How long does it take to build US credit with an ITIN?
Short answer
Six to twelve months to a usable file, and only if something is reporting. An ITIN on its own builds nothing. You need a tradeline, and a card is the quickest one to get. Secured cards approve non-residents within a week or two and start reporting straight away.
Why the ITIN alone does nothing
Credit files are built from reported accounts. Without a card, loan or similar account reporting to the US bureaus, there is nothing to build a file from, however long you wait.
Moving to an unsecured card
Most non-residents qualify after six to nine months of payments made on time. Some issuers upgrade a secured card automatically around that point rather than making you reapply.
Sources
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