Building Credit From Zero: A Realistic 12-Month Plan

With no credit file, most scoring models cannot generate a score at all. The goal of year one is simply to create positive, consistent data.

Months one through three: open a secured card or a credit-builder loan, set up autopay, and use it for one small recurring expense.

Months four through nine: keep reported utilization low and never miss a due date. Resist opening several accounts at once.

Months ten through twelve: request a limit increase or graduate to an unsecured card. By this point you should have a usable score and a habit that maintains it.