How to Apply For a Credit Card in Taiwan

If you had read our earlier article, “Tips to choose the best credit card in Taiwan” you would have followed our tips to select a credit card that is best fitted to your current requirements. Now, we are assuming that you are ready to apply for said short-listed credit card. Here, we will explore a few means of applying for a credit card along with real-life examples:

Apply Online

▪ You may have to fill a short application form containing a few personal and contact details. You will be contacted later by representatives from the bank. Citibank follows this approach.

▪ ANZ bank follows a more comprehensive online application approach. You will need to provide a few personal and contact details post-which you will be asked to verify your phone number. You will then be required to upload scanned / e-copies of your identity card and financial documents. You will then have to complete the application form online.

Your application will be processed and you will be informed of the status of your application. Alternatively, you may provide the bank with a few personal and contact details post-which you will be contacted by a representative from the bank.

Dial-in to the bank

▪ For applying for certain credit card products from HSBC you will need to call up a specific number. For instance, there are separate numbers for dialing in if you wish to apply for the HSBC Rewards Signature Card or the HSBC Advance Cashback Card.

However, if you want to apply for the HSBC Platinum Card or the HSBC Gold / Classic Card, you will need to fill out a very short application form providing your name and mobile number. A bank representative will call you later regarding your interest in their credit card product.

Do it the old-fashioned way – apply offline

▪ If, for instance, you wish to apply for a credit card from DBS you must already be their customer. The DBS Fung Li Signature Card is an exclusive credit card for their loan customers. If you are one and wish to apply for this credit card you must download the relevant application form, fill it and submit it to the bank.

The DBS Treasures Credit Card is an exclusive credit card for DBS' privileged Treasures customers.  To apply, you must download the appropriate application form, fill it and submit it to the bank.

A few more tips

▪ Apply only if you meet the credit card's eligibility requirements especially with respect to income.

▪ Keep your identification and income documents ready; keep current (not outdated) and if possible, scanned copies of such documents. It will come in very handy if you are looking to complete the application in a hurry.

▪ If you are expecting a call back from a bank representative, keep yourself in a position where you will be able to attend to this call.