Best Credit Cards for Expats and Foreigners in Hong Kong 2020
With selected credit cards, you can enjoy rewards for local and overseas spending. We have put together a list of selected credit cards. Choose the ones that match your spending pattern the most.
Which cards should expats and foreigners apply?
Click the cards below to learn more:
For Cashback
Min. Annual Salary
Cash back on local spend
Miles Conversion (local spend)
Standard Chartered Simply Cash Visa Card offers unlimited 1.5% rebate for local spending and 2% rebate for foreign currency spending.
Welcome offers: Enjoy 100% CashBack on any eligible transactions within the first 2 months upon the card issuance (capped at HK$1,000 CashBack).
Min. Annual Salary
Cash back on local spend
Miles Conversion (local spend)
Citi Cash Back Visa Card offers 2% rebate, capped at HK$50 monthly and HK$600 yearly.
Welcome offers: Offers up to HK$1,000 cash back plus exclusive HK$200 voucher for successful application via MoneySmart.
For Air Miles
Min. Annual Salary
Cash back on local spend
Miles Conversion (local spend)
MoneySmart Exclusive: Welcome offer up to 50,000 miles
DBS Black World Mastercard offers HK$6 = 1 mile, capped at 833 monthly and 9,996 yearly.
Welcome offers: Offers up to 120,000 miles plus exclusive HK$200 supermarket voucher for successful application via MoneySmart.
Standard Chartered Asia Miles Mastercard
Min. Annual Salary
Cash back on local spend
Miles Conversion (local spend)
Standard Chartered Asia Miles Mastercard offers HK$4 = 1 mile, capped at 833 monthly and 9,996 yearly.
Min. Annual Salary
Cash back on local spend
Miles Conversion (local spend)
Online Promo: Welcome offer 20,000 miles (240,000 points) + Complimentary 4th night at any hotel + Complimentary global airport lounge access!
Citi Prestige Card offers HK$6 = 1 mile, capped at 833 monthly and 9,996 yearly.
For Grocery Shopping
Min. Annual Salary
Cash back on local spend
Miles Conversion (local spend)
MoneySmart Exclusive: Up to 80,000 reward points (=HK$400)
Hang Seng enJoy Card offers 1% enJoy Dollars rebate (HK$200 = HK$2 enJoy Dollars) at participating merchants (e.g. Wellcome, Market Place by Jasons, 3hreesixty, etc.) and 5% off selected items at 7-Eleven on the 8th and 18th each month.
Min. Annual Salary
Cash back on local spend
Miles Conversion (local spend)
MoneySmart Exclusive: HK$200 HKTV Mall Voucher!
Online Promo: Welcome gift: HK$400 PARKnSHOP “InstaRedeem” Amount/ HK$300 any merchant “InstaRedeem” Amount/Le Maurice® ALUMETAL 26” Suitcase/ Dyson Supersonic™ hairdryer HD01 Pink at the discounted price HK$2,700/ 6 MCL movie ticket vouchers Valid till 30 April 2021.
DBS Compass Visa offers 8% off at PARKnSHOP on the 2nd, 12th and 22nd day of every month for every HK$100+ single purchase.
Citi Rewards MasterCard
Min. Annual Salary
Cash back on local spend
Miles Conversion (local spend)
MoneySmart Exclusive: $1600 Wellcome Coupons for qualified retail spending over HK$10,000 within the first 60 days of card issuance.
Citi Rewards Card offers 5X Points all year round and 8X Points during your birthday month on spending at supermarkets throughout the year.
Things you need to know about credit card application
Documents Required
To apply for credit cards, applicants are required to submit supporting documents which include identity proof (e.g. HKID card), income proof (e.g. payslips/ bank statements) and address proof (e.g. utility bills). If you do not hold an HKID card and have not started working, you can submit your passport with your working visa and employment contract instead.
Processing Time
If you have filled out the application form correctly and submit all the necessary documents, it usually takes less than 2 weeks for approval.
Credit Card Fees
Besides annual fee, please note that there are other credit card fees including late charges, overseas transactions handling fee, over-limit handling fee and returned cheque & rejected autopay charges, etc.
Credit Cards for Expats and Foreigners Frequently Asked Questions
Which credit card is the best in Hong Kong?
There is no quick answer to this question. To get smart about your money, it is best to choose a credit card that matches your spending pattern to maximise the rewards for your spending. If you travel a lot, it is money-saving to apply for credit cards that offer miles. If you do grocery shopping a lot, apply for credit cards that offer discounts at supermarkets saves you money.
Can foreigners apply for credit cards in Hong Kong?
Non-permanent residents can submit credit card application online together with supporting documents which include identity proof (e.g passport), income/ employment proof and address proof for approval.
Can cardholders apply for an annual fee waiver?
To avoid paying an annual fee, cardholders are generally required to meet minimum spending requirements. It is best to check before applying to see if it fits your spending pattern. Alternatively, cardholders can call the customer service hotline and try to have it waived.
How to cancel my credit card?
You can call the customer service hotline of the card issuer to request card cancellation. Please note that if the principal card is cancelled, all supplementary card and internet account will also be cancelled.
