Singapore Expats

I am extremely frustrated.

I earn S$39,000pa (the minimum requirement for Q EP pass) but I cannot apply for a credit card. Either I have to earn over $40k pa or have an EP. I was issued an S Pass. My company messed up (they inserted the wrong figures for my salary), but I'm pretty sure that MOM were informed of the change of circumstances, or at least I was told they were.

It's quite distressing that my parter is on over $80,000 pa and little old me, the holder on an honours degree from a prestigious university, is stuck feeling like a second class citizen. You would not believe the crazy things I get turned down for on an S Pass that he, on a P1 EP, has no problem with.

I went on the MOM self assessment tool and the result was: "Based on the information you have provided, the individual is likely to qualify for both Employment Pass (EP) and S Pass."

Is it worth appealing? I've not been here long but I already feel that having an S Pass is a major hinderance.

You have no chance in hell of upgrading. Your only hope is if your employer reapplies with proper (and increase) salary when it is renewal time.

Why not get a debit card? Citibank gives a Visa debit card out by default, so does OCBC. POSB/DBS might not...

Well, it's not like you are earning 100k per annum and still having an s pass.

Seriously, your salary is really low to have a credit card of your own. Either be glad that you have a job or work harder to earn more instead of blaming cc companies.

I thought most of the CC company now required a minimum salary of 60K/year for foreigners?

sundaymorningstaple wrote:I thought most of the CC company now required a minimum salary of 60K/year for foreigners?

Yeah I seem to recall seeing that on the application for my Amex Black Card.

Thank you for your responses.

In my defence, I am not blaming anyone, I'm just frustrated as I don't feel I was issued with the correct pass, though I appreciate that appealing would be pointless and MOM made a decision based on the information they had.

When one earns a lower salary cash flow becomes a problem when one is paid in arrears. Having to ask my partner to tide me over is not how I want to do things, we prefer to keep our finances separate. I just didn't appreciate that I'd be "worse off" (in this and other things) by moving to Singapore.

For those who asked: credit card income requirements differ from product to product. The income range is from $40k to $150k though as I mentioned in my OP there are a couple available for EP holders at $36k. It's entirely dependant on ones needs, just like any credit card product.

Thanks again.

wait, i don't get what the problem is.

are you trying to get a credit card or a different work visa/pass?

there is no guarantee you will actually be approved for a work visa/pass if they had applied for an EP for you... so perhaps they took the "safer route" in order to be able to secure you working rights.

would you rather have no credit card but working here or no credit card and not working here?

That leaves you the option of lower-end basic CCs then. But approval is subjective to each bank.

There is nothing you can do about upgrading your SPass. Use debit card then. It is not too bad. You just have to spend the money that you ACTUALLY have, that's the only difference.

the lynx wrote:That leaves you the option of lower-end basic CCs then. But approval is subjective to each bank.

Exactly, being on a higher pass does not guarantee a Credit Card !!

There is nothing you can do about upgrading your SPass. Use debit card then. It is not too bad. You just have to spend the money that you ACTUALLY have, that's the only difference.

when you live outside your means, you start digging your own hole ..

been there, done that ..

It all started for me with a 2000 $ credit limit from Diners .. and then it went on and on till 4 times pay, 8 times pay, cash loans etc. etc. .. till I figured I was on a loosing battle - and dropped all of 'em .. and stick to Debit cards now ..

ecureilx wrote: It all started for me with a 2000 $ credit limit from Diners .. and then it went on and on till 4 times pay, 8 times pay, cash loans etc. etc. .. till I figured I was on a loosing battle - and dropped all of 'em .. and stick to Debit cards now ..

Oh ye, of little discipline.

MissDragon wrote:Thank you for your responses.

In my defence, I am not blaming anyone, I'm just frustrated as I don't feel I was issued with the correct pass, though I appreciate that appealing would be pointless and MOM made a decision based on the information they had.

When one earns a lower salary cash flow becomes a problem when one is paid in arrears. Having to ask my partner to tide me over is not how I want to do things, we prefer to keep our finances separate. I just didn't appreciate that I'd be "worse off" (in this and other things) by moving to Singapore.

For those who asked: credit card income requirements differ from product to product. The income range is from $40k to $150k though as I mentioned in my OP there are a couple available for EP holders at $36k. It's entirely dependant on ones needs, just like any credit card product.

Thanks again.

Those are actually just guidelines. If you're close to the limit, apply anyway. Hell, I was approved for a card with a minimum income requirement of $250k (HSBC Visa Infinite). I don't make that much.