The amount of time it takes to build up credit in the UK will depend on your personal circumstances. Some larger banks such as Barclays, Chase and HSBC have special departments to help your move the UK easier. They will already have knowledge of your credit history in your home country and be able to provide you with current accounts and credit cards. These should all be then registered with credit reference agencies and so long as you keep payments and balances up to date, then this will have a positive effect. Many lenders for car leasing and car finance will usually ask for a minimum of 6 months employment history, 3 years worth of addresses and they may ask for more financial information. Car Leasing Brokers who we approached have said that usually, you need a good year in the UK before many lenders will even take a look at you, with many brokers including 360 saying you would need 3 years.