How to Link Your Virtual Card to a Mobile App Account? Step-by-Step Instructions

Table of contents:

• Why Should You Try a Virtual Card? How Does it Look?
• How to Get a Virtual Card and Start Using It?
• How to Add a Virtual Debit Card to the IPSIPay Digital Finance App

Digitalization shapes the world around us in many ways, and personal finance management is no exception. People abandon physical wallets, replacing them with virtual cards. These cards are impossible to steal or lose, and you can keep them in one mobile app. Thanks to the integration with mobile products, it has become a universally accepted payment measure.

How to add virtual cards to the personal finance app and start using them? It’s super easy. IPSIPay explains the main steps and rules below.

Why Should You Try a Virtual Card? How Does it Look?

Virtual cards (VCs) work exactly the same as physical ones. Except for the fact that they are non-manufactured. You can use them for shopping online and other daily expenses. And, of course, you can recharge the virtual debit card balance and withdraw money from it (optionally).

At first, consumers could order VCs by mail and receive printed references. It contained all the necessary card information, including:

• 16-digit card number
• Expiry date
• CVV code
• Secure PIN

Nowadays, most issuers distribute virtual debit and credit cards online. So, you just need to choose a service plan with acceptable cost and payment limits.

Why Are Virtual Debit Cards a Hot Trend in 2023 and Beyond?

Customers opt for such a payment medium for many reasons. It’s convenient, secure, innovative, and has many other advantages.

But mostly, we would recommend you obtain a virtual debit/credit card for three reasons.

1) It’s relatively easy to qualify for. Only a few card issuers require an SSN from an applicant to verify their identity. So if you’ve immigrated to the States recently and got only ITIN, nothing restrains you from qualifying for a virtual Visa. You can get it within the shortest time to pay for purchases or send money online.

2) You can start using a virtual card minutes after the purchase. If you order a plastic card, it will arrive no sooner than 7 – 10 business days. That’s an average term whether you apply through the bank or buy a prepaid card. Conversely, you can obtain a VC in minutes, load an initial amount when signing up and proceed to online shopping immediately.

3) It works both offline and online with a personal finance app. Firstly, you can use virtual account funds for contactless payment at the POS terminal. Secondly, you can settle the digital invoice or pay upcoming bills in the app. It gives you the same flexibility a regular bank card provides but with more convenience.

Benefits for Personal Use

Even though virtual cards are available for corporate uses, they are particularly popular for personal finance services. Consumers order them due to various benefits for digital money management, convenient mobile payments, etc. Here are some advantages you should primarily consider: 

• Independence from conventional banks. Whereas physical debit cards are connected to the customer’s checking account, virtual ones work independently. Therefore, you may effortlessly get them even if you’re unbanked or underbanked. This feature is particularly critical for people who have just arrived in the US.
• Fewer fraud risks. You won’t get your primary bank card compromised or cloned if you use a virtual one. Moreover, you literally can’t lose it due to its digital format.
• Perfectly works with online remittance and payment services. Our article about car-to-card money transfers demonstrates that virtual Visa cards work the same as regular debit cards.
• Access to multiple currencies. Opening separate financial accounts at banks or credit unions is costly as you must pay maintenance fees. Instead, you can apply for additional VCs with a foreign currency account. It will reduce exchange charges and allow you to store some money in a safer or preferred currency. 
• Good option for a gift. If your loved ones prefer to shop at a particular retail network, presenting them with an e-gift card would be brilliant. The person can add it to their Samsung Pay and Apple Pay wallet and use it at the checkout register.

These and other benefits of virtual cards make them one of the top-used payment methods. Find simple instructions on getting and managing a VC below.

How to Get a Virtual Card and Start Using It?

Suppose you’ve picked up the card issuer with satisfying pricing and limits. Let’s see how you can sign an agreement and start using their product.

Ordering a card

1. Check the provider terms. If you’re OK with them, click ‘I Agree’ and proceed to account registration.
2. Choose ‘Order’ on the issuer’s website. You’ll be requested to fill out the sign-up form. VC services ask for the following personal data:

• Full name
• Actual billing address
• Date of birth
• Mobile phone number
• Email address
• ITIN or SSN

Fill out the form and enter the OTP verification code sent to your email or smartphone. 

3. Specify the limits for maximum balance and single transaction. Additionally, you can assign daily, weekly, and monthly limits. In our past article about VCs for personal use, we provided detailed information on the limits.
4. Choose a funding source and load an initial amount. You’re free to choose whichever payment source you like. Later you can edit linked bank cards or accounts.
5. When you’ve topped up your balance, you can go on with online purchases with your first VC. Unlike a physical one, it doesn’t require activation by phone number or at an ATM.

Adding Virtual Debit/Credit Card to a Payment App

To keep your VC handy for contactless and cashless payments, you should add it to the mobile finance app. Plenty of such apps are available, so choose the application that meets your needs best. Learn more about the IPSIPay services here.

The steps are exactly the same as when adding any other bank card:

1. Choose the corresponding tab in the app and add a new payment card.
2. Enter the card number, CVV code, expiration date, billing address, and cardholder’s number (optional).
3. Choose the type of card issuing network (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, etc.) and send the filled form.

The payment system will withdraw and refund a small charge (about $1-2) to confirm the newly added card. Agree to a card confirmation and check its status after 3-5 business days. If everything is correct, the card will become available for digital payments.

How to Add a Virtual Debit Card to the IPSIPay Digital Finance App

The IPSIPay app is a multifunctional mobile fintech solution that offers digital cards, among other services. It allows you to order a card by entering your SSN/ITIN/TIN during sign-up. After your identity is verified with SSN/ITIN/TIN, a VC will be immediately available in your account. It’s effortless and takes minimum time.

Check the step-by-step video tutorial on how to add a virtual card in the IPSIPay app:

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IPSI charges no maintenance fee for virtual Visa card use. Moreover, you can withdraw money from your mobile balance at no cost and transfer funds at low rates. Here is the table with the fees applied:

Additionally, IPSIPayⓇ allows you to link any existing virtual debit/credit cards to your account. You can keep all available payment sources in your mobile app. So try the IPSIPay app to manage personal finances really fast and conveniently. Download it now from AppStore or Google Play!