I'm still not entirely sure — but it seems like I did!
I don't have many credit cards, and I was specifically looking for one that rewards grocery purchases at D-Mart and offline dining expenses. The HSBC Live+ Credit Card aligned perfectly with my needs. It appeared to be a no-nonsense product and seemed like an obvious choice. However, HSBC’s restrictive list of serviceable cities had always discouraged me from applying.
I don’t reside in — or have an address in — any of the limited cities listed on HSBC’s website. So I started researching ways to apply using my current address. I expected to jump through several hoops, but to my surprise, the process turned out to be relatively simple for me.
Most forums suggested that getting approved with my current pincode would be difficult. However, Google's Search Labs (the AI-generated overview feature) indicated otherwise — stating that my area, though technically outside Mumbai, falls under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), and thus might be considered serviceable. The area I live in is roughly 30–60 km from Mumbai, depending on how you define the city limits. While ATMs here are classified as "non-metro," the inclusion under MMRDA seemed promising.
Further, I located an HSBC document online containing a list of pincodes — including mine. Although it was unclear whether the list represented serviceable or excluded areas (since it included several pincodes from smaller towns), these two signs gave me enough confidence to go ahead and apply.
Here is how it went :
27th April 2025:
I initiated the application via CashKaro. The first part required my Aadhaar and eKYC details. During eligibility validation, I received a text with the ECN for the CIBIL inquiry. I assumed the application would be rejected at this point due to my address. However, to my surprise, It said I was eligible and allowed to proceed.
The second part asked for employment, income, and banking details. Strangely, it requested my bank account number and branch — not something I've encountered in most credit card applications. Even more oddly, Axis Bank wasn’t listed in the dropdown — I had to choose “Other Private Bank.” I uploaded my salary slip and bank statements (Jan–Apr 2025).
After submission, I received both an SMS and an email with a link for vKYC. The SMS said the link was valid for one day, while the email claimed it was valid for three — a bit inconsistent. Unfortunately, since it was a Sunday and vKYC is only operational Monday to Saturday (9 AM–8 PM, excluding holidays), I had to wait.
28th April 2025:
I attempted vKYC at 9:30 AM. The wait was dreadful — I was 7th in queue with a 45-minute estimated wait. After 30 minutes, I reached the 1st position, but the screen didn’t progress for another half hour. I gave up.
Tried again at 11:30 AM. This time, I connected with a representative after 20 minutes. The vKYC was completed quickly, and a message appeared confirming submission for further processing. Two hours later, I received an email stating vKYC was successful.
From this point on, there was no way to track the application. Shockingly, HSBC has no portal for application tracking. Many online forums warned that applicants may have to wait weeks or even months — so I prepared for a long wait.
29th April 2025:
CashKaro notified me that the cashback for my application was credited. Was this a subtle sign of approval? I wasn’t sure.
2nd May 2025:
Received a text stating I’d get instructions within two days to set my credit card PIN — HSBC’s subtle way of saying the card is approved! The last four digits of the card started appearing on the HSBC app, though the credit limit wasn’t displayed.
3rd May 2025:
Received a text from Blue Dart confirming that the card would be delivered that day — and it was, four hours later.
Total time from application to card delivery: 5 days
Still Unclear: Is My Pincode Serviceable?
Even after receiving the card, I can't definitively say whether my pincode is officially serviceable. A few possible factors that may have influenced approval:
I don't have many credit cards, and I was specifically looking for one that rewards grocery purchases at D-Mart and offline dining expenses. The HSBC Live+ Credit Card aligned perfectly with my needs. It appeared to be a no-nonsense product and seemed like an obvious choice. However, HSBC’s restrictive list of serviceable cities had always discouraged me from applying.
I don’t reside in — or have an address in — any of the limited cities listed on HSBC’s website. So I started researching ways to apply using my current address. I expected to jump through several hoops, but to my surprise, the process turned out to be relatively simple for me.
Most forums suggested that getting approved with my current pincode would be difficult. However, Google's Search Labs (the AI-generated overview feature) indicated otherwise — stating that my area, though technically outside Mumbai, falls under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), and thus might be considered serviceable. The area I live in is roughly 30–60 km from Mumbai, depending on how you define the city limits. While ATMs here are classified as "non-metro," the inclusion under MMRDA seemed promising.
Further, I located an HSBC document online containing a list of pincodes — including mine. Although it was unclear whether the list represented serviceable or excluded areas (since it included several pincodes from smaller towns), these two signs gave me enough confidence to go ahead and apply.
Here is how it went :
27th April 2025:
I initiated the application via CashKaro. The first part required my Aadhaar and eKYC details. During eligibility validation, I received a text with the ECN for the CIBIL inquiry. I assumed the application would be rejected at this point due to my address. However, to my surprise, It said I was eligible and allowed to proceed.
The second part asked for employment, income, and banking details. Strangely, it requested my bank account number and branch — not something I've encountered in most credit card applications. Even more oddly, Axis Bank wasn’t listed in the dropdown — I had to choose “Other Private Bank.” I uploaded my salary slip and bank statements (Jan–Apr 2025).
After submission, I received both an SMS and an email with a link for vKYC. The SMS said the link was valid for one day, while the email claimed it was valid for three — a bit inconsistent. Unfortunately, since it was a Sunday and vKYC is only operational Monday to Saturday (9 AM–8 PM, excluding holidays), I had to wait.
28th April 2025:
I attempted vKYC at 9:30 AM. The wait was dreadful — I was 7th in queue with a 45-minute estimated wait. After 30 minutes, I reached the 1st position, but the screen didn’t progress for another half hour. I gave up.
Tried again at 11:30 AM. This time, I connected with a representative after 20 minutes. The vKYC was completed quickly, and a message appeared confirming submission for further processing. Two hours later, I received an email stating vKYC was successful.
From this point on, there was no way to track the application. Shockingly, HSBC has no portal for application tracking. Many online forums warned that applicants may have to wait weeks or even months — so I prepared for a long wait.
29th April 2025:
CashKaro notified me that the cashback for my application was credited. Was this a subtle sign of approval? I wasn’t sure.
2nd May 2025:
Received a text stating I’d get instructions within two days to set my credit card PIN — HSBC’s subtle way of saying the card is approved! The last four digits of the card started appearing on the HSBC app, though the credit limit wasn’t displayed.
3rd May 2025:
Received a text from Blue Dart confirming that the card would be delivered that day — and it was, four hours later.
Total time from application to card delivery: 5 days
Still Unclear: Is My Pincode Serviceable?
Even after receiving the card, I can't definitively say whether my pincode is officially serviceable. A few possible factors that may have influenced approval:
- My company and bank account are located in serviceable areas.
- My company name auto-populated during the application — possibly indicating it's on a preferred employer list.
- My salary is credited to an HSBC corporate account.( These are my assumptions)
