Skip to content

20+ Best Forex Cards in India 2026

Using your regular credit card for international spending may not be the wisest decision. International transactions, which are in a foreign currency, attract an additional forex markup fee, which, for most credit cards, is somewhere around 3.5% of the transaction amount. That is when forex cards come in handy. Banks offer forex cards tailored to the needs of customers who make frequent international transactions. Choosing the right forex card is similar to choosing the right credit card. With the best forex card, a person can get the most out of their foreign transactions.

Forex cards are like prepaid cards; you will need to load a balance onto these cards before you can actually use them. Most forex cards in India support multiple currencies, which allows users to load the card in more than one currency at the same time. Spending in the currency loaded on the card does not attract any foreign currency mark-up fee. Therefore, it’s a good idea to carry a Forex card on an international trip, packed with the home currency of the country you are visiting.

Spend Anywhere with Forex Credit Cards

List of Top Forex Cards in India

We have shortlisted some of the best Forex cards offered by the various banks in the country. Many of these cards also provide additional benefits like complimentary lounge access, insurance plans, discount vouchers, etc. You can go through their detailed features and advantages in this article and then choose one that seems to suit you the best:

HDFC Bank Regalia ForexPlus Card

HDFC Bank Regalia ForexPlus Card
  • Joining Fee₹1,000 + GST
  • Annual FeeNil
  • Best Suited ForTravel | International Spends
  • Rewards TypeN/A

Rewards Rate

N/A

Welcome Benefits

N/A

The Regalia ForexPlus Card is a sub-premium prepaid foreign exchange credit card from HDFC Bank. Although it has a zero annual fee, a joining fee of ₹1,000 is payable upon card issuance.

The Regalia ForexPlus Card can be loaded in US Dollars. The best part is that you do not pay a markup fee on transactions in USD, and there is no cross-currency usage fee applicable to transactions in any other currency.

BookMyForex YES Bank Forex Card

BookMyForex YES Bank Forex Card
  • Joining FeeLifetime Free
  • Annual FeeLifetime Free
  • Best Suited ForTravel | International Spends
  • Rewards TypeN/A

Rewards Rate

N/A

Welcome Benefits

Get Rs. 200 discount on your first transaction with BookMyForex. Use Promo code-NEWTOBMF.

The BookMyForex YES Bank Prepaid Card is a recently launched co-branded foreign travel card. It aims to provide its customers with hassle-free international travel experiences. The card supports multiple currencies, making it even more convenient to travel to different countries without worrying about finding a currency conversion center. In addition to these features, the card offers several great deals and discounts across different categories.

The multi-currency Forex Card by Axis Bank is a prepaid international travel card. The card supports 16 widely used currencies, including the United States Dollar, Euro, Pound Sterling, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Swiss Franc, and Japanese Yen. As with all foreign exchange credit cards, transactions in the currency loaded on the card do not attract any markup fee; however, transactions in a currency other than the one loaded on the card attract a cross-currency markup fee of 3.5% of the transaction amount.

The Axis Bank Multi-Currency Forex Card comes with an initial issuance fee of ₹300 (plus GST), which is waived for Burgundy and Priority account holders. Although the card does not have any reward structure, you do get many value-added benefits like discounts on international roaming packs by VI, a lower currency conversion rate for Southeast Asian currencies, and 24×7 travel assistance by TripAssist.

Niyo Solutions launched the Niyo Global card in partnership with Equitas Small Finance Bank. It is a premium, high-interest digital savings account that offers up to 7% interest on savings and zero forex markup charges on international transactions worldwide.

The Niyo Global card provides convenient and affordable ways to handle international payments in more than 130 currencies. It offers domestic and international lounge access at all Indian airports, and its user-friendly app has features like Global ATM Locator, real-time currency conversion, and more.

Cash Withdrawal Charges – 3 free withdrawals per month, and ₹21 plus taxes from the 4th withdrawal onwards for Domestic ATMs. ₹110 plus taxes for International ATMs.

Currencies Supported – More than 130 currencies supported

Cross-Currency Usage Fee – Nil

Additional Benefits – High 7% interest rate on your savings, complimentary lounge access, and user-friendly mobile application.

No TCS up to ₹7 lakh -TCS is exempt from international spending up to ₹7 lakh per year. However, 20% TCS applies beyond the ₹7 lakh threshold.

The HDFC Multicurrency Platinum ForexPlus Card can be loaded in 22 different foreign currencies- Australian Dollar, Dirhams, Canadian Dollar, Euro, Hongkong Dollar, Japanese Yen, Singapore Dollar, Sterling Pound, Swiss Franc, Swedish Krona, Thailand Baht, South African Rand, Oman Riyal, New Zealand Dollar, Danish Krone, Norwegian Krone, Saudi Riyal, Korean Won, Bahrain Dinar, Qatari Riyal, Kuwait Dinar and US Dollar. No markup fee is charged on transactions made using the currency loaded on the card. Still, a cross-currency usage fee of 2% of the transaction amount is applicable on transactions made in a currency other than the one loaded on the card.

Multicurrency Platinum ForexPlus Chip Card comes with an initial issuance fee (joining fee) of ₹500 (plus GST), which is waived off on the first-time loading of a minimum of USD 1,000. Although the card does not earn you any reward points/cashback, you do get plenty of add-on benefits like Amazon vouchers, emergency assistance, global concierge service, etc. with the card. Check out this article for more info on HDFC Multicurrency Platinum ForexPlus Chip Card.

ICICI Bank Student Sapphiro Forex Prepaid Card
  • Joining Fee₹2,999 + GST
  • Annual FeeNil
  • Best Suited ForTravel | Shopping
  • Rewards TypeCashback

Rewards Rate

5% Cashback on Online Grocery and Transit Spends

Welcome Benefits

Free International SIM Card and Discount Vouchers for Uber Worth ₹1,000

The ICICI Student Sapphiro Forex Prepaid card has an annual fee of ₹2,999 + GST and no mark-up charges on foreign transactions, making it ideal for international students. It allows loading up to 15 foreign currencies for quick payments. Cardholders receive welcome benefits worth ₹15,000, including ISIC membership worth ₹999, and earn 5% cashback on online transit and grocery purchases. Additionally, there are exclusive travel perks like complimentary international lounge access through Dreamfolks membership.

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Forex Prepaid Card
  • Joining Fee₹2,999 + GST
  • Annual FeeNil
  • Best Suited ForTravel | International Spends
  • Rewards TypeN/A

Rewards Rate

N/A

Welcome Benefits

Uber Vouchers Worth ₹1,000

The Sapphiro Forex Prepaid Card is a premium prepaid Forex card from ICICI Bank. It has a hefty joining (issuance) fee of ₹2,999 (plus GST). Still, as a premium Forex card, it offers plenty of add-on privileges, such as shopping vouchers, Uber vouchers, complimentary international lounge access with DreamFolks, discounts on international roaming packs, and many other benefits. There is no annual membership fee for the ICICI Sapphiro Forex Prepaid Card.

One differentiating feature of the Sapphiro Forex Prepaid Card is that, like the HDFC Regalia Forex Card, the ICICI Sapphiro Forex Prepaid Card does not charge a cross-currency usage fee. This means that you can transact in any currency without being charged an extra fee.

The ICICI Corporate Sapphiro Forex Card is made for employees who travel abroad for work. It is the world’s first prepaid Forex card on the Visa Infinite platform. It gives benefits like international lounge access, meet & greet service, and a free international SIM. This card helps companies track employee travel expenses easily, but it does not offer rewards.

IDFC FIRST Multi-Currency Forex Card
  • Joining Fee Nil
  • Annual Fee Nil
  • Best Suited ForInternational Spends
  • Rewards TypeN/A

Rewards Rate

N/A

Welcome Benefits

N/A

The IDFC FIRST Multi-Currency Forex Card stands out with its enticing ₹0 issuance charges, making it appealing right from the start. Moreover, it offers the convenience of a replacement card in case of loss, ensuring peace of mind for travelers. There are no charges for loading or reloading foreign currencies, making it a cost-effective choice for managing finances abroad. Whether traveling for work or on a family vacation, this Forex card will be helpful for everyone going abroad.

ICICI Expressions Sapphiro Forex Card
  • Joining Fee₹3,499 + GST
  • Annual FeeNil
  • Best Suited ForInternational Spends
  • Rewards TypeN/A

Rewards Rate

N/A

Welcome Benefits

Uber Discount Vouchers Worth ₹1,000 and Amazon Vouchers Worth ₹500

The ICICI Expressions Sapphiro Forex Card comes with an annual fee of ₹3,499 + GST and can be loaded in about 15 different currencies. The card offers its users a couple of welcome gifts, a ₹1,000 Uber discount voucher and a ₹500 Amazon voucher. Since the card is on the Visa network, various merchants worldwide will readily accept it. The card also comes with two complimentary international airport lounge accesses in partnership with DreamFolks. It also gives users a complimentary DreamFolks membership for a year, worth US$ 99. The card is capable of waiving the ATM cash withdrawal fee for upto 3 times a month, so upto three times, you can withdraw cash, with no charge.

ICICI Bank Student Forex Prepaid Card
  • Joining Fee<span style="font-weight: 400;">Rs. 499 + GST</span>
  • Annual Fee<span style="font-weight: 400;">Rs. 499 + GST</span>
  • Best Suited ForTravel | International Spends
  • Rewards Type

Rewards Rate

NA

Welcome Benefits

Get an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) membership voucher worth INR 999 and several other deals & discounts as a joining benefit.

The ICICI Bank Student Forex Credit Card is an excellent option for those who are planning to go to a foreign country for higher studies. It comes with an issuance fee of ₹499 and a renewal fee of ₹199 plus taxes. This Student Forex Card allows you to make international transactions without any hassle and with much lower charges compared to credit & debit cards. The cardholders get introductory privileges worth ₹5,000, and several other benefits, such as complimentary insurance coverage and zero liability protection, are offered.

Axis Bank World Traveller Forex Card
  • Joining Fee₹500 + GST
  • Annual FeeN/A
  • Best Suited ForTravel | International Spends
  • Rewards Type

Rewards Rate

5 Miles for every USD 5 spent with the card

Welcome Benefits

1,000 Miles on loading the card for the first time.

Axis Bank World Traveller Forex Card is another prepaid travel card by Axis Bank in collaboration with Germany-based Lufthansa Airlines. Like the other two Axis Bank forex cards, the World Traveller Forex Card can also be loaded in 16 different foreign currencies including United States Dollar, Euro, Pound Sterling, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Swiss Franc, Japanese Yen, Singapore Dollar, Swedish Krona/Kronor, UAE Dirham, Saudi Royal, Thai Baht, New Zealand Dollar, Hong Kong Dollar, South African Rand and Danish Krone. The card comes at an affordable joining fee of ₹500 + GST.

Like most other forex cards, no forex markup fee applies to transactions made in the currency loaded on the card. However, a cross-currency usage fee of 3.5% of the transaction amount applies to transactions made in a currency other than the one loaded on the card.

The State Bank of India issues the Multi-Currency Foreign Travel Card, a prepaid forex card. The card does not have an annual membership fee; however, an initial issuance fee of ₹100 (plus GST) is charged at the time of issuance. This fee is the lowest among all forex cards currently offered in India.

The State Bank Multi-Currency Foreign Travel Card can be loaded in seven different currencies: USD, Euro, Pound, Singapore Dollar, Canadian Dollar, UAE Dirham, and Australian Dollar. No markup fee is charged on transactions made using the currency loaded on the card. However, a cross-currency usage fee of 3% of the transaction amount applies to transactions made in a currency other than the one loaded on the card. See this article for more details on the State Bank Multi-Currency Foreign Travel Card.

IndusInd Bank Multi-Currency Travel Card
  • Joining Fee₹300 + GST
  • Annual FeeN/A
  • Best Suited ForTravel | International Spends
  • Rewards Type

Rewards Rate

N/A

Welcome Benefits

Rs. 150 discount of issuance fee on loading the card with a minimum amount equivalent to Rs. 50,000.

As the name suggests, the IndusInd Multi-Currency Travel Card is a prepaid forex card issued by IndusInd Bank. The card does not have an annual membership fee, but an initial fee of ₹300 is payable upon issue.

The card supports 14 international currencies- US Dollar, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Euro, Great Britain Pound, Hong Kong Dollar, Japanese Yen, New Zealand Dollar, Singapore Dollar, South African Rand, Swiss Franc, Thailand Baht, Saudi Riyal, and UAE Dirham. No forex markup fee is charged on transactions made in the currency loaded on the card; a cross-currency usage fee of 3% of the transaction amount is, however, applicable on transactions made in a currency other than the one loaded on the card. Check out this article to learn more about the IndusInd Bank Multi-Currency Travel Card.

ICICI Bank Coral Prepaid Forex Card
  • Joining Fee₹499 + GST
  • Annual FeeNil
  • Best Suited ForTravel | International Spends
  • Rewards Type

Rewards Rate

N/A

Welcome Benefits

BookMyShow Vouchers Worth ₹500

Coral Prepaid Forex Card is another prepaid Forex card by ICICI Bank. The card has an initial joining fee of ₹499 (plus GST).

Although the ICICI Coral Prepaid Forex Card does not have a reward structure (like Reward Points or cashback), it offers plenty of value-added benefits, such as BookMyShow and Uber vouchers, a comprehensive insurance plan, and complete card protection by OneAssist. For more information on the card, refer to this article.

Yes Bank Multicurrency Travel Card

Yes Bank Multicurrency Travel Card
  • Joining FeeRs. 125 plus taxes
  • Annual FeeRs. 125 plus taxes
  • Best Suited ForTravel | International Spends
  • Rewards TypeN/A

Rewards Rate

N/A

Welcome Benefits

N/A

The Yes Bank Multi-Currency card is one of the most beneficial cards in India as it is cost-effective and highly secure to use. You can get in touch with the online customer care department to help manage your card from anywhere around the world. Compared to most other cards, this one offers higher security and lower costs. The card supports over 10 currencies, and you get instant real-time SMS alerts whenever you transact with the card. You can analyze and check the previous 10 transaction details and can even temporarily lock the Yes Bank Multi-Currency card.

MakeMyTrip HDFC Bank ForexPlus Card
  • Joining FeeRs. 500 (plus applicable taxes)
  • Annual FeeN/A
  • Best Suited ForTravel
  • Rewards TypeN/A

Rewards Rate

N/A

Welcome Benefits

Complimentary MMT Black membership, Ola voucher worth Rs. 500 on loading a minimum of USD 1,000 (or equivalent), issuance fee waiver with a valid MMT flight/hotel/holiday booking ID, or on the first loading of a minimum of USD 1,000 (or equivalent)

The MakeMyTrip HDFC ForexPlus Card is a prepaid travel card from HDFC Bank and MakeMyTrip. You must load the card with one of 22 currencies before use, which simplifies transactions while traveling. An initial fee of ₹500 (plus taxes) applies at issuance, but there’s no annual fee. The card lacks a reward structure but includes features like airport lounge access, comprehensive insurance, travel discounts, and other benefits.

Kotak Forex Card

Kotak Forex Card
  • Joining Fee₹250 + GST
  • Annual FeeN/A
  • Best Suited ForInternational Spends
  • Rewards TypeN/A

Rewards Rate

N/A

Welcome Benefits

N/A

The Kotak Forex card has a joining fee of ₹250 + GST and no annual fee for subsequent years. It can be loaded in 13 different currencies, and there is no foreign currency markup fee. However, a cash advance fee equivalent to US $2 will be charged. This forex card does not offer any spending rewards or lifestyle perks. The card comes with complimentary travel insurance.

The Standard Chartered Multi-Currency VISA Forex Card comes at a low fee of ₹299 + GST and can be loaded in up to 20 different currencies, which makes this card even more attractive. This forex card does not have a reward structure on spending or does not offer any lifestyle perks, but provides an insurance cover of up to ₹1 lakh.

Goibibo ICICI Bank Forex Prepaid Card
  • Joining FeeRs. 499 (plus applicable taxes)
  • Annual FeeN/A
  • Best Suited ForTravel | International Spends
  • Rewards Type

Rewards Rate

N/A

Welcome Benefits

goCash+ gift vouchers worth Rs. 500, Goibibo vouchers worth Rs. 15,000

As the name suggests, the Goibibo ICICI Forex Prepaid card is a co-branded forex card launched by ICICI Bank, in collaboration with the travel portal Goibibo. It comes with an initial issuance fee of ₹499 + GST, while the card.

Since it is a Goibibo co-branded card, you get many Goibibo exclusive benefits with the card, like a goCash+ gift voucher worth ₹500 and Goibibo vouchers worth ₹15,000 with the card as a welcome gift. Apart from these Goibibo exclusive benefits, you also get cab vouchers worth ₹1,000 on loading a minimum of USD 1,000 on the card, discounted rates on dining at Indian restaurants across Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, London, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Bangkok, and a comprehensive insurance plan with covers against air accident, checked-in baggage, loss of passport/ticket, etc.

Tata Neu IndusInd Bank Forex Card

Tata Neu IndusInd Bank Forex Card
  • Joining Fee₹299 + GST
  • Annual FeeN/A
  • Best Suited ForInternational Spends
  • Rewards Type

Rewards Rate

N/A

Welcome Benefits

N/A

The Tata Neu IndusInd Bank Forex Card is a contactless, chip-enabled prepaid forex card that supports up to 14 global currencies, including USD, EUR, GBP, and AED. It is part of the Visa network, ensuring broad international acceptance at ATMs, POS terminals, and online merchants. The card can be easily reloaded via the Tata Neu App or the IndusForex portal and comes with features like currency prioritization, ATM withdrawal limits (up to USD 300 per transaction), and travel-related insurance coverage. Designed for both convenience and security, the card is ideal for frequent flyers and international shoppers.

Types of Forex Cards?

Forex cards are generally of two types. These have been classified on the basis of the number of currencies that they support. The following are the two types of forex cards:

  • Single Currency Forex Cards – Single Currency Forex Cards support a single currency, and these cards are suitable for individuals who often travel to a particular country for some time. These cards can only be loaded in the one currency that they support.
  • Multi-Currency Forex Cards – Multi-currency Forex Cards support multiple currencies and can be used in different countries without any additional charges. Nowadays, most card issuers offer multicurrency forex cards so that cardholders can travel all across the world with a single forex card.

Benefits of Having a Forex Card

Most forex cards are issued by the country’s major card issuers. These cards have various features and benefits across different categories. Some of the common advantages of forex credit cards are as follows.

  • Rewards Rate – Some forex credit cards, such as the Axis Bank World Traveller Forex Card and the Axis Bank Club Vistara Forex Card, also reward their customers for all their spending. Since these cards are most suitable for international travelers, they offer travel-based rewards such as air miles, CV points, etc.
  • Support Multiple Currencies – Most forex credit cards now support not just one or two but multiple currencies, and hence, one can make transactions in different currencies and different countries without any hassle.
  • Lounge Access – Some premium Forex credit cards also offer complimentary airport lounge access. These cards allow you to use the airport lounge without paying any usage fee.
  • Other Features – Some cards also offer cardholders complimentary insurance coverage and zero liability protection against lost or stolen cards.

Effective Use of a Forex Card

Unlike Credit Cards, a Forex card doesn’t come with a credit limit, but since it is a prepaid card, you will need to load it on your own. Forex Cards are of best use when you are traveling to a different country, as these cards allow you to make transactions in foreign currencies. Load your card as per your requirements and as per the currency of the country you are traveling to.

After that, you can use your card, just like a debit or credit card. You can withdraw cash in a foreign currency using your Forex card, which you can also use for online or in-store transactions anywhere. The acceptability of your Forex card depends upon its network variant. For example, Visa and Mastercard are popular choices and widely accepted worldwide.

How to Apply for a Forex Card?

Getting a Forex card is a simple process. You may be required to submit a few additional documents like your Passport, Visa, and other travel documents. So, just check the eligibility and document requirements with the respective bank’s official website or by contacting their customer care.

You can visit the branch with all the necessary documents and inquire if there is an offline procedure to apply for the card. You can apply for the card by filling out the physical application form and completing all other formalities. You can also apply online for the card of your choice as follows:

  • Visit the respective bank’s official website.
  • Find an option to apply for a Forex card.
  • Choose the card of your choice.
  • Proceed further to apply for it and fill in all the required details in the digital application form.

Bottom Line

While credit cards are a handy financial tool, using them while on foreign trips can cost you a lot. Almost all credit cards charge a markup fee of around 3.5% of the transaction amount (it may be less in the case of some premium and super-premium credit cards) on transactions made in a foreign currency. Therefore, it is always a good idea to carry a Forex card on foreign trips and use it for foreign currency transactions.

As you can see above, the SBI Multi-Currency Foreign Travel Card has the lowest issuance fee of just ₹100 amongst all forex cards, and premium forex cards like HDFC Regalia ForexPlus Card and ICICI Sapphiro Forex Card can be used to make payments in any currency without any cross-currency usage fee. Then, there are also co-branded Forex cards like Axis Bank Club Vistara Forex Card, Goibibo ICICI Forex Card, MakeMyTrip HDFC ForexPlus C Air Vistara ard, etc, which reward customers for their spends. You must find the right Forex card that best suits your needs. For example, for someone who does not travel very frequently, a simple and less expensive forex card like the SBI Multi-Currency Foreign Travel Card might be a good pick; on the other hand, if you fly frequently via a particular airline, say Air Vistara, an Air Vistara co-branded forex card like Axis Bank Club Vistara Forex Card will suit you the best.

FAQs:

Forex cards, or travel cards, are prepaid cards tailored to the needs of frequent international travelers. One of the most common features of prepaid forex cards is that most can be loaded in multiple foreign currencies, and no markup fee is charged on transactions made in the currency loaded on the card.

State Bank Multi-Currency Foreign Travel Card has the lowest issuance fee of Rs. 100 (plus GST).

HDFC Regalia ForexPlus Card and ICICI Bank Sapphiro Forex Prepaid Card are two Forex cards with zero cross-currency usage fees. Thus, you can spend in any currency with these cards without being charged an additional cost.

Forex Cards are different from credit cards, as you don’t get a credit limit with them. Unlike credit cards, which allow you to pay later for your purchases, Forex cards are prepaid cards that need to be loaded by you first. Talking about their usage, you can use the forex cards online as well as for in-store transactions, just like credit cards.

Yes, Forex cards are totally worth it for international travel. They make it convenient to make transactions and withdraw cash in different currencies without any additional charges.

A cross-currency fee is charged on a Forex Card when you want to make a transaction in a different currency from what you loaded onto your card.

Some of the best credit cards with low forex markup fees are HDFC Infinia, IndusInd Celesta, Axis Bank Magnus, and HDFC Regalia.

Some of the best multi-currency forex cards are State Bank Multi-Currency Foreign Travel Card, IndusInd Bank Multi-Currency Travel Card, ICICI Bank Sapphiro Forex Prepaid Card, Axis Bank Multi-Currency Forex Card, and HDFC Bank Multicurrency Platinum ForexPlus Chip Card.

Yes, you can quickly transfer the leftover amount from your Forex Card to your bank account.

3 comments

  • Sukhwant saini

    pl suggest any forex card with zero Markup fee and can be used in south korea singapore etc. by the family members of the main applicant also independently by them.

  • Saloni Rawat

    I am planning to go to Europe for a year. Currently, I have a Diners Premium credit card from HDFC bank only. Can you suggest the best forex/debit or credit card that can help me save on exchange rates/taxes and can be widely used in Europe without any security issues? I have heard that Diners card acceptance is not good enough in Europe.

  • You missed one of the most selling forex card.
    It’s Thomas Cooks Forex card.
    Same card is selling by many exchange houses and banks

Leave your comment