Iranian Debit Cards are prevalent, yet the Iranian banking system is isolated from the rest of the world due to certain problems. Companies such as MasterCard and PayPal do not offer any service here. But still, there’s no need to worry about carrying lots of cash in your pockets. Iranian debit cards are also provided to tourists and foreigners, enabling them to enjoy a cash-free and worry-less travel to Iran.
Iranian Banks offer Iranian debit cards, which are accepted in almost every store around the country. With one of these Prepaid cards, you can also shop online, top up your prepaid sim cards, book your hotels and tickets online, and purchase services and tour offers through the best mobile apps for visiting Iran.
How do Iranian Debit Cards work?
There are two types of Iranian Debit Cards available for tourists in Iran:
- Iran Debit Card: you can acquire Iran Debit Card from Melli Bank branches all around the country. To get an Iran Debit Card, you must go to a Meli bank branch or attend the Meli bank booth at Imam Khomeini Airport (IKA) or other airports in the country, which is the easiest. Then you will require to show your passport with a valid visa and fill out a form to open an account. This process costs you around 10 to 20 dollars; after it, you will be issued a card. Iran Debit Card is a prepaid card in Iran that can be topped up as much as the equivalent of 5000$ at any point. Then you can use it to withdraw Rials from any ATM around the country, in stores, or online Shopping.
- Gift cards: These Iranian Debit Cards have a fixed amount of credit. You can purchase them from any bank anywhere in the country, and you won’t need to manifest any ID or open an account. But these prepaid cards are not rechargeable, and you must dispose of them after they run out of credit. Also, note that these Cards are for shopping in stores and online Shopping only. You may not withdraw any cash from them. If you really need to remove money from it, you must go to the corresponding Bank branch and ask the clerk to manifest your ID and purchase receipt.
How to Use Iranian Debit Cards
Cash Withdrawal: you can withdraw cash from almost every ATM in the country with your Iran Debit Card.
Shopping: you can shop at any store in the country with the Iran Debit Card and the Gift cards. To do so, it is customary to hand over your card to the shopkeeper and tell him your passcode. It might seem odd to say your passcode out loud, but that’s the routine here.
Online Shopping: you can use both prepaid cards in Iran (Debit cards and gift cards) to book hotels, purchase tickets, and… but to do so, first, you need to activate a second five-digit passcode from the corresponding bank’s ATM.
What to Do with The Leftover Money at The End of The Trip?
You can receive the leftover money in your account or your Gift cards by going to the corresponding bank’s branch. It will make good of your prepaid cards in Iran.
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