Why it's harder on OPT
Most U.S. credit products publish a credit-history requirement — which is exactly what you don't have yet. The common published paths:
- Secured credit cards — refundable deposit becomes your limit; look for providers that publish bureau reporting to all three agencies.
- Credit-builder products — small installment-style products designed to establish payment history.
- No-credit-check options — some providers publish products that use income or bank history instead of a credit pull.
If you've applied for an SSN through OPT employment, some providers accept "SSN applied/pending" — check the published criteria.