Getting Rejected for Credit Cards Despite High Income Because I Work for a US Startup — How Do I Build My CIBIL?
Hi everyone,
I’m trying to get my first credit card and start building my CIBIL score, but I’ve hit a weird roadblock.
I currently have no credit history since I’ve never taken a loan or owned a credit card before. Income isn’t the issue — I earn well above the eligibility criteria for most cards.
The problem is that I work remotely for a US-based startup on a contractual basis, and the company doesn’t have an Indian entity. Because of this, banks keep rejecting my applications during employer verification.
Here’s what I’ve tried so far:
- Applied for SBI SimplyClick → rejected during verification
- Applied for ICICI Sapphiro through the Alumni LTF program → same issue again
My goal right now isn’t a premium card. I just want a basic starter card so I can build a credit score over the next 6–8 months and eventually move to something like HDFC Regalia Gold.
A few questions:
- What’s the best way to build a CIBIL score in my situation?
- Are there banks/cards that are more friendly toward contractors or employees of foreign startups?
- My HDFC RM is offering me an HDFC Millennia against a ₹1L FD. I’d rather avoid locking money in an FD right now, but should I start considering this as the only practical option?
Would really appreciate advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation.