Just wanted to share my experience in getting a Barclay InitialCard recently. For those who don't know, the InitialCard is one of a range of credit cards intended for those with no/bad credit history. On the Barclays site, it specifically mentions that the card would be appropriate for those newly arrived in the country. It also said you needed three months of address history, so I dutifully waited three months to apply. When I went to fill in the on-line application, it of course asked for UK address history going back more than three months. I got in touch with one of their customer service people on chat, and she said you needed to be in the UK at least six months. Needless to say, I was quite frustrated. Undeterred, I called the application phone center. The person there took my details and told me that my application had been approved. It was a long phone call, but quite simple. I do have Barclays accounts, so this may have made things easier. At any rate, if online application does not work out for you, be sure to call!
