A US credit score is a three-digit number, from 300 to 850, that lenders use to predict how likely you are to repay borrowed money.
Quick answer
If you are new to the US, you start with no credit score, even if you had an excellent one in your home country. Your US score is built from your activity on US credit accounts, and it is calculated from five factors. Once you have one account reporting, you can usually have a first FICO score in about six months. A higher score makes it easier to qualify for credit, rent an apartment, or set up utilities without a large deposit.
What goes into your score
The two most widely used scores, FICO and VantageScore, both run from 300 to 850. Your score comes from five factors. Payment history matters most, so paying on time is the single best thing you can do, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
| Factor | Weight (FICO) |
|---|---|
| Payment history (whether you pay on time) | 35% |
| Amounts owed (how much of your available credit you use) | 30% |
| Length of credit history | 15% |
| New credit (recent applications) | 10% |
| Credit mix (types of credit you have) | 10% |
"Amounts owed" is really just how much of your available credit you are using, which lenders call your credit utilization. A simple rule of thumb is to use less than 30% of the credit available to you, and the less you use, the better. For example, if your card limit is $1,000, try to keep your balance under $300. There is nothing special about 30% itself; people with the highest scores tend to use only a small share of their available credit.
Your credit does not transfer from your home country
Credit history does not cross borders. A strong record in another country does not carry into the US system, and the three US credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax) start your file fresh. This is normal, and you can build a US score from zero in months, not years.
How long until you have a score
A FICO score usually needs about six months: at least one account open for six months or more, with activity reported within the last six months. VantageScore can produce a score in as little as one month, but most lenders still pull FICO, so it is safest to plan around the six-month mark.
How to start building a US score
- A secured credit card. You put down a refundable deposit that typically sets your credit limit, then use the card and pay on time. It builds credit only if the issuer reports your activity to a credit bureau, so pick one that reports. See our guide on what a secured credit card is and how it builds credit.
- A credit-builder loan. Your payments are reported as you make them, and the funds are released to you at the end.
- Becoming an authorized user. A family member or friend with good credit adds you to their card so their on-time history can help yours.
One option that does not require an SSN is the MAJORITY Visa® Secured Credit Card. It uses the same identity check as your MAJORITY account, so no SSN is needed, and your payment activity is reported to a credit bureau to help you build a US score.
Frequently asked questions
What credit score do you start with in the US? You do not start at zero or with a set number. You simply have no score until you have a credit account with about six months of activity.
Does my credit history from my home country count? No. Credit history does not transfer between countries, so you build a new US score from scratch.
How much of my credit limit should I use? A common rule of thumb is to use less than 30% of the credit available to you, and the less the better. For example, if your card limit is $1,000, try to keep your balance under $300. Think of 30% as a cap to stay under, not a goal to reach.
How fast can I build credit without an SSN? You can open a US account and apply for a secured credit card with a passport or other accepted ID, no SSN required, and start building a score after about six months of on-time payments.
Disclosures
The MAJORITY Visa® Secured Credit Card is issued by WebBank, a member of the FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc.
Since your credit history is reported to major credit bureaus, it can help build/rebuild your credit if used responsibly. Other factors, such as late payments or delinquencies with your other accounts or loans, may adversely impact your credit. There is no guarantee regarding any impact on your credit score.
Qualification for the MAJORITY Visa® Secured Credit Card is based on meeting eligibility requirements, including income and expense requirements, having a Majority account in good standing, and establishment of a security interest. Criteria are subject to change.
The MAJORITY app facilitates banking services through Axiom Bank, N.A. ("Axiom"), Member FDIC. The funds deposited in the account held at Axiom, Member FDIC, are FDIC-insured on a pass-through basis up to $250,000 per depositor in the event Axiom fails and subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions.