Complete Guide to Personal Loans for Foreigners (EP Holders) in Singapore 2023
You're in a foreign country and an emergency strikes. It could be anything from an accident that puts you out of work to something that happened at home. You need a sum of money to tide you over, and you know you can repay over a fixed period. Where can you get a personal loan in Singapore?
All About Applying for Personal Loans for Foreigners in Singapore 2023
What do you need to know about getting fast cash in Singapore as a foreigner?
Personal Loan Eligibility Conditions for Foreigners
The eligibility conditions for foreigners are usually stricter than for Singaporeans. To apply, foreigners will require an employment pass of 1-year validity, and 3 months’ pay slips to show annual income of $40,000 to $60,000. On the other hand, Singaporeans only require a minimum annual income of at least $20,000 to $30,000.
There are also fewer banks who provide loans for foreigners. Those that do will ask for proof of identity (passport), copy of a valid employment pass of at least 1 year, proof of address, income and employment during the application stage.
Applicants should also be between the ages of 21 and 55.
How Do Foreigner Loan Work?
Best Personal Loans for Foreigners in Singapore (2023)
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Standard Chartered CashOne
- Interest Rate*
- 3.48%
- Total Amount Payable
- S$11,044
- Processing Fee
- S$0
- Per Month
- S$307
[MoneySmart Exclusive]
Get up to S$4,915 worth of free gifts [up to Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max, 128 GB (worth $1,815.80) AND up to S$3,100 Cashback from Standard Chartered] when your loan is approved this May! T&Cs apply.
The minimum annual income requirement for foreigners is quite high for the Standard Chartered CashOne at $60,000. However, if you qualify, the interest rate for Standard Chartered CashOne Personal Loan is competitive at 3.48% (6.95% p.a.). As of Aug 2021, CashOne is offering a $1,200 cashback promotion.
UOB Personal Loan
- Interest Rate*
- 3.88%
- Total Amount Payable
- S$11,164
- Processing Fee
- 0%
- Per Month
- S$310
[Faster Gift Fulfilment]
Get up to $350 Cash or an ErgoTune Supreme V3 Ergonomic Chair (worth S$599) AND up to 2.2% Unlimited Cash Rebate from UOB plus additional $100 rebate for new to UOB CashPlus Customers as fast as 3 months when your loan is approved this June! T&Cs apply.
Best Foreigner Loan in Singapore (2023)
| Bank | Minimum Annual Income | Annual Interest Rates | Effective Interest Rates | Minimum Loan Amount | Maximum Loan Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Chartered CashOne Personal Loan | $60,000 | 3.48% | 6.95% | $1,000 | Borrow up to 4x monthly salary, or a maximum loan amount of $250,000 |
Compare Personal Loans for Foreigners in Singapore (2023)
| STANDARD CHARTERED CASHONE | OCBC EXTRACASH LOAN | CITIBANK QUICK CASH | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreigners’ minimum annual income | S$60,000 | $45,000 | $42,000 |
| Interest rate | 3.48% (EIR 6.95% p.a) | 5.42% p.a. (EIR 12.11% p.a.) to 5.54% p.a. (EIR 10.96% p.a.) | 3.45% p.a. (EIR 6.5% p.a.) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners apply for personal loans in Singapore?
- If you are a foreigner and intend to get a personal loan, you need to prove that your employment pass has at least one-year validity and your annual income meets the eligibility requirements of the loan. For foreigners, the minimum annual income required is anywhere from $30,000 to $60,000, depending on the loan.
How many personal loans can you have at once?
- It’s not really how many loans you can have but the value of the loans that matter. According to MAS’ latest unsecured debt limit, the total amount of all unsecured loans you can have is capped at 12 times your monthly income. This means that if you owe more than 12 times your monthly income across all your unsecured debt (debt not backed by collateral), you will be unable to apply for or use further credit. Borrowing excessively can hurt your credit rating. Since most personal loans loan you up to 4 times your monthly income, as a rough guideline, you shouldn't be borrowing from more than 3 personal loans.
Where to get a personal loan fast?
- If you meet the eligibility conditions, most banks are able to provide instant approval. Standard Chartered CashOne advertises that the bank can disburse cash out to you in 15 minutes.
Can I use a personal loan for anything?
- Taking on debt definitely has its risks especially when it is shouldered personally. If you are interested to find out what loans can do for you, read our short guide on the different ways to use a personal loan in Singapore.
