Essential Documents for Credit Card Application: All You Need to Know

With increasing financial inclusion and the easy accessibility of credit cards, the popularity of these financial instruments has surged. A credit card provides varied benefits in terms of rewards, discounts, and attractive deals.

But before you can reap these benefits, you need to get your credit card application process approved from the issuer. To ensure a seamless application process, you must have all the paperwork in order. Here are the details of the credit card documents you need to furnish. 

Documents Required for Salaried Individuals

Credit cards can be a valuable tool for you to manage finances and earn rewards if you are a salaried individual. Here are some of the documents you need when applying for a credit card:

Identity Proof

As a salaried employee, you must provide the soft or hard copies of these identity proof documents:

• Aadhaar card
• PAN card
• Driver’s licence
• Voter’s ID card
• Passport

Address Proof

It is essential to provide authorised documents containing an address that matches the one you provided in the credit card application. These include:

• Utility bills, like electricity or telephone bills
• Driver’s licence
• Ration card
• Passport
• Voter’s ID card
• Bank statements of the previous few months

Income Proof

Along with other crucial factors, the credit limit and interest rate on credit cards depend on your income. Here are some of the documents to support your claim about your salary:

• Latest payslips
• Form 16
• Income Tax Return (ITR) documents

Age Proof

As most credit card issuers require the applicant to be within a certain age limit. You can submit one of these documents when applying for a card:

• Birth certificate issued by the municipal corporation
• High School Certificate
• Voter’s ID
• Aadhaar card

Other Documents

Apart from the documents stated above, you need to provide certain additional documents, such as Form 60.

Documents that Self-Employed Individuals Need to Furnish

Banks and other financial institutions also provide credit cards to self-employed businessmen and professionals, such as doctors, lawyers, and more. Here are the documents you need to submit if you are self-employed or a professional:

Income Proof

You need to provide certain documents as proof of business and income:

• Income Tax Return (ITR) documents
• Bank account statements
• Certified financial documents of your business
• Proof of business continuity

Other Documents

You will need to submit the following documents when applying for a credit card:

• Identity proof, such as Aadhaar card, PAN card, voter’s ID, and more
• Proof of residence like utility bills, ration cards, passport, etc.
• Age proof, including Birth certificate issued by the municipal corporation, high school certificate, and Aadhaar card

Documents Required for Credit Card Application for Students

While the documents students need to submit vary based on the card you apply for, here are some of the basic documents you need:

Educational Certificates

You need to provide certain academic documents to avail of a credit card if you are a student. Here is the paperwork you need to furnish:

• Secondary and senior secondary certificates
• Other important academic certificates

Enrolment Proof

The following are some of the documents you will need to submit as proof of your admission to a certain institution:

• Copies of the scholarship letter
• Admission letter
• Approved course structure
• Fee schedule

Other Documents

Here is a list of a few other documents you need to submit if you are a student and applying for a credit card:

• Proof of identity like a PAN Card, Aadhaar Card, or Voter’s ID
• Residence Proof like Passport or utility bills
• Income proof, such as income certificate, ITR, tax receipt, or bank statements

Documents Needed by NRIs for Credit Card Application

Certain credit card issuers also allow non-resident Indians (NRIs) to apply for a credit card. You can get a credit card by submitting the following documents:

Proof of Residence

To verify your address for mailing purposes, banks require you to provide an address proof:

• Passport
• Voter ID
• Driving licence
• Lease or rent agreement
• Utility bills
• Title deeds

Income Proof

You also need to provide income proof if your mailing address is located overseas. You need to submit the following credit card documents if you are a non-resident Indian:

• Overseas bank account statement
• Company appointment letter
• Company ID card

How to Check the List of Documents Needed for Credit Card Application

The documents you need to furnish to apply for credit cards vary depending on the type and the issuer you choose. The types of documents needed will also differ based on your employment type and residence status.

You can check the list of documents for a credit card application on the issuer’s website. By reviewing the list of documents, you can prepare in advance for your credit card application.

With the right documents gathered and application submitted, you can unlock the benefits and rewards after you get approval. Before submitting, double-check all your documents to ensure there are no errors.

Moreover, you can also get this product from your existing bank to ensure minimal paperwork. Certain financial institutions, like Bajaj Markets, allow you to apply for them online quickly with only a few basic documents.

If you wish to keep your cost of credit card usage low, you can also consider lifetime-free credit cards. These come with zero annual and joining fee, enabling you to maximise your savings.