Credit cards for NRIs and H-1B workers: Check features, fees, documents required and benefits

You may be unaware that you can obtain a credit card issued in India even if you are a non-resident Indian (NRI). A credit card gives you easy access to credit for both domestic (Indian) and foreign transactions, and it may be quite helpful in managing both scheduled and unforeseen expenses.

Cards like ICICI Bank NRI Coral credit card, IDFC FIRST WOW credit card, Kotak NRI Royale Signature credit card and Axis Bank SELECT credit card provide features such as reward earnings on spends, lounge access privileges and benefits on international transactions. Check details of the cards as per Bankbazaar data.

Best credit cards for NRIs or H1B workers

1. ICICI NRI Coral credit card

1 complementary lounge access per quarter

Get 1% waiver on fuel transactions worth Rs 400–Rs 4,000 at Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) pumps
Earn 2 reward points on every Rs 100 retail spend
3.5% forex markup
Joining fee and annual fee Rs 500 + GST

2. FIRST WOW Black Credit Card

• Zero forex markup, enabling seamless international spending
• Up to 33% bonus rewards on travel bookings
• Credit limit equivalent to 100% of the fixed deposit value
• Receive a complimentary UPI-enabled linked card, designed specifically for everyday UPI transactions.
• Earn up to 4x reward points on both international and domestic spends
• Joining fee of Rs750, with welcome benefits worth Rs 5,000+ unlocked on joining fee payment.(Details as per bank)

IDFC First WOW Credit Card

• No currency exchange hassle with zero forex fee on international spends
• Zero interest charges on global ATM cash withdrawals for up to 45 days
• 4x reward points on every transaction
• Earn 100% credit limit for your FD value
• Zero joining or annual fee

3. Kotak NRI Royale Signature credit card

• Earn 2 rewards points for every Rs 200/- spent outside India
• Zero forex markup on credit card spend
• Get 2 complimentary visits every quarter to select lounges in India
• Joining fee: 0; Annual fee: Rs 1000

4. AXIS Bank SELECT Credit Card

• Get 10,000 EDGE Rewards worth ₹2000 on your first card transaction
• Priority pass membership renewal on annual spend of Rs 3 lakh
• 3.5% forex markup
• 12 complementary international lounge access
• Joining and annual fee Rs 3,000

Documents required for NRI credit card

According to the ICICI Bank website, to get an NRI credit card, you will have to submit the following documents:

• Copy of valid passport
• Valid work permit/employment visa/admission letter, etc.
• Indian address proof: Passport/utility bill/bank statement, etc.
• Foreign address proof: Utility bills (anyone of the latest electricity, water, telephone bill)/residence permit/property tax, etc.
• Permanent Account Number (PAN) card or in the absence of a PAN card.
• Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) declaration as applicable for the United States (US) or Common Reporting Standard (CRS) for the United Kingdom (UK), Canada or any of the 100+ countries that have adopted CRS.

Things to keep in mind

While these cards offer flexibility, it is important that NRIs to be aware of the terms and charges-

• Here are important things to know as per the Kotak Mahindra Bank website
• Foreign currency markup fees: Usually 1.5–3.5%; compare before choosing.
• ATM withdrawal fees: Especially for international withdrawals.
• Annual and joining fees: Can vary depending on the card type.
• Late payment charges: Know what applies in case of missed dues.