Niyo Global Card Review: Zero-Markup International Debit Card
Niyo Global is a debit card linked to a savings account with one of Niyo’s partner banks (DCB Bank or SBM Bank). When you pay abroad, the bank converts at the Visa rate with no markup, so you do not need to pre-load currencies like a forex card.
Cash withdrawals abroad carry a fixed fee per withdrawal, so the card works best for card and online payments.
- 0% forex markup at the Visa exchange rate
- No need to pre-load currencies
- Spends in 180+ currencies
- One ATM withdrawal fee refunded each quarter (as Niyo Coins)
- International lounge visit on ₹75,000 quarterly spend abroad
- International ATM withdrawals cost about ₹423–₹425 + GST each
- ATM operators may add their own fee
- Requires opening a savings account with a partner bank
- Second-year card fee may apply unless you keep the required balance (check the schedule)
- Debit card — money leaves your account immediately
Fees and charges
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Joining / annual fee | Nil per Niyo; SBM’s schedule lists a second-year card fee waived with an average balance — check your partner bank |
| Forex markup | 0% (Visa rate) |
| International ATM | About ₹423 + GST (SBM) or ₹425 + GST (DCB) per withdrawal, plus any ATM operator fee |
| ATM refund | One withdrawal fee refunded a quarter, up to 5,000 Niyo Coins |
How the card charges you
Because it is a debit card, there is no loading step: you keep rupees in your savings account and the bank converts each foreign transaction at the Visa rate with no markup. That avoids both the 3.5% markup of most credit cards and the spread built into prepaid forex card rates.
TCS rules under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme apply to overseas spending above the annual threshold, as with any card.
Other benefits
| Benefit | Detail |
|---|---|
| Lounge access | 1 international lounge visit a quarter if you spend ₹75,000 abroad in that quarter (purchases only; cash does not count) |
| Delivery | Physical card in 3–5 days; 24-hour delivery via Niyo Express |
| Network | Visa |
Eligibility
Issued with
DCB Bank or SBM Bank savings account
Who
Indian residents aged 18+
Documents
PAN, Aadhaar, Indian passport, Aadhaar-linked mobile number
Who this card is for
- Good fit: travellers who pay mostly by card abroad and want the Visa rate with no markup.
- Skip if: you need to withdraw a lot of cash abroad — the per-withdrawal fee adds up.
Alternatives worth comparing
- Best forex and prepaid travel cards
- Best zero-forex debit cards
- Best zero-forex-markup credit cards
- Niyo Global vs forex cards
Final verdict
One of the cheapest ways to pay abroad from India: Visa rate, no markup and no pre-loading. Use it for card payments and keep cash withdrawals to a minimum.
Frequently asked questions
Is Niyo Global a forex card?
No. It is an international Visa debit card linked to a savings account with DCB Bank or SBM Bank.
What is the forex markup?
0% — transactions are converted at the Visa rate.
What does an international ATM withdrawal cost?
About ₹423–₹425 + GST per withdrawal, plus any fee charged by the ATM operator. One fee is refunded each quarter.
Does it give lounge access?
1 international lounge visit a quarter if you spend ₹75,000 abroad that quarter.
Who can get it?
Indian residents aged 18+ with PAN, Aadhaar and an Indian passport.
Last verified: October 2026, against Niyo’s international debit card page and partner bank schedule of charges. Card terms change often; confirm the current fees and reward rules on the issuer’s website before you apply. All fees are plus 18% GST.