What Is the Benefit of an ISIC Card? Complete Guide for Students

Shivani Mani

6 min read • Jul 13, 2026

The ISIC card – International Student Identity Card – is proof of student status accepted worldwide. It gives students access to approximately 150,000 benefits and discounts in over 130 countries. If you are studying abroad or planning to, the ISIC card is one of the simplest, lowest-cost tools to stretch your student budget further.

Here is what the card is, what it gives you, and how to get one.

ISIC Card at a Glance

Detail	Information
Full name	International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
Issued by	ISIC Association (non-profit, registered in Denmark)
Available in	More than 130 countries
Discounts available	Approximately 150,000 benefits and discounts globally (per ISIC website)
Purchases possible in	Over 160 countries and territories
Validity	16 months from the start of the academic year in the country of purchase
Minimum age	12 years (no upper age limit)
Who qualifies	Bona fide students enrolled in higher/tertiary education or full-time secondary education
UNESCO endorsement	Yes – since 1968
WYSETC endorsement	Yes – World Youth Student Education Travel Confederation
Related cards	ITIC (International Teacher Identity Card) for teachers; IYTC (International Youth Travel Card) for non-students under 30

What Is the ISIC Card?

The ISIC card is the only internationally recognised proof of student status. It was developed with UNESCO support, which officially endorsed the card in 1968. For over 50 years, it has served as a universally accepted identification document for students crossing borders.

The ISIC Association – a non-profit organisation registered in Denmark – issues the card through a global network of Exclusive Representatives. In each of the 130+ countries where the card is available, one Exclusive Representative holds the rights to issue ISIC cards. These representatives also manage the list of local and national discounts available to cardholders in their territory.

The ISIC Association wholly owns the ISIC Service Office d.o.o., which administers and manages the ISIC card programme globally.

The Three Cards in the ISIC Family

Card	Full Name	For	Available to
ISIC	International Student Identity Card	Students	Bona fide students enrolled in higher/tertiary or full-time secondary education. Minimum age 12, no upper limit.
ITIC	International Teacher Identity Card	Teachers and professors	Teaching professionals. Similar discount framework to ISIC.
IYTC	International Youth Travel Card	Non-students under 30	Young people under 30 who are not enrolled as students. Offers similar benefits and discounts as ISIC.

If you are not currently a student but are under 30, the IYTC gives you access to similar benefits. This is relevant for students who take a gap year before applying to university or who have recently graduated.

What Benefits Does the ISIC Card Give You?

According to the ISIC website, approximately 150,000 benefits and discounts are available across more than 130 countries. These fall into several categories:

1. International Student Identification

The ISIC card is an internationally valid form of identification for students. Unlike a university ID that only works on campus, the ISIC card is recognised by governments, transport systems, cultural institutions, and retailers worldwide. You can use it to prove you are a student whenever necessary to access student-specific services and facilities.

2. Accommodation Discounts

ISIC cardholders can access discounts at hostels, student residences, and partner accommodations globally. For students who travel during semester breaks or who are exploring housing options in their destination city, accommodation discounts directly reduce a significant budget item.

3. Travel Discounts

Travel is one of the largest categories of ISIC discounts. These include reduced fares on trains and buses in many countries, discounts with participating airlines, and reductions on ferry and long-distance coach services. The ISIC card also works as a payment and discount tool in over 160 countries and territories – more than the number of countries the card is issued in.

4. Cultural Institutions and Entertainment

Many museums, galleries, theatres, cinemas, and cultural attractions worldwide offer reduced or free entry to ISIC cardholders. For students who want to experience local culture without consistently straining their budget, the ISIC card is particularly useful at these types of venues.

5. Multi-Currency Transactions

The ISIC card is designed to facilitate transactions in different currencies. It can be used to make purchases in over 160 countries and territories, making it a convenient payment instrument for internationally mobile students alongside their primary debit or credit card.

6. Other Discounts and Services

Additional categories of ISIC benefits include: discounts on software and technology (students often access Adobe, Microsoft, and similar products at reduced prices through student verification), mobile phone plans, food and dining at partner restaurants, and various online services. The full list varies by country – check the ISIC website for discounts specific to your destination.

Also Read: Best Forex Cards for Students Studying Abroad

Who Is Eligible for an ISIC Card?

Eligibility Criterion	Details
Student status	Must be a bona fide student enrolled in higher/tertiary education or full-time secondary education
Age	Minimum 12 years. No upper age limit.
Enrollment type	Full-time secondary or higher/tertiary education. Part-time enrollment eligibility varies by country – check with your local ISIC representative.
Non-students	Not eligible for ISIC. If under 30, apply for IYTC (International Youth Travel Card) instead.
Teachers	Not eligible for ISIC. Apply for ITIC (International Teacher Identity Card) instead.

How to Get an ISIC Card

The ISIC card is issued through Exclusive Representatives in each country. In India, the ISIC card is available through authorised representatives. If your country does not have an issuing office, you can still get the card:

Apply in the country you are going to study in – you will need your eligibility documents in order (enrollment proof, student ID, passport)
Apply online through the ISIC website (isic.org) – digital ISIC cards are available in many countries
At your university’s international student office – many universities facilitate ISIC card issuance for international students

The card is valid for 16 months from the start of the academic year in the country of purchase. After this period, it must be renewed.

Activating Your ISIC Card for Online Benefits

If you cannot access online benefits after receiving your card, it may be inactive in the ISIC database. To activate:

Visit the ISIC card activation page at isic.org and initiate the activation process
Activation typically takes 1-2 days
You will receive an email confirming successful activation

If a retailer or service has promoted a discount and denied you the benefit even after activation, report the issue directly to the ISIC Association through their official website – they take such complaints seriously. The ISIC website is mobile-responsive, so you can access it and manage your card from your phone without any issues.

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Frequently Asked Questions

My Country Doesn't Issue The ISIC Student Card; Is There A Way For Me To Get It?

If your country doesn’t have an ISIC issuing office, there is still a way for you to get the ISIC card. If you’re going abroad to study, you can apply to the country you’re going to. But you will have to have all your eligibility documents in order.

I Am Not Able To Access Online Benefits Using My ISIC Student Card. What Do I Do?

If you cannot access online benefits, your card might be inactive in the ISIC database. You can visit the ISIC card activation page and initiate the activation process. The activation will take 1 or 2 days, and you will receive an email notifying you of successful activation. Contact the ISIC Association if you have issues accessing online benefits even after activating your card.

I Was Refused A Benefit Even Though The Discount Was Promoted; What Do I Do?

The ISIC Association takes issues like this very seriously. If a retailer or service promoted a discount or benefit and denied you the same, please report it to the ISIC Association, clearly describing the situation.

Can I Use My Phone Or Tablet To Look For Discounts?

The website is responsive, so you’ll have no issues using it on a mobile device. But if you use it often and need the convenience of a mobile application, you can go ahead and download the ISIC app for Android or iOS devices. The app will allow you to search for benefits and discounts whenever necessary.

Can I Get An ISIC Card Even If I Am Not A Student?

No, you cannot get an ISIC student card if you’re not a student. Although, if you’re 30 years or younger, you can apply for the International Youth Travel Card (IYTC). This card offers similar benefits, discounts, and services as the ISIC card.