What is An ISIC Card? Benefits & Features

An ISIC card is an ideal solution for students to overcome the challenge of paying daily expenses while studying abroad. As an ISIC card holder, you can get offers and discounts for your day-to-day expenses food, accommodation, and travel, etc.

Over 5 million students use this card every year while studying abroad to overcome their cash woes. So let's discuss some features of an ISIC Identity Card and the benefits of owning it as an international student.

Features of ISIC Card

The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is issued by the ISIC Association, a non-profit organisation registered in Denmark. The ISIC Association created it in 1953 to improve intercultural understanding and increase educational opportunities. Having an ISIC card can help you wherever you go in saving your money. Given below are some features of an ISIC student card:

• The ISIC is recognised globally and issued in over 130 countries including India, the United States and Europe.
• With over 40,000 partners, the card offers over 1,50,000 discounts worldwide on flights, accommodation, food, shopping, international phone calls, and more. Educational courses and software get discounts too.
• To qualify for an ISIC card, you must be a full-time student over 12, attending a school, college, or university. The card does not have an upper age limit, but you prove that you are a full-time student. Your local ISIC issuer will need to verify your eligibility if you are on a break from studying.
• You can apply for an ISIC card through an online or offline process. For the online process, just visit the ISIC website after selecting your respective country, fill out the form correctly and upload the required documents properly. For offline, visit the nearby ISIC issuing office. 
• ISIC is valid for one year from the issue.
• Depending on the country, prices and selection of ISIC vary from $4-25 USD. The cost of the card is determined by the purchasing power within each country, as calculated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to have fair prices in place.
• Cardholders have access to the following global discounts and benefits: 2,800 Museums and Culture Sites, 2,400 Hostels and Budget Hotels, 1,200 Airlines, Buses, Coaches, Trains, and Ferries, 2,700 Attractions, 21,000 Restaurants, Bars, and Entertainment and many more.

Benefits of an ISIC Card

For international students who study abroad as full-time students, who are struggling with their daily expenses, the ISIC card can be very useful. It is beneficial in many ways. The ISIC card benefits India in the following ways: 

1. Easy To Use
2. Protection Against Forex Fluctuation
3. Instant Reloads 
4. Save Money
5. Universal Identity
6. Easy Tracking
7. Widely Accepted
8. Safe And Secure Transactions
9. Complimentary Insurance
10. International Sim For Free

Easy To Use

An ISIC card can be loaded with the amount of foreign currency you need (USD, CAD, Euro) and you can use it to withdraw money from any ATM or can pay your expenses when you are abroad.

Protection Against Forex Fluctuation

Foreign currency in cash may lose its value in forex fluctuation. But it will not happen for an ISIC card holder because once you load your card that amount is protected against any forex volatility. The currency exchange rates will be fixed.

Instant Reloads 

With an ISIC card, you don't have to wait for wire transfers from home. The card can be instantly reloaded online via NetBanking, PhoneBanking or by visiting the bank directly.

Save Money

You can enjoy special offers and discounts on books, food, accommodation, shopping, and entertainment activities and can travel to over 133 countries as they are valid in those countries with 41,000 partners.

Universal Identity

As ISIC is accepted and recognised worldwide, it is considered a universal student identity card for students. You can access services and facilities for the students using this card anywhere.

Easy Tracking

You can easily check the ISIC card number online to review your transactions, and account balance, or to change the pin.

Widely Accepted

ISIC is widely accepted at every outlet where MasterCard is accepted. The card can be useful for cardholders with ease regardless of where they are and what they want to buy. 

Safe And Secure Transactions

Most banks provide the ISIC with an embedded chip to make sure the transactions are safe and secured. So, there are no potential financial risks and phishing.

Complimentary Insurance

The ISIC is insured against misuse of stolen or lost cards. You can also get an air accident cover, and cover for the loss of baggage with the card.

International Sim For Free

Once you are an ISIC owner, you can also get a free international SIM card. The SIM card will cost a pre-recharged amount of INR 200.

So ISIC cards are worth it as they are designed to fit into a student's lifestyle. It allows the students to prove their official student status and can get access to several benefits and discounts worldwide. ISIC is on a mission to provide the cards to all bona fide students regardless of their nationality, race, gender or religion, with the opportunity to prove their student status in every country worldwide through an affordable identity card of student status. Don't waste the opportunity to own an ISIC card.

ISIC Card FAQs

1. How long does it take to get an ISIC?

Online orders could take 3–4 weeks, depending on your country's postal system. You can also order your card from the nation you will be visiting.

2. How much does an ISIC card cost?

Buying the card directly from one of our accredited distributors, who can issue your card immediately, is the quickest way to receive it in your hands. You will require a passport photo, identification documentation, a cost of INR 590, and documentation attesting to your enrollment in school or university. 

3. Where can I use my ISIC card?

Cardholders have access to global discounts and benefits in places like museums and cultural sites, hostels and budget hotels, airlines, buses, coaches, trains, ferries, restaurants, bars, and entertainment.