How Long Does a Credit Card Payment Take to Process?

If you’ve ever paid your credit card bill and wondered why your available limit hasn’t updated immediately, you’re not alone. In Singapore, credit card payments don’t always go through instantly, especially if you’re using interbank transfers. But understanding how long a payment takes to be processed can help you avoid late fees, interest charges, or credit limit headaches.

Most payments made via online banking or AXS take 1 to 3 working days to reflect, depending on the bank and payment method. For instance, if you’re paying from a DBS account to a DBS credit card, it may be credited instantly. But if you’re transferring from UOB to SCB, it’ll likely take longer due to interbank processing.

Let’s break it down further so you’ll know what to expect and how to stay one step ahead of your billing cycle.

» MORE: What to do if you can’t pay your credit card bill

Here’s where it gets a little technical. There’s a difference between when your payment is credited and when it’s processed, and this distinction matters.

• Credited means your bank has received the payment instructions and updated your credit card balance or available limit accordingly. If you pay early in the day, some banks can credit the payment on the same day.
  
  

• Processed refers to when the money has officially moved between banks and fully cleared. This step usually takes 1 to 3 business days, especially for interbank transfers.

For example, DBS notes that payments made via FAST, PayNow, or GIRO before 5:00 p.m. on working days are typically credited the same day. But even if the credit is shown, the final processing might still lag behind and only show up on your statement later.

In short: your limit might be updated quickly, but the actual payment completion takes a bit longer, so don’t panic if your statement doesn’t reflect it immediately.

» MORE: How do I get a higher limit on my credit card?

Want to avoid the stress of wondering whether your payment has gone through—or worse, getting hit with unexpected late fees?

The good news is, a few simple habits can go a long way in making sure your credit card payments are processed smoothly and on time. Whether you're paying through online banking, AXS, or mobile apps, following these tips can help you stay on top of your finances and maintain a healthy credit record. Here are some practical ways to ensure your payments go through without a hitch:

• Always check cut-off times.

• For DBS: Payments after 5:00 p.m. or on weekends/public holidays are carried forward to the next business day.

• For Standard Chartered (SCB): Use internet banking before 3:00 p.m. for same-day crediting.

• Choose faster payment channels. Skip cheques or mailing payment. Those are painfully slow. Instead, go with FAST, PayNow, or AXS online. If you’re paying from the same bank, you’ll often see the credit almost instantly.

• Pay early. Don’t cut it close to your due date. Aim to pay at least two working days in advance, especially for interbank payments. Also, always ensure you have enough funds to avoid failed transactions, and consider setting up recurring payments or calendar reminders to stay on track.

» MORE: How often should I pay your credit card?

If your payment hasn’t gone through after a few days, don’t panic, but do act.

• Wait 1 to 3 business days, especially if it’s an interbank transfer.

• Double-check the payment method and whether it was made before your bank’s cut-off time.

• Log into your banking app and check both your transaction history and your credit card account. Sometimes, the available limit is updated before the statement shows the payment.

Still nothing? Reach out to your bank. Provide the transaction reference number, payment date, and any screenshots or confirmations you received.

For DBS and SCB, customer service lines can assist you with tracking payments, verifying status, and making sure your account is in good standing. Whatever you do, avoid making another payment without checking first. Duplicate payments can lead to temporary credit limits being tied up unnecessarily.

In short, stay calm, verify, and escalate only when needed. A little payment planning can save you a lot of stress.

» MORE: How to set up automatic credit card payments and avoid late fees