Virtual Credit Card

What is Virtual Credit Card?

As the name suggests, a virtual credit card (VCC) is a new-age and a one-time use credit card that has no physical existence. And because it has no physical form, the card is used for carrying out online transactions only.

Updated On - 05 Sep 2025
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Today, virtual credit cards are provided by most major credit card issuers to their customers as an add-on credit card on their primary cards. Like physical credit cards, a virtual credit card has its own unique card number, validity date, expiry date, and CVV number which are visible online. You can also set your own spending limit on the virtual credit card. However, these cards may usually have very short validity.

Benefits and Features of Virtual Credit Card

Convenience:

  1. Because the virtual credit card doesn’t have any physical form, its details can be saved on your mobile phone and the same can be used for carrying out transactions. Thus, the hassles of carrying physical cards are entirely eliminated.

Security:

  1. Because you don’t have to swipe the virtual card to make payments, it’s nearly impossible for miscreants to carry out fraudulent activities with the card. Also, the governing body for virtual credit cards in the country is the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). To get a virtual credit card, you have to submit the KYC documents and the issuer needs to approve them.

The option of setting the limit:

  1. You also get the chance to set the limit on your virtual credit card and the payments would be authenticated by one-time passwords (OTPs) sent on your registered mobile number.

Easy cancellation:

  1. If for any reason, you have to cancel the card, you can do it effortlessly through your smartphone.

Provided to primary cardholder:

  1. Virtual credit cards are offered to only primary cardholders.

Instant access:

  1. Since virtual credit cards are issued online, you can access them instantly and make transactions.

Instant blocking of cards:

  1. In the event of a suspicious transaction, you can block your virtual credit card immediately.

Avail domestic and international transactions:

  1. You can use your virtual credit card to make domestic as well as international purchases.

Remaining credit limit gets transferred to the primary card:

  1. On expiry of your virtual credit card, the unused credit limit will be transferred to the primary card.

Virtual credit cards are issued for free:

  1. You don’t have to pay any fee to get a virtual credit card.
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Top Free Virtual Credit Cards

Virtual credit cards in India are provided by banks as well as Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs).

Here are a few top Virtual Credit Cards offered by major banks in the country.

Bank Name

Card Name

HDFC Bank

HDFC NetSafe Virtual Credit Card

Axis Bank

Axis Bank FreeCharge Credit Card

Kotak Mahindra Bank

Kotak Mahindra Bank Netc@rd

HSBC Bank

HSBC Advantage Virtual Card

SBI

SBI Corporate Virtual Card

How to Use Virtual Credit Card

You can make transactions with your virtual credit card by following the steps mentioned below:

Step 1: Enter the card number and validity.

Step 2: An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number.

Step 3: Enter the OTP and make the payment.

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Things to Consider Before Applying for a Virtual Credit Card

Before you apply for a virtual credit card, here are a few things you should remember:

  1. To avail a virtual credit card, it is important to have a primary credit card.
  2. Since virtual credit cards are designed for online transactions, you cannot use them to withdraw cash.
  3. The utility of virtual credit cards in physical stores is limited. Therefore, you cannot make purchases at outlets/shopping malls with a virtual credit card.

Difference between Debit Card, Credit Card and Virtual Credit Card (VCC)

Terms

Debit Card

Credit Card

Virtual Credit Card (VCC)

Form

Physical (plastic)

Physical (plastic)

Digital (no plastic)

Credit

Not available

Extends credit

Extends credit

Usage

Can be used for both online and offline purchases

Can be used for both online and offline purchases

Can be used for online purchases only

Security

The card is safe to use and can be blocked by the user by raising a request

The card is safe to use and can be blocked by the user by raising a request

The card is safe to use and can be blocked by the user by raising a request

Transaction amount

The amount is debited from your current or savings bank account

The amount is debited from the credit limit on your credit card account

The amount is debited from the credit limit on your credit card account or your debit card balance

Validity

Usually valid for a few years

Usually valid for a few years

Usually valid for 1-2 days

Number of transactions

Unlimited

Unlimited

Can usually be used only for once

Associated fees and charges

Fees and charges involved

Fees and charges involved

Usually no fee or charge

Reasons to use a Virtual Credit Card

The primary reason to opt for a virtual credit card is to pay for your online transactions. It’s safe to use a virtual credit card and the chances of fraud are nearly zero. Also, because there is no physical card involved, the associated hassles are grossly cut down.

FAQs on Virtual Credit Cards

  • Can I use my virtual credit card for offline transactions?

    No, since virtual credit cards do not have any physical existence, you cannot use them for offline or POS transactions. They can only be used to transact online.

  • How do I get a virtual credit card for myself?

    If you have decided to apply for any particular virtual credit card, contact the bank or the NBFC that is offering the card and ask them to guide you on the application process.

  • Can there be a virtual credit card for add-on cardholders as well?

    No, at present, virtual credit cards are issued only to primary cardholders and not to add-on cardholders. However, to know the exact status, check with the card issuer once.

  • Can I use my virtual credit card for international transactions?

    Whether you can use your virtual credit card for international transactions or not depends on the issuer of the card. So contact the card issuer and inquire about the same.

  • Do I need to pay any amount if I apply for a virtual credit card?

    Usually, most virtual card issuers don’t charge their customers for issuing a virtual credit card. However, contact the card issuer and inquire about the same.

  • Can I withdraw cash using my virtual credit card?

    No, you cannot withdraw cash with a virtual credit card.

  • What happens to my credit limit after my virtual credit card expires?

    On expiry of your virtual credit card, the unused credit limit will be transferred to the primary card.

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