💳 NRI Credit Cards
Which Indian credit card can NRIs actually open?
Updated May 2026
Methodology↗
We compared 8 Indian cards on FD-backed availability, lounge access, India-route value, and overseas transfer partners. Three NRI situations matter:
No Indian credit history (new NRI)
→ ICICI NRI Sapphiro
FD-backed against a ₹2L deposit, no CIBIL needed. Instant approval with existing ICICI NRE/NRO. Use for 6–12 months, build history, then upgrade.
Established · 2-3 India visits a year
→ HDFC Infinia Metal or Diners Club Black
Unlimited domestic + international lounges, 3.3% effective rewards. SmartBuy converts points to flights at ~1.5x face value. Pair with an international card for home-country spend.
Transferring points to overseas airlines
→ Axis Magnus
Magnus → Singapore at 5:4 ratio is the best India-to-overseas redemption available domestically. Amex MRCC also transfers (Marriott, BA) but slower. Infinia/ICICI redeem only for India spend.
Premium · top picks
HDFC Bank
Visa Infinite
Infinia Metal
⭐ Top India card
HDFC Infinia Metal
Annual fee
₹12,500
Forex fee
2%
Lounges
Unlimited Priority
Rewards
3.3% avg
Axis Bank
Visa Reserve
Magnus
Transfers points to 25+ airlines
Axis Magnus
Annual fee
₹12,500
Forex fee
2%
Lounges
Unlimited intl
Transfer
25+ partners
Mid-tier · best value
HDFC Bank
Diners Club
Diners Club Black
Highest reward rate · 3.3% avg
HDFC Diners Club Black
Annual fee
₹10,000
Forex fee
2%
Lounges
Unlimited
Rewards
3.3% avg
ICICI NRI
Mastercard World
Sapphiro
⭐ Best FD-backed entry
ICICI NRI Sapphiro
Annual fee
₹3,500
FD-backed
₹2L+
Lounges
8/yr intl
CIBIL needed
No
HDFC Bank
Visa Signature
Regalia Gold
Mid-tier lifestyle · ₹4L fee waiver
HDFC Regalia Gold
Annual fee
₹2,500
Forex fee
2%
Lounges
12 dom + 6 intl
Rewards
2.6% avg
Charge · spend-as-you-go
American Express India
Charge
Platinum Charge
Concierge · status
Amex Platinum Charge India
Annual fee
₹66,000
Forex fee
3.5%
Lounges
Centurion
Hotel status
Marriott Gold