Blocked Countries for Credit and Debit Card Use (2024)

FAQs

Blocked Countries for Credit and Debit Card Use? ›

While there may be a few credit unions that issue debit cards limited to domestic use, most debit cards are backed by Visa or Mastercard, trusted financial brands that are accepted worldwide.

While there may be a few credit unions that issue debit cards limited to domestic use, most debit cards are backed by Visa or Mastercard, trusted financial brands that are accepted worldwide.

Switch on “international transactions” on your card

Such cards are not automatically “Active” for use in foreign countries. To activate it for international transactions, you either need to call your bank or switch them “on” from the bank's mobile app or website login.

China (including Hong Kong) Democratic People's Syrian Arab Republic. Iran (Islamic Republic of) North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)

Norways is the most cashless country, with only around 2% of payments being made by cash, and 100% of the population having a bank account.

While you can typically use a debit cards in another country, you may have to pay a foreign transaction fee. Though these fees vary by bank and card issuer, they are usually around 3% of any transaction abroad. In addition, you may be given the option by a merchant to pay in local or U.S. currency.

If you want to keep a tab on the spending, a debit card can be a good option. Credit cards, on the other hand, are handy if you face a shortage of funds while travelling abroad.

Why is my debit card being declined for international transactions? ›

The card company may decline the transaction as a precaution. This generally happens when a series of domestic transactions are followed by an international transaction. It is one of the many risk rules that are in place to ensure a safe banking experience.

If your card is declined it will be blocked from future use in order to protect the issuer and cardholder from fraudulent charges. To clear this fraud block you must contact the card issuer and confirm that the attempted charges were valid.

You have insufficient funds

You can check your debit card balance over the phone, at the ATM, online, or in person at your bank. Some financial institutions may deny you from overdrawing from your account, preventing you from making a debit card purchase.

Can I use my American Visa credit or debit card abroad? You can use your U.S. Visa card abroad to make purchases or withdraw cash. To withdraw cash from an ATM, you'll need to know your four digit PIN number.

Bottom Line. Using a credit card abroad is largely the same as using one domestically. If you have an American Express or Discover card, you may find it less widely accepted than a Visa or Mastercard. But this is changing all the time, with both the former issuers working to expand their reach.

Use a widely accepted issuer

Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit card issuers worldwide. While American Express and Discover can come in handy, you'll want to bring a backup Visa or Mastercard just in case.

It's possible to use a debit card to pay for things when traveling internationally. However, it's always important to be prepared. By planning ahead and taking care with each transaction, people can avoid potential extra expenses such as foreign transaction fees or ATM withdrawals.

Debit cards with a Mastercard or Visa logo are widely accepted in Europe. American Express is somewhat less common, except at tourist destinations.

Another reason a business may consider accepting only credit cards is so that they can surcharge all card transactions in order to recoup processing costs. Since debit can't be surcharged, a business accepting debit but surcharging credit would still have to pay processing costs for the debit transactions.