How long should I wait before applying for a credit card?

How long should I wait to apply for a credit card?
I have been working for 6months on a work permit and have lived at the same address for a year now.

I hear it is easier to get a store credit card first?  I just wanted to get some kind of credit started.  Any suggestions?

I've been wondering the same thing myself. I will say that I say an ad that one can get a card with Barclay's bank after living in the country for three months. I've just been here about 6 weeks, but I'll look into it when the time comes.

Starter cards will usually be available after 3 months (direct salary normally needs to be seen into your account).

Word of warning the cards will usually have a low limit and a high APR (fraud & bad debts), best advice use it and clear it every month. After a few more months you'll get a "proper" card. Use the card even if just for shopping, do n't just put it to oneside and expect it to magically improve.

It took us 1.5 years to get a credit card.  We got a visa debit card right away. 

I got a card from my bank right away; but the general consensus for most other cards (stores like John Lewis, or various other credit cards) said I had to prove residency for at least three years.

I got a card from my bank right away;

Me too when I opened my current account (High Street Bank) but because I was here less than six months my account was off shored so I don't know if that was what made the difference? I was too new over here to even wonder/ask about it. Funny policies that don't often make sense.   

i got a visa debit right away.  i then got a credit card through the same bank (Natwest) really low limit, bad internatinal fees, bad APR etc... but it got me started

within 6 months, i had the BA Amex i wanted & Nationwide I use internationally.

Me too when I opened my current account (High Street Bank) but because I was here less than six months my account was off shored so I don't know if that was what made the difference?

Not to my knowledge.  I went in to HSBC with all my American bank details, job applications/cv, copies of letters I used for my visa, and my passport (basically more than what I thought they might ask for); got a checking account, debit card, and I didn't ask, they offered a gold card.  Not great APR, but I try not to have to 'use' that - then before I started working to put enough money in, I would withdraw from my US account (just at a cash machine) then deposit it into my UK account.
A few weeks later I started applying for other credit cards, and was consistently turned down.  Well duh... it's because I had NO credit record, not a bad one.  When I called, they explained that fact, as well as it 'usually' takes about three years of residency before one should apply.
(I'd forgotten that when my ex first came to the States, he had the same problem there - no credit record, so he couldn't get a credit card on his own).

i remember a thread here where someone said to apply for store cards... topshop, marks & spencers, etc... and then slowly build up.

That makes sense, HOWEVER, as I said in my first post, SOME stores will still not give you one until you are here for three years (like John Lewis).

I highly recommend asking first, before spending the time applying, let alone running the risk of building up rejected applications on a brand new credit record.

Catalogue accounts are usually a good place to start - order a Next catalogue or something.... I got a Visa from my bank after I'd had my cash account for a year - at the same time they gave me a current account. But Elizabeth is right - three years is a magic number for some credit cards and mobile accounts!

I was denied credit with Littlewoods catalogue because I had not lived at a UK address for the last three years, so perhaps they are tightening up a bit as well.  I'm working, regular income being paid into the bank, but no Littlewoods.