Can Prepaid Visa® Cards Be Used Internationally?

Prepaid Visa® debit cards are a flexible alternative to credit cards and bank account debit cards. You simply load funds onto the card and then use it as your payment method for everyday purchases, online shopping, and bill payments. 

Prepaid cards are ideal for:

Those who don't have a traditional bank account or credit card.
Parents who want to teach their kids financial responsibility can do so by giving them a payment card with limited funds to eliminate the risk of overspending.
Anyone who wants to limit their own access to funds to make it easier to stick to their budget.
Travelers who want to avoid carrying cash or manually converting currencies. 

Prepaid Visa debit cards are reloadable, widely accepted (wherever Visa cards are accepted), and don't require a credit check. 

But what if you're planning to travel abroad? Can prepaid Visa cards be used internationally?

The short answer is "yes," but there are some caveats. Not all prepaid Visa cards are automatically enabled for international use. And you may be limited in your spending abroad depending on the card issuer, activation status, and the policies of the merchants or ATMs you're trying to use.

Read on to learn more about how to use a prepaid Visa card internationally. We'll explain what you need to know about using prepaid cards abroad and where you can get these cards. We'll also explore the pros and cons of using prepaid cards internationally to help you decide if this is the right option for your next trip.

What to know before using a prepaid Visa card internationally 

Before packing your prepaid card for your next overseas adventure, keep these key points in mind:

There may be extra fees for international use. You might pay foreign transaction fees for purchases made outside the United States, currency conversion fees for converted U.S. dollars to the destination's local currency, or higher ATM withdrawal fees when using international ATMs to get cash. In addition to the card's ATM fees, the ATM networkused may also charge fees.  
You need to make sure your card is eligible and activated for international use. While many prepaid Visa cards work abroad, some don't (notably, gift cards that are not reloadable are often limited to U.S. use). And some cards require special activation for international usage.
Notifying the card issuer of your travel plans can help avoid payment issues abroad. Some prepaid cards have fraud protection that may block foreign transactions unless the issuer knows that you're traveling out of the country.
You should have a plan for reloading your card while abroad. The in-store cash reloads that are so convenient in the U.S. may not be as accessible abroad. So you should have a plan for reloading your card, such as direct deposit, bank transfers, PayPal transfers, or transfers from other card users on the same network.  

5 prepaid Visa cards you can use internationally

Here are five prepaid Visa cards for travel.

Netspend Prepaid Visa® Card

Netspend's prepaid Visa® card makes it easy to digitize your money for use all over the world. With no credit check¹, minimum balance requirement, activation fee², or international ATM fee². Netspend is a strong contender for the prepaid debit card for travel. There are also multiple reload options, including direct deposit, bank transfer³, Western Union transfer⁴, and PayPal transfer⁵. Netspend also offers in-store reloads at 130,000+ convenient locations⁶ in America (in-store reloads may not be supported at international locations, so it's best to load up before leaving). 

Account transaction alerts delivered to your phone also help you monitor spending for you and your family members while at home or abroad. 

You can order your Netspend prepaid Visa® online or purchase in-store at participating retailers (including Walgreens, 7-Eleven, CVS, Dollar General, Kroger, and many more). 

Foreign transaction fee: 4%
International ATM withdrawal fee: $0 (although fees may be charged by the ATM network)
Reload options from abroad: Direct deposit, bank transfer, PayPal transfer, transfers from other Netspend users, Western Union money transfers  
International use: Supported once the card is activated 

Fees as of May 17, 2025, according to Netspend's Prepaid Account Agreement. 

Green Dot Prepaid Visa Card (with MoneyPak)

Green Dot's prepaid Visa card can be used worldwide once activated. You can load funds before leaving the country at participating retailers or load funds at any time, even while traveling, via direct deposit or bank transfer. With the MoneyPak add-on, you can also receive cash from state-side friends or relatives in an emergency. They would simply purchase a MoneyPak in-store and send you the secure code, which you can register online to put the funds onto your card.

Green Dot prepaid Visa cards and MoneyPaks are available at nationwide retailers.        

Foreign transaction fee: 3%
International ATM withdrawal fee: $2.95 for out-of-network ATMs, whether domestic or foreign (plus any fees charged by the ATM network used)
Reload options from abroad: Direct deposit, bank transfer, or MoneyPak transfer.   
International use: Supported once the card is activated 

Fees as of May 17, 2025, according to Green Dot's Cardholder Agreement.

Serve Pay As You Go Visa Prepaid Card

The Serve Pay As You Go Visa serves the same function as the other prepaid travel cards on this list, albeit with higher international transaction and ATM withdrawal fees. Like Netspend and Green Dot, Serve offers a mobile app for convenient bank transfers to reload your card and monitor your transactions.   

Register for a card online or pick up a temporary card from a participating retailer.

Foreign transaction fee: 3.5%
International ATM withdrawal fee: $4.95 for international ATMs (plus any fees charged by the ATM network used)
Reload options from abroad: Direct deposit or bank transfer   
International use: Supported once the card is activated

Fees as of May 17, 2025, according to Serve's Cardholder Agreement.

Walmart MoneyCard Visa

While Walmart is typically thought of as an American operation, Walmart currently has locations in 19 countries. The Walmart MoneyCard Visa can also be used internationally. The cash-back feature that makes the card so popular only applies to purchases from Walmart, but you can still use the card anywhere that accepts Visa.  

You can open an account online or get a starter card at any Walmart store.        

Foreign transaction fee: 3%
International ATM withdrawal fee: $2.50 for all non-Walmart ATMs (plus any fees charged by the ATM network used)
Reload options from abroad: Direct deposit, bank transfer, or cash at international Walmart locations  
International use: Supported once the card is activated

Fees as of May 17, 2025, according to the Walmart Moneycard fee plan.

CUMONEY Visa TravelMoney Card

Some credit unions offer the CUMONEY Visa TravelMoney Card as a means of converting cash to a payment card specifically while traveling. This card may offer lower international transaction and ATM fees, but it's also harder to get. This card can't be purchased online. Instead, you'll need to ask your local credit unions if they participate in this program.  

Foreign transaction fee: 2%
International ATM withdrawal fee: $1.50 plus a 2% currency conversion fee (plus any fees charged by the ATM network used)
Reload options from abroad: Direct deposit or bank transfer  
International use: Supported once the card is activated 

Fees as of May 17, 2025, according to the CUMONEY Cardholder Agreement.

Tips for minimizing payment issues while using prepaid debit cards abroad

To avoid potential payment issues while traveling abroad:

Register and fully activate the card before leaving. Unregistered, inactive, or expired cards will likely be declined.
Set a PIN. Most cards allow you to set a PIN as part of the registration, which can add a layer of security to your card.
Notify the card issuer of travel plans. Let your provider know your travel dates and destinations to prevent possible fraud flags that could block your transactions.
Check for any spending or reloading limits. Understanding the limits can help you plan and spend accordingly. 
Have a backup payment method. Carry a second card or some emergency cash just in case.
Use secure ATMs and trusted merchants only. Avoid ATMs in sketchy areas or non-bank locations.
Track activity with an app or website. Monitor your balance, reloads, and suspicious activity in real time.

Pros and cons of using prepaid Visa cards internationally 

Here's a quick overview of the potential advantages and drawbacks of prepaid travel cards:

Pros

Safer than cash. Cards can be frozen or replaced if lost or stolen.
Widely accepted. Visa is accepted in most countries around the world.
It can be used for onlineinternational purchases. This may be handy for booking hotels, flights, or tours.
Reduces exposure to your main bank account. Prepaid cards are separate from bank accounts, limiting the risk of using cards while traveling.
Budget control. You can only spend what you load, so it's easier to avoid overspending.
No credit check required. Those without a strong credit history don't need to worry about being denied a card.
No debt or interest payments. Since you only spend what you load onto the card, your travel won't put you in debt.
Useful for young travelers. International prepaid Visas give kids limited spending power abroad.

Cons

Foreign transaction and ATM fees. You may incur fees up to 4% for international purchases, plus increased ATM withdrawal fees.
Limited acceptance at some foreign shops and restaurants. In countries where physical money is still the standard, a card may not be as useful.
Limits on daily spending and ATM withdrawals. You may need to track your spending to make sure you're within your limits. 
Possible exchange rate markups. Some cards use less favorable currency exchange rates than credit cards.

Order your travel-friendly prepaid Visa card today

Using a prepaid Visa card abroad can be a convenient, secure, and budget-friendly option. You just need a little preparation to use your card internationally. Before you go, buy your prepaid Visa card (online or in-store), check the card's terms, load it with enough funds, and activate international access. Then you can focus more on your travels and less on your currency.