I am an international student on an F1 student visa, at a 4-year
college in MA, currently a sophomore. I have had a checking and
savings account with Bank of America ever since I came to the US in
September 2004. I have an income of over $13,000/year.

I would like to obtain a student credit card. I have looked at some
student credit card applications and I qualify, however they all ask
if the applicant is a "US citizen or permanent resident". The
applications state that if the applicant answers no, he/she is not
eligible for the credit card.

So that means that unless I answer yes to that question, I cannot
obtain the credit card. I have talked with other F1 international
students that obtained credit cards (so, answered yes to that
question). Also, when I asked at the local Bank of America branch last
year they said I should answer yes. However, when I asked again this
year, they said I should apply for a secured card (which I would
prefer not to).

I have also read that F1 visa holders are not considered "lawful
permanent residents", however if the word "lawful" is not mentioned
then they can asnwer yes (as well as other non-immigrant visa
holders).

The question is: are there any student credit cards for international
students? If not, can I go ahead and answer yes to the question about
permanent residency? Or would that be considered illegal? (if the
credit card application is a legally binding document?)

Thank you.

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Request for Question Clarification by hummer-ga on 28 Apr 2006 05:00 PDT

Hi paradis,

One solution would be to apply for a charge card. Looking at the
following application, "US citizen or permanent resident" is not one
of the questions.

American Express Green Card
"The Rewards Green Card makes it easy to manage your finances because
it is a charge card rather than a credit card. You'll have the
flexibility of no pre-set spending limit and, at the same time, you
know you are always in control with the Card because you pay your bill
in full each month."
https://www201.americanexpress.com/cards/Applyfservlet?csi=73/12120/b/57/1186817078/118044642216/0/n&PID=1&EAID=WNVQqcfhqCY-EVuu%2FZ6PT7bOajhUGast3w&CRTV=CCGRGR00002252&PSKU=RGR&afflSID=WNVQqcfhqCY

What do you think?
hummer

Try for a deparment store card first. Or a card at home.

What they want is a track record. Any record.

Someone gave you credit and you paid it off.

Just answer yes and go for the card. Its not like you'll go to jail
for it. I am living overseas and applied for a credit card here and
got it. They just wanted to know that I had a job with regular income.
You'll be fine. Just go for it.

There are two ways to go about it.

1) Apply for a student credit card. Your best bet would be the Blue
for Students American Express. The card states "Applicants must have a
permanent U.S. residence and must be enrolled in a degree program at
an accredited 4-year college or university or graduate school". Also,
American Express has the highest number of approvals for International
Students. Send a copy of your I-20, F-1 Visa and Student ID card along
with your application if you are using a paper based application form.

2) Obtain a "secured" credit card from your bank. The credit card is
secured because you ask the bank to hold some amount of money from
your bank account. The amount held by the bank will determine your
credit limit. So if you ask your bank to hold $300 from your account,
you will have a credit limit of $300.

Many cards only say that you need to be a legal US resident. An alien
on a student or work visa can be a legal US resident. Also, do not
apply for store cards or for many cards at once. Your activity is
logged on your credit history.

Best of luck...