Visa Foreign Transaction Fees & Alternatives for International Travel
If you plan to use a debit or credit card abroad, check the fees before travelling. Visa is widely accepted, but your card provider may charge for foreign-currency purchases, ATM withdrawals or other transactions.
Visa operates the payment network. Banks and other financial institutions issue cards on that network and set the fees you pay. Canadian providers offering Visa products include CIBC, RBC, Scotiabank and TD, although card features and acceptance vary by product.
This guide explains how international fees work for Visa cards and compares alternatives such as the Wise debit card and KOHO prepaid Mastercard. These alternatives have different account features and fee structures, so compare the total cost of the transactions you expect to make.
Visa international fees: Quick summary
| Questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| How much does it cost to use a Visa card internationally? | Your card issuer sets the fees, so there is no single charge that applies to every Visa card. Many Canadian cards charge around 2.5% for foreign-currency transactions, but the amount varies and some cards have no foreign transaction fee. ATM withdrawals may involve issuer fees, ATM operator charges and currency conversion costs. Credit card withdrawals can also incur cash advance fees and interest. |
| Can I use my Visa card abroad when travelling? | Generally, yes, where your specific card is accepted. Check international usage restrictions, spending limits and ATM access with your provider before travelling. If a merchant or ATM offers to convert your payment into CAD, choosing the local currency generally avoids its dynamic currency conversion. Your card’s own fees may still apply. |
| Are there debit or prepaid cards with no foreign transaction fees? | Yes. The Wise debit card has no separate foreign transaction fee. Spending a currency you hold in sufficient balance is free; a conversion fee applies when currency exchange is needed. The KOHO prepaid Mastercard has no foreign transaction fees on Extra and Everything. Its free Core plan charges a 1.5% foreign transaction fee. |
| What do KOHO’s plans cost? | Core: $0/month. Extra: $18/month or $144 annually. Everything: $22/month or $177 annually. All prices are in CAD. Compare subscription costs alongside any savings on foreign transaction fees. |
| Can I send international money transfers with KOHO’s free plan? | Yes. International money transfers are available on Core, Extra and Everything, including free Core, to 190+ countries. KOHO advertises competitive exchange rates, no hidden fees and transfers that can arrive within 30 minutes. Actual delivery times vary. Transfer pricing is separate from card foreign transaction fees. Check the quote before confirming; access to transfers does not mean every transfer is free. |
Does Visa charge foreign transaction fees?
Visa operates a payment network that connects merchants, ATMs and financial institutions. Banks and other providers issue cards on that network and set the fees their customers pay.
There is no single foreign transaction fee that applies to every Visa card. Your costs depend on the issuer, account and card you choose.
Check your card’s terms for foreign-currency conversion charges, international withdrawal fees and any other transaction costs.
Can I use my Visa card internationally?
Generally, yes, where your specific Visa card is accepted. Check the payment and ATM network logos on your card, along with any country or transaction restrictions.
Before travelling, review your spending limits, withdrawal limits and fee schedule. A Visa debit card does not necessarily offer the same international functionality as a Visa credit card.
Carrying a backup payment method can also be useful if a merchant cannot accept your card or you encounter a temporary block.
How does Visa compare on international fees?
The network logo alone does not determine whether a card is inexpensive to use abroad.
Below, we compare ScotiaCard with Visa Debit and CIBC Advantage Debit with alternatives from Wise and KOHO. KOHO is a prepaid Mastercard, while Wise is a debit card whose network depends on the card issued.
All dollar amounts are CAD unless stated otherwise. Bank account fees and fee waivers depend on the specific account selected.
| Provider | Monthly account fee | Foreign transaction or conversion fee | International ATM fee | Exchange rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ScotiaCard with Visa Debit | Depends on the linked account and applicable fee waivers. | 2.5% foreign exchange charge on applicable foreign-currency transactions. | $3 in the U.S.; $5 outside Canada and the U.S., before applicable account or network waivers. ATM operator charges may apply. | Applicable network conversion rate, with Scotiabank’s foreign exchange charge. |
| CIBC Advantage Debit Card | Depends on the linked account and applicable fee waivers. | 2.5% administration fee on applicable foreign-currency transactions. | $3 in the U.S.; $5 outside Canada and the U.S., subject to account benefits. ATM operator charges may apply. | The conversion rate CIBC is required to pay, plus its administration fee. |
| Wise debit card | No monthly subscription fee. | No separate foreign transaction fee. Currency conversion carries a separate fee. | No Wise withdrawal fee on the first $100 per calendar month. Above this: $2.69 per chargeable withdrawal plus 2.69% of the amount exceeding the allowance. | Mid-market exchange rate with a separately stated conversion fee. |
| KOHO prepaid Mastercard | Core: $0/month. Extra: $18/month or $144 annually. Everything: $22/month or $177 annually. | Core: 1.5%. Extra and Everything: no foreign transaction fees. | ATM operator fees vary. Extra and Everything customers can request reimbursement for one international ATM withdrawal fee per month. | Mastercard exchange rate. |
ATM charges are separate from applicable currency conversion costs. A withdrawal fee waiver does not necessarily remove the foreign exchange charge.
Compare the full cost of your expected purchases and withdrawals, including account subscriptions, before selecting a card.
Visa foreign transaction fees
Many Canadian cards charge a percentage when converting foreign-currency purchases or withdrawals into CAD. This can apply when travelling or shopping online from Canada.
A merchant’s overseas location alone does not determine the fee. Check the transaction currency and the definition in your card agreement.
Here is a summary of the featured cards:
| Provider | Foreign transaction or conversion fee |
|---|---|
| ScotiaCard with Visa Debit | 2.5% on applicable foreign-currency transactions. |
| CIBC Advantage Debit Card | 2.5% administration fee on applicable foreign-currency transactions. |
| Wise debit card | No separate foreign transaction fee. A conversion fee applies when currencies need to be exchanged. |
| KOHO prepaid Mastercard | Core: 1.5%. Extra and Everything: no foreign transaction fees. |
Percentage fees can add up. A 2.5% charge on spending worth $2,000 CAD before fees adds $50 to the total.
A card with no foreign transaction fee may still involve subscription charges, currency conversion costs or ATM fees.
Visa exchange rates
Visa provides exchange rates for transactions processed through its network. The rate applied to your purchase may differ from a mid-market rate displayed by an online currency converter.
Your issuer may then add its own foreign-currency charge. Check whether that charge is included in the exchange rate displayed on your statement or shown separately.
The processing date can also affect the final amount. A pending transaction or calculator estimate may differ from the amount ultimately posted to your account.
If you accept a merchant or ATM’s offer to convert the transaction into CAD, its conversion service may determine the rate instead. This is known as dynamic currency conversion.
Visa foreign transaction fees calculator
The Visa exchange-rate calculator can help you estimate the converted cost of a transaction.
Enter the transaction amount, currencies, relevant date and your issuer’s applicable bank fee. Do not assume the calculator’s prefilled fee matches your card.
The result is an estimate, not a guarantee of the final posted amount. Other charges, including ATM fees, may need to be added separately.
Illustrative screenshot. Use the live calculator and your card’s current fee schedule for your own transaction.
Visa card alternatives for international travel
An alternative card may help you reduce fees or access features such as multi-currency balances. A backup card on another network can also be useful, although acceptance depends on the merchant and destination.
The options below are alternatives to using your usual bank-issued Visa card. Wise cards are not necessarily on a different network, so check the card issued to you if network diversity matters.
| Provider | Currency and spending features | Foreign transaction or conversion fee | ATM fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise debit card | Hold 40+ currencies and spend at supported merchants internationally. | No separate foreign transaction fee. Conversion fees apply when needed. | Monthly fee-free withdrawal allowance, followed by the charges shown in the comparison above. Operator fees may apply. |
| KOHO prepaid Mastercard | Hold CAD and spend where prepaid Mastercard is accepted. International transfers are available on all plans, including free Core. | Core: 1.5%. Extra and Everything: none. | Operator fees vary; one international withdrawal fee reimbursement per month is available with Extra and Everything. |
| BMO Debit Mastercard | Spend from an eligible linked account at supported merchants. | 2.5% markup on applicable foreign-currency purchases. | Standard overseas non-BMO ATM fee: $5, subject to plan or network waivers. Operator fees may apply. |
| Canada Post Cash Passport prepaid Mastercard | Hold seven currencies, including CAD and six foreign currencies. | 3.25% when a transaction requires conversion because the currency is unavailable or its balance is insufficient. | A fixed fee in the withdrawal currency; see the provider section below. |
Wise card
| 💡 Great for: Holding multiple currencies and spending internationally with mid-market currency conversion. |
Wise offers an account that holds 40+ currencies and a linked debit card.
Spending a currency you already hold in sufficient balance is free. When conversion is needed, Wise applies the mid-market exchange rate and a separate fee.
Supported mobile wallets let you make eligible contactless payments using your phone. Account details are also available for receiving supported currencies; receipt methods and fees vary.
| Feature | Wise details |
|---|---|
| Account and card fees | No subscription fee. Standard card ordering is free in Canada; optional express delivery costs extra. |
| Currency conversion | Mid-market rate with a separate fee. Canadian pricing advertises conversion from 0.19%, depending on the currency. |
| Supported currencies | Hold 40+ currencies. Check available receiving details and methods in your account. |
| International ATM fees | The monthly allowance and charges shown above apply to Canadian-issued cards. Conversion and operator fees may also apply. |
| Spending and withdrawal limits | Check the Cards section of your account for your current daily and monthly limits. These are separate from the fee-free ATM allowance. |
Check out our guide: How to use the Wise card overseas.
KOHO card
| 💡 Great for: A CAD account with cashback, interest and international transfers available on free Core, plus paid plans with no card foreign transaction fees. |
KOHO offers a prepaid Mastercard and three account plans: Core, Extra and Everything.
Core is free at $0/month and charges a 1.5% foreign transaction fee. Extra costs $18/month or $144 annually, while Everything costs $22/month or $177 annually. Both paid plans have no foreign transaction fees.
The plans also have different cashback and interest benefits:
- Core: 1% cashback on groceries, eating and drinking, and transportation; 2% annual interest; and up to 6.5% additional cashback at selected merchants.
- Extra: 1.5% cashback on those categories, 0.25% on other purchases and 2.5% annual interest.
- Everything: 2% cashback on those categories, 0.5% on other purchases and 3.5% annual interest.
Cashback eligibility and merchant offers have their own conditions. Interest rates may change.
International money transfers are available on every plan, including free Core, to 190+ countries. KOHO advertises competitive exchange rates, no hidden fees and transfers that can arrive within 30 minutes. Actual delivery times vary.
Transfer pricing is separate from card foreign transaction fees. Check the quote before confirming; access to international transfers does not mean every transfer is free.
| Feature | KOHO details |
|---|---|
| Account plans | Core: $0/month. Extra: $18/month or $144 annually. Everything: $22/month or $177 annually. |
| Card currency conversion | Mastercard exchange rate. Core adds a 1.5% foreign transaction fee; Extra and Everything do not. |
| Supported account currency | CAD. Foreign-currency card transactions are converted to CAD. |
| International transfers | Available on Core, Extra and Everything, including the free plan. |
| International ATM fees | Operator charges vary. Extra and Everything customers can request reimbursement for one international ATM withdrawal fee each month. |
| Published card transaction limits | Daily purchases: $9,000. Daily ATM withdrawals: $1,510. Maximum per ATM transaction: $1,510. Up to five ATM withdrawals daily. Combined daily purchases and ATM withdrawals: $10,510. |
Check the limits displayed in your KOHO app before relying on these amounts. Account verification, individual restrictions and ATM limits may affect what you can withdraw or spend. Card limits are not international money transfer limits.
More information: KOHO international fees.
BMO card
| 💡 Great for: A bank-issued Debit Mastercard linked to an eligible BMO account. |
BMO offers debit cards with account plans that have different monthly fees, transaction allowances and waiver conditions.
Foreign-currency purchases include a 2.5% markup. Under BMO’s published process, currencies other than USD may be converted into USD first and then CAD.
A BMO card can provide a familiar way to access your account abroad, but compare its conversion and withdrawal costs with other options.
| Feature | BMO details |
|---|---|
| Account fees | Depend on the selected account, eligibility and fee-waiver conditions. |
| Currency conversion | Applicable conversion rate plus a 2.5% markup on foreign-currency purchases. |
| International use | At supported merchants and ATMs using the networks shown on your card. |
| International ATM fees | Standard non-BMO overseas withdrawal fee: $5. Plan or network waivers may apply; operator and conversion charges can remain. |
| Transaction limits | Check your individual debit card limits with BMO before travelling. |
Canada Post Cash Passport
| 💡 Great for: A prepaid travel card holding seven currencies, available from participating post offices. |
Canada Post Cash Passport supports CAD, USD, AUD, EUR, GBP, JPY and MXN: seven currencies in total.
Compare the rate offered when loading or moving money between currencies. Holding a currency does not mean the initial conversion was free.
| Feature | Canada Post Cash Passport details |
|---|---|
| Card and reload fees | $15 purchase fee; $3 reload fee. A $2.80 monthly inactivity fee may apply after 12 months without use or reloading, while a balance remains. |
| Purchase fees | No card purchase fee abroad when sufficient matching currency is available. Purchases in Canada incur 1.5%. |
| Currency conversion | A 3.25% fee applies when transaction conversion is required. Check quoted rates for loading or moving balances. |
| Supported currencies | CAD, USD, AUD, EUR, GBP, JPY and MXN. |
| ATM withdrawal fees | CAD 3.00, USD 2.50, EUR 1.90, GBP 1.70, JPY 275, AUD 3.00 or MXN 32.00, depending on currency. Operator fees may apply. |
| Published transaction limits | ATM withdrawals: CAD 960 equivalent per 24 hours. Merchant spending: CAD 4,000 equivalent per 24 hours. Lower operator or merchant limits may apply. |
Visa international ATM fees
ATM withdrawal costs can include several separate charges:
- Your card provider’s withdrawal fee
- A fee charged by the ATM operator
- Currency conversion or foreign transaction charges
- Cash advance fees and interest if you use a credit card
The table below covers debit and prepaid cards. Do not apply these figures to credit card cash advances.
| Provider | Foreign-currency charge | International withdrawal fee |
|---|---|---|
| ScotiaCard with Visa Debit | 2.5% on applicable conversions. | $3 in the U.S.; $5 outside Canada and the U.S. Eligible account and network waivers may apply. |
| CIBC Advantage Debit Card | 2.5% administration fee. | $3 in the U.S.; $5 outside Canada and the U.S., subject to account benefits. |
| Wise debit card | A separate conversion fee when needed. | The monthly withdrawal allowance and charges shown in the first comparison table apply. |
| KOHO prepaid Mastercard | Core: 1.5%. Extra and Everything: none. | Operator fees vary. Extra and Everything offer one international withdrawal fee reimbursement per month. |
| Canada Post Cash Passport | 3.25% when transaction conversion is required. | Fixed currency-specific charges listed in the Cash Passport section above. |
ATM operator charges may apply in addition to the amounts shown. A waiver of an issuer’s withdrawal fee does not automatically waive conversion charges.
Visa foreign transaction limits
Visa does not set one universal spending or withdrawal allowance for every cardholder. Your issuer determines your account’s limits, and merchants or ATMs can impose additional restrictions.
Before travelling, check:
- Daily and monthly purchase limits
- Daily and per-transaction ATM limits
- Any restrictions on online or contactless payments
- Your available balance or credit
- Whether temporary limit changes are available
Hotel and car rental deposits can also reduce your available funds or credit while a hold remains in place.
How can I avoid foreign transaction fees on a Visa card?
- Check your specific card’s terms. Fees depend on the product, not simply the Visa logo.
- Compare cards with no foreign transaction fee. Include annual or subscription charges in the calculation.
- Consider a multi-currency account. A provider such as Wise lets you spend an available matching currency balance without converting at checkout.
- Compare prepaid alternatives. KOHO Extra and Everything have no card foreign transaction fees, while free Core charges 1.5%.
- Generally choose the local currency. This avoids accepting the merchant or ATM’s dynamic currency conversion. Your card’s own charges can still apply.
- Check ATM costs separately. Fee-free purchases do not necessarily mean fee-free withdrawals.
Conclusion: Are Visa cards good for travel?
Visa is widely accepted, but international costs depend on the card issuer and product. Compare foreign transaction fees, exchange rates, account charges and ATM fees before choosing.
The Wise debit card offers multi-currency balances and separately priced conversion when needed.
KOHO offers Core at $0/month, Extra at $18/month or $144 annually, and Everything at $22/month or $177 annually. Extra and Everything remove the card foreign transaction fee; Core charges 1.5%.
International money transfers are available on every KOHO plan, including free Core. Compare transfer quotes separately from card spending costs.
Choose the combination of cards and account features that fits your destination, spending and cash needs.
Visa international fees FAQs
How do I let Visa know I am travelling?
Check with your card issuer rather than Visa. Many providers do not require travel notices, while others may offer a notification option.
Review the issuer’s website or app, keep your contact details current and make sure you can receive any required security messages abroad.
How do I know if I have to pay foreign transaction fees with Visa?
Read your card’s fee schedule or application disclosure. Look for “foreign currency conversion,” “foreign transactions” or similar wording.
Also check overseas ATM fees and any account-specific waivers. If the wording is unclear, ask the issuer to explain the total cost of a sample foreign-currency purchase or withdrawal.
Related article: Best Canadian cards without foreign transaction fees