---
title: "Virtual vs physical card"
description: "The differences between RedotPay's virtual and physical cards, how to choose, and how to pay online with your physical card before it arrives."
---

> Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://redotdocs.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Virtual vs physical card

RedotPay offers a virtual card that lives in the app and a [physical card](/en/cards/physical-card/) that is shipped to you.

| | Virtual card | Physical card |
|---|---|---|
| Available | Right after approval | Online right after you order it; in stores and at ATMs once it arrives and you activate it |
| Online payments | Yes | Yes |
| In-store payments | Through a mobile wallet, where supported | Yes, after activation |
| ATM withdrawals | No | Where supported, after activation |

## What you'll see when you apply

Both cards are ordered from the **Card** tab, after your identity is verified.

Before you tap Pay, type our promo code on the application screen: **redoc** takes the virtual card to 8 USD, **redocs** takes the physical card to 80 USD. See [promo code](/en/getting-started/promo-code/).

> **Not every country gets every card**
>
> Residents of [Morocco](/en/countries/morocco/) and [India](/en/countries/india/), among others, can't get either card, and physical cards aren't shipped to [Egypt](/en/countries/egypt/) or [Tunisia](/en/countries/tunisia/). Check [your country](/en/countries/) before you pay.

## Use the physical card before it arrives

You don't have to wait for the post. As soon as you order a physical card, it works online like a virtual card.

- **Online payments**: from the day you order, with the card details in the app.
- **In-store payments, including contactless, and [ATM](/en/cards/atm-withdrawals/) withdrawals**: only after the card arrives and you activate it.

When the card arrives:

1. Check that the last four digits on the card match the card shown in the app.
2. Find the activation code on the paper insert the card is attached to.
3. In the app, open the **Card** tab, select the card, tap **Activate now** and enter the code.

> **Caution**
>
> Keep the activation code to yourself. Don't share it with anyone.

## Which one should you get?

- **Start with the virtual card** if you mostly pay online or subscribe to services. It is ready immediately.
- **Add the physical card** if you travel, need ATM access, or shop in places that don't take phone payments. You can already pay online with it while you wait for delivery.

Validity, the 5-card limit, USD or HKD, and the other small questions are answered in the [card FAQ](/en/cards/card-faq/).

> **Caution**
>
> Card fees and limits change over time. Always check the current figures in the app before you order.

Sources: the RedotPay help-centre articles "Can I Make Payments Before My RedotPay Physical Card Arrives?" and "How Do I Activate My Physical Card?" (checked 30 Oct 2026), "Card Issuance Restrictions" and "Card Delivery Restrictions" (checked 31 Oct 2026).

Source: https://redotdocs.com/en/cards/virtual-vs-physical/index.mdx