Job Discussion Forums

Fortigurn · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 390

What are the odds against getting a credit card in Taiwan?

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan

I was in the 101 not long ago when salesperson approached me and asked if I'd like the new Taipei 101 Visa card. I said they must be joking; can't she tell I'm a foreigner?! She then asked if I had an ARC. I said yes. She then told me it is possible to get a credit card. I didn't get one in the end. I don't like debt. However, it does seem possible to get a credit card.

Fortigurn · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 390

Thanks TaoyuanSteve. We're thinking we might find it useful to have one for paying regular bills conveniently.

markholmes · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 661 Location: Wengehua

I know you can get one from HSBC. However it is a bonded card, so if you want a 50,000NT limit you have to put 50,000NT in an interest bearing HSBC savings account.

This isn't that unusual. I'm English living in Canada and my bank has done the same thing to me here (I'm a new immigrant).

Miyazaki · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 635 Location: My Father's Yacht

wood · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 202

taiwanstuff · Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Taipei, Taiwan

I have tried to get a credit card from numerous banks in Taiwan, however, they have all told me the same thing, without a guarantor, forget it, they won't issue you the card. I have tried fighting with them as well and talking to bosses, to no avail. There are deeper issues here, especially one as reciprocal rights; can Taiwanese have a credit card in your country without a guarantor? If so, you should be fighting with banks and finance people constructively to get the law changed. This is what I try to do, but have limited time.

milkweedma · Joined: 19 Nov 2006 Posts: 151

I got a visa from Bank of Taiwan cept I couldnt read the statements in detail cos it was all in Chinese.