Best Forex Cards to Carry for Students Going Abroad in 2025

Studying abroad is a dream that comes with lots of challenges, including managing finances. Keeping a sufficient amount of cash and constantly calculating exchange rates can be a problem for you. Know about Student Forex cards and their benefits for you.

Going abroad for higher studies is a big step for Indian students. It comes with challenges, excitement, and new experiences at every turn. Amid the admission and visa paperwork, flight bookings, and farewells, there’s one money smart move you shouldn’t ignore. It is choosing the right forex card.

A student forex card makes it simple and safe to pay for everyday expenses and avoid hidden currency conversion fees. This small move will help you and your family to save some hard-earned rupees. Many top education loan providers in India, including banks and NBFCs, offer such cards to support students financially while studying abroad.

In this article, you’ll find out how a student forex card’s features differ from regular bank cards, and what to look for when picking one in 2025.

What is a Student Forex Card?

A student forex card is a prepaid travel card. It is designed especially for Indian students studying abroad. This card is loaded with foreign currency before you travel. You can easily pay for things like tuition fee and, shopping, or eating out directly in the local currency of your study destination.

Imagine carrying a debit card at your study-abroad destination that functions just like your local debit card. In short, it is your personal wallet for daily expenses, which is safe and easy to manage.

Why Indian Students Need Forex Cards?

• Easily Rechargeable: Loaded with foreign currency before you fly to your study destination. This will protect you from daily exchange rate swings.

• Pay Anywhere Anytime: Lets you swipe, tap, or withdraw cash in the local currency of your destination. You can use this to pay for a pencil and even a new laptop.

• Your Parents Can Recharge This Too: Easily reloaded online by you or your family in India, anytime. Think of it like you asked for money from your parents ,and they used to send you by UPI in India. Just effortless!

• Widely Accepted: Forex cards are globally accepted. No matter if you are studying in Singapore or in the USA.

• Safe to Use: Just like your ATM or credit card, you can easily block your forex card if the card is lost or stolen.

• Easily Trackable: Helps you control your budget and track your spending.

Difference Between Forex Card and Debit Card

Here we have mentioned a table that will help you compare student forex cards and debit cards.

Best Forex Cards for Students

You are well aware that there are multiple student forex cards available, but we have picked some of the top ones for you. Check the list of the 10 best Forex cards in India for students:

Useful Reads

Types of Forex Card

There are two types of student forex cards

1. Single-Currency Forex Card-

• Ideal for short-duration studies.
• Single currency for one country.
• Low currency exchange fees

2. Multi-Currency Forex Card-

• You can load multiple currencies.
• Ideal for those students who travel to different countries during their studies.
• Higher exchange rate for multiple currencies.

Both cards are ideal for students studying abroad. However, they need to choose according to their need.

Advantages of Student Forex Card

You have understood what is a forex card. Now, we will discuss the importance of a student's forex card while studying abroad. There are several benefits of using these cards while pursuing higher studies outside India. Here we have mentioned some of the popular benefits that you’ll avail of if you have a student forex card.

• Don’t Worry About Changing Rates- The first and most important advantage is that you keep making payments without worrying about the dynamic currency exchange rates.
• Secure Way of Transaction- You are not carrying any cash so it can’t be stolen. Also, multiple security features keep your foreign currency safe. Explore more travel safety tips for students going abroad.
• Widely Accepted- No matter whether you are in the USA, UK, Canada or any other country for your studies. Students can exchange and transact almost all currencies.
• Easy to Manage and Track the Spending- The most underrated feature of a Forex card is you can track your spending and manage it in real time. You can get all the information related to the card on the phone app. Also, you can block it instantly if lose.
• Free Insurance Cover- Some banks and financial institutions offer free insurance cover to the cardholder. Insurance is an important paper needed to study abroad.
• Minimal Charges on Transaction- You do not need to pay extra as a currency exchange fee. Also, you do not need to pay extra charges to add money to your card.
• Acts As An Identity Card- Having an identity card every time is essential when you are outside India. Few student forex cards work as a student ID card.

Apart from this, there are some other benefits of using a student forex card while studying abroad. We have listed some common advantages below.

• Free lounge access at airports
• Emergency cash assistance
• Student discounts
• No financial loss, if your card is lost. You’ll get a new card with the total remaining balance.

How to Use a Student Forex Card?

You have understood different forex cards and learned to choose an ideal one for you. Now, learn how to use a student Forex card. Below, we have mentioned steps to use it smartly to cover the cost of living while studying abroad.

• Apply for a Forex Card- Select a card and apply for it.
• Set up Pin- set a pin and other necessary setup of cards.
• Recharge or Load the Card- Transfer funds directly from your Indian bank account to your Forex card through secure online banking portals or any other medium.
• Ready for Transaction- Now, you are all set to make payments using your chosen Forex card.

Banks and NBFCs offer apps to monitor your card transactions. There, you can monitor your spending and use it wisely.

Related Read: Vidya Lakshmi Education Loan Portal

If you still have a query regarding this topic, contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well. We will be happy to answer your questions.

We have mentioned some popular FAQs related to the forex card for Indian students with their answers: