> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.payvessel.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create a Card

> Create a USD virtual card for a customer (asynchronous)

This resource allows you to create a card for a customer. PayVessel debits your business USD wallet, completes customer KYC, and returns a card you can fund and manage through the API.

This operation is **asynchronous**, meaning we notify you via a **webhook event** on the final status (for example when the card becomes `ACTIVE`). You can also poll [Get a Card](/virtual-cards/get-card) until `card_number` is available.

**Supported card networks:**

| Network    | `brand` value |
| ---------- | ------------- |
| Visa       | `VISA`        |
| Mastercard | `MASTERCARD`  |

Currency must be `USD`. Minimum prefund is **\$3.00**.

## How it works

1. **Send a request** with full customer KYC and card details (`brand`, `currency`). Optionally include `prefund_amount` to fund the card on creation.
2. **PayVessel debits** your business USD wallet (issuance + prefund fees apply).
3. **Receive a card** in `PENDING` status with a PayVessel `card_id`.
4. **Wait for the final status** via your webhook handler, or poll [Get a Card](/virtual-cards/get-card) until `status` is `ACTIVE`.

## Required request fields

| Field                                   | Required | Notes                                       |
| --------------------------------------- | -------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| `first_name`, `last_name`               | Yes      | Customer legal name                         |
| `email`, `phone`                        | Yes      | Nigerian phone format                       |
| `bvn`, `nin`                            | Yes      | 11 digits each                              |
| `dob`                                   | Yes      | `YYYY-MM-DD`                                |
| `image`                                 | Yes      | Base64 identity document (JPEG or PNG)      |
| `state`, `lga`, `street`, `postal_code` | Yes      | Nigerian address                            |
| `brand`, `currency`                     | Yes      | USD only                                    |
| `prefund_amount`                        | No       | Optional; minimum **\$3 USD** when provided |
| `card_name`                             | Optional | Label on card (max 255 characters)          |

## Use cases

* Issue virtual cards for marketplace sellers or wallet users
* Prefund cards for subscription or travel spend
* Onboard customers with full KYC in one API call

## Example request

```json theme={null}
{
  "first_name": "Jane",
  "last_name": "Doe",
  "email": "jane.doe@example.com",
  "phone": "08031234567",
  "bvn": "22345678901",
  "nin": "12345678901",
  "dob": "1990-05-15",
  "image": "data:image/jpeg;base64,YOUR_BASE64_IDENTITY_IMAGE",
  "state": "Lagos",
  "lga": "Ikeja",
  "street": "12 Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1",
  "postal_code": "101233",
  "brand": "VISA",
  "currency": "USD",
  "prefund_amount": "10.00",
  "card_name": "Jane Doe"
}
```

<Card title="API Reference: Try it" icon="play" href="/api-reference/virtual-cards/create-customer-card">
  Run this endpoint in the browser (interactive playground)
</Card>