How to use U.K. credit history in the U.S. | Nova Credit (2024)

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June 2nd 2023

In the past, different credit reporting systems and laws made it difficult to share credit information across borders, even when the credit reporting agencies operate in both countries. Today, it’s possible to use your U.K. credit history in the U.S.

Nova Credit is a cross-border credit bureau that allows newcomers to apply for U.S. credit cards, phone plans, and loans using their foreign credit history.

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The United States is one of the most popular destinations for immigrants from the United Kingdom. While embarking on a journey across the pond, be prepared to deal with many hurdles that come with moving to a new country. One of the biggest of these challenges is accessing credit in the U.S. as a Brit.

In the past, different credit reporting standards and technical challenges made it difficult to share credit information across international borders, even when the credit reporting agencies operate in both countries. Today, it’s possible to use your U.K. credit history to apply for several products and services like credit cards, phone plans, and more in the U.S. This article will explain how.

Why is having a good U.S. credit score important?

Having a good credit history can play a critical role in helping you live a comfortable life as a newcomer in the U.S. Having access to credit in a new country isn’t just about getting a loan; it also has a direct impact on your ability to obtain financial products such as credit cards and bank accounts as well as to access essential services such as housing and phone plans.

Many newcomers today face challenges navigating the restrictions that lenders and creditors (including cell phone and internet providers) have in accepting a U.K. credit history. Because these credit institutions traditionally had no way to measure the financial stability of new clients from abroad, newcomers from countries like the U.K. often faced a restricted set of product choices or had to pay high interest rates and large sums for security deposits.

Before we get into how to use your U.K credit history in the U.S., it’s important to understand the differences in how credit reporting works in both countries—so you have an idea on what to expect when you arrive in the States.

Credit reporting: U.S. vs U.K.

While the major credit bureaus in the U.K. and the U.S. are the same — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — your U.K. credit history does not automatically transfer to the U.S. when you move between these two countries.

Here’s a rundown of the main differences between the U.K. and U.S. credit reporting systems:

1. Identification by lenders and credit bureaus

In the U.K., people are identified by lenders and credit bureaus through the information from their electoral register, which contains personal information including name, address, date of birth and an electoral number.

In contrast, people in the U.S. don't receive any direct financial benefit from registering to vote. Instead, they are identified by lenders and credit bureaus through their Social Security Number (SSN), a nine-digit number issued to U.S. citizens and residents.

2. How lenders use your credit score

In the U.K., each lender has their own separate scoring model depending on their criteria and what they’re looking for in a customer. While British lenders can use the scores provided by the credit bureaus, they primarily help educate the consumer about their credit rather than use it to evaluate creditworthiness.

In the U.S., lenders typically pull your credit score from credit bureaus to evaluate your application for credit. Most U.S. lenders and creditors use some version of either the FICO score or VantageScore models. While your credit score is not the only consideration for assessing your creditworthiness, it has a major impact on the success of your application for new products and services.

Building U.S. credit with your U.K. credit history

If you’ve recently moved to the U.S., you may be able to use your British credit history to apply for U.S. credit products using Nova Credit. The company works with top global consumer credit bureaus around the world, helping British immigrants use their foreign credit with lenders in the U.S.

That means that the good credit history you’ve worked so hard to build up in the U.K. can now be used to improve your chances of being approved for products and services like credit cards, phone plans, apartments, and loans in the U.S. Once approved, you can begin to build a U.S. credit history by responsibly managing your new U.S. credit accounts.

Use your U.K. credit history to apply for U.S. credit cards and more

In partnership with Equifax UK, Nova Credit can translate your U.S. credit file into a U.S.-equivalent score to be used by U.S. lenders.

This will help you apply for the following products with your U.K. credit history:

  • Credit cards - Apply for any American Express credit card using your U.K. credit history. Browse card options, and apply online.

  • Phone plans - Use your U.K. credit history to apply for a postpaid phone plan with Verizon and qualify to finance a smartphone with 0% interest plans for up to 36 months.

  • Student loans - Apply for a no-cosigner student loan to study in the U.S. through MPOWER or Prodigy Finance, for both grad and undergrad programs.

Using Nova Credit is entirely free for immigrants to use. It is a powerful way to help you get started with your first credit products in the U.S. using your U.K credit history, so you can then start building your U.S. credit profile and credit score.

In addition to the U.K., Nova Credit currently connects to credit bureaus in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Dominican Republic, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and the U.K.

Register for our Arrive newsletter for updates on new products and countries as we launch them.

More from Nova Credit:

Credit Cards for No Credit

Credit Cards for International Students

Credit Cards Without SSN

Credit Cards to Build Credit

How to Build Credit

How to use your foreign credit history to get credit in the U.S.

Announcing the Cash Flow Underwriting Summit: a first-of-its-kind executive summit dedicated to exploring and advancing the practice of cash flow underwriting in consumer lending.

How to use U.K. credit history in the U.S. | Nova Credit (2024)

FAQs

How to use U.K. credit history in the U.S. | Nova Credit? ›

Check for applying without a U.S. credit history — While filling out a credit card application, check a box with "apply without having a U.S. credit history." This allows Nova Credit to share your home country's credit history with the credit card company.

Does UK credit score affect US credit score? ›

While the major credit bureaus in the U.K. and the U.S. are the same — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — your U.K. credit history does not automatically transfer to the U.S. when you move between these two countries.

Can I use my UK credit card in USA? ›

As the USA is such a popular destination among Brits, it's worth knowing how to use your British credit card across the pond. Visa, Mastercard and American Express credit cards are all widely accepted in the USA, though you should be aware that payment methods differ slightly from those in the UK.

Can you transfer your credit history to another country? ›

You will be required to build a new credit history in your new country of residence. Of course, it is never a good idea to leave behind bad credit and unpaid debt. Your credit report and credit score don't follow you when you move to another country.

Does my credit history follow me to another country? ›

Typically, a credit score is only applicable within its respective country. If you decide to move to another country, you'll likely need to build a new credit score. Your credit score in the U.S., for example, probably won't affect your score when establishing credit in Germany.

Can I use my UK credit history in USA? ›

International credit scores generally do not transfer to credit scores in the US. Most credit-builder products, like secured credit cards, look at your bank account instead of your credit score. Nova Credit allows immigrants from some countries to apply for credit with an international credit score.

How to transfer UK credit score to USA? ›

Unfortunately not. Regulations differ so much from country to country, that it's impossible to simply transfer files when someone moves internationally. This means that no matter how perfect your score is in your home country, you'll be starting from scratch in the U.S.

How do I build credit from USA to UK? ›

Here are some tips for getting started:
  1. Get established with a UK address. Proof of residence is an important criteria for building UK credit. ...
  2. Be gainfully employed. ...
  3. Open a bank account in the UK. ...
  4. Apply for credit cards with high interest rates. ...
  5. Put any and all bills in your name. ...
  6. Open one (or a couple) store cards.
Jul 1, 2017

Do I need to tell MBNA I am going abroad? ›

Your credit card is ready to use in most countries around the world both for shopping and withdrawing cash. There's no need to let us know before you jet off, but it's a good idea to check your card won't expire while you're away.

Why are US credit cards better than UK? ›

Rewards programs are much less generous in the U.K. than in the U.S. European Union (EU) regulations cap the amount that card brands can charge merchants, meaning there is less money to be spent rewarding consumers. American Express is the undisputed king of the U.K. rewards space, due to its exemption from the cap.

How can I get my credit history in USA? ›

How to get a copy of your credit report
  1. Online by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com.
  2. By calling 1-877-322-8228 (TTY: 1-800-821-7232)
  3. By filling out the Annual Credit Report request form and mailing it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service. PO Box 105281. Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
Jun 11, 2024

Is your credit history international? ›

Your credit score will not follow you to another country, but your financial situation, including your debt levels and income, will still play a pivotal role. Creditors cannot share your financial information abroad and different countries have different standards for assessing creditworthiness.

What happens to my credit score if I leave the country? ›

Your U.S. credit score won't follow you

Leaving your credit score back in the States may sound appealing if you're hoping to escape your debts by moving abroad. It's not that simple. Often, when you apply for a visa in another country, your debt will be examined.

Can UK debt follow you to another country? ›

If I move away from the UK, can creditors pursue me abroad? The quick and simple answer to this is yes. However, it can become much more complicated depending on your financial situation and how you've communicated with your creditors.

How do I check my credit score abroad UK? ›

If you live abroad but want to get your UK statutory credit report, you can do it online or by post with any of the credit reference agencies – Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. You'll still need an official UK address, though.

Can debt collectors find you in another country? ›

Your debt doesn't magically disappear when you move, but debt collection does become more challenging for issuers if you leave the country. Because of each country's unique credit systems and regulations, it can be difficult for creditors to track you down.

Does foreign debt affect US credit score? ›

A: In most cases, any international debts you may have incurred while overseas won't be held against you in the states. “International and U.S. credit files are maintained separately, as each country has different credit-related regulations and laws,” Demitra Wilson, a spokesperson for Equifax, tells MainStreet.

What is the UK equivalent of a FICO score? ›

Unlike the US, the UK does not have a universal credit scoring system. Instead, there are multiple Credit Reference Agencies (CRAs) such as Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Not all lenders report to all CRAs, which is why there will often be some variation between your credit score depending on which CRA you use.

Does the UK have a different credit scores? ›

In the UK, there are 3 major credit reference agencies. They are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Each agency calculates your credit score differently. This results in the existence of 3 different credit scores.

References

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