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You can use your credit history from select countries to apply for a Personal Card. American Express, in partnership with Nova Credit, makes it fast and easy for U.S. newcomers to apply.*
Do I have credit history outside of the U.S.?
If you’ve done things like pay bills, own a home or buy a car, you likely have credit history.
Can my credit history outside the U.S. help me get a credit card here?
With your authorization, we can access your credit history abroad from select countries, which could help you apply for one of our Personal Cards.
Why is it helpful to have a U.S. credit card?
Responsibly using a U.S. credit card can help you build positive U.S. credit bureau history, which can impact your ability to rent a home, get a car, apply for a job and make major purchases. Learn more here.
The Credit Passport®, powered by Nova Credit, is seamlessly integrated within the American Express online application to help U.S. newcomers apply for a Personal Card.
Meet Nicky.
“I think that the unique value of the Amex Nova customers is that if you’re a U.S. newcomer, you don’t need to be a newcomer to the financial system anymore.”
Meet James.
“I just needed to get my foot on the first step of the ladder. Really, I’m very grateful to both American Express and Nova Credit for allowing me to start that journey.”
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Credit history is the record of how you repay your credit cards, loans, and other debts. Learn what it takes to establish good credit with this intro to credit history.
Understanding how "credit score" is defined, how credit scores work, and how they’re calculated can help you establish a positive financial future.
Your credit score is composed of five main factors, two of which matter more than others. Knowing how these factors are calculated can help you boost your credit. .
Textbook definitions of American finance terms are helpful, but learning local money slang can help you fully understand and embrace financial culture in the U.S.
The overall cost of living in the U.S. may be high, but where you choose to live can make a big difference. Here’s a snapshot of the cost of housing, goods, and services.
Consider these personal finance tips to help you succeed after graduating college: build a credit history, use credit cards positively, and invest to benefit your future self.
Establishing credit from scratch takes at least six months, but using that time wisely can help you build a strong foundation for your credit future.
Understanding how to use your credit card benefits is a part of maintaining healthy finances and helping you achieve your financial goals.
Start your new journey, with the backing
of American Express
American Express® Gold Card
Reward Your Appetite For Life
Blue Cash Everyday® Card
Make the most out of everyday
Blue Cash Preferred® Card
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Australia, Brazil, Canada, the Dominican Republic, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, United Kingdom, Switzerland, South Korea, and the Philippines. Don’t see your home country listed? Don’t worry, Nova Credit and American Express are looking into supporting more countries in the future.
Yes, you must have a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to apply for an American Express Card.
For your security, you will be asked for information to authenticate your identity. You may also need to provide details on multiple forms of foreign ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.).
Yes, you must have a U.S. residential address to apply for an American Express Card.
If we have all the details we need, you may be approved for the Card instantly! However, in some cases, we may need to manually review your application. If this is the case, you will get a decision within 7-14 days of submitting your application. In rare instances, it may take up to 30 days.
Yes, the Credit Passport® service, powered by Nova Credit, acts similarly to other consumer reporting agencies, like TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. Nova Credit translates consumer credit information from other countries for the purpose of furnishing it to third parties with the authorization of the applicant.
Once you’ve selected the American Express Personal Card that you’d like to apply for, navigate to the Card application page, and click on the checkbox in the Social Security Number field indicating that you have credit history in one of the countries supported by the Credit Passport®, powered by Nova Credit.
Depending on the country you choose to leverage your credit history from, your foreign credit bureau report score may be impacted. Applying with the Credit Passport®, powered by Nova Credit, will result in a hard inquiry (Brazil, Kenya, Mexico, and Nigeria) or soft inquiry (Australia, Canada, Dominican Republic, India, United Kingdom, Switzerland, and South Korea). For the Philippines, the use of TransUnion will result in a hard inquiry or a soft inquiry if The Center for Research in International Finance (CRIF) is used.
American Express, with the help of Nova Credit, can use your international credit history from select countries to evaluate your Card application. While your international credit will not transfer to U.S. credit, it could help you get approved for a Card and responsible Card use could help you build U.S. credit history.
Many factors contribute to your U.S. credit scores, including on-time payments and the portion of your credit you are using regularly (lower utilization rates may increase your credit score). Credit scores are likely to change over time, rising or falling depending on your financial behavior here in the U.S.
Applicants who are not approved for a new account may qualify in the future. We ask that you wait at least 30 days from the date you received the decline letter before submitting a new application.
Please be sure to verify all your information is correct before submitting a new application.