Niyo Global is a travel-focused savings account with a linked Visa debit card, built for Indians who travel abroad, study overseas or pay in foreign currencies. Its big draw is zero forex markup: you pay only the Visa exchange rate on international spends. Meanwhile, the money you park in the account earns up to 7.1% a year. There is no joining or annual fee, and you can start with just ₹500.
How it works
Niyo Global is not a credit card. You open a savings account with one of Niyo’s partner banks, load money in rupees, and spend it anywhere in the world with the debit card. Currency conversion happens in real time at the Visa rate, with no markup added. The same card works for domestic spending, so you don’t need a separate forex card for each trip.
Features at a glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Forex markup | Zero; Visa exchange rates apply |
| Coverage | Accepted in 180+ countries |
| Savings interest | Up to 7.1% a year on DCB Niyo, up to 7.0% on Niyo SBM |
| Card delivery | Instant virtual card; physical card within 24 hours |
| ATM withdrawals abroad | Withdrawal fees given back as Niyo Coins rewards |
| Travel documents to load money | Not needed |
| Joining and annual fee | Free |
*Interest rates are set by the partner bank and can change. Check the current rate before you move a large balance.
How much can zero markup save?
Many regular cards add a markup of a few percent on every foreign transaction. As an illustration, if your card charged 3.5% and you spent ₹1,50,000 on a two-week trip abroad, the markup alone would cost about ₹5,250. With Niyo Global that line disappears. For students paying fees and living costs overseas, the savings add up every month.
Niyo Global vs a prepaid forex card
A typical forex card makes you load a specific currency before you travel, often with travel documents, and leftover balances can be awkward to convert back. Niyo Global keeps your money in rupees and converts at the moment you spend, in whichever currency the merchant charges. One card covers every country on your trip, and any unspent balance simply stays in your savings account earning interest.
Eligibility
| Age | 21 to 65 years |
|---|---|
| Minimum funding | ₹500 |
| Residency | Indian resident with PAN and Aadhaar for KYC |
Documents you will need
- PAN card
- Aadhaar card with a linked mobile number for OTP verification
How to open the account
- Tap Apply on this page to open the Niyo application.
- Enter your details and complete the digital KYC in the same session.
- Add ₹500 or more to fund the account and get your virtual card instantly.
- Receive the physical card within 24 hours at your home, office or preferred address.
Tips for using it abroad
- Always choose to pay in the local currency when a card machine or website offers to charge you in rupees; that “dynamic currency conversion” comes with its own markup.
- Load enough before you fly, since you are spending your own balance rather than a credit limit.
- Carry a backup card in case of loss or a merchant that does not accept Visa.
Who it suits
A great fit for frequent international travellers, students abroad and anyone paying foreign websites, especially if you want your idle travel money to earn a high savings rate.
Look elsewhere if you want credit, rewards on domestic spending or a full-service branch bank. This is a debit card linked to your own money.
