According to a report on Saturday, Press TV said the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) has notified the country’s public and private banks of the country, ordering to begin issuing debit cards for tourists and non-resident foreigners to allow payment of services and goods in Iranian currency Rial.
Foreign visitors change their currency at a price approved by CBI’s exchange system and deposit it into an account connected to a debit card, CBI said in its order, adding that the card’s balance will be changed and returned to the visitor on the expiration date of the card.
Before the measures were announced, foreign visitors were forced to carry large amounts of cash during their stay in Iran. They were also forced to sell currency at a lower price so that they could receive cash.
However, it is not clear whether this measure will become popular with all foreigners visiting Iran, as they are supposed to change their currency at a price 20-30% lower than the free market as they can receive debit cards from the bank.
The CBI approved the measure last November. Reports in local media came into effect a week after tourists said they fatally stabbed a guide at a hotel in downtown Tehran and fatally stabbed them about the money they owed to exchange $100 notes.
MNA