Bank refused credit card application because I am Syrian!

Have you thought about a Prepaid credit card?

Hello,

To be refused without valid reason is always frustrating whatever the country. I had the same problem in Brazil.

Now it is true that some Belgian banks have internal discriminatory measures. It would be nice to know the name of your bank to see with other people on this site.

In relation to your situation, I will advise you to change banks. But without knowing your current banking agency, I do not know where to turn.

Or, for example, go through:
- https://www.carrefourfinance.be/carte_gold.html
- ...

Thanks @phipiemar

ING is my current bank.

Do you know a bank that offers debit cards with VISA/Mastercard enabled (instead of Bancontact maestro)? That would be helpful.
ING, for example, have such cards in France but not in Belgium.
I don't prefer prepaid cards.

A side note: I don't recommend anyone with this bank, making an appointment is a pain and most of the time staff have no idea what they are talking about. They always have to call someone to get correct answers.

Try the N26. It's an electronic bank based in Germany. I'm using for a long time and I never had any issues with them.

I tried N26, unfortunately, I got a similar response while verification.

Waleedov wrote:

Thanks @phipiemar

ING is my current bank.

Do you know a bank that offers debit cards with VISA/Mastercard enabled (instead of Bancontact maestro)? That would be helpful.
ING, for example, have such cards in France but not in Belgium.
I don't prefer prepaid cards.

A side note: I don't recommend anyone with this bank, making an appointment is a pain and most of the time staff have no idea what they are talking about. They always have to call someone to get correct answers.

Now I get the point...

The only way to have some hope of professionnalism with ING, it's to go through their international department (https://www.ing.be/en/retail/daily-bank … act-centre). And even with them, it's not always working...

From my point of view, it's BELFIUS bank (https://www.belfius.be/retail/fr/index.aspx) who's the easiest one. Then KBC (https://www.kbc.be/retail/en.html?zone=topnav)

Concerning your remark belgian/french system, In fact the French system is more vicious than the Belgian. Merging debit cards with credit cards allows French banks to charge more for operating costs and late payment interest to users. What Belgium has always banned in the context of consumer protection ...

That is why you automatically receive in Belgium a "maestro" card that can be used anywhere in Belgium and Europe. And if some request it, they will receive a separate credit card.

I think you will have this answer with all banks. As Syria is in the middle of a civil war. I understand your problem with Maestro shopping online, although the firm says they accept it, they don't.

I go back to my first suggestion and opt for a Prepaid Credit Card. You go online and deposit money into the card. You can choose Visa or Mastercard.

We had problems with the ING bank in the Netherlands; it wasn't so much the person, but the stupid computer system that the moment the guy behind the desk ticks a box, it just won't go any further.

The solution, we walked next-door to the Rabobank - absolutely no problem at all.

Try Deutsche Bank Belgium as well.

https://www.deutschebank.be/nl/index.html

and go to one of their branches for an application

https://public.deutschebank.be/contact/ … me-nl.html

Avoid Belgian banks for credit cards. They are not credit card friendly. Credit Cards are not so common here
May be you can try Revolut. It is very similar to N26.  I am sure they will allow you. mastercard free from any monthly fees. You only pay a one time fee of 6euros for card delivery. Their app is great as well and offers  good advantage paying in different currencies

Edigj wrote:

Avoid Belgian banks for credit cards. They are not credit card friendly. Credit Cards are not so common here
May be you can try Revolut. It is very similar to N26.  I am sure they will allow you. mastercard free from any monthly fees. You only pay a one time fee of 6euros for card delivery. Their app is great as well and offers  good advantage paying in different currencies

Hi,

Whether you consider that Belgian banks are not nice in the way credit cards are issued, this is your strictest right.

But from there, to propose REVOLUT, it's rather surprising because it is not compatible with the 3D-Secure system that secures payments on the internet, deposits are not insured in case of bankruptcy, and the fact that accounts are domiciled in England could complicate things in case of Brexit without agreement !

Revolut is it for free. Money are safe as they got a banking license. No problem with Brexit as they got their banking license in Lithuania as well so in the worst Brexit scenario they would have to mode their EU accounts to Lithuanian bank.
I agree with you that they do not have 3D Secure yet. But as far as I know they are working on it. Apart from 3D I am pretty satisfied and you have to keep in mind it is free. I use it as I need. For example, when in need to buy something or travel I transfer some money to Revolut.

I'm not specifically aware of any restrictions against people from specific nationalities, but I guess it's possible.
If it's the policy in Belgium, then you might not be able to get a credit card at all, at least not in Belgium and any country where that policy is active.
If it's just the bank's policy or just that specific branch office their policy, then they can do that. Banks can always refuse your application, they are not required to give you one at all. Refusal is most often related to your financial capability, but not always.

While I'm not aware of any policy like that, I do know that my credit card is usable anywhere in the world, except for Syria, Sudan, Iran and North-Korea. It might not be related though, but I do find that curious.
I'm sure you should be able to find out if a policy like that exists, though I'm not exactly sure where. The National Bank of Belgium perhaps?

In any case, if you're not happy - and I think you're not - you should file a complaint with the bank itself: https://www.ing.be/en/retail/daily-bank … t-handling
Branch offices can sometimes act a bit rogue, and I recently filed a complaint against my branch office and headquarters got involved and reprimanded the branch office.

Also, you don't need to get a credit card from the bank you have your account. Cards like Revolut are indeed an option, and there are others as well.
And I actually have a Beobank credit card, that is connected to my Belfius bank account. It takes some set-up, but it's possible and it's much cheaper ( Belfius one is like 5e/month, while Beobank is 5e/year ).

Good luck!