Can tourists receive Western Union transfers in India and open a local bank account?
Based on 1 discussion with 3 participants · Last activity: 26 days ago
TL;DR
Western Union transfers to India are possible, though some local branches may claim otherwise. Indian banks generally do not issue cards to tourists, though Axis Bank previously offered this option.
What the community said
Indian banks generally do not issue debit or credit cards to tourists. Axis Bank was previously known to make exceptions for foreigners, but it's worth checking directly at a branch as policies may have changed.
26 days ago Axis Bank — previously allowed accounts for foreigners
Western Union transfers to India are officially operational, including from Turkey. Some local agents may incorrectly claim the service is unavailable — try a different branch or verify pickup locations on the official Western Union website.
26 days ago Western Union — operational in India
Rosselkhozbank cards are not connected to Visa/Mastercard and do not support cash withdrawals abroad, including in India. Travelers should use cards from other banks that support UnionPay or alternative international networks.
26 days ago Rosselkhozbank — ATM withdrawals abroad not supported