Different visas, different strategies
Your visa type affects which credit products you can access and how quickly you can build credit. Here's the breakdown.
F-1 Students
- • Timeline: Usually 4-6 months to 650+ score
- • Best first card: Discover it® Student or secured card
- • Income limitation: On-campus work only (20 hrs/week)
- • SSN: Can get one with on-campus employment
- • Advantage: Student cards have lower requirements
H-1B Workers
- • Timeline: 3-4 months to 650+ score
- • Best first card: Secured card → quick graduation
- • Income advantage: Higher income = higher limits
- • SSN: Required for H-1B employment
- • Advantage: Can qualify for premium cards faster
| Factor | F-1 | H-1B |
|---|---|---|
| Time to 650+ | 4-6 months | 3-4 months |
| First card limit | $500-1,500 | $1,000-5,000 |
| Best strategy | Student cards | Secured → premium |