How to Build US Credit as a Foreigner from Japan

Japanese founders expanding into the United States frequently encounter the invisible-credit problem, where an established financial history and robust credit profile in their home country do not transfer automatically to the US financial ecosystem. In Japan, consumer and commercial credit data is managed by bureaus such as the Credit Information Center (CIC), the Japan Information Credit Center (JICC), and the Zengin Credit Center (KSC). Because US financial institutions operate independently of these domestic registries, Japanese entrepreneurs starting US ventures often find themselves evaluated as credit ghosts—individuals with no US credit score, making it challenging to secure business loans, commercial leases, or corporate credit cards without personal guarantees or substantial cash collateral.

Why US credit matters

A US credit file changes what a US company can do. Without one, financing means cash collateral or a personal guarantee, corporate cards come with a deposit, and commercial leases ask for six months up front.

With one, the same company borrows at a normal rate. That is the whole difference, and it is why the sequence below is worth the months it takes.

No part of this is guaranteed. Credit decisions belong to lenders, and nobody — including us — can promise you a score or a limit.

The Amex Global Transfer route

American Express runs a programme — Global Transfer, sometimes called the Global Card Relationship — that lets an existing Amex cardholder apply for a US card using their established relationship with Amex rather than starting from nothing.

Your credit history does not transfer. This is the most common misunderstanding about the programme. What transfers is the relationship — Amex's own record of how you have handled your account with them. Your local bureau file, your repayment record with other lenders and your local credit score do not cross the border. Amex US underwrites you as a new customer who happens to be a known quantity to Amex.

That is still a considerable advantage over building a US file from zero. It is not the same as arriving with a credit history.

Four conditions apply, and all four must be met:

1. The card you already hold must be issued by American Express itself, not by a local bank operating under an American Express licence.
2. You must be the primary cardholder, not an additional or supplementary cardholder.
3. You must have held the card for at least three months.
4. The account must be open and in good standing when you apply.

Corporate cards are excluded separately from all four.

Condition one eliminates more applicants than the other three combined. In many markets American Express operates through Global Network Services, where a local bank licenses the Amex brand and issues its own cards under it. Those cards carry the Amex logo, but the account relationship belongs to the bank — so there is nothing to transfer. A local partnership is not an alternative route to eligibility; it is the thing that removes it.

How to check your own card: read the cardholder agreement, not the card. The agreement names the legal entity that issued it. If that name is a local bank, the card will not qualify. If it is an American Express entity, it may. If you cannot find the agreement, call the number on the back and ask which legal entity issued the card.

We maintain a country-by-country reference for this, including which markets are confirmed and which are not: Amex Global Transfer country eligibility [blocked]

Check before you rely on this: American Express sets these terms and can change them. Confirm current conditions with American Express directly.

The ITIN path

For founders who cannot utilize the Amex Global Transfer program or who require a broader US financial footprint, obtaining an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is a foundational step. An ITIN enables foreign nationals to open US bank accounts, establish formal credit profiles, and comply with US tax reporting obligations.

1. Prepare Form W-7: Complete the IRS application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number alongside your US federal tax return or under a valid exception category.
2. Gather Supporting Documentation: Assemble original identity documents or certified copies from the issuing agency in Japan, such as your Japanese passport.
3. Submit via Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA): Work with an authorized IRS Certifying Acceptance Agent or submit directly to the IRS ITIN Operation division in Austin, Texas.
4. Receive ITIN Assignment: Wait approximately 6 to 10 weeks for the IRS to issue your official ITIN notification letter.
5. Apply for Secured Credit: Use your ITIN to apply for secured credit cards or retail cards that report activity to major US credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).

Nova Credit

For individuals seeking to leverage their international credit history directly with US lenders, Nova Credit serves as a premier cross-border credit bureau. Nova Credit bridges international financial data silos by partnering with global credit bureaus—including CIC in Japan—to translate your Japanese credit report into a standard US-equivalent credit score. Major US financial institutions integrate with Nova Credit, allowing eligible Japanese founders to apply for credit cards and loans using their home-country credit history during the initial onboarding phase.

Business credit: the faster lane

Building commercial credit independently of your personal social security number or ITIN can be achieved by establishing a strong corporate profile with Dun & Bradstreet (D&B).

• Register your Entity: Ensure your US LLC or C-Corp obtains an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and registers with commercial business registries.
• Obtain a D-U-N-S Number: Request a unique nine-digit identification number from Dun & Bradstreet to track your business credit file.
• Establish Trade Lines: Open vendor accounts with suppliers that report payment activity to commercial credit bureaus (such as D&B, Experian Business, and Equifax Business).
• Maintain the Paydex Score: Pay invoices on time or ahead of schedule to build a pristine D&B Paydex score of 80 or higher, signaling high creditworthiness to future lenders and partners.

Recommended sequence

1. Leverage Amex Global Transfer: Apply for a US Amex card immediately if you have an established direct Amex relationship in Japan.
2. Apply for an ITIN: Secure your IRS ITIN to unlock broader banking and individual credit-building opportunities.
3. Open Secured Credit Lines: Acquire a secured US credit card or authorized user spot to jumpstart your US credit bureau reporting.
4. Build Business Credit: Register your US entity with Dun & Bradstreet, obtain a D-U-N-S number, and establish reporting trade lines.
5. Monitor and Expand: Regularly review your Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion reports to track score growth and graduate to unsecured commercial credit products.

What Keystone Bridge does

We handle the US side for founders based outside the United States: entity formation, EIN, ITIN, US business banking access, and business credit.

The price of every stage is published on this site, so a first conversation is about whether we fit — not a pitch. If the answer is that you can do this yourself, we will tell you so. This guide is for informational purposes only and is not financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified adviser for your specific situation.