Your credit history from home does not count here. Lenders see you as "no credit", so loans cost more. You can still get a fair loan if you prepare. This adds to Buying a car: new, used, dealer or private sale.
Lenders price a loan by risk. With no US credit score, they cannot see how you paid in the past. So they may offer a higher APR (the yearly cost of the loan, including interest and some fees), ask for a bigger down payment, or say no.
Ways to get a better loan
Credit unions: member-owned banks. Many have lower rates and loans for newcomers. Joining is often open to people who live or work in an area.
Get a quote before the dealer. A pre-approval from a bank or credit union tells you your rate. Then the dealer must beat it.
Bigger down payment: the cash you pay at the start. You borrow less, pay less interest and may get a lower rate.
Co-signer: a person with US credit who signs with you. They must pay if you do not, even if they never drive the car. Late payments hurt their credit too. Ask only someone who understands this.
Proof of income: bring your job offer letter, pay stubs and bank statements.
ITIN instead of SSN: some lenders, often credit unions, accept an ITIN. Ask directly.
A low monthly payment can hide a very expensive loan. Ask for three numbers:
Amount financed: what you borrow.
Finance charge: interest plus fees.
Total of payments: everything you will pay.
A longer loan (72 or 84 months) lowers the monthly payment but raises the total interest. Compare APR with APR, not APR with "interest rate".
Some lots sell cars and lend money themselves. They often say "No credit? No problem!" Be careful:
Interest rates are often much higher than at banks or credit unions.
They may put a device in the car that can stop the engine or track it if you miss a payment.
They may not report your payments to credit bureaus, so the loan may not build your credit. Ask.
Get a bank or credit union quote first, even if you think you will not qualify.
Never sign a contract with blank spaces.
Check that the price, APR, term and down payment match what you agreed.
Add-ons like extended warranties and GAP insurance are usually optional. You can say no.
Take your signed copy home the same day.
"Yo-yo" warning: if the dealer calls days later saying your financing "fell through" and you must sign a new, worse deal, slow down and ask a credit union or legal aid.
Shopping by monthly payment only.
Letting the dealer arrange the loan without any outside quote.
Missing the first payment because the bill went to an old address.