Your old credit doesn't cross the border
An excellent score in your home country means nothing to U.S. lenders — credit histories don't transfer between countries. On a work visa you effectively start from zero, no matter how established you were back home.
The good news: your work visa comes with a Social Security number, and that's all you need to open your first U.S. account.
Fastest ways to start
Some banks offer 'newcomer' credit cards that approve you using your visa, passport, and income instead of a U.S. credit history — a few can even factor in your foreign credit through services like Nova Credit.
If you're not approved for a regular card yet, a secured card or credit-builder loan will get your first on-time payments reporting within a month or two.
Build quickly but safely
Put a couple of recurring bills on one card, pay in full every month, and keep utilization low. Because you're starting fresh, every on-time payment counts — and an account's age starts helping immediately.
If your employer or spouse has established U.S. credit, becoming an authorized user on their card can jump-start your file.
Think ahead to renewals and big purchases
A solid U.S. score makes visa-related moves easier — renting an apartment, financing a car, or qualifying for a mortgage once you're eligible. Start building the moment you arrive, not when you need the loan.
Keep your accounts open even if you travel, and freeze your credit when you're not applying for anything new.
On a work visa you start with a blank U.S. credit file — but with an SSN and the right first account, you can build a real score in months. Subefy works in your language, points you to newcomer-friendly options, and tracks your progress across all three bureaus. Credit disputes are always free.