6 Banks That Offer Virtual Debit Cards

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Virtual cards allow you to make payments online or in person without a physical debit card. That means you don’t have to wait to start spending if you open a new account or order a new card.

This quick guide will walk you through everything you need to know about instant virtual debit cards, including six banks that offer them. 

Overview of the 6 Best Banks Offering Instant Virtual Debit Cards

1. Chime®*: Best temporary virtual card for a new account
2. Zil: Best virtual debit card for business banking
3. Skrill: Best instant virtual prepaid card
4. Wise: Best instant virtual debit card for international travelers
5. Revolut: Best disposable virtual card
6. Current: Best hassle-free instant virtual debit card

What Banks Have Instant Virtual Debit Cards?

If you’re looking for a bank that offers instant virtual debit cards, your best bet is an online bank or banking fintech company. Below are six online banks that offer instant virtual debit cards. 

1. Chime: Best Debit Card With Benefits

• Virtual card availability: Permanent
• Card type: Debit
• Direct deposit required? No
• Best for: People with low account balances who don’t need a physical bank

Chime is a popular online financial technology company that offers no monthly fees¹, no minimum balance requirements, no foreign transaction fees and tons of other benefits. Chime’s checking account comes with Chime Visa® Debit Card² that can be used anywhere that Visa is accepted. 

You’ll also receive a physical debit card in the mail.

2. ZilBank: Best for Business Banking

• Virtual card availability: Permanent
• Card type: Debit
• Direct deposit required? Yes
• Best for: Small businesses

Zil’s virtual debit cards can be customized and canceled at any time. There’s also no limit on virtual cards for each account, so you can instantly access more cards as your business grows. 

3. Skrill: Best Instant Prepaid Card

• Virtual card availability: Temporary
• Card type: Prepaid
• Direct deposit required? No
• Best for: People looking to make payments without a bank account

Your first virtual card is 100% free and will be accessible as soon as your account is approved. 

Keep in mind that this is a prepaid card, not a debit card. While both take money from your checking account, prepaid cards withdraw from a pre-set fund instead of directly from your account.

You have to load money onto the card before you start spending. There is no overdraft fee for overspending on your Skrill prepaid card, but the transaction will be declined if you don’t have enough funds. 

4. Wise: Best for International Travelers

• Virtual card availability: Permanent
• Card type: Debit
• Direct deposit required? No
• Best for: People who don’t an extra layer between of protection for their bank account

If you want to use your virtual debit card while traveling, check out Wise. Formerly known as TransferWise, this popular money transfer app offers a virtual debit card that can hold more than 50 currencies at once.

To get a Wise virtual card, you have to order a physical card. But you can start spending online or through a digital wallet before your physical card arrives. 

5. Revolut: Best Disposable Virtual Cards

• Virtual card availability: Permanent
• Card type: Debit and Prepaid
• Direct deposit required? [Yes/No]
• Best for: People who hold multiple currencies

Revolut is an online banking platform that offers investments, savings and free money transfers and currency exchanges in 28 currencies. Like the other options on this list, Revolut has an instant virtual card that you can access immediately after opening an account. 

Revolut also offers disposable virtual cards that can be used for one-time payments. Disposable cards are a great option if you’re traveling or concerned about your online security.

6. Current: Best Hassle-Free Virtual Card

• Virtual card availability: Permanent
• Card type: Debit, prepaid
• Direct deposit required? No
• Best for: [Use case: travel, business, security, etc.]

Current is an online bank offers an online checking account with an instant virtual card that you can access as soon as you open an account. They also have other features, like ways to build your credit.

Shop for the Bank, Not the Card

Virtual debit cards can be helpful when you’re waiting for your physical card to arrive or if you just want convenient online payments. However, you shouldn’t pick your bank based on whether it offers an instant virtual debit card. 

Most banks, online or traditional, offer some way to pay with your card before it arrives in the mail — typically with a temporary virtual credit card or prepaid card. You’ll also be able to use your physical card as a virtual card by uploading it to your digital wallet. 

Before choosing a bank account, take time to research which banks offer the features and budget-planning tools you need.

*Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by, and debit card issued by, The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC

¹There’s no fee for the Chime Savings Account. Cash withdrawal and Third-party fees may apply to Chime Checking Accounts. You must have a Chime Checking Account to open a Chime Savings Account.

²Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.

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