Have you guys ever faced difficulties in obtaining a credit card because of being a lawyer? It seems like there is an internal policy of some banks to not issue credit cards to advocates (HDFC for the fact). There may be exceptions but would like to know from the community if this happens on a regular basis despite having good credit score.

Yes for banks (you could try some new-age fintech NBFCs that are more liberal). It is challenging because normally, the credit approval checks are done on the basis of ITR filings proving you have a job. Bank staff are trained to process ITR-1 (which is for salaried persons). Advocates and other self-employed persons do not file ITR-1 but generally file ITR-3 and is the more complex form. They are not really trained for this and you'll end up realising that most bank staff... are all salespersons and just... do not know finance or tax laws/concepts.

You may get hundreds of calls and pre-approved offers from sales teams. These are all subject to credit approval which will usually fail because you appear to be unemployed and unlikely to pay your bills.

Previously, I got a secured credit card - which has no credit risk - and the bank later lifted the lien on the FD (so they made commission on 2 financial products). Later I scored a credit card with no job and no questions asked when I crossed a higher relationship value. Then I started working in law and have been unable to resolve the credit approval process. The common denominator in all this is that it is tied to the commission/targets the bank RM will be able to achieve.

This.

I earn about 45lpa. I had to get a secured credit card to start a credit card relationship. But somehow the card didn't get delivered.

Anyway, I kept filling fuel in my dad's car regularly every month, and the bank which had rejected my application issued me a card with a limit of 1lakh co branded with an Oil Marketing Company.

Now I keep getting calls for CC from my other banks.

It is initially very difficult to get a normal card, as the poster above says.

Bank customer care and sales aren't really trained for i
Out of syllabus stuff like ITR-4. Some of the ones I spoke to got stuck like a stuck vinyl player. It felt like I was talking to a chat bot (looking at you Axis Bank).

I remember way back 2009 I had just joined the graduated when I was approached by a sales rep to apply for a cc at a mall. I though what the hell and filled out the form wherein I very proudly and naively listed my occupation as an advocate. The sales rep read the form, said they don’t offer cc to lawyers and literally tore the form in front of my eyes. I never applied for a cc again in my life and honestly don’t think I miss not having one.