International renters
Does my credit history from my home country count in the US?
Updated By the Housing Rocket moderators
Short answer
Usually not directly. US credit bureaus do not import credit histories from other countries, so you arrive with no US credit file even if your record at home is excellent. Some services can turn a credit report from certain countries into one US landlords can read, and a letter from your home bank also helps.
A landlord who runs a US check on you will see 'no file'. That is not bad credit, just an empty record. Your job is to bring the evidence from home in a form a US landlord can use.
- Ask the landlord whether they accept international credit reports. A few services cover selected countries and produce a report in a US-style format.
- Get a letter from your home bank, in English, confirming how long you have been a customer and that your accounts are in good standing.
- Ask a previous landlord or university residence for a short reference showing you paid on time, translated if needed.
- Put these in the same file as your passport, visa and proof of funds so the landlord reviews everything at once.
Smaller landlords are often happy to read a translated bank letter. Large management companies with fixed screening software may not be able to, and will ask for a guarantor or guarantor service instead.
Start a US credit history soon after you arrive. A secured credit card used lightly and paid in full each month is the usual first step, and a score generally appears after around six months. It will help more with your second lease than your first. For renting with no credit in general, see rent and applications.
Want the whole picture? Read Renting as an International Student.