Citibank cards come with a whole package of lifestyle rewards, cashback, and travel benefits. However, to access these perks, meeting Citibank credit card criteria for eligibility is mandatory. This primarily includes minimum salary, stable employment, good credit history, and more.
So, what does the bank really look into while analysing your profile for a Citi card entry requirements? Let’s find out —
Eligibility
Criteria
Age
You must be at least 21 years old.
Salary
Your monthly salary must be AED 5,000 or more.*
Nationality
You must be a UAE resident, whether a national or an expat.
Status of Employment
You must be a salaried employee or a self-employed individual
*Note: Check with the bank for the chosen card’s salary criteria before initiating your application. This is the minimum limit — many cards require a higher salary than this.
Top Citibank Credit Cards Criteria for Eligibility
Although there are some standard entry requirements for all Citibank cards, the salary criteria vary. These are designed to cater to the different needs of all eligible applicants.
In the table below, we have mentioned the salary-based Citibank credit card eligibility criteria —
Card Name
Requirements Minimum Salary
Citi Cashback Card
AED 8,000
Citi Simplicity Card
AED 5,000
Citi Rewards Card
AED 8,000
Citi Premier Card
AED 15,000
Citi Prestige Card
AED 30,000
Citi Ready Card
AED 8,000
Note: For all these cards, you must be at least 21 years old at the time of applying.
Documents Required to Apply for Citibank Credit Cards
As per the bank’s requirements, you need to submit the following documents while applying for a card in the UAE —
Emirates ID
UAE Residency Visa
Passport
Which Factors Affect Citibank Credit Card Criteria for Eligibility?
A card's eligibility depends on several factors. However, let’s understand the ones that play a significant role —
Credit Score
Your credit Score plays a major role in determining your Citibank credit card eligibility. The higher your score, the higher your chances of application approval. This is because a good score represents that you’re a responsible borrower.
Age
The Central Bank of the UAE has a strict minimum age requirement of 21 years. Your application gets rejected if you’re below the age of 21 years.
Salary
Financial institutions have a minimum salary threshold of AED 5,000 monthly. Applicants earning below this may be eligible for a secured card, but that completely depends on your profile and the bank’s decision.
How to Improve Citibank Credit Card Eligibility?
Now that you have understood the top aspects affecting your Citibank card eligibility, let’s take a look at how you can improve your chances of approval for Citi cards
Maintain a good credit score by paying bills and monthly instalments on time
Lower outstanding debts and avoid high credit utilisation
Provide accurate income proof with salary slips or bank statements
Avoid frequent loan or card applications, as they can affect your credit profile
Keep stable employment records, as job stability improves approval chances
Manage existing cards responsibly by staying within limits and paying the bills in full
FAQ's About Citibank Credit Card Eligibility
Q1: Which Citi cards are available for a monthly salary of AED 8,000?
Ans: Three Citibank cards are available if you have a monthly salary of AED 8,000 —
Citi Ready card
Citi Rewards card
Citi Cashback card
Q2: Can I apply for a Citibank card if I’m 20 years old?
Ans: No, you must be at least 21 years old to apply for Citi credit cards.
Q3: Does checking my credit score at regular intervals affect my score?
Ans: No, a soft credit score check, which is performed by you (the cardholder), does not harm your score. However, when financial institutions run a hard credit score check, it lowers your score.
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