As you say i would put a red flag on the application, fair enough, I mean I can put amounts in euros etc and all I can do is provide them with contact details for my employers etc. But my main point in posting was whether or not the application would be rejected on this alone. A red flag is one thing and I'm sure BoI would obviously look at this application in-depth a bit, but considering I would have a decent enough ICB rating (six years on TSB visa 100% balance paid every month), would you think I'd be approved for the card?
The cost of transferring funds is irrelavent, currently the forex rate is favourable for a euro CC and using XEtrade I can get great rates on a 30day or flexible forward basis.
However the main reason to get this card is to boost a Canadian credit rating, you may ask how?
I currently have accounts here in Canada, current and a VISA. However to obtain the VISA as a non permanent resident I had to supply a security desposit equal to my credit limit. To begin with I handed over $1000. This is then placed in fixed term investment account @ 3.30% (not bad). However this money can never be used as credit, it is just there as a security nothing else. You then get a card with a $1000 limit and use as normal. Obviously to get a higher limit you need to deposit a larger sum. This money would only ever be released to me if 1. I closed my VISA account or 2. I became a legal lawful permanent resident of Canada (currently temp resident).
However AMEX operates a system whereby if you currently hold an AMEX card in another territory then you can apply for a 'Global Transfer' of your card to the territory you now live in (not neccess. permanent) If for example I held a BoI Blue AMEX CC for lets say 6 to 9 months then I apply for this transfer, they will then offer offer a similar card (not always the same cards) in the new territory, be it Canada the UK or the US. They will then give you an UNSECURED card!
I am still doing research on the whole global transfer business cos BoI is a licensee and you do not deal directly with an AMEX Ireland type company.
As you can see it is a convoluted business and getting credit in Canada is extremely tough, a lot harder than Ireland. If I had a few little legups along the way, the more the better, plus I don't mind paying for them too!
majik
BTW all ATM cards in Canada are automatically debit cards, using their Interac (Laser) system, you cannot gain any credit rating with this. Much better than Laser too, more people use interac than cash