Virtual dollar cards in Nigeria gained more prominence following the  suspension of international transactions on Naira debit cards.

However, this change meant that Nigerians, who had previously depended on Naira debit cards for international transactions, had to explore other alternatives.

Whether for online shopping, service subscriptions, or for foreign transactions, the need for a reliable payment method is inevitable.

One alternative solution that has gained wide acceptance among Nigerians is virtual dollar cards.

 

What is a Virtual Dollar Card

A virtual dollar card is a USD-denominated prepaid card in digital form. Virtual dollar cards are issued by financial institutions and are used for conducting transactions in foreign currencies.

These cards possess similar features to physical cards but provide enhanced convenience.

For instance, a typical Visa virtual dollar card retains a 16-digit identifier, a 3-digit CVV, and an expiry date.

Nigerians engaging in online transactions have found virtual dollar cards to be quite handy.

This is because these cards function even in situations where they encounter difficulties with local debit cards.

One advantage of virtual cards over traditional bank debit cards is their flexibility; acquiring bank cards often means visiting banking halls and waiting in queues.

However, with virtual dollar cards, all tasks can be accomplished from the comfort of one’s home. In most cases, a virtual card can be obtained within 30 minutes!

Again, virtual dollar cards offer heightened security. You can travel on a bus without concerns about your debit card slipping out of your wallet.

Also, since they are not linked to your primary account, you only load money onto them when necessary for making payments. This approach ensures that even if your virtual dollar account is compromised, your funds remain unaffected.

Best Dollar virtual cards in Nigeria

If you are deliberating the virtual card suitable for your international transactions, we have come to the rescue.

Here is a list of the best virtual dollar cards in Nigeria in 2023.

• Chipper Cash Virtual Visa Card

• CashEx Virtual Dollar Card

• Changera Easy Dollar card

• Payday Virtual Dollar Card

• Fundall Virtual Dollar Card

• ALAT virtual Dollar Card

• Tribapay Virtual Dollar Card

Chipper Cash Virtual Dollar Card

Chipper Cash is one of the giants of digital payments in Nigeria and beyond.
Upon registration, you are assigned a unique account number. You can use it as any commercial bank’s NUBAN to receive money.

You are also able to make international payments across Africa.
The Chipper card is a Visa dollar-denominated virtual card.

To apply for it, you must complete a two-step verification process. This includes ID and address verification.
The card attracts a one-time issuance fee of 2000 Naira.

It is versatile in use and is accepted almost worldwide. This card effortlessly handles your shopping needs on sites like Aliexpress and Amazon. You can also use it to pay for services and subscriptions, for example, on Spotify.

Complete management of your virtual cards on their mobile app is easy. Other services like bill payments and mobile recharge are available on the app also.

Pros:

• Virtual card accepted almost worldwide.
• Swift verification process.

Cons:

• Dollar rate higher than market average.
• Issuance fee is high.

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CashEx Virtual Dollar Card

CashEx is an innovative platform that offers digital banking services in Nigeria. When you create an account with them, they provide a swift onboarding experience.

Among the reviewed payment services, CashEx has one of the lowest rates for virtual dollar cards in Nigeria.

Their dollar card is fully 3D-secured and comes with a monthly spending limit of $10,000, which is more than sufficient for most individuals.

According to CashEx themselves, “The card can be used globally across various platforms.”

Another intriguing aspect of their platform is the reward system. Points are earned for various actions, including funding and transacting with your card.

However, it is important to note that if you intend to shop on Aliexpress, this virtual dollar card may not be suitable for you.

This is due to a peculiar compatibility issue with the merchant platform that remains unresolved.

Numerous users have experienced difficulties where their funds got stuck, necessitating a rigorous refund process.

Pros:

• One of the cheapest dollar cards in Nigeria.
• Easy account verification.

Cons:

• Doesn’t work on all platforms.
• Card has some undisclosed charges.

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Changera Easy dollar card

Changera provides full digital payment solutions that support multiple currencies.

Once you sign up and complete the verification process, you gain immediate access to a wallet that supports three different currencies.

This wallet allows you to seamlessly send and receive money within six African countries. Furthermore, Changera facilitates swift transactions with countries in the EU bloc and the United States.

Obtaining their virtual dollar card is a hassle-free process, and it is effortless to fund and utilize.

Changera offers both Visa and Master virtual cards, ensuring widespread acceptance for payments on various merchant platforms worldwide.

Pros:

• Quick transactions notification.
• Fast and efficient customer support service.

Cons:

• Dollar exchange rate is high.
• Card transactions attract hidden fees.
• Transfer to local banks attract huge charges.

Payday Virtual Dollar Card

Payday is a popular digital platform that provides virtual dollar cards. To sign up with Payday, download their app on your smartphone.

Once you have the app, you can proceed to register by submitting a selfie and your valid BVN (Bank Verification Number).

After completing the registration process, you gain access to a digital wallet that is capable of accepting foreign transfers.

Payday offers virtual dollar cards that are claimed to work in any country of your choice. You can create this card without any charges.

Right out of the box, the card comes with a generous monthly spending limit of $120,000.

To fund your virtual dollar card, simply add funds to your NGN account balance, convert it to USD within your multi-wallet, and then transfer it to your card.

Please note that there is a 1.4% fee for withdrawing funds from the virtual card.

Pros:

• Virtual dollar card easy to fund from NGN account balance.
• Comes with generous monthly spending limit.
• Easy sign up and verification process.

Cons:

• You can only create one virtual dollar card.
• At 1.4%, the withdrawal fee is relatively high.
• The Payday account that powers the virtual cards can only send money to Nigerian bank account.

Fundall Virtual Dollar Card

Fundall is a comprehensive fintech platform that offers a range of services, including multi-currency savings, international transfers, and loans.

Setting up an account with Fundall takes less than 5 minutes, and they efficiently process virtual dollar requests.

To create your first dollar card, simply navigate to the ‘add new card’ option and select ‘virtual US dollar card.’ The initial virtual card you create is free of charge and can be customized according to your preferences.

The minimum funding amount for the dollar card is $5, which is approximately equivalent to N3800 at the time of writing this article.

If you’re interested in exploring further, Fundall’s innovative ‘Lifestyle card‘ is designed to assist with budgeting and tracking your expenditures.

Pros

• Friendly User Interface.
• Easy onboarding process.

Cons

• Mobile app not reliable.
• Virtual dollar card charge is high.

ALAT Virtual Dollar Card

ALAT, the digital banking subsidiary of Wema Bank, is one of the earliest platforms to provide virtual dollar cards.

They offer Visa virtual dollar cards, enabling users to make online purchases and pay for services on international websites.

Many users have asked if ALAT virtual dollar card works on Aliexpress. The answer is yes! ALAT virtual dollar card works on many international vendors’ websites.

To obtain the virtual card, you must have an account with ALAT. Once your account is active and verified, you can proceed to request the dollar card.

It is important to note that the virtual dollar card is not issued instantly; there is a waiting period after submission.

However, you can expedite the process by reaching out to their customer care.

Pros:

• Easy to fund and use.
• Widely-accepted across the world.
• No hidden charges.
• ALAT virtual dollar card rate is moderate.

Cons:

• Card approval is not instant.
• The virtual dollar platform is not stable as it suffers irregular downtime.

Tribapay virtual dollar card

Tribapay, a fintech company, offers a wide range of digital payment solutions. Despite being relatively new, they have firmly established themselves within the digital payments ecosystem.

By creating an account with Tribapay, you gain access to a digital wallet that enables you to send and receive money, convert airtime to cash, and manage virtual payment cards.

To qualify for the Tribapay virtual dollar card, you must complete the KYC process (which differs from BVN verification).

There is a $4 fee associated with creating a dollar card, which is higher compared to the market average.

Additionally, a 1% fee is applied to card funding.

Pros:

• Transfers are quick and reliable.
• The mobile app has attractive and clutter-free interface.

Cons:

• Dollar rate is high.
• $4 is high for virtual card creation.
• Exorbitant funding fees.

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How to Choose the Right Virtual Dollar Card

Imagine a virtual dollar card as your very own digital wallet for online payments. It’s like having a magic wand that allows you to shop globally without issues.

But with so many options out there, how do you make the right choice?

Selecting the most suitable virtual dollar card for your needs requires careful consideration.

Here are some key factors to keep in mind:

• Accessibility
• fees and charges
• security
• flexibility
• customer support
• Reviews and ratings

A. Accessibility

First things first, consider the card’s availability and accessibility. Can you easily apply for it online? Does it have a straightforward verification process?

You don’t want to get stuck in a long, tedious application that feels like trudging through quicksand. Look for a virtual dollar card that offers a user-friendly interface and a smooth onboarding experience.

B. Fees and charges

Next, let’s talk about fees. Nobody likes unexpected charges that pop up out of nowhere, right? It’s like ordering a meal at a restaurant and discovering a long list of hidden fees on the bill.

So, make sure you understand the fee structure of the virtual dollar card you’re considering.

Look for transparency and clarity in terms of activation and transaction fees. Also check out currency conversion fees other charges that might apply.

You want a card that gives you peace of mind, not surprises.

C. Security

Security is of utmost importance for online transactions. Your finances are your valuable assets, and as such, a virtual dollar card should serve as a robust shield, safeguarding them from hacking and other malevolent attacks.

Look out features such as two-factor authentication, encryption, and fraud protection.

D. Flexibility

Another crucial aspect to consider is flexibility. You want a virtual dollar card that can adapt to your needs.

You should be able to answer these questions to narrow down your choices:

• Can you easily reload funds onto the card?
• Does it offer multiple currency options?

Ideally, the more flexible the card is, the more it can cater to your specific requirements.

E. Active customer support

Customer support is often underestimated but can make a huge difference when you encounter any issues or have questions.

You want a virtual dollar card provider that offers responsive and helpful customer support via multiple channels.

An active and engaging customer service ensures that you have assistance whenever you need it.

F. Reviews and ratings

Lastly, don’t forget to check out the reviews and ratings of different virtual dollar cards.

Hear from other users who have tried and tested these cards.

Their experiences can provide valuable insights and help you make an informed decision.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! We’ve explored some of the best virtual dollar cards available in Nigeria right now.

These cards have revolutionized the way we handle our international finances in this age.

Whether you’re shopping online or paying for services, virtual dollar cards offer convenience, security, and flexibility.

Among the top contenders in the Nigerian market, Chipper virtual dollar Cards, ALAT by Wema, Cashex, and Payday Virtual Cards stand out for wide acceptance across popular international payment platforms.

Absolutely! Virtual cards offer enhanced security features, such as one-time-use card numbers and spending limits, to protect your finances.

You can fund your virtual card using various methods, including bank transfers, debit cards, or mobile wallets, depending on the provider.

Yes, depending on the provider, you can often have multiple virtual cards linked to a single account, making it easier to manage different types of transactions or budgets.

Well, this decision is totally a personal thing. We may not mutually agree on which one to crown the best, as each virtual card has its unique areas of strengths. What is important is knowing what platforms each one excels at and utilizing it for such.

Yes, many virtual cards are accepted globally, allowing you to make purchases from international websites and platforms.

While some virtual cards may have fees attached, many providers offer free virtual cards or have transparent fee structures. It’s essential to check the terms and conditions of each provider.

Okay, you have learned various cards that enable you to spend your dollars. You may also want to learn how to easily replenish your balance.

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