Learn the Basics of Credit History From First‑Hand Experience!

A Must for Life in the U.S.: Understanding Your Credit History

Hello, this is Suzuki from Eco Drive.

Today I’d like to talk about the importance of your credit score.

When I first came to the United States, the biggest obstacle I ran into was the idea of “credit.”
In America, credit really is everything.

Without credit, it’s hard to rent an apartment, lease a car, or even get a credit card.

You can also watch the video version here:

Starting Life in America With a Credit Score of Zero

As immigrants, we land in the U.S. with no credit history at all.

Whether you arrive at age 30 or 40, the credit you built in Japan (in most cases) doesn’t count here.
Even if you worked for a blue‑chip company, U.S. lenders assume any paperwork could be forged, so gaining trust is tough.

That was true for me too: no birth certificate issued in the U.S., no U.S. passport.

Right after arrival I had no license, and even if I showed pay stubs, those could technically be faked.

So if I tried to finance a car, the lender had no proof to rely on.

How to Build Credit in the U.S.: Borrow and Repay

How, then, do you build credit here?

Simply put: you borrow money—and pay it back on time.

In Japan, people often gain trust by avoiding debt or by their employer’s reputation.

In the U.S., it’s the opposite: only by borrowing and repaying on schedule do you establish credibility.

But Building Credit Takes Time

Even with that method, your score won’t jump in a month or two; it takes around two years of steady payments.

Start with a credit card, pay it off every month, and your score will slowly rise.

As it increases, you’ll pass rental screenings more easily and qualify for auto loans.

Right after moving, you have no score, so many basic financial services are out of reach.

That’s why buying a car or renting an apartment can be so hard.

Your First Step Is Often the Hardest

Credit scores range from 300 to 850 and determine your personal trustworthiness.

In a multicultural country, one common rule for everyone makes sense, but for newcomers like me, earning that score is anything but easy.

Without a history you can’t even get a credit card, so clearing that first hurdle is the challenge.

The Easiest Way—Get a Credit Card (But…)

The logical first step is applying for a credit card.

Yet big banks like Chase or Bank of America won’t issue one if you have no history.

It’s a paradox:

So you need a card you can apply for even with zero history.

Cards You Can Get Without a Credit Score

Well‑known options for Japanese nationals include:

JAL USA CARD, LACARD USA, Premier Card, etc. All are issued by Japanese companies and consider your Japanese background, making them a great starting point.

※ Most card applications still require a Social Security number, so you’ll need to obtain one.

Even Then, Your First Limit Is Low

After all that, your first card will probably have a tiny limit.

Mine was only $500, but by using it responsibly and paying on time, I slowly built credit.

Even a small limit grows—$1,000, $1,500, and so on—as you prove yourself.

About the Score Itself

The credit score quantifies trust on a 300‑to‑850 scale.

The higher the score, the easier it is to get low‑interest loans, premium credit cards, and more.

In the U.S., 700 is a key threshold.
Scores ≥ 700 are “Very Good,” while ≥ 740 are “Excellent,” unlocking the best interest rates.

Aim for 700 first, then set your sights on 740+.

How to Raise Your Score

So, how do you boost it?

Pay on time, use your cards regularly, and manage all borrowing responsibly.

I started at a $500 limit, but careful borrowing and flawless payments steadily improved my credit.

For more insights, head to the next article.