Real Benefits for Those Who Can Use Their Card When Moving Abroad
The American Express Global Transfer program offers a little-known but highly functional feature for those moving to different countries. For example, an Amex cardholder in the US who moves to the UK can get a new Amex card there without resetting their card history. This allows their credit history to continue where it left off in their new country.
The HSBC Premier card operates under the motto “multiple countries, single customer profile.” A customer in one country can easily become a cardholder in other countries where HSBC operates. For example, if you move from Hong Kong to the UK, your credit card will be adapted directly rather than starting from scratch.
Revolut Metal cardholders can continue using many payment services with the same IBAN number when moving from Europe to Canada. This ensures a seamless transition to the new country without any disruptions to salary payments, online shopping, or automatic payments.
The Wise (formerly TransferWise) Debit card offers the option to request a new card without waiting for mail, thanks to virtual address usage, for those moving to multiple countries. For example, a user moving from Germany to Australia can request their new card to be sent to a virtual mailbox without providing a local address.
Strategic Cards for Maintaining Your Credit History Abroad
Chase cards, if not closed before moving abroad, can provide access to your US credit history even years later. This means a long-term credit score advantage for users with plans to return.
Capital One offers U.S. citizens moving to Canada new cards with low limits but suitable for carrying credit scores, while accepting old score data as a reference upon request. This is a significant difference from other banks that require users to start from scratch.
Canada-based Scotiabank automatically pre-evaluates applicants from certain Latin American countries through its “internally shared credit profile” system. This means that you can get a new card without compromising your Scotiabank history in another country.
How do card benefits make a difference for immigrants?
American Express Platinum cardholders can continue to enjoy lounge access, such as Priority Pass, regardless of the country. This means that even if the card was issued in the US, someone who moves to Europe can still use that card to access the lounge at Istanbul Airport.
The Citi Premier card offers 3% cashback on restaurant spending abroad. However, a little-known detail is that even if the cardholder moves outside the US, this cashback does not lose its validity abroad; on the contrary, higher offers are made as international usage increases.
Barclaycard issues cards to all EU residents without requiring residency in Austria. This means you can live in Germany and open a card in Austria, which is a great convenience for cross-border workers.
Global Cards with Local Bank Partnerships
Revolut offers free cash withdrawals at local ATMs in Brazil thanks to its partnership with Interbank. This partnership is not only beneficial for those moving to Latin America, but also for digital nomads who travel there for work during the summer months.
N26 offers “standing customer” status to customers moving outside the European Union in certain countries, including Brazil and the US. This means that the system keeps your account inactive and automatically invites you when a local N26 office opens.
Tricks for Building Credit from Scratch
Secured credit cards opened before moving can be presented to banks as reference letters, even if they do not appear on official credit reports in the country of relocation. For example, a person who applied for a loan from Commerzbank in Germany using a secured card from Capital One was able to secure a low-interest loan with this document.
Australia offers a “non-resident credit report” for US citizens. This means that even if an immigrant has not yet lived in the country for six months, they can be included in the scoring system based on their US credit history. This service is supported by NAB and ANZ banks through special application forms.
Dual Citizenship and Flexible Credit Card Ownership
In some countries, dual citizens can access the credit systems of both countries separately. For example, someone who is both a US and Canadian citizen can obtain credit cards in both countries and accumulate points separately. This “cross-border recognition” system is supported by institutional structures such as American Express and TD Bank.
A person living in the US who also has Italian citizenship can apply for a credit card through UniCredit using their Italian tax number (codice fiscale). This means access to dual-loyalty card programs for immigrants returning to Europe.
Credit Card Pitfalls and Opportunities for Digital Nomads
Digital nomads often cannot obtain credit cards from traditional banks because they cannot provide a fixed address. However, countries like Brazil, Estonia, and Georgia offer “residency-light” card programs tailored to this group. For example, with an Estonian e-residency card, you can obtain a card from digital banks like Wise, Paysera, or N26.
One of the most prominent nomad-friendly cards is the Curve card. This card consolidates all linked cards under a single app and automatically selects the best exchange rate for international transactions. This eliminates the need for digital nomads to constantly switch cards.
The Wise Borderless card offers local bank details and low exchange rates in over 50 countries across Europe and Southeast Asia. This card is almost like having a personal bank branch for those who frequently change countries.
Card Selection Strategies Based on Visa Types
Individuals arriving in the US on an F1 (student) visa typically cannot apply for traditional cards because they do not have a Social Security Number (SSN). However, alternative fintech products that accept “non-SSN” applications, such as Deserve EDU and Petal cards, allow this group to start building credit history.
Blue Card holders in Germany can build credit history with German banks as well as international banks such as ING Netherlands and participate in cross-border loyalty programs. For example, it is possible to shop in Germany with an ING card and participate in cashback programs in the Netherlands.
Someone working in the UK on a Tier 2 visa is not limited to banks like NatWest or Lloyds. Digital banks like Monzo and Starling open accounts and issue cards based on address verification, regardless of visa type. This is a huge convenience for those working for multinational companies.
Strategies for Maintaining Credit Card Validity During Relocation
If you are concerned that your card will be canceled because you are not using it, you can keep it active by setting up a small monthly payment for Netflix or Spotify. This tactic prevents your credit score from dropping in your old country, even if you are not actively using your card in your new country.
Some American Express cards automatically update your address when you change countries and may also change your card type. For example, if you move from the US to the UK, your Platinum card will be restructured according to the benefits of the new country, but your loyalty points will not be lost.
Some users redirect their credit card statements to a friend's address in the UK before moving, creating an “address history” in the country they are moving to. This can provide a significant advantage when applying for local credit cards.
Tips: Secret Ways to Make Your Credit History International
You can request a PDF printout of your credit card statement from your bank and have it notarized to present it in your new country as official banking correspondence. This practice is particularly accepted in Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.
International employers can make the card application process easier by providing a “letter of employment + salary guarantee” to the bank in the new country. This is especially relevant for those working with multinational companies in Europe and Asia.
Immigrant-Friendly Credit Card Programs in Some Countries
Neo Financial in Canada allows newcomers to apply even without a social insurance number (SIN). Additionally, it offers up to 5% cashback for the first six months specifically for those with an immigration background. This is a rare offer for those without a credit history.
Tomorrow Bank in Germany is not only environmentally friendly but also immigrant-friendly. Anyone with a residence permit can apply, and card applications are based on “income reporting” rather than official credit scores.
In Australia, Up Bank automatically provides a virtual credit card (e-credit) to newcomers who show account activity of over AUD 100. This card is also valid for those who have not yet completed the address registration process.
In Singapore, the YouTrip card accepts applications with only a passport and allows you to hold over 10 currencies in a single mobile wallet. This is particularly advantageous for immigrants who frequently travel in Asia.
The Real Impact of Card Selection on Currency Conversion
While cards such as Wise and Revolut convert at rates very close to the daily market rate, traditional bank cards (e.g., Bank of America or HSBC UK) sometimes apply hidden commissions of up to 3%. This difference can amount to hundreds of dollars in losses over time.
Revolut charges an additional 1% fee for currency conversions made on weekends, while Wise applies this difference evenly without distinguishing between weekdays and weekends. This small detail is of great importance for those working on Saturdays and Sundays in the country they have moved to.
The Capital One Venture card offers 2x points on every purchase and does not charge foreign transaction fees. However, many users are unaware that when withdrawing cash from an ATM with this card, the ATM machine may charge an additional fee of up to 4%. Using a non-convertible card does not avoid this fee.
Smart Ways to Avoid ATM Fees
Schwab Bank's “Investor Checking” card automatically refunds third-party fees charged when withdrawing money from ATMs worldwide, not just in the US. So, even if you pay a $6 withdrawal fee in Thailand or a €3 fee in Germany, these amounts will be refunded at the end of the month.
In Canada, the EQ Bank Mastercard debit card applies only the MasterCard exchange rate for withdrawals at foreign ATMs, with no bank commission. However, users often do not notice the ATM's own fee policy, so it is better to cancel the transaction if a commission is displayed on the ATM screen.
The most convenient ATM card for those moving to Germany is the DKB Visa. It does not charge transaction fees at ATMs such as Sparkasse and Volksbank within Germany, and covers all fees for transactions over 50 euros abroad. However, to activate this feature, the card must be switched to “Aktivstatus” mode, a detail that is often not explained.
Tips for Not Losing Loyalty Points After Moving
American Express Membership Rewards points may be closed or reset depending on the country you move to. However, if you transfer your points to partners such as Avios (British Airways) or Aeroplan (Air Canada) before moving, your points will remain valid in your new country.
Chase Ultimate Rewards will delete all points if they are not transferred within 30 days of card cancellation. Therefore, switching to a “no-fee” Chase Freedom card before moving is the only way to keep your points in the system without losing them.
Hilton Honors or Marriott Bonvoy points may gain or lose value at different rates in certain regions after an address change. For example, 35,000 points may cover 5 nights at a Hilton in Turkey, but the same points may only cover 1 night in Japan. Knowing which region is the “sweet spot” before moving ensures more efficient use of points.
Credit Card Benefits and Restrictions for Students Traveling Abroad
The Deserve EDU credit card is one of the few cards designed specifically for F1 student visa holders in the US that can be applied for without an SSN. This card offers cashback on specific educational expenses such as Amazon Prime Student membership.
In Canada, Scotiabank's SCENE+ card for students offers a low-limit card to those arriving on a student visa without requiring a credit history from abroad. Additionally, this card allows you to earn extra points on movie tickets and restaurant expenses.
In the UK, NatWest's student card application form requires proof of address in addition to a passport and visa document. A little-known tip for students: using your dorm address as your billing address can speed up the approval process.
In Australia, ANZ Bank only issues “low credit limit cards” to foreign students with a student visa. However, if the university acceptance letter and a deposit of 500 AUD into the bank account are provided in the same application, there is a chance to receive pre-approval for a high-limit card.
Advantages of Credit Card Use for Families with Children After Immigration
PC Financial World Elite Mastercard in Canada supports the “PC Optimum” point system specifically for families with children. It offers an extra 5% points on purchases such as diapers and baby food at grocery chains like Loblaws and Shoppers Drug Mart. These points can be used like cash.
In the UK, the Monzo Plus card for families with children offers parental control, allowing parents to monitor their children's spending. This is particularly advantageous for immigrants who want to issue allowance cards for their children in a new country.
In Germany, N26 cards allow the opening of “sub-accounts” for children over 14 years old. These sub-accounts can be linked to independent cards and integrated into the parent's card, enabling the entire family's finances to be tracked on a single screen. This feature is not common in Turkey but is frequently used in family planning in Europe.
Advantageous Scenarios in Tax Havens and Micro Countries That Issue Cards
Some countries in the Caribbean (e.g., Bermuda, Cayman Islands) offer “offshore” cards exclusively to non-residents. These cards are based on the Mastercard infrastructure and are preferred by digital entrepreneurs who need to make transactions with high limits. The most commonly used: Euro Pacific Bank Visa.
Gibraltar International Bank provides special cards for individuals who have moved outside the United Kingdom but still hold British citizenship. These cards are among the few that offer zero foreign exchange conversion fees within Europe.
Monaco-based card provider Andbank offers a “platinum offshore card” for investors. These cards can be used worldwide even if you are not a resident of the country you have moved to and are not included in tax reporting in some countries.
Alternative Solutions for Closed Cards and Deleted Points
When American Express cards are closed, Membership Rewards points expire if not used within 30 days. However, if there is a “household account” (another Amex holder from the same family), points can be transferred to that account and recovered without loss. This feature is not explicitly stated in the US but can be applied through customer service representatives.
Marriott Bonvoy points do not disappear when the card is closed, but they expire after 24 months of inactivity. In this case, performing any transaction worth at least 1 point (e.g., purchasing coffee with points or using loyalty points to buy a digital magazine) will reset the expiration period for all points. This technique is particularly useful if your card has been deactivated after moving.
Airline miles (e.g., Avios, Aeroplan, KrisFlyer) may continue in some cases even if the credit card is closed. However, most users assume that the accounts are closed when the card is closed. Flight loyalty programs are independent of the card and can be kept active through the app. This information is not typically disclosed by credit card companies.
Alternative Credit Options in Countries Where Credit History Cannot Be Transferred
Most countries do not recognize credit scores internationally (e.g., a US score is not valid in Germany). However, the International Credit Letter of Standing is recognized by some banks. The main institutions that issue this letter are HSBC, American Express, and Citi.
A U.S. citizen moving to Canada can obtain an “Account in Good Standing” letter from their previous bank and present it to Scotiabank to obtain a credit card immediately, even if their credit score is zero. This tactic is rarely known but is officially valid.
A person who has obtained residency in Germany can obtain a card without a Schufa (German credit score agency) record by proving that their previous cards in the US are “not closed.” This exception can only be obtained by consulting with a bank manager.