Frequently asked questions

If you are not a student, but are under 26 years old at the time you apply for the card, the International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) is the right card for you.

If you’re a full time teacher or professor, you can apply for the International Teacher Identity Card (ITIC).

The IYTC and ITIC both offer similar benefits, services and discounts to the ISIC.

The definition of a full time student depends on which country you are in. Your local ISIC issuing office will be able to advise you. Find your local issuing office here.

Generally, full time means at least 15 hours of study a week, for a minimum of 12 weeks per year.

If you are not a student, but are under 26 years old at the time you apply for the card, the International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) is the right card for you.

Find out more about benefits available to a holder of the IYTC. Look for the blue IYTC logo for IYTC discounts

You have to be at least 12 years old to get an ISIC. There is no upper age limit, so long as you are a full time student.

Some territories prefer to issue students in the age range of 12-18 years with an International Scholar Identity Card, which comes with all the same great benefits when compared to the International Student Identity Card. The term “scholar” is simply used to distinguish between cardholders that are enrolled in high school (scholars) and those that are enrolled in higher/tertiary education institutions (e.g. college or university).

You can often buy an ISIC in the country where you live. If you are going travelling, or studying abroad, you can either get it before you set off, or when you arrive at your destination.

The same applies for the IYTC and ITIC cards. When searching for an issuing office online, please look for the corresponding blue or orange dot to indicate that particular issuing office sells the IYTC or ITIC card, as not all do.

We have ISIC offices in 120 countries around the world.

Search for your local issuing office here.

Currently it is possible to purchase your ISIC / IYTC / ITIC online in the following countries:

• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Brazil
• Bulgaria
• China
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Denmark
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hong Kong
• Indonesia
• Ireland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lebanon
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Mexico
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Pakistan
• Poland
• Romania
• Russia
• Slovakia
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

Currently it is possible to purchase your ISIC / IYTC / ITIC by post in the following countries:

• Canada
• China
• Estonia
• Greece
• Hong Kong
• India
• Japan
• Malaysia
• Singapore
• South Korea
• Malaysia
• United Kingdom

Currently it is possible to purchase your ISIC / IYTC / ITIC by telephone in the following country:

• USA 1-800-223-7986

The ISIC is only available to full time students, so you must be able to prove you are currently studying full time at school, college or university.

When applying please provide one of the following documents:

• - A copy of your university or student identity card, clearly dated and indicating you are a full time student
• - A signed and dated letter on official university or school stationery stating you are studying there full time. We prefer an original copy, although photocopies and faxes may be accepted.

• - Proof or your date of birth
• - A passport sized photograph

The International Youth Travel Card is for people aged between 12 – 25 years old.

To get an IYTC you must be able to prove your age with one of the following documents:

• - Passport
• - Birth certificate
• - Official Identity Card issued in your country of residence


You will also need a passport sized photograph.

The ITIC card is for full time teachers or professors.

To prove your full time teaching status, you will need a letter on official school or university stationery. This must state that you are employed at a recognised school, college or university for at least 18 hours per week, for a minimum of 1 academic year.

You will also need a passport sized photo.

When you order your card online in the USA, you are responsible for applying your picture (passport sized and colour) to you card when you receive it.

Follow these steps:

• - When you receive your ID card you will need to complete the final stages of assembly Included in your order is your card, as well as a plastic laminate used to cover and protect your ID card.
  
  
• - The back of the plastic laminate is divided into three separate sections. Under each white card is adhesive that will stick to your ID card.
  
  
• - First remove the small narrow strip. Make sure to line-up the laminate, adhesive side down, to the top of your ID card before pressing it down to the card.
  
  
• - Once attached, remove the white square that is located just below where the narrow strip was, and press down to seal the left side of your card that has the typed label with your name and school information.
  
  
• - Lastly, place your photo on the card so it fits within the white frame on the right hand side of your ID card. Remove the final piece of backing to the laminate and very carefully press it down over your photo.
  
  You should now have a finished ID Card.

To access global online benefits and discounts on ISIC.org, you may need to activate your card.

Please visit our Activation Page to do this.

If you applied for your card online in the following countries, you will also need to go online when you receive to activate the card locally. Once this is done, you will have access to all discounts and benefits.

Please find the links here:

• Australia
• Germany
• New Zealand
• United States of America

Please note that cards ordered online can take 3 – 4 weeks to process.

If you would like to contact someone regarding the status of your online card order please refer to the following links:

• Australia
• Italy
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

Your card provides you with a wide range of discounts and special offers. This includes discounts on flights and ferries as well as at museums, bookshops and restaurants.

Discounts vary from country to country, but you're sure to make significant savings at home and when travelling abroad with your card. Make sure your ISIC card goes everywhere with you!

Please use our discount search engine to search for discounts worldwide.

Feel free to adjust the search to get discount information per category or in other cities or countries you may be interested in.

Also check our global benefit partners’ page for global ISIC benefits.

Please note some benefits and discounts may have restrictions.

Look up our discount page for all benefits marked with the blue IYTC and the orange ITIC logo to find our which ones are available.

Please note some benefits and discounts may have restrictions.

Your card isn't just about giving you great deals – we will also do our best to help you in an emergency. All ISIC, IYTC and ITIC cardholders have access to a 24-hour ISIC Emergency Helpline.

You can telephone this helpline free of charge. The operator will then refer you to legal, medical or travel advisors, depending on what you need. All information is available in English and Dutch.

Another great way to save money: ISIConnect provides all your international communication needs, saving you up to 70% on international calls from 160 countries.

Choose from a selection of roaming or country specific SIM cards, mobile phones and global phonecard and start saving now as you travel the world, or study overseas.

Find out about ISIConnect's benefits and how to set up your account

Each ISIC card sold in the USA includes free calling time on ISIConnect.

Making prepaid calls

To make a prepaid toll-free or economy call:

1. Using any touch-tone phone, dial the access number for the country you are calling from, then follow the voice prompts.
2. Enter your ISIConnect (ex 3101833479) account number, then press #. 3. Enter your PIN, then press # (ex4442).
4. When prompted enter the country code (e.g. 1 for US), area code (without the leading 0) and phone number of the person you wish to call, then press # to be connected.

Do not dial the International Direct Dialing (IDD) prefix before the country code (e.g. do not dial 011 before the country code when calling from or to the US)

How to recharge your account:

1. Visit here to recharge your account
2. Sign up using your ISIConnect number and PIN
3. Click Recharge


Or call 1-888-310-4168

For complete instructions and additional features, click here.

The cost of your card varies slightly in different countries. It is usually around the price of a local cinema ticket. Please check with your local issuing office for the current cost in your country. Click here for a list of worldwide issuing points.

The ISIC and ITIC are valid for up to 16 months, starting on 1 September or 1 December, depending on the academic year of the country you purchase your card.

The ITYC is valid for 12 months from the date you purchase it.

Some ISIC cards are also bank cards. These are valid for 12 months.

You can apply for a replacement ISIC, IYTC or ITIC card at your nearest issuing office

ISIC cards are non-refundable and non-transferable, so you'll have to pay the full cost of a new one.

To purchase a new card, please contact the issuing office of the country where you live or study. Click here for a list of worldwide issuing points.

The ISIC card is the only internationally-recognised proof of full-time student status. It is endorsed by organisations such as UNESCO, the European Council on Culture and the Andean Community of Nations. The card is recognised by universities, academic institutions, student organisations, national governments and ministries of education around the world.

You can therefore use it to identify yourself in different places. Please keep in mind that in some places they may require a different form of identification.

All cards issued in the U.S. come with international travel insurance that covers you during your travels.

You can find information on the insurance and further contact details here.

You can find comprehensive information about the plan here.

ISIC does come with international travel insurance that covers medical expenses. You will need to contact our insurance provider to file a claim. If you purchased your card before March 21 2010, please contact (877) 370 4742. If you purchased your card on March 22 and later, please contact (800) 541-3522.

You can find information on the insurance and further contact details here.

You can find comprehensive information about the plan here.

ISIC does come with international travel insurance that covers medical expenses. You will need to contact our insurance provider to file a claim. If you purchased your card before March 21 2010, please contact (877) 370 4742. If you purchased your card on March 22 and later, please contact (800) 541-3522.

You can find information on the insurance and further contact details here.

You can find comprehensive information about the plan here.

Unfortunately the insurance that comes with the card only covers cards lost or stolen overseas. You will still be covered under the ISIC insurance plan even though you do not have the physical card. To access our discounts, I would recommend purchasing another card.

Since your card comes with travel insurance, you need to contact our insurance provider about getting a new card. You will still be covered under the ISIC insurance plan even though you do not have the physical card. If you purchased your card before March 21 2010, please contact (877) 370 4742. If you purchased your card on March 22 and later, please contact (800) 541-3522.

You can find information on the insurance and further contact details here.

You can find comprehensive information about the plan here.

Fortunately your ISIC comes with international travel insurance that covers some of the cost of your trip delay. You will need to contact our insurance provider to file a claim. If you purchased your card before March 21 2010, please contact (877) 370 4742. If you purchased your card on March 22 and later, please contact (800) 541-3522.

You can find information on the insurance and further contact details here.

You can find comprehensive information about the plan here.