Douglas Olsen
The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is an internationally recognised ID card that provides students with thousands of discounts and benefits worldwide. It is the only internationally recognised proof of full-time student status and is accepted in over 100 countries. The card is managed by the ISIC Association, a non-profit organisation that aims to support students globally by making their student lives easier and more affordable. To be eligible for an ISIC card, individuals must be full-time students over the age of 12 with no upper age limit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | International Student Identity Card (ISIC) |
| Issuing Organisation | ISIC Association |
| Recognition | Internationally recognised proof of student status endorsed by UNESCO, national governments, ministries of education and tourism, student organisations, universities, and academic institutions |
| Eligibility | Full-time students over the age of 12 in higher, tertiary, or full-time secondary education |
| Requirements | Proof of identity, proof of student status, digital photo, method of payment |
| Discounts and Benefits | Thousands of worldwide discounts and benefits, including travel, accommodation, and cultural institutions |
| Validity | 16 months, aligning with the academic year of the country of purchase |
| Cost | Between €4 and €25, determined by each country's purchasing power |
| Application Time | 3-4 weeks for online applications |
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What You'll Learn
Who is eligible for an International Student Identity Card (ISIC)?
The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is available to students in over 100 countries, with some sources stating that number is now over 130. The ISIC is the only internationally accepted proof of full-time student status.
To be eligible for an ISIC card, you must be a full-time student at an accredited college or university. There is no upper age limit for obtaining an ISIC card, but there is a minimum age requirement of 12 years. Students must provide proof of full-time student status at the time of application, which can include a local student ID with a picture or a letter from the school along with another form of photo ID. Students will also need to upload a digital photo of themselves with a white or blue background.
Children attending elementary or secondary school are eligible for the ISIC Scholar card. The validity of an ISIC card is 16 months, aligning with the academic year of the country where it is purchased.
Teachers and youth aged 26 and under are eligible for discounts through the International Teacher ID or International Youth Travel cards. Full-time teachers or professors can enjoy teacher discounts with the International Teacher Identity Card (ITIC), which is also available to those who work at least 18 hours per week at an accredited educational institution for a minimum of one academic year.
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What discounts does the ISIC card offer?
The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) provides access to thousands of discounts worldwide, as well as access to the global student community. The ISIC card is a great way to protect yourself from potential losses due to currency fluctuations when purchasing in a foreign currency. The card automatically converts the purchase amount into your home currency at the current exchange rate, shielding you from any potential loss if the foreign currency decreases in value after your purchase.
The ISIC card also facilitates the transfer of money to friends and family abroad. Cardholders can load money onto the account, which can then be withdrawn from an ATM in the recipient's country. This is particularly useful when sending money to individuals without bank accounts or when looking to avoid the fees associated with traditional money transfer services.
ISIC often runs promotions, offering discounted or free cards with coupon codes. The price of the card varies by region, so it is worth researching the cost in different countries to find the cheapest option.
While many attractions and establishments offer student discounts that can be accessed with a regular school ID, the ISIC card does provide access to an extensive list of discounts worldwide. The ISIC app for Android and iOS devices allows users to easily search for benefits and discounts.
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How to apply for an ISIC card
The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is the only internationally accepted proof of full-time student status. It is available to students in over 100 countries and is recognised by UNESCO, national governments, ministries of education and tourism, student organisations, and universities worldwide.
To apply for an ISIC card, you will need to provide proof of your student status and a digital photo of yourself. The specific requirements for proof of student status may vary depending on your country, but generally, you can use either your local student ID card with a picture or a letter from your school along with another form of photo ID. Your digital photo should have a white or blue background.
You can then submit your application by ordering your ISIC card online through the official ISIC website or through the ISIC mobile app. The ISIC card costs vary depending on the country, and the card is valid for 16 months, aligning with the academic year of the country where it is purchased.
Once you have your ISIC card, you can access thousands of discounts and benefits worldwide, including travel, accommodation, and cultural institutions. You can also use the ISIC mobile app to discover nearby discounts, get the latest news and vouchers, and access your digital student card.
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The ISIC card's validity period
The ISIC card is a globally recognised form of identification for students. It is available in over 100 countries and endorsed by UNESCO. The card provides students with access to a wide range of benefits, services, and discounts at home and abroad. These include offers on travel, accommodation, shopping, culture, and food. The ISIC card is also accepted as proof of student status.
The validity of an ISIC card is typically 16 months, aligning with the academic year of the country where the card is purchased. This means that the card is valid from the start of the academic year in the issuing country and remains so for the next 16 months. The academic year varies across countries, so the validity period of an ISIC card will depend on the country where it is issued.
The ISIC card is generally issued for an annual study cycle, and its validity can span 12 to 16 months. The exact validity period may vary based on the country of issuance and the associated academic calendar. It is recommended to check with the local ISIC issuer or the specific card details to confirm the validity period applicable to a particular card.
In addition to the standard ISIC card, there are co-branded cards issued in partnership with academic institutions. These co-branded cards may have different validity periods depending on the agreement between the institution and the ISIC Association. It is important to note that the validity period of a co-branded card might differ from that of a standard ISIC card, so students should review the specific terms associated with their co-branded card.
The ISIC card is a valuable tool for students wishing to take advantage of the extensive benefits it offers during its validity period. By aligning the card's validity with the academic year, students can maximise their access to relevant discounts and services throughout their academic pursuits.
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The ISIC Association
The ISIC card is available in over 100 countries, with no upper age limit for obtaining one. However, there is a minimum age requirement of 12 years. The card is valid for 16 months, aligning with the academic year of the country where it is purchased. To be eligible for the ISIC card, individuals must be students in higher, tertiary, or full-time secondary education.
In each country, the ISIC Exclusive Representative is responsible for ISIC card distribution, promotion, and development, including managing a portfolio of local and national benefits and discounts for cardholders. The ISIC card provides thousands of discounts worldwide and access to the global student community. The ISIC Association also issues the International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) for non-students under 30 and the International Teacher Identity Card (ITIC) for teachers and professors.
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Frequently asked questions
The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is the only internationally recognised student ID card. It provides internationally recognised proof of student status and offers access to various benefits and discounts globally, including travel, accommodation, and cultural institutions.
Students in higher, tertiary, or full-time secondary education who are over the age of 12 are eligible for an ISIC card. There is no upper age limit for obtaining an ISIC card. Teachers and youth under the age of 27 are eligible for similar discounts through the International Teacher ID or International Youth Travel cards.
You will need to provide proof of student status (such as a local student ID with a picture or a letter from your school) and a digital photo of yourself with a white or blue background. Some countries may also require a scanned copy of your passport or driver's license.
The card's cost varies by country but is generally between €4 and €25. The price is determined by each country's purchasing power, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
You can apply for an ISIC card online or visit a local ISIC issuing office. ISIC cards are available in over 100 countries, and each country has an exclusive representative responsible for card distribution, promotion, and development.
