Hi does anyone know if it is possible to get a visa debit card in the uk if you are under the age of 18?

I am not 100% sure but I don't think you are able to get a Visa card if you are under the age of 18. I think the best thing you can get is a Visa Electron from Barclays or a Solo card from Natwest.

When I was in Sixth form I managed to get a Natwest Mastercard so its worth applying. £500 credit limit (which doesn't last too long :) )

I hope this information helps.

Regards
Nas

I work for HSBC, so maybe I can help.

You can't get a credit card until your 18 - so you can rule that out for a start ;)

As far as debit cards go the only VISA debit card I know if in the UK is the electron - and thats not much use if your planning to use it online. Electron and Solo (Or switch if you meet the requirements) will sometimes be accepted by UK based hosting firms (if this is what you are using it for) - mainly those using Worldpay as a processor.

I've yet to find a host based outside the UK that will take any UK debit card.

It really depends what you need it use it for.

i heard that the visa electron works with paypal. But i dont have a HSBC near me where about can i apply?

If I am correct you are looking for a debit card which uses funds from your chekcing account right? I think all you need is a parents sig to get one.. I didn't get one till I was 18 but I am pretty sure you can get one as long as you have parent's sig.. Over here they just sent me a Visa when my ATm expired without even asking so I dont think its that hard to get.

If this is for accepting online payments which I believe it is...a good starting point may be NOCHEX (http://www.nochex.com) which is basically the Paypal for the UK and you may use a Solo card or any other debit card to sign up with them.

I have used NOCHEX previously and the level of service has been excellent (unlike PayPal which I have had problems with previously).

Regards
Nas

But how do i accept other currencys?

also the package im looking at buying is $ and they accept paypal..

HSBC doesn't do Visa Electron - thats barclays (I think).
We do solo and switch at HSBC.

One card I forgot is delta that nochex do take, I don't know what bank issues Delta mind.

PayPal don't take UK debit cards (I check and have used paypal) and nochex will take switch, solo and delta.

I don't think you're allowed Switch either if your under 18 years of age.

under 18 you can get a Solo or a Visa Electron.

You don't have to be 18 for a switch card which is similar to the Visa debit cards you can get at Barclays or Lloyds TSB

So AFAIK

LloydsTSB, Barclays = Visa debit card
Others = Switch

Originally posted by zuby84
I don't think you're allowed Switch either if your under 18 years of age.

General rule of thumb is that you need an income £300 /month to be automaticallyaccepted although its up to the bank.
I only work a few hours a week but because im staff they have to done all the checks on my history etc when I signed the contract so they let me have one.

ok i dont have a barclays near me what other cards can i get that work with paypal?

PayPal only take Credit Cards.

:mad:

Well, if anyone is interested in getting one directly under 18, I cant really help there, but there are some ways around it more or less.

When I turned 15 a few years ago, we went to the bank and opened up an account, what we did though was put it all in my dads name, So the card says David K Beecken, His middle name is Kenith. My name is David Kyle Beecken. So you can see what happend, I get to use his account(that was ment for me), and any where I went, it didnt matter because I was David K Beecken

On another note, in america they have the Visa Bucks card. It seemed pretty cool and is a debit card. Not sure if you have it there or if it works if you are under 18, but worth looking into.

so what can i do now :bawling: :(

Move to the US :D

Registered my DBA last year, signed up for a business banking account, and got my Visa credit/debit card without issue. Even got my own name on my card. My dad co-signed, and that was that. I love my country. :stickout

:bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling:

I don't know how it is in the UK, but in the US a minor can get most anything with a parent cosigning, so you might just phone your local bank and flat out ask them if you can open an account and get a credit/debit card with a parent's cosign.

I contacted Visa International a few weeks ago, regarding the Visa Buxx card. Because its still a relitivly new card, its only availible from Visa USA. Although Visa International, including Europe are considering opening their verion of it towards the end of this year.

As for Visa Debit cards, To get a Visa Debit that holds the Visa Logo, you need to be 18 years old, and be in full time employment. With a min wage of 5000 a year ( Why? Dont ask, i dont know )

As for Visa Electron, it is availible from - Barcleys and Abbey National. In the UK it runs through the PLUS+ Network, and you need to be present to use it. Although you can use it online, where VISA is displayed from most sites that are run on the Visa USA network. So it is accepted from most sites like PayPal, Firepay etc.

Remember, some sites in the US dont use Pre-Authorisation on VISA. Although electon is a debit card, if you use it at one of these sites, your bank will be charged and your account will go into the red.