If you’re an international student, you’ll likely be travelling abroad at some point. And if you’re going to be travelling abroad for a long period, it’s probably worth considering the best travel card for international students. And one such card is a Forex card. 

A forex card is a prepaid travel card that lets you load it with money in one currency and use it to pay for goods and services in multiple currencies. When you use your forex card, the amount of currency you have loaded onto it will be converted into the local currency at whatever exchange rate your credit union has set up with their partner financial institutions on that particular day. The issuing institution may charge an additional fee if the exchange rate has changed since the purchase.

The forex card can be used in over 200 countries, and there is no need for a credit check. The card can also be reloaded with more money at any time; so you need not worry about running out of funds while travelling abroad.

Forex Cards for students

Foreign exchange cards for students are multi-currency cards that students can use to make international payments with foreign currencies. Forex or travel cards can be ideal for helping you efficiently manage your international study expenses. These cards are similar to credit or debit cards; you can load one or multiple currencies in them for your foreign study-related payments.

They typically come with a 0% fee for balance transfers; some even offer an introductory 0% APR rate on purchases. This is ideal for students studying abroad who want to make purchases on their credit cards and pay off the balance when they return home.

Travel cards are also good choices for students going abroad as they come with EMV chip technology; which is required by most merchants outside of the U.S.; along with no foreign transaction fees and 24/7 customer service support in case you run into trouble while travelling abroad.

Niyo Global Card

Niyo Global student card is one of the best international signature debit cards that Niyo Global company has launched with State Bank of Mauritius (India) limited VISA. It is a versatile travel card with multiple exciting features. Niyo cards are INR-interest-based saving cards that students can use in 150+ countries. Also, it offers lower charges than many other foreign exchange cards.

Key features:

It has no fee for issuing, loading, unloading, and transfers. The card also offers no additional charge for activation.

Niyo cards have zero forex markup charge.

Hassle-free digital onboarding within instant zero balance savings accounts opening.

24/7 support and instant loading. 

Axis Bank Multi-Currency Forex Card

The Axis Bank Multi-Currency Forex Card is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a card allowing you to pay for goods and services abroad but don’t want the hassle of carrying multiple currencies. The card comes in USD, GBP, EUR, and INR denominations so that it can be used in countries worldwide. You simply have to choose which currency you would like when applying for a card, and from then on; it works just like any other debit card with 2% ATM withdrawal charges. (maximum daily limit of Rs 1 lakh) 

The card has several benefits, including no annual fee, zero liability on fraudulent transactions, and a 24-hour US-based customer service team. The Axis Bank Multi-Currency Forex Card is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a card allowing you to pay for goods and services abroad but don’t want the hassle of carrying multiple currencies.

ICICI Bank Multi-Currency Travel Card

With this card, you can save money on your currency conversion by paying no more than 1% additional transaction fees when you withdraw cash from ATMs (most banks charge 1.5%). This card also includes a free global travel insurance plan that covers up to $10 million in medical expenses, refunds for stolen or damaged baggage, and assistance with lost luggage claims.

The card has no minimum balance requirements, so you don’t have to worry about making payments each month if you don’t want to. 

Wise Borderless card

A borderless card is also a popular travel card for students studying abroad. The card is mainly known for low-cost currency transfer and fee rates. It has multiple student-friendly features, and one can open an account in Wise Borderless if one studies in the United Kingdom, Australia, the USA, or Europe. 

Key features

You can use this card to send money anywhere on the globe. 

The card can load 60 currencies and has a low currency conversion fee.

One can withdraw 350 USD per month without additional charge. 

The card can carry more than 45 currencies. 

It also has lower exchange rates than many forex cards.   

ISIC Student ForexPlus card

ISIC student ForexPlus card is also a popular option among student travel cards. HDFC Bank launched this card for students. The bank has various forex cards, and the ISIC student ForexPlus card is specially designed for international students and has lower forex rates than any other forex or travel cards provided by the bank.  

Key features

The card works as a student I.D. proof globally. It is one of the most interesting features of this card. 

Only applicable in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Europe.

The card has a 300 INR issuance charge and a 75 INR reloading fee.

Also, the card has cash withdrawal and VISA or MasterCard exchange fees. 

Considerations for choosing the best travel card for international students

If you’re an international student and want a travel card, you should consider selecting the one that best fits your needs. Depending on how often you plan to use it, several factors will determine which travel card is best for you.

One of the most important considerations before choosing a travel card is whether or not it has chip-and-PIN technology (also known as EMV). This payment system helps prevent fraud by requiring users to enter a personal identification number (PIN) instead of signing their name at checkout. If your bank doesn’t offer this feature on its cards, look elsewhere—it could save time if they become standard practice in your country.

Another important consideration is the issuer’s foreign transaction fees. If you plan on using your card outside of India, you must know how much you’ll be charged for each purchase. Most banks will charge a small percentage of each transaction as a fee; however, this should be included in the application process so that consumers can see what they will pay before applying for a card.

Some banks also have annual fees, so check with your bank before applying for a travel card. If you want to avoid any type of fee on your account, it might be best to go with an online-only or international bank that doesn’t charge this fee.

Features of best travel cards

If you are preparing for your studies abroad, you need to plan your international payment methods and select an option that makes your foreign payments easy and effective. Travel cards can be a perfect companion for your studies abroad. But you should understand the primary features of a travel card. It will also help you find the best card for your international travel. Below is the list of features you can have in the best travel cards. 

• Safety

Safety is one of the primary features of travel cards. Travel cards offer more robust security than carrying physical cash or a traveller’s cheque. The higher safety measures of travel cards make them popular among students who want to travel outside the country to study.       

• Foreign exchange or currency
  

Another crucial feature of a travel card is foreign exchange. Any travel card offers multiple currency loading facilities. The number of currency loading varies from one card to another. For instance, one forex provider can load four currencies while others offer 40 or more.  

• Cash withdrawal
  

Travel cards are similar to credit/ debit cards; you can use them to withdraw cash from international ATMs.

• Global Acceptance

Global acceptance is another exciting feature of travel cards. You can use travel cards in foreign countries with worldwide recognition and acceptance.

• Instant reloading

Travel cards also offer an instant reloading feature, and they can be easily reloaded via the net banking system. 

• Global Assistance

Global assistance means the card provider will assist you in every emergency, whether your travel card is lost, damaged, or stolen anywhere, anytime.   

Conclusion

All of these cards have perks that make them great options for students. For example, they give you access to currency exchange rates and are reloadable, so you can use them for international travel or just spend cash at home or abroad.