What is Nova Credit?
Nova Credit is a financial technology company that helps immigrants and international people build credit in the United States using their credit history from their home country. Instead of starting from zero, you can transfer your international credit history to US lenders, which can help you get approved for credit cards, loans, and apartments.
The service is especially useful because US credit reporting is separate from the rest of the world. Your excellent credit in Canada, the UK, Mexico, or anywhere else doesn't automatically count in the US. Nova Credit bridges this gap through their product called Credit Passport.
How Credit Passport Works
Credit Passport is Nova Credit's main service. It takes your credit history from your home country and translates it into a format that US lenders can understand. The process starts with you creating an account and selecting your home country.
You then authorize Nova Credit to access your credit file from lenders and bureaus in your country. Nova pulls your credit reports and creates a detailed summary of your credit history. This includes your payment history, credit accounts, and credit score. US lenders can then review this information alongside your US financial information to make lending decisions.
The whole process typically takes a few days to a few weeks, depending on how quickly your home country's credit bureaus respond.
Countries and Lenders Supported
Nova Credit currently supports credit histories from approximately 20 countries, with the strongest coverage in markets like Australia, Brazil, Canada, Dominican Republic, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
The number of US lenders accepting Credit Passport continues to grow. Major lenders like American Express (partnership ended 2025), Deserve, and others have partnered with Nova Credit. Some apartment complexes and rental companies also accept Credit Passport reports when evaluating tenant applications.
Before you use Nova Credit, check their website to confirm your home country is supported and that it integrates with the lenders you're interested in. Not every credit card company or lender accepts Credit Passport yet, so you may need to apply to multiple places.
Pros of Using Nova Credit
The biggest advantage is that you don't start from zero. If you built good credit in your home country, you can prove it to US lenders immediately. This can help you get approved for credit cards and loans you might otherwise be denied for, and it may help you secure better interest rates.
The service is typically free or low-cost. Many lenders will cover the cost of pulling your Credit Passport report. Even when there's a fee, it's usually just a one-time charge of $50 or less.
It saves time. Building credit from scratch in the US can take two to three years. With Credit Passport, you can establish US credit much faster. Some people get approved for credit cards within weeks instead of months.
It's secure and private. Nova Credit uses encryption and security standards to protect your personal information. You control what information is shared and with which lenders.
Zolve Credit Card
Zolve Credit Card
No SSN required. No deposit required. $0 Annual Fee. Zolve Credit Card for Students, Working Professionals, and Newcomers. Build US Credit History from day one.
Fee
$0
APR
19% to 35%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Benefit
Build US credit from day one
Cons and Limitations of Nova Credit
Not all lenders use it. Many mainstream credit card companies and banks don't partner with Nova Credit yet. You may need to apply through specialty lenders that focus on immigrants, which may have less favorable terms.
It doesn't create a US credit score. Credit Passport helps lenders understand your international credit history, but it doesn't automatically give you a US credit score. You still need to build US credit history through credit products and reporting to US credit bureaus.
Limited coverage by country. While Nova Credit serves multiple countries, credit reporting quality varies widely. Your home country may not have detailed or current credit information available, which limits Credit Passport's usefulness.
Language and system barriers. Some countries have credit systems very different from the US model, making direct comparison difficult. Even with Nova Credit's help, lenders may be uncertain how to evaluate your foreign credit.
Nova Credit vs Starting From Scratch
Starting from scratch means getting a basic credit card (like a secured card) or becoming an authorized user on someone else's account, then using that to build a credit file in the US. This typically takes 6 to 12 months to see meaningful credit score improvements.
Nova Credit can accelerate this timeline significantly if your international credit is strong. You might get approved for unsecured credit cards right away instead of needing a secured card first. You may also qualify for better interest rates.
However, if your international credit is weak or nonexistent, or if lenders don't accept Credit Passport, you're back to building from scratch anyway. In that case, starting with a secured card or authorized user status is still your best path.
How to Use Nova Credit Step-by-Step
Step 1: Create your account. Go to Nova Credit's website and sign up with your email, password, and basic information. You'll verify your email address.
Step 2: Select your home country. Choose the country where you built your credit history. Nova Credit will show you what information is available for that country.
Step 3: Authorize credit pulls. Nova Credit will guide you through connecting to your home country's credit bureaus or lenders. This process varies by country. Some countries have online portals you can log into. Others require you to mail documents or provide information manually.
Step 4: Review your Credit Passport. Once Nova Credit pulls your information, you'll see a summary of your credit history translated into a US-friendly format. Review this for accuracy and completeness.
Step 5: Share with US lenders. When you apply for a credit card, loan, or apartment, you can authorize Nova Credit to share your Credit Passport report with that lender. The lender will receive your international credit summary.
Step 6: Build US credit. Once approved for a credit product, use it responsibly. This builds your US credit file separately. Over time, you'll develop a full US credit history.
Building US Credit as an Immigrant
Even with Credit Passport, you need to build an actual US credit file. This means getting at least one US credit product (card, loan, or line of credit) and using it responsibly over time.
Start with a credit product that reports to US credit bureaus. The Self Visa® Credit Card is a popular choice for immigrants because it requires no credit check and offers a full credit-building ecosystem including a Self Credit Builder Account and rent reporting. The Current Build Card is another excellent option with zero annual fee and no deposit minimum. For a deposit-free option, the Ava Credit Builder Card links to your bank account instead of requiring a deposit.
Make small purchases and pay off your balance in full each month. This creates positive payment history, which is the biggest factor in your credit score.
After 6 to 12 months of good behavior, your US credit score should start improving. At this point, other lenders may offer you better terms or higher credit limits. You can gradually transition away from rebuilding products to mainstream credit options.
You can also diversify your credit mix by pairing a credit card with a credit builder loan like Kikoff, which offers 0% interest and reports to all three bureaus.
When you're building credit with ITIN or exploring best credit cards for immigrants, understanding Nova Credit's role is important. You might also consider how to get a credit card without SSN or learn about building credit as an immigrant.
Common Questions About Nova Credit
Is Nova Credit a lender?
No, Nova Credit doesn't lend money or issue credit cards. They're a reporting service that helps you show your international credit history to lenders. They make it easier for lenders to evaluate your creditworthiness based on your past credit behavior.
Does Nova Credit cost money?
Usually not. Many lenders cover the cost of pulling your Credit Passport report. Some lenders or services may charge a small fee (around $25 to $50) if you request multiple reports in a short time, but this is rare.
Will Nova Credit help me get approved for an apartment?
Possibly. Many apartment complexes and property management companies now accept Credit Passport reports when evaluating tenants. Check with your landlord or property management company to see if they work with Nova Credit.
Can I use Nova Credit if I have a bad credit score in my home country?
Nova Credit can pull your information regardless of your score, but lenders may not view it favorably. Your international credit history, good or bad, is reported as-is. If your home country credit was damaged, Nova Credit won't hide that.
How long does Credit Passport take?
The timeline varies by country and lender. Credit pulls typically take a few days to two weeks, depending on how quickly your home country's credit system responds. Once lenders have your report, they make decisions within their normal timeline (usually 1 to 3 business days).
Is Nova Credit Worth Using?
Nova Credit is worth considering if you're an immigrant with solid credit history in your home country and you want to speed up building US credit. It can save you months of time and help you qualify for better terms and higher credit limits right away.
If your international credit is weak, or if your home country isn't well-supported by Nova Credit, the service may not help much. In that case, focus on building US credit from scratch using a secured card like the Self Visa® Credit Card or the Kikoff Secured Credit Card, or becoming an authorized user.
To track your progress as you build US credit, consider using free credit monitoring tools like Creditship.ai to watch your score improve over time. Nova Credit helps you get started, but your long-term success depends on consistent, responsible use of US credit products.
