Best Credit Cards for Students Studying Abroad - Latest update

Are you a student planning to study abroad but worrying about managing your day-to-day expenses? You are ready to move abroad, but feel hesitant because you still haven’t figured out how to manage your living costs. Well, there are many ways to solve it, but a credit card is the perfect and easiest way. All banks, whether Indian or International, offer the best credit cards for students studying abroad. 

Banks provide credit cards specifically designed for students studying abroad, loaded with benefits that are suitable for living overseas.

By the end of the blog, you’ll be able to make an informed decision and opt for a card that’s best for you. 

Key Features of a Student's Credit Card

• To make sure students do not overspend, banks offer a lower credit limit to students.
•  As most students are non-working, that is why student credit cards have no fees or very low annual fees. 
• Typically, credit cards require a strong credit history and numerous documents; however, student credit cards often require fewer documents and can be issued more easily. 
• The validity of a student's credit card is generally up to 5 years. This longer duration ensures that students can meet their expenses while they are studying.

The top 3  best credit cards for international students.

1. IDFC First WOW Credit Card

• No forex markup fees, which makes it one of the best credit cards for students studying abroad
• Lifetime free credit card
• No documents required as it is offered against the FD, and your credit limit is 100% of your FD amount. 
• Earn 4x reward points on your transactions
• Get 6.75% interest on your FD.

2. ICICI Bank Student Forex Card

• Complimentary International SIM with the card
• Free International Student Identity Card membership
• Complimentary international lounge access
• Accommodate more than 10 currencies 
• Exclusive discount of 20% on DHL courier service

3. HDFC Bank ISIC ForexPlus Chip Card

• Available in 3 currencies, i.e, USD, GBP, and EUR.
• A credit card, as well as an international identity card for international students
• Get an insurance benefit worth Rs 5 lakhs 
• The validity of this card is 2 years.
• Enjoy discounts on more than Rs 1,50,000 products and services in more than 130 countries.

Eligibility and Documents Required

As these 3 cards are from different banks, the eligibility and documentation list is different for each. Let’s talk about each of them separately:

IDFC First WOW Credit Card: 

The eligibility criteria and documents are given below:

• For Indians: Age above 18 years, have a permanent indian address and citizenship. The FD amount should be at least Rs 20k with the bank. 
• For NRIs: Age should be above 18 years, have an NRE savings account with the bank, and the FD amount should be at least Rs 25k. 
• Documents required: Identity proof, Income proof, Residential proof, and FD. 

ICICI Bank Student Forex Card: 

The eligibility criteria and documents are given below:

• Eligibility: Age should be above 18 years, must be studying abroad, and must have an account in the ICICI bank. 
• Documents: Identity proof and study proof. 

HDFC Bank ISIC ForexPlus Chip Card:

 The eligibility criteria and documents are given below:

• The eligibility is simple: you should be above 12 years. 
• Documents for account holders: Self-attested copy of passport, PAN card, abroad study proof, and form I-20. 
• Documents for non-account holders: Self-attested copy of passport, PAN card, abroad study proof, form I-20, flight ticket/visa, and passbook. Also, a canceled cheque.  

The risk associated with these credit cards

The best credit cards for students with no income, pose some risks to them. These risks are:

• As students have no in-depth knowledge of finance and budgeting, they tend to misuse their credit cards and create financial issues.
• By any chance, if they miss any of the payment deadlines, they have to pay it back with a higher interest rate as well as which lowers their credit score. 
• As credit cards offer a pay-later option, students potentially can spend more than their actual requirement, which leads to a poor financial condition. 

How to apply for these cards? 

These cards come into the exclusive credit cards category, so to apply for these cards, you have to visit the respective bank’s website and then start the application process. You can also directly visit the bank and apply offline. 

Also Read :- Best Student Credit Cards in India 2025 – Top 5 Picks

Conclusion

In summary, studying abroad comes with a lot of expenses that are heavy on the pocket, so to incur that students should opt for the best credit cards specifically designed for students studying abroad. These cards can help you in case of emergencies and for day-to-day expense management. Before moving abroad, research and apply for the best credit cards for college students studying abroad, so that you can settle without worrying. Remember, use these cards wisely, otherwise you might fall into financial issues in the long term. 

Frequently Asked Questions? (FAQs)

Which is the best credit card for students going abroad for studies in 2025 with no fees?
The IDFC First WOW Credit Card is the best credit card for students studying abroad, as it has no joining or annual fee and has no forex markup fee.

Which are the top 3 credit cards for students going abroad for studies? 

The top 3 credit cards are IDFC First WOW Credit Card, ICICI Bank Student Forex Card, and HDFC Bank ISIC ForexPlus Chip Card. 

Do foreign countries accept Indian credit cards? 

Yes, Indian credit cards are accepted abroad, but they should be international payment network, i.e, Visa and MasterCard.