Best virtual credit cards in South Asia [2026] (and alternatives)

See how virtual credit cards from banks in Pakistan and Bangladesh compare on fees, credit limits, international payment support and rewards

Key takeaways

• Virtual credit cards enable online payments using a digital card linked to a credit line
• Multi-currency business payment cards use existing account balances instead of borrowed credit for international payments
• Dutch-Bangla Bank, Halo Card, Standard Chartered, Jamuna Bank and UBL offer virtual or online-enabled cards with different fees and international features
• The World Card offers businesses a multi-currency payment alternative with payments in 150+ currencies and up to 20 virtual cards

Virtual credit cards allow businesses in South Asia to make online payments without relying on a physical card. Many banks now offer virtual versions of their credit cards through mobile banking apps or internet banking, allowing eligible customers to shop online, pay for subscriptions and complete international transactions.

This guide compares some of the best virtual credit cards available in South Asia, covering providers in Pakistan and Bangladesh. It reviews their key features, fees, rewards, international payment capabilities and eligibility requirements. It also explains how the World Card, a multi-currency business payment card differs from a virtual credit card for businesses that regularly make or receive cross-border payments.

What is a virtual credit card?

A virtual credit card is a digital version of a credit card that can be used for online purchases and payments without a physical card. It provides a card number, expiry date and CVV, and is linked to an existing credit card account or approved credit line. Many banks let users get a virtual credit card instantly through their mobile app or internet banking, with some offering spending limits or temporary card numbers for added security during online transactions.

What to look for in a virtual credit card

Before choosing a virtual credit card, compare the following features:

• Credit limit and eligibility: Check the available credit limit, income requirements and documentation needed to qualify
• Currency support: If you pay international merchants, look for support for USD or other foreign currencies to reduce payment issues
• International payment compatibility: Ensure the card works reliably with international websites and payment gateways
• Interest rates and billing: Compare the APR (yearly cost of borrowing on a credit card), interest-free period, billing cycle and minimum repayment requirements
• Fees: Review card issuance, annual, foreign exchange, cash advance and late payment charges
• Rewards: Consider cashback, reward points or travel benefits the card comes with, especially if you spend regularly
• Digital wallet support: Check whether the card can be added to Apple Pay or Google Pay for digital payments

Best virtual credit cards in South Asia

Dutch-Bangla Bank (DBBL) Nexus credit cards

Dutch-Bangla Bank (DBBL) offers a range of VISA and Mastercard credit cards, available in both physical and virtual formats through its mobile app in Bangladesh.¹ Virtual cards can be used for online purchases, QR payments and contactless transactions.¹

All cards support EMV chip security, 2-factor authentication (2FA) for e-commerce and global acceptance.² Most cards support BDT for domestic spending, while eligible international transactions can be made using a USD limit.² The top three credit card variants it offers are:

• Mastercard Gold International credit card: EMV chip-enabled international credit card for worldwide in-store, ATM and online payments, with credit limits from BDT 10 lakh (unsecured) to BDT 25 lakh (against liquid security).³ Includes supplementary cards and no cash advance fee at Dutch-Bangla Bank ATMs³
• DBBL Mastercard World card: International credit card for high-net-worth customers with credit limits from BDT 3 lakh to BDT 25 lakh.⁴ Supports global payments at 40+ million merchants, a virtual card in NexusPay for contactless and online payments, plus airport lounge access and travel privileges⁴
• VISA Gold International credit card: EMV chip-enabled VISA credit card for international POS, ATM and ecommerce transactions, offering credit limits from BDT 10 lakh (unsecured) to BDT 25 lakh (against liquid security).⁵ Includes no-cost supplementary cards and no cash advance fee at Dutch-Bangla Bank ATMs⁵

Pricing for Dutch-Bangla Bank (DBBL) Nexus credit cards:

*Fees checked in July 2026

Halo card

Halo Card is a pre-funded virtual VISA payment credit card available in Bangladesh and Pakistan.^7,8 The USD virtual card is designed for online payments, subscriptions, advertising platforms and international purchases, with spending limited to deposited funds instead of a credit line.⁷

Cards are created instantly and include VISA 3D Secure, custom spending controls, card freezing, custom billing addresses and Apple Pay and Google Pay support.⁷ Halo Card primarily operates in USD, while accounts can be funded using USD, EUR, GBP, stablecoins, cryptocurrencies and bank transfers.⁷ Domestic USD purchases have 0% foreign exchange fees, while non-USD transactions incur a 1.5% FX fee.⁷

Pricing: Starts at US$12/month for 12 virtual VISA cards⁷

*Fees checked in July 2026

Standard Chartered credit cards

Standard Chartered Pakistan offers several Mastercard credit cards for everyday spending and travel benefits.⁹ While physical cards are issued, they can also be used for online transactions wherever Mastercard is accepted globally.⁹Transactions are billed in PKR, with international acceptance supported worldwide.⁹

Cardholders receive online and mobile banking access, airport lounge access, merchant discounts and rewards.⁹ Cash advances are available up to 40% of the approved credit limit.¹⁰ The top two credit card variants it offers are:

• Mastercard World credit card: A travel credit card accepted at Mastercard merchants worldwide, earning 1 World Mile for every PKR 40 spent.¹⁰ It includes up to 12 complimentary airport lounge visits per year and travel, dining and shopping privileges¹¹
• Saadiq Mastercard Platinum: A Shariah-compliant credit card offering 5% cashback on groceries, dining and e-commerce (subject to monthly caps), complimentary access to 25+ airport lounges and Murabaha-based financing¹⁰
  

Pricing: Starts at PKR 4,500 annually¹²

*Fees checked in July 2026

Jamuna Bank VISA platinum credit card

Jamuna Bank offers VISA credit cards for domestic and international spending, with both physical cards and secure online payment support in Bangladesh.¹³ The VISA Platinum credit card supports transactions in BDT and USD.¹³ It includes contactless NFC payments, digital banking through the Shadhin app, and reward points on local and international spending.¹³ The card also provides¹³:

• Credit limit of up to BDT 1 million (approximately USD 12,000 equivalent)
• Up to 45 no-interest days on purchases
• Cash withdrawals of up to 50% of the approved credit limit
• Reward points on eligible spending
• Airport lounge access and supplementary cards
• EMI plans of up to 36 months and renewal fee waivers after 18 annual transactions

Pricing: BDT 4,140 annually¹⁴

*Fees checked in July 2026

UBL Signature credit card

UBL offers a range of VISA credit cards for local and international spending in Pakistan, combining EMV chip security and worldwide acceptance.¹⁵ Credit cards can be used at several merchants globally and include SMS and email transaction alerts, electronic statements and reward programmes.¹⁶ Transactions are billed in PKR while international purchases are processed through the VISA network.¹⁷ The top credit card variants it offers:

• Classic credit card: Includes health and insurance benefits, SMS and email alerts, telemedicine options, medical discounts and secure chip-based payments¹⁶
• VISA Platinum credit card: Earn 1 reward point per PKR 100 spent locally and 3x reward points on international spending.¹⁷ Cardholders also receive complimentary domestic lounge access with one guest, optional Priority Pass membership for 1,000+ airport lounges, premium merchant offers and worldwide VISA travel discounts¹⁷
  

Pricing: Starts at PKR 6,000 annually¹⁸

*Fees checked in July 2026

World Card is built for global business in South Asia

A multi-currency business payment card is linked to a business account and uses funds you already hold rather than borrowed credit. This can be used by businesses making international payments, such as advertising spend, SaaS subscriptions, supplier invoices or marketplace transactions.

The World Card from WorldFirst is a Mastercard-powered virtual card for business linked to the World Account, a multi-currency account that supports local currency accounts in 15+ currencies, including USD, GBP, EUR and CNH. Businesses can make payments in 150+ currencies with the World Card. Payments made in any of the 15+ supported currencies incur no currency conversion fees, provided sufficient funds are held in that currency. If not, WorldFirst automatically converts funds from another available currency balance at prevailing exchange rate.

Additional features of the World Card:

• Issue up to 20 virtual cards at no issuance cost
• Access cards from the World Account dashboard with spending controls, card freezing and real-time transaction tracking
• Collect payments from 130+ global marketplaces and payment gateways, including Amazon, Etsy and Stripe
• Send payments in 100+ currencies across 200+ countries and regions
• Make no-cost instant transfers to other World Account holders
• Pay 1688.com suppliers through World Pay, the authorised international payment provider for 1688.com
• Integrate with Xero and NetSuite for business finance management

Pricing for the World Card

*Fees checked in July 2026

FAQs

Are there free virtual credit cards available in South Asia?

Yes. Some providers offer online virtual credit cards with no issuance fee, while others may charge annual, foreign exchange or transaction fees. Always review the provider’s fee schedule before applying.

Can I use a virtual credit card for international payments?

Many virtual credit cards support international online payments, but acceptance depends on the issuing bank, foreign exchange regulations and the merchant’s payment gateway. Before making a payment, check whether international transactions are enabled and whether the card supports the required billing currency, such as USD.

What is the difference between a virtual credit card and a business payment card?

An instant virtual credit card uses a bank-issued credit line, while a business payment card is linked to existing account balances and does not provide credit. In practice, businesses repay a virtual credit card later according to the billing cycle, whereas a business payment card deducts funds immediately from the linked account balance.

Does WorldFirst offer a virtual credit card?

No. WorldFirst offers the World Card, a virtual business payment card, not a virtual credit card. It is linked to the World Account and lets businesses spend from existing multi-currency balances rather than a credit line.

Sources

1. https://www.dutchbanglabank.com/electronic-banking/credit-cards.html
2. https://www.dutchbanglabank.com/electronic-banking/PDF/DBBL-Credit-Card-Features.pdf
3. https://www.dutchbanglabank.com/electronic-banking/mastergoldlintcredit.html
4. https://www.dutchbanglabank.com/electronic-banking/mastercardworld.html
5. https://www.dutchbanglabank.com/electronic-banking/visagoldintcredit.html
6. https://www.dutchbanglabank.com/schedule_charge/credit-cards-charges.pdf
7. https://halocard.co
8. https://support.halocard.co/en/article/is-halocard-available-in-my-country-4y4wy1/
9. https://www.sc.com/pk/credit-cards/
10. https://www.sc.com/pk/credit-cards/mastercard-saadiq-platinum/
11. https://www.sc.com/pk/credit-cards/mastercard-world/
12. https://www.sc.com/global/av/pk-changes-in-schedule-of-charges-2019.pdf
13. https://jamunabankbd.com/visa-platinum-credit-card/
14. https://jamunabankbd.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Schedule-of-Charges-Credit-Cards.pdf
15. https://ubldigital.com/Loans/Cards-Products/UBL-Credit-Card
16. https://ubldigital.com/Loans/Cards-Products/UBL-Credit-Card/UBL-Credit-Card-Product
17. https://ubldigital.com/Loans/Cards-Products/UBL-Credit-Card/UBL-Platinum
18. https://ubldigital.com/portals/0/Pdf/UBL-SOC-July-to-December-2026.pdf

This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or professional advice. This article should not be regarded as constituting an offer or a solicitation to buy or sell any regulated or financial products or services. WorldFirst makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content, and readers are encouraged to consult with legal professionals or other professionals for advice tailored to their specific situation. WorldFirst does not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of this article and expressly disclaims any and all liability to any person in respect of the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done wholly or partly in reliance on this article.