how to enable international transaction on debit card

How To Enable International Transactions on Your Debit Card?

19^th Nov 2025...

Published By : Team 811

Key Takeaways

Understanding how to enable international transactions is essential because Indian banks keep global usage disabled by default as a security precaution mandated by the RBI.
You can easily manage how to enable card for international transactions through internet banking, mobile banking apps, or by contacting customer care, depending on your bank.
Knowing how to activate your debit card for international online payment helps you avoid payment failures while travelling abroad or shopping on international websites.
International usage comes with limitations such as daily spending caps, geographic restrictions, and separate charges like currency conversion fees, foreign transaction fees, and ATM withdrawal charges.
Additional safety measures—like 2FA, SMS alerts, and temporary deactivation—ensure secure international usage, making global transactions safe and convenient for users.

You've finally booked your dream holiday abroad, or perhaps you've found the perfect deal on a foreign online shopping site. Just when you're ready to make a purchase or reservation, you realise your debit card is not enabled for international transactions. Frustrating, right?
In an increasingly globalised world, the need for enabling international transactions on your debit card is becoming more of a necessity than a luxury. The good news is that it's easier than you think to sort this out.

In this comprehensive guide, we will help you understand how to enable debit cards for international transactions, allowing you to transact without second thoughts, hassle-free.

Understanding the Basics of International Transactions

Before diving into the 'how-to', let's first understand why you must enable your debit card for international transactions. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) mandates certain security measures for all cards issued within India. One of these measures includes disabling international transactions by default to minimise the risks of unauthorised or fraudulent activities.

Restrictions for Security: International transactions are turned off as a security measure to protect your account from fraudulent activities.
Charges Apply: Enabling international transactions may incur additional fees, so checking this in advance is wise.
Currency Conversion: When you transact in a foreign currency, your bank will convert it to INR at the exchange rate plus a currency conversion fee.

How to Enable International Transactions on Debit Cards?

This is the core of the issue, the highlight of this article. The process varies depending on your bank, but here are general steps that almost all Indian banks follow:

Internet banking:

Log in to your Internet Banking account: Open your bank's Internet banking portal and log in.
Go to Card Management: Navigate to the card management section, usually under 'Services' or 'My Accounts'.
Enable International Usage: You'll see an option to manage your card settings, where you can enable or disable international transactions.

Through mobile app:

Log in to the Banking App: Open your mobile banking app and log in.
Navigate to Cards: Similar to the web interface, navigate to the card management section.
Change Card Settings: Look for options related to card settings and enable international transactions.

Customer service:

Call Customer Care: You can also enable international transactions by calling your bank's customer care.
Follow IVR Instructions: Follow the IVR instructions to talk to a customer service representative and request them to enable international transactions on your card.

If you're a Kotak811 customer, you can easily enable international transactions on your regular or image debit card via the Kotak 811 mobile app or internet banking services.

Must Read: What is a Contactless Debit Card?

Know your Limitations for International Transaction on a Debit Card

Once you've learnt how to enable international transactions on a debit card, it's crucial to know the limitations or restrictions that might still be applicable.

Daily Limits: Banks often have a daily transaction limit on international usage.
Geographical Limits: Some banks may still restrict usage in certain countries.
Online vs. Offline: The card might work online but not at physical stores or ATMs, or vice versa.

Additional Security Measures

After you've learned how to enable debit cards for international transactions, you might want to consider additional safety measures. At Kotak Mahindra Bank, we take several security steps to ensure international transactions on your Kotak811 debit card are safe.

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This adds an additional layer of security during the transaction process.
SMS Alerts: Make sure to keep SMS alerts active for all transactions.
Temporary Deactivation: If you're not going to use your card internationally for a while, you can deactivate and reactivate this feature as needed.

Credit Score & International Transactions

One crucial factor many overlook when enabling their debit card for international transactions is its potential impact on your credit score. While using a debit card internationally doesn't directly affect your credit score, poor management of your account can have consequences. Here's how to maintain a healthy financial profile:

Monitor Your Account: Ensure you keep track of your account and its transactions to spot any unusual activity.
Balance Checks: Keep an eye on your account balance to avoid overdrafts, which could affect your credit score negatively.
Check Statements: Regularly scrutinise your bank statements to confirm all international transactions are legitimate.

Common Charges on International Transactions

Financial literacy comes at a cost. When you enable your debit card for international transactions, there are several charges you should be aware of:

Currency Conversion Fees: A fee for converting the transaction amount into the local currency, usually around 3-5%.
Foreign Transaction Fees: These fees are separate from currency conversion fees and can add up.
ATM Withdrawal Fees: If you use your debit card to withdraw cash from an ATM abroad, you'll likely incur additional fees

Benefits of Enabling International Transactions

So, why go through all this trouble to enable international transactions on your debit card? Here are some compelling reasons:

Ease of Use: Using a debit card is much more convenient than carrying large sums of foreign currency.
Better Exchange Rates: Banks generally offer more favourable exchange rates than currency exchange kiosks.
Cashback and Rewards: Some debit cards offer cashback and rewards for international transactions, making it more beneficial for the user.

Must Read: What is a Debit Card?

FAQ's on International Transactions on Debit Card

Here is a summary of the most commonly asked questions on international transactions on your card:

1. Is it safe to use my debit card internationally?

Generally, it is safe, especially if you follow the security measures suggested, such as two-factor authentication and SMS alerts

2. How do I know if my bank allows international transactions?

You can quickly check this by logging into your online banking account or contacting customer service.

3. What should I do if I face issues while using my debit card internationally?

Contact your bank's customer service immediately. Make sure you have their international helpline number handy while travelling.

Conclusion

By now, you should have a comprehensive understanding of how to enable international transactions on your debit card. Gone are the days when you needed to carry large amounts of foreign currency or traveller's cheques. With a few simple steps, you can use your debit card abroad or for online purchases from foreign websites. However, it's essential to be aware of the associated costs and manage your transactions wisely to avoid unnecessary fees or security issues.

Remember, if you're a Kotak811 customer, enabling international transactions is easy and can be done straight from your mobile phone. So don't hold back - move forward with confidence and make the most of your global financial freedom!