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How long does it take to get a credit card?

Your credit card application was approved, so what happens next?

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By

Amy Bradney-George

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After taking time to compare credit card offers and apply for one that suits your needs, it’s exciting to find out your application is approved. Here, we explain when you can expect to receive your card and what happens after your application gets approved. Let’s take a closer look.

HSBC Revolution Credit Card

HSBC Revolution Credit Card

Earn up to 10X rewards points (equivalent to 4 miles per dollar spent) when you charge online, dining and entertainment expenses to your card.

Offer ends

Eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, fees and charges apply.

HSBC Revolution Credit Card

  • Principal Annual Fee: $0 annual fee for entire membership - $0 thereafter.
  • Cashback Rate: 2.5%
  • Annual Interest Rate:
  • Minimum Income (Singaporean & PR): $30,000
  • Minimum Income (Non-Singaporean): $40,000
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When will I get my new credit card?

Compare the approximate application length and standard waiting period for new credit cards by provider to find out how long you may have to wait to get your next credit card.

ProviderApplication lengthWaiting period
American Express10 minutes5-10 working days
Citibank15 minutes7-10 working days
HSBC10 minutes7 working days
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What happens after I’ve applied for a credit card?

ccf-man-application-Shutterstock-250x250

After you submit your credit card application, the credit card issuer will assess your credit history and current finances in order to determine whether or not you are eligible for the card. They also use this process to determine how much credit they will offer you (in the form of your credit limit).

Providing you meet all the key application criteria, you could get conditional approval for the card within 60 seconds of submitting an online application. If not, you may get a follow-up call or email from the credit card issuer asking for further information.

Providing supporting documentation

When you receive conditional approval for a credit card, the issuer may also ask you to submit supporting documents to complete the application process. The sooner you provide this information, the faster you’ll get your card. The documents you’ll need may vary between providers, but generally include some or all of the following:

  • A copy of your driver’s licence
  • A copy of your passport/NRIC or FIN Card
  • Recent payslips
  • Recent bank statements
  • Your most recent Tax Assessment Notice
  • Your employment contract
  • A letter from your employer or accountant verifying your employment and/or financial details.

The credit card issuer will let you know what documents you need to submit for your individual application. Usually, you can submit them through a secure online service, via email or by post. You may also be able to provide your supporting details by visiting a nearby branch. After the issuer receives these documents, your application approval will be finalised and they can issue your new credit card.

What do I need to do when I get my credit card?

After completing the whole application process, your credit card will usually come in the mail within the timeframe outlined by your provider. In some circumstances, you may also be asked to go to your nearest branch to pick it up for security reasons.

Your new credit card issuer will also put together a “welcome pack” for you containing valuable information about the bank, the credit card and its terms and conditions of use. The welcome pack will either arrive before the card or come with it. Make sure you read through the provided information thoroughly before you start using your new credit card.

How do I activate my credit card?

Depending on the issuer, you may be able to activate your new credit card online, over the phone or in person. Information about card activation will also be included in your welcome pack and usually takes just a few minutes to complete.

Remember to sign your card

The signature panel on your new credit card gives you the legal authority to use it and protects you against unauthorised transactions if it’s lost, stolen or compromised. So make sure you sign it when you first activate the card.

While it is exciting to be approved for a new credit card, there are a few more steps you need to know about before you can start using it. Being prepared for this process means you can tick all the boxes along the way and start using your credit card as soon as possible.

Pictures: Shutterstock

Questions you still might have

Compare Credit Cards for March 2023

Name Product Reward Cashback Offer Annual Fee Min Income - Singaporean and PR
HSBC Revolution Credit Card
HSBC Revolution Credit Card
Earn up to 10X Reward points or 4 miles per $1 spent on qualifying purchases.
Receive up to 2.5% cashback for every dollar you spend.
$0
$30,000
Earn up to 10X rewards points (equivalent to 4 miles per dollar spent) when you charge online, dining and entertainment expenses to your card.
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More Info
Citi Prestige Card
Citi Prestige Card
Deals and discounts in more than 90 countries. Also, get six complimentary golf games across Asia
Up to 20% cashback at selected merchants
$540
$120,000
Receive 120,000 ThankYou Points (48,000 Miles) when you pay the annual fee ($540) and spend $800 within two months. T&Cs apply. Valid until 31 March 2023.
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More Info
HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card
HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card
Earn 1 Reward point for every $1 on all spend.
Up to 5% cash rebates on groceries, dining and fuel with minimum monthly spend of at least $600.
$0 annual fee for the first 2 years and $192.60 thereafter
$30,000
Receive up to $1,000 worth of cash rebate yearly.
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More Info
Citi Cash Back+ Credit Card
Citi Cash Back+ Credit Card
Get up to 14% fuel discounts at Esso and Shell and 1.6% cash back on eligible retail purchases.
1.6% cash back on selected retail purchases
$0 annual fee for the first 1 year and $194.40 thereafter
$30,000
Receive 10% cash back (up to $300 cash back) on up to $3,000 spend in the first 2 months. T&Cs apply. Valid until 31 March 2023.
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More Info
HSBC Advance Credit Card
HSBC Advance Credit Card
Receive up to $200 cashback when minimum spend requirements are met.
Enjoy up to 3.5% cashback on all purchases with no minimum spend
$0 annual fee for the first 1 year (permanently waived for HSBC Advance banking customers) and $192.60 thereafter
$30,000
Enjoy up to 3.5% cashback on all purchases with no minimum spend.
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More Info
Citi Cash Back Card
Citi Cash Back Card
Get up to 20.88% fuel discounts at Esso and Shell, 6% cashback on dining and 8% cashback on groceries.
6% cash back on dining, 8% cashback on groceries and petrol transactions. 0.25% cashback on other retail purchases, capped at $80 for all transactions per statement month.
$0 annual fee for the first 1 year and $194.40 thereafter
$30,000
Get a welcome gift of $300 cash back when you spend $800 in the first two months. T&Cs apply. Ends 31 March 2023.
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More Info
American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card
American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card
For every $1 spent, earn 1.2 KrisFlyer miles on local purchases, 2 KrisFlyer miles on overseas spend in June and December, Singapore Airlines and KrisShop and 3.2 KrisFlyer miles on Grab.
N/A
$340.20
$50,000
Get 20,000 KrisFlyer miles upon annual fee payment and minimum spending of $3,000 within 30 days from card approval. Existing card members will receive 10,000 Krisflyer miles. Also, earn 3,600 KrisFlyer miles based on the $3,000 spend above (based on 1.2 KrisFlyer miles per $1 spent locally). T&Cs apply. Ends 3 April 2023.
More Info
American Express Platinum Credit Card
American Express Platinum Credit Card
Up to 50% off your food bill for unlimited visits at hotels around Singapore
N/A
$324
$80,000
Get 30,000 Membership Rewards points upon payment of annual fee and minimum spending of S$3,000 within 30 days from card approval. Existing card members can receive 16,000 Membership Rewards points. Also, receive 3,750 Membership Rewards points from your base earn rate for the $3,000 spent. T&Cs apply. Ends 3 April 2023.
More Info
American Express True Cashback Card
American Express True Cashback Card
Enjoy 1.5% cashback on all purchases with no minimum spend or cap.
Earn 1.5% cashback on all eligible spending with no minimum spend or cap
$0 annual fee for the first 1 year and $172.80 thereafter
$30,000
Apply today and get a 3% cashback bonus when you spend $5,000 in the first six months.
More Info
Aspire Corporate Card
Aspire Corporate Card
Enjoy exclusive perks and discounts with Aspire's extensive range of partners, redeemable at anytime
1% Cashback for qualified spend of above S$5,000. T&Cs apply
$0
N/A
A corporate debit card for SMEs and Startups with no annual fee and low FX fees. Enjoy 1% cashback on marketing and SaaS spend. T&Cs apply.
More Info
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