Many people applying for credit cards ask, “Can I get a credit card if I have a bad credit score or earn less than AED 5,000 a month?”
The simple answer is no. You can’t get a credit card with a low credit score or if your monthly income is under AED 5,000. Even if your salary goes up, but your credit score stays low, you still won’t qualify for a credit card.
A credit score is a 3-digit number that shows how reliable you are at borrowing money. If your score is low, banks and other lenders in the UAE won’t see you as a trustworthy borrower and will likely reject your application.
Explore the best low credit score credit cards in UAE and learn how to improve your eligibility.
What is a Credit Score?
A credit score is a number that shows how reliable a person is at borrowing money. In the UAE, credit scores range somewhere from 300 to 900. Higher scores mean you are more trustworthy with money. A score below 580 is usually seen as bad credit.
Why is a Good Credit Score Important in the UAE?
A good credit score in UAE helps you get better financial products and services. Here’s why:
- Lower Interest Rates: You get better rates on loans and credit cards.
- Higher Credit Limits: You can borrow more amount.
- Faster Approval: Your applications are approved quicker and more easily.
Here are the Top Low Credit Score Credit Cards in UAE:
The best way to get a credit card in UAE is to improve your credit score to a good range, usually between 680 and 730. With a good score, you can get a credit card with great rewards. Most banks in the UAE only offer credit cards to people with a good AECB credit score.
We have listed down the credit cards for bad credit score in UAE that you can consider:
Citibank Citi Rewards Credit Card
Features
- Get up to 150 AED joining bonus statement credit upon meeting minimum spend.
- Earn 1.5 ThankYou® Points for every USD spent on groceries and non-AED transactions.
- Earn 1 ThankYou® Point for every USD spent on local transactions.
- Get an AED 100 cash rebate on family shopping groceries.
Required Documents
- Valid Emirates ID
- Passport copy with residence visa page
- Salary certificate or bank statement (if salaried)
- Trade license and bank statement (if self-employed)
Eligibility Criteria
- Minimum monthly salary: AED 8,000
- Age: 21 years and above
Fees
- No annual fee for the first year.
- From the second year, the card is free only if you spend AED 9000.
How Can You Apply?
- Visit this URL.
- Scroll down and click “Apply Now”.
- Enter your basic information, including your full name, mobile number, email, and income information.
- Agree to the terms and conditions.
- Click “Next”.
- They will send you an OTP to your phone number to access your credit report.
- Once you are eligible, you can see the on-screen instructions to apply for the card.
- After completing the process, the bank authorities will contact you to discuss the next steps.
Commercial Bank of Dubai Visa Platinum Card
Features
- Earn up to 1.5 reward points on international spending and 1 point on domestic spends
- Redeem points for Skyward Miles, shopping vouchers, electronics, cashback, flights, and more via the CBD Mobile app.
- Enjoy up to 8% off hotel bookings with your CBD Visa Platinum Credit Card.
- Get 50% discount on movie tickets at Novo Cinemas
- 0% Easy Payment Plan, Balance Transfer, and Quick Cash options
Required Documents
- Emirates ID
- Passport copy with residence visa
- Salary certificate or bank statement (if salaried)
- Trade license and bank statement (if self-employed)
Eligibility Criteria
- Minimum monthly salary: AED 5,000
- Age: 21 years and above
Fees
- No annual fee for the primary and supplementary cards
How Can You Apply?
- Visit this URL.
- Click “Apply Now”.
- Download the app that is available for Android and iOS and then apply from there.
Emirates NBD Mastercard Titanium Credit Card
Features
- Get Plus Points for every AED 100 you spend.
- Earn 0.4% points. On supermarkets, grocery, insurance, and car Dealerships
- Earn 0.2% points on fuel, utility bills, real estate, and education
- Enjoy free access to lounges at over 10 regional airports.
- Avail of interest-free instalment plans at selected merchants
Required Documents
- Fully completed credit card application
- Original Emirates ID and a copy, along with a passport copy
- Latest salary certificate for salaried individuals
- Trade license for business owners
- Latest 3-month original bank statements (or mini ATM statements)
- Security cheque
Eligibility Criteria
- Minimum monthly: AED 5,000
- Age: 21 years and above
Fees
- Annual fee: Free for life
How Can You Apply?
- Visit this URL.
- Click “Get your card”.
- To register your interest, you can provide basic information such as your name, number, and monthly income and select your Emirates.
- Click “Submit”.
- After receiving your requests, the bank authorities will contact you directly regarding the next steps.
Emirates Islamic Flex Credit Card
Features
- Welcome bonus of 10,000 EI SmartMiles
- Earn up to 2.25 EI SmartMiles per AED 1 spent internationally
- Complimentary access to over 900 luxury hotels worldwide
- Discounts on movie tickets, dining, and shopping
- 0% easy payment plans and balance transfer options
Required Documents
- Emirates ID
- Passport copy with residence visa page
- Salary certificate or bank statement (if salaried)
- Trade license and bank statement (if self-employed)
Eligibility Criteria
- Minimum monthly salary: AED 5,000
Fees
- Annual fee: Free for life
How Can You Apply?
- Visit this URL.
- Click “Apply Now”.
- To register your interest, you can provide basic information such as your name, number, and monthly income, company name and select your Emirates.
- Agree to the terms and conditions.
- Click “Submit”.
- After receiving your requests, the bank authorities will contact you directly regarding the next steps.
First Abu Dhabi Bank Cashback Card
Features
- 5% cash back on groceries
- 3% cashback on school fees and dining
- 1% cashback on international spending
- Complimentary access to select airport lounges
- Discounts on cinema tickets, dining, and hotels
Required Documents
- Emirates ID
- Passport copy with residence visa
- Salary certificate or bank statement (if salaried)
- Trade license and bank statement (if self-employed)
Eligibility Criteria
- Minimum monthly salary: ED 5,000
- Age: 21 years and above
Fees
- Annual fee: AED 315
How Can You Apply?
- Visit this URL.
- To register your interest, scroll down. You can provide basic information such as your name, number, monthly income, company name, and country and select your Emirates.
- Agree to the terms and conditions.
- Click “Apply Now”.
- After receiving your requests, the bank authorities will contact you directly regarding the next steps.
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank Talabat ADCB Card
Features:
- 35% cashback on Talabat orders (up to AED 35 per order, max AED 350/month)
- 1.25% cash back on other purchases
- Free delivery on Talabat Pro orders
- AED 500 welcome bonus
- Complimentary airport lounge access
- Discounts on bookings through Booking.com and Cleartrip
Required Documents:
- Emirates ID
- Passport copy with residence visa
- Salary certificate or bank statement (if salaried)
- Trade license and bank statement (if self-employed)
Eligibility Criteria:
- Minimum monthly salary: AED 5,000
- Age: 21 years and above
Fees:
- Annual fee: Free for life
How Can You Apply?
- Visit this URL.
- Click “Apply Now”.
- You can either go online or request a callback by giving your details.
- To apply online, select the online option and click “Get started”.
- Please enter your Talabat reference number, first and last name, and contact details.
- Agree to the terms and conditions.
- Click “Proceed”.
- And similarly you can apply for the card by following the on-screen instructions.
Mashreq Neo Cashback Credit Card
Features
- Welcome Bonus: AED 1000 for new cardholders upon meeting spending criteria.
- Unlimited Cashback:
- 5% cash back on dining in the UAE
- 2% cashback on international spends
- Up to 1% cashback on local spends
- 0.33% cashback on government payments, utilities, education, charity, fuel, rental, and telecom spending
- 20% cashback for the first 6 months on selected merchants like Zomato, Netflix, etc.
Required Documents
- Emirates ID
- Passport copy with residence visa page
- Salary certificate or bank statement (if salaried)
- Trade license and bank statement (if self-employed)
Eligibility Criteria
- Minimum monthly salary: AED 5,000
- Age: 21 years and above
Fees
- Annual fee: Free for life
How Can You Apply?
- Visit this URL.
- Click “Apply Now”.
- Enter your number and email.
- Click “Send”.
- After the banking authorities have received your application, they will contact you directly regarding the next steps for the application.
Documents Required to Apply for Low Credit Score Credit Cards in UAE:
As mentioned above, you can’t get a credit card with a low credit score in UAE. But if your salary is AED 5,000 or more, you’ll need these documents to apply for the credit card:
- Emirates ID (original and copy)
- Passport (original and 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 basic document list, and the requirements may vary by bank and card type. Always ask your bank for the documents required for the credit card application.
What are the Alternative Options For Low Credit Score Credit Cards in UAE?
Some banks in the UAE offer secured credit cards. To get one, you need to provide a cash deposit as security. This deposit can be refunded or used later.
Secured credit cards work like regular ones, but you must pay a deposit upfront. If you miss payments, the bank keeps your deposit. These cards usually have high interest rates.
Secured credit cards can help enhance your credit score. Keep track of your spending and pay your bills on time. This will help you build a good credit score and get better credit cards in the future.
Tips to Improve Your Credit Score in UAE:
Follow these tips to enhance your credit score in UAE and qualify for better credit cards:
Check Your Credit Report
Get your credit report from the AECB to see your score and history. Look for any mistakes and report them.
Pay Your Bills on Time
Always pay your bills on time. Set up automatic payment reminders to avoid missing any.
Clear Your Credit Card Debt
Pay your credit card bill in full every month. Only paying the minimum adds to your debt and interest.
Manage Multiple Cards Wisely
It’s better to manage your cards well than to have too many. Only apply for a few cards at a time, and keep old cards open if you use them.
Reduce Your Debt
Too much debt can make it hard to get loans or credit cards. Cut down on unnecessary spending and pay off your loans quickly.
Be Patient
Improving your credit score takes time. Be patient and keep working at it.
Following these tips can slowly improve your credit score and get better credit cards in the UAE.
Final Takeaway:
Getting a bad credit score credit card in UAE is tough but not impossible. You can look into secured credit cards and improve your credit score by paying your bills before the due date, managing debt, and checking your credit report regularly.
You can apply for the low credit score credit cards in UAE that we have mentioned with a minimum low salary. By doing these things, you can slowly improve your credit and qualify for better credit cards in the future.
Unsure about how to manage your credit score in the UAE? Well, we’ve got you covered; check out our comprehensive guide on how you manage your credit score in the UAE easily without a hassle.
If you are looking to apply for a loan in the UAE with bad credit and are confused about whether you will secure it, don’t worry. Check out this guide to learn how to secure a loan with bad credit in the UAE.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q. Can I get a credit card with a low credit score in the UAE?
Credit scores range from 300 to 900. A score above 700 is good, while a score below 400 is not.
Q. Can I get any credit card with a 4000 AED salary?
Banks and lenders in the UAE do not offer credit cards for salaries of 4000 AED or below. To be eligible for a credit card in the UAE, you need to have a monthly salary of at least 5000 AED.
