Online shopping
Load only what you plan to spend, so a leaked card number can't drain more than the balance.
Virtual prepaid cards in India
A virtual card is a prepaid card without the plastic — card details live in your app, ready for online checkout. It's a PPI in digital form, so the same RBI limits and KYC tiers apply.
Digital PPI
How a virtual prepaid card works
You open the issuer's app, complete KYC, load value (UPI, net banking or cash within limits), and instantly receive a card number, expiry and CVV. Use it anywhere online that accepts cards — shopping, subscriptions, international stores. Because it's prepaid, you can only spend what you load, which makes it a natural spend-control tool and a safer way to shop online than exposing a credit card.
No bank account needed: prepaid cards exist precisely for people who want to pay without a bank account. You still need KYC for Full-KYC and Small PPIs.
International checkout & FEMA: paying a foreign service in foreign currency is a current-account transaction under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme. Verify the current RBI/FEMA position and the merchant's billing country before subscribing to foreign SaaS.
Good uses for a virtual card
Subscriptions & SaaS
Pay for streaming, cloud and tools with a dedicated card — but mind FEMA for foreign-currency billing.
No bank account
Pay digitally without a savings account. Load via UPI or cash (within RBI limits).
Limits & KYC for virtual cards
Virtual cards follow the same tiers as physical PPIs:
| Type | Outstanding cap | KYC | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-KYC virtual PPI | ₹2 lakh | Full due diligence | Higher-value online spend, UPI linkage |
| Small virtual PPI | ₹10,000 | Minimum-detail | Quick reloads for online shopping |
| Gift / one-time virtual card | ₹10,000 | Light or none | Single-use gifting or checkout |
Safety: only get virtual cards from RBI-authorised issuers. A "virtual card" that promises no KYC, unlimited limits or cash-out is a scam. See our scam awareness page.
Virtual card FAQs
Safer than a credit card for one-off purchases: the balance is capped at what you load, and a leaked number can't expose a credit line. Still use strong passwords, enable transaction alerts, and freeze the card when not in use.
Only Full-KYC PPIs are being enabled for UPI interoperability. Small and gift virtual cards generally are not. Check the issuer's current status.
Freeze or block the card immediately through the issuer's app or helpline, then follow the issuer's lost/stolen process. Keep the card details backed up somewhere secure, not in plain text.
Disclaimer: Informational content only — this site does not issue virtual cards and is not financial or legal advice. Limits are set by the RBI and the issuer; verify the current text before relying on any number.