Best Credit Cards for Expats and Foreigners in Hong Kong
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
Citi Cash Back Card
- Minimum Income Requirements
- HK$120,000
- Cash back on overseas spend
- 2%
- Cash back on local spend
- 2%
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Standard Chartered Smart Card
- Cash back on spending at designated stores of HKTVmall
- 5%
- Cash back on local spend
- 5%
- MoneySmart Exclusive Offer
- HK$2,599
【Free AirPods 3 !】From now until 30 April 2024, New Cardholders who successfully apply for Standard Chartered Smart Card now via MoneySmart to get AirPods (3rd generation) with Lightning Charging Case (value: HK$1,399) or $1,200 ParkNshop vouchers or $1,200 Apple store gift card!
【Smart Card x The Coffee Academics - Blue Monday no more! 】Enjoy Buy-1-Get-1-Free offer of any beverage on HK$45 or below EVERY MONDAY!
For Air Miles
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DBS Black World Mastercard
- Welcome Offer
- Up to 42,000 miles
- Upon meeting local and overseas spending goal*
- HK$3/mile
- Miles Conversion (overseas spend)
- HK$4/mile
【Quick! Apply Today for Exclusive HomePod mini!】From now until 30 April 2024, customers who successfully apply for DBS Blackworld Mastercard via MoneySmart, can enjoy a HomePod mini (retail price: HK$749) or HK$500 Apple Store Gift Card/ Klook Voucher/ PARKnSHOP Supermarket Voucher! You can also earn the bank welcome offer of up to 42,000 miles at the same time!
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 Cathay Mastercard
- Miles Conversion(Eligible spending on Cathay and HK Express)
- HK$2 = 1 mile
- Miles Conversion (Eligible spending on dining, online and overseas category)
- HK$4 = 1 mile
- Bank Welcome Offer
- 60,000 miles
【Free BRUNO Oval Hot Plate!】From now until 30 April 2024, new Cardholders who successfully apply for for Standard Chartered Cathy Mastercard now via MoneySmart to get BRUNO BOE053-BGY Oval hot plate (Value: $1,598) or $900 ParkNshop vouchers / $900 Apple store gift card / AirSim sim card with $900 value!
Citi Prestige Card
- Minimum Income Requirements
- HK$600,000
- Miles Conversion (overseas spend)
- $4 = 1 Mile
- Miles Conversion (local spend)
- $6 = 1 Mile
For Grocery Shopping
Hang Seng enJoy Card
- Annual fees
- Perpetual annual fee waiver
- Cash back on local spend
- 2％
- Welcome Offer
- Up to 120,000 yuu Points
【Make Every Grocery Trip Count: Enjoy the Limited-time Offer up to HK$1,298!】
From now until 30 April, new credit card customers* who successfully applied for the Hang Seng enJoy Card via MoneySmart simply spend HK$600 within 30 days after card issuance, can enjoy an extra ACER Trunk Sport 4-wheel Frame Luggage 20” (Retail Value: HK$1,298) or HK$800 Apple Store Gift Card or HK$800 PARKnSHOP Supermarket voucher! You can also enjoy up to 120,000 yuu Points (equivalent to rewards worth HK$600) upon meeting the specified spending requirements!
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.
Citi Rewards MasterCard
- Minimum Income Requirements
- HK$120,000
- Wallet transactions(Apple Pay、 Google Pay and Samsung Pay)
- 5X Points
- Miles Conversion (local spend)
- $3 = 1 Mile
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.
