Credit Limit Singapore - What It's Based On & How to Increase It (2025)

Are you spending close to your credit card limit and wondering how you can get a credit limit increase? How is the credit limit even determined in the first place? Take charge of your credit limit with the following information.
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How Is Your Credit Limit Calculated in Singapore?

The credit limit on your credit card (or any unsecured credit facility such as a credit line) is determined by the bank issuing it, but ultimately, it is governed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). So whatever credit limit the bank gives you, it has to comply with MAS guidelines. Depending on your age, your total credit limit (across all credit cards) must be within the following boundaries.

Up to 55 Years Old

Your credit limit is determined by your annual income (can be non-employment income, e.g. rental income). If your annual income is S$30,000 or below, your credit limit is capped at 2X your monthly income. If you earn S$30,000 to S$120,000 a year, your credit limit is up to 4X your monthly income. There is no regulation on your credit limit if you earn S$120,000 or more a year.

Above 55 Years Old

Income requirements are lower for those above 55, but you need have at least S$750,000 to S$2m in net personal assets (e.g. property, shares). Your credit limit is based on your annual income as well. For those earning up to S$15,000, your credit limit is up to S$2,500 only. If earning S$15,000 to S$30,000, your credit limit is 2X your monthly income. Only if you are earning S$30,000 to S$120,000, will you get 4X your monthly income as the credit limit.

Summary of MAS Credit Limits in Singapore (2025)

Annual IncomeCredit Limit (≤55 Years Old)Credit Limit (>55 Years Old)
Annual Income≤S$15,000Credit Limit (≤55 Years Old)N/A (not eligible)Credit Limit (>55 Years Old)S$2,500
Annual IncomeS$15,000 to S$30,000Credit Limit (≤55 Years Old)(Min. S$30,000) 2X monthly incomeCredit Limit (>55 Years Old)2X monthly income
Annual IncomeS$30,000 to S$120,000Credit Limit (≤55 Years Old)4X monthly incomeCredit Limit (>55 Years Old)4X monthly income
Annual Income>S$120,000Credit Limit (≤55 Years Old)No regulatory limitCredit Limit (>55 Years Old)No regulatory limit

Why Is Your Credit Limit Lower Than the MAS Amount?

You might have done your calculations and realised that your credit card credit limit actually falls short of the MAS guideline. For example, if you earn S$3,000 a month, you would expect your credit limit to be S$12,000 - but it's actually S$10,000 instead. This is perfectly normal. The MAS guideline is an upper limit, not a minimum. Credit card providers can offer you any credit limit below the MAS guideline; in fact, they may offer a lower amount after analysing your credit history, existing debt, employment circumstances and so on. Consumers are also not obliged to take the highest possible credit limit, and can choose a lower credit limit if they want to avoid overspending.

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4 Best Credit Cards for Credit Limit Increase (2025)

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1.5% Unlimited Cashback

Standard Chartered Simply Cash Credit Card

on eligible spends
1.5% Cashback
Min Spend
S$0
Cashback Cap
Unlimited

Get S$350 Cash via PayNow or earn 4,000 SmartPoints (worth up to S$469 of Gifts) when you spend min. S$800 in 30 days AND apply to any of the following SCB products through MoneySmart (Bonus$aver Account, CashOne Loan, EasyPay or Funds Transfer). T&Cs apply.

Valid until 30 Jun 2026

Standard Chartered Simply Cash Credit Card is a simple, no-frills card with 1.5% rebate on all spending and a first year annual fee waiver.

Likewise, you can claim exclusive rewards when you sign up via MoneySmart as a new-to-StanChart customer.

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Unlimited Cashback
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Unlimited Cashback

American Express True Cashback Card

on up to $5,000 spend in the first 6 months for new Card Members.
3.0% Cashback
all subsequent eligible purchases
1.5% Cashback
Cash Back Cap
Unlimited

The Amex True Cashback Card is another credit card with the same value proposition: 1.5% cashback on all spending, no minimum, no cap.

The main advantage this credit card has is that it offers a bumped-up 3% cashback for the first 6 months, up to S$5,000 spend. However, bear in mind that fewer merchants accept Amex compared to Visa and Mastercard.

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MoneySmart Exclusive
Earn up to 2% unlimited cashback!
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MoneySmart Exclusive
Earn up to 2% unlimited cashback!

CIMB World Mastercard

with min. spend of S$1,000 per month
Unlimited 2% cashback
with min. spend of S$500 per month
Unlimited 1% cashback
categories eligible for 2% cashback
Dining, Transport, Entertainment, Luxury Goods

Get S$50 Cash when you apply and spend a min of S$2,000 within 60 days from card approval! T&Cs apply.

 

PLUS get a Samsonite Black Label Fanthom Spinner 69/25 EXP TSA Luggage (worth S$1,150) from CIMB spend a min of S$2,000 within 60 days from card approval. T&Cs apply.

Valid until 30 Jun 2026

CIMB World Mastercard is a no-annual fee credit card that gives you 10% cashback on all eligible categories (with a lower min. monthly spend of S$600).

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MoneySmart Exclusive
FASTER REWARD FULFILMENT | UNLIMITED 1.6% CASHBACK
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FASTER REWARD FULFILMENT | UNLIMITED 1.6% CASHBACK

Citi Cash Back+ Card

Cash Back on Eligible Spend
1.6%
Min. Spend per month
S$0
Cash Back Cap per month
Unlimited

Apply and spend S$500 within 30 days to choose your reward: S$380 Cash Reward or 6,140 SmartPoints (worth up to S$499 of Gifts) and receive them as quickly as 5 weeks after meeting the spend criteria!

 

PLUS, double your excitement with a chance to win the ultimate S$15,000 getaway to your dream destination in our exclusive lucky draw! T&Cs apply.

Valid until 30 Jun 2026

Similar to the Standard Chartered Simply Cash Credit Card, Citi Cash Back+ Card is an easy-to-use cash back credit card up to 8% cash back on dining, groceries and petrol and a first year annual fee waiver.

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Earn Miles That Don't Expire
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Earn Miles That Don't Expire

OCBC 90°N Card

on Agoda accommodations worldwide
S$1 = Up to 7 Miles
on Foreign Currency spend
S$1 = 2.1 Miles
on Local spend
S$1 = 1.3 Miles

Get $250 Cash or 3,900 SmartPoints (enough to redeem an Apple AirPods Pro 3 worth S$349) when you apply and spend a min. of S$400 within 30 days! T&Cs apply.

Valid until 30 Jun 2026

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. Additionally, an annual fee waiver is available.

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How to Get a Credit Limit Increase? 3 Options to Try

Assuming that the credit limit on your favourite credit card is already at the regulatory limit, you might be wondering if there is any way to still increase your credit limit for a big purchase. Here are 3 credit limit increase methods you can try. Bear in mind that, since MAS regulations, there are, well, limits to how much of an increase you can get.
Option 1

Temporary Credit Limit Increase

Make an online request for a temporary credit card credit limit increase for travel, wedding, hospitalisation or compassionate purposes (be prepared with proof of your life circumstances!). You must pay off the bill before the credit limit increase expires, or you may get charged an overlimit fee.
Option 2

Request Credit Limit Review

To get a permanent credit limit increase, you will need to show that your income has gone up since the time you got the credit cards. You'll need to submit your latest income documents, e.g. payslips, CPF statement, or Income Tax Notice of Assessment.
Option 3

Make Advance Payment

Another way to increase your credit limit is by making advance payment on your credit card - check with your credit card provider on the procedure on this. This method makes sense if you have a have a large amount of cash but a small credit limit, and you need a temporary credit limit increase for a large purchase.

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Alternatively, Consider a Personal Loan Instead

If you need cash urgently to tide you through a rough time or an emergency, a credit limit increase may not be the best option. If you are not confident of repaying your bills on time, they may result in high-interest debt that is difficult to conquer. You may want to consider a personal loan instead, which have lower interest rates and more affordable instalment repayment plans. MoneySmart's personal loan calculator allows you to compare the different personal loan interest rates side by side.
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Exclusive: Most Popular Credit Cards in Singapore

MoneySmart has helped over 3 million users find the best credit cards in the market. Curious to know what people searched for? Find out in this members-only report and get insights on which card you can apply for next! Plus, try out our personality quiz to find which card matches your taste!
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