Getting your first credit card as an international college student in the US can be daunting. You may not have much existing credit history and are navigating a new financial system. But having a credit card is paramount for building financial independence and establishing a good credit score for major purchases down the road.

With smart planning and responsible usage, you can use your first card to set yourself up for credit success. Let's go through the steps to get started!

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Step #1: Understand the Importance of US Credit History

Many major financial decisions in the US require looking at your credit report and score. Renting an apartment? Taking out loans? Financing a car? Your credit history will be checked. So you need to start building a positive record as soon as possible.

Getting approved for a credit card when you don't have established US credit can be challenging. But with the right strategy, you can get your foot in the door and begin showing you're a responsible borrower month to month.

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Step #2: Determine the Best Starter Card for You

It's paramount that you apply for the right card given your unique situation.

Look for and research these types of cards tailored to those new to building credit:

Student Credit Cards

If you're enrolled in a US undergraduate or graduate program, explore student cards from major issuers like Capital One, Bank of America, and Discover. They have more flexible approval requirements focused on your student status rather than an extensive credit history.

To qualify for a student credit card, you must have:

• An SSN or ITIN
• A credit history
• A co-signer (not all banks allow this)

Did you know? Firstcard helps students build credit, grow their money, and earn cash-back rewards. It only takes two minutes to open an account.

Secured Credit Cards

No credit history? No problem. Secured credit cards require a small deposit that becomes your initial credit limit. This gives the lender some insurance and makes approval easier for those with limited or no history. Discover and Capital One are reliable options.

Starter Credit Cards

Starter credit cards like Chime, Petal, and Deserve are excellent options for those new to the US credit system. Limits and perks may be lower, but they're great entry points. Explore their options with no annual fee, interest, or credit score requirements.

Pro tip: Aim for cards with around a $300 to $500 limit initially. Building a positive history with low limits first is advisable when starting out. You can request increases over time.

RELATED >> What College Students Should Know About Debit Cards vs. Credit Cards

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Step #3: Gather Key Application Materials

Depending on what you're applying for, application materials may vary. But generally, you can streamline the process by providing your:

• Social Security Number (SSN) or ITIN: This unique ID number is required for all credit checks. Apply for an SSN if on a student visa, or get an ITIN from the IRS if you're not eligible for an SSN yet.
• Proof of income: List any part-time job, assistantship, or student loan funding you receive. Include financial aid award letters if applicable. Having bank statements that show regular deposits works out in your favor when applying for credit cards.
• Passport: If you don't have an SSN or ITIN, find credit card companies that issue cards exclusively for students with a passport. This is a solid option for those who don't plan to stay in the US long, but want to use credit to pay for expenses.
• Student ID: Provide details on your enrollment status, school, program, and expected graduation date.

Note: Not all banks allow this, but having a co-signer can help show the credit card issuer that you're able to make on-time payments.

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Step #4: Apply for Your First Credit Card

With your materials ready, formally apply for the credit card you think best fits your situation. You can apply for most online or via mobile app in minutes. Be prepared to provide the details above. In most cases, you'll get a decision on an application within minutes after submission.

Got denied? Call reconsideration lines and explain you're a student new to the US credit system seeking to build history. Also, consider the backup options below.

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Step #5: Explore Alternative Options if Needed

For some, the standard credit card application process poses challenges:

• No SSN yet: Some lenders allow applications with ITIN/passport while your SSN is pending. Check with your international student office to expedite this.
• No credit history: If denied for student/secured cards, try credit builder loans with smaller banks or credit unions to establish payment history.
• Bank account denial: Seek out banks that allow ITINs. Having a US bank account can assist with approval down the line.
• Application denial: Try secured cards first if declined for standard ones. Then, reapply in about 6 months. Call reconsideration lines and note you're a student trying to build history.

Remember: Don't get discouraged if you don't get approved right away. Persistence and exploring backups will help you get there.

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Step #6: Use Your New Card Responsibly

Once approved, start using your card wisely right away:

• Use it regularly: Charge small, manageable amounts monthly like gas, groceries, and subscriptions. Having activity reported builds a positive credit history. Only buy what you can afford and pay what you owe in full every month if possible.
• Pay on time: Set up autopay or reminders to never miss payments. This is crucial to avoid damaging your score quickly. Always pay at least the minimum.
• Keep balances low: High balances relative to your limit can hurt your credit score. Keep utilization under 30% if possible, and pay off larger purchases over several months.
• Monitor credit reports: Review your credit reports every few months to ensure a positive history and accurate activity reporting.

Pro tip: In college, it can be tempting to spend money — but try to limit it to the essentials. Poor spending can quickly lead to debt, which hurts your credit score. Responsible spending habits are key to using your first card as a credit-building tool.

RELATED >> How College Students Can Build Their Financial Literacy (and Future Wealth)

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Step #7: Look for Ways to Increase Your Limit Over Time

As you build a solid history with your starter card and improve your credit score, look for opportunities to gradually increase your limit:

• Request higher limits from your card issuer after 6-12 months of on-time payments. This demonstrates you can handle more credit.
• Consider applying for a second card from a different issuer after a year of positive history. Diversity of credit is good — just space out applications by several months.
• With improved scores down the road, look to graduate to more rewarding cards with better perks, rates, and benefits.

Take it slowly, but opening access to more credit down the line helps build your profile. Just make sure to have autopay set up on all of them, or a system to keep track of when payments are due so you don't miss any.

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General Tips for Improving Your Chances of Credit Card Approval

Beyond finding the right starter card and having your documents in order, here are some additional ways to boost your approval odds as an international student:

Tip #1: Open a US Bank Account ASAP

Having an active US checking or savings account shows you have financial ties to the country. Making consistent deposits over time shows you have the funds to pay off credit card purchases.

Tip #2: Apply for a Credit Card Builder Loan

Credit card builder loans allow you to take out a small loan that goes into a locked savings account. You make monthly payments as with any loan. This positive payment history gets reported to the credit bureaus. It's a way to establish US credit files and history when starting from scratch.

Tip #3: Leverage Banking Relationships

You may have better luck getting approved with banks where you already have a checking or savings account.

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Set Yourself Up for Credit Success

Arriving in a new country is a huge adjustment — but you can take control of your US credit pathway from the start:

• Find the right starter card for your situation
• Apply smart
• Use your new card responsibly
• Explore ways to build up from there over time

Your future self will thank you when you've established a strong foundation of credit history in the US. With good credit, major opportunities like financing a car or home, renting an apartment, or taking out student loans become much easier.