How To Apply For A Credit Card?
Now that we have learned to select the right credit card as per our requirements, we need to apply for it.
It is very easy to apply for a credit card. You simply need to follow these steps:
We have already discussed features and benefits. Now let us see the other aspects.
Eligibility criteria for obtaining a credit card:
Credit card is essentially an unsecured loan extended by the lender. Hence, it contains a risk on the side of the lender. Therefore, banks/NBFCs will establish your repayment power while approving a credit card. Things such as nature of employment, gross annual salary, Cibil score will be of primary importance.
Every bank/NBFC will have its own eligibility criteria for issuing a credit card. The most common factors affecting eligibility are:
Income: As mentioned earlier, income plays a very important role while applying for a credit card. The applicant must have a regular source of income so that he/she is able to repay the credit card bill.
Age of the applicant: Age plays a pivotal role as well since every individual has a steady source of income only for a certain period of years.
Credit history: Your credit history is the proof of your creditworthiness. It is easier to obtain a credit card with a good credit history. Here comes the role of Cibil score.
Cibil score is a 3-digit score ranging between 300 to 900 which is calculated based on a person’s credit repayment history. It takes into account all loans and credit cards taken by the person and has a history of all repayments made. This data is shared between all lenders in India. The higher the score, the better is the chance to obtain a credit card.
Additional eligibility criteria: Some banks/NBFCs may have additional eligibility criteria or they may waive off some criteria for their own customers. For example, Axis bank offers a credit card to anyone having a fixed deposit of ₹ 20,000 or above with them.
Now let us take a look at the eligibility criteria of some lenders as of December 2020. Of course, the actual eligibility criteria may vary during the time of applying for a credit card.
Documents required to apply for a credit card
A credit card application requires to be accompanied by simple documents which are:
- Identity proof: Aadhar card, PAN card, Passport, Voter’s ID card, Driving License, etc.
- Address proof: Aadhar card, Passport, Voter’s ID card, Driving License, rent/lease agreement, utility bills etc.
- Income proof: Salary slip (last 3 months), bank statement (last 3 months), ITR, etc.
However, the lender may request for additional documents if they need the same.
