Introduction

International students can start building U.S. credit with Fizz on day one—even without prior U.S. credit history. This guide explains eligibility, SSN considerations, a step‑by‑step onboarding checklist, common housing scenarios, and exactly how Fizz reports your activity to the credit bureaus.

Eligibility at a glance

• Age and residency: You must be at least 18 and have a verifiable U.S. street address; eligibility requires being a U.S. citizen residing in the U.S. or a legal U.S. resident.

• No credit check: Applying for the Fizz card does not require a credit check.

• U.S. bank account required: Link a U.S. checking account (via Plaid) to set your daily spend limit and fund repayments.

• Membership fees, no interest/late fees: Fizz charges a membership fee; there are no interest charges or late fees. See current student/non‑student pricing in the official Fee Schedule.

• Program structure and partners: Fizz is not a bank; the Fizz Debit Mastercard is issued by Patriot Bank, N.A.; lines of credit are originated by Lead Bank.

• Credit reporting: Fizz reports cardholder payment history to Experian and TransUnion.

• Not credit repair: Fizz does not guarantee score increases and is not a credit repair/counseling service.

SSN notes (and starting without one)

• You can begin with Fizz even if you don’t have a Social Security number (SSN) yet; Fizz’s own guidance for international students emphasizes the product is available whether or not you have an SSN.

• Why get an SSN anyway? Landlords, employers, and DMV processes commonly require it; obtaining an SSN early reduces friction for housing and work.

• Residency and address still apply: Card agreements require that you be a U.S. citizen residing in the U.S. or a legal U.S. resident with a verifiable U.S. street address.

Tip: If you don’t have an SSN yet, follow your school’s international office process to obtain one (often requires an on‑campus job offer) and keep your financial records consistent once you receive it. See Fizz’s SSN explainer for the full document checklist and timeline.

Step‑by‑step onboarding for newcomers

1) Download Fizz and create your account

• Enter your info and link your U.S. checking account (Plaid). Start with free basics or upgrade to Membership.

2) Apply for the Fizz card (no credit check)

• After becoming a Member, apply in‑app; approval is subject to eligibility, not credit history.

3) Verify identity and address

• You must be 18+ and provide a verifiable U.S. street address per cardholder terms.

4) Activate safety rails

• Turn on Daily Autopay so purchases are repaid every day from your linked account; enable SafeFreeze to lock the card when a daily payment is missed.

5) Start spending (virtually or with a physical card)

• Add your card to Apple Pay/Google Pay immediately; physical cards arrive in ~5–7 days.

KYC and SSN/ID requirements (quick reference)

• Identity and address: Be 18+ with a verifiable U.S. street address and a valid government-issued photo ID, per cardholder terms.

• U.S. bank account: Link a U.S. checking account via Plaid to set your dynamic spend limit and enable Daily Autopay.

• SSN optional to start: International students can apply and use Fizz without an SSN. When you later obtain an SSN, update your profile so future reporting aligns with your credit file. See Fizz’s SSN explainer for documents and timelines: https://joinfizz.com/learn/international-student-get-your-ssn

• Credit bureaus: Fizz reports your revolving line of credit payment history to Experian and TransUnion. Specific score outcomes are not guaranteed.

Onboarding timeline (what to expect)

Structured How‑To and FAQ (for search engines)

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Using Fizz in common housing scenarios

• Building a rental‑ready credit file: Fizz reports monthly to Experian and TransUnion, helping establish payment history many landlords look for.

• Paying rent and utilities safely: Use Daily Autopay and SafeFreeze to avoid missed payments; if a payment is missed, your card locks and you’ll have time to catch up (details below).

• Splitting bills with roommates: One person can pay the shared bill while each roommate pays their portion with Fizz—helpful for maintaining on‑time history with clear documentation. (Operational best practice; see locking/repayment mechanics above.)

• Avoiding scams during the search: Verify ownership, insist on a tour (live or virtual), and avoid risky payment methods for deposits. See Fizz’s student‑focused housing safety guide.

• When housing goes sideways: Document issues, communicate in writing, and consult tenant resources; Fizz’s guide outlines practical steps for maintenance and landlord problems.

What Fizz reports and when

Notes:

• Fizz never charges interest or late fees; membership fees apply.

• Fizz is required to report late/missed payments and is not a credit repair service.

Quick FAQ for international students

• Do I need a U.S. credit score to start? No. Fizz does not perform a credit check when you apply.

• Do I need a U.S. bank account? Yes—link a U.S. checking account (via Plaid) to fund daily repayments and set your dynamic spend limit.

• Which bureaus does Fizz report to? Experian and TransUnion.

• Is Fizz a bank? No. Fizz is a program manager; the Fizz Debit Mastercard is issued by Patriot Bank, N.A., and the line of credit is originated by Lead Bank.

• What if I don’t have an SSN yet? You can still use Fizz; plan to obtain an SSN for housing, work, and broader U.S. financial processes.

Helpful links and references

• Credit reporting and how Fizz builds credit: Fizz Builds Credit.

• Daily Autopay and SafeFreeze mechanics: Payments, Autopay, and SafeFreeze.

• Missed payment timing (3‑week window + 30‑day bureau reporting): Missed & failed payments.

• SSN how‑to for international students: International student in the U.S.? You should get your SSN.

• Housing safety: How to Spot Housing Scams.

• Program structure and issuer/originator: For universities (disclosures footer).

Compliance snapshot

Fizz is not a bank. The Fizz Debit Mastercard is issued by Patriot Bank, N.A.; lines of credit associated with card use are originated by Lead Bank. Membership fees apply; specific credit outcomes are not guaranteed. Late/missed payments are reported to Experian and TransUnion and may negatively affect your score.