SBI Travel Forex Cards

A good vacation can not only relieve you of physical stress but it can relax your mind for a really long time. Studies have proved time and again the importance of taking a vacation and how it charges one's batteries. However, in order to have a great vacation it is important to be prepared, financially. Carrying cash along for domestic as well as international travel is a risky affair. It is always advisable to get a forex card before travelling, especially abroad. To choose the perfect forex card can be a matter of confusion. SBI, one of the most trusted banks in the country, has two forex cards to offer to its customers.

These cards have been designed to help the cardholders travel without having to worry about finances. While the State Bank Foreign Travel Card is on VISA platform, the Multi-Currency State Bank Foreign Travel Card is available on MasterCard platform.

Both, existing as well new customers of SBI can avail these cards by either visiting the nearest branch of SBI or by logging on to the official website of the bank. Listed below are the details about the two forex cards offered by the State Bank of India:

SBI Travel Forex Cards Types

At present, SBI offers two forex credit cards each come with a different set of benefits and features. These cards are, namely, State Bank Foreign Travel Card and Multi-Currency State Bank Foreign Travel Cards. Let’s take a look at the in detail:

State Bank Foreign Travel Card

The State Bank Foreign Travel Card is a prepaid overseas currency card that makes it convenient for the cardholder to travel abroad without any troubles. This is a chip-based credit card that contains confidential and encrypted information. With this card, the cardholders gets the freedom to carry cash anywhere across the globe (valid everywhere except in India, Bhutan, and Nepal). The State Bank Foreign Travel can availed in eight different foreign currencies like the US Dollars (USD), Euro (EUR), Pound Sterling (GBP), Japanese Yen (YEN), Singapore Dollar (SGD), Australian Dollar (AUD), Canadian Dollar (CAD), and Saudi Riyal (SAR).

Features and Benefits of SBI Foreign Travel Card

Listed below are the features and benefits of the State Bank Foreign Travel Card:

• This card is issued on the VISA International platform.
• The State Bank Foreign Travel Card is accepted at more than 1.70 million VISA ATMs and at more than 28 million merchant establishments (MEs) almost all across the globe (except in India, Bhutan, and Nepal).
• This card is easily available with more than 1,100 branches offering it.
• Cardholders can use this card for purposes including medical, tourism, pilgrimage, etc.
• Corporate customers like government departments, public sector undertakings, and companies can also avail the benefits of this card.
• The minimum amount that can be loaded and reloaded is USD200/AUD200/SGD250/GBP120/Euros150/YEN15,800/SAR750, AND CAD200.
• Maximum amount that can be issued, as recommended by FEMA/RBI 1999, depending on the purpose of overseas visit. Currently, it is equal to USD2,50,000 or an equal amount each financial year for employment/pilgrimage/education/business trip/medical/tourism.
• Cardholders can avail competitive rates of currency exchange.
• These cards can be reloaded any number of times within the FEMA/RBI regulations.
• The State Bank Foreign Travel Cards can be used for transactions using a 4-digit PIN at ATMs and by using the same PIN or a signature at merchant outlets.
• Cardholders can make balance enquiry free of charge at State Bank of India's ATMs in India and any VISA ATMs abroad (after paying a nominal charge).
• Cardholders can also make balance enquiries or download/view details of expenditure made by them by logging on to www.prepaid.onlineSBI.com. They will need to use eight characters (a combinations of numbers, special characters, and alphabets) to access their statement or to check their balance.
• Add-on or supplementary cards, not more than two, can be availed by the primary cardholder in a situation of loss/damage/misplacement of the card.
• Cardholders will be provided information about the balance information after each swipe through an SMS alert.
• A call centre that's at service 24*7 to host list a stolen or lost card and to provide information about everything related to the card.
• The State Bank Foreign Travel card can be used to make online transactions overseas. Validation of the card through VBV and CVV2 is compulsory in the process of making online transactions so that the safety of the card remains uncompromised. Any ecommerce site that allows a transaction without validating the CVV2 or VBV will get turned down by the bank.

Fees and Charges on SBI Foreign Travel Card

State Bank Multi-currency Foreign Travel Card

The State Bank Multi-Currency Foreign Travel card is an intelligent way of carrying one's travel money while on a vacation abroad. All the cardholder has to do is load their choice of currency or currencies and they can withdraw cash from more than 2 million ATMs across the globe. However, these ATMs should accept only MasterCard. Also, they swipe the card at outlets to pay for goods and services, hotels and restaurants worldwide that display the MasterCard Acceptance Mark (except in India, Bhutan, and Nepal).

The State Bank Multi-Currency Foreign Travel Card can be loaded with US Dollars, Euros, British Pounds, Singapore Dollars. With the State Bank Multi-Currency Foreign Travel Card one can lock-in the rate of currency exchange each time they reload their card. All they need to do is visit FTC issuing branches of SBI.

Features and Benefits of SBI Multi-currency Foreign Travel Card

Listed below are the features and benefits of the State Bank Multi-Currency Foreign Travel Card:

• State Bank Multi-Currency Foreign Travel Credit Cards are PIN and chip protected.
• Cardholders will be provided with an additional card that will act as a back-up.
• Cardholders can use 24*7 global assistance that will help them with any information regarding the card including card replacement in case of loss or damage of card.
• The card is not linked to the cardholder's bank account.
• Since the card can be loaded with multiple currencies, the cardholder can use it in various countries.
• Cardholders can withdraw local currency at more than 2 million ATMs across the globe that accept MasterCard cards. They can also use it at partner merchants that display the MasterCard Acceptance Mark (except in India, Bhutan, and Nepal).
• The cardholder can lock-in the value of their card balance, whenever they reload their State Bank Multi-Currency Foreign Travel card. This could help them to not fall prey to fluctuations in the exchange rates when they are travelling abroad.
• Cardholder doesn't need to provide any information about their bank accounts in order to use their State Bank Multi-Currency Foreign Travel card.
• Cardholders can avail services like managing their account online, visibility of balances, and transaction details.
• Cardholders can easily reload their State Bank Multi-Currency Foreign Travel credit Card with more money before embarking on a new trip until the card reaches its expiry date.

Fees and Charges of SBI Multi-currency Foreign Travel Card

Eligibility Criteria for Applicants of SBI Foreign Travel Cards

Listed below are the eligibility criteria for the applicants of State Bank Foreign Travel Card:

• Applicant must be a bonafide citizen of India planning to travel abroad except to Bhutan and Nepal.
• Corporates are planning to send their employees abroad for official or business purposes (subject to completion of KYC norms).
• Sponsors/parents of students travelling abroad for higher studies. The card will be issued in the student's name and will be reloaded up to the allowed ceiling, recommended from time to time.
• Expats residing in India (subject to completion of KYC norms).

Listed below are the eligibility criteria for State Bank Multi-Currency Foreign Travel Card:

• Applicant must be a bonafide citizen of India planning to travel abroad except to Bhutan and Nepal.
• Corporates are planning to send their employees abroad for official or business purposes (subject to completion of KYC norms).
• Sponsors/parents of students travelling abroad for higher studies. The card will be issued in the student's name and will be reloaded up to the allowed ceiling, recommended from time to time.
• Expats residing in India (subject to completion of KYC norms).

Documents Required to Apply for SBI Foreign Travel Cards

To procure an SBI Foreign Travel card, an applicant will have to submit the following documents:

• Copies of first and last pages of their passport.
• Application for SBFTC and Form A2.
• PAN or Form 60 in lieu thereof, in case the amount used is Rs.50,000 or above.
• Proof of address (in case the address is different from that on the passport).
• Documents related to the travel.

How to Apply SBI Travel Card

There are two ways to apply for the SBI Travel Card. You can apply for the card either online or offline.

Apply for the SBI Travel Card Online:

Step 1: Visit the website, https://prepaid.sbi

Step 2: You will get a reference number.

Step 3: Take a printout of the online application, and with the required KYC documents, you need to visit any SBI branch.

Apply for the SBI Travel Card Offline:

Step 1: Please visit any SBI branch

Step 2: Fill in the application form

Step 3: Submit this with the KYC documents and papers.

FAQs on SBI Travel Forex Cards

1. What do I do if I forget the PIN of my SBI Foreign Travel card?

   You can call the SBI credit card customer care which is available round the clock and raise a request for new PIN generation.

2. How long does it take to activate the card?

   The card will be ready to use immediately getting it. However, it is advisable to visit the nearest ATM and change the PIN once the card has been activated.

3. Will I receive SMS for all the transaction done using the Forex Card?

   Yes, you will receive an SMS to your registered mobile provided you opt for SMS alert facility at the time of applying for the card. For Indian mobile numbers, the service is free, whereas for international numbers, the service is chargeable.

4. Can the value of the card be reloaded with any authorised branch of SBI?

   Yes, the State Bank Foreign Travel Card can be topped up or reloaded from any branch that is authorized for the purpose. There are more than 500 branches across the country for the same.

5. How will I know which ATMs would accept the State Bank Foreign Travel Card?

   All ATMs that display the VISA/PLUS/VISA Flag/Electron/MasterCard will accept State Bank Foreign travel Card.