Getting a US Credit Card (Information supplied on this topic is from experience only, and in no way reflects policies, regulations, or laws from either Canada, USA, Manitoba, or Minnesota).

General:
Unless you make the extra effort, and use some of the tips described below, you will have great difficulty in getting any kind of credit card, especially if you are a new resident to the USA.  We were aware of some of the problems in getting either a VISA or MasterCard before moving down, and took some steps to ensure we would get one.  We did.  Both Brenda and I have a Norwest VISA, with a nice high credit limit.  Here's how it is done...

Your Credit History:
Or lack of it.  This is the heart of why you would normally be refused a credit card.   If you fill out the standard application, including all the neat stuff about home much money you make, car, housing, etc, you will get what I call a standard "FPO" letter (my abbreviate for "Please F Off" - sorry if I offended - I thought the term was funny when I first heard it!).  For the most part, you will receive a short, to-the-point letter which you will get about 2 weeks after applying. It will probably not deny you the card due to bad credit, but the inability for them to verify previous credit history.  One of the largest credit-checking companies, EQUIFAX, is located in both Canada and the USA.  But each system does not cross-link, or share information.

TIP: Apply for your Social Security Card BEFORE applying for a Credit Card.  You will need this number when applying for any type of credit.

Getting the Card:
Be sure to read what we have to say about Banking in Canada and Banking in the USA first, if you haven't already.  There is some valuable information about getting a Canadian banking reference here. Set up an appointment with your banker in the USA.   At this meeting, bring with you your letter of reference from your Canadian bank, your actual Canadian VISA or MasterCard credit card, your offer letter stating your income for you new job in the USA, at least one pay-stub from your new job in the USA (if at all possible), some primary identification (passport preferred), your social security card, and have your Canadian social insurance number handy.

Fill out the standard VISA application in the branch for your desired VISA card.   Have the branch photocopy, and then attach all the above items I just mentioned. When meeting with your banker, have them type up a letter to the VISA approval department, requesting that a Canadian Credit Bureau Check also be done. Have him or her personally forward this VISA application, along with all the photocopies to the branch head-office where the applications are actually processed.  Be sure to supply the US social security number and your Canadian social insurance number so they can get a proper match when doing the credit check.  Make sure your previous Canadian addresses are included on the VISA application.

We did the above at a local NORWEST bank, and received our Norwest VISA card in the mail about a week later.  We had only been here a week, and already had part of the American dream - the ability to spend money you didn't really have!   The key to this whole deal is to make sure they perform that Canadian credit check on you.  Otherwise, it will be rejected.

If the company that you are working for has an arrangement with a Credit Union, try getting a card directly when them.   Bernie Krause got a credit card virtually right away, as well as a car loan.

Alternatives:
Consider our suggestion on the Banking in Canada page - get a US dollar visa card in Canada and use it in the USA.  The only advantage of getting your card from a US bank is to start building some sort of credit history.

Update: (02/16/99): Anil Phalcomepely provides these paragraphs of helpful information:
"Regarding getting credit cards, I wanted to give you some more info on ways of building up the US credit history while in Canada. I got a Visa gold card from a bank called First Bankcard Center in Omaha, NE, they issue cards to Canadian Residents who have good credit history in Canada. I called their toll free number 800-688-7070 and applied over the phone with my SIN number and Ottawa mailing address, they issued me the card without a problem by checking my Equifax Canada file. Later on I changed my mailing address to my cousin's address in the US.

"I also did get an American Express card in the US using my Amex card from Canada. Canadians should call a department called New Accounts special handling at 800-453-2639 and tell them that you want a US personal card, give them your US mailing address ( of someone), your Canadian Amex card number and your social security number (if you have one), then they will open you a US account and mail you the card to the US mailing address (you can change the mailing address to Canada later on). Please note that this is only valid for Personal Charge card holders not the American Express Credit cards.

"If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me."

Please feel free to e-mail me at for more information.
Please feel free to Bernie at bhkrause@uswest.net for more information about Credit Unions.