Why Trust MoneySmart?In Singapore, the lowest salary required for a credit card depends on your age, residency, and the specific card. For Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs), some young adult-focused credit cards are available from $18,000 annual income.
Standard cards typically require $30,000 per year, while seniors may qualify from $15,000 for selected cards, sometimes with lower limits. For students, there is usually no minimum income requirement—but these cards come with a much lower maximum credit limit (usually $500).
For Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs)
Age group | Lowest annual income | Example card(s) |
Aged 21 to 35 | $18,000 for young adult-focused cards | CIMB AWSM Card |
Aged 21 and above | $30,000 is the standard minimum for most unsecured credit cards | Most standard entry-level cards |
Aged 55 or 56 and above | $15,000 for certain cards, sometimes with a lower $500 credit limit | OCBC 365 Credit Card, Trust credit cards ($500 credit limit imposed)) |
Students and NSF | No income requirement; maximum credit limit $500 |
Alternatives for those who don't meet income criteria
If you don’t meet the standard income requirements, there are still ways to get a credit card in Singapore:
Some banks issue credit cards with only a $500 credit limit for applicants who fall below the typical minimum income threshold—even if you aren’t a student or senior.
You can apply for a secured credit card by placing a fixed deposit (usually from $10,000) with a participating bank. The deposit acts as collateral, and your spending limit is set according to this amount. This option is available for many popular cards at banks like DBS, UOB, and CIMB.
