How to Get a Credit Card for a Salary Below AED 3500 in UAE?

Can You Get a Credit Card with AED 3,500 Salary?

No, you cannot get a credit card with 3500 salary. All banks in the UAE require a minimum monthly salary of AED 5,000 for these cards, as per the regulations of the Central Bank of the UAE. You get good or reasonable benefit credit cards only when you have a salary of AED 5,000 or more. 

A salary above AED 5,000 ensures that you can repay the credit card balance without hassle. Applications below the AED 5,000 threshold can get rejected, even if their debt-to-income ratio is within the acceptable range.

Alternatives to Credit Cards on 3,500 Salary

Since conventional credit cards require you to earn a monthly salary of AED 5,000, some alternatives can help you stay afloat with an AED 3,500 salary till the time you reach the minimum threshold salary. The alternatives include:

• Prepaid Cards: Several fintechs offer Visa or Mastercard prepaid cards that are suitable for online shopping, contactless payments, and subscriptions. This way, you can enjoy the convenience of a card without getting into debt. 
• Supplementary Cards: If any of your immediate family members earn a higher salary with a premium credit card, you can request them to issue a supplementary card. You receive your own physical card, but the bill is settled by the primary cardholder. 
• Buy Now, Pay Later Apps: Rather than using a credit card, you can use interest-free BNPL services at the time of checkout. These apps link to your standard debit card and allow you to split purchases. 
• Expert’s take: Income stability and maintaining an acceptable credit score can increase your approval chances. Until then, you can explore the above-mentioned alternatives and become a responsible spender.

For Your Information - How Banks Assess Your Applications for a Credit Card in UAE?

Banks evaluate your credit card applications based on the following factors -

• Minimum Income Requirement - The bank reviews if you meet the minimum salary threshold. The minimum income requirement is AED 5,000 per month. For many cards, however, you need a higher income.
• Debt Burden Ratio Check - One of the many reasons why banks don’t approve an application for credit card with 3500 salary in UAE is the high debt burden ratio. Ideally, your debt burden ratio should not exceed 50%.
• Employer Listing - Several banks give special consideration to applications of employees of an approved list of companies. 
• A Check on AECB Credit Report - With every credit card application, the bank pulls a hard inquiry. This is to check your credit report, which helps in verifying your history of credit repayments. 

Credit Card in UAE on 3500 Salary: Are You Eligible?

As discussed earlier, no applicant can get a credit card in UAE on 3500 salary. Here’s a rundown of general eligibility criteria. 

Credit Card in UAE on 3500 Salary: Documents List 

Once your salary is AED 5,000 or more, you can apply for a credit card. For this, you will need to submit the documents mentioned below —

• Emirates ID (original and a copy)
• Passport (original and a copy)
• Salary certificate (for salaried individuals)
• Trade Licence (for self-employed individuals)
• Security Cheque
• Recent 3-6 months’ original bank statements

Note: This is a list of common documents. Actual requirements may be different for each bank. Make sure to confirm the set of documents required for the card application processing with your respective bank. 

Frequently Asked Questions