Thanks for bringing up this question. I've been banking at Yapi Kredi (Krapi Kredi?) for years simply because it was well located for me. They've seen mucho bucks pass through my $ and YTL accounts and STILL won't give me a credit card. I think I'll try the others.

Hi FF,

Good that you bring this issue to the forum. I applied Garanti, AK Bank and both bank rejected. I was told there is a unwritten rule since 2005 established by the banks that no credit cards issuance to yabanci. I also approached Yepi Kredi and they asked me for a fixed deposit and against FD, card be issued for the credit limit. Now, im going to approach HSBC (Advantage) at least to get free access in the airport lounge.

It seems to me that the banks will do what they want for whoever they want. It really looks like a hit or miss thing, as Raja, you applied to Akbank and were rejected, yet others have Akbank cc's...

My application was going along fine with Finans and they were sending me all those annoying text messages saying 'your application is in process'. They asked for my passport copy as well, and then decided not to give it! My company does serious banking with them too which I thought would help...I feel like banking here is not competitive where in Aus if I was not happy with my current interest rate on a card I would call the bank and try and negotiate a better rate or go elsewhere and get a better one. Banks don't seem to care for your business here and don't want to help solve problems.

I feel defeated already about this Question: Do you think it would make any difference being married to a Turk? I'm getting married next month and if it makes a differnce (in terms of leaving money with the bank as a 'security' for their fear that I might skip town) then I'll wait til then to apply...

born2b- I would be ditching Garanti with the quickness and moving your funds elsewhere. That is outrageous. A loyal customer since 1999, surely that says something...?

The things we have to do.....

FF

if in spite of everything written here you still cannot get a credit card, you could get your husband / wife (sorry I don't know your gender) to be a guarantor for your credit card. Most banks will do this.

as far as I understood you needed to have a work visa to get a credit card from a Turkish bank if you are a yabanci. Get your Turkish fiancee to get a secondary one from his. This is the easiest way to do it. This is what I did.

I'm pretty sure you don't need a work permit.

Whoever has success with this problem, please post !!!! I have no husband, no work visa -- just a residence permit. We gotta figure this out!

I was told by the banks that work permit or work visa is not a criterion. Residence permit ( Ikamat Mahsus) is good enough to open an account and/or to enjoy the credit card by yabancilar.

that would be correct raja

Update: I had a colleague/friend lawyer call HSBC and they said only if I have a security deposit and guarantor will they give a yabanci a cc. So, no go with HSBC.

I am waiting to hear back from colleague/friends bank, Vakifbank, as he contacted his branch directly to check the requirements their.

I have a work permit and residence permit. I agree raja and seggiest, I don't believe that a work permit is a requirement, however, the residence permit is a requirement as well as tax number.

HSBC must have changed policies then. A deposit and a guarantor? Wow

FF

I think HSBC plastic cards are good and ensure you get an ADVANTAGE one where you can gain points and airport lounge access. Im surprised why you need both deposit as well as guarantor. Better stick with one.

I will also move with HSBC rightaway.

If you bank with Garanti and your salary is paid directly to the account but still you dont have a cc from them, the way to try to get around it is get a ref letter from someone who also banks with them also helps if the person has banked with them for a period of time and if that person is employed in a management position, garanti will then normally set you up with a card, starts at a lower limit but builds as you use it.

pheonix,

It is not worked out in my case. My salary is automatically credited there since 2005 and i have three different currencies current account. All they want to deposit as a collateral for issuance of cc.

Hi,
In my case, I applied for a credit card with Garanti and got it refused in the first place, although I seemed to fulfill all the criteria. This really angered my boss, who is an ex Garanti manager.
After threatening them of changing bank for salary payment, I got it after couple of days, with an apology from the branch manager.
If your company has agreement with a bank for salary payment, this should be easier to negotiate one.

Adam