It is the simplest thing amongst all the things I’m a Canadian moving to the US for work (in the process of getting a SSN). There’s a heck of a lot to do when moving, but getting a credit card turns out to be simple. I used Nova Credit to translate my Canadian Transunion credit score of 829 to a report that Amex understood. It was accepted, and Amex also required proof of address from my US bank. After that was provided, it approved me for the Amex Blue Cash Everyday credit card with $2000 credit limit. It’s not bad considering that I have no credit history in the US, and I’m happy to start building one.

Not what it says on the tin!!! Used Nova to apply for a credit card in the US using my UK credit history (or so they say). Turns out that even though Nova did a hard pull to get my full credit history from the UK, the banks didn't even use it (I have this in writing). Amex just put me on the minimum credit limit anyway and ignored the Nova check -- total waste of time! AND Nova's hard pull has negatively affected my credit score. In response to reply below: I am in fact talking about American Express. They took the Nova report but didn't use it when determining credit limit, etc. So it was the same as if I hadn't bothered with Nova at all. Seems like one big data grab from Nova Credit, don't give them your info!

Really frustrated/ waste of my time Really frustrated. Did not work at all. You try to register at novacredit, it asks you basic questions about if you have a SSN / are you in US? But never asks about your other credit history in your country. Instead it gives you a list of credit cards associated with Nova (American Express) you might qualify for. It sends you to their webpage, and at NO POINT...did they ever ask me about my background credit history from Canada, even though I clicked "Foreign Credit History" earlier It says "Thank you for the submission, well let you know if you've been approved" So it's no wonder I got declined. Really absurd system.

Complete Joke I supplied a physical copy of my 1099 to verify my income. They then sent me an email requesting that I grant them full and unlimited access to my checking account to verify my income. What a joke. Are these people nuts? First of all, they don’t need access to my checking account to verify my income. I already gave them the physical copy of my annual 1099R.

Highly recommended Extremely useful way for a new arrival in the US to get a decent credit card and build a credit rating. Application very easy, decent range of credit cards (I recommend one of the Amex Blue cards)...and makes life a lot easier in terms of signing a lease for a flat/phone etc