Can a tourist open a bank account or get a debit card in India?

As an alternative to opening a bank account, Cheq can be used for UPI payments: after verification, it can be topped up by transferring funds from a Sber card.

As of mid-2026, getting an Indian bank card as a tourist remains very difficult. Most banks refuse without a long-stay visa (business, student, etc.). The situation has not improved compared to previous years.

Tourists typically want an Indian bank card for paying at cafes, taxis (Uber/Ola), and local online purchases. Note that such a card is not international — it only works for transactions within India.

For online purchases and local service payments, tourists consider virtual Indian bank cards as an alternative to physical ones. However, issuing them also requires KYC verification with an Indian phone number and local address.