Egyptian Virtual Card (Maestro)Prices, card options and how to buy →
Paying for Netflix, running Facebook Ads, or buying software from a foreign site gets frustrating when your card is declined at checkout. An Egypt virtual card gives you a separate US dollar balance built for online payments.
At Yellowdotpay, you can buy a prepaid Visa or Mastercard that holds US dollars and use it wherever the merchant accepts it. You sign up with your email, and no Egyptian bank account is needed.
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Our Egypt virtual card options and pricing
We offer two reloadable prepaid cards for online payments from Egypt. Both hold US dollars and are issued by a US bank.
EGYPTIAN RELOADABLE CARD
👉 Type: Reloadable Maestro Credit Card
👉 Issued from: Egypt Bank
👉 Card Status: Reloadable
👉 Validity: 1 year
👉 Card Preloaded Fund: $95
👉 Card Issue charge: $5 fee
👉 Card Work from: All Countries
👉 Bin: Universal Bin card works for all countries
👉 Features: Borderless!
See current prices on the Visa Card USA Reloadable and Mastercard USA Reloadable pages, or compare all cards on our Cards page. Not sure which card fits? Our support team can help you choose.
What is a virtual card in Egypt?
A virtual card is an online-only payment card. It has a 16-digit card number, an expiry date, and a CVV, like a physical card, but no plastic and nothing to ship.
Key features include the following:
- Prepaid balance: You load money first and spend only what you load. There's no credit check and no credit line.
- US dollar currency: Our cards hold US dollars, so USD prices are charged directly. Prices in Egyptian pounds or other currencies are converted.
- 3D Secure support: Many merchants ask for a one-time code to confirm a payment, and our cards support it.
- Online delivery: Your card details appear in your dashboard once your order is processed.
- Reloadable: You can top up the same card during its 1-year validity.
You'll also see these cards called an Egypt virtual credit card, a virtual debit card, a virtual prepaid card, or a virtual USD card.
Credit cards vs debit cards vs prepaid virtual cards
People search for a virtual credit card in Egypt, a virtual debit card, or a virtual prepaid card. The three work differently.
| Feature | Credit card | Debit card | Prepaid virtual card (Yellowdotpay) |
|---|
| Whose money you spend | Credit card: The bank's, up to a credit limit | Debit card: Yours, from your bank account | Prepaid virtual card (Yellowdotpay): Yours, loaded in advance |
|---|
| Credit check | Credit card: Yes | Debit card: No | Prepaid virtual card (Yellowdotpay): No |
|---|
| Interest | Credit card: On unpaid balances | Debit card: None | Prepaid virtual card (Yellowdotpay): None |
|---|
| Most you can lose to overspending | Credit card: Debt, if you don't repay | Debit card: Your account balance | Prepaid virtual card (Yellowdotpay): Only what you load |
|---|
| Linked to a bank account | Credit card: Yes | Debit card: Yes | Prepaid virtual card (Yellowdotpay): No |
|---|
Our card is prepaid. It works like a debit card for online payments, without a link to your bank account.
Key reasons for using virtual cards in Egypt
Egyptians already pay digitally at scale. In late 2025, the Central Bank of Egypt reported more than 16 million InstaPay users. For foreign websites, though, many people want a card that holds US dollars.
Key reasons include the following:
- Foreign-currency limits: Banks such as CIB and HSBC block international payments on debit cards linked to pound accounts. Credit cards work abroad, but within monthly foreign-currency limits set by each bank.
- Fees and declines: Egyptian banks add a markup to foreign-currency card payments, cut to 3% at NBE, CIB, and Banque Misr in August 2025. Some foreign sites also decline cards issued in Egypt.
- Global subscriptions: Services like Netflix, Spotify, ChatGPT Plus, Adobe, and Google Workspace need a card that works for online payments. A USD card pays USD prices without a conversion at checkout.
- Freelancing and business: Freelancers and digital marketers need a working card for Facebook and Google Ads campaigns and for their work tools. A prepaid card keeps that spending separate from personal money.
- Online setup and safer payments: You get your card details online, with no branch visit. A prepaid card also limits what's at risk if the details leak.
Virtual card providers in Egypt
Several kinds of providers offer virtual cards to people in Egypt. Each one fits a different need:
- Egyptian banks: Bank cards work well for paying in pounds. Foreign-currency use depends on your bank's current rules and limits, so check with your bank.
- Mobile wallets: Vodafone Cash issues a virtual card for Egyptian websites and apps. Each card costs EGP 10, lasts 24 hours, and covers two purchases.
- Meeza: Egypt's national payment scheme, run under the Central Bank of Egypt's supervision, is built for payments across Egypt.
- International prepaid card providers: Companies like Yellowdotpay sell prepaid cards issued outside Egypt that hold US dollars, built for foreign online payments.
Many people keep both: a local card or wallet for Egyptian sites, and a USD card for foreign services.
Security features and benefits of prepaid virtual cards
Security is one of the main reasons people pay online with a prepaid virtual card instead of their main bank card.
Key security benefits include the following:
- Limitation of risk: A prepaid card can only be charged up to the balance you load. That limits losses if the card details are ever stolen.
- 3D Secure checks: Many merchants ask for a one-time code to confirm an online payment.
- Account protection: Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a second step when you sign in to your Yellowdotpay account.
- Separate card numbers: Each card has its own number, so if one is exposed, your other cards aren't affected.
- Separation from bank accounts: Merchants see your Yellowdotpay card, not your bank card.
If you notice a payment you don't recognize, contact support@yellowdotpay.net right away.
How to get a virtual Visa card in Egypt online
The whole process happens online. There's no credit check, because the card is prepaid.
To get your card, follow these steps:
- Create your account: Register at Yellowdotpay with your email and a password.
- Choose your card: Pick the Visa or Mastercard reloadable card from the Cards section.
- Add funds: Top up with a supported method, such as USDT (TRC20 or ERC20), Bitcoin, or Ethereum. Your top-up converts to US dollars at the rate shown before you confirm.
- Get your card details: Your card number, expiry date, and CVV appear in your dashboard once your order is processed.
- Start paying: Use your card at checkout on sites and apps that accept it.
Topping up with USDT? Pick TRC20 or ERC20 on the deposit page, and send on that same network. USDT sent on a different network can be lost.
How to pay foreign websites from Egypt
Paying a foreign website with a virtual card works like any card payment, with a few extra checks.
Follow these steps at checkout:
- Check the currency: Your card holds US dollars. USD prices are charged directly, and prices in pounds or other currencies are converted.
- Check your balance: Make sure it covers the price plus any conversion fee.
- Enter your card details: Type the card number, expiry date, and CVV exactly as shown in your dashboard.
- Add billing details: If the site asks for a billing address, use the billing details provided with your card. Ask our support team if you're not sure.
- Complete 3D Secure: Enter the one-time code if the site asks for one.
- Keep your receipt: Save the confirmation, and check the payment in your dashboard.
For subscriptions and recurring payments, keep these tips in mind:
- Renewal dates: Keep enough balance before each renewal, so your subscription doesn't lapse.
- Card checks: Some services place a small temporary hold to check a new card. The hold is released after the check.
- Currency offers: If a site offers to convert the price into US dollars for you, check its rate before you accept.
- Card expiry: Your card is valid for 1 year, so move your subscriptions to a new card before it expires.
Where you can use a virtual card in Egypt
Our virtual card works on many online platforms. Each service sets its own rules for prepaid cards, so a merchant can still decline one.
Popular categories include the following:
- Streaming: Pay for Netflix, YouTube Premium, Spotify, Disney+, and Shahid VIP. Services that bill Egyptian accounts in pounds are converted from your USD balance.
- AI tools: Pay for ChatGPT Plus, Midjourney, and other AI subscriptions.
- Design and business tools: Pay for Canva, Grammarly, Adobe Creative Cloud, Shopify, Notion, and Zoom.
- Digital ads: Run campaigns on Meta Ads (Facebook and Instagram), Google Ads, and TikTok Ads. Each ad platform runs its own payment checks, and some limit prepaid cards.
- Online shopping: Order from Amazon, eBay, AliExpress, and Shein sellers that ship to Egypt.
- Travel: Book flights and stays on Booking.com, Airbnb, and Expedia.
- Domains and hosting: Pay for domains and hosting providers that accept prepaid cards. Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and Oracle Cloud don't accept prepaid cards.
- Freelance platforms: Buy Upwork Connects or order services on Fiverr. The card is for paying, not for receiving payouts.
- Gaming and app stores: Pay on Steam, PlayStation Store, Google Play, and the App Store. Stores can check that your card matches your account region, so a US-issued card may not work on an Egyptian-region account.
Egyptian online stores such as Amazon.eg, Noon, and Jumia bill in pounds. Your Egyptian bank card or wallet is usually the simplest way to pay them.
Travel guide: paying for trips to and from Egypt
Whether you're visiting the pyramids or flying out of Cairo, plan how you'll pay before you go.
Here's what to know about money in Egypt:
- Cash: Egypt is still largely a cash economy. Carry Egyptian pounds for taxis, markets, small shops, and tips (baksheesh).
- Cards: Hotels, malls, and upscale restaurants take Visa and Mastercard. American Express is accepted in fewer places.
- Currency choice: Pay in Egyptian pounds, and say no when a card machine or ATM offers to convert the price for you.
- Tickets at major sites: Major sites like the Pyramids of Giza and Karnak Temple no longer take cash at the ticket office. You can also buy tickets online on the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' ticket site, egymonuments.com.
- Where our card fits: Our virtual card is for online payments. For ticket offices, shops, and ATMs, bring a physical card.
Here's what you can book online before you go:
- e-Visa: Many nationalities can apply on the official portal, visa2egypt.gov.eg. Since April 2026, a single-entry tourist e-Visa costs $30 and a multiple-entry one costs $65.
- Grand Egyptian Museum: The museum opened to the public in November 2025. Book tickets on its official site, visit-gem.com.
- Sleeper trains: Overnight sleeper trains run from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan, and fares are priced in US dollars. Book on the operator's website or through a travel agent.
- Rides: Uber, Careem, and inDrive operate in Cairo and other cities. Card acceptance varies by app, so keep some cash as a backup.
- Flights, hotels, and cruises: Book flights, hotels, and Nile cruises online wherever the site accepts your card.
Traveling abroad from Egypt? Here's what to know:
- Your bank's rules: Credit cards work abroad within monthly foreign-currency limits. Debit cards on pound accounts are blocked abroad at banks like CIB and HSBC, so check with your bank before you go.
- Cash for travel: Since August 2025, major banks let travelers withdraw up to $10,000 in foreign currency before departure with a valid ticket and visa.
- Online bookings: Use your USD virtual card for hotels, flights, and eSIMs wherever the site accepts it, and keep a backup card for your trip.
Before any trip, check your government's latest travel advice, and save your e-tickets and booking confirmations on your phone.
Virtual cards for freelancers, agencies, and businesses in Egypt
Freelancers, agencies, and small businesses in Egypt pay for many foreign tools and ad platforms.
Here's how each can use a virtual card:
- Freelancers: Pay for hosting, domains, design tools, and premium memberships from one USD balance.
- Business owners: Run Facebook, TikTok, and Google Ads, and manage software subscriptions from separate cards.
- Agencies: Keep one card per client campaign. Each card's prepaid balance works as that campaign's budget.
What to know before you buy
We want you to know exactly what you're getting.
Keep the following in mind:
- US dollar balance: Payments in Egyptian pounds or other currencies are converted, and a conversion fee may apply.
- US-issued card: Our cards are issued by a US bank, so the Central Bank of Egypt doesn't regulate them.
- Online only: There's no physical card, so you can't withdraw cash at an ATM or pay in shops.
- Merchant rules: Each service sets its own rules for prepaid cards.
- Local rules: The Central Bank of Egypt regulates foreign currency and crypto. You're responsible for the rules that apply to you.
- Sanctions: Payments involving sanctioned countries aren't supported.
We may ask for more information when our card issuer or the law requires it.
Frequently asked questions
What is a virtual card in Egypt?
It's an online-only prepaid card for paying websites and apps. Our cards are prepaid Visa and Mastercard cards that hold US dollars, issued by a US bank.
Is it an Egypt virtual credit card or a debit card?
It's prepaid. You load a balance first and spend only what you load, so there's no credit check. People search for an Egypt virtual credit card or a virtual debit card, but it works like a prepaid debit card.
Can I get a virtual credit card in Egypt without a bank account?
Yes. You don't need an Egyptian bank account. Sign up with your email and add funds with a supported top-up method.
How do I get a virtual Visa card in Egypt online?
Create an account with your email, add funds, and buy the Visa Card USA Reloadable from our Cards page. Your card details appear in your dashboard once your order is processed.
Is there a free virtual credit card in Egypt?
Our cards aren't free: each one has a $5 issue fee, plus the balance you load. Some Egyptian wallets offer low-cost cards for local sites. For example, a Vodafone Cash virtual card costs EGP 10 and works on Egyptian websites and apps.
Is this a virtual USD card?
Yes. Our cards hold US dollars, so USD prices are charged without conversion. Prices in other currencies are converted, and a conversion fee may apply.
Can I use it for Netflix, ChatGPT, and Facebook Ads?
Often, yes. Each service sets its own rules for prepaid cards, so a merchant can still decline one.
How do I top up my card?
Top up from your dashboard with a supported method, such as USDT, Bitcoin, or Ethereum. Your top-up converts to US dollars at the rate shown before you confirm.
Which USDT network should I use?
Use TRC20 or ERC20, whichever the deposit page shows for your top-up, and send on that same network. USDT sent on the wrong network can be lost.
How long does it take to get my card?
Your card number, expiry date, and CVV appear in your dashboard once your order is processed.
Can I withdraw cash from the card?
No. It's an online-only card with no ATM access. Ask our support team about any balance you don't plan to use.
Is it legal to use a virtual card in Egypt?
The Central Bank of Egypt regulates payments, foreign currency, and crypto, and the rules can change. Check the rules that apply to you before you buy or top up. We can't give legal advice.
Can I pay for the Egypt e-Visa with a virtual card?
The official e-Visa portal, visa2egypt.gov.eg, takes card payments online. Whether a prepaid card goes through is up to the portal, so keep a backup card ready.
Can I use my virtual card at the pyramids?
Not at the ticket office, because it needs a physical card. You can try buying tickets online on the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' ticket site, egymonuments.com.
What if my payment is declined?
Check that your balance covers the payment plus any conversion fee, and that you entered the card details exactly as shown. If the merchant still declines it, it may not accept prepaid cards. Contact support@yellowdotpay.net and we'll help you check.
Can I get a refund to my virtual card?
Yes. If a merchant refunds a payment, the money goes back to the card you paid with. Refund times depend on the merchant.
How do I contact Yellowdotpay customer support?
Use live chat in your account dashboard or email support@yellowdotpay.net. We help with card orders, top-ups, and transaction questions.
How Yellowdotpay can help
Yellowdotpay provides prepaid virtual Visa and Mastercard cards for online payments. They help people in Egypt pay foreign services from a separate US dollar balance.
Yellowdotpay can help you:
- Pay foreign services from Egypt: Use one prepaid card for subscriptions, AI tools, ads, and online shopping, wherever the merchant accepts it.
- Pay in US dollars: Hold a USD balance for the many services that price in dollars.
- Keep spending in check: Spend only what you load, and keep separate cards for separate budgets.
- Protect your main account: Keep your bank card off foreign sites, with 3D Secure support and 2FA for your login.
- Get started online: Sign up with your email and find your card details in your dashboard once your order is processed. No Egyptian bank account is needed.
Learn more about our virtual cards and pricing, or get started today.
