ISIC Card is also known as the International Student Identity Card. This card acts as an identity proof for students who plan to study abroad. ISIC Card offers thousands of discounts and access to the global student community. These can range from travel and accommodation savings to deals on meals, entertainment, and cultural attractions.
Sounds interesting, right? Let’s read more about the ISIC card for international students, its benefits, eligibility, where to get it and a lot more in this blog.
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ISIC Card for International Students
ISIC Card for international students is the only globally recognised student ID Card which offers multiple offers to students This helps them save money and budget wisely when embarking on a study abroad journey. The card serves three purposes in one card- student identity, INR prepaid and ISIC benefits card.
- The ISIC is endorsed by UNESCO and the ISIC Association, a non-profit organization issues the International Student Identity Card to students.
- The ISIC Card has a 14-digit alpha-numeric number mentioned in the top right corner.
- Any student over the age of 12 who is currently enrolled full-time in a recognized educational institution can apply for an ISIC Card.
- The ISIC card issued by the ISIC association is valid for one year.
- The ISIC card price in India is INR 1280/- inclusive of all taxes.
- ISIC Card issued for Indian students planning to study abroad is valid in more than 125 countries, including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Europe, etc.
- Besides the ISIC Association, YES Bank and HDFC Bank also issue International Student Identity Cards.
Benefits of ISIC Card
ISIC Card offers various benefits to international students. Since it is a globally recognized student identity card, you can leave your passports safely at home by simply carrying an ISIC Card. This saved you from passport loss or theft while studying abroad. Check out the other benefits the ISIC Card offers-
- It offers 1,50,000+ benefits, offers, and discounts specifically designed for students.
- Benefits and offers can be availed in shopping, entertainment, education, travel, food and beverages, accommodation, and much more.
- It is valid in more than 125 countries.
- You get free student travel insurance coverage with an ISIC Card.
- Convenient access to e-wallet, loading money, and making payments.
- Choose your location to see discounts in your city by opting for an ISIC Card.
Also Read: Forex Scams are popular these days. Know all about Forex Scams, its types and popular incidents to save yourself from falling into it.
How to Get an ISIC Card?
Getting an ISIC Card is a straightforward process. You simply need to prove that you are a student. For this, you need to submit documents like a letter from the college, an i20 or offer letter from the university, and address proof. Now, follow the steps to get an ISIC card online-
- Visit the official website of ISIC.
- Navigate to the ‘Cards’ Section and click on ISIC.
- Click on ‘Get Your Card’.
- Now, fill in the details to sign up.
- Complete the details to avail of your ISIC Card.
- Attach the documents required.
- Choose the payment method and pay the required fees.
Documents Required for ISIC Card
Applicants must submit certain documents to prove their identity as students. Once you submit the required documents, you can apply for an ISIC Card for international students and avail of a virtual or physical ISIC. Check out the documents required to get your ISIC Card-
- Student Identity Card
- Letter from your School, College or University
- I – 20 or Offer letter from the College/ University
- Photo Identity & Address Proof
- Photograph
Indian Banks Offering ISIC Cards for International Students
Banks like YES Bank and HDFC Bank provide ISIC Prepaid Cards for students to manage money and make hassle-free payments. Check out the features given below-
HDFC Bank
It is one of the popular Indian banks issuing HDFC ISIC Student Cards. These act as dual cards- Forex Card and Identity Card. Universities, academic and financial institutions, and ministries of education across the world recognise this card.
- HDFC ISIC Student ForexPlus Cards are valid for up to 2 years.
- This card allows multiple reloading options, including instant reloading online, and reloading via net banking and branch visits.
- It allows easy online transactions at all e-commerce platforms and other marketplaces.
- Provides comprehensive coverage against theft, counterfeiting/ skimming, and loss.
- Available in 3 different currencies- USD, EUR, and GBP.
- HDFC Bank ISIC Student Card is issued at just INR 300.
Also Read: All banks offer a wide range of remittance services like sending money abroad, receiving funds from foreign countries etc. Learn about HDFC Bank remittance services in our blog.
YES Bank
YES Bank is another Indian Bank that offers ISIC Cards for international students in partnership with ISIC. This is known as the ISIC- YES Bank Student Prepaid Card. This is a 3-in-1 card that is issued to students above 9 years of age.
- It’s the only globally accepted student ID card, valid in over 125 countries (including India!). This can be helpful for travel, accommodation, and other situations where you need to prove your student status.
- You get access to over 150,000 discounts worldwide, including in India, on things like travel, food, entertainment, and more.
- The card functions as a prepaid Visa card on the Yes Bank network, allowing you to manage your finances independently and conveniently.
This was all about the ISIC Card for international students. It is similar to what the Forex Card for students offers. However, the official issuing authority of the ISIC Card is the ISIC Association. Banks that offer ISIC Cards issue the ISIC cards either in partnership with the ISIC Association or as their exclusive products to ease the financial study abroad journey for international students.
FAQs
ISIC Card is also known as the International Student Identity Card. This card acts as identity proof for students who plan to study abroad. These offer thousands of discounts and access to the global student community.
Any student over the age of 12 who is currently enrolled full-time in a recognized educational institution can apply for an ISIC Card.
The ISIC card issued by the ISIC association is valid for one year. However, HDFC ISIC Student ForexPlus Cards are valid for up to 2 years, and exclusively issued by HDFC Bank.
The ISIC card price in India is INR 1280/- inclusive of all taxes. However, the HDFC Bank ISIC Student Card is issued at just INR 300 and is available in 3 different currencies- USD, EUR, and GBP.
Getting an ISIC Card is easy. Head to the official ISIC website and navigate to the “Cards” section. Click on “Get Your Card” and then sign up by filling in your details. Once done, upload the required documents, choose your preferred payment method and pay the fees to receive your ISIC card.
To apply for ISIC Card, you need a valid photo ID (passport), proof of student status (such as a student ID card or an official letter from your school/college), and a passport-sized photo.
YES Bank and HDFC Bank offer ISIC Cards in India in partnership with the ISIC Association or as their exclusive products. These have similar features to student forex cards that allow students to manage money and make hassle-free payments.
To know more about forex cards, education loans, the best bank accounts for students, and banking experience for global students or international money transfers, reach out to our experts at 1800572126 to help ease your study abroad experience.
