US promos while in the UK
 

Does anybody know whether I would be able to use (sign-up) for US credit card promotions while NOT living in the US (and the UK instead)? Few clarifications:
- I'm currently in the US on work visa (i.e. not a resident or green card holder)
- I have social security number (and I assume I will keep it even if I move to the UK)
- I will be able to use my current US address even if I move to the UK (my friend will be still living in the place so he could forward me any correspondence)
- I already have 6+ US-issued credit cards and decent credit score (~750)
- My new employer would be UK-based company

In other words, how would credit card companies know that I am not in the US? I could use my social security, US address and will have decent income. Am I missing anything?

Thank you!

You should not have a problem. I applied for and received a credit card while I was living in Italy for several months. List your income in USD, and if you have any problems, give the reconsideration line a call and explain your situation.

Just note that cards can only be sent to U.S. addresses. Also, credit card companies easily know when you're using their cards outside of the U.S. ;)

Edit: The card must be sent to a U.S. address, but you can change your address to an international address so you can receive correspondence. I do this with all of my credit cards & banks when I move to an overseas location.

I would recommend that you apply for credit cards with no foreign transaction fees now, while you live in the US. Plan how you will maintain a US bank account that you can transfer funds to to pay your bills in US dollars. Figure out which cards are the best "keepers" that you will want to keep long term. You should be able to keep the cards you get while living in the US indefinitely.

US credit cards offers are marketed to US residents; if you put a foreign address, you won't be approved. Sure, you can falsify your home address, and people have done it without getting caught. I would argue that you are then committing fraud. But the only thing to stop you from doing this is your conscience.

Here is an excerpt from the terms and conditions of a Chase card:

You must have a valid permanent home address within the 50 United States or the District of Columbia.

Whether they catch you depends on whether they choose to audit your account and wonder why all your charges are outside the US. Here is an excerpt from a Citibank agreement:

We may gather information about you, including from your employer, your bank, credit bureaus, and others, to verify your identity and determine your eligibility for credit, renewal of credit, and future extensions of credit. If you ask us, we will tell you whether or not we requested a credit bureau report and the names and addresses of any credit bureaus that provided us with such reports.

It is not in a bank's best interest to grant credit to an individual who has no desire to ever live in the US again. They would worry that you would run up a large balance, refuse to pay, and they would have little recourse.

Thank you guys for responses and advice - that was very helpful.