Indian Debit Card International Transaction Charges -What to Know Abroad
Customers can avail themselves of Indian debit cards from their existing bank account to make international payments at a POS terminal or avail withdrawal at a foreign Automated Teller Machine (ATM).
Here are more details on using international debit cards abroad.
Important Factors to Know About International Debit Card Charges
Listed below are some of the factors that card holders need to keep a note of when using their international debit cards to make transactions abroad.
- Depending on who your card associate is - be it VISA debit card, Mastercard or PLUS - you will be able to use it at any foreign ATM has any of the aforementioned card associate logos.
- The PIN that you will use to complete a POS terminal transaction or at a withdrawal at an ATM will be the same as what you have set it to be in India.
- When using a foreign ATM, you will be given the choice of choosing your preferred language to make the withdrawal.
- Though you will be transacting and making withdrawals in foreign currencies, the money from your account will be debited in Indian rupees - depending on the foreign exchange rate of the day. Make sure that you check the currency rates everyday to know how much you will be spending. That said, with the debits being in Indian currency, one can keep track of the funds in the account easily.
- Usually, the customer is charged 3.5% as the foreign currency markup fee plus GST. The charges vary between ATM withdrawals, transactions at POS terminals and so on.
- Usually, card associates charge their customers a currency conversion fee between 1%-2% for the foreign exchange during transactions - which is on the complete transaction amount. Make sure you know exactly what the currency conversion fee is before availing the international debit card.
- Card providers and associates also place a foreign transaction fee of 2.5%-3.5% of the complete transaction amount as well.
- When making an ATM withdrawal abroad, customers will be charged the local withdrawal ATM fee as well as a charge between 1%-4% for every withdrawal plus GST. This however depends from bank to bank and the type of debit card the customer chooses as some come with no charges.
How to Activate International Transactions for Indian Debit Cards?
Customers can activate internal payment systen for their Indian debit cards to avail themselves of the facility of international transaction while on a trip. Here are steps to activate the international payments service for some of the significant debit card providers:
International Debit Card Charges – HDFC Bank
- Visit the official website of HDFC bank
- Sign into your net banking account
- Select ‘Debit Cards’ under the ‘Cards’ tab at the top of the page
- Select ‘Set International or Domestic Usage’ after clicking on ‘Request’ option
- Finally, click on ‘Card to be enabled for International and Domestic Use’
Note: You set or limit your international transaction limit by clicking on 'Modify International Limit'. The HDFC debit cards that come with international transaction facility are for salary, current, savings and Super Saver accounts.
International Debit Card Charges – SBI
- Visit the official website of SBI
- Log into the SBI’s Internet Banking account
- Click on ‘ATM services’ under ‘E-services’ tab
- Click on ‘ATM Card Limit, Channel, or Usage Change’
- Select ‘enable CPN channel’ after selecting the card number for which you want to activate international payments
- Select ‘Service’
- Select the usage type as ‘International’
- Click on ‘Submit’
Note: International payment services can be activated for Silver International Debit card, Global International Debit card, Gold International Debit card, and Platinum International Debit card and is not allowed for Premium debit card accounts or regular Classic debit card accounts.
International Debit Card Charges – ICICI Bank
You need to either call the ICICI Customer Care service or visit the branch to activate international transactions with photo-ID proof issued by the government. ICICI Bank Debit Cards issued before December 2013 are not eligible for this service, while cards issued after this date or chip-enable cards can be used internationally.
International Debit Card Charges – Citi Bank
To avail yourself of the international transaction facility through Citibank debit card, you need to provide them with your consent. Here are the steps to provide consent:
- Take a printout of Citibank consent form after completing it
- Log into the online account
- Click on ‘Account’
- Select ‘Enable International transaction’ as the purpose of upload
- Sign the form and upload it
- Click on ‘Submit’
Note:
- The process of activating international transactions will be completed within one to two working days.
- The maximum spending allowed on the card per year currency is equivalent to 10,000 USD.
Here are the following conditions that should be fulfilled to avail international debit card facilities:
- Consent should be provided for using the card abroad
- Should have updated PAN that is eligible for your account
- Should comply to the Liberalized Remittance Scheme of the Reserve Bank of India
International Debit Card Charges – Kotak Bank
You can enable international transaction on your Kotak debit card through the following methods:
Kotak Mobile Banking App
- Sign into your account through the mobile banking application
- Select ‘Debit Card’ under ‘Service Request’ option
- Click on ‘Card Control’ and find your debit card number
- Select ‘International Controls’
- Turn on the international usage
Kotak Net Banking
- Sign into the net banking account
- Click on ‘Debit Card’ and select ‘Card Control’
- Turn on International Usage
Note: International payments are not enabled automatically for Kotak debit cards issued after 30 September 2020. Those cards need to be enabled separately.
Fees and Charges on International Transactions
Here are the transaction fees and charges applied on international transaction on debit cards of the following banks:
Banks | Transaction fee |
ICICI | 3.50% |
SBI | 3.00% |
HDFC | 3.50% |
Kotak | 3.50% |
Citi | 3.50% |
The following are the exchange rate applicable for the following banks:
Banks | Exchange rate for a visa card for 1USD |
ICICI | Rs.77.88 |
SBI | Rs.77.50 |
HDFC | Rs.77.88 |
Kotak | Rs.77.88 |
Citi | Rs.77.88 |
Benefits of Using an International Debit Card Abroad
Listed below are some of the benefits of using an international debit card while travelling abroad:
- Great alternative to cash and eliminates the risk of loss or theft
- Offers various discounts and benefits such as airport lounge access
- Transactions are carried out in foreign currencies if international debit cards are used
- These cards come with PIN and EMV chip for enhanced security
- Cards can be blocked immediately in case the card is lost
- Withdrawal at POS terminal or ATM does not impose any additional charges
- Enables users to earn reward points on every transaction
- International debit card users can assign nominees
- The card users can also avail themselves of travel and accident insurance
Note: Ensure the foreign currency of the country you are travelling to is in the list of currencies you can carry out a transaction with. The transaction will made in the foreign currency after conversion of the Indian rupees as per the currency exchange rate of the particular day.
Charges Associated with International Debit Cards
The following are the charges associated with international debit cards:
- Foreign transaction charges: Every time a debit card is used at an ATM or POS terminal, foreign transaction charges range between 2.50% to 3.50%. A markup fee of 3.50% will also be charged on debit card usage.
- Charges on currency conversion: Currency conversion charges levied on the conversion of foreign currency range between 1.00% to 2.00%.
- Fees for ATM withdrawal: ATM withdrawal fee imposed at a rate of 4.00% (exclusive of GST) of the transaction value.
FAQs on using an International Debit Card Abroad
- How do I use an international debit card abroad?
You need to activate the international usage option on your local debit card and after paying a minimal currency conversion fee you can start using the debit cards abroad.
- Do debit cards automatically convert currency?
Yes, the debit cards convert the amount in your account into foreign currency from Indian currency automatically. The fund gets converted into foreign currency during the transaction as per the current currency exchange rate.
- Are all foreign currencies available for every type of international debit card?
All international debit cards come with certain foreign currencies that you can use abroad to make transactions or withdrawals at ATMs. When availing the card, make sure that it can make transactions and withdrawals in the foreign currency of the place you are travelling to.
- How much is the international ATM withdrawal fee?
The international ATM withdrawal fee varies from one bank to another, and it typically ranges between 2.50% to 3.50%.
- How can I avoid transaction fees abroad?
You can avoid transaction fees abroad by using credit cards and availing withdrawals from ATMs of your bank. Avoid transaction in home country currency as that attracts high international payment fee. Try avoiding traveler’s check as this requires a signature every time you use it and may not be accepted by all vendors. Never avail travel money from travel exchange bureaus at the airport as it might cost you 10% markup on the exchange rate.
- Which debit card is best for abroad?
Some of the popular debit cards for international transactions are ICICI Bank Sapphiro International Debit Card, SBI Global International Debit Card, HDFC EasyShop Platinum Debit Card, Axis Bank Burgundy Debit Card, Yes World Debit Card, and HSBC Premier Platinum Debit Card.
- Can I pay using an International Debit Card?
Yes. You can do shopping, dining, travelling, etc. Using an international debit card.
- Is Visa an international debit card?
Yes. Visa is globally accepted and hence considered as an international debit card.
- How can I get an international Debit Card?
You can apply for an international debit card either online or offline.
- Which bank is good for international transactions?
Each bank has introduced its own debit card which is best for doing international transactions.
- How do I determine the transaction fee and the exchange rate that my card will come with for every transaction?
The transaction fee of the particular card that you have availed will be displayed on the bank page. Ensure that you know what the fees and charges are before getting the card. For the exchange rate, you will have to check every single day as it fluctuates as per the global market performance.
- Do I have to apply for a certain package to get discounts, offers and insurance on my international debit card?
No, once you have availed the card, all the insurances coverages are inclusive and part of one the features of the card. In some cases, you just might have to buy the coverages at a nominal cost. Check with the bank with regard to this. The other additional bonuses of the card such as discounts, offers and reward points come along with the card with no additional fee to be on the receiving end of such benefits.
- Will I have to pay an exorbitant amount if I have lost my international debit card?
You do not have to pay for losing your card, but that said, you will have to pay a certain amount for the replacement of the lost debit card. Most international debit cards come with coverages for lost baggage and lost cards, basically an advance to get you out of your sticky situation. Contact the bank to know more.
- Do international debit cards come with a withdrawal and spending limit per day?
Yes, all debit cards - domestic and international - come with a daily spending limit and a bracket on how much you can withdraw from ATMs. If you exceed the amount, you will not be able to make any more transactions for that particular day.
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