UK Credit Score vs Indian Credit Score – What Transfers, What Doesn't

Priya had an 850 Experian score in the UK. Perfect payment history. Three credit cards. A mortgage paid on time for 12 years.

She moved back to Bangalore. Applied for a ₹5 lakh personal loan. Rejected.

The bank officer said: "Ma'am, you have no credit history."

I've seen this story dozens of times in our WhatsApp community. UK NRIs with impeccable credit records face a rude awakening when they return to India. Your UK credit score, no matter how perfect, means nothing here.

This guide explains exactly what transfers, what doesn't, and how to rebuild your credit profile in India without starting from zero.

The Hard Truth: UK Credit Scores Don't Transfer to India

Let me be direct. Your UK credit score does not transfer to India. Not partially. Not at all.

Here's why:

Different credit bureaus operate in each country. The UK uses Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion UK. India uses CIBIL (TransUnion), Experian India, Equifax India, and CRIF High Mark. Despite some shared parent companies, these are completely separate systems with no data sharing.

Data protection laws prevent cross-border sharing. Each country has its own privacy regulations. UK GDPR and India's data protection framework don't allow credit bureaus to share individual financial histories across borders.

Scoring models differ fundamentally. UK scores use different ranges (Experian UK goes to 999, Equifax UK to 1000). Indian CIBIL scores range from 300-900. The factors weighted in calculations also vary.

The same company name doesn't mean the same data. Experian UK and Experian India are separate entities that don't share your credit file.

👉 Tip: Before leaving the UK, download and save your UK credit reports from all three bureaus. You won't need them for Indian credit applications, but they're useful records of your financial history.

How UK and Indian Credit Systems Compare

The key difference: In the UK, your address history and electoral roll registration matter significantly. In India, everything links to your PAN card.

What Happens to Your UK Credit History When You Leave UK?

Your UK credit file doesn't disappear when you move to India. Here's what happens:

Your UK accounts continue reporting. 

If you keep UK credit cards, bank accounts, or loans open, they'll continue updating your UK credit file. Late payments on UK accounts will still damage your UK score.

Your UK history stays for 6 years. 

Credit information remains on your UK file for 6 years from the date of the event. Even if you're abroad, this history persists.

You can still access your UK credit report. 

Even from India, you can request your UK statutory credit report through Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion UK. You'll need a UK address on file.

Future UK applications look at UK history. 

If you return to the UK or apply for UK-based credit products, lenders will check your UK credit file, including any accounts that went delinquent while you were abroad.

👉 Tip: Don't abandon UK credit accounts when moving. Either close them properly or keep them active with small regular payments. Unpaid UK debts can cause problems if you ever return.

For guidance on closing UK accounts properly, see our guide on closing UK bank accounts smartly.

Understanding Your Indian Credit Score (CIBIL and Others)

When you arrive in India, you'll encounter the CIBIL score. Here's what you need to know.

CIBIL dominates the Indian market. 

While four bureaus exist, CIBIL (owned by TransUnion) is the most widely used by Indian lenders. When banks mention "credit score," they usually mean CIBIL.

The score ranges from 300-900. 

Higher is better. Most lenders want 750+ for unsecured loans. Below 650, you'll struggle to get any credit.

Your PAN card is the anchor. 

Unlike the UK where your address matters most, Indian credit history links to your PAN card. No PAN, no credit file.

New RBI rules make updates faster. 

From January 2025, credit bureaus must update scores every 15 days instead of monthly. Good habits show results quicker-but so do mistakes.

Factors affecting your CIBIL score:

Payment history matters most (30-35% of score). A single late payment can drop your score significantly. Credit utilization comes next (25-30%). Keep credit card usage below 30% of your limit. Credit mix, account age, and recent inquiries also factor in.

Check your score free once yearly at cibil.com using your PAN card. You'll need an Indian mobile number for OTP verification.

Three Scenarios for Returning NRIs

Scenario 1: You have existing Indian credit history

If you had credit cards, loans, or NRI accounts with credit facilities before leaving India, you likely have an existing CIBIL score. This is good news-but check it immediately.

Old accounts you forgot about might have accumulated charges. A client from our community discovered his "closed" credit card had a ₹2,000 annual fee outstanding for 7 years. His CIBIL score was 520.

Download your CIBIL report and check for errors, forgotten accounts, or incorrect statuses. Dispute any mistakes through CIBIL's online portal.

Scenario 2: You never had Indian credit

If you moved abroad before taking any credit in India, you'll have no CIBIL score. The report will show "NH" (No History) or a score of -1.

This isn't as bad as a low score. It simply means you're starting fresh. Banks view "no history" more favorably than "bad history."

Scenario 3: You had credit but defaulted before leaving

This is the toughest situation. Defaults, write-offs, and settlements stay on your CIBIL report for 7 years from the date of resolution-not from when the default occurred.

If you have old defaults, contact the lenders. Pay in full if possible (settling for less shows as "settled" on your report, which lenders view negatively). Get a No Dues Certificate and ensure the lender updates CIBIL.

The Fastest Way to Build Indian Credit as a Returning NRI

Here's the strategy that works for most returning NRIs. I've seen it take people from no credit history to 750+ scores in 6-12 months.

Step 1: Open a Fixed Deposit

Start with a fixed deposit at an Indian bank. HDFC, ICICI, SBI, Axis, and IDFC FIRST all offer this facility. Minimum amounts vary from ₹10,000 to ₹50,000.

This FD becomes collateral for a secured credit card.

Step 2: Get a Secured Credit Card Against Your FD

Apply for a credit card against your FD. Since the bank has your deposit as security, approval is nearly guaranteed regardless of credit history.

Popular options include IDFC FIRST WOW! (100% credit limit of FD, lifetime free), SBI Unnati, HDFC MoneyBack, and Axis Insta Easy. NRIs can apply for IDFC FIRST's secured card through their app.

Your credit limit will typically be 80-100% of your FD amount. The FD continues earning interest while pledged.

Step 3: Use the Card Strategically

Don't just get the card-use it. But use it smart.

Make 3-5 small transactions monthly. Groceries, utilities, subscriptions. Keep utilization below 30% of your limit. A ₹50,000 limit means spending no more than ₹15,000.

Set up autopay for full balance payment every month. Never carry a balance forward. The goal is demonstrating responsible credit behavior, not financing purchases.

Step 4: Wait for Your Score to Appear

Your first CIBIL score typically appears after 6 months of credit activity. It usually starts between 650-750 for new credit users with perfect payment history.

Continue the same behavior. Within 12 months, you should have a score above 750, qualifying you for unsecured credit products.

👉 Tip: Don't apply for multiple credit products during the building phase. Each application creates a "hard inquiry" that temporarily lowers your score. One secured card is enough initially.

Can Indian Banks See Your UK Credit History?

Some people ask: "Will Indian banks consider my UK credit report if I show it to them?"

Technically, you can provide your UK credit report as supplementary documentation. A few private banks may glance at it for context. But here's the reality:

Indian lenders prioritize Indian credit data. 

Their systems are built around CIBIL scores. A UK report doesn't integrate into their decision-making algorithms.

Your UK report proves nothing to Indian regulators. 

Banks must justify lending decisions based on recognized credit data. UK reports don't count.

High income matters more than foreign credit. 

If you're returning with a strong income, Indian banks care more about your salary proof than your UK credit history. Income is a better path to credit approval than showing foreign credit reports.

For returning NRIs with high incomes but no Indian credit history, some banks offer credit cards based on salary accounts. HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and SBI all have salary-linked credit card programs.

What About International Credit Card Companies?

Here's a question I hear often: "I have an Amex in the UK. Can I get an Indian Amex based on my UK relationship?"

The answer is complicated.

American Express has a Global Card Transfer program. 

If you hold certain US Amex cards, you may transfer your relationship to some other countries. However, India is not consistently included in this program.

Other issuers don't transfer. 

HSBC, Barclays, and other international banks treat each country's credit independently. Your HSBC UK Premier relationship doesn't guarantee HSBC India credit.

New account, new evaluation. 

Even with a global banking relationship, Indian branches evaluate credit applications based on Indian credit bureau data and local income verification.

If you have an existing relationship with a bank that operates in both UK and India, mention it when applying. It may help with account opening, but don't expect automatic credit approval.

Common Mistakes Returning NRIs Make With Credit

Assuming UK credit history matters. 

Don't walk into a bank expecting approval based on your UK record. Approach credit building with the humility of someone starting fresh.

Applying for premium cards immediately. 

Returning NRIs often want the same card tier they had abroad. Apply for what you can get approved for, not what you feel entitled to.

Multiple applications when rejected.

Each rejection means a hard inquiry. Three rejections in a month can drop your emerging score by 50+ points. If rejected, wait 3-6 months before trying again.

Ignoring old Indian accounts. 

That credit card you got as a college student? It might still exist with accumulated charges. Check CIBIL before applying for anything new.

Not linking mobile number to PAN. 

CIBIL verification requires OTP to your registered mobile. Ensure your current Indian number is linked to your PAN before checking your score.

Timeline: From Zero to 750+ CIBIL Score

Month 1: Open bank account with NRE/NRO conversion. Create FD (₹25,000-₹50,000). Apply for secured credit card against FD.

Month 1-2: Card arrives. Start using for regular expenses. Set up autopay for full payment.

Month 3-6: Continue consistent usage. Maintain below 30% utilization. Never miss a payment.

Month 6-7: First CIBIL score appears. Typically 650-750 for perfect behavior.

Month 7-12: Continue building. Score should rise to 750+.

Month 12+: Apply for unsecured cards if desired. Your secured card history gives you credibility.

After 12-18 months with good behavior, you'll qualify for most mainstream credit products-personal loans, car loans, even home loans (though these require additional documentation).

Your Next Steps

Your UK credit score served you well abroad. But India is a fresh start.

The good news: Building Indian credit isn't difficult-it just takes time and discipline. With the secured card strategy, most returning NRIs achieve strong CIBIL scores within a year.

Start by checking if you have any existing Indian credit history. Download your free CIBIL report using your PAN card. Identify any old issues that need resolution.

Then open that FD and get your secured card. The sooner you start, the sooner you'll have a solid Indian credit profile.

For more guidance on managing finances as a returning NRI, join our WhatsApp community where members share real experiences and tips.

Download the Belong app to explore our NRI FD rates tool and find the best FD options for your secured card collateral.

Sources:

• CIBIL Official
• RBI Credit Information Guidelines 2025
• Experian UK
• Equifax UK Credit Report Guidelines
• IDFC FIRST Bank, SBI, HDFC Bank secured credit card documentation