The Noob AF Guide: How to Apply for Credit Cards in Singapore

Ready to get your first credit card?

You’ve been PayNow-ing, tapping your phone, scanning QR codes, and splitting bills on apps for years… so why does applying for a credit card still feel so intimidating?

Maybe you’ve heard people talking about miles, cashback, rewards, “best card for dining”, “best card for online shopping”, and you’re just sitting there like:

Bro… I just want to know how to apply without messing up.

Or maybe you’re finally at that stage where your debit card isn’t enough, your friends are flexing cashback, and you’re wondering whether it’s time to get your first credit card too.

Well… welcome to the noob AF guide on how to apply for a credit card.

How am I qualified to write this guide?

Er… because I applied before and have one?

Heh heh.

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TL;DR: How to Apply for Credit Cards in Singapore

Written in a way which ACTUALLY answers the questions you have about credit card application:

• What Are the Requirements to Apply for a Credit Card?
• How to Choose the Best Credit Card?
• How to Apply for Credit Cards in Singapore?
• How Do I Activate My New Credit Card?
• How to Use My Credit Card?

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What Are the Requirements to Apply for a Credit Card?

Almost anyone can apply for a credit card.

But to successfully get one, you’ll need to fulfil some requirements.

How Old Do I Have to Be?

This varies from bank to bank, and card to card.

For most banks and credit cards, you should be at least 21 years old before you can apply as the main cardholder.

But if you’re looking at credit cards for students, the age requirement can drop to at least 18 years old instead.

What Is the Minimum Income Requirement?

If you’re under 55 years old and want to get a credit card, Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) stipulates that you need to meet at least one of the following conditions:

• An annual income of at least S$30,000
• Total net personal assets of at least S$2 million
• Total net financial assets of at least S$1 million

Considering that most of us don’t qualify for the last two, you should only really be concerned with the following.

If you’re a Singapore Citizen or Singapore PR, the minimum income is usually at least S$30,000 a year in order to apply as the main cardholder.

If you’re a Foreigner, the minimum income is usually at least S$40,000 a year.

Don’t meet the regular income floor? Some banks allow you to apply for a “secured” credit card by placing a fixed deposit collateral of at least S$10,000 with them.

What is a Credit Limit?

A credit limit is the maximum amount which you can charge to your credit card OR cards.

I know what you’re thinking…

What if you have more than once card? Does that mean you have different credit limits for different cards?

No.

Even if you have more than one credit card from the same bank, they’ll ALL share the same credit limit.

This is based on MAS’s regulation:

But ultimately, your credit limit is still up to the bank’s discretion.

So… How Do I Get a Credit Limit Increase?

The easiest way is to prove to your bank that your earning power has grown. You can initiate a credit limit review through your mobile banking app or by downloading an income update form from the bank’s portal. You will need to supply supporting documents like:

• Recent computerized payslips (usually from the last two months)
• Your latest CPF Contribution History Statement
• Your latest Income Tax Notice of Assessment (NOA)

Alternatively, if you are anticipating large upcoming expenditures for milestones like a wedding banquet, major medical bills, or overseas travel, you can request a temporary credit limit increase via your banking app, which typically remains valid for up to a month.

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How to Choose the Best Credit Card?

TBH, there’s no such thing as one best credit card for everyone in the world.

Every card out there has its pros and cons.

And finding the best one for you will really depend on what you want out of the credit card as well as your spending habits.

1. Visa, American Express or MasterCard?

Visa and MasterCard do not actually issue cards themselves. For example, a POSB Everyday Card is a MasterCard issued by DBS/POSB, whereas a UOB One Card is a Visa card issued by UOB. These brands act as the payment networks processing the backend transactions securely. Both are accepted almost everywhere globally and across Singapore.

American Express (AmEx) acts as both a network and an issuer. While a handful of micro-merchants might not accept AmEx due to transaction fees, it is widely accepted across major retailers, supermarkets, and dining establishments in Singapore.

2. Miles or Cashback? Or Rewards?

You know how Singaporeans have this ongoing debate over East vs. West and which is the best side?

This is the equivalent of it but in credit card terms.

In the credit card world, there are three types of cards you can get:

Miles Credit Cards

Air miles credit cards earn you air miles for every dollar spent.

There’s usually no minimum spending requirement and no cap on how many air miles you can rack up in a month (read: the idea is to get you to spend more to earn more).

These cards usually have a sign-up bonus which gifts you air miles.

Or you can earn air miles by paying your credit card annual fees — yep, you need to do the math to see if this works out in your favour.

Best For: 

Individuals with high incomes and high monthly expenditure (usually).

Or miles enthusiasts who plan on optimising ALL of their expenditure to get that free First-Class seat to (insert dream destination).

Cashback Credit Cards

These cards give you a cash back for spending.

This can come in the form of cashback which you can use to offset your next bill.

Or a rebate which is stored in your credit account until you choose to use it to offset a future purchase.

These cards come with minimum spending requirements (can’t be you don’t spend money then get money right…) if you want to qualify for higher cashback tiers.

And there’s usually some kind of cashback cap on how much you can get.

Best For:

Those with a lower monthly expenditure.

Or if you’re a cartoon crab who loves money.

I digress.

C’mon, who the hell doesn’t love free money?!

Rewards Credit Cards

As the name suggests, you earn rewards points on your expenditure.

Unlike cashback credit cards, there is usually no minimum spending requirement.

You only get rewards if you spend.

However, you will need to meet certain spending requirements in order to qualify for higher or better rewards.

Best For:

Pretty much anyone, unless you die die also must earn miles or cashback.

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How to Apply for Credit Cards in Singapore?

Once your application is approved and your card arrives safely in your mailbox, it will be deactivated for security purposes. You must activate it before making a transaction.

Digital Activation (Fastest Method)

Logging into your bank’s official mobile banking app or internet banking portal is the easiest and safest way to activate your card. Simply navigate to the “Cards” or “Services” tab, select your new card, verify the details (like your card’s 3-digit CVV), and set your permanent card PIN.

Card Activation via SMS or Hotline

If you do not use mobile banking apps, you can follow the instructions on the physical activation sticker attached to your new card. Here is a quick reference table for card activation paths across major banks in Singapore:

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How to Use My Credit Card?

Now that you’ve activated your credit card, you can finally use it.

With restraint, of course.

How Do I Use My Credit Card?

Now that your card is active, you are ready to spend responsibly.

For retail purchases, check if the merchant offers contactless terminals so you can tap your card or link it to your smartphone wallet (like Apple Pay or Google Pay). For online shopping, you will need to enter your 16-digit card number, expiration date, and the 3-digit CVV on the back. Online transactions are safeguarded by two-factor authentication (2FA) via push notifications or SMS One-Time PINs to prevent unauthorized use.

Always keep track of your monthly statements and clear your balance in full on time to maintain an excellent credit score!