Applying for a Credit Card online in New Zealand is very easy and only takes about 5 to 10 minutes, and in most cases you do NOT have to upload any documents with your initial application. You can start off by reviewing the list of all New Zealand Credit Cards on our website to find a suitable card for you before going ahead with your online credit card application.
To apply for a credit card, you simply enter your details and submit, and if your application is successful the credit card provider might ask for some supporting documents. It is a lot more convenient than booking an appointment to visit the bank or credit union to apply for a credit card.
Before you start your credit card application, you should find out if you are eligible to apply for a credit card in New Zealand. The eligibility requirements for applying for a credit card varies slightly from one credit card provider to another, but in general, the requirements are very similar.
Basically, to apply for a credit card in New Zealand you have to be a New Zealand resident who is 18 year or older with a good credit history and meets the minimum income requirement set by each credit card provider. Let’s look at each of these requirements in details.
This is a grey area and varies from one credit card provider to another. The premise behind this requirement is that credit card providers do not want to hand out credit cards to temporary residents who might leave New Zealand without paying off their credit card debt.
Each credit card provider has their own definition of what constitutes a New Zealand resident, but if you have the legal right to permanently reside in New Zealand and are currently residing in New Zealand, then you shouldn’t have a problem with this requirement.
Some long term temporary residents of New Zealand such as those being sponsored to work in New Zealand might still be able to get a credit card in New Zealand provided they meet the other eligibility requirements listed below.
All credit card providers in New Zealand require you to be 18 years or older to apply for a credit card.
Most credit card providers in New Zealand require you to have a minimum annual income of around $15,000 to $35,000 before tax (depending on the credit card provider).
This simply means you must not have a bad credit history. Having existing credit card debt or a personal loan would not automatically exclude you from getting a credit card.
You would need to provide personal identity information, financial information, employment information and residency information.
You would need to provide personal identity information about yourself such as your name, date of birth, residential address, phone number, email address, residency type, residency status etc. If you have only been in your current address for a less than a year, you might be required to provide your previous address too.
You would need to provide information about your employment status including whether you are self employed and your annual income.
You would need to provide information about your finances including asserts, liabilities, interests from savings, number of dependents etc.
You would need to provide information about your residency status in New Zealand such as if you are a New Zealand Citizen, Permanent residence visa holder etc.
Note: in most cases you do not have to provide any supporting documents with your initial credit card application.
You might need to provide supporting documents if your initial credit card application is successful. Below are some of the commonly requested documents.
This includes documents such as your driver’s licence, passport, 18+ card, birth certificate etc.
This includes documents such as utility bill addressed to you, your bank statements etc.
This might include your NZ passport, NZ citizenship certificate, Permanent residency visa, spouse visa etc.
This includes documents such as pay slips, work contract, earning etc.
While this might seem like a lot of documents, in reality you probably won’t be required to provide most of these documents, and if you are applying for a credit card with your current bank then you might not even have to supply any documents.
Crunching your request. Won't be long . . .
Card | Description | Purchase Rate (p.a.) | Balance Transfer | Cash Rate (p.a.) | Annual Fee | Interest Free Days |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The American Express Airpoints Credit Card
Platinum Award | Interest Free (0% P.A.) on purchases for the first 6 months, plus NO ANNUAL FEE and earn 1 Air New Zealand Airpoints Dollar for every $100 you spend. CURRENT OFFER: 50 bonus Airpoints Dollars™ when you apply, are approved and spend $750 on your new Card within the first 3 months. New Card Members only. Reward Points Cash Equivalent: $100 spend earns $1.00 cash equivalent^. | 0% p.a. for 6 months then 22.95% p.a. | N/A | 22.95% p.a. | $0.00 | 55 days
More Info »
Apply Now » No documents required to apply1 |
The American Express Airpoints Platinum Card
Platinum Award | The FASTEST Airpoints DollarTM earning Platinum Credit Card in NZ. Every $70 you spend earns you 1 Airpoints Dollar. This cards also comes with:
Reward Points Cash Equivalent: $100 spend earns $1.42 cash equivalent^. | 22.95% p.a. | N/A | 22.95% p.a. | $195.00 | 55 days
More Info »
Apply Now » No documents required to apply1 |
ASB Visa Light Credit Card
Gold Award | The ASB Visa Light credit card has no annual fee, a low purchase rate and 0% balance transfer for 6 months plus 0% p.a. for 6 months when you spend $1,000 or more on any single eligible purchase | 13.5% p.a. | 0% p.a. for 6 months | 22.95% p.a. | $0.00 | 55 days
More Info »
Apply Now » |
Westpac Fee Free MasterCard Credit Card
Platinum Award | Comes with a low rate of just 12.90% p.a. plus 5.95% p.a. for the life of the balance transferred to this card. it also comes with no annual fee, no cash advance fee and no foreign transaction fees. | 12.90% p.a. | 5.95% for life of balance transferred | 19.95% p.a. | $0.00 | 55 days
More Info »
Apply Now » |
Amex Low Rate Credit Card
Gold Award | A low interest card from Amex with up to 4 supplementary cards with no-annual fee | 2.99% p.a. for 6 months then 12.69% p.a. | N/A | 21.95% p.a. | $59.00 | 55 days
More Info »
Apply Now » |
Kiwibank Low Rate Visa Credit Card | Note: this card is no longer offered. A great low interest rate credit card with balance transfer offer that might suit those looking for a low rate credit card | 9.95% p.a. | 1.99% p.a. for 6 months | 12.90% p.a. | $0.00 | 55 days
More Info »
Apply Now » |
ANZ Low Rate Visa Card
Gold Award | Features a low interest rate of 13.90% and a balance transfer rate of 1.99% for 24 months | 13.90% | 1.99% p.a. for 24 months | 20.95% | $0.00 | 55 days
More Info »
Apply Now » |
^ To help you compare reward points across different credit cards and rewards programs, we provide an estimate of the cash-equivalent of the reward points that you will get back for every $100 you spend on eligible purchases with your card. The cash equivalent value given is an estimate only based on a specific redemption example. In some cases you might earn less or more depending on how you redeem your ponts and some reward points cannot be redeemed for cash directly. Click on the card to find out how the estimate was calculated.
The best credit card for you would depend on your personal circumstance and how you intend to use your credit card. We have put together a list of some of the best credit cards in New Zealand to help you find the best credit card in NZ to suit your individual needs. Alternatively, you can narrow down your search by credit card type such as interest free credit card, low rate credit card, balance transfer, credit card reward or air nz credit card