American Express Credit Card Eligibility

American Express, a reputed name in the finance industry across the world, is a New York-based company founded in 1850. Popularly referred to as Amex, American Express has been present in the Middle East since 1977 and is popular in the UAE and other nations in the region. 

American Express is renowned in the UAE for its wide range of products such as credit cards. With American Express credit cards, you can enjoy numerous benefits and features while making convenient spending with one of the world's most extensive credit card payment networks.

Applying for an Amex credit card is fairly easy - you would have to fulfil the American Express credit card eligibility and keep the specified documents ready at the time of application. So if you want to apply for an American Express credit card, continue reading below to know more about the eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and more.

General Eligibility Criteria for American Express Credit Card

Before moving on to the eligibility criteria for each card, let’s go through the general American Express credit card eligibility in UAE - 

• You must be at least 21 years old
• You must be a UAE resident and present the proper documentation for address verification
• You must fulfil the required monthly/annual income criteria set by American Express

Note: The mentioned requirements are the general American Express credit card eligibility in UAE. You would also need to meet the specific requirements as per your preferred card as mentioned in the next section.

Eligibility Criteria for Top American Express Credit Cards in UAE

Let’s have a look at the eligibility criteria for the major American Express credit cards in the UAE - 

Dubai Duty-free American Express Credit Card

• Annual Membership Fee: AED 183.75*
• Minimum Annual Income Required - 
  • For Employed Applicants: AED 180,000
  • For Self-employed Applicants: AED 275,000

American Express Gold Credit Card

• Annual Membership Fee: USD 183.75*
• Minimum Annual Income Required
  • For Employed Applicants: USD 75,000
  • For Self-employed Applicants: AED 100,000

American Express Platinum Credit Card

• Annual Membership Fee: AED 735*
• Minimum Annual Income Required - 
  • For Employed Applicants: AED 255,000
  • For Self-employed Applicants: AED 275,000

*Inclusive of the VAT

Documents Required to Apply for an American Express Credit Card

To apply for an American Express credit card, you would have to submit a few documents as per the provider’s requirements. Listed below are the standard documents for the Amex credit cards –

• Your Emirates ID 
• A copy of your passport 
• Your visa (copy)
• A copy of your address proof, which can include any of the following - 
  • Emirates ID
  • Utility bill
  • Tenancy contract
  • Bank statement of the salary account

Factors Affecting American Express Credit Card Eligibility In UAE

Your American Express credit card eligibility depends significantly on the following factors –

• Credit Score: To get approved for an American Express credit card, you must have a good credit score. This is because banks gauge your creditworthiness with your AECB credit score. A good credit score that projects you as a reliable borrower means there is low risk for the credit card issuer, which improves your chances of getting your preferred card at good terms.
• Employment Stability:  When deciding whether to provide you with a credit card, banks consider your employment stability as well. You pose a low risk to the bank if you have a steady job at a reputable company and can easily afford to pay off your credit card obligations. On the other hand, providers perceive you as a risky borrower with a high chance of missing card payments if you have a shaky employment history.
• Current Debts: If you plan to apply for an American Express credit card, you would need to be wary of your existing credit card bills, loan instalments, and other debts as well. 

If your monthly debts exceed 50% of your monthly income, you won’t be able to get any new credit. To easily get your preferred American Express credit card, you should have a low debt-to-income ratio - this can be done by clearing your existing debts first. 

How to Improve American Express Credit Card Eligibility in the UAE?

Follow these simple tips to improve your eligibility for an American Express credit card in the UAE –

• Avoid Submitting Multiple Credit Card Applications – When applying for credit cards, you must be cautious with respect to how many applications you submit. It is generally advisable to avoid applying for multiple credit cards, as this can impact your credit score. In case even one of your applications is not accepted, your credit score would take a hit. Thus, it is highly recommended to wisely choose the credit card that best meets your requirements and examine its requirements first before submitting an application.
• Mention All Your Sources of Income in the Application – When you apply for a credit card in UAE, the concerned bank or provider will check your ability to pay off credit card debt. For this, your total income is considered by them. By listing all of your sources of income, you show that you have the financial capability to pay your debts. Moreover, having multiple sources of income improves your income-to-debt ratio as well, which makes it simpler to get an American Express credit card.
• Pay Down Your Credit Card Bills on Time – By paying your credit card and all other bills on time, you can present yourself as a responsible borrower, which improves your chances of getting an American Express credit card.
• Improve Your Credit Score – As mentioned earlier, your credit score plays an essential role in the determination of your applicant profile. If your credit score is low, you can improve it by paying the monthly instalments for your loans on time, clearing the credit card dues before the due date, having a mix of credit instruments (loans, credit cards, and more), and more.

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