Contents
What is a corporate credit card?
Best corporate card providers in India - A quick overview
12 Best corporate card providers in India - Detailed comparison
Difference between corporate and business credit card
Key features of a corporate credit card
Benefits of using corporate credit cards
Cost and fees associated with corporate credit card programs in India
Challenges and limitations of corporate credit cards for businesses
How does a corporate credit card work?
What are the eligibility criteria to get a corporate credit card?
Documents required to apply for a corporate card in India
How to apply for a corporate credit card?
Key factors to consider when choosing a corporate card provider
Volopay corporate cards—the #1 choice for Indian businesses
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Corporate cards

12 best corporate credit cards in India in 2025

Jun 09, 2025

Finding the best corporate credit cards for your business can significantly streamline your company's expense management and financial operations.


Corporate credit cards in India offer features like real-time tracking of expenses, customizable spending limits per card, multi-currency support, and integration with accounting software, making them essential tools for modern businesses. 


Whether you're a startup or an established enterprise, selecting the right corporate credit card program can enhance your operational efficiency while providing better control over employee spending.

What is a corporate credit card?


A corporate credit card is a type of payment card similar to a regular credit or debit card. The difference is that it is meant to be used by businesses and their employees for business expenses.


Unlike regular credit cards, corporate credit cards can have multiple versions that can be given to any employee in the business who needs them. 


They are generally also linked to an expense management system where you can track all transactions happening through the cards in real-time. This gives a business complete visibility over all expenses that are being incurred using the company budget.


The best corporate credit cards in India also have custom controls to ensure there is no overspending. 

Best corporate card providers in India - A quick overview

Features
Instant employee onboarding
Virtual card issuance
Automated expense categorization
Accounting system integration
Customizable approval workflows
Fraud & security controls
Department budget allocation
Centralized control access

12 Best corporate card providers in India - Detailed comparison



1. Volopay corporate card


Overview


Volopay’s corporate cards are some of the most versatile payment cards you will find in India for businesses.


Unlike other corporate cards that may come as a single product, Volopay corporate cards are a part of the expense management ecosystem that they offer. 



Set-up process and requirements


Your business must first create an account on Volopay using the sign-up or demo link on our website and complete the registration process.


To start using Volopay corporate cards, you must submit the necessary documents to verify your identity and complete the KYC procedure. Once the due diligence is done your business will be able to issue Volopay corporate cards. 



Key features of the card


These cards are perfect for organizations looking to track and control their business expenses. You can set custom spending limits on each card that you issue for an employee. This ensures that there is no overspending.


All the expenses made through each card that you issue are automatically tracked in real-time on Volopay’s centralized platform for expense management. You can access these details anytime by logging into your account through the web portal or by using the mobile app. 



Fees and charges


Volopay offers transparent and competitive fees for their corporate cards. For full details on fees and charges, please refer to the pricing page at Volopay corporate card pricing.



Limitations


Currently, the physical cards do not support international transactions. But you can make online international transactions using Volopay’s virtual cards. 



Targeted customers


Volopay’s corporate cards combined with its expense management platform make it a suitable product offering for small, medium, and large businesses. 



2. SBI corporate card


Overview


SBI is one of the most well-renowned banks in India. They offer two types of corporate cards namely the “SBI Signature Corporate Card” and the “SBI Platinum Corporate Card.”



Set-up process and requirements


The exact set-up process is not mentioned on the SBI website but may include basic account registration. 



Key features of the card


Both cards have complimentary insurance coverage. The Signature card has Complimentary Priority Pass membership and exclusive concierge services that a cardholder can use.


The platinum card on the other hand is a card that is accepted globally, has smarter expense management, and a multi-layer spending control. 



Fees and charges


SBI corporate cards offer a structured fee system with varied features. For detailed information on fees and charges, please refer to their pricing page at SBI Corporate Card Pricing.



Limitations


A high rate of 2.5% or Rs. 450 is charged when using them to withdraw money from ATMs. The rate is 3% when withdrawing cash from international ATMs. 



Targeted customers


Both these cards are targeted toward corporate travelers.



3. Razorpay corporate card


Overview


Razorpay is a full-stack financial solution company in India. Their banking and corporate card product is part of RazorpayX. 



Set-up process and requirements


To be eligible for the RazorpayX corporate card, you must be an active user of the Razorpay payment gateway, RazorpayX Payroll, or RazorpayX Current Accounts.



Key features of the card


You can issue unlimited cards for your employees, adjust spending limits anytime, set up auto-repay instructions for trusted payments, integrate with other business systems such as accounting software to ensure uniformity of card expenses across platforms, and also use their analytics to get better insights into company spending. 



Fees and charges


Razorpay corporate cards have associated registration and maintenance fees designed for corporate users. For detailed information on fees and charges, please refer to Razorpay pricing page.



Limitations


These corporate cards might be too expensive for certain businesses that do not have a high payment volume. It also has a high interest rate for cash transactions at 48% p.a. For the amount withdrawn. 



Targeted customers


This corporate card is suited more for medium to large corporate companies.


4. HDFC corporate premium credit card


Overview


HDFC is one of the biggest private banks in India. Their corporate card product is a good payment tool for many businesses and their employees who have specific requirements. 



Set-up process and requirements


There is no clear information about the eligibility to opt for and use an HDFC corporate card. 



Key features of the card


Users of the HDFC corporate card get 5 Reward Points for every Rs. 150 spent (Maximum of 10,000 reward points per statement cycle), 5 domestic airport lounge visits quarterly & 6 International annually via the Priority Pass program, and also better visibility of business expenses through advanced reporting tools. 



Fees and charges


HDFC corporate cards charge varying fees as per their terms and conditions. For detailed information on fees and charges, please refer to their pricing page at HDFC corporate card pricing.



Limitations


There are many different types of charges involved in using the card and some might not be favorable for businesses. 



Targeted customers


The HDFC corporate card based on its features and benefits seems to be more catered toward business travelers.


5. ICICI corporate credit card


Overview


ICICI Bank offers corporate credit cards to help you manage employee expenses effectively. The cards come in three variants—Gold, Silver, and Platinum. The Gold and Silver variants have no annual fee, while the Platinum variant carries an annual charge.



Setup process and requirements


To apply, you must use ICICI Bank’s official channels, submit the required documents for verification, and complete the bank's due diligence procedures.



Key features


You can enjoy up to 50 days of interest-free credit with Corporate Liability, manage travel and entertainment expenses with individual employee spending limits, and access exclusive airport lounges at select airports in India.



Fees and charges


The cards feature a competitive and transparent fee structure tailored to your business needs. For full details, refer, ICICI corporate card.



Limitations


Some spending category restrictions may apply.



Targeted customers


These cards are ideal for small, medium, and large businesses seeking streamlined employee expense management and enhanced control over corporate spending.


6. IDFC FIRST corporate credit card


Overview


The IDFC FIRST corporate credit card is a lifetime-free card that helps you manage expenses efficiently, offering flexibility in payments and rewards tailored to your corporate spending needs.



Setup process and requirements


You can apply via IDFC FIRST Bank’s official website or branches by submitting the necessary documents for verification and completing the KYC procedures.



Key features


You can benefit from a 45-day interest-free period, choose to pay a minimum due for cash flow flexibility, access emergency cash withdrawal limits, and earn cashback or reward points with higher rebates on your spends.



Fees and charges


The card features a cost-effective, transparent fee structure designed for businesses of all sizes. For full details, refer, IDFC FIRST corporate card.



Limitations


There may be restrictions on reward point redemption or cashback options depending on your spending levels. 



Targeted customers


This card is perfect for businesses of all sizes looking for a cost-effective solution to manage expenses with added flexibility and rewards.


7. Axis Bank corporate credit card


Overview


Axis Bank offers corporate credit cards that help you manage travel and entertainment expenses efficiently. Features include lounge access, expense tracking, and customizable spending limits.



Setup process and requirements


To apply, you must meet Axis Bank’s eligibility criteria and submit the required documentation through their official channels.



Key features


You can enjoy exclusive airport lounge access at select airports in India, assign individual employee spending limits, track expenditures with detailed transaction data, and customize the cards with your company’s name.



Fees and charges


The cards come with a transparent fee structure designed to meet your corporate needs. For full details, refer, Axis Bank corporate card pricing.



Limitations


Specific limitations may apply based on your business size and usage.



Targeted customers


These cards are best suited for businesses that are looking to manage employee travel and entertainment expenses with enhanced control and detailed tracking capabilities.


8. YES FIRST corporate credit card


Overview


The YES FIRST corporate credit card is designed to streamline payments and track expenses with low fees, high spending limits, and reward points tailored for corporate needs.



Setup process and requirements


To apply, you must submit company financials, KYC documents, and business registration details to YES Bank. Your application will be approved based on the bank’s eligibility criteria.



Key features


You can enjoy up to 50 days of interest-free credit on business transactions, earn reward points on every transaction (redeemable for flights, hotels, or business expenses).


Benefit from a fuel surcharge waiver on fuel transactions across India, receive comprehensive insurance coverage (including travel accident insurance, purchase protection, and lost card liability), and access detailed statements for better financial planning.



Fees and charges


The card offers a competitive fee structure designed to meet your business’s expense management needs. For full details, refer, YES Bank corporate card.



Limitations


It offers limited global benefits compared to premium cards and has a smaller market presence.



Targeted customers


This card is best for small and medium businesses (SMEs) and growing enterprises that need low-cost expense management solutions with rewarding benefits.


9. OmniCard


Overview


Omnicard offers a corporate card solution designed to simplify business expense management. The platform provides digital and physical cards for employees, equipped with tools that aid in reducing fraud and improving financial oversight. 



Set-up process and requirements


The setup process is easy, typically requiring businesses to sign up via Omnicard’s platform. Companies must provide details such as corporate registration documents, proof of business operations, and bank account information.


Once verified, businesses can begin issuing cards to employees within a few business days.



Key features of the card


Key features of this card include real-time tracking of expenses, customizable spending limits per card, multi-currency support, and integration with accounting software.


It also offers automated reporting, making expense management easier and more efficient.



Limitations


Some limitations include limited international availability and potential fees for specific services such as currency conversion or ATM withdrawals. 



Targeted customers


Omnicard targets small to mid-sized businesses (SMEs) and startups, especially those looking for efficient, scalable expense management solutions.


10. Happay corporate card


Overview


Happay offers businesses a collateral-free corporate credit card known as “EPIC” to make business payments and manage expenses efficiently. 



Set-up process and requirements


The setup process to start using a Happay corporate card is by signing up for an account on their platform and then completing the necessary steps to issue your cards. 



Key features of the card


You get robust expense tracking, spending controls, real-time spending visibility, integration capabilities with finance apps, and a reward program. 



Fees and charges


The fees and charges related to acquiring and using a Happay corporate card are not clear. 



Limitations


According to some G2 reviews, the service seems to be bad for Happay customers who face issues with the product. Queries are not resolved on time and customers have faced problems dealing with the support system in place. 



Targeted customers


Happay might be suitable for small to medium-sized companies.


11. Enkash corporate card


Overview


Enkash corporate cards are available in multiple variants and users can customize their own card and expense management system to suit their needs. 



Set-up process and requirements


The process to get Enkash corporate cards is to onboard on their platform by creating an account and completing the necessary registration process with a one-time activity that requires simple KYC documents. 



Key features of the card


You get to create, manage, set limits, track, and block the corporate cards & more with a simple-to-use DIY platform. You get a flexible billing cycle for your corporate card that makes it easier to make repayments and manage your cash flow.


The cards can be used unlimitedly without any sort of cap and you can set up different cards for different expenses such as fuel, utility, T&E, etc. 



Limitations


The Enkash system to use and manage cards might be a bit complex for many users. 



Targeted customers


Enkash corporate cards are flexible in nature and can be used by many different types of businesses including small and medium-sized businesses.


12. American Express corporate card


Overview


The American Express Corporate Card is perfect for businesses that require premium expense management and travel benefits. It offers extensive rewards, business expense tracking, and travel perks for both executives and employees.



Setup process and requirements


To apply, your business must meet Amex’s eligibility criteria, submit company financial documents, and complete the verification process through American Express’s website or corporate sales team.



Key features


You’ll get detailed reports to manage spending, earn reward points on every transaction (redeemable for flights, hotels, and business expenses), enjoy access to airport lounges, travel insurance, and concierge services, and track employee expenses in real time via a dedicated online portal.



Fees and charges


The card comes with a premium suite of services backed by a structured fee system. For full details, check the pricing details on American Express corporate card.



Limitations


High eligibility requirements apply, and premium services are offered at a significant cost.



Targeted customers


This card is ideal for large enterprises and multinational corporations that are seeking premium travel perks and advanced expense management tools.

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Difference between corporate and business credit card


Understanding the differences between corporate and business credit cards helps you make informed decisions for your company's financial management needs.


1. Definition and purpose


Corporate credit cards are designed specifically for large enterprises with multiple departments and extensive employee networks requiring sophisticated expense management systems. Business credit cards cater to smaller companies, startups, and individual entrepreneurs who need simpler financial tools for managing business expenses.


Corporate cards typically offer more advanced features like multi-level approval workflows, departmental budget allocation, and comprehensive reporting capabilities that align with enterprise-level requirements.


2. Eligibility and issuance criteria


Corporate credit cards require substantial annual revenue and established business operations with multiple employees and departments. Business credit cards have more flexible eligibility criteria, accepting companies with lower revenue thresholds, sometimes as low as ₹10 lakhs annually, making them accessible to small and medium enterprises.


Corporate cards also demand comprehensive financial documentation, audited statements, and corporate governance structures that smaller businesses might not possess.


3. Liability and responsibility for payments


Corporate credit cards establish clear liability structures where the company bears full responsibility for all employee card transactions and outstanding balances.


Business credit cards often require personal guarantees from business owners, making them personally liable for card debts and payment defaults. This fundamental difference affects risk management strategies and financial planning approaches for companies considering these payment solutions.


4. Credit limits and spending control


Corporate cards typically offer higher credit limits, sometimes reaching several crores, with sophisticated spending controls that can be customized for different employee levels and departments.


Business cards usually have moderate credit limits based on business revenue and the owner's creditworthiness, with simpler spending control mechanisms. Corporate cards allow for complex spending hierarchies, transaction restrictions, and real-time monitoring capabilities that business cards might not provide.


5. Reporting and expense management features


Corporate credit cards provide comprehensive expense management systems with detailed categorization, automated reporting, integration with enterprise resource planning systems, and advanced analytics capabilities.


Business cards offer basic expense tracking and reporting features suitable for smaller operations with fewer transactions and simpler accounting requirements. The reporting depth and customization options vary significantly between these two card types.


6. Rewards and benefits structure


Corporate cards focus on business-oriented rewards like travel benefits, lounge access, and expense management tools rather than cashback or reward points.


Business cards often emphasize reward points, cashback programs, and benefits that appeal to individual business owners and smaller teams. Corporate cards prioritize operational efficiency and cost management over reward maximization.


7. Suitability for SMEs vs. large enterprises


Small and medium enterprises benefit more from business credit cards due to their simplified application processes, lower eligibility requirements, and cost-effective fee structures.


Large enterprises require corporate cards for their advanced features, scalability, and ability to handle complex organizational structures with multiple cost centers and approval hierarchies.

Key features of a corporate credit card

Modern corporate credit cards in India offer sophisticated features designed to streamline business operations and enhance financial control across organizations.

Centralized expense management

Corporate cards provide unified platforms where finance teams can monitor, track, and analyze all company expenses from a single dashboard interface. This centralization eliminates the need for multiple expense tracking systems and reduces administrative overhead while ensuring comprehensive visibility into spending patterns.


Companies can establish spending policies, set approval workflows, and maintain complete control over financial disbursements across all departments and employee levels.

Customizable spend limits for employees

Organizations can set individual spending limits for each employee based on their role, department, and specific business requirements, ensuring appropriate budget allocation and preventing overspending.


These limits can be adjusted in real-time, allowing for flexible management during special projects, travel periods, or seasonal business needs. The system automatically enforces these limits, providing immediate transaction approvals or rejections based on predefined parameters.

Real-time transaction tracking

Corporate cards offer real-time tracking of expenses, providing instant notifications and detailed transaction information as soon as purchases are made.


This immediate visibility helps finance teams maintain accurate budget monitoring and quickly identify any unusual or unauthorized spending patterns. Real-time tracking also enables prompt expense reporting and reduces the time lag between transactions and financial record updates.

Multi-level approval workflows

Corporate cards incorporate sophisticated approval systems that route expense requests through appropriate management levels based on transaction amounts and categories.


These workflows ensure proper authorization before significant expenditures while maintaining operational efficiency for routine purchases. Companies can customize approval hierarchies to match their organizational structure and establish different approval thresholds for various expense types.

Integration with accounting and ERP systems

Corporate card solutions provide seamless upload of daily transaction data with entity-specific setup and are fully compatible with all major global expense systems.


This integration eliminates manual data entry, reduces errors, and ensures that all expenses are automatically recorded in the appropriate accounting categories. The integration supports various ERP platforms and accounting software commonly used by Indian businesses.

Rewards and cashback programs

Corporate cards offer business-focused reward programs that provide value through travel benefits, supplier discounts, and cashback on business-related expenses.


These programs include special offers, rewards, and discounts designed specifically for corporate usage, helping companies reduce overall operational costs while maintaining spending flexibility. Rewards are typically structured to benefit the organization rather than individual cardholders.

Fraud detection and security controls

Advanced security features include multi-layer authentication, transaction monitoring, and immediate fraud alerts to protect against unauthorized usage and financial losses.


Corporate cards provide enhanced security with multi-layer authentication and tokenization, creating a secure payment environment for businesses. These security measures are particularly important for organizations with multiple cardholders and diverse spending patterns.

Multi-currency transaction support

Corporate cards facilitate international business operations by supporting multiple currencies and providing competitive exchange rates for global transactions.


This feature is essential for companies engaged in international trade, with overseas offices, or frequent business travel requirements. Multi-currency support reduces foreign exchange complexities and associated costs.

Detailed expense reports and analytics

Corporate cards generate comprehensive expense reports with detailed analytics, spending pattern analysis, and customizable reporting formats suitable for different stakeholders.


These reports help organizations identify cost-saving opportunities, budget variances, and spending trends across different departments and time periods. The analytics capabilities support strategic financial planning and decision-making processes.

Flexible repayment options

Corporate cards offer various repayment schedules and options that align with company cash flow patterns and financial planning requirements.


Organizations can choose between full monthly payments, installment options, or credit facilities based on their operational needs and financial strategies. This flexibility helps maintain healthy cash flow while managing business expenses effectively.

Benefits of using corporate credit cards



1. Ease business expense handling


Anyone who has run a business before knows how out-of-hand expenses can go if they are not tracked properly and kept in check.


Corporate credit cards are tools that can help you control business expenses by letting you set custom spending limits on each card. This way you’ll know that there can never be a case of overspending as you’ve set the limits to how much can be spent through a card.


2. Helps separate personal and business expenses


We can’t stress enough how crucial it is for an entrepreneur to separate their personal and business expenses.


Using your personal credit card for business expenses may not only hurt your personal credit score but also doesn’t help you build your business’s credit score.


A corporate credit card lets you separate expenses and minimize tax implications.


3. Ensure hassle-free reconciliation


When an employee is making an expense using a corporate credit card and if the card is linked to an expense management system, then the admins of the system can make it mandatory for employees to attach an expense receipt for the purchase that they have made.


This way the finance team can easily check later on whether the expenses being made through the card comply with company’s expense policy.


4. Improves cash flow


Often times businesses can be in a tough spot with low cash reserves due to lengthy periods of payment cycles with their clients.


When your business has not received payments but is in need of liquid cash to keep operations going, corporate credit cards help in keeping a positive cash flow. 


5. Real-time spend visibility


The best corporate credit cards in India are the ones that are linked to an expense management platform rather than as a stand-alone product.


This ensures that each transaction made using your corporate cards is tracked and recorded on the platform’s ledger in real-time. 


6. Improves credit score


Using a corporate credit card that is registered under your business entity helps build your business credit score.


The more time you use corporate credit cards without defaulting and making timely payments, the better your business credit score will be. 

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Cost and fees associated with corporate credit card programs in India


Understanding the complete cost structure of a corporate credit card program helps businesses make informed financial decisions and budget appropriately for their expense management needs.


1. Annual fees and joining charges


Corporate credit cards typically charge annual fees ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹50,000 per card, depending on the features offered and the issuing bank's positioning.


Joining charges are often waived for corporate clients or included in the annual fee structure, though some premium cards may have separate one-time setup costs. These fees usually cover basic card maintenance, customer support, and access to standard features included in the corporate credit card program.



2. Interest rates on outstanding balances


Interest rates for corporate cards can reach up to 3.35% per month, making it crucial for businesses to manage their payment schedules effectively.


Most corporate cards offer interest-free periods ranging from 30 to 45 days, allowing companies to optimize cash flow by timing their payments strategically. Late payments beyond the grace period incur significant interest charges that can substantially increase the total cost of using corporate credit facilities.


3. Transaction fees (domestic & international)


Domestic transactions on corporate cards are typically fee-free, though some specialized transaction types may incur minimal charges of 1-2% of the transaction value.


International transactions usually carry foreign exchange fees ranging from 2.5% to 4% of the transaction amount, plus any applicable cross-border processing charges. These fees can accumulate quickly for businesses with significant international operations or frequent overseas travel requirements.


4. Late payment and penalty charges


Late payment fees for corporate cards typically range from ₹500 to ₹2,500 per occurrence, depending on the total outstanding amount and specific card type.


Additional penalty charges may apply for repeated late payments, including increased interest rates and temporary spending limit reductions. These penalties can significantly impact the overall cost-effectiveness of corporate credit card usage if not managed properly.


5. Foreign exchange and conversion charges


Foreign currency transactions incur conversion charges typically ranging from 2% to 3.5% above the prevailing exchange rates offered by banks.


Dynamic currency conversion fees may apply when merchants offer to charge in Indian rupees for international transactions, often resulting in less favorable exchange rates. Companies with frequent international transactions should factor these costs into their overall expense budgets.


6. Hidden costs and miscellaneous fees


Additional charges may include card replacement fees (₹200-₹500), statement generation fees for physical copies, and premium customer service charges for dedicated support lines.


Some banks charge for additional card issuances beyond the initial allocation, emergency card replacement during travel, and specialized reporting services. These miscellaneous fees can add up over time and should be considered when evaluating total program costs.


7. Fee waivers and discounts


Many banks offer fee waivers for high-volume corporate clients or businesses that maintain substantial banking relationships with the issuing institution.


Volume-based discounts may apply to companies issuing multiple cards or maintaining high monthly spending levels across their corporate credit card program. Negotiating these waivers and discounts can significantly reduce the overall cost burden for qualifying businesses.

Challenges and limitations of corporate credit cards for businesses

While corporate credit cards in India offer numerous benefits, businesses must also navigate several challenges and limitations that can impact their financial management effectiveness.

Risk of overspending and budget mismanagement


Corporate cards can lead to uncontrolled spending when proper oversight mechanisms are not implemented, potentially causing budget overruns and financial strain.


Employees may develop spending habits that exceed allocated budgets, especially when cards offer high credit limits without adequate monitoring systems.


Without real-time spending controls and regular budget reviews, companies risk accumulating significant unexpected expenses that can disrupt financial planning and cash flow management.

High interest rates and fees


Corporate credit cards often carry substantial interest rates and fees that can quickly escalate costs if not managed properly, particularly for businesses that frequently carry outstanding balances.


The combination of annual fees, transaction charges, and penalty costs can make corporate cards expensive alternatives to other payment methods.


Companies must carefully evaluate the total cost of ownership against the benefits provided to ensure cost-effectiveness.

Limited control over employee usage


Despite spending limits and approval workflows, maintaining complete control over how employees use corporate cards remains challenging, especially for organizations with distributed teams.


Employees may make inappropriate purchases, violate company policies, or fail to provide adequate documentation for expenses.


This lack of control can lead to compliance issues, tax complications, and difficulty in maintaining accurate financial records.

Complexity in expense tracking and reconciliation


Managing expense tracking across multiple cardholders, departments, and expense categories creates administrative complexity that requires dedicated resources and sophisticated systems.


Reconciling corporate card statements with actual business expenses often involves manual processes that are time-consuming and prone to errors.


Companies may struggle to maintain accurate records and ensure that all expenses are properly categorized for accounting and tax purposes.

Fraud and unauthorized transactions


Corporate cards face increased fraud risks due to multiple users, diverse spending patterns, and the potential for card information theft or misuse.


Unauthorized transactions can result in financial losses and administrative overhead required to dispute charges and replace compromised cards.


Companies must implement robust security measures and monitoring systems to detect and prevent fraudulent activities effectively.

Regulatory and compliance constraints in India


Indian businesses must navigate complex regulatory requirements related to corporate spending, tax reporting, and foreign exchange regulations when using corporate cards.


Compliance with GST requirements, TDS regulations, and other statutory obligations can be challenging when managing corporate card expenses.


Companies must ensure that their corporate credit card program aligns with all applicable Indian laws and regulations to avoid penalties and legal complications.

How does a corporate credit card work?

Application and approval


Understanding the operational mechanics of corporate credit cards in India helps businesses implement these financial tools effectively and maximize their benefits.


The corporate credit card application process begins with businesses submitting comprehensive financial documentation, including audited statements, GST returns, and bank statements, along with a comprehensive card usage policy to demonstrate creditworthiness.


Banks evaluate the company's financial stability, revenue patterns, and existing banking relationships before approving credit limits and terms. The approval process typically takes 7-15 days for established businesses, though newer companies may face longer evaluation periods and additional documentation requirements.



Card issuance and employee allocation


Once approved, companies receive master cards for administrators and individual cards for designated employees based on their roles and spending requirements.


Each card is linked to the corporate account but maintains individual tracking capabilities for expense management and accountability. Companies can request additional cards as needed and establish hierarchies for different employee levels with appropriate spending authorities.


Setting credit limits and spending rules


Organizations establish overall credit limits for the corporate account and individual spending limits for each employee based on their role, department, and business requirements.


Spending rules include merchant category restrictions, transaction amount limits, and geographical usage parameters that automatically enforce company policies. These limits and rules can be modified in real-time through online platforms or by contacting the card issuer directly.


Making payments and transactions


Employees use corporate cards for approved business expenses, with each transaction immediately recorded in the centralized tracking system for monitoring and control.


Corporate cards help manage travel and entertainment expenses efficiently with features including expense tracking and customizable spending limits. Transactions are subject to real-time approval based on established spending rules and available credit limits.


Recording and categorizing expenses


All corporate card transactions are automatically recorded and categorized based on merchant types and predefined expense categories established by the company.


Employees typically submit expense reports with supporting documentation to justify business purposes and ensure compliance with company policies. The system maintains detailed records of all transactions, including dates, amounts, merchant information, and expense categories for comprehensive tracking.


Integration with accounting systems


Corporate card solutions provide seamless upload of daily transaction data with entity-specific setup and full compatibility with all major global expense systems.


This integration automatically posts expenses to the appropriate accounting codes and cost centers, reducing manual data entry and improving accuracy. The integration supports various ERP platforms commonly used by Indian businesses.


Monitoring and real-time reporting


Finance teams monitor corporate card usage through comprehensive dashboards that provide real-time spending insights, budget comparisons, and transaction alerts.


These monitoring systems generate automatic notifications for unusual spending patterns, policy violations, or approaching credit limits. Regular reporting helps companies maintain budget control and identify cost-saving opportunities.


Billing and repayment


Corporate card issuers generate monthly statements that consolidate all card transactions across the organization, showing individual cardholder spending and total account balances.


Companies typically have payment terms ranging from 30 to 45 days to settle outstanding balances, with options for partial payments or extended credit arrangements. Timely payments help maintain good credit relationships and avoid interest charges and penalties.


Managing rewards and benefits


Corporate cards provide special offers, rewards, and discounts designed for business usage, with companies typically managing these benefits at the organizational level rather than the individual cardholder level.


Rewards are often reinvested into the business or used to offset card fees and other business expenses. Companies can track reward accumulation and redemption through their corporate card management platforms.


Security and fraud protection


Corporate cards implement enhanced security with multi-layer authentication and tokenization to provide a secure payment environment for businesses.


Security measures include transaction monitoring, fraud alerts, immediate card blocking capabilities, and emergency card replacement services. Companies must establish security protocols for employees and maintain regular monitoring to prevent unauthorized usage.

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What are the eligibility criteria to get a corporate credit card?



Different corporate credit card providers will have different criteria to give businesses access to these cards. But apart from these, there are a few general requirements that almost all providers look for when a company wants to issue their corporate credit cards:


1. Financial statements such as balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and cash flow statements are required to show the provider your financial health and stability.


2. Your company should have a proven track record of business operations.


3. When it comes to company structure, your business must either be a bank, a limited firm, a partnership firm, a small-scale business, and/or a government-funded company to be eligible for a corporate credit card in India. 


4. Apart from all of the above, if your business has a good credit score, it can help fast-track the process of getting your corporate cards.

Documents required to apply for a corporate card in India


1. Identity proof and signature


Any ID card issued by the government, such as an Aadhar card, Pan card, voter ID, driver's license, or passport, is valid. The applicant's full name and age should be on this ID evidence.

2. Address proof


You can provide rental or lease agreements, utility bills, licenses or ownership documents, property tax receipts, and rental receipts as evidence of the business's address.

3. GST certificate & GST number


The GST certificate is available to all eligible and duly registered tax-paying businesses in India. By logging into the GST portal run by the government, you can get your own. Your GST number will be on the GST portal login information.

4. CIN number


CIN is a unique registration number for your business that is assigned based on registration with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), done through ROC (Registrars of Companies) in respective states.


This CIN number needs to be provided to apply for corporate credit cards in India. 

5. Latest bank statements


Business bank statements are considered as an important document proof to validate the eligibility of a business to own a corporate card. Bank statements can help decide how much credit you are eligible for. 


Fetch bank statements of your business checking account for the past 3 to 6 months.

How to apply for a corporate credit card?

Applying for a corporate credit card can significantly boost your business's financial agility and control. This process, while varying slightly by provider, generally involves meeting specific eligibility criteria and compiling essential documentation to ensure a smooth application.

Identify the need

Identify the specific purpose of obtaining a corporate card to ensure its alignment with business objectives. 


Determine the need for corporate credit cards and assign to employees based on their roles, responsibilities, and requirements.

Establish a clear card usage policy

Let your employees spend flexibly by setting certain rules and guidelines for card usage.


Create a comprehensive card usage policy outlining spending limits, authorized expenses, and reporting procedures. This policy will serve as a guideline for employees using the corporate credit card. 

Research and select the right provider

There are various corporate card providers in India. Compare the features, price, and the customer reviews of all the providers and choose the one that suits your business requirements.

Submit the documents and apply

Once you select a provider, complete the corporate card application form with all the accurate information and submit it to the chosen provider along with all the required documents.

Generate and activate the card

Once your application gets approved, start generating and activating the cards as per the instructions provided by the provider.

Issue cards to employees

Distribute the approved corporate credit cards to authorized employees according to the company's card usage policy.

Integrate with an expense management system

If applicable, integrate the corporate credit card transactions with the company's expense management system to facilitate seamless tracking and reporting.

Set spend limits and monitor the usage

Set individual spend limits on cards to keep your business expense under control.


Also, regularly monitor corporate credit card usage and review expense reports to ensure compliance with the company's policies and identify any potential issues or discrepancies.

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Key factors to consider when choosing a corporate card provider



1. Security features offered


When you choose a corporate credit card provider, you should make sure that they have very good features when it comes to security.


Whether it's physical cards or virtual cards, you should have the ability to temporarily freeze or permanently block the card in case you lost it or it was stolen.


This will ensure that the funds in your card cannot be used by someone and it stays safe until you get your card back or have to issue a new card. 


2. Fees and charges


Using corporate credit cards for your business will rarely come free of cost.


Most providers will either charge you for the usage of the cards based on the amount you spend through them or charge a monthly/annual subscription fee to use the cards.


You should make sure that you are aware and good to bare these charges before you sign up with a provider. 


3. Accounting software integration


The best corporate credit cards in India are the ones that easily fit into your existing financial ecosystem or make it better.


A huge part of this equation is the ability to sync and export all your card expense records to your accounting software.


You should ensure that the corporate card provider you choose has the feature to let you integrate your accounting software with their platform. 


4. Transaction limits


Each corporate card provider is different from the others in some ways. One of the aspects that you should check for is the maximum transaction limit permitted by a card.


If you have extremely high volume payments to be made using your corporate credit card, you should ask and check with the provider whether their cards can carry out transactions of such volumes or not. 


5. Acceptance


The last thing you want after selecting a corporate credit card for your company is to realize that it is not supported by certain platforms or merchants that you need to make payments on.


You should ask and check during the product demo whether the card will be accepted on the merchant sites where you need to make payments. 


6. Mobile access


Choose a corporate card provider that has a mobile app for their expense management system. This will ensure easy and remote control for managers and employees using their corporate cards.


You won’t have to constantly open your laptop or desktop to access your card information and controls. The mobile app itself will let you check the transaction information and change the controls if needed. 


7. Access to spending analytics


Last but not least, select a card provider whose platform is capable of taking the spending data from all your corporate cards in the organization and using it to show insightful analytics about business expenses.


This will not only show you how budgets are being utilized but also show a way to make efficient changes to corporate spending.

Volopay corporate cards—the #1 choice for Indian businesses

Volopay has emerged as India's leading corporate card provider, offering comprehensive expense management solutions tailored specifically for modern Indian businesses across all sectors and sizes. Volopay corporate cards combine cutting-edge technology with user-friendly interfaces to provide businesses with complete control over their expense management processes.


Volopay's corporate cards manage international transactions with ease, offering features like worldwide acceptance, seamless expense tracking, and effortless subscription management, all with no top-up limits. The platform serves thousands of Indian companies, from startups to large enterprises, helping them streamline their financial operations and reduce administrative overhead significantly.

Centralized expense control

Volopay provides a unified platform where finance teams can monitor all company expenses in real-time, set spending policies, and maintain complete visibility across all transactions and cardholders.


The centralized control system allows administrators to instantly approve or decline transactions, modify spending limits, and track budget utilization across different departments and projects. This comprehensive control eliminates the need for multiple expense management tools and reduces the complexity associated with traditional corporate card programs.

Real-time tracking

Every transaction made with Volopay corporate cards appears instantly on the dashboard, providing immediate visibility into company spending patterns and enabling proactive budget management.


The real-time tracking system includes detailed merchant information, expense categorization, and automatic receipt matching to ensure comprehensive record-keeping. Finance teams receive instant notifications for significant transactions, policy violations, or unusual spending patterns, enabling quick responses to potential issues.

Custom spend limits

Volopay allows organizations to set individualized spending limits for each employee based on their role, department, and specific business requirements, with the flexibility to adjust these limits instantly.


Companies can establish different limits for various expense categories, time periods, and geographical locations to maintain precise control over spending patterns. The system automatically enforces these limits and provides approval workflows for transactions exceeding predefined thresholds.

Accounting integration

Volopay seamlessly integrates with popular accounting software used by Indian businesses, including Tally, QuickBooks, and SAP, automatically syncing transaction data and eliminating manual data entry.


The integration supports automatic expense categorization, cost center allocation, and GST compliance reporting, significantly reducing the administrative burden on finance teams. This connectivity ensures that all corporate card expenses are immediately reflected in the company's accounting systems with proper documentation and categorization.

Multi-currency support

Volopay corporate cards support multiple currencies and provide competitive exchange rates for international transactions, making them ideal for businesses with global operations or frequent overseas activities.


The platform offers transparent pricing for foreign exchange transactions and provides detailed reporting on currency conversion costs to help businesses optimize their international spending. Multi-currency support includes real-time exchange rate visibility and automatic currency conversion reporting.

Enhanced security

Volopay implements advanced security measures, including multi-factor authentication, transaction monitoring, instant fraud alerts, and immediate card blocking capabilities to protect businesses from unauthorized usage.


The platform provides detailed security logs and suspicious activity reports, enabling companies to maintain comprehensive oversight of their corporate card security. Enhanced security features include virtual card generation for online transactions and temporary card freezing capabilities for added protection.

Automated compliance

Volopay automatically handles GST reporting, TDS compliance, and other regulatory requirements specific to Indian businesses, reducing the compliance burden and ensuring adherence to local regulations.


The platform generates automated real time reports for tax purposes and maintains detailed audit trails for all transactions to support regulatory reporting requirements. Compliance automation includes automatic policy enforcement and exception reporting for unusual transactions.

Scalable for growth

Volopay corporate cards are designed to grow with businesses, supporting unlimited card issuance, flexible spending policies, and advanced features that adapt to changing organizational needs.


The platform accommodates businesses of all sizes, from startups requiring basic expense management to large enterprises needing sophisticated multi-departmental budget allocation and reporting capabilities. Scalability includes support for complex organizational structures and international expansion requirements.

Dedicated support

Volopay provides dedicated customer support specifically trained in Indian business requirements, offering assistance with setup, training, and ongoing card management needs.


The support team understands local business practices, regulatory requirements, and common challenges faced by Indian companies implementing corporate card programs. Dedicated support includes implementation assistance, user training, and ongoing technical support to ensure maximum program effectiveness and user adoption.

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FAQs about corporate credit cards in India

Are corporate credit cards safe for online and international transactions?

Yes, modern corporate credit cards in India incorporate advanced security features, including multi-layer authentication, tokenization, and real-time fraud monitoring to ensure safe online and international usage worldwide.

Can corporate credit cards be linked to accounting and ERP software?

Most leading corporate credit card program providers offer seamless integration with popular accounting and ERP systems, enabling automatic transaction syncing, expense categorization, and GST compliance reporting effectively.

What makes Volopay corporate cards different from other providers in India?

Volopay offers comprehensive expense management features, including real-time tracking, unlimited virtual card issuance, multi-currency support, and dedicated customer support tailored specifically for Indian business requirements.

Can Volopay automate GST and compliance reporting?

Yes, Volopay automatically handles GST reporting, TDS compliance, and other regulatory requirements specific to Indian businesses, generating automated reports and maintaining detailed audit trails efficiently.

Is Volopay scalable for growing businesses and startups in India?

Volopay corporate cards accommodate businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises, with flexible features that adapt to changing needs and support unlimited card issuance.

Can Volopay cards be linked to specific projects or cost centers?

Yes, Volopay allows businesses to allocate expenses to specific projects, cost centers, or departments through customizable expense categorization and budget allocation features for better control.

Can I restrict certain types of transactions or merchants with Volopay?

Volopay provides comprehensive transaction controls allowing businesses to restrict specific merchant categories, transaction types, or geographical locations based on company policies with real-time enforcement capabilities.

Can Volopay's corporate card program help businesses manage subscriptions and recurring payments?

Yes, Volopay excels at managing subscription and recurring payment tracking through dedicated features that monitor recurring charges and provide alerts for upcoming renewals effectively.

Can Volopay generate expense reports for audits or internal reviews?

Volopay automatically generates comprehensive expense reports suitable for audits, tax compliance, and internal financial reviews with detailed transaction histories and customizable formatting options available.

How customizable are Volopay cards for employee roles?

Volopay offers extensive customization options, allowing businesses to set individual spending limits, merchant restrictions, and approval workflows based on employee roles with different permission levels.