As a newcomer to Canada, building your credit history is an important step towards achieving financial stability.
Your credit history is an essential factor that lenders consider when assessing your creditworthiness, whether you want to apply for a loan, mortgage, or credit card.
Without a credit history, it can be challenging to obtain credit, which can hinder your ability to achieve your financial goals.
Here are some steps you can take to build your credit history in Canada as an immigrant.
1. Obtain a Credit Card
A credit card is a useful tool for building credit history in Canada. If you’re new to Canada and don’t have a credit history, you may be eligible for a secured credit card. A secured credit card requires a security deposit that serves as collateral for the credit card issuer. As you use your secured credit card responsibly by making payments on time and in full, you’ll start to build your credit history.
Some useful resources for obtaining a credit card in Canada:
- Best secured credit cards in Canada: https://www.creditcardgenius.ca/best-credit-cards/secured
- Tips for using credit cards responsibly: https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/credit-cards/using.html
2. Pay Your Bills on Time
Paying your bills on time is another critical factor in building your credit history. This includes rent, utilities, and any other bills you have. Late payments can negatively impact your credit score, which can make it harder to obtain credit in the future. Setting up automatic payments or reminders can help ensure that you pay your bills on time.
Some useful resources for paying bills on time in Canada:
- How to set up automatic payments: https://www.creditkarma.ca/credit-cards/i/automatic-payments
- Tips for avoiding late payments: https://www.creditcanada.com/blog/how-to-avoid-late-payments
3. Apply for a Small Loan
Taking out a small loan and making payments on time can also help build your credit history. This could be a personal loan or a car loan. Before applying for a loan, research different lenders and compare their rates and terms to find the best option for you. Make sure that you can afford the loan payments and that the loan fits within your budget.
Some useful resources for applying for a small loan in Canada:
- Best personal loans in Canada: https://www.ratehub.ca/personal-loans
- How to apply for a car loan: https://www.cibc.com/en/personal-banking/loans-and-lines-of-credit/car-loans.html
4. Monitor Your Credit Report
It’s essential to monitor your credit report regularly to ensure that there are no errors or fraudulent activities. You can request a free copy of your credit report from the two major credit bureaus in Canada, Equifax and TransUnion. Review your credit report and dispute any errors or inaccuracies promptly.
Some useful resources for monitoring your credit report in Canada:
- How to obtain your credit report for free: https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/credit-reports-score/order-credit-report.html
- How to dispute errors on your credit report: https://www.equifax.com/personal/disputes/how-to-dispute/
Exercise Patience
Building your credit history takes time, and it’s important to be patient. Avoid applying for too much credit at once, as this can negatively impact your credit score. Instead, focus on using credit responsibly and making payments on time.
Some useful resources for building credit history in Canada:
- Tips for building credit history: https://www.creditkarma.ca/credit-cards/i/how-to-build-credit
- Factors that impact your credit score: https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/credit-reports-score/credit-score.html
Final Word
building your credit history in Canada as an immigrant takes time and effort, but it’s an essential step towards achieving your financial goals.
By obtaining a credit card, paying your bills on time, applying for a small loan, monitoring your credit report, and being patient
