A virtual dollar card for people living abroad
Updated: 2026-09-27
If the card you brought from home stopped being accepted, you have three
realistic options: a local bank account, a fintech account like Wise or
Revolut, or a dollar card from a foreign issuer that you top up yourself.
What each option actually requires
| Option | What it needs | How long | Works for online subscriptions |
|---|
| Local bank card | residence permit, local address | weeks | yes |
| Wise, Revolut | supported country of residence, source-of-funds checks | days | yes |
| Dollar card topped up with stablecoins | passport | minutes | yes |
| Cash | nothing | — | no |
None of them is better in all cases. A local card is the cleanest once you
have residency. The third option exists because the first two need time you
usually do not have in the first month after a move.
The alt.vu card
Visa Platinum, virtual, settled in US dollars. You top the balance up with
USDT or USDC on TRON, BNB Chain, Polygon or TON. Issuing costs $25 once, there
is no monthly fee, and we add 1% on top of each purchase. Sign-up takes about
two minutes and identity is verified with a passport.
The card does not work inside Russia — it is for purchases and services
outside it.
What to keep in mind
- Keep a buffer on the balance: hotels and car rentals hold a deposit that is
released days later.
- Purchases are confirmed with a 3-D Secure code delivered to the app, so keep
your phone nearby when you pay.
- Add the card to Apple Pay or Google Pay to pay in shops.
Questions and answers
Do I need a residence permit
No. A passport is enough.
Is the card physical
No, it is virtual only. That covers online payments and phone payments through
Apple Pay and Google Pay, but not a card you hand to a cashier.
What currency is the balance in
US dollars. Purchases in other currencies are converted at the payment
network's rate.
What does it cost
$25 once to issue, $20 with a partner's invitation code. No monthly fee. We add
1% on top of each purchase.
Does it work in Russia
No.
Get the card — $25