Credit and Criminal Background Check on F-1 Visa Student

Jaetota

New Member
Hi,

I have a F-1 Visa granted from the U.S. Embassy and have I-20 form also.
I will be going to school in Boston this fall and when I tried to get a
apartment around school, the Realtor told me that he has to check my
credit and criminal record, so he asked for my Social Security Number.
My understanding is that I do not have a Social Security Number, because
I am not a citizen here. (Also, I don't have it because I don't work)

I was wondering about how the F-1 Visa or the I-20 could help the
Realtor to check credit and criminal record on me. (I am clean)
I will appreciate if you can help me because I felt like I need to help
him with this in order get the apartment.

Thanks,
 
If you have a police clearance certificate from your home country, you could submit it for the background check. There is not way to get a credit check if you are new to the US. If the landlord will not forgo the checks, you will need to find another landlord. Many international students live in university housing for just this reason for a year.

The school also may have an office which lists landlords who are willing to rent to international students on the basis of their enrollment confirmation from the university. Check the website in the housing options section.
 
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