Best Credit Cards for Beginners in UAE

Best First Credit Cards in the UAE - Top Picks

If you are a beginner to the world of credit cards, here are the best card options for you as a first-time user to explore. 

Which Credit Card is Best for You as a Beginner?

Here’s a quick breakdown of which credit card is suitable for you as per the following scenarios. 

If You Have a Lower Salary (AED 5k to AED 8k)

Top Cards

• ADCB Talabat Credit Card
• ADCB Essential Credit Card
• ADCB LuLu Platinum Credit Card 
• ADCB 365 Cashback Credit Card

Enjoy perks like easy approval and take advantage of lower salary requirements. These cards are good for those who have started earning in the salary bracket since the last 3 months.  

If You Don’t Want an Annual Fee

Top Cards

• Liv. Cashback Credit Card
• Al Hilal Cashback Credit Card
• ADCB Talabat Credit Card
• ADCB Essential Credit Card

These first credit cards in the UAE offer benefits without the hassle of an annual fee. They are suitable for maximum saving opportunities. 

If You Want to Build Your Credit Profile 

Top Cards

• ADCB Talabat Credit Card
• ADCB Essential Credit Card
• Al Hilal Cashback Credit Card
• Liv. Cashback Credit Card

These credit cards for people with weak credit history help you build a credit profile. With timely balance repayments and using the card within your credit limit, you can boost your credit score. 

If You Want Cashback on Daily Spends

Top Cards

• Al Hilal Cashback Credit Card
• ADCB 365 Cashback Credit Card
• Liv. Cashback Credit Card

These cards are suitable for earning cashback on daily grocery shopping, fuel refills, dining, and online shopping. 

Compare these beginner-friendly cards and check your eligibility to apply online with us in minutes!

How Do We Select the Best Beginner Credit Cards?

These beginner-friendly credit cards are selected based on the factors mentioned below. 

• Easy Eligibility: These cards have low minimum salary requirements and high approval chances
• Low Cost: Most of these cards have no annual fee or a minimal annual fee
• Minimal Debt Risk: Most of these credit cards for beginners have a lower interest rate and fewer hidden charges
• User Relevance: The cards are suitable for people with limited credit history

Our objective is to help beginners find a card that can be easily approved, has low salary requirements, and is easy to manage and use. 

How to Choose the Right First Credit Card in the UAE?

If you are looking for your first credit card in the UAE, make sure you choose one that aligns with your monthly income, budget, and spending requirements. That being said, here are some key factors to consider when it comes to selecting the right credit card for you as a beginner:

Zero/Low Fees: Most beginner-friendly credit cards bear zero or low annual fees. This removes the pressure of paying high annual charges, letting you save. 

Salary Requirements: These cards often have lower income requirements. Make sure you choose a card that aligns with your income. 

Lifestyle Orientation: Ensure the card is in line with your spending habits. If you want to use the card for grocery shopping, paying utility bills, or fuel refilling, pick a card that offers rewards on these expenses. 

Opt for Cards with Cashback: To maximise savings and make the most of your credit card benefits, go for cashback cards over reward-based cards. These cards are of financial value to beginners. 

Common Mistakes You Should Avoid As a Beginner

One of the key rules to remember is to pay your card bill in full every month. It helps boost your credit profile while avoiding high interest rates. Besides this, there are some common mistakes you should avoid as a beginner, including -

1. Treating credit limit as an extra income: Understand that your card is not an additional income. It is just a borrowing instrument; the money you use needs to be repaid. Therefore, avoid overspending. 
2. Maxing out on your credit limit: Don’t use the entire credit card limit. It can hurt your credit score. Aim to keep the credit utilisation ratio under 30% of your overall credit limit. 
3. Not setting a budget: Not planning your expenses can easily make you exceed your repayment capacity. This, in turn, can make it difficult to manage debt. 
4. Applying for multiple credit cards at once: Each application sets off a hard inquiry on your credit report, lowering your credit score. Always take some time between applications to maintain a positive credit profile. 
5. Ignoring the fine print: Not going through the terms and conditions can lead to unexpected charges like foreign transaction fees or penalty APRs. 
6. Choosing the wrong credit card: One of the biggest mistakes you can make is selecting a card that doesn’t meet your lifestyle. For instance, if you hardly travel, a travel card with airport lounge access may not be the right fit.
7. Ignoring the grace period: Most banks offer interest-free grace periods. Try repaying the outstanding balance within this time. If you have an outstanding balance, interest will be levied, hurting your credit score. 

Eligibility for Beginners Credit Cards in UAE

Here’s the eligibility criteria for beginners to apply for a credit card -

• Minimum monthly salary - AED 5,000
• Minimum age - 21 years
• Residency - UAE resident

Documents Required

Here are the documents to apply for a credit card for beginners —

• Emirates ID
• Proof of income (salary certificate or slips) 
• Bank statement for at least the last 3 months
• Passport 
• UAE residency visa
• IBAN number 

When it comes to applying for a credit card, whether as a beginner or a pro, you visit Paisabazaar.ae. Our customer support team will assist you from the start and bring the best cards from the top banks to you. 

To start, fill in the application form today!