Korean Job Discussion Forums

[strangebrew]

Is it even possible? I've never had a credit card before, but am realizing I need to build credit before returning home to the states. Also, I've realized I need it to book some hotels for a trip home this summer. Anyone have any luck doing this? If so, what card did you get?

[nora]

Sure. I had two US cards (1st one from college, 2nd one with no intl. fees for moving here), and I've since gotten 2 more while living here (both for no interest financing; a new computer and some guns).

I used my parents address, as that's my legal US residence, but I put my employer here and my income here, converted to dollars at whatever the exchange rate was that day, minus a bit so as not to be too far off the mark if a rate change happened. I DID apply for both of them in person in the states while on vacation, but I was living and working in Korea.

Got both of the new ones with no problems. Both are 5k limits (I think? never use them, have them both frozen right now, not really sure). They are both Visa cards; one from Barclays and the other from my local bank.

If you have trouble, why don't you get a Korean Visa or Mastercard? Despite the "it's so hard to get a Korean CC" talk, I got a Visa here easily (unsecured), and a friend of mine has a Mastercard from Kbstar bank (not sure on secured or not).

[wishfullthinkng]

a korean card will do nothing for your credit overseas. korea uses its own credit rating system that is not affiliated with or reports to any other agencies. it also will do nothing for your credit here as well, seeing as most foreigners cannot build a credit history here.

[strangebrew]

I have no intention of getting one. Totally aware of all that.