There are two ways to get a Visa Prepaid card.

Online: You can visit our card finder page to find a Visa Prepaid card online from one of our providers.

In-person: You can pick up a Visa Prepaid card in person from one of the thousands of retail locations or bank branches that offer Visa Prepaid cards. Simply use the Visa Prepaid card locator tool to search for a location near you.

Fees vary by issuer. Check with your card issuer for fee details.

Prepaid cards vs. debit cards:

A prepaid card is not linked to a checking account. Instead, it is pre-loaded with a balance of funds. Each purchase you make is deducted from that balance.

In most cases, you can’t spend more money than you have already loaded onto your prepaid card. Overspending or overdrafts can occur in some cases where a prepaid card may be linked with a checking account. While most Visa Prepaid cards are protected by Visa’s Zero Liability policy, some prepaid cards have fewer consumer protections than debit cards, including those that apply if the card is lost, stolen or other unauthorized charges appear.¹

¹Visa’s Zero Liability policy does not apply to certain commercial card and anonymous prepaid card transactions or transactions not processed by Visa. Cardholders must use care in protecting their card and notify their issuing financial institution immediately of any unauthorized use. Contact your issuer for more details.

Prepaid cards vs. credit cards:

When you use a credit card, you are borrowing money and building up a balance of debt you owe. With prepaid cards, you’re spending money that has already been loaded onto the card. Unlike credit cards, prepaid cards don’t incur interest charges and don’t require a credit check to obtain.

A Visa Prepaid card won’t help you build your credit rating. Unlike a credit card, spending on your prepaid card isn’t reported to the credit bureaus.

With Visa’s Zero Liability Policy, you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized transactions made with most Visa Prepaid cards. You’re covered if your card is ever lost, stolen or fraudulently used.¹

¹Visa’s Zero Liability policy does not apply to certain commercial card and anonymous prepaid card transactions or transactions not processed by Visa. Cardholders must use care in protecting their card and notify their issuing financial institution immediately of any unauthorized use. Contact your issuer for more details.

You can activate your Visa Prepaid card online or by phone.

Online: Go online and activate it from your card provider’s website.

By phone: Call the 800 number listed on the card for activation.

There are several ways to load funds onto your Visa Prepaid card.

• You can direct deposit all or some of your paycheck, government checks or even your tax refund directly to your Visa Prepaid card.
• You may also be able to load cash at ATMs, bank branches and retail locations, or add money from checks by using the mobile check deposit feature on your card issuer’s mobile app. Check with your card issuer to confirm which of these features are offered.

You can withdraw cash in several ways.

• A convenient, fee-free way is to request cash back during checkout at grocery stores. Most grocery stores provide free cash back when you use a Visa Prepaid card. Ask the store associate beforehand to make sure.
• Additionally, you can withdraw money from participating ATMs. Check with your card issuer regarding ATM withdrawal fees. If you have more questions about cash withdrawal, contact your card issuer.

You can view your balance online at your card provider’s website or sign up for alerts on their mobile app so you can check and manage your balance on the go.

You can find out the contact information for your Visa Prepaid card provider by visiting the website or calling the 800 number printed on the back of your card.

Holders of eligible Reloadable Visa Prepaid cards can add funds to their cards at participating merchant locations and ATMs.