Credit Cards in Singapore You Can Use After Approval

While not every credit card in Singapore is available to applicants right away, there’s a fair number of instant approval credit cards for you to choose from across the various banks in Singapore. These banks understand how frustrating it can be for potential customers to wait; hence, the process of obtaining such credit cards has been made seamless, quick and secure altogether with MyInfo. Meanwhile, there are also credit cards tied to a specific brand, such as store, hotel, and airline cards, that will offer you additional benefits like rewards and discounts.

And once you get approved, you have immediate access to funds for those urgent purchases, last-minute travel bookings, or online transactions. No more waiting around for days or weeks, just instant spending power at your fingertips.

To make your life a tad easier, we’ve rounded up the instant approval credit cards from the various banks, including instant virtual credit cards you can use immediately via mobile wallers and other platforms for quick and secure transactions, below for your easy reference. As a bonus, the majority of these credit cards are accessible, requiring only a minimum annual income of S$30,000!

>> READ MORE: Card issuers are offering cheaper ways to access your credit line

Exclusive to Singaporeans and Singapore PRs with SingPass credentials, OCBC offers instant approval for the majority of the credit cards in their lineup. Log in to MyInfo using SingPass to get instant approval for your credit card and enjoy OCBC deals.rd.

These are the OCBC credit cards that qualify for instant approval:

Standard Chartered offers instant virtual cards for Singaporeans and Singapore PRs who apply for certain credit cards with the bank using MyInfo. Upon approval and activation, the virtual credit card can only be used for: 

• 3-Domain Secure (3DS) online purchases which are authenticated by OTP (One-Time Password)

• Payments through Apple Pay, Google PayTM and Samsung Pay

You have up to 15 calendar days from the date your credit card was approved to activate your virtual credit card.

What about the traditional physical credit cards we’re all familiar with? Fret not, you will still receive your physical credit card within five to seven working days. However, bear in mind the virtual credit card will no longer be usable once you have activated the physical card! 

You can apply for instant digital cards with the following Standard Chartered credit cards: 

HSBC offers instant approval for new-to-bank Singaporeans and Singapore PRs who apply for select HSBC credit cards via MyInfo using the HSBC Singapore app. The salaried Singaporean or PR applicant must be residing in Singapore.

To start, download the HSBC Singapore app from your app store. Click ‘Start my application’, and choose the credit card you are interested in. Apply with MyInfo and receive a decision status from the bank. Thereafter, you may register for online banking. 

These are the HSBC credit cards that qualify for instant approval:

UOB offers instant approval for new-to-bank Singaporean or Singapore PR applicants who use MyInfo to complete their applications for UOB credit cards between 7:00am and 8:00pm.

Successful applicants have to first pass all screening steps and income checks to be eligible for instant account opening. You should receive an SMS notification along with a notification email or letter regarding your credit card application status, and no additional steps will be required after credit card approval. 

Existing-to-bank applicants who apply via internet banking can also enjoy instant approval for their credit card applications with UOB. Existing UOB customers can expect to receive an SMS notification detailing their credit card application status within minutes of submission.

These are the UOB credit cards that qualify for instant approval:

For those seeking immediate spending power, many co-branded credit cards offer instant access to your credit line while some also offering virtual card numbers for extra security. This includes a variety of popular options, from store cards to those partnered with businesses across different industries.

>> SEE: Best Credit Card Bonuses & Promotions for New Cardholders in Singapore for 2025

When it comes to instant credit access, different banks in Singapore have different policies. Some banks may offer instant approval for new applicants like using MyInfo with Singpass, while others only allow their virtual cards to be used via mobile wallets. So far, this is what the SingSaver team has gathered:

OCBC

Established in 1932, OCBC is the merger of three local banks, with one of the banks being founded in 1912. This multi-awarded bank has grown into a major player in Southeast Asia, becoming the second-largest financial services group in the region with one of the highest credit ratings in the world.

Exclusive to Singaporeans and Singapore PRs with SingPass credentials, OCBC offers instant approval for the majority of the credit cards in their lineup. Log in to MyInfo using SingPass to get instant approval for your credit card and enjoy OCBC deals.

When you apply for a new debit or credit card, you'll get access to a digital version instantly upon approval. This means you can add it to your mobile wallet or use the card details for online purchases right away without the need to wait for the physical card to arrive. Just keep in mind that this instant digital access is only for primary cardholders, and the digital card will have the same card number and expiry date as your physical card, but with a different CVV.

Standard Chartered

Standard Chartered Bank has a long and rich history in Singapore, dating back to 1859 when it first opened its doors. As part of a global banking group, it has a strong international presence, operating in many of the world's most dynamic markets. This bank was also one of the first international banks to receive a Qualifying Full Bank (QFB) license in Singapore, demonstrating its long-term commitment to the country.

Standard Chartered offers instant virtual cards for Singaporeans and Singapore PRs who apply for certain credit cards with the bank using MyInfo. Upon approval and activation, the virtual credit card can only be used for: 

• 3-Domain Secure (3DS) online purchases which are authenticated by OTP (One-Time Password)

• Payments through Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay

You have up to 15 calendar days from the date your credit card was approved to activate your virtual credit card. You can apply for instant digital cards with the following Standard Chartered credit cards: Simply Cash Card and Visa Infinite Card.

What about the traditional physical credit cards we’re all familiar with? Fret not, you will still receive your physical credit card within five to seven working days. However, bear in mind the virtual credit card will no longer be usable once you have activated the physical card!

Citi

Citi has been a fixture in Singapore's financial scene since 1902. It's evolved into a full-service bank, catering to a diverse range of clients, from individuals to large corporations. In Changi, this is where you will find the Citi Service Center (CSC). This houses the bank’s Operations and Technology (O&T) function, providing round-the-clock support to its businesses across Singapore and the region.

For new credit card customers in Singapore, Citi offers instant access to a digital version of the card. This means you can start using your card for online transactions, mobile payments, and recurring subscriptions even before your physical card arrives.

HSBC

HSBC has been a part of Singapore's financial landscape since 1877, offering financial services to individuals and businesses alike. In recent years, HSBC has received recognition for its volunteerism and for being the first bank to remove sales commissions in Premier banking, and it continues to reinforce its position as a trusted partner in the country’s financial sector.

HSBC offers instant approval for new-to-bank Singaporeans and Singapore PRs who apply for select HSBC credit cards via MyInfo using the HSBC Singapore app. The salaried Singaporean or PR applicant must be residing in Singapore.

To start, download the HSBC Singapore app from your app store. Click ‘Start my application’, and choose the credit card you are interested in. Apply with MyInfo and receive a decision status from the bank. Thereafter, you may register for online banking. Once approved, you can access your new credit card details instantly. This means you can start using your card for online shopping and other transactions right away, even before your physical card arrives in the mail.

DBS/POSB

DBS is a financial industry leader in Asia, with a presence in 19 markets across the region, and acquired POSB in 1998. Headquartered in Singapore, it has a strong focus on key growth areas like Greater China, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. DBS boasts top-notch credit ratings, consistently ranking among the highest in the world, and is recognised for its global leadership and innovation in digital banking, receiving numerous awards and accolades.

For those seeking a new DBS/POSB credit card, the application process is streamlined with MyInfo with Singpass. Singaporean citizens and Singapore PRs who apply online using MyInfo with Singpass can enjoy instant approval, provided they have valid income details and meet the eligibility criteria. As for the virtual card, you’ll be provided with it immediately and can be found in the digibank app. On top of that, you can add the newly approved virtual card to Apple Pay to make contactless purchases.

Applying for a credit card with DBS/PSOB involves three steps: First, you'll need to log in with your Singpass to verify your identity. Next, you'll be asked to provide consent for the application to access the necessary data from your MyInfo profile. Once you've given consent, the application form will be automatically filled with your information, saving you time and effort.

UOB

UOB is a top-tier bank with an extensive global presence, spanning 19 countries, and holds high credit ratings from leading agencies like Moody's and S&P Global. UOB serves customers across Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America. Its strong presence in Asia is anchored by its Singapore headquarters and subsidiaries in China, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and more.

In Singapore, UOB offers instant approval for new-to-bank Singaporean or PR applicants who use MyInfo to complete their applications for UOB credit cards between 7:00am and 8:00pm.

Successful applicants have to first pass all screening steps and income checks to be eligible for instant account opening. You should receive an SMS notification along with a notification email or letter regarding your credit card application status, and no additional steps will be required after credit card approval.

Existing-to-bank applicants who apply via internet banking can also enjoy instant approval for their credit card applications with UOB. Existing UOB customers can expect to receive an SMS notification detailing their credit card application status within minutes of submission.

This also extends to those who want to apply for an Instant Digital UOB Credit Card. You'll need to have your SMS-OTP, Mighty Secure or hard token ready to complete the application. Currently, the only cards available as instant digital cards are the UOB One, PRVI Miles World Mastercard, YOLO, and Delight cards.

American Express

American Express in Singapore operates as a full-fledged commercial bank, offering a diverse suite of financial products and services. These include solutions for risk management, private and corporate banking, consumer credit, corporate finance, and trade finance.

To access contactless payments through mobile wallets, you only need to link your card to Amex Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, or Google Pay and you're all set. Your card details are never stored on your device, and every payment is authorised using biometric authentication like fingerprint or facial recognition.

>>READ MORE: When can I expect my new credit card?