Updated October 10, 2016:
The original post published in April 2009 contains info that is no longer true.
BDO, HSBC and other banks are no longer offering credit cards to OFWs.
If you really need to have a credit card, here are options:
— Apply for a BPI Family or BPI Express Start credit card.
This is a secured credit card. You’ll deposit at least 10,000 pesos, and this amount will be held by the bank as your collateral.
— Apply for an RCBC Bankard Instacard.
This is also a secured credit card. You’ll deposit at least 5,000 pesos, and this amount will be held by RCBC as your collateral. Some branches might require at least 10,000 pesos.
— If you need a credit card only for online payments.
like air fares, games, consumer goods, music, movies, memberships, other products, there are now a lot of debit cards, electronic cards or prepaid cards that you can use to pay online, like:
BDO Kabayan MasterCard debit card
Union Bank Eon Visa debit card
PSBank MasterCard debit card
EastWest Visa debit card
Smart Money MasterCard
Globe GCash
PayMaya Visa virtual card
PayMaya Visa debit card
Yazz Visa reloadable prepaid card
— Apply for a regular BPI Family or BPI credit card.
In the list of requirements, OFW was mentioned, so your application as an OFW might be considered. You should have a landline phone. Your home or business address must be within a 30-km radius of a BPI or BPI Family Bank branch or a BPI Business Center. You should be able to present a Contract of Employment.
Why Are Banks No Longer Offering Credit Cards to OFWs?
Some of the reasons are:
— Most OFWs do not have ITRs (Income Tax Returns), as they are exempted from paying income taxes. The BSP mandates banks to require ITRs from their clients for certain transactions and services such as credit.
— Many OFWs do not have stable jobs. Their employment is covered by contracts for an average of only 2 years.
— Many banks prefer certificates of income from local employers, as these certificates can be easily verified.
Post Below Was Published in April 2009.
HSBC and BDO are no longer offering credit cards to OFWs.
For OFWs looking for credit cards, I’ve found only two banks in the Philippines which are offering credit cards for OFWs — HSBC and BDO.
Based on our personal experience, BPI also offers credit cards to OFWs, but you wait for the bank to offer you one. BPI offers a credit card to an OFW who has maintained a BPI time deposit account for a couple of years. BPI also has investment accounts that offer a credit card account as incentive.
BDO
BDO issues secured credit cards for OFWs, meaning one must have a savings or checking account with BDO.
The required documents are:
- Valid IDs
- Employment contract or certificate of employment
-
Remittance receipts for the last 6 months or payslips for the last 3 months
The other requirements are:
- Minimum monthly income of 10,000 pesos
- At least 21 years old, not older than 65
- Must have a BDO checking or savings account or time deposit of at least 15,000 pesos or equivalent amount in dollars
- Must have 2 years continuous job contract
- Beneficiary or card administrator must be residing or working within 30 kms of a BDO branch
- Must have a home landline phone
You can call the following numbers for further inquiries:
Call 631-8000
(within Metro Manila)
1-800-10-6318000
(Libreng Tawag Outside Metro Manila)
(IAC)+800+6318000
(Libreng Tawag Outside of the Philippines)
Email: callcenter@bdo.com.ph
HSBC
For OFWs, the requirements are:
- Employment contract or certificate of employment
- Working visa or work permit or OFW card or certificate issued by POEA
- Proof of home address, such as the latest billing statement under the name of the applicant, with the address of the applicant.
- A valid ID, such as passport, driver’s license, PRC ID or SSS photocard
- TIN number
- SSS or GSIS number
- Proof of Income
- could be latest ITR or
- employer’s certificate of compensation or
- payslips for the last 3 months
The other requirements are:
- At least 21 years old, not older than 65
- Philippine resident
- Have a residential landline phone
- Must be living or working in Metro Manila, Bacolod, Baguio City, Batangas, Bulacan, Butuan, Cabanatuan City, Cagayan de Oro, Calasiao Pangasinan, Cavite, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan City, Davao City, Digos Davao del Sur, Dipolog, Dumaguete City, General Santos, Kalibo, Iloilo, Laguna, Laoag City, Legaspi, Lucena City, Naga, Olongapo City, Ormoc City, Pampanga, Panabo & Tagum Davao del Norte, Puerto Princesa, Subic, Rizal, Roxas, Tacloban, Tagbilaran City, Tarlac City, Tuguegarao, Urdaneta Pangasinan, Zamboanga City.
- Have at least a gross annual income of 150,000 pesos for the classic cards and at least 480,000 pesos for the gold cards
Related Articles, posted April 20, 2011:
Hello Bdo
Good morning i am going vacation by month of May if i aplay credit card ehst needs requirements and how long to approve thanks
hello poh,ofw ko,2yrs,ko may acct,bdo kabayan at monthly ko hulog bank,kahit paano may saving bangko.ung.owwa ko.bigay form bdo branch para sa credit card.tanung ko.pede ko b xai.fill up .submit ko bdo branch para avail ko credit card bdo
hi po,deposit ko bdo kabayan,tapos bakasyon ako pinas July.hindi b ako pede avail credit card bdo.kc balak ko avail credit card bdo
Hi Jay an, how much was your balance the last time you deposited? If the balance is less than 10k, I think your account is already closed. After 12 months na walang foreign remittance, naco-convert ang account mo into a regular account. Ang regular account should be maintained with a 10k average daily balance every month. Pag konti lang ang laman, mauubos sa penalty. If an account reaches a zero balance, it is automatically closed. Even if your atm card will expire in 2022, your account will close if its balance becomes zero or negative.
Puede kang mag-apply for a new account at a BDO remittance partner in Singapore
I have BDO master card savings kabayan but i didn’t deposit since i receive my saving account , but valid until 2022 . U think mam can i still deposit now is 2016 but i start last 2012 , what should i do mam, i want to know if still activate my account even how many years i didn’t deposit i will looking the expiration is 2022 . How ha?
Hi sir / mam
I want to asked if how to reopen my kabayan savings at BDO . But i’m still here in Singapore ,i want to start to deposit. Because is almost 4yrs I didn’t deposit money ,what can i do?
Hi Carla, you can go to the bank’s website and look for credit card application page. But you will be required to attach income documents. Sorry but many banks like BDO accept only regular employees in the Phils and self-employed with tax and financial statements. When you get back in the Phils for vacation, apply for a starter credit card at BPI, BPI Family or RCBC — you deposit at least 10k or more, then you can get a credit limit of maybe 8k.
Hi, how can apply online? I am currently working here in Saudi Arabia. Thank you
Hi Yhel, sorry no. But if your OFW parent has a credit card, he/she can apply for an extension card for you. If you’re 18 or older, you can apply for a secured credit card at BPI Family or RCBC. This means you deposit 10k pesos or more. They will hold this as your collateral. Bring your IDs, proof of address if you have, or remittance receipts, ID picture.
May i ask if OFW dependents can get a credit card? And what are the banks that accepts ofw dependents credit card holder? And what are the requirements?
Hi Marjorie, yes, if you have changed your PIN at a BDO atm when you were in the Philippines. Use it an atm with Mastercard or Maestro logo.
Hi i’m marj i have already a kabayan atm card. When the teller ask me if i want to use it outside the country and i say yes. it is really works here in riyadh? In any mastercard atm machine?
Hi Nelgn, banks need the landline phone for these purposes: to verify information written by the applicant on the form; to prove that the applicant really resides in the given address; to prove that the residence is stable (was approved for a landline phone); landline phone nos. are not easily changed like mobile phone nos.
You can start with BPI’s secured credit card. You might also like to try BPI’s Mastercard debit card so you can make Internet payments. There are others like GCash Visa, Smart Money Mastercard or Union Bank Eon Visa debit card.
I’ve been applying for credit card every time I went for a vacation and it all ended up denied. Indeed I don’t need it but for some reasons like online payment for a training course, online education, payment for traffic violation and others, so it is necessity for me to have one. I applied in a couple of banks with requirements and documents. I always failed to provide land line phone since it is not really practical to have this days because of the existence and the comfort of having a mobile phone. This requirement always turned down my application. Can you please tell me what is exactly the main reason why the banks is always asking for a land line phone? Is this mean that if I cannot pay my debt they ask or sue the telephone company because I am one there client or maybe this is very important for them because it is considered as collateral. Kindly please enlighten me.
Hi gerila, you do not need a credit card to apply for a car loan. You can apply directly at a Toyota dealership. But you need to save for the down payment (around 100k). Prepare your income documents, like cert of employment and salary or OFW job contract, and other sources of income. Start saving in a bank so you can also present a bank statement later on.
Hi mrs nora. Can I apply for a credit card? I want to get a car loan. innova for husband’s business. how do we apply for credt card. I’m ofw po. I’ll be leaving soon, it’s my first time. thanks po
Hi gud am. I’ve been an ofw for 4yrs here in oman with continous contract, 3yrs po with credit card here in bank muscat. I’m a government employee. Wouldn’t I qualify for a credit card at BDO?
Hi Aster, for secured credit cards, the credit limit is usually 80% of the collateral deposit. Approval by BDO usually takes time. Ask the BDO officer about processing time. You can also try BPI or BPI Family — ask about their processing time.
Gud day po. i’m aster. If I avail po of credit card at bdo, do I need to deposit at least 10k? How much balance can I use if ever. I’m ofw po here in taiwan. I plan to apply for a credit card at bdo this dec. and if approved, will it be released quickly?
Hi Jake, yes, you can use it for installment. Find stores that offer installment plans through credit cards. The full price of the item should be lower than your credit limit. If your credit limit is 9k, buy an item priced less than 9k. You are not allowed to buy an item priced 15k, even if the monthly installment amount is just, for example, 1,300. Why is it like that? Because the store charges the full amount, so BPI will pay the full amount, and BPI will lend money only up to your credit limit.
Hi po, if bpi starter offers 90% of the deposit amount as credit limit, (e.g. 10000), does it mean I cannot buy anything priced above 9k? even we say the installment for 24 months is longer? How is the system? I plan to buy on installment items using a card from bpi with 9k limit. How is it used for installment?
Hi donnisa, if your Kabayan is active, yes, you can use your atm card to buy online (check if there’s an expiry date and a 3-digit security code at the back of your card). It’s difficult for OFWs to apply for a credit card because they don’t have ITR and your cert of employment from abroad is commonly not accepted. You can apply for a secured credit card, meaning you open a time deposit with them, and then request for a secured credit card.
hi ms i’m an ofw here in taiwan, working in semicon company,i already have kabayan saving account card with mastercard logo opened 2014. can i use this card to buy online?how can i avail bdo credit card? thank you
Hi Jaja, no, you can no longer reactivate, but you can open a new account with BDO.
Can i reactivate the closed acct. Of bdo?
Hi Apolonio, I understand your concern, and can also understand the concerns of a business. Not all OFWs are as responsible as you. If only the first OFWs and seamen given credit cards years ago paid their debts, then banks now might be more considerate of OFWs. It’s not only OFWs that credit card issuers are wary of now. They’re also now rejecting applications from specific companies and from certain types of companies, such as call center firms, with many employees delinquent in their credit card debts. As a business, they cannot have so many delinquent card holders, as it’s not easy for them to collect if the cardholders change their residences and phones.
But you can get a secured credit card and prove to the bank that you’re a responsible OFW. After a few years of paying responsibly, upon your request, the bank will issue you a regular credit card. By the way, it’s my first time to see the name Apolonio in my comments sections. My father’s name is also Apolonio, a unique and charming name.
Nora, it is very sad to hear that we as OFW do not have the right to open or apply a credit card. on my own understanding that the bank want also a safe transaction. As a processional seafarer, like me we all know that we do not have employer here in PH only the agency in behalf, is it not a sign of discrimination?
Hi Rudzna, usually if Western Union is used, you should be able to pick up your money at a Western Union outlet within the hour. In what country is your husband working? So I can recommend a bank.
Hi, ate Nora How can I open account here in pinas; my husband is ofw. He always sends money through western or cebuana. Sometimes, I get the money after a long time. What bank account can you recommend? Thank you po
Hi Joverlyn, sad to say, many OFWs do not have the documents required to apply for credit cards: tax return, landline phone in an area with the bank you’re applying at and certificate of local employment and income. What you can do when you get back in the Philippines is to apply for a secured credit card. This means you deposit about 10k or 20k or more and this will be your collateral for your secured credit card.
Hi ate NORA,asking po how to apply in online ??
How can I apply online? I’m an ofw
Hi Rafael, yes, you’re right. Only 6k or less will be available for additional purchases before your first installment payment for your tv. But as you pay from month to month within 12 months, your credit limit increases from month to month.
If 30k is the limit of secure credit card and I used it to purchase tv worth 24k payable in 12 months, means 6k remaining. I can use only in full my card after 12 months? and can use only 6k within 12 months?
Hi Madella, some banks offered credit cards to OFWs in the past, but they all stopped offering. What you can do is to apply for a secured credit card. You make a deposit, and it will be your collateral. For example, you deposit 20k pesos as your collateral — you can only withdraw this amount after you pay your balance and surrender your credit card. Usually you can get 80% of your collateral as your credit limit. Ask RCBC or BPI Family or your bank.
Hi…is there any banks offering or giving credit card for OFW? Thanks
Hi Ruby, rules have changed now. Sorry I’m not sure if you or your husband can qualify because BDO requires your latest ITR. Obviously OFWs don’t have ITR since they’re not required to pay taxes. You can ask BDO if they’re offering a secured credit card (you open a time deposit with them and you use that deposit as a collateral for your credit card). If not, try RCBC (ask for their Insta secured credit card) or BPI (ask for their starter secured credit card).
Hi I’m ruby I just want to ask if I am qualified to apply for bdo classic cc. My husband is an ofw a power plant assistant manager in US NAVAL MILITARY BASE in diego garcia and I am recieving his allotment thru bdo kabayan savings for this is the official bank of their company wherein all benificies recieves their monthly allotment.Thanks
Hi sheilah, sorry, banks in the Phils no longer issue credit cards to OFWs because of the uncertainty of OFW jobs abroad. But OFWs can apply for secured credit cards in some banks like RCBC or BPI — you make a time deposit and your time deposit will be your collateral for your credit card.
HI I’m sheilah and I’m an ofw here in dubai for 6years and still working.. How can I avail this credit card from HSBC.. Hoping for ur early response.. Thank u..
Hi Rodel, you can apply for a secured credit card, meaning you must make a time deposit first. Your time deposit will be your collateral. For regular credit cards, ITR and certificate of employment from a Philippine-based company are required.
what are requirements to apply for cc. I’m ofw working here in abu dhabi UAE. need your reply po thanks
Hi jonathan, if your Kabayan is newly issued and has a Mastercard logo, then you can try using it to buy online. For the past 2 or 3 years, a BDO atm debit card with Mastercard logo cannot be used online. But recently, BDO has allowed online use for newly issued debit cards with Mastercard logo. If yours cannot be used, apply for a GCASH card (Globe) or SmartMoney (Smart). Tell them you want the card for online payments and purchases. There’s also a BPI Mastercard prepaid card that can be used online, if you like.
hello po good day, im jonathan and working here in riyadh ask ko lang po if what magandang credit card na walang interest possible po kaya yung need kong credit card eh yung mag deposit lang ako ng money and pwede ko syang gamitin for payment true online sometimes kasi i buy ticket online and i want to buy online store also but they need credit card , hope you help me mam thanks and regards btw i have kababayan savings account in bdo do you think i can use it to pay online ?
hello po ask ko lng if pedi pa kya ako makaavail ng credit card ulit. I have a bad credit record before with bpi 8 yrs ago when I was still working there..Direct hire po ako as ofw and permanent na po ako sa company…plan ko po sana kumuha ng american express card….Thanks po in advance…
Hi retch, your husband can apply online: https://www.bdo.com.ph/personal/credit-cards/forms-and-brochures/application-forms They will call your home phone and will ask for your husband; tell them your husband is presently out of the country as he was sent abroad for a company project.
Hi, my hubby is an ofw and he has an itr. I heard that bir form 2316 is one of the requirements, i have a copy, as i requested it from his company. His company is here in pinas but they’re being sent abroad for 3 yrs with contract extension. Can we apply for a credit card at bdo? Our bank is Chinabank but they don’t offer credit cards. i heard that it’s a sister company of bdo. Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks.
Hi neneng, usually about 80% of your account balance.
mam,for example how much is my credit limit if my dollar account is 1200 dollars?desame po ba.wala pa po kami alam tungkol dyan e pero gusto namin magkaroon.
Hi neneng, ask BDO if they’re offering secured credit cards (secured means your deposit is your collateral for your credit card). If not, try applying for a secured credit card at BPI or RCBC. You will be asked to open a time deposit with them. It’s difficult for OFWs to apply for credit cards the usual way because ITR and a certificate of local employment and income are required.
hi! we have a dollar account with bdo. My husband is ofw, a seaman. How can we apply for a credit card?
Hi Rousel, banks are no longer offering credit cards to OFWs, unless they’re applying for secured credit cards (there should be a time deposit).
Hello po, i would like to ask kung pwede po ako makapagapply ng loan kahit 10K lang, my husband is an OFW in Brunei mag one year na sya this september..thanks
Hi rdee, you might be able to get a secured credit card if you have valid Philippine IDs and if you have a time deposit with a bank here. If you want a regular credit card, it might be difficult to get because you need a Philippine ITR and proof of source of income.
Hi.im a permanent resident in singapore. I have no contract in sg because of my residency. Im I qualified to apply for credit card?
Hi August, usually BPI ang merong zero interest installment plans at usually 6 months to 1 year lang. If you’re here in the Phils, go to BPI Family and ask for their starter secured credit card. You will make a time deposit, which will be used as a collateral for your credit card. Usually, BPI gives 80% of your time deposit amount as your credit limit.
Another option is to make an auto-renew time deposit at BPI Family, and maintain it for a long time. Add money to it every renewal date, so the amount becomes bigger. BPI offers a regular credit card once it notices that you’re a good saver.
Good Day, Ako po ay isang Seaman(OFW) and i want to apply a card that can able to avail appliances with a zero interest. Ano po ma sa-suggest nyo sa akin at paano po ang procedure? My gross salary reached up to 700,000.00/10 months per contract.Thanking you in advance
Hi jomar, sorry you cannot apply for a credit card there in Saudi. Apply in person at a branch here in the Phils. when you come home in Nov.
Good morning mam/sir andto pa po ako sa saudi alkhobar sa nov. Pa po ang uwi ko san po ako pupuntang banko dto sa saudi meron po bang RCBC at BPI dto para maka pag apply na ko. At kung ma aprove po ako sa ko kukunin ung credit card thank you po.
Hi jomar, pag OFWs, secured credit card ang puedeng makuha. Merong collateral ang credit card for OFWs, kasi ang OFW walang ITR na ma-present, which is required when applying. Sa RCBC, you make a time deposit and then apply for a credit card. Puede ring BPI Family. Ask if you can make a time deposit and then apply for a starter credit card.
Good morning mam/sir gusto ko po mag karon ng credit card im ofw saudi first time ko mag apply pwedi po ba.thak you
Hi Marichu, BDO is stricter than other banks in giving out secured credit cards. RCBC is more lenient; just go to a branch and request for a secured credit card. You’ll make a time deposit. The same with BPI Family. With BDO, you need to maintain a big time deposit for a longer time and then request.
hi po ask ko lang kung pwede po ba ako mag apply ng secured credit card isa po akong ofw 2 years na po ako nag work dito at unlimited contract po ako ano pong requirements sa pag kuha meron din po akong saving account sa bdo
salamat po
Hi. I am currently working here in Dubai, and i also want to apply for the secured credit card? i have account in BPI, possible ba na maka pag apply ako even im out of the country pero ipprovide ko mga requirements na needed. Please advise. Thanks
Hi Gelyn, sorry BDO and other banks require your ITR and cert of employment or proof of stable source of income for credit card application. If you like, mag-time deposit ka sa BDO, palakihin mo, and then request for a secured BDO credit card. Yong RCBC, meron silang InstaCard program where you deposit money to secure your credit card — mas mabilis ang processing nila.
Hi tanong ko Lang po Possible po ba na maka apply Ako ng sarili kong credit card sa BDO? Me existing credit card po Ako extension po Ako ng friend ko… Gusto ko sana mag karon ng sarili kong credit card sa BDO…
Almost 8 yrs na po akong remittance ng husband ko sa BDO…
Seaman po husband ko..
8months po contract Nya then 1 to 2 months maximum Alis po sya agad…
Possible po ba na makakuha Ako ng credit card sa BDO Kung mag apply po Ako? Thanks!
Hi Christina, sorry but banks have become very strict with credit card and loan applications from OFWs because of the short term and uncertainty of OFW contracts. They will consider if OFWs have long-term time deposits with them. If you have lots of trusted Facebook friends, try applying with Lenddo.com.ph. But I have no experience with this lending firm; nakikita ko lang mga ads nila.
I’m Christy still working here in Singapore, can I apply for your personal loan for ofw. End contract this Sept.2014, but they renew my contract for another 2 years. Tnx
Hi Ann, these 2 banks are stricter in approving credit card applications compared to other banks. And because you work abroad (no Phil ITR), your option might only be through a secured card. You deposit a big amount with them, preferably time deposit, which will earn interest but will not be withdrawable during the time your credit card is still on a secured status. This means you should also appear at the bank in person to apply. But it would be easier if you apply for a Visa or Mastercard credit card at your bank there in the UK; anyway, you can use those cards also here in the Phil when you take your vacation. Or you can also email BDO and ask if you can apply for a credit card using your good personal loan payment record as your reference.
Hi si Ann ito .Ask ko lang kung pwede kami mag apply for credit card. Nag wowork kami ng husbad ko dito sa UK .actually bdo and bpi ang banko namin.first time lng namin apply ng credit card.actually nagloan nga kami sa bdo last year para matapos yun house namin. OK naman 48 k hulog namin monthly.kaya regular ang remitance namin.pwede ba kami mag mag apply for credit card? Thank’s
Hi,
I have savings account but not with BDO
Hi rzl, sori hindi. Dapat in the name of the applicant. Puedeng mag-apply ang mother mo ng credit card niya at gawin kang extension.
pwede po ba mag-apply ang mother ko ng credit card but sa akin nakapangalan. what i mean ay, ako ang gagamit. i am ofw in dubai. and everymonth ako ngpapadala sa kanila as well as my father. and my mom is a government teacher.
Hi joy, sori hindi na nagbibigay ang most banks ng credit card sa OFWs kasi wala silang ITR at hindi raw stable ang jobs nila. If you like, check this so you can apply for a RCBC bankard instacard rcbc secured credit
hi goodevening. pwede po ba ako mgapply ng credit card yung common law partner ko po ofw sa dubai and 18k lng po salary nya per month possible po ba yun kahit hnd kalakihan yung sahod nya
Hi Kara, if your record with HSBC is good, they will send you a renewal credit card that will have a new expiration date even if you will not request for it. Usually local banks require local employment or business as a source of income, plus ITR, but there are some that consider ownership of other banks’ credit card as proof of being a good payor. BPI, RCBC and others also offer secured credit cards, with time deposit or savings account as collateral.
Hi! I’m working in Dubai and I have an existing HSBC credit card issued in Manila & it will expire on Apr 2014. Just want to know if I can apply for another credit card with them? or with another bank liek BPI or BDO? Thanks.
Hi Sarah, the next day after your arrival you can visit the nearest BDO and ask about their secured credit cards and how soon you can get the card. But I’ve read that BDO is super strict now, and that some BDO officers don’t even know what a secured credit card is. You can try BPI Family. I’m not sure now, but I think a 20k deposit would give you a 16k credit limit. RCBC offers Instacard with a credit limit of 100% of your time deposit.
Hi po. Im working here in Maldives. About secured credit cards how much po hinihingi ng BDO? and how long the process will take? 1 month vacay lng po kc ako sa pinas. tnx
Hi anne, sorry, credit card balance transfer can happen only if you have 2 credit cards issued by different banks. Basically, what will happen is that you will borrow from one card to pay the other card.
Hi i would like to inquire about credit card balance transfer. I am an ofw and I have an existing credit card from metrobank. This is the only one i have. Would it be possible for me to apply a balance transfer request to another bank? if possible, can you recommend banks that would be willing to process such? what are the requirements?
Madam,
Good day po! I’ m planning to apply a secured credit card maybe after two months . Would like to ask information since i’m working here in italy what documents is required to avail this card. I have a permit to stay valid for 5 yrs but after this i could avail another 10yrs, is necessary to have a proof that i’m working here or just work contract. Pls inform me all details because i’m coming home soon. I will apply to have one to be use in business purposes. Thanks.
Hi Manilyn, puede ang online card application sa HSBC. Try mo na lang sa hsbc website; sundan mo lang yong instructions. Meron silang requirement na dapat meron kang another credit card na active for at least 1 year, or meron kang Advance o Premium savings account sa HSBC.
Hi.Im Manilyn Gaudicos, nandito po ako sa Dubai nagtatrabaho, gusto po sana mag apply ng credit card sa HSBC bank, pwede po ba akong mag apply through online kahit andito po ako ngayun sa dubai?
Hi olivia, you can start with a secured credit card. You cannot yet get a regular credit card because they will ask for ITR and certificate of employment and income or business permit and income. Ask BPI Family or RCBC Savings or EastWest bank, etc. if you can apply for a secured credit card. You will deposit money, and this will be your collateral for your credit card. After 2 or more years of proving you’re a good payor, you can request for a regular credit card.
isa po akong housewife,my houseband is a ofw,ang remittance ko po n narereive is 30k pataas monthy,pwede po ba ko magkaron ng credit card.
Thank you mam nors your a big help to me…God bless you po.
Hi Mini, yes, you can apply for a Secured credit card at your bank. They will put a hold on your deposit (amount to be held will depend on the amount you want to allot to your credit card). Later on, if you’ve proven you’re a good payor, the bank will remove the hold on your deposit. For regular card application, banks need ITR and cert of local employment and income.
Another option is a debit card linked to MasterCard or Visa. Ang maganda dito, wala kang utang and no interest. You load money to this card, then you can use it to book online or buy goods online. Choose from these: Union Bank Eon Visa
Debit Card or BPI ePrepaid Mastercard prepaid card A third option is PSBank Mastercard debit card, which has no load limit but has an initial daily spending limit of 50k per day.
About credit cards: One advantage of a credit card though is accumulating frequent flyer rewards points.
Maam my husband is a seaferer…w/ chiefmate rank license. I dont have a work. Malaki naman ipon ko sa bank kasi my allotment is 100,000 plus monthly. Maari po ba ako mag apply ng credit card? It is more convenient kasi to purchase plane tickets via online reservations. Madalas kasi kami mag byahe. Thank you …
Hi Emilia, banks no longer issue unsecured credit cards to OFWs. This means you have to deposit at least 10k (20k minimum for other banks) with them and this will be used as collateral for your credit card. The usual requirements for credit card application are ITR and certificate of employment from local employer and OFWs don’t have these documents.
Sir/Ma’am
I was working here in italy,my question is how can i apply a credit card in your good office?
Hoping for your response.
Thank you
Emilia Fernandez
Hi Dennis, sorry but based on comments here, BDO no longer approves credit card applications from OFWs because of the uncertainty of overseas contracts. What BDO and other banks approve are secured credit cards — you deposit a fairly big amount with them and then this would become the collateral of your credit card. Also, you need to appear in person when applying for secured credit cards.
SIR/MAM,
JUST WANNA ASK, IM DENNIS TRANATE WORKING HERE AT JEDDAH, WITH 2 YRS CONTRACT UNTIL NOV.2014, AND I STRARTED LAST NOV 2012. I WANT TO APPLY FOR THE BDO CREDIT CARD BUT I DONT HAVE MY TIN NUMBER, HOW CAN I KNOW IT? THNK YOU. HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON… ANOTHER THING, IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE MY CARD AFTER I APPLY TO SEND IT HERE IN JEDDAH? THANKS