Top of main content

How to apply for an HSBC credit card without proof of income

Banks will usually ask you to provide income proof documents when you apply for a credit card. However, not all customers can meet this requirement, so credit cards that don't require proof of income are also available. To help more customers hold credit cards, banks have different policies to help customers apply for credit cards without proof of income.

Who would apply for a credit card without proof of income?

Normally, a credit card application requires you to provide complete personal information, of which proof of income is the most important, and a basic necessity for opening a credit card.

Specifically, HSBC will ask you for bank statements showing your last 3 months of salary (or 6 months for salary with commission) if you're a salaried employee. Also, your minimum monthly net income should be VND 6 million for Vietnamese customers and VND 15 million for foreign customers.

So if your income from work is difficult to prove or irregular, because you're a freelancer or a small business owner, for example, you may have difficulty applying for a credit card for personal spending.

For this reason, banks have different policies for customers who want to open a credit card without proof of income.

Leave your details to get advice now!

Common ways to apply for an HSBC credit card without proof of income

HSBC still supports customers to open VISA and Mastercard credit cards without proof of income. Incentive programs when opening the card, features and incentives when using the card remain the same as a regular unsecured credit card (proved by income).

Here are the different ways you can apply for a credit card without proof of income, and details of how you become eligible for each option.

Apply for a secured credit card with your own funds

Applying for an HSBC supplementary credit card is also a good choice other way when you can't provide income proof but you love enjoying our exclusive promotions, cashback or reward programs.

What is a secured credit card?

A secured credit card, also known as a mortgage credit card, requires you to have a savings account at HSBC, which will be used as collateral for future credit card payments. This is one of the most popular ways for customers to get a credit card without proof of income.

HSBC policy stipulates the amount in your savings account should be 120% of your desired credit limit. You can use VND or foreign currency to deposit. The minimum amount is VND 10.8 million or USD 1,000 (or the equivalent in another foreign currency).

You will still receive interest on your savings as usual.

The credit limit on your secured credit card

The credit limit of a secured credit card will depend on the minimum amount you deposit as savings, which will vary from card to card. For example:

 

Find out more: What is a credit limit?

Additional details:

  • You can only withdraw the secured money which you deposited as "pledged assets" after at least 30 days from the date HSBC receives your request to cancel your card
  • Your secured credit card must be inactive for more than 6 months if you ever want to upgrade from secured to unsecured credit card

 

Eligibility

If you want to apply for a secured credit card at HSBC, you just need be 18 years old or older (for primary cardholders) or 15 years old or older (for supplementary cardholders whose father or mother is the primary cardholder) and have an identity card or citizen identification.

If you're a foreigner, you need to have had a residence permit in Vietnam for at least 12 consecutive months when you apply to open a secured credit card.

Cash back offer worth up to 8% for your daily spends at the supermarkets and grocery store with HSBC Visa Cash Back Credit Card

Sign up for advice on opening a secured credit card to receive a cashback offer worth up to VND 1.8 million.

Already an HSBC credit cardholder? Discover latest credit card articles here.

Apply for a supplementary credit card

What is a supplementary credit card?

A supplementary credit card is basically an additional credit card that is issued under the primary credit card. Depending on the bank, the primary cardholder can give a supplementary credit card to an authorized user, who can be a direct family member (parent, child, sibling), spouse, or even a trusted friend.

HSBC credit cardholders can only give supplementary credit cards to first degree relatives - i.e immediate family members including spouse, children, parents and siblings. The number of HSBC supplementary cards that can be issued under the primary card is capped at 4.

You could suggest someone in your family signs up for a credit card (if they're qualified) and then registers you as a supplementary cardholder. They can apply for an HSBC supplementary credit card at the same time as the primary card or after the primary card is issued. Supplementary cards have the following benefits:

 

Your supplementary credit card's credit limit

HSBC supplementary credit cards don't have a separate credit limit - they share the credit limit of the primary card.

This means that you can't decide your credit card limit or card type, which will depend on the primary cardholder.

For example, an HSBC Visa Cash Back primary card was issued with a supplementary card. The main card limit is VND 50 million shared for both primary and supplementary cards. If the primary card has already used VND 30 million, the supplementary card can only continue to use the remaining VND 20 million of the credit limit.

One thing you need to keep in mind is that all your transactions on the secondary card will be recorded on the same statement as the primary card. This makes it easier to track spending on the card.

Eligibility

If you want to apply for a supplementary credit card at HSBC, you must be:

  • a first-degree relative of the primary credit cardholder (legal spouse, children, parents and siblings)
  • 15 years old or older and have identification if your parent is the primary cardholder
  • no more than 74 years old
  • authorized by the primary cardholder as the supplementary cardholder

 

If you're a foreigner, you need to have had a residence permit in Vietnam for at least 12 consecutive months when applying.

Become an HSBC Premier customer

At HSBC, you may get an HSBC Premier World Mastercard® Credit Card with a credit limit of VND 200 million without proof of income, with free of annual fee for both primary and supplementary cards and enjoy unlimited experiences exclusively for HSBC Premier customers.

Unlike a secured credit card, you can do banking transactions on your Premier account balance normally.

Eligibility

To apply for the HSBC Premier World Mastercard® Credit Card without proof of income, you must:

  • be aged 18 or older
  • deposit and maintain a minimum average monthly balance at HSBC of VND 1 billion or equivalent in foreign currency

 

Read and understand more about the fees and charges for Premier customers.

Other ways for opening a credit card without proof of income

Open a credit card with a life insurance policy

Some banks now allow you to use a life insurance policy to open a credit card without proof of income. With this method, your life insurance policy will be considered as collateral to open the credit card.

Open a credit card with a credit from other banks

Currently, some banks allow you to open a credit card without proof of income by using another bank's credit card. With this method, the bank will issue a credit card with a credit limit based on the other bank's credit card you already own.

Additional details when applying for a credit card without proof of income at HSBC

Interest rates, annual fees, late payment penalties

For a secured credit card at HSBC, you'll be able to open a credit card without proof of income with the same regulations on interest rates, annual fees, and late payment fees as regular credit cards.

For the HSBC supplementary credit card, the primary cardholder will incur an additional annual fee for the supplementary card. This annual fee will vary from year two onwards depending on the type of credit card. Interest rates and late payment fees for HSBC supplementary credit cards are the same as for primary cards and paying the credit card balance will be the responsibility of the primary cardholder.

How to register for a credit card without proof of income at HSBC

HSBC secured credit card

After receiving your online request, our bank staff will contact you and discuss necessary information to open a secured credit card such as:

  • Your usage demand and desired credit limit
  • Required amount of deposit 
  • Monthly payment due date, how to make credit card payment
  • Interest rate, annual fee and other related fees
  • Necessary documents can be prepared at home
  • Get advice on the nearest HSBC bank branch etc.

 

You would save much time when going to our branches for opening account and making deposits.

Not yet an HSBC credit cardholder?

Apply quickly so you don't miss HSBC's cashback offer worth up to VND 1.8 million!

HSBC supplementary credit card

For the supplementary credit card, you can register for it at the same time as the primary card or after the primary card has been issued by following these steps:

Apply for a supplementary credit card after the primary credit card has been issued

 

Apply for a primary credit card and a supplementary credit card at the same time

Method 1: Complete and submit the full credit card application online with details of the supplementary cardholder in the Supplementary Credit Card Registration section.

Method 2:

  • Step 1: Complete the credit card application form via HSBC branches, HSBC website or other channels with details of the supplementary cardholder in the Supplementary Credit Card Registration section.
  • Step 2: For primary cardholders, prepare a list of necessary documents to open an HSBC credit card. For supplementary cardholders, prepare a copy (2 sides) of your ID card or citizen card or a copy of your passport if you're a foreigner and address proof if you don't live at the same address as the primary cardholder
  • Step 3: Go to the nearest HSBC branch to submit the completed application

 

We hope the article helps you to understand about applying for a credit card without proof of income. Remember that whether it's a regular credit card or a credit card that doesn't require proof of income, it's important to understand the fees, benefits, and to determine which is the best option for you.

Related

Enjoy greater convenience and financial flexibility with the HSBC Spend Instalment!
Paying your bills with only a few steps through HSBC Online Banking or the HSBC Vietnam app.
Experience super convenient and speedy purchases. Shopping has never been easy!
Up to 50% off dining, entertainment, shopping, travelling, spa and beauty everyday at hundreds of HSBC partners.
From managing your expenses to building credit, here are 8 tips to help you make the most of your credit card.
Your credit card limit is an important factor when it comes to picking the right credit card for you. This page explains what determines your credit limit.
Find out more about credit card cash advances and other cost-saving alternatives when you're in need of cash.
Take a closer look at the credit card instalment plans and learn how to save money with them.
It starts on the date the purchase first appeared on your statement and ends on the due date for payment on that statement.
Become a savvy credit card user with our top 8 tips on how to avoid credit card fees.