Hi People, I am an Iranian PhD student from Delft, The Netherlands. Recently I realised that I am running into so many small problems that at a certain point I couldn't help but to blame myself! At the same time, I try to organise everything and make sure things would not go wrong. So I thought to myself, that's probably how life is supposed to be. Anyways, anytime I solve one of my problems I learn something that might come in handy for the person who might be/would be in my shoes. Therefore, I am going to share my problems and how I solved them. And here comes the problem that I encountered today and the solution.



I applied for a credit card from ABN Amro bank in The Netherlands months ago. But I got a rejection letter, in which it was stated that since I am not permanent resident of The Netherlands, I am not eligible to receive a credit card. I went to the bank in Delft inquiring about this matter. They told me that they could issue an exception letter in my case, since I am PhD at TU Delft, with which I can receive the credit card.

Anyways, I went back home and after a week I received a letter from ICS (the company which issues the credit cards), rejecting my application again. I went to bank again and they filled in the forms again and told me that I needed to wait a few weeks before the credit card is issued.

After three weeks and not receiving my credit card, I called ICS and they told me that they have requested an exception letter from local bank, but they haven't received anything. I went to the bank again today, realising that they have issued a letter but have not send it to ICS! All in all, they are handling my application and hopefully this time I will receive my credit card.

Long story short: How a PhD student should ask for a credit card in The Netherlands.
- Go to bank and tell them that you are PhD student and that you need a credit card.
- They will ask for it themselves. If you received a rejection letter by post, then something is wrong! Go to the bank again.
- Make sure that you contact ICS to ascertain that they have received your application and everything is working as it should.
- If the procedure took more than 3~4 weeks then something is wrong. I suggest to go the Bank again.




Hope my experience would be helpful.

Fariborz,