How do you get credit without having a credit card?

How to get a credit card without credit hitory?

• My friend moved to US (legally!lol) But he needs a credit card , you cant function normally without one, really.. He got a VISA check card. But how does he start to get one as CREDIT ,hes like 18 without credit history. Thats the reason banks state in the letters for denyng .

• Answer:

  The first thing your friend will need is a Social security number or an ITIN number (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) if he doesn't have one already. Once he has this he should have a savings and checking account at a bank or preferably a credit union. There should also be a job or some type of income coming in steadily and establish a savings history. He could apply for a secured line of credit. The credit limit will be determined by how much the savings deposit of that bank account has in it. for example if he has $1000 in the bank he will get $1000 line of credit. He will have to pay off the balance for the card before he can withdraw his money from the savings account. (the account is a regular interest bearing account though) Make sure he pays off his debts on time and pay more than just the minimum payments if possible. Credit Unions are usually more willing to work with members than commercial banks. He could also try applying to a regular card company (unsecured) but if there are too many declines on his credit report showing that will adversley affect getting approved. Try once about every 3-6 months