never miss a due date
4. Pay everything you owe each month to avoid interest
5. Use your card regularly so it stays active

Your payment history affects your credit score the most. Late payments can stay on your record for seven years.

Explore Nova Credit to transfer Indian credit history

Nova Credit might speed up your US credit building if you have a credit history in India:

• Nova Credit's Credit Passport® converts your Indian CIBIL score into a US equivalent
• Some US lenders can look at your existing credit history during applications
• The service makes it easy to access your international credit data
• Nova Credit connects with foreign credit bureaus to get and standardize your credit information

You can build credit faster by becoming an authorized user on someone else's credit card. Services that report your utility and rent payments to credit bureaus help too.

These steps will help you build a strong credit score in your first three months in the US. Your secured card shows lenders you can handle credit well, even as a newcomer to the American financial system.

Month 3–6: Build Positive Payment History

The first three months after getting your first credit product play a vital role in building a positive payment history that credit bureaus will notice. Your FICO score will be substantially affected by how you handle your credit during this time.

Keep credit utilization under 30%

Your credit utilization - the percentage of available credit you use - makes up about 20-30% of your credit score. You can find this ratio by dividing your current balance by your credit limit. Let's say you have a secured card with a $500 limit - you should keep your balance under $150.

Research shows people with excellent credit scores usually keep their utilization in single digits. This means the lower your utilization rate, the better your score will be. Your credit score starts taking a bigger hit once your rate goes above 30%.

You should keep your credit card open even with zero balance. This helps maintain a 0% utilization ratio and adds value to your overall credit profile.

Set up autopay to avoid missed payments

Your payment history accounts for about 35% of your credit score - making it your most important factor. Setting up automatic payments will give a foolproof way to pay bills on time each month. More importantly, autopay helps you avoid several problems, including:

• Late fees (up to $28 for first-time offenses)
• Penalty APRs (higher interest rates)
• Negative credit reporting after 30+ days late
• Potential charge-offs after 180 days

You need to choose carefully whether to pay the minimum, a fixed amount, or the full balance when setting up autopay. Paying the full amount each month works best for building credit quickly. In spite of that, watch your bank balance to avoid overdraft fees, which usually cost around $34.

Add utility and phone bills in your name

Credit bureaus don't automatically get utility payment information, but services like Experian Boost let you add them to your credit report. This free tool looks at your bank account for on-time payments of eligible services:

• Mobile and landline phone
• Internet, cable, and streaming services
• Gas, electricity, and water
• Trash collection

Experian Boost only adds positive payment history and never includes late payments. This makes it a risk-free way to build your credit file. Your on-time cell phone payments can also boost your score through services that link to your checking account.

Use rent reporting services to boost score

Credit bureaus don't automatically include rent payments - often the biggest monthly expense for many NRIs. Rent reporting services can change this situation. People who include rent payments in their credit reports see their credit scores grow by an average of 60 points.

These services connect to your bank account or receive payments directly. You can choose from:

• Self (free basic plan, $6.95/month premium)
• Boom ($3/month plus $25 for 24 months of past payment history)
• RentReporters ($94.95 signup fee plus $10.95/month)

Renters using these services increased from 11% in 2024 to 13% in 2025, with Gen Z leading at 18%. This works particularly well for people with limited credit history since rent payments show regular, large monthly transactions.

Conclusion

Starting a credit score from scratch as an NRI can feel overwhelming. A systematic approach can help you reach great results in your first year in the United States. Your patience and consistency will be your best friends during this trip.

Your credit-building plan has simple phases. Start with basic preparations before arrival, get your first credit products, build good payment habits, and vary your credit profile. On top of that, keeping credit use under 30% and setting up auto-payments will protect your growing score.

Your financial choices in these first 12 months create patterns. American financial institutions will use these to judge your creditworthiness for years. Small mistakes can leave lasting marks, but good habits create bigger benefits as time goes on.

A strategic approach can take you from "credit invisible" to a good score of 700+ in about a year. In spite of that, many NRIs are amazed at how quickly they qualify for unsecured credit cards and decent loan terms once they build their original credit base.

Tools like secured cards, credit-builder loans, and rent reporting services give you many ways to boost your profile. Without doubt, having different types of credit and perfect payment history will speed up your path to US financial integration.

You have all the tools to master the American credit system. This is your chance to build a spotless credit profile from scratch. Your hard work this first year will open doors to apartments, vehicles, jobs, and the complete financial freedom you want in your new home.