Visa Electron
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Visa Electron is a debit or credit card available across most of the world, with the exception of the United States, Canada and Australia. The card was introduced by VISA in the 1980s and is a sister card to the Visa Debit card. If the Visa Electron logo is the only VISA logo on the card, the card will always require online authorization.
In different regions, the card is issued with different specifications. For example, one bank may issue it as a debit card, while another may issue it as a credit card. It is most commonly issued as a debit card. In this case applying for a credit card requires the applicant to present some proof of regular income (such as an employment certificate) or financial assets invested elsewhere.
In addition to debit facilities, the card also allows the holder to withdraw cash from ATMs even outside the holder's country of residence unlike normal ATM cards issued in some countries. This is because Visa Electron cards are also linked to the PLUS interbank network.
In the United Kingdom, the card is not as widely accepted as the sister Visa Debit card, but is often issued by banks as a debit card for children's accounts. In some countries, like Australia, retailers are required to accept the card as part of VISA's Accept All Cards Policy, which also applies to the normal Visa Debit card, although the card isn't available locally.
In countries that have stricter criteria for issuing credit cards Visa Electron has become popular with younger people and students alike due to much lower requirements and low fees.
[edit] Current design
Special Visa Electron logo (normally on the bottom right) and the words "DEBIT CARD" (for debit cards - normally on the the top right) VISA Electron cards should not by standard have the dove hologram shown on VISA and VISA Debit cards, however one or two banks, for example Barclays in the UK, do include this feature. The numbers on the card are embedded rather than raised meaning the card can only be used electronically. If a card is keyed into a terminal, most retailers will require an imprint of the card. Because Electron is flat, this is not possible, meaning it can only be accepted through a Magnetic Stripe Reader (MSR) or a PIN Entry Device (PED).
[edit] New design
As of Mid 2006 VISA are now removing their trademark "flag" logo from all their cards, websites and retailer's windows. It will be the first time that VISA have removed this logo since the company was founded.
For all Electron cards, the new logo will be a simple white background with the name VISA in blue with an orange flick on the 'V'. This will be immediately followed by the word "Electron". Electron will continue to be flat (numbers, not raised), but more recently, retailers allow for the card number to be keyed in - even although an imprint cannot be taken and it leaves them at risk.
For the new VISA and Visa Debit logo, see the relevant pages.
