Why Trust MoneySmart?It’s extremely challenging to get a standard credit card in Singapore without income, as banks are required to ensure all applicants can repay their credit lines. Unless you have regular earnings or meet the minimum annual income threshold, standard cards are rarely approved. However, there are legitimate alternative routes if you have no income in Singapore.
Options for those with no income
If you don’t earn an income, you can still access credit through several specialised options:
Secured credit card: Place a fixed deposit (typically around $10,000) with the bank. Your deposit secures the credit line and determines your credit limit. This is a reliable way to start building your credit history—even with no income—and major banks (like DBS) offer secured versions of popular cards.
Supplementary credit card: Have a parent or family member (the primary cardholder) apply for a supplementary card for you. No income is required. Some banks issue supplementary cards from as young as age 18, and usage helps build your own record while the main cardholder is legally responsible for payment.
Student credit card: Full-time university or polytechnic students can apply for specific cards with low limits (often $500) and no income requirement. Well-known options include the DBS Live Fresh Student Card and the Maybank eVibes Card. These are safe stepping stones for young adults building credit from scratch.
Alternatives to credit cards
If you don’t qualify for a credit card, consider these non-credit solutions—simple tools for cashless payments and managing daily expenses:
Debit cards: Spend only the funds available in your bank account. Many debit cards now offer cashback and rewards similar to credit cards with no risk of going into debt.
Prepaid cards: Top up your card balance and use only what you’ve loaded. This is ideal for controlled spending and budget tracking.
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) schemes: Providers such as Atome and Grab allow you to split up purchases into interest-free monthly instalments, usually with less strict income checks compared to traditional credit cards.
Related links
Information correct as at January 2026. Always refer to MoneySmart or relevant bank websites for the latest eligibility and application steps.
