Best Credit Cards for Foreigners / Expats in Singapore (2024)
Just arrived in Singapore and wondering what the credit card scene is like? Here's the lowdown on credit card eligibility requirements for foreigners in Singapore, and some recommendations for different types of expats.
7 Best Credit Cards for Foreigners / Expats in Singapore (2024)
Whether you're planning to live it up in Singapore or work hard to provide for your family, we've got a great credit card for your spending habits. You may also want to employ a two-card strategy if you're a travel junkie: One credit card for your everyday expenses, and another miles card if you plan to use Singapore as a base to fly around Asia.
7 Best Credit Cards for Foreigners / Expats in Singapore (2024)
Best for digital natives
Citibank Rewards Card
Best for breadwinners
DBS Woman's World Card
Earn miles on daily spending
HSBC Revolution Card
All-rounded miles card
Citi PremierMiles Card
Best for travel around Asia
DBS Altitude Card
Best for the young & single
OCBC 90°N Card
Best for wining & dining
American Express Platinum Credit Card
Best for digital natives
Citibank Rewards Card
Amex Platinum Credit Card
American Express Platinum Credit Card
- for every full S$1.60 spend at participating Platinum 10Xcelerartor Partners
- 10 Membership Rewards Points
- for every full S$1.60 spend on All Other Spend
- 2 Membership Rewards Points
- Rewards to Miles Conversion
- 1 Point = 0.55 Miles
New to American Express cardholders can get S$300 Statement Credits when you pay the card's annual fee and spend a min. of S$1,000 within the first month of card approval.
Existing cardholders can get S$200 Statement Credits when you pay the card's annual fee and spend a min. of S$1,000 within first month of card approval.
Additionally, earn 1,250 Membership Rewards® points based on the S$1,000 spent above. T&Cs apply.
Note that Amex does not have a huge presence in Singapore and is not as widely accepted as Visa and Mastercard. You won't have a problem paying with it at major retailers, hotels and restaurants, but smaller businesses may not accept Amex.
That said, one of their best credit card offerings here is the Amex Platinum Credit Card. Though it comes with a hefty annual fee of over $300, it is perfectly possible to recoup the fee thanks to the amazing dining deals you can get with it.
Under the Amex "Love Dining" programme, cardholders can get 50% off the food bill at some of the fanciest restaurants in town. It also entitles you to drink deals such as free drinks at cocktail bars. In short, this card will make you feel like a VIP when you wine and dine around Singapore.
Eligibility for foreigners: Minimum annual income of S$80,000
HSBC Revolution Credit Card
HSBC Revolution Credit Card
- on Online Spend on Travel, Shopping & Dining
- S$1 = 10X Points
- on All Other Spend
- S$1 = 1X Point
- for every 10 Points
- Earn 4 Miles
Get S$199 Cash via PayNow or 3,500 SmartPoints when you apply, spend a min. of S$500 from Card Account Opening Date to end of the following calendar month! Pay Annual Fee for HSBC TravelOne Card. T&Cs apply.
Additionally, enrol in our Rollin' Rewards campaign for FREE and stand a chance to win 50,000 SmartPoints. That’s enough to redeem ANY item from our Rewards Store, such as a Sony BRAVIA 3 85-Inch 4K Ultra HD Google TV (worth S$5,799) + an Apple iPhone 16 Plus 128GB (worth S$1,399).
The HSBC Revolution Credit Card gives you 4 miles per S$1 spent on a whole bunch of categories, both online and offline. Online spending includes online shopping, flights and hotels, movies, concert tickets, taxi booking, food delivery, even insurance premiums. And offline, you get points on dining and entertainment.
With no minimum spending requirement and no cap on points earned, there's absolutely no need to micromanage your spending, which is a real bonus.
Eligibility for foreigners: Minimum annual income of S$40,000
Citi Rewards Card
Citi Rewards Card
- on Online & Shopping Purchases
- S$1= 10X Points
- on all other purchases
- S$1= 1X Point
- Rewards Conversion
- 10X Points = 4 Miles
Get S$350 Cash or 5,040 SmartPoints in as fast as 5 weeks when you spend S$500 within 30 days. T&Cs apply.
Additionally, enrol in our Rollin' Rewards campaign for FREE and stand a chance to win 50,000 SmartPoints. That’s enough to redeem ANY item from our Rewards Store, such as a Sony BRAVIA 3 85-Inch 4K Ultra HD Google TV (worth S$5,799) + an Apple iPhone 16 Plus 128GB (worth S$1,399).
For those who love tech and rely on apps to get anything done, the Citibank Rewards Card is the perfect match. It gives you a whopping 4 miles per S$1 spent on online transactions, which covers... well, just about everything in Singapore. The same earn rate extends to offline shopping at fashion and department stores.
However, there are a few glaring omissions in an otherwise perfect card. You won't get the bonus points on travel bookings (even online ones) and on dining out. In addition, the 4 miles per S$1 rate is capped at S$1,000 a month. So, while the Citi Rewards Card makes a great everyday credit card, you'll probably also want to get another card for your travel and dining spending.
Eligibility for foreigners: Minimum annual income of S$42,000
DBS Woman's World Card
DBS Woman's Card
- on Online Purchases
- S$5 = 5 DBS Points (2 Miles per S$1)
- on Other Purchases
- S$5 = 1 DBS Point (0.4 Miles per S$1)
- e-Commerce Protection for Online Purchases
- Complimentary
Regardless of gender, if you're a breadwinner or high spender, you'll definitely want to consider this card. It is similar to the Citi Rewards Card in that you get 4 miles per S$1 spent on online transactions, so that's your Grab rides, food delivery, online groceries, ClassPass subscription etc. covered.
This also extends to online travel bookings, which means you can rack up a substantial amount of miles if you use this to book your flights and hotels. The points are capped at S$2,000 a month instead of Citibank's S$1,000.
However, the DBS Woman's World Card does not cover offline dining and entertainment, so if you spend a lot on those, you may want to look into the other cards on this list.
Eligibility for foreigners: Minimum annual income of S$80,000. Employment Pass holders only
DBS Altitude Visa Signature Card
DBS Altitude Visa Signature Card
- Local Spend
- S$1 = 1.3 miles
- Overseas Spend (made in foreign currency)
- S$1 = Up to 5 miles
- on Online Travel Bookings
- S$1 = Up to 2.2 miles
But if you love to spontaneously travel to destinations around Asia, this credit card can give you a bit more mileage: 3 miles per S$1 spent on all online flights and hotel bookings. You can go ahead and book on Scoot or Expedia or Airbnb, whichever has the best deal. This is capped at S$5,000 a month.
Eligibility for foreigners: Minimum annual income of S$45,000. Employment Pass holders only
OCBC 90°N MasterCard
OCBC 90°N Card
- on Foreign Currency spend
- S$1 = 2.1 Miles
- Min. spend per month
- S$0
- Foreign Transaction Fee
- 3.25%
Unlike cards with minimum spend required, the OCBC 90°N MasterCard Get lets you enjoy cash rebates at up to 2.1% from your earned miles (in terms of Travel$) with no minimum spend needed and no caps.
Moreover, the miles earn rate for this card is up to 7 miles (in terms of Travel$), 2.1 miles for every $1 spent on foreign currency spending and 3 miles for every $1 spent on online entertainment. What’s more, there’s no expiry for your Travel$ accumulated, which can be converted to loyalty points and be used at airline and hotel programs.
Eligibility for foreigners: Minimum annual income of S$45,000. Employment Pass holders only
Diners Club CASHBACK Card
DCS CASHBACK Card
- on all eligible transactions
- Up to 5% Cash Rebate
- Airport Lounge Access and Insurance Coverage
- Complimentary
- Annual Principal Fee
- S$196.20 (inclusive of GST)
If you're an expat who likes to travel often between Singapore and other destinations, you may like DCS CASHBACK card's complimentary access to nearly 1,300 airport lounges across 600+ cities in 140 countries worldwide, including Changi Airport Terminal 1, 2, 3 and 4.
On top of that, you’ll enjoy 5% cash rebate for all eligible transactions with a minimum spending of S$400 (per month) on your DCS CASHBACK Regular Credit Card.
Eligibility for foreigners: Minimum annual income of S$60,000.
How Can Expats Apply for a Credit Card in Singapore?
Most credit card providers in Singapore are happy to issue credit cards to foreigners working in Singapore, but only if they meet the minimum annual income requirements (which are typically higher than the requirements for locals). When applying for a credit card, you may need to provide the following documents as well.
Proof of Identity
If you have a valid SingPass, the easiest way to verify your identity is to log in to SingPass MyInfo when applying for the card. Otherwise, you'll need to provide a copy of your passport as ID proof. You may also be required to show further proof such as an internet, phone or utility bill addressed to you.
Work Permit
Most banks issue credit cards to expats who meet the income requirement, but you need to provide either your E Pass or S Pass (copies of the front and back). If it has less than 6 months' validity, you may need to furnish the In-Principal Approval (IPA) document. Note: Certain banks restrict cards to E Pass holders only.
Income Documents
First, make sure you meet the minimum income requirements stipulated by the credit card issuer. To prove this, you will need to send in your latest computerised payslip, or (if you don't have one) your official letter of employment stating your salary.
Credit Card Minimum Income Requirements for Foreigners (2024)
Credit Card Issuer | Minimum Annual Income | |
---|---|---|
ICBC | S$30,000 | |
HSBC | S$40,000 | |
UOB | S$40,000 | |
Citibank | S$42,000 | |
OCBC | S$45,000 | |
DBS / POSB | S$45,000 | |
Maybank | S$45,000 (Malaysian) / S$60,000 (other nationalities)/ S$80,000 (only for Maybank World Mastercard) | |
Standard Chartered | S$60,000 | |
American Express | S$80,000 | |
Bank of China | S$60,000 |
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