Global services often refuse to accept cards issued by Nigerian banks due to high levels of fraud. Local banks provide cards that are accepted in limited places, and dollar-denominated cards are even rarer. Because of this, Nigerians are left searching for alternative solutions, sometimes even relying on intermediaries. However, these options come with their own risks. Virtual dollar cards offer a way to avoid these issues. Numerous financial providers now offer payment tools for subscriptions, services, and advertising. Nigerians can use these cards to pay for whatever they need.
Getting a dollar card, whether physical or virtual, isn’t easy. Banks and financial institutions usually require identity, address, and financial stability verification due to fraud concerns in the financial sector.
Here, we’ll review six providers of virtual dollar cards available in Nigeria in 2025.
1. PSTNET
The Ultima Card is a versatile dollar payment card supported by Visa/Mastercard, making it usable anywhere globally. With Ultima, you can easily pay for PayPal, Netflix, ChatGPT, Spotify, accommodation booking, rentals. This card is ideal for making purchases at any international store or app. Plus, if you’re a regular user, spending specific amounts on a consistent basis, you can even enjoy the card for free.
The card has garnered positive feedback from users across a variety of countries. Many find it convenient as a virtual card to take along when travelling, while others use it to pay for services or digital subscriptions. For some freelancers, it’s a reliable way to receive payments in crypto and functions just like a traditional card for everyday spending.
You can add funds via bank transfers or over 18 crypto. Withdrawals to USDT are fee-free.
To get the card, sign up on the PSTNET platform via Google, Telegram, WhatsApp, Apple ID, or email. After registration, you’ll have access to your personal dashboard, where you can issue the Ultima Card — no documents or verification required.
2. Cardtonic
Cardtonic is designed for creating virtual dollar cards for international payments, with a focus on Nigerian users. The card supports top-ups in Nigerian naira, which can be loaded into the platform’s wallet and then transferred to the virtual card balance. Currency conversion fees depend on the current platform exchange rates, and dollar transaction fees vary by financial operation type.
To create a card, register on the platform and open a Cardtonic wallet. During this process, you’ll need to verify your identity. The app provides instructions on completing this. You can reach support at any time; there’s a live chat icon on the website where you can connect with a support manager.
3. Chipper Cash
Chipper Cash operates across 21 African countries, offering a digital card suitable for international payments. This Visa debit card supports both Nigerian naira and dollars, which is convenient for Nigerian users.
Top up your card by loading funds into a Chipper wallet through any convenient method. Transferring money from the wallet to the card is instant and free. Keep in mind the spending, top-up, and withdrawal limits, which can be found in the help center.
To get started, download the Chipper Cash app and verify your identity (documentation is required). Once your account is set up, you can open a wallet, fund it, and quickly issue a digital card. The help center on the website answers common questions, and you can reach support by phone or email.
4. PayDay
PayDay lets you create virtual Visa/Mastercard cards and use an electronic wallet, tailored for users across Africa, including for local purchases. In Nigeria, it’s a convenient option for online payments. The platform’s dollar virtual cards are ideal for paying for international services and subscriptions and can receive payments or salaries from foreign employers, with transfers to other Nigerians on PayDay being free.
These cards are multi-currency, work with dollars, euros, pounds, and naira. Funds are added via currency conversion: deposit naira, convert to dollars, and load onto the card. Withdrawals can be made by transferring funds to your Nigerian bank account, although there’s a 35 NGN fee per transaction.
The app is available on the App Store and PlayStore, and registration requires identity verification using your BVN and a selfie. Once verified, you can issue cards and perform other financial operations in your account dashboard.
5. Geegpay
Geegpay helps Africans create virtual Visa debit cards, primarily used by freelancers receiving payments from U.S. clients. The card works well for any type of dollar payment. It supports naira and integrates with multi-currency wallets, allowing for quick currency conversions and transfers to other users, with small fees for these operations.
Registration and card issuance require identity verification. Download the app, go to the “cards” section in your dashboard, request a new card, and top it up through the wallet. You’ll need to take a selfie with your ID and wait for processing.
6. Payoneer
Payoneer is mainly geared toward business use, enabling Nigerian companies to receive payments from foreign partners. However, Payoneer’s Mastercard-branded dollar cards are versatile, functioning as a complete virtual banking system.
The cards support dollars, euros, pounds, and naira, though Payoneer’s fees are higher. Withdrawing funds or transferring them to another card costs around $1.50 per transaction, and currency conversion fees are roughly 3% above market rates. Still, the cards are useful for both receiving funds from international clients and top-ups via bank transfers from any Nigerian bank.
To register, complete the identity verification process. It is fast because it does not require waiting.
Conclusion
So, we’ve reviewed six virtual card providers for Nigerian residents. At the top of our list is PSTNET. Unlike providers that focus solely on African markets, PSTNET has a more reliable option, with cards that are widely used around the world. The other five providers are Africa-based and each comes with its own set of pros and cons. Still, they all fulfil the essential purpose: enabling dollar payments for services and apps.
Cardtonic, Chipper Cash, PayDay, Geegpay, and Payoneer all share similar features. Some of these services have maintained their reputation for years, consistently upgrading and improving the user experience.
Today, it’s safe to say that all payment services for international transactions in Nigeria are set to keep getting better. If you’re aiming to find the best dollar payment option for yourself, checking user reviews and comparing their experiences can be a great way to find what works best for you.
