American Express
Merchant Operating Guide
United States, including
Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin
Islands
October 2017
Copyright © 2014-2017 American Express. All rights reserved. This document contains published confidential and proprietary
information of American Express. No disclosure or use of any portion may be made or reproduced in any form or by any electronic
or mechanical means, including without limitation information storage and retrieval systems, without the express prior written
consent of American Express. The provisions of this document are subject to change from time to time by American Express.
Summary of Changes
Change Bars
Change bars are vertical lines in the left margin that identify revised, added, or removed text. All changes in
the Merchant Operating Guide are indicated with a change bar as shown here:
Summary of Changes Table
Important updates are listed in the following table and are also indicated in the Merchant Operating Guide
with a change bar.
Chapter Section/Subsection Description of Change
Chapter 2, "Doing
Business with American
Express"
Subsection 2.1.1, "Merchant
Category Codes"
Added clarification on industry classification
and assignment of MCCs.
Chapter 4, "Transaction
Processing"
Subsection 4.3.1.1, "Magnetic
Stripe Card Charges"
Added language to reference Section 4.3.3,
"Actions for In-Person Charges".
Subsection 4.3.1.3,
"Contactless Chip Card Charge"
Updated language on accepting Contactless
payments.
Section 4.5, "Processing a Card
Not Present Charge"
Added clarification on Transactions that
involve goods picked up at a physical store.
Section 4.17, "Recurring Billing
Charges"
Revised requirement for obtaining
Cardmember approval for Recurring Billing
Charges.
Chapter 5,
"Authorizations"
Section 5.4, "Possible
Authorization Responses"
Added tip box to clarify that Voice
Authorizations carry a higher risk of fraud.
Chapter 8, "Protecting
Cardmember
Information"
Section 8.1, "Data Security
Requirements"
Updated language using PCI definitions of
protected data.
Section 8.2, "Definitions" Updated definitions for:
Notification Date
Security Technology Enhancement
Program (STEP)
Section 8.6, "Periodic Validation
of Merchant Systems"
Added STEP-eligible Merchants to the
Merchant Level table.
Chapter 9, "Fraud
Prevention"
Section 9.5, "Recognizing
Suspicious Activity"
Added clarification to Suspicious Activity and
added language to tip box.
Chapter 10, "Risk
Management"
Section 10.2, "Prohibited
Merchants"
Updated list of prohibited merchant industries
and categories to align with Network policy.
Summary of Changes
Chapter 11,
"Chargebacks and
Inquiries"
Section 11.1, "Introduction" Revised introductory text on when a dispute
may be initiated.
Subsection 11.2.1 Added illustration on the disputed charge
process.
Subsection 11.2.3, "Inquiries" Added new Inquiries reasons section.
Subsection 11.2.4,
"Chargebacks Reasons"
Added new Chargeback reasons section.
Chapter 12, "Specific
Industries"
Section 12.6, "Government/
Utilities/Education"
Added language to clarify pricing terms for
convenience fees.
Section 12.12, "Rental
Establishments"
Section 12.13, "Restaurants" Added language around modifying estimated
Charge requirements for all Cards based on
requirements in the European Union's Revised
Directive on Payment Services.
Subsection 12.14.1.1, "Lodging
— Special Authorization
Procedures"
Subsection 12.14.2.1, "Vehicle
Rentals — Special
Authorization Procedures"
Subsection 12.14.3, "Assured
Reservations"
The Assured Reservation Program has been
expanded beyond the lodging industry to
include the trailer park/campground, vehicle,
bicycle, boat, equipment, motor home, and
motorcycle rentals industries.
Appendix B, "Glossary" Added definition:
Attestation of Compliance
Attestation of Scan Compliance
Contactless
Expresspay
Merchant Category Code
Notification Date
Validation Documentation
Chapter Section/Subsection Description of Change
Table of Contents
Summary of Changes Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
1.1 About American Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.2 About the Merchant Operating Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
1.3 Organization of the Merchant Operating Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.4 Changes in the Merchant Operating Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2Doing Business with American Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
2.1 Compliance with the Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.2 Establishment Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.3 Verification and Disclosure of Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.4 Merchant Information: Marketing Communication Opt-Outs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.5 List of Merchants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.6 Information For Small Merchants About American Express Cardmember Offers. . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3Card Acceptance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
3.1 Card Acceptance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.2 Treatment of the American Express Brand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.3 Prohibited Uses of the Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.4 Prohibited Merchants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.5 Treatment of American Express Cardmember Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4Transaction Processing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
4.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.2 Completing a Transaction at the Point of Sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.3 Processing an In-Person Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.4 Customer Activated Terminals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
4.5 Processing a Card Not Present Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
4.6 Charge Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
4.7 Processing a Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
4.8 Credit Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
4.9 Return and Cancellation Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4.10 Processing Transactions for Specific Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4.11 Reserved. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4.12 Advance Payment Charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
4.13 Aggregated Charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4.14 Delayed Delivery Charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4.15 Keyed No Imprint Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
4.16 No Signature/No PIN Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
4.17 Recurring Billing Charges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
4.18 Processing Prepaid Cards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
4.19 Processing Travelers/Gift Cheques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Table of Contents
5Authorizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
5.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
5.2 Transaction Cycle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
5.3 The Purpose of Authorization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
5.4 Possible Authorization Responses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
5.5 Obtaining an Electronic Authorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
5.6 Obtaining a Voice Authorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
5.7 Card Identification (CID) Number. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
5.8 Authorization Reversal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
5.9 Authorization Time Limit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
5.10 Floor Limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
5.11 Pre-Authorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
5.12 Additional Authorization Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
6Submissions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
6.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
6.2 Transaction Cycle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
6.3 Purpose of Submission. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
6.4 Submission Requirements – Electronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
6.5 Submission Requirements – Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
6.6 How to Submit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
7 Settlement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
7.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
7.2 Payment Errors or Omissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
7.3 Collecting from Cardmembers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
8Protecting Cardmember Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
8.1 Data Security Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
8.2 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
8.3 Standards for Protection of Cardmember Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
8.4 Data Incident Management Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
8.5 Reserved. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
8.6 Periodic Validation of Merchant Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
8.7 Reserved. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
8.8 Disclaimer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
9Fraud Prevention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
9.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
9.2 Strategies for Deterring Fraud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
9.3 Card Acceptance Policies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
9.4 Card Security Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Table of Contents
9.5 Recognizing Suspicious Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
9.6 Prepaid Card Security Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
9.7 Recognizing Suspicious Activity for Prepaid Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
9.8 Travelers Cheque and Gift Cheque Security Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
9.9 Fraud Mitigation Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
10 Risk Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
10.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
10.2 Prohibited Merchants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
10.3 Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
10.4 Fraudulent, Deceptive, or Unfair Business Practices, Illegal Activities,
or Prohibited Uses of the Card. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
11 Chargebacks and Inquiries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
11.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
11.2 Disputed Charge Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
11.3 Tips for Avoiding Chargebacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
12 Specific Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
12.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
12.2 Auto Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
12.3 Business-to-Business (B2B)/ Wholesale Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
12.4 Charitable Donations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
12.5 E-Commerce Businesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
12.6 Government/Utilities/Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
12.7 Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
12.8 Internet/Online Pharmacies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
12.9 Oil/Petroleum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
12.10 Online/Mail Order Tobacco Retail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
12.11 Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
12.12 Rental Establishments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
12.13 Restaurants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
12.14 Travel Industries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
13 Dispute Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103
13.1 Arbitration Agreement (as to Claims involving American Express). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Appendix A
Acknowledgment of Responsibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Appendix B
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Contents
Merchant Operating Guide
Introduction
Introduction1
1.1 About American Express
1.2 About the Merchant Operating Guide
1.3 Organization of the Merchant Operating Guide
1.4 Changes in the Merchant Operating Guide
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Introduction
This document contains sensitive, confidential and trade secret information, and must not be October 2017 2
disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
1.1 About American Express
American Express was established more than 150 years ago and has undergone remarkable
changes over the years. One characteristic has remained constant, however: American
Express is guided by a value system that is steadfastly focused on doing business in more
than 130 countries around the globe with trust and integrity, delivering quality products and
services to American Express' valued customers.
The American Express Network operates worldwide, including in Territories where
Applicable Law, or other considerations, may require that certain of our Affiliates or
licensees act as Acquirers. The Network also supports millions of Merchants globally and
processes billions of Transactions daily, forging relationships between Cardmembers and
Merchants. American Express helps build the businesses of millions of Merchants, from
neighborhood shops to multinational corporations.
As a world-recognized brand leader, American Express takes its commitment to Merchants
seriously. This guide is designed to provide information about American Express and how
accepting the American Express
®
Card can benefit Merchants.
1.1.1 Intended Audience for this Guide
This Merchant Operating Guide is intended for use by Merchants that have entered into a
legally binding Agreement with a Merchant Services Provider based in the United States,
Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands to accept the American Express
®
Card. While not an
exhaustive list, qualifying Merchants:
are physically located in the United States, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands and
maintain a bank account at a U.S. financial institution;
have an estimated annual American Express charge volume of less than USD
$1,000,000; and,
transact in U.S. currency (USD) only and receive payment from its Merchant Services
Provider in U.S. dollars into a U.S. bank account.
1.2 About the Merchant Operating Guide
This Merchant Operating Guide sets forth the policies and procedures governing your
acceptance of the American Express
®
Card in the United States, Puerto Rico, or the U.S.
Virgin Islands. It is a part of, and is hereby incorporated by reference into, the Merchant
Agreement with your Merchant Services Provider ("the Agreement"). You agree to be bound
by and accept all provisions in the Merchant Operating Guide (as changed from time to time)
as if fully set out in the Agreement and as a condition of your agreement to accept the Card.
You should consult with your Merchant Services Provider for further information about any
policy or procedure contained in the Merchant Operating Guide.
1.3 Organization of the Merchant Operating Guide
The Merchant Operating Guide is designed to follow the flow of the Transaction cycle – from
Card acceptance, to Authorization, to Submission, to Settlement, to Disputed Charges, to
Chargebacks.
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Introduction
This document contains sensitive, confidential and trade secret information, and must not be October 2017 3
disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
1.4 Changes in the Merchant Operating Guide
American Express reserves the right to make changes to the Merchant Operating Guide in
scheduled changes and at any time in unscheduled changes. You agree to accept all changes
(and further to abide by the changed provisions of the Merchant Operating Guide) as a
condition of your agreement to accept the Card, except where Applicable Law takes
precedence.
The Merchant Operating Guide is published in electronic format on a scheduled basis, twice
each year, in April and October. You may obtain the latest version of the Merchant Operating
Guide by visiting www.americanexpress.com/merchantopguide
, or by contacting your
Merchant Services Provider.
Provisions changed in unscheduled releases generally take effect ten (10) days after notice to
Merchants and Merchant Services Providers (unless another effective date is specified in the
notice).
Upon notification of an unscheduled change, you shall be responsible for obtaining and
referring to the then-current version of the Merchant Operating Guide.
Contents
Merchant Operating Guide
Doing Business with American Express
Doing Business with American Express2
2.1 Compliance with the Technical Specifications
2.2 Establishment Closing
2.3 Verification and Disclosure of Information
2.4 Merchant Information: Marketing Communication Opt-Outs
2.5 List of Merchants
2.6 Information For Small Merchants About American Express Cardmember Offers
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Doing Business with American Express
This document contains sensitive, confidential and trade secret information, and must not be October 2017 5
disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
2.1 Compliance with the Technical Specifications
You must ensure that you and any third parties you enlist to facilitate Transaction processing
comply with the American Express Technical Specifications (valid and accurate data must be
provided for all data elements in accordance with the American Express Technical
Specifications).
Contact your Merchant Services Provider for further information about complying with these
specifications.
2.1.1 Merchant Category Codes
You must use the Merchant Category Code (MCC) that most closely represents your industry
classification. If you have multiple, clearly distinct businesses, then those businesses should
be segmented across the appropriate MCCs and Merchant Numbers. If you have multiple
businesses, but a distinction between them is not clear or cannot reasonably be determined,
then you should use the MCC which most closely represents your business’s primary industry
classification.
You must make sure your MCCs are accurate and provide the appropriate MCC in all
Authorizations and Submissions. Work with your Merchant Services Provider if you have
questions related to your MCC assignment.
2.2 Establishment Closing
If you close any of your Establishments, you must follow these guidelines:
Follow your Merchant Services Provider guidelines for notification of Establishment
closing.
Policies must be conveyed to the Cardmember prior to completion of the Charge and
printed on the copy of a receipt or Charge Record the Cardmember signs. See
Section 4.9, "
Return and Cancellation Policies" for additional information.
If not providing refunds or exchanges, post notices indicating that all sales are final
(e.g., at the front doors, by the cash registers, on the Charge Record and on websites
and catalogs).
Return and cancellation policies must be clearly disclosed at the time of sale.
For Advance Payment Charges or Delayed Delivery Charges, you must either deliver the
goods or services for which you have already charged the Cardmember or issue Credit
for any portion of the Charge for which you have not delivered the goods or services.
Technical Specifications
The set of mandatory, conditional,
and optional requirements related
to connectivity to the Network and
electronic Transaction processing,
including Authorization and
Submission of Transactions
(sometimes called "specifications"
in our materials), which American
Express may update from time to
time.
If you are unsure of the MCC
assigned to you, please contact
your Merchant Services Provider.
We also recommend that you
review your Authorization and
Submission data periodically to
ensure it accurately represents
your industry classification. If it is
not accurate, please contact your
Merchant Services Provider.
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Doing Business with American Express
This document contains sensitive, confidential and trade secret information, and must not be October 2017 6
disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
2.3 Verification and Disclosure of Information
You acknowledge that when you provide information to your Merchant Services Provider that
such information may be disclosed and shared with your Merchant Services Provider's
agents, subcontractors, Affiliates, and other parties, including American Express, industry
organizations, and reporting agencies, for any purpose permitted by Applicable Law.
American Express collects and retains such information, shares such information with
Affiliates and its other business lines, and may use such information to improve services,
prevent fraud, and for other business purposes, including conducting analytics and making
information available to certain third-parties, including for tax reconciliation or expense
management services and their users.
You further acknowledge that, by entering into the Agreement with your Merchant Services
Provider, you provide permission to obtain or disclose information in connection with the
Agreement, consent to American Express' disclosure of such information for the foregoing
purposes, and hereby release and waive any right or Claim arising out of or related to such
disclosure, including defamation Claims, even if the information that is disclosed is incorrect
or incomplete. You acknowledge that your business name and the name of your principals
may be reported to the MATCH™ (Member Alert to Control High Risk Merchants) listing
maintained by MasterCard. You hereby specifically consent to the reporting, and waive and
hold American Express and your Merchant Services Provider harmless from all Claims and
liabilities you may have as a result of such reporting.
2.4 Merchant Information: Marketing Communication Opt-Outs
You agree that, upon providing contact information to your Merchant Services Provider,
American Express may send you commercial marketing messages, including information on
products, services, and resources available to your business. These messages may be sent to
the mailing address, phone numbers, email addresses, or fax numbers you provide. If you
provide a wireless phone number, you agree that American Express may contact you at that
number and the communication American Express sends may include autodialed short
message service (SMS or "text") messages or automated or prerecorded calls. If you provide
a fax number, you agree that American Express may send you fax communications. American
Express may otherwise use and share your information for business purposes and as
permitted by Applicable Law. American Express uses reasonable administrative, technical,
and physical security measures to protect Merchant information consistent with the
sensitivity of the information.
You may opt out of receiving American Express commercial marketing communications about
products and services by contacting your Merchant Services Provider directly via inbound
telephone, email, website, or any other means identified by your Merchant Services Provider,
or by exercising any opt-out option that American Express may describe or offer in emails,
SMS messages, faxes, or other communications. If you have opted-out, you may continue to
receive important transactional or relationship communications from American Express. In
addition, you may continue to receive marketing communications from American Express
while American Express updates its records to reflect your opt-out choice.
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Doing Business with American Express
This document contains sensitive, confidential and trade secret information, and must not be October 2017 7
disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
2.5 List of Merchants
For the purpose of communicating your acceptance of the Card, American Express may
include your name, address (including website addresses or URLs), customer service
telephone numbers, and/or industry classification in lists of Merchants that accept the Card.
The information reflected on such lists is based on that which you have provided to your
Merchant Services Provider, or that is otherwise publicly available. American Express may
publish or publicly disclose that information from time to time.
2.6 Information For Small Merchants About American Express Cardmember Offers
American Express wants to help encourage Cardmembers to seek out and shop at small
merchants that accept the American Express Card. From time to time, American Express may
include small merchants in Cardmember offers. There is no additional cost to your business
to be included in these offers.
For more information, visit www.americanexpress.com/ShopSmallFAQs
and click on the
Cardmember Offers tab. There you can view offer terms and conditions, determine if your
business is an eligible small merchant that is included in any offers, and access any available
signage to promote Cardmember offers, that you are included in, to your customers.
Contents
Merchant Operating Guide
Card Acceptance
Card Acceptance3
3.1 Card Acceptance
3.2 Treatment of the American Express Brand
3.3 Prohibited Uses of the Card
3.4 Prohibited Merchants
3.5 Treatment of American Express Cardmember Information
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Card Acceptance
This document contains sensitive, confidential and trade secret information, and must not be October 2017 9
disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
3.1 Card Acceptance
You must accept the Card as payment for goods and services
sold (other than those goods and services prohibited under
Section 3.3, "
Prohibited Uses of the Card"), or (if applicable) for
charitable contributions made, at all of your Establishments,
except as expressly permitted by Applicable Law. You are
jointly and severally liable for the obligations of your
Establishments under the Agreement.
By accepting the Card at your Establishment, you are providing
your customers with convenience and flexibility in the choice
of payment methods offered.
3.2 Treatment of the American Express Brand
For the past 150 years, American Express has built a brand that is synonymous with trust,
integrity, security, quality, and customer service. American Express works diligently to uphold
its reputation, and restrict Merchants from engaging in activities that would harm American
Express' business or brand.
Except as expressly permitted by Applicable Law, you must not:
indicate or imply that you prefer, directly or indirectly, any Other Payment Products over
the Card,
try to dissuade Cardmembers from using the Card,
criticize or mischaracterize the Card or any of American Express' services or programs,
try to persuade or prompt Cardmembers to use any Other Payment Products or any other
method of payment (e.g., payment by check),
impose any restrictions, conditions, disadvantages, or fees when the Card is accepted
that are not imposed equally on all Other Payment Products, except for electronic funds
transfer, cash or check,
suggest or require Cardmembers to waive their right to dispute any Transaction,
engage in activities that harm American Express' business or the American Express
Brand (or both),
promote any Other Payment Products (except your own private label card that you issue
for use solely at your Establishments) more actively than you promote the Card, or
convert the currency of the original sale Transaction to another currency when
requesting Authorization or submitting Transactions (or both).
You may offer discounts or in-kind incentives from your regular prices for payments in cash,
ACH funds transfer, check, debit card, or credit/charge card, provided that (to the extent
required by Applicable Law): (i) you clearly and conspicuously disclose the terms of the
discount or in-kind incentive to your customers, (ii) the discount or in-kind incentive is offered
to all of your prospective customers, and (iii) the discount or in-kind incentive does not
differentiate on the basis of the Issuer or, except as expressly permitted by applicable state
statute, payment card network (e.g., Visa, MasterCard, Discover, JCB, American Express).
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Card Acceptance
This document contains sensitive, confidential and trade secret information, and must not be October 2017 10
disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
The offering of discounts or in-kind incentives in compliance with the terms of this paragraph
will not constitute a violation of the provisions set forth above in this Section 3.2, "
Treatment
of the American Express Brand".
3.2.1 Treatment of the American Express Marks
Whenever payment methods are communicated to customers, or when customers ask what
payments are accepted, you must indicate your acceptance of the Card and display American
Express' Marks (including any Card application forms provided to you) as prominently and in
the same manner as any Other Payment Products.
American Express' corporate logo, the “American Express
®
Blue Box” logo, is the strongest
visual symbol of American Express' image. The “Blue Box” represents and reinforces the high
quality service and values of American Express. The appropriate version of the “Blue Box”
logo must be displayed on all point-of-purchase materials and signs. The following
guidelines apply to your use of the “Blue Box” logo in communications:
The space around the “Blue Box” must equal at least 1/3 the size of the box.
The “Blue Box” logo minimum size is 3/8” and 1/2” is the preferred size.
The “Blue Box” logo must always be shown in the pre-approved "American Express
blue" or, in one- or two-color communications, black.
A minimum distance of 1-1/2 times the size of the “Blue Box” must be allowed between
the “Blue Box” logo and a non-American Express Mark.
You must not use American Express' Marks in any way that injures or diminishes the
goodwill associated with the American Express Mark, nor in any way (without American
Express’ prior written consent) indicate that American Express endorses your goods or
services. You shall only use American Express' Marks as permitted by the Agreement and
shall cease using American Express' Marks upon termination of the Agreement.
For additional guidelines on the use of American Express' Marks, contact your Merchant
Services Provider.
3.3 Prohibited Uses of the Card
You must not accept the Card for any of the following:
adult digital content sold via Internet Electronic Delivery,
amounts that do not represent bona fide sales of goods or services (or, if applicable,
amounts that do not represent bona fide charitable contributions made) at your
Establishments; for example, purchases at your Establishments by owners (or their
family members) or employees contrived for cash flow purposes, or payments that you
have accepted in order to advance cash to Cardmembers in connection with the
Transaction,
amounts that do not represent bona fide, direct sales by your Establishment to
Cardmembers made in the ordinary course of your business,
cash or cash equivalent; for example, purchases of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium
bullion and/or bars (collectible coins and jewelry are not prohibited), or virtual currencies
that can be exchanged for real currency (loyalty program currencies are not prohibited),
Charges that the Cardmember has not specifically approved,
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Card Acceptance
This document contains sensitive, confidential and trade secret information, and must not be October 2017 11
disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
costs or fees over the normal price of the goods or services (plus applicable taxes) that
the Cardmember has not specifically approved,
damages, losses, penalties, or fines of any kind,
gambling services (including online gambling), gambling chips, gambling credits, or
lottery tickets,
unlawful/illegal activities, fraudulent business transactions or when providing the goods
or services is unlawful/illegal (e.g., unlawful/illegal online internet sales of prescription
medications or controlled substances; sales of any goods that infringe the rights of a
Rights-holder under laws applicable to American Express, you, or the Cardmember),
overdue amounts or amounts covering returned, previously dishonored or stop-payment
checks (e.g., where the Card is used as a payment of last resort),
amounts that represent repayment of a cash advance including, but not limited to,
payday loans, pawn loans, or payday advances,
sales made by third parties or Entities conducting business in industries other than
yours, or
other items of which American Express or your Merchant Services Provider notifies you.
You must not use the Card to verify your customer's age.
3.4 Prohibited Merchants
Some Merchants may not be eligible to accept the Card. A Merchant will be denied the
privilege to accept the Card if it is determined that a Merchant meets one or more of the
criteria for a prohibited Merchant, including the criteria set forth in Chapter 10, "
Risk
Management". For additional information regarding Prohibited Merchants, contact your
Merchant Services Provider directly.
3.5 Treatment of American Express Cardmember Information
Any and all Cardmember Information is confidential and the sole property of the Issuer,
American Express or its Affiliates. Except as otherwise specified, you must not disclose
Cardmember Information, nor use nor store it, other than to facilitate Transactions at your
Establishments in accordance with the Agreement.
For more information, see Section 4.2, "
Completing a Transaction at the Point of Sale".
For more information about protecting Cardmember Information, see Chapter 8, "
Protecting
Cardmember Information".
Contents
Merchant Operating Guide
Transaction Processing
Transaction Processing4
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Completing a Transaction at the Point of Sale
4.3 Processing an In-Person Charge
4.4 Customer Activated Terminals
4.5 Processing a Card Not Present Charge
4.6 Charge Records
4.7 Processing a Credit
4.8 Credit Records
4.9 Return and Cancellation Policies
4.10 Processing Transactions for Specific Industries
4.11 Reserved
4.12 Advance Payment Charges
4.13 Aggregated Charges
4.14 Delayed Delivery Charges
4.15 Keyed No Imprint Program
4.16 No Signature/No PIN Program
4.17 Recurring Billing Charges
4.18 Processing Prepaid Cards
4.19 Processing Travelers/Gift Cheques
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Transaction Processing
This document contains sensitive, confidential and trade secret information, and must not be October 2017 13
disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
4.1 Introduction
In today's marketplace, point of sale Transactions encompass a wide variety of customer
options, including:
in-store Transactions
internet/e-commerce Transactions
Application-initiated Transactions
phone/mail order Transactions
Customer Activated Terminal (CAT) Transactions
This section of the Merchant Operating Guide addresses Transaction processing and offers
specific procedures and guidelines for dealing with various Transaction types. It covers Card
Present, Card Not Present, the acceptance of Prepaid Cards, and more. In all situations, you
should consult with your Merchant Services Provider's instructions for Transaction
processing for additional information and guidance.
4.2 Completing a Transaction at the Point of Sale
All valid Transactions begin with a Cardmember's purchase at the point of sale. Whether the
physical Card is used to facilitate a Card Present Charge, or the Cardmember provides his or
her Cardmember Information over the phone, via mail order, or the internet, the Transaction
must not be completed without the Card and/or information provided by the Cardmember.
To accept the Card for Charges at your Establishments, at the point of sale, you must:
clearly and conspicuously, disclose all material terms of sale prior to obtaining an
Authorization, and
clearly and conspicuously inform Cardmembers at all points of interaction (e.g., sales
conducted in person, over the internet, mobile or via mail or telephone order) what Entity
is making the sales offer, so that the Cardmember can clearly distinguish you from any
other party involved in the interaction (e.g., a vendor of goods or provider of services you
may engage, or another Merchant seeking to conduct business with the Cardmember).
The Transaction Data you collect to facilitate the Charge must be, or have been, provided
directly to you by the Cardmember.
You must not accept or have accepted Transaction Data from, nor shall you provide or have
provided Transaction Data to, any third parties other than your Covered Parties. If you fail to
comply with this requirement, you may be assessed non-compliance fees and/ or have your
Card acceptance privileges at your Establishments suspended or disentitled.
When Cardmembers make an
Application-initiated Transaction
or pay using other mobile phone or
tablet application based payments
(which Cardmembers may have
created by providing Cardmember
Information when the account was
established), the Transaction Data
collected to facilitate the Card Not
Present Charge has already been
provided directly by the
Cardmember. In this scenario, you
are not required to have the
Cardmember re-enter the
Transaction Data.
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Transaction Processing
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
4.3 Processing an In-Person Charge
In-Person Charges refer to Charges in which the Card and Cardmember are present at the
point of sale. An example of this is when a Cardmember presents a Card to the Merchant at
a retail store.
For all In-Person Charges, the Card must be presented. There are several ways in which an
In-Person Charge can be conducted. The steps taken vary according to how the following two
types of In-Person Charges are conducted:
electronic Charges
key-entered Charges
4.3.1 Electronic Charges
Electronic Point of Sale (POS) Systems automatically capture required information from the
Card so it can be used to request Authorization for the Charge. Electronic charges can be
conducted in a variety of ways depending on the type of Card presented.
Magnetic Stripe Cards – contain Cardmember and Card account information on the
stripe on the back of the Card, or in a contactless Chip embedded in the Card.
Chip Cards – contain a Chip on which data is stored (including Cardmember and Card
account information), which the POS System can read in order to guide the processing of
the Transaction.
Mobile Devices – An Issuer approved and American Express recognized electronic
device (including but not limited to, a mobile telephone, tablet, or wearable device) that
is enabled to initiate a Digital Wallet Payment Transaction.
Some Magnetic Stripe, Chip Cards, and Mobile Devices may be read over the contactless
interface of the POS System. The Charge Record is then created from the information
captured during the electronic Charge.
You must work with your Merchant Services Provider if you have questions related to your
POS capabilities.
4.3.1.1 Magnetic Stripe Card Charges
When presented with a Card at the point of sale, you must:
1. Verify that the Card is not visibly altered or mutilated,
2. Verify that the customer is the Cardmember* (Cards are not transferable),
3. Capture Magnetic Stripe data by swiping the Card (unless the Charge was already
initiated by waving the contactless Chip Card in close proximity to the POS System) as
described in Subsection 4.3.1.3, "
Contactless Chip Card Charge" and Subsection 4.3.1.2,
"Contact Chip Card Charges",
4. Obtain an Authorization Approval,
5. Obtain signature (excluding Charges at CATs) and verify that the signature is identical to
the name on the Card.* Obtaining a signature may not be required if your Establishment
and the Charge qualify for the No Signature/No PIN Program (see Section 4.16, "
No
Signature/No PIN Program" for additional information),
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Transaction Processing
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
6. Compare the signature (when obtained) on the Charge Record with the signature on the
Card,
7. Verify the Card's Expiration Date,
8. Match the Card Number and the Expiration Date on the Card to the same information on
the Charge Record, and
9. Ensure the name that prints on the Charge Record matches the name on the front of the
Card.*
* Except when the Cardmember name is not captured on the Charge Record or for Prepaid
Cards that do not show a name on their face. If you encounter an In-Person Transaction that
raises concern, refer to Subsection 4.3.3, "
Actions for In-Person Charges" and proceed
accordingly.
4.3.1.2 Contact Chip Card Charges
When presented with a Chip Card to be inserted into a Chip Card reader, you must inform the
Cardmember to:
1. Verify that the Card is not visibly altered or mutilated (see Chapter 9, "
Fraud Prevention"
for additional information),
2. Verify that the customer is the Cardmember* (Cards are not transferable),
3. Capture Chip Card Data by inserting the Card into the Chip Card reader,
The POS System will advise Cardmembers to enter their PIN (a Chip and PIN Charge) or
sign for the Charge (a Chip and signature Charge):
Chip and PIN Charges: Cardmembers will enter their PIN into the POS System using
the keypad. If the Chip and PIN Charge is unable to be completed due to a technical
problem, the POS System will show an error message. Follow the procedures for a
swiped Charge in Subsection 4.3.1.1, "
Magnetic Stripe Card Charges". Failure to
validate the PIN, when required, can render you liable for Chargebacks if the
Cardmember disputes the Charge. Validating a PIN may not be required if your
Establishment and the Charge qualify for the No Signature/No PIN Program (see
Section 4.16, "
No Signature/No PIN Program" for additional information).
Chip and signature Charge: Obtain the Cardmember's signature on the Charge
Record and compare the signature on the Charge Record to the name and signature
on the Card. Obtaining a signature may not be required if your Establishment and
the Charge qualify for the No Signature/No PIN Program (see Section 4.16, "
No
Signature/No PIN Program" for additional information).
4. Obtain an Authorization Approval,
5. Verify the Card's Expiration Date,
6. Match the Card Number and the Expiration Date on the Card to the same information on
the Charge Record, and
7. Ensure the name that prints on the Charge Record matches the name on the front of the
Card.*
* Except when the Cardmember name is not captured on the Charge Record or for Prepaid
Cards that do not show a name on their face.
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Transaction Processing
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
If you use Enabled Chip and PIN POS Systems to process a Chip Transaction for Other
Payment Products, then you must configure those Enabled Chip and PIN POS Systems for
American Express Chip Cards in accordance with the Technical Specifications and other
requirements American Express makes available.
To avoid Chip Card fraud liability shift, you must use an Enabled Chip and PIN POS System
that can process Chip Cards at the time of the Transaction, and you must comply with all
applicable Card acceptance procedures. Chip Card fraud liability shift does not apply to
contactless Transactions or Digital Wallet Payments.
Chip Card fraud liability shift applies to all industries. Chip Card fraud liability shift will apply
to CATs attached to automated fuel dispensers - MCC 5542, in October 2017. Please note,
this exception does not apply to MCC 5541 or any other MCCs. See Subsection 12.9.3, "
Oil
Fraud Protection Program".
If your POS System is not an Enabled Chip and PIN POS System that can process Chip Cards,
and a Chip Card is presented, Chargeback may be exercised for EMV counterfeit, EMV lost,
stolen, or non-received fraud except for the following "EMV Chargeback Exclusions" (for the
purposes of this section):
For the period of July 22, 2016 through April 12, 2018, you will not be held liable for new
EMV Chargebacks for EMV counterfeit and EMV lost, stolen or non-received fraud on
any Chip Card Transactions under $25 for Cards issued in the United States (which
includes Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other U.S. territories and possessions).
For the period of October 14, 2016 through April 12, 2018, American Express will limit
the number of EMV counterfeit Fraud Chargebacks, on Cards issued in the United States
(which includes Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other U.S. territories and
possessions) for which your are liable, to a total of 10 per Card account.
If your POS System is a Capable Chip and PIN POS System that can process Chip Cards and a
Chip Card is presented:
Chargeback may be exercised for counterfeit, lost, stolen, or non-received fraud if a Chip
Card with PIN functionality is presented and the Charge is not submitted as a Chip and
PIN Charge because at the time of the Transaction, your Capable Chip and PIN POS
System was not configured to process the Chip and PIN Charge. Chargeback will not be
exercised for the "EMV Chargeback Exclusions".
Chargeback will not be exercised for counterfeit, lost, stolen, or non-received fraud for
Fallback Transactions, if after inserting the Chip Card, your POS System prompts you to
complete the Transaction by swiping the Magnetic Stripe of the Card, provided you
follow all applicable Card acceptance steps as outlined in Subsection 4.3.1.1, "
Magnetic
Stripe Card Charges".
If you are presented with a Chip Card and manually key-enter the Transaction, you may be
subject to counterfeit, lost/stolen and non-received Chargebacks in the event of a fraud
dispute. Chargeback will not be exercised for the "EMV Chargeback Exclusions". Refer to
your Merchant Services Provider's information on Disputes and Chargebacks for further
information.
For Merchants who choose to
implement American Express
Quick Chip and the No Signature/
No PIN program, please refer to
Subsection 4.3.1.2.1, "American
Express Quick Chip" for more
information about potential fraud
liability shift impacts.
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Transaction Processing
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
4.3.1.2.1 American Express Quick Chip
Chargeback may be exercised for EMV counterfeit or EMV lost, stolen or non-
received fraud if you implement American Express Quick Chip and the following
applies:
You implement the No Signature/No PIN program, and
You are using a POS device which supports a provisional transaction amount,
and
The final transaction performed is over the No Signature/No PIN threshold.
For more information on American Express Quick Chip, please work with your
Merchant Services Provider to determine which implementation approach best
meets your business needs.
4.3.1.3 Contactless Chip Card Charge
Some Chip Card Charges involve transmission of payment information when the Card is
waved in close proximity to a contactless reader. Merchants that choose to accept
Contactless payments must comply with the current American Express contactless POS
System requirements. Work with your Merchant Services Provider if you have questions
related to Contactless Chip Card acceptance.
When presented with a Card to be read via a contactless reader, and the Charge qualifies for
the No Signature/No PIN Program, you must:
1. Capture Magnetic Stripe or Chip Card Data using the contactless reader, and
2. Obtain an Authorization Approval.
For Charges that do not qualify under the No Signature/No PIN Program, follow the relevant
Card acceptance procedures outlined in either Subsection 4.3.1.1, "
Magnetic Stripe Card
Charges", or Subsection 4.3.1.2, "Contact Chip Card Charges".
See Section 4.16, "
No Signature/No PIN Program" for additional information.
4.3.1.4 Digital Wallet Payments
Digital wallets within a Mobile Device facilitate Transactions as follows:
For a Digital Wallet Contactless-initiated Transaction, the Mobile Device completes a
Card Present Charge by waving the device in close proximity to a contactless-enabled
POS System.
For a Digital Wallet Magnetic Secure Transmission Transaction, the Mobile Device
completes a Card Present Charge by waving the device in close proximity to the
magnetic swipe-enabled POS System.
For a Digital Wallet Application-initiated Transaction, the Mobile Device completes a
Card Not Present Charge (typically made online) using a software application within the
Mobile Device and not the contactless payment application.
When presented with a Mobile Device for a Card Present Charge, you should:
1. Capture Magnetic Stripe or Chip Card data by having the Cardmember wave the Mobile
Device in close proximity to the contactless reader or magnetic swipe-enabled POS
System.
For more information on American
Express Quick Chip, please work
with your Merchant Services
Provider to determine which
implementation approach best
meets your business needs.
Mobile Devices do not have the
same security features as a
traditional plastic Card. For
instance, the screens on the
Mobile Device may not display all
the digits of the Card Number and
expiration date, or the
Cardmember name. Likewise,
there may not be a CID visible on
the handset screen.
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Transaction Processing
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
Note: If you choose to accept contactless payments, you should consult with your
Merchant Services Provider to ensure compliance with the current American
Express contactless POS System requirements.
2. Obtain an Authorization Approval.
3. Obtain a signature or have the Cardmember complete a Consumer Device Cardholder
Verification Method (CDCVM) on contactless initiated Transactions. For Magnetic
Secure Transmission Transactions, you must continue to obtain a signature (excluding
Charges at CATs and Charges that qualify for the No Signature/No PIN Program – see
Section 4.16, "
No Signature/No PIN Program" for additional information).
4. Continue to include an indicator in the Authorization that the Transaction is a contactless
Transaction, if applicable.
5. If a Mobile Device initiated Transaction cannot be processed for any reason, you should
request that the Cardmember provide the companion physical Card and complete the
Transaction by following the relevant Card acceptance procedures outlined in:
Subsection 4.3.1.1, "
Magnetic Stripe Card Charges", or
Subsection 4.3.1.2, "
Contact Chip Card Charges".
For Application-initiated Transactions, you should follow Card Not Present Charge policy as
described in Section 4.5, "
Processing a Card Not Present Charge".
For a Transaction to be recognized as Digital Wallet Application-initiated Transaction, you
should:
1. Consult with your Merchant Services Provider to arrange for certification for Digital
Wallet Application-initiated Transactions.
2. Include appropriate indicators in the Authorization and Submission that the Transaction
is a Digital Wallet Application-initiated Transaction (see Section 2.1, "
Compliance with
the Technical Specifications").
4.3.2 Key-Entered Charges
There are instances when you may need to key-enter an In-Person Charge. This occurs most
often when the POS System cannot read the Card.
If the Card cannot be read electronically, and you wish to key-enter the Transaction, then you
must:
1. Verify that the Card is not visibly altered or mutilated,
2. Verify that the customer is the Cardmember* (Cards are not transferable),
3. Key-enter the data,
4. Obtain an Authorization Approval,
5. Obtain a signature and verify that the signature is identical to the name on the Card.*
Obtaining a signature may not be required if your Establishment and the Charge qualify
for the No Signature/No PIN Program (see Section 4.16, "
No Signature/No PIN Program"
for additional information),
6. Compare the signature (when obtained) on the Charge Record with the signature on the
Card,
In-Person Charges that must be
key-entered because the
Magnetic Stripe cannot be read
are more likely to be fraudulent.
See Chapter 9, "
Fraud Prevention"
to learn how to inspect the Card
and for procedures to follow when
you suspect fraud. Transactions
that are manually key-entered
when a Chip Card is presented
may be subject to counterfeit,
lost/stolen and non-received
Chargebacks in the event of a
fraud dispute. To minimize your
risk of Chargebacks, avoid
manually key-entered
Transactions whenever possible.
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7. Verify the Card's Expiration Date,
8. Match the Card Number and the Expiration Date on the Card to the same information on
the Charge Record, and
9. Validate the Card's presence by taking an imprint of the Card (the imprint is for your
records). Failure to validate the Card's presence by taking an imprint of the Card can
render you liable for Chargebacks if the Cardmember disputes the Charge.
* Except when the Cardmember name is not captured on the Charge Record or for Prepaid
Cards that do not show a name on their face.
You may still be subject to other fraud Chargebacks, including counterfeit, lost, stolen, and
non-received for manually key-entered Transactions. Key-entered Charges that occur when a
Chip Card is presented are subject to Chargeback for counterfeit, lost, stolen, and non-
received fraud.
You may also validate the Card's presence by ensuring the Charge meets the criteria of the
Keyed No Imprint Program (See Section 4.15, "
Keyed No Imprint Program").
If you are presented with a Chip Card and manually key-enter the Transaction, you may be
subject to counterfeit, lost/stolen and non-received fraud Chargebacks.
Charges initiated with a contactless-enabled mobile device must not be key-entered.
Contact your Merchant Services Provider for additional guidance or to obtain information on
fees assessed on Key-entered Charges.
4.3.3 Actions for In-Person Charges
The following table describes the course of action required during an In-Person Transaction
cycle:
When keying Charges, ensure:
the Card Number is keyed
correctly, and
the Expiration Date is entered in
a YY/MM format.
If Then
The Card is obviously altered or counterfeit. Do not accept the Card.
The Cardmember is attempting to use the
Card outside of its Valid Dates.
Note: Cards are valid through the last day of
the month on the front of the Card.
Do not accept the Card. Advise the
Cardmember to contact the customer
service number on the back of the Card.
It appears that someone other than the
Cardmember is attempting to use the Card.
Do not accept the Card. Indicate that the
Cards are non-transferable and that only the
Cardmember is permitted to use the Card.
The signature does not match the name on
the Card.
Contact your Merchant Services Provider
with a Code 10.
You are unable to obtain Authorization
electronically.
Contact your Merchant Services Provider to
obtain an Authorization.
The Authorization is Declined. Do not accept the Card and follow your
internal policies for handling various
Authorization responses. See Section 5.4,
"Possible Authorization Responses".
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Transaction Processing
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4.4 Customer Activated Terminals
Charges for purchases at Customer Activated Terminals (CATs) must meet the requirements
for Charge Records as detailed in Section 4.6, "
Charge Records" as well as comply with the
Technical Specifications.
You must include:
Full Magnetic Stripe data stream or Chip Card Data in all Authorization requests, and
a CAT indicator on all Authorization requests and Submissions.
American Express will not be liable for actual or alleged fraudulent Transactions occurring
through CATs and American Express will have the right to Chargeback for those Charges.
Contact your Merchant Services Provider for additional information on CAT Transactions.
The customer presents an unsigned Card. An unsigned Card is invalid. Show customer
that the Card is not signed. Ask the
customer to sign the Card and also request
photo identification (ID) such as a valid
driver's license or passport to compare the
signatures.
The customer's signature on the Charge
Record does not appear to match the
customer's signature on the Card.
Contact your Merchant Services Provider
with a Code 10, or if you prefer, simply
decline to accept the Card.
The Card Numbers and Valid Dates on the
Card do not match the Charge Record.
The name on the Charge Record does not
match the name on the Card (except in the
case of a Prepaid Card which may not show a
name on its face).
The appearance of the Card, or the actions of
the customer appear suspicious.
If Then
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Transaction Processing
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
4.5 Processing a Card Not Present Charge
Mail orders, telephone orders, and Internet Orders increase your business opportunities, but
such Card Not Present Charges do not provide you the opportunity to inspect the physical
Card. For these Card Not Present Charges, fraud might be difficult for you to detect.
You must:
obtain information about the Cardmember as described below;
obtain an authorization Approval; and
submit the Charge to your Merchant Services Provider.
For Card Not Present Charges, you must create a Charge Record as described in Section 4.6,
"Charge Records". The information you must obtain in order to proceed with the Transaction
includes:
Card Number or Token, and
Card or Token Expiration Date.
In addition, it is recommended that you ask for:
name as it appears on the Card,
Cardmember's billing address, and
ship-to address, if different from the billing address.
American Express has the right to Chargeback for any Card Not Present Charge that the
Cardmember denies making or authorizing. American Express will not Chargeback for such
Charges based solely upon a Cardmember claim that he or she did not receive the disputed
goods if you have:
verified the address to which the goods were shipped was the Cardmember's full billing
address, and
provided Proof of Delivery signed by the Cardmember or an authorized signer of the Card
indicating the delivery of the goods or services to the Cardmember's full billing address.
American Express will not be liable for actual or alleged fraudulent Transactions over the
internet and American Express will have the right to Chargeback for those Charges.
For Internet Orders, you must:
use any separate Merchant Numbers established by your Merchant Services Provider for
Internet Orders in all your requests for Authorization and Submission of Charges, and
provide your Merchant Services Provider written notice of any change in your internet
address, in accordance with your Merchant Services Provider's instructions.
Additionally, if a Disputed Charge arises involving a Card Not Present Charge that is an
Internet Electronic Delivery Charge, American Express may exercise Chargeback for the full
amount of the Charge.
When providing Proof of Delivery, a signature from the Cardmember or an authorized signer
of the Card is not required.
Contact your Merchant Services Provider for additional information and guidance on
processing Card Not Present Charges.
In situations where goods are
ordered through a Card Not
Present channel and the goods
are picked up at a physical
location by the Cardmember, we
recommend that you ask to see the
Card used to make the purchase,
obtain a Cardmember signature on
the pick-up form, and obtain proof
verifying the Cardmember’s
identity before releasing the
goods. For other Fraud Prevention
strategies, see Chapter 9, "
Fraud
Prevention".
Ensure that your Proof of Delivery
includes a courier receipt with the
following information at
minimum:
date merchandise was
delivered,
full name of recipient, and
full shipping address (e.g., suite
or apartment number, city,
state/province, zip/postal code,
country).
If you ship goods to an alternate
address, we recommend that you
keep a record of this. Then you
can show a record of previous
undisputed Transactions which
were shipped to this address.
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Transaction Processing
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4.6 Charge Records
You must create a Charge Record for every Charge. For each Charge submitted electronically,
you must create an electronically reproducible Charge Record, and the Charge must comply
with the Technical Specifications. See Section 2.1, "
Compliance with the Technical
Specifications".
The Charge Record (and a copy of the customer's receipt) must disclose your return and/or
cancellation policies. See Section 4.9, "
Return and Cancellation Policies" for additional
information.
If the Cardmember wants to use different Cards for payment of a purchase, you may create a
separate Charge Record for each Card used. However, if the Cardmember is using a single
Card for payment of a purchase, you must not divide the purchase into more than one Charge,
nor create more than one Charge Record.
For all Charge Records, you must:
1. Submit the Charge to your Merchant Services Provider for payment.
2. Retain the original Charge Record (as applicable) and all documents evidencing the
Charge, or reproducible records thereof, for twenty-four (24) months. See Chapter 8,
"Protecting Cardmember Information" for additional information.
3. Provide a copy of the Charge Record to the Cardmember.
You may be able to create more than one Charge Record if the purchase qualifies for a
Delayed Delivery Charge. See Section 4.14, "
Delayed Delivery Charges".
Pursuant to Applicable Law, truncate the Card Number and
do not print the Card's Expiration Date on the copies of
Charge Records delivered to Cardmembers. Truncated Card
Number digits must be masked with replacement
characters such as "x," "*," or "#," and not blank spaces or
numbers. Here is an example of a Charge Record with a
truncated Card Number.
4.7 Processing a Credit
A Credit may occur when a Merchant processes a refund for purchases or payments made on
the Card.
Follow these steps to issue a Credit:
1. Create a Credit Record.
2. Compare the last four digits on the Charge Record against the Card presented (when
applicable).
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Transaction Processing
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3. Have the Cardmember sign the Credit Record (when applicable).
4. Provide a copy of the Credit Record to the Cardmember.
You must submit Credits to your Merchant Services Provider within seven (7) days of
determining that a Credit is due and create a Credit Record that complies with your Merchant
Services Provider's requirements (see Section 4.8, "
Credit Records" for additional
information). You must not issue a Credit when there is no corresponding Charge, nor issue a
Credit in exchange for cash or other consideration from a Cardmember.
You must submit all Credits under the Establishment where the Credit originated.
A Credit must be issued in the currency in which the original Charge was submitted to your
Merchant Services Provider. You must issue Credits to the Card used to make the original
purchase; however, if the Credit is for the return of a gift by someone other than the
Cardmember who made the original purchase, apply your usual refund policy.
If the Cardmember indicates that the Card on which the purchase was originally made is no
longer active or available, do the following:
For all Cards except Prepaid Cards, advise the Cardmember that you must issue the
Credit to that Card. If the Cardmember has questions, advise him or her to call the
customer service number on the back of the Card in question.
If the inactive or unavailable Card is a Prepaid Card, apply your usual refund policy for
returns.
4.8 Credit Records
You must create a Credit Record for any Credit that you issue. For each Credit submitted
electronically, you must create an electronically reproducible Credit Record, and the Credit
must comply with the Technical Specifications. See Section 2.1, "
Compliance with the
Technical Specifications".
If you submit Credits on paper, you must create a Credit Record containing all of the
following required data:
full Card Number and Expiration Date (pursuant to Applicable Law), and if available,
Cardmember name,
the date the Credit was issued,
the amount of the Credit, and
your Establishment name and address and, if applicable, store number.
For all Credit Records, you must:
1. Submit the Credit through your Merchant Services Provider.
2. Retain the original Credit Records (as applicable) and all documents evidencing the
Transaction, or reproducible records thereof, for twenty-four (24) months from the date
you submitted the corresponding Credit.
3. Provide a copy of the Credit Record to the Cardmember.
The retention time frame for Credit Records is twenty-four (24) months from the date you
submitted the corresponding Credit to your Merchant Services Provider.
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Transaction Processing
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
Pursuant to Applicable Law, you must truncate the Card Number and must not print the
Card's Expiration Date on copies of Credit Records delivered to the Cardmember.
Contact your Merchant Services Provider for additional information and guidance on
submission of Credit Records.
4.9 Return and Cancellation Policies
Your return and cancellation policies must be fair and clearly disclosed at the time of sale in
compliance with Applicable Law. Your policies must be conveyed to the Cardmember prior to
completion of the Charge and printed on a copy of a receipt, Charge Record, or otherwise
provided to a Cardmember in writing.
You must not give cash refunds to Cardmembers for goods or services they purchase on the
Card, unless required by Applicable Law. Your refund policy for purchases on the Card must
be at least as favorable as your refund policy for purchases made with Other Payment
Products or other payment methods.
Return Policy recommendations:
Provide clear return instructions for your customers, including the following information:
customer service telephone number,
reference number for the return,
expected processing time for the Credit, and
return address, preferably on a pre-formatted shipping label (if applicable).
Cancellation Policy recommendations:
Document cancellation policy and terms and conditions on the contract the Cardmember
signs, or on your website, as applicable. Provide Cardmember with a cancellation number
that can be tracked in your records.
4.9.1 Return Policy for Prepaid Products
This section applies to Merchants who accept the Card for the purchase of any prepaid
product (Prepaid Cards, non-American Express branded stored value or gift cards, or both). If
your return policy for the purchase of prepaid products is different from your standard return
policy, notwithstanding the requirements listed in Section 4.9, "
Return and Cancellation
Policies", you must ensure that such prepaid product-specific return policy is clearly
disclosed to the Cardmember at the time of purchase and also coded to print on all receipts
and copies of Charge Records you provide to Cardmembers.
4.10 Processing Transactions for Specific Industries
Most policies and procedures in the Merchant Operating Guide are applicable to all
Merchants, regardless of industry. Some Merchants classified in specific industries,
however, are subject to additional policies and procedures. These policies and procedures
are contained in Chapter 12, "
Specific Industries".
4.11 Reserved
Post your return, exchange, and
cancellation policies in various
places at your Establishment,
including:
signs near the cash registers,
on the Charge Record/sales slip
the customer signs,
in any contract the Cardmember
signs, and
in terms and conditions of
purchase on your website with
"I accept" functionality.
For example, if your return policy is
that the customer can return
merchandise accompanied by a
receipt for a full refund within
thirty (30) days of the purchase,
ensure this policy is coded to print
on all receipts and copies of
Charge Records.
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Transaction Processing
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4.12 Advance Payment Charges
You must follow these procedures if you offer Cardmembers the option or require them to
make Advance Payment Charges for the following types of goods and/or services:
Custom-orders (e.g., orders for goods to be manufactured to a customer's specifications)
Entertainment/ticketing (e.g., sporting events, concerts, season tickets)
Tuition, room and board, and other mandatory fees (e.g., library fees) of higher
educational institutions
Travel-related services (e.g., tours, guided expeditions)
For an Advance Payment Charge, you must:
State your full cancellation and refund policies, clearly disclose your intent and obtain
written consent from the Cardmember to bill the Card for an Advance Payment Charge
before you request an Authorization. The Cardmember's consent must include:
his or her agreement to all the terms of the sale (including price and any
cancellation and refund policies), and
a detailed description and the expected delivery date of the goods and/or services
to be provided.
Obtain an Authorization Approval.
Complete a Charge Record. If the Advance Payment Charge is a Card Not Present
Charge, you must also:
ensure that the Charge Record contains the words "Advance Payment" (see
Section 4.6, "
Charge Records"), and
within twenty-four (24) hours of the Charge being incurred, provide the Cardmember
written confirmation (e.g., email or facsimile) of the Advance Payment Charge, the
amount, the confirmation number (if applicable), a detailed description and
expected delivery date of the goods and/or services to be provided and details of
your cancellation/refund policy.
If goods and/or services cannot be delivered (e.g., because custom-ordered merchandise
cannot be fulfilled), and if alternate arrangements cannot be made, you must immediately
issue a Credit for the full amount of the Advance Payment Charge which cannot be fulfilled.
In addition to other Chargeback rights, American Express may exercise Chargeback for any
Disputed Advance Payment Charge or portion thereof if, in American Express' sole discretion,
the dispute cannot be resolved in your favor based upon unambiguous terms contained in the
terms of sale to which you obtained the Cardmember's written consent.
Advance Payment Charge
A Charge for which full payment is
made in advance of a Merchant
providing the goods and/or
rendering the services to a
Cardmember.
Purchases involving Advance
Payment Charges generally carry a
higher level of risk than other
Charges, due to the fact that
goods and services are not
provided at the time the Charge is
processed.
Check your Merchant Services
Provider's policies for withholding
settlement for part or all of such
Charges until it is determined that
the risk has diminished.
To minimize your risk of a Disputed
Advance Payment Charge, always:
clearly disclose all reservation,
sales, cancellation, and refund
policies (see Section 4.9,
"Return and Cancellation
Policies"), and
retain a copy of the
Cardmember's written consent,
including a detailed description
and expected delivery date of
the goods and/or services to be
provided in a format that easily
allows you to respond to an
Inquiry.
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Transaction Processing
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4.13 Aggregated Charges
If you are classified in an internet industry, you may process Aggregated Charges provided
the following criteria are met:
Clearly disclose your intent and obtain written consent from the Cardmember that their
purchases or refunds (or both) on the Card may be aggregated and combined with other
purchases or refunds (or both) before you request an Authorization.
Each individual purchase or refund (or both) that comprises the Aggregated Charge must
be incurred under the same Merchant Number and on the same Card.
Obtain a pre-Authorization of no more than $15. See Section 5.9, "
Authorization Time
Limit" for additional information.
Create a Charge Record for the full amount of the Aggregated Charge. For more
information on Charge Records, see Section 4.6, "
Charge Records".
The amount of the Aggregated Charge must not exceed $15 or the amount for which you
obtained pre-Authorization.
Submit each Charge Record in accordance with Section 6.4, "
Submission Requirements
– Electronic". For the purposes of Section 6.4, "Submission Requirements – Electronic",
a Charge will be deemed "incurred" on the date of the first purchase or refund (or both)
that comprises the Aggregated Charge.
Provide the Cardmember with an email containing:
the date, amount, and description of each individual purchase or refund (or both)
that comprises the Aggregated Charge, and
the date and the amount of the Aggregated Charge.
4.14 Delayed Delivery Charges
To accept the Card for Delayed Delivery Charges, you must:
Clearly disclose your intent and obtain written consent from the Cardmember to perform
a Delayed Delivery Charge before you request an Authorization,
Obtain a separate Authorization Approval for each of the two Delayed Delivery Charges
on their respective Charge dates,
Clearly indicate on each Delayed Delivery Charge Record that the Charge is either for the
deposit or for the balance of the Delayed Delivery Charge,
Submit the Delayed Delivery Charge Record for the balance of the purchase only after
the goods have been shipped, provided or services rendered,
Aggregated Charge
A Charge that combines multiple
small purchases or refunds (or
both) incurred on a Card into a
single, larger Charge before
submitting the Charge for
payment.
To minimize your risk of a Disputed
Charge with Aggregated Charges,
always:
confirm to the Cardmember
the Aggregated Charge amount
and individual purchase details
(and/or refund as applicable)
at check-out, and
in the email confirmation,
advise where the Cardmember
can find additional information
about their purchases (and/or
refunds as applicable).
Delayed Delivery Charge
A single purchase for which you
must create and submit two
separate Charge Records. The first
Charge Record is for the deposit or
down payment and the second
Charge Record is for the balance
of the purchase.
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Submit each Delayed Delivery Charge Record in accordance with Section 6.4,
"Submission Requirements – Electronic". For the purposes of Section 6.4, "Submission
Requirements – Electronic", the Charge will be deemed "incurred":
for the deposit – on the date the Cardmember agreed to pay the deposit for the
purchase.
for the balance – on the date the goods are shipped, provided or services are
rendered.
Submit and Authorize each Delayed Delivery Charge under the same Merchant Number,
and
Treat deposits on the Card no differently than you would treat deposits on all Other
Payment Products.
4.15 Keyed No Imprint Program
All Cards qualify for the Keyed No Imprint Program. The Keyed No Imprint Program allows
you to submit In-Person Charges without taking an imprint of the Card if you meet the
following Charge criteria:
the Charge must be key-entered,
the Charge submission must include the appropriate indicator to reflect that the Card
and the Cardmember were present at the point of sale,
the Charge submission must include a valid Approval, and
the Card Identification (CID) Number must be confirmed as a positive match.
Under the Keyed No Imprint Program, American Express will not exercise Chargeback for
such Charges based solely on the Establishment's failure to obtain an imprint of the Card.
If American Express receives disproportionate amounts or numbers of Disputed Charges
under the Keyed No Imprint Program, you must work with your Merchant Services Provider to
reduce the number of Disputed Charges. If such efforts fail, American Express may place you
in a Chargeback program, revoke participation in the Keyed No Imprint Program, or require
cancellation or disentitlement of Card acceptance.
To minimize your risk of a Disputed
Charge with Delayed Delivery
Charges, always:
clearly disclose all sales and
refund policies (see Section 4.9,
"Return and Cancellation
Policies"), and
retain a copy of the
Cardmember's written consent
in a format that easily allows you
to respond to an Inquiry.
To learn more about how to send
the CID Number through your POS
System, contact your Merchant
Services Provider.
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4.16 No Signature/No PIN Program
You may participate in American Express' No Signature/No PIN Program. The No Signature/
No PIN Program allows Merchants not to request a signature or a PIN from Cardmembers on
the Charge Record.
To qualify for the No Signature/No PIN Program, both the Establishment and each Charge
must meet the following criteria:
Merchant criteria:
If you are classified in an industry that accepts In-Person Charges, then you may participate
in the No Signature/No PIN Program with the exception of the following categories:
Merchants who do not conduct In-Person Charges (i.e., internet, mail order or telephone
order).
Prohibited Merchants or prohibited Transactions (or both) as defined in Chapter 10, "
Risk
Management". See also Section 3.3, "Prohibited Uses of the Card".
High Risk Merchants (e.g., internet electronic services or nightclubs/lounges) as defined
in Section 10.3.1, "
High Risk Merchants".
Merchants placed in American Express' Fraud Full Recourse Program.
Charge criteria:
The amount or Charge must meet the established threshold.
The Charge submission must include the appropriate indicator to reflect that the Card
and the Cardmember were present at the point of sale.
The Charge submission must include a valid Approval.
Under the No Signature/No PIN Program, American Express will not exercise Chargeback for
such Charges based solely on your Establishment's failure to obtain the Cardmember's
signature or PIN at the point of sale.
If disproportionate amounts or number of Disputed Charges are received under the No
Signature/No PIN Program, you must work to reduce the amount or number of Disputed
Charges. If such efforts fail, American Express may place you in a Chargeback program and
your Merchant Services Provider and/or American Express may modify participation in the
No Signature/No PIN Program or revoke or terminate your participation in the No Signature/
No PIN Program.
The established threshold for charges to qualify under the No Signature/No PIN Program is
$50.00 or less.
The No Signature/No PIN Program
does not provide protection
against all Chargebacks. Even if an
Establishment and Charge qualify
under the No Signature/No PIN
Program, you may still be subject
to Chargeback for reasons
unrelated to your failure to obtain
a signature or PIN from the
Cardmember at the point of sale.
Consult with your Merchant
Services Provider for more
information about Disputed
Charges and Chargebacks.
For Merchants who choose to
implement American Express
Quick Chip and the No Signature/
No PIN program, please refer to
Subsection 4.3.1.2.1, "American
Express Quick Chip" for more
information about potential fraud
liability shift impacts.
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Transaction Processing
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
4.17 Recurring Billing Charges
Recurring Billing is an option offered to Cardmembers to make recurring Charges
automatically on their Card. The Recurring Billing Charges are for a product or service the
Cardmember agrees to pay periodically and automatically (e.g., membership fees to health
clubs, magazine subscriptions, and insurance premiums).
If you offer Cardmembers the option to make Recurring Billing Charges, you must:
obtain the Cardmember's express consent for you to bill the Card before submitting the
first Recurring Billing Charge, and
notify the Cardmember that he or she can cancel such consent at any time and provide
contact details for canceling recurring billing.
In addition to other Chargeback rights, American Express may exercise Chargeback for any
Charge which does not meet the requirements listed in this section. American Express may
also exercise Chargeback, prior to sending you an Inquiry, if you process Recurring Billing
Charges after having previously been notified that the Cardmember has canceled their
consent for Recurring Billing Charges.
The method you use to secure such consent must contain a disclosure that you may receive
updated Card account information from the Issuer.
Before submitting a Recurring Billing Charge, you must obtain Authorization and complete a
Charge Record (see Section 4.6, "
Charge Records"), except with the words "signature on file,"
if applicable, on the signature line and the appropriate electronic descriptor on the Charge
Record. For complete Authorization requirements, see Chapter 5, "
Authorizations".
If the Agreement terminates for any reason, then you must notify all Cardmembers for whom
you have submitted Recurring Billing Charges that you no longer accept the Card.
You must fulfill Cardmembers' requests that you discontinue the Recurring Billing Charges
immediately and provide cancellation numbers to Cardmembers as proof of the cancellation.
The cancellation of a Card constitutes immediate cancellation of that Cardmember's consent
for Recurring Billing Charges. You will not be notified of such cancellation, nor will your
Merchant Services Provider or American Express have any liability to you arising from such
cancellation.
If a Card is canceled, or if a Cardmember cancel consent to Recurring Billing Charges, you are
responsible for arranging another form of payment (as applicable) with the Cardmember.
You must retain evidence of consent to receive updated Card account information from the
Issuer for twenty-four (24) months from the date you submit the last Recurring Billing Charge.
If you offer Cardmembers the option to make Recurring Billing Charges, you must:
ensure that your process for cancellation of Recurring Billing is simple and expeditious,
clearly and conspicuously disclose all material terms of the option, including, if
applicable, an initial notice of recurring billing, and the fact that Recurring Billing will
continue until the option is canceled by the Cardmember,
within twenty-four (24) hours of incurring the first Recurring Billing Charge, provide the
Cardmember written confirmation (e.g., email or facsimile) of such Charge, including all
material terms of the option and details of your cancellation/refund policy, and
To minimize your risk of
Chargeback with Recurring Billing
Charges, always:
ensure updates are applied in a
timely manner when notified of
Cardmember cancellation or
Card Number update, and
obtain express consent from the
Cardmember to continue billing
after the end date of the
contract.
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Transaction Processing
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
where the material terms of the option change after submission of the first Recurring
Billing Charge, promptly notify the Cardmember in writing of such change and obtain the
Cardmember's express written consent to the new terms prior to submitting another
Recurring Billing Charge.
4.18 Processing Prepaid Cards
Prepaid Cards are available for a variety of uses: gifting, travel, incentive, etc. All American
Express Prepaid Cards show the American Express "Blue Box" logo either on the face or back
of the Prepaid Card. Prepaid Cards may or may not be embossed. Most Prepaid Cards can be
used for both in-store and online purchases.
Prepaid Cards are valid through the date on the Card. Swipe or insert the Card at the point of
sale just like any other Card. A Prepaid Card must be tendered for an amount that is no
greater than the funds available on the Card.
Instruct Cardmembers that, before making a purchase, they may check their remaining
funds by:
calling the twenty-four (24) hour, toll-free number on the back of the Card,
checking online, or
using the mobile app offered by their Issuer (where available).
Because Prepaid Cards are pre-funded, if you receive a Decline when seeking
Authorization, ask the customer to go online, use their mobile app, or call the toll-free
number on the back of the Card to confirm that the purchase price does not exceed the
available funds on the Prepaid Card.
If the Prepaid Card does not have enough funds to cover the purchase price, process a
Split Tender Transaction or request an alternative form of payment. See Section 5.12,
"Additional Authorization Requirements".
You must create a Charge Record for a Prepaid Card as you would any other Card.
For information about processing Prepaid Cards, call the customer service number on the
back of the Card in question.
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Transaction Processing
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
4.19 Processing Travelers/Gift Cheques
American Express Travelers Cheques, Cheques for Two, and Gift Cheques are easy to accept
provided that the cheque is an authentic American Express Travelers Cheque. See
Subsection 4.19.1, "
Acceptance Procedures".
Businesses can accept these cheques for payment. You can deposit Travelers Cheques,
Cheques for Two and Gift Cheques directly into your Bank Account as they never expire.
Travelers Cheques
American Express Travelers Cheques are a widely used and recognized travel currency. If
they are ever lost or stolen, they can be replaced quickly and easily, almost anywhere in the
world, usually within twenty-four (24) hours.
Travelers Cheques come in various denominations and currencies. Travelers Cheques come in
denominations ranging from $20 to $1000. Be cautious when presented with an American
Express Travelers Cheque in a denomination of $500 or greater. These higher-denominated
Travelers Cheques are rarely sold, and therefore are more likely to be counterfeit. For
information on how to perform a "smudge test," which is designed to test the authenticity of
the Travelers Cheque, see Section 9.8, "
Travelers Cheque and Gift Cheque Security Features".
Gift Cheques
American Express Gift Cheques function like Travelers Cheques, and are available in $10,
$25, $50, and $100 denominations only. Any Gift Cheque presented that is greater than $100
is counterfeit. If you receive a Gift Cheque greater than $100, do the following:
Contact Travelers Cheque/Gift Cheque Customer Service at 1-866-296-5198.
Do not accept it.
Write the word "VOID" across the front of the counterfeit Cheque.
For further information, see Chapter 9, "
Fraud Prevention".
4.19.1 Acceptance Procedures
Accepting American Express Travelers and Gift Cheques is easy:
Watch your customer countersign in the lower left corner of the cheque, and compare
the countersignature to the signature in the upper left corner for American Express
Travelers Cheques and Gift Cheques. For Cheques for Two, the customer's
countersignature must match either one of the two signatures on top.
Validate Security Features – Validating these features will help reduce the acceptance
of counterfeit cheques. See Section 9.8, "
Travelers Cheque and Gift Cheque Security
Features".
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Transaction Processing
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
Obtain authorization – American Express recommends obtaining an authorization to
reduce the chances of accepting fraudulent cheques. American Express offers a variety
of authorization tools. See authorization methods in the following table to determine
your course of action:
If Then
The signature and countersignature are a
reasonable match (they look alike, but may not
be identical)
Accept the cheque. There is no need to obtain
any identification.
You suspect that the countersignature may be
false, or you did not watch the customer
countersign
Ask the customer to turn the cheque over and
sign again across the left-hand side (in the
same manner one typically endorses a
cheque). Then take the cheque and fold up
the bottom right-hand corner so that you can
compare the original signature with the new
one.
The signatures are not the same, or if there is a
question regarding the validity of the cheque
Call the Travelers Cheque/Gift Cheque
Customer Service at 1-866-296-5198.
You suspect that the Travelers cheque being
presented is fraudulent
Use any of the following methods to verify
that the cheque you are accepting is
authentic:
Perform a smudge test (see Chapter 9,
"Fraud Prevention" for details).
Obtain online Authorization at
www.americanexpress.com/
verifyamextc.
Contents
Merchant Operating Guide
Authorizations
Authorizations5
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Transaction Cycle
5.3 The Purpose of Authorization
5.4 Possible Authorization Responses
5.5 Obtaining an Electronic Authorization
5.6 Obtaining a Voice Authorization
5.7 Card Identification (CID) Number
5.8 Authorization Reversal
5.9 Authorization Time Limit
5.10 Floor Limit
5.11 Pre-Authorization
5.12 Additional Authorization Requirements
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Authorizations
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
5.1 Introduction
The payment card industry devotes significant amounts of time and resources to developing
Authorization systems and decision models in an effort to mitigate the financial losses.
Every Transaction begins and ends with the Cardmember. Between the time the Cardmember
presents the Card for payment and receives the goods or services, however, a great deal of
data is exchanged, analyzed, and processed. A process that literally takes seconds at the
point of sale is actually a highly complex approach to analyzing each Transaction.
5.2 Transaction Cycle
The Authorization process begins when you provide an Authorization request to your
Merchant Services Provider. After requesting Authorization, you receive an Authorization
response, which you use, in part, to determine whether to proceed with the Charge.
5.3 The Purpose of Authorization
The purpose of an Authorization is to provide you with information that will help you
determine whether or not to proceed with a Charge.
For every Charge, you are required to obtain an Authorization Approval for the full amount of
the Charge except for Merchants that are classified in the restaurant, lodging, and vehicle
rental industries (see Chapter 12, "
Specific Industries").
An Authorization Approval does not guarantee that (i) the person making the Charge is the
Cardmember, (ii) the Charge is in fact valid or bona fide, (iii) you will be paid for the Charge,
or (iv) you will not be subject to a Chargeback.
5.4 Possible Authorization Responses
Responses to your requests for Authorization are generated by Issuers and transmitted to
you. The following are among the most commonly generated responses to your request for
Authorization. The exact wording may vary so check with your Merchant Services Provider to
determine what Authorization responses will display on your equipment.
Authorization Response What It Means
Approved
The Charge is approved.
Partially Approved
(for use with Prepaid Cards only)
The Charge is approved. The Approval is for an amount less
than the value originally requested. The Charge must only be
submitted for the approved amount. Collect the remaining
funds due from the Cardmember via another form of payment.
See Section 5.12, "
Additional Authorization Requirements" for
more information about split tender.
Declined or Card Not Accepted The Charge is not approved. Do not submit the Charge. If you
nevertheless choose to submit the Charge, you will be subject
to a Chargeback. Inform the Cardmember promptly that the
Card has been Declined. If the Cardmember has questions or
concerns, advise the Cardmember to call the customer service
telephone number on the back of the Card. Never discuss the
reason for the Decline.
Electronic Authorizations should
be used whenever possible as
Voice Authorizations ( e.g. r efe rrals
such as a "please call" message)
pose a higher risk of fraud.
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Authorizations
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
5.5 Obtaining an Electronic Authorization
Generally, Establishments must obtain an electronic Authorization.
You must ensure that all Authorization requests comply with the Technical Specifications
(see Section 2.1, "
Compliance with the Technical Specifications"). If the Authorization
request does not comply with the Technical Specifications, the submission may be rejected
or you may be subject to a Chargeback. Contact your Merchant Services Provider for
information about your obligations to comply with the Technical Specifications.
If the Card is unreadable and you have to key-enter the Charge to obtain an Authorization,
then you must follow the requirements for key-entered Charges. See Subsection 4.3.2, "
Key-
Entered Charges" for additional information.
If you use an electronic POS System to obtain Authorization, the Approval must be printed
automatically on the Charge Record.
Occasionally, obtaining an electronic Authorization may not be possible (e.g., due to POS
System problems, System Outages, or other disruptions of an electronic Charge). In these
instances, you must obtain a Voice Authorization (see Section 5.6, "
Obtaining a Voice
Authorization").
5.6 Obtaining a Voice Authorization
When Authorization is required, if your electronic POS System is unable to reach American
Express' Authorization system, or you do not have an electronic POS System, you must seek
Authorization using the following steps:
1. Call your Merchant Services Provider’s Authorization department.
2. The following minimum information will be requested:
Card Number
Merchant Number
Charge amount
Note: In some situations, you may be asked for additional information such as
Expiration Date or CID Number.
3. A response will be provided. If the request for Authorization is approved, capture the
Approval for submission.
Please Call or Referral Additional information is required to complete the Charge. Call
your Merchant Services Provider for assistance to complete the
Charge. See Section 5.6, "
Obtaining a Voice Authorization" for
instructions.
Pick up You may receive an Issuer point of sale response indicating
that you must pick up the Card. Follow your internal policies
when you receive this response. Never put yourself or your
employees in unsafe situations. Contact your Merchant
Services Provider for further information regarding a Pick Up
Card response.
Authorization Response What It Means
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Authorizations
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
4. If you are submitting electronically, you must enter the Approval into your POS System.
For instructions on how to complete this type of Charge, refer to your Merchant Services
Provider's operating instructions or contact them directly.
5.7 Card Identification (CID) Number
The Card Identification (CID) Number provides an extra level of Cardmember validation and is
part of the Authorization process. The CID Number is printed on the Card.
If, during the Authorization, a response is received that indicates the CID Number given by
the person attempting the Charge does not match the CID Number that is printed on the
Card, re-prompt the customer at least one more time for the CID Number. If it fails to match
again, follow your internal policies.
Note: CID Numbers must not be stored for any purpose. They are available for real time
Charges only. See Chapter 8, "
Protecting Cardmember Information".
See Chapter 9, "
Fraud Prevention" for more information on CID Numbers and CID Verification.
5.8 Authorization Reversal
It is a good practice to reverse an Authorization for an Approved Charge if you do not intend
to send a submission to your Merchant Services Provider within the Authorization time limits.
See Section 5.9, "
Authorization Time Limit". You may reverse an Authorization for a
corresponding Charge by:
initiating an Authorization reversal message, or
Contacting your Merchant Services Provider for instructions on how to reverse an
Authorization.
After a Charge Record has been submitted, however, the Authorization cannot be canceled or
changed. For example, if you make an error in a Charge but have already submitted the
Charge Record, you cannot systematically request a change in the Charge. You must instead,
follow the procedures for Processing a Credit, as defined in Section 4.7, "
Processing a
Credit".
5.9 Authorization Time Limit
Authorization Approvals are valid for seven (7) days after the Authorization date, except for
certain Charges from Merchants that are classified in the lodging and vehicle rental
industries. You must obtain a new Approval if you submit the Charge to your Merchant
Services Provider more than seven (7) days after the original Authorization date.
For Charges of goods or services that are shipped or provided more than seven (7) days after
an order is placed, you must obtain an Approval for the Charge at the time the order is placed
and again at the time you ship or provide the goods or services to the Cardmember.
Card Identification (CID)
Number
CID is a four-digit number printed
on the face of the Card (circled in
red in this picture).
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Authorizations
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
The new Approval must be included in the Charge Record. If either of the Authorization
requests is Declined, do not provide the goods or services or submit the Charge. If you do,
you will be subject to a Chargeback.
5.10 Floor Limit
You must obtain an Authorization on all purchases, regardless of the amount, as a zero-dollar
Floor Limit applies for all charges.
5.11 Pre-Authorization
A pre-Authorization is an Authorization request that you submit in advance of providing the
goods or services, allowing you then to submit the Approved Charge (e.g., fuel pump CATs).
5.12 Additional Authorization Requirements
There are instances, which are outlined in the following table, when additional Authorization
requirements apply.
Merchants classified in certain industries are also subject to additional specific
Authorization requirements. See Chapter 12, "
Specific Industries".
Topic Additional Requirements
Recurring Billing You must flag all requests for Authorization with a
Recurring Billing indicator. To improve the likelihood of
obtaining an Approval to an Authorization request, it is
recommended that you periodically verify with
Cardmembers that all their information (e.g., Card
Number, Expiration Date, and billing address) is still
accurate. See Section 4.17, "
Recurring Billing Charges".
American Express Gift Cheques and
American Express Travelers Cheques
You are not required to obtain Authorization prior to
accepting Gift and Travelers Cheques. You must,
however, follow the appropriate procedures outlined in
Section 4.19, "
Processing Travelers/Gift Cheques".
Questions concerning the validity of Gift or Travelers
Cheques can be addressed by calling the Travelers
Cheque/Gift Cheque Customer Service at
1-866-296-5198.
Split Tender During a Split Tender Transaction, the Cardmember uses
multiple forms of payment for a single purchase (e.g.,
Prepaid Cards, cash, Card).
You may follow your policy on combining payment on
Prepaid Cards with any Other Payment Products or
methods of payment. If the other payment method is a
Card then you are required to follow all provisions of the
Agreement.
Check with your Merchant Services Provider to determine
if your POS System is set up for Split Tender functionality.
Contents
Merchant Operating Guide
Submissions
Submissions6
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Transaction Cycle
6.3 Purpose of Submission
6.4 Submission Requirements – Electronic
6.5 Submission Requirements – Paper
6.6 How to Submit
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Submissions
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
6.1 Introduction
Merchants are familiar with commitments that keep their business running smoothly. One
such commitment is to submit Transactions conducted at your Establishments to your
Merchant Services Provider for payment.
Since payment cannot occur until the Transactions are submitted, you are encouraged to
submit Transactions daily, or more frequently, to your Merchant Services Provider, even
though you have up to seven (7) days to do so.
See Section 4.3, "
Processing an In-Person Charge" and Section 4.7, "Processing a Credit" for
additional information.
6.2 Transaction Cycle
Collect Transactions during the business day and submit them according to the instructions
provided by your Merchant Services Provider.
6.3 Purpose of Submission
Refer to your Merchant Services Provider's instructions on submission requirements.
6.4 Submission Requirements – Electronic
You must submit Transactions electronically except under extraordinary circumstances.
When you transmit Charge Data and Transmission Data electronically, you must still
complete and retain Charge Records and Credit Records.
You must submit Charges and Credits only in U.S. Dollars.
6.4.1 Charge Submissions
You must submit all Charges to your Merchant Services Provider within seven (7) days of the
date they are incurred. Charges are deemed "incurred" on the date the Cardmember indicates
to you that they will pay for the goods or services purchased with the Card. Charges must not
be submitted to your Merchant Services Provider until after the goods are shipped, provided,
or the services are rendered. You must submit all Charges under the Establishment where the
Charge originated.
For Aggregated Charges, the Charge must be submitted within seven (7) days of the date of
the last purchase (and/or refund as applicable) that comprises the Aggregated Charge. See
Section 4.13, "
Aggregated Charges" for additional information.
Delayed Delivery Charges and Advance Payment Charges may be submitted before the goods
are shipped, provided, or the services are rendered. See Section 4.14, "
Delayed Delivery
Charges" and Section 4.12, "Advance Payment Charges" for additional information.
6.4.2 Credit Submissions
You must submit all Credits to Merchant Services Provider within seven (7) days of
determining that a Credit is due. You must submit each Credit under the Establishment where
the Credit originated.
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Submissions
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
6.5 Submission Requirements – Paper
If, under extraordinary circumstances, you submit Transactions on paper, you must do so in
accordance with instructions provided by your Merchant Services Provider.
Examples of circumstances that may prevent Merchants from submitting electronically are:
special events (e.g., conferences, outdoor marketplaces, concerts)
Merchants that do not conduct business from fixed locations
remote locations, or Merchants who experience System Outages
If you submit Charges on paper, you must create a Charge Record containing all of the
following required data:
Full Card Number and Expiration Date (pursuant to Applicable Law), and if available,
Cardmember name.
The date the Charge was incurred.
The amount of the Charge, which must be the total price for the purchase of goods and
services (plus applicable taxes and gratuities) purchased on the Card.
The Authorization Approval.
A clear description of the goods or services purchased by the Cardmember.
An imprint or other descriptor of your name, address, Merchant Number and, if
applicable, store number.
The words “No Refunds” if you have a no refund policy, and your return and/or
cancellation policies. See Section 4.9, "
Return and Cancellation Policies" for additional
information.
If a Card Present Charge, the Cardmember’s signature.
If a Card Not Present Charge, the words “telephone order,” “mail order,” “Internet
Order,” or “signature on file,” as applicable.
Charge Records submitted on paper must comply with the applicable requirements in
Section 4.6, "
Charge Records".
Charges must be submitted in accordance with the applicable requirements described in
Section 6.4, "
Submission Requirements – Electronic".
Refer to your Merchant Services Provider's instructions when submitting Transactions on
paper.
If you are presented with an
unembossed Prepaid Card, you
must hand-write the required
information to process a Charge
Record. See Section 4.6, "
Charge
Records".
If you cannot obtain an electronic
Authorization, you must obtain a
Voice Authorization (see
Section 5.6, "
Obtaining a Voice
Authorization" for more
information).
Retain a copy of the Charge
Record with the Cardmember's
signature for your records (see
Section 4.6, "
Charge Records".
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Submissions
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
6.6 How to Submit
In many cases, your POS System automatically processes the Transactions in Batches at the
end of the day. On busy days, your Transaction volume may be greater than your POS
System's storage capability.
Consult information provided by your Merchant Services Provider to determine POS storage
capacity and whether it's necessary to submit multiple Batches (e.g., submit a Batch at mid-
day and again in the evening).
Contact your Merchant Services Provider for additional information regarding submission
requirements.
Many POS Systems are equipped
with a "batch out" key or similar
functionality. Contact your
Merchant Services Provider for
information on the best way to
submit a batch.
Contents
Merchant Operating Guide
Settlement
Settlement7
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Payment Errors or Omissions
7.3 Collecting from Cardmembers
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Settlement
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
7.1 Introduction
All settlement activity is the responsibility of your Merchant Services Provider and any
questions or concerns should be directed to them for resolution.
7.2 Payment Errors or Omissions
Immediately notify your Merchant Services Provider of any error or omission in respect to
your transactions or other fees or payments for Charges, Credits, or Chargebacks.
7.3 Collecting from Cardmembers
You must not bill or collect from any Cardmember for any purchase or payment made on the
Card unless:
Chargeback was exercised for such Charge,
You have fully paid your Merchant Services Provider for such Charge, and
You otherwise have the right to do so.
Contents
Merchant Operating Guide
Protecting Cardmember Information
Protecting Cardmember Information8
8.1 Data Security Requirements
8.2 Definitions
8.3 Standards for Protection of Cardmember Information
8.4 Data Incident Management Obligations
8.5 Reserved
8.6 Periodic Validation of Merchant Systems
8.7 Reserved
8.8 Disclaimer
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Protecting Cardmember Information
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
8.1 Data Security Requirements
As a leader in consumer protection, American Express has a long-standing commitment to
protect Cardholder Data and Sensitive Authentication Data, ensuring that it is kept secure.
Compromised data negatively impacts consumers, Merchants, and Issuers. Even one incident
can severely damage a company's reputation and impair its ability to effectively conduct
business. Addressing this threat by implementing security operating policies can help
improve customer trust, increase profitability, and enhance a company's reputation.
American Express knows that you share American Express' concern and requires, as part of
your responsibilities, that you comply with the data security requirements in the Agreement
with your Merchant Services Provider and the American Express Data Security Requirements
(DSR), which we may amend from time to time and which is available electronically at
www.americanexpress.com/dsr
.
These requirements apply to all your equipment, systems, and networks (and their
components) on which encryption keys, Cardholder Data, or Sensitive Authentication Data (or
a combination of each) are stored, processed, or transmitted.
8.2 Definitions
For the purposes of this Chapter 8, "Protecting Cardmember Information", the following
definitions apply:
Approved Scanning Vendors (ASVs) – Entities that have been qualified by the Payment
Card Industry Security Standards Council, LLC to validate adherence to certain Payment Card
Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) requirements by performing vulnerability scans of
internet facing environments. See Section 8.6, "
Periodic Validation of Merchant Systems".
Attestation of Compliance (AOC) – A declaration of the status of your compliance with
the PCI DSS, in the form provided by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council,
LLC.
Attestation of Scan Compliance (AOSC) – A declaration of the status of your compliance
with the PCI DSS based on a network scan, in the form provided by the Payment Card
Industry Security Standards Council, LLC.
Cardholder Data – Has the meaning given in the then-current Glossary of Terms for the
PCI DSS.
Compromised Card Number – An American Express Card account number related to a
Data Incident.
Covered Parties – Any or all of your employees, agents, representatives, subcontractors,
Processors, Service Providers, providers of your point-of-sale equipment or systems or
payment processing solutions, Entities associated to your American Express merchant
account, and any other party to whom you may provide Cardmember Information access in
accordance with the Agreement.
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Protecting Cardmember Information
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
Data Incident – An incident involving unauthorized access or use of encryption keys,
Cardholder Data, or Sensitive Authentication Data (or a combination of each) that are stored,
processed, or transmitted on equipment, systems, and/or networks (or the components
thereof) of yours or the use of which you mandate.
Data Incident Event Window – The period that begins up to 365 days prior to the
Notification Date and ends 30 days after the Notification Date.
EMV Specifications – The specifications issued by EMVCo, LLC, which are available at
www.emvco.com
.
Encryption Key – All keys used in the processing, generation, loading and/or protection of
Account Data. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Key Encrypting Keys: Zone Master Keys (ZMKs) and Zone PIN Keys (ZPKs)
Master Keys used in secure cryptographic devices: Local Master Keys (LMKs)
Card Security Code Keys (CSCKs)
PIN Keys: Base Derivation Keys (BDKs), PIN Encryption Keys (PEKs), and ZPKs
Merchant Level – The designation assigned to Merchants related to their PCI DSS
compliance validation obligations, as described in Section 8.6, "
Periodic Validation of
Merchant Systems".
Notification Date – The date that American Express provides Issuers with final notification
of a Data Incident. Such date is contingent upon American Express' receipt of the final
forensic report or internal analysis and shall be determined in American Express' sole
discretion.
Payment Application – Has the meaning given to it in the then-current Glossary of Terms
for Payment Card Industry Payment Application Data Security Standard, which is available at
www.pcisecuritystandards.org
.
PCI-Approved – A PIN Entry Device or a Payment Application (or both) that appears at the
time of deployment on the list of approved companies and providers maintained by the PCI
Security Standards Council, LLC, which is available at www.pcisecuritystandards.org
.
PCI Forensic Investigator (PFI) – An Entity that has been approved by the Payment Card
Industry Security Standards Council, LLC to perform forensic investigations of a breach or
compromise of payment card data.
PCI PIN Security Requirements – The Payment Card Industry PIN Security Requirements,
which are available at www.pcisecuritystandards.org
.
PIN Entry Device – Has the meaning given to it in the then-current Glossary of Terms for
the Payment Card Industry PIN Transaction Security Requirements, Point of Interaction
Modular Security Requirements, which is available at www.pcisecuritystandards.org
.
Point-to-Point Encryption (P2PE) – A solution that cryptographically protects account
data from the point where a Merchant accepts the payment card to the secure point of
decryption.
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Protecting Cardmember Information
This document contains sensitive, confidential and trade secret information, and must not be October 2017 47
disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
Point of Sale (POS) System – An information processing system or equipment, including a
terminal, personal computer, electronic cash register, contactless reader, or payment engine
or process, used by a Merchant, to obtain Authorizations or to collect Transaction data, or
both.
Qualified Security Assessors (QSAs) – Entities that have been qualified by the Payment
Card Industry Security Standards Council, LLC to validate adherence to the PCI DSS. See
Section 8.6, "Periodic Validation of Merchant Systems".
Security Technology Enhancement Program (STEP) – American Express’ program in
which Merchants are encouraged to deploy technologies that improve data security. To
qualify for STEP, Merchants must not have eligible for STEP had a Data Incident in the twelve
(12) months prior to submitting the Annual Attestation of Compliance and conducted at least
75% of all Transactions using Point-to-Point Encryption or face to face Transactions using
EMV Chip Enabled Devices.
Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) – A self-assessment tool created by the Payment
Card Industry Security Standards Council, LLC, intended to evaluate and attest to compliance
with the PCI DSS.
Sensitive Authentication Data – Has the meaning given in the then-current Glossary of
Terms for the PCI DSS.
Validation Documentation – The AOC rendered in connection with an Annual Onsite
Security Assessment or SAQ, the AOSC and executive summaries of findings rendered in
connection with Quarterly Network Scans, or the annual STEP Attestation.
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Protecting Cardmember Information
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
8.3 Standards for Protection of Cardmember Information
You must, and you must cause your Covered Parties, to:
store Cardholder Data only to facilitate American Express Card Transactions in
accordance with, and as required by, the Agreement.
comply with the current version of the PCI DSS no later than the effective date for
implementing that version.
use, when deploying new or replacement PIN Entry Devices or Payment Applications (or
both), in attended locations, only those that are PCI-Approved.
You must protect all Charge Records and Credit Records retained pursuant to the Agreement
in accordance with these data security provisions; you must use these records only for
purposes of the Agreement and safeguard them accordingly. You are financially and
otherwise liable to your Merchant Services Provider for ensuring your Covered Parties'
compliance with this Chapter 8, "
Protecting Cardmember Information" (other than for
demonstrating your Covered Parties' compliance with this policy under Section 8.6, "
Periodic
Validation of Merchant Systems" except as otherwise provided in this section).
Covered Parties
Any or all of your employees,
agents, representatives,
subcontractors, Processors,
service providers, providers of
your point-of-sale equipment or
systems or payment processing
solutions, Entities associated with
your American Express merchant
account, and any other party to
whom you may provide
Cardmember Information access
in accordance with the
Agreement.
Payment Card Industry Data
Security Standard (PCI DSS)
The Payment Card Industry Data
Security Standard, which is
available at
pcisecuritystandards.org
Remember if the Agreement
terminates, Cardholder Data can
only be retained according to the
PCI DSS which is available at
pcisecuritystandards.org
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Protecting Cardmember Information
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
8.4 Data Incident Management Obligations
You must notify your Merchant Services Provider immediately after discovery of a Data
Incident.
You must conduct a thorough forensic investigation of each Data Incident. For Data Incidents
involving 10,000 or more unique Card Numbers (or otherwise at American Express' request),
a PCI Forensic Investigator (PFI) must conduct this investigation. The unedited report must be
provided to your Merchant Services Provider in accordance with their time frame for
providing such information.
You must promptly provide to your Merchant Services Provider all Compromised Card
Numbers and the forensic investigation report of the Data Incident. American Express
reserves the right to conduct its own internal analysis to identify Card Numbers involved in
the Data Incident. You must work with your Merchant Services Provider to rectify any issues
arising from the Data Incident, including consulting with your Merchant Services Provider
about your communications to Cardmembers affected by the Data Incident and providing
(and obtaining any waivers necessary to provide) to your Merchant Services Provider all
relevant information to verify your ability to prevent future Data Incidents in a manner
consistent with the Agreement.
Forensic investigation reports must include forensic reviews, reports on compliance, and all
other information related to the Data Incident; identify the cause of the Data Incident;
confirm whether or not you were in compliance with the PCI DSS at the time of the Data
Incident, and verify your ability to prevent future Data Incidents by providing a plan for
remediating all PCI DSS deficiencies. Upon your Merchant Services Provider's request, you
shall provide validation by a QSA that the deficiencies have been remediated.
Notwithstanding any contrary confidentiality obligation in the Agreement, American Express
has the right to disclose information about any Data Incident to Cardmembers, Issuers, other
participants on the American Express Network, and the general public as required by
Applicable Law; by judicial, administrative, or regulatory order, decree, subpoena, request, or
other process; in order to mitigate the risk of fraud or other harm; or otherwise to the extent
appropriate to operate the American Express Network.
8.5 Reserved
8.6 Periodic Validation of Merchant Systems
8.6.1 You must take steps to validate under PCI DSS annually and quarterly the status of your
equipment, systems and/or networks (and their components) on which encryption keys,
Cardholder Data, or Sensitive Authentication Data (or a combination of each) are stored,
processed or transmitted.
Step 1 - Enroll in American Express' Compliance Program under this Policy
Level 1 Merchants, Level 2 Merchants, those Level 3 Merchants whom American Express has
designated (as described below), and STEP-eligible Merchants, as described below, must
submit applicable periodic Validation Documentation to their Merchant Services Providers.
Please contact your Merchant Services Provider for more information regarding its data
security compliance requirements.
Data Incident
An incident involving unauthorized
access or use of encryption keys,
Cardholder Data, or Sensitive
Authentication Data (or a
combination of each) that are
stored, processed, or transmitted
on equipment, systems, and/or
networks (or the components
thereof).
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Protecting Cardmember Information
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
American Express may require certain Level 3 merchants to enroll in American Express'
compliance program under this policy by sending them written notice. The designated Level 3
Merchant must enroll no later than ninety (90) days following receipt of the notice.
Step 2 - Determine Your Merchant Level and Validation Requirements
Most Merchant Levels are based on the volume of Transactions submitted by all of your
Establishments. You will fall into one of the Merchant Levels specified in the following table.
* For the avoidance of doubt, Level 3 Merchants (other than Designated Level 3 Merchants) need not submit
Validation Documentation, but nevertheless must comply with, and are subject to liability under all other
provisions of these Data Security Requirements.
** STEP is not available for Merchants that have had a Data Incident in the 12 months prior to submitting the
Annual Attestation of Compliance or do not otherwise meet the STEP eligibility requirements.
American Express, or your Merchant Services Provider, may verify the results of your PCI
Validation process up to and including engaging, at American Express' expense, a Qualified
Security Assessor (QSA) of its own choosing.
Merchant
Level
Definition
Validation
Documentation
Requirement
1 2.5 million Transactions or
more per year; or any Merchant
that American Express
otherwise deems a Level 1
Merchant
annual on-site security
assessment report and
quarterly network scan
Mandatory
2 50,000 to 2.5 million
Transactions per year
annual Self Assessment
Questionnaire (SAQ)
and quarterly network
scan
Mandatory
3 – Designated Less than 50,000 Transactions
per year and designated by
American Express as being
required to submit validation
documents
annual SAQ and
quarterly network scan
Mandatory
3 – All Other Less than 50,000 Transactions
per year but not classified as
Level 3 Designated
annual SAQ and
quarterly network scan
Strongly
recommended*
STEP** All eligible Merchants Annual STEP
Attestation
Mandatory for
Merchants
desiring STEP
eligibility
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Protecting Cardmember Information
This document contains sensitive, confidential and trade secret information, and must not be October 2017 51
disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
Step 3 - Determine your Merchant Level and the Validation Documentation that you must
send to your Merchant Services Provider.
Validation Documentation
Annual Onsite Security
Assessment
Annual Self Assessment
Questionnaire (SAQ)
Quarterly Network Scans
The annual onsite security
assessment is a detailed
onsite examination of your
equipment, systems, and
networks (and their
components) where
encryption keys, Cardholder
Data, or Sensitive
Authentication Data (or a
combination of each) are
stored, processed, or
transmitted. It must be
performed by:
a QSA, or
you and certified by your
chief executive officer,
chief financial officer,
chief information
security officer, or
principal.
The annual onsite security
assessment must be
submitted annually to your
Merchant Services Provider
on the applicable AOC. To
fulfill validation obligations
under this policy, the AOC
must certify compliance with
all requirements of the
PCI DSS and, upon request,
include copies of the full
report on compliance.
The annual self assessment
is a process using the
PCI DSS SAQ that allows
self-examination of your
equipment, systems, and
networks (and their
components) where
encryption keys, Cardholder
Data, or Sensitive
Authentication Data (or a
combination of each) are
stored, processed, or
transmitted. It must be
performed by you and
certified by your chief
executive officer, chief
financial officer, chief
information security officer,
or principal. The AOC section
of the SAQ must be
submitted annually to your
Merchant Services Provider.
To fulfill validation
obligations under this policy,
the AOC section of the SAQ
must certify your compliance
with all requirements of the
PCI DSS and include full
copies of the SAQ on
request.
The quarterly network scan is
a process that remotely tests
your internet-connected
computer networks and web
servers for potential
weaknesses and
vulnerabilities. It must be
performed by an ASV. You
must complete and submit
the ASV Scan Report AOSC
or executive summary of
findings of the scan (and
copies of the full scan, on
request) quarterly to your
Merchant Services Provider.
To fulfill validation
obligations under this policy,
the AOSC or executive
summary must certify that
the results satisfy the
PCI DSS scanning
procedures, that no high risk
issues are identified, and
that the scan is passing or
compliant.
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Protecting Cardmember Information
This document contains sensitive, confidential and trade secret information, and must not be October 2017 52
disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
Step 4 - Send the Validation Documentation to Your Merchant Services Provider
Level 1, Level 2, and designated Level 3 Merchants must submit the Validation
Documentation marked "mandatory" in the table in Step 2.
Level 1 Merchants' Validation Documentation must include the AOC from the annual
onsite security assessment report and AOSC or executive summaries of findings of
quarterly network scans.
Level 2 Merchants' and designated Level 3 Merchants' Validation Documentation must
include the AOC from the SAQ and the AOSC or the executive summaries of findings of
the Quarterly Network Scans, as described in the table above.
Level 3 Merchants (other than designated Level 3 Merchants) are not required to submit
Validation Documentation (but must comply with, and are subject to liability under, all
other provisions of this policy).
STEP-eligible Merchants may submit the STEP Annual Attestation in place of other
Validation Documentation.
You must submit your Validation Documentation to your Merchant Services Provider as
instructed by them. If you have general questions about the program or the process of
submitting Validation Documentation, please contact your Merchant Services Provider.
Compliance and validation are completed at your expense. By submitting Validation
Documentation to your Merchant Services Provider, you represent and warrant that you are
authorized to disclose the information contained therein to your Merchant Services Provider
and to American Express, and are providing the Validation Documentation without violating
any other party's rights.
8.6.2 Merchants Not Compliant with PCI DSS
If you are not compliant with the PCI DSS, then you must complete an AOC including "Part 4.
Action Plan for Non-Compliant Status" and designate a remediation date, not to exceed
twelve (12) months following the date of the AOC, for achieving compliance. You must
submit this AOC with "Action Plan for Non-Compliant Status" to your Merchant Services
Provider. You shall provide your Merchant Services Provider with periodic updates of your
progress toward remediation under the "Action Plan for Non-Compliant Status". For the
avoidance of all doubt, Merchants that are not compliant with PCI DSS are not eligible for
STEP.
8.6.3 Non-Validation Fees and Termination of Agreement
American Express and your Merchant Services Provider have the right to impose non-
validation fees on you and terminate the Agreement if you do not fulfill these requirements
or fail to provide the mandatory Validation Documentation by the applicable deadline.
Your Merchant Services Provider will notify you separately of the applicable deadline for
each annual and quarterly reporting period.
If your Merchant Services Provider does not receive your mandatory Validation
Documentation, then your Merchant Services Provider may have the right to terminate the
Agreement in accordance with its terms as well as impose non-validation fees on you.
Visit pcisecuritystandards.org for:
QSAs and ASVs
SAQs
The AOC and AOSC
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Protecting Cardmember Information
This document contains sensitive, confidential and trade secret information, and must not be October 2017 53
disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
8.6.4 Periodic Validation of STEP-eligible Merchants
Merchants that are compliant with PCI DSS may also qualify for American Express' STEP if
they deploy certain additional security technologies throughout their Card processing
environments.
STEP applies only if the Merchant has not experienced a Data Incident in the previous twelve
(12) months and if 75% of all merchant Card transactions are performed using:
EMV – on an active Chip-Enabled Device having a valid and current EMVCo
(www.emvco.com) approval/certification and capable of processing AEIPS compliant
Chip Card Transactions, or
Point-to-Point Encryption (P2PE) – communicated to the Merchant's processor using a
PCI-SSC-approved or QSA-approved Point-to-Point Encryption system.
If you are classified as a STEP-eligible Merchant, you may submit a declaration of the status
of your compliance with the PCI DSS, in the form which is available through your Merchant
Services Provider (Annual STEP Attestation) instead of other Validation Documentation. It
must be performed by you and certified by your chief executive officer, chief financial officer,
chief information security officer, or principal. You must complete the process by submitting
the STEP Attestation annually to your Merchant Services Provider (See Section 8.6, "
Periodic
Validation of Merchant Systems", Step 3).
8.7 Reserved
8.8 Disclaimer
AMERICAN EXPRESS HEREBY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL REPRESENTATIONS,
WARRANTIES, AND LIABILITIES WITH RESPECT TO THESE DATA SECURITY
REQUIREMENTS, THE PCI DSS, THE EMV SPECIFICATIONS, AND THE DESIGNATION AND
PERFORMANCE OF QSAs, ASVs, OR PFIs (OR ANY OF THEM), WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED,
STATUTORY, OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Issuers are not third-party beneficiaries under these
Data Security Requirements.
Contents
Merchant Operating Guide
Fraud Prevention
Fraud Prevention9
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Strategies for Deterring Fraud
9.3 Card Acceptance Policies
9.4 Card Security Features
9.5 Recognizing Suspicious Activity
9.6 Prepaid Card Security Features
9.7 Recognizing Suspicious Activity for Prepaid Cards
9.8 Travelers Cheque and Gift Cheque Security Features
9.9 Fraud Mitigation Tools
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Fraud Prevention
This document contains sensitive, confidential and trade secret information, and must not be October 2017 55
disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
9.1 Introduction
You work hard to protect the interests of your business and Cardmembers. Unfortunately,
fraudulent Card use can undermine your best efforts. Millions of dollars are lost each year
because of such fraud.
American Express offers a full suite of tools and programs that can help to mitigate the
chances of fraud on American Express Cards and reduce this cost to your business.
Some Merchants may not be eligible to participate in the full suite of fraud tools and fraud
liability shift programs offered. Additionally, American Express may, in our sole discretion,
immediately suspend or terminate a Merchant from using any fraud tool or participation in
any fraud liability shift program and American Express may suspend or terminate any fraud
tool or fraud liability shift program at any time.
This section of the Merchant Operating Guide offers fraud mitigation tips for both Card
Present and Card Not Present Transactions. Contact your Merchant Services Provider for
information related to fraud mitigation tools and resources that may be available for your
use.
9.2 Strategies for Deterring Fraud
Implementing multiple layers of fraud protection to help secure your business is
recommended. These layers may include a combination of your point of sale procedures and
controls as well as implementation of fraud mitigation tools.
Layers of Protection
Your first layer for mitigating fraud is to follow the Card acceptance policies and procedures,
as outlined in Chapter 4, "
Transaction Processing". Other fraud mitigation strategies that you
choose to implement may include any combination of:
recognition of suspicious behaviors or circumstances that may signal fraudulent activity
implementation of fraud mitigation tools that take advantage of American Express' risk
controls to identify fraudulent activity
additional risk models or controls that you can develop internally or obtain externally
from third parties
American Express is committed to working with you and your Merchant Services Provider to
deploy tools that can help reduce the likelihood that fraudulent Charges will be Approved.
The implementation and use of the strategies and tools detailed in this section, however,
does not guarantee that (i) the person making the Charge is the Cardmember, (ii) the Charge
is in fact valid or bona fide, (iii) you will be paid for the Charge, or (iv) you will not be subject
to a Chargeback.
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Fraud Prevention
This document contains sensitive, confidential and trade secret information, and must not be October 2017 56
disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
The following illustration compares data captured during a standard Card Not Present
Charge (left) with the amount of data that can be captured when fraud mitigation tools are
implemented (right).
9.3 Card Acceptance Policies
A critical component in your overall fraud mitigation strategy is to follow your Merchant
Services Provider's operating instructions including American Express Card acceptance
procedures, as defined in Chapter 4, "
Transaction Processing". These procedures can also
serve as a your first line of defense against potential fraud. The additional layers of fraud
mitigation mentioned previously can supplement this line of defense.
Criminals
attempt to
circumvent the
Merchant’s
control systems
and procedures
Merchant Internal
Controls
Adherence to Card
Acceptance Policies
Scrutiny of Card
Security Features
Recognition of
Suspicious Behavior
Fraud Mitigation
Tool #1
Fraud Mitigation
Tool #2
Fraud Mitigation
Tool #3, 4, 5, etc.
Card: 37XXXXXXXXX2009
Amount: $257
Merchant: Internet Merchant XXXXXXXX01
Card: 37XXXXXXXXX2009
Name: Joe White
Amount: $257
Merchant: Internet Merchant XXXXXXXX01
CID Number: XXXX
AAV: 2213 E Main, M5R 3R5
AAV Name: Sandra White
Email: joe.white@ispprovider.net
IP Address: 122.22.15.18
Host Name: PHX.QW.AOL.COM
Ship to Address: 995 Sansone St, 94116
Ship to Phone: 416.555.5555
Ship to Country: USA
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Fraud Prevention
This document contains sensitive, confidential and trade secret information, and must not be October 2017 57
disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
9.4 Card Security Features
In many cases, the physical appearance of the Card will offer the most obvious clues of
fraudulent activity.
American Express Card security features are designed to help you assess whether a Card is
authentic or has been altered. Ensure that all of your personnel are familiar with American
Express' Card's security features so they can identify potentially compromised Cards.
The following picture is just one example of an American Express Card as a number of
different Cards are offered. These are some things you must look for:
1. Pre-printed CID Numbers usually appear above the Card Number, on either the right or
the left edge of the Card.
2. All American Express Card Numbers start with "37" or "34." The Card Number appears
embossed on the front of the Card. Embossing must be clear, and uniform in sizing and
spacing. Some Cards also have the Card Number printed on the back of the Card in the
signature panel. These numbers, plus the last four digits printed on the Charge Record,
must all match.
3. Do not accept a Card outside the Valid Dates.
4. Only the person whose name appears on an American Express Card is entitled to use it.
Cards are not transferable.
5. Some Cards contain a holographic image on the front or back of the plastic to determine
authenticity. Not all American Express Cards have a holographic image.
6. Some Cards have a Chip on which data is stored and used to conduct a Charge.
7. The signature on the back of the Card must match the Cardmember's signature on the
Charge Record, and must be the same name that appears on the front of the Card. The
signature panel must not be taped over, mutilated, erased, or painted over. Some Cards
also have a three-digit Card Security Code (CSC) number printed on the signature panel.
Note: The security features for Prepaid Cards and Travelers Cheques are listed in
Section 9.6, "
Prepaid Card Security Features" and Section 9.8, "Travelers Cheque
and Gift Cheque Security Features".
1
5
2
3
4
7
6
Further Information
The four-digit CID Number is
located on the front of the Card
where the three-digit CSC is
located on the back of the Card.
These codes are considered Card
security features and can validate
that the Card is present for a
Charge. You should prompt your
customers for the four-digit CID
Number.
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Fraud Prevention
This document contains sensitive, confidential and trade secret information, and must not be October 2017 58
disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
9.4.1 Compromised Card Security Features
In this example of an altered Card, the signature panel has been painted white under the
signature. In addition, the Card Number has been erased from the back panel.
Do not accept a Card if:
Altered Magnetic Stripe
The Magnetic Stripe has been altered or destroyed.
The Card Number on the front of the Card does not match the number printed on the
back (when present), or the last four digits printed on the Charge Record (or both).
Altered Front of the Card
The Card Number or Cardmember name on the front of the Card appears out of line,
crooked, or unevenly spaced.
The ink on the raised Card Number or Cardmember name is smudged or messy.
The Card Number or Cardmember name is not printed in the same typeface as the
American Express typeface.
Altered Back of the Card
The Card Number printed on the back of the Card (when present) is different from the
Card Number on the front.
The Card Number on the back of the Card (when present) has been chipped off or
covered up.
The signature panel has been painted-out, erased, or written over.
Altered Appearance of the Card
There are "halos" of previous embossing or printing underneath the current Card Number
and Cardmember name.
A portion of the surface looks dull compared with the rest of the Card. Valid American
Express Cards have a high-gloss finish.
The Card has a bumpy surface or is bent around the edges.
You suspect any Card security features have been compromised.
The Card appears physically altered in any way.
If you suspect Card misuse, follow internal store policies, and, if directed to do so, call your
Merchant Services Provider and state that you have a Code 10. Never put yourself or your
employees in unsafe situations, nor physically detain or harm the holder of the
Card.
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Fraud Prevention
This document contains sensitive, confidential and trade secret information, and must not be October 2017 59
disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
Often, you can look closely at Cards to determine if they're altered or counterfeit. As another
layer in your internal fraud prevention program, educate yourself and all your personnel on
how to identify a potentially altered Card.
9.5 Recognizing Suspicious Activity
Diligently scrutinizing behaviors and circumstances can help prevent you from being
victimized by fraud. As a prudent Merchant, you must always be aware of circumstances that
may indicate a fraudulent scheme or suspicious behaviors that may flag a fraudulent
customer.
Suspicious Behavior
A suspicious situation may arise, causing you to question the authenticity of the Card, or the
legitimacy of the person presenting it. Any single behavior may not be risky. However, when
customers exhibit more than one of the following behaviors, your risk factor may increase:
larger-than-normal Transaction dollar amounts,
orders containing many of the same items,
orders shipped to an address other than a billing address,
orders using anonymous/free email domains,
orders sent to postal codes or countries where you show a history of fraudulent claims,
orders of a "hot" product (i.e., highly desirable goods for resale),
customer is a first-time shopper,
customer is purchasing large quantities of high-priced goods without regard to color,
size, product feature, or price,
customer comes in just before closing time and purchases a large quantity of goods,
customer wants to rush or overnight the order,
customer has a previous history of Disputed Charges,
customer is rude or abusive toward you; wanting to rush or distract you,
customer frequents your Establishment to make small purchases with cash, then returns
to make additional purchases of expensive items with a Card.
If you suspect Card misuse, follow your internal store policies, and immediately call your
Merchant Services Provider with a Code 10. Never put yourself or your employees in
unsafe situations, nor physically detain or harm the holder of the Card.
No single factor by itself is
indicative of risk; however, when a
combination of factors is present
during a Transaction, additional
scrutiny is warranted. If you have
any doubts of suspicious activity
call in a Code 10.
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Fraud Prevention
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
9.6 Prepaid Card Security Features
You are responsible for following all American Express' Prepaid Card acceptance procedures
in Section 4.18, "
Processing Prepaid Cards". Although there are a number of unique Prepaid
Cards, all Prepaid Cards share similar features, except that:
Prepaid Cards may or may not be embossed, and
The following features may appear on the front or back of the Card (or a combination of
both):
1. The American Express logo generally appears in the bottom right corner.
2. The words PREPAID or INCENTIVE will generally be shown above the American
Express logo.
3. Cards pre-loaded with funds may show the dollar amount or the total points
(reloadable Cards generally will not show a number).
4. The CID Number will appear usually above the Card Number or above the logo.
5. The Card Number appears on the Card.
6. The Valid Date or Expiration Date appears on the Card.
7. The recipient's name or company name may appear on the Card; otherwise a
generic "Recipient" or "Traveler" may appear, or this area might be blank.
9.7 Recognizing Suspicious Activity for Prepaid Cards
American Express recommends that you follow the procedures in the preceding Section 9.5,
"Recognizing Suspicious Activity" in addition to being vigilant for the following suspicious
behaviors related specifically to Prepaid Cards:
Customer frequently makes purchases and then returns goods for cash. (To avoid being
the victim of this scheme, you should follow your internal store procedures when you
cannot issue a Credit on the Card used to make the original purchase.)
Customer uses Prepaid Cards to purchase other Prepaid Cards.
Customer uses large numbers of Prepaid Cards to make purchases.
9.8 Travelers Cheque and Gift Cheque Security Features
Even though American Express' Travelers Cheques and Gift Cheques offer more convenience
and security, counterfeit products circulate worldwide. You must verify all cheque products
presented at your Establishment and contact the Travelers Cheque/Gift Cheque Customer
Service with questions or suspicions.
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Fraud Prevention
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
One of the easiest and most effective tests to determine authenticity is the smudge test:
1. Turn the cheque over (non-signature side).
2. Locate the denomination on the right side of the cheque. Wipe a moistened finger
across the denomination. The ink should not smudge.
3. Wipe a moistened finger across the denomination on the left side of the cheque. The ink
should smudge.
The following shows an example of a smudge test:
For Travelers and Gift Cheque acceptance procedures, see Section 4.19, "
Processing
Travelers/Gift Cheques". American Express also recommends that you follow the procedures
in the preceding Section 9.5, "
Recognizing Suspicious Activity" to assist you in the mitigation
of fraud.
As another layer of protection, there are a number of security features inherent in American
Express' Travelers Cheque and Gift Cheque products. Following are a few security features to
help you recognize an authentic Cheque.
left side smudges right side does not smudge
Centurion Portrait Watermark
Holographic FoilsSecurity Threads
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Fraud Prevention
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
9.9 Fraud Mitigation Tools
Fraud mitigation tools are available for both Card Present and Card Not Present Transactions
to help verify that a Charge is valid. These tools help you mitigate the risk of fraud at the
point of sale, but are not a guarantee that (i) the person making the Charge is the
Cardmember, (ii) the Charge is in fact valid or bona fide, (iii) you will be paid for the Charge,
or (iv) you will not be subject to a Chargeback.
For optimal use of the tools, it is critical that:
you comply with the applicable sections of the Technical Specifications (see Section 2.1,
"Compliance with the Technical Specifications"), and
you provide high quality data in the Authorization request.
American Express offers strategies and tools for preventing fraud. For more information
about what you and your business can do, review the tools listed below and contact your
Merchant Services Provider to determine what tools are supported.
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Fraud Prevention
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
9.9.1 Card Not Present Fraud Tools
Card
Identification
(CID)
Verification Tool
Automated
Name and
Address
Verification
Email
Verification
Billing Phone
Number
Verification
Enhanced
Authorization
Charge
Verification
Description
You request the
four-digit CID
number printed on
the Card from the
Cardmember and
send it with the
Authorization
request to the
Issuer.
Issuer compares
the CID number
provided with that
on file for the Card
and, based on the
comparison, returns
a match code to you.
You request name
and address
information from the
Cardmember at the
point of sale, and
provide this
information
electronically during
Authorization,
through your POS
terminal.
Issuer compares
the name and
address information
you provided with
Cardmember's
billing records and
provides a response
code indicating full,
partial, or no match.
You request email
address from the
Customer at the
point of sale, and
provide this
information
electronically during
an Authorization.
Issuer compares
the email address
you provided with
email addresses on
file at American
Express and returns
a match result.
You request
billing phone
number from the
Customer at the
point of sale, and
provide this
information
electronically during
an Authorization.
Issuer compares
the phone number
you provided with
Cardmember billing
phone number and
returns a match
result.
Provides additional
data elements in
Authorization
requests describing
the transaction and
enabling a more
informed
Authorization
decision.
You may call your
Merchant Services
Provider for
additional
verification when an
approved order is
over $200 and you
suspect fraud.
Issuer will
attempt to contact
the Cardmember to
validate the
transaction.
Purpose
Helps to ensure that
the person placing
the order actually
has the Card in his
or her possession
and is not using a
stolen Card Number.
Helps Issuer
evaluate
Cardmember
identity by
comparing
information
provided by the
Cardmember at the
point of sale with
Cardmember billing
information not
available on the
Card.
Email Address
Verification helps
evaluate
Cardmember
identity by
comparing
information
provided by the
customer during the
check-out process
with Cardmember
information not
available on the
Card.
Billing Phone
Number Verification
helps evaluate
Cardmember
identity by
comparing
information
provided by the
customer during the
check-out process
with Cardmember
information not
available on the
Card.
Helps mitigate
fraud before a
Transaction is
authorized by
analyzing key data
elements submitted
with Authorization
requests.
Data elements
include shipping
address, transaction
origin, and airline
ticket details.
Enables you to
obtain additional
verification on
orders you suspect
may be fraudulent.
Facilitates sales
of goods/services by
verifying the
transaction directly
with the
Cardmember.
How To
Implement
Contact your
Merchant Services
Provider
Contact your
Merchant Services
Provider
Contact your
Merchant Services
Provider
Contact your
Merchant Services
Provider
Contact your
Merchant Services
Provider
Contact your
Merchant Services
Provider
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Fraud Prevention
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
9.9.2 Card Present Fraud Tools
Card
Identification
(CID) Verification
Tool
Track 1 Chip Terminal ID Code 10
Description
You request the
four-digit CID number
printed on the Card
from the Cardmember
and send it with the
Authorization request
to the Issuer.
Issuer compares
the CID number
provided with that on
file for the Card and,
based on the
comparison, returns a
match code to you.
POS terminal
captures data
encoded in the Track
1 of the Magnetic
Stripe and sends it to
the Issuer with the
Authorization
request.
Issuer compares
information in track to
information on file
and sends approval
decision.
Chip technology uses
an embedded
microchip to encrypt
card information,
making it more
difficult for
unauthorized users to
copy or access the
data. Data can only
be accessed when
the Card is inserted
into a chip-enabled
terminal.
Captures a numeric
identifier uniquely
assigned to each POS
device and sends it to
the Issuer with each
Authorization
request.
A special phrase you use
to indicate to your
Merchant Services
Provider that you have
suspicions concerning the
Cardmember, the Card,
the CID, and/or the
circumstances of the sale.
Purpose
Helps to ensure that
the person making
the purchase is not
using an altered or
duplicated Card.
Can signal tampering
and alteration of the
Card's Magnetic
Stripe.
Provides enhanced
protection against
fraud from lost,
stolen, and
counterfeit Cards.
Helps detect high risk
patterns of a
particular POS device.
Enables your Merchant
Services Provider to speak
with an American Express
Authorizer on a card
present transaction they
assess as high risk.
How To Implement
Contact your
Merchant Services
Provider
Contact your
Merchant Services
Provider
Contact your
Merchant Services
Provider
Contact your
Merchant Services
Provider
If you suspect Card
misuse, follow your
internal store policies,
and, if directed to do so,
call your Merchant
Services Provider with a
Code 10 Authorization
Request. Only pick up a
Card if directed to do so
by your Merchant
Services Provider or the
Issuer. Never put yourself
or your employees in
unsafe situations.
Contents
Merchant Operating Guide
Risk Management
Risk Management10
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Prohibited Merchants
10.3 Monitoring
10.4 Fraudulent, Deceptive, or Unfair Business Practices, Illegal Activities, or Prohibited Uses
of the Card
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Risk Management
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
10.1 Introduction
As a Merchant, you understand the hard work and dedication it takes to keep a business
running. At American Express, we also work hard to maintain our business and uphold our
reputation as a world-class global payments and network company. Part of our regimen is to
evaluate Merchants to ensure compliance with our policies and procedures, in addition to
assessing any potential risk to our business.
10.2 Prohibited Merchants
Some Merchants are not eligible (or may become ineligible) to accept the Card. American
Express may terminate Card acceptance (including immediate termination without prior
notice to you) if it is determined that you meet any of the following criteria:
Your participation as a Merchant on the American Express Network or acceptance of
Cards (or both) may cause American Express not to be in compliance with Applicable
Laws, regulations, or rules.
You do not have a verifiable physical address and can only be reached by telephone.
You are involved (or knowingly participate or have participated) in a fraudulent or illegal
activity.
You are identified as a sponsor of international terrorism as warranting special
measures due to money laundering concerns, or as non-cooperative with international
anti-money laundering principles or procedures.
You are listed on the U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control,
Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (available at www.treas.gov/
ofac).
You are listed on the U.S. Department of State’s Terrorist Exclusion List (available at
www.state.gov
).
You are located in or operating under license issued by a jurisdiction identified by the
U.S. Department of State as a sponsor of international terrorism, by the U.S. Secretary
of the Treasury as warranting special measures due to money laundering concerns, or as
noncooperative with international anti-money laundering principles or procedures by an
intergovernmental group or organization of which the United States is a member.
Your verifiable physical address is not located in the United States, Puerto Rico, or the
U.S. Virgin Islands.
You fall into one of the following categories and/or accept Transactions for the
prohibited activities displayed in the following table.
Business Type Description
Adult Entertainment Internet adult digital content sites.
Cash Advances Establishments that accept the Card in connection with
repayment of cash advances, including, but not limited to
payday loans, pawn loans, or payday advances.
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Risk Management
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
Check Cashing/
Guarantee
Cardmember cashes a check using the Card as a check
guarantee.
Child Pornography Any written or visual depiction of a minor engaged in
obscene or sexually explicit conduct.
Condo (Real Estate)
Down Payments
Payments to other debt-related real estate products.
Credit Restoration
Services
A service that promises to remove negative factors from a
consumer's credit report by disputing it with the credit
bureau and correcting errors like outdated or incorrect
claims.
Debt Collection Collection agencies, payday lenders, factoring companies,
liquidators, bailiffs, bail bondsmen, and bankruptcy lawyers.
Exceptions: bail bondsmen fees (i.e., Merchant must not
accept Cards to pay for a bail bond but Merchant may accept
the Card to pay the fee to the bail bondsman).
Door-to-door Sales Unsolicited vendors with immediate payment expected.
Escort Services and
Non-Licensed Massage
Parlors
Payment of potentially sexual related services.
Financial Services Banks, credit unions, savings and loans associations,
equities (defined as an instrument that signifies an
ownership position, or equity, in a corporation, and
represents a claim on its proportionate share in the
corporation's assets and profits, e.g., stocks, bonds, and
securities), unit trusts, mutual funds, foreign exchange,
Bureau de Change, and payday lenders.
Foreign Exchange
Bureaus
Any establishment that allows the purchase of foreign
exchange currency using an American Express Card product.
Future Services Investments made on futures maturity of goods and/or
services with an intention of gaining return on investment
(e.g., stock market, wine future, horse breeding, timber
investment, precious metals).
Gambling Casino Gaming Chips, Off-Track Betting and Wagers at Race
Tracks, Gambling Services, Internet Gambling Sites.
Exceptions: Accommodations, restaurant, bar or gift shop
facilities within a casino complex.
Lottery Sales Sales of lottery tickets.
Marijuana Dispensaries Sellers of marijuana, whether sold for recreational or
medicinal purposes.
Mortgage Payments Payments to other debt related real estate products.
Business Type Description
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Risk Management
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
Mixed Business – If any segment of your Charge volume is submitted from the
aforementioned business types, you must not accept the Card for those Transactions. If you
accept the Card for these Transactions, American Express will exercise Chargeback. You may
also be placed in one of American Express’ Chargeback programs or canceled (or disentitled)
for Card acceptance (or both).
Multi-level Pyramid
Sales
Multi-level marketing system using one or more of the
following practices:
Participants pay for the right to receive compensation
for recruiting new participants.
Participants are required to buy a specific quantity of
products, other than at cost, for the purpose of
advertising before participants are allowed to join the
plan or advance within the plan.
Participants are sold unreasonable quantities of the
product or products (also known as inventory loading).
Participants are not allowed to return products on
reasonable commercial terms.
Payday Lenders Payday lenders are companies that provide short-term loans
at high rates of interest to consumers to help them meet
short-term expenses (e.g., repayment of cash advances,
including payday loans and payday advances).
Prostitution Payment for sexual services.
Timeshares Selling partial ownership of a property for use as a holiday
home, whereby a Cardmember can buy the rights to use the
property for the same fixed period annually.
Travel Tour Operators Travel Tour Operators without membership to a Travel
Industry Bonding Agency or not an authorized ticket agent
(e.g. ARC/IATA/ABTA).
Unlawful Sale of
Prescription Drugs
Online sale of prescription drugs to U.S. consumers by a
pharmacy that is not:
Certified by VIPPS
®
(Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice
Sites); or
Licensed by the Board of Pharmacy in the state in which
it is located.
Unlawful Sale of
Tobacco and Smokeless
Tobacco
Online sale of tobacco and smokeless tobacco products to
U.S. consumers by a retailer that is not:
Certified to pay state taxes; and/or
Preventing sale of tobacco products to underage
consumers.
Unregulated Charities Merchant that does not have a tax exemption or local
council registration number.
Virtual Currency Card acceptance to purchase virtual currency that can be
exchanged for real currency (e.g., Bitcoin).
Business Type Description
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Risk Management
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
10.3 Monitoring
After you become a Merchant on the Network, American Express monitors to identify
potential risks. American Express uses internal and third-party information when monitoring
and looks for, among other things:
disproportionate Disputed Charges and Chargebacks,
Merchants that meet the High Risk Merchant criteria set forth in Subsection 10.3.1,
"High Risk Merchants",
schemes to defraud American Express,
legal, compliance, or other credit and fraud risks, and
data submitted in compliance with the Technical Specifications.
American Express will monitor you for actions or behaviors (or both) which may put American
Express, Issuers, or Cardmembers at risk. Based on the results of American Express’
monitoring, American Express reserves the right to take action to mitigate its risk, including
one or more of the following (in American Express’ sole judgment):
requesting information about your finances and operations,
instituting Card acceptance restrictions,
exercising Chargeback, rejecting Charges, charging fees, or assessments,
requesting corrective action, or
terminating any Card acceptance privileges or suspending those privileges until the risk
has subsided.
10.3.1 High Risk Merchants
High Risk Merchants are those types of businesses that American Express determines put
American Express at risk and/or whose business has excessive occurrences of fraud.
If American Express determines, in American Express' sole discretion, that you meet the
criteria for one or more of the High Risk Merchant categories, American Express may place
you in a Chargeback program and/or terminate Card acceptance.
American Express considers you to be "high risk" if you meet at least one criterion in the
following table:*
Category Description
High risk industry Your type of business has had historically high occurrences of
fraud and Disputed Charges with American Express or as
compared to other similarly situated Merchants (or both).
Examples of high risk industries include: internet electronic
delivery and aggregators.
Performance You have recent high occurrences of fraud that present an
excessive risk to American Express. You have had high
occurrences of fraud and/or high fraud amounts for a number of
consecutive months.
Canceled derogatory Your Agreement was canceled due to unsatisfactory activity.
Fictitious You accept Cards fraudulently.
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Risk Management
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
* This list is not exhaustive and American Express may, in its sole discretion, consider other criteria as high risk
and modify this list accordingly.
10.4 Fraudulent, Deceptive, or Unfair Business Practices, Illegal Activities,
or Prohibited Uses of the Card
If your Merchant Services Provider determines, or is notified by American Express that there
is reason to believe, that you engage or have engaged (or knowingly participate or knowingly
have participated) in any of the activities listed in the following table; in any scheme that
defrauds American Express, Issuers, and/or Cardmembers; or in business practices that
American Express deems fraudulent, deceptive, and/or unfair, corrective action may be taken
on you, which may include but is not limited to:
placement in a Chargeback program,
exercising Chargeback or rejecting Charges, or
termination of the Agreement (including immediate termination without prior notice to
you) or disentitlement of Card acceptance.
Prohibited You are not eligible to accept the Card on the American Express
Network. For prohibited criteria see Section 10.2, "Prohibited
Merchants".
Category Description
Factoring
Factoring occurs when Transactions do not represent bona fide
sales of goods or services at your Establishments (e.g., purchases
at your Establishments by your owners (or their family members) or
employees contrived for cash flow purposes).
Collusion
Collusion refers to activities whereby your employee collaborates
with another party to conduct fraudulent Transactions. It is your
responsibility to set appropriate controls to mitigate such activity
as well as to have monitoring systems to identify such activity.
Marketing fraud
Marketing fraud occurs when mail, telephone, or Internet Order
solicitations are used for fraudulent or deceptive purposes (e.g., to
obtain valid Cardmember Information for fraudulent Transactions,
or to charge unauthorized sales to a valid Card account).
Identity theft
Identity theft is the assumption of another person's identity to gain
access to their finances through fraudulent Merchant setup or
fraudulent Transactions.
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Risk Management
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
* This list is not exhaustive and does not reflect all circumstances under which American Express may act to
protect the interest of American Express.
10.4.1 Consumer Protection Monitoring Program
American Express monitors the Network for fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair practices
relating to the sale, advertising, promotion, or distribution of goods or services to consumers.
If American Express determines or has reason to believe, in American Express’ sole
discretion, that you engage or have engaged (or knowingly participate or knowingly have
participated) in such fraudulent, deceptive, or unfair practices, you may be placed in
American Express’ Consumer Protection Monitoring Program. Examples of instances that
might trigger American Express’ review of a particular Merchant or Establishment include,
but are not limited to, frequent consumer complaints, regulatory or consumer advocate (e.g.,
Better Business Bureau) inquiries, media coverage of a particular Merchant and/or industry,
and high levels of Disputed Charges and/or Chargebacks.
If you are placed in the Consumer Protection Monitoring Program, American Express will
require that a questionnaire be completed regarding your business practices, and conduct an
investigation.
American Express may suspend or refuse to allow Card acceptance at an Establishment, or
cancel (or disentitle) Card acceptance, if:
you do not respond to American Express’ questionnaire, by the date American Express
designates, with sufficient information about your business practices, and/or
American Express concludes, in American Express’ sole discretion, that you or the
Establishment in question engage or have engaged (or knowingly participate or
knowingly have participated) in fraudulent, deceptive, or unfair practices relating to the
sale, advertising, promotion, or distribution of goods or services to consumers.
If, in the course of American Express’ investigation, it does not appear that you engage or
have engaged (or knowingly participate or knowingly have participated) in such fraudulent,
deceptive, or unfair practices, American Express still may conduct an annual investigation of
your business practices.
Illegal activities,
fraudulent (other
than marketing),
unfair or deceptive
business practices,
or prohibited uses
of the Card
If American Express determines, or has reason to believe, in
American Express' sole discretion, that you engage or have
engaged (or knowingly participate or knowingly have participated)
in fraudulent, deceptive, or unfair business practices, or accepted
the Card to facilitate, directly or indirectly, illegal activity of any
kind, and without waiving American Express' other rights and
remedies, American Express has the right to terminate Card
acceptance.
If American Express finds that the Transaction involved a prohibited
use of the Card (see Section 3.3, "
Prohibited Uses of the Card"),
American Express may apply the corrective actions listed above.
Contents
Merchant Operating Guide
Chargebacks and Inquiries
Chargebacks and Inquiries11
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Disputed Charge Process
11.3 Tips for Avoiding Chargebacks
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Chargebacks and Inquiries
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11.1 Introduction
11.1.1 A dispute happens when a Cardmember questions some aspect of an item on their billing
statement — such as they don’t recognize the Charge; they don’t agree with the amount;
they were charged twice; the goods or services were not received; and many more.
11.1.2 You must not suggest or require Cardmembers to waive their right to dispute any
Transaction.
11.2 Disputed Charge Process
11.2.1 If a Cardmember disputes a Charge, American Express opens a case. With respect to a
Disputed Charge:
You may receive an Inquiry from your Merchant Services Provider prior to a Chargeback
being exercised, or
Prior to receiving an Inquiry, you may receive a Chargeback if it is determined that
sufficient information is available to resolve the Disputed Charge in favor of the
Cardmember.
INQUIRY UPFRONT CHARGEBACK
CASE RESOLVED CHARGEBACK REVERSAL CHARGEBACK STANDS
American Express sends an
Inquiry notice to Merchant
Services Provider.
American Express sends a
Chargeback notice to
Merchant Services Provider.
The case may be
resolved in your favor if
you provide the appropriate
supporting documents
and information within
the time frame specied
by your Merchant Services
Provider.
A Chargeback will be
processed if: your reply
is insufcient; you do not
reply on time; or you
authorize us.
A Reversal may be
processed if you provide
the appropriate supporting
documents within the
time frame specied by
your Merchant Services
Provider.
The Chargeback stands
if: your reply is insufcient;
or you do not reply
on time.
SUBMIT DOCUMENTSSUBMIT DOCUMENTS
A CARDMEMBER DISPUTES A CHARGE
Merchant Services Provider
sends an Inquiry notice
to Merchant.
Merchant Services Provider
sends a Chargeback notice
to Merchant.
CHARGEBACK
The automatic debit of funds
from your account for the
disputed amount.
INQUIRY
A notication you receive if
a Cardmember disputes a
charge from your business
and we cannot resolve
it using the documents
we have on le.
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Chargebacks and Inquiries
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11.2.2 American Express has Chargeback rights:
whenever Cardmembers bring Disputed Charges, as described in this section, or have
rights under Applicable Law or contract to withhold payments,
in cases of actual or alleged fraud relating to Charges,
if you do not comply with the Agreement (including omitting any Transaction Data from
Charge Submissions), even if your Merchant Services Provider and/or American Express
had notice when you were paid by your Merchant Services Provider for a Charge that
you did not so comply and even if you obtained Authorization for the Charge in question,
or
as provided elsewhere in the Agreement.
Contact your Merchant Services Provider for additional information and guidance regarding
Disputed Charges and Chargebacks.
11.2.3 Inquiries
You’ll receive an Inquiry notification if a Cardmember disputes a Charge from your business
and we cannot resolve it using the documents we have on file. This is the full list of Inquiry
reasons paired with suggestions for what kinds of documents you should submit to help
avoid a Chargeback. To help avoid a "No reply" or "Insufficient reply" Chargeback, respond
within the time frame provided by your Merchant Services Provider with the suggested
documents.
What It Means What You Can Do
The Cardmember has requested the delivery
of an item(s) or service(s) that was ordered
but not received.
Please provide the service, ship the order, or
provide proof of delivery/services rendered.
The Cardmember claims the item(s)/
service(s) was canceled/expired, or the
Cardmember has been unsuccessful in an
attempt to cancel the item(s)/service(s).
Please issue a credit, or provide a copy of
your cancellation policy/contract signed by
the Cardmember and discontinue future
billings.
The Cardmember claims the order arrived
damaged or defective and requests return
authorization.
If a return is not permitted, please provide a
copy of your return or refund policy.
The Cardmember has requested the repair or
replacement of an order that was damaged
or defective.
Please provide return instructions and make
the appropriate repairs, or provide a copy of
your return/replacement policy and explain
why the order cannot be repaired/replaced.
The Cardmember claims the referenced
charge should have been submitted as a
credit.
Please issue a credit, or provide support and
itemization for the charge and an
explanation of why credit is not due.
The Cardmember has requested replacement
for an item(s)/service(s) that was not as your
business described, or credit for the item(s)/
service(s) as the Cardmember is dissatisfied
with the quality.
Please replace the item or issue credit for
the item(s)/service(s), or proof that a credit
has been issued.
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Chargebacks and Inquiries
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The Cardmember does not recognize the
charge.
Please provide support and itemization. In
addition, if the charge relates to items that
were shipped, please include proof of
delivery with the full delivery address. If this
documentation is not available, please issue
a credit.
The Cardmember claims the item(s)/
service(s) was canceled and/or refused.
Please issue a credit, or provide proof of
delivery, proof that the Cardmember was
made aware of your cancellation policy and
explain why credit is not due.
The Cardmember has requested credit for an
item(s)/service(s) that was not received.
Please issue a credit, or provide proof of
delivery or a copy of the signed purchase
agreement indicating the cancellation policy
and explain why credit is not due.
The Cardmember has requested credit for an
item(s) that was returned to your business.
Please issue a credit, or provide a copy of
your return policy and explain why credit is
not due.
The Cardmember has requested credit for a
duplicate billing.
Please issue a credit, or provide support and
itemization of both charges and explain why
credit is not due.
The Cardmember claims that a credit was
expected but has not appeared on his/her
account.
Please issue a credit, or provide support for
the charge and explain why credit is not due.
The Cardmember does not recognize the
referenced Card Not Present charge(s).
Please issue a credit, or provide signed
support and itemization and explain why
credit is not due.
The Cardmember claims the referenced
charge is fraudulent.
For a Card Present charge, provide a copy of
the charge record and an imprint of the Card,
if available. For a Card Not Present charge,
provide a copy of the charge record (or
substitute charge record), any contracts or
other details associated with the purchase,
and proof of delivery (when applicable) with
the full shipping address.
The Cardmember claims the charge amount
you submitted differs from the amount the
Cardmember agreed to pay.
Please issue a credit or explain why credit is
not due.
The Cardmember claims this charge was
paid for by another form of payment.
Please issue a credit, or provide proof that
the Cardmember's payment by other means
was not related to the disputed charge or
that you have no record of the Cardmember's
other payment.
The Cardmember is not disputing the
charge(s), but is requesting support and
itemization.
Please provide the requested
documentation.
What It Means What You Can Do
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Chargebacks and Inquiries
This document contains sensitive, confidential and trade secret information, and must not be October 2017 76
disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
11.2.4 Chargebacks Reasons
If you receive a Chargeback from American Express, for any reason, you can use this section
to learn more about what actions you can take. Remember to always respond within the time
frame provided by your Merchant Services Provider.
Reason What It Means
What You Can Provide To Appeal
The Chargeback
Authorization
Charge amount
exceeds
authorization
amount
The amount of the
authorization approval
was less than the
amount of the charge
you submitted.
Proof that a valid authorization approval was
obtained for the full amount of the charge in
accordance with the Agreement unless
exceptions apply, or
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed.
No valid
authorization
The charge you
submitted did not
receive a valid
authorization approval;
it was declined or the
Card was expired.
Proof that a valid authorization approval was
obtained in accordance with the Agreement, or
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed.
For "expired or not yet valid Card", the following
support is also acceptable:
Proof that the charge was incurred prior to the
Card expiration date or within the valid dates on
the Card.
Authorization
approval expired
The charge was
submitted after the
authorization approval
expired.
Proof that a valid authorization approval was
obtained in accordance with the Agreement, or
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed.
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Chargebacks and Inquiries
This document contains sensitive, confidential and trade secret information, and must not be October 2017 77
disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
Cardmember Disputes
Credit not
processed
We have not received
the credit (or partial
credit) you were to
apply to the Card.
If no credit (or only partial credit) is due, a
written explanation of why credit is not due with
appropriate documents to support your position,
or
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed.
Goods/services
returned or refused
The goods or services
were returned or
refused but the
Cardmember did not
receive credit.
Written explanation refuting the Cardmember's
claim that goods were returned to your
business, or
If returned: a copy of your return policy, an
explanation of your procedures for disclosing it
to the Cardmember, and details explaining how
the Cardmember did not follow the return policy,
or
A copy of the charge record indicating the terms
and conditions of the purchase with details
explaining how the Cardmember did not follow
the policy, or
If goods/services refused: proof that the goods/
services were accepted (e.g. signed delivery slip
if the goods were delivered, screen print
showing use of the service if service was
provided via internet), or
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed.
Goods/services
canceled
The Cardmember claims
that the goods/services
ordered were canceled.
A copy of your cancellation policy, an
explanation of your procedures for disclosing it
to the Cardmember, and details explaining how
the Cardmember did not follow the cancellation
policy, or
A copy of the charge record indicating the terms
and conditions of the purchase and details
explaining how the Cardmember did not follow
the policy, or
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed.
Reason What It Means
What You Can Provide To Appeal
The Chargeback
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Chargebacks and Inquiries
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
Goods/services not
received or only
partially received
The Cardmember claims
to have not received (or
only partially received)
the goods/services.
Proof of Delivery including delivery date and full
shipping address, or
Proof that the services were provided and the
dates the services were provided, or
Signed completion of work order showing the
Cardmember received the services and dates
that the services were used/provided, or
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed, or
Evidence to prove that there is a direct
connection between the person who received
the goods and services and the Cardmember
(e.g., photographs, emails).
For airline transactions, one of the following must be
provided:
Evidence that the Cardmember or designated
passenger participated in the flight (e.g.,
scanned boarding pass or passenger manifest),
or
Credits of frequent flyer miles for the flight in
question, showing a direct connection to the
Cardmember, or
Proof flight in question was available during
airline bankruptcy proceedings, or
Additional transactions related to the original
transaction, such as seat upgrades, baggage
payment, or purchases made on board the
aircraft.
For internet transactions representing the sale of
internet electronic delivery charge, one of the
following must be provided:
Proof that the Cardmember's IP address at the
time of purchase matches the IP address where
the digital goods were downloaded, or
Proof the Cardmember's email address provided
at the time of purchase matches the email
address used to deliver the digital goods, or
Proof that the Merchant's website was
accessed by the Cardmember for services after
the transaction date.
Reason What It Means
What You Can Provide To Appeal
The Chargeback
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Chargebacks and Inquiries
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
Goods/services not
received or only
partially received
(continued)
The Cardmember claims
to have not received (or
only partially received)
the goods/services.
(continued)
Note: In addition to the above, one of the following
may also be provided:
Description of the digital goods, or
Date and time the digital goods were
downloaded.
For Card Not Present transactions where the goods
are picked up at the Merchant's location:
The Merchant must provide the Cardmember
signature on the pickup form as well as
additional proof to demonstrate that the identity
of the Cardmember was verified at the time of
pickup.
Paid by other
means
The Cardmember has
provided us with proof
of payment by another
method.
Documentation showing that the Cardmember's
other form of payment was not related to the
disputed charge, or
Proof that the Cardmember provided consent to
use the Card as a valid form of payment for the
disputed charge, or
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed.
"No show" or
CARDeposit
canceled
The Cardmember claims
to have canceled a
lodging reservation or a
credit for a CARDeposit
charge was not received
by the Cardmember.
Documentation that supports the validity of the
"no show" reservation or CARDeposit charge, or
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed.
Canceled recurring
billing
Cardmember claims to
have canceled or
attempted to cancel
recurring billing charges
for goods or services.
Please discontinue all
future billing for this
recurring billing charge.
A copy of your cancellation policy, an
explanation of your procedures for disclosing it
to the Cardmember, and details explaining how
the Cardmember did not follow the cancellation
policy, or
Proof that the Cardmember has not canceled
and continues to use the service or receive the
goods, or
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed.
Reason What It Means
What You Can Provide To Appeal
The Chargeback
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Chargebacks and Inquiries
This document contains sensitive, confidential and trade secret information, and must not be October 2017 80
disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
Goods/services not
as described
The Cardmember claims
to have received goods/
services that are
different than the
written description
provided at the time of
the charge.
Proof refuting the Cardmember's claim that the
written description differs from the goods/
services received, or
Proof that the Cardmember agreed to accept the
goods/services as provided, or
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed, or
Proof that goods and services matched what
was described at time of purchase (e.g.,
photographs, emails).
For goods or services purchased by the Cardmember
that were received in a damaged or defective state,
the Merchant must provide one or more of the
following items:
Show that an attempt was made by the
Merchant to repair or replace damaged or
defective goods or to provide replacement
services.
If returned, state how the Cardmember did not
comply with the Merchant's clearly documented
cancellation, return policy or applicable law and
regulations.
Show that the Cardmember agreed to accept the
goods or services "as is."
Goods/services
damaged or
defective
The Cardmember claims
to have received
damaged or defective
goods/services.
Proof refuting the Cardmember's claim that the
goods/services were damaged or defective
(provided that, in the case of goods, they were
not returned to you), or
Proof that the Cardmember agreed to accept the
goods as delivered, or
Proof that the goods/services were not returned
to you, or
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed.
Vehicle rental–
capital damages
The Cardmember claims
to have been incorrectly
billed for capital
damages.
Proof that the Cardmember agreed to and signed
an acknowledgment of responsibility for capital
damages and that the charge did not exceed
110% of the agreed-upon amount, or
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed.
Reason What It Means
What You Can Provide To Appeal
The Chargeback
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Chargebacks and Inquiries
This document contains sensitive, confidential and trade secret information, and must not be October 2017 81
disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
Vehicle rental–
theft or loss of use
The Cardmember claims
to have been incorrectly
charged for theft, loss
of use, or other fees
related to theft or loss
of use of a rental
vehicle.
Proof that the charge was valid and not for theft,
loss of use, or other fees related to theft or loss
of use of the rental vehicle, or
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed.
Fraud
Missing imprint The Cardmember claims
they did not participate
in this charge and you
have not provided a
copy of an imprint of the
Card.
Note: Not applicable to
Card Not Present
charges or charges that
qualify under the Keyed
No Imprint Program.
Proof that the charge qualifies under the Keyed
No Imprint Program, or
Proof that this was a Card Not Present charge,
or
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed.
Missing signature The Cardmember claims
they did not participate
in this charge and you
have not provided a
copy of the
Cardmember's
signature to support the
charge.
Note: Not applicable to
Card Not Present
charges, Digital Wallet
application-initiated
transactions, and
Digital Wallet
contactless-initiated
transactions, charges at
CATs or charges that
qualify under the No
Signature/No PIN
Program. A Digital
Wallet magnetic secure
transmission
transaction is subject to
the missing signature
(F14) Chargeback. For
these transactions, a
signature above the
current No Signature/
No PIN Program
thresholds is required.
Proof that this was a Card Not Present charge,
or
Proof that the charge qualifies under the No
Signature/No PIN Program, or
Proof that the charge was completed at a
customer activated terminal (CAT), or
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed.
Reason What It Means
What You Can Provide To Appeal
The Chargeback
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Chargebacks and Inquiries
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
No Cardmember
authorization
The Cardmember denies
participation in the
charge you submitted
and you have failed to
provide proof that the
Cardmember
participated in the
charge.
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed.
Card Not Present The Cardmember denies
participation in a mail
order, telephone order,
or internet charge.
Note: Not applicable to
Digital Wallet
application-initiated
transactions.
Proof that the Cardmember participated in the
charge (e.g., billing authorization, usage details,
proof of delivery to the Cardmember's billing
address, contract), or
Proof that you attempted to validate the CID and
you did not receive a response or you received
an "unchecked" response, or
Proof that you validated the address via
authorization and shipped goods to the validated
address, or
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed, or
Proof that the transaction contains a shipping
address that matches a previously used shipping
address from an undisputed transaction.
For airline transactions, one of the following must be
provided:
Evidence the Cardmember participated in the
flight (e.g., scanned boarding pass or passenger
manifest), or
Credits of frequent flyer miles for the flight in
question, showing a direct connection to the
Cardmember, or
Proof of receipt of the flight ticket at the
Cardmember's billing address, or
Proof that the transaction contains the
designated passenger name that matches a
previously used passenger name from an
undisputed transaction.
Reason What It Means
What You Can Provide To Appeal
The Chargeback
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Chargebacks and Inquiries
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
EMV Counterfeit The Cardmember denies
participation in the
Charge and a
counterfeit chip Card
was used at a POS
system where the
Transaction was not
processed as a chip
transaction because
either the POS system
was not an enabled
chip-and-PIN POS
system or the
Transaction was
manually keyed.
Note: Not applicable
for contactless
Transactions and Digital
Wallet payments.
Proof that this was a Card Not Present charge,
Proof that the POS system processed a chip Card
Transaction, or
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
Disputed Charge has already been processed.
EMV lost/stolen/
non-received
The Cardmember denies
participation in the
Charge and chip Card
with PIN capabilities
was lost/stolen/non-
received and was used
at a POS system where
the transaction was not
processed as a chip
Card Transaction with
PIN validation because
either the POS system is
not an enabled chip-
and-PIN POS system, or
the Transaction was
manually keyed.
Note: Not applicable to
contactless transactions
and Digital Wallet
payments, and Charges
that qualify under the
No Signature/No PIN
Program.
Proof that this was a Card Not Present charge,
Proof that the POS system processed a chip Card
Transaction with PIN validated, or
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
Disputed Charge has already been processed.
Reason What It Means
What You Can Provide To Appeal
The Chargeback
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Chargebacks and Inquiries
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
Inquiry/Miscellaneous
Insufficient
reply
Complete support
and/or
documentation
were not provided
as requested.
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed.
No reply We did not receive
your response to
our Inquiry within
the specified time
frame.
Proof you responded to the original Inquiry
within the specified time frame, or
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed.
Chargeback
authorization
We have received
your authorization
to process
Chargeback for the
charge.
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed.
Processing Errors
Unassigned Card
number
You have submitted a
charge using an invalid
or otherwise incorrect
Card number.
Note: You may resubmit
the charge to us if you
are able to verify and
provide the correct Card
number.
Copy of the imprint that confirms Card number,
or
Proof that you obtained an authorization
approval for such Card number, or
Copy of the charge record from the terminal that
electronically read the Card number, or
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed.
Credit processed as
charge
The Cardmember claims
the charge you
submitted should have
been submitted as a
credit.
Proof that the charge was submitted correctly, or
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
charge has already been processed.
Charge processed
as credit
The Cardmember claims
the credit you submitted
should have been
submitted as a charge.
Proof that the credit was submitted correctly, or
Proof that a charge that directly offsets the
credit has already been processed.
Reason What It Means
What You Can Provide To Appeal
The Chargeback
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Chargebacks and Inquiries
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
11.3 Tips for Avoiding Chargebacks
Inquiries can be expensive and time consuming for all parties involved. Follow these general
steps and you may avoid unnecessary Inquiries and Chargebacks:
Keep track of all Charge Records.
Issue Credits immediately after determining that a Credit is due.
Disclose all terms and conditions of your sale/return/exchange/cancellation policies at
the point of sale, on all Charge Records and customer receipts, and on your website.
Contact your Merchant Services Provider to make sure the name that you provide in your
Submission matches your business name.
Submit Charges only after goods have been shipped or services have been provided.
Advise Cardmembers when goods or services will be delivered or completed, and
always advise the Cardmember of any delays.
Obtain a Cardmember's signature whenever completing a service or work order.
Incorrect charge
amount
The charge amount you
submitted differs from
the amount the
Cardmember agreed to
pay.
Proof that the Cardmember agreed to the
amount submitted, or
Proof that the Cardmember was advised of and
agreed to pay for any additional or delayed
charges using the Card the charge was
submitted to, or
Itemized contract/documentation substantiating
the charge amount submitted, or
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed.
Late submission The charge was not
submitted within the
required time frame.
Proof the charge was submitted within the
required time frame, or
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed.
Duplicate charge The individual charge
was submitted more
than once.
Documentation showing that each charge is
valid, or
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed.
Non-matching Card
number
The Card number in the
submission does not
match the Card number
in the original charge.
Copy of the Card imprint confirming the Card
number, or
Copy of the charge record from the terminal that
electronically read the Card number, or
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed.
Currency
discrepancy
The charge was
incurred in an invalid
currency.
Proof that a credit which directly offsets the
disputed charge has already been processed.
Reason What It Means
What You Can Provide To Appeal
The Chargeback
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Chargebacks and Inquiries
This document contains sensitive, confidential and trade secret information, and must not be October 2017 86
disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
Encourage Cardmembers at the point of sale to contact your business directly should
there be any problems with their purchase. Include your telephone number or web
address and an appropriate description of goods or services purchased in your
Submission.
Inform Cardmembers of your business name that will appear on their billing statement.
Provide a cancellation number when applicable.
Remind the Cardmember to retain any documents you have provided, along with
shipping information when applicable.
Contents
Merchant Operating Guide
Specific Industries
Specific Industries12
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Auto Dealers
12.3 Business-to-Business (B2B)/ Wholesale Distribution
12.4 Charitable Donations
12.5 E-Commerce Businesses
12.6 Government/Utilities/Education
12.7 Insurance
12.8 Internet/Online Pharmacies
12.9 Oil/Petroleum
12.10 Online/Mail Order Tobacco Retail
12.11 Parking
12.12 Rental Establishments
12.13 Restaurants
12.14 Travel Industries
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Specific Industries
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
12.1 Introduction
This section states additional policies and procedures applicable to Merchants classified in
specific industries. All other provisions and requirements of the Agreement apply to these
Merchants as well. To the extent possible, the provisions of this Chapter 12, "
Specific
Industries" and the other provisions of the Merchant Operating Guide shall be interpreted to
give each their full effect. However, if a conflict is deemed to exist between them, then the
provisions of this Chapter 12, "
Specific Industries" shall govern.
12.2 Auto Dealers
This section applies to Merchants classified in an auto dealer industry.
The following requirements will apply to Charges for the down payment or the entire
purchase price of new and used motor vehicles.
You may accept the Card for down payment of a motor vehicle, subject to the following
provisions:
You must not submit a Charge for the down payment price of a used motor vehicle
unless and until you have a written agreement/bill of sale signed by the Cardmember
setting forth the terms of the sale, including down payment price, and your cancellation
policy.
In addition to other Chargeback rights, American Express also has Chargeback rights for
any portion of the Charge for the down payment price of a used motor vehicle which is
disputed by the Cardmember, if such Disputed Charge cannot be resolved in your favor
based upon unambiguous language contained in the written agreement/bill of sale.
Should a Cardmember exercise his or her right to rescind the written agreement/bill of
sale during any rescission period set forth in the Cardmember's agreement with you or
at law, you shall submit a Credit to your Merchant Services Provider promptly.
If you are classified as an auto dealer of used motor vehicles exclusively, the down
payment must not exceed 50% of the full purchase price of the motor vehicle.
If the Cardmember denies making or authorizing the Charge, American Express will have
Chargeback rights for such Charge in addition to its other Chargeback rights.
You may also accept the Card for the entire purchase price of a new or used motor vehicle,
subject to the following provisions:
You are classified as an auto dealer of new or new and used motor vehicles (i.e., your
dealership sells new motor vehicles exclusively or both new and used motor vehicles).
The amount of the Charge does not exceed the total price of the motor vehicle after
deduction of applicable discounts, taxes, rebates, cash down payments, and trade-in
values.
You must not submit a Charge for the entire purchase price of a new or used motor
vehicle unless and until you have a written agreement/bill of sale signed by the
Cardmember setting forth the terms of the sale, including purchase price, delivery date
and your cancellation policy.
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Specific Industries
This document contains sensitive, confidential and trade secret information, and must not be October 2017 89
disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
In addition to other Chargeback rights, American Express also has Chargeback rights for
any portion of the Charge for the entire purchase price of a new or used motor vehicle
which is disputed by the Cardmember, if such Disputed Charge cannot be resolved in
your favor based upon unambiguous language contained in the written agreement/bill of
sale.
Should a Cardmember exercise his or her right to rescind the written agreement/bill of
sale during any rescission period set forth in the Cardmember's agreement with you or
at law, you shall submit a Credit to your Merchant Services Provider promptly.
If the Cardmember denies making or authorizing the Charge and you have not
transferred title or physical possession of the motor vehicle to the Cardmember,
American Express will have Chargeback rights for such Charge in addition to its other
Chargeback rights.
12.3 Business-to-Business (B2B)/ Wholesale Distribution
If you are classified in the business-to-business (B2B) or wholesale distribution industries,
and it is determined that you are not in the Telecommunications industry, then
notwithstanding the prohibition in Section 3.3, "
Prohibited Uses of the Card", you may accept
the Card for overdue amounts to the extent that acceptance of overdue amounts is a common
practice in your industry and does not constitute an attempt to obtain payment from the
Cardmember whose prior methods of payment have been difficult to collect or uncollectable.
An indicator of such difficulty, for example, may be the fact that you have sent an overdue
customer account to collections.
For the purposes of Section 6.4, "
Submission Requirements – Electronic", a Charge submitted
by your Establishments classified in the foregoing industries will be deemed "incurred" on
the date the Cardmember indicates to you that the Cardmember will pay for the goods or
services purchased with the Card, so long as:
this is a common practice in your industry, and
does not constitute an attempt to obtain payment from the Cardmember when prior
methods of payment have been difficult to collect or uncollectable.
Notwithstanding the restriction in Section 6.4, "
Submission Requirements – Electronic", you
must not submit any Charge until the goods have been shipped or services have been
provided to the Cardmember. To the extent that you have clearly disclosed your intentions to
the Cardmember and the Cardmember agrees, then you may submit the following types of
Charges to your Merchant Services Provider before you ship the goods to the Cardmember:
Charges representing deposits on custom and special orders (so long as you comply with
Applicable Law) or goods not in inventory at the time the order is placed.
Charges representing advance, partial, or full payment for goods that the Cardmember
requests you to ship at a later date.
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Specific Industries
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
12.4 Charitable Donations
If it is determined that you are a non-profit organization incorporated or registered under
Applicable Law, and recognized as an Entity qualifying for tax exemption under Section
501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service Code (Code), then:
You must provide your Merchant Services Provider, on request, documentation of such
tax exempt status.
You may accept the Card for charitable donations that:
are tax deductible to the payor as a charitable contribution under the Code, or
include the receipt of an item or service of value (such as a meal or admission to an
event or other incentive) where at least a portion of the amount is tax-deductible to
the payor as a charitable contribution under the Code.
12.5 E-Commerce Businesses
If you are operating a website or e-commerce business, you must include the following
website information display requirements on your website:
An accurate description of the goods/services offered, including the currency type for
the Transaction. Transaction currency must be in U.S. Dollars.
Your physical address in the United States, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
An email address and a telephone number for customer service disputes.
Return/refund policy.
A description of your delivery policy (e.g., No COD, No overnight).
A description of your security practices (e.g., information highlighting security practices
you use to secure Transactions on your systems, including Transactions conducted on
the Internet).
A statement of known export restrictions, tariffs, and any other regulations.
A privacy statement regarding the type of personal information collected and how the
information is used. Additionally, you must provide to customers the option to decline being
included in marketing campaigns or having their personal information included on lists sold
to third parties.
12.6 Government/Utilities/Education
This section applies to Merchants classified in the government, utilities, or certain education
industries (i.e. higher education, private school–kindergarten to grade 12).
Customers should feel free to use all forms of payment that you accept without being
penalized for choosing a particular form of payment. To promote consumer choice, you are
generally prohibited from imposing any restrictions, conditions, or disadvantages when the
Card is accepted that are not imposed equally on all Other Payment Products. See
Section 3.2, "
Treatment of the American Express Brand".
You must not impose a higher convenience fee, whether in the form of a flat fee or as a
percentage of the final Transaction amount, on Charges than you impose on Other Payment
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Products, except for automated clearing house funds transfers, cash, and checks. American
Express views discrimination against Cardmembers as a breach of the Agreement.
If you are classified in the government, utilities, or education sectors, you may assess
convenience fees on Charges, provided that they comply with the other requirements of this
section.
You must clearly disclose the amount of convenience fees to the customer, which may
include itemization on the customer receipt, invoice, or confirmation email, and give the
customer the opportunity to cancel the Charge if the customer does not want to pay the
convenience fee.
Any explanation, verbal or written, describing why the convenience fee is being assessed or
how it is calculated, must characterize the convenience fee as an assessment to cover your
administrative costs, and not as an assessment to cover your cost of accepting the Card.
Your Merchant Services Provider can only assess a convenience fee when it accepts the Card
for the foregoing Charges in compliance with the requirements of this section.
12.7 Insurance
This section contains provisions specific to Merchants classified in the insurance industry.
American Express undertakes no responsibility on your behalf for the collection or timely
remittance of premiums. American Express will not be subject to any liability, under any
circumstances, for any claim arising from, or related to, any insurance policy you issued. You
must indemnify, defend, and hold harmless American Express and its Affiliates, successors,
assigns, and Issuers, from and against all damages, liabilities, losses, costs, and expenses,
including legal fees, to Cardmembers (or former Cardmembers) arising or alleged to have
arisen from your termination or other action regarding their insurance coverage; breach,
negligent or wrongful act or omission; failure to perform under the Agreement; or failure in
the provision of your or their goods or services.
If the Card is accepted as payment for fixed rate cash value life insurance policies or fixed
rate annuities under the Agreement, you represent and warrant that the fixed rate cash value
life insurance policies and fixed rate annuities for which the Card will be accepted for
premium payments are not securities requiring registration under the Securities Act of 1933,
and, in addition to your other indemnification obligations to American Express, you must
further indemnify, defend, and hold harmless American Express and American Express’
Affiliates, successors, assigns and Issuers from and against all damages, liabilities, losses,
costs, and expenses, including legal fees, arising or alleged to have arisen from you or your
Agencies breach of this representation and warranty.
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12.8 Internet/Online Pharmacies
If you are classified or it is otherwise determined that you are an internet/online pharmacy
Merchant that accepts the Card for sales of prescription medications (as defined by
Applicable Law) in the Card Not Present environment:
You must be certified by the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites program of the
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (www.nabp.net
), or
You or your authorized representative must attest that you comply with the licensing and
inspection requirements of (i) U.S. federal law and the jurisdiction in which you are
located and (ii) each jurisdiction to which you dispense pharmaceuticals.
Upon request, you or your Merchant Services Provider must promptly provide documentation
that you fulfill the foregoing requirements. Failure to provide this documentation promptly
may result in the cancellation or disentitlement of Card acceptance privileges.
Specific procedures exist for Transaction processing by internet/online Merchants. These
procedures appear in Section 4.5, "
Processing a Card Not Present Charge".
12.9 Oil/Petroleum
If you are classified in the oil and petroleum industry, Chargeback will not be exercised up to
a certain dollar amount for Charges that qualify under the Oil Fraud Protection Program (see
Subsection 12.9.3, "
Oil Fraud Protection Program". For information about CATs, see
Section 4.4, "
Customer Activated Terminals".
12.9.1 Oil/Petroleum Requirements
You must:
Use a Merchant Number assigned by your Merchant Services Provider for your CAT gas
pump sales.
Submit dealer location data along with each Authorization request and each Submission
file. Dealer location data consists of your business:
dealer number (store number)
name
street address
city
postal code
12.9.2 Oil/Petroleum Recommendations
American Express has implemented several policies and fraud prevention tools to assist in
combating fraud at the gasoline pump. Work with your Merchant Services Provider for
additional information on these policies and to determine which fraud prevention tools are
supported.
American Express recommends that you:
Set a pre-Authorization request of $100 at your CAT gas pumps.
For higher Charges such as diesel, adjust the pre-Authorization amount to accommodate
the higher Charges.
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Set your CAT gas pumps to shut off when they reach the pre-Authorization amount.
Request a separate Authorization for purchases that exceed the original pre-
Authorization amount.
12.9.3 Oil Fraud Protection Program
The Oil Fraud Protection Program addresses counterfeit fraud Chargebacks at fuel pump
Customer Activated Terminals (CATs). Under this program, American Express will not exercise
Chargeback for the amount of the Charge up to $100 provided that both the Establishment
and each Charge meet the following criteria:
the Authorization request meets the data requirements listed in Section 4.4, "
Customer
Activated Terminals",
the Authorization request and Submission file must include the correct Merchant
Category Code (MCC) for “automated fuel dispensers” (5542),
the Issuer determines that the Card used to initiate the Charge was counterfeit, and
the Establishment qualified for Chargeback protection under the program at the time of
the Charge, as follows:
For an Establishment to qualify under the Oil Fraud Protection Program, it (i) must
authorize and submit Transactions under the unique Merchant Number (Seller ID)
assigned to the Establishment, and (ii) must have, in a given month, a counterfeit fraud
to Charge volume ratio below 1%. An Establishment whose counterfeit fraud to Charge
volume ratio rises to or exceeds 1% in a given month will not qualify under the Oil Fraud
Protection Program until the ratio falls below 1% for three (3) consecutive months.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Oil Fraud Protection Program does not apply to
Merchants that submit under one Merchant Number (Seller ID) consolidated Charges
from multiple Establishments (i.e., central submitters) or to the Establishments that
those Merchants submit on behalf of.
American Express offers a variety of fraud prevention tools which may enable Merchants to
reduce fraud in order to qualify and retain eligibility for the program. See Chapter 9, "
Fraud
Prevention" for more details.
12.10 Online/Mail Order Tobacco Retail
If you are classified or it is otherwise determined that you are an online or mail order (or
both) tobacco or e-cigarette Merchant, then you must provide the website address of the
online store from which you sell your tobacco products. If your website facilitates tobacco
sales, you may be required on request to provide an executed and notarized Affidavit of
Compliance with Laws - Online/Mail Order Tobacco. Failure to provide this documentation
promptly may result in the cancellation or disentitlement of Card acceptance privileges.
American Express may monitor your website. Contact your Merchant Services Provider for
additional information.
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12.11 Parking
This section contains provisions specific to Merchants classified in the parking industry.
When the number of parking days is agreed upon when the Cardmember leaves the motor
vehicle with you, or you provide a parking pass valid for a predetermined number of parking
days, you must submit the Charge immediately. If the number of parking days is not known
when the Cardmember leaves the motor vehicle with you, you must not submit the Charge
until the last day of parking. See Section 4.6, "
Charge Records" for additional information.
12.12 Rental Establishments
This section applies to Merchants classified in the Rental Establishments industries.
Customers should feel free to use all forms of payment that you accept without being
penalized for choosing a particular form of payment. To promote consumer choice, Merchants
are generally prohibited from imposing any restrictions, conditions, or disadvantages when
the Card is accepted that are not imposed equally on all Other Payment Products. See
Section 3.2, "
Treatment of the American Express Brand". You must not impose a higher
convenience fee, whether in the form of a flat fee or as a percentage of the final Transaction
amount, on Charges than you impose on Other Payment Products, except for automated
clearing house funds transfers, cash, and checks.
If you are classified as a Rental Establishment, you may assess convenience fees on
Charges, provided that you comply with the other requirements of Chapter 4, "
Transaction
Processing" and this section, as follows:
You must clearly disclose the amount of convenience fees to the customer, which may
include itemization on the customer receipt, invoice, or confirmation email, and give the
customer the opportunity to cancel the Charge if the customer does not want to pay the
convenience fee.
Any explanation, verbal or written, describing why the convenience fee is being
assessed, or how it is calculated, must characterize the convenience fee as an
assessment to cover your administrative costs and not as an assessment to cover your
cost of accepting the Card.
Your Merchant Services Provider can only assess a convenience fee when it accepts the Card
for Charges in compliance with the requirements of this section.
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12.13 Restaurants
If you are classified in the restaurant or bar industry, then the following Authorization
procedures apply where the final Charge amount is not known at the time of Authorization.
As of January 13, 2018, you must inform the Cardmember of any estimated amount for which
Authorization will be requested and obtain the Cardmember's consent to the estimated
amount before initiating the Authorization Request.
* American Express will maintain Chargeback rights for other reasons up to the amount of the entire submitted
Charge.
When submitting the Charge, only include the initial Approval. See Section 4.6, "Charge
Records" for additional information on paying a single bill with multiple Cards.
12.14 Travel Industries
Additional policies and procedures are applicable to Merchants classified in the lodging and
vehicle rental industries. In addition, the Assured Reservations Program is available to
Merchants in the lodging, trailer park/campground, vehicle, aircraft, bicycle, boat,
equipment, motor home, and motorcycle rentals (see Subsection 12.14.3, "
Assured
Reservations").
12.14.1 Lodging
This section applies to Merchants classified in the lodging industry, and includes special
Authorization procedures and programs for check-in and check-out. The Assured
Reservations and CARDeposit
®
programs allow certain Charges to be submitted that would
otherwise not be allowed by American Express.
Skimming is the theft of payment
Card information by an employee
of an Establishment who uses a
pocket-sized electronic device
(a.k.a. "skimmer") to copy
Cardmember information from the
Card's Magnetic Stripe. For Fraud
Prevention tools, see Chapter 9,
"Fraud Prevention".
For example:
If the Authorization was for $100
and the total bar tab, which
includes tax and tip, was no more
than $120, no further Authorization
is necessary. However, if the total
bar tab was $150, and you did not
obtain additional Authorization or
your Authorization request is
declined, then American Express
has Chargeback rights up to $30.
If Then
The final restaurant or bar Charge is
not greater than the Authorization
obtained for the estimated Charge
amount plus 20%
No additional Authorization is required.
The final restaurant or bar Charge
amount is greater than the
Authorization obtained for the
estimated Charge amount by more
than 20%
You must obtain an additional Authorization for the
amount of the Charge that exceeds the amount for
which you have already obtained Authorization. If (a)
you fail to obtain Authorization for the additional
amount, or (b) your request for such Authorization is
declined, and the Cardmember fails to pay the Charge
for any reason, American Express will have
Chargeback rights for Authorization* for the portion
of the final Charge amount in excess of the amount of
the Authorization amount obtained plus 20%.
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12.14.1.1 Lodging — Special Authorization Procedures
When Cardmembers opt to pay for lodging stays on the Card, you must follow these
procedures:
Upon check-in:
Determine the estimated amounts of Charges based upon the room rates and the
number of days that the Cardmember expects to stay, plus taxes and other known
incidental amounts (Estimated Lodging Charges).
As of January 13, 2018, you must inform the Cardmember of the Estimated Lodging
Charges for which Authorization will be requested and obtain the Cardmember's
consent to the estimated amount before initiating the Authorization Request.
Obtain Authorization for the full amount of the Estimated Lodging Charge.
Do not overestimate the Authorization amount.
An Authorization is valid for the duration of the lodging stay.
Upon check-out:
If Then
The final Charge amount charge is no
greater than the total of the Estimated
Lodging Charge plus 15% of the
Estimated Lodging Charge
No further Authorization is required.
The final Charge amount exceeds the
Estimated Lodging Charge by more
than 15%
You must obtain Authorization for any
additional Charge amount that exceeds the
Estimated Lodging Charge. If you a) fail to
obtain such Authorization for the additional
amount, or b) your request for such
Authorization is Declined, and the
Cardmember fails to pay the Charge for any
reason, American Express may exercise its
Chargeback rights for the portion of the final
Charge amount in excess of the Approved
Estimated Lodging Charge.
We recommend that you perform
an additional Authorization as
soon as the Charge amount
exceeds the original Authorization
by 15%. For example: If the
Cardmember extends the stay,
before allowing the additional
stay, obtain Authorization for the
additional stay (plus incidentals)
that exceeds the original
Authorization for estimated
amounts by 15%.
For example:
If the Authorization was for $1,000
and the total of lodging Charges
were no more than $1,150, no
further Authorization is necessary.
However, if the total lodging
Charges were $1,200, and you did
not obtain additional
Authorization, then American
Express would have Chargeback
rights up to $50.
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12.14.1.2 Assured Reservations — Lodging
Assured Reservations means a Cardmember's accommodation is guaranteed by you to be
held until the published check-out time on the date following the scheduled arrival date, as
indicated by the Cardmember when making the Assured Reservation. You must honor
Assured Reservations.
Lodging Merchants may submit "no show" charges, if they comply with the provisions of the
Assured Reservations Program and the Cardmember does not use or cancel the reservation in
accordance with program requirements.
Your Assured Reservations Program responsibilities include the following:
When accepting an Assured Reservation, you must advise the Cardmember that, if the
Cardmember does not claim the Assured Reservation, or cancel it within the time
specified in your stated reservation policy, the Cardmember may be charged for one (1)
night's lodging plus applicable taxes. If the Cardmember does not claim the Assured
Reservation or cancel in accordance with your stated reservation policy, you may bill the
Cardmember for a "no show" Charge.
If the Cardmember cancels an Assured Reservation, you must provide a cancellation
number to the Cardmember and maintain a record of the cancellation number.
Use the proper "no show" indicator, when submitting a "no show" Charge. If you are
unsure of how to transmit using this code, contact your Merchant Services Provider.
If you do not honor the Assured Reservations Program requirements your obligation to the
Cardmember is the following:
Pay for one (1) night's accommodation at a comparable property, located nearby.
Pay for transportation to the alternate location.
Pay for a three (3)-minute telephone call.
Use good faith efforts to forward all communications to the Cardmember at the
alternate location.
Failure to meet the previously-mentioned obligations may result in a Chargeback if the
Cardmember disputes a "no show" Charge.
If American Express receives disproportionate numbers of Disputed "no show" Charges, you
must work with your Merchant Services Provider to reduce the number of disputes. If such
efforts fail to reduce the number of disputes, you may be placed in a Chargeback program.
12.14.1.3 CARDeposit Program
As a lodging Merchant, if you require room deposits, you must participate in the CARDeposit
program. You must accept the Card for payment of CARDeposits. Your CARDeposit program
responsibilities include the following:
Follow all requirements for an Advance Payment Charge, as described in Section 4.12,
"Advance Payment Charges".
Upon arrival, the Cardmember must show the Card. If the Cardmember does not have
the Card, other identification must be shown.
CARDeposit Program
A program that permits
Cardmembers to charge the
payment of an Advance Payment
Charge to their Cards when a
deposit is required.
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Ensure the Charge Record contains the words "CARDeposit" on the Cardmember
signature line or, for Charge Records submitted electronically, the appropriate indicator
on the Charge Data. If you are unsure of how to submit the Charge using the appropriate
indicator, contact your Merchant Services Provider.
12.14.1.4 Emergency Check-in
If a Cardmember whose Card is lost or stolen requests check-in, you must call your Merchant
Services Provider, request "Authorization for an Emergency Check-in," and follow the
instructions.
If Then
The CARDeposit is
canceled
You must send a written cancellation notice showing the
cancellation number to the Cardmember within three (3)
business days from the date of such cancellation. If a
refund is due, pursuant to your advance deposit
cancellation policy, you must include the appropriate
indicator or submit a Credit form with the words
"CARDeposit Cancellation" on the Cardmember signature
line. If you are unsure of how to submit using the
appropriate indicator, contact your Merchant Services
Provider.
An arrival date of a
CARDeposit is changed
You must send the Cardmember a written confirmation of
the change within three (3) business days from the date the
reservation was changed.
You are unable to honor a
CARDeposit that was not
previously canceled
Your obligation to the Cardmember includes the following:
You must issue a Credit for the CARDeposit.
You must pay for accommodations at a comparable
location nearby, until the duration of the original
reservation expires (up to fourteen (14) nights) or until
accommodations become available at the original
location, whichever occurs first.
You must provide transportation to and from the
alternate location once a day until the original
accommodations are available.
You must pay for one, three (3)-minute call to advise of
the move to the alternate location, and one, three
(3)-minute call to advise of the return to the original
location.
CARDeposit Program
A program that permits
Cardmembers to charge the
payment of an Advance Payment
Charge to their Cards when a
deposit is required.
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12.14.2 Vehicle Rentals
This section applies to Merchants classified in the vehicle rental industry. When
Cardmembers opt to pay for vehicle rentals (not to exceed four (4) consecutive months) on
the Card, you must comply with these procedures.
12.14.2.1 Vehicle Rentals — Special Authorization Procedures
Upon rental of the vehicle:
Determine the estimated amount of the Charge (Estimated Vehicle Rental Charge). The
Estimated Vehicle Rental Charge shall be determined by multiplying the rental rate by
the rental period reserved by the Cardmember, plus any known incidentals. You must not
overestimate this amount or include an amount for any possible damage to or theft of
the vehicle.
As of January 13, 2018, you must inform the Cardmember of the Estimated Vehicle
Rental Charge for which Authorization will be requested and obtain the Cardmember's
consent to the estimated amount before initiating the Authorization Request.
Obtain Authorization for the full amount of the Estimated Vehicle Charge.
If you fail to obtain Authorization for the Estimated Vehicle Rental Charge and submit
the Charge, and the Cardmember fails to pay the Charge for any reason, American
Express will have Chargeback rights for the full amount of the Charge.
An Authorization for Estimated Vehicle Rental Charges is valid for the duration of the
rental agreement.
Upon return of the vehicle:
We recommend that you perform
an additional Authorization as
soon as the Charge amount
exceeds the original Authorization
by 15%. For example: If the
Cardmember extends their rental
period, before allowing the
additional rental period, obtain
Authorization for the additional
rental cost (plus incidentals) that
exceeds the original Authorization
for estimated amounts by 15%.
For example:
If the Authorization was for
$1,000, and the final rental
amount was no more than $1,150,
no further Authorization is
necessary. However, if the total
final rental amount was $1,200,
and you did not obtain additional
Authorization, then American
Express will have Chargeback
rights up to $50.
If Then
The final Charge amount does not
exceed the Estimated Vehicle
Rental Charge plus 15%
No further Authorization is required.
The final Charge exceeds the
Estimated Vehicle Rental Charge by
more than 15%
You must obtain Authorization for any additional
Charge amount that exceeds the Estimated Vehicle
Rental Charge. If you a) do not obtain an
Authorization for the additional amount, or b) request
Authorization for the additional amount but
Authorization is declined, and the Cardmember fails
to pay the Charge for any reason, American Express
will have Chargeback rights for the portion of the
final Charge amount in excess of the Approved
Estimated Vehicle Rental Charge plus 15%.
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12.14.2.2 Prepayment on Vehicle Rentals
If you permit Cardmembers to make Charges with the Card for vehicle rentals where
Cardmembers elect to prepay for a vehicle rental over the phone, at the counter, and via your
company websites (not on any other third-party reservation system) (Prepaid Rental), you
must:
Follow all requirements for an Advance Payment Charge, as described in Section 4.12,
"Advance Payment Charges".
Ensure that your vehicle rental contract with the Cardmember contains the terms and
conditions of said reservation and cancellation policies.
12.14.2.3 Assured Reservations — Vehicle Rentals
Assured Reservations means a Cardmember's reservation is guaranteed by you to be held
until the vehicle return time, as indicated by the Cardmember when making the Assured
Reservation. You must honor Assured Reservations.
Vehicle Rental Merchants may submit "no show" charges, if they comply with the provisions
of the Assured Reservations Program and the Cardmember does not use or cancel the
reservation in accordance with program requirements. See Subsection 12.14.3, "
Assured
Reservations" for details.
12.14.2.4 Capital Damages
If a Cardmember voluntarily opts to use the Card to pay for property damage to a rented
vehicle (Capital Damages), you may accept the Card, provided you have complied with all of
the following conditions for payments of such items:
The Card was used for the vehicle rental at the time the vehicle was checked out.
A Cardmember decides to extend a
rental period
You must request Authorization for the estimated
Charge amount that will be in excess of the
Estimated Vehicle Rental Charge.
Authorization approved – If Authorization is granted,
the amount of the subsequent Authorization will be
added to the original Estimated Vehicle Rental
Charge and that total will be considered the
Estimated Vehicle Rental Charge.
Authorization declined – If Authorization is declined,
the original Estimated Vehicle Rental Charge amount
will remain the Estimated Vehicle Rental Charge.
Any additional Charges not
previously approved for
Authorization are incurred when the
vehicle is returned
You must request Authorization for the additional
amount not previously approved for Authorization.
A Cardmember opts to use Prepaid
Cards upon return of the vehicle
when the final Charge is known
You must obtain Authorization for the full Charge
amount to be placed on the Prepaid Card. See "Split
Tender" in Section 5.12, "
Additional Authorization
Requirements" for additional information.
If Then
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You must provide in writing, to the Cardmember, an itemized list of specific damages
which have occurred.
You must secure from the Cardmember written acknowledgement of responsibility for
the Capital Damages. The Cardmember's acknowledgement must be made freely and
without any threat or duress.
You must advise the Cardmember, in writing, of the total estimated amount for which
the Cardmember may be responsible. No amounts in excess of 110% of the disclosed
amount shall be charged to the Cardmember's Card, without the express prior written
consent of the Cardmember.
A description of the damage, acknowledgement of responsibility, and designation of the
estimated amount of damage will be set forth on a single form (Acknowledgement of
Responsibility Form). See Appendix A, "Acknowledgment of Responsibility"
for a copy of
the form.
You must obtain Authorization for the amount of the Capital Damages each time an
Acknowledgment of Responsibility Form is completed.
On each occasion the Cardmember has chosen to use the Card for Capital Damages, you
must prepare a Charge Record separate from the Charge Record for the rental. You must
adhere to all requirements outlined in Chapter 4, "
Transaction Processing" for the
completion of the Charge Record. In addition, you must observe the following:
After the exact amount of the Capital Damages has been determined, you must
provide the Cardmember with itemized notice of damages; insert the amount of the
Capital Damages on the Charge Record (in no event in excess of the estimated
amount plus 10% agreed to by the Cardmember in the Acknowledgment of
Responsibility Form).
For Charge Records submitted on paper or by other non-electronic means, you must
write "Capital Damages" on the signature line; for electronic Submission you must
provide the indicator. For instructions on how to provide the indicator, contact your
Merchant Services Provider.
In addition to the other Chargeback rights contained in the Agreement, American
Express may exercise its Chargeback rights with respect to any Charge for Capital
Damages that is not submitted in accordance with all the procedures outlined in
Chapter 4, "
Transaction Processing", Section 12.14.2, "Vehicle Rentals", and within
the Agreement.
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12.14.3 Assured Reservations
Assured Reservations means:
For accommodation reservations (including hotel and trailer park/campground): a
Cardmember's accommodation is guaranteed by you to be held until the published
check-out time on the date following the scheduled arrival date, as indicated by the
Cardmember when making the Assured Reservation.
For vehicle, aircraft, bicycle, boat, equipment, motor home, and motorcycle rentals: a
Cardmember's reservation is guaranteed by you to be held until the return time, as
indicated by the Cardmember when making the Assured Reservation.
You must honor Assured Reservations. You may submit "no show" Charges, if you comply
with the provisions of the Assured Reservations Program and the Cardmember does not use
or cancel the reservation in accordance with program requirements.
Your Assured Reservations Program responsibilities include the following:
When accepting an Assured Reservation, you must advise the Cardmember that, if the
Cardmember does not claim the Assured Reservation, or cancel it within the time
specified in your stated reservation policy, you may bill the Cardmember for a "no show"
Charge as follows:
For accommodation reservations (including hotel and trailer park/campground): one
(1) night's accommodation plus applicable taxes.
For vehicle, aircraft, bicycle, boat, equipment, motor home, and motorcycle rentals:
one (1) day’s rental or the daily/hourly incremental equivalent of the rental rate
agreed upon in the rental agreement, plus applicable taxes.
If the Cardmember cancels an Assured Reservation, you must provide a cancellation
number to the Cardmember and maintain a record of the cancellation number.
Use the proper "no show" indicator, when submitting a "no show" Charge. If you are
unsure of how to transmit using this code, contact your Merchant Services Provider.
If you do not honor the Assured Reservation Program requirements, you must provide
comparable accommodations, and/or services, when reasonably available, at no additional
cost to the Cardmember, in accordance with the rental agreement. Merchants classified in
the Lodging industry are also subject to the requirements set forth in Subsection 12.14.1.2,
"Assured Reservations — Lodging".
Failure to satisfy the previously-mentioned obligations may result in a Chargeback if the
Cardmember disputes a "no show" Charge.
If a disproportionate numbers of Disputed "no show" Charges are received, you must work to
reduce the number of disputes. If such efforts fail to reduce the number of disputes, you may
be placed in a Chargeback program.
Assured Reservations
Program
The Assured Reservation Program
allows Cardmembers to contact a
participating property or rental
agency to make an Assured
Reservation and guarantee the
reservation by giving their
American Express Card. The
Assured Reservation Program is
available to the following
industries: hotel, trailer park/
campground, vehicle, aircraft,
bicycle, boat, equipment, motor
home, and motorcycle rentals.
Contents
Merchant Operating Guide
Dispute Resolution
Dispute Resolution13
13.1 Arbitration Agreement (as to Claims involving American Express)
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Dispute Resolution
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13.1 Arbitration Agreement (as to Claims involving American Express)
In the event that Merchant or Merchant Services Provider is not able to resolve a Claim
against American Express, or a claim against Merchant Services Provider or any other entity
that American Express has a right to join in resolving a Claim, this section explains how
Claims can be resolved through arbitration. Merchant or American Express may elect to
resolve any Claim by individual, binding arbitration. Claims are decided by a neutral
arbitrator.
If arbitration is chosen by any party, neither Merchant nor Merchant Services
Provider nor American Express will have the right to litigate that Claim in court or
have a jury trial on that Claim. Further, Merchant, Merchant Services Provider, and
American Express will not have the right to participate in a representative
capacity or as a member of any class pertaining or be a named party to a class-
action with respect to any Claim for which any party elects arbitration. Arbitration
procedures are generally simpler than the rules that apply in court, and discovery
is more limited. The arbitrator's decisions are as enforceable as any court order
and are subject to very limited review by a court. Except as set forth below, the
arbitrator's decision will be final and binding. Other rights Merchant, Merchant
Services Provider, or American Express would have in court may also not be
available in arbitration.
i. Initiation of Arbitration. Claims will be referred to either JAMS or AAA, as selected by
the party electing arbitration. Claims will be resolved pursuant to this Arbitration Agreement
and the selected organization's rules in effect when the Claim is filed, except where those
rules conflict with the Agreement. Contact JAMS or AAA to begin an arbitration or for other
information. Claims may be referred to another arbitration organization if all parties agree in
writing, or to an arbitrator appointed pursuant to section 5 of the Federal Arbitration Act, 9
U.S.C. §§ 1-16 (FAA). Any arbitration hearing that Merchant attends shall take place in New
York, New York unless all parties agree to an alternate venue.
ii. Limitations on Arbitration. If any party elects to resolve a Claim by arbitration,
that Claim will be arbitrated on an individual basis. There will be no right or
authority for any Claims to be arbitrated on a class action basis or on bases
involving Claims brought in a purported representative capacity on behalf of the
general public, other merchants or other persons or entities similarly situated. The
arbitrator's authority is limited to Claims between Merchant, Merchant Services Provider,
and American Express. Claims may not be joined or consolidated unless all parties to this
agreement agree in writing. An arbitration award and any judgment confirming it will apply
only to the specific case brought by Merchant, Merchant Services Provider or American
Express and cannot be used in any other case except to enforce the award as between
Merchant, Merchant Services Provider and American Express. This prohibition is intended to,
and does, preclude Merchant from participating in any action by any trade association or
other organization against American Express. Notwithstanding any other provision and
without waiving the right to appeal such decision, if any portion of these Limitations on
Arbitration is deemed invalid or unenforceable, then the entire Arbitration provision (other
than this sentence) will not apply.
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Dispute Resolution
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iii. Previously Filed Claims/No Waiver. Merchant, Merchant Services Provider, or
American Express may elect to arbitrate any Claim that has been filed in court at any time
before trial has begun or final judgment has been entered on the Claim. Merchant, Merchant
Services Provider, or American Express may choose to delay enforcing or to not exercise
rights under this arbitration provision, including the right to elect to arbitrate a Claim,
without waiving the right to exercise or enforce those rights on any other occasion. For the
avoidance of any confusion, and not to limit its scope, this section applies to any class-action
lawsuit relating to the "Honor All Cards," "non-discrimination," or "no steering" provisions of
the American Express Merchant Regulations, or any similar provisions of any prior American
Express Card acceptance agreement, that was filed against American Express prior to the
effective date of the Agreement.
iv. Arbitrator's Authority. The arbitrator shall have the power and authority to award any
relief that would have been available in court, including equitable relief (e.g., injunction,
specific performance) and cumulative with all other remedies, shall grant specific
performance whenever possible. The arbitrator shall have no power or authority to alter the
Agreement or any of its separate provisions, including this section, nor to determine any
matter or make any award except as provided in this section.
v. Split Proceedings for Equitable Relief. Merchant, Merchant Services Provider, or
American Express may seek equitable relief in aid of arbitration prior to arbitration on the
merits to preserve the status quo pending completion of such process. This section shall be
enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction, and the party seeking enforcement shall be
entitled to an award of all reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, including legal fees, to be
paid by the party against whom enforcement is ordered.
vi. Small Claims. American Express shall not elect to use arbitration under this section for
any Claim Merchant properly files in a small claims court so long as the Claim seeks
individual relief only and is pending only in that court.
vii. Governing Law/Arbitration Procedures/Entry of Judgment. This arbitration
section is made pursuant to a transaction involving interstate commerce and is governed by
the FAA. The arbitrator shall apply New York law and applicable statutes of limitations and
shall honor claims of privilege recognized by law. The arbitrator shall apply the rules of the
arbitration organization selected, as applicable to matters relating to evidence and discovery,
not the federal or any state rules of civil procedure or rules of evidence, provided that any
party may request that the arbitrator to expand the scope of discovery by doing so in writing
and copying any other parties, who shall have fifteen (15) days to make objections, and the
arbitrator shall notify the parties of his/her decision within twenty (20) days of any objecting
party's submission. If a Claim is for $10,000 or less, Merchant or American Express may
choose whether the arbitration will be conducted solely on the basis of documents submitted
to the arbitrator, through a telephonic hearing, or by an in-person hearing as established by
the rules of the selected arbitration organization. At the timely request of a party, the
arbitrator shall provide a written and reasoned opinion explaining his/her award. The
arbitrator's decision shall be final and binding, except for any rights of appeal provided by the
FAA. If a Claim is for $100,000 or more, or includes a request for injunctive relief, (a) any
party to this Agreement shall be entitled to reasonable document and deposition discovery,
including (x) reasonable discovery of electronically stored information, as approved by the
arbitrator, who shall consider, inter alia, whether the discovery sought from one party is
proportional to the discovery received by another party, and (y) no less than five depositions
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per party; and (b) within sixty (60) days of the initial award, either party can file a notice of
appeal to a three-arbitrator panel administered by the selected arbitration organization,
which shall reconsider de novo any aspect requested of that award and whose decision shall
be final and binding. If more than sixty (60) days after the written arbitration decision is
issued the losing party fails to satisfy or comply with an award or file a notice of appeal, if
applicable, the prevailing party shall have the right to seek judicial confirmation of the award
in any state or federal court where Merchant's headquarters or Merchant's assets are
located.
viii. Confidentiality. The arbitration proceeding and all testimony, filings, documents, and
any information relating to or presented during the proceedings shall be deemed to be
confidential information not to be disclosed to any other party. All offers, promises, conduct,
and statements, whether written or oral, made in the course of the Claim resolution process,
including but not limited to any related negotiations, mediations, arbitration, and
proceedings to confirm arbitration awards by either party, its agents, employees, experts or
attorneys, or by mediator or arbitrator, including any arbitration award or judgment related
thereto, are confidential and inadmissible for any purpose, including impeachment or
estoppel, in any other litigation or proceeding involving any of the parties or non-parties;
provided that evidence that is otherwise admissible or discoverable shall not be rendered
inadmissible or non-discoverable as a result of its use in the negotiation, mediation, or
arbitration.
ix. Costs of Arbitration Proceedings. Merchant will be responsible for paying
Merchant's share of any arbitration fees (including filing, administrative, hearing or other
fees), but only up to the amount of the filing fees Merchant would have incurred if Merchant
had brought a Claim in court. American Express will be responsible for any additional
arbitration fees. At Merchant's written request, American Express will consider in good faith
making a temporary advance of Merchant's share of any arbitration fees, or paying for the
reasonable fees of an expert appointed by the arbitrator for good cause.
x. Additional Arbitration Awards. If the arbitrator rules in Merchant's favor against
American Express for an amount greater than any final settlement offer American Express
made before any arbitration award, the arbitrator's award will include: (1) any money to
which Merchant is entitled as determined by the arbitrator, but in no case less than $5,000;
and (2) any reasonable attorneys' fees, costs and expert and other witness fees incurred by
Merchant.
xi. Definitions. For purposes of this section 13.1 only, (i) American Express includes any of
its affiliates, licensees, predecessors, successors, or assigns, any purchasers of any
receivables, and all agents, directors, and representatives of any of the foregoing, and (ii)
Merchant includes any of Merchant's affiliates, licensees, predecessors, successors, or
assigns, any purchasers of any receivables and all agents, directors, and representatives of
any of the foregoing, and (iii) Claim means any allegation of an entitlement to relief, whether
damages, injunctive or any other form of relief, against American Express or against
Merchant Services Provider or any other entity that American Express has the right to join in
resolving a Claim, including, a transaction using an American Express product or network or
regarding an American Express policy or procedure.
Appendix A
Merchant Operating Guide
Appendix A
Acknowledgment of Responsibility
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Appendix A: Acknowledgment of Responsibility
Acknowledgment of Responsibility
By signing this form, the undersigned accepts full responsibility for the damage as set forth above, and agrees that the actual
damage amount up to the estimated total amount set forth above, plus 10% thereof, may be charged to the undersigned’s
American Express Card account.
Name
Address
City, Province, Postal Code
Account Number
Renter
Name of Renter:
Address:
City, Province, Postal Code:
Drivers License Number: Province:
Identification of Vehicle
Type of Vehicle: Year:
Model:
License Number: Province:
Registration Number:
Rental Agreement Number:
Description of Damage
Estimated Amount: Estimated Total:
Authorization: Signature: Date:
Appendix B
Merchant Operating Guide
Appendix B
Glossary
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Appendix B: Glossary
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
Advance Payment Charge means a Charge for which full payment is made in advance of
Merchant providing the goods and/or rendering the services to the Cardmember.
Affiliate means any Entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with
either party, including its subsidiaries. As used in this definition, "control" means the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the
management and policies of an Entity, whether through ownership of voting securities, by
contract, or otherwise. For the avoidance of doubt, but not by way of limitation, the direct or
indirect ownership of more than 50% of (i) the voting securities or (ii) an interest in the
assets, profits, or earnings of an Entity shall be deemed to constitute "control" of the Entity.
Agency means any Entity or line of business that uses Merchant's Marks or holds itself out
to the public as a member of Merchant's group of companies.
Aggregated Charge means a Charge that combines multiple small purchases or refunds (or
both) incurred on a Card into a single, larger Charge before submitting the Charge for
payment.
Agreement means the merchant processing agreement or sponsored merchant agreement,
the Merchant Operating Guide, and any accompanying schedules and exhibits, collectively,
between Merchant and its Merchant Services Provider.
American Express means American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc..
American Express Brand means the American Express name, trademarks, service marks,
logos, and other proprietary designs and designations and the imagery owned by American
Express or an American Express Affiliate and the goodwill associated with all of the
foregoing and with all the goods and services now and in the future provided, marketed,
offered, or promoted by American Express or an American Express Affiliate.
American Express Card or Cards means (i) any card, account access device, or payment
device or service bearing an American Express or an American Express Affiliate's Marks and
issued by an Issuer or (ii) a Card Number. Card also includes any card or other account access
device or service issued by a Third Party Issuer and bearing such Third Party Issuer's name or
Marks but not the Marks of American Express.
American Express Network or Network means the Network of Merchants that accept
Cards and the operational, service delivery, systems, and marketing infrastructure that
supports this Network and the American Express Brand.
American Express Quick Chip means a software solution that modifies the EMV
transaction flow for processing of American Express Cards, which allows a Chip Card to be
inserted before the final Transaction amount is known, and does not require the Card to
remain in the reader during the online Authorization process.
Applicable Law means (i) any law, statute, regulation, ordinance, or subordinate legislation
in force from time to time to which Merchant or its Merchant Services Provider is subject, (ii)
the common law as applicable to them from time to time, (iii) any court order, judgment, or
decree that is binding on them, and (iv) any directive, policy, rule, or order that is binding on
them and that is made or given by a regulator or other government or government agency of
any Territory, or other national, federal, commonwealth, state, provincial, or local jurisdiction.
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Appendix B: Glossary
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
Application-initiated Transaction is a Transaction initiated by an electronic device
(including but not limited to, a mobile telephone, tablet, or wearable device) utilizing a
merchant software application within the electronic device.
Approval/Approved means a message granting an Authorization in response to a request
for Authorization from a Merchant, consisting of an Approval or other indicator.
Assured Reservation Program means a program that allows Cardmembers to contact a
participating property or rental agency to make an Assured Reservation and guarantee the
hotel reservation by giving their American Express Card. The Assured Reservation Program is
available to the following industries: hotel, trailer park/campground, vehicle, aircraft,
bicycle, boat, equipment, motor home, and motorcycle rentals.
Attestation of Compliance (AOC) means the declaration of the status of your compliance
with the PCI DSS, in the form provided by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards
Council, LLC.
Attestation of Scan Compliance (AOSC) means the declaration of the status of your
compliance with the PCI DSS based on a network scan, in the form provided by the Payment
Card Industry Security Standards Council, LLC.
Authorization/Authorized means the process by which a Merchant obtains an Approval for
a Charge in accordance with the Agreement.
Bank Account means an account that Merchant holds at a bank or other financial
institution.
Batch means a group of Transactions, submitted to your Merchant Services Provider, usually
on a daily basis.
Card – See American Express Card or Cards.
Card Data includes the following elements: Cardmember name, Card Number, Expiration
Date, Charge date, the amount of the Charge, the Approval, description of goods and
services, Merchant name, Merchant address, Merchant Number and if applicable the
Establishment number, Cardmember signature (for In-Person Transactions only), 'No Refund'
if you have a no refund policy, and all other information as required from time to time by your
Merchant Services Provider, American Express, or Applicable Law.
Card Identification (CID) Number means a four-digit number printed on the Card. See
Section 5.7, "
Card Identification (CID) Number" for additional information.
Card Not Present Charge means a Charge for which the Card is not presented at the point
of sale (e.g., Charges by mail, telephone, fax or the internet).
Card Number means the unique identifying number that the Issuer assigns to the Card
when it is issued.
Card Present Charge means a Charge for which the physical Card and Cardmember are
present at the point of sale, including In-Person Charges and Charges made at CATs.
CARDeposit Program means a program that permits Cardmembers to charge the payment
of an Advance Payment Charge to their Cards when a deposit is required. See
Subsection 12.14.1.3, "
CARDeposit Program" for additional information.
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Appendix B: Glossary
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
Cardmember (also referred to as Card Member) means an individual or Entity (i) that has
entered into an agreement establishing a Card account with an Issuer or (ii) whose name
appears on the Card.
Cardmember Information means any information about Cardmembers and Transactions,
including, but not limited to, Transaction Data, and Cardmember name, addresses, Card
Numbers, and CID Numbers.
Charge means a payment or purchase made on the Card.
Charge Data means Data to be included in Submissions of Charge Records.
Charge Record means a reproducible (both paper and electronic) record of a Charge that
complies with American Express' requirements and contains the Card Number, Transaction
date, dollar amount, Approval, Cardmember signature (if applicable), and other information.
Chargeback when used as a verb, means (i) your Merchant Services Provider’s
reimbursement from you for the amount of a Charge subject to such right, or (ii) your
Merchant Services Provider’s reversal of a Charge for which it has not paid you; when used
as a noun, means the amount of a Charge subject to reimbursement from you or reversal.
Chip means an integrated microchip embedded on a Card containing Cardmember and
account information.
Chip Card means a Card that contains a Chip and could require a PIN as a means of verifying
the identity of the Cardmember or account information contained in the Chip, or both,
(sometimes called a "smart Card", an "EMV Card", or an "ICC" or "integrated circuit Card" in
American Express' materials).
Chip Card Data means the information contained in the Chip on a Chip Card that is used to
process Transactions.
Code 10 "Code 10" is a phrase that a Merchant communicates to its Merchant Services
Provider to alert of a possible suspicious Card and/or Transaction. Code 10 situations usually
occur during Authorization.
Collusion means any Transaction, activity or agreement conducted by a Merchant or its
agent with another party, including another Merchant or a Cardmember, which the Merchant
knew or should have known was not legitimate, or carried out in violation of Chapter 10,
"Risk Management".
Consumer Device Cardholder Verification Method (CDCVM) means an Issuer
approved, American Express recognized Cardholder Verification Method whereby the
Cardmember's credentials are verified on a Mobile Device.
Contactless means technology enabling a Card or Mobile Device embedded with a radio
frequency component (currently, Expresspay) to communicate with a radio frequency-enabled
POS device to initiate a Transaction. See also Expresspay.
Covered Parties means any or all of your employees, agents, representatives,
subcontractors, Processors, service providers, providers of your POS Systems or payment
processing solutions, and any other party to whom you may provide Cardmember Information
access in accordance with the Agreement.
Credit means the amount of the Charge that Merchant refunds to Cardmembers for
purchases or payments made on the Card.
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Appendix B: Glossary
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
Credit Record means a record of Credit that complies with American Express' requirements.
Customer Activated Terminal (CAT) means an unattended POS System (e.g., gasoline
pump, vending machine, check-out kiosk).
Data Security Requirements (DSR) means the American Express data security policy for
Merchants, as described in Chapter 8, "
Protecting Cardmember Information" of the Merchant
Operating Guide and is also made available to Merchants at www.americanexpress.com/dsr
.
Decline means a message denying the Merchant's request for Authorization.
Delayed Delivery Charge means a single purchase for which Merchant must create and
submit two separate Charge Records. The first Charge Record is for the deposit or down
payment and the second Charge Record is for the balance of the purchase.
Digital Wallet Application-initiated Transaction means an Application-initiated
Transaction that is initiated by a digital wallet within a Mobile Device.
Digital Wallet Contactless-initiated Transaction means a contactless Transaction
initiated by a digital wallet within a Mobile Device via the contactless interface.
Digital Wallet Magnetic Secure Transmission Transaction means a type of Digital
Wallet Payment where a Transaction is initiated by a digital wallet within a Mobile Device
via the magnetic stripe reader within a POS system.
Digital Wallet Payment means a Digital Wallet Contactless-initiated Transaction, Digital
Wallet Application-initiated Transaction, and/or Digital Wallet Magnetic Secure
Transmission (MST) Transaction conducted via a digital wallet, operated by an American
Express approved third party wallet provider that resides on a Mobile Device.
Disputed Charge means a Charge about which a claim, complaint, or question has been
brought.
Entity means a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, trust, association, or any other
legally recognized entity or organization.
Establishments means any or all of your and your Affiliates' locations, outlets, websites,
online networks, and all other methods for selling goods and services, including methods
that you adopt in the future.
Estimated Lodging Charge means the estimated amount of Charges based on the room
rates and the number of days the Cardmember expects to stay, plus taxes and other known
incidental amounts.
Estimated Vehicle Rental Charge means the rental rate multiplied by the rental period
reserved by the Cardmember, plus taxes and any known incidental amounts.
Expiration Date means the month and year on which a Card expires (sometimes referred to
as "valid thru" or "active thru" date).
Expresspay is an American Express program that enables Contactless transactions.
Floor Limit means a monetary threshold for a single Charge, at or above which Merchant
must obtain an Authorization before completing the Charge.
Fraud Full Recourse Program means one of American Express' Chargeback programs.
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Appendix B: Glossary
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
High Risk Merchant means a Merchant designation indicating that certain fraud
Transactions conducted at the Merchant may be issued as a Chargeback to the Merchant
under American Express' Fraud Full Recourse Program.
Immediate Chargeback Program means one of American Express' Chargeback programs.
In-Person Charge means a Card Present Charge excluding Charges made at CATs (e.g., a
Charge taken at a Merchant attended retail location where the Card is swiped, read by a
contactless reader, inserted into a Chip Card reader, or manually key-entered).
Inquiry means a request for information about a Disputed Charge.
Internet Electronic Delivery means the delivery of goods or services purchased on the
internet via an internet download or another file transfer process (e.g., images or software
download).
Internet Order means Card payment information that is taken via the World Wide Web,
online (usually via a website payment page), email, intranet, extranet, or other similar
network in payment for merchandise or services.
Issuer means any Entity (including American Express and its Affiliates) licensed by American
Express or an American Express Affiliate to issue Cards and to engage in the Card issuing
business.
Keyed No Imprint Program means a program that allows a Merchant to submit In-Person
Charges without an imprint of the Card. See Section 4.15, "
Keyed No Imprint Program" for
additional information.
Magnetic Stripe means a stripe on the back of a Card that contains Cardmember and
account information in machine readable form.
Marks are names, logos, service marks, trademarks, trade names, taglines, or other
proprietary designs or designations.
Merchant means any seller of goods or services, non-profit, or government Entity that
enters into an agreement with a Merchant Services Provider wherein the seller agrees to (i)
permit any Cardmember to charge purchases of goods and services at or with such Merchant
by means of the Card and (ii) transfer Transactions to American Express through Merchant
Services Provider. Sponsored Merchants shall be included within the meaning of Merchants.
Merchant Account means an account established by Merchant Services Provider upon
entering into an Agreement with a Merchant.
Merchant Category Code means the four (4) digit code used to identify the industry in
which the Merchant is doing business.
Merchant Number means the unique merchant identification number (or MID) provided by
Merchant Services Provider to Merchant for submitting transactions.
Merchant Operating Guide means the American Express Merchant Operating Guide,
which is available at www.americanexpress.com/merchantopguide
.
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Appendix B: Glossary
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
Merchant Services Provider means an Entity authorized under the American Express
OptBlue
®
Program to accept Charges from a Merchant pursuant to an Agreement or a
Payment Aggregator authorized to accept Charges from a Merchant. These services may
include, but are not limited to, processing transactions, facilitating authorizations on
purchases, and capturing data, merchant accounting, backroom operations (e.g., chargebacks
and detecting fraud), provision of point of sale equipment, solutions, or systems, sales, or
customer service.
Mobile Device means an Issuer approved and American Express recognized electronic
device (including, but not limited to, a mobile telephone, tablet, or wearable device) that is
enabled to initiate a Digital Wallet Payment Transaction.
Mobile Point of Sale (MPOS) means a handheld device used with a Card reading
peripheral to accept Transactions using a cellular or Wi-Fi network.
Network – See American Express Network or Network.
No Signature/No PIN Program means a program that allows an Establishment to not
request a signature or PIN from Cardmembers. See Section 4.16, "
No Signature/No PIN
Program" for additional information.
Notification Date means the date that American Express provides issuers with final
notification of a Data Incident. Such date is contingent upon American Express' receipt of the
final forensic report or internal analysis and shall be determined in American Express' sole
discretion.
Other Payment Products means any charge, credit, debit, stored value, prepaid, or smart
cards, account access devices, or other payment cards, services, or products other than the
Card.
Partial Immediate Chargeback Program means one of American Express' Chargeback
programs.
Payment Aggregator means a provider of Payment Services (formerly referred to as
“Payment Service Provider” or “PSP” and sometimes called an “aggregator” or “master
merchant”).
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is the Payment Card Industry
Data Security Standard, which is available at www.pcisecuritystandards.org
.
Payment Services means the provision of payment services in connection with
Transactions between Cardmembers and Sponsored Merchants whereby the Entity providing
such services (and not the Sponsored Merchant), is the Merchant of record, submits
Transactions under its Merchant Number and receives payment from us for Charges (among
other things).
Personal Identification Number (PIN) mean a secret code for use with one or more
American Express Network, Acquirer, or Issuer systems that is used to authenticate the user
(e.g., a Cardmember) to that system.
Point of Sale (POS) System means an information processing system or equipment,
including a terminal, personal computer, electronic cash register, contactless reader, Mobile
Point of Sale (MPOS), or payment engine or process, used by a Merchant, to obtain
Authorizations or to collect Transaction Data, or both.
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
Appendix B: Glossary
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
Prepaid Card means a Card that is marked "Prepaid" or bearing such other identifiers used
by American Express from time to time.
Proof of Delivery means a receipt which proves that the goods were delivered to the
complete and valid shipping address provided by the Cardmember when the purchase was
made.
Recurring Billing means an option offered to Cardmembers to make recurring Charges
automatically on their Card (e.g., membership fees to health clubs, magazine subscriptions,
and insurance premiums).
Referral means the message relayed during an Authorization request to Merchant through
Merchant's POS System (e.g., "please call" or "refer to Issuer") requiring Merchant to
telephone their Merchant Services Provider’s Authorization Department for Approval.
Rental Establishments mean Long-term rentals used as primary residences.
Reloadable Prepaid means a Prepaid Card whereby once funds are depleted, it can be
reloaded by adding funds to the Card.
Rights-holder means a natural or legal person or Entity having the legal standing and
authority to assert a copyright or trademark right.
Settlement means the process by which your Merchant Services Provider compiles your
debits and credits to calculate a net amount that will be applied to your Bank Account.
Split Tender means the use of multiple forms of payment (e.g., prepaid products, cash,
American Express Card) for a single purchase.
Submission means the collection of Transaction Data sent to American Express.
System Outage is the interruption of either Merchant or Network systems or services (e.g.,
computer system failure, telecommunications failure, or regularly scheduled downtime).
Technical Specifications are the set of mandatory, conditional, and optional requirements
related to connectivity to the Network and electronic Transaction processing, including
Authorization and Submission of Transactions (sometimes called "specifications" in
American Express' materials), which American Express may update from time to time.
Telecommunications are communication services, including personal communication
services; cellular, paging, long distance, etc. See Section 12.15, "
Reserved" for additional
information.
Token means a surrogate value that replaces the Card Number.
Transaction means a Charge or Credit completed by the means of a Card.
Transaction Data means all information required by American Express, evidencing one or
more Transactions, including information obtained at the point of sale, information obtained
or generated during Authorization and Submission, and any Chargeback.
Transmission is a method of sending Transaction Data to American Express whereby
Transaction Data is transmitted electronically over communication lines.
Transmission Data is the same as Card Data except for the requirements to include:
Cardmember name, Expiration Date, the Cardmember's signature; and the words "No
Refund" if the Merchant has a no refund policy.
URL means Uniform Resource Locator, a term used to identify an internet address.
American Express Merchant Operating Guide - U.S.
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disclosed to third parties without the express prior written consent of American Express.
Valid Dates are the dates on the Card that indicate the first and last date the Card can be
used to make purchases.
Validation Documentation means the Attestation of Compliance rendered in connection
with an Annual Onsite Security Assessment or SAQ, the AOSC and executive summaries of
findings rendered in connection with Quarterly Network Scans, or the annual STEP
Attestation. See Section 8.6, "
Periodic Validation of Merchant Systems" for a list of
documents and the policy's requirements.
Voice Authorization means the Authorization of a Charge obtained by calling the
Authorization Department of your Merchant Services Provider.
We, our and us means American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., a New
York corporation.
You and your means the individual or Entity accepting the Card under an Agreement with a
Merchant Services Provider and (as applicable) its Affiliates conducting business in the same
industry (sometimes called the "Merchant" or "Establishment" in this Merchant Operating
Guide).
Mastercard Rules
21 December 2017
BM
Summary of Changes, 21 December 2017
The following are changes with the most recent publication of this document.
Mastercard is providing a marked document that contains revised Standards. Additions are
underlined; deletions are indicated with a strikethrough. Please refer to the Summary of
Changes for more information.
To access the marked document, click the following Microsoft Word
®
icon. This Word file can
be saved to a local drive for later use.
Chapter Number Rule Name
Source or Explanation of
Revisions
Chapter 1—The License and
Participation
1.7.2 Extension of Area of Use
Exceptions
See “Revised Standards—Area of
Use,” Global Operations Bulletin
No. 7, 3 July 2017.
Chapter 5—Acquiring 5.1.2.1 Gambling Merchants Clarified the second term of a
Merchant Agreement with a
Merchant proposing to engage
in gambling Transactions.
Chapter 5—Acquiring 5.10.4 Additional Cardholder
Identification
See “AN 1149—Revised
Standards—Automated Fuel
Dispenser Merchants to
Implement Address Verification
Service,” 10 November 2017.
Chapter 6—Issuing
6.10.1 Prior Consent of the
Corporation
6.10.2 Reservation of Rights
See “Revised Standards—Prepaid
Card Programs and
Recertification Requirements,”
Global Operations Bulletin No. 7,
3 July 2017.
Chapter 7—Service Providers
7.1 Service Provider Categories
7.1.4 Staged Digital Wallet
Operator
7.1.4.1 Staged Digital Wallet
Methods
7.1.4.2 Staged Digital Wallet
Operator (Staged DWO)
Requirements
See “Revised Standards for
Digital Activity and Staged
Digital Wallet Operators,” Global
Operations Bulletin No. 6, 1 June
2017.
Summary of Changes, 21 December 2017
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1969–2017 Mastercard. Proprietary. All rights reserved.
Mastercard Rules • 21 December 2017
2
Chapter Number Rule Name
Source or Explanation of
Revisions
Chapter 7—Service Providers
7.13 Registration Requirements
for Staged DWOs
7.14 Registration Requirements
for Digital Activity Service
Providers
See “Revised Standards—SDP
Program and Service Provider
Registration,” Global Operations
Bulletin No. 8, 1 August 2017.
Chapter 8—Settlement and
Related Obligations
8.1 Definitions See “Clarification—Interchange
and Service Fees Terminology,”
Europe Region Operations
Bulletin No. 7, 3 July 2017.
Chapter 8—Settlement and
Related Obligations
8.5 Failure of a Principal or
Association to Discharge a
Settlement Obligation
See “Revised Standards—Failure
of a Principal or Association to
Discharge a Settlement
Obligation,” Global Operations
Bulletin No. 8, 1 August 2017.
Summary of Changes, 21 December 2017
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1969–2017 Mastercard. Proprietary. All rights reserved.
Mastercard Rules • 21 December 2017
3
Chapter Number Rule Name
Source or Explanation of
Revisions
Chapter 9—Digital Activity
Digital Activity Rules
Applicability of Rules
1.1.3 Digital Activity Customer
1.8 The Digital Activity
Agreement
3.16 Token Requestor
Obligations
3.16.1 Responsibility for Digital
Activity—Wallet Token
Requestors
3.16.2 Responsibility for Digital
Activity—Merchant Token
Requestors
9.1 Digital Activity and Conduct
of a Staged Digital Wallet
Operator
9.1.1 General Obligations
9.1.2 Branding Requirements
9.1.3 Data Protection, Privacy
and Data Usage
9.1.4 Security
9.2 DWO Requirements—Pass-
through Digital Wallet
9.2.1 Payment Card Industry
Data Security Standard
9.2.2 Prohibited Practices
9.2.3 Industry-standard
Interfaces
9.2.4 Pass-through DWO
Tokenization
9.2.5 Fraud Loss Controls and
Account Data Compromise
9.2.6 Pass-through DWO
Functional Requirements for Use
on a Mobile Payment Device and
Access Device
9.2.7 Pass-through DWO Token
Requestor Requirements
See “Revised Standards for
Digital Activity and Staged
Digital Wallet Operators,” Global
Operations Bulletin No. 6, 1 June
2017.
Summary of Changes, 21 December 2017
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Mastercard Rules • 21 December 2017
4
Chapter Number Rule Name
Source or Explanation of
Revisions
9.3 Digital Activity—Merchant
Token Requestor
9.3.1 Merchant Token Requestor
Requirements
9.3.2 Merchant Token Requestor
Obligations
9.4 Digital Activity—On-behalf
Token Requestor
9.4.1 On-behalf Token Requestor
Requirements
Chapter 12—Europe Region Definitions
See “Introduction of Debit
Mastercard in Belgium,” Europe
Region Operations Bulletin No.
6, 1 June 2017.
See “Introduction of Debit
Mastercard in Luxembourg,”
Europe Region Operations
Bulletin No. 6, 1 June 2017.
See “Introducing Debit
Mastercard in Switzerland,”
Switzerland Operations Bulletin
No. 2, 9 July 2015.
Chapter 12—Europe Region 1.7.2 Extension of Area of Use
Exceptions
See “Revised Standards—Area of
Use,” Global Operations Bulletin
No. 7, 3 July 2017.
Chapter 12—Europe Region
5.3.3 Provide Information
6.2 Issuer Responsibilities to
Cardholders
See “AN 1321—Revised
Standards—Informing Merchants
and Cardholders of Changes
Related to the Standards,” 20
November 2017.
Summary of Changes, 21 December 2017
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1969–2017 Mastercard. Proprietary. All rights reserved.
Mastercard Rules • 21 December 2017
5
Chapter Number Rule Name
Source or Explanation of
Revisions
Chapter 12—Europe Region 6.1 Card Issuance—General
Requirements
See "Revised Standards for Issuer
Support of Transaction Alerts,"
United Kingdom Operations
Bulletin No. 6, 14 June 2017.
See "AN 1169—Revised
Standards for Issuer Support of
Transaction Alerts," 5 October
2017.
Clarified the Transaction alerts
service requirements with
respect to BINs or BIN ranges
assigned for Europe Region
countries.
Chapter 12—Europe Region 6.12.1 Prior Consent of the
Corporation
Clarified the Note regarding the
location of additional
information.
Chapter 12—Europe Region 6.12.2 Reservation of Rights See “Debit Program Issuance by
Electronic Money Institutions and
Payment Institutions,” Europe
Region Operations Bulletin No.
1, 3 January 2017.
Chapter 12—Europe Region 8.1 Definitions See “Clarification—Interchange
and Service Fees Terminology,”
Europe Region Operations
Bulletin No. 7, 3 July 2017.
Chapter 15—United States
Region
5.10.4 Additional Cardholder
Identification
See “AN 1149—Revised
Standards—Automated Fuel
Dispenser Merchants to
Implement Address Verification
Service,” 10 November 2017.
Chapter 15—United States
Region
6.1 Card Issuance—General
Requirements
See “U.S. Region Transaction
Alerts Support Requirements—
Clarification,” U.S. Region
Operations Bulletin No. 1, 30
January 2017.
Summary of Changes, 21 December 2017
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1969–2017 Mastercard. Proprietary. All rights reserved.
Mastercard Rules • 21 December 2017
6
Chapter Number Rule Name
Source or Explanation of
Revisions
Appendix C—Definitions
Bank Branch Terminal
Digital Wallet Operator (DWO)
Digital Wallet Operator (DWO)
Security Incident, DWO Security
Incident
Manual Cash Disbursement
Transaction
On-behalf Token Requestor
Pass-through Digital Wallet
Pass-through Digital Wallet
Operator (DWO)
PIN-based In-Branch Terminal
Personal Data
Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminal
Point-of-Sale (POS) Transaction
Staged Digital Wallet
Staged Digital Wallet Operator
(DWO)
Token Requestor
Transaction Data
Wallet Provider
Wallet Token Requestor
See “Revised Standards for
Digital Activity and Staged
Digital Wallet Operators,” Global
Operations Bulletin No. 6, 1 June
2017.
See “AN 1233—Revised
Standards—Acceptance Rules
Update,” 24 October 2017.
NOTE: All occurrences in this
manual of PIN-based In-
Branch Terminal have been
replaced with Bank Branch
Terminal.
Summary of Changes, 21 December 2017
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1969–2017 Mastercard. Proprietary. All rights reserved.
Mastercard Rules • 21 December 2017
7
Mastercard Standards
Mastercard is dedicated to making payments safe, simple and smart. We have a set of
standards (“the Standards”) in support of this mission that provides our Customers with clear
direction as to their responsibilities. The Standards include the information contained in this
Mastercard Rules manual and other manuals, along with guides, bulletins and policies that
may be updated from time to time.
The Standards enable growth for Mastercard and for our Customers while ensuring integrity
and reliability. They are developed under a set of principles that guide us in our actions and
provide a framework under which we operate.
Mastercard and its Customers:
Uphold the value of the Mastercard brands as the choice of payment for consumers,
businesses and merchants. Consumers, businesses and merchants have multiple payment
options to use and to accept. Mastercard and its Customers operate so as to uphold the value
of the Mastercard brands so that our products will be adopted and chosen by these end users.
Act with financial integrity and in compliance with the Standards and the law. Operating
programs in a manner that is financially sound, in compliance with the Standards and the law
helps us manage risk to Mastercard and to our Customers.
Engage in rigorous fraud management practices. Ensuring that transactions are conducted
securely is of the utmost importance. Mastercard and its Customers leverage best-in-class
technology and business practices in order to make transactions safe.
Manage systems and programs to support interoperability. The ability to process transactions
at a global and local level is a key feature of the Mastercard network. Customers manage their
systems and programs to enable the seamless acceptance and processing of Mastercard
transactions.
Mastercard Standards
©
1969–2017 Mastercard. Proprietary. All rights reserved.
Mastercard Rules • 21 December 2017
8
Applicability of Rules in this Manual
This manual contains Rules for the Mastercard
®
, Maestro
®
and Cirrus
®
brands. The Rules relate
to Activity conducted pursuant to a License that Mastercard grants to a Customer for use of
one or more of these brands and/or to conduct Digital Activity. If a particular brand or brands
is not mentioned in a Rule, then the Rule applies to all three brands.
This manual also contains Rules for the Mastercard Electronic and Mastercard Mobile brands.
The Rules for these brands apply only to those Customers Licensed to use either or both of
these brands.
The below table describes the applicability of the Rules for particular types of Transactions.
Please note that the term “POS Transaction” refers to a Transaction that occurs at a Merchant
location, whether in a Card-present environment at an attended or unattended POS Terminal,
or in a Card-not-present environment. In a Card-not-present environment, this may include
electronic commerce (“e-commerce”), mail order, phone order, or recurring payment
Transactions.
Refer to the Transaction Processing Rules manual for brand-specific Rules relating to
acceptance in Card-present and Card-not-present environments and the processing of
particular Transaction types.
Rules relating to… Apply to…
Mastercard POS Transactions A POS Transaction conducted with a Mastercard Card.
Maestro POS Transactions A POS Transaction conducted with:
• A Maestro Card, or
• A Mastercard Card issued using a BIN identified by the
Corporation as “Debit Mastercard” and routed to the Single
Message System.
ATM Transactions A Transaction conducted with a Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus Card
at an ATM Terminal and routed to the Interchange System.
Manual Cash Disbursement
Transactions
A cash withdrawal Transaction conducted at a Customer financial
institution teller with:
• A Mastercard Card, or
• A Maestro or Cirrus Card at a Bank Branch Terminal and routed
to the Interchange System.
Mastercard Electronic
Transactions
A POS Transaction conducted with a Mastercard Electronic Card at a
Mastercard Electronic Merchant.
Applicability of Rules in this Manual
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Mastercard Rules • 21 December 2017
9
Rules relating to… Apply to…
Mastercard Mobile Remote
Payment (MMRP) Transactions
A POS Transaction performed by an enrolled consumer using a
mobile device registered by the Issuer or its Service Manager and
having Mastercard Mobile Remote Payment functionality. The
consumer, as a Mastercard or Maestro Cardholder, initiates and
authenticates payments by entering a PIN or mobile-specific
credentials on the mobile device.
Payment Transactions A Transaction that transfers funds to an Account. A Payment
Transaction is not a credit that reverses a previous purchase. Includes
MoneySend
™
Payment Transactions.
Modifying Words and Acronyms
From time to time, the meanings of the above terms are modified by the addition of another
word or acronym. For example, a Debit Mastercard POS Transaction means a Transaction
resulting from the use of a Debit Mastercard Card at the point of sale (POS). However, for ease
of use, not every modifying term is defined. While Mastercard alone interprets and enforces its
Rules and other Standards, these Mastercard Rules endeavor to use defined terms and other
terms and terminology in a plain manner that will be generally understood in the payments
industry.
Variations and Additions to the Rules for a Geographic Area
Variations and/or additions (“modifications”) to the Rules are applicable in geographic areas,
whether a country, a number of countries, a region, or other area. In the event of a conflict
between a Rule and a modification of that Rule, the modification is afforded precedence and
is applicable. The Rules set forth in this manual are Standards and Mastercard has the sole
right to interpret and enforce the Rules and other Standards.
Applicability of Rules in this Manual
©
1969–2017 Mastercard. Proprietary. All rights reserved.
Mastercard Rules • 21 December 2017
10
Contents
Summary of Changes, 21 December 2017.......................................................2
Mastercard Standards................................................................................................8
Applicability of Rules in this Manual.................................................................9
Chapter 1: The License and Participation...................................................... 27
1.1 Eligibility to be a Customer.........................................................................................28
1.1.1 Principal or Affiliate............................................................................................ 28
1.1.2 Association.........................................................................................................28
1.1.3 Digital Activity Customer.................................................................................... 29
1.2 Mastercard Anti-Money Laundering Program............................................................. 29
1.3 Satisfaction of Minimum Financial Requirements........................................................ 30
1.4 Special Conditions of Participation, License or Activity................................................ 30
1.5 Interim Participation................................................................................................... 31
1.6 The License................................................................................................................ 31
1.6.1 SEPA Licensing Program—Europe Region Only....................................................31
1.7 Area of Use of the License..........................................................................................31
1.7.1 Extending the Area of Use.................................................................................. 32
1.7.2 Extension of Area of Use Exceptions................................................................... 32
1.7.3 Central Acquiring—Europe Region Only............................................................. 33
1.7.4 Transfer of Cards to India Residents is Prohibited without a License.....................33
1.8 The Digital Activity Agreement................................................................................... 33
1.9 Participation in Activity and Digital Activity................................................................. 34
1.9.1 Changing Customer Status.................................................................................34
1.9.2 Participation and License or Digital Activity Agreement Not Transferable............. 34
1.9.3 Right to Sponsor Affiliates.................................................................................. 34
1.9.4 Change in Sponsorship of an Affiliate.................................................................34
1.9.5 Customer Name Change.................................................................................... 34
1.10 Participation in Competing Networks....................................................................... 34
1.10.1 Protection of the Corporation...........................................................................35
1.10.2 Participation Restrictions...................................................................................35
1.10.3 Exceptions to the Participation Restrictions....................................................... 36
1.11 Portfolio Sale, Transfer, or Withdrawal......................................................................37
1.12 Change of Control of Customer or Portfolio.............................................................38
1.13 Termination..............................................................................................................38
1.13.1 Voluntary Termination.......................................................................................38
1.13.2 Termination by the Corporation........................................................................ 39
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Mastercard Rules • 21 December 2017
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1.13.3 Termination for Provision of Inaccurate Information.......................................... 41
1.13.4 Rights, Liabilities, and Obligations of a Terminated Customer............................41
Chapter 2: Standards and Conduct of Activity and Digital
Activity............................................................................................................................43
2.1 Standards...................................................................................................................44
2.1.1 Variances............................................................................................................44
2.1.2 Failure to Comply with a Standard......................................................................44
2.1.3 Noncompliance Categories................................................................................. 45
2.1.4 Noncompliance Assessments.............................................................................. 46
2.1.5 Certification....................................................................................................... 48
2.1.6 Review Process................................................................................................... 48
2.1.7 Resolution of Review Request............................................................................. 48
2.1.8 Rules Applicable to Intracountry Transactions......................................................48
2.2 Conduct of Activity and Digital Activity...................................................................... 49
2.2.1 Customer Responsibilities................................................................................... 49
2.2.2 Obligations of a Sponsor.................................................................................... 50
2.2.3 Affiliates.............................................................................................................50
2.2.4 Financial Soundness............................................................................................50
2.2.5 Mastercard Acquirers..........................................................................................50
2.2.6 Compliance........................................................................................................ 50
2.3 Indemnity and Limitation of Liability........................................................................... 51
2.4 Choice of Laws.......................................................................................................... 53
2.5 Examination and Audit...............................................................................................53
Chapter 3: Customer Obligations...................................................................... 54
3.1 Obligation to Issue Mastercard Cards......................................................................... 55
3.2 Responsibility for Transactions.................................................................................... 55
3.3 Transaction Requirements...........................................................................................55
3.4 Authorization Service................................................................................................. 56
3.5 Non-discrimination—POS Transactions....................................................................... 57
3.6 Non-discrimination—ATM and Bank Branch Terminal Transactions..............................57
3.7 Integrity of Brand and Network.................................................................................. 57
3.8 Fees, Assessments, and Other Payment Obligations....................................................58
3.8.1 Taxes and Other Charges.................................................................................... 58
3.8.2 Maestro and Cirrus Card Fees and Reporting Procedures.....................................59
3.9 Obligation of Customer to Provide Information.......................................................... 59
3.10 Confidential Information of Customers.................................................................... 60
3.11 Use of Corporation Information by a Customer........................................................ 61
3.12 Confidential Information of Mastercard....................................................................61
3.12.1 Customer Evaluation of Mastercard Technology................................................62
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Mastercard Rules • 21 December 2017
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3.13 Data Protection........................................................................................................ 62
3.14 Quarterly Mastercard Report (QMR)..........................................................................63
3.14.1 Report Not Received......................................................................................... 63
3.14.2 Erroneous or Incomplete Report........................................................................63
3.14.3 Overpayment Claim..........................................................................................64
3.15 Cooperation.............................................................................................................64
3.16 Token Requestor Obligations.................................................................................... 64
3.17 Issuer Reporting Requirement—EU and Norway....................................................... 64
3.18 BINs......................................................................................................................... 64
Chapter 4: Use of the Marks................................................................................ 66
4.1 Right to Use the Marks...............................................................................................67
4.1.1 Protection and Registration of the Marks............................................................ 67
4.1.1.1 Registration of a Card Design......................................................................68
4.1.2 Misuse of a Mark................................................................................................68
4.2 Requirements for Use of a Mark.................................................................................68
4.3 Review of Solicitations................................................................................................69
4.4 Signage System..........................................................................................................69
4.4.1 Signage at a Merchant Location..........................................................................70
4.4.2 ATM Terminal Signage........................................................................................ 70
4.5 Use of the Interlocking Circles Device......................................................................... 70
4.5.1 Use or Registration of Similar Logos, Designs, and Names...................................70
4.6 Use of Multiple Marks................................................................................................ 70
4.7 Particular Uses of a Mark............................................................................................71
4.7.1 Generic Use........................................................................................................71
4.7.2 Use of Modifiers................................................................................................. 71
4.7.3 Use on Stationery............................................................................................... 71
4.7.4 Use on Non-Licensed Products or Services...........................................................71
4.7.5 Use or Registration of “Master,” “Maestro,” and “Cirrus” Terminology..............71
4.7.6 Use of a Word Mark in a Corporate, Business or Domain Name.......................... 71
4.7.7 Use of a Word Mark in Text................................................................................ 72
4.7.8 Program Names..................................................................................................72
4.7.9 Use on Cards......................................................................................................72
4.8 Use of Marks on Maestro and Cirrus Cards.................................................................72
4.9 Use of Marks on Mastercard Cards.............................................................................73
4.10 Use of a Card Design in Merchant Advertising and Signage......................................73
4.11 Use of a Card Design in Issuer Advertising and Marketing Material...........................74
4.12 Use of the Mastercard Card Design in Cardholder Statement Enclosures...................74
4.13 Use of the Brand Marks on Other Cards................................................................... 74
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Mastercard Rules • 21 December 2017
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Chapter 5: Acquiring................................................................................................ 75
5.1 The Merchant and ATM Owner Agreements...............................................................77
5.1.1 Verify Bona Fide Business Operation................................................................... 77
5.1.2 Required Merchant Agreement Terms................................................................. 77
5.1.2.1 Gambling Merchants...................................................................................78
5.1.3 Required ATM Owner Agreement Terms............................................................. 78
5.1.4 Maintaining Information.....................................................................................79
5.1.4.1 Location Administration Tool (LAT) Updates.................................................80
5.2 Merchant and Submerchant Compliance with the Standards......................................80
5.2.1 Noncompliance Assessments.............................................................................. 80
5.3 Acquirer Obligations to Merchants............................................................................. 81
5.3.1 Payment for Transactions.................................................................................... 81
5.3.2 Supplying Materials............................................................................................ 81
5.3.3 Provide Information............................................................................................ 81
5.3.4 Merchant Deposit Account—Canada Region Only.............................................. 81
5.4 Merchant Location..................................................................................................... 81
5.4.1 Disclosure of Merchant Location.........................................................................82
5.5 Submerchant Location............................................................................................... 82
5.5.1 Disclosure of Submerchant Location................................................................... 83
5.6 Responsibility for Transactions.................................................................................... 83
5.7 Transaction Message Data.......................................................................................... 83
5.7.1 Card Acceptor Business Code (MCC) Information............................................... 83
5.7.2 Card Acceptor Address Information....................................................................84
5.7.3 Submerchant Name Information.........................................................................84
5.7.4 ATM Terminal Information.................................................................................. 84
5.7.5 Transactions at Terminals with No Fixed Location................................................ 84
5.8 Transaction Currency Information...............................................................................84
5.9 Use of the Marks........................................................................................................85
5.9.1 Display of the Acceptance Marks........................................................................ 85
5.9.1.1 Location of Display......................................................................................86
5.9.1.2 Display with Other Marks............................................................................86
5.10 Merchant Obligations for Acceptance...................................................................... 87
5.10.1 Honor All Cards................................................................................................87
5.10.2 Merchant Acceptance of Mastercard Cards.......................................................87
5.10.3 Obtain an Authorization................................................................................... 87
5.10.4 Additional Cardholder Identification................................................................. 87
5.10.5 Discounts or Other Benefits at the Point of Interaction .....................................88
5.11 Prohibited Practices.................................................................................................. 88
5.11.1 Discrimination.................................................................................................. 88
5.11.2 Charges to Cardholders....................................................................................88
5.11.3 Minimum/Maximum Transaction Amount Prohibited.........................................88
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Mastercard Rules • 21 December 2017
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5.11.4 Scrip-dispensing Terminals................................................................................ 89
5.11.5 Existing Mastercard Cardholder Obligations...................................................... 89
5.11.6 Cardholder Right of Dispute............................................................................. 89
5.11.7 Illegal or Brand-damaging Transactions............................................................. 89
5.11.8 Disparagement................................................................................................. 90
5.11.9 Mastercard Tokens............................................................................................90
5.12 Valid Transactions.....................................................................................................90
5.13 Sale or Exchange of Information...............................................................................91
5.14 Payment Account Reference (PAR) Data....................................................................91
Chapter 6: Issuing...................................................................................................... 92
6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements....................................................................... 94
Mastercard Safety Net................................................................................................. 94
Transaction Alerts Service.............................................................................................94
6.1.1 Mastercard Card Issuance................................................................................... 95
6.1.1.1 Linked Mastercard Card Program Solicitations............................................. 96
6.1.2 Maestro Card Issuance........................................................................................96
6.1.2.1 Eligible Accounts—Maestro.........................................................................96
6.1.2.2 Ineligible Accounts—Maestro......................................................................96
6.1.3 Cirrus Card Issuance........................................................................................... 97
6.1.3.1 Eligible Cards—Cirrus..................................................................................97
6.1.3.2 Eligible Accounts—Cirrus............................................................................ 98
6.1.3.3 Ineligible Cards—Cirrus...............................................................................99
6.1.3.4 Ineligible Accounts—Cirrus......................................................................... 99
6.1.3.5 Transferred Cirrus Portfolios........................................................................ 99
6.1.4 Tokenization of Accounts....................................................................................99
6.1.4.1 Maestro Accounts.....................................................................................100
6.1.5 Cardholder Communications............................................................................ 100
6.2 Issuer Responsibilities to Cardholders....................................................................... 101
6.2.1 Cardholder Communications............................................................................ 102
6.3 Limitation of Liability of Cardholders for Unauthorized Use.......................................102
6.4 Selective Authorization.............................................................................................102
6.5 Affinity and Co-Brand Card Programs.......................................................................103
6.5.1 Ownership and Control of the Program............................................................ 103
6.5.2 Use of the Acceptance Marks........................................................................... 103
6.6 Brand Value Transactions and Proprietary Accounts.................................................. 104
6.6.1 Proprietary Account Access...............................................................................104
6.6.2 Use of BVT and Proprietary Accounts on a Mastercard Card..............................104
6.6.3 Fees and Reporting Requirements.....................................................................105
6.7 Virtual Accounts.......................................................................................................105
6.8 Secured Card Programs............................................................................................ 106
6.8.1 Refund of Fees................................................................................................. 106
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6.8.2 Solicitation and Disclosure Requirements.......................................................... 106
6.9 Youth Card Programs............................................................................................... 107
6.9.1 Solicitation and Disclosure Requirements.......................................................... 108
6.10 Prepaid Card Programs...........................................................................................108
6.10.1 Prior Consent of the Corporation....................................................................108
6.10.2 Reservation of Rights...................................................................................... 108
6.10.3 Responsibility for the Prepaid Card Program....................................................109
6.10.4 Categories of Prepaid Card Program............................................................... 109
Consumer Prepaid Card Programs.........................................................................109
Commercial Prepaid Card Programs...................................................................... 109
Government Prepaid Card Programs..................................................................... 109
6.10.5 Return of Unspent Value.................................................................................110
Consumer Prepaid Card Programs.........................................................................110
Commercial Prepaid Card Programs...................................................................... 110
Government Prepaid Card Programs..................................................................... 110
6.10.6 Value Loading.................................................................................................111
6.10.7 Automatic Value Loads from Payment Cards...................................................111
6.10.8 Communication and Marketing Materials....................................................... 111
6.10.9 Anonymous Prepaid Card Programs................................................................112
6.10.10 BINs..............................................................................................................112
6.10.11 Simplified Due Diligence Guidelines.............................................................. 113
6.11 Maestro Chip-only Card Programs—Europe Region Only........................................113
6.12 Debit Card Programs Issued by Electronic Money Institutions and Payment
Institutions..................................................................................................................... 113
Chapter 7: Service Providers.............................................................................. 114
7.1 Service Provider Categories...................................................................................... 116
7.1.1 Independent Sales Organization....................................................................... 118
7.1.2 Third Party Processor.........................................................................................119
7.1.2.1 Type I........................................................................................................ 119
7.1.2.2 Type II....................................................................................................... 119
7.1.2.3 Type III...................................................................................................... 119
7.1.3 Payment Facilitator........................................................................................... 119
7.1.4 Staged Digital Wallet Operator......................................................................... 119
7.1.4.1 Staged Digital Wallet Operator Requirements............................................119
7.1.5 Digital Activity Service Provider......................................................................... 121
7.1.6 Token Service Provider (TSP)..............................................................................121
7.1.7 Merchant Monitoring Service Provider.............................................................. 121
7.2 The Program and Performance of Program Service................................................... 121
7.2.1 Customer Responsibility and Control................................................................ 122
7.2.2 Notification to the Corporation.........................................................................122
7.2.3 Program Service Agreement..............................................................................123
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7.2.4 Disclosure of Standards.....................................................................................124
7.2.5 Customer Point of Contact............................................................................... 124
7.2.6 Use of the Marks.............................................................................................. 124
7.2.7 Service Provider Identification on a Card........................................................... 124
7.2.8 Program Materials............................................................................................ 124
7.2.9 Fees..................................................................................................................125
7.2.10 Settlement Failure Obligation..........................................................................125
7.2.11 Data Security.................................................................................................. 125
7.3 Access to Merchant Account....................................................................................125
7.4 Transfer of Rights Prohibited.....................................................................................125
7.5 Use of Corporation’s Systems and Confidential Information......................................126
7.6 Acquiring Programs..................................................................................................127
7.6.1 Merchant Agreement....................................................................................... 127
7.6.2 Collection of Funds from a Merchant................................................................128
7.6.3 Access to Documentation................................................................................. 128
7.6.4 Authority to Terminate Merchant Agreement or ATM Owner Agreement..........128
7.6.5 Payment Facilitators and Submerchants............................................................ 128
7.6.5.1 Responsibility for Payment Facilitator and Submerchant Activity................ 128
7.7 Issuing Programs...................................................................................................... 130
7.7.1 Card Application Approval................................................................................130
7.7.2 Cardholder Agreement.....................................................................................130
7.7.3 Program Payments............................................................................................130
7.7.4 Program Receivables.........................................................................................130
7.8 Payment Facilitator Obligations................................................................................ 131
7.8.1 Submerchant Agreement..................................................................................131
7.8.1.1 Required Submerchant Agreement Terms..................................................131
7.8.2 Obligations as Sponsor of Submerchants.......................................................... 132
7.9 Registration Requirements for DSEs, ISOs and Type II TPPs........................................ 133
7.9.1 Site Data Protection (SDP) Program Noncompliance.......................................... 134
7.10 Registration Requirements for Type I TPPs...............................................................135
7.11 Registration Requirements for Type III TPPs............................................................. 135
7.12 Registration Requirements for Payment Facilitators.................................................136
7.13 Registration Requirements for Staged DWOs..........................................................137
7.14 Registration Requirements for Digital Activity Service Providers............................... 138
7.15 Registration Requirements for Token Service Providers............................................139
7.16 Registration Requirements for Merchant Monitoring Service Providers.................... 139
7.17 Registration of a Service Provider Registration Facilitator.........................................140
7.18 Service Provider Registration Noncompliance..........................................................140
7.19 Prohibition from Acting as a Service Provider.......................................................... 140
7.20 Termination of Program Service Agreement or De-registration................................ 140
7.21 Confidential Information of Service Providers..........................................................141
7.22 Audits.................................................................................................................... 141
7.23 No Endorsement by the Corporation...................................................................... 141
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Chapter 8: Settlement and Related Obligations...................................... 142
8.1 Definitions............................................................................................................... 143
8.2 Net Settlement.........................................................................................................143
8.2.1 Currency Conversion........................................................................................ 143
8.2.2 Settlement Messages and Instructions.............................................................. 143
8.2.3 Reconciliation................................................................................................... 144
8.3 Interchange and Service Fees....................................................................................144
8.3.1 Cost Studies..................................................................................................... 144
8.3.1.1 Allocation of Expenses.............................................................................. 144
8.3.1.2 Compliance with a Cost Study.................................................................. 145
8.4 Establishment of Intracountry Interchange and Service Fees......................................145
8.4.1 Intraregional Fees............................................................................................. 145
8.4.2 Bilateral Agreement..........................................................................................145
8.5 Failure of a Principal or Association to Discharge a Settlement Obligation.................146
8.6 Settlement Liability for Debit Licensees..................................................................... 147
8.7 Settlement Liability for Type I TPPs that Sponsor Affiliates......................................... 147
8.8 System Liquidity....................................................................................................... 147
8.9 Liability for Owned or Controlled Entities..................................................................148
8.10 Risk of Loss............................................................................................................ 149
8.11 Loss Allocation Among Customers......................................................................... 150
Chapter 9: Digital Activity...................................................................................151
Digital Activity Rules.......................................................................................................152
Applicability of Rules...................................................................................................... 152
1.1 Eligibility to be a Customer.......................................................................................152
1.1.3 Digital Activity Customer.................................................................................. 153
1.8 The Digital Activity Agreement................................................................................. 153
1.9 Participation in Activity and Digital Activity............................................................... 153
3.12 Confidential Information of Mastercard..................................................................154
9.1 Digital Activity and Conduct of a Staged Digital Wallet Operator ............................. 154
9.1.1 General Obligations..........................................................................................154
9.1.2 Branding Requirements.................................................................................... 155
9.1.3 Data Protection, Privacy and Data Usage...........................................................156
9.1.4 Security............................................................................................................ 157
9.2 DWO Requirements — Pass-through Digital Wallet...................................................157
9.2.1 Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard..................................................157
9.2.2 Prohibited Practices ..........................................................................................157
9.2.3 Industry-standard Interfaces..............................................................................158
9.2.4 Pass-through DWO Tokenization ......................................................................158
9.2.5 Fraud Loss Controls and Account Data Compromise......................................... 158
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9.2.6 Pass-through DWO Functional Requirements for Use on a Mobile Payment
Device and Access Device ......................................................................................... 159
9.2.7 Pass-through DWO Token Requestor Requirements ..........................................160
9.3 Digital Activity—Merchant Token Requestor ............................................................ 160
9.3.1 Merchant Token Requestor Requirements ........................................................ 161
9.3.2 Merchant Token Requestor Obligations.............................................................161
9.4 Digital Activity—On-behalf Token Requestor............................................................ 162
9.4.1 On-behalf Token Requestor Requirements ........................................................162
Chapter 10: Asia/Pacific Region........................................................................164
Applicability of Rules...................................................................................................... 165
Definitions..................................................................................................................... 165
1.7 Area of Use of the License........................................................................................165
1.7.1 Extending the Area of Use ............................................................................... 165
1.7.2 Extension of Area of Use Exceptions................................................................. 166
1.10 Participation in Competing Networks .................................................................... 166
3.1 Obligation to Issue Mastercard Cards....................................................................... 166
3.13 Data Protection...................................................................................................... 166
3.13.1 Processing of Transaction-Related Personal Data............................................. 167
3.13.2 Data Subject Notice and Consent................................................................... 167
3.13.3 Data Subject Access to Personal Data............................................................. 167
3.13.4 Integrity of Personal Data............................................................................... 168
4.9 Use of Marks on Mastercard Cards...........................................................................168
5.1 The Merchant and ATM Owner Agreements.............................................................168
5.1.2 Required Merchant Agreement Terms............................................................... 168
5.10 Merchant Obligations for Acceptance.................................................................... 168
5.10.1 Honor All Cards..............................................................................................168
5.10.2 Merchant Acceptance of Mastercard Cards.....................................................169
5.10.5 Discounts or Other Benefits at the Point of Interaction....................................169
5.11 Prohibited Practices................................................................................................ 169
5.11.1 Discrimination................................................................................................ 169
5.11.2 Charges to Cardholders..................................................................................169
6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements..................................................................... 170
6.1.1 Mastercard Card Issuance................................................................................. 170
8.3 Interchange and Service Fees ...................................................................................170
8.4 Establishment of Intracountry Interchange and Service Fees......................................170
8.4.1 Intraregional Fees............................................................................................. 171
8.4.2 Bilateral Agreement..........................................................................................171
Chapter 11: Canada Region................................................................................ 172
Applicability of Rules...................................................................................................... 173
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5.1 The Merchant and ATM Owner Agreements.............................................................173
5.1.2 Required Merchant Agreement Terms....................................................................173
5.1.2.1 Gambling Merchants..................................................................................... 173
5.3 Acquirer Obligations to Merchants........................................................................... 174
5.3.4 Merchant Deposit Account .............................................................................. 174
5.10 Merchant Obligations for Acceptance.................................................................... 174
5.10.5 Discounts or Other Benefits at the Point of Interaction....................................174
5.11 Prohibited Practices................................................................................................ 174
5.11.2 Charges to Cardholders..................................................................................174
6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements..................................................................... 174
6.1.1 Mastercard Card Issuance................................................................................. 174
6.1.2 Maestro Card Issuance......................................................................................175
6.10 Prepaid Card Programs...........................................................................................175
6.10.6 Value Loading.................................................................................................175
7.2 The Program and Performance of Program Service................................................... 175
Chapter 12: Europe Region................................................................................. 176
Applicability of Rules...................................................................................................... 179
Definitions..................................................................................................................... 179
1.6 The License.............................................................................................................. 182
1.6.1 SEPA Licensing Program....................................................................................182
1.7 Area of Use of the License........................................................................................183
1.7.2 Extension of Area of Use Exceptions................................................................. 183
1.7.3 Central Acquiring............................................................................................. 183
1.7.3.1 Central Acquiring Registration.................................................................. 183
1.7.3.2 Central Acquirer Service Requirements...................................................... 184
1.7.3.3 Intracountry Rules..................................................................................... 184
1.7.3.4 Centrally Acquired Merchants................................................................... 184
1.7.3.5 Registration Procedure.............................................................................. 184
1.7.3.6 Extension of Registration...........................................................................184
1.7.3.7 Interchange Fee Requirements.................................................................. 184
1.7.3.8 Settlement of Disputes..............................................................................185
1.7.3.9 Customer Noncompliance.........................................................................185
1.13 Termination of License............................................................................................185
1.13.2 Termination by the Corporation...................................................................... 185
2.1 Standards.................................................................................................................185
2.1.8 Rules Applicable to Intracountry Transactions....................................................185
2.1.8.1 Order of Precedence................................................................................. 185
2.4 Choice of Laws........................................................................................................ 186
3.1 Obligation to Issue Mastercard Cards—EEA Only......................................................186
3.3 Transaction Requirements—SEPA Only..................................................................... 186
3.6 Non-discrimination—ATM and Bank Branch Terminal Transactions ...........................186
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3.13 Data Protection...................................................................................................... 187
3.13.1 Processing of Transaction-Related Personal Data............................................. 188
3.13.2 Data Subject Notice and Consent................................................................... 188
3.13.3 Data Subject Access to Personal Data............................................................. 189
3.13.4 Integrity of Personal Data............................................................................... 189
3.17 Issuer Reporting Requirement—EU and Norway..................................................... 189
3.18 BINs....................................................................................................................... 190
4.1 Right to Use the Marks.............................................................................................190
4.1.1 Protection and Registration of the Marks.......................................................... 190
4.4 Signage System........................................................................................................190
4.4.2 ATM Terminal Signage...................................................................................... 190
4.8 Use of Marks on Maestro and Cirrus Cards...............................................................190
4.9 Use of Marks on Mastercard Cards...........................................................................191
5.1 The Merchant and ATM Owner Agreements.............................................................191
5.1.2 Required Merchant Agreement Terms............................................................... 191
5.3 Acquirer Obligations to Merchants........................................................................... 191
5.3.3 Provide Information.......................................................................................... 191
5.7 Transaction Message Data........................................................................................ 192
5.7.2 Card Acceptor Address Information..................................................................192
5.7.3 Submerchant Name Information.......................................................................192
5.7.4 ATM Terminal Information................................................................................ 192
5.10 Merchant Obligations for Acceptance.................................................................... 192
5.10.1 Honor All Cards..............................................................................................192
5.10.2 Merchant Acceptance of Mastercard Cards.....................................................193
5.10.2.1 Acceptance in a Debit Mastercard Country..............................................193
5.10.5 Discounts or Other Benefits at the Point of Interaction....................................194
5.11 Prohibited Practices................................................................................................ 194
5.11.1 Discrimination................................................................................................ 194
5.11.4 Scrip-dispensing Terminals.............................................................................. 196
5.11.5 Existing Cardholder Obligations...................................................................... 196
6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements..................................................................... 196
6.1.1 Mastercard Card Issuance................................................................................. 199
6.1.2 Maestro Card Issuance......................................................................................199
6.1.2.1 Eligible Accounts—Maestro.......................................................................199
6.1.4 Tokenization of Accounts..................................................................................199
6.2 Issuer Responsibilities to Cardholders....................................................................... 200
6.4 Selective Authorization.............................................................................................201
6.5 Special Issuer Programs—General Requirements.......................................................201
6.10 Prepaid Card Programs...........................................................................................202
6.10.10 Simplified Due Diligence Guidelines.............................................................. 202
6.11 Maestro Chip-only Card Programs..........................................................................202
6.12 Debit Card Programs Issued by Electronic Money Institutions and Payment
Institutions..................................................................................................................... 203
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6.12.1 Prior Consent of the Corporation....................................................................203
6.12.2 Reservation of Rights...................................................................................... 203
7.1 Service Provider Categories...................................................................................... 203
7.1.1 Independent Sales Organization....................................................................... 203
7.1.2 Third Party Processor.........................................................................................204
7.1.4 Digital Wallet Operator.....................................................................................204
7.1.4.2 Staged Digital Wallet Operator Requirements............................................204
7.6 Acquiring Programs..................................................................................................204
7.6.5 Payment Facilitators and Submerchants............................................................ 204
7.6.5.1 Responsibility for Payment Facilitator and Submerchant Activity................ 204
8.1 Definitions............................................................................................................... 205
8.2 Net Settlement.........................................................................................................205
8.2.1 Currency Conversion........................................................................................ 205
8.2.2 Settlement Messages and Instructions.............................................................. 205
8.2.2.1 Cooperation with Government Authorities................................................206
8.2.2.2 Provision of Information............................................................................206
8.2.2.3 Notification of Winding Up Resolution or Trust Deed.................................206
8.3 Interchange and Service Fees ...................................................................................206
8.4 Establishment of Intracountry Interchange and Service Fees......................................207
8.4.2 Bilateral Agreement..........................................................................................207
8.5 Failure of a Principal or Association to Discharge a Settlement Obligation.................207
8.11 Loss Allocation Among Customers......................................................................... 207
Chapter 13: Latin America and the Caribbean Region..........................208
Applicability of Rules...................................................................................................... 209
Definitions..................................................................................................................... 209
3.1 Obligation to Issue Mastercard Cards....................................................................... 209
4.1 Right to Use the Marks.............................................................................................209
4.8 Use of Marks on Maestro and Cirrus Cards...............................................................210
5.10 Merchant Obligations for Acceptance.................................................................... 210
5.10.5 Discounts or Other Benefits at the Point of Interaction....................................210
6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements..................................................................... 210
6.1.2 Maestro Card Issuance......................................................................................210
6.4 Selective Authorization.............................................................................................211
8.2 Net Settlement.........................................................................................................211
8.2.1 Currency Conversion........................................................................................ 211
8.4 Establishment of Intracountry Interchange and Service Fees......................................211
8.11 Loss Allocation Among Customers......................................................................... 212
Chapter 14: Middle East/Africa Region........................................................ 213
Applicability of Rules...................................................................................................... 214
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Definitions..................................................................................................................... 214
1.7 Area of Use..............................................................................................................214
1.7.1 Extending the Area of Use ............................................................................... 214
3.1 Obligation to Issue Mastercard Cards....................................................................... 215
3.13 Data Protection...................................................................................................... 215
3.13.1 Processing of Transaction–Related Personal Data.............................................216
3.13.2 Data Subject Notice and Consent................................................................... 216
3.13.3 Data Subject Access to Personal Data............................................................. 216
3.13.4 Integrity of Personal Data............................................................................... 217
5.1 The Merchant and ATM Owner Agreements.............................................................217
5.1.2 Required Merchant Agreement Terms............................................................... 217
5.10 Merchant Obligations for Acceptance.................................................................... 217
5.10.1 Honor All Cards..............................................................................................217
5.10.2 Merchant Acceptance of Mastercard Cards.....................................................218
5.10.5 Discounts or Other Benefits at the Point of Interaction....................................218
6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements..................................................................... 218
6.1.1 Mastercard Card Issuance................................................................................. 218
6.10 Prepaid Card Programs...........................................................................................218
6.10.6 Value Loading.................................................................................................218
Chapter 15: United States Region................................................................... 220
Applicability of Rules...................................................................................................... 222
Definitions..................................................................................................................... 222
1.9 Participation in Activity and Digital Activity............................................................... 223
1.12 Change of Control of Customer or Portfolio...........................................................223
1.12.1 Change of Control of Issuer or Issuing Program.............................................. 223
1.12.2 Change of Control of Acquirer or Acquiring Program..................................... 224
3.1 Obligation to Issue Mastercard Cards....................................................................... 225
3.3 Transaction Requirements.........................................................................................225
3.7 Integrity of Brand and Network................................................................................ 225
5.1 The Merchant and ATM Owner Agreements.............................................................226
5.1.2 Required Merchant Agreement Terms............................................................... 226
5.1.2.1 Gambling Merchants.................................................................................226
5.3 Acquirer Obligations to Merchants........................................................................... 227
5.3.3 Provide Information.......................................................................................... 227
5.7 Transaction Message Data........................................................................................ 227
5.7.1 Card Acceptor Business Code (MCC) Information............................................. 227
5.10 Merchant Obligations for Card Acceptance............................................................ 227
5.10.1 Honor All Cards..............................................................................................227
5.10.2 Merchant Acceptance.....................................................................................228
5.10.4 Additional Cardholder Identification............................................................... 228
5.11 Prohibited Practices................................................................................................ 228
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5.11.1 Discrimination................................................................................................ 228
5.11.5 Existing Mastercard Cardholder Obligations.................................................... 228
6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements..................................................................... 229
6.1.1 Mastercard Card Issuance................................................................................. 229
6.1.2 Maestro Card Issuance......................................................................................230
6.1.4 Tokenization of Accounts..................................................................................230
6.1.4.1 Maestro Accounts.....................................................................................230
6.10 Prepaid Card Programs...........................................................................................231
6.10.6 Value Loading.................................................................................................231
7.1 Service Provider Categories...................................................................................... 231
7.1.2 Third Party Processor.........................................................................................231
7.1.2.1 Type I........................................................................................................ 231
7.1.2.3 Type III...................................................................................................... 233
7.2 The Program and Performance of Program Service................................................... 233
7.2.2 Notification to the Corporation.........................................................................233
7.6 Acquiring Programs .................................................................................................234
7.6.5 Payment Facilitators and Submerchants ........................................................... 234
7.6.5.1 Responsibility for Payment Facilitator and Submerchant Activity................ 235
7.8 Payment Facilitator Obligations................................................................................ 235
7.8.1 Submerchant Agreement..................................................................................235
7.8.1.1 Required Submerchant Agreement Terms..................................................235
7.8.2 Obligations as Sponsor of Submerchants.......................................................... 236
7.9 Registration Requirements for Type I TPPs.................................................................236
7.10 Registration Requirements for Type III TPPs............................................................. 236
8.6 Settlement Liability for Debit Licensees..................................................................... 236
8.7 Settlement Liability for Type I TPPs that Sponsor Affiliates......................................... 237
8.10 Risk of Loss............................................................................................................ 237
Chapter 16: Additional U.S. Region and U.S. Territory Rules............ 238
Applicability of Rules...................................................................................................... 239
2.2 Conduct of Activity and Digital Activity.................................................................... 239
2.2.5 Mastercard Acquirers........................................................................................239
3.3 Transaction Requirements.........................................................................................239
4.1 Right to Use the Marks.............................................................................................239
4.1.1 Protection and Registration of the Marks.......................................................... 239
4.8 Use of Marks on Maestro and Cirrus Cards...............................................................240
4.9 Use of Marks on Mastercard Cards...........................................................................240
5.11 Prohibited Practices................................................................................................ 240
5.11.1 Discrimination................................................................................................ 240
5.11.2 Charges to Cardholders..................................................................................241
5.11.2.1 Brand-level Surcharging.......................................................................... 242
5.11.2.2 Product-level Surcharging........................................................................244
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5.11.2.3 Requirements for Merchant Disclosure of a Surcharge at the POI.............246
5.11.2.4 Merchant Notification and Acquirer Registration..................................... 247
5.11.2.5 Transaction Requirements....................................................................... 247
5.11.3 Minimum/Maximum Transaction Amount Prohibited.......................................247
5.11.8 Disparagement............................................................................................... 248
Chapter 17: Mastercard Electronic Rules......................................................249
Mastercard Electronic Rules............................................................................................ 250
Definitions.................................................................................................................250
Participation in Mastercard Electronic.........................................................................250
Electronically Authorized Transactions .................................................................. 250
Full Universal Cardholder Authentication Field Transactions .................................. 251
Encoding of Cards and Card Design ..................................................................... 251
Chargebacks.........................................................................................................252
Inadvertent Transactions .......................................................................................252
ATM Terminal Access.............................................................................................252
Applicability of Mastercard Standards........................................................................ 253
Chapter 18: Mastercard Mobile Rules........................................................... 254
Mastercard Mobile Rules................................................................................................ 255
Definitions.................................................................................................................255
Participation in Mastercard Mobile.............................................................................257
Mastercard Mobile Remote Payment..................................................................... 257
Use of an MMRP Service Manager........................................................................ 257
Issuer Domain Mastercard Mobile Remote Payment.............................................. 258
Acquirer Domain Mastercard Mobile Remote Payment.......................................... 259
Service Manager Requirements..................................................................................259
ATM Terminal Access................................................................................................. 260
Applicability of Mastercard and Maestro Standards....................................................260
Appendix A: Geographic Regions................................................................... 261
Asia/Pacific Region......................................................................................................... 262
Canada Region.............................................................................................................. 263
Europe Region............................................................................................................... 263
Single European Payments Area (SEPA)...................................................................... 264
Non-Single European Payments Area (Non-SEPA)....................................................... 265
Latin America and the Caribbean Region........................................................................265
Middle East/Africa Region.............................................................................................. 266
United States Region......................................................................................................267
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Appendix B: Compliance Zones........................................................................ 268
Compliance Zones..........................................................................................................269
Appendix C: Definitions....................................................................................... 275
Notices...........................................................................................................................309
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Chapter 1 The License and Participation
This chapter contains Rules relating to the License and participation in Activity.
1.1 Eligibility to be a Customer..................................................................................................... 28
1.1.1 Principal or Affiliate......................................................................................................... 28
1.1.2 Association......................................................................................................................28
1.1.3 Digital Activity Customer................................................................................................. 29
1.2 Mastercard Anti-Money Laundering Program.......................................................................... 29
1.3 Satisfaction of Minimum Financial Requirements.....................................................................30
1.4 Special Conditions of Participation, License or Activity.............................................................30
1.5 Interim Participation................................................................................................................31
1.6 The License............................................................................................................................. 31
1.6.1 SEPA Licensing Program—Europe Region Only.................................................................31
1.7 Area of Use of the License...................................................................................................... 31
1.7.1 Extending the Area of Use...............................................................................................32
1.7.2 Extension of Area of Use Exceptions................................................................................ 32
1.7.3 Central Acquiring—Europe Region Only.......................................................................... 33
1.7.4 Transfer of Cards to India Residents is Prohibited without a License................................. 33
1.8 The Digital Activity Agreement................................................................................................33
1.9 Participation in Activity and Digital Activity..............................................................................34
1.9.1 Changing Customer Status..............................................................................................34
1.9.2 Participation and License or Digital Activity Agreement Not Transferable..........................34
1.9.3 Right to Sponsor Affiliates............................................................................................... 34
1.9.4 Change in Sponsorship of an Affiliate..............................................................................34
1.9.5 Customer Name Change................................................................................................. 34
1.10 Participation in Competing Networks.................................................................................... 34
1.10.1 Protection of the Corporation........................................................................................35
1.10.2 Participation Restrictions................................................................................................35
1.10.3 Exceptions to the Participation Restrictions.................................................................... 36
1.11 Portfolio Sale, Transfer, or Withdrawal...................................................................................37
1.12 Change of Control of Customer or Portfolio......................................................................... 38
1.13 Termination...........................................................................................................................38
1.13.1 Voluntary Termination................................................................................................... 38
1.13.2 Termination by the Corporation.....................................................................................39
1.13.3 Termination for Provision of Inaccurate Information....................................................... 41
1.13.4 Rights, Liabilities, and Obligations of a Terminated Customer.........................................41
The License and Participation
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1.1 Eligibility to be a Customer
An entity eligible to be a Customer may apply to become a Customer. No entity may
participate in Activity until that entity is approved to be a Customer, has executed the
applicable Licenses for the proposed Activity in a form acceptable to the Corporation, and has
paid all associated fees and other costs.
NOTE: A modification to this Rule appears in the “Digital Activity” chapter.
The following types of entities are eligible to be a Customer.
1.1.1 Principal or Affiliate
A financial institution or other legal entity authorized to engage in financial transactions in
accordance with the laws and government regulations of the country (or any subdivision
thereof) in which it is organized or principally engaged in business may apply to be a Principal
or an Affiliate. Any such financial institution or other legal entity must also have the requisite
right, power, and authority, corporate and otherwise, to be a Customer of this Corporation
and to engage in the proposed Activity, and must have submitted business plans acceptable to
the Corporation in accordance with the Standards, including without limitation, Rule 2.2.1.
For purposes of this Rule 1.1.1, “financial transactions” means the making of commercial or
consumer loans, the extension of credit, the taking of consumer or commercial deposits, the
establishment of prepaid accounts and issuance of electronic money or stored value, or the
execution of related payment transactions, including effecting such transactions with payment
cards or other access devices or methods.
A financial institution applicant must be regulated and supervised by one or more
governmental authorities or agencies authorized and empowered to establish or enforce rules
regarding financial transactions and the financial condition, activities, and practices of entities
engaging in financial transactions. Any other applicant must satisfy such eligibility criteria as
the Corporation may adopt from time to time, consistent with the promotion of safe and
sound practices, on a regional, country-by-country or other basis. The decision to admit an
applicant as a Principal or Affiliate of the Corporation is made at the sole discretion of the
Corporation.
1.1.2 Association
Any legal entity that is Controlled by one or more financial institutions eligible and approved
to be a Customer as described in Rule 1.1.1 and that proposes to engage in Mastercard
Activity on behalf of one or more of those Customers may apply to be an Association. Any
such entity must have the requisite right, power, and authority, corporate and otherwise, to be
a Customer of this Corporation, must have submitted business plans acceptable to the
Corporation in accordance with the Standards, including without limitation, Rule 2.2.1. The
decision to admit an entity as an Association of the Corporation is made at the sole discretion
of the Corporation.
The License and Participation
1.1 Eligibility to be a Customer
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1.1.3 Digital Activity Customer
NOTE: A Rule on this subject appears in the “Digital Activity” chapter.
1.2 Mastercard Anti-Money Laundering Program
A License application must be accompanied by affirmative evidence satisfactory to the
Corporation that the applicant is in compliance with the Mastercard Anti-Money Laundering
Program (the “AML Program”).
The AML Program requires that each Customer conducting or proposing to conduct issuing
and/or acquiring Activity have policies, procedures, and controls in place to protect against the
use of Mastercard systems for money laundering and terrorist financing. Such policies,
procedures, and controls must apply to all Activity and include, at minimum, all of the
following:
1. Thorough client identification
2. Thorough client due diligence
3. Record-keeping of such identification and due diligence
4. Appropriate limitations on anonymous activities
5. Client activity monitoring to detect suspicious activity
6. Steps to be taken when suspicious activity is detected
7. An audit process to test controls
8. Compliance with U.S. sanctions programs, which require that:
a. Each Cardholder, Merchant and agent is checked against the Specially Designated
Nationals and Blocked Persons List (the “SDN List”) issued by the U.S. Treasury
Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), at the time the relationship is
established and on an ongoing basis. Any Activity with a person or entity found to be
on the SDN List is immediately terminated; and
b. No Activity is conducted in a country subject to OFAC sanctions programs that impact
payment services, or with the government of such a country.
The Corporation has exclusive authority to determine at any time whether an applicant or a
Customer is in compliance with the AML Program. Each applicant to be a Customer and each
Customer must cooperate with the periodic reviews and any other efforts undertaken by the
Corporation to evaluate such applicant’s or Customer’s compliance with the AML Program. As
part of a periodic review, the Corporation may subject a Customer to enhanced due diligence
procedures which may include on-site examinations and/or the use of a third party reviewer.
Any such examination is at the expense of the Customer, and a copy of the examination
results must be provided promptly to the Corporation upon request.
The License and Participation
1.2 Mastercard Anti-Money Laundering Program
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1.3 Satisfaction of Minimum Financial Requirements
Each Customer at all times must satisfy the minimum financial requirements established by the
Corporation from time to time. The Corporation, in its discretion, may establish different or
additional financial requirements for (i) a category of financial institutions, organizations, or
corporations or other entities that are eligible to become a Customer, or (ii) an individual
Customer or prospective Customer in the manner set forth in the Standards should the
Corporation determine that different or additional requirements are reasonably appropriate to
evidence the financial integrity of a type of Customer or an individual Customer or prospective
Customer.
Such requirements may include both objective standards, such as the measurement of capital
adequacy, and subjective standards, such as evaluating key management experience and
ability, the area in which the Customer engages in business, and the manner in which such
business is conducted.
1.4 Special Conditions of Participation, License or Activity
The Corporation may condition Participation, the grant of any License, or the conduct of
Activity on compliance by the Customer with special conditions, such as the establishment of
escrow arrangements, the delivery of letters of credit, or other arrangements that the
Corporation deems necessary or appropriate to maintain the integrity of the Mastercard
system, including but not limited to conditions imposed pursuant to the Mastercard AML
Program.
The Corporation has the right at any time to require that a Customer enter into a security
arrangement with the Corporation. If a Customer does not enter into a security arrangement
with the Corporation that is satisfactory to the Corporation, the Corporation has the right at
any time to collect from the Customer, in addition to any amount otherwise due and payable
by the Customer to the Corporation or to other Customers, such additional amount from the
Customer as collateral as the Corporation deems appropriate. The Corporation has the right
to collect any such additional amount by any means available to the Corporation including by
way of example and not limitation:
1. By taking any funds deposited by any persons from any account that the Corporation is
authorized to draw upon for any purpose.
2. By taking any funds due to such Customer from other Customers.
3. By taking any funds being paid by such Customer to other Customers.
In each case in which the Corporation takes any such collateral, the Corporation has the right
to take ownership of all or any part of such collateral (such as by placing funds taken in an
account in the Corporation’s name as a secured party) and to apply such collateral as payment
toward any obligation of the Customer in accordance with the Standards.
Each Customer hereby appoints and authorizes the Corporation to act as the Customer’s
attorney and agent for any and all purposes in connection with the filing, recording, or other
The License and Participation
1.3 Satisfaction of Minimum Financial Requirements
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perfecting of the Corporation’s rights under the Standards. This Rule constitutes a security
agreement between each Customer and the Corporation, and vests in the Corporation a
security interest in any collateral collected as provided in these Standards, granted
contemporaneously in exchange and as a condition for the continuation of the Customer’s
Participation and Licenses.
1.5 Interim Participation
Pending approval of an application to be a Customer, the Corporation may authorize the
applicant to participate in Activity on an interim basis as if the applicant were a Customer. As
a condition of such interim authorization, the applicant must agree, and by commencement
of any Activity the applicant is deemed to have agreed, to comply during this interim period
(and thereafter as applicable) with the Standards and to discontinue immediately any use of
the Marks and Activity if the application to be a Customer is declined.
All damages, losses, costs, and liabilities arising directly or indirectly, or consequentially, from
or related to any interim participation in Activity by the applicant and from the disapproval of
the application to be a Customer is solely at the applicant’s risk and expense, and this
Corporation has no responsibility for any such damages, losses, costs, or liabilities.
1.6 The License
Each Customer agrees, and by use of any one or more of the Marks agrees, to comply with all
provisions of the License pertaining to use of the Marks and with the Standards of this
Corporation as may be in effect from time to time. In the event of an inconsistency between a
Standard and a provision in a License, the Standard prevails and the License is deemed to be
amended so as to be consistent with the Standard. Each Customer must assist the
Corporation in recording any License granted to the Customer if required in the country in
which the Customer is Licensed or otherwise upon request of the Corporation.
1.6.1 SEPA Licensing Program—Europe Region Only
NOTE: Rules on this subject appear in the “Europe Region” chapter.
1.7 Area of Use of the License
Except as otherwise provided in the Standards, each Customer may use a Mark and conduct
Activity solely in the Area of Use in which the Customer has been granted a License. If the
License does not specify an Area of Use, the License is deemed to authorize the Customer to
use the Mark and conduct Activity only in the country or countries the Corporation
determines to be the Customer’s Area of Use.
A License that the Corporation deems to be inconsistent with this Rule is deemed amended
effective as of the date of the grant of the License so as to be consistent with this Rule.
The License and Participation
1.5 Interim Participation
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Except as otherwise provided in the Standards, the ICA number and BIN/IIN or BIN range, as
applicable, used to conduct issuing and/or acquiring Activity must reflect the country, from
among those in the Customer’s Area of Use, where Cards are issued and/or Merchants, ATM
Terminals, or Bank Branch Terminals effecting acquired Transactions are located.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Europe Region” chapter.
1.7.1 Extending the Area of Use
A Customer must apply to the Corporation for permission to extend the Area of Use of a
License. Such application must be made in the form and include all information then required
by the Corporation. If the application is approved, the Corporation will amend the License to
reflect the change in the Area of Use.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Asia/Pacific Region” and “Middle East/Africa
Region” chapters.
1.7.2 Extension of Area of Use Exceptions
Notwithstanding Rule 1.7, a Customer is not required to apply to extend the Area of Use of a
License to conduct any of the following Activities, subject to (a) the Corporation’s right to
prohibit or restrict or condition any such Activity and (b) compliance by the Customer with
Standards, laws and regulations applicable to any such Activity:
1. Issue Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus Cards outside of the Customer’s Area of Use,
provided that the Customer does not use Solicitations or Solicit outside of its Area of Use.
2. Issue Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus Cards to citizens of any country within the
Customer’s Area of Use, wherever such citizens reside. Any Card Solicitation, wherever
conducted, must be directed only to citizens of countries within the Customer’s Area of
Use.
3. Issue Mastercard Corporate Card
®
Cards to employees of an entity on whose behalf the
Cards are issued, wherever such employees reside, provided that the entity is
multinational, having a presence and conducting regular business in more than one
country, including at least one country in the Customer’s Area of Use.
4. Issue Mastercard payroll or incentive Cards to employees of an entity on whose behalf the
Cards are issued, provided that the entity is multinational, having a presence and
conducting regular business in more than one country, including at least one country in
the Customer’s Area of Use, and:
a. The gross dollar volume (GDV) within a country in a calendar year from the Customer’s
and its Sponsored Affiliates total cross-border issuance for all payroll and incentive
Card Programs for all companies served in that country does not exceed one percent
of that country’s Mastercard GDV in that calendar year, or
b. If the Customer has a License to issue Cards in a particular country (Country A) but
wishes to issue Cards into Country A from another country in which the Customer is
also licensed (Country B), the Customer’s and its Sponsored Affiliates’ total cross-
border issuance from Country B into Country A in a calendar year may not exceed:
The License and Participation
1.7 Area of Use of the License
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– 10 percent of that Customer’s and its Sponsored Affiliates’ total domestic
Mastercard GDV in Country A in that calendar year, or
– If greater than the 10 percent described herein, the amount allowed under the one
percent threshold described above.
5. Acquire Mastercard or Maestro airline Transactions from a Merchant located in a country
other than the Russian Federation that is outside of the Customer’s Area of Use, subject to
satisfying all of the following requirements:
a. The airline has a meaningful presence in at least one country within the Area of Use;
and
b. The Customer identifies the airline Transactions with an ICA and BIN/IIN that reflects
either the country, or a country within the same Region as the country, in which the
airline ticket office is located; and
c. The Customer authorizes, clears, and settles each Domestic Transaction in a manner
that does not significantly disadvantage an Issuer in the same country in the judgment
of the Corporation.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the "Asia/Pacific Region" and “Europe Region”
chapters.
1.7.3 Central Acquiring—Europe Region Only
NOTE: Rules on this subject appear in the “Europe Region” chapter.
1.7.4 Transfer of Cards to India Residents is Prohibited without a License
An Issuer that reasonably believes that its Cardholders will distribute, transfer, or in any way
provide Cards issued by the Issuer to residents of India must become Licensed in India and
receive written authorization from the Reserve Bank of India.
Unless the Issuer is Licensed in India and has written authorization from the Reserve Bank of
India, an Issuer that issues Cards to Cardholders that reside outside of India must
communicate to those Cardholders in the terms and conditions of the cardholder agreement
that such Cards must not be distributed, transferred, or in any way provided to residents of
India.
1.8 The Digital Activity Agreement
NOTE: A Rule on this subject appears in the “Digital Activity” chapter.
The License and Participation
1.8 The Digital Activity Agreement
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1.9 Participation in Activity and Digital Activity
Each Customer may participate only in Activity as set forth in its License or Licenses.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Digital Activity” and “United States Region”
chapters.
1.9.1 Changing Customer Status
In the event that an Affiliate wishes to become a Principal or a Principal wishes to become an
Affiliate, the Customer must notify the Corporation and submit such information as the
Corporation deems necessary. It is within the Corporation’s discretion whether to grant the
requested change in Customer status.
1.9.2 Participation and License or Digital Activity Agreement Not Transferable
A Customer must not transfer or assign its Participation or any License or Digital Activity
Agreement, whether by sale, consolidation, merger, operation of law, or otherwise, without
the written consent of the Corporation. However, in the event that the Cards issued by, the
Ownership of, or any Activity or Digital Activity of a Customer are acquired by any person,
whether by sale, consolidation, merger, operation of law or otherwise, the obligations, but
not the rights, of such Customer shall transfer to the person acquiring such Customer.
1.9.3 Right to Sponsor Affiliates
Each Principal and Association has the right to Sponsor as an Affiliate any eligible entity which
conducts or proposes to conduct Activity within the Principal’s or Association’s Area of Use.
1.9.4 Change in Sponsorship of an Affiliate
Each Principal or Association must advise the Corporation promptly if an Affiliate ceases to be
Sponsored by the Principal or Association or has a transfer of Ownership or Control. Refer to
Rule 1.13.4, paragraph 9, regarding the obligation of each Principal and Association to accept
Transactions arising from Cards issued by formerly Sponsored Affiliates.
1.9.5 Customer Name Change
The Corporation must receive written notice at least 30 days before the effective date of any
proposed Customer name change. A Customer that proposes to change its name must
promptly undertake necessary or appropriate action to ensure that its Licenses and Activities
disclose the true identity of the Customer.
1.10 Participation in Competing Networks
A Customer may take part, as either an issuer or an acquirer or both, in any ATM network in
addition to the Mastercard
®
ATM Network that is not a Competing ATM Network.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Customers in the countries listed in Rule 1.10.3 may
The License and Participation
1.9 Participation in Activity and Digital Activity
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participate in a Competing ATM Network, but only in the manner and to the extent expressly
set forth in the Standards.
A Customer may offer its Cardholders any electronic funds transfer (EFT) services (whether
provided by the Mastercard
®
ATM Network or not), charge its Cardholders such fees, if any, as
it chooses, arrange with any Customer or non-Customer for mutual access to ATMs by the
Cardholders or cardholders of each, respectively, process and settle any ATM transactions
without using the Interchange System, locate its ATMs wherever it chooses, and otherwise
conduct its EFT business in the manner it chooses.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Asia/Pacific Region” chapter.
1.10.1 Protection of the Corporation
If a Customer permits cardholders of an entity that is not a Customer to have access to its or
its Customer’s ATM Terminals, such entity has no participation rights in the Mastercard
®
ATM
Network, and has no right of access to the ATM Terminals of other Customers.
If a Customer takes part in an ATM network other than the Mastercard
®
ATM Network, it
must do so in a manner that is consistent with all applicable provisions of the Standards. It
must not, because of such participation, discriminate against the Mastercard
®
ATM Network,
any Customer or its Cardholders, or otherwise fail to comply with the Standards.
1.10.2 Participation Restrictions
A Customer that participates in the Mastercard
®
ATM Network as an Issuer or Acquirer may
not simultaneously participate in a Competing ATM Network except as provided in Rule
1.10.3, specifically:
1. A Card or Portfolio of Cards may not participate in a Competing ATM Network; and
2. A card that provides access to a Competing ATM Network may not be a Card.
For purposes of this Rule, to participate in a Competing ATM Network as a card issuer means
to issue cards, pursuant to the rules and regulations of that system, for the purpose of
providing access to accounts of the issuer in accordance with such rules and regulations.
Notwithstanding this Rule, a Customer that maintains deposit accounts for individuals on
behalf of one or more non-Customers may:
1. Issue to such individuals Cards bearing the name or trade name of such non-Customers
that provide access to such individuals’ accounts through such Competing ATM Networks;
and
2. Authorize Transactions from such systems on behalf of such individuals; provided that:
a. Any non-Customer whose name appears on such Cards is ineligible to obtain a License
from the Corporation for a reason other than its current in another Competing ATM
Network,
b. The name of the Customer does not appear anywhere on such Cards; and
c. The aggregate of all such Cards issued by the Customer does not exceed ten percent
(10 percent) of the total Cards issued by such Customer.
The License and Participation
1.10 Participation in Competing Networks
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1.10.3 Exceptions to the Participation Restrictions
In the following countries, a Customer that acquires transactions of a Competing ATM
Network at its ATMs is not rendered ineligible to be a Customer.
Albania Andorra Armenia
Australia Austria Azerbaijan
Bahrain Belarus Belgium
Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria
Canada Caribbean Territory (all
countries)
Channel Islands
Chile Croatia Cyprus
Czech Republic Denmark Ecuador
Egypt Estonia Fiji
Finland France Georgia
Germany Gibraltar Greece
Guam Hong Kong Hungary
Iceland India Indonesia
Ireland Israel Italy
Japan Kazakhstan Korea
Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Latvia
Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg
Macedonia Malaysia Malta
Mexico Monaco Morocco
Moldova Montenegro Netherlands
New Zealand Norway Oman
Paraguay Peru Philippines
The License and Participation
1.10 Participation in Competing Networks
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Poland Portugal Russian Federation
Romania San Marino Saudi Arabia
Serbia Singapore Slovak Republic
Slovenia South Africa Spain
Sri Lanka Sweden Switzerland
Taiwan Tajikistan Thailand
Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan
Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom
United States United States territories Uzbekistan
Vatican City State Venezuela Vietnam
Zimbabwe
In the following countries, a Customer that participates in a Competing ATM Network as a
credit card issuer is not rendered ineligible to be a Customer.
1. Hong Kong
2. Mexico
3. The Philippines
4. Singapore
5. Thailand
6. Venezuela
7. Any country in the Europe Region if authorized by the Corporation
1.11 Portfolio Sale, Transfer, or Withdrawal
The Corporation must receive written notice at least 30 days before the effective date of any
proposed transfer or assignment of a Mastercard Portfolio. A Customer must promptly provide
the Corporation any information requested by the Corporation relating to such an event or
proposed event. If such transfer or assignment will result in a change of Control of the
Customer or the Customer’s issuing Program, acquiring Program, or both, then Rule 1.12 shall
apply.
A Principal must not withdraw a Maestro or Cirrus Portfolio from participation in the
Interchange System except upon fulfillment of the following conditions:
The License and Participation
1.11 Portfolio Sale, Transfer, or Withdrawal
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1. The Principal must provide the Corporation with at least six months prior written notice of
its intent to withdraw a Portfolio. If confidential negotiations surrounding a Portfolio sale
would render six months’ notice unduly disruptive, the Corporation may accept a shorter
time at its discretion.
2. The Principal must certify in writing to the Corporation that as of the date of withdrawal,
no Cards will be in circulation, unless the Corporation has approved a plan for the phased
withdrawal of the Portfolio. Any phased withdrawal must not exceed the lesser of one full
reissuance cycle or two years. Any withdrawal plan must guarantee that Cards still in
circulation will continue to provide access to Accounts through the Corporation.
3. If there is a new owner of the Portfolio, such owner must be a Customer of the
Corporation. Alternatively, if the new owner is not eligible to be Licensed, then it must
enter into an agreement with the Corporation to be bound by all Rules applicable to the
Portfolio during its withdrawal period.
1.12 Change of Control of Customer or Portfolio
The Corporation must receive written notice at least 30 days before the effective date of any
proposed change of Control of a Customer.
A Customer must promptly provide the Corporation any information requested by the
Corporation relating to such an event or proposed event and the Corporation may:
1. Suspend or impose conditions on any Licenses granted to the Customer or any Digital
Activity Agreements with the Customer.
2. Amend rights, obligations, or both of a Customer.
3. Terminate the Licenses or Digital Activity Agreements or all of any Customer that:
a. Transfers or attempts to transfer Control of the Customer to an entity that is not a
Customer; or
b. Merges into or is consolidated with an entity that is not a Customer; or
c. Sells all or substantially all of its assets; or
d. Sells all or substantially all of its Issuer or Acquirer Portfolios; or
e. Experiences a change in Control or Ownership.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “United States Region” chapter.
1.13 Termination
The Participation or Licenses or Digital Activity Agreements of a Customer may terminate in
either of two ways: voluntary termination, or termination by the Corporation.
1.13.1 Voluntary Termination
A Customer may voluntarily terminate its Participation and/or Licenses and/or Digital Activity
Agreements by providing written notice and submitting documentation as then required by
The License and Participation
1.12 Change of Control of Customer or Portfolio
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the Corporation. The notice must fix a date on which the termination will be effective as
follows.
Written notice to the
Corporation provided by or
with respect to a…
Regarding termination
of its…
Must be received in advance of the
termination effective date, by at
least...
Principal Mastercard License 30 days
Association Mastercard License 30 days
Principal Maestro License One year
Principal Cirrus License One year
Affiliate Mastercard License 30 days
Affiliate Maestro License Six months
Affiliate Cirrus License Six months
Digital Activity Customer Digital Activity
Agreement
60 days
When all Licenses and Digital Activity Agreements are terminated, the Participation of a
Customer also terminates.
1.13.2 Termination by the Corporation
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in a License or Digital Activity Agreement,
the Corporation, at its sole discretion, may terminate a Customer’s Participation effective
immediately and without prior notice, if:
1. The Customer suspends payments within the meaning of Article IV of the Uniform
Commercial Code in effect at the time in the State of Delaware, regardless of whether, in
fact, the Customer is subject to the provisions thereof; or
2. The Customer takes the required action by vote of its directors, stockholders, members, or
other persons with the legal power to do so, or otherwise acts, to cease operations and to
wind up the business of the Customer, such termination to be effective upon the date of
the vote or other action; or
3. The Customer fails or refuses to make payments in the ordinary course of business or
becomes insolvent, makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or seeks the
protection, by the filing of a petition or otherwise, of any bankruptcy or similar statute
governing creditors’ rights generally; or
4. The government or the governmental regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the
Customer serves a notice of intention to suspend or revoke, or suspends or revokes, the
operations or the charter of the Customer; or
5. A liquidating agent, conservator, or receiver is appointed for the Customer, or the
Customer is placed in liquidation by any appropriate governmental, regulatory, or judicial
authority; or
The License and Participation
1.13 Termination
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6. The Customer’s right to engage in Activity or Digital Activity, as the case may be, is
suspended by the Corporation due to the Customer’s failure to comply with the
Corporation’s AML Program in connection with its issuing and/or acquiring Program or to
comply with applicable law or regulation, and such suspension continues for 26
consecutive weeks; or
7. The Customer fails to engage in Activity for 26 consecutive weeks; or
8. The Customer is no longer Licensed to use any of the Marks; or
9. The Customer (i) directly or indirectly engages in or facilitates any action or activity that is
illegal, or that, in the good faith opinion of the Corporation, and whether or not
addressed elsewhere in the Standards, has damaged or threatens to damage the goodwill
or reputation of the Corporation or of any of its Marks; or (ii) makes or continues an
association with a person or entity which association, in the good faith opinion of the
Corporation, has damaged or threatens to damage the goodwill or reputation of the
Corporation or of any of its Marks; or
10. The Customer (i) provides to the Corporation inaccurate material information or fails to
disclose responsive material information in or in connection with its application for a
License or (ii) at any other time, in connection with its Participation or Activity fails to
timely provide to the Corporation information requested by the Corporation and that the
Customer is required to provide pursuant to the terms of the License or the Standards.
11. The Customer fails at any time to satisfy any of the Customer eligibility criteria set forth in
the Standards, or with respect to a Digital Activity Customer, all certifications granted by
the Corporation in connection with the Digital Activity Customer’s conduct of Digital
Activity have been suspended or revoked; or
12. The Customer materially fails to operate at a scale or volume of operations consistent with
the business plan approved by the Corporation in connection with the Customer’s
application to be a Customer or application for a License, or both, as the case may be, as
required by Rule 2.2.1.
13. The Corporation has reason to believe that the Customer is, or is a front for, or is assisting
in the concealment of, a person or entity that engages in, attempts or threatens to
engage in, or facilitates terrorist activity, narcotics trafficking, trafficking in persons,
activities related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, activity that violates
or threatens to violate human rights or principles of national sovereignty, or money
laundering to conceal any such activity. In this regard, and although not dispositive, the
Corporation may consider the appearance of the Customer, its owner or a related person
or entity on a United Nations or domestic or foreign governmental sanction list that
identifies persons or entities believed to engage in such illicit activity; or
14. The Corporation has reason to believe that not terminating such Participation would be
harmful to the Corporation’s goodwill or reputation.
NOTE: A modification to this Rule appears in the “Europe Region“ chapter.
The License and Participation
1.13 Termination
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1.13.3 Termination for Provision of Inaccurate Information
The Corporation, at any time and by written notice, may require a Customer to confirm the
accuracy of information provided by the Customer to the Corporation pursuant to the
Standards or the terms of the Licenses.
Within 30 days of receipt of such a notice, the Customer must demonstrate to the satisfaction
of the Corporation that either: (i) the information provided was accurate; or (ii) with respect to
any inaccurate information, such inaccurate information was provided to the Corporation
through inadvertence or with a reasonable belief as to its truth and provide information
sufficient to correct such inaccuracy. Without limiting any Corporation right of immediate
termination set forth in Rule 1.12.2, the Corporation may terminate a Customer’s Participation
and/or Licenses without further notice should the Corporation determine that the Customer
has failed to make a sufficient showing under (i) or (ii) above, that any Customer
representation or demonstration under (i) or (ii) above was false, or should the Customer
otherwise fail to comply with the obligations set forth in this Rule.
1.13.4 Rights, Liabilities, and Obligations of a Terminated Customer
All of the following apply with respect to a terminated Customer.
1. Except as otherwise set forth in the Standards, a terminated Customer has no right to use
any Mark or to otherwise engage or participate in any Activity or Digital Activity. A
terminated Customer must immediately cease its use of all Marks and must ensure that
such Marks are no longer used by any of the following:
a. The Customer’s Merchants;
b. Any Affiliate Sponsored by a terminated Principal or Association;
c. Any Service Providers that performs any service described in Rule 7.1, which service
directly or indirectly supports a Program of a terminated Principal or Association and/or
of any Affiliate Sponsored by a terminated Principal or Association;
d. Merchants of an Affiliate Sponsored by a terminated Principal or Association; or
e. Any other entity or person acting to provide, directly or indirectly, service related to
Activity or Digital Activity undertaken pursuant to the authority or purported authority
of the terminated Customer.
2. A terminated Customer is not entitled to any refund of dues, fees, assessments, or other
payments and remains liable for, and must promptly pay to this Corporation (a) any and all
applicable dues, fees, assessments, or other charges as provided in the Standards and (b)
all other charges, debts, liabilities, and other amounts arising or owed in connection with
the Customer’s Activities or Digital Activities, whether arising, due, accrued, or owing
before or after termination.
3. The terminated Customer must promptly cancel all Cards then outstanding that were
issued by the terminated Customer and, if the terminated Customer is a Principal or
Association, by all of that Customer’s Sponsored Affiliates. All Payment Applications
resident on Chip Cards issued by a terminated Customer must be eradicated or disabled
no more than six months after the effective date of termination. With respect to any such
Card not used during the six-month period, the Issuer must block all Payment Applications
the first time the Card goes online.
The License and Participation
1.13 Termination
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4. The terminated Customer must promptly cause all of its Cardholders and, if the
terminated Customer is a Principal or Association, the Cardholders of its Sponsored
Affiliates to be notified of the cancellation of Cards in writing. Such notice must be in a
form and substance satisfactory to the Corporation.
5. A terminated Customer must give prompt notice of its termination to any Merchants the
Customer has authorized to honor Cards. If any such Merchant wishes to continue to
accept Cards, the terminated Customer must cooperate with the Corporation and other
Customers in facilitating the transfer of such Merchant to another Customer.
6. If a terminated Customer does not take an action that this Rule or any other Standard or
that the Corporation otherwise requires, the Corporation may take any such required
action without prior notice to the terminated Customer and on behalf of and at the
expense of the Customer.
7. If a Principal or Association that Sponsors one or more Affiliates terminates its
Participation, such Principal or Association must cause each of its Sponsored Affiliates to
take the actions required of a terminated Customer under this Rule, unless and to the
extent that any such Affiliate becomes an Affiliate Sponsored by a different Principal or
Association within a period of time acceptable to the Corporation.
8. If an Affiliate terminates its Licenses or its Sponsorship by a Principal or Association, the
Sponsoring Principal or Association must cause the Affiliate to take the actions required of
a terminated Customer under this Rule. If that Affiliate fails to so comply, the Corporation
may take any action that this Rule requires without notice to the Affiliate or the
Sponsoring Principal or Association on behalf of and at the expense of the Sponsoring
Principal or Association.
9. If an Affiliate Sponsored by a Principal or Association ceases to be so Sponsored by that
Principal or Association, such Principal or Association nonetheless is obligated, pursuant to
and in accordance with the Standards, to accept from other Customers the records of
Transactions arising from the use of Cards issued by that formerly Sponsored Affiliate and
whether such Transactions arise before or after the cessation of the Sponsorship.
10. A terminated Customer has no right to present records of Transactions effected after the
date of termination to any other Customer, except as permitted by the Standards.
11. A terminated Customer continues to have the rights and obligations set forth in the
Standards and Licenses with respect to its use of the Marks and conduct of Activity until
such time as the Corporation determines such rights or obligations or both cease.
12. A terminated Customer has a continuing obligation to provide promptly to the
Corporation, on request, Customer Reports and any other information about Activity or
Digital Activity.
13. A terminated Customer must, at the option of the Corporation, immediately either
destroy, or take such steps as the Corporation may require regarding, all confidential and
proprietary information of the Corporation in any form previously received as a Customer.
The Corporation may continue the Participation and Licenses or Digital Activity Agreements,
as the case may be, of a terminated Customer for purposes of the orderly winding down or
transfer of the terminated Customer’s business. Such continuation of Participation and
Licenses or Digital Activity Agreements is subject to such terms as may be required by the
Corporation.
The License and Participation
1.13 Termination
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Chapter 2 Standards and Conduct of Activity and Digital
Activity
This chapter contains Rules relating to the Standards and the conduct of Activity and Digital
Activity.
2.1 Standards............................................................................................................................... 44
2.1.1 Variances.........................................................................................................................44
2.1.2 Failure to Comply with a Standard...................................................................................44
2.1.3 Noncompliance Categories..............................................................................................45
2.1.4 Noncompliance Assessments........................................................................................... 46
2.1.5 Certification.................................................................................................................... 48
2.1.6 Review Process................................................................................................................ 48
2.1.7 Resolution of Review Request..........................................................................................48
2.1.8 Rules Applicable to Intracountry Transactions...................................................................48
2.2 Conduct of Activity and Digital Activity................................................................................... 49
2.2.1 Customer Responsibilities................................................................................................ 49
2.2.2 Obligations of a Sponsor................................................................................................. 50
2.2.3 Affiliates..........................................................................................................................50
2.2.4 Financial Soundness........................................................................................................ 50
2.2.5 Mastercard Acquirers.......................................................................................................50
2.2.6 Compliance.....................................................................................................................50
2.3 Indemnity and Limitation of Liability........................................................................................51
2.4 Choice of Laws....................................................................................................................... 53
2.5 Examination and Audit............................................................................................................53
Standards and Conduct of Activity and Digital Activity
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2.1 Standards
From time to time, the Corporation promulgates Standards governing the conduct of
Customers and Activity or Digital Activity. The Corporation has the sole right to interpret and
enforce the Standards.
The Corporation has the right, but not the obligation, to resolve any dispute between or
among Customers including, but not limited to, any dispute involving the Corporation, the
Standards, or the Customers’ respective Activities or Digital Activities, and any such resolution
by the Corporation is final and not subject to appeal, review, or other challenge. In resolving
disputes between or among Customers, or in applying its Standards to Customers, the
Corporation may deviate from any process in the Standards or that the Corporation otherwise
applies, and may implement an alternative process, if an event, including, without limitation,
an account data compromise event, is, in the sole judgment of the Corporation, of sufficient
scope, complexity and/or magnitude to warrant such deviation. The Corporation will exercise
its discretion to deviate from its Standards only in circumstances the Corporation determines
to be extraordinary. Any decision to alter or suspend the application of any process(es) will not
be subject to appeal, review, or other challenge.
2.1.1 Variances
A variance is the consent by the Corporation for a Customer to act other than in accordance
with a Standard. Only a Customer may request a variance. Any such request must specify the
Rules or other Standards for which a variance is sought. The request must be submitted to the
Corporation in writing, together with a statement of the reason for the request.
2.1.2 Failure to Comply with a Standard
Failure to comply with any Standard adversely affects the Corporation and its Customers and
undermines the integrity of the Mastercard system. Accordingly, a Customer that fails to
comply with any Standard is subject to assessments (“noncompliance assessments”) as set
forth in the Standards.
In lieu of, or in addition to, the imposition of a noncompliance assessment, the Corporation,
in its sole discretion, may require a Customer to take such action and the Corporation itself
may take such action as the Corporation deems necessary or appropriate to ensure
compliance with the Standards and safeguard the integrity of the Mastercard system. In the
exercise of such discretion, the Corporation may consider the nature, willfulness, number and
frequency of occurrences and possible consequences resulting from a failure to comply with
any Standard. The Corporation may provide notice and limited time to cure such
noncompliance before imposing a noncompliance assessment.
The Corporation reserves the right to limit, suspend or terminate a Customer’s Participation
and/or Licenses or to amend the rights, obligations, or both of the Customer, whether set
forth in a License or otherwise, if that Customer does not comply with any Standards or with
any decision of the Corporation with regard to the interpretation and enforcement of any
Standards.
Standards and Conduct of Activity and Digital Activity
2.1 Standards
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2.1.3 Noncompliance Categories
From time to time, the Corporation establishes programs that address instances of
noncompliance with particular Standards. Every instance of noncompliance with a Standard
not addressed by such a program falls into at least one of the following three compliance
categories.
Category A—Payment System Integrity
Category A noncompliance affects payment system integrity. The Corporation has the
authority to impose monetary noncompliance assessments for Category A noncompliance.
“Payment system integrity” violations include, but are not limited to, noncompliance involving
License requirements, Merchant and ATM owner signing and monitoring requirements, and
the protection of Card, Account, and Transaction information.
Category B—Visible to Customers
Category B noncompliance addresses conduct that is visible to the customers of Issuers and/or
Acquirers. The Corporation has the authority to impose monetary noncompliance assessments
for Category B noncompliance or, in the alternative, may provide notice and a limited time to
cure such noncompliance before imposing monetary assessments. “Visible to customers”
violations include, but are not limited to, noncompliance involving the use of the Marks, the
selective authorization of Transactions, identification of the Merchant at the POI, the setting of
minimum and maximum Transaction amounts, the payment of Merchants and Submerchants
for Transactions, Transaction receipt requirements, and ATM Access Fee notices.
Category C—Efficiency and Operational Performance
Category C noncompliance addresses efficiency and operational performance. The
Corporation has the authority to impose monetary noncompliance assessments for Category
C noncompliance or, in the alternative, may provide notice and a limited time to cure such
noncompliance before imposing monetary assessments. “Efficiency and operational
performance” violations include, but are not limited to, noncompliance involving presentment
of Transactions within the required time frame, supplying Merchants with materials required
for Transaction processing, Card capture at the ATM, Card fees and reporting procedures, and
the obligation to provide the Corporation with requested information.
Standards and Conduct of Activity and Digital Activity
2.1 Standards
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2.1.4 Noncompliance Assessments
The following schedule pertains to any Standard that does not have an established compliance
program. The Corporation may deviate from this schedule at any time.
Compliance Category Assessment Type Assessment Description
A Per violation Up to USD 25,000 for the first violation
Up to USD 50,000 for the second violation
within 12 months
Up to USD 75,000 for the third violation
within 12 months
Up to USD 100,000 per violation for the
fourth and subsequent violations within 12
months
Variable occurrence (by
device or Transaction)
Up to USD 2,500 per occurrence for the
first 30 days
Up to USD 5,000 per occurrence for days
31–60
Up to USD 10,000 per occurrence for days
61–90
Up to USD 20,000 per occurrence for
subsequent violations
Variable occurrence (by
number of Cards)
Up to USD 0.50 per Card
Minimum USD 1,000 per month per
Portfolio
No maximum per month per Portfolio or
per all Portfolios
B Per violation Up to USD 20,000 for the first violation
Up to USD 30,000 for the second violation
within 12 months
Up to USD 60,000 for the third violation
within 12 months
Up to USD 100,000 per violation for the
fourth and subsequent violations within 12
months
Standards and Conduct of Activity and Digital Activity
2.1 Standards
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Compliance Category Assessment Type Assessment Description
Variable occurrence (by
device or Transaction)
Up to USD 1,000 per occurrence for the
first 30 days
Up to USD 2,000 per occurrence for days
31–60
Up to USD 4,000 per occurrence for days
61–90
Up to USD 8,000 per occurrence for
subsequent violations
Variable occurrence (by
number of Cards)
Up to USD 0.30 per Card
Minimum USD 1,000 per month per
Portfolio
Maximum USD 20,000 per month per
Portfolio
Maximum USD 40,000 per month per all
Portfolios
C Per violation Up to USD 15,000 for the first violation
Up to USD 25,000 for the second violation
within 12 months
Up to USD 50,000 for the third violation
within 12 months
Up to USD 75,000 per violation for the
fourth and subsequent violations within 12
months
Variable occurrence (by
device or Transaction)
Up to USD 1,000 per occurrence for the
first 30 days
Up to USD 2,000 per occurrence for days
31–60
Up to USD 4,000 per occurrence for days
61–90
Up to USD 8,000 per occurrence for
subsequent violations
Standards and Conduct of Activity and Digital Activity
2.1 Standards
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Compliance Category Assessment Type Assessment Description
Variable occurrence (by
number of Cards)
Up to USD 0.15 per Card
Minimum USD 1,000 per month per
Portfolio
Maximum USD 10,000 per month per
Portfolio
Maximum USD 20,000 per month per all
Portfolios
In the above table, all days refer to calendar days and violations of a Standard are tracked on a
rolling 12-month basis.
2.1.5 Certification
A senior executive officer of each Principal and Association must, if requested by the
Corporation, promptly certify in writing to the Corporation the status of compliance or
noncompliance with any Standard by the Customer or by any of its Sponsored Affiliates.
2.1.6 Review Process
A Customer may request that the Chief Franchise Integrity Officer of this Corporation review
an assessment imposed by the Corporation for noncompliance with a Standard. Such a
request must be submitted in writing and signed by the Customer’s principal contact. The
request must be postmarked no later than 30 days after the date of the disputed assessment.
The Corporation may assess a USD 500 fee to consider and act on a request for review of a
noncompliance assessment.
2.1.7 Resolution of Review Request
When a Customer requests review of an assessment for noncompliance with a Standard, the
Chief Franchise Integrity Officer of this Corporation may take such action as he or she deems
necessary or appropriate or may elect not to act. The Chief Franchise Integrity Officer may
delegate authority to act or not to act with respect to any particular matter or type of matter.
If the Chief Franchise Integrity Officer or his or her designee elects to conduct further inquiry
into the matter, each Customer must cooperate promptly and fully. If the Chief Franchise
Integrity Officer or his or her designee makes a recommendation of action to resolve the
matter, such recommendation is final and not subject to further review or other action.
2.1.8 Rules Applicable to Intracountry Transactions
NOTE: Rules on this subject appear in the “Europe Region” chapter.
Standards and Conduct of Activity and Digital Activity
2.1 Standards
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2.2 Conduct of Activity and Digital Activity
Each Customer at all times must conduct Activity and Digital Activity in compliance with the
Standards and with all applicable laws and regulations. A Customer is not required to
undertake any act that is unambiguously prohibited by applicable law or regulation. If a
Customer is unable to comply with a Standard because of applicable law or regulation, then
the Corporation may require that such Customer undertake some other form of permissible
Activity.
If a party other than a Customer files a claim against a Customer concerning the Customer’s
Activity or Digital Activity, the Corporation must be informed thereof by the Customer. The
Corporation is entitled but not obliged to intervene in the case.
2.2.1 Customer Responsibilities
At all times, each Customer must:
1. Be entirely responsible for and Control all aspects of its Activities and Digital Activities, and
the establishment and enforcement of all management and operating policies applicable
to its Activities and Digital Activities, in accordance with the Standards;
2. Not transfer or assign any part or all of such responsibility and Control or in any way limit
its responsibility or Control;
3. Ensure that all policies applicable to its Activities and Digital Activities conform to the
Standards and comply with all applicable laws and government regulations;
4. Conduct meaningful and ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance with all of the
responsibilities set forth in this Rule, and be able to demonstrate such monitoring and
compliance upon request of the Corporation in accordance with the Standards, including
without limitation, Rule 2.5;
5. Maintain a significant economic interest in each of its Activities and Digital Activities;
6. Engage in Activities and Digital Activities at a scale or volume of operations consistent
with the business plans accepted by the Corporation in connection with the application to
be a Customer or application for a License or a Digital Activity Agreement, or both, as the
case may be;
7. Promptly update information set forth in its application, business plans and other materials
previously provided to the Corporation in the event of a significant change to the accuracy
or completeness of any of the information contained therein and, separately, upon request
of the Corporation;
8. Promptly inform the Corporation should the Customer become unable for any reason to
engage in Activity or Digital Activity in accordance with both the Standards and the laws
and government regulations of any country (or any subdivision thereof) in which the
Customer is Licensed to engage in Activity or approved to conduct Digital Activity; and
9. Comply with such other requirements as the Corporation may establish, in its sole
discretion, in connection with the Customer’s Activity and Digital Activity.
Standards and Conduct of Activity and Digital Activity
2.2 Conduct of Activity and Digital Activity
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2.2.2 Obligations of a Sponsor
Each Principal and Association that Sponsors one or more Affiliates must cause each such
Affiliate to comply with all Standards applicable to the Activity of that Affiliate. Each Sponsor
is liable to the Corporation and to all other Customers for all Activities of each of its
Sponsored Affiliates and for any failure by any such Sponsored Affiliate to comply with a
Standard or with applicable law or regulation.
2.2.3 Affiliates
Except to the extent any liability or obligation arising under a Standard has been satisfied by a
Sponsor, each Affiliate is responsible for the liabilities and obligations arising out of or in
connection with its Activities, regardless of any:
1. Action taken by such Affiliate to satisfy such liability or obligation with, through or by a
Sponsor or former Sponsor of such Affiliate, or
2. Agreement between any Sponsor and such Affiliate.
In accordance with the Standards and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations,
each Sponsor will have access to and may use or otherwise process its Sponsored Affiliates’
Confidential Information and Confidential Transaction Data (as these terms are defined in Rule
3.10) in connection with authorization, settlement, clearing, fraud reporting, chargebacks,
billing, and other related activities.
2.2.4 Financial Soundness
Each Customer must conduct all Activity and otherwise operate in a manner that is financially
sound and so as to avoid risk to the Corporation and to other Customers.
A Customer must promptly report to the Corporation any materially adverse financial
condition or discrepancy or suspected materially adverse financial condition or discrepancy
relating to the Customer or, in the case of a Principal or Association, any Sponsored Affiliate.
The Customer must refer or, if applicable, cause the Affiliate to refer such condition or
discrepancy to independent certified public accountants or another person or firm satisfactory
to the Corporation for evaluation and recommendation as to remedial action, and promptly
provide to the Corporation a copy of such evaluation and recommendation after receipt
thereof.
2.2.5 Mastercard Acquirers
NOTE: A Rule on this subject appears in the “Additional U.S. Region and U.S. Territory Rules”
chapter.
2.2.6 Compliance
From time to time, the Corporation may develop means and apply criteria to evaluate a
Customer’s compliance with Rule 2.2. Each Customer must fully cooperate with any effort by
Standards and Conduct of Activity and Digital Activity
2.2 Conduct of Activity and Digital Activity
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Mastercard Rules • 21 December 2017
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the Corporation and the Corporation’s representatives to evaluate a Customer’s compliance
with Rule 2.2.
In the event that the Corporation determines that a Customer is not complying or may not on
an ongoing basis comply with the requirements of Rule 2.2, the Corporation may:
1. Impose special terms upon the Customer as the Corporation deems necessary or
appropriate until each condition or discrepancy is resolved to the Corporation’s satisfaction
so as to enable the Customer to be and to remain in full compliance with Rule 2.2, or
2. Require the Customer to withdraw its Participation.
2.3 Indemnity and Limitation of Liability
Each Customer (each, for the purposes of this Rule, an “Indemnifying Customer”) must
protect, indemnify, and hold harmless the Corporation and the Corporation’s parent and
subsidiaries and affiliated entities, and each of the directors, officers, employees and agents of
the Corporation and the Corporation’s parent and subsidiaries and affiliated entities from any
actual or threatened claim, demand, obligation, loss, cost, liability and/or expense (including,
without limitation, actual attorneys’ fees, costs of investigation, and disbursements) resulting
from and/or arising in connection with, any act or omission of the Indemnifying Customer, its
subsidiaries, or any person associated with the Indemnifying Customer or its subsidiaries
(including, without limitation, such Indemnifying Customer’s directors, officers, employees and
agents, all direct and indirect parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates of the Indemnifying
Customer, the Indemnifying Customer’s customers in connection with issuing and/or acquiring
Activity and/or Digital Activity and/or other business, and the Indemnifying Customer’s
suppliers, including, without limitation, Service Providers, Card production vendors, and other
persons acting for, or in connection with, the Indemnifying Customer or a Merchant or other
entity for which the Indemnifying Customer acquires Transactions, or any such Merchant’s or
entity’s employees, representatives, agents, suppliers or customers, including any Data Storage
Entity [DSE]) with respect to, or relating to:
1. Any Programs and/or other Activities and/or Digital Activities of the Indemnifying
Customer;
2. Any programs and/or activities of any person associated with the Indemnifying Customer
and/or its subsidiaries;
3. The compliance or noncompliance with the Standards by the Indemnifying Customer;
4. The compliance or noncompliance with the Standards by any person associated with the
Indemnifying Customer and its subsidiaries;
5. Any other activity of the Indemnifying Customer;
6. Direct or indirect access to and/or use of the Interchange System (it being understood that
the Corporation does not represent or warrant that the Interchange System or any part
thereof is or will be defect-free or error-free and that each Customer chooses to access
and use the Interchange System at the Customer’s sole risk and at no risk to the
Corporation);
Standards and Conduct of Activity and Digital Activity
2.3 Indemnity and Limitation of Liability
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7. Any other activity and any omission of the Indemnifying Customer and any activity and
any omission of any person associated with the Indemnifying Customer, its subsidiaries, or
both, including but not limited to any activity that used and/or otherwise involved any of
the Marks or other assets;
8. Any failure of another Customer to perform as required by the Standards or applicable
law; or
9. The Corporation’s interpretation, enforcement, or failure to enforce any Standards.
The Corporation does not represent or warrant that the Interchange System or any other
system, process or activity administered, operated, controlled or provided by or on behalf of
the Corporation (collectively, for purposes of this section, the “Systems”) is free of defect
and/or mistake and, unless otherwise specifically stated in the Standards or in a writing
executed by and between the Corporation and a Customer, the Systems are provided on an
“as-is” basis and without any express or implied warranty of any type, including, but not
limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose or
non-infringement of third party intellectual property rights. IN NO EVENT WILL THE
CORPORATION BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES, FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, OR ANY OTHER COST OR EXPENSE INCURRED BY A
CUSTOMER OR ANY THIRD PARTY ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO USE OR RECEIPT OF THE
SYSTEMS, WHETHER IN AN ACTION IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT, AND EVEN IF THE CUSTOMER
OR ANY THIRD PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. EACH
CUSTOMER ASSUMES THE ENTIRE RISK OF USE OR RECEIPT OF THE SYSTEMS.
Only in the event the limitation of liability set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph is
deemed by a court of competent jurisdiction to be contrary to applicable law, the total liability,
in aggregate, of the Corporation to a Customer and anyone claiming by or through the
Customer, for any and all claims, losses, costs or damages, including attorneys’ fees and costs
and expert-witness fees and costs of any nature whatsoever or claims expenses resulting from
or in any way related to the Systems shall not exceed the total compensation received by the
Corporation from the Customer for the particular use or receipt of the Systems during the 12
months ending on the date that the Corporation was advised by the Customer of the Systems
concern or the total amount of USD 250,000.00, whichever is less. It is intended that this
limitation apply to any and all liability or cause of action however alleged or arising; to the
fullest extent permitted by law; unless otherwise prohibited by law; and notwithstanding any
other provision of the Standards.
A payment or credit by the Corporation to or for the benefit of a Customer that is not
required to be made by the Standards will not be construed to be a waiver or modification of
any Standard by the Corporation. A failure or delay by the Corporation to enforce any
Standard or exercise any right of the Corporation set forth in the Standards will not be
construed to be a waiver or modification of the Standard or of any of the Corporation’s rights
therein.
Standards and Conduct of Activity and Digital Activity
2.3 Indemnity and Limitation of Liability
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2.4 Choice of Laws
The substantive laws of the State of New York govern all disputes involving the Corporation,
the Standards, and/or Customers and Activity and Digital Activity without regard to conflicts.
Any action initiated by a Customer regarding and/or involving the Corporation, the Standards
and/or any Customer and Activity and Digital Activity must be brought, if at all, only in the
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York or the New York Supreme
Court for the County of Westchester, and any Customer involved in an action hereby submits
to the jurisdiction of such courts and waives any claim of lack of personal jurisdiction,
improper venue, and forum non conveniens.
This provision in no way limits or otherwise impacts the Corporation’s authority described in
Rule 2.1. Each Customer agrees that the Standards are construed under, and governed by, the
substantive laws of the State of New York without regard to conflicts.
NOTE: A modification to this Rule appears in the “Europe Region” chapter.
2.5 Examination and Audit
The Corporation reserves the right to conduct an examination or audit of any Customer and
Customer information to ensure full compliance with the Standards. Any such examination or
audit is at the expense of the Customer, and a copy of the examination or audit results must
be provided promptly to the Corporation upon request.
Further, the Corporation, at any time and whether or not a Customer is subject to periodic
examination or audit or other oversight by banking regulatory authorities of a government,
and at the Customer’s sole expense, may require that Customer to be subjected to an
examination and/or audit and/or periodic examination and/or periodic audit by a firm of
independent certified accountants or by any other person or entity satisfactory to the
Corporation.
A Customer may not engage in any conduct that could or would impair the completeness,
accuracy or objectivity of any aspect of such an examination or audit and may not engage in
any conduct that could or would influence or undermine the independence, reliability or
integrity of the examination or audit. A Customer must cooperate fully and promptly in and
with the examination or audit and must consent to unimpeded disclosure of information to
the Corporation by the auditor.
Standards and Conduct of Activity and Digital Activity
2.4 Choice of Laws
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Chapter 3 Customer Obligations
This chapter contains Rules relating to Customer obligations.
3.1 Obligation to Issue Mastercard Cards...................................................................................... 55
3.2 Responsibility for Transactions.................................................................................................55
3.3 Transaction Requirements....................................................................................................... 55
3.4 Authorization Service.............................................................................................................. 56
3.5 Non-discrimination—POS Transactions.................................................................................... 57
3.6 Non-discrimination—ATM and Bank Branch Terminal Transactions.......................................... 57
3.7 Integrity of Brand and Network...............................................................................................57
3.8 Fees, Assessments, and Other Payment Obligations.................................................................58
3.8.1 Taxes and Other Charges.................................................................................................58
3.8.2 Maestro and Cirrus Card Fees and Reporting Procedures................................................. 59
3.9 Obligation of Customer to Provide Information....................................................................... 59
3.10 Confidential Information of Customers................................................................................. 60
3.11 Use of Corporation Information by a Customer.....................................................................61
3.12 Confidential Information of Mastercard.................................................................................61
3.12.1 Customer Evaluation of Mastercard Technology.............................................................62
3.13 Data Protection.....................................................................................................................62
3.14 Quarterly Mastercard Report (QMR)...................................................................................... 63
3.14.1 Report Not Received......................................................................................................63
3.14.2 Erroneous or Incomplete Report.................................................................................... 63
3.14.3 Overpayment Claim.......................................................................................................64
3.15 Cooperation......................................................................................................................... 64
3.16 Token Requestor Obligations.................................................................................................64
3.17 Issuer Reporting Requirement—EU and Norway.................................................................... 64
3.18 BINs...................................................................................................................................... 64
Customer Obligations
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3.1 Obligation to Issue Mastercard Cards
Each Principal and Association Licensed to use the Mastercard Marks, together with its
Sponsored Affiliates, must have issued and outstanding a reasonable number of Mastercard
Cards based on such criteria as the Corporation may deem appropriate from time to time. In
addition to any other action that the Corporation deems appropriate, such a Principal or
Association that does not issue and have outstanding the requisite number of Mastercard
Cards will be assessed an additional 20 percent of the assessment paid on its acquiring
volume for each year in which the Card-issuing shortfall exists.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Asia/Pacific Region,” “Europe Region,” “Latin
America and the Caribbean Region,” “Middle East/Africa Region,” and “United States Region”
chapters.
3.2 Responsibility for Transactions
Each Principal and Association is responsible to the Corporation and to all other Customers for
Transactions arising from the use of the ICAs and BINs that the Corporation assigns to the
Principal or Association, and for any Cards that the Principal or Association or any of its
Sponsored Affiliates, if any, has issued.
A Customer must use ICAs and BINs only in accordance with the Standards.
Neither a Principal or Association nor any of its Sponsored Affiliates may use the Principal’s or
Association’s ICAs or BINs to issue Cards or acquire Transactions other than as specified by the
Corporation.
3.3 Transaction Requirements
In accordance with the Standards, each Customer must comply with each of the following
requirements.
1. Accept and present to the Issuer records of Transactions arising from the use of a Card
issued by any other Customer at any POI location the Customer has authorized to honor
Cards;
2. Accept and pay for Transactions received from another Customer arising from the use of
any Card issued by it. If an Affiliate ceases to be Sponsored by a Principal or Association,
the Principal or Association remains obligated to other Customers to accept and pay for
Transactions arising from the use of Cards issued by that Affiliate;
3. Maintain a functional 24-hour-per-day operating connection to the Interchange System,
either directly or by means of a Service Provider operating on its behalf, and not force any
other Customer wishing to operate multilaterally using the Interchange System into
bilateral agreements;
Customer Obligations
3.1 Obligation to Issue Mastercard Cards
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4. Provide valid, accurate, complete, unaltered, and consistent data in all authorization and
clearing Transaction messages; and
5. Ensure that each Cross-border Transaction is processed through the Interchange System (a
“Processed Transaction,” as described in the Definitions section), unless the Customer has
applied for and received the consent of the Corporation to process Cross-Border
Transactions through other means. In the event applicable law prevents a Customer from
processing Cross-border Transactions through the Interchange System, the Customer must
promptly notify the Corporation and undertake an alternative means of processing Cross-
border Transactions that, in the opinion of the Corporation, will not damage the goodwill
or reputation of the Corporation or of any Mark and that is otherwise satisfactory to the
Corporation.
If Cross-border Transactions are not processed through the Interchange System, either the
Issuer or the Acquirer or both must promptly provide the Corporation with such Customer
Reports pertaining to such Cross-border Transactions and the processing thereof as the
Corporation may require from time to time. Such Customer Reports and all information set
forth therein shall be subject to Rule 3.10.
In the event that a Customer is party to a bilateral or multilateral arrangement pertaining to
the processing of Cross-border Transactions established before 1 June 2009 and such
Customer has not applied for and received prior written approval by the Corporation of such
arrangement, then such Customer must:
1. Register such bilateral or multilateral arrangement with the Corporation;
2. Provide the Corporation information deemed by the Corporation to be sufficient to
determine whether such arrangement will damage the goodwill or reputation of the
Corporation or of any Mark or is otherwise unsatisfactory to the Corporation; and
3. If the Corporation deems such arrangement to be unsatisfactory, work with the
Corporation in good faith and in a timely manner to effect such changes as may be
necessary or appropriate to render the arrangement satisfactory to the Corporation.
Refer to the Single Message System Specifications, Customer Interface Specification and IPM
Clearing Formats manuals for technical requirements relating to Processed Transactions. Refer
to the Data Integrity Monitoring Program manual for information about the Corporation’s
monitoring of Processed Transaction data.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Europe Region,” “United States Region,” and
“Additional U.S. Region and U.S. Territory Rules” chapters.
3.4 Authorization Service
Each Principal and Association must provide, at its own expense and in compliance with the
Standards, including but not limited to those set forth in the Transaction Processing Rules
manual:
1. Authorization services with respect to Cards that the Sponsoring Customer and each of its
Sponsored Affiliates has issued; and
Customer Obligations
3.4 Authorization Service
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2. Adequate and reasonable authorization services with respect to its Merchants and those
of its Sponsored Affiliates. Each such Merchant must be instructed as to the proper use of
such authorization services so as to ensure that Card acceptance and Transaction
processing is conducted in compliance with the Standards.
3.5 Non-discrimination—POS Transactions
A Customer must not discriminate against any Merchant with regard to processing and
authorizing POS Transactions received.
3.6 Non-discrimination—ATM and Bank Branch Terminal Transactions
Pursuant to the Standards, each Customer must:
1. Honor all valid Cards at each ATM Terminal and Bank Branch Terminal for which it is
responsible, in a manner that is no less favorable than the manner in which it honors the
cards of any other ATM network in which the Customer participates; and
2. Acquire and process all valid Transactions in a manner that is no less favorable than the
manner in which it acquires and processes transactions of any other ATM network in
which the Customer takes part.
Except as the Standards permit, a Customer must not discriminate against other Customers of
the Corporation as to any of the terms or conditions upon which it honors Cards, or acquires
or processes Transactions.
If an Acquirer is expressly permitted by the Corporation or local law to block use of its ATM
Terminals to Cards issued by a Customer within the same country, the Acquirer must display
notifications accompanying the Marks on or near such ATM Terminals informing the affected
Cardholders that their Cards are not accepted.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Europe Region” chapter.
3.7 Integrity of Brand and Network
A Customer may not directly or indirectly engage in or facilitate any action that is illegal or
that, in the opinion of the Corporation and whether or not addressed elsewhere in the
Standards, damages or may damage the goodwill or reputation of the Corporation or of any
Mark. Upon request of the Corporation, a Customer will promptly cease engaging in or
facilitating any such action.
In addition, a Customer must not place or cause to be placed on any Card or any Terminal or
other acceptance device any image, information, application or product that would in any
way, directly or indirectly, have or potentially have the effect of diminishing or devaluing the
Customer Obligations
3.5 Non-discrimination—POS Transactions
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reputation or utility of the Marks, a Card, or any of the Corporation’s products, programs,
services, networks, or systems.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “United States Region” chapter.
3.8 Fees, Assessments, and Other Payment Obligations
Each Customer is responsible to timely pay to the Corporation all fees, charges, assessments
and the like applicable to Activity as may be in effect from time to time, including those set
forth in the applicable regional Mastercard Consolidated Billing System manual.
If a Customer does not timely pay the Corporation or any other person any amount due under
the Standards, then the Corporation has the right, immediately and without providing prior
notice to the Customer, to assess and collect from that Customer, on a current basis as the
Corporation deems necessary or appropriate, such amount, as well as the actual attorneys’
fees and other costs incurred by the Corporation in connection with any effort to collect such
amount from that Customer.
The Corporation may assess and collect such amount at any time after the applicable amount
becomes due, by any means available to the Corporation, which shall specifically include, by
way of example and not limitation:
1. The taking or setoff of funds or other assets of the Customer held by the Corporation;
2. The taking or setoff of funds from any account of the Customer upon which the
Corporation is authorized to draw;
3. The taking of funds being paid by the Customer to any other Customer; and
4. The taking of funds due to the Customer from any other Customer.
Each Customer expressly authorizes the Corporation to take the Customer’s funds and other
assets as authorized by this Rule, and to apply such funds and other assets to any obligation
of the Customer to the Corporation or any other person under the Standards, and no
Customer shall have any claim against the Corporation or any other person in respect of such
conduct by the Corporation.
Each Customer agrees upon demand to promptly execute, acknowledge and deliver to the
Corporation such instruments, agreements, lien waivers, releases, and other documents as the
Corporation may, from time to time, request in order to exercise its rights under this Rule.
3.8.1 Taxes and Other Charges
Each Customer must pay when due all taxes charged by any country or other jurisdiction in
which the Customer conducts Activity with respect to such Activity. In the event the
Corporation is charged taxes or other charges by a country or other jurisdiction as a result of
or otherwise directly or indirectly attributable to Activity, the Customer is obligated to
reimburse the Corporation the amount of such taxes or other charges. The Corporation may
collect such taxes or other charges from the settlement account of the Principal or Association
responsible in accordance with the Standards for the Activity that gave rise to the charge.
Customer Obligations
3.8 Fees, Assessments, and Other Payment Obligations
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3.8.2 Maestro and Cirrus Card Fees and Reporting Procedures
A Principal must pay fees based upon the number of Maestro and Cirrus Cards issued by the
Principal and its Sponsored Affiliates. In the case of new Affiliates, a Principal must pay a Card
fee effective the month after the first Transaction is submitted for the Affiliate.
On or before 30 September of each year, the Corporation will deliver listings to Principals of
each specific IIN that appears on the Corporation’s routing tables for each Affiliate Customer.
On or before 31 October of each year, Principals must certify, as appearing on a report
provided by the Corporation:
1. A count of the number of Maestro and Cirrus Cards that are issued using a specific IIN, or
2. A count of the number of Maestro and Cirrus Accounts that have Cards issued for access
using a specific IIN.
A Principal must confirm in writing to the Corporation its certification and the certifications of
its Sponsored Affiliates. When a count of the number of Accounts that have Cards issued for
access is provided, the Corporation will multiply the number provided by a factor of one and
four tenths (1.4) to determine the number of Cards issued.
Card count certifications must be signed by the Principal and reviewed by the auditing
department, senior officer, or outside auditing firm of the Principal’s Service Provider. After
such review, concurrence with the Card count certification or the method used to determine
the Card count must be provided on the Corporation reports.
3.9 Obligation of Customer to Provide Information
Upon request by the Corporation, and subject to applicable law or regulation, a Customer
must complete and timely deliver Customer Reports to the Corporation or to the
Corporation’s designee, provided that compliance with the foregoing obligation does not
require a Customer to furnish any information, the disclosure of which, in the opinion of this
Corporation’s legal counsel, is likely to create a significant potential legal risk to this
Corporation and/or its Customers. To the extent that a Customer is obligated to provide a
Customer Report to the Corporation that the Customer deems to disclose proprietary
information of the Customer, such information will be treated by the Corporation with the
degree of care deemed appropriate by the Corporation to maintain its confidentiality.
As an example of a Customer Report, each Acquirer must provide Transaction Data to the
Corporation in such form and manner as the Corporation may require. As used herein,
“Transaction Data” means any data and/or data element or subelement that the Standards
require to be used to authorize, clear and/or settle a Transaction (whether authorized, cleared
and/or settled via the Interchange System or otherwise) or that the Corporation requires to be
provided.
By way of example and not limitation, the Corporation requires such Customer Reports of
Transaction Data pursuant to the Global Collection Only (GCO) Data Collection Program and
the Quarterly Mastercard Report (QMR).
Customer Obligations
3.9 Obligation of Customer to Provide Information
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Each Principal and Association must provide the Corporation with current Customer contact
information for itself and on behalf of its Sponsored Affiliates, including mailing addresses, air
express/hand delivery addresses, telephone numbers, fax numbers, and email addresses.
3.10 Confidential Information of Customers
The Corporation and its parents, subsidiaries and affiliates (herein collectively referred to as
Mastercard) may use and disclose both Confidential Information and Confidential Transaction
Data in compliance with applicable law and as provided herein.
For purposes of this Rule 3.10:
• “Confidential Information” means any information of any nature that comes into the
possession or under the control of Mastercard, whether temporarily or permanently and
whether directly or indirectly, resulting from Activity or Digital Activity or any service
provided by or product of Mastercard and which information is deemed by a person other
than Mastercard (including, by way of example and not limitation, a Customer or Merchant
or Cardholder) to be confidential information of such person; and
• “Confidential Transaction Data” means any information provided to Mastercard by a
Customer or Merchant if that information enables Mastercard to determine an individual’s
identity or includes an Account PAN, Payment Account Reference (PAR) value, or Token.
Mastercard may use or disclose Confidential Information and Confidential Transaction Data
only as follows:
1. For the benefit of the Customer supplying the information to support the Customer’s
Program and/or Activities;
2. As may be appropriate to Mastercard’s staff, accountants, auditors, or counsel;
3. As may be required or requested by any judicial process or governmental agency having or
claiming jurisdiction over Mastercard;
4. As required for processing Transactions, including authorization, clearing, and settlement;
5. For accounting, auditing, billing, reconciliation, and collection activities;
6. For the purpose of processing and/or resolving chargebacks or other disputes;
7. For the purpose of protecting against or preventing actual or potential fraud,
unauthorized transactions, claims, or other liability, including to third parties providing
these services;
8. For the purpose of managing risk exposures, franchise quality, and compliance with the
Standards;
9. For the purpose of providing products or services to Customers or other third parties,
except that any Confidential Transaction Data provided in such products or services will
only be provided to a Customer and will consist solely of Confidential Transaction Data
provided to Mastercard by that Customer;
10. For the purpose of administering sweepstakes, contests, or other marketing promotions;
11. For preparing internal reports for use by Mastercard staff, management, and consultants
for the purposes of operating, evaluating, and managing Corporation business;
Customer Obligations
3.10 Confidential Information of Customers
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12. For preparing and furnishing compilations, analyses, and other reports of aggregated
information, and anonymizing Confidential Information and/or Confidential Transaction
Data, provided that such compilations, analyses, or other reports do not identify any (i)
Customer other than the Customer for which Mastercard prepares the compilation,
analysis, or other report or (ii) Cardholder whose Transactions were involved in the
preparation of any such compilation, analysis, or other report;
13. For the purpose of complying with applicable legal requirements; or
14. For other purposes for which consent has been provided by the individual to whom the
Confidential Information and/or Confidential Transaction Data relates.
Each Customer must ensure that it complies with the Standards and applicable laws and
regulations in connection with disclosing any Confidential Transaction Data or Confidential
Information to Mastercard to allow the uses and disclosures described herein, including any
laws and regulations requiring the Customer to provide notices to individuals about
information practices or to obtain consent from individuals to such practices.
A Customer must provide Confidential Transaction Data to the Corporation or through the
Corporation’s processes or systems solely as prescribed by the Standards or as otherwise
required by the Corporation or applicable law. For example, an Account PAN, PAR, or Token,
when provided through the Interchange System, must be submitted in accordance with the
technical specifications or other Standards pertaining to the Interchange System or a
component thereof.
3.11 Use of Corporation Information by a Customer
The Corporation is not responsible for and disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy,
completeness, or timeliness of any information disclosed by the Corporation to a Customer;
and the Corporation makes no warranty, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any
warranty of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose with respect to any
information disclosed by or on behalf of the Corporation to any Customer or disclosed directly
or indirectly to any participant in a Customer’s Activity. Each Customer assumes all risk of use
of any information disclosed directly or indirectly to a Customer or to any participant in a
Customer’s Activity by or on behalf of the Corporation.
3.12 Confidential Information of Mastercard
NOTE: A modification to this Rule appears in the “Digital Activity” chapter.
A Customer must not disclose confidential information of the Corporation or its parents,
subsidiaries, and affiliates (herein collectively referred to as Mastercard) except:
1. On a need-to-know basis to the Customer’s staff, accountants, auditors, or legal counsel
subject to standard confidentiality restrictions, or
2. As may be required by any court process or governmental agency having or claiming
jurisdiction over the Customer, in which event the Customer must promptly provide
Customer Obligations
3.11 Use of Corporation Information by a Customer
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written notice of such requirement to the Secretary of the Corporation, and to the extent
possible, the Customer must seek confidential treatment by the court or agency.
The obligation set forth herein continues following the termination of a Customer’s License.
Information provided to a Customer by Mastercard is deemed confidential unless otherwise
stated in writing.
A Customer may use confidential or proprietary information and/or trade secrets of
Mastercard solely for the purpose of carrying out the Customer’s Activities.
3.12.1 Customer Evaluation of Mastercard Technology
From time to time, the Corporation may disclose certain specifications, designs and other
technical information or documentation developed by the Corporation (“Mastercard
Specifications”) to a Customer, solely for the purpose of the Customer’s evaluation of such
Mastercard Specifications. Any such disclosure is subject to the following:
1. Each Customer to which the Corporation disclosed any Mastercard Specifications is given
a non-exclusive, limited, non-transferable, non-sublicenseable right to reproduce and use
such Mastercard Specifications solely for the limited purpose of the Customer’s internal
evaluation. A Customer may implement prototypes based on the Mastercard
Specifications for its internal evaluation purposes in furtherance of such limited purpose,
but the Customer may not distribute, license, offer to sell, supply or otherwise provide,
demonstrate, or otherwise transfer or disclose, to any third party, any Mastercard
Specifications, or any implementation of any Mastercard Specifications.
2. The Corporation does not convey, and no Customer obtains, any rights or license in or to
the Mastercard Specifications or any other intellectual property of the Corporation as a
result of this Rule, other than as expressly set forth in this Rule. All rights not expressly
granted to a Customer with respect to the Mastercard Specifications are retained by the
Corporation.
3. Each Customer must treat the Mastercard Specifications and all implementations of the
Mastercard Specifications as confidential information of the Corporation subject to Rule
3.12.
4. Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 7 or any other Standards relating to a
Customer's use of Service Providers, a Customer may not use any Service Providers in
connection with the Customer's exercise of its rights under this Rule, without the
Corporation's express prior written consent, which consent may be withheld or
conditioned on other terms and conditions, in the Corporation’s sole discretion.
3.13 Data Protection
NOTE: Rules on this subject appear in the “Asia/Pacific Region,” “Europe Region” and “Middle
East/Africa Region” chapters.
Customer Obligations
3.13 Data Protection
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3.14 Quarterly Mastercard Report (QMR)
Each Customer must complete and timely deliver to the Corporation the Quarterly Mastercard
Report (QMR) in the manner and at such time as the Corporation requires.
3.14.1 Report Not Received
If the Corporation does not receive a Customer’s properly completed QMR questionnaire
when and how due, the Corporation may:
1. Impose on the Customer, after review of the Customer’s last correctly submitted QMR
questionnaire and assessment paid, an assessment equal to, or greater than, the
Customer’s assessment for such calendar quarter;
2. Impose on the Customer a noncompliance assessment;
3. If the Customer’s actual payment based on the QMR questionnaire submitted by the
Customer compared with the Corporation’s estimate of payment due results in an
underpayment by the Customer, collect the amount of the underpayment due and impose
an interest penalty of the lower of two percent per month or the highest rate permitted by
law, from the date the payment was first due through the date on which the additional
amount due is paid;
4. If the Customer’s actual payment based on the QMR questionnaire submitted by the
Customer compared with the Corporation’s estimate of payment due results in an
overpayment by the Customer, return the amount of the overpayment, without interest or
penalty thereon, as soon as practicable after the overpayment amount is identified and
calculated; and
5. Collect the assessment amount and any penalty and interest due thereon from the
Customer’s settlement account.
3.14.2 Erroneous or Incomplete Report
If a Customer submits an erroneous or incomplete QMR, the Corporation may:
1. Impose on the Customer, after review of the Customer’s last correctly submitted QMR and
assessments paid thereon, an assessment equal to, or greater than, the Customer’s last
properly paid assessment for each calendar quarter for which it submitted an erroneous or
incomplete QMR;
2. Impose on the Customer a noncompliance assessment;
3. If the Corporation’s estimate of payment due results in an underpayment by the Customer,
collect the amount of the underpayment due and impose an interest penalty of the lower
of two percent per month or the highest rate permitted by law, from the date the
payment was first due and payable through the date on which the additional amount due
is paid;
4. If the Corporation’s estimate of payment due results in an overpayment by the Customer,
return the amount of the overpayment, without penalty or interest thereon, as soon as
practicable after the overpayment amount is identified and calculated; and
Customer Obligations
3.14 Quarterly Mastercard Report (QMR)
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5. Collect the assessment amount and any penalty and interest due thereon from the
Customer’s settlement account.
3.14.3 Overpayment Claim
After the Customer delivers a completed QMR to the Corporation, the Customer may submit
a claim asserting an overpayment thereon. The Corporation may review such claim if the claim
is received by the Corporation no later than one calendar quarter after the date of the
purported overpayment. If the Corporation substantiates the Customer’s overpayment claim,
the Corporation will return the amount of the overpayment to the Customer as soon as
practicable, without interest or penalty thereon.
3.15 Cooperation
A Customer must fully cooperate with the Corporation and all other Customers in the
resolution of Cardholder and settlement disputes.
A Customer, to the best of its ability, must provide requested investigative assistance to any
other Customer.
3.16 Token Requestor Obligations
NOTE: Rules on this subject appear in the “Digital Activity” chapter.
3.17 Issuer Reporting Requirement—EU and Norway
With regard to Intra-EEA Transactions and Intracountry Transactions in EU countries and in
Norway, each Customer must keep an account, on a calendar year basis, of the total amount
of scheme-related fees that each has paid, directly or indirectly, to the Corporation as an
Issuer, and of the total amount, if any, that each has received as an Issuer from the
Corporation. If the amount received exceeds the amount paid, the Customer must contact its
relationship manager prior to 1 April of the following year to resolve the net compensation
event.
3.18 BINs
The Corporation may assign a Customer that engages in or is approved by the Corporation to
engage in Activity one or more bank identification numbers (BINs).
The Corporation may assign BINs at its discretion from the following block ranges:
• Mastercard: 222100 to 272099 and 510000 to 559999
Customer Obligations
3.15 Cooperation
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• Maestro: 639000 to 639099 and 670000 to 679999
Use of a BIN may not be sublicensed or re-assigned or otherwise transferred without the prior
express written consent of the Corporation.
The Corporation may:
• Review a Customer’s BIN usage for compliance with the Standards; and
• Retract the assignment of any BIN that has been assigned to a Customer.
NOTE: A modification to this Rule appears in the “Europe Region” chapter.
Customer Obligations
3.18 BINs
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Chapter 4 Use of the Marks
This chapter contains Rules relating to the use of the Marks.
4.1 Right to Use the Marks........................................................................................................... 67
4.1.1 Protection and Registration of the Marks.........................................................................67
4.1.1.1 Registration of a Card Design.................................................................................. 68
4.1.2 Misuse of a Mark............................................................................................................ 68
4.2 Requirements for Use of a Mark..............................................................................................68
4.3 Review of Solicitations............................................................................................................ 69
4.4 Signage System.......................................................................................................................69
4.4.1 Signage at a Merchant Location...................................................................................... 70
4.4.2 ATM Terminal Signage.....................................................................................................70
4.5 Use of the Interlocking Circles Device......................................................................................70
4.5.1 Use or Registration of Similar Logos, Designs, and Names................................................70
4.6 Use of Multiple Marks.............................................................................................................70
4.7 Particular Uses of a Mark........................................................................................................ 71
4.7.1 Generic Use.....................................................................................................................71
4.7.2 Use of Modifiers..............................................................................................................71
4.7.3 Use on Stationery............................................................................................................ 71
4.7.4 Use on Non-Licensed Products or Services....................................................................... 71
4.7.5 Use or Registration of “Master,” “Maestro,” and “Cirrus” Terminology...........................71
4.7.6 Use of a Word Mark in a Corporate, Business or Domain Name.......................................71
4.7.7 Use of a Word Mark in Text............................................................................................. 72
4.7.8 Program Names...............................................................................................................72
4.7.9 Use on Cards...................................................................................................................72
4.8 Use of Marks on Maestro and Cirrus Cards............................................................................. 72
4.9 Use of Marks on Mastercard Cards..........................................................................................73
4.10 Use of a Card Design in Merchant Advertising and Signage...................................................73
4.11 Use of a Card Design in Issuer Advertising and Marketing Material....................................... 74
4.12 Use of the Mastercard Card Design in Cardholder Statement Enclosures............................... 74
4.13 Use of the Brand Marks on Other Cards................................................................................74
Use of the Marks
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4.1 Right to Use the Marks
A right to use one or more of the Marks is granted to Customers and other Licensees only
pursuant to the terms of a License with the Corporation. Except as set forth in Rule 1.5, a
Mark must not be used in any form or manner before the License is granted.
No additional interest in the Marks is granted with the grant of a right to use the Marks. A
Licensee is responsible for all costs and liabilities resulting from or related to its use of a Mark
or the Interchange System.
Except as set forth in Rule 1.8.2, each License is non-exclusive and non-transferable. The right
to use a Mark may be sublicensed by a Licensee to any Sub-licensee only in accordance with
the Standards or otherwise with the express written consent of the Corporation. A Customer
or other Licensee that is permitted to sublicense the use of a Mark to a Sub-licensee must
ensure, for so long as the sublicense is in effect, that the Mark is used by the Sub-licensee in
accordance with the Standards and/or other additional conditions for such use required by the
Corporation.
The right to use a Mark cannot be sublicensed or assigned, whether by sale, consolidation,
merger, amalgamation, operation of law, or otherwise, without the prior written consent of
the Corporation.
The Corporation makes no express or implied representations or warranties in connection with
any Mark and the Corporation specifically disclaims all such representations and warranties.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Latin America and the Caribbean Region”
chapter.
4.1.1 Protection and Registration of the Marks
Protection of the Marks is vital to the Corporation, its Customers and other Licensees. Any use
of a Mark must not degrade, devalue, denigrate, or cause injury or damage to the Marks or
the Corporation in any way.
By using any Mark, each Customer and other Licensee acknowledges that the Corporation is
the exclusive owner and/or licensor of the Marks, and agrees not to contest or assist others,
either directly or indirectly, in contesting the Corporation’s sole ownership of the Marks, or
otherwise take or fail to alert the Corporation of any action that would be inconsistent with
that ownership. All use of any Mark will inure solely to the benefit of the Corporation.
No Customer or other Licensee or Sub-licensee may register, attempt to register or in any way
make use of a Mark, or any mark or term that, in the opinion of the Corporation, is deemed
to be derivative of, similar to, or in any way related to a Mark. In particular, no use of a Mark
may be made on or in connection with any card, device or other application associated with a
payment service that the Corporation deems to be competitive with any Activity.
Without limitation, the foregoing shall apply to the registration or use of any mark or term
that incorporates, references or otherwise could be confused or associated with a Mark
currently or previously Licensed, sublicensed, or otherwise used by a Customer, the Customer’s
Use of the Marks
4.1 Right to Use the Marks
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Sub-licensees and permittees, and their respective successors or assignees (including, without
limitation, by means of acquisition by merger or otherwise, bankruptcy or voluntary or
involuntary winding-up).
The Corporation reserves the right to determine, establish and control the nature and quality
of the services rendered by its Customers under any mark the Corporation adopts.
In order to preserve the integrity of the Marks and prevent irreparable harm to the
Corporation, each Customer agrees to cease using the Marks immediately upon written
demand by the Corporation, and consent to the entry of an injunction against their continued
use.
If a Customer is threatened with litigation, or is sued with regard to any matter relating to use
of the Marks, and such other marks, the Customer must immediately notify the Corporation
in writing. The Corporation, in its discretion, may then defend, settle, or consent to the entry
of a judicial order, judgment or decree that would terminate any such litigation, or permit
such Customer to do so.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Europe Region” and “Additional U.S. Region
and U.S. Territory Rules” chapters.
4.1.1.1 Registration of a Card Design
A Customer or other Licensee must not register or attempt to register any Card design that
includes a Mark.
4.1.2 Misuse of a Mark
A Customer or other Licensee must promptly notify the Corporation whenever the Customer
or other Licensee learns of any misuse of any Mark or of any attempt to copy or infringe any
of the Marks.
4.2 Requirements for Use of a Mark
The following requirements apply to the use of a Mark.
1. A Mark may be used only pursuant to a License. This provision applies, without limitation,
to:
a. Use of a Mark for advertising or promotional purposes;
b. Placing an order for Card stock or for any other material bearing a Mark;
c. Displaying a Mark;
d. Issuing a Card;
e. Signing a Merchant to a Merchant Agreement; and
f. Distributing or affixing decals.
2. A Mark may only be used by a Customer or other Licensee to identify and promote
Activity.
Use of the Marks
4.2 Requirements for Use of a Mark
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3. Any use of a Mark must comply with the terms of the License and the Standards,
including all of the Corporation’s reproduction, usage, and artwork Standards pertaining
to such Marks.
4. The applicable Mark must be prominently displayed in all advertising, marketing,
promotional, and collateral materials promoting a program or service offered by the
Corporation. The inclusion of the Word Mark in the headline or title, or the prominent
display of the Word Mark on the first page of the Solicitation satisfies this requirement.
Each Solicitation must also include one or more of the following statements, as applicable
to the program or service promoted:
– “Mastercard” and the Mastercard Brand Mark are registered trademarks of Mastercard
International Incorporated.
– “Maestro” and the Maestro Brand Mark are registered trademarks of Maestro
International Incorporated.
– “Cirrus” and the Cirrus Brand Mark are registered trademarks of Mastercard
International Incorporated.
4.3 Review of Solicitations
The Corporation reserves the right to review samples and approve or refuse to approve use of
a Solicitation. Amended samples, if required as a result of this review, also must be forwarded
to the Corporation for review.
4.4 Signage System
The Corporation’s interlocking circles signage system is employed when one or more of the
Corporation’s brands is accepted at a Point of Interaction (POI). The system requires the
consecutive vertical or horizontal display of the acceptance Marks in the following sequence—
Mastercard, Mastercard Electronic, Maestro, Cirrus, Mastercard Mobile. Of the five brands,
only the Marks of those brands that are accepted at a particular POI location may be displayed
there.
A Customer must comply with all of the following requirements for display of the Marks:
1. The Marks must be displayed as set forth in the Standards, including those posted on the
Mastercard Brand Center website at brand.mastercard.com
2. The Marks must not be separated by any other acceptance marks displayed on the same
Terminal.
3. The Marks must not be placed on or near or otherwise be used to identify any acceptance
device that does not accept Cards.
4. Signage must not be displayed in a false, deceptive, or misleading manner.
Use of the Marks
4.3 Review of Solicitations
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4.4.1 Signage at a Merchant Location
The display of the Acceptance Marks at a Merchant location must comply with Rule 5.9.1.
With respect to a Maestro Merchant location, the following applies.
1. The Corporation may permit or prohibit the display of the logo of a Competing EFT POS
Network at POS Terminals displaying the Maestro Acceptance Mark.
2. On any new or replacement signage incorporating the marks of a Competing EFT POS
Networks or any other international, regional, or bilateral acceptance marks, the Maestro
Acceptance Mark must be afforded at least equal prominence and be at least as large.
4.4.2 ATM Terminal Signage
The Mastercard, Maestro, and Cirrus Marks must be displayed on an ATM Terminal. The
Mastercard Electronic and Mastercard Mobile Marks must not be displayed on an ATM
Terminal. On new or replacement signage incorporating any Competing ATM Network marks,
the Acceptance Marks must be afforded at least equal prominence and be at least as large.
4.5 Use of the Interlocking Circles Device
The Corporation’s interlocking circles devices, each of which incorporates a Word Mark, must
be reproduced as set forth in the Mastercard Brand Center website at brand.mastercard.com
and in the Card Design Standards.
4.5.1 Use or Registration of Similar Logos, Designs, and Names
A Customer, Licensee, or Sub-licensee may not use or seek to register any logo, design, or
decorative element that includes two or more interlocking, adjoining, or adjacent circles,
spheres, globes, or similar shapes that, in the opinion of the Corporation, may be likely to
cause confusion with, or create a false association, connection or affiliation with, or dilute the
distinctiveness of any of the Corporation’s interlocking circles devices.
4.6 Use of Multiple Marks
When two or more Marks that use the interlocking circles device are displayed together, they
must have visual parity with one another.
When promoting any Mark with another acceptance mark in any media to denote
acceptance, no other acceptance mark, symbol or logo may be or appear to be larger or more
important than or more welcomed than the Mark. To maintain visual parity, an Acceptance
Mark must be at least as prominent as, and appear in at least the same frequency, size, and
color treatment as, any other acceptance mark displayed. To maintain parity within written
text, a Word Mark must be at least as prominent as, and appear at least as frequently as, any
other acceptance mark mentioned.
NOTE: Refer to Rule 5.11.1 of “Additional U.S. Region and U.S. Territory Rules” for
modifications on the use of the Mastercard Brand Mark.
Use of the Marks
4.5 Use of the Interlocking Circles Device
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4.7 Particular Uses of a Mark
A Customer must comply with all of the following Standards regarding particular uses of a
Mark.
4.7.1 Generic Use
A generic term, such as “bank card” or “payment card,” does not function as a Mark. Use of
a Mark in a manner that would tend to genericize that Mark or otherwise result in the loss of
trademark rights is prohibited.
4.7.2 Use of Modifiers
A Customer is permitted to use its name or a geographical designation in conjunction with a
Word Mark, such as “California Mastercard card program” or “First Issuer Maestro
Department.” The Corporation may prohibit the use of a modifier that it determines will
impair the distinctiveness of any Mark or create any likelihood of confusion or reflect poorly
on the Corporation.
4.7.3 Use on Stationery
A Licensee is permitted to use a Mark on print or electronic stationery, letterhead, envelopes,
and the like for the purpose of identifying its Program or service. If a Word Mark is used, the
Licensee’s name must appear in close proximity to it, such as “Superior National Bank Cirrus
®
Department.”
4.7.4 Use on Non-Licensed Products or Services
A Mark may not be used in a manner likely to create an impression that any product or service
offered by the Licensee, Sub-licensee, or Merchant is sponsored, produced, offered, approved,
sold by, or otherwise affiliated with the Corporation. Each Licensee must ensure that each of
its Sub-licensees, partners, Merchants, and other Program participants does not apply a Mark
to any product or service not expressly permitted by a License.
4.7.5 Use or Registration of “Master,” “Maestro,” and “Cirrus” Terminology
Except as expressly permitted in writing by the Corporation, the words “Master,” “Maestro,”
and “Cirrus” may not be used or registered as part of a trademark, service mark, corporate
name, business name, or Program name, whether preceding, following or linked together as
one word, or with a hyphen or slash, or in connection with any financial or bank-related
products or services.
4.7.6 Use of a Word Mark in a Corporate, Business or Domain Name
A Word Mark may not be used as part of a legal, corporate, or business name, such as
“Mastercard
®
Center, Inc.” No Internet domain name may be registered that includes the
Use of the Marks
4.7 Particular Uses of a Mark
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words “Mastercard,” “Maestro,” or “Cirrus,” except as expressly permitted in writing by the
Corporation.
4.7.7 Use of a Word Mark in Text
A Word Mark must be used as an adjective (as in “your Maestro
®
card”) in the first or most
prominent use subsequent to any use in the title, headline, signature, or cover page of an
offering, unless:
1. The word “Mastercard,” “Maestro,” or “Cirrus” is used as part of a Customer’s Program
name (as in “Customer/Program name Mastercard”); or
2. Otherwise expressly approved in writing by the Corporation.
Use of the word “Mastercard,” “Maestro,” or “Cirrus” as a verb (“Mastercard your gifts”), in
plural (“MasterCards”) or in possessive form (“Mastercard’s”) is prohibited.
4.7.8 Program Names
Each Program name, Solicitation, and service must be referred to by the full, legal name of the
applicable brand and include the appropriate registration notice.
4.7.9 Use on Cards
Standards governing the use of Marks on Cards, including but not limited to Multi-Account
Chip Cards and other Cards displaying co-residing Marks, are set forth in the Card Design
Standards, available on Mastercard Connect
™
, which are incorporated into these Rules by
reference. A Customer must also comply with all of the following Standards regarding the
particular uses of a Mark.
4.8 Use of Marks on Maestro and Cirrus Cards
A Customer that permits any of its debit cards access to the Interchange System must begin
issuing debit cards in compliance with the Standards for Maestro and/or Cirrus Cards, as
applicable, no later than nine months after the date that any of its debit cards first had access
to the Interchange System. The Portfolios must be in full compliance with the Standards no
later than 36 months after the date that any of its debit cards first had access to the
Interchange System.
The Maestro Brand Marks may not be placed on any debit card that is not eligible to be a
Maestro Card or on any credit card.
A Customer must not place any Competing EFT POS Network debit marks on a Maestro Card.
A Visa card issued by a Customer may display only the Cirrus Word Mark, which must be a
minimum of one-half (1/2) inch across measured horizontally, not including the required
registration mark.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Europe Region,” “Latin America and the
Caribbean Region,” and “Additional U.S. Region and U.S. Territory Rules” chapters.
Use of the Marks
4.8 Use of Marks on Maestro and Cirrus Cards
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4.9 Use of Marks on Mastercard Cards
No acceptance mark may appear on a Mastercard Card except as set forth in the Standards,
including the Card Design Standards manual and other Card design specifications.
Except as expressly permitted by the Corporation, none of the following marks or any similar
or related mark, or any mark owned by or affiliated with one of these entities, may appear on
a Card.
1. American Express
2. JCB
3. Diners Club
4. Discover
5. Visa
6. Any other name, logo, or mark identifying or in any way associated with a payment
service that the Corporation deems to be competitive with any Mastercard product or
Program.
Any such competitor’s credit or debit POI mark, logo, or name, regardless of whether
registered, may not appear on a Card, nor may a payment application of any such competitor
reside on the magnetic stripe or chip of a Card. The appearance of the PLUS word mark on
the back of the Card is permitted where there is an effective PLUS agreement with the Issuer.
No Customer or other Licensee or Sub-licensee or any of its affiliates may register, attempt to
register, or in any way make use of any Marks or any mark or term that the Corporation in its
sole discretion deems to be derivative of, similar to, dilutive of, or in any way related to a Mark
on any Card, device, or other application associated with a payment service that the
Corporation deems to be competitive with any Activity of the Corporation. Without limitation,
the foregoing shall specifically apply to registration or use of any mark or term that
incorporates, references, or otherwise could be confused or associated with any Mark
currently or previously Licensed, sublicensed (to the extent sublicensing has been previously
permitted), or used by a Customer, its Sub-licensees and permittees, and their respective
successors or assignees (including, without limitation, by virtue of acquisition by merger or
otherwise, bankruptcy or voluntary or involuntary winding-up.)
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Asia/Pacific Region,” “Europe Region,” and
“Additional U.S. Region and U.S. Territory Rules” chapters.
4.10 Use of a Card Design in Merchant Advertising and Signage
A Merchant is prohibited from using a Mastercard or Maestro Card design to indicate
acceptance in Merchant advertising or other signage, other than signage for a Co-Brand
Program in which the Merchant is a Co-Brand Partner. A Merchant may display an Issuer-
specific Mastercard or Maestro Card design in Merchant advertising and any other signage
that is not used to signify acceptance.
Use of the Marks
4.9 Use of Marks on Mastercard Cards
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4.11 Use of a Card Design in Issuer Advertising and Marketing Material
An Issuer is permitted to depict a Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus Card face for an advertising
or marketing purpose, subject to the following requirements.
1. The proportions of the Card face design, including typestyle and relative positions of the
legends, may not be altered or distorted.
2. The legend “VALID THRU” or the equivalent must be depicted on the Card face design,
unless the Card face design contains an effective date and an expiration date, in which
case the words “VALID DATES” must be depicted in accordance with the requirements set
forth in the Card Design Standards.
3. The Card face design must bear Account information (for example, the Primary Account
Number (PAN), the effective date and/or expiration date) and all Card face design
requirements set forth in the Card Design Standards System. The first six digits of the
Account number must be either a BIN assigned to the Issuer by the Corporation or the
unassigned BIN 541275, which the Corporation has set aside for Issuer use in advertising
and marketing Card face designs.
4. The Mastercard Identification Area (or the Mastercard Brand Mark, if the Card face design
depicts a Mastercard Card with the hologram on the Card back) must be completely
visible on at least one Card face design depicted in the materials.
4.12 Use of the Mastercard Card Design in Cardholder Statement
Enclosures
The Mastercard Card face design must be displayed on statement enclosures used to offer
products or services to Cardholders through the use of a Customer’s Mastercard Card. The
Mastercard Brand Mark may be used in lieu of the Card face design if the Customer’s name is
displayed on the statement enclosure.
4.13 Use of the Brand Marks on Other Cards
A Brand Mark must not be used on a promotional card or other card without the prior written
consent of the Corporation.
Use of the Marks
4.11 Use of a Card Design in Issuer Advertising and Marketing Material
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Chapter 5 Acquiring
This chapter contains Rules relating to Merchant and ATM Owner Agreements, Acquirer and
Merchant obligations, and Card acceptance requirements.
5.1 The Merchant and ATM Owner Agreements........................................................................... 77
5.1.1 Verify Bona Fide Business Operation................................................................................ 77
5.1.2 Required Merchant Agreement Terms..............................................................................77
5.1.2.1 Gambling Merchants............................................................................................... 78
5.1.3 Required ATM Owner Agreement Terms.......................................................................... 78
5.1.4 Maintaining Information..................................................................................................79
5.1.4.1 Location Administration Tool (LAT) Updates............................................................. 80
5.2 Merchant and Submerchant Compliance with the Standards...................................................80
5.2.1 Noncompliance Assessments........................................................................................... 80
5.3 Acquirer Obligations to Merchants..........................................................................................81
5.3.1 Payment for Transactions.................................................................................................81
5.3.2 Supplying Materials......................................................................................................... 81
5.3.3 Provide Information.........................................................................................................81
5.3.4 Merchant Deposit Account—Canada Region Only...........................................................81
5.4 Merchant Location..................................................................................................................81
5.4.1 Disclosure of Merchant Location......................................................................................82
5.5 Submerchant Location............................................................................................................ 82
5.5.1 Disclosure of Submerchant Location................................................................................ 83
5.6 Responsibility for Transactions.................................................................................................83
5.7 Transaction Message Data.......................................................................................................83
5.7.1 Card Acceptor Business Code (MCC) Information............................................................83
5.7.2 Card Acceptor Address Information.................................................................................84
5.7.3 Submerchant Name Information......................................................................................84
5.7.4 ATM Terminal Information............................................................................................... 84
5.7.5 Transactions at Terminals with No Fixed Location............................................................. 84
5.8 Transaction Currency Information............................................................................................84
5.9 Use of the Marks.................................................................................................................... 85
5.9.1 Display of the Acceptance Marks.....................................................................................85
5.9.1.1 Location of Display.................................................................................................. 86
5.9.1.2 Display with Other Marks.........................................................................................86
5.10 Merchant Obligations for Acceptance................................................................................... 87
5.10.1 Honor All Cards.............................................................................................................87
5.10.2 Merchant Acceptance of Mastercard Cards................................................................... 87
Acquiring
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5.10.3 Obtain an Authorization................................................................................................87
5.10.4 Additional Cardholder Identification.............................................................................. 87
5.10.5 Discounts or Other Benefits at the Point of Interaction ..................................................88
5.11 Prohibited Practices...............................................................................................................88
5.11.1 Discrimination............................................................................................................... 88
5.11.2 Charges to Cardholders.................................................................................................88
5.11.3 Minimum/Maximum Transaction Amount Prohibited..................................................... 88
5.11.4 Scrip-dispensing Terminals............................................................................................. 89
5.11.5 Existing Mastercard Cardholder Obligations...................................................................89
5.11.6 Cardholder Right of Dispute.......................................................................................... 89
5.11.7 Illegal or Brand-damaging Transactions..........................................................................89
5.11.8 Disparagement..............................................................................................................90
5.11.9 Mastercard Tokens.........................................................................................................90
5.12 Valid Transactions................................................................................................................. 90
5.13 Sale or Exchange of Information........................................................................................... 91
5.14 Payment Account Reference (PAR) Data................................................................................ 91
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76
5.1 The Merchant and ATM Owner Agreements
Each Customer in its capacity as an Acquirer must directly enter into a written Merchant
Agreement with each retailer or other person, firm, or corporation selling goods or services
(herein, a “seller”) and must directly enter into a written ATM Owner Agreement with each
ATM owner from which it acquires Transactions, whether such Transactions are submitted to
the Customer directly by the seller or ATM owner or through a Service Provider acting for or
on behalf of such Customer. A Merchant Agreement is not required in connection with
Transactions acquired by an Acquirer from its registered Payment Facilitator, when submitted
pursuant to a Submerchant Agreement between the Payment Facilitator and a seller.
The Acquirer must acquire all valid Transactions submitted to it from a Merchant in accordance
with the Merchant Agreement, and all valid ATM Transactions in accordance with the ATM
Owner Agreement. An Acquirer must not submit for processing through the Interchange
System any Transaction resulting from the acceptance of a Card by an entity or person except
pursuant to a Merchant Agreement or ATM Owner Agreement then in effect between the
Acquirer and the entity or person.
Each Merchant Agreement and each ATM Owner Agreement must reflect the Acquirer’s
primary responsibility for the Merchant or ATM owner relationship and the establishment of all
management and operating policies relating to its acquiring Programs, and must otherwise
comply with the Standards. A Merchant Agreement or ATM Owner Agreement must not
include any provision that limits, or attempts to limit, the Acquirer’s responsibility for such
Programs.
An Acquirer in violation of this Rule may be assessed up to USD 2,500 per day with respect to
each entity or person on whose behalf the Acquirer submits Transactions into interchange
with no Merchant Agreement being in effect between the Acquirer and the entity or person,
retroactive to the first day of such noncompliant practice.
5.1.1 Verify Bona Fide Business Operation
Before entering into, extending, or renewing a Merchant Agreement or ATM Owner
Agreement, an Acquirer must verify that the Merchant or ATM owner from which it intends to
acquire Transactions is a bona fide business, has sufficient safeguards in place to protect
Account data from unauthorized disclosure or use, and complies with applicable laws, and
that each POS Transaction will reflect bona fide business between the Merchant or
Submerchant and a Cardholder. Procedures for verifying that a Merchant or ATM owner is a
bona fide business are set forth in Chapter 7 of the Security Rules and Procedures manual.
5.1.2 Required Merchant Agreement Terms
Each Merchant Agreement must contain the substance of each of the Standards set forth in
Rules 5.4 through 5.13, and any other Standards applicable to the nature and manner of the
Merchant’s business. The failure to include the substance of any one or more of such
Standards in the Merchant Agreement or the grant of a variance by the Corporation with
respect to any one or more such Standards does not relieve an Acquirer from responsibility for
chargebacks or compliance.
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5.1 The Merchant and ATM Owner Agreements
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Each Merchant Agreement may contain only such terms agreed to by the Acquirer and the
Merchant, provided that no such term conflicts with any Standard. The Merchant Agreement
must also provide that the Merchant’s use or display of any Mark will terminate effective with
the termination of the Merchant Agreement or upon notification by the Corporation to
discontinue such use or display.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Asia/Pacific Region,” “Europe Region,”
“Middle East/Africa Region,” and “United States Region” chapters.
5.1.2.1 Gambling Merchants
Each Merchant Agreement with a Merchant proposing to engage in gambling Transactions
must incorporate the following terms.
1. If the Merchant proposes to engage in Internet gambling Transactions, the Merchant must
post a notice on its websites (in a position such that the notice will be displayed before
Account information is requested, such as a click-through notice) stating that assertions
have been made that Internet gambling may not be lawful in some jurisdictions, including
the United States, and suggesting that the Cardholder check whether Internet gambling is
lawful under applicable law.
2. A Merchant must not sell chips or other value that can be used, directly or indirectly, to
gamble at locations other than those that the Merchant wholly owns.
3. A Merchant must not credit winnings, unspent chips, or other value usable for gambling
to a Mastercard Account. Refer to Chapter 6 of the Transaction Processing Rules manual
for Standards applicable to use of the Gaming Payment Transaction to transfer winnings
or unspent chips or other value usable for gambling to a Mastercard or Maestro Account
in some Europe Region countries, and to a Mastercard Account in some MEA Region
countries.
4. All non–face-to-face gambling Transactions identified with MCC 7995 and effected with a
Mastercard Card or Account must include the CVC 2 value in DE 48 (Additional Data—
Private Use), subelement 92 of the Authorization Request/0100 message.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Canada Region” and “United States Region”
chapters.
5.1.3 Required ATM Owner Agreement Terms
The ATM Owner Agreement must, in substance, include all of the following terms.
1. The ATM owner received, understands, and agrees to comply with all Standards that apply
to the nature and manner of the ATM owner’s business as that business relates to the
ownership and/or deployment of an ATM.
2. On an ongoing basis, and in no event less than quarterly, the ATM owner is promptly to
provide the Acquirer with all information for each of its ATM locations as required by the
Corporation to maintain its Location Administration Tool (LAT), including but not limited to
each ATM location name, address, and Terminal ID.
3. In the event of any inconsistency between any provision of the ATM Owner Agreement
and the Standards, the Standards shall govern.
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5.1 The Merchant and ATM Owner Agreements
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4. The ATM Owner Agreement automatically terminates if the Acquirer ceases to be a
Customer for any reason. The Corporation retains the right to require that the Acquirer
terminate the ATM Owner Agreement if the Corporation determines that any ATM owner
appears not to be qualified for any reason.
5. The ATM owner acknowledges that the Corporation is the sole and exclusive owner of the
Marks and agrees that the ATM owner will not contest the ownership of the Marks for
any reason whatsoever. The Corporation may at any time, immediately and without
advance notice, prohibit the ATM owner from using any of the Marks for any reason.
6. The ATM owner acknowledges and agrees that the Corporation has the right to enforce
any provision of the Standards and to prohibit any ATM owner conduct that may injure or
may create a risk of injury to the Corporation, including injury to reputation, or that may
adversely affect the integrity of the Corporation’s core payment systems, information, or
both. The ATM owner must agree not to take any action that might interfere with, or
prevent exercise of, this right by the Corporation.
5.1.4 Maintaining Information
The Acquirer must maintain, on an ongoing basis:
1. For each Merchant participating in the Acquirer’s Program, the Merchant’s name and
address and a signed, unexpired Merchant Agreement; and
2. For each ATM owner participating in the Acquirer’s Program, a signed, unexpired ATM
Owner Agreement and all of the following information:
a. The complete name and address of the ATM owner (or principals of the business if the
ATM owner is a corporation, partnership, or limited liability company).
b. The complete address of the ATM Terminal location, if different from that of the ATM
owner.
c. The ATM owner’s legal status (for example, corporation, partnership, sole proprietor,
non-profit, other), and the applicable Federal Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN),
Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or Social Security Number (SSN), or
other equivalent government registration identifiers appropriate to the ATM owner’s
country of operation.
d. The legal name, and if applicable the “Doing Business As” (DBA) name, of the ATM
Terminal location.
e. The complete name and address of any Third Party Processor (TPP) performing services
for, or otherwise associated with, the ATM owner.
f. The complete name and address of any entity, other than the ATM owner, that
receives revenue as a result of the use, lease, placement, and/or maintenance of the
ATM Terminal.
3. The supplier, manufacturer, and model of each of its ATM Terminals and Bank Branch
Terminals.
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5.1 The Merchant and ATM Owner Agreements
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5.1.4.1 Location Administration Tool (LAT) Updates
The Acquirer must provide current and accurate information regarding its ATM Terminals and
Bank Branch Terminals by means of quarterly updates to the Location Administration Tool
(LAT) on Mastercard Connect
™
.
5.2 Merchant and Submerchant Compliance with the Standards
The Acquirer is responsible for ensuring that each of its Merchants and Submerchants
complies with the Standards, and the Acquirer is itself responsible to the Corporation and to
other Customers for any Merchant’s or Submerchant’s failure to do so.
To the extent a Merchant or Submerchant utilizes the service of a person or entity for a
purpose arising from or related to Activity, the Acquirer is responsible for ensuring that each
such person or entity complies with the Standards, and the Acquirer itself is responsible to the
Corporation and to other Customers for any such person’s or entity’s failure to do so.
The Acquirer must not support any Merchant or Submerchant action having a purpose or
effect of evading detection by the Corporation’s fraud monitoring and other compliance
thresholds set forth in the Standards, including but not limited to “load balancing” (that is,
the distribution of Transactions between or among Merchant ID numbers in order to avoid
minimum thresholds).
The Acquirer must take such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to ensure a
Merchant’s or Submerchant’s ongoing compliance with the Standards by monitoring, on an
ongoing basis, the Activity and use of the Marks of each of its Merchants. Minimum Merchant
monitoring Standards are set forth in Chapters 6 and 7 of the Security Rules and Procedures
manual.
Failure by a Merchant, Submerchant, or Acquirer to comply with any Standard may result in
chargebacks, an assessment to the Acquirer, and/or other disciplinary action.
5.2.1 Noncompliance Assessments
If the Corporation becomes aware of a Merchant’s noncompliance with any Standard, the
Corporation may notify the Acquirer and may assess and/or otherwise discipline the Acquirer
for such noncompliance, and the Acquirer must promptly cause the Merchant to discontinue
the noncompliant practice. A notification by the Corporation with respect to any one location
of a Merchant requires the Acquirer to ensure that the Merchant is in compliance with the
Standards at all locations of the Merchant that are subject to the Merchant Agreements.
As set forth in Rule 2.1.6, a Customer may request that the Chief Franchise Integrity Officer of
the Corporation review an assessment for a Merchant’s noncompliance with a Standard.
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5.2 Merchant and Submerchant Compliance with the Standards
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5.3 Acquirer Obligations to Merchants
An Acquirer must fulfill all of the obligations set forth in this Rule 5.3 with respect to each of
its Merchants.
5.3.1 Payment for Transactions
The Acquirer must pay the Merchant the amount (either gross or net of Merchant discount or
setoff) of all Transactions that the Acquirer acquires from the Merchant in accordance with the
Merchant Agreement and the Standards. This obligation is not discharged with regard to a
Transaction until the Merchant receives payment from the Acquirer that acquired the
Transaction, notwithstanding any Acquirer payment arrangement, including any such
arrangement between an Affiliate and its Sponsor. A Merchant Agreement may provide for an
Acquirer to withhold amounts for chargeback reserves or similar purposes in accordance with
the Standards.
5.3.2 Supplying Materials
The Acquirer must regularly ensure the Merchant is provided with all materials necessary to
conduct POS Transactions in accordance with the Standards and to signify Card acceptance.
These materials may include POS Terminals, PIN pads, Card acceptance decals, signage, and
the like.
5.3.3 Provide Information
NOTE: Rules on this subject appear in the “Europe Region” and “United States Region”
chapters.
5.3.4 Merchant Deposit Account—Canada Region Only
NOTE: A Rule on this subject appears in the “Canada Region” chapter.
5.4 Merchant Location
Except as otherwise provided in the Standards, a Merchant may accept Cards only at locations
that are within the Acquirer’s Area of Use.
A Merchant’s location generally is an address at which the Merchant conducts the business
described in the Merchant application and governed by the Merchant Agreement. The
Acquirer is responsible for verifying that the address set forth in the Merchant Agreement and
any address disclosed to Cardholders or appearing in Transaction messages is a location from
which the Merchant is conducting such business. When determining a Merchant’s location,
the Acquirer should consider, among other factors, whether the Merchant (i) holds a business
license or is otherwise authorized to conduct the business; (ii) pay taxes; and (iii) maintains an
office or other physical presence and can receive business-related mail. By way of example and
not limitation, a post office box address, the location at which a server is stored, the address
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5.3 Acquirer Obligations to Merchants
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of a warehouse having no business-related functions, and the Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
of a website do not establish a physical location.
Any disagreement between Customers regarding a Merchant location may be referred to the
Corporation for final resolution. The Corporation has the right, at any time, to determine a
Merchant’s location based upon such information as may be available.
5.4.1 Disclosure of Merchant Location
An Acquirer must ensure that each of its Merchants prominently and clearly discloses to the
Cardholder at all points of interaction:
1. The name of the Merchant, so that the Cardholder can easily distinguish the Merchant
from any other party, such as a supplier of products or services to the Merchant; and
2. The location (physical address) of the Merchant to enable the Cardholder to easily
determine, among other things, whether the Transaction will be a Domestic Transaction or
a Cross-border Transaction. The Merchant location must be disclosed before the
Cardholder is prompted to provide Card information.
The Merchant name and location, as disclosed to the Cardholder, must be the same as what is
provided in authorization and clearing Transaction messages.
5.5 Submerchant Location
Except as otherwise provided in the Standards, a Submerchant may accept Cards only at
locations that are within the Acquirer’s Area of Use.
A Submerchant’s location generally is an address at which the Submerchant conducts the
business described in the Submerchant application and governed by the Submerchant
Agreement. The Acquirer is responsible for verifying that the Submerchant address set forth in
the Submerchant Agreement and any address disclosed to Cardholders or appearing in
Transaction messages is a location from which the Submerchant is conducting such business,
or the Acquirer may permit the Payment Facilitator to manage this obligation on its behalf.
When determining a Submerchant’s location, the Acquirer or Payment Facilitator should
consider, among other factors, whether the Submerchant (i) holds a business license or is
otherwise authorized to conduct the business; (ii) pay taxes; and (iii) maintains an office or
other physical presence and can receive business-related mail. By way of example and not
limitation, a post office box address, the location at which a server is stored, the address of a
warehouse having no business-related functions, and the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of a
website do not establish a physical location. The Acquirer must transmit the Submerchant
location, substantially the same as it appears on any Transaction receipt provided, in DE 43.
Any disagreement between Customers regarding a Submerchant location may be referred to
the Corporation for final resolution. The Corporation has the right, at any time, to determine
a Submerchant’s location based upon such information as may be available.
Acquiring
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5.5.1 Disclosure of Submerchant Location
An Acquirer must ensure that each of its Payment Facilitators’ Submerchants prominently and
clearly discloses to the Cardholder at all points of interaction:
1. The name of the Submerchant, so that the Cardholder can easily distinguish the
Submerchant from any other party, such as a supplier of products or services to the
Submerchant; and
2. The location (physical address) of the Submerchant to enable the Cardholder to easily
determine, among other things, whether the Transaction will be a Domestic Transaction or
a Cross-border Transaction. The Submerchant location must be disclosed before the
Cardholder is prompted to provide Card information.
The Submerchant name and location, as disclosed to the Cardholder, must be the same as
what is provided in authorization and clearing Transaction messages.
5.6 Responsibility for Transactions
Each Merchant and Submerchant must ensure that the Cardholder is easily able to understand
that the Merchant or Submerchant is responsible for the Transaction, including delivery of the
goods (whether physical or digital) or provision of the services that are the subject of the
Transaction, and for customer service and dispute resolution, all in accordance with the terms
applicable to the Transaction.
5.7 Transaction Message Data
An Acquirer must ensure that each of its Merchants and Terminals complies with the
Transaction message data requirements set forth in this Rule.
NOTE: A modification to this Rule appears in the “Europe Region” chapter.
5.7.1 Card Acceptor Business Code (MCC) Information
The Acquirer must ensure that each Merchant and Submerchant is identified in authorization
and clearing Transaction messages with the Card acceptor business code (MCC) that reflects
the primary business of the Merchant or Submerchant.
Any Transaction that includes the sale of products or services properly identified with one of
the following MCCs must be identified with such MCC:
• Gambling Transactions (MCC 7995)
• Money Transfer (MCC 4829)
• Quasi Cash—Customer Financial Institution (MCC 6050)
• Quasi Cash—Merchant (MCC 6051)
For MCC descriptions, refer to Chapter 3 of the Quick Reference Booklet.
Acquiring
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The Corporation shall have the ultimate authority to dictate the appropriate MCC if any
dispute shall arise.
NOTE: A modification to this Rule appears in the “United States Region” chapter.
5.7.2 Card Acceptor Address Information
The Acquirer must transmit the generally accepted location, city, and country of the Terminal
or website in DE 43, substantially the same as it appears on any Transaction receipt provided.
NOTE: A modification to this Rule appears in the “Europe Region” chapter.
5.7.3 Submerchant Name Information
The Acquirer must ensure that a Transaction conducted by a Submerchant includes the names
of both the Payment Facilitator and the Submerchant in DE 43 (Card Acceptor Name/
Location), subfield 1 (Card Acceptor Name). The Payment Facilitator name, in full or in
abbreviated form, must be followed by “*” and the Submerchant name.
NOTE: A modification to this Rule appears in the “Europe Region” chapter.
5.7.4 ATM Terminal Information
The Acquirer of an ATM Transaction must transmit the ATM owner name and ATM location
address, substantially the same as it appears on any Transaction receipt provided, in DE 43
(Card Acceptor Name/Location) and the unique ATM Terminal identification information in DE
41 (Card Acceptor Terminal ID) of each Transaction message. An Acquirer and any Service
Provider performing ATM Transaction processing services must also identify itself using a
unique number, which is assigned by the Interchange System.
NOTE: A modification to this Rule appears in the “Europe Region” chapter.
5.7.5 Transactions at Terminals with No Fixed Location
A Transaction arising from a Terminal with no fixed location (for example, aboard a train or
ship) may be deemed to take place in the country where the Merchant operating a POS
Terminal or the Acquirer of an ATM Terminal or Bank Branch Terminal is headquartered or
where the Transaction is processed.
5.8 Transaction Currency Information
An Acquirer that intends to acquire Transactions on which POI currency conversion has been
performed first must register with the Corporation to do so. POI currency conversion is also
referred to as dynamic currency conversion, or DCC. For more information on POI currency
conversion, including registration requirements, refer to Chapter 3 of the Transaction
Processing Rules manual.
Acquiring
5.8 Transaction Currency Information
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5.9 Use of the Marks
A Merchant is only permitted to use a Mark in accordance with a Merchant Agreement with
its Acquirer.
The Merchant Agreement must provide that:
1. Any use of a Mark by a Merchant in advertising, acceptance decals, or signs, must be in
accordance with the Standards, including the Corporation’s reproduction, usage, and
artwork Standards, as may be in effect from time to time; and
2. The Merchant’s use or display of any Mark will terminate effective with the termination of
the Merchant Agreement, or upon notification by the Corporation to discontinue such use
or display.
The Acquirer must ensure that its Merchants and ATM owners:
1. Use or display the Marks in accordance with the Standards, and
2. Ceases all use of the Marks immediately upon termination of the Merchant Agreement or
ATM Owner Agreement, or upon notification by the Corporation to discontinue such use.
The use or display of any Mark does not give a Merchant or ATM owner any ownership or
interest in the Mark.
5.9.1 Display of the Acceptance Marks
An Acquirer must ensure that all of its Merchants and Terminals prominently display the
appropriate Acceptance Marks at the Point-of-Interaction (POI), wherever payment options are
presented. An Acceptance Mark may also be displayed in advertising or other materials or
images at the physical or electronic POI to indicate brand acceptance. No other Marks or
marks may be used for these purposes. An Acquirer must provide its Merchants and ATM
Terminal operators with the appropriate artwork in a format authorized by the Corporation. A
Merchant may be required to supply its Acquirer with samples of any materials or images
bearing the Acceptance Marks.
Refer to the Mastercard Brand Mark Branding Requirements at brand.mastercard.com for
requirements on displaying the Acceptance Marks at parity with the marks, symbols, and
logos of other payment options.
NOTE: Refer to Rule 5.11.1 in the “Additional U.S. Region and U.S. Territory Rules” chapter for
a variation to the parity requirements for display of Acceptance Marks.
Acquiring
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5.9.1.1 Location of Display
The Acceptance Marks must be clearly visible to the public at the POI.
Acceptance Enviornment Acceptance Mark Display Requirements
Face-to-face Transactions
At physical Merchant locations, the preferred way to communicate
acceptance is to display the Acceptance Marks on a main entry
door or on a nearby window. If these locations are not available,
the Acceptance Marks must be displayed so they are seen easily
from the outside.
When a Cardholder-facing POS Terminal is present at a Merchant
location that accepts Mastercard or Maestro or both, the
appropriate Acceptance Marks must be displayed on the POS
Terminal at parity (in terms of size, frequency, and location) with all
other acceptance marks of any type shown.
NOTE: Refer to Rule 5.11.1 in the “Additional U.S. Region and
U.S. Territory Rules” chapter for a variation to the parity
requirement.
Unattended POS Terminals The Acceptance Marks must be displayed either on the POS
Terminal or on its screen, or in both locations.
ATM Terminals Refer to Rule 4.4.1 for ATM Terminal requirements.
Contactless-enabled POS
Terminals
The Acceptance Marks must be displayed in accordance with the
“Contactless POS Terminal Branding” section of the Mastercard
Contactless Branding Standards, which may be found at
brand.mastercard.com.
E-Commerce Transactions The Acceptance Marks must be displayed in accordance with the
requirements for digital Merchant locations and digital applications
set forth in the Mastercard Brand Mark Branding Requirements at
brand.mastercard.com.
Submerchant locations The same requirements apply as for Merchant locations.
Mail order, telephone order, or
recurring payment Transactions
For mail order, phone order, and recurring payment Transactions,
the Acceptance Marks must be displayed where payment options
are presented.
5.9.1.2 Display with Other Marks
Other acceptance marks, symbols, logos, or combinations thereof may appear in the same
material or image with the Acceptance Marks, provided visual parity is maintained and no
other acceptance mark, symbol, or logo displayed is more prominent or likely to cause
confusion concerning the acceptance of Cards. Each Acceptance Mark must be displayed as a
free-standing mark, meaning that an Acceptance Mark must not be displayed so as to suggest
that it is either a secondary means of payment or exclusively linked to another acceptance
brand.
Acquiring
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NOTE: Refer to Rule 4.6 for more information about the Corporation’s signage system and the
proper display of Acceptance Marks. Refer to Rule 5.11.1 in “Additional U.S. Region and U.S.
Territory Rules” for modifications on the use of the Mastercard Brand Mark.
5.10 Merchant Obligations for Acceptance
An Acquirer must ensure that each of its Merchants complies with the Card acceptance
requirements set forth in this Rule with respect to the Acceptance Marks specified in the
Merchant Agreement.
5.10.1 Honor All Cards
A Merchant must honor all valid Cards without discrimination when properly presented for
payment. A Merchant must maintain a policy that does not discriminate among customers
seeking to make purchases with a Card.
A Merchant that does not deal with the public at large (for example, a private club) is
considered to comply with this Rule if it honors all valid and properly presented Cards of
Cardholders that have purchasing privileges with the Merchant.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Asia/Pacific Region,” "Europe Region,"
“Middle East/Africa Region,” and “United States Region” chapters.
5.10.2 Merchant Acceptance of Mastercard Cards
NOTE: Rules on this subject appear in the “Asia/Pacific Region,” “Europe Region,” “Middle
East/Africa Region,” and “United States Region” chapters.
5.10.3 Obtain an Authorization
When required by the Standards or by the Acquirer, the Merchant must obtain an
authorization before completing a Transaction. Refer to the Transaction Processing Rules
manual for authorization requirements.
5.10.4 Additional Cardholder Identification
A Merchant may request but must not require a Cardholder to provide additional
identification information as a condition of Card acceptance, unless such information is
required to complete the Transaction, such as for shipping purposes, or the Standards
specifically permit or require such information to be collected.
A Merchant in a country or region that supports use of the Mastercard Address Verification
Service (AVS) for Mastercard POS Transactions may require the Cardholder’s ZIP or postal code
to complete a Cardholder-Activated Terminal (CAT) Transaction, or the Cardholder’s address
and ZIP or postal code to complete a mail order, phone order, or e-commerce Transaction.
NOTE: A modification to this Rule appears in the "United States Region" chapter.
Acquiring
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5.10.5 Discounts or Other Benefits at the Point of Interaction
NOTE: Rules on this subject appear in the “Asia/Pacific Region,” “Canada Region,” “Europe
Region,” “Latin America and the Caribbean Region,“ and “Middle East/Africa Region”
chapters.
5.11 Prohibited Practices
An Acquirer must ensure that none of its Merchants engage in any of the prohibited practices
set forth in this Rule.
5.11.1 Discrimination
A Merchant must not engage in any acceptance practice that discriminates against or
discourages the use of a Card in favor of any other acceptance brand.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Asia/Pacific Region,” “Europe Region,”
“United States Region,” and “Additional U.S. Region and U.S. Territory Rules” chapters.
5.11.2 Charges to Cardholders
A Merchant must not directly or indirectly require any Cardholder to pay a surcharge or any
part of any Merchant discount or any contemporaneous finance charge in connection with a
Transaction. A Merchant may provide a discount to its customers for cash payments. A
Merchant is permitted to charge a fee (such as a bona fide commission, postage, expedited
service or convenience fees, and the like) if the fee is imposed on all like transactions
regardless of the form of payment used, or as the Corporation has expressly permitted in
writing.
For purposes of this Rule:
1. A surcharge is any fee charged in connection with a Transaction that is not charged if
another payment method is used.
2. The Merchant discount fee is any fee a Merchant pays to an Acquirer so that the Acquirer
will acquire the Transactions of the Merchant.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Asia/Pacific Region,” “Canada Region” and
“Additional U.S. Region and U.S. Territory Rules” chapters.
5.11.3 Minimum/Maximum Transaction Amount Prohibited
A Merchant must not require, or indicate that it requires, a minimum or maximum Transaction
amount to accept a valid and properly presented Mastercard or Maestro Card.
NOTE: A modification to this Rule appears in the “Additional U.S. Region and U.S. Territory
Rules” chapter.
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5.11.4 Scrip-dispensing Terminals
The Acceptance Marks must not be displayed at any POS Terminal, ATM Terminal, or Bank
Branch Terminal that dispenses scrip.
A Merchant must not submit to its Acquirer, and an Acquirer must not submit to the
Interchange System, any Transaction that arises from the acceptance of a Card at a scrip-
dispensing Terminal.
NOTE: A modification to this Rule appears in the “Europe Region” chapter.
5.11.5 Existing Mastercard Cardholder Obligations
A Merchant must not submit to its Acquirer, and a Customer must not submit to the
Interchange System, any Transaction that:
1. Represents the refinancing or transfer of an existing Mastercard Cardholder obligation
that is deemed to be uncollectible; or
2. Arises from the dishonor of a Mastercard Cardholder’s personal check.
A Merchant may submit a Transaction identified with MCC 6051 (Quasi-Cash—Merchant) for
the payment of an existing Cardholder obligation owed to the Merchant.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Europe Region” and “United States Region”
chapters.
5.11.6 Cardholder Right of Dispute
A Merchant must not impose, as a condition of Mastercard or Maestro Card acceptance, a
requirement that the Cardholder waive a right to dispute a Transaction.
5.11.7 Illegal or Brand-damaging Transactions
A Merchant must not submit to its Acquirer, and a Customer must not submit to the
Interchange System, any Transaction that is illegal, or in the sole discretion of the Corporation,
may damage the goodwill of the Corporation or reflect negatively on the Marks.
The Corporation considers any of the following activities to be in violation of this Rule:
1. The sale or offer of sale of a product or service other than in full compliance with law then
applicable to the Acquirer, Issuer, Merchant, Cardholder, Cards, or the Corporation.
2. The sale of a product or service, including an image, which is patently offensive and lacks
serious artistic value (such as, by way of example and not limitation, images of
nonconsensual sexual behavior, sexual exploitation of a minor, nonconsensual mutilation
of a person or body part, and bestiality), or any other material that the Corporation deems
unacceptable to sell in connection with a Mark.
An Acquirer that has been notified of a Merchant’s noncompliance with this Rule and that
fails promptly to cause the noncompliant practice to cease, or that has been notified multiple
times regarding violations of this Rule, is subject, at the Acquirer’s expense, and in addition to
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any other noncompliance assessment or other discipline, or both, to any one or more of the
following:
1. Customer Risk Review under the Global Risk Management Program as described in the
Security Rules and Procedures manual.
2. An audit at the sole expense of the Acquirer by a third party selected by the Corporation,
of the Acquirer’s acquiring practices. The Corporation may list a Mastercard Merchant
which the Corporation determines is noncompliant with this Rule on the MATCH system.
(See Chapter 11 of the Security Rules and Procedures manual.)
An Acquirer in violation of this Rule may be assessed, with respect to each Merchant, entity,
affiliate, agent, or person on whose behalf the Acquirer submits illegal or brand-damaging
Transactions into interchange:
• USD 200,000 or
• USD 2,500 per day, retroactive to the first day of the noncompliant practice, provided the
Acquirer can show clear and convincing evidence that such noncompliant practice began
less than 80 days prior to the date of the Corporation’s notification to the Acquirer.
5.11.8 Disparagement
NOTE: A Rule on this subject appears in the “Additional U.S. Region and U.S. Territory Rules”
chapter.
5.11.9 Mastercard Tokens
Neither an Acquirer nor any of the Acquirer’s Merchants or Service Providers, including but not
limited to any such entity that the Corporation has registered as a Token Requestor, may use
Account or Transaction data to create or maintain a repository of Mastercard Token primary
account numbers (PANs) and corresponding Account PANs or perform mapping of Mastercard
Token PANs to Account PANs for any purpose.
The PAN of a Mastercard Card or Access Device or any Maestro Card or Access Device for
which Maestro is the primary Payment Application must not be replaced by, mapped to, or
Tokenized with any PAN issued from an Issuer Identification Number (IIN) reserved by the ISO
Registration Authority for a competing payment network. Refer to the current ISO Register Of
Issuer Identification Numbers for more information.
5.12 Valid Transactions
A Merchant must submit to its Acquirer records of valid Transactions only between the
Merchant and a bona fide Cardholder.
A Merchant must not submit to its Acquirer a Transaction that the Merchant knows or should
have known to be fraudulent or not authorized by the Cardholder, or that it knows or should
have known to be authorized by a Cardholder colluding with the Merchant for a fraudulent
purpose. For purposes of this Rule, the Merchant is deemed to be responsible for the conduct
of its employees, agents, and representatives.
Acquiring
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5.13 Sale or Exchange of Information
A Merchant must not sell, purchase, provide, exchange or in any manner disclose Account or
Transaction data, including but not limited to the Account PAN, PAR, or Token, or personal
information of or about a Cardholder to anyone other than its Acquirer, to the Corporation, or
in response to a valid government demand.
This prohibition applies to Card imprints, TIDs, carbon copies, mailing lists, tapes, database
files, and all other media created or obtained as a result of a Transaction.
5.14 Payment Account Reference (PAR) Data
This Rule 5.14 applies whether the Corporation or another entity as BIN Controller (as such
term is defined in the EMV Payment Tokenization Specification Technical Framework) allocates
a Payment Account Reference (PAR) value to an Account PAN.
An Acquirer, and any of the Acquirer’s Service Providers or Merchants, must only use PAR data
for one or more of the following purposes:
• To complete a refund, respond to a chargeback, or perform some other reversal of
payment in connection with a purchase Transaction containing a PAR, in addition to an
Account PAN or Token;
• To comply with applicable law or regulation or the Mastercard Anti-Money Laundering
Program;
• To conduct fraud detection, control, or mitigation activities;
• To provide services to a Cardholder at the direction of and with the explicit consent of such
Cardholder.
No other use of PAR data is permitted without the express prior written consent of the
Corporation.
Acquiring
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Chapter 6 Issuing
This chapter contains Rules relating to the issuance of Cards, Issuer obligations, and Special Issuer
Programs.
6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements....................................................................................94
Mastercard Safety Net.............................................................................................................. 94
Transaction Alerts Service......................................................................................................... 94
6.1.1 Mastercard Card Issuance................................................................................................95
6.1.1.1 Linked Mastercard Card Program Solicitations..........................................................96
6.1.2 Maestro Card Issuance.................................................................................................... 96
6.1.2.1 Eligible Accounts—Maestro..................................................................................... 96
6.1.2.2 Ineligible Accounts—Maestro.................................................................................. 96
6.1.3 Cirrus Card Issuance........................................................................................................97
6.1.3.1 Eligible Cards—Cirrus.............................................................................................. 97
6.1.3.2 Eligible Accounts—Cirrus.........................................................................................98
6.1.3.3 Ineligible Cards—Cirrus........................................................................................... 99
6.1.3.4 Ineligible Accounts—Cirrus...................................................................................... 99
6.1.3.5 Transferred Cirrus Portfolios..................................................................................... 99
6.1.4 Tokenization of Accounts................................................................................................ 99
6.1.4.1 Maestro Accounts..................................................................................................100
6.1.5 Cardholder Communications.........................................................................................100
6.2 Issuer Responsibilities to Cardholders.................................................................................... 101
6.2.1 Cardholder Communications.........................................................................................102
6.3 Limitation of Liability of Cardholders for Unauthorized Use................................................... 102
6.4 Selective Authorization......................................................................................................... 102
6.5 Affinity and Co-Brand Card Programs................................................................................... 103
6.5.1 Ownership and Control of the Program.........................................................................103
6.5.2 Use of the Acceptance Marks........................................................................................ 103
6.6 Brand Value Transactions and Proprietary Accounts............................................................... 104
6.6.1 Proprietary Account Access........................................................................................... 104
6.6.2 Use of BVT and Proprietary Accounts on a Mastercard Card.......................................... 104
6.6.3 Fees and Reporting Requirements..................................................................................105
6.7 Virtual Accounts................................................................................................................... 105
6.8 Secured Card Programs.........................................................................................................106
6.8.1 Refund of Fees.............................................................................................................. 106
6.8.2 Solicitation and Disclosure Requirements....................................................................... 106
6.9 Youth Card Programs............................................................................................................107
Issuing
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6.9.1 Solicitation and Disclosure Requirements....................................................................... 108
6.10 Prepaid Card Programs........................................................................................................108
6.10.1 Prior Consent of the Corporation................................................................................ 108
6.10.2 Reservation of Rights...................................................................................................108
6.10.3 Responsibility for the Prepaid Card Program................................................................ 109
6.10.4 Categories of Prepaid Card Program............................................................................109
Consumer Prepaid Card Programs......................................................................................109
Commercial Prepaid Card Programs................................................................................... 109
Government Prepaid Card Programs.................................................................................. 109
6.10.5 Return of Unspent Value............................................................................................. 110
Consumer Prepaid Card Programs......................................................................................110
Commercial Prepaid Card Programs................................................................................... 110
Government Prepaid Card Programs.................................................................................. 110
6.10.6 Value Loading............................................................................................................. 111
6.10.7 Automatic Value Loads from Payment Cards................................................................111
6.10.8 Communication and Marketing Materials....................................................................111
6.10.9 Anonymous Prepaid Card Programs.............................................................................112
6.10.10 BINs.......................................................................................................................... 112
6.10.11 Simplified Due Diligence Guidelines...........................................................................113
6.11 Maestro Chip-only Card Programs—Europe Region Only.....................................................113
6.12 Debit Card Programs Issued by Electronic Money Institutions and Payment Institutions........113
Issuing
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6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements
An Issuer must operate each of its Programs in accordance with the Standards as may be in
effect from time to time.
Each Program must be:
• Structured so as to avoid undue risk to the Corporation and its Customers; and
• Operated in a manner that does not reflect poorly on the Corporation or any Mark.
An Issuer must ensure that a Card or Access Device:
1. Only provides access to an eligible account type;
2. Displays the appropriate Brand Marks pursuant to the applicable License and the
Standards, including the Card Design Standards manual and all other reproduction, usage
and artwork Standards;
3. Complies with the Standards set forth in Chapter 3 of the Security Rules and Procedures
manual; and
4. If it contains a chip or has contactless payment functionality, complies with the Standards
set forth in the M/Chip Requirements for Contact and Contactless manual.
There is no limitation on the types of Accounts that may co-reside on the same Mobile
Payment Device, provided that such Accounts are not linked, but rather exist independently
and are each accessed by a separate and distinct Payment Application hosted on the same
user interface.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Asia/Pacific Region,” “Canada Region,”
“Europe Region,” and “United States Region” chapters.
Mastercard Safety Net
Effective 21 April 2017, all Issuers must participate in Mastercard SafetyNet, or Mastercard
Safety Net alerts. Participation in Mastercard Safety Net and Mastercard Safety Net alerts is
Activity, and as such, is subject to Standards applicable to Activity, including Rule 2.3. The
Corporation is not liable for any Issuer’s fraud losses arising from the use of Mastercard Safety
Net or Mastercard Safety Net alerts.
Transaction Alerts Service
An Issuer must offer a Transaction alerts service to its Cardholders as set forth in this Rule,
when applicable.
NOTE: For modifications to these Transaction alert service requirements in a Region, refer to
the Region chapter.
A Transaction alerts service is a service that alerts the Cardholder to the use of a Card for
which he or she is the authorized user. A Transaction alerts service must:
• Provide the Cardholder with the option to activate the Transaction alerts service;
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• Allow the activation of Transaction alerts by individual Account PAN; and
• Allow the Cardholder to set parameters for Transaction alerts based on authorization
activity which, at a minimum, must include the Transaction amount.
It is strongly recommended that an Issuer support Transaction alerts:
• For Cross-border Transactions; and
• By Transaction type (for example, e-commerce Transactions, mail order/telephone order
Transactions) or channel (for example, Card-not-present Transactions) or both.
The Issuer’s offering of a Transaction alerts service is:
• Required for all consumer Cards except prepaid Cards for which the Issuer does not collect,
store, or otherwise validate the consumer’s identity pursuant to the Guidelines for
Anonymous Prepaid Card Programs available on Mastercard Connect;
• Required for commercial Cards issued for use by a small or mid-sized business (as defined
by the Corporation) in certain Regions; and
• Optional for commercial Cards issued for use by a large business (as defined by the
Corporation).
NOTE: For more information about commercial Cards for small, mid-sized, and large
businesses, refer to www.mastercardbusiness.com.
6.1.1 Mastercard Card Issuance
The following requirements apply to the issuance of Mastercard Cards:
1. If an approved Cardholder application for issuance of a payment card or access device
indicates the applicant’s preference, by way of a checkmark or otherwise, to be issued a
Mastercard Card, then the Issuer must issue a Mastercard Card.
2. In conjunction with Mastercard Card issuance, the Issuer must provide a personal
identification number (PIN) or offer the Cardholder the option to receive or select a PIN for
purposes of Account access at ATM Terminals. PIN verification may also be supported for
Chip Transactions. Refer to section 4.7 of the Security Rules and Procedures manual
regarding the use of PIN for magnetic stripe POS Transactions.
3. An Issuer must ensure that each contactless-enabled Mastercard Card and Access Device
newly issued or re-issued on or after 1 October 2015 is personalized with the appropriate
device type value.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Asia/Pacific Region,” “Europe Region,”
“Middle East/Africa Region,” and “United States Region” chapters.
Issuing
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6.1.1.1 Linked Mastercard Card Program Solicitations
Without the express prior written consent of the Corporation, an Issuer must not use a
Solicitation or conduct any advertising, promotion, marketing, or the like in connection with a
Mastercard Card Program that is in any way linked to a different payment card.
6.1.2 Maestro Card Issuance
The following requirements apply to the issuance of Maestro Cards:
1. The Issuer must maintain the funds in the Maestro Account.
2. The Issuer must not place the Maestro Brand Mark on any card that has access to any of
the following types of accounts:
a. A charge card or credit card account as the primary account; or
b. Accounts that “pass-through” to an account at an institution not eligible to be a
Customer.
3. In conjunction with Maestro Card issuance, the Issuer must provide a PIN or allow the
Cardholder to select a PIN.
4. An Issuer must verify its Cardholders by means of online PIN verification as the CVM if a
magnetic stripe is used to initiate the Transaction, except under the circumstances outlined
in “Maestro Cardholder Verification—PIN and Signature Requirements” in Chapter 3 of
the Transaction Processing Rules manual.
5. Chip Cards must support both online PIN verification and offline PIN verification for POS
Transactions.
6. An Issuer must ensure that each contactless-enabled Maestro Card and Access Device
newly issued or re-issued on or after 1 October 2015 is personalized with the appropriate
device type value.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Europe Region,” “Latin America and the
Caribbean Region,” and “United States Region” chapters.
6.1.2.1 Eligible Accounts—Maestro
The Issuer must ensure that the account to which a Maestro Card provides access, directly or
indirectly, through the Mastercard
®
ATM Network is one of the following:
Any checking, savings, NOW, current, sight deposit, share draft accounts (and overdraft lines
of credit linked to such accounts), or pooled accounts (linked to a Corporation-approved
prepaid Card Program) maintained by or on behalf of a Cardholder with an Issuer.
NOTE: A modification to this Rule appears in the “Europe Region” chapter.
6.1.2.2 Ineligible Accounts—Maestro
Any account held or serviced by a Maestro Customer Licensed to conduct only acquiring
Activity is not eligible to be a Maestro Account. This provision does not prevent a Customer
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from using the Mastercard
®
ATM Network for Gateway Processing, if such use has been
authorized by the Corporation and is expressly permitted in the Standards.
6.1.3 Cirrus Card Issuance
Any card that permits its holder to obtain access to one or more eligible Accounts, as
described in Rule 6.1.3.2, through the Mastercard
®
ATM Network is a Cirrus Card and must
display the appropriate Brand Marks in accordance with the Standards.
The following requirements apply to the issuance of Cirrus Cards:
1. In conjunction with Cirrus Card issuance, the Issuer must provide a PIN or allow the
Cardholder to select a PIN.
2. The Issuer determines the maximum cash withdrawal limits applicable to its Cardholders;
however, with respect to a Mastercard credit Card bearing the Cirrus Brand Mark, the
Issuer must permit the Cardholder to withdraw at least the equivalent of USD 200 daily if
the available credit exists, and there is no other reason to deny the Transactions.
A Program offering Cirrus Cards must satisfy the following additional criteria:
1. The Customer issuing the Card must hold the Account accessed by the Card.
2. The Issuer must fund all of the credit card loans and own the accounts receivable for the
Program, provided, however, that “securitization” of credit card receivables does not
disqualify a Program.
3. The Issuer must have an unconditional right to demand the surrender of its Cards.
6.1.3.1 Eligible Cards—Cirrus
A Customer must obtain the express prior written consent of the Corporation before any card
not described in the following list may be issued or otherwise participate in the Mastercard
®
ATM Network as a Cirrus Card:
1. A card issued in the name or trade name of a Customer to its depositors or electronic
benefits transfer (“EBT”) recipients in Corporation-approved programs, provided that such
cards access only:
a. A deposit account held by such Customer;
b. An overdraft credit line extended to such Customer; or
c. A brokerage or money market mutual fund account that is authorized by this Rule
6.1.3.1.
2. A card issued in the name or trade name of a Customer to employees of any of its
corporate depositors to provide access to such corporate depositors’ accounts as
authorized by such corporate depositor.
3. A Mastercard credit Card or Visa credit card bearing the name or trade name of a
Customer and which provides access to credit accounts held or serviced by such Customer,
including those bearing the name of a non-Customer Partner as set forth in Rule 6.6.
4. A private label credit card that complies with all Cirrus Card design Standards and clearly
discloses the identity of the Issuer.
5. A Mastercard Electronic Card.
6. A Diners Club card issued by participating franchises.
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7. A card issued in the name or trade name of a Customer, to the Customer’s customers,
provided that such card affords access only to loan accounts held by such Customer. Such
cards must not be used for credit purchases or to provide access to so-called “pass-
through,” “sweep,” or “zero-balance” accounts for which the funds or credit ultimately
come from entities not eligible for participation in the Corporation.
The limitations contained in this Rule do not apply to a loan account or deposit account linked
to a mutual fund investment, provided there is a meaningful relationship between the
Customer and the Cardholder, and the Card does not bear any name, trade name or
trademark of an entity that is ineligible for participation in the Corporation. For purposes of
this Rule, indicators of a meaningful relationship between the Customer and the Cardholder
include, without limitation, the following:
1. A written agreement regarding the account between the Customer and the Cardholder;
2. The right of the Customer unilaterally to discontinue the account relationship with the
Cardholder;
3. Periodic statements for the account issued by the Customer directly to the Cardholder in
the Customer’s name;
4. Management of the account and Cardholder relationship by employees of the Customer;
and
5. An active, Customer-driven program to market the product (for example, an investment
vehicle with account access).
6.1.3.2 Eligible Accounts—Cirrus
The Issuer must ensure that the account to which a Card provides access through the
Mastercard
®
ATM Network is one of the following:
1. Any checking, savings, NOW, current, sight deposit, share draft accounts (and overdraft
credit lines linked to such accounts), credit accounts, or pooled accounts (linked to an
Corporation-approved prepaid Card Program) maintained by or on behalf of a Cardholder
with an Issuer;
2. An account of a securities brokerage firm that is a member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, if such firm is also a subsidiary of a bank holding company, a multiple
savings and loan holding company whose activities are restricted in accordance with 12
U.S.C. § 1467a(c)(1), as amended, or a unitary savings and loan holding company
operating pursuant to 12 U.S.C. § 1467a(c)(3), as amended;
3. An account of a money market mutual fund registered in the United States with the
Securities and Exchange Commission as an open-ended investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, if the investment adviser or administrator
of such fund is a subsidiary of a bank holding company, a multiple savings and loan
holding company whose activities are restricted in accordance with 12 U.S.C. § 1467a(c)
(1), as amended, or a unitary savings and loan holding company operating pursuant to 12
U.S.C. § 1467a(c)(3), as amended; or
4. A credit account held or serviced by a Customer.
The Corporation may require guarantees and other assurances that brokerage firms and
mutual funds described in parts 2 and 3 of this Rule will meet their settlement and other
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obligations to the Corporation and its Customers. Programs that involve the issuance of Cards
that access accounts of a securities brokerage firm or a money market mutual fund must be
approved by the Corporation in writing prior to their inauguration, if such brokerage firm is
owned or such mutual fund is advised by a subsidiary of a unitary savings and loan holding
company. At a minimum, an Issuer must provide each Cardholder, wherever domiciled, with
Account access in the country where such Issuer is Licensed.
6.1.3.3 Ineligible Cards—Cirrus
A card is ineligible to be a Cirrus Card if:
1. The card bears the name, trade name, trade mark or other service mark of a Competing
ATM Network and is used to initiate Gateway Processing, or if such card, without such
identification of a Competing ATM Network, is an access device for such a Competing
ATM Network.
2. In the opinion of the Corporation, and notwithstanding items 1 through 6 in the first
paragraph of Rule 6.1.3.1, the card provides its holder with access to products or services
that a commercial bank could not make available to the holders of its cards on an identical
and competitive basis, or if the appearance of such card is likely to cause confusion
regarding participation in the Corporation.
3. Except as provided in item 6 in the first paragraph of Rule 6.1.3.1, the card provides
access to or the account is a so-called “pass-through,” “sweep,” or “zero-balance”
account, for which the funds or credit ultimately come from an entity ineligible to be a
Customer of the Corporation. The limitation set forth in the preceding sentence does not
apply to a deposit account linked to a mutual fund investment if:
a. There is a meaningful relationship between the Customer and the Cardholder, as
described in Rule 6.1.3.1; and
b. The Card that accesses such account does not bear any name, trade name or
trademark of an entity that is ineligible for participation in the Corporation.
6.1.3.4 Ineligible Accounts—Cirrus
Any account held or serviced by a Cirrus Customer Licensed to conduct only acquiring Activity
is not eligible to be a Cirrus Account. This provision does not prevent a Customer from using
the Mastercard
®
ATM Network for Gateway Processing, if such use has been authorized by
the Corporation and is expressly permitted in the Standards.
6.1.3.5 Transferred Cirrus Portfolios
A Cirrus Card that is part of a Portfolio that has been transferred by a Customer to an entity
that is ineligible to be a Customer of the Corporation may continue to be a Cirrus Card during
its withdrawal period subject to compliance with the Standards, including but not limited to
Rule 1.10.
6.1.4 Tokenization of Accounts
With respect to the Tokenization of Accounts, all of the following applies:
1. The Corporation has the sole right to designate a Mastercard Token Account Range to an
Issuer.
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2. Each Mastercard Token must be allocated by the Corporation, unless the Corporation has
expressly approved otherwise.
3. The Tokenization of an Account primary account number (PAN) must be performed in
compliance with all applicable Standards, including but not limited to the Mastercard
Token Service Provider Standards.
4. Mastercard must be provided the mapping between the PAN assigned to a Card, and each
Mastercard Token associated with the Account for use by the authorized user of the Card.
5. An Account PAN must be Tokenized whenever a Mobile Payment Device, Access Device,
or other non-Card method is used, in addition to a Card, to provide access to an Account.
6. The PAN of a Mastercard Card or Access Device or any Maestro Card or Access Device for
which Maestro is the primary Payment Application must not be replaced by, mapped to, or
Tokenized with any PAN issued from an Issuer Identification Number (IIN) reserved by the
ISO Registration Authority for a competing payment network. Refer to the current ISO
Register Of Issuer Identification Numbers for more information.
7. The Mastercard Token cryptogram must be validated during the authorization of all
Transactions involving Tokenized Accounts.
An Issuer wishing to support the Tokenization of its Accounts for use on a Mobile Payment
Device must:
1. Comply with all technical specifications and other Standards applicable to Tokenization
and Digitization;
2. Complete all testing and certifications as may be required by the Corporation from time to
time in connection with Tokenization and Digitization;
3. Decline any request to Tokenize an Account if:
a. The identity of the Cardholder is unknown to the Issuer;
b. The Token Requestor is not a Digital Activity Customer or other Customer approved by
the Corporation to conduct Digital Activity; or
c. The geographic location of the Cardholder if and as provided by the Token Requestor
is an OFAC-sanctioned location; and
4. Establish Cardholder support policies and procedures.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Europe Region” and “United States Region”
chapters.
6.1.4.1 Maestro Accounts
NOTE: A Rule on this subject appears in the “United States Region” chapter.
6.1.5 Cardholder Communications
A Customer must comply with the Corporation’s Cardholder Communication requirements,
including but not limited to those set forth in Rule 6.2.1.
Each Program Solicitation must:
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1. Refer prominently to the offering exclusively as a Card and not position the offering as
anything other than a Card;
2. Prominently feature the Word Marks and Brand Marks of the Card Program;
3. Clearly disclose the identity of the Card Issuer; and
4. Not position the Program name or logo as adding superior utility to the Card.
6.2 Issuer Responsibilities to Cardholders
An Issuer must provide information to its Cardholders as set forth below.
1. Card Solicitations.
Each Issuer of Cards must disclose, clearly and conspicuously, in all Solicitations any
amounts relating to the Issuer Cross-border Assessment and/or the Currency Conversion
Assessment that the Issuer charges, or will charge, to the Cardholder.
2. Cardholder Communications.
Each Issuer of Cards must disclose, clearly and conspicuously, in all new and existing
Cardholder Communications, including Cardholder agreements and Account agreements,
any amounts relating to the Issuer Cross-border Assessment and/or the Currency
Conversion Assessment that the Issuer charges, or will charge, to the Cardholder.
3. Periodic Billing Statement.
Each Issuer of Cards must provide adequate disclosure on each applicable periodic billing
statement, such that the Cardholder can readily determine from the billing statement any
amounts that the Issuer charges to the Cardholder relating to the Issuer Cross-border
Assessment and/or the Currency Conversion Assessment during that billing cycle, either in
gross or on a per Transaction basis.
4. Currency Conversion Procedure.
The Corporation further recommends and encourages Issuers to inform their Cardholders
that part of the Corporation’s currency conversion procedure includes use of either a
government-mandated exchange rate or a wholesale exchange rate, selected by the
Corporation, and that the government-mandated exchange rate or wholesale exchange
rate that the Corporation uses for a particular Transaction is the rate the Corporation
selects for the applicable currency on date that the Transaction is processed (the Central
Site Business Date), which may differ from the rate selected on the date the Transaction
occurred or on the date the Transaction is posted to the Cardholder’s Account.
For information about the Currency Conversion Assessment, refer to the GCMS Reference
Manual or Single Message System Specifications. For information about the Cross-border
Assessment, refer to the applicable regional Mastercard Consolidated Billing System manual.
NOTE: A modification to this Rule appears in the “Europe Region” chapter.
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6.2.1 Cardholder Communications
Each Cardholder Communication provided to a prospective Cardholder must:
• Clearly disclose the terms and conditions of the Card Program and the identity of the
Customer as the Card Issuer; and
• Otherwise be clear and truthful and not reflect poorly on the Corporation or any Mark.
6.3 Limitation of Liability of Cardholders for Unauthorized Use
An Issuer must not hold a Cardholder liable for a Transaction that was not authorized by the
Cardholder if the Cardholder exercised reasonable care in safeguarding the Card from risk of
loss or theft and, upon becoming aware of such loss or theft, promptly reported the loss or
theft to the Issuer.
This Rule shall not apply to a Transaction conducted with a Card that is:
1. Issued to an entity other than a natural person or for a commercial purpose, except that
the Rule shall apply to Cards issued for use by a small business (for a list of small business
Card Programs, see http://www.mastercardbusiness.com and select “Cards” under “Small
Business”); or
2. Issued and/or sold to a person until such time as that person's identity is registered by or
on behalf of the Issuer in connection with such issuance and/or sale, which registration
may include Customer identification program requirements.
If applicable law imposes a greater liability or a conflicting obligation, such applicable law shall
govern.
6.4 Selective Authorization
Without the express prior written approval of the Corporation, a Customer must not launch or
maintain a Card Program that has the effect of selectively authorizing Transactions arising
from use of the Cards and Accounts at only a subset of Mastercard or Maestro acceptance
locations.
A Customer may authorize or decline individual Transactions based on:
1. The amount of funds or credit available;
2. Fraud or credit risks presented by individual Cardholder usage patterns;
3. Cash access restrictions to manage a secured or high risk account;
4. Cardholder-designated restrictions on use; or
5. Any other restriction on use the Corporation may permit.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Customer is permitted to issue a Contactless Payment
Device that provides access to a Mastercard or Maestro Account without also issuing an
accompanying Card in connection with or which links to the same Account. Any Contactless
Payment Device issued without an accompanying Card must support Transactions of any
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amount, and the Issuer must provide clear instructions to the Cardholder as to the limitations
of its use.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Europe Region” and “Latin America and the
Caribbean Region” chapters.
6.5 Affinity and Co-Brand Card Programs
A Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus Card Program may be issued as an Affinity Card Program or
Co-Brand Card Program.
As set forth in the Card design Standards, an Issuer may use the area on a Card front reserved
for the identification of the Issuer to instead or additionally identify a person or entity other
than the Issuer. Such person or entity is referred to herein as a “Partner.” There are two types
of Partners: an “Affinity Group,” which is an educational or other not-for-profit entity that
promotes an institution or activities, and a “Co-brand Partner,” which is a for-profit company
organized to engage in commercial activity.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Europe Region” chapter.
6.5.1 Ownership and Control of the Program
An Affinity Card Program or Co-brand Card Program must be entirely owned and Controlled
by the Issuer at all times, and a Partner must not own or Control any part of the Program or
the Program receivables. However, the assignment of receivables or sale of a participation in
receivables to the Partner, or some other financing vehicle involving the Partner, is permitted
provided the Program is owned and Controlled by the Customer.
The Corporation exclusively determines if an Issuer is in compliance with the foregoing
requirements. In making such a determination, the Corporation may consider such factors as:
1. Whether the Customer establishes the Program policies and guidelines, such as
Cardholder credit and eligibility decisions;
2. The Customer’s role in setting fees and rates;
3. What the Customer has at risk;
4. Whether the Customer actively ensures that the Program policies and guidelines are
implemented;
5. The ownership and Control of the Program receivables;
6. Whether all or a substantial portion of the receivables are financed with the Partner; and
7. The extent to which the Customer, and not the Partner, is portrayed as the owner of the
Program.
6.5.2 Use of the Acceptance Marks
An Acceptance Mark displayed at the POI must appear apart from any Partner identification
and must at least have parity in size and prominence with any Program logo, Program name,
or the like, and with any competing mark also displayed. The Corporation has the right to
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require the modification or removal of any POI display of a Program name or logo that the
Corporation determines does not comply with this Rule or reflects negatively on any Mark.
6.6 Brand Value Transactions and Proprietary Accounts
A Brand Value Transaction (“BVT”) means a Customer or third party transaction that
originates by the use of a Mastercard Card to access a proprietary account, proprietary
application, or both.
A BVT is a transaction that may:
1. Access a proprietary account through use of an Affinity Card Program or Co-brand Card
Program Mastercard Card at the Partner’s own Merchant locations or at other Merchants
that participate in the Partner’s services;
2. Access proprietary stored value residing on a Mastercard Card’s magnetic stripe or chip; or
3. Use a non-payment application residing on a Mastercard Card, such as a loyalty
application, an electronic coupon, medical information, or paperless ticketing. The
technology employed by the non-payment application must not facilitate or otherwise
enable the use of a competitive payment product for the non-payment benefit or service.
6.6.1 Proprietary Account Access
A proprietary account number may have one or more of the following characteristics:
1. The proprietary account number is different from the primary account number (PAN)
associated with the Mastercard Account. The proprietary account number may appear on
the Card face, be encoded on the Card, or be cross-referenced in the Customer or a
Partner’s system.
2. The proprietary account number is used in a system or network for authorization and
settlement that is distinct from the Interchange System and is not used in the Interchange
System.
3. Any billing related to use of the proprietary account number is distinct from any billing for
the Mastercard Account, whether as part of a common statement or in a separate
statement.
A Program Card must provide the Cardholder access to the same proprietary account that the
Partner previously established for the Cardholder, for payment of the same particularly defined
set of transactions that were previously payable by other means.
6.6.2 Use of BVT and Proprietary Accounts on a Mastercard Card
A BVT, as defined by the Corporation, may be present on a Mastercard Card for the following
functionalities:
1. Enable access to a proprietary ATM network
2. Prepaid phone and long distance calling purses
3. Proprietary meal plan purses
4. Proprietary transit system payments
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5. Accessing proprietary stored value, in accordance with Standards applicable to permitted
forms of Electronic Money
6. Previously approved Programs so long as the properties and purpose of the Program does
not change. The Corporation reserves the right to impose changes or revoke these
approvals at any time.
7. Any functionality otherwise expressly approved in writing by the Corporation
A proprietary account, as exclusively defined by the Corporation, may be present on a
Mastercard Card for the following functionalities:
1. Campus cards
2. Door access devices
3. Loyalty applications
4. Cardholder reference numbers
5. Electronic coupons
6. Medical information
7. Paperless ticketing
8. Previously approved Programs so long as properties and purpose of program does not
change. The Corporation reserves the right to impose changes or revoke these approvals
at any time.
9. Any functionality otherwise expressly approved in writing by the Corporation.
The Corporation exclusively determines if a BVT or proprietary account number may be used
on a Mastercard Card.
6.6.3 Fees and Reporting Requirements
From time to time, the Corporation may establish, implement, and collect fees, assessments,
or both arising from or related to BVTs, proprietary accounts, or both.
If a BVT involves an Affinity Card Program or a Co-brand Card Program, the Customer must
separately report to the Corporation the number of Cards outstanding, the proprietary
account sales volume on such Cards, and any other requested information in the form and at
such times as the Corporation requires.
6.7 Virtual Accounts
A Virtual Account is a Mastercard Account issued without a physical Card or Access Device. A
Virtual Account cannot be electronically read.
For the avoidance of doubt, an Account PAN Tokenized for use on a Mobile Payment Device is
not considered a Virtual Account.
Subject to the requirements set forth below, a Customer is not required to issue a physical
Card in connection with or which links to a Virtual Account.
An Issuer of a Virtual Account must comply with all of the following requirements:
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1. A Virtual Account must be assigned a 16-digit primary account number (PAN) in
conformance with the Standards applicable to Mastercard Cards, and must be assigned a
Card Validation Code 2 (CVC 2) value and an expiration date.
2. A reference device may be used to communicate this information, but must not be
designed in a manner that may cause consumer or acceptance confusion with a Card
(such as the inclusion of artwork that would resemble a magnetic stripe, EMV chip, or
Mastercard hologram product). For reference device design Standards, refer to the Card
Design Standards manual.
3. A Virtual Account must be enhanced with Address Verification Service (AVS) when the
Account is issued for use in an area where AVS is available.
4. Partial approval authorization service must be supported for all prepaid and Debit
Mastercard (including prepaid) Virtual Account ranges.
5. Before activating a Virtual Account, the Issuer must communicate to the Cardholder the
PAN and the expiration date of the Account, the identity of the Issuer, and instructions as
to the manner in which the Virtual Account may be used.
The Corporation recommends that the Issuer prominently disclose upon issuance that the
Virtual Account should not be used to purchase an item over the Internet that subsequently
would require presentment of a physical reference device in order to obtain that item.
Examples include certain theater ticket purchases, hotel stays, car rentals, and online
purchases picked up in person.
6.8 Secured Card Programs
A secured Mastercard Card means a Mastercard Card for which a line of credit is secured by
an amount held on deposit.
6.8.1 Refund of Fees
If a Customer promises, directly or indirectly, to refund any fee paid by an applicant for a
secured Mastercard Card if the Card is not so issued, the Customer must ensure that such
refund is made promptly and in any event within 30 days following the submission of the
application and without any further action by the applicant.
6.8.2 Solicitation and Disclosure Requirements
The following Solicitation and disclosure requirements apply to a secured Mastercard Card
Program:
1. A Customer that conducts a secured Mastercard Card Program without the use of a
Service Provider may use a Program name to identify such a Program, in addition to or in
lieu of the Customer’s name, subject to the prior written approval of the Corporation.
2. A Solicitation must not reference consumers who have filed, or are contemplating filing,
for bankruptcy relief. Any reference within a Solicitation to a consumer’s credit problem
may be included only in the general disclosure to the consumer.
3. Each Solicitation for a secured Mastercard Card must clearly and conspicuously disclose
that the Card is a secured Mastercard Card and that the consumer must establish a
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deposit account. The Solicitation also must specify that the credit line will be equal to
either the amount of the security deposit, or a specified percentage of the security
deposit.
4. No Solicitation may refer to a specific credit line limit unless the Issuer
a. Regularly issues secured Mastercard Cards with such a credit limit, or
b. Has in effect a policy that (i) permits the regular issuance of secured Mastercard Cards
with such a credit limit, and (ii) is compatible with the Issuer’s policy governing its
issuance of secured Mastercard Cards with lower credit limits.
5. Each Solicitation for a secured Mastercard Card must clearly and conspicuously disclose
what an applicant will receive by responding to the Solicitation. If the applicant is not
issued a secured Mastercard Card after responding to a Solicitation, this fact must be
clearly and conspicuously disclosed in the Solicitation.
6. Each Solicitation for a secured Mastercard Card must clearly and conspicuously disclose
any and all application or other fees the applicant must pay, or could be required to pay,
to be issued a secured Mastercard Card. All such fees must be made payable to the Issuer
and not to any other person or entity.
6.9 Youth Card Programs
Solely for the purposes of Rule 6.9 and 6.9.1, the following terms have the meanings set forth
below:
1. “Minor” or “Youth” means a person under the age of majority as determined in
accordance with laws and/or regulations applicable to the place where the Primary
Cardholder then resides or any person under the age of fifteen in the place where the
Primary Cardholder then resides where age of majority is not expressly defined under local
law.
2. “Primary Cardholder” means the Cardholder authorized to use the Card and to be
financially responsible for the Card.
3. “Youth Card” means a Card issued to a Minor as a Primary Cardholder. For clarity, a Card
issued to a Minor at the request of the Primary Cardholder and bearing the same Primary
Account Number as the Card issued to the Primary Cardholder is not a Youth Card if the
Primary Cardholder is responsible for use of the Card.
A copy of the law or regulation permitting the issuance of any Prepaid Card Program Youth
Card, or an opinion of legal counsel that issuance of a Youth Card is not prohibited by law or
regulation, must be provided with the Prepaid Program Registration. If the law or regulation is
not in English, then an English translation must also be provided.
An Issuer of a Youth Card may restrict use of the Card by card acceptor business code (MCC),
including cash access restrictions. Refer to the Prepaid Product Constructs and Selective
Authorization Communications Policy available on Mastercard Connect
™
for additional
information and requirements.
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6.9.1 Solicitation and Disclosure Requirements
Prior to use, an Issuer must submit all Youth Card Program communications and marketing
materials for any Prepaid Card Program including, but not limited to, printed materials and
copies or electronic versions of websites and mobile applications, advertisements, card
carriers, press releases, websites, welcome letters, marketing plans such as product
announcements and program advertisements, consumer applications, and terms and
conditions, if any, to the Corporation for review and may not use any such materials without
the express approval of the Corporation.
6.10 Prepaid Card Programs
A Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus Card Program may be issued as a Prepaid Card Program.
A Prepaid Card Program means:
1. An Account that accesses value maintained by an Issuer or a third party designated by the
Issuer on behalf of the owner of the funds in the Account, the value of which shall be fully
available to the owner of the funds in the Account at all times; or
2. Any other permitted form of Electronic Money.
Typically, and by regulatory requirement in some markets, the funds are maintained in an
omnibus, segregated trust, or pooled account.
6.10.1 Prior Consent of the Corporation
A Customer must not conduct or modify an existing Prepaid Card Program without the
express prior consent of the Corporation.
Each Customer request to conduct or modify a Prepaid Card Program must be submitted to,
and approved by, the Corporation via the Prepaid Program Registration process available on
Mastercard Connect
™
.
NOTE: A Mastercard Prepaid
®
Health Savings Account Program is excluded from Prepaid
Program Registration. Refer to the Prepaid Product Constructs and the Selective Authorization
Communications Policy available on Mastercard Connect
™
for specific Prepaid Card Program
information.
6.10.2 Reservation of Rights
The Corporation reserves the right:
1. To approve or reject any Prepaid Card Program application; and
2. To require that any previously approved Prepaid Card Program be modified and/or updated
on a recurring basis; and
3. To withdraw its approval of any Prepaid Card Program and require the Prepaid Card
Program to be terminated. A Customer may request that the Chief Franchise Integrity
Officer of the Corporation review the rejection or withdrawal of the approval of a Prepaid
Card Program. Such a request must be submitted in writing and signed by the Customer’s
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principal contact. The request must be postmarked no later than 30 days after the date of
receipt of the notice of rejection or withdrawal of approval. Any decision by the Chief
Franchise Integrity Officer with respect to such rejection or withdrawal of approval is final
and not subject to further review or other action.
6.10.3 Responsibility for the Prepaid Card Program
An Issuer is responsible for its Prepaid Card Programs, the Prepaid Card Program funds
associated with those Prepaid Card Programs, and for the actions (or inaction) of any agents it
uses in connection with such Prepaid Card Programs. The Corporation exclusively determines
if an Issuer is in compliance with the foregoing requirements.
6.10.4 Categories of Prepaid Card Program
The Corporation categorizes Prepaid Card Programs into three categories: consumer,
commercial, and government. The Corporation may adopt additional and/or review the
current categories of Prepaid Card Programs from time to time in its sole discretion.
Consumer Prepaid Card Programs
Consumer Prepaid Card Programs are Prepaid Card Programs in which the funds may be
deposited in the prepaid Account by the consumer, a commercial entity and/or a government
entity. In the case of Consumer Prepaid Card Programs, the funds deposited in the prepaid
Account are owned by the consumer.
Commercial Prepaid Card Programs
Commercial Prepaid Card Programs are Prepaid Card Programs in which the funds are
deposited in the prepaid Account by a commercial entity. In the case of Commercial Prepaid
Card Programs, the funds deposited in the prepaid Account may be owned by the commercial
entity or by the consumer or other third party designated by the commercial entity or such
consumer. If the commercial entity permits a consumer to deposit funds in the prepaid
Account owned by the commercial entity, the Commercial Prepaid Card Program becomes a
Consumer Prepaid Card Program and all relevant Consumer Prepaid Card Program
requirements apply.
Government Prepaid Card Programs
Government Prepaid Card Programs are Prepaid Card Programs in which the funds are
deposited in the prepaid Account by a government entity. Government Prepaid Card Programs
are designed to deliver government payments to a person, including, but not limited to,
segmented non-taxable wages, social benefits, pensions and emergency assistance, as
governed by applicable law.
In the case of Government Prepaid Card Programs, the funds deposited in the prepaid
Account may be owned by the government entity or by the consumer or other third party
designated by the government entity or such consumer. If the government entity permits a
consumer to deposit funds in the prepaid Account owned by the government entity, the
Government Prepaid Card Program becomes a Consumer Prepaid Card Program and all
relevant Consumer Prepaid Card Program requirements apply.
Issuing
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6.10.5 Return of Unspent Value
The Issuer must return any unspent funds in the prepaid Account to the owner of that
Account in compliance with applicable law or regulation. In instances where applicable law or
regulation does not provide time frames concerning the return of unspent funds, the Issuer
must comply with the requirements set forth in this Rule. Subject to applicable law or
regulation, an Issuer has no obligation to return unspent funds in the prepaid Account if the
identity of the owner of the unspent funds has not been provided to the Issuer.
Consumer Prepaid Card Programs
An Issuer of Consumer Prepaid Card Programs must provide the consumer with a minimum of
12 months from the date of the last value load or 30 days after the expiration date, whichever
comes later, to request the return of unspent funds, less any applicable fees imposed by the
Issuer or any other lawful offsets. Prominent disclosure must be made to the consumer as to
how and when to request the refund of unspent funds and as to any fees that apply to the
Prepaid Card Program.
Once the consumer submits a refund request, the consumer must receive a refund of unspent
funds within 30 days of the date on which the refund request was received by the Issuer.
Commercial Prepaid Card Programs
The Issuer of a Commercial Prepaid Card Program must provide the commercial entity or
individual or other third party designated by the commercial entity or consumer with a
minimum of 30 days, or as otherwise approved by the Corporation, to spend the funds in the
prepaid Account, after which time the funds may revert to the commercial entity or, as
otherwise agreed between the commercial entity and the Issuer or its agents (if any), to the
Issuer or its agents.
Government Prepaid Card Programs
If the owner of the funds in the prepaid Account is a government entity, then the Issuer of the
Government Prepaid Card Program must provide the government entity with a minimum of
30 days, or as otherwise approved by the Corporation, to spend the funds in the prepaid
Account, after which time the funds may revert to the government entity or, as otherwise
agreed between the government entity and the Issuer or it agents (if any), to the Issuer or its
agents.
If the owner of the funds in the prepaid Account is a consumer, then the Issuer of the
Government Prepaid Card Program must provide the consumer with a minimum of 12 months
from the date of the last value load or 30 days after the expiration date, whichever comes
later, to request the return of unspent funds, less any applicable fees imposed by the Issuer or
any other lawful offsets. Prominent disclosure must be made to the consumer as to how and
when to request the refund of unspent funds and as to any fees that apply to the Prepaid
Card Program.
Once the consumer submits a refund request, the consumer must receive a refund of unspent
funds within 30 days of the date on which the refund request was received by the Issuer.
Issuing
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6.10.6 Value Loading
Subject to the restrictions set forth below, the maximum load value and load parameters
associated with a prepaid Account are established by the Issuer of the Prepaid Card Program
and are subject to review and approval by the Corporation.
For Consumer or Commercial Prepaid Card Programs, the Corporation permits a maximum
load value per day of USD 5000, EUR 4000, GBP 3500, or for all other currency types, the
local currency equivalent of USD 5000. If an Issuer needs to increase the above-referenced
maximum daily amount or otherwise structure the loading of funds into the prepaid Account,
the Corporation will evaluate the proposed Prepaid Card Program on a case-by-case basis.
However, funds deposited into the prepaid Account via Automatic Clearing House (ACH),
Bankers’ Automated Clearing Services (BACS), Clearing House Automated Payment System
(CHAPS), or any other electronically transferred payroll payments may exceed the above-
referenced maximum daily amount.
The Corporation reserves the right to reduce the maximum amount described above in certain
circumstances and/or in connection with certain Prepaid Card Programs.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the ”Canada Region,” “Middle East/Africa Region,”
and “United States Region” chapters.
6.10.7 Automatic Value Loads from Payment Cards
A payment card must not be used to automatically fund a purchase Transaction effected with
a prepaid Account, except pursuant to an automatic value load or “top-up” arrangement
agreed in advance by the Cardholder pursuant to predefined fixed parameters. For example,
an automatic top-up may occur:
• In a predefined amount on a periodic time-based schedule, such as daily, weekly, or
monthly; or
• In a predefined amount whenever a certain Account balance is reached (for example, a
USD 50 top-up is initiated when the Account balance reaches USD 10). Any such
predefined amount must not be increased at the time of authorization.
If an automatic top-up has occurred and the Account balance remains insufficient to fund a
purchase Transaction, then the Issuer must respond to the authorization request with either a
partial approval or a decline.
Notwithstanding this Rule, a Prepaid Account may be funded at any time with value accessed
from another account maintained by the same Issuer or its designated agent for or on behalf
of the same Cardholder.
NOTE: As used in this Rule, “Prepaid Account” means a Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus Account
issued under a Prepaid Card Program.
6.10.8 Communication and Marketing Materials
If an Issuer’s prepaid Cards are intended to be used by Cardholders for personal, family or
household use, then the Issuer must provide Cardholders with the terms and conditions of the
Issuing
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Prepaid Card Program on or before any purchase is made or activation fees are incurred. If the
Issuer’s prepaid Cards are intended to be used by Cardholder for business use, then the Issuer
must provide the commercial entity or government entity with the terms and conditions of the
Prepaid Card Program on or before any purchase is made or activation fees are incurred.
Thereafter, the Issuer must provide the respective Cardholder, commercial entity or
government entity with any amendment or modifications thereto and, in particular, make
clear and conspicuous disclosures with respect to all fees to be incurred by the prepaid
Account holder to obtain, use, reload, maintain and/or cash out the balance in the prepaid
Account or for any other use, as required by the Standards and applicable law.
Press releases must be submitted for review and approval to the Corporation prior to the
launch or subsequent modification of any Prepaid Card Program and prior to any marketing of
the Prepaid Card Program.
Upon request, an Issuer must submit all communications and marketing materials including,
but not limited to, printed materials and copies or electronic versions of websites and mobile
applications, card carriers, websites, welcome letters, consumer applications, and terms and
conditions if any, for all Prepaid Card Programs to the Corporation for review and approval
prior to the launch or subsequent modification of the Prepaid Card Program and prior to any
marketing of the Prepaid Card Program. The Corporation review is limited to compliance with
the Standards for Issuer communications. Each Issuer is responsible for ensuring that its
Prepaid Card Program communication and marketing materials comply with applicable law
and the Standards.
An Issuer of prepaid Cards intended to be used by Cardholders for personal, family or
household use must inform Cardholders that, in the event that the available amount in the
prepaid Account is less than the purchase amount, some Merchants may not allow the
Cardholder to combine multiple payment types (such as cash, check or another payment card)
to complete the Transaction. Issuers of prepaid Cards intended to be used by Cardholders for
business use must inform the commercial entity or government entity of the foregoing.
An Issuer of prepaid Cards intended to be used by Cardholders for personal, family or
household use must inform Cardholders if their prepaid Cards are linked to a selective
authorization Program. Issuers of prepaid Cards intended to be used by Cardholders for
business use must inform the commercial entity or government entity of the foregoing. Refer
to the Prepaid Product Constructs and Selective Authorization Communications Policy
available on Mastercard Connect
™
for additional information.
6.10.9 Anonymous Prepaid Card Programs
Prepaid Card Programs for which the Issuer does not collect, store or otherwise validate the
consumer’s identity are subject to the Guidelines for Anonymous Prepaid Card Programs,
available on Mastercard Connect
™
.
6.10.10 BINs
An Issuer must use a dedicated BINs/IINs and associated prepaid product codes in conjunction
with its Prepaid Card Programs. In the event of dispute or uncertainty, the Corporation
Issuing
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determines, in its sole discretion, BINs/IINs and associated prepaid product codes in
conjunction with an Issuer’s Prepaid Card Programs.
6.10.11 Simplified Due Diligence Guidelines
NOTE: A Rule on this subject appears in the “Europe Region” chapter.
6.11 Maestro Chip-only Card Programs—Europe Region Only
NOTE: A Rule on this subject appears in the “Europe Region” chapter.
6.12 Debit Card Programs Issued by Electronic Money Institutions and
Payment Institutions
NOTE: A Rule on this subject appears in the “Europe Region” chapter.
Issuing
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Chapter 7 Service Providers
This chapter contains Rules that apply to Customers that use Service Providers for the performance
of Program Service.
7.1 Service Provider Categories................................................................................................... 116
7.1.1 Independent Sales Organization.................................................................................... 118
7.1.2 Third Party Processor..................................................................................................... 119
7.1.2.1 Type I.....................................................................................................................119
7.1.2.2 Type II.................................................................................................................... 119
7.1.2.3 Type III................................................................................................................... 119
7.1.3 Payment Facilitator........................................................................................................ 119
7.1.4 Staged Digital Wallet Operator...................................................................................... 119
7.1.4.1 Staged Digital Wallet Operator Requirements.........................................................119
7.1.5 Digital Activity Service Provider...................................................................................... 121
7.1.6 Token Service Provider (TSP)...........................................................................................121
7.1.7 Merchant Monitoring Service Provider........................................................................... 121
7.2 The Program and Performance of Program Service................................................................ 121
7.2.1 Customer Responsibility and Control............................................................................. 122
7.2.2 Notification to the Corporation..................................................................................... 122
7.2.3 Program Service Agreement.......................................................................................... 123
7.2.4 Disclosure of Standards................................................................................................. 124
7.2.5 Customer Point of Contact............................................................................................124
7.2.6 Use of the Marks...........................................................................................................124
7.2.7 Service Provider Identification on a Card........................................................................124
7.2.8 Program Materials......................................................................................................... 124
7.2.9 Fees.............................................................................................................................. 125
7.2.10 Settlement Failure Obligation...................................................................................... 125
7.2.11 Data Security...............................................................................................................125
7.3 Access to Merchant Account.................................................................................................125
7.4 Transfer of Rights Prohibited................................................................................................. 125
7.5 Use of Corporation’s Systems and Confidential Information.................................................. 126
7.6 Acquiring Programs.............................................................................................................. 127
7.6.1 Merchant Agreement.................................................................................................... 127
7.6.2 Collection of Funds from a Merchant.............................................................................128
7.6.3 Access to Documentation..............................................................................................128
7.6.4 Authority to Terminate Merchant Agreement or ATM Owner Agreement.......................128
7.6.5 Payment Facilitators and Submerchants......................................................................... 128
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7.6.5.1 Responsibility for Payment Facilitator and Submerchant Activity............................. 128
7.7 Issuing Programs...................................................................................................................130
7.7.1 Card Application Approval.............................................................................................130
7.7.2 Cardholder Agreement..................................................................................................130
7.7.3 Program Payments........................................................................................................ 130
7.7.4 Program Receivables......................................................................................................130
7.8 Payment Facilitator Obligations............................................................................................. 131
7.8.1 Submerchant Agreement...............................................................................................131
7.8.1.1 Required Submerchant Agreement Terms...............................................................131
7.8.2 Obligations as Sponsor of Submerchants....................................................................... 132
7.9 Registration Requirements for DSEs, ISOs and Type II TPPs..................................................... 133
7.9.1 Site Data Protection (SDP) Program Noncompliance.......................................................134
7.10 Registration Requirements for Type I TPPs............................................................................135
7.11 Registration Requirements for Type III TPPs.......................................................................... 135
7.12 Registration Requirements for Payment Facilitators..............................................................136
7.13 Registration Requirements for Staged DWOs.......................................................................137
7.14 Registration Requirements for Digital Activity Service Providers............................................138
7.15 Registration Requirements for Token Service Providers.........................................................139
7.16 Registration Requirements for Merchant Monitoring Service Providers.................................139
7.17 Registration of a Service Provider Registration Facilitator..................................................... 140
7.18 Service Provider Registration Noncompliance.......................................................................140
7.19 Prohibition from Acting as a Service Provider.......................................................................140
7.20 Termination of Program Service Agreement or De-registration.............................................140
7.21 Confidential Information of Service Providers...................................................................... 141
7.22 Audits.................................................................................................................................141
7.23 No Endorsement by the Corporation...................................................................................141
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7.1 Service Provider Categories
A Service Provider is categorized by the Corporation based upon the Corporation’s
understanding of the nature of the Program Services to be performed, as described below. A
Service Provider may only perform the Program Services it is registered by the Customer to
perform.
An entity is categorized as a… If the entity performs any services identified as...
Independent Sales Organization (ISO) ISO Program Service
Third Party Processor (TPP) TPP Program Service
Data Storage Entity (DSE) DSE Program Service
Payment Facilitator (PF) PF Program Service
Staged Digital Wallet Operator (SDWO) SDWO Program Service
Digital Activity Service Provider (DASP) DASP Program Service
Token Service Provider (TSP) TSP Program Service
Merchant Monitoring Service Provider (MMSP) MMSP Program Service
Service Provider Registration Facilitator (SPRF) SPRF Program Service
The following are descriptions of types of Program Service.
Independent Sales Organization (ISO) Program Service
• Cardholder and/or Merchant Solicitation, including application processing
• Cardholder and/or Merchant customer service not affording access to Account data,
Transaction data, or both, including the collection of any fee or other obligation associated
with the Customer’s Program
• Cardholder and/or Merchant statement preparation not affording access to Account or
Transaction data
• Merchant education and training
• Terminal deployment, not including ATM Terminal deployment by an ATM Terminal owner
that does not perform any other type of ISO Program Service
• Any other service determined by the Corporation in its sole discretion to be ISO Program
Service
Third Party Processor (TPP) Program Service
• Terminal operation with electronic data capture deployment
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• Service support for mobile remote payment functionality, which is initiated by an enrolled
Cardholder from a Cardholder-controlled mobile phone registered with the Issuer, and used
for entry of a Cardholder’s PIN or mobile-specific credentials
• Authorization services, including but not limited to authorization routing, payment
gateway and switching services, voice authorization, and call referral processing
• Clearing file preparation and submission
• Settlement processing (excluding possession, ownership, or control of settlement funds,
which is not permitted)
• Cardholder and/or Merchant statement preparation affording access to Account data,
Transaction data, or both
• Cardholder customer service affording access to Account data, Transaction data, or both
• Fraud control and risk monitoring, including but not limited to fraud screening and fraud
scoring services
• Chargeback processing for Acquirers or Issuers
• Chargeback processing for Merchants or Submerchants
• Any other service determined by the Corporation in its sole discretion to be TPP Program
Service
Data Storage Entity (DSE) Program Service
• Any service affording access to Account or Transaction data and not identified by the
Corporation as TPP Program Service or Payment Facilitator Program Service
• Merchant website hosting or other service involving the computer-based storage of
Account or Transaction data
• External hosting or provision of payment applications, such as website shopping carts
• Terminal servicing
• Encryption key loading
• Any other service determined by the Corporation in its sole discretion to be DSE Program
Service
Payment Facilitator (PF) Program Service
• Submit to the Acquirer records of valid Transactions submitted to the Payment Facilitator by
a Submerchant
• Timely pay Submerchants for Transactions submitted to the Payment Facilitator by the
Submerchant
• Supply Submerchants with all materials necessary to effect Transactions through the
Payment Facilitator
• Verify that a Submerchant is a bona fide business operation, as set forth in section 7.1.2,
“Submerchant Screening Procedures” in Chapter 7 of the Security Rules and Procedures
manual
• Maintain names, addresses, and URLs if applicable of Submerchants
• Provide recurring education and training to Submerchants to ensure compliance with the
Standards
• Monitor the Activity and use of the Marks of each Submerchant for purposes of deterring
fraudulent and other wrongful activity
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Staged Digital Wallet Operator (SDWO) Program Service
• Operates and offers to consumers a Staged Digital Wallet
Digital Activity Service Provider (DASP) Program Service
• Account Enablement System
• Credentials Management System
• Transaction Management System
• Trusted Service Manager
• Any other service specified by the Corporation in its discretion from time to time to be
DASP Program Service.
Token Service Provider (TSP) Program Service
• Operation of a Token Vault
• Token generation and issuance
• Cardholder authentication and token activation
• Any other service specified by the Corporation in its discretion from time to time to be TSP
Program Service.
Merchant Monitoring Service Provider (MMSP) Program Service
• Merchant website URL content monitoring
• Detection of Transaction laundering and the monitoring of related activity whereby a
Merchant or Submerchant processes Transactions on behalf of another Merchant or
Submerchant with whom the Acquirer or the Acquirer’s Payment Facilitator does not have
a Merchant Agreement or Submerchant Agreement. Transaction laundering is also referred
to as factoring or Transaction aggregation.
Service Provider Registration Facilitator (SPRF) Program Service
• Identification of entities the Standards obligate a Customer to register as a Service Provider
• Assisting a Customer to register Service Providers other than SPRFs
7.1.1 Independent Sales Organization
An Acquirer that uses an Independent Sales Organization (ISO) must populate the ISO field
with an ISO identification number (ID) in all Transaction messages arising from a Merchant,
Submerchant, or ATM owner receiving or otherwise benefiting from the Program Service
performed by that ISO. The ISO ID must match the Company ID provided during ISO
registration, and which may be found in the Business Administration tool via Mastercard
Connect.
The ISO identifier must appear in the following fields:
• DE 48 (Additional Data—Private Use), subelement 37 (Additional Merchant Data), subfield
2 (Independent Sales Organization ID) of Authorization Request/0100 and Financial
Transaction Request/0200 messages; and
• PDS 0209 (Independent Sales Organization ID) of First Presentment/1240 messages.
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NOTE: A modification to this Rule appears in the “Europe Region” chapter.
7.1.2 Third Party Processor
All TPPs must comply with applicable Standards, including these Service Provider Rules, in
order to remain in good standing as a TPP.
TPPs are subcategorized as follows.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Europe Region” chapter.
7.1.2.1 Type I
The Corporation determines, in its sole discretion, if a TPP is a Type I TPP. Type I TPPs generally
are those that perform Program Service for a large number of Customers or that otherwise
could significantly impact the integrity of the Interchange System.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “United States Region” chapter.
7.1.2.2 Type II
A Type II TPP is any TPP that the Corporation does not deem to be a Type I TPP. The
Corporation at any time may reclassify a Type II TPP as a Type I TPP.
7.1.2.3 Type III
NOTE: A Rule on this subject appears in the “United States Region” chapter.
7.1.3 Payment Facilitator
A Payment Facilitator (PF) is a Service Provider that performs any one or more of the services
described in Rule 7.1 as Payment Facilitator Program Service. A Customer, either directly or
through a Payment Facilitator, is responsible for ensuring that each Submerchant complies on
an ongoing basis with all Standards applicable to Merchants.
Refer to Rule 7.6.5, “Payment Facilitators and Submerchants,” and Rule 7.8, “Payment
Facilitator Obligations” for more information about Payment Facilitators.
7.1.4 Staged Digital Wallet Operator
A Staged Digital Wallet Operator (SDWO) is a Service Provider that performs any one or more
of the services described in Rule 7.1 as SDWO Program Service.
7.1.4.1 Staged Digital Wallet Operator Requirements
The Acquirer is responsible for complying with the following:
1. The Acquirer must request that the Corporation register each Staged DWO as a Service
Provider.
2. Upon requesting the registration or re-registration of a Staged DWO as set forth in Rule
7.13, the Acquirer must provide to the Corporation such information pertaining to the
Staged DWO as the Corporation may require from time to time.
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3. The Acquirer must notify the Corporation if a Staged DWO enables Transactions with an
entity providing goods or services classified under the Card acceptor business codes
(MCCs) set forth in section 9.1 of the Security Rules and Procedures manual.
4. The Acquirer must process all Staged DWO POI funding Transactions as Card-not-present.
5. The Acquirer of a Staged DWO must accept liability for any valid chargeback that arises in
connection with a Transaction, such as arising in connection with a Cardholder’s claim that
he or she did not register the Mastercard or Maestro Account as a funding account for the
Staged Digital Wallet or did not otherwise consent to the use of the Staged Digital Wallet
as a payment method.
The Acquirer must ensure that the Staged DWO complies with Rule 9.1, and with the
following requirements applicable to Staged DWOs:
1. A Mastercard or Maestro Account must not be used to fund a Transaction that would be
in violation of Rule 5.11.7.
2. The payment stage of a Transaction facilitated by a Staged DWO must not be completed
with a Mastercard or Maestro branded Card.
3. A Staged DWO must not process a Transaction on behalf of another Staged DWO.
4. The Staged DWO must transmit the three-digit Wallet Identification Number (WID)
assigned to the Staged DWO by the Corporation in DE 48, subelement 26, subfield 1 of all
Authorization Request/0100 messages and in PDS 0207 of all First Presentment/1240
messages for load Transactions.
5. The Staged DWO and each retailer receiving payment by means of a Staged DWO
payment account must be located within the Acquirer’s Area of Use (regardless of the
form of payment).
6. The Staged DWO must perform customer service and provide contact information with
which the consumer may request the assistance of the Staged DWO in the resolution of
any disputes involving a commercial entity that displays the Staged DWO Mark.
7. The Staged DWO must be identified in each funding stage Transaction message, as
follows:
If the Transaction to the
Funding Account is
authorized...
Then in the Merchant name field
(DE 43, subfield 1), use... And for MCC, use...
Before the consumer’s
purchase
Staged DWO name MCC 6540 (POI funding
transaction)
During the consumer’s
purchase
Staged DWO name in conjunction
with retailer name (where the retailer
is the seller of the products or
services purchased by the consumer
and may be a Merchant,
Submerchant, or other commercial
entity)
MCC that most closely
describes the primary
business of the retailer
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If the Transaction to the
Funding Account is
authorized...
Then in the Merchant name field
(DE 43, subfield 1), use... And for MCC, use...
After the consumer’s
purchase
Staged DWO name MCC 6051 (existing debt
payment)
MCC 6540 may not be used for a funding stage Transaction if such funds may subsequently
be used for any of the purposes; in such event, the funds must be segregated and used by the
consumer solely for the designated purpose:
• The purchase of chips or other value usable for gambling (MCC 7801, MCC 7802, or MCC
7995 must be used);
• The purchase of access to adult content and services (MCC 5967 must be used);
• The purchase of any prescription drug (MCC 5122 or MCC 5912 must be used)
• The sale of any tobacco product (MCC 5993 must be used); or
• The purchase of high-risk cyberlocker services (MCC 4816 must be used).
NOTE: Modifications to certain provisions of this Rule appear in the “Europe Region” chapter.
7.1.5 Digital Activity Service Provider
An entity proposing to be a Digital Activity Service Provider must satisfy all certification and
testing procedures established by the Corporation before such entity may be registered by a
Customer as its Digital Activity Service Provider.
7.1.6 Token Service Provider (TSP)
An entity proposing to be a Token Service Provider (TSP) must satisfy all certification and
testing procedures established by the Corporation before such entity may be registered by a
Customer as its TSP.
7.1.7 Merchant Monitoring Service Provider
A Merchant Monitoring Service Provider (MMSP) is a Service Provider that monitors Merchant
Activity and Merchant website URLs to determine compliance with the Standards pertaining to
the Merchant Monitoring Program and to detect unauthorized Transaction activity, which may
include but is not limited to Transactions that are not authorized by the Cardholder or that
arise from business that is not bona fide or was not fully disclosed to the Acquirer or Payment
Facilitator, as applicable.
7.2 The Program and Performance of Program Service
Before an entity commences to perform Program Service that supports or benefits a
Customer’s Program, the Customer must:
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• Verify that the entity is operating a bona fide business, has sufficient safeguards in place to
protect Account and Transaction data from unauthorized disclosure or use, and complies
with applicable laws; and
• Cause such an entity to be registered by the Corporation as a Service Provider.
A Service Provider may perform only the type of Program Service that is registered to perform.
A corporate affiliate of a Customer that is Owned and Controlled by the Customer or by the
Customer’s ultimate parent and which performs Program Service exclusively for the Customer
and not for any other Customer is deemed not to be a Service Provider.
The Customer must ensure that an entity performing Program Service that supports or
benefits the Customer’s Program, and whether or not such entity is registered by the
Corporation as a Service Provider:
1. Complies with all Standards applicable to the Program Service provided (including, by way
of example and not limitation, data use and protection, confidentiality and privacy
Standards) for so long as such entity performs such Program Service. This Customer
obligation arises and continues regardless of the nature of the Program Service performed
and whether the entity is performing Program Service pursuant to an agreement or other
arrangement with the Customer, a Service Provider of the Customer, or any other entity.
2. Promptly provides to the Corporation any information requested by the Corporation
pertaining to the Program Service or the performance thereof.
Program Service in support of or benefitting an Affiliate Program is deemed to be Program
Service in support of or benefitting the Program of the Principal that Sponsors such Affiliate.
An Affiliate wishing to receive Program Service from a Service Provider must obtain the prior
written consent of the Affiliate’s Sponsoring Principal.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Canada Region” chapter.
7.2.1 Customer Responsibility and Control
The Customer must at all times be entirely responsible for and must manage, direct, and
control all aspects of its Program and Program Service performed by Service Providers, and
establish and enforce all Program management and operating policies in accordance with the
Standards.
A Customer must not transfer or assign any part of such responsibilities or in any way limit its
responsibility with regard to any of its Service Providers. A Customer must conduct meaningful
monitoring of its Service Providers to ensure ongoing compliance by its Service Providers with
the Standards.
7.2.2 Notification to the Corporation
Each Principal and Association must advise the Corporation promptly when any of its Service
Providers or any of its Sponsored Affiliates’ Service Providers ceases to perform Program
Service in connection with the Customer’s or Affiliate’s Program or undergoes a change of
name or transfer of Ownership or Control.
Each Type I TPP must advise the Corporation promptly in writing when it:
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1. Commences to perform or ceases to perform any Program Service for any Customer, and
on an ongoing basis, inform the Corporation of all ICA numbers pertaining to which it is
performing any Program Service;
2. Undergoes a change of name or transfer of Ownership or Control;
3. Fails or refuses to make payments in the ordinary course of business;
4. Makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or
5. Seeks bankruptcy protection or similar protection.
A Customer may not receive Program Service by or from any other entity or person except as
set forth in the Standards.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “United States Region” chapter.
7.2.3 Program Service Agreement
This Rule is not applicable with respect to a Service Provider whose provision of Program
Service to the Customer consists only of DSE Program Service, DWO Program Service, or DASP
Program Service, or MMSP Program Service.
Prior to the commencement of the performance of Program Service by an entity in support of
a Customer Program, the Customer and the Service Provider must enter into a written
agreement describing the Program Service to be performed (the “Program Service
agreement”). The Program Service agreement must be updated from time to time as
appropriate to reflect the Program Service that the Service Provider performs in support of or
benefiting, the Customer Program and may not be inconsistent with the Standards.
The Program Service agreement must reflect the Customer’s responsibility for establishing all
management and operating policies described herein and must not include any provision that
attempts to limit the Customer’s responsibility for the Program. The Program Service
agreement must include all of the following provisions:
1. The Service Provider received, understands, and agrees to comply with all applicable
Standards, including the Service Provider Rules.
2. On an ongoing basis, the Service Provider is promptly to provide the Customer with the
current addresses of each of its offices.
3. In the event of any inconsistency between any provision of the Program Service agreement
and the Standards, the Standards will govern.
4. The Program Service agreement automatically and immediately terminates if the
Corporation de-registers the Service Provider or if the Customer ceases to be a Customer
or if the Customer fails to have a valid License by the Corporation to use any Mark
pertaining to the Program Service to be performed by the Service Provider.
5. The Service Provider acknowledges that the Corporation is the sole owner of the Marks,
agrees not to contest the ownership of the Marks for any reason, and agrees the
Corporation may prohibit the Service Provider from using any of the Marks for any reason.
6. The Service Provider acknowledges that the Corporation has the right to enforce any
provision of the Standards and to prohibit a Service Provider from engaging in any
conduct the Corporation deems could create a risk of injury to the Corporation, or that
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could adversely affect the integrity of the Interchange System, and agrees not to take any
action that could interfere with the exercise of this right by the Corporation.
7.2.4 Disclosure of Standards
Before a Customer proposes an entity to be registered as a Service Provider by the
Corporation, the Customer must provide or ensure the proposed Service Provider has access
to the Standards then in effect applicable to Service Providers and Program Service the
proposed Service Provider is expected to perform. After registration, the Customer must
provide, or ensure a Service Provider is notified of, any change to the Standards applicable to
such Program Service.
7.2.5 Customer Point of Contact
A Service Provider must promptly provide a name and title of, and a telephone number for an
employee of the Customer upon request by a Cardholder or an ATM owner, or if the Service
Provider is unable or unwilling to respond to a question to the Cardholder’s or ATM owner’s
satisfaction.
7.2.6 Use of the Marks
A Service Provider must not use any Mark on its own behalf, whether in connection with
Program Service or otherwise. The Service Provider may not create an impression that the
Service Provider is a Customer or a representative of the Corporation.
A Service Provider must not create an impression that the Corporation in any way endorses
the Service Provider or the Program Service that the Service Provider performs.
A Service Provider may use one or more of the Marks in connection with the Program Service
it performs, provided:
1. The Marks are used in accordance with the Standards, including all current reproduction,
usage and artwork Standards; and
2. The Marks are used according to the express written instructions of the Customer; and
3. The Marks are used solely in connection with the provision of Program Service.
The Service Provider may use the Marks on its stationery, letterhead, or business cards only if
accompanied, in close proximity, by a clear statement that identifies the Service Provider as an
agent for a Customer and that includes the name by which the Customer identifies itself to
the public (for example, “Service Provider is an authorized representative of Bank XYZ”).
7.2.7 Service Provider Identification on a Card
The name of a non-Customer Service Provider may appear on a Card only if that Service
Provider does not perform acquiring Program Service in connection with any Customer
Program.
7.2.8 Program Materials
A Customer must approve all Program documents before distribution by a Service Provider.
The Program materials may not imply that the Service Provider is participating in any activity
not permitted by the Standards. Program materials include, by way of example, Card
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applications, ATM Owner Agreements, Cardholder agreements, Cardholder statements,
marketing materials, and Cardholder Communications, including Solicitations.
7.2.9 Fees
The Service Provider may not attempt to collect any fee associated with the Customer’s
Program without the prior written approval of the Customer. Any fee must be clearly disclosed
in writing to the Merchant or Card applicant prior to any request for payment of the fee.
7.2.10 Settlement Failure Obligation
A Service Provider that becomes aware of a settlement failure by the Customers for which the
Service Provider performs Program Service must promptly, and in no event later than 24 hours
after becoming aware of such failure, notify the Corporation in writing of such failure.
7.2.11 Data Security
A Service Provider must comply with all Standards pertaining to the storage, safeguarding,
and/or transmission of Account and Transaction data.
If a Service Provider reasonably believes that an unauthorized person accessed or may have
accessed Account, Cardholder, or Transaction data in the possession or control of the Service
Provider or any other third party, the Service Provider must promptly notify each Customer for
which it provides Program Service in writing of such belief and the Customer must promptly
notify the Corporation in writing of such belief.
7.3 Access to Merchant Account
A Service Provider must not have access to any account for funds due to a Merchant or
withheld from a Merchant for chargebacks, with the exception of Payment Facilitators, as set
forth in Rule 7.8.2, “Obligations as Sponsor of Submerchants.” A Customer must not assign
or transfer to a Service Provider an obligation to pay or reimburse a Merchant if the obligation
arises from Activity.
7.4 Transfer of Rights Prohibited
A Service Provider must not subcontract, sublicense, assign, license, franchise, or in any other
manner extend or transfer to any third party any right or obligation the Service Provider may
have in connection with providing Program Service for a Customer, and any such transfer is
null and void ab initio.
A Service Provider may perform Program Service for a Customer only using the Service
Provider’s own employees or employees of a different Service Provider that is confirmed also to
be registered by the Corporation to perform Program Service for that same Customer.
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7.5 Use of Corporation’s Systems and Confidential Information
For purposes of this Rule, “the Corporation’s Systems” means any of the Corporation’s
equipment and software and “the Corporation’s Confidential Information” means any of the
Corporation’s information identified or reasonably understood to be confidential or
proprietary.
A Service Provider performing Program Service and each Service Provider Registration
Facilitator must agree to:
1. Use any of the Corporation’s Systems, including but not limited to any Mastercard
Interface Processor (MIP) or Network Interface Processor (NIU) used to connect to the
Interchange System, and any of the Corporation’s Confidential Information solely in order
to perform Program Service on behalf of the Customer;
2. Treat the Corporation’s Systems and Confidential Information in at least as careful and
confidential a manner as the Service Provider treats its own and the Customer’s systems
and proprietary information;
3. Acknowledge that access to the Corporation’s Systems and Confidential Information does
not provide the Service Provider with any right to use them further;
4. Limit access to the Corporation’s Systems and Confidential Information to those Service
Provider employees with a need to have access in order to enable the Service Provider to
perform Program Service and to implement and to maintain reasonable and appropriate
safeguards to prevent unauthorized access to the Corporation’s Systems or disclosure of
the Corporation’s Confidential Information, including those set forth in section 10.4,
“Connecting to Mastercard—Physical and Logical Security Requirements,” of the Security
Rules and Procedures manual;
5. Immediately cease any use of the Corporation’s Systems and Confidential Information
upon request of the Corporation or the Customer or upon the earlier of the termination
or completion of the Service Provider’s performance of Program Service, and to
immediately deliver all of the Corporation’s Systems and Confidential Information to the
Corporation; and
6. Immediately advise the Customer and the Corporation if any unauthorized person seeks to
gain or gains access to the Corporation’s Systems or Confidential Information, whether by
legal proceedings or otherwise.
A Service Provider must comply with all Standards and applicable laws and regulations
pertaining to the safeguarding of Account, Cardholder, and Transaction data.
The obligations set forth in this Rule survive the termination or expiration of the Program
Service agreement.
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7.6 Acquiring Programs
Each Customer and each Service Provider that performs Program Service with respect to that
Customer’s acquiring Programs must comply with all of the following.
7.6.1 Merchant Agreement
The Merchant Agreement establishing the terms of an acquiring relationship between the
Acquirer and a Merchant must:
1. Be signed by the Customer with no separate or other agreement between the Service
Provider and the Merchant regarding Activity. The Service Provider may be a party to the
Merchant Agreement, in which case the Merchant Agreement must contain the substance
of all of the following:
a. For purposes of the Merchant Agreement and performance of the Merchant
Agreement by the Service Provider, (i) the Service Provider is the exclusive agent of the
Customer; (ii) the Customer is entirely responsible for, and in control of, Service
Provider performance; and (iii) the Customer must approve, in advance, any fee
payable to or obligation of the Merchant arising from or related to performance of the
Merchant Agreement.
b. The Merchant Agreement is not effective and may not be modified in any respect
without the express written agreement of the Customer.
c. The Service Provider may not have access, directly or indirectly, to any account for
funds or funds due to a Merchant and/or funds withheld from a Merchant for
chargebacks arising from, or related to, performance of this Merchant Agreement. The
Customer may not assign or otherwise transfer an obligation to pay or reimburse a
Merchant arising from, or related to, performance of the Merchant Agreement to a
Service Provider.
d. The Service Provider may not subcontract, sublicense, assign, license, franchise, or in
any manner extend or transfer to any third party, any right or obligation of the Service
Provider set forth in the Merchant Agreement. The Customer may not waive, forgive,
release, assign, or fail to insist on strict performance of each requirement set forth in
these parts 1 through 4.
2. Confirm the Customer’s responsibility for the Program and for the Merchant’s Program
participation and confirm that the Merchant Agreement does not contain any provision
that could be deemed to limit such responsibility.
3. Not take effect or state or imply that it takes or has taken effect prior to being signed by
the Customer.
4. Disclose the Customer’s name and sufficient information to enable the Merchant to
contact the Customer directly by telephone or in writing.
Service Providers
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7.6.2 Collection of Funds from a Merchant
Discount rates (or similar charges called by other terms) due to a Customer from a Merchant
must be collected directly by the Customer and not by the Service Provider.
7.6.3 Access to Documentation
The Customer at all times must maintain prompt and unrestricted physical access to all
original, executed Merchant Agreements and ATM Owner Agreements and to completed
Merchant and ATM site inspection reports. The Customer must forward true and complete
copies of any one or more of these documents to the Corporation promptly upon request.
7.6.4 Authority to Terminate Merchant Agreement or ATM Owner Agreement
A Customer may not limit or in any manner condition its authority to terminate any Merchant
Agreement or ATM Owner Agreement to accommodate a Service Provider or otherwise.
7.6.5 Payment Facilitators and Submerchants
The Acquirer is responsible for all acts and omissions of a Payment Facilitator and of any
Submerchant.
A Payment Facilitator may not be a Submerchant of any other Payment Facilitator, nor may a
Payment Facilitator be a Payment Facilitator for another Payment Facilitator. A Payment
Facilitator cannot be a Payment Facilitator for a Staged Digital Wallet.
Unless otherwise approved by the Corporation, any Submerchant that exceeds USD 1,000,000
in Mastercard and Maestro combined annual Transaction volume must enter into a Merchant
Agreement directly with a Customer.
7.6.5.1 Responsibility for Payment Facilitator and Submerchant Activity
The Acquirer is responsible for the Activity of the Payment Facilitator and each of the Payment
Facilitator's Submerchants. The Acquirer must ensure ongoing compliance with all of the
following.
1. A Submerchant of a Payment Facilitator must be located within the Acquirer’s Area of Use
as described in Rule 1.7, “Area of Use.” The Acquirer must obtain an extension of its Area
of Use if the Submerchant is located elsewhere, except as provided in Rule 1.7.2,
“Extension of Area of Use Exceptions,” paragraphs 5 and 6. The location of the
Submerchant determines the location of a Transaction, not the location of the Payment
Facilitator. A Payment Facilitator may be located outside of the Acquirer’s Area of Use.
2. Settlement funds the Acquirer permits a Payment Facilitator to access may only be used to
pay Submerchants pursuant to the terms of their Submerchant Agreements.
3. An Acquirer may permit a Payment Facilitator to manage the following obligations on
behalf of the Acquirer, and remains fully responsible for the fulfillment of each to the
extent that the Payment Facilitator fails to do so:
a. Verify that a Submerchant is a bona fide business operation, as set forth in section
7.1.2, “Submerchant Screening Procedures” in Chapter 7 of the Security Rules and
Procedures manual; and
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b. Retain records concerning the investigation of a prospective Submerchant, provided
that such records are provided to the Acquirer immediately upon request; and
c. Pay a Submerchant for Transactions, in accordance with Rule 7.8.2, “Obligations as
Sponsor of Submerchants,” part 4; and
d. Ensure that a Submerchant is supplied with materials necessary to effect Transactions
as set forth in Rule 7.8.2, “Obligations as Sponsor of Submerchants,” part 5; and
e. Monitor a Submerchant’s Activity on an ongoing basis to deter fraud or other
wrongful activity, as set forth in Rule 7.8.2, part 6.
4. Neither the Payment Facilitator nor the Submerchant may require a Cardholder to waive a
right to dispute a Transaction.
5. The Acquirer must provide to the Corporation a quarterly Activity report for each
Submerchant of the Payment Facilitator that includes:
a. Submerchant name and location as appears in DE 43 (Card Acceptor Name/Location)
of clearing records
b. Submerchant “doing business as” name or URL
c. Submerchant MCCs
d. Transaction sales count and amount for each MCC
e. Transaction chargeback count and amount for each MCC
Provided the Acquirer is compliant with parts 6 and 7 set forth immediately below, and
unless otherwise required by the Corporation, the requirements set forth in this part 5 are
not applicable to Processed Transactions.
6. An Acquirer that uses a Payment Facilitator must populate the Payment Facilitator field
with a Payment Facilitator (PF) ID in all Transaction messages as follows. The PF ID must
match the Company ID provided or will be provided directly by the Corporation during the
Payment Facilitator registration. Upon notice by the Corporation, a PF ID may be subject to
change by the decision of the Corporation.
a. DE 48 (Additional Data—Private Use), subelement 37 (Additional Merchant Data),
subfield 1 (Payment Facilitator ID) of Authorization Request/0100 and Financial
Transaction Request/0200 messages; and
b. PDS 0208 (Additional Merchant Data), subfield 1 (Payment Facilitator ID) of First
Presentment/1240 messages.
7. An Acquirer that uses a Payment Facilitator must populate the Submerchant field with a
Submerchant ID in all Transaction messages as follows. The Submerchant ID must match
the Submerchant ID supplied by the Acquirer or Payment Facilitator.
a. DE 48 (Additional Data—Private Use), subelement 37 (Additional Merchant Data),
subfield 3 (Submerchant ID) of Authorization Request/0100 and Financial Transaction
Request/0200 messages; and
b. PDS 0208 (Additional Merchant Data), subfield 2 (Submerchant ID) of First
Presentment/1240 messages.
8. An Acquirer that uses a Payment Facilitator that proposes to sponsor a Submerchant
conducting business that may be described under any one of the following MCCs or any
entity that, as a Merchant, was reported under the Excessive Chargeback Program, must
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register such Submerchant in the Mastercard Registration Program (MRP) system via
Mastercard Connect
™
before accepting Transactions arising from such entity, whether
directly or through a Payment Facilitator, as described in Chapter 9 of the Security Rules
and Procedures manual. The Merchant monitoring requirements set forth in Chapter 9 of
the Security Rules and Procedures manual apply to Submerchants of Payment Facilitators.
– Non–face-to-face adult content and services Merchants—MCCs 5967 and 7841
– Non–face-to-face gambling Merchants—MCC 7995
– Non–face-to-face pharmaceutical Merchants—MCC 5122 and MCC 5912
– Non–face-to-face tobacco product Merchants—MCC 5993
– High-risk cyberlocker Merchants—MCC 4816
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “United States Region” chapter.
7.7 Issuing Programs
Each Customer and each Service Provider that performs Program Service with respect to that
Customer’s issuing Programs must comply with all of the following:
7.7.1 Card Application Approval
The Customer itself, and not a Service Provider, must approve the application of a person to
participate as a Cardholder in the Customer’s Card Program.
7.7.2 Cardholder Agreement
The Cardholder agreement must disclose the Customer’s name and sufficient information to
enable the Cardholder to contact the Customer directly by telephone or in writing. The Service
Provider must not be a party to the Cardholder agreement.
7.7.3 Program Payments
All Program payments other than Card application fees paid by prospective Cardholders must
be collected directly by the Customer and not by the Service Provider.
7.7.4 Program Receivables
A Service Provider may own Program receivables or participate in a financing vehicle involving
such receivables so long as the Corporation determines that the Customer continues to own
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and control the Program. Ownership of such receivables by the Service Provider does not in
any way limit the Customer’s obligation to comply with the Standards.
7.8 Payment Facilitator Obligations
The Acquirer must ensure that its Payment Facilitator satisfies all of the obligations set forth in
this Rule.
7.8.1 Submerchant Agreement
Pursuant to a written agreement between an Acquirer and a Payment Facilitator, a Payment
Facilitator may enter into a Submerchant Agreement with a Submerchant for the purpose of
facilitating the Acquirer’s acquiring of Transactions from the Submerchant. The Submerchant
Agreement must conform to Standards pertaining to Merchant Agreements, and must clearly
and conspicuously:
• Identify the Acquirer;
• Disclose contact information of the Acquirer that the Submerchant may use to address
questions and concerns; and
• Reflect that the Payment Facilitator is entering into the Submerchant Agreement on behalf
of and as an agent of the identified Acquirer.
The Submerchant Agreement must not interfere with or lessen the right of the Payment
Facilitator, the Acquirer, or the Corporation to terminate the agreement at any time. The
Corporation reserves the right to restrict a Payment Facilitator from entering into a
Submerchant Agreement based on the business of the entity or other criteria as the
Corporation deems appropriate.
7.8.1.1 Required Submerchant Agreement Terms
A Submerchant Agreement must include all provisions required to be included in a Merchant
Agreement, in addition to complying with Rule 7.8.1 and this Rule 7.8.1.1. The failure of the
Payment Facilitator to include the substance of any one or more of such Standards in the
Submerchant Agreement or the grant of a variance by the Corporation with respect to any
one or more such Standards does not relieve an Acquirer from responsibility for chargebacks
or compliance related to the Activity of or use of the Marks by the Submerchant.
The Submerchant Agreement must, in substance, include all of the following provisions:
1. On an ongoing basis, the Submerchant is promptly to provide the Payment Facilitator with
the current address of each of its offices, all “doing business as” (DBA) names used by the
Submerchant, and a complete description of goods sold and services provided.
2. In the event of any inconsistency between any provision of the Submerchant Agreement
and the Standards, the Standards will govern.
3. The Payment Facilitator is responsible for the Card acceptance policies and procedures of
the Submerchant, and may require any changes to its website or otherwise that it deems
necessary or appropriate to ensure that the Submerchant remains in compliance with the
Standards governing the use of the Marks.
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4. The Submerchant Agreement automatically and immediately terminates if the Corporation
de-registers the Payment Facilitator or if the Payment Facilitator’s Acquirer ceases to be a
Customer for any reason or if such Acquirer fails to have a valid License with the
Corporation to use any Mark accepted by the Submerchant.
5. The Payment Facilitator may, at its discretion or at the direction of its Acquirer or the
Corporation, immediately terminate the Submerchant Agreement for activity deemed to
be fraudulent or otherwise wrongful by the Payment Facilitator, its Acquirer, or the
Corporation.
6. The Submerchant acknowledges and agrees:
a. To comply with all applicable Standards, as amended from time to time;
b. That the Corporation is the sole and exclusive owner of the Marks;
c. Not to contest the ownership of the Marks for any reason;
d. The Corporation may at any time, immediately and without advance notice, prohibit
the Submerchant from using any of the Marks for any reason;
e. The Corporation has the right to enforce any provision of the Standards and to
prohibit the Submerchant and/or its Payment Facilitator from engaging in any conduct
the Corporation deems could injure or could create a risk of injury to the Corporation,
including injury to reputation, or that could adversely affect the integrity of the
Interchange System, the Corporation’s Confidential Information (as defined in Rule
7.5), or both; and
f. The Submerchant will not take any action that could interfere with or prevent the
exercise of this right by the Corporation.
The Submerchant Agreement must not contain any terms that conflict with any Standard.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “United States Region“ chapter.
7.8.2 Obligations as Sponsor of Submerchants
A Payment Facilitator must fulfill all of the following obligations with respect to each of its
Submerchants.
1. Submit Valid Transactions
The Payment Facilitator must submit to its Acquirer records of valid Transactions submitted by
a Submerchant and involving a bona fide Cardholder. The Payment Facilitator must not submit
to its Acquirer any Transaction that the Payment Facilitator or the Submerchant knows or
should have known to be fraudulent or not authorized by the Cardholder, or that either
knows or should have known to be authorized by a Cardholder colluding with the
Submerchant for a fraudulent purpose. For purposes of this Rule, the Submerchant is deemed
to be responsible for the conduct of its employees, agents, and representatives.
2. Submerchant Compliance with the Standards
The Payment Facilitator must ensure that each of its Submerchants complies with the
Standards applicable to Merchants.
3. Maintaining Submerchant Information
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The Payment Facilitator must maintain, on an ongoing basis, the names, addresses, and URLs
if applicable of each of its Submerchants. The Acquirer must ensure that the Payment
Facilitator promptly supplies the Corporation with any such information upon request.
4. Payments to Submerchants
Each Payment Facilitator must pay each Submerchant for all Transactions the Payment
Facilitator submits to its Acquirer on the Submerchant’s behalf. This obligation is not
discharged with regard to a Transaction until the Submerchant receives payment from the
Payment Facilitator, notwithstanding any payment arrangement between the Submerchant
and the Payment Facilitator or between the Payment Facilitator and its Acquirer.
A Submerchant Agreement may provide for a Payment Facilitator to withhold amounts for
chargeback reserves or similar purposes.
5. Supplying Materials to Submerchants
Each Payment Facilitator must regularly ensure that each of its Submerchants is provided with
all materials necessary to effect Transactions in accordance with the Standards and to signify
Card acceptance.
6. Submerchant Monitoring
Each Payment Facilitator must monitor on an ongoing basis the Activity and use of the Marks
of each of its Submerchants for the purpose of deterring fraudulent and other wrongful
activity and to ensure ongoing compliance with the Standards. For purposes of this Rule, the
minimum Merchant monitoring Standards set forth in the Security Rules and Procedures
manual apply with respect to Submerchants.
7. Provide Information
Each Payment Facilitator must ensure that each of its Submerchants is provided with the
information specified in Rule 5.3.3.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “United States Region” chapter.
7.9 Registration Requirements for DSEs, ISOs and Type II TPPs
Each Principal and Association, for itself and each of its Sponsored Affiliates, must use the
Business Administration [Register and Provision a Company] application on Mastercard
Connect
™
to register any Service Provider not designated by the Corporation as a Type I TPP. A
Customer may elect to register an entity as an SPRF for the purpose of having that SPRF
perform Service Provider registration requirements for DSE, ISO and Type II TPP Service
Providers on the Customer’s behalf.
The following requirements apply:
1. A Service Provider performing TPP Program Service that also wants to provide ISO Program
Service to one or more Customers must be distinctly proposed for registration by the
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Corporation on behalf of each Customer wishing to receive Program Service from that
Service Provider.
2. A Service Provider that performs services involving the storage, transmission, or processing
of Account, Cardholder, or Transaction data must comply with the PCI Data Security
Standard in accordance with the Mastercard Site Data Protection (SDP) Program
implementation schedule for Service Providers, as set forth in section 10.3.4,
“Implementation Schedule,” of the Security Rules and Procedures manual. Before
initiating registration, the Customer must instruct the proposed Service Provider to contact
the Corporation via email at pcireports@mastercard.com and validate its compliance with
the SDP Program using the tools described in section 10.3.2, “Compliance Validation
Tools,” of the Security Rules and Procedures manual. For any proposed Type II TPP that is
not compliant, the Corporation must be provided and must approve a compliance action
plan. A Corporation-approved compliance action plan does not exempt the Customer
from responsibility and liability that arises from its or any of its Sponsored Affiliates’ or
their Type II TPP’s noncompliance with any Standard, including those relating to the
disclosure and securing of Account, Cardholder, and Transaction data. The registration of
a proposed DSE will not be deemed complete until its compliance is validated.
3. The Corporation collects the applicable fee then in effect from the Customer that
proposes the registration via the Mastercard Consolidated Billing System (MCBS).
4. The Customer must receive the Corporation’s written confirmation of the registration
before:
a. The Customer or any of its Sponsored Affiliates or any of their Service Providers or
Merchants receive Program Service from the proposed Service Provider; or
b. The proposed Service Provider commences performing such Program Service or
represents itself to any person as authorized to provide such Program Service on behalf
of the Customer or any of its Sponsored Affiliates.
In its sole discretion, the Corporation may approve or reject any application for the
registration of a Service Provider.
5. To maintain the registration of a Service Provider, the Customer must submit information
as required by the Corporation, including but not limited to a copy of the Program Service
agreement, if applicable. The renewal fee then in effect is debited from the Customer via
MCBS. In its sole discretion, the Corporation may decline to renew the registration of a
Service Provider.
If a Customer terminates a Service Provider, the Customer must notify the Corporation or its
SPRF of the termination date and of the reasons for the termination. This notification must be
received by the Corporation or its SPRF within one week of the decision to terminate. In its
sole discretion, the Corporation may require a Customer to terminate a Service Provider at any
time.
7.9.1 Site Data Protection (SDP) Program Noncompliance
Each Customer that has registered or proposed the registration of a Type II TPP to provide
Program Service for itself and/or any of its Sponsored Affiliates must promptly notify each of
its Merchants and any other entity that may be impacted by the Program Service if the
registered or proposed TPP is not fully compliant with the applicable SDP Program
Service Providers
7.9 Registration Requirements for DSEs, ISOs and Type II TPPs
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requirements. Notice must be made by the date on which the Program Service commences, or
immediately if Program Service has commenced.
Such notification must include, with respect to the registered or proposed TPP:
1. The name and address of the TPP;
2. A description of the Program Service to be or being provided by the TPP;
3. A description of SDP Program requirements the TPP is not compliant with; and
4. A specific date by which the TPP will become fully compliant with applicable SDP Program
requirements, or, in the alternative, the date by which the TPP will cease providing
Program Service.
The application of a DSE will not be approved until such time as the DSE becomes fully
compliant with SDP Program requirements.
7.10 Registration Requirements for Type I TPPs
A TPP that the Corporation determines to be a Type I TPP, upon receiving notification of such
determination, must apply to be registered by the Corporation as a Type I TPP, as follows.
1. Within 90 days of receiving notification of its designation by the Corporation as a Type I
TPP, the TPP must submit:
a. TPP Registration Form 919 via email to tpp_registration@mastercard.com;
b. An Attestation of Compliance (AOC) via email to pcireports@mastercard.com. The
AOC must demonstrate compliance with the PCI Data Security Standard in accordance
with the Mastercard Site Data Protection (SDP) Program implementation schedule
applicable to Level 1 Service Providers, as set forth in section 10.3.4, “Implementation
Schedule,” of the Security Rules and Procedures manual. A compliance plan will not
be accepted.
c. SSAE16 and business continuity forms via email to
supplier_lifecycle_management@mastercard.com.
2. A Type I TPP must not also provide ISO Program Service unless registered to provide ISO
Program Service.
After registration by the Corporation of a Type I TPP, an initial registration fee and the
applicable annual renewal fee is charged by the Corporation directly to the Type I TPP.
Renewal of Type I TPP registration status is at the sole discretion of the Corporation.
NOTE: A Rule on this subject appears in the “United States Region” chapter.
7.11 Registration Requirements for Type III TPPs
NOTE: A Rule on this subject appears in the “United States Region” chapter.
Service Providers
7.10 Registration Requirements for Type I TPPs
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7.12 Registration Requirements for Payment Facilitators
To propose a Service Provider for registration as a Payment Facilitator, the Acquirer must:
• Be a Customer in good standing with the Corporation, and
• Meet any and all capital requirements designated by the Corporation.
To register a Service Provider as a Payment Facilitator, the Acquirer must:
1. Submit all information and material required by the Corporation in connection with the
proposed registration within 30 days of the registration application submission to
payment_facilitator@mastercard.com; and
2. Ensure that the Payment Facilitator is compliant with the PCI Data Security Standard in
accordance with the Mastercard Site Data Protection (SDP) Program implementation
schedule for Service Providers, as set forth in section 10.3.4, “Implementation Schedule,”
of the Security Rules and Procedures manual. Before initiating registration, the Customer
must instruct the proposed Payment Facilitator to contact the Corporation via email at
pcireports@mastercard.com and validate its compliance with the SDP Program using the
tools described in section 10.3.2, “Compliance Validation Tools,” of the Security Rules and
Procedures manual. For any proposed Payment Facilitator that is not compliant, the
Corporation must be provided with, and approve of, a compliance action plan.
The application of a Payment Facilitator will not be approved until such time as the
Payment Facilitator becomes fully compliant with the SDP Program requirements.
3. Pay any fee the Corporation assesses the Acquirer that proposes the registration, or if an
Affiliate, its Sponsor, which will be collected via the Mastercard Consolidated Billing
System (MCBS).
4. The Acquirer must receive the Corporation’s written or email confirmation of the
registration before the Acquirer may submit Transactions from the Payment Facilitator or
any of its Submerchants into interchange. In its sole discretion, the Corporation may
approve or may reject any application for the registration of a Payment Facilitator.
5. To maintain the registration of a Payment Facilitator, the Customer must submit such
information and material as may be required by the Corporation from time to time,
including but not limited to a copy of the agreement between the Acquirer and the
Payment Facilitator. Any renewal fee then in effect is debited from the Acquirer via MCBS.
In its sole discretion, the Corporation may decline to renew the registration of a Payment
Facilitator.
If the Acquirer ceases to accept Submerchant Transactions from or terminates a Payment
Facilitator, the Acquirer must notify the Corporation of the date and reasons for such action
within one week of the decision. In its sole discretion, the Corporation may require an
Acquirer to cease to accept Submerchant Transactions from a Payment Facilitator at any time.
Service Providers
7.12 Registration Requirements for Payment Facilitators
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7.13 Registration Requirements for Staged DWOs
Each Principal and Association, for itself and each of its Sponsored Affiliates, that acquires or
proposes to acquire Transactions effected by means of a Staged Digital Wallet must register
the Staged DWO with the Corporation in accordance with the following procedures:
1. The Customer must submit all information and material required by the Corporation in
connection with the proposed registration to d_wallet_registration@mastercard.com
within 30 days of the registration application submission date.
2. The Staged DWO must comply with the PCI Data Security Standard in accordance with the
Mastercard Site Data Protection (SDP) Program implementation schedule applicable to
Service Providers, as set forth in section 10.3.4, “Implementation Schedule,” of the
Security Rules and Procedures manual. Before initiating registration, the Sponsoring
Customer must instruct the proposed Staged DWO to contact the Corporation via email at
pcireports@mastercard.com and validate its compliance with the SDP Program using the
tools described in section 10.3.2, “Compliance Validation Tools,” of the Security Rules and
Procedures manual. For any proposed Staged DWO that is not compliant, the Corporation
must be provided and must approve a compliance action plan. A Corporation-approved
compliance action plan does not exempt the Customer from responsibility and liability that
arises from the Customer’s or any of its Sponsored Affiliates’ or their Staged DWO’s
noncompliance with any Standard, including those relating to the disclosure and securing
of Account, Cardholder, and Transaction data. The registration of a proposed Staged DWO
will not be deemed complete until its compliance is validated. A Payment Facilitator
cannot be a Payment Facilitator for a Staged Digital Wallet.
3. The Corporation collects the applicable fees then in effect from the Customer that
proposes the registration via the Mastercard Consolidated Billing System (MCBS).
4. The Customer must receive the Corporation’s written or email confirmation of the
registration before the Customer or any of its Sponsored Affiliates or any of their Service
Providers or Merchants receive Program Service from the Staged DWO and before the
Staged DWO commences performing such Program Service or represents itself to any
person as authorized to provide such Program Service on behalf of the Principal or
Association or any of its Sponsored Affiliates. In its sole discretion, the Corporation may
approve or may reject any application for the registration of a Service Provider.
5. To maintain the registration of a Staged DWO, the Customer must submit such
information and material as may be required by the Corporation from time to time. The
renewal fee then in effect is debited from the Customer via MCBS. In its sole discretion,
the Corporation may decline to renew the registration of a Staged DWO as a Service
Provider.
If the Customer terminates a Staged DWO, the Customer must notify the Corporation or its
SPRF of the termination date and of the reasons for the termination. This notification must be
received by the Corporation or its SPRF within one week of the decision to terminate. In its
sole discretion, the Corporation may require a Customer to terminate a Staged DWO as a
Service Provider at any time.
Service Providers
7.13 Registration Requirements for Staged DWOs
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7.14 Registration Requirements for Digital Activity Service Providers
Each Principal and Association, for itself and each of its Sponsored Affiliates must use the
Business Administration [Register and Provision a Company] application on Mastercard
Connect
™
to register a Digital Activity Service Provider (DASP). A Digital Activity Customer
must notify the Corporation of each Digital Activity Service Provider it proposes to use, and
the Corporation will complete the registration on the Digital Activity Customer's behalf. The
following requirements apply:
1. The Customer must submit all information and material required by the Corporation in
connection with the proposed registration within 60 days of the registration application
submission date.
2. The DASP must comply with the PCI Data Security Standard in accordance with the
Mastercard Site Data Protection (SDP) Program implementation schedule applicable to
Service Providers, as set forth in section 10.3.4, “Implementation Schedule,” of the
Security Rules and Procedures manual. Before initiating registration, the Sponsoring
Customer must instruct the proposed DASP to contact the Corporation via email at
pcireports@mastercard.com and validate its compliance with the SDP Program using the
tools described in section 10.3.2, “Compliance Validation Tools,” of the Security Rules and
Procedures manual. For any proposed DASP that is not compliant, the Corporation must
be provided and must approve a compliance action plan. A Corporation-approved
compliance action plan does not exempt the Customer from responsibility and liability that
arises from the Customer’s or any of its Sponsored Affiliates’ or their DASP’s
noncompliance with any Standard, including those relating to the disclosure and securing
of Account, Cardholder, and Transaction data. The registration of a proposed DASP will
not be deemed complete until its compliance is validated.
3. The Corporation collects the applicable fee then in effect from the Customer that
proposes the registration via the Mastercard Consolidated Billing System (MCBS).
4. The Customer must receive the Corporation’s written confirmation of the registration
before:
a. The Principal, Association, a Sponsored Affiliate, or the Digital Activity Customer
receive Program Service from the proposed DASP; or
b. The proposed DASP commences performing such Program Service or represents itself
to any person as authorized to provide such Program Service on behalf of the
Principal, Association, a Sponsored Affiliate, or the Digital Activity Customer.
In its discretion, the Corporation may approve or reject any application for the registration
of a DASP.
5. To maintain the registration of a DASP, the Customer must submit such information as
may be required by the Corporation. The registration renewal fee then in effect is debited
from the Customer via MCBS. In its discretion, the Corporation may decline to renew the
registration of a DASP.
If a Customer terminates a DASP, the Customer must notify the Corporation of the
termination date and of the reasons for the termination. This notification must be received by
Service Providers
7.14 Registration Requirements for Digital Activity Service Providers
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the Corporation within one week of the decision to terminate. In its discretion, the
Corporation may require a Customer to cease receiving DASP Program Service from a DASP at
any time.
7.15 Registration Requirements for Token Service Providers
Each Principal and Association, for itself and each of its Sponsored Affiliates must use the
Business Administration (Register and Provision a Company) application on Mastercard
Connect
™
to register a Token Service Provider (TSP). The following requirements apply:
1. The Customer must submit all information and material required by the Corporation in
connection with the proposed registration within 60 days of the registration application
submission date.
2. The proposed TSP must successfully complete all certification and testing procedures
required by the Corporation.
3. The Corporation collects the applicable fee then in effect from the Customer that
proposes the registration via the Mastercard Consolidated Billing System (MCBS).
4. The Customer must receive the Corporation’s written confirmation of the registration
before:
a. The Principal, Association, or a Sponsored Affiliate receives Program Service from the
proposed TSP; or
b. The proposed TSP commences performing such Program Service or represents itself to
any person as authorized to provide such Program Service on behalf of the Principal,
Association, or a Sponsored Affiliate.
In its discretion, the Corporation may approve or reject any application for the registration
of a TSP.
5. To maintain the registration of a TSP, the Customer must submit such information as may
be required by the Corporation. The registration renewal fee then in effect is debited from
the Customer via MCBS. In its discretion, the Corporation may decline to renew the
registration of a TSP.
If a Customer terminates a TSP, the Customer must notify the Corporation of the termination
date and of the reasons for the termination. This notification must be received by the
Corporation within one week of the decision to terminate. In its discretion, the Corporation
may require a Customer to cease receiving TSP Program Service from a TSP at any time.
7.16 Registration Requirements for Merchant Monitoring Service
Providers
To register a Merchant Monitoring Service Provider:
Service Providers
7.15 Registration Requirements for Token Service Providers
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1. The Acquirer must submit all information and materials required by the Corporation in
connection with the proposed registration to mmp@mastercard.com.
2. The Corporation collects the applicable fee then in effect from the Customer that
proposes the registration via the Mastercard Consolidated Billing System (MCBS).
3. The Customer must receive the Corporation’s written confirmation of the registration.
4. To maintain the registration of an MMSP, the Customer must submit such information as
may be required by the Corporation. The registration renewal fee then in effect is debited
from the Customer via MCBS. In its discretion, the Corporation may decline to renew the
registration of an MMSP.
If a Customer decides to terminate an MMSP, the Customer promptly must notify the
Corporation in writing of the termination date and of the reasons for the termination. This
notification must be received by the Corporation within one week of the decision to
terminate.
7.17 Registration of a Service Provider Registration Facilitator
A Customer itself must request that an entity be registered by the Corporation as a Service
Provider Registration Facilitator (SPRF) and an entity must be registered by the Corporation as
an SPRF before commencing to provide Service Provider registration Program Service.
7.18 Service Provider Registration Noncompliance
A Customer that fails to comply with these Service Provider registration requirements is
subject to noncompliance assessments of up to USD 25,000 for each 30-day period of
noncompliance.
7.19 Prohibition from Acting as a Service Provider
The Corporation reserves the right to prohibit, either for a fixed period of time or permanently,
a Service Provider, its owners, and/or employees from performing Program Service, acting as
DSE, or both.
7.20 Termination of Program Service Agreement or De-registration
On the effective date of the termination or expiration of the Program Service agreement, or
upon notice by the Corporation, or upon expiration or de-registration of an entity as a Service
Service Providers
7.17 Registration of a Service Provider Registration Facilitator
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Provider, the entity must immediately cease all use of the Corporation’s systems and Marks
and cease performing the Program Service.
7.21 Confidential Information of Service Providers
With regard to any Service Provider, and regardless of (i) how the Service Provider is or may be
categorized, (ii) the nature of Program Services the Service Provider may perform, and (iii)
whether the Service Provider is registered as a Service Provider by the Corporation, the
following information is not confidential information:
1. The name, address and other contact information of the Service Provider;
2. The identity of any Customer the Corporation believes may be receiving Program Services
by the Service Provider;
3. The nature of Program Services the Corporation believes the Service Provider may be
performing for any Customer; and
4. Any information the Corporation deems necessary or appropriate to disclose in order to
safeguard the financial, reputational or other interests of the Corporation, Customers, or
both.
7.22 Audits
The Corporation or its designee may conduct one or more regular or periodic financial and
procedural audits of the Customer, its Service Providers, or both, at any time and from time to
time for the purpose of determining compliance with the Standards, including these Service
Provider Rules. The Customer bears all costs of any such audit or audits. The Customer and its
Service Providers each must fully co-operate with and promptly supply the Corporation with
all information and material upon request.
7.23 No Endorsement by the Corporation
In no event does compliance with these Service Provider Rules or enforcement or any lack of
or delay in enforcement thereof or the registration of a Service Provider imply, suggest, or
otherwise mean that the Corporation endorses any Service Provider or the nature or quality of
Program Service or other performance or that the Corporation approves of, is a party to, or a
participant in, any act or omission by a Service Provider or other entity acting for or on behalf
of a Customer.
Service Providers
7.21 Confidential Information of Service Providers
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Chapter 8 Settlement and Related Obligations
This chapter contains Rules relating to interchange and service fees, settlement, and other financial
obligations.
8.1 Definitions............................................................................................................................ 143
8.2 Net Settlement......................................................................................................................143
8.2.1 Currency Conversion..................................................................................................... 143
8.2.2 Settlement Messages and Instructions........................................................................... 143
8.2.3 Reconciliation................................................................................................................144
8.3 Interchange and Service Fees................................................................................................ 144
8.3.1 Cost Studies.................................................................................................................. 144
8.3.1.1 Allocation of Expenses........................................................................................... 144
8.3.1.2 Compliance with a Cost Study............................................................................... 145
8.4 Establishment of Intracountry Interchange and Service Fees.................................................. 145
8.4.1 Intraregional Fees.......................................................................................................... 145
8.4.2 Bilateral Agreement.......................................................................................................145
8.5 Failure of a Principal or Association to Discharge a Settlement Obligation..............................146
8.6 Settlement Liability for Debit Licensees..................................................................................147
8.7 Settlement Liability for Type I TPPs that Sponsor Affiliates......................................................147
8.8 System Liquidity.................................................................................................................... 147
8.9 Liability for Owned or Controlled Entities.............................................................................. 148
8.10 Risk of Loss......................................................................................................................... 149
8.11 Loss Allocation Among Customers...................................................................................... 150
Settlement and Related Obligations
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8.1 Definitions
As used in the Rules set forth in this section, the following terms have the meanings
described:
1. “Interchange fee” means an amount paid by the Acquirer to the Issuer with respect to the
interchange of a Transaction conducted by a Merchant or a Merchandise Transaction
conducted at an ATM Terminal. All references to interchange fees in this section mean
both the levels of the fees and all qualifying criteria and conditions for their applicability.
2. “Intracountry issuing Volume” means the issuing Volume resulting from Intracountry
Transactions.
3. “Intracountry acquiring Volume” means the acquiring Volume resulting from Intracountry
Transactions.
4. “Service fee” means an amount paid by the Issuer to the Acquirer with respect to the
interchange of a Manual Cash Disbursement Transaction or ATM Transaction. All
references to service fees in this section mean both the levels of the fees and all qualifying
criteria and conditions for their applicability.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Europe Region” chapter.
8.2 Net Settlement
A Customer that uses the Interchange System for the authorization and clearing of
Transactions is required to net settle in accordance with the Corporation’s settlement
Standards. However, an Acquirer and an Issuer may, with respect to a particular Transaction,
agree to settle directly between themselves pursuant to a bilateral agreement.
Standards describing net settlement and bilateral agreement rights and obligations are set
forth in the Settlement Manual. For information about Single Message System settlement
options, refer to Single Message System Settlement and Reports.
NOTE: A modification to this Rule appears in the “Europe Region” chapter.
8.2.1 Currency Conversion
In the EU, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
A Customer must refer to the documentation of the registered switch of its choice for
currency conversion information.
8.2.2 Settlement Messages and Instructions
NOTE: Rules on this subject appear in the “Europe Region” chapter.
Settlement and Related Obligations
8.1 Definitions
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8.2.3 Reconciliation
It is the responsibility of each Customer to reconcile the totals and Transactions provided by
the Interchange System to its own internal records on a daily basis.
For more information on reconciliation, refer to Single Message System Programs and Services
and the GCMS Reference Manual.
8.3 Interchange and Service Fees
A Transaction settled between Customers gives rise to the payment of the appropriate
interchange fee or service fee, as applicable. The Corporation has the right to establish default
interchange fees and default service fees (hereafter referred to as “interchange fees,” “service
fees,” or collectively, “fees”), it being understood that all such fees set by the Corporation
apply only if there is no applicable bilateral interchange fee or service fee agreement between
two Customers in place. The Corporation establishes all fees for Interregional Transactions and
Intraregional Transactions, and may establish fees for Intracountry Transactions.
The Corporation will inform Customers, as applicable, of all fees it establishes and may
periodically publish fee tables. Unless an applicable bilateral interchange fee or service fee
agreement between two Customers is in place, any intraregional or interregional fees
established by the Corporation are binding on all Customers.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Asia/Pacific Region” and “Europe Region”
chapters.
8.3.1 Cost Studies
The Corporation or its agent may conduct one or more cost studies on a country-specific or
regional or other basis for the purpose of establishing interchange and service fees. In order to
ensure a sufficient quantity and level of data quality and representativeness as the Corporation
deems necessary, the Corporation may designate any number of Customers to participate in
cost studies. Each Customer so designated is required to participate and must provide and be
able to certify that it has provided the Corporation or its agent with complete and accurate
information in the form and manner and for such period of time and by a date as requested.
8.3.1.1 Allocation of Expenses
The Corporation may allocate expenses related to any cost study among Customers
conducting Activity in the country or region or other area that is the subject of the cost study.
Settlement and Related Obligations
8.3 Interchange and Service Fees
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The expenses may be allocated as the Corporation deems appropriate and the decision of the
Corporation is binding on all Customers in that country or region or other area.
8.3.1.2 Compliance with a Cost Study
A Customer designated to participate in a cost study that fails to fully and timely participate is
subject to assessments and other disciplinary action at the sole discretion of the Corporation.
8.4 Establishment of Intracountry Interchange and Service Fees
This rule is applicable only to Intracountry Transactions.
Unless prohibited by applicable law, default intracountry interchange and service fees are
established by the Corporation, or by application of intraregional interchange or interregional
interchange and service fees to Intracountry Transactions as set forth in Rule 8.4.2. Such fees
may also be established by bilateral agreement between two Customers as set forth in Rule
8.4.3.
For any Transaction that is subject to a bilateral agreement between two Customers, the
interchange and service fees set forth in the bilateral agreement prevail.
For any Transaction that is not subject to a bilateral agreement between two Customers, the
default intracountry fees established by the Corporation apply, or if none, the intraregional
fees apply, or if none, the interregional fees apply. The Corporation reserves the right to
determine if multiple bilateral agreements are deemed to be a multilateral agreement.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Asia/Pacific Region,” “Europe Region,” and
“Latin America and the Caribbean Region” chapters.
8.4.1 Intraregional Fees
In the event that no bilaterally agreed interchange fee or service fee applies and no default
interchange fee or service fee has been established pursuant to these Rules, the applicable
intraregional fee or if none, the interregional fee, applies to Intracountry Transactions.
NOTE: A modification to this Rule appears in the “Asia/Pacific Region” chapter.
8.4.2 Bilateral Agreement
Any two Customers may establish, by bilateral agreement, the interchange and service fees
applicable to Transactions between them. All such fees must be submitted promptly to the
Corporation. When applicable to Transactions processed through the Interchange System,
they must be submitted to the Corporation sufficiently in advance of the effective date to
allow the Corporation to incorporate the fees into future Interchange System releases as
necessary.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Asia/Pacific Region” and “Europe Region”
chapters.
Settlement and Related Obligations
8.4 Establishment of Intracountry Interchange and Service Fees
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8.5 Failure of a Principal or Association to Discharge a Settlement
Obligation
Subject to the limitation set forth in this Rule, if a Principal or Association fails to discharge a
Settlement Obligation arising from or in connection with any Processed Transaction, the
Corporation will satisfy such Settlement Obligation to the extent such Settlement Obligation is
not otherwise satisfied.
To the extent the Corporation satisfies a Customer’s Settlement Obligation, such satisfaction
constitutes an automatic transfer, sale, and absolute assignment to the Corporation, and not
an assignment for security purposes, of all right, title, and interest in the receivable. Such
satisfaction of the Customer’s Settlement Obligation also entitles the Corporation to all
records and documents related to the receivable, including the name and address of each
Cardholder or other person obligated to satisfy any part of the receivable. The Customer must
promptly deliver all such records and documents to the Corporation or to the Corporation’s
designee. Any proceeds received by or on behalf of the Customer from any receivable must be
held in trust by the Customer and paid to the Corporation as soon as practicable.
The Corporation may take any action the Corporation deems necessary or appropriate to
protect its interest in the receivable and to protect the integrity of the affairs of the
Corporation, such as, by way of example and not limitation, by:
1. Refusing or rejecting Transaction authorization requests relating to use of the Customer’s
Cards.
2. Establishing a settlement account for monies due to and from the Customer.
3. Without prior notice to the Customer, holding any monies due, directly or indirectly and
for any purpose, to the Customer from the Corporation and any Settlement Obligations
due to the Customer and apply those monies to the amounts the Customer owes to the
Corporation and to other Customers arising from Activity.
4. Listing some or all of a Customer’s Account numbers on the Electronic Warning Bulletin
file, the international Warning Notices, or both, or in other or similar publications.
5. Effecting chargebacks on behalf of the Customer.
6. Overseeing the disposition of unused Card stock and any other media bearing security-
sensitive information, including Account information.
The Corporation assumes no liability, responsibility, or obligation to satisfy, in full or in part:
1. A Settlement Obligation arising from or in connection with a Transaction that was not a
Processed Transaction.
2. A Settlement Obligation arising from or in connection with a Transaction in which the
Principal or Association, considered together with one or more of its Affiliates, acts as
both the Issuer and the Acquirer.
3. A Settlement Obligation arising from or in connection with a Transaction in which the
Issuer and Acquirer are related parties or are under common Control by one or more
parents, holding companies, or other entities.
Settlement and Related Obligations
8.5 Failure of a Principal or Association to Discharge a Settlement Obligation
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4. A Settlement Obligation arising from or in connection with any of the Principal’s or
Association’s Sponsored Affiliates.
5. A Settlement Obligation arising from or in connection with an Intracountry Transaction
that was not settled, in whole or in part, where the non-settlement was expressly directed,
mandated, or otherwise compelled by a government or governmental regulatory agency,
regardless of whether such direction or mandate was publicly announced. For clarity, this
provision shall not apply where the nonsettlement occurred at the direction of a
government or government-designated receiver or trustee made in the ordinary course of
a receivership/insolvency proceeding.
NOTE: A modification to this Rule appears in the "Europe Region" chapter.
8.6 Settlement Liability for Debit Licensees
NOTE: A Rule on this subject appears in the “United States Region” chapter.
8.7 Settlement Liability for Type I TPPs that Sponsor Affiliates
NOTE: A Rule on this subject appears in the “United States Region” chapter.
8.8 System Liquidity
If the Corporation requires funds to maintain system liquidity and to meet the obligations that
a Customer or Customers have failed to discharge (for purposes of this section, “Non-
discharged Customer Obligations”), the Corporation may collect funds directly from the
settlement accounts of Customers upon reasonable notice to the Customers.
In such event, the funds will be collected by the Corporation by:
1. Decreasing the gross daily settlement amounts of outgoing volumes of Customers by up
to five percent (5 percent) of the amount settled on one or more days; and
2. Increasing the gross daily settlement amounts of incoming volumes of Customers by up to
five percent (5 percent) of the amount settled on one or more days.
This collection may continue as long as deemed necessary or appropriate to satisfy Non-
discharged Customer Obligations and to ensure system liquidity or until the Corporation
deems such collection no longer necessary or appropriate.
Collected funds are treated as advance payments on the sums that may be required from the
Customers in the allocation among Customers of loss related to Non-discharged Customer
Obligations. If the funds collected from a Customer exceed the amount ultimately allocated to
it in connection with Non-discharged Customer Obligations, the excess amount will be
returned to the Customer with interest. If the funds collected from a Customer do not exceed
Settlement and Related Obligations
8.6 Settlement Liability for Debit Licensees
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the amount allocated to it, the Customer will pay any shortage to the Corporation with
interest. Any interest payment by or to the Corporation will be based on the average effective
Federal Reserve Fund’s Earning Credit Rate (or if such rate is not published, a rate that the
Corporation designates) during the time between the incidence of the Customer funding and
the final allocation.
8.9 Liability for Owned or Controlled Entities
Each Customer (referred to for purposes of this Rule as a “Responsible Customer”) shall
irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety, to
the Corporation and all other Customers, the prompt payment and performance of the
obligations (the “Guaranteed Obligations”) of each of the Responsible Customer’s affiliated
entities arising under the Standards and from each such affiliated entity’s Mastercard,
Maestro, and Cirrus Activities and use of any of the Marks.
For purposes of this Rule, a Responsible Customer’s affiliated entity is defined as follows:
1. A Customer that is Owned or Controlled by the Responsible Customer or is owned or
controlled by the Responsible Customer and another Customer or Customers; or
2. A Customer that, with the Responsible Customer, is under common Ownership by, or
Control of, another entity; or
3. A Customer that Owns or Controls the Responsible Customer or shares Ownership or
Control of the Responsible Customer with another Customer or Customers.
The obligations of each Responsible Customer under this Rule shall be continuing, absolute,
and unconditional and shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by any act or
omission (including any renewal, extension, amendment, waiver or unenforceability of any of
the Guaranteed Obligations) that may vary the risk of such Responsible Customer or
otherwise operate as a discharge of the obligations of such Responsible Customer as a matter
of law or equity, and all defenses of the Responsible Customer with respect thereto are
waived to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
The Responsible Customer’s liability to the Corporation and all other Customers is a primary
obligation, while the Corporation’s liability, if any, to another Customer is secondary, in that it
only arises if a Responsible Customer is unable to pay its Guaranteed Obligations in full. Any
assessments imposed on a Customer for liability under this Rule may be collected by the
Corporation, at its option, from the Customer’s settlement account or by any other means
available. A Responsible Customer may not be exempted from this Rule except upon written
notice by the General Counsel of the Corporation.
Settlement and Related Obligations
8.9 Liability for Owned or Controlled Entities
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8.10 Risk of Loss
Each Customer bears all risk of loss and the Corporation bears no risk of loss with respect to
all amounts owed by the Customer related to the settlement except to the extent any such
amount is received by the Corporation, free and clear.
Each Customer remains fully responsible for fulfillment of, and must take all actions necessary
to fulfill, all of its obligations under the Standards, regardless of whether the Customer
designates a Service Provider or other third party to perform all or any part of such obligations
on the Customer’s behalf. The fact that a Customer has paid any portion of any amount owed
to any such third party designee does not discharge any of the Customer’s obligations to the
Corporation.
The Corporation may draw on the Customer’s funds to fulfill any one or more of the
Customer’s obligations under the Standards, regardless of whether those funds are held or
controlled by the Customer or by any third party designee, to the same extent that the
Corporation is entitled to draw on funds from any settlement account or funds of the
Customer in accordance with the Standards, and regardless of whether those funds are
commingled with any other funds. If the Corporation draws on the Customer’s funds in
accordance with the Standards, the Corporation is not required to reimburse the Customer or
any third party (whether a third party designee of the Customer or another Customer) for
funds drawn which are owned by any of them or otherwise subject to any of their rights. The
Customer and any third party (whether a third party designee of the Customer or another
Customer) bear all risk and liability related to the funds drawn and must jointly and severally
indemnify and hold the Corporation harmless from all liability and claims arising from any
such draw of funds.
Each Customer bears all risk of loss, and the Corporation bears no risk of loss with respect to
all amounts owed by the Corporation to the Customer under the Standards once the
Corporation has discharged the Corporation’s obligations set forth in the Settlement Manual,
regardless of whether the payment is received by the Customer or a third party designee of
the Customer.
Each Customer must notify the Corporation promptly in writing if any third party designee
commingles funds received for or from the Customer in connection with the Customer’s
Transactions with any other funds. Each Customer must notify the Corporation promptly in
writing of the details of any failure of the Customer or any third party designee of the
Customer to meet any of their obligations with respect to payment of funds owed under the
Standards.
If a Customer’s third party designee advances funds on behalf of the Customer to pay the
Corporation or any other party entitled to receive those funds in accordance with the
Standards, then such payment is deemed to be a payment by the Customer, and the
Customer, and the third party designee of the Customer, jointly and severally bear all risks of
loss and must jointly and severally indemnify and hold the Corporation harmless from any and
all liability and claims arising from any such payment.
In addition to the other Customer obligations set forth in this Rule 8.10, a Customer must:
Settlement and Related Obligations
8.10 Risk of Loss
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1. Obtain the prior written agreement of any third party designee of the Customer that may
be given access to any funds owed by or to the Customer pursuant to the Standards; and
2. Be responsible for any such third party designee’s compliance with all applicable
Standards, including those set forth in this Rule 8.10.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “United States Region” chapter.
8.11 Loss Allocation Among Customers
Any loss that the Corporation incurs, or for which the Corporation may otherwise be
responsible due to the failure of a Mastercard Customer, whether or not intentional, to
perform any of its Participation obligations, may be allocated among the Mastercard
Customers by the Corporation in such manner and at such times as the Corporation
determines to be appropriate.
NOTE: Modifications to this Rule appear in the “Latin America and the Caribbean Region”
chapter. An addition to this Rule appears in the “Europe Region” chapter.
Settlement and Related Obligations
8.11 Loss Allocation Among Customers
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Chapter 9 Digital Activity
This chapter contains Rules pertaining to Digital Activity and Digital Activity Customers.
Digital Activity Rules....................................................................................................................152
Applicability of Rules...................................................................................................................152
1.1 Eligibility to be a Customer................................................................................................... 152
1.1.3 Digital Activity Customer............................................................................................... 153
1.8 The Digital Activity Agreement..............................................................................................153
1.9 Participation in Activity and Digital Activity............................................................................153
3.12 Confidential Information of Mastercard...............................................................................154
9.1 Digital Activity and Conduct of a Staged Digital Wallet Operator ..........................................154
9.1.1 General Obligations.......................................................................................................154
9.1.2 Branding Requirements................................................................................................. 155
9.1.3 Data Protection, Privacy and Data Usage....................................................................... 156
9.1.4 Security......................................................................................................................... 157
9.2 DWO Requirements — Pass-through Digital Wallet............................................................... 157
9.2.1 Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard.............................................................. 157
9.2.2 Prohibited Practices ...................................................................................................... 157
9.2.3 Industry-standard Interfaces.......................................................................................... 158
9.2.4 Pass-through DWO Tokenization .................................................................................. 158
9.2.5 Fraud Loss Controls and Account Data Compromise......................................................158
9.2.6 Pass-through DWO Functional Requirements for Use on a Mobile Payment Device and
Access Device ........................................................................................................................159
9.2.7 Pass-through DWO Token Requestor Requirements ...................................................... 160
9.3 Digital Activity—Merchant Token Requestor .........................................................................160
9.3.1 Merchant Token Requestor Requirements .....................................................................161
9.3.2 Merchant Token Requestor Obligations......................................................................... 161
9.4 Digital Activity—On-behalf Token Requestor......................................................................... 162
9.4.1 On-behalf Token Requestor Requirements .................................................................... 162
Digital Activity
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Digital Activity Rules
The Standards for Digital Activity consist of these Digital Activity Rules; the technical
specifications set forth in the Authorization Manual and Single Message System Programs and
Services; and any other Rule that references Digital Activity, Digital Activity Customers, or the
Mastercard Digital Enablement Service as amended from time to time.
Applicability of Rules
The Rules in this Digital Activity chapter are variances and additions to the Rules in Chapters 1
through 8 that apply solely to Digital Activity.
The Rules in Chapters 1 through 8 continue to apply to the Activity of a Customer. The
following Rules pertain only to the conduct of Activity and do not apply to Digital Activity or
to Digital Activity Customers:
• Rule 1.5, “Interim Participation”;
• The subsections of Rule 1.7, “Area of Use of the License”;
• Rule 1.9.1, “Changing Customer Status”; Rule 1.9.3, “Right to Sponsor Affiliates”; Rule
1.9.4, “Change in Sponsorship of an Affiliate”;
• Rule 1.10, “Participation in Competing Networks” and its subsections;
• Rule 1.11, “Portfolio Sale, Transfer, or Withdrawal”;
• Rule 3.1, “Obligation to Issue Mastercard Cards”;
• Rule 3.2, “Responsibility For Transactions”;
• Rule 3.3, “Transaction Requirements”;
• Rule 3.4, “Authorization Service”;
• Rule 3.5, “Non-Discrimination—POS Transactions”;
• Rule 3.6, “Non-Discrimination—ATM and Bank Branch Terminal Transactions”;
• Rule 4.8, “Use of Marks on Maestro and Cirrus Cards”;
• Rule 4.9, “Use of Marks on Mastercard Cards”;
• Rule 4.10, “Use of a Card Design in Merchant Advertising and Signage”;
• Chapter 5, “Acquiring,” in its entirety;
• Chapter 6, “Issuing,” in its entirety; and
• Chapter 8, “Settlement and Related Obligations,” in its entirety.
1.1 Eligibility to be a Customer
The Rule on this subject, as it pertains to Digital Activity Customers, is replaced with the
following.
An entity eligible to be a Digital Activity Customer may apply to become a Digital Activity
Customer. No entity may participate in Digital Activity as a Digital Activity Customer until that
Digital Activity
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entity is approved to be a Digital Activity Customer, has executed the applicable Digital
Activity Agreement for the proposed Digital Activity in a form acceptable to the Corporation,
and has paid all associated fees and other costs.
1.1.3 Digital Activity Customer
An entity that satisfies such eligibility criteria as the Corporation may adopt from time to time,
consistent with the promotion of safe and sound business practices, may apply to be a Digital
Activity Customer.
The decision to approve an applicant as a Digital Activity Customer is at the discretion of the
Corporation.
The eligibility criteria for a Digital Activity Customer are:
1. Compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS);
2. Compliance with all applicable laws and regulations for each jurisdiction in which the
Digital Activity is proposed to be conducted, including but not limited to the existence of
client data privacy policies and procedures and all necessary licenses and other permissions
as may be required;
3. Compliance with all applicable Digital Activity Rules and related program documentation;
and
4. The successful completion of such certification and testing procedures as the Corporation
may require.
1.8 The Digital Activity Agreement
Each Digital Activity Customer must enter into a Digital Activity Agreement with the
Corporation.
In the event of an inconsistency between a Rule or other Standard and a provision in a Digital
Activity Agreement, the Rule or other Standard shall be afforded precedence and the Digital
Activity Agreement is deemed to be amended so as to be consistent with the Rule or other
Standard. Each Digital Activity Customer must assist the Corporation in recording any Digital
Activity Agreement granted to the Customer if required in the country or countries in which
the Digital Activity Customer is located or otherwise upon request of the Corporation.
Each Digital Activity Agreement shall include a limited License granting the Customer the right
to use the Marks solely in connection with the conduct of the approved Digital Activity, in
accordance with the Standards, and with no specified Area of Use.
1.9 Participation in Activity and Digital Activity
The Rule on this subject, as it applies to Digital Activity, is modified to add the following.
Each Digital Activity Customer and each other Customer approved by the Corporation to
conduct Digital Activity may participate only in such Digital Activity as is set forth in its Digital
Digital Activity
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Activity Agreement or Agreements with the Corporation or as otherwise documented in
writing by the Corporation.
3.12 Confidential Information of Mastercard
The Rule on this subject, as it applies to Digital Activity, is modified to add the following.
For purposes of this Rule, “the Corporation’s Systems” means any of the Corporation’s
equipment and software and “the Corporation’s Confidential Information” means any of the
Corporation’s information identified or reasonably understood to be confidential or
proprietary.
Each Digital Activity Customer and each other Customer engaged in Digital Activity must:
1. Use any of the Corporation’s Systems and any of the Corporation’s Confidential
Information to which it has access in connection with its Digital Activity Agreements solely
to conduct the Digital Activities specified therein;
2. Treat the Corporation’s Systems and Confidential Information at least as carefully and
confidentially as the Customer treats its own systems and proprietary information;
3. Acknowledge that access to the Corporation’s Systems and Confidential Information does
not provide the Customer with any right to use them further;
4. Limit access to the Corporation’s Systems and Confidential Information to those
employees with a need to have access in order to enable the Customer to perform its
Digital Activity and to implement and to maintain reasonable and appropriate safeguards
to prevent unauthorized access to the Corporation’s Systems or disclosure of the
Corporation’s Confidential Information, including those set forth in section 10.4 of the
Security Rules and Procedures manual;
5. Immediately cease any use of the Corporation’s Systems and Confidential Information
upon request of the Corporation or upon the termination of its Digital Activity
Agreements, and to immediately deliver all of the Corporation’s Systems and Confidential
Information to the Corporation; and
6. Immediately advise the Corporation if any unauthorized person seeks to gain or gains
access to the Corporation’s Systems or Confidential Information, whether by legal
proceedings or otherwise.
9.1 Digital Activity and Conduct of a Staged Digital Wallet Operator
Rules on this subject appear below.
9.1.1 General Obligations
A Digital Activity Customer and Staged DWO must:
• Avoid undue risk to the Corporation and its Customers;
• Be operated in a manner that does not reflect poorly on the Corporation or any Mark;
Digital Activity
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• Use any Mastercard or Maestro Mark, Issuer’s logo, or Digital Card Image in accordance
with the Standards and/or permission granted by the respective owner;
• Not disparage the Corporation or any of the Corporation’s products, programs, services,
networks, or systems; and
• Not present Mastercard or Maestro as a payment option less beneficial or useful than any
other payment option.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, and for the avoidance of doubt, a Merchant located in the
United States Region or a U.S. Territory may take any action set forth in Rule 5.11.1,
“Discrimination,” in the “Additional U.S. Region and U.S. Territory Rules” chapter; and a
DWO in the United States Region or a U.S. Territory may also take any action that Rule 5.11.1
permits a Merchant in the United States Region or a U.S. Territory to take, if such action is
taken at the request of a Merchant in the United States Region or a U.S. Territory from which
a Transaction is being made.
9.1.2 Branding Requirements
Each Digital Activity Customer and Staged DWO must comply with all of the following:
Transparency
A Digital Wallet, or other user interface provided to a Cardholder by a Digital Activity
Customer or Staged DWO must comply with the Mastercard Brand Mark Guidelines. The
Mastercard Brand Mark Guidelines apply to the identification of a Mastercard or Maestro
Account in a Digital Wallet, or other user interface provided to a Cardholder, whether or not
that Account is the default Account each time the Cardholder interacts with the Account
credential. The Mastercard Brand Mark and the Maestro Brand Mark, as applicable, must be
shown in each instance that a Cardholder interacts with the Account credential with the
Digital Wallet or other user interface provided to such Cardholder by a Digital Activity
Customer or Staged DWO.
Every user interface that pertains to a Cardholder’s use or potential use of a Mastercard
branded Account is subject to the Corporation’s review and approval.
Account Selection—User Choice
A Digital Activity Customer or Staged DWO that allows a user to set a default payment
account, must not engage in a practice that overrides, or has the effect of overriding, the
user’s choice.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, and for the avoidance of doubt, a Merchant located in the
United States Region or a U.S. Territory may take any action set forth in Rule 5.11.1,
“Discrimination,” in the “Additional U.S. Region and U.S. Territory Rules” chapter; and a
DWO in the United States Region or a U.S. Territory may also take any action that Rule 5.11.1
permits a Merchant in the United States Region or a U.S. Territory to take, if such action is
taken at the request of a Merchant in the United States Region or a U.S. Territory from which
a Transaction is being made.
Digital Activity
9.1 Digital Activity and Conduct of a Staged Digital Wallet Operator
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9.1.3 Data Protection, Privacy and Data Usage
Each Digital Activity Customer and Staged DWO must comply with all of the following:
Safeguards
A Digital Activity Customer and Staged DWO must maintain a comprehensive written
information security program that complies with all Privacy and Data Protection Requirements
and includes technical, physical, and administrative or organizational safeguards designed to:
• Ensure the security and confidentiality of Personal Data;
• Protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security and integrity of Personal
Data;
• Protect against any actual or suspected unauthorized Processing, loss, or acquisition of any
Personal Data (a “Security Incident”);
• Ensure the proper disposal of Personal Data; and
• Regularly test or otherwise monitor the effectiveness of the safeguards.
Security Incidents
Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law, each Digital Activity Customer or the
Acquirer of an effected Staged DWO, must inform the Corporation in writing, and in
accordance with the earlier of the notification date required by the Account Data Compromise
Standards set forth in the Security Rules and Procedures or applicable law, of a DWO Security
Incident or potential DWO Security Incident including, by way of example and not limitation:
• Any incident or breach of security leading to the accidental or unlawful destruction, loss,
alteration, unauthorized disclosure of, or access to, Personal Data transmitted, stored or
otherwise processed; and
• Any known security issue pertaining to the DWO Program that may result in such incidents.
Each DWO, or the Acquirer of an effected Staged DWO, must reasonably cooperate in all
matters relating to Security Incidents.
Transaction Data
A Digital Activity Customer and Staged DWO must only use Transaction Data to initiate a
Transaction in accordance with the Standards, and for no other purpose.
Confidentiality
A Digital Activity Customer and Staged DWO must not use information provided by the
Corporation, nor disclose any such information except:
• On a need-to-know basis to the Digital Activity Customer or the Staged DWO staff,
contractors, accountants, auditors, and legal counsel subject to written confidentiality
restrictions or professional rules of conduct consistent with the confidentiality requirements
herein;
• As may be required by any court process or governmental agency having or claiming
jurisdiction over the Digital Activity Customer or the Acquirer of an effected Staged DWO,
Digital Activity
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in which event the Digital Activity Customer or the Acquirer of an effected Staged DWO
must promptly provide written notice of such requirement to the Issuer of the Account
credential and the Corporation, and when commercially reasonable, the Digital Activity
Customer or the Acquirer of an effected Staged DWO must seek confidential treatment of
such information by the court or agency.
9.1.4 Security
Each Digital Activity Customer and Staged DWO must comply with any applicable security
specifications required by the Corporation, certification and testing procedures described in
applicable program documentation, and any other such certification and testing as the
Corporation may require from time to time.
Each Digital Activity Customer and Staged DWO must establish fraud loss controls satisfactory
to the Corporation for each of its Programs and use them in accordance with the Standards.
9.2 DWO Requirements — Pass-through Digital Wallet
Each Pass-through DWO must operate a Pass-through Digital Wallet in accordance with the
Standards as may be in effect from time to time.
9.2.1 Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard
Unless the Pass-through DWO is an Issuer, before offering a Pass-through Digital Wallet, the
Pass-through DWO, via e-mail to pcireports@mastercard.com, must certify its successful
completion of an annual onsite assessment by a Payment Card Industry (PCI) Security
Standards Council (SSC) approved Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) and the completion of
quarterly network scans conducted by a PCI SSC Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV), as set
forth in section 10.3.2, “Compliance Validation Tools,” of the Security Rules and Procedures
manual.
9.2.2 Prohibited Practices
A Pass-through DWO must not:
1. Inhibit or prevent
a. A Merchant’s choice as to which interfaces to support and must not require support
for an alternate or proprietary interface as a substitute for, or prerequisite for
enablement of, an industry-standard interface;
b. A Mastercard or Maestro Account provisioned onto a near-field communication (NFC)-
enabled Mobile Payment Device from being used to make payments at a contactless-
enabled POS Terminal deployed at a Merchant;
c. A Mastercard or Maestro Account provisioned onto a Mobile Payment Device from
being used to make “in-application” purchases at a Merchant capable of processing
Digital Secure Remote Payment Transactions; or
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d. A Mastercard or Maestro Account provisioned into a Pass-through Digital Wallet from
being used to make in-browser purchases at a Merchant that is in compliance with
applicable security Standards as may be amended from time to time.
2. Charge a Merchant any fee or other charge for the acceptance of Mastercard Account
credentials by the Merchant. No other fee or charge can be assessed by a Pass-through
DWO to a Merchant unless the Merchant and the Pass-through DWO agree otherwise.
3. Offer to provide any incentive that could have the effect of encouraging consumers to not
use a Mastercard or Maestro Account as a default payment option, including, by way of
example and not limitation, offering a direct or indirect reward or benefit for doing so.
Notwithstanding the foregoing in this Rule 9.2.2, and for the avoidance of doubt, a Merchant
located in the United States Region or a U.S. Territory may take any action set forth in Rule
5.11.1, “Discrimination,” in the “Additional U.S. Region and U.S. Territory Rules” chapter;
and a DWO in the United States Region or a U.S. Territory may also take any action that Rule
5.11.1 permits a Merchant in the United States Region or a U.S. Territory to take, if such
action is taken at the request of a Merchant in the United States Region or a U.S. Territory
from which a Transaction is being made.
9.2.3 Industry-standard Interfaces
A Pass-through DWO must enable access to a Mastercard or Maestro Account credential
stored in a Pass-through Digital Wallet via an industry-standard interface, as applicable in the
relevant channel and as approved by the Corporation.
9.2.4 Pass-through DWO Tokenization
A Pass-through DWO must:
• Support a Mastercard Token; and
• Present a Mastercard Token if the Issuer, at the time of provisioning, Tokenized the
Account.
9.2.5 Fraud Loss Controls and Account Data Compromise
Each Pass-through DWO is responsible to the Corporation and to all other Customers,
including but not limited to those whose Cardholders may elect to enroll in any of its Pass-
through Digital Wallet offerings, for all acts or omissions arising from the performance of its
Pass-through Digital Wallets.
The Corporation may hold such Pass-through DWO or other Customers liable, in full or in
part, pursuant to section 10.2, “Account Data Compromise Events,” of the Security Rules and
Procedures manual, if the Corporation determines that the Pass-through DWO or other
Customer’s Digital Wallet, or any device, network, system, or environment employed in
connection with the Pass-through Digital Wallet, was compromised, or vulnerable to
compromise, or that the Pass-through DWO or other Customer has or had a direct or indirect
relationship with an agent or other third party whose device, network, system, or environment
was compromised or vulnerable to compromise.
Digital Activity
9.2 DWO Requirements — Pass-through Digital Wallet
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9.2.6 Pass-through DWO Functional Requirements for Use on a Mobile Payment
Device and Access Device
Each of the following, when required by the Corporation to be performed, must be
performed in accordance with the Standards.
A Pass-through DWO must ensure that each Mobile Payment Device or Access Device used in
connection with the Pass-through Digital Wallet can perform all of the following in
accordance with the Corporation’s minimum Standards:
1. Identification and Verification (ID&V), pursuant to a Token Implementation Plan deemed
acceptable by the Corporation;
2. Device Binding;
3. Any form of Consumer Device Cardholder Verification Method (CDCVM);
4. Contactless Transactions, which may be supported in both Magnetic Stripe Mode and
EMV Mode or in EMV Mode only; and
5. Digital Secure Remote Payment Transactions.
Device Binding
Each Pass-through DWO that proposes to conduct Device Binding for Mastercard Tokens
must:
1. Be certified by the Corporation in accordance with the Global Vendor Certification
Program (GVCP) as compliant with all applicable physical and logical security requirements
for data preparation and mobile provisioning, as described in section 2.4 of the Security
Rules and Procedures manual;
2. Ensure that all transmissions to and from the Wallet Token Requestor are secured through
a mutually authenticated Secure Sockets Layer (SSL; client and server authentication); and
3. Store encryption keys in a secure key management center, and use two-level or three-level
key encryption hierarchy for encryption key management.
Consumer Device Cardholder Verification Method
A Pass-through DWO that enables Transactions on a Mobile Payment Device or other Access
Device must only use a CDCVM qualified by the Corporation for use with a Mastercard
Account credential. The CDCVM may include software, hardware, or a combination of the
two in a particular application.
Each CDCVM supported or proposed to be supported on a Mobile Payment Device in
connection with the use of a Pass-through Digital Wallet must be qualified by the Corporation
prior to use by Cardholders. A Pass-through DWO is fully liable for Issuer fraud losses that
result from the use of a non-Corporation-qualified CDCVM.
Issuer Authentication
Each Pass-through DWO that enables Transactions on a Mobile Payment Device or other
Access Device must enable the Issuer of a Mastercard Account credential, stored in a Pass-
through Digital Wallet, to authenticate or delegate the authentication of the Cardholder at
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the time of the Transaction, with an authentication method approved by the Corporation or
as otherwise required by applicable law.
9.2.7 Pass-through DWO Token Requestor Requirements
A Pass-through DWO must comply with all of the following when requesting Tokenization of
a Mastercard Account:
1. Establish a Token Implementation Plan that is acceptable to the Corporation and complies
with the Mastercard Digital Enablement Service Specifications or Mastercard Token Service
Provider Standards, as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt, a Token Implementation
Plan established with a Token Service Provider must be substantially similar in all material
respects to a Token Implementation Plan used for the Mastercard Digital Enablement
Service (MDES); and
2. For each Mastercard Token implementation, use ID&V Parameters that are equivalent to
those set forth in the Token Implementation Plan, regardless of whether the Mastercard
Digital Enablement Service will Digitize the Accounts, the Mastercard Token Vault will
perform primary account number (PAN) mapping and cryptography validation of the
Mastercard Tokens, or the Tokenization will be performed by a registered Token Service
Provider.
An MDES Wallet Token Requestor must comply with all of the following requirements:
1. Before MDES participation begins and on an ongoing basis thereafter, perform testing and
obtain any necessary certifications of its equipment, procedures, and systems as the
Corporation may require to ensure compatibility with its technical specifications then in
effect, and ensure its capability to transmit all required Mastercard Token authorization
request message data;
2. Register for the appropriate MDES Program; and
3. Use a Token solely for the purpose for which the Token was generated.
The Corporation reserves the right to approve, refuse to approve, require the modification of,
or withdraw the approval of a Token Implementation Plan, and to suspend, either temporarily
or permanently, a Wallet Token Requestor’s MDES participation, in its sole discretion.
A Customer may submit a written request that the Corporation’s Chief Franchise Integrity
Officer review such action, provided the request is postmarked within 30 days of the date on
which notice of the action was received, and is signed by the Customer’s Principal Contact.
Any decision by the Chief Franchise Integrity Officer is final and not subject to further review
or other action.
9.3 Digital Activity—Merchant Token Requestor
A Merchant may apply to be a Digital Activity Customer approved for participation in the
MDES for Merchants Program.
No Merchant may directly participate in the MDES for Merchants Program until approved by
the Corporation to be a Digital Activity Customer, or as otherwise agreed by the Corporation.
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To be approved, such Merchant must execute the applicable Digital Activity Agreement in a
form acceptable to the Corporation and pay all associated fees and other costs.
Participation in the MDES for Merchants Program does not modify the rights and obligations
of the Merchant Agreement between the Merchant and an Acquirer.
9.3.1 Merchant Token Requestor Requirements
A Mastercard or Maestro Account PAN provided by a Cardholder to a Merchant for the
purpose of effecting a future Transaction with the Merchant may be Tokenized in accordance
with the MDES for Merchants Program.
A Mastercard or Maestro Account PAN Tokenized through the use of the MDES for Merchants
Program, must be Tokenized in accordance with the MDES for Merchant Standard Token
Implementation Plan.
A Token generated in accordance with the MDES for Merchants Program must only be used to
effect a Transaction between the Cardholder that provided the PAN and the Merchant that
requested Tokenization of the PAN.
A Merchant Token Requestor must comply with all of the following requirements:
1. Register to participate in the MDES for Merchants Program.
2. Before beginning participation and on an ongoing basis thereafter, perform such testing
and obtain any certifications of its equipment, procedures, and systems as the Corporation
from time to time may require to ensure compatibility with technical specifications then in
effect or for any other reason the Corporation deems necessary or appropriate.
3. Requirements set forth in the Mastercard Brand Mark Guidelines.
The Corporation reserves the right to suspend or terminate a Merchant Token Requestor’s
participation in the MDES for Merchants Program. A Customer may submit a written request
that the Corporation’s Chief Franchise Integrity Officer review such action provided the
request is postmarked within 30 days of the date on which notice of the action was provided
and is signed by the Customer’s Principal Contact. Any decision by the Chief Franchise
Integrity Officer is final and not subject to further review or other action.
9.3.2 Merchant Token Requestor Obligations
A Merchant Token Requestor must not offer to provide any incentive that could have the
effect of encouraging consumers to not use a Mastercard or Maestro Account as a default
payment option, including, by way of example and not limitation, offering a direct or indirect
reward or benefit for doing so.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, and for the avoidance of doubt, a Merchant located in the
United States Region or a U.S. Territory may take any action set forth in Rule 5.11.1,
“Discrimination,” in the “Additional U.S. Region and U.S. Territory Rules” chapter.
Digital Activity
9.3 Digital Activity—Merchant Token Requestor
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9.4 Digital Activity—On-behalf Token Requestor
An entity which proposes to connect directly to the MDES for the purpose of requesting
Tokens on behalf of a DWO or Merchant may apply to become a Digital Activity Customer.
No entity may directly participate in the MDES On-behalf Program until approved by the
Corporation to be a Digital Activity Customer, or as otherwise agreed by the Corporation. To
be approved, such entity must execute the applicable Digital Activity Agreement in a form
acceptable to the Corporation and pay all associated fees and other costs.
9.4.1 On-behalf Token Requestor Requirements
An MDES On-behalf Token Requestor must only Tokenize a Mastercard or Maestro Account
PAN that it has received from a DWO or Merchant, subsequent to the DWO or Merchant
having been provided the Account PAN by the authorized user of a Card with the intention
that the PAN be stored for use in a future Transaction.
Tokens generated through the use of this program must only be used to conduct a Transaction
via the Digital Wallet for which a Token was generated, or between the Cardholder that
provided the PAN and the Merchant that requested Tokenization of the PAN. The On-behalf
Token Requester is solely assigned all rights and responsibilities for the Tokens generated on
behalf of the DWO or Merchant.
An On-behalf Token Requestor must comply with all of the following requirements:
1. Register for the appropriate MDES Program;
2. Before participation begins and on an ongoing basis thereafter, perform testing and
obtain any necessary certifications of its equipment, procedures, and systems as the
Corporation may require to ensure compatibility with its technical specifications then in
effect; and
3. Establish a Token Implementation Plan that is acceptable to the Corporation and complies
with the Mastercard Digital Enablement Service Specifications.
The Corporation reserves the right to suspend or terminate an On-behalf Token Requestor’s
participation in the MDES On-behalf Program. A Customer may submit a written request that
the Corporation’s Chief Franchise Integrity Officer review such action provided the request is
postmarked within 30 days of the date on which notice of the action was provided and is
signed by the Customer’s Principal Contact. Any decision by the Chief Franchise Integrity
Officer is final and not subject to further review or other action.
Before submitting a Tokenization request to the MDES on behalf of a DWO or a Merchant, the
Customer must:
1. Verify that the entity is operating a bona fide business, has sufficient safeguards in place
to protect Account and Transaction Data from unauthorized disclosure or use, and
complies with applicable laws;
2. Verify that the entity complies with the requirements set forth in the Mastercard Brand
Mark Guidelines;
Digital Activity
9.4 Digital Activity—On-behalf Token Requestor
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3. Ensure that the entity complies with all Standards applicable to the Cardholder service
provided (including, by way of example and not limitation, data use and protection,
confidentiality and privacy Standards) for so long as such entity offers such Cardholder
service. This Customer obligation arises and continues regardless of the nature of the
Cardholder service offered and whether the entity is offering Cardholder service pursuant
to an agreement or other arrangement with the Customer, a Service Provider of the
Customer, or any other entity; and
4. Ensure that the entity promptly provides to the Corporation any information requested by
the Corporation pertaining to the use of the MDES On-behalf Program.
A Customer must not transfer or assign any part of its responsibilities or in any way limit its
responsibility with regard to the use of the MDES On-behalf Program. A Customer must
conduct meaningful monitoring of the entity for which the On-behalf Token Requestor
Tokenizes an Account, to ensure ongoing compliance with the Standards.
Digital Activity
9.4 Digital Activity—On-behalf Token Requestor
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Chapter 10 Asia/Pacific Region
This chapter contains Rules pertaining to Activity conducted in the Asia/Pacific Region.
Applicability of Rules...................................................................................................................165
Definitions.................................................................................................................................. 165
1.7 Area of Use of the License.................................................................................................... 165
1.7.1 Extending the Area of Use ............................................................................................165
1.7.2 Extension of Area of Use Exceptions.............................................................................. 166
1.10 Participation in Competing Networks ................................................................................. 166
3.1 Obligation to Issue Mastercard Cards.................................................................................... 166
3.13 Data Protection...................................................................................................................166
3.13.1 Processing of Transaction-Related Personal Data.......................................................... 167
3.13.2 Data Subject Notice and Consent................................................................................ 167
3.13.3 Data Subject Access to Personal Data.......................................................................... 167
3.13.4 Integrity of Personal Data............................................................................................ 168
4.9 Use of Marks on Mastercard Cards........................................................................................168
5.1 The Merchant and ATM Owner Agreements......................................................................... 168
5.1.2 Required Merchant Agreement Terms............................................................................168
5.10 Merchant Obligations for Acceptance................................................................................. 168
5.10.1 Honor All Cards...........................................................................................................168
5.10.2 Merchant Acceptance of Mastercard Cards................................................................. 169
5.10.5 Discounts or Other Benefits at the Point of Interaction.................................................169
5.11 Prohibited Practices.............................................................................................................169
5.11.1 Discrimination............................................................................................................. 169
5.11.2 Charges to Cardholders...............................................................................................169
6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements..................................................................................170
6.1.1 Mastercard Card Issuance..............................................................................................170
8.3 Interchange and Service Fees ............................................................................................... 170
8.4 Establishment of Intracountry Interchange and Service Fees.................................................. 170
8.4.1 Intraregional Fees.......................................................................................................... 171
8.4.2 Bilateral Agreement.......................................................................................................171
Asia/Pacific Region
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Applicability of Rules
The Rules in this Asia/Pacific Region chapter are variances and additions to the “global” Rules
that apply in the Asia/Pacific Region or in a particular Region country or countries.
Rule 5.1.2, “Required Merchant Terms,” Rule 5.10.1, “Honor All Cards,” and Rule 5.10.2,
“Merchant Acceptance of Mastercard Cards” in this Asia/Pacific Region chapter, as they apply
in New Zealand, apply to Debit Mastercard Cards and Other Mastercard Cards (and not to
Cirrus-only Cards or Maestro-only Cards) issued in New Zealand by New Zealand Customers
and presented for payment at Merchant locations in New Zealand. Customers and Merchants
in New Zealand must continue to comply with the global rules for Cards issued by Customers
outside of New Zealand and presented for payment at Merchant locations in New Zealand.
Refer to Appendix A for the Asia/Pacific Region geographic listing.
Definitions
Solely within New Zealand, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:
Debit, Debit Mastercard Card, Debit Card
Any Mastercard Card or Program issued in New Zealand by a New Zealand Customer that
when presented for payment in New Zealand, accesses, debits, holds, or settles funds from a
consumer’s demand deposit or asset account. “Debit” or “Debit Mastercard Card” shall
include consumer signature debit programs, stored value programs, prepaid cards, payroll
cards, electronic benefit transfer cards, and deferred debit cards that access, debit, hold, or
settle funds from the user’s demand deposit or asset account less than fourteen days after the
date of purchase. “Debit” shall not include any Card or Program that accesses, debits, hold,
or settles funds from the user’s demand deposit or asset account 14 or more days after the
date of the purchase.
Other Mastercard Card
Any Mastercard Card or Program issued in New Zealand by a New Zealand Customer that is
not defined as “debit” or “Debit Mastercard Card.”
1.7 Area of Use of the License
1.7.1 Extending the Area of Use
With respect to India, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
A License and written authorization from the Reserve Bank of India is required in order to
conduct Activity in India.
Asia/Pacific Region
Applicability of Rules
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1.7.2 Extension of Area of Use Exceptions
A Mastercard Corporate Card
®
Card Program issued pursuant to exception 3 in Rule 1.7.2 by
an Issuer whose Portfolio principally supports business-to-business payments must not include
Cards issued outside of Australia for the express purpose of facilitating business-to-business
payments to a supplier located in Australia, in connection with the provision of goods or
services purchased by a consumer located in Australia.
1.10 Participation in Competing Networks
In the Asia/Pacific Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
With the exception of Issuers in American Samoa, Guam, and Northern Mariana Islands, a
Maestro Customer must not issue debit cards in any Competing PIN POS Network. A Maestro
Customer, including a Customer in American Samoa, Guam, and Northern Mariana Islands,
must not issue debit cards in any Competing International ATM Network.
3.1 Obligation to Issue Mastercard Cards
The Rule on this subject does not apply in New Zealand.
3.13 Data Protection
In the Asia/Pacific Region and solely for purposes of Rule 3.13, the following terms have the
meanings set forth below.
Applicable Data Protection Law
The applicable laws, rules, regulations, directives and governmental requirements in a country
in the Asia/Pacific Region relating in any way to the privacy, protection and security of Personal
Data, as amended from time to time.
Data Subject
A Cardholder or Merchant or other natural person whose Personal Data is collected, used or
disclosed by the Corporation or a Customer in a country in the Asia/Pacific Region.
Organization
Any individual, company, association or body of persons, corporate or unincorporated,
whether or not formed or recognised under the applicable law of a country in the Asia/Pacific
Region, or resident, or having an office or a place of business, in a country in the Asia/Pacific
Region.
Asia/Pacific Region
1.10 Participation in Competing Networks
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Personal Data
Any information or opinion, whether true or not, about an identified individual or an
individual who can be identified or is reasonably identifiable from that information or opinion.
Processing of Personal Data
The carrying out of any operation or set of operations in relation to Personal Data, including
recording, holding, organization, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, combination, transmission
and erasure or destruction.
Transaction-related Personal Data
Personal Data required for authorizing, recording, settling and clearing a Transaction
processed by the Corporation.
3.13.1 Processing of Transaction-Related Personal Data
A Customer who collects, uses or discloses Transaction-related Personal Data in a country in
the Asia/Pacific Region must comply with the Applicable Data Protection Law in that country.
A Customer is the Organization responsible for complying with the Applicable Data Protection
Law in respect of the collection, use and disclosure of Personal Data, including the transfer of
Personal Data outside the applicable country in the Asia/Pacific Region (including to the
United States of America), for the purposes of authorizing, recording, clearing and settling
transactions, and the Corporation acts as an entity that processes Personal Data on behalf of
the Customer for these purposes.
The Corporation will only undertake Processing of Personal Data in accordance with the
Customer’s instructions and the Standards and will comply with security obligations equivalent
to those imposed on the Customers under the Applicable Data Protection Law, and such other
obligations as applicable to the Corporation under the Applicable Data Protection Law.
3.13.2 Data Subject Notice and Consent
A Customer in a country in the Asia/Pacific Region must ensure that Data Subjects are
properly informed and, if necessary, have given proper consent in accordance with the
Applicable Data Protection Law that Personal Data relating to them may be collected, used or
disclosed by the applicable Customer and the Corporation as set forth for the purposes
provided for in Rule 3.10.
3.13.3 Data Subject Access to Personal Data
In accordance with the Applicable Data Protection Law, a Customer in a country in the Asia/
Pacific Region must develop and implement appropriate procedures for handling requests by
Data Subjects for access to and/or correction of Personal Data maintained by the applicable
Customer or the Corporation. The Corporation will cooperate with a Customer in responding
to such requests and will provide access to Personal Data maintained by the Corporation
where appropriate.
Asia/Pacific Region
3.13 Data Protection
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If an access request is made directly to the Corporation, a Customer must cooperate with the
Corporation in promptly responding to the request.
3.13.4 Integrity of Personal Data
Each Customer in a country in the Asia/Pacific Region must take reasonable steps to ensure
that Personal Data the Customer provides to the Corporation is accurate, complete and
current.
4.9 Use of Marks on Mastercard Cards
In Australia, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
The EFTPOS acceptance mark may appear only on the back of Mastercard Cards issued in
Australia that provide access to a deposit account at the time of issuance.
When appearing on the back of a Mastercard Card, the EFTPOS acceptance mark is limited to
acceptance solely within Australia. See the Card Design Standards for information regarding
the placement of the EFTPOS acceptance mark on a Mastercard Card.
5.1 The Merchant and ATM Owner Agreements
5.1.2 Required Merchant Agreement Terms
In New Zealand, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
A Merchant Agreement for Mastercard Card acceptance must provide the Merchant with the
options, and the applicable Merchant discount rate for each option, to elect to accept Debit
Mastercard Cards only, Other Mastercard Cards only, or both Debit Mastercard Cards and
Other Mastercard Cards. A Merchant may choose to stop accepting Debit Mastercard Cards or
Other Mastercard Cards by providing no less than 30 days advance written notice to its
Acquirer.
5.10 Merchant Obligations for Acceptance
5.10.1 Honor All Cards
In New Zealand, the Rule on this subject as it applies to Mastercard acceptance is replaced
with the following:
1. Honor All Debit Mastercard Cards. Subject to Rule 5.9.1, “Discrimination,” in this Asia/
Pacific Region chapter, a Merchant that chooses to accept Debit Mastercard Cards must
honor all valid Debit Mastercard Cards without discrimination when properly presented for
payment. Merchants must maintain a policy that does not discriminate among customers
seeking to make purchases with a Debit Mastercard Card.
Asia/Pacific Region
4.9 Use of Marks on Mastercard Cards
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2. Honor All Other Mastercard Cards. Subject to Rule 5.9.1, “Discrimination,” in this Asia/
Pacific Region chapter, a Merchant that chooses to accept Other Mastercard Cards must
honor all Other Mastercard Cards without discrimination when properly presented for
payment.
A Merchant must maintain a policy that does not discriminate among customers seeking to
make purchases with Other Mastercard Cards.
5.10.2 Merchant Acceptance of Mastercard Cards
In New Zealand, a Merchant that accepts Mastercard Cards may choose to accept Debit
Mastercard Cards only, Other Mastercard Cards only, or both Debit Mastercard Cards and
Other Mastercard Cards.
An Acquirer must advise the Corporation when a New Zealand Merchant chooses not to
accept either Debit Mastercard Cards or Other Mastercard Cards. An Acquirer must provide a
complete list of the BINs that apply to Debit Mastercard Cards to its Merchants upon any form
of reasonable request.
5.10.5 Discounts or Other Benefits at the Point of Interaction
In the Asia/Pacific Region, a discount or other benefit may be applied by a Merchant at the
POI upon presentation of a particular Mastercard Card for payment. Promotion of any such
discount or other benefit at the POI is permitted provided such promotion does not result in
discrimination against other Mastercard Card Programs. The determination of whether any
promotion discriminates against other Card Programs is at the sole discretion of the
Corporation.
5.11 Prohibited Practices
5.11.1 Discrimination
In New Zealand, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
The Corporation will not consider steering at the point of sale by offering discounts,
promotions, or financial incentives to encourage an alternate form of payment (including as
between Cards and EFT POS cards, or cards from different schemes, or different types of
Cards) of itself to constitute a breach of Rule 5.11.1 or any other Rule. Further, the
Corporation will not consider Merchant surcharging pursuant to Rule 5.11.2 of the Additional
U.S. Region and U.S. Territory Rules chapter to constitute a breach of Rule 5.11.1.
5.11.2 Charges to Cardholders
In Australia, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows, with respect to Mastercard POS
Transactions. For all other Transactions, the global Rule applies.
The Rule on this subject does not apply to Australia. If a Merchant in Australia applies a
surcharge for payment with a Mastercard Card, the amount or method of calculation of the
surcharge must be clearly indicated to the Cardholder at the POI location and must bear a
reasonable relationship to the Merchant’s cost of accepting the Cards.
Asia/Pacific Region
5.11 Prohibited Practices
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6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements
In the Asia/Pacific Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
All newly issued or re-issued Cards with contact and/or contactless chip functionality must be
EMV-compliant.
Transaction Alerts Service
An Issuer in the Asia/Pacific Region must comply with the Transaction alerts service
requirements set forth in Rule 6.1 of Chapter 6 by 13 October 2017. The Issuer’s offering of a
Transaction alerts service is required for commercial Cards issued for use by a small or mid-
sized business (as defined by the Corporation).
These requirements do not apply to an Issuer in Australia or New Zealand.
6.1.1 Mastercard Card Issuance
In New Zealand, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
A Customer must use specific and unique bank identification numbers (BINs) for Debit
Mastercard Cards. Refer to Rule 3.18 for more information.
8.3 Interchange and Service Fees
In New Zealand, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
Intracountry Mastercard Transactions are excluded from the list of Transactions for which the
Corporation may establish default interchange and service fees.
8.4 Establishment of Intracountry Interchange and Service Fees
Rule 8.4 of this Asia/Pacific Region chapter, as it applies to Intracountry Mastercard
Transactions occurring within New Zealand is replaced in its entirety with the following:
The Corporation will establish and publish on its website containing content specific to New
Zealand and in such other manner as the Corporation deems appropriate, maximum
interchange fees for all Intracountry Transactions (herein, the “Mastercard maximum
interchange fee”). Each Issuer and Acquirer may negotiate bilateral interchange fees (subject
to any Mastercard maximum interchange fee) and each Issuer may determine interchange fees
applicable to its Intracountry Transactions (subject to any bilateral agreements and subject to
any Mastercard maximum interchange fee). An Issuer must ensure that with respect to each of
its Intracountry Transactions, neither a negotiated bilateral interchange fee nor an interchange
fee set by the Issuer results in an interchange amount with respect to that Intracountry
Transaction that exceeds the interchange amount payable pursuant to the maximum
interchange fee set by the Corporation.
Asia/Pacific Region
6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements
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An Issuer must promptly notify the Corporation of the interchange fees applicable to its
Intracountry Transactions. Such fees must not exceed the maximum interchange fee set by the
Corporation. If an Issuer does not provide the Corporation with an interchange fee that
applies to each of its Intracountry Transactions, then the Corporation will process the
Transaction on the basis of a zero interchange fee.
Each Issuer must publish the intracountry interchange fees notified to the Corporation on its
website except for those interchange fees which are subject to a bilateral agreement. The
Corporation either will publish on its website containing content specific to New Zealand the
Issuer’s intracountry interchange fees (except for those interchange fees which are subject to a
bilateral agreement) or will provide a link from its website to the relevant page of the Issuer’s
website.
8.4.1 Intraregional Fees
In New Zealand, the Rule on this subject is modified to exclude intraregional or interregional
fees from applying by default to Intracountry Transactions. For the avoidance of doubt, the
global Rule applies to Intracountry Mastercard Manual Cash Disbursement Transactions.
8.4.2 Bilateral Agreement
In the Asia/Pacific Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
All interchange fees applicable to Intracountry Transactions contained in a bilateral agreement
must not exceed the maximum interchange fee set by the Corporation (the “Mastercard
maximum interchange fee”).
Asia/Pacific Region
8.4 Establishment of Intracountry Interchange and Service Fees
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Chapter 11 Canada Region
This chapter contains Rules pertaining to Activity conducted in the Canada Region.
Applicability of Rules...................................................................................................................173
5.1 The Merchant and ATM Owner Agreements......................................................................... 173
5.1.2 Required Merchant Agreement Terms................................................................................ 173
5.1.2.1 Gambling Merchants..................................................................................................173
5.3 Acquirer Obligations to Merchants........................................................................................174
5.3.4 Merchant Deposit Account ...........................................................................................174
5.10 Merchant Obligations for Acceptance................................................................................. 174
5.10.5 Discounts or Other Benefits at the Point of Interaction.................................................174
5.11 Prohibited Practices.............................................................................................................174
5.11.2 Charges to Cardholders...............................................................................................174
6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements..................................................................................174
6.1.1 Mastercard Card Issuance..............................................................................................174
6.1.2 Maestro Card Issuance.................................................................................................. 175
6.10 Prepaid Card Programs........................................................................................................175
6.10.6 Value Loading............................................................................................................. 175
7.2 The Program and Performance of Program Service................................................................ 175
Canada Region
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Applicability of Rules
The Rules in this Canada Region chapter are variances and additions to the “global” Rules
that apply in the Canada Region.
Customers and Merchants must continue to comply with the global Rules with respect to
Cards issued by Customers outside of the Canada Region and presented for payment at
Merchant locations in the Canada Region, unless otherwise agreed by the Corporation.
Refer to Appendix A for the Canada Region geographic listing.
See Guidelines for Code of Conduct for the Credit and Debit Card Industry in Canada for Rules
regarding the Corporation’s adoption of Department of Finance Canada requirements
associated with accepting credit and debit card payments in Canada.
Refer to Appendix A for the Canada Region geographic listing.
5.1 The Merchant and ATM Owner Agreements
5.1.2 Required Merchant Agreement Terms
5.1.2.1 Gambling Merchants
In the Canada Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
A Merchant may load winnings, unspent chips, or other value usable for gambling to a
Prepaid Card by means of a value load provided:
• It is consented to by the Issuer; and
• The load is not routed or processed through the Interchange System.
A Payment Transaction must not be processed to a Prepaid Card with respect to gambling
winnings, unspent chips, or other value usable for gambling.
Canada Region
Applicability of Rules
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5.3 Acquirer Obligations to Merchants
5.3.4 Merchant Deposit Account
The Acquirer of a Canada Region Merchant must have a deposit account for the Merchant
and must deposit the proceeds of Mastercard POS Transactions submitted by the Merchant
into the Merchant’s deposit account.
5.10 Merchant Obligations for Acceptance
5.10.5 Discounts or Other Benefits at the Point of Interaction
The use of a Mastercard Card issued pursuant to an Affinity or Co-Brand Card Program to
activate a discount or other benefit at the POI that is not available on similar purchases with
the use of any other Mastercard Card is permitted for Intraregional Transactions effected in
the Canada Region. The determination of whether any such discount or other POI benefit
practice complies with the Standards is at the sole discretion of the Corporation.
5.11 Prohibited Practices
5.11.2 Charges to Cardholders
In the Canada Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
In addition to a discount for cash, a Merchant may provide a discount to its customers for
other forms of payment, including differential discounts for other payment brands. Such
discounts must be clearly communicated at the Point of Interaction.
6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements
Transaction Alerts Service
An Issuer in the Canada Region must comply with the Transaction alerts service requirements
set forth in Rule 6.1 of Chapter 6 by 12 October 2018. The Issuer’s offering of a Transaction
alerts service is required for commercial Cards issued for use by a small or mid-sized business
(as defined by the Corporation).
6.1.1 Mastercard Card Issuance
In the Canada Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
1. An Issuer must ensure that each contactless-enabled Mastercard Card and Access Device
newly issued or re-issued on or after 18 October 2013 is personalized with the appropriate
device type value.
Canada Region
5.3 Acquirer Obligations to Merchants
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2. An Issuer must properly personalize the chip of all Debit Mastercard Cards and prepaid
Mastercard Cards newly issued or re-issued on or after 17 October 2014 to support the
purchase with cash back Transaction.
3. An Issuer must ensure that each contactless-enabled Mastercard Card and Access Device
newly issued or re-issued on or after 13 October 2017 must support EMV mode and may
support magstripe mode.
6.1.2 Maestro Card Issuance
In the Canada Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
When an Issuer issues a Maestro Card that contains the Maestro Brand Mark and any other
POS debit mark, the Issuer must not prioritize Maestro on the Financial Institution Table (FIT).
6.10 Prepaid Card Programs
6.10.6 Value Loading
In the Canada Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
Value loads arising from gambling winnings, unspent chips or other value usable for
gambling, or winnings related to a lottery scheme conducted and managed by a Canadian
provincial government body, are permitted provided that:
• Value loads of winnings are not prohibited by applicable law or regulation;
• The Card is a Consumer Card;
• The Customer complies with the requirements set forth in Rule 6.10; and
• The Card is not an anonymous Prepaid Card, unless the value load is CAD 500 or less and
represents winnings related to a lottery scheme conducted and managed by a Canadian
provincial government body.
7.2 The Program and Performance of Program Service
In the Canada Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
A Canada Region Customer that performs services to effect the payment of an outstanding
balance on a Mastercard Account issued by another Canada Region Customer for or on
behalf of such Customer’s Cardholder is deemed not to be a Service Provider of such
Customer.
Canada Region
6.10 Prepaid Card Programs
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Chapter 12 Europe Region
This chapter contains Rules pertaining to Activity conducted in the Europe Region.
Applicability of Rules...................................................................................................................179
Definitions.................................................................................................................................. 179
1.6 The License........................................................................................................................... 182
1.6.1 SEPA Licensing Program.................................................................................................182
1.7 Area of Use of the License.................................................................................................... 183
1.7.2 Extension of Area of Use Exceptions.............................................................................. 183
1.7.3 Central Acquiring.......................................................................................................... 183
1.7.3.1 Central Acquiring Registration............................................................................... 183
1.7.3.2 Central Acquirer Service Requirements...................................................................184
1.7.3.3 Intracountry Rules..................................................................................................184
1.7.3.4 Centrally Acquired Merchants................................................................................184
1.7.3.5 Registration Procedure...........................................................................................184
1.7.3.6 Extension of Registration....................................................................................... 184
1.7.3.7 Interchange Fee Requirements............................................................................... 184
1.7.3.8 Settlement of Disputes...........................................................................................185
1.7.3.9 Customer Noncompliance......................................................................................185
1.13 Termination of License........................................................................................................ 185
1.13.2 Termination by the Corporation...................................................................................185
2.1 Standards............................................................................................................................. 185
2.1.8 Rules Applicable to Intracountry Transactions.................................................................185
2.1.8.1 Order of Precedence.............................................................................................. 185
2.4 Choice of Laws..................................................................................................................... 186
3.1 Obligation to Issue Mastercard Cards—EEA Only...................................................................186
3.3 Transaction Requirements—SEPA Only.................................................................................. 186
3.6 Non-discrimination—ATM and Bank Branch Terminal Transactions ....................................... 186
3.13 Data Protection...................................................................................................................187
3.13.1 Processing of Transaction-Related Personal Data.......................................................... 188
3.13.2 Data Subject Notice and Consent................................................................................ 188
3.13.3 Data Subject Access to Personal Data.......................................................................... 189
3.13.4 Integrity of Personal Data............................................................................................ 189
3.17 Issuer Reporting Requirement—EU and Norway.................................................................. 189
3.18 BINs.................................................................................................................................... 190
4.1 Right to Use the Marks......................................................................................................... 190
4.1.1 Protection and Registration of the Marks.......................................................................190
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4.4 Signage System.....................................................................................................................190
4.4.2 ATM Terminal Signage...................................................................................................190
4.8 Use of Marks on Maestro and Cirrus Cards........................................................................... 190
4.9 Use of Marks on Mastercard Cards........................................................................................191
5.1 The Merchant and ATM Owner Agreements......................................................................... 191
5.1.2 Required Merchant Agreement Terms............................................................................191
5.3 Acquirer Obligations to Merchants........................................................................................191
5.3.3 Provide Information.......................................................................................................191
5.7 Transaction Message Data.....................................................................................................192
5.7.2 Card Acceptor Address Information...............................................................................192
5.7.3 Submerchant Name Information....................................................................................192
5.7.4 ATM Terminal Information............................................................................................. 192
5.10 Merchant Obligations for Acceptance................................................................................. 192
5.10.1 Honor All Cards...........................................................................................................192
5.10.2 Merchant Acceptance of Mastercard Cards................................................................. 193
5.10.2.1 Acceptance in a Debit Mastercard Country.......................................................... 193
5.10.5 Discounts or Other Benefits at the Point of Interaction.................................................194
5.11 Prohibited Practices.............................................................................................................194
5.11.1 Discrimination............................................................................................................. 194
5.11.4 Scrip-dispensing Terminals........................................................................................... 196
5.11.5 Existing Cardholder Obligations...................................................................................196
6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements..................................................................................196
6.1.1 Mastercard Card Issuance..............................................................................................199
6.1.2 Maestro Card Issuance.................................................................................................. 199
6.1.2.1 Eligible Accounts—Maestro................................................................................... 199
6.1.4 Tokenization of Accounts.............................................................................................. 199
6.2 Issuer Responsibilities to Cardholders.................................................................................... 200
6.4 Selective Authorization......................................................................................................... 201
6.5 Special Issuer Programs—General Requirements....................................................................201
6.10 Prepaid Card Programs........................................................................................................202
6.10.10 Simplified Due Diligence Guidelines...........................................................................202
6.11 Maestro Chip-only Card Programs.......................................................................................202
6.12 Debit Card Programs Issued by Electronic Money Institutions and Payment Institutions........203
6.12.1 Prior Consent of the Corporation................................................................................ 203
6.12.2 Reservation of Rights...................................................................................................203
7.1 Service Provider Categories................................................................................................... 203
7.1.1 Independent Sales Organization.................................................................................... 203
7.1.2 Third Party Processor..................................................................................................... 204
7.1.4 Digital Wallet Operator..................................................................................................204
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7.1.4.2 Staged Digital Wallet Operator Requirements.........................................................204
7.6 Acquiring Programs.............................................................................................................. 204
7.6.5 Payment Facilitators and Submerchants......................................................................... 204
7.6.5.1 Responsibility for Payment Facilitator and Submerchant Activity............................. 204
8.1 Definitions............................................................................................................................ 205
8.2 Net Settlement......................................................................................................................205
8.2.1 Currency Conversion..................................................................................................... 205
8.2.2 Settlement Messages and Instructions........................................................................... 205
8.2.2.1 Cooperation with Government Authorities............................................................ 206
8.2.2.2 Provision of Information.........................................................................................206
8.2.2.3 Notification of Winding Up Resolution or Trust Deed............................................. 206
8.3 Interchange and Service Fees ............................................................................................... 206
8.4 Establishment of Intracountry Interchange and Service Fees.................................................. 207
8.4.2 Bilateral Agreement.......................................................................................................207
8.5 Failure of a Principal or Association to Discharge a Settlement Obligation..............................207
8.11 Loss Allocation Among Customers...................................................................................... 207
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Applicability of Rules
The Rules in this Europe Region chapter are variances and additions to the “global” Rules that
apply in the Europe Region or in a particular country or countries.
Rules 5.10.1, 5.10.2, and 6.1.1 apply to:
1. Debit Mastercard Cards issued in a Debit Mastercard Country and presented for payment
in the Europe Region;
2. Debit Mastercard POS Transactions that take place in the Europe Region; and
3. Merchants and Acquirers of those Transactions.
The rules set forth in chapters 2 through 7 of the UK Domestic Rules manual also apply to
Transactions effected with a Debit Mastercard Card that take place wholly within the United
Kingdom.
Customers and Merchants that accept Debit Mastercard Cards must continue to comply with
the global Rules with respect to all Mastercard Cards issued by Customers outside of the
Europe Region and presented for payment at Merchant locations in the Europe Region, unless
otherwise agreed by the Corporation.
Refer to Appendix A for the Europe Region, Non-Single European Payments Area (Non-SEPA)
and Single European Payments Area (SEPA) geographic listings.
Definitions
Solely within the Europe Region, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:
Commercial Card
In the EU and Norway, this term has the meaning set out in EU Regulation 2015/751.
In Iceland and Liechtenstein, a Card issued to an undertaking or public sector entity or one of
its employees and that is intended for use in connection with business expenses made by that
undertaking or public sector entity or by its employee, or a Card issued to a self-employed
natural person engaged in a business activity and that is intended for use for business
expenses. Mastercard Cards and Maestro Cards fitting the above definition that are in
issuance in Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway must be identifiable as Commercial Cards.
Consumer Card
In Iceland and Liechtenstein, a Card issued to a natural person that is not used primarily for
business expenses.
Credit Card, Credit Card Transaction
In the EU and Norway, these terms have the meaning set out in EU Regulation 2015/751.
Europe Region
Applicability of Rules
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In Iceland and Liechtenstein, a Consumer Card that allows the Cardholder to make purchases
with a certain credit amount, which can be settled in full by the end of a specified period
(which typically is interest-free) or can be settled in part, with the remaining balance being
taken as credit and charged with interest. A Credit Card may be linked to a current account at
a deposit-taking institution or to an account that has been set up specifically for the use of
the Credit Card. Credit Cards include charge (or delayed debit) Cards. A charge (or delayed
debit) Card is a Card that allows the Cardholder to make purchases but does not offer credit,
the amount of the debit having to be settled in full only after a specified period (which
typically is interest-free). A charge (or delayed debit) Card may be linked to a current account
at a deposit-taking institution or to an account that has been set up specifically for the use of
then charge (or delayed debit) Card.
Debit Card, Debit Card Transaction
In the EU and Norway, these terms have the meaning set out in EU Regulation 2015/751.
In Iceland and Liechtenstein, a Consumer Card that allows a Cardholder to charge purchases
directly to a current account at a deposit-taking institution. The Debit Card serves as a device
to access funds stored in a current account. A Debit Card Transaction is always directly
charged to a current account, i.e., no later than two business days after the clearing of the
Transaction, whereas a Credit (or charge or delayed debit) Card Transaction may be settled by
the end of a specified period or charged to a current account more than two business days
after the clearing of that Transaction. Mastercard Cards and Maestro Cards fitting the above
definition must be identifiable as Debit Cards.
Debit Mastercard Card
If issued in the EEA, a Mastercard-branded Debit Card or Commercial Card, as “Debit Card”
and “Commercial Card” are defined in this section. In all Europe Region countries, a
Mastercard Card offering credit facilities for which the Cardholder has to enter into a written
credit agreement with the Card issuing institution that would qualify as consumer credit under
the applicable legislation governing consumer credit is not covered by this definition of Debit
Mastercard Card. Overdraft facilities may be provided on an Account to which a Debit
Mastercard Card is linked.
Debit Mastercard Country
A country designated by the Corporation, in its sole discretion, as a participant in the
Intracountry Debit Mastercard Program. The following countries are Debit Mastercard
Countries: Albania, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic,
Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova,
Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden,
Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, and United Kingdom.
Europe Region
Definitions
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European Economic Area (EEA)
The following countries, islands, and territories: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech
Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Canary
Islands, Ceuta, Melilla, Azores, Madeira, Aland Islands, Jan Mayen, Gibraltar, French Guiana,
Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, Saint Martin (French Part), and Mayotte.
For the sake of clarity, the EEA does not include: Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland,
Vatican City, Antarctica, Greenland, Faroe Islands, Akrotiri and Dhekelia, Saint Pierre and
Miquelon, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin (Dutch Part), Svalbard, Falkland Islands, Channel
Islands, Isle of Man, Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, Saint Helena, Ascension and
Tristan da Cunha, South Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands.
European Union (EU)
The following countries, islands and territories: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus,
Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Canary Islands, Ceuta, Melilla, Madeira, Azores,
Aland Islands, Gibraltar, Mayotte, Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Réunion, and
Saint-Martin (French Part).
Inter-European Transaction
A Transaction completed using a Card issued in a country or territory listed in Single European
Payments Area (SEPA) at a Terminal located in a country or territory listed in Non-Single
European Payments Area (Non-SEPA) or Transaction completed using a Card issued in a
country or territory listed in Non-Single European Payments Area (Non–SEPA) at a Terminal
located in a country or territory listed in Single European Payments Area (SEPA).
Interregional Transaction
In the Europe Region, the term Interregional Transaction includes Inter-European Transactions.
Intra-EEA Transaction
A Transaction that is not an Intracountry Transaction and that is completed using a Card
issued in a country or territory that is part of the EEA at a Terminal located in a country or
territory that is part of the EEA and that is acquired by an Acquirer pursuant to a License for a
country or territory that is part of the EEA.
Intra–European Transaction
An Intra-Non-SEPA Transaction or an Intra–SEPA Transaction, but not an Inter–European
Transaction.
Europe Region
Definitions
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Intra–Non–SEPA Transaction
A Transaction completed using a Card issued in a country or territory listed in Non–Single
European Payments Area (Non–SEPA) at a Terminal located in a country or territory listed in
Non–Single European Payments Area (Non–SEPA).
Intraregional Transaction
This term is replaced by “Intra–European Transaction” in the Europe Region.
Intra-SEPA Transaction
A Transaction completed using a Card issued in a country or territory listed in Single European
Payments Area (SEPA) at a Terminal located in a country or territory listed in Single European
Payments Area (SEPA).
Payment Institution
This term has the meaning set out in Directive (EU) 2015/2366 of 15 November 2015.
Prepaid Card
In the EU and Norway, this term has the meaning set out in EU Regulation 2015/751.
UK SFD Regulations
The UK Financial Markets and Insolvency (Settlement Finality) Regulations 1999.
1.6 The License
A License will cover both issuing and acquiring, unless the applicant or Customer wishes to
receive a License for issuing only or acquiring only.
1.6.1 SEPA Licensing Program
An applicant or a Customer with a License for a SEPA country may participate in the SEPA
licensing program.
A Customer may participate in the SEPA licensing program as a Principal, Association, or
Affiliate. A Principal or Association participating in the SEPA licensing program may Sponsor
Affiliates in one or more SEPA countries. An Affiliate may be sponsored by different Sponsors
in different countries.
The Customer must undergo additional reviews (for example, risk management and AML
compliance) before each additional License is approved. The Customer must meet any
applicable legal or regulatory requirements in each country in which it intends to undertake
Activities.
Europe Region
1.6 The License
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Each Sponsoring Customer is assigned a separate ICA for each SEPA country in which it is
active, must use that ICA only for its Activity in that country, and must not undertake Activity
in that country before the relevant ICA has been implemented.
The Sponsoring Customer is assigned a separate BIN or BIN range for each SEPA country in
which it is active, must use that BIN or BIN range only for its Activity in that country, and must
not undertake Activity in the country before the relevant BIN or BIN range has been
implemented. Different ranges within a BIN may be linked to ICAs assigned for different SEPA
countries.
With regard to Intracountry Transactions, a Customer participating in the SEPA licensing
program must comply with the applicable intracountry rules and fees.
1.7 Area of Use of the License
In the Europe Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
In the EEA, the License covers the entire EEA as the Area of Use.
A separate ICA is required for ATM acquiring in each EEA country. A single ICA may be used
for Merchant acquiring in one or more EEA countries. A separate ICA and BIN or BIN range is
required for issuance in each EEA country.
Different ranges within a BIN assigned to an Issuer may be linked to ICAs assigned to that
same Issuer for different countries. A Customer is not required to have a physical
establishment in the Area of Use.
1.7.2 Extension of Area of Use Exceptions
A Customer with a License for the EEA is not required to apply for an extension of Area of Use
in order to undertake Activity in an additional country within the EEA.
1.7.3 Central Acquiring
In the Europe Region, Rule 1.7.3 replaces Rule 1.7.2, paragraphs 5 and 6.
A Customer that complies with this Rule 1.7.3, may acquire Transactions from a Europe
Region Merchant located outside of its Area of Use, with the exception of Merchants located
in the Russian Federation, where central acquiring is not permitted.
1.7.3.1 Central Acquiring Registration
A Customer must have completed the central acquiring registration process before it centrally
acquires. The central acquiring registration letter specifies the countries in which a Customer
may centrally acquire intra–European and inter–European Transactions from a Merchant.
In order to be registered for central acquiring, the Customer must meet the central Acquirer
criteria set forth in Rule 1.7.3.2.
Europe Region
1.7 Area of Use of the License
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1.7.3.2 Central Acquirer Service Requirements
The Customer must authorize, clear and settle centrally acquired Transactions in a manner
that does not disadvantage the Cardholder, the Merchant, or the Issuer involved in the
Transaction in comparison with non-centrally acquired Transactions.
1.7.3.3 Intracountry Rules
A central Acquirer must comply with the intracountry rules of each country in which
Transactions are centrally acquired.
1.7.3.4 Centrally Acquired Merchants
An Acquirer may centrally acquire Transactions from any Merchant located in any one of the
following Western or Central European Areas of Use: EEA, Andorra, Channel Islands, Isle
of Man, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland, Turkey, Vatican City.
In all other Europe Region countries, excluding the Russian Federation, an Acquirer may
only centrally acquire Transactions of a Merchant that operates in more than two Europe
Region countries. However, an Acquirer may centrally acquire e-commerce Transactions from
an e-commerce Merchant operating in only one Europe Region country pursuant to its central
acquiring authorization.
1.7.3.5 Registration Procedure
To register to centrally acquire Merchants located in the Western and Central European
Areas of Use listed in Rule 1.7.3.4, the Customer must submit to the Corporation a single
application form covering all such Western and Central European Areas of Use. The central
acquiring registration letter will cover all such Western and Central European Areas of Use.
To register to centrally acquire Merchants located in other countries, the Customer must
submit to the Corporation an application form for each Merchant and country where the
Customer wishes to centrally acquire Transactions.
1.7.3.6 Extension of Registration
In the Western and Central European Areas of Use listed in Rule 1.7.3.4, a central
Acquirer is not required to comply with any formal procedures in order to extend its central
acquiring Activities in Western and Central Europe.
In all other Europe Region countries, excluding the Russian Federation, a Customer that
wishes to extend its central acquiring Activities to a new Merchant or country must follow the
registration procedure set forth in Rule 1.7.3.5 above.
1.7.3.7 Interchange Fee Requirements
If a central Acquirer acquires an Intracountry Transaction, the following principles apply to the
interchange fee:
1. The central Acquirer may agree upon bilateral interchange fees with the Issuer; and
2. Unless a bilateral agreement applicable to an Intracountry Transaction has been
established between two Customers, then the interchange fees applicable to an
Intracountry Transaction as set forth in the Interchange Manual—Europe Region, will
apply.
Europe Region
1.7 Area of Use of the License
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If a central Acquirer acquires a Non-Intracountry Transaction, the following principles apply to
the interchange fee:
1. The central Acquirer may agree upon bilateral interchange fees with the Issuer; and
2. Unless a bilateral agreement applicable to a Non-Intracountry Transaction has been
established between two Customers, the interchange fees applicable to a Non-
Intracountry Transaction as set forth in the Interchange Manual - Europe Region, will
apply.
1.7.3.8 Settlement of Disputes
Any disputes relating to central acquiring will be resolved by the Corporation in accordance
with the Standards.
1.7.3.9 Customer Noncompliance
The following are examples of violations of the central acquiring rules for which
noncompliance assessments may be applied:
1. Engaging in central acquiring without first registering,
2. Engaging in central acquiring in non-notified countries or of non-notified Merchants (not
applicable for Western and Central European countries).
3. Failure to comply with intracountry rules (including application of incorrect interchange
fees) resulting in financial loss to another party.
4. Incorrect data in Transaction messages (including incorrect country code) resulting in
financial loss to another party.
1.13 Termination of License
1.13.2 Termination by the Corporation
Paragraph 4 of the Rule on this subject does not apply in the Europe Region.
2.1 Standards
2.1.8 Rules Applicable to Intracountry Transactions
The Corporation may establish Rules for Intracountry Transactions. The Corporation will
inform Customers of all Rules it establishes.
NOTE: This Rule 2.1.8 does not apply to the establishment of intracountry interchange and
service fees. Refer to Rule 8.4, “Establishment of Intracountry Interchange and Service Fees”
for more information.
2.1.8.1 Order of Precedence
For any Intracountry Transaction in a SEPA country, the intracountry Rules established by the
Corporation apply, or if none, the Rules applicable to Intra-SEPA Transactions apply, or if none,
Europe Region
1.13 Termination of License
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the Rules applicable to Inter-European Transactions apply, or if none, the interregional Rules
apply.
For any Intracountry Transaction in a Non–SEPA country, the intracountry Rules established by
the Corporation apply, or if none, the Rules applicable to Intra–Non–SEPA Transactions apply,
or if none, the Rules applicable to Inter–European Transactions apply, or if none, the
interregional Rules apply.
2.4 Choice of Laws
In the Europe Region, the Rule on this subject is replaced in its entirety by the following:
Licenses are governed by and construed according to the applicable law mentioned in the
particular License, without reference to conflict-of-laws or similar provisions that would
mandate or permit application of the substantive law of any other jurisdiction.
The courts mentioned in the particular License have exclusive jurisdiction for the resolution of
any dispute relating to rights and obligations deriving from Licenses.
Licenses concluded after 1 January 2007 specify English law and courts.
The Standards are governed by and construed according to English law, without reference to
conflict-of-laws or similar provisions that would mandate or permit the application of
substantive law of any other jurisdiction. English courts have exclusive jurisdiction for the
resolution of any dispute relating to the Standards between two Customers holding Licenses
for countries in the Europe Region.
3.1 Obligation to Issue Mastercard Cards—EEA Only
The Rule on this subject does not apply in the EEA.
3.3 Transaction Requirements—SEPA Only
Paragraph 5 of the Rule on this subject does not apply to Cross-Border Transactions that are
Intra-SEPA Transactions.
3.6 Non-discrimination—ATM and Bank Branch Terminal Transactions
In the Europe Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
An Acquirer must not discriminate against any Card, with regard to processing Transactions,
including Cards issued by other Customers in the same country.
Europe Region
2.4 Choice of Laws
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An Issuer must not discriminate against any ATM Terminal or Bank Branch Terminal with
regard to processing and authorizing Transactions, including ATM Terminals and Bank Branch
Terminals owned by other Customers within the same country.
3.13 Data Protection
In the Europe Region and solely for purposes of Rule 3.13, the following terms have the
meanings set forth below:
Controller
The entity which alone or jointly with others determines the purposes and the means of the
Processing of Personal Data.
Data Subject
A Cardholder or Merchant, or other natural or legal person (to the extent a legal person is
subject to national data protection law) whose Personal Data are processed by the
Corporation and a Customer in the EEA or Switzerland.
EU Privacy Directive
Collectively, Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 24 October
1995 concerning the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of Personal Data
and the free movement of such data, and Directive 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament
and the Council of 12 July 2002 concerning the processing of personal data and the
protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector, as may be amended from time
to time.
Personal Data
Any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person. An identifiable natural
person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an
identification number or to one or more factors specific to his or her physical, physiological,
mental, economic, cultural, or social identity.
Processor
The entity which processes Personal Data on behalf of a Controller.
Processing of Personal Data
Any operation or set of operations which is performed upon Personal Data, whether or not by
automatic means, such as collection, recording, organization, storage, adaptation or
alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or otherwise
making available, alignment or combination, blocking, erasure or destruction of such data.
Europe Region
3.13 Data Protection
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Sub-Processor
The entity engaged by the Processor or any further sub-contractor to Process Personal Data.
Transaction-related Personal Data
Personal Data required for authorizing, recording, settling and clearing a Transaction
processed by the Corporation. This definition does not apply in relation to intra-EEA
Transactions or Intracountry Transactions in the EEA.
3.13.1 Processing of Transaction-Related Personal Data
With regard to Transaction-related Personal Data, a Customer in the EEA or Switzerland must
comply with the applicable national legislation implementing the EU Privacy Directive or any
other applicable data protection law. A Customer is a Controller with regard to the Processing
of Personal Data for the purposes of authorizing, recording, clearing and settling transactions,
and the Corporation acts as a Processor for these purposes. This paragraph does not apply in
relation to intra-EEA Transactions or Intracountry Transactions in the EEA.
To the extent it acts as Processor, the Corporation will only undertake Processing of Personal
Data in accordance with the Standards and will comply with security obligations equivalent to
those imposed on the Customers as Controllers by Article 17 of the EU Privacy Directive
95/46, as implemented by national legislation. The Corporation acting as Processor is
authorized by the Customers, acting as Controllers, to enter into the 2010 Controller to
Processor Standard Contractual Clauses with non-EEA or non-Switzerland-based Sub-
Processors on behalf of Mastercard’s Customers. This authorization is general and allows the
Corporation to sub-contract part or all of its Processing activities as necessary for the
Corporation to provide its products and services in accordance with the EU Privacy Directive
and the Swiss Data Protection Act.
3.13.2 Data Subject Notice and Consent
A Customer in the EEA or Switzerland must ensure that Data Subjects are properly informed
and, if necessary, have given proper consent in accordance with applicable laws and
regulations that Personal Data relating to them may be used, disclosed or otherwise processed
by the applicable Customer and the Corporation as set forth for the purposes provided for in
Rule 3.10.
In relation to intra-EEA Transactions or Intracountry Transactions in the EEA, the purposes for
which Personal Data may be used, disclosed or otherwise processed by the Corporation do
not include those set out in subparagraph 4 of Rule 3.10.
In accordance with applicable laws and regulations, a Customer in the EEA or Switzerland
must ensure that Data Subjects are properly informed, at a minimum:
1. That Data Subjects have the right to (a) request access to and receive information about
the Personal Data maintained by the applicable Customers, or the Corporation, (b) update
and correct inaccuracies in the Personal Data, and (c) have the Personal Data blocked or
deleted as appropriate;
Europe Region
3.13 Data Protection
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2. That Data Subjects may withdraw any consent they previously provided to the applicable
Customer or the Corporation or object at any time on legitimate grounds to the
Processing of Personal Data;
3. About the choices and means that Data Subjects have for limiting the Processing of
Personal Data by the Corporation;
4. That Personal Data may be processed outside the EEA or Switzerland; and
5. About the categories of recipients of Personal Data.
3.13.3 Data Subject Access to Personal Data
In accordance with applicable laws and regulations, a Customer in the EEA or Switzerland
must develop and implement appropriate procedures for handling requests by Data Subjects
for access to, correction and/or deletion of Personal Data maintained by the applicable
Customer or the Corporation. The Corporation will cooperate with a Customer in responding
to such requests and will provide access to Personal Data maintained by the Corporation
where appropriate.
If an access request is made directly to the Corporation, a Customer must cooperate with the
Corporation in promptly responding to the request.
3.13.4 Integrity of Personal Data
Each Customer in the EEA or Switzerland must take reasonable steps to ensure that Personal
Data the Customer provides to the Corporation is accurate, complete and current.
3.17 Issuer Reporting Requirement—EU and Norway
With regard to Intra-EEA Transactions and Intracountry Transactions in EU countries and in
Norway, each Customer must keep an account, on a calendar year basis, of the total amount
of scheme-related fees that each has paid, directly or indirectly, to the Corporation as an
Issuer, and of the total amount, if any, that each has received as an Issuer from the
Corporation. If the amount received exceeds the amount paid, the Customer must contact its
relationship manager prior to 1 April of the following year to resolve the net compensation
event.
Europe Region
3.17 Issuer Reporting Requirement—EU and Norway
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3.18 BINs
BINs assigned to the Corporation by ISO must be used only to issue Mastercard, Maestro or
Cirrus Cards and to carry out Mastercard, Maestro or Cirrus Transactions, unless otherwise
agreed in writing.
4.1 Right to Use the Marks
4.1.1 Protection and Registration of the Marks
In the Europe Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
Mastercard Europe SA is the exclusive owner of the Eurocard and eurocheque marks. A
Customer must not, either by act or omission, do anything inconsistent with the exclusive
ownership of the Eurocard or eurocheque marks, or do anything that may harm the Eurocard
or eurocheque marks.
A Customer must take such measures as the Corporation or other owner of a Mark may
require to assist in any actions by the Corporation or other owner to register, perfect,
maintain, or protect the Corporation’s or other owner’s rights to the Mark. The Customer may
be required by the Corporation or other owner to litigate in the Customer’s own name, on
behalf of the owner of the Mark, if the owner is legally prevented from litigating in its own
name. All activities relating to such assistance will be decided upon and be under the control
of the Corporation or the other owner of the Mark. The owner will pay the Customer’s
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related to these activities.
4.4 Signage System
In Germany, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
When displayed, the ec Mark must be placed between the Mastercard Mark and the Maestro
Mark.
4.4.2 ATM Terminal Signage
When displayed on an ATM located in Germany, the ec Mark must be placed between the
Mastercard Mark and the Maestro Mark.
4.8 Use of Marks on Maestro and Cirrus Cards
In the Europe Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
1. The Maestro Mark may co-reside on a Mastercard Card in the context of a Corporation-
approved multi-Account Card Program.
Europe Region
3.18 BINs
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2. A Customer must not use the trademark or trade name of a competing international
payment scheme on Maestro Cards or Cirrus Cards, unless it has received written
permission from the Corporation to do so. This Rule does not apply in the EU or Norway.
3. In the EEA, the Maestro Brand Mark may be placed on any type of card, including Credit
Cards and Commercial Cards.
4. In the EU and Norway, the Maestro Mark may co-reside on a Card with other payment
scheme marks. Each payment scheme is identified by its logo or mark displayed on Cards
and at the POI and by its distinct AID in the chip of the Card. When another payment
scheme co-resides on a Maestro Card, the Issuer must clearly inform the Cardholder how
to use the Maestro Payment Application.
4.9 Use of Marks on Mastercard Cards
The Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
In the EU and Norway, the Marks may co-reside on Mastercard Cards with other payment
scheme marks. Each payment scheme is identified by its logo or mark displayed on Cards and
at the POI and by its distinct AID in the chip of the Card. When another payment scheme co-
resides on a Mastercard Card, the Issuer must clearly inform the Cardholder how to use the
Mastercard Payment Application.
5.1 The Merchant and ATM Owner Agreements
5.1.2 Required Merchant Agreement Terms
In the Europe Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
Each Merchant Agreement with a Merchant located in the EEA must contain a term requiring
the Merchant to respond to Cardholder disputes and handle chargebacks in accordance with
the Chargeback Guide.
5.3 Acquirer Obligations to Merchants
5.3.3 Provide Information
An Acquirer in the EEA must inform a Merchant of any changes to the terms of the Merchant
Agreement that result from changes made by the Corporation to the Standards. This
information must be provided with at least 2 months advance notice whenever possible.
An Acquirer may provide a Merchant located in the EU or Norway with information enabling
the Merchant to identify the category (commercial, debit, credit or prepaid) of each Card or
Payment Application issued in the EU or Norway.
Europe Region
4.9 Use of Marks on Mastercard Cards
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5.7 Transaction Message Data
In the EEA, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
A Customer must refer to the specifications manuals of the registered switch of its choice for
technical requirements relating to Transaction data.
5.7.2 Card Acceptor Address Information
In the EEA, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
The address of a Terminal or website must be indicated in the field specified by the registered
switch of the Customer’s choice.
5.7.3 Submerchant Name Information
In the EEA, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
The name and location of a Merchant, Payment Facilitator and Sub-merchant, as appropriate,
must be indicated in the field specified by the registered switch of the Customer’s choice.
5.7.4 ATM Terminal Information
In the EEA, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
The ATM owner name, ATM location, and unique ATM Terminal identification must be
indicated in the fields specified by the registered switch of the Customer’s choice. Unique
numbers identifying the Acquirer and any Service Provider must be assigned by the registered
switch of the Customer’s choice.
5.10 Merchant Obligations for Acceptance
5.10.1 Honor All Cards
In the Europe Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
EU Countries and Norway Only
The following Rules apply with respect to acceptance by Merchants in the EU or Norway of
Cards issued in the EU or Norway.
1. A Merchant that accepts Mastercard Credit Cards must accept all Mastercard Credit Cards
issued in the EU or Norway.
2. A Merchant that accepts Mastercard Debit Cards, including Debit Mastercard Cards, must
accept all Mastercard Debit Cards issued in the EU or Norway.
3. A Merchant that accepts Mastercard Prepaid Cards must accept all Mastercard Prepaid
Cards issued in the EU or Norway.
4. A Merchant that accepts Maestro Credit Cards must accept all Maestro Credit Cards
issued in the EU or Norway.
Europe Region
5.7 Transaction Message Data
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5. A Merchant that accepts Maestro Debit Cards must accept all Maestro Debit Cards issued
in the EU or Norway.
6. A Merchant that accepts Maestro Prepaid Cards must accept all Maestro Prepaid Cards
issued in the EU or Norway.
7. A Merchant is not required to accept Maestro Cards as a condition of accepting
Mastercard Cards, and vice versa.
8. A Merchant is not required to accept Commercial Cards issued in the EU or Norway.
9. A Merchant must not refuse to accept any Card on the basis of the identity of the Issuer
or the Cardholder.
NOTE: Rule 5.10.1 in Chapter 5 applies with respect to acceptance by Merchants in the EU or
Norway of Cards issued in countries and territories that are not part of the EU or Norway.
Debit Mastercard—Non-EU Countries Only, excluding Norway
The Rule on this subject, as it applies to Debit Mastercard Card acceptance in a country that is
not part of the EU (excluding Norway), is modified as follows.
A Merchant in a Debit Mastercard Country that chooses to accept only Debit Mastercard
Cards issued in the Europe Region must honor all valid Debit Mastercard Cards issued in the
Europe Region without discrimination, when properly presented for payment.
5.10.2 Merchant Acceptance of Mastercard Cards
A Merchant that accepts Mastercard Cards must accept all types of Mastercard Cards (for
example, Mastercard consumer Cards, Mastercard Corporate Card
®
Cards, World Mastercard
®
Cards, and Debit Mastercard Cards).
The above Rule does not apply with respect to acceptance by Merchants in the EU or Norway
of Cards issued in the EU or Norway.
5.10.2.1 Acceptance in a Debit Mastercard Country
As an exception to Rule 5.10.2 above, a Merchant in a Debit Mastercard Country is permitted
to choose to accept only Debit Mastercard Cards issued in the Europe Region or both Debit
Mastercard Cards and other Mastercard Cards issued in the Europe Region. An Acquirer must
inform existing and prospective merchants that they have this right.
A Merchant may choose to stop accepting other Mastercard Cards issued in the Europe
Region by providing no less than 30 days advance written notice to its Acquirer. The Acquirer
must identify to the Corporation any Merchant in a Debit Mastercard Country that chooses to
accept Debit Mastercard Cards but not other Mastercard Cards issued in the Europe Region,
and inform the Corporation of the reason for the Merchant’s decision. Merchants may request
signage for the purpose of indicating their acceptance of Debit Mastercard Cards at
www.mastercardweacceptdebit.com.
An Acquirer must provide a complete list of the BINs that apply to Debit Mastercard Cards to
its Merchants upon any form of reasonable request.
Europe Region
5.10 Merchant Obligations for Acceptance
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5.10.5 Discounts or Other Benefits at the Point of Interaction
A discount or other benefit may be applied at a POI location in the Europe Region upon
simple presentation of a particular Mastercard Card or Maestro Card for payment. The
promotion at the POI of a discount or other benefit that may be accessed by any particular
Card is prohibited. The preceding Rule on promotion does not apply in the EU or Norway.
5.11 Prohibited Practices
5.11.1 Discrimination
Discrimination—EU and Norway Only
In the EU and Norway, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
A Merchant must not be prevented from expressing a preference for the use of the
Mastercard or Maestro Payment Application.
Neither a Customer nor a Digital Activity Customer, Merchant, Payment Facilitator or other
Service Provider may, directly or indirectly, prevent the use of Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus as
a brand for Intracountry Transactions in the EU or Norway, for Transactions between Norway
and an EU country, or for Intra-EU Transactions.
Chip Environment
By way of example but not limitation, the following requirements apply in the chip
environment:
1. A single certification must be valid for both intracountry and intra-EU use of a Mastercard,
Maestro, or Cirrus Payment Application at the Terminal.
2. The prevalence of any particular chip-based payment application at the Terminal or
Acquirer host system level must not be mandated.
3. If a Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus Payment Application is supported by both the Card and
the Terminal, its use must not be blocked or impaired by technical or other means, such as
software in the Terminal.
4. When supported, the Mastercard or Maestro Payment Application must be shown clearly.
If the Merchant has pre-selected a payment application, the fact of pre-selection must be
shown clearly on the Terminal, along with the means for the Cardholder to override the
pre-selection, until the Cardholder has chosen to either accept or override the pre-
selection.
The means to override the pre-selection must always be offered via the Terminal, which
must face the Cardholder, and not only verbally by the Merchant. The difference between
overriding the pre-selection and cancelling the Transaction must be shown clearly to the
Cardholder via the Terminal, for example a “change application” key separate from the
“cancel” key.
5. If a Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus Payment Application is supported by both the Card and
the Terminal, the Cardholder must be given the opportunity to complete the Transaction
Europe Region
5.11 Prohibited Practices
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with such Payment Application, unless the Terminal has no screen and/or PIN pad. In that
case, the priority order defined in the Terminal, if any, may be used.
6. The payment application selected by the Cardholder on the Terminal must not be
overridden by technical or other means, such as software in the Terminal. The Cardholder’s
chosen payment application must not be converted to a different payment application
from that chosen by the Cardholder.
Electronic Commerce Environment
By way of example but not limitation, the following requirements apply for Transactions
completed in an electronic commerce environment.
1. The Merchant must clearly display on its website each available acceptance brand
individually, so that the Cardholder may select Mastercard or Maestro independently of
any other brand that may co-reside with Mastercard or Maestro.
2. If the Merchant has pre-selected an acceptance brand, the means for the Cardholder to
override the Merchant’s pre-selection must be presented in a clear and non-discriminatory
manner.
3. The Cardholder’s chosen acceptance brand must be respected and must not be converted
to a different acceptance brand from that chosen by the Cardholder.
Digital Environment
By way of example but not limitation, the following requirements apply for Transactions
completed in a digital environment, such as in-app Transactions and Transactions completed
through a digital wallet, including Masterpass
™
by Mastercard
®
:
1. A Customer, Merchant, Digital Wallet Operator, and Digital Activity Customer must
provide the Cardholder a mechanism for selecting a default payment application for any
co-badged Card provisioned in a Digital Wallet. If two Card images are displayed in the
user interface, both must appear at the same time and the Cardholder must be required
to choose between them. If a single Card image is displayed, the mechanism for choosing
the default payment application must be clearly displayed and the Cardholder must be
required to choose the default payment application via this mechanism. The Cardholder
must be given a reasonable amount of time to select the default payment application. The
default payment application must be selected only by the Cardholder, not pre-selected.
2. The Cardholder must be required to select a default payment application in the Digital
Wallet during Card provisioning or at the time of Card activation. The Cardholder must be
able to change the default payment application at any time. The Digital Wallet interface
must not allow Card activation to be completed if the Cardholder has not selected a
default payment application.
3. A user interface payment application selection method that is not already defined in the
Corporation’s specifications must be approved by the Corporation in writing before it is
implemented.
4. The Cardholder’s chosen payment application must be respected and must not be
converted to a different payment application from that chosen by the Cardholder. Only
the acceptance brand identifier of the payment application chosen by the Cardholder for
the particular Transaction may be sent to the Terminal.
Europe Region
5.11 Prohibited Practices
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Discrimination—SEPA Only, Excluding EU Countries and Norway
In SEPA countries and territories that are neither Norway nor part of the EU, the Rule on this
subject is modified as follows.
A Customer must not, directly or indirectly, prevent or discriminate against the use of
Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus as a brand for Intracountry Transactions or Intra-SEPA
Transactions. By way of example but not limitation:
1. A single certification must be valid for both intracountry and intra-SEPA use of a
Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus Payment Application at the Terminal;
2. The prevalence of any particular chip-based payment application at the Terminal or
Acquirer host system level must not be mandated or implemented;
3. If a Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus Payment Application is supported by both the Card and
the Terminal, its use must not be blocked or impaired by technical or other means;
4. If a Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus Payment Application is supported by both the Card and
the Terminal, the Cardholder must be given the opportunity to complete the Transaction
with such Payment Application, in an EMV environment and in all other cases where the
Terminal is technically capable of providing that choice to the Cardholder. In an EMV
environment, if the Cardholder is not able to choose a payment application, the priority
order defined by the Issuer in the chip must be respected.
5. Neither the Cardholder’s chosen payment application nor the Issuer’s priority order may be
disregarded or overridden by technical or other means.
5.11.4 Scrip-dispensing Terminals
In the EEA, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
An Acquirer must not submit to the registered switch of its choice, any Transaction that arises
from the acceptance of a Card at a scrip-dispensing Terminal.
5.11.5 Existing Cardholder Obligations
In the EEA, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
A Customer must not submit to the registered switch of its choice any Transaction that:
1. Represents the refinancing or transfer of an existing Mastercard Cardholder obligation
that is deemed to be uncollectible; or
2. Arises from the dishonor of a Mastercard Cardholder’s personal check.
6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements
Region and Country Variations
In the Europe Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
1. All Cards issued within SEPA must support both magnetic stripe and EMV chip
technology, with the exception that non-reloadable prepaid Cards are not required to
support EMV chip technology.
Europe Region
6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements
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2. All contactless Cards and Access Devices issued within SEPA, with the exception of the
non-reloadable prepaid contactless Cards and Access Devices, must support EMV Mode
Contactless Transactions.
3. All Cards issued in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova,
Montenegro, or Serbia must support both magnetic stripe and EMV chip technology. As
an exception to the preceding Rule, non-reloadable prepaid Cards are not required to
support EMV chip technology.
4. All new and replacement contactless Cards and Access Devices, with the exception of
non-reloadable prepaid Cards and Access Devices, issued on or after 13 October 2017
must support EMV Mode Contactless Transactions.
5. All contactless Cards and Access Devices, with the exception of non-reloadable prepaid
Cards and Access Devices, issued on or after 1 January 2020 must support EMV Mode
Contactless Transactions.
6. All new and replacement contactless Cards and Access Devices, with the exception of
non-reloadable prepaid Cards and Access Devices, issued on or after 1 January 2020 must
support EMV Mode Contactless Transactions ONLY.
7. An Issuer in Italy must technically support and must not automatically decline Contactless
Transactions on new and replacement Mastercard and Maestro Cards and Access Devices
issued on or after 1 January 2017 and on all Mastercard and Maestro Cards and Access
Devices in circulation on or after 1 January 2022, with the exception of non-reloadable
prepaid Cards and Access Devices.
8. An Issuer in Italy must personalize the chip on new and replacement Mastercard and
Maestro Cards and Access Devices issued on or after 1 January 2017 and on all
Mastercard and Maestro Cards and Access Devices in circulation on or after 1 January
2022 (with the exception of non-reloadable prepaid Cards and Access Devices) to enable
Contactless Transactions, including mandatory display of the EMVCo contactless indicator
on the front of the Chip Card or Access Device.
9. The following requirements apply in Albania, Austria, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech
Republic, Hungary, Israel, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia,
Slovakia, and Slovenia:
a. An Issuer must technically support ATM Transactions on its Contactless Cards and
Access Devices. The Issuer must make individual authorization decisions and must not
automatically decline ATM Transactions on its Contactless Cards and Access Devices.
b. An Issuer must properly personalize the chip on its Contactless Cards and Access
Devices that provide ATM access to enable contactless ATM Transactions.
EU and Norway Variations
In the EU and Norway, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
If a Card or Access Device is issued under a BIN or BIN range that has been allocated to the
Corporation for Mastercard or Maestro issuance, and is co-badged with another payment
scheme, the Mastercard or Maestro features and functionality must not be inferior to those of
the other payment scheme.
Europe Region
6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements
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By way of example but not limitation, such features and functionality include contactless
support, activation in a Digital Wallet, and Tokenization.
A Chip Card newly issued under a BIN or BIN range that has been allocated to the
Corporation for Mastercard or Maestro issuance must list the Mastercard or Maestro Payment
Application associated with that BIN or BIN range with a level of priority not lower than any
other chip application co-residing on the Card.
An Issuer is responsible for accurately identifying the category (commercial, credit, debit or
prepaid) of each Mastercard and Maestro Card or Payment Application, in accordance with EU
Regulation 2015/751.
Transaction Alerts Service
The Transaction alerts service requirements set forth in Rule 6.1 of Chapter 6 will apply with
respect to a BIN or BIN range assigned for a Europe Region country as per the applicable
effective date listed in the table below. The requirements in this modified Rule do not apply
with respect to BINs or BIN ranges assigned for other Europe Region countries.
Effective Date Country
Transaction Alerts Service
Requirements Apply with
Respect to the Following Card
Types
13 April 2018 United Kingdom
Debit and Credit consumer
Cards
(Optional for Prepaid and
Commercial Cards)
1 July 2018 Andorra, Belgium, France,
Gibraltar, Italy, Luxembourg,
Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal,
San Marino, Spain, Vatican City
Debit, Credit, and Prepaid
consumer Cards and small/
medium business Cards
The Transaction alerts service must:
• Provide the Cardholder with the option to activate a Transaction alerts service;
• Allow the activation of Transaction alerts by individual Account PAN;
• Deliver a Transaction alert to the Cardholder immediately upon approval of an
authorization request for a Transaction that meets the parameters set by the Cardholder.
The alert must indicate the Transaction date and time, Transaction type (for example,
electronic commerce [e-commerce]), Transaction amount and currency, and Merchant
name and country.
• Allow the Cardholder to set parameters for Transaction alerts based on authorization
activity which, at a minimum, must include cross-border e-commerce Transactions, except
in the United Kingdom, where the parameters must include, at a minimum:
– Transaction amount
Europe Region
6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements
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– Cross-border Transactions
– Transaction type (for example, e-commerce Transactions, mail order/telephone order
[MO/TO] Transactions) or channel (for example, Card-not-present Transactions) or both.
6.1.1 Mastercard Card Issuance
In the Europe Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
An Issuer must use specific and unique bank identification numbers (BINs) for Debit
Mastercard Cards. Refer to Rule 3.18 for more information.
6.1.2 Maestro Card Issuance
In the Europe Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
A Chip Card must support online PIN verification as the CVM for Maestro Contactless
Transactions that exceed the applicable Contactless Transaction CVM limit amount if online
PIN is on the Card’s CVM list for Contact Chip Transactions.
In the EEA, the Issuer is not required to maintain the funds in the Maestro Account, but must
maintain the information necessary to process Transactions initiated by the Cardholder.
6.1.2.1 Eligible Accounts—Maestro
In the Europe Region, the Rule on this subject is replaced with the following:
Except in the EEA, a Maestro Card must be linked to a sight deposit account or to a pooled
account (linked to a Corporation-approved prepaid Card Program). A Maestro Card may also
be linked to a Mastercard credit Account in the context of a Corporation-approved multi-
Account Card Program, if the account accessed via the Marks fulfills the requirement in the
preceding sentence.
In the EEA, Cards bearing the Marks may be linked to any type of account (for example, credit
and debit).
6.1.4 Tokenization of Accounts
In the EU and Norway, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
If a Mastercard or Maestro Card or Access Device is co-badged with another payment scheme,
and the other payment scheme is Tokenized, then the Mastercard or Maestro Card or Access
Device must also be Tokenized.
The following provision of Rule 6.1.4 in Chapter 6 applies effective 1 June 2017 in Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malta, Moldova, Russian
Federation, Tajikistan, Turkey, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, and effective
1 March 2017 in all other Europe Region countries.
An Account PAN must be Tokenized whenever a Mobile Payment Device, Access Device, or
other non-Card method is used, in addition to a Card, to provide access to an Account.
Europe Region
6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements
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6.2 Issuer Responsibilities to Cardholders
In the Europe Region, the Rule on this subject is replaced with the following.
An Issuer must provide the following information to each of its Cardholders:
1. Before the Card is used, the Issuer must inform the Cardholder that the Card may be used
wherever the Marks are displayed, and:
a. The price of the Card;
b. Specific charges, if any, to be paid to the Issuer for services provided through the Card
or auxiliary charges applicable to the account, including but not limited to any
Account access fees, cash advance fees, ATM usage fees, late payment fees, and
interest rates to be applied;
c. The basis for calculation of the exchange rate;
d. Notice that exchange rates can fluctuate and that they may change between the time
when the Transaction is made and the time when it is billed to the Cardholder’s
Account;
e. The Cardholder’s liability, including the cost, if the Card is lost or stolen. This
information must be stated clearly in the body of the product literature. The
Cardholder must also be told what to do if the Card is lost or stolen;
f. The standard limit, if any, up to which the Cardholder can use the Card;
g. When the Transaction is likely to be billed to the Cardholder’s Account; and
h. Information required to be provided by Rule 3.13.2 of this chapter.
2. At the time of billing the Transaction, as applicable, the following information must be
provided to the Cardholder:
a. Transaction type (for example, ATM cash withdrawal, cash advance) and location (if
technically feasible);
b. Amount in Transaction currency;
c. Amount in billing currency;
d. Exchange rate applied;
e. Total commission applied (if applicable);
f. Interest rate applied (if applicable).
3. Information relating to Changes to the Standards.
An Issuer in the EEA must inform its Cardholders of any changes to the terms of the
Cardholder agreement that result from changes made by the Corporation to the
Standards. This information must be provided with at least 2 months advance notice
whenever possible.
Europe Region
6.2 Issuer Responsibilities to Cardholders
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6.4 Selective Authorization
In the Europe Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
An Issuer may geographically restrict Maestro Card usage for a particular Maestro Card
Portfolio as a fraud prevention measure, subject to the following requirements:
1. The geographic area in which the Card may be used must be clearly identifiable, for
example domestic-only or Europe-only. For Cards issued in SEPA countries, a domestic-only
restriction is not permitted.
2. The Issuer must use an Account range for the issuance of geographically restricted Cards
that is separate from any Account range used for the issuance of unrestricted Cards,
unless otherwise agreed with the Corporation.
3. The geographic restriction must be clearly printed on the Card front, for example “Valid
only in Europe”.
4. The Card design of geographically restricted Cards must be approved separately by the
Corporation.
5. The Issuer must inform the Cardholder clearly in writing of the geographic scope of the
Card and of any change in scope.
6. The Issuer must communicate the option of receiving a Card with no geographic
restriction to all of its Cardholders and provide such a Card to any Cardholder who
requests one.
7. The Issuer must obtain the Corporation’s prior written approval of all Cardholder
Communications.
6.5 Special Issuer Programs—General Requirements
In the Europe Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
If a proposed A/CB Program will involve the addition of the Maestro and/or Cirrus Marks to
cards carrying the logo of a domestic/local acceptance scheme in which the cards currently
participate, the Corporation will approve the Program only if such scheme has already given
its approval.
The Corporation reserves the right to require any Customer to submit all contracts with an
A/CB Card Program Partner or any other documentation regarding an A/CB Card Program for
purposes of determining compliance with the Standards.
Europe Region
6.4 Selective Authorization
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6.10 Prepaid Card Programs
6.10.10 Simplified Due Diligence Guidelines
Refer to the Guidelines for the European Prepaid Simplified Due Diligence Cardholder
Identification Program available on Mastercard Connect
™
for additional information on
simplified due diligence.
6.11 Maestro Chip-only Card Programs
In the Europe Region, an Issuer may issue “Maestro Chip-only Cards,” defined herein as
Maestro Chip Cards for which the presence of a magnetic stripe is optional, or if the Card has
a magnetic stripe, the magnetic stripe does not have a Maestro Payment Application, subject
to the following conditions:
1. The Corporation must approve, in writing and in advance of Program launch, any Maestro
Chip-only Card Program.
2. The Corporation must approve separately each Card design to be used in connection with
a Maestro Chip-only Card Program.
3. The Account range used for a Maestro Chip-only Card Program must be separate from
any Account range used for the issuance of other Maestro Cards, unless otherwise agreed
with the Corporation.
4. The PAN on Maestro Chip-only Cards must not be embossed.
5. The optional magnetic stripe must not contain a payment application for any other brand.
6. In a Card-present environment, the Issuer must authorize solely Chip Transactions on a
Maestro Chip-only Card.
7. The geographic scope of acceptance of a Maestro Chip-only Card Program must be
limited to the Europe Region. The geographic restriction must be clearly printed on the
Card front, for example “Valid only in Europe.”
8. The Issuer must inform the Cardholder clearly in writing of the limitations on acceptance
of the Card.
9. The Issuer must communicate the option of receiving an unrestricted Maestro Card to all
Maestro Chip-only Card Program Cardholders and provide such a Card to any Cardholder
who requests one.
10. The Issuer must submit and obtain the Corporation’s prior written approval of all
Cardholder Communications.
Europe Region
6.10 Prepaid Card Programs
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6.12 Debit Card Programs Issued by Electronic Money Institutions and
Payment Institutions
The Rules in this section apply to the issuance by an Electronic Money Institution or a Payment
Institution in the European Economic Area of a Debit Card Program.
6.12.1 Prior Consent of the Corporation
An Electronic Money Institution or Payment Institution must not conduct a Mastercard Debit
or Debit Mastercard Card Program without the express prior consent of the Corporation.
Each request by an Electronic Money Institution or Payment Institution to conduct a Debit
Card Program must be submitted to, and approved by, the Corporation via the Debit Program
Registration process.
NOTE: Refer to the Electronic Money Institution (EMI) and Payment Institution (PI) Debit
Program Certification Form on Mastercard Connect for additional information.
6.12.2 Reservation of Rights
The Corporation reserves the right to approve or reject any Debit Card Program application
(and to require that any previously approved Debit Card Program be modified or terminated),
if:
• The applicant does not have an Anti-Money Laundering (AML) program in compliance with
the Mastercard Standards;
• The application does not meet the requirements stated in the Product Constructs above; or
• The application does not adhere to Mastercard Standards for Debit Mastercard or
Mastercard Debit Card Programs.
A Customer may request that the Chief Franchise Integrity Officer of the Corporation review
the rejection or withdrawal of the approval of a Debit Card Program. Such a request must be
submitted in writing and signed by the Customer’s Principal Contact. The request must be
postmarked no later than 30 days after the date of receipt of the notice of rejection or
withdrawal of approval. Any decision by the Chief Franchise Integrity Officer with respect to
such rejection or withdrawal of approval is final and not subject to further review or other
action.
7.1 Service Provider Categories
7.1.1 Independent Sales Organization
In the EEA, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
The ISO identification number must be provided in authorization and clearing messages in the
field and with the value specified by the registered switch of the Customer’s choice.
Europe Region
6.12 Debit Card Programs Issued by Electronic Money Institutions and Payment Institutions
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7.1.2 Third Party Processor
In the Europe Region, the Rule on this subject is modified to add the following.
Effective 1 January 2017, a TPP that performs switching services (authorization, clearing,
settlement) must meet the minimum quality requirements established by the Corporation, as
may be amended from time to time.
7.1.4 Digital Wallet Operator
7.1.4.2 Staged Digital Wallet Operator Requirements
In the Europe Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
3. If a Staged DWO or a retailer receiving payment by means of a Staged DWO payment
account is located in a country for which the Acquirer has central acquiring authorization, the
Acquirer is not required to also obtain a License or an extension of its Area of Use covering the
same country. If a Staged DWO or a retailer receiving payment by means of a Staged DWO
payment account is located in a country that is not one of the Western or Central European
countries listed in Rule 1.7.3.4, the central acquiring authorization must specifically mention
the Staged DWO and/or retailer receiving payment by means of a Staged DWO payment
account.
In the EEA, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
1. The Wallet Identification Number must be provided in authorization and clearing messages
in the field and with the value specified by the registered switch of the Customer’s choice.
6. The Staged DWO name must be provided in the field specified by the registered switch of
the Customer’s choice.
7.6 Acquiring Programs
7.6.5 Payment Facilitators and Submerchants
7.6.5.1 Responsibility for Payment Facilitator and Submerchant Activity
In the Europe Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
If a Submerchant is located in a country for which the Acquirer has central acquiring
authorization in accordance with Rule 1.7.3, the Acquirer is not required to also obtain a
License or an extension of its Area of Use covering the same country. If a Submerchant is
located in a country that is not one of the Western or Central European countries listed in
Rule 1.7.3.4, the central acquiring authorization must specifically mention the Submerchant.
In the EEA, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
An Acquirer must populate the Payment Facilitator ID and Submerchant ID in authorization
and clearing messages in the fields specified by the registered switch of the Customer’s
choice.
Europe Region
7.6 Acquiring Programs
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8.1 Definitions
In the Europe Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
“Interchange fee” is the fee that passes between the Acquirer and the Issuer with respect to
the interchange of a Transaction conducted at a Merchant, the “purchase” part of a
“purchase with cash back” Transaction or a Merchandise Transaction conducted at an ATM
Terminal, including a chargeback, second presentment and reversal of such a Transaction.
“Service fee” is the fee that passes between the Acquirer and the Issuer with respect to the
interchange of any other type of Transaction, including a Manual Cash Disbursement
Transaction, ATM Transaction, “cash-back” part of a “purchase with cash back” Transaction,
refund, or Payment Transaction (such as MoneySend or Gaming Payment Transaction),
including a chargeback, second presentment and reversal of such a Transaction.
8.2 Net Settlement
In the EEA, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
A Customer must refer to the documentation of the registered switch of its choice for clearing
and settlement information.
8.2.1 Currency Conversion
In the EEA, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
A Customer must refer to the documentation of the registered switch of its choice for
currency conversion information.
8.2.2 Settlement Messages and Instructions
The Corporation determines the net obligations of Customers under its Standards. Customers’
net obligations are calculated by the Corporation’s proprietary small value clearing systems
and are based upon accepted financial messages submitted by the Customers to the
Interchange System. Such financial messages are irrevocable upon completion of the clearing
system cutoff. A Customer may submit a subsequent financial message to modify a previously
submitted financial message.
The Corporation subsequently creates instructions reflecting each Customer’s end-of-day net
obligations. Customers are required to effect funds transfers in accordance with these
instructions, which result in the assumption or discharge of payment obligations between
Customers.
For additional information regarding settlement finality and discharge of settlement
obligations following an instruction, see the Settlement Manual.
Europe Region
8.1 Definitions
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8.2.2.1 Cooperation with Government Authorities
Each Europe Region Customer agrees and acknowledges that, for the purposes of
administering the Interchange System, the Corporation may from time to time co-operate (by
sharing of information or otherwise) with:
1. The Financial Services Authority;
2. The Bank of England;
3. Any relevant office holder (as defined in the UK SFD Regulations); and
4. Any authority, body or person having responsibility for any matter arising out of, or
connected with, the default of a Customer.
8.2.2.2 Provision of Information
For the purposes of the UK SFD Regulations, each Europe Region Customer must (except if
such request is frivolous or vexatious) provide to any interested person who requests it, within
14 days of such request and upon payment by such a person of a reasonable charge.
1. Details of the systems which are designated for the purposes of the Settlement Finality
Directive in which such Customer participates; and
2. Information about the main rules governing the functioning of such systems.
8.2.2.3 Notification of Winding Up Resolution or Trust Deed
For the purposes of the UK SFD Regulations, each Europe Region Customer must (i) upon the
passing of a creditor’s voluntary winding up resolution (or analogous procedure in the
jurisdiction of incorporation of such Customer) in respect of that Customer; or (ii) upon a trust
deed granted by the Customer becoming a protected trust deed, notify the Corporation and
the Bank of England that such a resolution (or analogous procedure) has been passed or that
such a trust deed has become a protected trust deed, as the case may be.
8.3 Interchange and Service Fees
In the Europe Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
Detailed information on how interchange fees are applied in the Europe Region is contained
in the Interchange Manual—Europe Region. An Acquirer must submit Transactions completed
at Merchants with the interchange rate designator for the lowest fee tier applicable to them.
Europe Region
8.3 Interchange and Service Fees
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8.4 Establishment of Intracountry Interchange and Service Fees
8.4.2 Bilateral Agreement
Bilaterally agreed interchange fees applicable to Intracountry Transactions in Norway and EU
countries and to Intra-EEA Transactions must not exceed the maximums set pursuant to
applicable law or regulation.
8.5 Failure of a Principal or Association to Discharge a Settlement
Obligation
In the EEA, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows:
The term “Corporation” is replaced by “Mastercard International Incorporated.” For further
clarification, Mastercard Europe facilitates application of this Rule to Customers in the EEA
and manages Customer interactions related to this Rule, including validation of claims.
Mastercard International Incorporated has full responsibility and liability for payment of valid
claims made pursuant to this Rule.
8.11 Loss Allocation Among Customers
In the Europe Region, the following additional Rule applies.
Any losses incurred by the Corporation, or for which the Corporation may otherwise be
responsible due to the failure of a Maestro Customer to perform its settlement obligations,
will be apportioned among Maestro Customers in the Region.
Without prejudice to the Corporation's rights under Rule 8.11 to Chapter 8 of these Rules,
the apportionment of losses will be based on (amongst other things) Customers’ guaranteed
issuing and acquiring Volumes. The collection of the loss allocation will be undertaken by the
Corporation as soon as practicable under the circumstances of the settlement losses and may
be carried out over an extended period if required.
Europe Region
8.4 Establishment of Intracountry Interchange and Service Fees
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Chapter 13 Latin America and the Caribbean Region
This chapter contains Rules pertaining to Activity conducted in the Latin America and the Caribbean
Region.
Applicability of Rules...................................................................................................................209
Definitions.................................................................................................................................. 209
3.1 Obligation to Issue Mastercard Cards.................................................................................... 209
4.1 Right to Use the Marks......................................................................................................... 209
4.8 Use of Marks on Maestro and Cirrus Cards........................................................................... 210
5.10 Merchant Obligations for Acceptance................................................................................. 210
5.10.5 Discounts or Other Benefits at the Point of Interaction.................................................210
6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements..................................................................................210
6.1.2 Maestro Card Issuance.................................................................................................. 210
6.4 Selective Authorization......................................................................................................... 211
8.2 Net Settlement......................................................................................................................211
8.2.1 Currency Conversion..................................................................................................... 211
8.4 Establishment of Intracountry Interchange and Service Fees.................................................. 211
8.11 Loss Allocation Among Customers...................................................................................... 212
Latin America and the Caribbean Region
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Applicability of Rules
The Rules in this Latin America and the Caribbean Region chapter are variances and additions
to the “global” Rules that apply in the Latin America and the Caribbean Region or in a
particular Region country or countries. Refer to Appendix A for the Latin America and the
Caribbean Region geographic listing.
Definitions
Solely within Brazil, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:
Maestro Contactless Magnetic Stripe Transaction
A Maestro POS Transaction initiated by a Cardholder with a Card issued in Brazil at a
Merchant located in Brazil, and which contains a value of 91 in Data Element (DE) 22 (Point of
Service Entry Mode), subfield 1 (POS Terminal PAN Entry Mode), data field position 1–2 and a
value of 3 or 4 in DE 61 (Point of Service [POS] Data), subfield 11 (POS Card Data Terminal
Input Capability Indicator).
Maestro Card
A Card Issued in Brazil that provides access to a Maestro Account and displays the Mastercard
Brand Mark accompanied by the proprietary “débito” graphic identifier in accordance with
the Standards.
3.1 Obligation to Issue Mastercard Cards
In the Latin America and the Caribbean Region, the Rule on this subject is modified to include
the following:
A Customer that is Licensed to acquire Transactions in the United States that extends its Area
of Use to acquire Transactions in Puerto Rico is not required to issue Mastercard Cards in
Puerto Rico if its acquiring Activity in Puerto Rico is limited to only the Transactions of
Merchants located in Puerto Rico that are also located and have headquarters in the United
States, and with whom the Customer has an existing acquiring relationship in the United
States.
4.1 Right to Use the Marks
In Brazil, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
A Maestro Customer located in Brazil must:
Latin America and the Caribbean Region
Applicability of Rules
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1. Comply with the Standards relating to the use of the Mastercard Marks, including but not
limited to those set forth in Chapter 4;
2. Ensure that all newly issued or reissued Maestro Cards are in compliance with the
Mastercard “débito” Standards; and
3. Only use the Mastercard Brand Mark accompanied by the proprietary “débito” graphic
identifier as a stand-alone domestic-use-only brand, in compliance with the Standards.
4.8 Use of Marks on Maestro and Cirrus Cards
In Brazil, the Rule on this subject as it applies in Brazil is modified as follows.
1. The Marks may be placed on cards in combination with other local/international ATM
marks.
2. The Marks may co-reside on a Mastercard Card in the context of a multi-Account Card
Program.
3. A Customer must not place local/regional POS debit marks on Maestro Cards bearing the
Marks and must be in full compliance with Rule 4.9, as may be amended from time to
time.
4. The Marks may not be placed on any debit card that does not qualify as a Maestro Card.
5.10 Merchant Obligations for Acceptance
5.10.5 Discounts or Other Benefits at the Point of Interaction
In the Latin America and the Caribbean Region, a discount or other benefit may be applied at
the POI upon presentation of a particular Mastercard Card or Maestro Card for payment. The
Merchant may promote such discount or other benefit at the POI location, provided such
promotion does not disparage other Card Programs.
6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements
Transaction Alerts Service
An Issuer in the Latin America and the Caribbean Region must comply with the Transaction
alerts service requirements set forth in Rule 6.1 of Chapter 6 by 13 October 2017. The Issuer's
offering of a Transaction alerts service is required for commercial Cards issued for use by a
small or mid-sized business (as defined by the Corporation).
6.1.2 Maestro Card Issuance
In the Latin America and the Caribbean Region, the Rule on this subject as it applies in Brazil,
Chile, and Colombia is modified as follows.
In Brazil, Chile, and Colombia, a Chip Card must support online PIN verification as the CVM
for any Contactless Transaction initiated with a Card issued in Brazil, Chile, or Colombia that
Latin America and the Caribbean Region
4.8 Use of Marks on Maestro and Cirrus Cards
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exceeds the Contactless Transaction CVM limit amount. In Brazil, this Rule applies to both
Maestro Contactless Transactions and Maestro Contactless Magnetic Stripe Transactions.
In Brazil, any Solicitation for a Maestro Card must display the Mastercard Brand Mark
accompanied by the proprietary “débito” graphic identifier in lieu of the Maestro Brand Mark,
in accordance with the Standards.
6.4 Selective Authorization
In Brazil, the Rule on this subject additionally applies to Maestro Card Programs that display
the Mastercard Brand Mark accompanied by the “débito” identifier on Cards and which are
accepted at Mastercard débito acceptance locations.
8.2 Net Settlement
8.2.1 Currency Conversion
In the Latin America and the Caribbean Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
With respect to Mastercard POS Transactions occurring within the country in which the
Mastercard Account was issued, if that country is within the Region, and if the Transaction
currency is the same as the currency of the Issuer and is not U.S. dollars, the Acquirer must
accept payment for the Transaction in the local currency, unless the Acquirer and Issuer have
agreed otherwise, or unless local law requires otherwise.
Noncompliance by any Customer with this requirement will result in the imposition of a USD
50 assessment for each USD 1,000 of affected settlement volume, payable monthly for the
volume in the prior month.
8.4 Establishment of Intracountry Interchange and Service Fees
In the Latin America and the Caribbean Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
Integrated Service for Intracurrency Settlement (ISIS) certification is a standard feature of the
certification process for Mastercard Programs in which a Region Customer participates. All
Principals and Associations in the Region and Service Providers providing Program Services to
Principals and Associations in the Region must settle Mastercard POS Transactions through ISIS
at the applicable intracountry interchange rate and conditions with each Region Customer
that chooses to use ISIS as its settlement platform for Intracountry POS Transactions.
Latin America and the Caribbean Region
6.4 Selective Authorization
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8.11 Loss Allocation Among Customers
In the Latin America and the Caribbean Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
Any losses that the Corporation incurs, or for which the Corporation may otherwise be
responsible due to the failure of a Maestro Customer to perform its Customer obligations, will
be allocated to the Maestro Principals in the Region. The allocation will be determined by the
Corporation or in accordance with expense allocation practices in effect at that time, whether
regional, global, operational, or any other.
The Corporation will determine the timing of the collection, which will be as immediate as is
practicable, but may be carried out over an extended period if deemed necessary or
appropriate.
Latin America and the Caribbean Region
8.11 Loss Allocation Among Customers
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Chapter 14 Middle East/Africa Region
This chapter contains Rules pertaining to Activity conducted in the Middle East/Africa Region.
Applicability of Rules...................................................................................................................214
Definitions.................................................................................................................................. 214
1.7 Area of Use...........................................................................................................................214
1.7.1 Extending the Area of Use ............................................................................................214
3.1 Obligation to Issue Mastercard Cards.................................................................................... 215
3.13 Data Protection...................................................................................................................215
3.13.1 Processing of Transaction–Related Personal Data......................................................... 216
3.13.2 Data Subject Notice and Consent................................................................................ 216
3.13.3 Data Subject Access to Personal Data.......................................................................... 216
3.13.4 Integrity of Personal Data............................................................................................ 217
5.1 The Merchant and ATM Owner Agreements......................................................................... 217
5.1.2 Required Merchant Agreement Terms............................................................................217
5.10 Merchant Obligations for Acceptance................................................................................. 217
5.10.1 Honor All Cards...........................................................................................................217
5.10.2 Merchant Acceptance of Mastercard Cards................................................................. 218
5.10.5 Discounts or Other Benefits at the Point of Interaction.................................................218
6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements..................................................................................218
6.1.1 Mastercard Card Issuance..............................................................................................218
6.10 Prepaid Card Programs........................................................................................................218
6.10.6 Value Loading............................................................................................................. 218
Middle East/Africa Region
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Applicability of Rules
The Rules in this Middle East/Africa Region chapter are variances and additions to the “global”
Rules that apply in the Middle East/Africa Region or in a particular Region country or
countries.
Refer to Appendix A for the Middle East/Africa geographic listings.
Definitions
Solely within South Africa, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:
Debit, Debit Mastercard Card, Debit Card
Any Mastercard Card or Program issued in South Africa, by a Customer licensed in South
Africa, that when presented for payment in South Africa, accesses, debits, holds, or settles
funds from a consumer’s deposit, current, saving, asset or other type of money account.
“Debit” or “Debit Mastercard Card” shall include consumer signature and/or PIN debit
Programs, stored value Programs, prepaid Cards, payroll Cards and electronic benefit transfer
Cards.
Other Mastercard Card
Any Mastercard Card or Program issued in South Africa that is not defined as “debit” or
“Debit Mastercard Card.”
1.7 Area of Use
1.7.1 Extending the Area of Use
In all countries of the Middle East/Africa Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as
follows.
A Principal Customer may apply for an extension to its Area of Use to sponsor an entity that is
located in a country different from the country in which the Principal Customer is
incorporated or is otherwise constituted. The Corporation may at its absolute discretion grant
to a Principal Customer such an extension of its Area of Use if such an extension brings
sufficient value to the Corporation.
What constitutes sufficient value is to be determined solely by the Corporation. In addition to
bringing sufficient value to the Corporation, all of the following conditions must be met at all
times:
1. The Principal Customer is:
Middle East/Africa Region
Applicability of Rules
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a. Licensed in at least one country listed in the Middle East/Africa geographic listing in
Appendix A; and
b. At all times compliant with PCI Security Standards for Level 1 Service Providers as
described in section 10.3.4 or the Security Rules and Procedures manual.
2. The entity proposed to be Sponsored:
a. Must be incorporated or is otherwise constituted in a country located in one of the
countries or territories listed in the Middle East/Africa geographic listing in Appendix
A;
b. Is a financial institution authorized to engage in Activity under the laws or government
regulations of the country in which it is incorporated or is otherwise constituted;
c. Engages in Activity within six months of becoming an Affiliate Customer;
d. Limits its Activity to the country in which it is incorporated or is otherwise constituted
after it becomes an Affiliate Customer; and
e. Must not be sponsored by more than one Principal Customer.
3. The Principal Customer and Affiliate Customer each agree that all Transactions conducted
pursuant to such an extension must be authorized, cleared and settled through the
Interchange System of the Corporation.
4. The total Mastercard gross dollar volume (GDV) of an Affiliate Customer must not exceed
15 percent of the total GDV of the Corporation in that country. An Affiliate Customer will
be required to apply to become a Principal Customer if it exceeds this 15 percent
threshold.
3.1 Obligation to Issue Mastercard Cards
The Rule on this subject does not apply in South Africa.
3.13 Data Protection
In the Middle East/Africa Region and solely for purposes of Rule 3.13, the following terms
have the meanings set forth below.
Applicable Data Protection Law
The applicable laws, rules, regulations, directives and governmental requirements in a country
in the Middle East/Africa Region relating in any way to the privacy, protection and security of
Personal Data, as amended from time to time.
Data Subject
A Cardholder or Merchant or other natural person whose Personal Data is collected, used or
disclosed by the Corporation or a Customer in a country in the Middle East/Africa Region.
Middle East/Africa Region
3.1 Obligation to Issue Mastercard Cards
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Organization
Any individual, company, association or body of persons, corporate or unincorporated,
whether or not formed or recognised under the applicable law of a country in the Middle
East/Africa Region, or resident, or having an office or a place of business, in a country in the
Middle East/Africa Region.
Personal Data
Any information or opinion, whether true or not, about an identified individual or an
individual who can be identified or is reasonably identifiable from that information or opinion.
Processing of Personal Data
The carrying out of any operation or set of operations in relation to Personal Data, including
recording, holding, organization, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, combination, transmission
and erasure or destruction.
Transaction-related Personal Data
Personal Data required for authorizing, recording, settling and clearing a Transaction
processed by the Corporation.
3.13.1 Processing of Transaction–Related Personal Data
A Customer who collects, uses or discloses Transaction–related Personal Data in a country in
the Middle East/Africa Region must comply with the Applicable Data Protection Law in that
country. A Customer is the Organization responsible for complying with the Applicable Data
Protection Law in respect of the collection, use and disclosure of Personal Data, including the
transfer of Personal Data outside the applicable country in the Middle East/Africa Region
(including to the United States of America), for the purposes of authorizing, recording,
clearing and settling transactions, and the Corporation acts as an entity that processes
Personal Data on behalf of the Customer for these purposes. The Corporation will only
undertake Processing of Personal Data in accordance with the Customer’s instructions and the
Standards and will comply with security obligations equivalent to those imposed on the
Customers under the Applicable Data Protection Law, and such other obligations as applicable
to the Corporation under the Applicable Data Protection Law.
3.13.2 Data Subject Notice and Consent
A Customer in a country in the Middle East/Africa Region must ensure that Data Subjects are
properly informed and, if necessary, have given proper consent in accordance with the
Applicable Data Protection Law that Personal Data relating to them may be collected, used or
disclosed by the applicable Customer and the Corporation as set forth for the purposes
provided for in Rule 3.10.
3.13.3 Data Subject Access to Personal Data
In accordance with the Applicable Data Protection Law, a Customer in a country n the Middle
East/Africa Region must develop and implement appropriate procedures for handling requests
Middle East/Africa Region
3.13 Data Protection
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by Data Subjects for access to and/or correction of Personal Data maintained by the applicable
Customer or the Corporation. The Corporation will cooperate with a Customer in responding
to such requests and will provide access to Personal Data maintained by the Corporation
where appropriate.
If an access request is made directly to the Corporation, a Customer must cooperate with the
Corporation in promptly responding to the request.
3.13.4 Integrity of Personal Data
Each Customer in a country in the Middle East/Africa Region must take reasonable steps to
ensure that Personal Data the Customer provides to the Corporation is accurate, complete
and current.
5.1 The Merchant and ATM Owner Agreements
5.1.2 Required Merchant Agreement Terms
In South Africa, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
With respect to Mastercard Card acceptance in South Africa, a Merchant Agreement must
provide the Merchant with the options, and the applicable Merchant discount rate for each
option, to elect to accept South Africa-issued Debit Mastercard Cards only, South Africa-issued
Other Mastercard Cards only, or both South Africa-issued Debit Mastercard Cards and South
Africa-issued Other Mastercard Cards. A Merchant may choose to stop accepting South
Africa-issued Debit Mastercard Cards or South Africa-issued Other Mastercard Cards by
providing no less than 30 days advance written notice to its Acquirer.
5.10 Merchant Obligations for Acceptance
5.10.1 Honor All Cards
In South Africa, the Rule on this subject, as it applies to the acceptance of Mastercard Cards
issued in South Africa, is replaced with the following:
1. Honor All Debit Mastercard Cards. Merchants that choose to accept Debit Mastercard
Cards must honor all valid Debit Mastercard Cards without discrimination when properly
presented for payment. The Merchant must maintain a policy that does not discriminate
among customers seeking to make purchases with a Debit Mastercard Card.
2. Honor All Other Mastercard Cards. Merchants that choose to accept Other Mastercard
Cards must honor all Other Mastercard Cards without discrimination when properly
presented for payment. The Merchant must maintain a policy that does not discriminate
among customers seeking to make purchases with another Card.
Middle East/Africa Region
5.1 The Merchant and ATM Owner Agreements
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5.10.2 Merchant Acceptance of Mastercard Cards
In South Africa, the following Rule applies to the acceptance of Mastercard Cards issued in
South Africa:
A Merchant in South Africa that accepts Mastercard Cards may choose to accept Debit
Mastercard Cards only, Other Mastercard Cards only, or both Debit Mastercard Cards and
Other Mastercard Cards. The Acquirer must advise the Corporation when a Merchant chooses
not to accept either Debit Mastercard Cards or Other Mastercard Cards.
Merchants may request signage for the purpose of indicating their acceptance of Debit
Mastercard Cards at www.mastercardweacceptdebit.com. An Acquirer must provide a
complete list of the BINs that apply to Debit Mastercard Cards to its Merchants upon any form
of reasonable request.
5.10.5 Discounts or Other Benefits at the Point of Interaction
In the Middle East/Africa Region, a discount or other benefit may be applied at the POI upon
presentation of a particular Mastercard Card for payment. Promotion of any such discount or
other POI benefit is permitted provided such promotion does not result in discrimination
against other Card Programs. The determination of whether any promotion discriminates
against other Card Programs is at the sole discretion of the Corporation.
6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements
Transaction Alerts Service
An Issuer in the Middle East/Africa Region must comply with the Transaction alerts service
requirements set forth in Rule 6.1 of Chapter 6 by 13 October 2017. The Issuer's offering of a
Transaction alerts service is required for commercial Cards issued for use by a small or mid-
sized business (as defined by the Corporation).
6.1.1 Mastercard Card Issuance
In South Africa, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
An Issuer must use specific and unique bank identification numbers (BINs) for Debit
Mastercard Cards. Refer to Rule 3.18 for more information.
6.10 Prepaid Card Programs
6.10.6 Value Loading
In Kenya, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
• Value loads of winnings, unspent chips, or other value usable for gambling to a Consumer
Card is permitted provided the Activity is not prohibited by applicable law or regulation.
• Value loads of winnings, unspent chips, or other value usable for gambling to a
Commercial Card or Maestro Card is not permitted.
Middle East/Africa Region
6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements
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• Value loads of winnings, unspent chips, or other value usable for gambling to a Consumer
Prepaid Card (excluding anonymous Prepaid Cards) is permitted provided that:
– Value loads of winnings, unspent chips, or other value usable for gambling to Consumer
Prepaid Cards is not prohibited by applicable law or regulation; and
– The Customer complies with the requirements set forth in Rule 6.10.
In Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia,
Ghana, Gambia, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia,
Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania,
Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
• Value loads of winnings, unspent chips, or other value usable for gambling to a Consumer
Card is permitted provided the Activity is not prohibited by applicable law or regulation.
• Value loads of winnings, unspent chips, or other value usable for gambling to a
Commercial Card, Prepaid Card or Maestro Card is not permitted.
Middle East/Africa Region
6.10 Prepaid Card Programs
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Chapter 15 United States Region
This chapter contains Rules pertaining to Activity conducted in the United States Region.
Applicability of Rules...................................................................................................................222
Definitions.................................................................................................................................. 222
1.9 Participation in Activity and Digital Activity............................................................................223
1.12 Change of Control of Customer or Portfolio....................................................................... 223
1.12.1 Change of Control of Issuer or Issuing Program...........................................................223
1.12.2 Change of Control of Acquirer or Acquiring Program.................................................. 224
3.1 Obligation to Issue Mastercard Cards.................................................................................... 225
3.3 Transaction Requirements..................................................................................................... 225
3.7 Integrity of Brand and Network.............................................................................................225
5.1 The Merchant and ATM Owner Agreements......................................................................... 226
5.1.2 Required Merchant Agreement Terms............................................................................226
5.1.2.1 Gambling Merchants............................................................................................. 226
5.3 Acquirer Obligations to Merchants........................................................................................227
5.3.3 Provide Information.......................................................................................................227
5.7 Transaction Message Data.....................................................................................................227
5.7.1 Card Acceptor Business Code (MCC) Information..........................................................227
5.10 Merchant Obligations for Card Acceptance.........................................................................227
5.10.1 Honor All Cards...........................................................................................................227
5.10.2 Merchant Acceptance................................................................................................. 228
5.10.4 Additional Cardholder Identification............................................................................ 228
5.11 Prohibited Practices.............................................................................................................228
5.11.1 Discrimination............................................................................................................. 228
5.11.5 Existing Mastercard Cardholder Obligations.................................................................228
6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements..................................................................................229
6.1.1 Mastercard Card Issuance..............................................................................................229
6.1.2 Maestro Card Issuance.................................................................................................. 230
6.1.4 Tokenization of Accounts.............................................................................................. 230
6.1.4.1 Maestro Accounts..................................................................................................230
6.10 Prepaid Card Programs........................................................................................................231
6.10.6 Value Loading............................................................................................................. 231
7.1 Service Provider Categories................................................................................................... 231
7.1.2 Third Party Processor..................................................................................................... 231
7.1.2.1 Type I.....................................................................................................................231
7.1.2.3 Type III................................................................................................................... 233
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7.2 The Program and Performance of Program Service................................................................ 233
7.2.2 Notification to the Corporation..................................................................................... 233
7.6 Acquiring Programs ............................................................................................................. 234
7.6.5 Payment Facilitators and Submerchants ........................................................................ 234
7.6.5.1 Responsibility for Payment Facilitator and Submerchant Activity............................. 235
7.8 Payment Facilitator Obligations............................................................................................. 235
7.8.1 Submerchant Agreement...............................................................................................235
7.8.1.1 Required Submerchant Agreement Terms...............................................................235
7.8.2 Obligations as Sponsor of Submerchants....................................................................... 236
7.9 Registration Requirements for Type I TPPs..............................................................................236
7.10 Registration Requirements for Type III TPPs.......................................................................... 236
8.6 Settlement Liability for Debit Licensees..................................................................................236
8.7 Settlement Liability for Type I TPPs that Sponsor Affiliates......................................................237
8.10 Risk of Loss......................................................................................................................... 237
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Applicability of Rules
The Rules in this United States Region chapter are variances and additions to the “global”
Rules that apply in the United States Region. Refer to Appendix A for the United States Region
geographic listing.
Definitions
Solely within the U.S. Region, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:
Acquiring Activity Fee
A fee assessed by the Corporation in connection with a “Change of Control,” as such term is
defined in Rule 1.11 of Chapter 14, "United States Region," of an Acquirer or the acquiring
business of a Customer.
Debit, Debit Mastercard Card, Debit Card
Any Mastercard Card or Program issued in the U.S. Region by a Region Customer that when
presented for payment in the United States, accesses, debits, holds, or settles funds from a
consumer’s demand deposit or asset account less than fourteen days after the date of the
purchase.
"Debit" includes any consumer signature debit, stored value, prepaid, payroll, electronic
benefit transfer, and deferred debit Card or Program. “Debit” does not include any Card or
Program that accesses, debits, holds, or settles funds from the user’s demand deposit or asset
account fourteen or more days after the date of the purchase.
Debit Payment Network
A network, other than any network owned and operated by or that is a corporate affiliate of
the Corporation, that provides access to Maestro Accounts issued in the U.S. Region at POS
Terminals located in the U.S. Region through the use of payment cards and uses a common
service mark to identify such POS Terminals and payment cards.
Designee
An entity, including but not limited to a Third Party Processor or a Merchant, that has been
authorized by the Corporation to connect directly to the Interchange System for purposes of
Maestro Transaction processing.
Mastercard Affiliate
A financial institution that is eligible and approved to be a Customer that participates
indirectly in Mastercard Activity through the Sponsorship of a Mastercard Principal, an
Association, or a Type I TPP utilizing the Mastercard Principal’s, Association’s, or Type I TPP’s
assigned ICAs and BINs/IINs, but which must be Sponsored by a Mastercard Principal or
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Association to participate in Mastercard Acquirer Activity; and as such, may not Sponsor any
other Mastercard Customer.
Other Mastercard Card
Any Mastercard Card or Program issued in the U.S. Region by a Region Customer that is not
defined as “debit” or “Debit Mastercard Card.”
Sponsor
The relationship described in the Standards between a Principal, Association, or Type I TPP and
an Affiliate that engages in Activity indirectly through the Principal, Association, or Type I TPP.
In such event, the Principal, Association, or Type I TPP is the Sponsor of the Affiliate and the
Affiliate is Sponsored by the Principal, Association, or Type I TPP.
Sponsorship
The relationship between a Principal, Association, or Type I TPP that Sponsors an Affiliate and
that Affiliate.
TPP Acquiring Fee
A fee assessed by the Corporation in connection with a “Change of Control,” as such term is
defined in Rule 7.2.2 of this chapter, of a TPP.
1.9 Participation in Activity and Digital Activity
In the U.S. Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
A Mastercard Affiliate that is Sponsored by a Type I TPP may not also participate in Mastercard
Activity as a Mastercard Principal or Association.
1.12 Change of Control of Customer or Portfolio
In the U.S. Region, the Rule on this subject is replaced in its entirety with the following.
1.12.1 Change of Control of Issuer or Issuing Program
In the event that an Issuer will undergo a change of Control, as the term “Control” is defined
in the Definitions section of this manual, the Issuer must notify the Corporation in writing of
such changes at least 90 days prior to the effective date thereof.
The Issuer must promptly provide the Corporation any information requested by the
Corporation relating to such an event or proposed event and the Corporation may:
1. Suspend or impose conditions on any License granted to the Issuer or both.
2. Amend the rights or obligations or both of the Issuer.
3. Terminate the Licenses of any Issuer that:
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a. transfers or attempts to transfer Control of the Issuer to an entity that is not a
Customer;
b. merges into or is consolidated with an entity that is not a Customer,
c. sells all or substantially all of its assets;
d. sells all or substantially all of its Issuer Portfolios;
e. experiences a change in Control or Ownership; or
f. transfers or assigns, or attempts to transfer or assign, its Participation.
1.12.2 Change of Control of Acquirer or Acquiring Program
In the event that an Acquirer or the acquiring business of a Customer that is both an Issuer
and an Acquirer will undergo a “Change of Control,” as such term is defined herein, the
Acquirer must notify the Corporation in writing of such changes at least 90 days prior to the
effective date thereof.
The Acquirer must promptly provide the Corporation any information requested by the
Corporation relating to such an event or proposed event and the Corporation may:
1. Suspend or impose conditions on any License granted to the Acquirer or both.
2. Amend rights or obligations or both of the Acquirer.
3. Terminate the Licenses of the Acquirer.
4. Assess an Acquiring Activity Fee. The Acquiring Activity Fee will be determined based on
one or more factors which shall include, but not be limited to:
a. The Transaction volume acquired annually by the Acquirer; or
b. Any other factors that could significantly impact the integrity of the Mastercard
system.
For purposes of this Rule, a “Change of Control” shall mean an Acquirer or the acquiring
business of a Customer that is both an Issuer and an Acquirer:
1. Merges with another entity, where such other entity is the surviving entity;
2. Undergoes a transfer involving 10 percent or more of any class of its voting securities
(including any options, warrants, or convertible securities that convert into voting
securities) or ownership interest;
3. Undergoes a change in ownership of 10 percent or more of outstanding shares;
4. Transfers 10 percent or more of its assets, in each case in a single transaction, or a series
of related transactions;
5. Undergoes a change in ownership of a “controlling interest”;
6. Undergoes a change which results in a third party having the power to exercise, directly or
indirectly, a controlling influence over its management or policies based on the totality of
facts and circumstances;
7. Sells, transfers or closes down a specified division or line of its business which is related to
or is in connection with the Corporation’s business;
8. Offers all or a portion of the company to the public in an initial public offering; or
9. Undergoes a financial restructuring giving effective control to bondholders.
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3.1 Obligation to Issue Mastercard Cards
In the U.S. Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
1. Any Customer that does not issue or have outstanding any cards of a competing card
program within the U.S. Region is not obligated to issue Mastercard Cards to customers in
the U.S. Region before it may acquire Mastercard POS Transactions from Merchants
located in the U.S. Region.
2. A Customer that is Licensed to acquire Mastercard POS Transactions in the United States
that extends its Area of Use to acquire Mastercard POS Transactions in Puerto Rico is not
required to issue Mastercard Cards in Puerto Rico if its acquiring Activity in Puerto Rico is
limited to only the Transactions of Merchants located in Puerto Rico that are also located
and have headquarters in the United States, and with whom the Customer has an existing
acquiring relationship in the United States.
3.3 Transaction Requirements
In the U.S. Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
A Type I TPP that Sponsors a Mastercard Affiliate for the purpose of Issuer Activity must ensure
that each Mastercard Transaction of such Affiliates that arises in connection with such Issuer
Activity is a Processed Transaction.
3.7 Integrity of Brand and Network
In the U.S. Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
Pursuant to this Rule, with respect to any potentially illegal Internet gambling Transaction
attempted on or after 1 June 2010, the Issuer of the Card must either employ a method of
systemic Transaction blocking or decline all such Transaction authorization requests on an
individual basis.
An Internet gambling Transaction that may be potentially illegal when involving a U.S. region
Cardholder is any Transaction that the Acquirer has identified in the authorization request
message as both:
1. A gambling Transaction, by the use of MCC 7995 or MCC 9406 in DE 18 (Merchant Type),
and
2. An e-commerce Transaction, by the use of a value of 6 (electronic commerce Transaction)
in DE 61 (Point of Service [POS] Data), subfield 10 (Cardholder-Activated Terminal Level
Indicator).
An Issuer may approve, on an individual basis, any Internet gambling Transaction
authorization request arising from a U.S. Region Merchant and identified with MCC 7801
(Internet Gambling) or MCC 7802 (Government Licensed Horse/Dog Racing) that involve a
U.S. Region Cardholder. In using MCC 7801, or MCC 7802, the Acquirer asserts that the
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Transaction involves gambling activity related to horse racing, dog racing, or non-sports
intrastate Internet gambling that is deemed by the Acquirer to be legal in the U.S. region and
indemnifies the Corporation in connection with all such gambling activity. Such indemnity
applies regardless of the Acquirer’s or the Merchant’s compliance with the Corporation’s
Internet Gambling Policy or the Standards.
5.1 The Merchant and ATM Owner Agreements
5.1.2 Required Merchant Agreement Terms
In the U.S. Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
A Merchant Agreement for Mastercard Card acceptance must provide the Merchant with the
option, and the applicable Merchant discount rate for each option, to elect to accept Debit
Mastercard Cards only, Other Mastercard Cards only, or both Debit Mastercard Cards and
Other Mastercard Cards. With respect to any contract existing on or before 1 January 2004,
under which a Merchant accepts Mastercard Cards, a Merchant may choose to stop accepting
Debit Mastercard Cards or Other Mastercard Cards by providing no less than 30 days’ advance
written notice to its Acquirer.
A Merchant Agreement newly effective or renewed after 11 June 2014 must include a
separate or distinct fee disclosure (a “Fee Disclosure”).
The Fee Disclosure must clearly and conspicuously detail the methodology by which each
Merchant fee (a “Fee”) is calculated. As used herein, a “Fee“ means any charge by an
Acquirer to a Merchant related to or arising from the Merchant Agreement, including, but not
limited to, a Terminal or other equipment sale charge, lease or rental; transaction processing
charges; authorization, clearing and/or settlement charges; the pass-through of any Acquirer
obligation to a third party; and any Merchant Agreement termination charge.
The method used to calculate each Fee listed in the Fee Disclosure, including any conditions,
terms or contingencies that are or could be applicable to the Fee, must be clearly explained in
plain terms. By way of example, terms that may appear in a Merchant Agreement and must
be explained include, but are not limited to:
• Merchant discount rate;
• Pass-through;
• Interchange plus mark-up;
• Bundled pricing;
• Tiered rate, qualified rate, mid-qualified rate, non-qualified rate;
• Authorization; and
• Settlement or account settlement.
5.1.2.1 Gambling Merchants
In the United States Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
A Merchant may load winnings, unspent chips, or other value usable for gambling to a
Prepaid Card by means of a value load provided:
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• It is consented to by the Issuer; and
• The load is not routed or processed through the Interchange System.
A Payment Transaction must not be processed to a Prepaid Card with respect to gambling
winnings, unspent chips, or other value usable for gambling.
5.3 Acquirer Obligations to Merchants
5.3.3 Provide Information
An Acquirer must provide a Merchant with which the Acquirer has a Merchant Agreement at
least 30 days advance notice of any new or increased Fee arising from or related to the
Merchant Agreement. Such notice must be provided separately from any regular Fee
statement, bill, invoice or the like provided to a Merchant. As used herein, the term Fee has
the meaning set forth in Rule 5.1.2 of these United States Region Rules.
5.7 Transaction Message Data
5.7.1 Card Acceptor Business Code (MCC) Information
In the U.S. Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
A U.S. Region Acquirer may use MCC 7801 (Internet Gambling) or MCC 7802 (Government
Licensed Horse/Dog Racing) to identify Transactions arising from a U.S. Region Merchant or
Submerchant engaged in legal gambling activity involving non-sports intrastate Internet
gambling, horse racing, or dog racing if the Acquirer has first registered the Merchant or
Submerchant with the Corporation as described in section 9.4.2 of the Security Rules and
Procedures manual. MCC 9754 (Gambling—Horse Racing, Dog Racing, Non–Sports Intrastate
Internet Gambling) was formerly used to identify such Transactions.
5.10 Merchant Obligations for Card Acceptance
5.10.1 Honor All Cards
In the U.S. Region, the Rule on this subject as it applies to Mastercard Card acceptance is
replaced with the following:
1. Honor All Debit Mastercard Cards. Merchants that choose to accept Debit Mastercard
Cards must honor all valid Debit Mastercard Cards without discrimination when properly
presented for payment. The Merchant must maintain a policy that does not discriminate
among customers seeking to make purchases with a Debit Mastercard Card.
2. All Other Mastercard Cards. Merchants that choose to accept Other Mastercard Cards
must honor all Other Mastercard Cards without discrimination when properly presented
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for payment. The Merchant must maintain a policy that does not discriminate among
customers seeking to make purchases with another Card.
5.10.2 Merchant Acceptance
Merchants that accept Mastercard Cards may choose to accept Debit Mastercard Cards only,
Other Mastercard Cards only, or both Debit Mastercard Cards and Other Mastercard Cards.
Merchants that request signage for the purpose of indicating their acceptance of Debit
Mastercard Cards must display such signage for a minimum of three months. The signage may
be requested at www.mastercardweacceptdebit.com.
An Acquirer must provide a complete list of the BINs that apply to Debit Mastercard Cards to
its Merchants upon any form of reasonable request.
5.10.4 Additional Cardholder Identification
An automated fuel dispenser (MCC 5542) Merchant located in the U.S. Region and identified
by the Corporation to be an Excessive Chargeback Merchant (ECM) must use the Mastercard
Address Verification Service (AVS) to verify the Cardholder’s ZIP code before completing a
Cardholder-Activated Terminal (CAT) Level 2 Transaction.
The Merchant’s implementation of AVS must occur within 60 days of the initial ECM
identification and continue until the Merchant is no longer identified as an ECM for three
consecutive months. For information about ECM criteria, refer to section 8.3, “Excessive
Chargeback Program,” of the Security Rules and Procedures.
5.11 Prohibited Practices
5.11.1 Discrimination
Refer to Chapter 16 for an additional provision to this Rule applicable in the U.S. Region.
5.11.5 Existing Mastercard Cardholder Obligations
In the U.S. Region, the Rule on this subject is replaced with the following:
A Merchant must not submit to its Acquirer, and a Customer must not submit to the
Interchange System, any Transaction that:
1. Is conducted with a credit Card and represents the refinancing or transfer of an existing
Mastercard Cardholder obligation that has been deemed to be uncollectible; or
2. Arises from the dishonor of a Mastercard Cardholder’s personal check.
A Transaction that represents the refinancing or transfer of an existing Cardholder obligation
that has been deemed uncollectible may be effected with a Debit Mastercard or Maestro
Card, including any prepaid Card.
For purposes of this Rule, an obligation deemed uncollectible has been charged-off or sold to
another institution for the purpose of full or partial debt recovery and does not represent a
payment for goods or services provided by the Merchant. Refer to Rule 5.11.1 in this United
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States Region chapter regarding Debit Mastercard Card branding requirements applicable in
the U.S. Region.
6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements
In the U.S. Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
A Chip Card or Access Device that is newly issued or re-issued in the U.S. Region must be
configured as online-only or online-preferring for both Contact Chip Transaction and
Contactless Transaction processing. “Online-only” means that the Card or Access Device never
approves a Transaction by means of offline authorization. “Online-preferring” means that the
Card or Access Device always requests an online authorization, but may accept an offline
authorization when an online connection is not available. For more information, refer to M/
Chip Requirements for Contact and Contactless.
Transaction Alerts Service
An Issuer in the U.S. Region must comply with the Transaction alerts service requirements set
forth in Rule 6.1 of Chapter 6 by:
• 14 October 2016 if the Issuer will offer an equivalent service in connection with any other
payment brand by or before this date; and
• 21 April 2017 for all other Issuers.
In addition to complying with the requirements set forth in Rule 6.1 of Chapter 6, the Issuer’s
support of a Transaction alerts service must include:
• Transaction alerts for Cross-border Transactions;
• Transaction alerts by Transaction type (for example, e-commerce Transactions, mail order/
telephone order Transactions) or channel (for example, Card-not-present Transactions) or
both; and
• The electronic delivery of Transaction alerts to Cardholders (for example, via email
messages or short message service [SMS] alerts). There is no requirement regarding the
speed with which the alert must be delivered, but the delivery must occur by electronic
means.
In the U.S. Region, the Issuer’s offering of a Transaction alerts service is required for:
• All consumer Cards except prepaid Cards that are classified as gift cards or for which the
Issuer does not collect, store, or otherwise validate the consumer’s identity pursuant to the
Guidelines for Anonymous Prepaid Card Programs available on Mastercard Connect; and
• Commercial Cards issued for use by a small business (as defined by the Corporation).
6.1.1 Mastercard Card Issuance
In the U.S. Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
1. An Issuer must use specific and unique bank identification numbers (BINs) for Debit
Mastercard Cards. Refer to Rule 3.18 for more information.
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2. An Issuer must ensure that each contactless-enabled Mastercard Card or Access Device
newly issued or re-issued on or after 18 October 2013 is personalized with the appropriate
device type value.
3. A Mastercard credit Card that also provides access to a debit account when a transaction
occurs at a POS Terminal via PIN functionality must enable that Card to process any debit
PIN POS transaction as a Maestro POS Transaction.
4. A Debit Mastercard Card Issuer must post funds due to a Cardholder as a result of a
refund Transaction to the Cardholder’s account within one business day of Transaction
settlement. The Issuer may place a temporary hold on such funds to the extent allowed
under applicable law if the Issuer determines that the circumstances or account history
warrant the delay.
5. An Issuer must ensure that all of its Debit Mastercard Cards enabled for the processing of
single message transactions (PIN-based and/or PIN-less) by a Competing EFT POS Network
are also enabled for Transaction processing by means of the Single Message System.
When Debit Mastercard Card Transactions are processed on the Single Message System,
the Standards applicable to Maestro Cards and Maestro POS Transactions apply.
6.1.2 Maestro Card Issuance
In the U.S. Region, the Rule on this subject modified as follows.
A Mastercard credit Card may be enhanced with the Maestro Payment Application.
A Maestro Chip Card:
1. May support either online PIN verification only or both online PIN and offline PIN
verification as the CVM for POS Transactions; and
2. Must support online PIN verification as the CVM for any Maestro Contactless Transaction
that exceeds the Contactless Transaction CVM limit amount.
6.1.4 Tokenization of Accounts
In the U.S. Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
Prior to the allocation of a Mastercard Token corresponding to a debit Account issued using a
Corporation-designated BIN, the Issuer must notify the Corporation of each Debit Payment
Network enabled on the debit Account as a Merchant routing option.
6.1.4.1 Maestro Accounts
If Maestro is issued on a debit card other than a Debit Mastercard Card, and the other brand
enabled on that debit card offers Tokenization services, the Issuer of the Maestro Account
must ensure that the other Token Vault can support and respond appropriately to Token
mapping and cryptography validation requests sent by the Corporation to the Token Vault
with respect to single message transactions routed to the Interchange System.
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6.10 Prepaid Card Programs
6.10.6 Value Loading
In the U.S. Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
Value loads arising from gambling winnings, unspent chips or other value usable for
gambling, or winnings related to a lottery scheme conducted and managed by a U.S. state
government body, are permitted provided that:
• Value loads of winnings are not prohibited by applicable law or regulation;
• The Card is a Consumer Card;
• The Customer complies with the requirements set forth in Rule 6.10; and
• The Card is not an anonymous Prepaid Card, unless the value load is USD 500 or less and
represents winnings related to a lottery scheme conducted and managed by a U.S. state
government body.
7.1 Service Provider Categories
7.1.2 Third Party Processor
7.1.2.1 Type I
In the U.S. Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows:
1. In addition to engaging in TPP Program Service, a Type I TPP in the U.S. Region may
Sponsor an Affiliate to engage in Mastercard and/or Maestro Issuer Activity. A Type I TPP
that Sponsors an Affiliate for such purpose must comply with (i) all Standards applicable to
a Type I TPP; (ii) subject to Rule 8.7, all Standards applicable to a Principal Issuer; and (iii)
such additional or alternative Standards and/or other requirements that the Corporation
may determine to be necessary or appropriate from time to time.
2. Notwithstanding Rule 7.1 or Rule 7.3, a TPP registered as a Type I TPP for Mastercard
Activity and/or Maestro Activity pursuant to Rule 7.9 may participate in Settlement as
agent for a U.S. Region Customer subject to (a) through (f) below. As used in this Rule
7.1.1.1, “Settlement” and “participation in Settlement” have the meanings set forth in
Section 1 of the Corporation’s Settlement Manual, and a “Settled-For Customer” means a
U.S. Region Customer for which a Type I TPP participates in Settlement to any extent.
a. For so long as the Type I TPP is participating in Settlement, the Type I TPP agrees to
comply with all Standards applicable to Settlement and participation in Settlement and
such additional or alternative Standards and/or other requirements including, by way
of example and not limitation, credit criteria and collateral requirements, as the
Corporation may at any time determine to be necessary or appropriate.
b. The Corporation has no obligation to pay or reimburse, nor has any liability for any
funds owed to, the Type I TPP by any Settled-For Customer with respect to any of the
Settled-For Customer’s Activities or any other Settled-For Customer obligation.
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c. Should the Type I TPP advance funds on behalf of a Settled-For Customer to the
Corporation, such advance is deemed a loan by the Type I TPP to the Settled-For
Customer and the Type I TPP bears all risk of loss without recourse of any nature to the
Corporation.
d. Unless otherwise set forth in the Standards or by a written agreement to which the
Corporation is a party:
i. The Corporation at any time may draw on Settlement funds held by a Type I TPP to
satisfy any obligation arising pursuant to the Standards of any Settled-For
Customer and regardless of whether any of such funds are commingled with any
other funds;
ii. The Type I TPP acknowledges and agrees that 1) the Type I TPP’s participation in
Settlement is issuing and/or acquiring Activity; 2) the Type I TPP is an
“Indemnifying Customer” as such term is defined and used in Rule 2.3, with
respect to the Type I TPP’s participation in Settlement; and 3) the Type I TPP and
each of the Type I TPP’s Settled-For Customers are jointly and severally liable for
any failure by the Type I TPP or by the Type I TPP’s Settled-For Customer to comply
with the Standards pertaining to Settlement and such additional or alternative
Standards and/or other requirements pertaining to Settlement that the
Corporation may determine to be necessary or appropriate from time to time and
at any time;
iii. In the event the Corporation draws on funds held by a Type I TPP to satisfy an
obligation arising pursuant to the Standards of a Settled-For Customer, the
Corporation has no obligation to reimburse the Type I TPP or such Settled-For
Customer any such funds; and
iv. The Corporation has the same rights (including, without limitation, rights of set
off, offset, and recoupment) with respect to Settlement funds held by a Type I TPP
that the Corporation has with respect to Settlement funds held by a Customer.
e. During the first week of each calendar quarter and, in addition, within two business
days of a request by the Corporation, the Type I TPP must provide to the Corporation
in writing a list of all Settled-For Customers. With respect to each Settled-For
Customer listed, the Type I TPP must provide 1) the ICA assigned to the Customer by
the Corporation for use in Settlement; 2) the bank, account number and beneficiary/
owner of the account used for Settlement of the Settled-For Customer’s obligations; 3)
average daily Settlement volume in USD for the calendar quarter immediately
preceding the current calendar quarter; and 4) the amount of any collateral and/or
prepayment the Settled-For Customer has provided to the Type I TPP.
f. The Type I TPP shall promptly, and in any event within two business days, provide the
Corporation written notice of 1) any Customer which has now become a Settled-For
Customer of the Type I TPP; 2) the termination of the Type I TPP’s participation in
Settlement for a Settled-For Customer or 3) any change in the bank, account number
or beneficiary/owner of the account used for Settlement of a Settled-For Customer’s
obligations.
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7.1.2.3 Type III
The Corporation determines, in its sole discretion, if a TPP, in addition to being a Type I TPP or
a Type II TPP, is also a Type III TPP, based upon consideration of the following criteria:
1. Whether a Type I TPP performs acquiring Program Service for an Acquirer in the U.S.
Region;
2. Whether the TPP owns an equity stake in the Acquirer’s Mastercard Activity;
3. Whether a joint venture, business combination, strategic alliance, or other business
formation is in relation to or in connection with Mastercard business. For purposes of this
rule, Mastercard business shall be defined as any activity involving the use of any
Mastercard programs, services, products, systems, or other functions or of any of the
Marks;
4. Whether, in the determination of the Corporation, the TPP is managing the operations of
an Acquirer’s Merchant acquiring program, which management may include, but not
limited to, any one or more of the following activities:
a. Receiving fees directly from the Merchant related to Mastercard Activity;
b. Defining, or having the ability to define, the criteria employed in screening of potential
Merchants or otherwise managing the merchant on-boarding process;
c. Specifying the information to be contained in a Merchant application, the Merchant
Agreement, or both; or
d. Determining Merchant pricing; and
5. Whether the TPP is a signatory to a Merchant Agreement.
7.2 The Program and Performance of Program Service
7.2.2 Notification to the Corporation
In the U.S. Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
In the event a TPP performing acquiring Program Service for a U.S. Region Customer will
undergo a “Change of Control,” as such is defined below, the TPP must notify the
Corporation in writing of such change by sending an email message to
tpp_registration@mastercard.com at least 90 days prior to the effective date thereof. The TPP
must promptly provide the Corporation any information requested by the Corporation relating
to such an event or proposed event. The Corporation will, in writing, either:
1. Reaffirm the TPP’s registration status; or
2. Reaffirm the TPP’s registration status and establish additional conditions to the
registration, including the assessment of a TPP Acquiring Activity Fee.
The TPP Acquiring Activity Fee will be determined based on one or more of the following
factors, which shall include, but not be limited to:
1. Transaction volume processed annually by the TPP;
2. The number of Customers for which the TPP performs Program Service; or
United States Region
7.2 The Program and Performance of Program Service
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3. Any other factors relating to the TPP’s performance of Program Service that could
significantly impact the integrity of the Mastercard system.
Alternatively, the Corporation may, in its sole discretion, terminate or suspend the TPP’s
registration.
For purposes of this Rule, a Change of Control shall mean the TPP:
1. Merges with another entity, where such other entity is the surviving entity;
2. Undergoes a transfer involving 10 percent or more of any class of its voting securities
(including any options, warrants, or convertible securities that convert into voting
securities) or ownership interest;
3. Undergoes a change in ownership of 10 percent or more of outstanding shares;
4. Transfers 10 percent or more of its assets, in each case in a single transaction, or a series
of related transactions;
5. Undergoes a change in ownership of a “controlling interest”;
6. Undergoes a change which results in a third party having the power to exercise, directly or
indirectly, a controlling influence over the management or policies of the TPP based on the
totality of facts and circumstances;
7. Sells, transfers, or closes down a specified division or line of its business which is related to
or is in connection with the Corporation’s business;
8. Offers all or a portion of the company to the public in an initial public offering; or
9. Undergoes a financial restructuring giving effective control to bondholders.
In the event that the TPP fails to provide the written notice set forth above, the Corporation
may promptly take either or both of the following actions:
1. Suspend the TPP’s registration; or
2. Terminate the TPP’s registration upon written notice from the Corporation. Such
termination is effective upon delivery, or inability to deliver after a reasonable attempt to
do so, of written or actual notice by the Corporation to the TPP.
7.6 Acquiring Programs
7.6.5 Payment Facilitators and Submerchants
In the U.S. Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
An Acquirer may permit a Payment Facilitator to manage the following additional obligations
on behalf of the Acquirer, and remains fully responsible for the fulfillment of each to the
extent that the Payment Facilitator fails to do so.
• Include a separate or distinct Fee disclosure in the agreement with the Submerchant, as set
forth in (and as the term “Fee” is defined in) Rule 5.1.2 these United States Region Rules.
• Provide a Submerchant with which the Payment Facilitator has a Submerchant Agreement
at least 30 days advance notice of any new or increased Fee arising from or related to the
United States Region
7.6 Acquiring Programs
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Submerchant Agreement. Such notice must be provided separately from any regular Fee
statement, bill, invoice or the like provided to a Submerchant.
7.6.5.1 Responsibility for Payment Facilitator and Submerchant Activity
In the U.S. Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
8. A Payment Facilitator that proposes to sponsor as Submerchants one or more entities
conducting business described in any of the following must register such Submerchant as a
high-risk Submerchant:
• Gambling merchants conducting horse racing, dog racing, or non-sports intrastate Internet
gambling—MCC 7801 or MCC 7802
• Skill games merchants—MCC 7994
• State lottery merchants—MCC 7800
7.8 Payment Facilitator Obligations
7.8.1 Submerchant Agreement
7.8.1.1 Required Submerchant Agreement Terms
In the U.S. Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
Each Submerchant Agreement that is newly effective or renewed after 11 June 2014 must
include a separate or distinct fee disclosure (a “Fee Disclosure“).
The Fee Disclosure must clearly and conspicuously detail the methodology by which each
Submerchant fee (a “Fee“) is calculated. As used herein, a “Fee“ means any charge by a
Payment Facilitator to a Submerchant related to or arising from the Submerchant agreement,
including, but not limited to, a Terminal or other equipment sale charge, lease or rental;
transaction processing charges; authorization, clearing and/or settlement charges; the pass-
through of any Acquirer obligation to a third party; and any Submerchant agreement
termination charge.
The method used to calculate each Fee listed in the Fee Disclosure, including any conditions,
terms or contingencies that are or could be applicable to the Fee, must be clearly explained in
plain terms. By way of example, terms that may appear in a Submerchant agreement and
must be explained include, but are not limited to:
• Merchant discount rate;
• Pass-through;
• Interchange plus mark-up;
• Bundled pricing;
• Tiered rate, qualified rate, mid-qualified rate, non-qualified rate;
• Authorization; and
• Settlement or account settlement.
United States Region
7.8 Payment Facilitator Obligations
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7.8.2 Obligations as Sponsor of Submerchants
In the U.S. Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
A Payment Facilitator must provide each of its Submerchants with at least 30 days advance
notice of any new or increased Fee arising from or related to the Submerchant agreement.
Such notice must be provided separately from any regular Fee statement, bill, invoice or the
like provided to a Submerchant. As used herein, the term Fee has the meaning set forth in
Rule 7.8.1.1 of these United States Region Rules.
7.9 Registration Requirements for Type I TPPs
In the U.S. Region, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
In addition to TPPs that the Corporation designates to be prospective Type I TPPs, a TPP or
other entity in the U.S. Region may become a Type I TPP if such TPP or other entity:
1. Is registered by the Corporation as a Type I TPP; and
2. Agrees to comply with all Standards applicable to Type I TPPs and to Principals and any
additional requirements that the Corporation may deem necessary or appropriate from
time to time; and
3. Provides evidence satisfactory to the Corporation that it is in compliance with the
Mastercard Anti-Money Laundering Program (the “AML Program”); and
4. Pays applicable fees.
7.10 Registration Requirements for Type III TPPs
Any Type I TPP or Type II TPP that meets one or more of the criteria set forth in Rule 7.1.1.3 of
this chapter must apply to be registered by the Corporation as a Type III TPP, and the
Corporation will determine, in its discretion, if the TPP is a Type III TPP.
After registration by the Corporation of a Type III TPP, and on an annual basis, the applicable
fee is charged by the Corporation directly to the Type III TPP. The renewal or continuation of a
Type III TPP’s registration as a TPP is at the sole discretion of the Corporation.
8.6 Settlement Liability for Debit Licensees
A debit Licensee is granted a License limited to the issuance of Debit Mastercard Cards. A
principal debit Licensee is not responsible for the Debit Mastercard Card Program obligations
United States Region
7.9 Registration Requirements for Type I TPPs
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of any affiliate debit Licensee that it Sponsors if such an affiliate debit Licensee becomes
unable or unwilling to discharge its settlement obligations.
8.7 Settlement Liability for Type I TPPs that Sponsor Affiliates
Unless otherwise provided in the Standards, a Type I TPP is not responsible for the Issuer
Activity settlement obligations of an Affiliate that the Type I TPP Sponsors should such an
Affiliate be unable or unwilling to discharge its Issuer Activity settlement obligations. The
Corporation assumes no liability for any settlement failure dispute that arises between a Type I
TPP and an Affiliate Sponsored by such Type I TPP.
8.10 Risk of Loss
In the U.S. Region, the Rule on this subject applies with respect to affiliate debit Licensees in
the same manner as it applies to Customers.
United States Region
8.7 Settlement Liability for Type I TPPs that Sponsor Affiliates
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Chapter 16 Additional U.S. Region and U.S. Territory Rules
This chapter contains Rules pertaining to Activity conducted in the U.S. Region or a U.S. Territory.
Applicability of Rules...................................................................................................................239
2.2 Conduct of Activity and Digital Activity................................................................................. 239
2.2.5 Mastercard Acquirers.....................................................................................................239
3.3 Transaction Requirements..................................................................................................... 239
4.1 Right to Use the Marks......................................................................................................... 239
4.1.1 Protection and Registration of the Marks.......................................................................239
4.8 Use of Marks on Maestro and Cirrus Cards........................................................................... 240
4.9 Use of Marks on Mastercard Cards........................................................................................240
5.11 Prohibited Practices.............................................................................................................240
5.11.1 Discrimination............................................................................................................. 240
5.11.2 Charges to Cardholders...............................................................................................241
5.11.2.1 Brand-level Surcharging....................................................................................... 242
5.11.2.2 Product-level Surcharging.................................................................................... 244
5.11.2.3 Requirements for Merchant Disclosure of a Surcharge at the POI..........................246
5.11.2.4 Merchant Notification and Acquirer Registration..................................................247
5.11.2.5 Transaction Requirements.................................................................................... 247
5.11.3 Minimum/Maximum Transaction Amount Prohibited................................................... 247
5.11.8 Disparagement............................................................................................................248
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Applicability of Rules
The Rules in this section are variances and additions to the “global” Rules that apply in the
United States (U.S.) Region and in American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto
Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (herein, “the U.S. Territories”).
These Rules apply in addition to those set forth in the Asia/Pacific Region chapter, with respect
to Customers located in American Samoa, Guam, and Northern Mariana Islands; the Latin
America and the Caribbean Region chapter, with respect to Customers located in Puerto Rico
and the U.S. Virgin Islands; and the United States Region chapter, with respect to U.S. Region
Customers.
2.2 Conduct of Activity and Digital Activity
2.2.5 Mastercard Acquirers
An Acquirer of Mastercard POS Transactions must not prohibit a Merchant from requesting or
encouraging a consumer to use a payment card with an acceptance brand other than
Mastercard or other form of payment or a Mastercard Card of a different product type (for
example, traditional cards, premium cards, or rewards cards) than the Mastercard Card the
consumer initially presents, or otherwise prohibit its Merchant from engaging in actions
consistent with Rule 5.11.1 of this chapter.
3.3 Transaction Requirements
For the avoidance of doubt, the Rule on this subject does not inhibit a Merchant’s ability to
direct the routing of a transaction conducted in the U.S. Region or a U.S. Territory with a debit
Card that is issued in the U.S. Region or a U.S. Territory to any debit payment network
enabled on the Card.
4.1 Right to Use the Marks
4.1.1 Protection and Registration of the Marks
The Rule on this subject, as it pertains to debit Cards issued in the U.S. Region or a U.S.
Territory, is modified as follows.
No use of a Mark may be made on or in connection with any card, device or other application
associated with a payment service that the Corporation deems to be competitive with any
Activity except as set forth in this chapter.
Additional U.S. Region and U.S. Territory Rules
Applicability of Rules
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4.8 Use of Marks on Maestro and Cirrus Cards
In the U.S. Region and U.S. Territories, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
The Maestro Brand Mark may be placed on a debit card in combination with other local/
regional/international POS debit marks and/or local/international ATM marks. In the event that
a debit card has an international POS debit mark on the card front, and the card has a
Maestro Payment Application:
1. If any other POS debit mark appears on the card back, the Maestro Brand Mark must be
displayed on the card back; or
2. If no other POS debit mark appears on the card back, the Maestro Brand Mark is not
required to appear on the card back.
A card must not include any visible indication communicating that acceptance or use of the
Maestro Brand Mark or the Maestro Payment Application is limited, geographically or
otherwise.
The provision of the Rule on this subject that prohibits a Customer from placing any other
Competing EFT POS Network debit marks on its participating Cards does not apply to Cards
issued in the U.S. Region or a U.S. Territory.
4.9 Use of Marks on Mastercard Cards
In the U.S. Region and U.S. Territories, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
A competing or other debit point-of-sale marks may appear on a debit Card as set forth in the
Card design Standards or as otherwise agreed to by the Corporation.
5.11 Prohibited Practices
5.11.1 Discrimination
In the U.S. Region and U.S. Territories, the Rule on this subject is replaced with the following:
A Merchant may request or encourage a customer to use a payment card with an acceptance
brand other than Mastercard or other form of payment or a Mastercard Card of a different
type (for example, traditional cards, premium cards, or rewards cards) than the Mastercard
Card the consumer initially presents. Except where prohibited by law, it may do so by methods
that include, but are not limited to:
1. Offering the customer an immediate discount from the Merchant’s list, stated, or standard
price, a rebate, a free or discounted product or service, or any other incentive or benefit if
the customer uses a particular payment card with an acceptance brand other than
Mastercard or other particular form of payment;
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4.8 Use of Marks on Maestro and Cirrus Cards
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2. Offering the customer an immediate discount from the Merchant’s list, stated, or standard
price, a rebate, a free or discounted product or service, or any other incentive or benefit if
the customer, who initially presents a Card, uses instead another payment card or another
form of payment;
3. Expressing a preference for the use of a particular payment card or form of payment;
4. Promoting the use of a particular general purpose payment card with an acceptance brand
other than Mastercard or the use of a particular form or forms of payment through posted
information, through the size, prominence, or sequencing of payment choices, or through
other communications to customers (provided that the Merchant otherwise will abide by
the Standards relating to the display of the Marks including, but not limited to, the
Mastercard Acceptance Mark); or
5. Communicating to customers the reasonably estimated or actual costs incurred by the
Merchant when a customer uses particular payment cards or forms of payment or the
relative costs of using different general purpose payment cards or forms of payment.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Merchant located in the U.S. Region may not offer a
discount or other benefit to a Cardholder if the Cardholder uses a particular Issuer’s Card at
the Point of Interaction (POI), unless the discount or other benefit is available for all other
Cards of the same product type or is accessed 1) after the Transaction has been completed
(for example, a credit on the billing statement or a rebate); or 2) at the time of or after the
Transaction and is effected by a separate instrument and not by the Card (for example, a
coupon or a voucher). A Merchant must not promote at the POI a discount or other benefit
for use of a particular Issuer’s Card.
5.11.2 Charges to Cardholders
In the U.S. Region and U.S. Territories, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows, with
respect to Mastercard Credit Card Transactions, as the term Mastercard Credit Card
Transaction is defined herein. For all other Transactions, the global Rule applies.
Definitions
Solely for the purposes of Rule 5.11.2 in this “Additional U.S. Region and U.S. Territory Rules”
chapter, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:
1. “Cardholder” means the authorized user of a Mastercard Credit Card.
2. “Competitive Credit Card Brand” includes any brand of Credit Card or electronic credit
payment form of a nationally accepted payment network other than Mastercard,
specifically including without limitation Visa, American Express, Discover, and PayPal.
3. “Competitive Credit Card Brand Cost of Acceptance” is a Merchant’s average Merchant
Discount Rate applicable to transactions on a Competitive Credit Card Brand at the
Merchant for the preceding one or twelve months, at the Merchant’s option.
4. “Credit Card” means a card or other device that may be used to defer payment of debt or
incur debt and defer its payment.
5. “Independent Consideration” means material value a Merchant receives specifically in
exchange for the Merchant’s agreement to waive or otherwise restrict its right to
Surcharge transactions on a Competitive Credit Card Brand.
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6. “Mastercard Credit Card” means a Credit Card bearing the Mastercard brand.
7. “Mastercard Credit Card Transaction” means a Transaction in which a Mastercard Credit
Card is presented for payment and that is performed in accordance with the Standards.
8. The “Maximum Surcharge Cap” shall be no less than the product of 1.8 times the sum of
the system-wide average effective U.S. domestic Mastercard Credit Card interchange rate
plus average network fees (defined to include network set fees to Acquirers or Merchants
associated with the processing of a Transaction or with the acceptance of the network’s
brand) as published from time to time.
9. “Merchant Discount Rate” is the fee, expressed as a percentage of the total transaction
amount that a Merchant pays to its Acquirer or Service Provider for transacting on a Credit
Card brand. For purposes of Brand-level and Product-level Surcharging, irrespective of
whether the identified fees and costs are paid via the merchant discount or by check,
withholding, offset, or otherwise, the Merchant Discount Rate shall include:
a. The interchange rate,
b. Network set fees associated with the processing of a transaction;
c. Network set fees associated with the acceptance of the network’s brand;
d. The Acquirer set processing fees associated with the processing of a transaction; and
e. Any other services for which the Acquirer is paid via the mechanism of the per
transaction merchant discount fee.
Other than the fees listed in (a) through (d) above, the Merchant Discount Rate
excludes any fees (such as the cost of rental of point-of-sale terminal equipment) that
are invoiced separately or not paid via the mechanism of the per-transaction merchant
discount fee.
10. “Surcharge” means any fee charged by the Merchant for use of a Card. As set forth in
this Rule 5.11.2 in this “Additional U.S. Region and U.S. Territory Rules,” a Merchant
located in the U.S. Region or a U.S. Territory may only require a Mastercard Credit Card
Cardholder to pay a Surcharge by choosing to apply either of the following Surcharge
methods:
1. Brand-level Surcharge—The application of the same Surcharge to all Mastercard Credit
Card Transactions regardless of the Issuer.
2. Product-level Surcharge—The application of the same Surcharge to all Mastercard
Credit Card Transactions of the same product type regardless of the Issuer.
5.11.2.1 Brand-level Surcharging
Definitions
Solely for purposes of this Rule 5.11.2.1, “Brand-level Surcharging,” the following terms have
the meanings set forth below:
1. “After accounting for any discounts or rebates offered by the Merchant at the Point of
Interaction (POI)” means that the amount of the Surcharge for a Mastercard Credit Card
or a Competitive Credit Card Brand is to include the amount of any discount or rebate
that is applied to that card or brand at the POI but which is not equally applied to all
Mastercard Credit Card Transactions.
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2. “Mastercard Credit Card Cost of Acceptance” is:
a. A percentage of the Mastercard Credit Card Transaction amount calculated based
upon the average effective interchange rate plus the average of all fees imposed by
the network upon Acquirers or Merchants as applicable to Mastercard Credit Card
Transactions at the Merchant for the preceding one or twelve months, at the
Merchant’s option, or
b. If a Merchant cannot determine its Mastercard Credit Card Cost of Acceptance, then
the Merchant may use the Mastercard Credit Card Cost of Acceptance for the
Merchant’s merchant category as published from time to time on the Mastercard
public website.
3. “Mastercard Surcharge Cap” is the average Merchant Discount Rate applicable to
Mastercard Credit Card Transactions at the Merchant for the preceding one or twelve
months, at the Merchant’s option.
The following requirements apply to a Merchant that chooses to impose a Surcharge at the
brand level:
1. The same Surcharge must apply to all Mastercard Credit Card Transactions after
accounting for any discounts or rebates offered by the Merchant on Mastercard Credit
Card Transactions at the POI. A Merchant may choose to Surcharge all face-to-face and/or
non–face-to-face Mastercard Credit Card Transactions.
2. The Surcharge assessed on a Mastercard Credit Card Transaction may not exceed the
lesser of:
a. The Merchant’s Mastercard Surcharge Cap, or
b. The Maximum Surcharge Cap, as published by Mastercard from time to time
3. The Merchant must comply with the Surcharge disclosure requirements set forth in Rule
5.11.2.3 below.
4. If a Merchant’s ability to Surcharge a Competitive Credit Card Brand that the Merchant
accepts, in either a face-to-face or non–face-to-face environment, is limited by that
Competitive Credit Card Brand in any manner other than by prohibiting a Surcharge
greater than the Competitive Credit Card Brand’s Cost of Acceptance, then the Merchant
may Surcharge Mastercard Credit Card Transactions in accordance with (1) through (3)
above pursuant to either:
a. The same terms under which the Competitive Credit Card Brand permits a Merchant
to Surcharge transactions of the Competitive Credit Card Brand in a face-to-face or
non–face-to-face environment, or
b. The same terms under which the Merchant actually Surcharges transactions of the
Competitive Credit Card Brand, in a face-to-face or non–face-to-face environment,
after accounting for any discounts or rebates offered by the Merchant at the POI to
the Competitive Credit Card Brand Cards.
5. The requirements outlined in (4) above are not applicable if:
a. The Competitive Credit Card Brand does not prohibit or effectively prohibit
surcharging Credit Cards and the Competitive Credit Card Brand Cost of Acceptance
to the Merchant is less than the Mastercard Credit Card Cost of Acceptance; or
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b. The Competitive Credit Card Brand prohibits or effectively prohibits the surcharging of
Credit Cards and the Merchant Surcharges the Competitive Credit Card Brand in an
amount at least equal to the lesser of:
i. The Competitive Credit Card Brand Cost of Acceptance; or
ii. The amount of the Surcharge imposed on the Mastercard Credit Card Transaction
to be Surcharged; or
c. The Merchant has entered into an agreement with the Competitive Credit Card Brand
which waives or limits the Merchant’s right to Surcharge transactions on that
Competitive Credit Card Brand and the agreement:
i. Is not indefinite but is for a fixed duration;
ii. Is unique to the Merchant, not a standard agreement generally offered by the
Competitive Credit Card Brand to multiple Merchants;
iii. Is not a condition to the Merchant’s acceptance of the Competitive Credit Card
Brand, thus the Merchant must have the ability to accept the Competitive Credit
Card Brand for payment if the agreement were not in place;
iv. Is in exchange for Independent Consideration; and
v. Contains a price under which the Merchant may accept Competitive Credit Card
Brand transactions and surcharge those transactions up to the Merchant’s
Merchant Discount Rate for the Competitive Credit Card Brand after accounting
for applicable discounts or rebates offered by the Merchant at the POI.
5.11.2.2 Product-level Surcharging
Definitions
Solely for purposes of this Rule 5.11.2.2, the following terms have the meanings set forth
below:
1. “After accounting for any discounts or rebates offered by the Merchant at the POI” means
that the amount of the Surcharge for Mastercard Credit Cards of the same product type
or a Competitive Credit Card Product is to include the amount of any discount or rebate
that is applied to that card or product at the POI but which is not equally applied to all
Mastercard Credit Card Transactions of the same product type.
2. “Competitive Credit Card Product” includes any product within a brand of Credit Card or
electronic credit payment form of a nationally accepted payment network other than
Mastercard, specifically including without limitation Visa, American Express, Discover, and
PayPal.
3. “Competitive Credit Card Product Cost of Acceptance” means the Merchant’s average
effective Merchant Discount Rate applicable to transactions on the Competitive Credit
Card Product at the Merchant for the preceding one or twelve months, at the Merchant’s
option.
4. “Debit Card Cost of Acceptance” means the amount of the cap for debit transactions
established by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System pursuant to 15 U.S.
C. § 1690-2 and its implementing regulations or, if the Board of Governors discontinues
establishing a cap for debit transactions, the merchant’s average effective Merchant
Discount Rate for all PIN-based debit transactions for the preceding twelve months.
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5. “Mastercard Credit Card Product Cost of Acceptance” means:
a. The average effective interchange rate plus the average of all fees imposed by the
network upon Acquirers or Merchants, expressed as a percentage of the Transaction
amount, applicable to Mastercard Credit Card Transactions of a product type at the
Merchant for the preceding one or twelve months, at the merchant’s option; or
b. If a Merchant cannot determine its Mastercard Credit Card Product Cost of
Acceptance, then the Merchant may use the Mastercard Credit Card Product Cost of
Acceptance for its Merchant category as published by Mastercard on the Mastercard
public website.
6. The “Mastercard Credit Surcharge Cap” for a product type is the average effective
Merchant Discount Rate applicable to Mastercard Credit Card Transactions of that product
type at the Merchant for the preceding twelve months. At any given point in time, the
actual Merchant Discount Rate paid in the time period covered by the Merchant’s most
recent statement relating to Mastercard Credit Card Transactions may be deemed a proxy
for this amount.
The following requirements apply to a Merchant that chooses to impose a Surcharge at the
product level:
1. The same Surcharge must apply to all Mastercard Credit Card Transactions of the same
product type (for example, Standard Mastercard, World Mastercard, World Elite
Mastercard) after accounting for any discounts or rebates offered by the Merchant at the
POI. A Merchant may choose to Surcharge all face-to-face and/or non–face-to-face
Mastercard Credit Card Transactions of the same product type.
2. The Surcharge assessed on a Mastercard Credit Card Transaction may not exceed the
lesser of:
a. The Merchant’s Mastercard Credit Surcharge Cap for that product type minus the
Debit Card Cost of Acceptance, or
b. The Maximum Surcharge Cap, as published by Mastercard from time to time.
3. The Merchant must comply with the surcharge disclosure requirements set forth in Rule
5.11.2.3 below.
4. If a Merchant’s ability to Surcharge a Competitive Credit Card Brand that the Merchant
accepts, in either a face-to-face or non–face-to-face environment, is limited by that
Competitive Credit Card Brand in any manner other than by prohibiting a surcharge
greater than the Competitive Credit Card Brand’s Cost of Acceptance, then the Merchant
may Surcharge Mastercard Credit Card Transactions in accordance with (1) through (3)
above pursuant to either:
a. The same terms under which the Competitive Credit Card Brand permits a Merchant
to surcharge transactions of the Competitive Credit Card Brand in a face-to-face or
non–face-to-face environment, or
b. The same terms under which the Merchant actually surcharges transactions of the
Competitive Credit Card Brand, in a face-to-face or non-face-to-face environment,
after accounting for any discounts or rebates offered by the Merchant at the POI on
the Competitive Credit Card Brand.
5. The requirements outlined in (4) above are not applicable if:
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a. The Competitive Credit Card Brand does not prohibit or effectively prohibit
surcharging Credit Cards and the Competitive Credit Card Product Cost of Acceptance
to the Merchant is less than the Mastercard Credit Card Product Cost of Acceptance,
or
b. The Competitive Credit Card Brand prohibits or effectively prohibits the surcharging of
Credit Cards and the Merchant surcharges the Competitive Credit Card Brand in an
amount at least equal to the lesser of:
i. The Competitive Credit Card Brand Cost of Acceptance, or
ii. The amount of the Surcharge imposed on the Mastercard Credit Card Transaction
to be Surcharged, or
c. The Merchant has entered into an agreement with a Competitive Credit Card Brand
which waives or limits the Merchant’s right to surcharge transactions on that
Competitive Credit Card Brand and the agreement:
i. Is not indefinite but is for a fixed duration;
ii. Is unique to the Merchant, not a standard agreement generally offered by the
Competitive Credit Card Brand to multiple Merchants;
iii. Is not a condition to the Merchant’s acceptance of the Competitive Credit Card
Brand, the Merchant must have the ability to accept the Competitive Credit Card
Brand for payment if the agreement were not in place;
iv. Is in exchange for Independent Consideration; and
v. Contains a price under which the Merchant may accept Competitive Credit Card
Brand transactions and surcharge those transactions up to the Merchant’s
Merchant Discount Rate for the Competitive Credit Card Brand after accounting
for applicable discounts or rebates offered by the Merchant at the POI.
5.11.2.3 Requirements for Merchant Disclosure of a Surcharge at the POI
1. A Merchant that chooses to Surcharge, either at the brand level or the product level, must
prominently display a clear disclosure of the Merchant’s Surcharge policy at the point of
store entry or when conducting an e-commerce Transaction, on the first page that
references Credit Card brands. The disclosure must include a statement that the Surcharge
that the Merchant imposes is not greater than the Merchant’s Merchant Discount Rate for
Mastercard Credit Card Transactions.
2. The Merchant must provide a disclosure of the Merchant’s Surcharging practices at the POI
or point of sale and that disclosure must not disparage the brand, network, Issuer, or
payment card product being used. A statement that the Merchant prefers or requests that
a cardholder use a form of payment with lower acceptance costs does not constitute
disparagement under this Rule. This disclosure must include:
a. The Surcharge percentage that is applied to Mastercard Credit Card Transactions;
b. A statement that the Surcharge is being imposed by the Merchant; and
c. A statement that the Surcharge is not greater than the applicable Merchant Discount
Rate for Mastercard Credit Card Transactions at the Merchant.
3. A Merchant that chooses to Surcharge must provide clear disclosure of the Surcharge
amount on the Transaction receipt.
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5.11.2.4 Merchant Notification and Acquirer Registration
A Merchant that chooses to impose a Surcharge must provide Mastercard and its Acquirer
with no less than 30 days’ advance written notice that the Merchant intends to impose a
Surcharge on Mastercard Credit Card Transactions at either the brand level or product level.
For information about how to notify Mastercard, see www.mastercardmerchant.com. The
Acquirer must register the identity of the Merchant with Mastercard within 10 days of receipt
of the Merchant’s notification.
5.11.2.5 Transaction Requirements
The Acquirer of a Merchant that chooses to apply either a Brand-level Surcharge or a Product-
level Surcharge to Mastercard Credit Card Transactions must offer to the Merchant the ability
to electronically submit to the Acquirer any such Surcharge amount separately (in the defined
surcharge field) from the Transaction amount in the authorization and clearing message.
The Transaction amount will include the purchase amount plus the surcharge amount. If the
Merchant separately submits the Surcharge amount applied to a Transaction electronically, the
Acquirer must transmit the Surcharge amount in DE 28 (Amount, Transaction Fee) of the
authorization request message and in DE 54 (Amounts, Additional), subfield 5 (Additional
Amount, Amount) of the clearing message. DE 54 also must contain a value of 42 (Amount,
Surcharge) in subfield 2 (Additional Amount, Amount Type).
For the avoidance of doubt, a Merchant is not prohibited from applying a Brand-level or
Product-level Surcharge if the Acquirer has not enabled the Merchant to electronically submit
the Surcharge amount separately from the Transaction amount as set forth in this Rule
5.11.2.5. A Merchant that applies a Brand-level or Product-level Surcharge must disclose the
Surcharge amount on the TID as set forth set forth in Rule 5.11.2.3.
In the event that a Merchant provides a full or partial refund of a purchase Transaction that
included a Brand-Level or Product-Level Surcharge, the refund Transaction must include the
full or prorated Brand-Level or Product-Level Surcharge amount.
5.11.3 Minimum/Maximum Transaction Amount Prohibited
In the U.S. Region and U.S. Territories, the Rule on this subject is modified as follows.
A Merchant may set a minimum Transaction amount to accept a Mastercard Card that
provides access to a credit account, under the following conditions:
1. The minimum Transaction amount does not differentiate between Issuers; and
2. The minimum Transaction amount does not differentiate between Mastercard and another
acceptance brand; and
3. The minimum Transaction amount does not exceed USD 10 (or any higher amount
established by the Federal Reserve by regulation).
A Merchant may set a maximum Transaction amount to accept a Mastercard Card that
provides access to a credit account, under the following conditions:
1. The Merchant is:
a. A department, agency or instrumentality of the U.S. Government;
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b. A corporation owned or controlled by the U.S. Government; or
c. A Merchant whose primary business is reflected by one of the following MCCs:
– MCC 8220—Colleges, Universities, Professional Schools, Junior Colleges; or
– MCC 8244—Schools, Business and Secretarial; or
– MCC 8249—Schools, Trade and Vocational; and
2. The maximum Transaction amount does not differentiate between Issuers; and
3. The maximum Transaction amount does not differentiate between Mastercard and
another acceptance brand.
5.11.8 Disparagement
A Merchant must not disparage the Corporation or any of the Corporation’s products,
programs, services, networks, or systems.
Additional U.S. Region and U.S. Territory Rules
5.11 Prohibited Practices
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Chapter 17 Mastercard Electronic Rules
This chapter contains Rules applicable to the Mastercard Electronic
™
brand, which supports
electronically-authorized POS Transactions.
Mastercard Electronic Rules.........................................................................................................250
Definitions..............................................................................................................................250
Participation in Mastercard Electronic..................................................................................... 250
Electronically Authorized Transactions ............................................................................... 250
Full Universal Cardholder Authentication Field Transactions ...............................................251
Encoding of Cards and Card Design ..................................................................................251
Chargebacks......................................................................................................................252
Inadvertent Transactions ................................................................................................... 252
ATM Terminal Access......................................................................................................... 252
Applicability of Mastercard Standards..................................................................................... 253
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Mastercard Electronic Rules
The Standards for Mastercard Electronic consist of:
1. These Mastercard Electronic Rules; and
2. Applicable parts of the Standards for Mastercard and Maestro Activity, including without
limitation those set forth in this manual, the Transaction Processing Rules manual,
Chargeback Guide, the GCMS Reference Manual, the Authorization Manual, the
Customer Interface Specification manual, the Quick Reference Booklet, the Security Rules
and Procedures manual, and the Settlement Manual, all as amended from time to time.
Definitions
The terms appearing in the Definitions section of this manual apply to Mastercard Electronic
and are defined and used herein with respect to Mastercard Electronic accounts (“Accounts”),
cards (“Cards”), cardholders (“Cardholders”), issuers (“Issuers”), acquirers (“Acquirers”),
merchants (“Merchants”) and transactions (“Transactions”). Any term applicable to non-
authenticated non-face-to-face transactions (such as “Remote Transaction”) or contactless
payment functionality (such as “Contactless Transaction”) does not apply to Mastercard
Electronic. In addition, solely for the purposes of these Mastercard Electronic Rules, the
following terms have the meanings set forth below:
Mastercard Electronic Customer
A Mastercard Customer Licensed to participate in Mastercard Electronic Activity.
Mastercard Electronic Transaction
A Transaction effected with a Mastercard Card or Account.
Participation in Mastercard Electronic
A Mastercard Customer in good standing and located in the Asia/Pacific Region, Europe
Region, Latin America and the Caribbean Region, or Middle East/Africa Region is eligible to
participate in Mastercard Electronic
™
Activity. Except as set forth in these Mastercard Electronic
Rules, each Mastercard Electronic Customer has the same rights and obligations with respect
to participation in Mastercard Electronic Activity as such Customer has with respect to its
participation in Mastercard Activity.
Electronically Authorized Transactions
Mastercard Electronic endeavors to provide Mastercard Electronic Customers with
electronically authorized Transactions. For purposes of these Mastercard Electronic Rules,
references to “electronic authorization,” “electronically authorized,” “proper authorization,”
“properly authorized,” “authorization,” “authorized,” and variations thereof refer to
authorizations of Transactions having all of the following characteristics.
1. The authorization request was initiated with the Card, Cardholder, and Merchant agent
present at the Point-of-Interaction (POI), or with a Card used at an automated fuel
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dispenser Merchant (MCC 5542) with PIN as the Cardholder verification method. This
requirement does not apply to Mastercard
®
MoneySend
™
Payment Transactions.
2. The Merchant requested the Issuer’s authorization, regardless of the amount of the
Transaction.
3. Except with respect to Mastercard
®
MoneySend
™
Payment Transactions, the Merchant
obtained the Card data for the authorization request by means of a magnetic stripe-
reading or chip-reading POS Terminal.
4. The Issuer responded to the Acquirer with an electronic approval in the form of a six-digit
authorization code or Transaction certificate in the Authorization Request Response/0110
message.
Full Universal Cardholder Authentication Field Transactions
Mastercard Electronic endeavors to provide Mastercard Electronic Customers with electronic
commerce Transactions performed with full Universal Cardholder Authentication Field (UCAF)
authentication, and each Mastercard Electronic Merchant must be UCAF-enabled. For
purposes of these Mastercard Electronic Rules, references to “full UCAF authentication” or
“full UCAF Transaction” and variations thereof refer to the authorization of Transactions that
have all of the following characteristics:
1. The Issuer and Acquirer both participate in the Mastercard
®
SecureCode
™
program;
2. The Merchant is UCAF-enabled;
3. The Issuer provided the UCAF data for that Transaction.
4. All other e-commerce Authorization Request/0100 message requirements were satisfied;
and
5. The Authorization Request Response/0110 message reflected the Issuer’s approval of the
Transaction.
Issuer approval of full UCAF Transactions will result in the Issuer loss of fraud-related
chargeback rights under message reason codes 4837, 4849, and 4863 pursuant to the
Mastercard SecureCode global liability shift program, as described in the Chargeback Guide.
Issuer approval of electronic commerce Transactions that are not full UCAF will result in the
loss of all fraud-related chargeback rights for that Transaction.
Encoding of Cards and Card Design
The Issuer must encode Mastercard Electronic Cards with a value of 2 (positive online
authorization required) in position 2 of the service code to enable those POS Terminals that act
upon service codes to always seek an electronic authorization for Mastercard Electronic Cards.
Mastercard Electronic Cards must comply with the Standards set forth in Chapter 1, “Getting
Started”; Chapter 2, “Mastercard”; and Chapter 6, “Mastercard Electronic” of the Card
Design Standards manual.
A Mastercard Electronic Account must be issued with an accompanying Card and must not be
issued on a Contactless Payment Device.
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Chargebacks
When initiating a chargeback of a Mastercard Electronic Transaction, an Issuer must include
the message “MCE TRAN“ in the Data Record (DE 72). The Issuer must include this message
in addition to any text that applies to the particular chargeback message reason code.
Inadvertent Transactions
In the event a Mastercard Merchant that is not also a Mastercard Electronic Merchant
inadvertently accepts a Mastercard Electronic Card for payment in good faith and the resulting
transaction (herein, an “inadvertent transaction”) is submitted to the Interchange System, the
following will apply:
1. The Issuer must pay to such Merchant’s Acquirer the amount it would have been obligated
to pay, had the inadvertent transaction been a Mastercard Transaction;
2. The Issuer will be liable to the Corporation for any Mastercard Electronic fees and
assessments that would have been due had the inadvertent transaction been a Mastercard
Electronic Transaction;
3. In the event that an inadvertent transaction is identified in DE 48, subelement 76 of the
Authorization Request/0100 message as a “C” (Mastercard-only participant), and a
dispute arises pertaining to the inadvertent transaction, the following will apply:
a. If the transaction is above the applicable Mastercard floor limit and a request for
authorization is approved by the Issuer, the Issuer will not have chargeback rights.
b. If the transaction is above the applicable Mastercard floor limit and a request for
authorization is made but denied by the Issuer, the Mastercard chargeback and
compliance rights will apply.
c. If the transaction is above the applicable Mastercard floor limit and a request for
authorization is not made, the Mastercard chargeback and compliance rights will
apply.
d. If the transaction is below the applicable Mastercard floor limit and a request for
authorization is approved by the Issuer, the Issuer will not have chargeback rights.
e. If the transaction is below the Mastercard applicable floor limit and the request for
authorization is made but denied by the Issuer, the Mastercard chargeback and
compliance rights will apply.
f. If the transaction is below the Mastercard applicable floor limit, and a request for
authorization is not made, the Issuer will not have chargeback rights. If a dispute
arises pertaining to that transaction, the Acquirer may substantiate that it has opted
not to participate in Mastercard Electronic.
4. In the event that an inadvertent transaction is identified in DE 48, subelement 76 of the
Authorization Request/0100 message as a “U” (Unidentified acquirer), and a dispute
arises pertaining to the inadvertent transaction, the Issuer will have Mastercard
chargeback and compliance rights.
ATM Terminal Access
An Issuer holding a Cirrus License may optionally support the use of Mastercard Electronic
Cards at ATM Terminals displaying the Cirrus Acceptance Mark. In such an event, the Cirrus
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Brand Mark must appear on the Card back in accordance with section 2.4.4 of the Card
Design Standards manual.
The Mastercard Electronic Acceptance Mark must not be displayed on an ATM Terminal.
Applicability of Mastercard Standards
The Mastercard Standards generally apply to Mastercard Electronic, with the following
exceptions and limitations:
1. Only those portions of the Standards applicable to electronically authorized Card-present
Transactions or full UCAF electronic commerce Transactions apply to Mastercard Electronic
Transactions.
2. A Merchant accepting Mastercard Electronic in a non-face-to-face Card-not-present
Transaction environment must be UCAF-enabled and must attempt to obtain Mastercard
SecureCode authentication of the Cardholder for each Transaction. Therefore, Standards
relating to a Merchant conducting Transactions that arise from an Internet Website or
other electronic Point-of-Interaction (POI) and the acquiring of such Transactions apply
only with respect to UCAF-enabled Merchants and POI locations.
3. The only type of unattended POS Terminal (also called a Cardholder-Activated Terminal
[CAT]) at which Mastercard Electronic Card acceptance is permitted is at automated fuel
dispensers (MCC 5542) identified as CAT 1, which require the use of PIN as the
Cardholder verification method.
4. “Split tickets” are not permitted for Mastercard Electronic Transactions. The Merchant
must always include all products and services purchased in a single Transaction in one total
amount on a single Transaction Information Document (TID).
5. A Mastercard Electronic Card Program cannot be issued as a Virtual Account type of
Special Issuer Program.
6. A Mastercard Electronic Customer is not obligated to issue Mastercard Electronic Cards.
7. Rules applicable to Contactless Transactions do not apply to Mastercard Electronic.
8. A Mastercard Electronic Account may be used in a Mastercard
®
MoneySend
™
Payment
Transaction, but not in any other type of Payment Transaction.
9. Mastercard Electronic is not available in the United States Region. Therefore, Chapter 15,
“United States Region” of this manual does not apply to Mastercard Electronic.
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Chapter 18 Mastercard Mobile Rules
This chapter contains Rules applicable to the Mastercard
®
Mobile brand, which supports
participation in Mastercard Mobile Remote Payment (MMRP) and other Mastercard Mobile
products.
Mastercard Mobile Rules.............................................................................................................255
Definitions..............................................................................................................................255
Participation in Mastercard Mobile..........................................................................................257
Mastercard Mobile Remote Payment..................................................................................257
Use of an MMRP Service Manager..................................................................................... 257
Issuer Domain Mastercard Mobile Remote Payment........................................................... 258
Acquirer Domain Mastercard Mobile Remote Payment.......................................................259
Service Manager Requirements...............................................................................................259
ATM Terminal Access..............................................................................................................260
Applicability of Mastercard and Maestro Standards.................................................................260
Mastercard Mobile Rules
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Mastercard Mobile Rules
The Standards for Mastercard Mobile consist of:
1. These Mastercard Mobile Rules;
2. Applicable parts of the Standards for Mastercard and Maestro Activity set forth in this
manual, including without limitation those set forth in this manual, the Transaction
Processing Rules manual, Chargeback Guide, the GCMS Reference Manual, the
Authorization Manual, the Customer Interface Specification manual, the Single Message
System Specifications manual and related documentation, and Security Rules and
Procedures manual, all as amended from time to time; and
3. The Mastercard Mobile Remote Payment Program Guide, MMSM Service Manager—
Service Guide, and MMSM Gateway—Service Guide, all as amended from time to time.
Definitions
The terms appearing in the Definitions section of this manual are defined and used herein
with respect to Mastercard Mobile cardholders (“Cardholders”), issuers (“Issuers”), acquirers
(“Acquirers”), merchants (“Merchants”) and transactions (“Transactions”). As used in these
Mastercard Mobile Rules, the following terms replace those appearing in the Definitions
section:
Maestro Account
Any type of eligible account, as defined in Rule 6.1.3.2, or a Mastercard Mobile account held
by the Issuer on behalf of the Mobile Network Operator (MNO), that is maintained by or on
behalf of a Cardholder with an Issuer to fund Transactions. A Maestro Account is identified
with a BIN/IIN associated with a Portfolio designated by the Corporation as a Maestro Portfolio
in its routing tables.
Mastercard Account
Any type of account (for example, credit, debit, and prepaid), including a Mastercard Mobile
account held by the Issuer on behalf of the Mobile Network Operator (MNO), that is
maintained by or on behalf of a Cardholder with an Issuer for the processing of Transactions,
and which is identified with a primary account number (PAN) that begins with a BIN in the
range of 510000 to 559999.
In addition, solely for the purposes of these Mastercard Mobile Rules, the following terms
have the meanings set forth below:
Mastercard Mobile Acceptance Mark
The Mastercard Mobile Acceptance Mark is a combined mark, which includes the Mastercard
Brand Mark (with the
®
symbol) in a precise lockup with the Mobile word mark, the country
designator (where applicable), and the custom mobile device graphic. These elements are
placed on a modified gradient interpretation of the Mastercard Dark Blue Acceptance
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Rectangle. The Acceptance Mark is used on merchant acceptance decals, and in other
acceptance-related communications.
Mastercard Mobile Customer
A Mastercard Customer or Maestro Customer Licensed to participate in Mastercard Mobile
Activity.
Mastercard Mobile Identifier
The Mastercard Mobile Identifier is a combined mark, which includes the Mastercard Brand
Mark (with the
®
symbol) in a precise lockup with the Mobile word mark, the country
designator (where applicable), and the custom mobile device graphic. The Identifier is used for
all non-acceptance-related marketing communications.
Mastercard Mobile License, Licensed
The contract between the Corporation and a Customer granting the Customer the right to
use the Mastercard Mobile Marks in accordance with the Standards. To be “Licensed” means
to have such a right pursuant to a Mastercard Mobile License.
Mastercard Mobile Licensee
A Customer or other person authorized in writing by the Corporation to use the Mastercard
Mobile Marks.
Mastercard Mobile Merchant Agreement
An agreement between a Merchant and a Customer that sets forth the terms pursuant to
which the Merchant is authorized to accept payments initiated by means of MMRP
Transactions.
Mastercard Mobile Remote Payment
A payment functionality initiated by an enrolled Cardholder from a Cardholder-controlled
mobile device that is registered with the Issuer or its MMRP Service Manager and used for
entry of the Cardholder’s PIN or mobile-specific credentials (m-PIN).
Mastercard Mobile Remote Payment (MMRP) Service Manager
An entity that is registered by an Issuer or Acquirer as a Service Provider to effect Issuer
Domain MMRP Transactions or Acquirer Domain MMRP Transactions, and which may perform
services including but not limited to consumer registration, Cardholder validation, identity
mapping to Account numbers, and Cardholder notification. MMRP Service Manager must be
PCI-compliant and accredited by the Corporation.
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Mastercard Mobile Remote Payment (MMRP) Transaction
A POS Transaction is a financial Transaction that is initiated and authenticated by an enrolled
Cardholder using the Mastercard Mobile Remote Payment functionality on the Cardholder’s
Mobile Device for purposes of effecting payment to a Mastercard Mobile Merchant.
The Mastercard transaction processing requirements, as set forth in the Transaction Processing
Rules manual, Authorization Manual, Customer Interface Specifications, IPM Clearing Formats,
the MMRP Program Guide, and other Standards, apply to an MMRP Transaction effected
through the use of a Mastercard Account.
The Maestro transaction processing requirements, as set forth in the Transaction Processing
Rules manual, Single Message System Specifications, the MMRP Program Guide, and other
Standards, apply to an MMRP Transaction effected through the use of a Maestro Account.
Mobile Device
A Cardholder-controlled mobile device used:
1. For the effecting of Issuer Domain MMRP Transactions authenticated with the Card PIN (c-
PIN) or mobile-specific credentials (m-PIN); or
2. For the effecting of Acquirer Domain MMRP Transaction authenticated with mobile-
specific credentials (m-PIN). Within the Acquirer Domain, the Card PIN (c-PIN) is not
allowed to be used.
Participation in Mastercard Mobile
A Mastercard Customer or Maestro Customer located in a country where Mastercard Mobile
Remote Payment is supported is eligible to participate in Mastercard Mobile Activity. Except as
set forth in these Mastercard Mobile Rules, each Mastercard Mobile Customer has the same
rights and obligation with respect to participation in Mastercard Mobile Activity as such
Customer has with respect to its participation in Mastercard Activity or Maestro Activity, as
applicable.
Mastercard Mobile Remote Payment
The Rules in this chapter and the requirements in the following manuals apply to participation
in Mastercard Mobile Remote Payment.
• Mastercard Mobile Remote Payment Program Guide
• MMSM Service Manager—Service Guide
• MMSM Gateway—Service Guide
Refer to regional and/or country-specific bulletins for announcements relating to support for
MMRP Transactions in a particular region or country.
Use of an MMRP Service Manager
Before a Mastercard Mobile Customer may use an MMRP Service Manager to perform
Mastercard Mobile Remote Payment Program Service, the Mastercard Mobile Customer must
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register the MMRP Service Manager as its Service Provider as set forth in Rule 7.8 of this
manual.
The Mastercard Mobile Customer must ensure that each of its MMRP Service Managers
complies with all applicable Standards, including the branding requirements and the security
requirements and guidelines for Mastercard Mobile Remote Payment.
Issuer Domain Mastercard Mobile Remote Payment
An “Issuer Domain MMRP Transaction” is conducted pursuant to a program in which the
Issuer usually provides the offering and controls the registration of Cardholders who wish to
participate. At the time of the MMRP Transaction, the Issuer or its Service Manager verifies the
Cardholder’s registration and the Cardholder is authenticated by means of credentials
delivered at the time of registration and transaction initiation, verifiable by the Issuer or the
Service Manager.
Each Mastercard Mobile Customer proposing to support Issuer Domain MMRP Transactions
must comply with the requirements set forth in this section.
Issuer Domain MMRP—Issuer Responsibilities
An Issuer that offers Issuer Domain MMRP Transactions must:
1. Provide a Cardholder that wishes to participate in Issuer Domain MMRP Transactions, and
that is approved by the Issuer to participate, with a PAN. For a Maestro Account, the PAN
must be 13 to 19 digits in length. A Mastercard Account PAN must start with a BIN, and
may be one that is currently used by the Issuer. The Issuer may optionally use a “pseudo”
PAN (meaning a PAN that is different from the PAN displayed on the Cardholder’s physical
Card, if any). If a pseudo PAN is used, it must be static;
2. Complete the expiration date field. This four-digit field may be used for the actual
expiration date of the Card, which must not exceed five years. The format of the field is as
follows:
a. The first two digits must be a value between 01 and 12; and
b. Value of the next two digits must not be equivalent to more than five years after the
Transaction year;
3. Comply with Mastercard Mobile Remote Payment branding requirements;
4. Ensure that its authorization system provides a valid response code as identified in the
authorization message. “Call Me” is not a permitted response. MMRP Transactions may
be approved or declined only; and
5. Implement security techniques between the Cardholder’s Mobile Device and the Issuer
server to guard against unauthorized MMRP Transactions.
In addition, the Issuer must provide implementation, registration, and instructions for
Cardholders or delegate a specific implementation and registration function to a Service
Provider.
An Issuer may choose to implement mobile-specific credentials and a method of generating
an Accountholder Authentication Value (AAV), as an alternative to using card PIN as the CVM
for Issuer Domain Mobile Remote Payment Transactions. If an Issuer chooses to implement this
method, it must provide clear communication to the Cardholder regarding the process to
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conduct an Issuer Domain Mobile Remote Payment Transaction without the use of card PIN as
the CVM. Refer to the Mastercard Mobile Remote Payment Program Guide for additional
information.
An MMRP Transaction must not be effected using contactless payment functionality.
Issuer Domain MMRP—Acquirer Responsibilities
An Acquirer that is a Mastercard Mobile Customer in Mastercard Mobile Remote Payment for
Issuer Domain MMRP Transactions must:
1. Support the passing of UCAF data with the AAV to the Interchange System;
2. Support Account Status Inquiry Service authorization request messages; and
3. Properly identify each MMRP Transaction.
Acquirer Domain Mastercard Mobile Remote Payment
An “Acquirer Domain MMRP Transaction” is conducted pursuant to a program in which the
Acquirer provides the offering and controls the registration of Cardholders who wish to
participate. At the time of the MMRP Transaction, the Acquirer or its Service Manager verifies
the Cardholder’s registration and the Cardholder is authenticated by means of credentials
delivered at the time of registration and transaction initiation, verifiable by the Service
Manager. Authentication is performed using m-PIN only credentials.
Each Mastercard Mobile Customer proposing to support Acquirer Domain MMRP Transactions
must comply with the requirements set forth in this section.
Acquirer Domain MMRP—Issuer Responsibilities
The Issuer must be able to recognize properly identified Acquirer Domain MMRP Transactions.
If an Acquirer Domain MMRP Transaction is reported as a fraudulent Transaction, and the
Remote Payments Program Type value of 2 (Acquirer Domain) was present in Data Element
48, subelement 48, subfield 1 (Mobile Program Indicators), the Issuer will have a chargeback
right.
Acquirer Domain MMRP—Acquirer Responsibilities
An Acquirer that is a Mastercard Mobile Customer in Mastercard Mobile Remote Payment for
Acquirer Domain MMRP Transactions must:
1. Provide implementation and registration for Merchants and Cardholders or delegate a
specific implementation and registration function to the MMRP Service Manager. Such
implementation must include the use of mobile-specific credentials (m-PIN) as the
Cardholder verification method (CVM), and clear communication to Cardholders regarding
the process for conducting an Acquirer Domain MMRP Transaction; and
2. Properly identify each MMRP Transaction.
Service Manager Requirements
The Customer must ensure that the MMRP Service Manager acting on its behalf.
1. Provides clear instructions on how to obtain a mailing address and a contact telephone
number or email address for Cardholder queries resulting from MMRP Transactions. This
information may be provided in the confirmation message, but must be readily accessible
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to a Cardholder for at least 90 days after the last day on which a Transaction was
performed;
2. Has the capability to accept PANs between 13 and 19 digits in length;
3. Provides a means for a Cardholder to confirm a MMRP Transaction via the Mobile Device.
This confirmation means must be provided to the Cardholder before the Transaction has
been completed and any charge levied;
4. Provides a confirmation of payment message after the Cardholder confirms the MMRP
Transaction. The confirmation message must include Transaction date, Transaction
amount, Merchant reference, unique Transaction reference, and contact details for
Cardholder inquiries; and
5. Ensures that information provided on any electronic acknowledgement of the Cardholder’s
order is in compliance with all other requirements for a MMRP Transaction receipt.
ATM Terminal Access
The Mastercard Mobile Acceptance Mark must not be displayed on an ATM Terminal.
Applicability of Mastercard and Maestro Standards
The Mastercard and Maestro Standards apply to Mastercard Mobile, with the following
exceptions and limitations:
1. A Customer must receive from the Corporation written consent to extend or otherwise
modify the Area of Use of a Mastercard Mobile License. An application for such consent
must be made in the form and include all information then required. If the application is
approved, the Corporation will amend the Mastercard Mobile License to reflect the
change in the Area of Use.
2. A Mastercard Mobile Customer is not obligated to issue Mastercard Mobile Cards.
3. Each Acquirer must acquire all MMRP Transactions properly presented to it from a
registered MMRP Service Manager or Mastercard Mobile Service Manager (MMSM) for the
purpose of performing Mastercard Mobile Remote Payment Program Service.
4. The Standards applicable to presentation of a Card to a Merchant in a face-to-face
environment do not apply to MMRP Transactions. While conducted with the Cardholder
and Merchant representative present, MMRP Transactions do not involve the presentation
of a Card to a Merchant nor the transfer to Account data to a Merchant.
5. Rules applicable to Contactless Transactions, Payment Transactions, Mastercard
®
MoneySend
™
Payment Transactions, or Transactions conducted in a non-face-to-face
environment do not apply to Mastercard Mobile.
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Appendix A Geographic Regions
Geographic Regions
This appendix provides listings of geographic regions.
Asia/Pacific Region...................................................................................................................... 262
Canada Region........................................................................................................................... 263
Europe Region............................................................................................................................ 263
Single European Payments Area (SEPA)................................................................................... 264
Non-Single European Payments Area (Non-SEPA)....................................................................265
Latin America and the Caribbean Region.................................................................................... 265
Middle East/Africa Region........................................................................................................... 266
United States Region...................................................................................................................267
Geographic Regions
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Asia/Pacific Region
The Asia/Pacific Region includes the following countries or territories.
American Samoa Myanmar
Australia Nauru
Bangladesh Nepal
Bhutan New Caledonia
Brunei Darussalam New Zealand
Cambodia Niue
China Norfolk Island
Christmas Island Northern Mariana Islands
Cocos (Keeling) Islands Palau
Cook Islands Papua New Guinea
Fiji Philippines
French Polynesia Pitcairn
Guam Samoa
Heard and McDonald Islands Singapore
Hong Kong Solomon Islands
India Sri Lanka
Indonesia Taiwan
Japan Thailand
Kiribati Timor-Leste
Korea, Republic of Tokelau
Lao People’s Democratic Republic Tonga
Macao Tuvalu
Malaysia U.S. Minor Outlying Islands
Maldives Vanuatu
Marshall Islands Viet Nam
Micronesia, Federated States of Wallis and Futuna
Geographic Regions
Asia/Pacific Region
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Mongolia
Canada Region
The Canada Region is composed of Canada.
Europe Region
The Europe Region includes the following countries or territories.
Albania Greece Poland
Andorra Hungary Portugal
1
Antarctica Iceland Romania
Armenia Ireland Russian Federation
Austria Isle of Man San Marino
Azerbaijan Israel Serbia
Belarus Italy Slovakia
Belgium Kazakhstan Slovenia
Bosnia and Herzegovina Kosovo Spain
2
Bulgaria Kyrgyzstan St. Helena, Ascension and Tristan
Da Cunha
Channel Islands
3
Latvia Sweden
Croatia Liechtenstein Switzerland
Cyprus Lithuania Tajikistan
Czech Republic Luxembourg Turkey
Denmark
4
Macedonia
Turkmenistan
Estonia Malta Ukraine
1
Includes Azores and Madeira.
2
Includes Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla.
3
Includes Guernsey and Jersey.
4
Includes Faroe Islands and Greenland.
Geographic Regions
Canada Region
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Finland
5
Moldova
United Kingdom
6
France
7
Monaco Uzbekistan
Georgia
Montenegro
Vatican City
Germany
Netherlands
Gibraltar Norway
8
Changes in allegiance or national affiliation of a part of any of the countries listed in this
appendix shall not affect the geographic coverage of the definition.
Single European Payments Area (SEPA)
The Single European Payments Area includes the following countries or territories.
Andorra Gibraltar Norway
9
Antarctica Greece Poland
Austria Hungary Portugal
Belgium Iceland Romania
Bulgaria Ireland Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan
da Cunha
Channel Islands
10
Isle of Man San Marino
Croatia Italy Slovakia
Cyprus Latvia Slovenia
Czech Republic Liechtenstein Spain
Denmark
11
Lithuania Sweden
Estonia Luxembourg Switzerland
Finland
12
Malta United Kingdom
13
5
Includes Aland Islands.
6
Includes Falkland Islands, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands.
7
Includes Mayotte, Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, St. Martin (French Part), Réunion, and St. Barthélemy.
8
Includes Svalbard and Jan Mayen.
9
Includes Svalbard and Jan Mayen.
10
Includes Guernsey and Jersey.
11
Includes Faroe Islands and Greenland.
12
Includes Aland Islands.
13
Includes Falkland Islands, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands.
Geographic Regions
Europe Region
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France
14
Monaco Vatican City
Germany Netherlands
Non-Single European Payments Area (Non-SEPA)
The Non-Single European Payments Area includes the following countries or territories.
Albania Macedonia
Armenia Moldova
Azerbaijan Montenegro
Belarus Russian Federation
Bosnia and Herzegovina Serbia
Georgia Tajikistan
Israel Turkey
Kazakhstan Turkmenistan
Kosovo Ukraine
Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan
Latin America and the Caribbean Region
The Latin America and the Caribbean Region includes the following countries or territories.
Anguilla Cuba Panama
Antigua and Barbuda Curacao Paraguay
Argentina Dominica Peru
Aruba Dominican Republic Puerto Rico
Bahamas Ecuador St. Kitts-Nevis
Barbados El Salvador St. Lucia
Belize Grenada St. Maarten
Bermuda Guatemala St. Vincent and the Grenadines
14
Includes Mayotte, Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, St. Martin (French Part), Réunion, and St. Barthélemy.
Geographic Regions
Latin America and the Caribbean Region
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BES Islands
15
Guyana Suriname
Bolivia Haiti Trinidad and Tobago
Brazil Honduras Turks and Caicos Islands
Cayman Islands Jamaica Uruguay
Chile Mexico Venezuela
Colombia Montserrat Virgin Islands, British
Costa Rica Nicaragua Virgin Islands, U.S.
Middle East/Africa Region
The Middle East/Africa Region includes the following countries or territories.
Afghanistan Gabon Pakistan
Algeria Gambia Palestine
Angola Ghana Qatar
Bahrain Guinea Reunion
Benin Guinea-Bissau Rwanda
Botswana Iraq Sao Tome and Principe
Bouvet Island Jordan Saudi Arabia
British Indian Ocean Territory Kenya Senegal
Burkina Faso Kuwait Seychelles
Burundi Lebanon Sierra Leone
Cameroon Lesotho Somalia
Cape Verde Liberia South Africa
Central African Republic Libyan Arab Jamahiriya South Sudan
Chad Madagascar Swaziland
Comoros Malawi Syrian Arab Republic
Congo Mali Tanzania
Côte D’Ivoire Mauritania Togo
15
Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba.
Geographic Regions
Middle East/Africa Region
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Democratic Republic of the
Congo
Mauritius Tunisia
Djibouti Morocco Uganda
Egypt Mozambique United Arab Emirates
Equatorial Guinea Namibia Western Sahara
Eritrea Niger Yemen
Ethiopia Nigeria Zambia
French Southern Territories Oman Zimbabwe
United States Region
The United States Region is composed of the United States.
Geographic Regions
United States Region
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Appendix B Compliance Zones
Compliance Zones
The following table identifies the noncompliance category that the Corporation has assigned to the
Standards described within this manual.
Compliance Zones...................................................................................................................... 269
Compliance Zones
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Compliance Zones
These noncompliance categories are assigned for the purposes of noncompliance assessments
under the compliance framework in Rule 2.1.4.
Rule Number Rule Title Category
1.1 Eligibility to be a Customer A
1.2 Mastercard Anti-Money Laundering Program A
1.3 Satisfaction of Minimum Financial Requirements A
1.4 Special Conditions of Participation, License or Activity A
1.5 Interim Participation A
1.6 The License A
1.6.1 SEPA Licensing Program A
1.7 Area of Use of the License A
1.8 The Digital Activity Agreement A
1.9 Participation in Activity and Digital Activity A
1.10 Participation in Competing Networks A
1.11 Portfolio Sale, Transfer, or Withdrawal A
1.12 Change of Control of Customer or Portfolio A
1.13 Termination A
2.1.5 Certification C
2.1.8 Rules Applicable to Intracountry Transactions C
2.2 Conduct of Activity and Digital Activity A
2.5 Examination and Audit A
3.1 Obligation to Issue Mastercard Cards A
3.2 Responsibility for Transactions A
3.3 Transaction Requirements A
3.4 Authorization Service A
3.5 Non-discrimination—POS Transactions A
3.6 Non-discrimination—ATM and Bank Branch Terminal Transactions A
3.7 Integrity of Brand and Network A
Compliance Zones
Compliance Zones
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Rule Number Rule Title Category
3.8 Fees, Assessments, and Other Payment Obligations A
3.9 Obligation of Customer to Provide Information C
3.10 Confidential Information of Customers A
3.12 Confidential Information of Mastercard A
3.13 Data Protection A
3.14 Quarterly Mastercard Report (QMR) C
3.15 Cooperation B
3.16 Responsibility for Digital Activity—Wallet Token Requestors A
3.17 Issuer Reporting Requirement—EU Only C
3.18 BINs A
4.1 Right to Use the Marks A
4.1.1 Protection and Registration of the Marks B
4.1.1.1 Registration of a Card Design B
4.1.2 Misuse of a Mark B
4.2 Requirements for Use of a Mark B
4.4 Signage System B
4.5 Use of the Interlocking Circles Device B
4.6 Use of Multiple Marks B
4.7 Particular Uses of a Mark B
4.8 Use of Marks on Maestro and Cirrus Cards A
4.9 Use of Marks on Mastercard Cards B
4.10 Use of a Card Design in Merchant Advertising and Signage B
4.11 Use of a Card Design in Issuer Advertising and Marketing Material B
4.12 Use of the Mastercard Card Design in Cardholder Statement
Enclosures
B
4.13 Use of the Brand Marks on Other Cards B
5.1 The Merchant Agreement and ATM Owner Agreements A
5.1.1 Verify Bona Fide Business Operation A
5.1.2 Required Merchant Agreement Terms A
Compliance Zones
Compliance Zones
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Rule Number Rule Title Category
5.1.2.1 Gambling Merchants A
5.1.3 Required ATM Owner Agreement Terms A
5.1.4 Maintaining Information C
5.2 Merchant and Submerchant Compliance with the Standards A
5.3 Acquirer Obligations to Merchants B
5.4 Merchant Location A
5.5 Submerchant Location A
5.6 Responsibility for Transactions B
5.7 Transaction Message Data A
5.8 Transaction Currency Information A
5.9 Use of the Marks B
5.10 Merchant Obligations for Acceptance A
5.10.1 Honor All Cards A
5.10.2 Merchant Acceptance of Mastercard Cards A
5.10.3 Obtain an Authorization A
5.10.4 Additional Cardholder Identification B
5.10.5 Discounts or Other Benefits at the Point of Interaction B
5.11 Prohibited Practices A
5.11.1 Discrimination A
5.11.2 Charges to Cardholders B
5.11.3 Minimum/Maximum Transaction Amount Prohibited B
5.11.4 Scrip-dispensing Terminals A
5.11.5 Existing Mastercard Cardholder Obligations A
5.11.6 Cardholder Right of Dispute B
5.11.7 Illegal or Brand-damaging Transactions A
5.11.8 Disparagement A
5.11.9 Mastercard Tokens A
5.12 Valid Transactions A
5.13 Sale or Exchange of Information A
Compliance Zones
Compliance Zones
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Rule Number Rule Title Category
5.14 Payment Account Reference (PAR) Data A
6.1 Card Issuance—General Requirements A
6.1.1 Mastercard Card Issuance A
6.1.2 Maestro Card Issuance A
6.1.3 Cirrus Card Issuance A
6.1.4 Tokenization of Accounts A
6.1.5 Cardholder Communications B
6.2 Issuer Responsibilities to Cardholders B
6.3 Limitation of Liability of Cardholders for Unauthorized Use B
6.4 Selective Authorization B
6.5 Affinity and Co-Brand Card Programs A
6.5.1 Ownership and Control of the Program A
6.5.2 Use of the Acceptance Marks B
6.6 Brand Value Transactions and Proprietary Accounts A
6.6.1 Proprietary Account Access A
6.6.2 Use of BVT and Proprietary Accounts on a Mastercard Card A
6.6.3 Fees and Reporting Requirements C
6.7 Remote Transaction Mastercard Accounts A
6.7.1 Proprietary Account Access A
6.7.2 Use of BVT and Proprietary Accounts on a Mastercard Card A
6.7.3 Fees and Reporting Requirements C
6.8 Secured Card Programs B
6.9 Youth Card Programs A
6.10 Prepaid Card Programs A
6.11 Maestro Chip-only Card Programs—Europe Region Only A
6.12 Debit Card Programs Issued by Electronic Money Institutions and
Payment Institutions
A
7.1 Service Provider Categories A
7.2 The Program and Performance of Program Service A
Compliance Zones
Compliance Zones
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Rule Number Rule Title Category
7.2.1 Customer Responsibility and Control A
7.2.2 Notification to the Corporation A
7.2.3 Program Service Agreement A
7.2.4 Disclosure of Standards C
7.2.5 Customer Point of Contact B
7.2.6 Use of the Marks B
7.2.7 Service Provider Identification on a Card B
7.2.8 Program Materials B
7.2.9 Fees B
7.2.10 Settlement Failure Obligation A
7.2.11 Data Security A
7.3 Access to Merchant Account A
7.4 Transfer of Rights Prohibited A
7.5 Use of the Corporation’s Systems and Confidential Information A
7.6.1 Merchant Agreement A
7.6.2 Collection of Funds from a Merchant A
7.6.3 Access to Documentation C
7.6.4 Authority to Terminate Merchant Agreement or ATM Owner
Agreement
A
7.6.5 Payment Facilitators and Submerchants A
7.6.6 High-Risk Payment Facilitators A
7.7.1 Card Application Approval A
7.7.2 Cardholder Agreement B
7.7.3 Program Payments A
7.7.4 Program Receivables A
7.8 Payment Facilitator Obligations A
7.19 Termination of Program Service Agreement or De-registration A
7.21 Audits C
8.2 Net Settlement A
Compliance Zones
Compliance Zones
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Rule Number Rule Title Category
8.3 Interchange and Service Fees A
8.4 Establishment of Intracountry Interchange and Service Fees A
8.5 Failure of a Principal or Association to Discharge a Settlement
Obligation
A
8.6 Settlement Liability for Debit Licensees A
8.7 Settlement Liability for Type I TPPs that Sponsor Affiliates A
8.8 System Liquidity A
8.9 Liability for Owned or Controlled Entities A
8.10 Risk of Loss A
8.11 Loss Allocation Among Customers A
ME Participation in Mastercard Electronic A
ME Encoding of Cards and Card Design B
ME Chargebacks B
ME Inadvertent Transactions B
ME ATM Terminal Access B
MM Participation in Mastercard Mobile A
MM Use of an MMRP Service Manager A
MM Issuer Domain MMRP—Issuer Responsibilities B
MM Issuer Domain MMRP—Acquirer Responsibilities B
MM Acquirer Domain MMRP—Issuer Responsibilities B
MM Acquirer Domain MMRP—Acquirer Responsibilities B
MM Service Manager Requirements A
MM ATM Terminal Access B
Compliance Zones
Compliance Zones
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Appendix C Definitions
Definitions
The following terms as used in this manual have the meanings set forth below.
Acceptance Mark........................................................................................................................280
Access Device............................................................................................................................. 280
Account......................................................................................................................................280
Account Enablement System.......................................................................................................280
Account PAN.............................................................................................................................. 281
Account PAN Range....................................................................................................................281
Acquirer......................................................................................................................................281
Activity(ies)................................................................................................................................. 281
Affiliate Customer, Affiliate......................................................................................................... 281
Area of Use.................................................................................................................................281
Association Customer, Association.............................................................................................. 281
ATM Access Fee.......................................................................................................................... 282
ATM Owner Agreement..............................................................................................................282
Automated Teller Machine (ATM)................................................................................................ 282
ATM Terminal..............................................................................................................................282
ATM Transaction......................................................................................................................... 282
Bank Branch Terminal..................................................................................................................282
BIN............................................................................................................................................. 282
Brand Fee................................................................................................................................... 283
Brand Mark.................................................................................................................................283
Card........................................................................................................................................... 283
Cardholder................................................................................................................................. 283
Cardholder Communication........................................................................................................283
Cardholder Verification Method (CVM)....................................................................................... 283
Consumer Device Cardholder Verification Method, Consumer Device CVM, CDCVM.................. 284
Chip Card (Smart Card, Integrated Circuit Card, IC Card, or ICC)................................................ 284
Chip-only MPOS Terminal............................................................................................................284
Chip Transaction......................................................................................................................... 284
Cirrus Acceptance Mark..............................................................................................................285
Cirrus Access Device................................................................................................................... 285
Cirrus Account............................................................................................................................285
Cirrus Brand Mark.......................................................................................................................285
Cirrus Card................................................................................................................................. 285
Definitions
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Cirrus Customer..........................................................................................................................285
Cirrus Payment Application......................................................................................................... 285
Cirrus Word Mark....................................................................................................................... 285
Competing ATM Network........................................................................................................... 286
Competing International ATM Network.......................................................................................286
Competing EFT POS Network......................................................................................................286
Competing North American ATM Network..................................................................................286
Contact Chip Transaction............................................................................................................287
Contactless Payment Device........................................................................................................287
Contactless Transaction...............................................................................................................287
Control, Controlled.....................................................................................................................287
Corporation................................................................................................................................ 287
Credentials Management System................................................................................................ 288
Cross-border Transaction.............................................................................................................288
Customer....................................................................................................................................288
Customer Report........................................................................................................................ 288
Data Storage Entity (DSE)............................................................................................................ 288
Device Binding............................................................................................................................ 289
Digital Activity(ies).......................................................................................................................289
Digital Activity Agreement.......................................................................................................... 289
Digital Activity Customer.............................................................................................................289
Digital Activity Service Provider (DASP)........................................................................................ 289
Digital Goods..............................................................................................................................289
Digital Wallet.............................................................................................................................. 290
Digital Wallet Operator (DWO)....................................................................................................290
Digital Wallet Operator Mark, DWO Mark...................................................................................290
Digital Wallet Operator (DWO) Security Incident, DWO Security Incident .................................... 290
Digitization, Digitize....................................................................................................................290
Domestic Transaction.................................................................................................................. 290
Dual Interface............................................................................................................................. 291
Electronic Money........................................................................................................................ 291
Electronic Money Issuer...............................................................................................................291
Electronic Money Institution........................................................................................................291
EMV Mode Contactless Transaction.............................................................................................291
Gateway Customer..................................................................................................................... 291
Gateway Processing.................................................................................................................... 292
Gateway Transaction...................................................................................................................292
Global Collection Only (GCO) Data Collection Program............................................................... 292
Host Card Emulation (HCE)......................................................................................................... 292
Definitions
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Hybrid Terminal...........................................................................................................................292
Identification & Verification (ID&V).............................................................................................. 293
Independent Sales Organization (ISO)..........................................................................................293
Interchange System.....................................................................................................................293
Inter-European Transaction..........................................................................................................293
Interregional Transaction............................................................................................................. 293
Intracountry Transaction..............................................................................................................293
Intra–European Transaction......................................................................................................... 294
Intra–Non–SEPA Transaction........................................................................................................294
Intraregional Transaction............................................................................................................. 294
Issuer.......................................................................................................................................... 294
License, Licensed.........................................................................................................................294
Licensee......................................................................................................................................294
Maestro...................................................................................................................................... 295
Maestro Acceptance Mark.......................................................................................................... 295
Maestro Access Device................................................................................................................295
Maestro Account........................................................................................................................ 295
Maestro Brand Mark................................................................................................................... 295
Maestro Card..............................................................................................................................295
Maestro Customer...................................................................................................................... 295
Maestro Payment Application..................................................................................................... 295
Maestro Word Mark....................................................................................................................296
Magnetic Stripe Mode Contactless Transaction............................................................................296
Manual Cash Disbursement Transaction...................................................................................... 296
Marks......................................................................................................................................... 296
Mastercard................................................................................................................................. 296
Mastercard Acceptance Mark......................................................................................................296
Mastercard Access Device........................................................................................................... 297
Mastercard Account....................................................................................................................297
Mastercard-branded Application Identifier (AID)..........................................................................297
Mastercard Brand Mark.............................................................................................................. 297
Mastercard Card......................................................................................................................... 297
Mastercard Cloud-Based Payments..............................................................................................297
Mastercard Customer................................................................................................................. 297
Mastercard Digital Enablement Service........................................................................................298
Mastercard Europe......................................................................................................................298
Mastercard Incorporated.............................................................................................................298
Mastercard Payment Application.................................................................................................298
Mastercard Safety Net.................................................................................................................298
Definitions
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Mastercard Token....................................................................................................................... 298
Mastercard Token Account Range............................................................................................... 298
Mastercard Token Vault...............................................................................................................299
Mastercard Word Mark............................................................................................................... 299
Member, Membership.................................................................................................................299
Merchandise Transaction.............................................................................................................299
Merchant....................................................................................................................................299
Merchant Agreement..................................................................................................................300
Merchant Token Requestor......................................................................................................... 300
Mobile Payment Device...............................................................................................................300
Mobile POS (MPOS) Terminal.......................................................................................................300
Multi-Account Chip Card............................................................................................................ 300
On-behalf Token Requestor ........................................................................................................300
On-Device Cardholder Verification.............................................................................................. 301
Ownership, Owned.....................................................................................................................301
Participation................................................................................................................................301
Pass-through Digital Wallet......................................................................................................... 301
Pass-through Digital Wallet Operator (DWO)............................................................................... 301
Payment Account Reference (PAR)...............................................................................................301
Payment Application................................................................................................................... 301
Payment Facilitator......................................................................................................................302
Personal Data .............................................................................................................................302
Point of Interaction (POI)............................................................................................................. 302
Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminal........................................................................................................ 302
Point–of–Sale (POS) Transaction.................................................................................................. 302
Portfolio......................................................................................................................................303
Principal Customer, Principal....................................................................................................... 303
Processed Transaction................................................................................................................. 303
Program......................................................................................................................................303
Program Service.......................................................................................................................... 303
Region........................................................................................................................................ 303
Rules...........................................................................................................................................304
Service Provider...........................................................................................................................304
Service Provider Registration Facilitator........................................................................................304
Settlement Obligation................................................................................................................. 304
Shared Deposit Transaction......................................................................................................... 304
Solicitation, Solicit.......................................................................................................................304
Special Issuer Program................................................................................................................ 304
Sponsor, Sponsorship..................................................................................................................305
Definitions
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Staged Digital Wallet...................................................................................................................305
Staged Digital Wallet Operator (DWO)........................................................................................ 305
Standards................................................................................................................................... 305
Stand-In Parameters....................................................................................................................305
Stand-In Processing Service......................................................................................................... 306
Sub-licensee................................................................................................................................306
Submerchant.............................................................................................................................. 306
Submerchant Agreement............................................................................................................ 306
Terminal......................................................................................................................................306
Third Party Processor (TPP)...........................................................................................................306
Token..........................................................................................................................................307
Tokenization, Tokenize................................................................................................................ 307
Token Requestor......................................................................................................................... 307
Token Vault.................................................................................................................................307
Transaction................................................................................................................................. 307
Transaction Data ........................................................................................................................ 307
Transaction Management System................................................................................................ 308
Trusted Service Manager............................................................................................................. 308
Virtual Account...........................................................................................................................308
Volume....................................................................................................................................... 308
Wallet Token Requestor.............................................................................................................. 308
Word Mark................................................................................................................................. 308
Definitions
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Additional and/or revised terms may also be used for purposes of the Rules in a particular chapter
or section of this manual.
Acceptance Mark
Any one of the Corporation’s Marks displayed at a POI to indicate brand acceptance. See
Cirrus Acceptance Mark, Maestro Acceptance Mark, Mastercard Acceptance Mark.
Access Device
A device other than a Card that has successfully completed all applicable Mastercard
certification and testing requirements, if any, and:
• Uses at least one Payment Application provisioned to the device by or with the approval of
a Customer to provide access to an Account;
• Supports the transmission or exchange of magnetic stripe or chip data containing a
dynamic cryptogram to or with a Terminal, as applicable, by implementing the EMV
Contactless Specifications (Book D) to effect Transactions at the Terminal without requiring
direct contact of the device to the Terminal; and
• May also support the transmission of magnetic stripe data containing a dynamic
cryptogram to a Terminal to effect Transactions identified by the Acquirer in Transaction
messages as magnetic stripe Transactions.
A Cirrus Access Device, Maestro Access Device, and Mastercard Access Device is each an
Access Device. Also see Mobile Payment Device.
Account
An account maintained by or on behalf of a Cardholder by an Issuer for the processing of
Transactions, and which is identified with a bank identification number (BIN) or Issuer
identification number (IIN) designated by the Corporation in its routing tables for routing to
the Interchange System. Also see Cirrus Account, Maestro Account, Mastercard Account.
Account Enablement System
Performs Account enablement services for Mastercard Cloud-Based Payments, which may
include Account and Access Device eligibility checks, Identification & Verification (ID&V),
Digitization, and subsequent lifecycle management.
Definitions
Acceptance Mark
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Account PAN
The primary account number (PAN) allocated to an account by an issuer.
Account PAN Range
The range of Account PANs designated by an Issuer for Digitization.
Acquirer
A Customer in its capacity as an acquirer of a Transaction.
Activity(ies)
The undertaking of any act that can be lawfully undertaken only pursuant to a License
granted by the Corporation. Also see Digital Activity(ies).
Affiliate Customer, Affiliate
A Customer that participates indirectly in Activity through the Sponsorship of a Principal or,
solely with respect to Mastercard Activity, through the Sponsorship of an Association. An
Affiliate may not Sponsor any other Customer.
Area of Use
The country or countries in which a Customer is Licensed to use the Marks and conduct
Activity, and, as a rule, set forth in the License or in an exhibit to the License.
Association Customer, Association
A Mastercard Customer that participates directly in Mastercard Activity using its assigned BINs
and which may Sponsor one or more Mastercard Affiliates but may not directly issue
Mastercard Cards or acquire Mastercard Transactions without the express prior written
consent of the Corporation.
Definitions
Account PAN
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ATM Access Fee
A fee charged by an Acquirer in connection with a cash withdrawal or Shared Deposit
Transaction initiated at the Acquirer’s ATM Terminal with a Card, and added to the total
Transaction amount transmitted to the Issuer.
ATM Owner Agreement
An agreement between an ATM owner and a Customer that sets forth the terms pursuant to
which the ATM accepts Cards.
Automated Teller Machine (ATM)
An unattended self-service device that performs basic banking functions such as accepting
deposits, cash withdrawals, ordering transfers among accounts, loan payments and account
balance inquiries.
ATM Terminal
An ATM that enables a Cardholder to effect a Transaction with a Card in accordance with the
Standards.
ATM Transaction
A cash withdrawal effected at an ATM Terminal with a Card and processed through the
Mastercard ATM Network. An ATM Transaction is identified with MCC 6011 (Automated Cash
Disbursements—Customer Financial Institution).
Bank Branch Terminal
An attended device, located on the premises of a Customer or other financial institution
designated as its authorized agent by the Corporation, that facilitates a Manual Cash
Disbursement Transaction by a Cardholder.
BIN
A bank identification number (BIN, sometimes referred to as an issuer identification number,
or IIN) is a unique number assigned by Mastercard for use by a Customer in accordance with
the Standards.
Definitions
ATM Access Fee
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Brand Fee
A fee charged for certain Transactions not routed to the Interchange System.
Brand Mark
A Word Mark as a custom lettering legend placed within the Corporation’s interlocking circles
device. The Mastercard Brand Mark, Maestro Brand Mark, and Cirrus Brand Mark is each a
Brand Mark.
Card
A card issued by a Customer pursuant to License and in accordance with the Standards and
that provides access to an Account. Unless otherwise stated herein, Standards applicable to
the use and acceptance of a Card are also applicable to an Access Device and, in a Card-not-
present environment, an Account. A Cirrus Card, Maestro Card, and Mastercard Card is each
a Card.
Cardholder
The authorized user of a Card or Access Device issued by a Customer.
Cardholder Communication
Any communication by or on behalf of an Issuer to a Cardholder or prospective Cardholder. A
Solicitation is one kind of Cardholder Communication.
Cardholder Verification Method (CVM)
A process used to confirm that the person presenting the Card is an authorized Cardholder.
The Corporation deems the following to be valid CVMs when used in accordance with the
Standards:
• The comparison, by the Merchant or Acquirer accepting the Card, of the signature on the
Card’s signature panel with the signature provided on the Transaction receipt by the person
presenting the Card;
• The comparison, by the Card Issuer or the EMV chip on the Card, of the value entered on a
Terminal’s PIN pad with the personal identification number (PIN) given to or selected by the
Cardholder upon Card issuance; and
Definitions
Brand Fee
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• The use of a Consumer Device CVM (CDCVM) that Mastercard approved as a valid CVM
for Transactions upon the successful completion of the certification and testing procedures
set forth in section 3.9 of the Security Rules and Procedures.
In certain Card-present environments, a Merchant may complete the Transaction without a
CVM ("no CVM" as the CVM), such as in Quick Payment Service (QPS) Transactions,
Contactless Transactions less than or equal to the CVM limit, and Transactions at an
unattended POS Terminal identified as Cardholder-activated Terminal (CAT) Level 2 or Level 3.
Consumer Device Cardholder Verification Method, Consumer Device
CVM, CDCVM
A CVM that occurs when personal credentials established by the Cardholder to access an
Account by means of a particular Access Device are entered on the Access Device and verified,
either within the Access Device or by the Issuer during online authorization. A CDCVM is valid
if the Issuer has approved the use of the CVM for the authentication of the Cardholder.
Chip Card (Smart Card, Integrated Circuit Card, IC Card, or ICC)
A Card with an embedded EMV-compliant chip containing memory and interactive capabilities
used to identify and store additional data about a Cardholder, an Account, or both.
Chip-only MPOS Terminal
An MPOS Terminal that has a contact chip reader and no magnetic stripe-reading capability
and that must:
1. Operate as an online-only POS Terminal for authorization purposes;
2. Support either signature or No CVM Required as a Cardholder verification method, and
may also support PIN verification if conducted by means of a PIN entry device (PED) that is
in compliance with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) POS PED Security Requirements and
Evaluation Program; and
3. Otherwise comply with the Corporation’s requirements for Hybrid POS Terminals.
Chip Transaction
A Contact Chip Transaction or a Contactless Transaction.
Definitions
Consumer Device Cardholder Verification Method, Consumer Device CVM, CDCVM
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Cirrus Acceptance Mark
A Mark consisting of the Cirrus Brand Mark placed on the dark blue acceptance rectangle,
available at www.mastercardbrandcenter.com.
Cirrus Access Device
An Access Device that uses at least one Cirrus Payment Application to provide access to a
Cirrus Account when used at an ATM Terminal or Bank Branch Terminal.
Cirrus Account
An account eligible to be a Cirrus Account, as set forth in Rule 6.1.3.2 of the Mastercard
Rules manual, and identified with a BIN/IIN associated with a Portfolio designated by the
Corporation as a Cirrus Portfolio in its routing tables.
Cirrus Brand Mark
A Mark consisting of the Cirrus Word Mark as a custom lettering legend placed within the
Corporation’s interlocking circles device. The Corporation is the exclusive owner of the Cirrus
Brand Mark.
Cirrus Card
A Card that provides access to a Cirrus Account.
Cirrus Customer
A Customer that has been granted a Cirrus License in accordance with the Standards.
Cirrus Payment Application
A Payment Application that stores Cirrus Account data.
Cirrus Word Mark
A Mark consisting of the word “Cirrus” followed by a registered trademark
®
or
™
symbol
(depending on its trademark status in a particular country) or the local law equivalent.
Definitions
Cirrus Acceptance Mark
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“Cirrus” must appear in English and be spelled correctly, with the letter “C” capitalized.
“Cirrus” must not be abbreviated, hyphenated, used in the plural or possessive, or translated
from English into another language. The Corporation is the exclusive owner of the Cirrus
Word Mark.
Competing ATM Network
A Competing International ATM Network or a Competing North American ATM Network, as
the case may be.
Competing International ATM Network
A network of ATMs and payment cards, other than the Corporation, identified by a common
brand mark that is used exclusively or primarily for ATM interchange that:
1. Operates in at least three countries;
2. Uses a common service mark or marks to identify the ATMs and payment cards which
provide account access through it; and
3. Provides account access to at least 40,000,000 debit cards and by means of at least
25,000 ATMs.
Competing EFT POS Network
A network, other than any network owned and operated by the Corporation, which provides
access to Maestro Accounts at POS Terminals by use of payment cards and has the following
characteristics:
1. It provides a common service mark or marks to identify the POS Terminal and payment
cards, which provide Maestro Account access;
2. It is not an affiliate of the Corporation; and
3. It operates in at least one country in which the Corporation has granted a License or
Licenses.
The following networks are designated without limitation to be Competing EFT POS
Networks: Interlink; Electron; and V-Pay.
Competing North American ATM Network
A network of ATMs and access cards, other than the Corporation, identified by a common
brand mark that is used exclusively or primarily for ATM interchange and that possesses each
of the following characteristics:
Definitions
Competing ATM Network
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1. It operates in at least 40 of the states or provinces of the states and provinces of the
United States and Canada;
2. It uses a common service mark or common service marks to identify the terminals and
cards which provide account access through it;
3. There are at least 40,000,000 debit cards that provide account access through it; and
4. There are at least 12,000 ATMs that provide account access through it.
Contact Chip Transaction
A Transaction in which data is exchanged between the Chip Card and the Terminal through
the reading of the chip using the contact interface, in conformance with EMV specifications.
Contactless Payment Device
A means other than a Card by which a Cardholder may access an Account at a Terminal in
accordance with the Standards. A Contactless Payment Device is a type of Access Device that
exchanges data with the Terminal by means of radio frequency communications. Also see
Mobile Payment Device.
Contactless Transaction
A Transaction in which data is exchanged between the Chip Card or Access Device and the
Terminal through the reading of the chip using the contactless interface, by means of radio
frequency communications. Also see EMV Mode Contactless Transaction, Magnetic Stripe
Mode Contactless Transaction.
Control, Controlled
As used herein, Control has such meaning as the Corporation deems appropriate in its sole
discretion given the context of the usage of the term and all facts and circumstances the
Corporation deems appropriate to consider. As a general guideline, Control often means to
have, alone or together with another entity or entities, direct, indirect, legal, or beneficial
possession (by contract or otherwise) of the power to direct the management and policies of
another entity.
Corporation
Mastercard International Incorporated, Maestro International Inc., and their subsidiaries and
affiliates. As used herein, Corporation also means the President and Chief Executive Officer of
Mastercard International Incorporated, or his or her designee, or such officers or other
Definitions
Contact Chip Transaction
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employees responsible for the administration and/or management of a program, service,
product, system or other function. Unless otherwise set forth in the Standards, and subject to
any restriction imposed by law or regulation, or by the Board of Directors of Mastercard
International Incorporated, or by the Mastercard International Incorporated Certificate of
Incorporation or the Mastercard Incorporated Certificate of Incorporation (as each such
Certificate of Incorporation may be amended from time to time), each such person is
authorized to act on behalf of the Corporation and to so act in his or her sole discretion.
Credentials Management System
Facilitates credential preparation and/or remote mobile Payment Application management for
Mastercard Cloud-Based Payments.
Cross-border Transaction
A Transaction that occurs at a Card acceptance location in a different country from the
country in which the Card was issued.
Customer
A financial institution or other entity that has been approved for Participation. A Customer
may be a Principal, Association, Affiliate, or Digital Activity Customer. Also see Cirrus
Customer, Maestro Customer, Mastercard Customer, Member.
Customer Report
Any report a Customer is required to provide the Corporation, whether on a one-time or
repeated basis, pertaining to its License, Activities, Digital Activity Agreement, Digital
Activities, use of any Mark, or any such matters. By way of example and not limitation, the
Quarterly Mastercard Report (QMR) is a Customer Report.
Data Storage Entity (DSE)
A Service Provider that performs any one or more of the services described in Rule 7.1 of the
Mastercard Rules manual as DSE Program Service.
Definitions
Credentials Management System
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Device Binding
The process by which a Wallet Token Requestor binds a Mastercard Token corresponding to a
Cardholder’s Account to that Cardholder’s Mobile Payment Device, which may consist of:
• The provisioning of the Token and its associated encryption keys into the secure element
within the Mobile Payment Device;
• The loading of an application for a remotely-managed secure server into the Mobile
Payment Device and the successful communication of the device with the application; or
• Other methodology acceptable to the Corporation.
Digital Activity(ies)
The undertaking of any act that can be lawfully undertaken only pursuant to approval by the
Corporation as set forth in a Digital Activity Agreement or other written documentation.
Participation in the Mastercard Digital Enablement Service as a Wallet Token Requestor is a
Digital Activity.
Digital Activity Agreement
The contract between the Corporation and a Digital Activity Customer granting the Digital
Activity Customer the right to participate in Digital Activity and a limited License to use one or
more of the Marks in connection with such Digital Activity, in accordance with the Standards.
Digital Activity Customer
A Customer that participates in Digital Activity pursuant to a Digital Activity Agreement and
which may not issue Cards, acquire Transactions, or Sponsor any other Customer into the
Corporation.
Digital Activity Service Provider (DASP)
A Service Provider that performs any one or more of the services described in Rule 7.1 of the
Mastercard Rules as DASP Program Service.
Digital Goods
Any goods that are stored, delivered, and used in electronic format, such as, by way of
example but not limitation, books, newspapers, magazines, music, games, game pieces, and
Definitions
Device Binding
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software (excludes gift cards). The delivery of a purchase of digital goods may occur on a one-
time or subscription basis.
Digital Wallet
A Pass-through Digital Wallet or a Staged Digital Wallet.
Digital Wallet Operator (DWO)
A Service Provider that operates a Staged Digital Wallet or a Customer that operates a Pass-
through Digital Wallet. A Merchant that stores Mastercard or Maestro Account data solely on
its own behalf to effect Transactions initiated by the consumer is not deemed to be a DWO.
Digital Wallet Operator Mark, DWO Mark
A mark identifying a particular Pass-through Digital Wallet and/or Staged Digital Wallet, and
which may be displayed at the POI to denote that a retailer, or any other person, firm, or
corporation, accepts payments effected by means of that Pass-through Digital Wallet and/or
Staged Digital Wallet. A “Staged DWO Mark” and a “Pass-through DWO Mark” are both
types of DWO Marks.
Digital Wallet Operator (DWO) Security Incident, DWO Security
Incident
Any incident pertaining to the unintended or unlawful disclosure of Personal Data in
connection with such Personal Data being processed through a DWO.
Digitization, Digitize
Data preparation performed by, or on behalf of, an Issuer prior to the provisioning of Account
credentials, in the form of a Mastercard Token, onto a Payment Device or into a server.
Digitization includes Tokenization.
Domestic Transaction
See Intracountry Transaction.
Definitions
Digital Wallet
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Dual Interface
The description of a Terminal that is capable of processing Contactless Transactions by means
of its contactless interface and Contact Chip Transactions by means of its contact interface.
Electronic Money
Electronically (including magnetically) accessed monetary value as represented by a claim on
the Electronic Money Issuer which:
1. Is issued on receipt of funds for the purpose of making transactions with payment cards;
and
2. Is accepted by the Electronic Money Issuer or a person other than the Electronic Money
Issuer.
Electronic Money Issuer
An Electronic Money Institution with respect only to its issuing activities.
Electronic Money Institution
An entity authorized by applicable regulatory authority or other government entity as an
“electronic money institution”, “e-money institution”, “small electronic money institution”, or
any other applicable qualification under which an entity is authorized to issue or acquire
Electronic Money transactions under applicable law or regulation.
EMV Mode Contactless Transaction
A Contactless Transaction in which the Terminal and the chip exchange data, enabling the
chip to approve the Transaction offline on the Issuer’s behalf or to request online authorization
from the Issuer, in compliance with the Standards.
Gateway Customer
A Customer that uses the Gateway Processing service.
Definitions
Dual Interface
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Gateway Processing
A service that enables a Customer to forward a Gateway Transaction to and/or receive a
Gateway Transaction from the Mastercard ATM Network
®
.
Gateway Transaction
An ATM transaction effected with a payment card or other access device not bearing a Mark
that is processed through or using the Mastercard ATM Network
®
.
Global Collection Only (GCO) Data Collection Program
A program of the Corporation pursuant to which a Customer must provide collection-only
reporting of non-Processed Transactions effected with a Card, Access Device, or Account
issued under a Mastercard-assigned BIN via the Corporation’s Global Clearing Management
System (GCMS), in accordance with the requirements set forth in the Mastercard Global
Collection Only manual.
Host Card Emulation (HCE)
The presentation on a Mobile Payment Device of a virtual and exact representation of a Chip
Card using only software on the Mobile Payment Device and occurring by means of its
communication with a secure remote server.
Hybrid Terminal
A Terminal, including any POS or MPOS Terminal (“Hybrid POS Terminal”, “Hybrid MPOS
Terminal”), ATM Terminal (“Hybrid ATM Terminal”), or Bank Branch Terminal (“Hybrid Bank
Branch Terminal”), that:
1. Is capable of processing both Contact Chip Transactions and magnetic stripe Transactions;
2. Has the equivalent hardware, software, and configuration as a Terminal with full EMV
Level 1 and Level 2 type approval status with regard to the chip technical specifications;
and
3. Has satisfactorily completed the Corporation’s Terminal Integration Process (TIP) in the
appropriate environment of use.
Definitions
Gateway Processing
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Identification & Verification (ID&V)
The identification and verification of a person as the Cardholder to whom the Issuer allocated
the Account PAN to be Tokenized.
Independent Sales Organization (ISO)
A Service Provider that performs any one or more of the services described in Rule 7.1 of the
Mastercard Rules manual as ISO Program Service.
Interchange System
The computer hardware and software operated by and on behalf of the Corporation for the
routing, processing, and settlement of Transactions including, without limitation, the
Mastercard Network, the Mastercard ATM Network, the Dual Message System, the Single
Message System, the Global Clearing Management System (GCMS), and the Settlement
Account Management (SAM) system.
Inter-European Transaction
A Transaction completed using a Card issued in a country or territory listed in Single European
Payments Area (SEPA) at a Terminal located in a country or territory listed in Non-Single
European Payments Area (Non-SEPA) or Transaction completed using a Card issued in a
country or territory listed in Non-Single European Payments Area (Non–SEPA) at a Terminal
located in a country or territory listed in Single European Payments Area (SEPA).
Interregional Transaction
A Transaction that occurs at a Card acceptance location in a different Region from the Region
in which the Card was issued. In the Europe Region, the term “Interregional Transaction”
includes any “Inter-European Transaction,” as such term is defined in the “Europe Region”
chapter of the Mastercard Rules.
Intracountry Transaction
A Transaction that occurs at a Card acceptance location in the same country as the country in
which the Card was issued. A Transaction conducted with a Card bearing one or more of the
Brand Marks, either alone or in combination with the marks of another payment scheme, and
processed as a Transaction, as shown by the Card type identification in the Transaction record,
Definitions
Identification & Verification (ID&V)
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via either the Interchange System or a different network, qualifies as an Intracountry
Transaction. “Domestic Transaction” is an alternative term for Intracountry Transaction.
Intra–European Transaction
An Intra-Non-SEPA Transaction or an Intra–SEPA Transaction, but not an Inter–European
Transaction.
Intra–Non–SEPA Transaction
A Transaction completed using a Card issued in a country or territory listed in Non–Single
European Payments Area (Non–SEPA) at a Terminal located in a country or territory listed in
Non–Single European Payments Area (Non–SEPA).
Intraregional Transaction
A Transaction that occurs at a Card acceptance location in a different country from the
country in which the Card was issued, within the same Region. In the Europe Region, this
term is replaced by “Intra-European Transaction,” as such term is defined in the “Europe
Region” chapter of the Mastercard Rules.
Issuer
A Customer in its capacity as an issuer of a Card or Account.
License, Licensed
The contract between the Corporation and a Customer granting the Customer the right to
use one or more of the Marks in accordance with the Standards. To be “Licensed” means to
have such a right pursuant to a License.
Licensee
A Customer or other person authorized in writing by the Corporation to use one or more of
the Marks.
Definitions
Intra–European Transaction
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Maestro
Maestro International Incorporated, a Delaware U.S.A. corporation or any successor thereto.
Maestro Acceptance Mark
A Mark consisting of the Maestro Brand Mark placed on the dark blue acceptance rectangle,
as available at www.mastercardbrandcenter.com.
Maestro Access Device
An Access Device that uses at least one Maestro Payment Application to provide access to a
Maestro Account when used at a Terminal.
Maestro Account
An account eligible to be a Maestro Account, as set forth in Rule 6.1.2.1 of the Mastercard
Rules manual, and identified with a BIN/IIN associated with a Portfolio designated by the
Corporation as a Maestro Portfolio in its routing tables.
Maestro Brand Mark
A Mark consisting of the Maestro Word Mark as a custom lettering legend placed within the
Corporation’s interlocking circles device. The Corporation is the exclusive owner of the
Maestro Brand Mark.
Maestro Card
A Card that provides access to a Maestro Account.
Maestro Customer
A Customer that has been granted a Maestro License in accordance with the Standards.
Maestro Payment Application
A Payment Application that stores Maestro Account data.
Definitions
Maestro
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Maestro Word Mark
A Mark consisting of the word “Maestro” followed by a registered trademark
®
or
™
symbol
(depending on its trademark status in a particular country) or the local law equivalent.
“Maestro” must appear in English and be spelled correctly, with the letter “M” capitalized.
“Maestro” must not be abbreviated, hyphenated, used in the plural or possessive, or
translated from English into another language. Maestro is the exclusive owner of the Maestro
Word Mark.
Magnetic Stripe Mode Contactless Transaction
A Contactless Transaction in which the Terminal receives static and dynamic data from the
chip and constructs messages that can be transported in a standard magnetic stripe message
format, in compliance with the Standards.
Manual Cash Disbursement Transaction
A disbursement of cash performed upon the acceptance of a Card by a Customer financial
institution teller. A Manual Cash Disbursement Transaction is identified with MCC 6010
(Manual Cash Disbursements—Customer Financial Institution).
Marks
The names, logos, trade names, logotypes, trademarks, service marks, trade designations, and
other designations, symbols, and marks that the Corporation owns, manages, licenses, or
otherwise Controls and makes available for use by Customers and other authorized entities in
accordance with a License. A “Mark” means any one of the Marks.
Mastercard
Mastercard International Incorporated, a Delaware U.S.A. corporation.
Mastercard Acceptance Mark
A Mark consisting of the Mastercard Brand Mark placed on the dark blue acceptance
rectangle, as available at www.mastercardbrandcenter.com.
Definitions
Maestro Word Mark
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Mastercard Access Device
An Access Device that uses at least one Mastercard Payment Application to provide access to
a Mastercard Account when used at a Terminal.
Mastercard Account
Any type of account (credit, debit, prepaid, commercial, etc.) identified as a Mastercard
Account with a primary account number (PAN) that begins with a BIN in the range of 222100
to 272099 or 510000 to 559999.
Mastercard-branded Application Identifier (AID)
Any of the Corporation’s EMV chip application identifiers for Mastercard, Maestro, and Cirrus
Payment Applications as defined in the M/Chip Requirements manual.
Mastercard Brand Mark
A Mark consisting of the Mastercard Word Mark as a custom lettering legend placed within
the Mastercard Interlocking Circles Device. The Corporation is the exclusive owner of the
Mastercard Brand Mark.
Mastercard Card
A Card that provides access to a Mastercard Account.
Mastercard Cloud-Based Payments
A specification that facilitates the provisioning of Digitized Account data into a Host Card
Emulation (HCE) server and the use of the remotely stored Digitized Account data, along with
single-use payment credentials, in Transactions effected by a Cardholder using a Mobile
Payment Device. The Mastercard Digital Enablement Service offers Mastercard Cloud-Based
Payments as an on-behalf service.
Mastercard Customer
A Customer that has been granted a Mastercard License in accordance with the Standards.
Also see Member.
Definitions
Mastercard Access Device
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Mastercard Digital Enablement Service
Any of the services offered by the Corporation exclusively to Customers for the digital
enablement of Account data, including but not limited to ID&V Service, Tokenization Service,
Digitization Service, Token Mapping Service, Mastercard Cloud-Based Payments, Digital Card
Image Database, CVC 3 pre-validation and other on-behalf cryptographic validation services,
and Service Requests.
Mastercard Europe
Mastercard Europe SA, a Belgian private limited liability (company).
Mastercard Incorporated
Mastercard Incorporated, a Delaware U.S.A. corporation.
Mastercard Payment Application
A Payment Application that stores Mastercard Account data.
Mastercard Safety Net
A service offered by the Corporation that performs fraud monitoring at the network level for
all Transactions processed on the Mastercard Network. The service invokes targeted measures
to provide protective controls on behalf of a participating Issuer to assist in minimizing losses
in the event of a catastrophic fraud attack.
Mastercard Token
A Token allocated from a Mastercard Token Account Range that the Corporation has
designated to an Issuer and that corresponds to an Account PAN. The Corporation exclusively
owns all right, title and interest in any Mastercard Token.
Mastercard Token Account Range
A Bank Identification Number (BIN) or portion of a BIN (“BIN range”) designated by the
Corporation to an Issuer for the allocation of Mastercard Tokens in a particular Token
implementation. A Mastercard Token Account Range must be designated from a BIN reserved
Definitions
Mastercard Digital Enablement Service
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for the Corporation by the ISO Registration Authority and for which the Corporation is
therefore the “BIN Controller,” as such term is defined in the EMV Payment Tokenization
Specification Technical Framework (also see the term “Token BIN Range” in that document). A
Mastercard Token Account Range is identified in the Corporation’s routing tables as having
the same attributes as the corresponding Account PAN Range.
Mastercard Token Vault
The Token Vault owned and operated by Mastercard and enabled by means of the Mastercard
Digital Enablement Service.
Mastercard Word Mark
A Mark consisting of the word “Mastercard” followed by a registered trademark
®
symbol or
the local law equivalent. “Mastercard” must appear in English and be spelled correctly, with
the letters “M” and “C” capitalized. “Mastercard” must not be abbreviated, hyphenated,
used in the plural or possessive, or translated from English into another language. The
Corporation is the exclusive owner of the Mastercard Word Mark.
Member, Membership
A financial institution or other entity that is approved to be a Mastercard Customer in
accordance with the Standards and which, as a Mastercard Customer, has been granted
membership (“Membership”) in and has become a member (“Member”) of the Corporation.
“Membership” also means “Participation”.
Merchandise Transaction
The purchase by a Cardholder of merchandise or a service, but not currency, in an approved
category at an ATM Terminal and dispensed or otherwise provided by such ATM Terminal. A
Merchandise Transaction is identified with MCC 6012 (Merchandise and Services—Customer
Financial Institution), unless otherwise specified.
Merchant
A retailer, or any other person, firm or corporation that, pursuant to a Merchant Agreement,
agrees to accept Cards when properly presented.
Definitions
Mastercard Token Vault
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Merchant Agreement
An agreement between a Merchant and a Customer that sets forth the terms pursuant to
which the Merchant is authorized to accept Cards.
Merchant Token Requestor
A Merchant Token Requestor is a Merchant that connects directly to the Mastercard Digital
Enablement Service (MDES) for the purpose of Tokenizing a Mastercard or Maestro Account
primary account number (PAN) provided by a Cardholder for use in a future Transaction with
the Merchant. A Merchant Token Requestor is a type of Token Requestor.
Mobile Payment Device
A Cardholder-controlled mobile device containing a Payment Application compliant with the
Standards, and which uses an integrated keyboard and screen to access an Account. A Mobile
Payment Device may also be a Contactless Payment Device.
Mobile POS (MPOS) Terminal
An MPOS Terminal enables a mobile device to be used as a POS Terminal. Card “reading” and
software functionality that meets the Corporation’s requirements may reside within the mobile
device, on a server accessed by the mobile device, or in a separate accessory connected (such
as via Bluetooth or a USB port) to the mobile device. The mobile device may be any multi-
purpose mobile computing platform, including, by way of example and not limitation, a
feature phone, smart phone, tablet, or personal digital assistant (PDA).
Multi-Account Chip Card
A Chip Card with more than one Account encoded in the chip.
On-behalf Token Requestor
A Digital Activity Customer or other Customer, approved by the Corporation to conduct
Digital Activity and authorized to Tokenize a Mastercard or Maestro primary account number
(PAN) using the Mastercard Digital Enablement Service (MDES) on behalf of a DWO or
Merchant.
Definitions
Merchant Agreement
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On-Device Cardholder Verification
The use of a CDCVM as the CVM for a Transaction.
Ownership, Owned
As used herein, ownership has such meaning as the Corporation deems appropriate in its sole
discretion given the context of the usage of the term in all facts and circumstances the
Corporation deems appropriate to consider. As a general guideline, ownership often means to
own indirectly, legally, or beneficially more than fifty percent (50 percent) of an entity.
Participation
The right to participate in Activity, Digital Activity, or both granted to a Customer by the
Corporation. For a Mastercard Customer, Participation is an alternative term for Membership.
Pass-through Digital Wallet
Functionality which can be used at more than one Merchant, and by which the Pass-through
Digital Wallet Operator stores Mastercard or Maestro Account data provided by the
Cardholder to the DWO for purposes of effecting a payment initiated by the Cardholder to a
Merchant or Submerchant, and upon the performance of a Transaction, transfers the Account
data to the Merchant or Submerchant or to its Acquirer or the Acquirer’s Service Provider.
Pass-through Digital Wallet Operator (DWO)
A Digital Activity Customer or other Customer, approved by the Corporation to engage in
Digital Activity, that operates a Pass-through Digital Wallet.
Payment Account Reference (PAR)
A unique non-financial alphanumeric value assigned to an Account PAN that is used to link
the Account PAN to all of its corresponding Tokens.
Payment Application
A package of code and data stored in a Card, an Access Device, a server, or a combination of
Access Device and server, that when exercised outputs a set of data that may be used to effect
Definitions
On-Device Cardholder Verification
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301
a Transaction, in accordance with the Standards. A Mastercard Payment Application, Maestro
Payment Application, and Cirrus Payment Application is each a Payment Application.
Payment Facilitator
A Service Provider registered by an Acquirer to facilitate the acquiring of Transactions by the
Acquirer from Submerchants, and which in doing so, performs any one or more of the services
described in Rule 7.1 of the Mastercard Rules manual as PF Program Service.
Personal Data
Any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person. An identifiable natural
person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an
identification number or to one or more factors specific to his or her physical, physiological,
mental, economic, cultural, or social identity.
Point of Interaction (POI)
The location at which a Transaction occurs, as determined by the Corporation.
Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminal
An attended or unattended device located in or at a Merchant’s premises, including an MPOS
Terminal, that enables a Cardholder to effect a Transaction for the purchase of products or
services sold by such Merchant with a Card and/or Access Device, or attended device located
in the premises of a Customer or its authorized agent that facilitates a Manual Cash
Disbursement Transaction, including a Bank Branch Terminal. A POS Terminal must comply
with the POS Terminal security and other applicable Standards.
Point–of–Sale (POS) Transaction
The sale of products or services by a Merchant to a Cardholder pursuant to acceptance of a
Card by the Merchant or Manual Cash Disbursement Transaction. A POS Transaction may be a
Card-present Transaction taking place in a face-to-face environment or at an unattended POS
Terminal, or a Card-not-present Transaction taking place in a non-face-to-face environment
(for example, an e-commerce, mail order, phone order, or recurring payment Transaction).
Definitions
Payment Facilitator
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Mastercard Rules • 21 December 2017
302
Portfolio
All Cards issued bearing the same major industry identifier, BIN/IIN, and any additional digits
that uniquely identify Cards for routing purposes.
Principal Customer, Principal
A Customer that participates directly in Activity using its assigned BINs/IINs and which may
Sponsor one or more Affiliates.
Processed Transaction
A Transaction which is:
1. Authorized by the Issuer via the Interchange System, unless a properly processed offline
Chip Transaction approval is obtained or no authorization is required, in accordance with
the Standards; and
2. Cleared, meaning the Acquirer transferred the Transaction data within the applicable
presentment time frame to the Corporation via the Interchange System, for the purpose of
a transfer of funds via the Interchange System, and such Transaction data is subsequently
transferred by the Corporation to the Issuer for such purpose.
Program
A Customer’s Card issuing program, Merchant acquiring program, ATM Terminal acquiring
program, Digital Activity program, or all.
Program Service
Any service described in Rule 7.1 of the Mastercard Rules manual or elsewhere in the
Standards that directly or indirectly supports a Program and regardless of whether the entity
providing the service is registered as a Service Provider of one or more Customers. The
Corporation has the sole right to determine whether a service is a Program Service.
Region
A geographic region as defined by the Corporation from time to time. See Appendix A of the
Mastercard Rules manual.
Definitions
Portfolio
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1969–2017 Mastercard. Proprietary. All rights reserved.
Mastercard Rules • 21 December 2017
303
Rules
The Standards set forth in this manual.
Service Provider
A person that performs Program Service. The Corporation has the sole right to determine
whether a person is or may be a Service Provider and if so, the category of Service Provider. A
Service Provider is an agent of the Customer that receives or otherwise benefits from Program
Service, whether directly or indirectly, performed by such Service Provider.
Service Provider Registration Facilitator
A Service Provider that performs Service Provider identification and registration services.
Settlement Obligation
A financial obligation of a Principal or Association Customer to another Principal or
Association Customer arising from a Transaction.
Shared Deposit Transaction
A deposit to a savings Account or checking Account conducted at an ATM Terminal located in
the U.S. Region, initiated with a Card issued by a U.S. Region Customer other than the
Acquirer, and processed through the Mastercard ATM Network.
Solicitation, Solicit
An application, advertisement, promotion, marketing communication, or the like intended to
solicit the enrollment of a person as a Cardholder or as a Merchant. To “Solicit” means to use
a Solicitation.
Special Issuer Program
Issuer Activity the Corporation deems may be undertaken only with the express prior consent
of the Corporation. As of the date of the publication of these Rules, Special Issuer Programs
include Affinity Card Programs, Co-Brand Card Programs, and Prepaid Card Program, and
with respect to Mastercard Activity only, Brand Value Transaction and proprietary account,
Remote Transaction Mastercard Account, and secured Mastercard Card Programs.
Definitions
Rules
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1969–2017 Mastercard. Proprietary. All rights reserved.
Mastercard Rules • 21 December 2017
304
Sponsor, Sponsorship
The relationship described in the Standards between a Principal or Association and an Affiliate
that engages in Activity indirectly through the Principal or Association. In such event, the
Principal or Association is the Sponsor of the Affiliate and the Affiliate is Sponsored by the
Principal or Association. “Sponsorship” means the Sponsoring of a Customer.
Staged Digital Wallet
Functionality that can be used at more than one retailer, and by which the Staged Digital
Wallet Operator effects a two-stage payment to a retailer to complete a purchase initiated by
a Cardholder. The following may occur in either order:
• Payment stage—In the payment stage, the Staged DWO pays the retailer by means of:
– A proprietary non-Mastercard method (and not with a Mastercard Card); or
– A funds transfer to an account held by the Staged DWO for or on behalf of the retailer.
• Funding stage—In the funding stage, the Staged DWO uses a Mastercard or Maestro
Account provided to the Staged DWO by the Cardholder (herein, the “funding account”)
to perform a transaction that funds or reimburses the Staged Digital Wallet.
The retailer does not receive Mastercard or Maestro Account data or other information
identifying the network brand and payment card issuer for the funding account.
Staged Digital Wallet Operator (DWO)
A registered Service Provider that operates a Staged Digital Wallet.
Standards
The organizational documents, operating rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the
Corporation, including but not limited to any manuals, guides, announcements or bulletins, as
may be amended from time to time.
Stand-In Parameters
A set of authorization requirements established by the Corporation or the Issuer that are
accessed by the Interchange System using the Stand-In Processing Service to determine the
appropriate responses to authorization requests.
Definitions
Sponsor, Sponsorship
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Mastercard Rules • 21 December 2017
305
Stand-In Processing Service
A service offered by the Corporation in which the Interchange System authorizes or declines
Transactions on behalf of and uses Stand-In Parameters provided by the Issuer (or in some
cases, by the Corporation). The Stand-In Processing Service responds only when the Issuer is
unavailable, the Transaction cannot be delivered to the Issuer, or the Issuer exceeds the
response time parameters set by the Corporation.
Sub-licensee
A person authorized in writing to use a Mark either by a Licensee in accordance with the
Standards or by the Corporation.
Submerchant
A merchant that, pursuant to an agreement with a Payment Facilitator, is authorized to accept
Cards when properly presented.
Submerchant Agreement
An agreement between a Submerchant and a Payment Facilitator that sets forth the terms
pursuant to which the Submerchant is authorized to accept Cards.
Terminal
Any attended or unattended device that meets the Corporation requirements for the
electronic capture and exchange of Card data and that permits a Cardholder to effect a
Transaction in accordance with the Standards. An ATM Terminal, Bank Branch Terminal, and
POS Terminal is each a type of Terminal.
Third Party Processor (TPP)
A Service Provider that performs any one or more of the services described in Rule 7.1 of the
Mastercard Rules manual as TPP Program Service.
Definitions
Stand-In Processing Service
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Mastercard Rules • 21 December 2017
306
Token
A numeric value that (i) is a surrogate for the primary account number (PAN) used by a
payment card issuer to identify a payment card account; (ii) is issued in compliance with the
EMV Payment Tokenization Specification Technical Framework; and (iii) passes the basic
validation rules for a PAN, including the Luhn Formula for Computing Modulus 10 Check
Digit. Also see Mastercard Token.
Tokenization, Tokenize
The process by which a Mastercard Token replaces an Account PAN.
Token Requestor
An entity that requests the replacement of Account PANs with Mastercard Tokens.
Token Vault
A repository of tokens that are implemented by a tokenization system, which may also
perform primary account number (PAN) mapping and cryptography validation.
Transaction
A financial transaction arising from the proper acceptance of a Card or Account bearing or
identified with one or more of the Brand Marks, either alone or in combination with the
marks of another payment scheme, at a Card acceptance location and identified in messages
with a Card Program identifier.
Transaction Data
Any data and/or data element or subelement that the Standards and/or the Corporation’s
interface specifications require to be used to initiate, authorize, clear, and/or settle a
Transaction (whether authorized, cleared, and/or settled via the Interchange System or
otherwise) or that the Corporation requires to be provided.
Definitions
Token
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Mastercard Rules • 21 December 2017
307
Transaction Management System
Performs Transaction management services for Mastercard Cloud-Based Payments, which may
include credential authentication, application cryptogram mapping and validation, ensuring
synchronization with the Credentials Management System, and forwarding of Transactions to
the Issuer for authorization.
Trusted Service Manager
Provisions an Access Device with the Payment Application, personalization data, or post-
issuance application management commands by means of an over-the-air (OTA)
communication channel.
Virtual Account
A Mastercard Account issued without a physical Card or Access Device. A Virtual Account
cannot be electronically read.
Volume
The aggregate financial value of a group of Transactions. “Volume” does not mean the
number of Transactions.
Wallet Token Requestor
A Wallet Token Requestor is a Pass-through DWO that connects directly to the Mastercard
Digital Enablement Service (MDES) for the purpose of Tokenizing a Mastercard or Maestro
Account primary account number (PAN) provided by a Cardholder for use in a future
Transaction.
Word Mark
A Mark consisting of the name of one of the Corporation’s brands followed by a registered
trademark
®
or
™
symbol (depending on its trademark status in a particular country) or the
local law equivalent. See Cirrus Word Mark, Maestro Word Mark, Mastercard Word Mark.
Definitions
Transaction Management System
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Mastercard Rules • 21 December 2017
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Notices
Following are policies pertaining to proprietary rights, trademarks, translations, and details
about the availability of additional information online.
Proprietary Rights
The information contained in this document is proprietary and confidential to Mastercard International
Incorporated, one or more of its affiliated entities (collectively “Mastercard”), or both.
This material may not be duplicated, published, or disclosed, in whole or in part, without the prior written
permission of Mastercard.
Trademarks
Trademark notices and symbols used in this document reflect the registration status of Mastercard
trademarks in the United States. Please consult with the Global Customer Service team or the Mastercard
Law Department for the registration status of particular product, program, or service names outside the
United States.
All third-party product and service names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
owners.
Disclaimer
Mastercard makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, with respect to the
contents of this document. Without limitation, Mastercard specifically disclaims all representations and
warranties with respect to this document and any intellectual property rights subsisting therein or any part
thereof, including but not limited to any and all implied warranties of title, non-infringement, or suitability
for any purpose (whether or not Mastercard has been advised, has reason to know, or is otherwise in fact
aware of any information) or achievement of any particular result. Without limitation, Mastercard specifically
disclaims all representations and warranties that any practice or implementation of this document will not
infringe any third party patents, copyrights, trade secrets or other rights.
Translation
A translation of any Mastercard manual, bulletin, release, or other Mastercard document into a language
other than English is intended solely as a convenience to Mastercard customers. Mastercard provides any
translated document to its customers “AS IS” and makes no representations or warranties of any kind with
respect to the translated document, including, but not limited to, its accuracy or reliability. In no event shall
Mastercard be liable for any damages resulting from reliance on any translated document. The English
version of any Mastercard document will take precedence over any translated version in any legal
proceeding.
Information Available Online
Mastercard provides details about the standards used for this document—including times expressed,
language use, and contact information—on the Publications Support page available on Mastercard
Connect
™
. Go to Publications Support for centralized information.
Notices
©
1969–2017 Mastercard. Proprietary. All rights reserved.
Mastercard Rules • 21 December 2017
309
VisaCoreRulesand
VisaProductandServiceRules
14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
The trademarks, logos, trade names and service marks, whether registered or unregistered (collectively
the “Trademarks”) are Trademarks owned by Visa. All other trademarks not attributed to Visa are the
property of their respective owners.
Visa is committed to providing our partners and interested parties with greater insight into Visa’s
operations. As part of our effort, we are pleased to provide access to the latest edition of the Visa Core
Rules and Visa Product and Service Rules, which govern participation of our financial institution clients
in the Visa system.
To protect cardholders and merchants and maintain the integrity of the Visa system, we have omitted
proprietary and competitive information, as well as certain details from the rules relating to the
security of the network.
Any regional or country-specific rules within the Visa Core Rules and Visa Product and Service Rules
apply only to the operations of financial clients within the relevant region or country, and any rules
marked with the name of a region(s) or country(ies) are applicable to financial institutions operating in
that region(s) or country(ies) only.
The Visa Rules must not be duplicated, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from Visa.
If you have questions about Visa’s rules, please contact us.
Contents
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Contents
Contents..................................................................................................................................................................................... i
Tables........................................................................................................................................................................................... xix
Summary of Changes .......................................................................................................................................... 1
Introduction............................................................................................................................................................ 9
The Visa Rules ..................................................................................................................................................................... 9
The Visa Core Rules and Visa Product and Service Rules............................................................................ 9
Part 1: Visa Core Rules....................................................................................................................................... 11
1 Visa Core Rules............................................................................................................................................. 13
1.1 General.................................................................................................................................................................... 13
1.1.1 Governance..................................................................................................................................................... 13
1.1.2 Local, Domestic, and Regional Rules and Private Agreements.................................................. 19
1.1.3 Waivers .............................................................................................................................................................. 19
1.1.4 Operating Certificates................................................................................................................................. 20
1.1.5 Confidentiality ................................................................................................................................................ 20
1.1.6 Visa Rights....................................................................................................................................................... 25
1.1.7 Use of VisaNet............................................................................................................................................... 27
1.1.8 Misencoded Cards....................................................................................................................................... 28
1.1.9 Liabilities and Indemnifications.............................................................................................................. 29
1.2 Licensing and Numerics Management...................................................................................................... 30
1.2.1 Licensing – General Membership.......................................................................................................... 30
1.3 Use of Marks........................................................................................................................................................ 30
1.3.1 Marks License................................................................................................................................................. 30
1.3.2 General Use of Marks................................................................................................................................. 31
1.3.3 Protecting the Visa Brand......................................................................................................................... 34
1.3.4 Marketing, Promotion, and Advertising Materials.......................................................................... 35
1.4 Issuance................................................................................................................................................................... 40
1.4.1 Issuance Conditions..................................................................................................................................... 40
1.4.2 Account Numbers........................................................................................................................................ 41
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Contents
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1.4.3 Notification and Disclosure...................................................................................................................... 41
1.4.4 Issuer Operational Standards.................................................................................................................. 43
1.4.6 Zero Liability................................................................................................................................................... 45
1.5 Acceptance............................................................................................................................................................. 46
1.5.1 General Acquirer Requirements............................................................................................................. 46
1.5.2 Merchant Agreements................................................................................................................................ 52
1.5.3 Marks Display................................................................................................................................................. 53
1.5.4 Card Acceptance........................................................................................................................................... 53
1.5.5 Card Acceptance Prohibitions................................................................................................................. 60
1.5.6 Card and Cardholder Verification Requirements............................................................................. 62
1.5.7 Transaction Receipts.................................................................................................................................... 62
1.5.8 Merchant Deposits....................................................................................................................................... 63
1.5.9 Travelers Cheques......................................................................................................................................... 65
1.6 ATM ........................................................................................................................................................................... 66
1.6.1 ATM Requirements....................................................................................................................................... 66
1.7 Transaction Processing..................................................................................................................................... 66
1.7.1 General Processing...................................................................................................................................... 66
1.7.2 Data Requirements...................................................................................................................................... 67
1.7.3 Acquirer Authorization Requests........................................................................................................... 67
1.7.4 Issuer Authorization Processing............................................................................................................. 68
1.7.5 Clearing ............................................................................................................................................................. 69
1.7.6 Settlement ........................................................................................................................................................ 70
1.7.7 Reversals and Adjustments...................................................................................................................... 71
1.8 Processing Products........................................................................................................................................... 72
1.8.1 Original Credits.............................................................................................................................................. 72
1.9 Interchange............................................................................................................................................................ 73
1.9.1 Interchange Reimbursement Fee (IRF) Determination and Payment...................................... 73
1.9.2 Interchange Reimbursement Fee (IRF) Adjustments and Compliance.................................... 74
1.10 Risk ............................................................................................................................................................................ 76
1.10.1 Corporate Risk Reduction......................................................................................................................... 76
1.10.2 Brand Protection........................................................................................................................................... 80
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Contents
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1.10.3 Investigations.................................................................................................................................................. 80
1.10.4 Information Security.................................................................................................................................... 81
1.10.5 High-Brand Risk Merchants..................................................................................................................... 84
1.10.6 Recovered Cards........................................................................................................................................... 85
1.10.7 Counterfeit Losses........................................................................................................................................ 85
1.10.8 Agents ............................................................................................................................................................... 86
1.10.9 Card Manufacturing and Distribution.................................................................................................. 89
1.11 Dispute Resolution............................................................................................................................................. 91
1.11.1 Chargebacks.................................................................................................................................................... 91
1.11.2 Arbitration and Compliance..................................................................................................................... 93
1.12 Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments.................................................................................................. 95
1.12.1 Fee Assessment by Visa............................................................................................................................ 95
1.12.3 Non-Compliance Assessments................................................................................................................ 95
Part 2: Visa Product and Service Rules.......................................................................................................... 101
2 Licensing and Numerics Management................................................................................................... 103
2.1 Membership.......................................................................................................................................................... 103
2.1.1 Member Acquisitions and Mergers...................................................................................................... 103
2.1.2 Acquiring Licenses....................................................................................................................................... 105
2.3 BIN License and Administration................................................................................................................... 105
2.3.1 BIN Use and License................................................................................................................................... 105
2.3.2 Administration of BINs and Numerics................................................................................................. 108
2.3.4 Account Range and BIN Use................................................................................................................... 111
2.3.5 Use and Disclosure of BIN Information.............................................................................................. 112
2.4 Marks License ....................................................................................................................................................... 114
2.4.1 Marks License Grant.................................................................................................................................... 114
2.5 Visa US Regulation II Certification Program............................................................................................ 114
2.5.1 Visa US Regulation II Certification Program – US Region and US Territories....................... 114
2.6 Product-Specific BIN Requirements............................................................................................................ 115
2.6.1 Visa Consumer Products........................................................................................................................... 115
2.6.2 Visa Commercial Products........................................................................................................................ 116
2.6.3 Visa Prepaid Cards....................................................................................................................................... 120
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2.7 Visa Membership Management................................................................................................................... 120
2.7.1 Client Portfolio Management Self-Service Tools Requirements................................................ 120
2.8 Non-Visa BINs ...................................................................................................................................................... 121
2.8.1 Non-Visa-Assigned BINs........................................................................................................................... 121
2.10 EU Passporting..................................................................................................................................................... 122
2.10.1 EU Passporting – Europe Region........................................................................................................... 122
3 Use of Marks................................................................................................................................................. 125
3.1 Marks License ....................................................................................................................................................... 125
3.1.1 Affinity/Co-Branded Card Programs..................................................................................................... 125
3.1.2 Marks License Grant.................................................................................................................................... 126
3.1.3 Sponsorships and Partnerships, Including the Olympics............................................................. 126
3.2 Use of Marks........................................................................................................................................................ 127
3.2.1 Use of Marks by Members and Merchants....................................................................................... 127
3.2.2 Use of Marks in Promotions, Advertisements, and Solicitations.............................................. 128
3.2.3 Use of Marks on Cards.............................................................................................................................. 129
3.3 Other Card Requirements............................................................................................................................... 131
3.3.1 Magnetic-Stripe Encoding........................................................................................................................ 131
3.4 Point-of-Transaction Display of Marks....................................................................................................... 131
3.4.1 Display of Marks at the Point of Sale.................................................................................................. 131
4 Issuance........................................................................................................................................................... 133
4.1 General Issuance................................................................................................................................................. 133
4.1.1 General Issuer Requirements................................................................................................................... 133
4.1.2 Visa Credit Card Issuance......................................................................................................................... 139
4.1.3 Visa Charge Card Issuance....................................................................................................................... 141
4.1.4 Visa Debit Card Issuance.......................................................................................................................... 142
4.1.6 Affinity/Co-Brand and Global Co-Brand Issuance.......................................................................... 144
4.1.7 Card Production Standards...................................................................................................................... 148
4.1.8 Virtual Accounts............................................................................................................................................ 150
4.1.9 Issuer Disclosures......................................................................................................................................... 150
4.1.10 Confidentiality of Cardholder Information......................................................................................... 156
4.1.11 PIN Requirements......................................................................................................................................... 156
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4.1.12 Data Retention and Transmission.......................................................................................................... 158
4.1.13 Provisional Credit/Zero Liability............................................................................................................. 159
4.1.14 Emergency Cash Disbursement, Emergency Card Replacement, Global Customer
Assistance Services (GCAS)...................................................................................................................... 162
4.1.15 Insurance/Benefits........................................................................................................................................ 169
4.1.16 Preauthorized Payment Cancellation Service................................................................................... 170
4.1.17 Visa Payment Controls............................................................................................................................... 171
4.1.18 V PAY.................................................................................................................................................................. 171
4.1.19 Verified by Visa............................................................................................................................................. 172
4.1.20 Visa Checkout................................................................................................................................................ 172
4.1.21 Visa Token Service / Visa Europe Payment Token Service........................................................... 173
4.1.22 Visa FeatureSelect........................................................................................................................................ 177
4.1.23 Chip Issuance Requirements.................................................................................................................... 177
4.1.24 Pass-Through Digital Wallet Requirements....................................................................................... 197
4.1.25 Card Personalization – Europe Region................................................................................................ 198
4.2 Visa Electron.......................................................................................................................................................... 198
4.2.1 Visa Electron Issuer Requirements........................................................................................................ 198
4.3 Visa Check Card.................................................................................................................................................. 199
4.3.1 Visa Check Card – Issuer Requirements............................................................................................. 199
4.3.2 Secured Card – Issuer Requirements................................................................................................... 200
4.4 Visa Gold................................................................................................................................................................ 201
4.4.2 Visa Gold – Issuer Requirements........................................................................................................... 201
4.4.3 Visa Gold – Features and Benefits........................................................................................................ 202
4.5 Visa Platinum ........................................................................................................................................................ 203
4.5.1 Visa Platinum – Card Requirements..................................................................................................... 203
4.5.2 Visa Platinum – Customer Service Requirements........................................................................... 203
4.5.3 Visa Platinum – Issuer Requirements................................................................................................... 204
4.5.4 Visa Platinum – Features and Benefits................................................................................................ 204
4.5.5 Visa Platinum Prepaid – Issuer Requirements.................................................................................. 205
4.6 Visa Rewards......................................................................................................................................................... 206
4.6.3 Visa Rewards – Features and Benefits................................................................................................. 206
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4.6.4 Visa Traditional Rewards – Issuer Requirements............................................................................. 207
4.6.5 Visa Traditional Rewards – Features and Benefits........................................................................... 207
4.7 Visa Signature....................................................................................................................................................... 208
4.7.1 Visa Signature and Visa Signature Preferred – Card Requirements......................................... 208
4.7.2 Visa Signature and Visa Signature Preferred – Customer Service Requirements............... 209
4.7.3 Visa Signature and Visa Signature Preferred – Issuer Requirements...................................... 210
4.7.4 Visa Signature and Visa Signature Preferred – Features and Benefits.................................... 210
4.8 Visa Infinite ............................................................................................................................................................ 211
4.8.1 Visa Infinite/Visa Infinite Privilege – Card Requirements............................................................. 211
4.8.2 Visa Infinite/Visa Infinite Privilege – Customer Service Requirements................................... 213
4.8.3 Visa Infinite/Visa Infinite Privilege – Issuer Requirements........................................................... 213
4.8.4 Visa Infinite/Visa Infinite Privilege – Features and Benefits........................................................ 216
4.10 Campus Card........................................................................................................................................................ 218
4.10.1 Campus Card – Issuer Requirements................................................................................................... 218
4.11 Prepaid..................................................................................................................................................................... 219
4.11.1 Prepaid – Issuer Requirements............................................................................................................... 219
4.11.2 Prepaid – Agent Use/Risk Controls...................................................................................................... 222
4.11.3 Prepaid – Affinity/Co-Branding.............................................................................................................. 223
4.11.4 Prepaid – Cross-Border Remittance...................................................................................................... 224
4.11.5 Prepaid – Authorization Services/Funds Access.............................................................................. 225
4.11.6 Prepaid – Partners........................................................................................................................................ 225
4.11.9 Prepaid – Visa TravelMoney..................................................................................................................... 226
4.11.10 Prepaid – Visa Buxx..................................................................................................................................... 228
4.11.12 Prepaid – Employee Benefits/Healthcare........................................................................................... 228
4.11.13 Prepaid – Visa Mobile................................................................................................................................ 229
4.11.14 Prepaid – Payroll/Salary............................................................................................................................. 231
4.11.15 Prepaid – Visa Vale...................................................................................................................................... 232
4.11.17 Travelers Cheque Issuer Requirements................................................................................................ 232
4.12 Visa Commercial Products.............................................................................................................................. 234
4.12.1 Commercial Card Issuance Requirements.......................................................................................... 234
4.12.2 Commercial Data Management and Reporting............................................................................... 240
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4.12.3 V Distribution Program.............................................................................................................................. 244
4.12.4 Visa B2B Virtual Payments Program..................................................................................................... 245
4.13 Visa Small Business Product-Specific Issuance....................................................................................... 246
4.13.1 Visa Business – Card Requirements...................................................................................................... 246
4.13.3 Visa Business – Issuer Requirements................................................................................................... 247
4.13.4 Visa Business – Features and Benefits................................................................................................. 247
4.15 Visa Platinum Business..................................................................................................................................... 249
4.15.1 Visa Platinum Business – Card Requirements.................................................................................. 249
4.15.2 Visa Platinum Business – Customer Service Requirements......................................................... 250
4.15.3 Visa Platinum Business – Issuer Requirements................................................................................ 251
4.15.4 Visa Platinum Business – Features and Benefits............................................................................. 253
4.16 Visa Signature Business.................................................................................................................................... 254
4.16.1 Visa Signature Business – Card Requirements................................................................................. 254
4.16.2 Visa Signature Business – Customer Service Requirements ...................................................... 256
4.16.3 Visa Signature Business – Issuer Requirements............................................................................... 257
4.16.4 Visa Signature Business – Features and Benefits............................................................................ 258
4.17 Visa Infinite Business, Visa Infinite Privilege Business......................................................................... 258
4.17.1 Visa Infinite Business, Visa Infinite Privilege Business – Card Requirements........................ 258
4.17.2 Visa Infinite Business, Visa Infinite Privilege Business – Customer Service
Requirements.................................................................................................................................................. 260
4.17.3 Visa Infinite Business, Visa Infinite Privilege Business – Issuer Requirements...................... 261
4.17.4 Visa Infinite Business, Visa Infinite Privilege Business – Features and Benefits................... 263
4.18 Visa SavingsEdge................................................................................................................................................ 265
4.18.1 Visa SavingsEdge Requirements............................................................................................................ 265
4.19 Visa Purchasing.................................................................................................................................................... 266
4.19.1 Visa Purchasing – Issuer Requirements............................................................................................... 266
4.20 Visa Fleet ................................................................................................................................................................ 267
4.20.1 Visa Fleet Card – Issuer Requirements................................................................................................ 267
4.21 Visa Large Purchase Advantage................................................................................................................... 269
4.21.1 Visa Large Purchase Advantage Requirements................................................................................ 269
4.22 Visa Meetings Card............................................................................................................................................ 270
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4.22.1 Visa Meetings Card – Issuer Requirements....................................................................................... 270
4.23 Visa Infinite Corporate...................................................................................................................................... 270
4.23.1 Visa Infinite Corporate – Card Requirements................................................................................... 270
4.23.2 Visa Infinite Corporate – Issuer Requirements................................................................................. 271
4.23.3 Visa Infinite Corporate – Features and Benefits.............................................................................. 272
4.24 Visa Platinum Corporate.................................................................................................................................. 273
4.24.1 Visa Platinum Corporate – Card Requirements............................................................................... 273
4.24.2 Visa Platinum Corporate – Issuer Requirements............................................................................. 273
4.24.3 Visa Platinum Corporate – Features and Benefits.......................................................................... 274
4.25 Visa Premium Corporate.................................................................................................................................. 274
4.25.1 Visa Premium Corporate – Issuer Requirements............................................................................. 274
4.26 Visa Signature Corporate................................................................................................................................ 278
4.26.1 Visa Signature Corporate – Issuer Requirements............................................................................ 278
4.27 Prepaid Commercial Corporate..................................................................................................................... 279
4.27.1 Commercial Prepaid – Card Requirements........................................................................................ 279
4.27.2 Corporate Prepaid – Features and Benefits....................................................................................... 279
4.28 Visa Agro................................................................................................................................................................ 280
4.28.1 Visa Agro – Card Requirements............................................................................................................. 280
4.28.2 Visa Agro – Customer Service Requirements................................................................................... 280
4.28.3 Visa Agro – Issuer Requirements........................................................................................................... 281
4.29 Visa Cargo.............................................................................................................................................................. 281
4.29.1 Visa Cargo – Card Requirements........................................................................................................... 281
4.30 Visa Drive Card.................................................................................................................................................... 282
4.30.1 Visa Drive Card – Europe Region.......................................................................................................... 282
4.31 Visa SimplyOne.................................................................................................................................................... 284
4.31.1 Visa SimplyOne Card.................................................................................................................................. 284
4.32 Visa Multichoice.................................................................................................................................................. 285
4.32.1 Visa Multichoice Card................................................................................................................................. 285
4.33 V PAY ........................................................................................................................................................................ 285
4.33.1 V PAY – Europe Region.............................................................................................................................. 285
4.34 Carte Bleue Nationale Cards – Europe Region...................................................................................... 286
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4.34.1 Carte Bleue Nationale Cards Issuer Requirements......................................................................... 286
4.35 Carte Bleue Nationale Affaires Cards – Europe Region...................................................................... 287
4.35.1 Carte Bleue Nationale Affaires Cards Issuer Requirements........................................................ 287
5 Acceptance..................................................................................................................................................... 289
5.1 Responsibilities Related to Information and Notification.................................................................. 289
5.1.1 Provision of Information, Registration, and Reporting................................................................. 289
5.2 Acquirer Responsibilities Related to Merchants..................................................................................... 291
5.2.1 Merchant Agreements, Merchant Onboarding, and Merchant Relationships...................... 291
5.2.2 Acquirer and Payment Facilitator Responsibilities Related to Deposit Accounts................ 299
5.3 Payment Facilitators, Staged Digital Wallet Operators, and Marketplaces.................................. 300
5.3.1 Acquirer Responsibilities and Liabilities in Payment Facilitator and Staged Digital
Wallet Operator Agreements................................................................................................................... 300
5.3.2 Payment Facilitator, Staged Digital Wallet Operator, and Marketplace Responsibilities
and Requirements........................................................................................................................................ 304
5.3.3 Acquirer Responsibility for Staged Digital Wallet Operators..................................................... 306
5.3.4 Acquirer Responsibility for Marketplaces........................................................................................... 309
5.4 Merchant and Cardholder Interaction........................................................................................................ 313
5.4.1 Honoring Cards............................................................................................................................................. 313
5.4.2 Conditions of Card Acceptance and Cardholder Rights............................................................... 313
5.4.3 Merchant Use of Cardholder Account Information........................................................................ 317
5.5 Merchant Verification of Card and Cardholder...................................................................................... 319
5.5.1 Card and Cardholder Validation............................................................................................................. 319
5.5.2 Cardholder Validation with PIN.............................................................................................................. 322
5.6 Surcharges, Convenience Fees, and Service Fees................................................................................. 322
5.6.1 Surcharges – Allowances, Requirements, Restrictions, Amounts, and Disclosures............. 322
5.6.2 Convenience Fees – Allowances, Requirements, Restrictions, Amounts, and
Disclosures....................................................................................................................................................... 328
5.6.3 Service Fees – Allowances, Requirements, Restrictions, Amounts, and Disclosures.......... 330
5.7 Acceptance Devices........................................................................................................................................... 334
5.7.1 Acceptance Device Requirements – All Devices.............................................................................. 334
5.7.2 Chip Acceptance Device Requirements.............................................................................................. 345
5.7.3 Unattended Cardholder-Activated Terminals – Transaction Cancellation.............................. 349
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5.8 Merchant Authorization Requirements...................................................................................................... 350
5.8.1 Transactions Requiring Authorization.................................................................................................. 350
5.8.2 Transaction Amount-Related Authorization Requirements......................................................... 352
5.8.3 Non-Standard Authorizations.................................................................................................................. 352
5.8.4 Merchant Authorization Processing...................................................................................................... 361
5.9 Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures............................................................................. 366
5.9.1 Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Prepaid.................................................................................................... 366
5.9.2 Chip .................................................................................................................................................................... 373
5.9.3 QR Code........................................................................................................................................................... 377
5.9.4 Electronic Commerce.................................................................................................................................. 378
5.9.5 Mail/Phone Order Transactions.............................................................................................................. 385
5.9.6 Aggregated Transactions........................................................................................................................... 385
5.9.7 T&E and Rental Transactions................................................................................................................... 386
5.9.8 Dynamic Currency Conversion................................................................................................................ 392
5.9.9 Prepayments, Repeated Payments, and Deferred Payments...................................................... 394
5.9.10 Visa Easy Payment Service (VEPS) and Small Ticket Transactions............................................ 406
5.9.11 Debt Repayment........................................................................................................................................... 409
5.9.12 Health Care..................................................................................................................................................... 413
5.9.13 Visa Fleet Card............................................................................................................................................... 414
5.9.15 Up-Selling and Negative Option Merchants..................................................................................... 415
5.9.16 Toll and Bridge Merchants....................................................................................................................... 416
5.9.17 Variable Fare Transit.................................................................................................................................... 416
5.9.18 Gambling .......................................................................................................................................................... 418
5.9.19 Mass Transit.................................................................................................................................................... 418
5.10 Transaction Receipt Requirements............................................................................................................... 422
5.10.1 Transaction Receipt Delivery to Cardholders.................................................................................... 422
5.10.2 Transaction Receipt Retention Period.................................................................................................. 424
5.10.3 Transaction Receipt Data and Format Requirements.................................................................... 425
5.10.4 Substitute Transaction Receipt Data and Format Requirements............................................... 432
5.11 Returns, Credits, and Refunds....................................................................................................................... 433
5.11.1 Merchant Processing................................................................................................................................... 433
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5.12 Acquirer Requirements for Non-Visa General Purpose Payment Network in Brazil – LAC
Region...................................................................................................................................................................... 435
5.13 Business Payment Service Providers........................................................................................................... 436
5.13.1 Acquirer Responsibilities Related to Business Payment Solution Providers.......................... 436
6 ATM .................................................................................................................................................................. 439
6.1 Plus Program........................................................................................................................................................ 439
6.1.1 Plus Program Issuer Participation Requirements............................................................................ 439
6.1.2 Plus Symbol.................................................................................................................................................... 439
6.2 Visa Global ATM Network............................................................................................................................... 440
6.2.1 Visa Global ATM Network Issuer Participation Requirements.................................................... 440
6.2.2 Visa Global ATM Network Issuer General Requirements............................................................. 440
6.2.3 Visa Global ATM Network Acquirer Participation Requirements.............................................. 441
6.2.4 ATM Operator and Agent Requirements............................................................................................ 443
6.2.6 ATM Processing Requirements............................................................................................................... 445
6.3 ATM Balance Inquiry Service......................................................................................................................... 449
6.3.1 ATM Balance Inquiry Service Issuer Participation........................................................................... 449
6.3.2 ATM Balance Inquiry Service Acquirer Participation...................................................................... 449
6.4 ATM Fees................................................................................................................................................................ 450
6.4.1 ATM Access Fees.......................................................................................................................................... 450
6.4.2 ATM Travelers Cheque Fee....................................................................................................................... 453
7 Transaction Processing................................................................................................................................ 455
7.1 VisaNet Systems Use......................................................................................................................................... 455
7.1.1 Use of VisaNet............................................................................................................................................... 455
7.2 Access to Visa Systems.................................................................................................................................... 457
7.2.1 Visa Extended Access................................................................................................................................. 457
7.2.2 Clearing Processors..................................................................................................................................... 459
7.3 Authorization........................................................................................................................................................ 459
7.3.1 Authorization Routing................................................................................................................................ 459
7.3.2 Authorization Service Participation....................................................................................................... 460
7.3.3 Member Provision of Authorization Services................................................................................... 460
7.3.4 Authorization Request Time Limits....................................................................................................... 462
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7.3.5 Use of the Exception File.......................................................................................................................... 463
7.3.6 Declines and Referrals................................................................................................................................ 463
7.3.7 Authorization Reversals and Authorization Holds.......................................................................... 465
7.3.8 Visa Debit with PIN..................................................................................................................................... 465
7.3.9 Partial Authorization.................................................................................................................................... 465
7.3.10 Authorization Response Standards....................................................................................................... 468
7.3.11 Account Verification.................................................................................................................................... 469
7.3.12 Member Reporting Requirements......................................................................................................... 470
7.4 Processing of Specific Transaction Types.................................................................................................. 470
7.4.1 Account Funding Transactions................................................................................................................ 470
7.4.2 Manual Cash Disbursements................................................................................................................... 471
7.4.3 Automated Fuel Dispenser Transactions............................................................................................. 471
7.4.4 Bill Payment Transactions.......................................................................................................................... 472
7.4.6 Online Gambling Transactions................................................................................................................ 472
7.4.7 Commercial Payables Transactions........................................................................................................ 472
7.4.8 Card-Absent Environment Transactions.............................................................................................. 473
7.4.9 Recurring Transactions............................................................................................................................... 473
7.4.10 Visa Purchasing Card Transactions........................................................................................................ 474
7.4.11 Visa Fleet Card Transactions.................................................................................................................... 474
7.4.12 Visa Commercial Card Transactions...................................................................................................... 475
7.4.13 Visa Drive Card Transactions................................................................................................................... 475
7.4.14 In-Transit Transactions................................................................................................................................ 476
7.4.15 Authorization Request Content.............................................................................................................. 476
7.5 Clearing................................................................................................................................................................... 477
7.5.1 File Processing............................................................................................................................................... 477
7.5.2 Currency Conversion................................................................................................................................... 477
7.5.3 PIN-Authenticated Visa Debit Adjustments...................................................................................... 477
7.5.4 Reversals........................................................................................................................................................... 478
7.5.5 Data Requirements...................................................................................................................................... 479
7.6 Online Financial and Deferred Clearing.................................................................................................... 479
7.6.1 Online Financial and Deferred Clearing Requirements................................................................. 479
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7.7 Transaction Processing Time Limits and Dates...................................................................................... 480
7.7.1 Processing Time Limits............................................................................................................................... 480
7.8 Settlement.............................................................................................................................................................. 482
7.8.2 National Net Settlement Service (NNSS) Requirements.............................................................. 482
7.8.3 Settlement Requirements – AP Region............................................................................................... 483
7.8.4 Settlement Requirements – Europe Region...................................................................................... 483
7.8.6 Settlement Requirements – US Region............................................................................................... 486
7.8.7 Member Readiness for Settlement....................................................................................................... 486
7.9 System Use – Europe Region........................................................................................................................ 487
7.9.1 Default Infrastructure.................................................................................................................................. 487
7.10 Authorization and Clearing Transaction Content.................................................................................. 487
7.10.1 Transaction Message Content................................................................................................................. 487
7.10.2 Payment Stop Service................................................................................................................................. 487
8 Processing Products..................................................................................................................................... 489
8.1 Use of Visa Systems.......................................................................................................................................... 489
8.1.1 VisaNet Access Points................................................................................................................................ 489
8.1.2 Visa Merchant Direct Exchange.............................................................................................................. 490
8.1.3 System Changes............................................................................................................................................ 490
8.2 Cardholder Loyalty Programs........................................................................................................................ 491
8.2.1 Visa Loyalty Platform Services................................................................................................................ 491
8.3 Visa Information Systems................................................................................................................................ 491
8.3.1 Visa Online...................................................................................................................................................... 491
8.3.2 VisaVue Online.............................................................................................................................................. 492
8.4 Original Credit Transactions........................................................................................................................... 492
8.4.1 Original Credit Transactions – Originating Member Requirements......................................... 492
8.4.2 Original Credit Transactions – Recipient Member Requirements............................................. 493
8.4.4 Original Credit Transactions – Fast Funds.......................................................................................... 494
8.5 Visa Processing Services.................................................................................................................................. 496
8.5.1 Visa Account Updater................................................................................................................................. 496
8.6 Visa Software........................................................................................................................................................ 498
8.6.1 Software License........................................................................................................................................... 498
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9 Interchange.................................................................................................................................................... 501
10 Risk ................................................................................................................................................................... 503
10.1 Corporate Risk Reduction............................................................................................................................... 503
10.1.1 Acquirer Risk Responsibilities.................................................................................................................. 503
10.1.2 Electronic Commerce Merchant Requirements................................................................................ 504
10.1.3 Anti-Money Laundering............................................................................................................................. 506
10.1.4 Use of BIN Blocks......................................................................................................................................... 506
10.1.5 Crisis Management and Business Continuity.................................................................................... 507
10.2 Agents and Processors..................................................................................................................................... 508
10.2.1 Member Requirements Related to VisaNet Processors and Visa Scheme Processors...... 508
10.2.2 Member Requirements Related to Third Party Agents................................................................. 514
10.2.3 Member Requirements Related to Third Parties............................................................................. 520
10.2.4 Independent Sales Organizations – Europe Region....................................................................... 521
10.3 Account and Transaction Information Security...................................................................................... 521
10.3.1 Account, Cardholder, and Transaction Information Security...................................................... 521
10.3.2 Confidential Consumer Cardholder Information............................................................................. 524
10.3.3 Data Protection – Europe Region.......................................................................................................... 525
10.4 Activity and Compliance Monitoring.......................................................................................................... 529
10.4.1 Member Activity Monitoring Requirements...................................................................................... 529
10.4.2 Monitoring of Visa Compliance............................................................................................................. 533
10.4.3 Chargeback Monitoring............................................................................................................................. 533
10.4.4 Acquirer Chargeback and Fraud Monitoring.................................................................................... 538
10.4.5 Merchant Fraud Monitoring.................................................................................................................... 540
10.4.6 High-Brand Risk Merchants..................................................................................................................... 547
10.4.7 High-Brand Risk Merchant Monitoring............................................................................................... 547
10.4.8 High-Risk Internet Payment Facilitator Requirements................................................................... 551
10.4.9 Cross-Border Fraud Monitoring............................................................................................................. 552
10.5 Brand Protection................................................................................................................................................. 554
10.5.1 Global Brand Protection Program......................................................................................................... 554
10.6 Fraud Reporting.................................................................................................................................................. 554
10.6.1 Fraud Reporting Requirements............................................................................................................... 554
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10.7 Card Recovery...................................................................................................................................................... 556
10.7.1 Card Recovery at the Point of Sale...................................................................................................... 556
10.7.2 Return of Recovered Cards...................................................................................................................... 557
10.7.3 Recovered Counterfeit Cards................................................................................................................... 559
10.7.4 Card Recovery Bulletin (CRB).................................................................................................................. 560
10.8 Lost or Stolen Cards.......................................................................................................................................... 560
10.8.1 Lost or Stolen Card Reporting................................................................................................................ 560
10.9 PIN Security Requirements............................................................................................................................. 561
10.9.1 PIN Requirements......................................................................................................................................... 561
10.10 Account Data Compromise............................................................................................................................ 562
10.10.1 Global Compromised Account Recovery (GCAR) Program......................................................... 562
10.11 Counterfeit Losses.............................................................................................................................................. 563
10.11.1 POS Entry Mode Compliance Liability................................................................................................. 563
10.12 Terminated Merchants...................................................................................................................................... 564
10.12.1 Required Use of Terminated Merchant Database........................................................................... 564
10.13 Visa Risk Products.............................................................................................................................................. 567
10.13.1 Address Verification Service (AVS)........................................................................................................ 567
10.13.2 Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2)........................................................................................................... 569
10.14 Advanced Authorization................................................................................................................................... 570
10.14.1 Visa Advanced Authorization.................................................................................................................. 570
10.15 Transaction Alerts............................................................................................................................................... 571
10.15.1 Transaction Alerts Requirements........................................................................................................... 571
10.16 National Card Recovery File........................................................................................................................... 573
10.16.1 National Card Recovery File – US Region.......................................................................................... 573
10.17 Verified by Visa.................................................................................................................................................... 573
10.17.1 Verified by Visa General Participation Requirements.................................................................... 573
10.17.2 Verified by Visa Issuer Participation Requirements........................................................................ 575
10.17.3 Verified by Visa Acquirer and Merchant Participation Requirements..................................... 577
10.17.4 Use of Visa Authentication Technology.............................................................................................. 578
10.18 Credit Bureau Reporting.................................................................................................................................. 578
10.18.1 Credit Bureau Reporting – US Region................................................................................................. 578
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10.21 Visa Merchant Alert Service........................................................................................................................... 579
10.21.1 Visa Merchant Alert Service – Europe Region................................................................................. 579
10.22 Fraud Detection Systems................................................................................................................................. 580
10.22.1 Fraud Detection Systems – Europe Region....................................................................................... 580
11 Dispute Resolution....................................................................................................................................... 583
11.1 Chargebacks and Representments.............................................................................................................. 583
11.1.1 Member Responsibilities for Dispute Resolution............................................................................ 583
11.1.2 Use of Visa Systems.................................................................................................................................... 584
11.1.3 Retrieval Request and Fulfillment.......................................................................................................... 585
11.1.4 Dispute Amount............................................................................................................................................ 590
11.1.5 Chargeback Rights and Restrictions..................................................................................................... 592
11.1.6 Chargeback Processing Requirements................................................................................................. 593
11.1.7 Time Limits...................................................................................................................................................... 595
11.1.8 Representment Processing Requirements.......................................................................................... 597
11.1.9 Chargeback Reason Codes....................................................................................................................... 602
11.1.10 Chargeback Reason Code 30 – Services Not Provided or Merchandise Not Received.... 603
11.1.11 Chargeback Reason Code 41 – Cancelled Recurring Transaction............................................. 607
11.1.12 Chargeback Reason Code 53 – Not as Described or Defective Merchandise...................... 610
11.1.13 Chargeback Reason Code 57 – Fraudulent Multiple Transactions........................................... 619
11.1.14 Chargeback Reason Code 62 – Counterfeit Transaction.............................................................. 622
11.1.15 Chargeback Reason Code 70 – Card Recovery Bulletin or Exception File............................. 627
11.1.16 Chargeback Reason Code 71 – Declined Authorization............................................................... 629
11.1.17 Chargeback Reason Code 72 – No Authorization.......................................................................... 634
11.1.18 Chargeback Reason Code 73 – Expired Card................................................................................... 638
11.1.19 Chargeback Reason Code 74 – Late Presentment.......................................................................... 640
11.1.20 Chargeback Reason Code 75 – Transaction Not Recognized.................................................... 643
11.1.21 Chargeback Reason Code 76 – Incorrect Currency or Transaction Code............................... 647
11.1.22 Chargeback Reason Code 77 – Non-Matching Account Number............................................ 652
11.1.23 Chargeback Reason Code 78 – Service Code Violation............................................................... 654
11.1.24 Chargeback Reason Code 80 – Incorrect Transaction Amount or Account Number......... 655
11.1.25 Chargeback Reason Code 81 – Fraud – Card-Present Environment........................................ 659
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11.1.26 Chargeback Reason Code 82 – Duplicate Processing................................................................... 669
11.1.27 Chargeback Reason Code 83 – Fraud – Card-Absent Environment........................................ 671
11.1.28 Chargeback Reason Code 85 – Credit Not Processed.................................................................. 680
11.1.29 Chargeback Reason Code 86 – Paid by Other Means.................................................................. 687
11.1.30 Chargeback Reason Code 90 – Non-Receipt of Cash or Load Transaction Value at ATM 690
11.1.31 Chargeback Reason Code 93 – Visa Fraud Monitoring Program............................................. 692
11.2 Arbitration and Compliance........................................................................................................................... 694
11.2.1 Pre-Arbitration............................................................................................................................................... 694
11.2.2 Arbitration ........................................................................................................................................................ 695
11.2.3 Compliance ...................................................................................................................................................... 697
11.2.4 Appeals ............................................................................................................................................................. 705
12 Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments................................................................................................ 707
12.1 Licensing and Numerics Management – Non-Compliance Assessments.................................... 707
12.1.1 Acquirer Licensing........................................................................................................................................ 707
12.2 Issuance Non-Compliance Assessments................................................................................................... 707
12.2.1 Fraud Activity Reporting Non-Compliance Assessments............................................................. 707
12.3 Acceptance Non-Compliance Assessments............................................................................................. 710
12.3.1 EMV Liability Shift and Fallback Non-Compliance Assessments............................................... 710
12.3.2 High-Risk Internet Payment Facilitator Non-Compliance Assessments................................. 710
12.3.3 Electronic Commerce Non-Compliance Assessments................................................................... 711
12.3.4 Chip Card Non-Compliance Assessments.......................................................................................... 711
12.3.7 Mass Transit Non-Compliance Assessments..................................................................................... 712
12.4 ATM Non-Compliance Assessments........................................................................................................... 712
12.4.1 ATM Access Fee Non-Compliance Assessments............................................................................. 712
12.5 Transaction Processing Non-Compliance Assessments...................................................................... 713
12.5.1 Authorization and Clearing Non-Compliance Assessments....................................................... 713
12.5.2 Duplicate or Erroneous Data Fee.......................................................................................................... 713
12.6 Risk Non-Compliance Assessments............................................................................................................ 714
12.6.1 Account and Transaction Information Security Non-Compliance Assessments.................. 714
12.6.2 Anti-Money Laundering Program Non-Compliance Assessments........................................... 716
12.6.3 Authentication Non-Compliance Assessments................................................................................ 716
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12.6.4 Visa Acquirer Monitoring Program Non-Compliance Assessments........................................ 717
12.6.5 Chargeback Monitoring Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments.......................................... 718
12.6.6 High-Risk/High-Brand Risk Acquirer Non-Compliance Assessments..................................... 721
12.6.7 Fraud Monitoring and Reporting Non-Compliance Assessments............................................ 721
12.6.8 Terminated Merchant Non-Compliance Assessments................................................................... 722
12.6.9 Global Brand Protection Program Non-Compliance Assessments........................................... 723
12.6.10 Corporate Risk Reduction Non-Compliance Assessments.......................................................... 723
12.6.11 Merchant Agreement with Prohibited Merchant Non-Compliance Assessments – US
Region............................................................................................................................................................... 724
12.6.13 Non-Compliance Assessments Related to Agents......................................................................... 724
12.7 Fees – General..................................................................................................................................................... 726
12.7.1 Fee Assessment and Responsibility...................................................................................................... 726
12.7.2 Global Compromised Account Recovery (GCAR) Fees................................................................. 726
12.8 Member-to-Member Fees............................................................................................................................... 727
12.8.2 Automated Clearing House Service...................................................................................................... 727
12.8.3 Member-to-Member Fee Collection and Funds Disbursement................................................ 729
12.8.4 Incentive Fulfillment Fees.......................................................................................................................... 730
12.8.5 Investigative Services Fees....................................................................................................................... 731
12.8.6 Rewards for Recovered Cards................................................................................................................. 731
12.9 Other Non-Compliance Assessments......................................................................................................... 732
12.9.1 Willful Violations – Europe Region....................................................................................................... 732
Part 3: Appendices............................................................................................................................................... 735
Appendix A ............................................................................................................................................................. 737
Visa Supplemental Requirements............................................................................................................................... 737
Visa Supplemental Requirements (Enforceable Documents and Websites).......................................... 737
Part 4: Glossary..................................................................................................................................................... 745
Glossary ................................................................................................................................................................... 747
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Tables
Information in Rule ID......................................................................................................................................................... 10
Table 1-1: Asia-Pacific Region................................................................................................................................. 15
Table 1-2: Canada Region......................................................................................................................................... 16
Table 1-3: Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa Region................................................ 16
Table 1-4: Europe Region......................................................................................................................................... 16
Table 1-5: Latin America and Caribbean Region............................................................................................ 16
Table 1-6: US Region.................................................................................................................................................. 17
Table 1-10: Permitted Cross-Border Acquiring................................................................................................... 47
Table 1-11: Allowed Merchant Outlet Locations for Card-Present Transactions.................................. 48
Table 1-12: Allowed Additional Merchant Outlet Locations for Card-Absent Transactions............. 48
Table 1-14: EMV Liability Shift Participation....................................................................................................... 92
Table 1-15: General Schedule of Non-Compliance Assessments............................................................... 96
Table 2-1: Regulatory Closure – Assuming Member Requirements....................................................... 103
Table 3-1: Specific Marks Requirements – US Region and US Territories............................................. 130
Table 4-1: Product Category Identification – Europe Region.................................................................... 136
Table 4-2: Marketing Materials Approvals for Visa Products..................................................................... 138
Table 4-3: Visa Consumer Product Core Card Benefits – LAC Region................................................... 140
Table 4-5: Provision of Provisional Credit.......................................................................................................... 159
Table 4-6: Timeframes for Delivery of Emergency Cash Disbursement to Eligible Cardholders.. 163
Table 4-7: Timeframes for Delivery of Emergency Card Replacements to Eligible Cardholders.. 164
Table 4-9: Visa Global Customer Assistance Services Program Eligibility Requirements by
Product........................................................................................................................................................ 165
Table 4-10: Cardholder Benefits by Product Type – Canada Region........................................................ 168
Table 4-18: Contactless Payment Device Issuer Requirements................................................................... 179
Table 4-19: Contactless Payment Device Issuer Requirements – Europe Region................................. 181
Table #-#: ........................................................................................................................................................................ 183
Table 4-21: CVM Requirements for Contactless Payment Devices – AP Region and CEMEA
Region.......................................................................................................................................................... 183
Table 4-23: Domestic Contactless Transaction Offline Authorization Limits – AP Region................ 186
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Table 4-24: Visa Gold Product Minimum Level of Cardholder Rewards and Benefits – AP Region
(Japan)......................................................................................................................................................... 202
Table 4-30: Visa Rewards Product Benefits – AP Region (Australia)......................................................... 206
Table 4-48: Visa Commercial Card Core Feature Requirements – AP Region, Canada Region,
CEMEA Region, LAC Region, and US Region.............................................................................. 234
Table 4-49: Visa Commercial Card Mandatory Core Services...................................................................... 236
Table 4-51: Visa Business Card Core Benefits – LAC Region........................................................................ 248
Table 4-55: Visa Premium Corporate Card Core Product Benefits – LAC Region................................ 274
Table 4-56: Corrective Actions for Issuer Failure to Meet Performance Standards for Visa
Premium Corporate Cards – LAC Region..................................................................................... 277
Table 4-57: Visa Drive Card Requirements – Europe Region....................................................................... 282
Table 4-58: Service Requirements for France Domestic Transactions using Carte Bleue
Nationale Cards....................................................................................................................................... 286
Table 4-59: Service Requirements for France Domestic Transactions using Carte Bleue
Nationale Affaires Cards...................................................................................................................... 287
Table 5-1: Allowed Additional Marketplace Locations................................................................................. 305
Table 5-2: Staged Digital Wallet Transaction Processing Requirements................................................ 307
Table 5-3: Proper Disclosure of Return, Refund, and Cancellation Policies.......................................... 314
Table 5-4: Card and Cardholder Validation in a Face-to-Face Environment........................................ 320
Table 5-5: Surcharge Disclosure – US Region and US Territories............................................................. 325
Table 5-6: Surcharge Disclosure – AP Region (Australia)............................................................................ 328
Table 5-7: Convenience Fee Requirements....................................................................................................... 329
Table 5-8: Service Fee Assessment Requirements......................................................................................... 330
Table 5-9: Acceptance Device Requirements................................................................................................... 334
Table 5-10: Chip Acceptance Device Testing Requirements......................................................................... 345
Table 5-11: Requirements for Deployment of Contactless-Only Acceptance Devices....................... 346
Table 5-16: Special Authorization Request Allowances and Requirements............................................ 353
Table 5-17: Approval Response Validity Periods............................................................................................... 363
Table 5-18: Authorization Reversal Requirements............................................................................................ 364
Table 5-19: Cash-Back Requirements..................................................................................................................... 368
Table 5-20: Acquirer Support of Verified by Visa by Region/Country – Requirements..................... 380
Table 5-21: Conditions for Amended Amounts and Delayed Charges.................................................... 388
xx Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Tables
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Table 5-22: Requirements for Prepayments and Repeated Payments (Effective through 13
October 2017) .......................................................................................................................................... 394
Table 5-23: Requirements for Prepayments and Transactions Using Stored Credentials (Effective
14 October 2017)................................................................................................................................... 399
Table 5-24: VEPS Qualifying Criteria....................................................................................................................... 406
Table 5-26: Small Ticket Transaction Requirements – Europe Region...................................................... 408
Table 5-29: Debt Repayment Transaction Requirements............................................................................... 411
Table 5-30: Mass Transit Transaction Processing Requirements................................................................. 420
Table 5-31: Transaction Receipt Delivery to Cardholders.............................................................................. 422
Table 5-32: Required Transaction Receipt Content for All Transactions.................................................. 425
Table 5-33: Required Transaction Receipt Content for Specific Transactions........................................ 427
Table 5-34: Substitute Transaction Receipt/Fulfillment Document Requirements............................... 432
Table 5-35: Threshold for Sending Credit Authorization Request............................................................. 434
Table 6-1: Acquirer and ATM Requirements for ATM Access Fees.......................................................... 451
Table 7-1: Maximum Time Limits for Authorization Request Response................................................ 462
Table 7-5: Minimum Monthly Approval Rates – Visa Consumer Card Programs – US Region..... 468
Table 7-6: Minimum Monthly Approval Rates – Commercial Visa Products – US Region.............. 469
Table 7-7: Acquirer Processing Timeframe Requirements.......................................................................... 480
Table 8-1: Fast Funds Processing Requirements............................................................................................. 495
Table 8-2: VAU Update Requirements – Canada Region and US Region............................................. 497
Table 10-1: Merchant Deposit Monitoring Parameters – Europe Region............................................... 531
Table 10-2: VCMP Standard Program Timeline.................................................................................................. 535
Table 10-3: VCMP High-Risk Program Timeline................................................................................................ 536
Table 10-4: VAMP Timeline........................................................................................................................................ 539
Table 10-5: VFMP Standard Program Timeline.................................................................................................. 543
Table 10-6: VFMP High-Risk Program Timeline................................................................................................. 544
Table 10-7: Cross-Border Fraud Monitoring Program Elements – Europe Region.............................. 553
Table 10-8: Country-Specific Verified by Visa Participation Requirements............................................. 574
Table 11-1: Retrieval Request Reason Codes...................................................................................................... 585
Table 11-2: Fulfillment Types..................................................................................................................................... 585
Table 11-3: Retrieval Request – Invalid Transaction Types............................................................................ 587
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Tables
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Table 11-4: Retrieval Request – Allowable Nonfulfillment Transaction Types....................................... 588
Table 11-5: Minimum Chargeback Amount........................................................................................................ 590
Table 11-6: Merchant Responsibility for Merchandise Held by a Customs Agency............................ 593
Table 11-7: Cardholder Letter – Required Issuer Documentation.............................................................. 594
Table 11-8: Issuer Processing Requirements by Chargeback Condition.................................................. 594
Table 11-9: Chargeback Time Limits....................................................................................................................... 595
Table 11-10: General Representment Processing Requirements................................................................... 597
Table 11-11: Allowable Compelling Evidence....................................................................................................... 598
Table 11-12: Chargeback Country/Region Descriptions................................................................................... 602
Table 11-13: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 30................................................................................. 603
Table 11-14: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 30.......................................................... 604
Table 11-15: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 30........................................................................................ 604
Table 11-16: Chargeback Time Limit – Reason Code 30.................................................................................. 605
Table 11-17: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 30..................................................... 606
Table 11-18: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 30.............................................. 607
Table 11-19: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 41................................................................................. 607
Table 11-20: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 41.......................................................... 608
Table 11-21: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 41........................................................................................ 608
Table 11-22: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 41..................................................... 608
Table 11-23: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 41.............................................. 609
Table 11-24: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 53................................................................................. 610
Table 11-25: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 53.......................................................... 611
Table 11-26: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 53........................................................................................ 613
Table 11-27: Chargeback Time Limit – Reason Code 53.................................................................................. 614
Table 11-28: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 53..................................................... 615
Table 11-29: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 53.............................................. 618
Table 11-30: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 57................................................................................. 619
Table 11-31: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 57........................................................................................ 620
Table 11-32: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 57..................................................... 621
Table 11-33: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 57.............................................. 621
Table 11-34: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 62................................................................................. 622
xxii Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Tables
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Table 11-35: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 62........................................................................................ 622
Table 11-36: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 62..................................................... 624
Table 11-37: Representment Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 62................................................... 626
Table 11-38: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 62.............................................. 626
Table 11-39: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 70................................................................................. 627
Table 11-40: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 70.......................................................... 628
Table 11-41: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 70........................................................................................ 628
Table 11-42: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 70..................................................... 628
Table 11-43: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 70.............................................. 629
Table 11-44: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 71................................................................................. 629
Table 11-45: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 71.......................................................... 631
Table 11-46: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 71........................................................................................ 632
Table 11-47: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 71..................................................... 632
Table 11-48: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 71.............................................. 633
Table 11-49: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 72................................................................................. 634
Table 11-50: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 72.......................................................... 634
Table 11-51: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 72........................................................................................ 635
Table 11-52: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 72..................................................... 635
Table 11-53: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 72.............................................. 636
Table 11-54: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 73................................................................................. 638
Table 11-55: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 73.......................................................... 639
Table 11-56: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 73........................................................................................ 639
Table 11-57: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 73..................................................... 640
Table 11-58: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 73.............................................. 640
Table 11-59: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 74................................................................................. 640
Table 11-60: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 74.......................................................... 641
Table 11-61: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 74........................................................................................ 642
Table 11-62: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 74..................................................... 642
Table 11-63: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 74.............................................. 643
Table 11-64: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 75................................................................................. 643
Table 11-65: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 75.......................................................... 643
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Tables
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Table 11-66: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 75........................................................................................ 644
Table 11-67: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 75..................................................... 646
Table 11-68: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 75.............................................. 646
Table 11-69: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 76................................................................................. 647
Table 11-70: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 76.......................................................... 647
Table 11-71: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 76........................................................................................ 648
Table 11-72: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 76..................................................... 648
Table 11-73: Representment Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 76................................................... 650
Table 11-74: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 76.............................................. 651
Table 11-75: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 77................................................................................. 652
Table 11-76: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 77........................................................................................ 652
Table 11-77: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 77..................................................... 653
Table 11-78: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 77.............................................. 653
Table 11-79: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 78................................................................................. 654
Table 11-80: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 78..................................................... 654
Table 11-81: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 78.............................................. 654
Table 11-82: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 80................................................................................. 655
Table 11-83: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 80.......................................................... 656
Table 11-84: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 80........................................................................................ 656
Table 11-85: Chargeback Time Limit – Reason Code 80.................................................................................. 657
Table 11-86: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 80..................................................... 657
Table 11-87: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 80.............................................. 658
Table 11-88: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 81................................................................................. 659
Table 11-89: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 81.......................................................... 660
Table 11-90: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 81........................................................................................ 660
Table 11-91: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 81..................................................... 663
Table 11-92: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 81.............................................. 666
Table 11-93: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 82................................................................................. 669
Table 11-94: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 82.......................................................... 669
Table 11-95: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 82........................................................................................ 669
Table 11-96: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 82..................................................... 670
xxiv Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Tables
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Table 11-97: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 82.............................................. 670
Table 11-98: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 83................................................................................. 671
Table 11-99: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 83.......................................................... 671
Table 11-100: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 83........................................................................................ 672
Table 11-101: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 83..................................................... 675
Table 11-102: Representment Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 83................................................... 678
Table 11-103: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 83.............................................. 678
Table 11-104: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 85................................................................................. 680
Table 11-105: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 85.......................................................... 681
Table 11-106: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 85........................................................................................ 683
Table 11-107: Chargeback Time Limit – Reason Code 85.................................................................................. 683
Table 11-108: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 85..................................................... 684
Table 11-109: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 85.............................................. 686
Table 11-110: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 86................................................................................. 687
Table 11-111: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 86.......................................................... 688
Table 11-112: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 86........................................................................................ 688
Table 11-113: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 86..................................................... 689
Table 11-114: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 86.............................................. 690
Table 11-115: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 90................................................................................. 690
Table 11-116: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 90.......................................................... 691
Table 11-117: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 90........................................................................................ 691
Table 11-118: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 90..................................................... 691
Table 11-119: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 90.............................................. 692
Table 11-120: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 93................................................................................. 692
Table 11-121: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 93........................................................................................ 693
Table 11-122: Chargeback Time Limit – Reason Code 93.................................................................................. 693
Table 11-123: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 93..................................................... 693
Table 11-124: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 93.............................................. 693
Table 11-125: Pre-Arbitration Conditions and Certification Requirements................................................. 694
Table 11-126: Pre-Arbitration Time Limits................................................................................................................ 695
Table 11-127: Arbitration Time Limits........................................................................................................................ 696
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Tables
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Table 11-128: Chargeback Reduction Service Returned Valid Chargeback or Representment for
Invalid Data ............................................................................................................................................... 699
Table 11-129: Chargeback Reduction Service Returned Transaction with Valid Authorization............ 699
Table 11-130: Unauthorized Signature....................................................................................................................... 700
Table 11-132: Cardholder Letter Required for Legal Purposes........................................................................ 700
Table 11-133: Copy of Transaction Receipt.............................................................................................................. 701
Table 11-134: Authorization Obtained Using Incorrect Data – US Region.................................................. 701
Table 11-135: Electronic Commerce Transaction.................................................................................................... 701
Table 11-136: No Valid Form of Identification for Domestic Transactions – Europe Region
(Sweden)..................................................................................................................................................... 702
Table 11-137: Pre-Compliance Time Limits.............................................................................................................. 703
Table 11-138: Compliance Time Limits...................................................................................................................... 704
Table 12-1: Non-Compliance Assessments for Failure to Report Fraud.................................................. 707
Table 12-2: Member Non-Compliance Assessments for Non-Compliance with the Chip
Interoperability Compliance Program............................................................................................ 708
Table 12-3: Member Non-Compliance Assessments for Non-Compliance with the Chip
Interoperability Compliance Program – Europe Region......................................................... 709
Table 12-4: Acquirer Non-Compliance Assessments for Incorrect Use of Electronic Commerce
Indicator Values....................................................................................................................................... 711
Table 12-9: Non-Compliance Assessments for the Account Information Security Program – AP
Region, Canada Region, CEMEA Region, LAC Region, and US Region............................. 714
Table 12-10: Non-Compliance Assessments for the Account Information Security Program –
Europe Region......................................................................................................................................... 714
Table 12-15: Non-Compliance Assessments for Member Failure to Return a Completed Anti-
Money Laundering/Anti-Terrorist Financing Questionnaire to Visa................................... 716
Table 12-16: PIN Security Non-Compliance Assessments............................................................................... 716
Table 12-18: Non-Compliance Assessments for Excessive Chargebacks or Fraud Activity-to-Sales
Ratio............................................................................................................................................................. 717
Table 12-19: Fees for Visa Chargeback Monitoring Program – Standard Program............................... 718
Table 12-20: Fees for Visa Chargeback Monitoring Program – High-Risk Program.............................. 719
Table 12-23: Non-Compliance Assessments for VFMP – High-Risk Program.......................................... 721
Table 12-29: Acquirer Non-Compliance Assessments for Merchant Agreement with a Prohibited
Merchant – US Region......................................................................................................................... 724
Table 12-32: Non-Compliance Assessments Related to Third Party Agents............................................ 725
xxvi Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Tables
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Table 12-36: Non-Compliance Assessments for Willful Violations of the Visa Rules – Europe
Region.......................................................................................................................................................... 732
Visa Merchant Alert Service Listing Reason Codes – Europe Region............................................................... 834
14 October 2017 Visa Public xxvii
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Tables
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
xxviii Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Summary of Changes
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Summary of Changes
Summary of Changes since the 22 April 2017 Visa Core Rules and Visa Product and
Service Rules
Change
Requirement to Make All Merchant Enabled Interfaces Available
Effective 14 October 2017
Revisions have been made to clarifythat new or upgraded Acceptance Devices must make all Merchant-
supported Card acceptance interfacesavailable to the Cardholder when a Visa Transaction is initiated.
Global Compromised Account Recovery (GCAR) Program Modifications
Effective 14 October 2017
Revisions have been made to requirements and qualification for the GCAR program.
Payment Account Reference Standards
Effective 15 October 2016, 1 June 2017, 14 October 2017, and 13 October 2018
Revisions have been made to require support of the Payment Account Reference for Account Numbers and
paymentTokens.
Stored Credential Requirement Updates
Effective 14 October 2017 and 14 April 2018
Revisions have been made to clarify requirements for the initial storage and use of Stored Credentials and to
introduce Merchant disclosure requirements.
Verified by Visa Rule Updates
Effective 15 May 2017 and 14 October 2017
Revisions have been made to the Verified by Visa ruleswhich include the following:
●
Support the deployment of EMV 3D Secure 2.0
●
Align Europe requirements with global requirements
●
Expand the US Cardholder Authentication Verification Value (CAVV) requirement to the AP Region,
Canada Region, and LAC Region
●
Move technical requirements to supplemental requirements documents
Global Expansion of Debt Repayment on Debit Cards and Prepaid Cards
Effective 22 April 2017, 14 April 2018, and 13 October 2018
Revisions have been made to allow Merchants to accept Visa Debit Cards and Visa Prepaid Cards for debt
repayment.
Support for In-App Transactions at Automated Fuel Dispensers (AFD)
14 October 2017 Visa Public 1
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Summary of Changes
Change
Effective 12 April 2017
Revisions have been made to support the use of in-app Transactions at Automated Fuel Dispensers (AFD).
Visa Fraud Monitoring Program Updates
Effective 1 October 2017
Revisions have been made to improve the efficiency of the Visa Chargeback Monitoring Program (VCMP) and
the Visa Fraud Monitoring Program (VFMP).
Updates to Visa Information Classification Categories
Effective 14 October 2017
Revisions have been made to Visa information classification categories.
Hotel Virtual Card Fax Capability with Compelling Evidence
Effective 14 April 2018
Revisions have been made to allow a Card fax image generated securely by the Visa Payables Automation
platform to validate Visa Cards for Lodging reservations.
Single Issuer and Sponsor per BIN
Effective 22 July 2017
Revisions have been made to allow only one Issuer to issue Cards on a BIN.
Merchant Credit Authorization on Purchase Returns
Effective 13 October 2018 and 13 April 2019
Revisions have been made to adopt a phased implementation of the requirement for Merchants to process a
credit to a Cardholder for a previously processed valid Transaction.
Token Lifecycle and ID&V Management
Effective 14 October 2017 and 14 April 2018
Revisions have been made to clarify Issuer requirements for handling a Token and tosimplify credential
updates for Issuers.
Business Payment Solution Provider Requirements
Effective 14 October 2017
Revisions have been made to introduce rules to support abusiness-to-business (B2B) payment modelthat
enables buyers to pay non-accepting suppliers by Card.
Staged Digital Wallet Operator Definition Refinement
Effective 28 August 2017
Revisions have been made to the definition of a Staged Digital Wallet (SDW) to clarify that an entity is only
an SDW when it is capable of a back-to-back funding Transaction.
Marketplace Requirements and Payment Facilitator Rule Update
2 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Summary of Changes
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Change
Effective 14 October 2017 and 13 October 2018
Revisions have been made to introduce rules for Marketplaces and to clarify requirements forAcquirers to
enter into a direct relationship withSponsored Merchants.
Mass Transit Transactions
Effective 14 October 2017
Revisions have been made to introduce rules for Contactless payments at Mass Transit Merchants. In the
Europe Region, the new rules will replace the Variable Fare Transit (VFT) model.
Visa Merchant Data Standards Manual Alignment and Updates
Effective 14 October 2017
Revisions have been made to reflect the merging of the Visa Europe Merchant Data Standards into the Visa
Merchant Data Standards Manual and to update MCCs 6012 and 6051 for use for the repayment of debt.
Updates to Chargeback Reason Code 53 – Addition of Merchant Business
Effective 14 October 2017
Revisions have been made to update Chargeback Reason Code 53 (Not as Described or Defective
Merchandise) to address additional deceptive marketing practices.
Sales Tax Refund Processing Requirements
Effective 13 October 2018
Revisions have been made to clarify how Merchants must process sales tax refundsasOriginal Credit
Transactions.
Miscellaneous Dispute Updates
Effective 14 October 2017
Revisions have been made to Chargeback Reason Code 41 (Cancelled Recurring Transaction) to clarify
application of the requirements for Europe Domestic Transactions and Intraregional Transactions and include
the requirement for Cardholders to attempt to resolve disputes.
Use of Non-Fiat Currency on Visa Products
Effective 14 October 2017
Revisions have been made to clarify the use of Visa Card products linked to funds converted from a non-fiat
currency.
Estimated and Incremental Authorization Expansion to Taxis and Updates to Aggregated Transaction
Rules
Effective 14 October 2017
Revisions have been made to introduce Estimated Authorizations for Card Not Present Environment
Transactions at Merchants classified with MCC 4121 (Taxicabs and Limousines) and to clarify Aggregated
Transaction requirements.
Sunset of AP Visa Contactless Payment Service Specifications
14 October 2017 Visa Public 3
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Summary of Changes
Change
Effective 1 October 2017
Revisions have been made to discontinue AP Wave, the AP specifications of the Visa Contactless Payment
Service.
Floor Limits and Visa Easy Payment
Service (VEPS) Limits – AP Region (Myanmar, South Pacific)
Effective 14 April 2018
Revisions have been made to VEPS limits in the AP Region (Myanmar, South Pacific).
Reduction of Minimum Rewards Requirements for Visa Rewards, Signature, Signature Business and
Infinite – AP Region (Australia)
Effective 22 April 2017
Revisions have been made to reduce the minimum rewards requirement for Visa Rewards, Visa Signature,
Visa Signature Business, and Visa Infinite Cards in Australia.
Sunset of Electronic Commerce Acquiring Qualificationsin the AP Region
Effective 14 October 2017
Revisions have been made to remove certain financial requirements for Electronic Commerce Transaction
acquiring in the AP Region.
Verified by Visa 3D Secure 2.0 Requirement for Issuers, Acquirers, and Merchants – AP Region (Australia)
Effective 14 April 2018 and 13 April 2019
Revisions have been made to update Verified by Visa enrollment requirements for Issuers and Acquirers in
Australia.
Changes to Visa Signature Rewards Requirements – AP Region (Vietnam)
Effective 22 July 2017
Revisions have been made to reduce the minimum rewards requirement for Visa Signature Cards in Vietnam.
Support for the Deployment of Contactless-Only Terminals – AP Region (Japan)
Effective 22 July 2017
Revisions have been made to allow Merchants in Japan to deploy Contactless only acceptance for
Unattended Cardholder-Activated Terminals.
Removal of Travel Accident Insurance for Visa Platinum Credit Cards – AP Region (Singapore)
Effective 22 July 2017
Revisions have been made to remove the travel accident insurance requirement for Visa Platinum credit
Cards in Singapore.
ATM EMV Liability Shift – AP Region (Indonesia)
Effective 1 January 2022
Revisions have been made to include Indonesia in the EMV liability shift for ATM Transactions with a delayed
date of 1 January 2022.
4 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Summary of Changes
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Change
Revisions to Control Card Not Present Fraud – Canada Region
Effective 14 October 2017, 13 October 2018, 19 October 2019, 17 October 2020, and 15 October 2022
Revisions have been made to control card not present fraud by requiring Issuers and Merchants to adopt
risk-based authentication, expanding the use of CVV2, and implementing Issuer alerts.
Clarification to Acquirer Cash-Back Requirements – Canada Region
Effective 13 September 2017
Revisions have been made to clarify the requirements for all Acquirers in Canada to support Cash-Back at the
Point of Transaction and to include Visa Debit Cards as an allowed product type for this service.
Updates to Visa Platinum Requirements – CEMEA Region (United Arab Emirates)
Effective 14 October 2017
Revisions have been made to introduce a Visa Platinum product in the United Arab Emirates.
Change to Visa Infinite and Visa Signature MSL Requirements – CEMEA Region (Egypt)
Effective 22 July 2017
Revisions have been made to reduce the minimum spend limit requirement for Visa Signature and Visa
Infinite Cards in Egypt.
Updates to Visa Rewards Minimum Requirements – CEMEA Region (Belarus)
Effective 24 February 2018
Revisions have been made to support the issuance of Visa Rewards Cards in the CEMEA Region (Belarus).
Introduction of Visa Signature Card – CEMEA Region (Sub-Saharan Africa)
Effective 22 July 2017
Revisions have been made to support the issuance of Visa Signature Cards in sub-Saharan Africa countries.
Account Information Security (AIS) ProgramCard-Present Compromise Events – Europe Region
Effective 14 October 2017
Revisions have been made to the Account Information Security (AIS) Program for Europe to include a penalty
structure for card-present compromise events.
Fast Funds Requirement – Europe Region
Effective 13 October 2018
Revisions have been madeto require Issuers of Visa Debit Cards and Deferred Debit Cards to support Fast
Funds.
Estimating Funds Transfer Amounts for Incomplete Settlement – Europe Region
Effective 14 October 2017
Revisions have been made to allow Visa and Clients to settle on estimates.
Global Brand Protection Program Alignment – Europe Region
14 October 2017 Visa Public 5
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Summary of Changes
Change
Effective 14 October 2017
Revisions have been made to align requirements globally for the Global Brand Protection Program (GBPP).
Loss-Sharing Provision – Europe Region
Effective 14 October 2017
Revisions have been made to introduce a loss-sharing rule for Principal Members.
Integration of the Small Ticket Program and Visa Easy Payment Service – Europe Region
Effective 14 April 2018
Revisions have been made to consolidate and integrate the Small Ticket Program into the Visa Easy Payment
Service.
Integration of Domestic Rules – Europe Region
Effective 14 October 2017
Revisions have been made to integrate relevant domestic rules for Czech Republic, France, Germany,
Gibraltar, Greece, Italy, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, andthe United
Kingdom.
Updates toVisa Account Updater (VAU) for Recurring Transaction Merchants – Europe Region
Effective 22 July 2017
Revisions have been madetorequire Acquirersonlyto enroll Merchants in VAU that process more than
120,000 Recurring Transactions annually.
Europe Region Clarifications and European Union (EU) Definition – Europe Region
Effective 14 October 2017
Revisions have been made for clarity to include Aland Islands, Azores, Canary Islands, Ceuta, Madeira, and
Melilla in the listed countries for the Europe Region, and to define European Union.
Issuers Requirement to Implement Fraud Prevention Tools – LAC Region
Effective 21 July 2018
Revisions have been made to require Issuers to implement a fraud prevention tool.
Participation in National Net Settlement Service – LAC Region (Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten)
Effective 20 January 2018 and 13 October 2018
Revisions have been made to require Members in the LAC Region (Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten) to
participate in the National Net Settlement Service (NNSS).
Multiple Prepaid Products in a Single Commercial Prepaid BIN – US Region
Effective 22 July 2017
Revisions have been made to allow multiple Visa Commercial Prepaid Products to be issued usinga single
Visa Commercial Card BIN.
Clarification of Prepaid Clearinghouse Service Data Use
6 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Summary of Changes
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Change
Effective 10 July 2017
Revisions have been made to clarify rules related to the use of the Prepaid Clearinghouse Service.
Removal of US Issuer Chargeback Rights for Domestic CVV2 Mismatch Transactions – US Region
Effective 14 April 2018
Revisions have been made to prohibit Issuers from charging back domestic Card-Absent Environment
Transactions that are approved with a non-matching Card Verification Valueresponse.
Transaction Receipt Content Requirement– Card Network Name – US Region and US Territories
Effective 14 October 2017 and 13 October 2018
Revisions have been made to Transaction Receipt requirements for Transactions using the US Common Debit
Application Identifier.
Address Verification Service (AVS) Requirements for Select Automated Fuel Dispenser Transactions – US
Region
Effective 20 January 2018
Revisions have been made to require the use of Address Verification Service (AVS)for allAutomated Fuel
Dispenser (AFD) Transactions conducted at US Merchantslocated indesignated high-fraud areas or listed in
Visa's Fraud Chargeback Monitoring Program.
Requirement to Enable qVSDC Processing For Contactless Acceptance Devices – US Region
Effective 13 April 2019
Revisions have been made to require all Contactless Acceptance Devicesto be activated to supportthe
qVSDC transaction path forContactless Transactions, and discontinue the use of Magnetic-Stripe Data
(MSD)-based processing.
Regional Rules Minimization
Effective 14 October 2017
Revisions have been made to increase the relevance of the Visa rules by making regional rules either
as global or as local or possible. In addition, requirements have been consolidated, updated, deleted,
discontinued, and/or expanded. Specific changes include:
●
Alignment of maximum Visa liability to USD 1 million
●
Globalization of the US ATM Operator rules
●
Requirements for handling duplicate data amended to include erroneous data
●
Globalization of requirements for Automated Fuel Dispenser (AFD) Merchants that participate in Real-
Time Clearing
●
Globalization of Issuer requirements for Original Credit Transactions
For more information:
"Global Original Credit Transaction Requirements Will Be Introduced," Visa Business News, 14 September
2017
●
Deletion of most IRF rules as duplicated in IRF-related Visa Supplemental Requirements
●
Deletion of Chapter 9
●
Expansion of IRF Compliance to the Europe Region
14 October 2017 Visa Public 7
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Summary of Changes
Change
●
Removal of duplicated regional fraud reporting requirements
●
Deletion of outdated fraud loss and investigation rules for AP region
●
Consolidation of country-specific Verified by Visa participation requirements for Issuers
Effective Date Revisions
Most effective dates older than 6 months have been deleted.
Editorial Changes
Editorial revisions have been made to ensure consistency and clarity and to delete obsolete or redundant
language.
ID# 0030115 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
8 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Introduction
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Introduction
The Visa Rules
The Visa Core Rules and Visa Product and Service Rules
Introduction to the Visa Core Rules and Visa Product and Service Rules
Visa has established rules that are designed to minimize risks and provide a common, convenient,
secure, and reliable global payment experience while supporting geography-specific rules that allow
for variations and unique marketplace needs. They are set and modified by Visa to support the use
and advancement of Visa products and services, and represent a binding contract between Visa and
each Member.
The Visa Core Rules contain fundamental rules that apply to all Visa system participants and specify
the minimum requirements applicable to all Members to uphold the safety, security, soundness,
integrity, and interoperability of the Visa system.
The Visa Product and Service Rules contain rules that apply to Visa system participants based on
use of a product, service, the Visa-Owned Marks, VisaNet, the dispute resolution process, and other
aspects of the Visa payment system. The Visa Product and Service Rules also include operational
requirements related to the Visa Core Rules.
The Visa Supplemental Requirements are Visa- or third-party-administered documents or websites
that contain requirements beyond the content of the Visa Core Rules and Visa Product and Service
Rules (for example: Visa Product Brand Standards, BASE II Clearing Services, Payment Card Industry
(PCI) Card Production and Provisioning – Logical Security Requirements).
ID# 0020308 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
Writing Conventions
The following conventions apply to the Visa Core Rules and Visa Product and Service Rules:
●
"Visa" refers to any Visa Region, office, management, or committee.
●
If the singular is used, it means the plural, and the plural means the singular. For example: "A
Merchant must ..." means that "All Merchants must..."
●
Responsibility is assigned to a Member. For example: “A Merchant must…” means “An Acquirer
must ensure that its Merchant…”
●
Capitalized words have a meaning defined in the Glossary, except for the names of some Visa
products or services, which are capitalized but not defined.
14 October 2017 Visa Public 9
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Introduction
The Visa Rules
●
Defined terms are often combined.
ID# 0020313 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
Changes to the Visa Core Rules and Visa Product and Service Rules
Changes to the Visa Core Rules and Visa Product and Service Rules are communicated and identified as
part of the "Summary of Changes" for each edition.
Unless an effective date is specified in the text for a change to the Visa Core Rules and Visa Product
and Service Rules, all changes are effective on the publication date.
ID# 0020315 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Unique Rule IDs and Additional Information
The bar below each rule contains the following information:
Information in Rule ID
ID# A unique 7-digit identification code that includes
leading zeros. This unique ID remains with each rule
for the life of that rule.
Edition The month/year of the current edition of the Visa Core
Rules and Visa Product and Service Rules
Last Updated The month/year in which the rule was last changed
ID# 0020316 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
10 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Part 1:
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
1 Visa Core Rules
1.1 General
1.1.1 Governance
1.1.1.1 Applicability of Rules
All participants in the Visa system are subject to and bound by the Visa Charter Documents and the
Visa Rules, as applicable based on the nature of their participation and geography. In the event of any
conflicts between the Visa Charter Documents and the Visa Rules, or within the Visa Rules, conflicts
will be resolved in the following order of precedence:
●
Visa Charter Documents
●
Visa Core Rules
●
Visa Payment System Operating Regulations – Russia (if applicable)
●
Published domestic rules within theEurope Region (if applicable)
●
Visa International Travelers Cheque Operating Regulations (if applicable)
●
V PAYOperating Regulations (if applicable)
●
Visa Product and Service Rules
●
Visa Supplemental Requirements
Any use of or participation inany Visa services or products not covered in the Visa Rules will be
governed by applicable participation agreements and associated documentation.
Previously, rules were contained in the Visa International Operating Regulations, Visa Europe Operating
Regulations, other operating regulations or rules, Extensions, and certificates of incorporation and
bylaws of various Visa entities.
The Visa Rules represent modifications and amendments to such existing Visa rules and requirements,
which continue in substance and effect except as expressly modified in the Visa Rules. By reorganizing
and renaming this body of requirements, Visa does not intend to modify the meaning or enforceability
of any Visa published documents, forms, or contracts to which Visa is a party, or any contracts that
are required by Visa to include provisions to comply with Visa’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws,
operating regulations, or other Visa requirements. Regardless of whether this document or other
documents refer to these requirements as the Visa International Operating Regulations or by other
prior naming conventions, such references are deemed to refer to and incorporate the Visa Rules.
ID# 0007750 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-13
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Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
General
1.1.1.2 Applicability of Processing Rules – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Member is not subject to or bound by processing rules in the Visa Core Rules
and Visa Product and Service Rules where it is indicated that such processing rules do not apply to a
Member.
A Member is subject to all applicable rules set out in the Visa Europe Operating Regulations –
Processingfor:
●
Interregional Transactions processed through Visa systems
●
Intraregional Transactions and Domestic Transactions processed through Visa systems, if the
Member has elected to use Visa as its Visa Scheme Processor
ID# 0029986 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.1.1.3 Applicable Laws and Conflicts
Each Member must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and other legal requirements
including, but not limited to, laws and regulations regarding banking, financial institutions, payment
systems, foreign currency exchange, money transmission, anti-money laundering, anti-terrorist
financing, sanctions (such as those administered by the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of
Foreign Assets Control or the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade),
privacy and security, consumer protection, and trademarks and copyright for each country in which the
Member operates. Each Member is also responsible for ensuring that any of its affiliates, subsidiaries,
parent companies, third-party agents, Merchants, and any other of its appointed agents participating
in Visa’s system comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and other legal requirements applicable
to each country in which its affiliates, subsidiaries, parent companies, third-party agents, Merchants,
and other appointed agents operate. Each Member is encouraged to consult with its own legal
counsel to ensure that it is in full compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and other legal
requirements in each country in which the Member operates.
A Transaction must be legal in both the Cardholder’s jurisdiction and the Merchant Outlet’s
jurisdiction.
In the event of any conflict between the Visa Rules and any applicable laws or regulations, the
requirements of the laws or regulations govern.
ID# 0000385 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.1.1.6 Use of the Visa Rules
The Visa Rules are only to be reviewed or used in connection with Visa payment services and must not
be used, modified, copied, downloaded, transferred, or printed in part or in total for any other purpose
without the express written permission of Visa.
CR-14 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
The Visa Rules govern the relationship between Visa and its Members and their agents. The Visa Rules
do not constitute a contract, promise, or representation or confer any rights, privileges, or claims of
any kind as to any third parties.
Visa may amend, modify, delete, or otherwise change the Visa Rules at any time. Changes will be
reflected in the next edition of the Visa Rules.
Rules that do not have a geography-specific (Visa Region or country) indication in the title or
language of a rule apply to all Members unless noted otherwise. Geography-specific rules apply only
to the operations of Members within the relevant geography.
ID# 0007428 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.1.1.7 Restricted Use of Visa Systems and Services
Any entity that accesses or uses a Visa system and/or service must both:
●
Restrict its use of the Visa system and/or service to purposes expressly approved by Visa
●
Comply with Visa requirements and documentation for system and/or service access and use
ID# 0003331 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.1.1.8 Member Responsibilities Related to System Changes
A Member must do all of the following:
●
Respond to and implement, as specified by Visa, any system changes required by Visa
●
Ensure that its agreements with Cardholders, Merchants, Visa-approved manufacturers, Third-Party
Personalizers, and agents allow for the implementation of system changes required by Visa
●
Include in its agreements with Cardholders, Merchants, Visa-approved manufacturers, Third-Party
Personalizers, and agents the Member’s obligation to inform the contracted entity, in a timely
manner, of any major system changes implemented by Visa or the Member
ID# 0029560 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.1.1.9 Countries in Visa Regions
The Visa Regions are comprised of the countries listed below.
Table 1-1: Asia-Pacific Region
American Samoa; Australia (including Cocos [Keeling] Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk
Island, Lord Howe Island, Macquarie Island); Bangladesh; Bhutan; British Indian Ocean Territory; Brunei;
Cambodia; China; Cook Islands; Crozet Islands; Democratic People's Republic of Korea; Fiji (including Rotuma
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-15
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Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
General
Island); French Polynesia; Guam; Hong Kong; India; Indonesia; Japan; Kerguelen Island; Kiribati (including
Canton and Enderbury Islands, Christmas Island (Kiritimati), Fanning Island, Malden Island, Starbuck Island,
Washington Island); Laos; Macau; Malaysia; Maldives; Marshall Islands; Mascarene Islands; Micronesia;
Mongolia; Myanmar; Nauru; Nepal; New Caledonia; New Zealand (including Antipodes Island, Auckland
Island, Bounty Island, Campbell Island, Chatham Island, Kermadec Island, Stewart Island); Niue; Northern
Mariana Islands; Palau; Papua New Guinea; Pescadores Island; Philippines; Pitcairn Islands; Republic of Korea;
Rodrigues Island; Samoa; Singapore; Solomon Islands; Sri Lanka; St. Paul Island; Taiwan; Thailand; Timor-
Leste; Tokelau; Tonga; Tuvalu; US Minor Outlying Islands (including Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island,
Johnston Island, Midway Island, Palmyra Island, Wake Island); Vanuatu; Vietnam; Wallis and Futuna
Table 1-2: Canada Region
Canada
Table 1-3: Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa Region
Afghanistan; Albania; Algeria; Angola; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Bahrain; Belarus; Benin; Bosnia and Herzegovina;
Botswana; Bouvet Island; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Cameroon; Cape Verde; Central African Republic; Chad;
Comoros; Congo (Brazzaville); Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast); Democratic Republic of the Congo; Djibouti;
Egypt; Equatorial Guinea; Eritrea; Ethiopia; Gabon; Gambia; Georgia; Ghana; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau;
Iran; Iraq; Jordan; Kazakhstan; Kenya; Kosovo; Kuwait; Kyrgyzstan; Lebanon; Lesotho; Liberia; Libya;
Macedonia; Madagascar; Malawi; Mali; Mauritania; Mauritius; Moldova; Montenegro; Morocco; Mozambique;
Namibia; Niger; Nigeria; Oman; Pakistan; Qatar; Reunion; Russian Federation (including Franz Josef Land,
Komandorskiye Island, New Siberian Island, Novaya Zemlya, Ostrov Ratmanova, Sakhalin, Severnava Zemlya);
Rwanda; Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha (including Gough Island); Sao Tome and Principe;
Saudi Arabia; Senegal; Serbia; Seychelles; Sierra Leone; Somalia; South Africa; South Sudan; Sudan; Swaziland;
Syria; Tajikistan; Tanzania; Togo; Tunisia; Turkmenistan; Uganda; Ukraine; United Arab Emirates; Uzbekistan;
Western Sahara; Yemen; Zambia; Zimbabwe
Table 1-4: Europe Region
Andorra; Austria; Bear Island; Belgium; Bulgaria; Channel Islands; Croatia; Cyprus; Czech Republic; Denmark;
Estonia; Faroe Islands; Finland (including Aland Islands); France (including its "DOM-TOMs"); Germany;
Gibraltar; Greece; Greenland; Hungary; Iceland; Republic of Ireland; Isle of Man; Israel; Italy; Latvia;
Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Malta; Monaco; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Portugal (including
Azores, Madeira); Romania; San Marino; Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain (including Canary Islands, Ceuta, Melilla);
Sweden; Switzerland; Turkey; United Kingdom; Vatican City
Table 1-5: Latin America and Caribbean Region
Anguilla; Antigua and Barbuda; Argentina; Aruba; Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Bermuda; Bolivia; Bonaire, Sint
Eustatius, and Saba; Brazil; British Virgin Islands; Cayman Islands; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Cuba; Curacao;
Dominica; Dominican Republic; Ecuador; El Salvador; Grenada; Guadeloupe; Guatemala; Guyana; Haiti;
Honduras; Jamaica; Martinique; Mexico; Montserrat; Nicaragua; Panama; Paraguay; Peru; Puerto Rico; Saint
Kitts and Nevis; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Sint Maarten; St. Lucia; Suriname; Trinidad and Tobago;
Turks and Caicos Islands; US Virgin Islands; Uruguay; Venezuela
CR-16 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Table 1-6: US Region
United States of America
ID# 0027823 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.1.1.10 Visa Canada Member Responsibilities – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, a Member must perform obligations imposed on Visa Canada under the Visa
Rules that arise out of Interchange or a Transaction resulting in Interchange between the Member and
a non-Member of Visa Canada.
A Member must not do anything to cause Visa Canada to violate the Visa Rules.
ID# 0003768 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.1.1.11 Obligation to Comply with the Code of Conduct – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, all Members must abide by the Code of Conduct for the Credit and Debit Card
Industry as it may be amended from time to time and adopted by Visa(the "Code").
Each Member acknowledges and agrees that Visa may interpret the Code in accordance with any
published interpretation bulletins or guidance issued by the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada.
Members must ensure that all participants for which the Member is responsible under the Visa Rules,
including participants that interact directly or indirectly with Merchants or Cardholders (including
without limitation, VisaNet Processors and Third Party Agents) on behalf of the Member must abide by
the Code.
All Members are required, on an annual basis, to submit to Visa:
●
By 31 January of each year, an officer's certificate, in the form attached as Visa Canada Member
Certification – "Code of Conduct" (Schedule A-1),confirming its compliance with the Code
●
By 15 August of each year, a Code of Conduct Compliance Questionnaire in the form required by
Visa
A Member that fails to submit a completed officer's certificate or questionnaire as required will be
subject to a non-compliance assessment of CAD 100,000 per month of non-compliance.
Visa may, in its sole discretion, charge any Member or Members fees charged to Visa Canada by the
Financial Consumer Agency of Canada with respect to compliance with the Code, where such fee is
attributable to that Member or its VisaNet Processor or its Third Party Agent.
ID# 0025973 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2015
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-17
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
General
1.1.1.13 Visa U.S.A., Inc. Member Responsibilities – US Region
In the US Region, a Member must perform all obligations imposed on Visa U.S.A. Inc. under the Visa
Rules that arise out of Interchange or a Transaction resulting in Interchange between the Member and
a non-Member of Visa U.S.A. Inc.
The Member must not do anything to cause Visa U.S.A. Inc. to violate the Visa Rules. An Acquirer is
responsible for Visa Transactions it submits into Interchange regardless of the Acquirer's ability to
return the Transaction to the Merchant for any reason.
ID# 0000349 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.1.1.14 Definition of a US Domestic Transaction – US Region
A Transaction is considered a US Domestic Transaction if it occurs inside one of the following:
●
The 50 United States, including the District of Columbia
●
A US military base overseas
●
A US embassy or consulate on foreign territory
ID# 0003684 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.1.1.15 Obligation to Comply with Code of Conduct – Europe Region (Germany)
In the Europe Region (Germany), a Member must comply with the Code of Conduct (Verhaltenscodex).
An Acquirer must provide to its Merchants documentation outlining the relationship between the
Acquirer and the Merchant, which does not replace the written contract between the Acquirer and
Merchant.
An Acquirer must submit annually to Visa the following data:
●
Number of newly acquired Merchants
●
Number of closed Merchant accounts
ID# 0030042 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
CR-18 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
1.1.2 Local, Domestic, and Regional Rules and Private Agreements
1.1.2.3 Transaction Country Rules
Regardless of how an Authorization or Transaction is routed or where it is processed, a Transaction is
subject to the applicable Visa Rules affecting the Transaction Country. These rules may be superseded
by either Private Agreements or the operating regulations of Group Members.
Private Agreements must exclude Interchange originating from the following:
●
An Airline that participates in the International Airline Program
●
A Merchant that participates in the Multinational Merchant Acceptance Program
ID# 0008844 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
1.1.3 Waivers
1.1.3.1 Waivers to the Visa Rules
A Member that cannot comply with a rule or requirement in the Visa Rules must submit a Waiver
request to Visa.
If the Member cannot comply due to applicable laws or regulations that contravene the Visa Rules,
Visa may require proof of the specific laws or regulations, in English or accompanied by a certified
English translation.
Visa will notifythe Member in writing of its decision on a Waiver request. The Waiver is effective as
specified in such Notification.
Each Waiver granted by Visa is unique, may include specific conditions, and is limited only to the
specific circumstances of the individual request. A Member must not apply a previously granted
Waiver to any other future programs or services or consider a previously granted Waiver as
determining the outcome of future requests.
Visa may repeal, amend, extend, or revoke any Waiver upon Notification to the Member.
ID# 0025926 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-19
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
General
1.1.4 Operating Certificates
1.1.4.1 Operating Certificate Filing
A Member or Non-Member Administrator must submit a complete and accurate Operating Certificate
and include Interchange Transactions, On-Us Transactions, and other Transactions that are not
processed through VisaNet, as specified by Visa.
The Operating Certificate must be executed by an authorized officer of the Member or Non-Member
Administrator.
The Member or Non-Member Administrator must maintain records that allow for an accurate
determination and verification of the information contained in each Operating Certificate and provide
the records upon Visa request.
ID# 0027829 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
1.1.4.2 Exchange Rates for Operating Certificates
A Member (or its Sponsor) must use the exchange rate provided by Visa to file an Operating
Certificatewhen a conversion is required. The quarterly exchange rate is provided via Operating
Certificate tools and is a simple average of 3 monthly spot rates for the quarter, sourced from the
Financial Times and Thomson Reuters.
ID# 0008837 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.1.5 Confidentiality
1.1.5.1 Visa Confidential and Visa Restricted Materials – Member Responsibilities
Effective through 13 October 2017
A Member must comply with all of the following:
●
Maintain Visa Confidential information in strict confidence
●
Not disclose any Visa Confidential information.
1
This does not apply in the US Region or a
US Territory. An Acquirer in the US Region or a US Territory may provide BIN information to a
Merchant for purposes of identifying the product type at the point of sale.
●
Store and handle Visa Confidential information in such a way as to prevent unauthorized
disclosure
CR-20 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Take reasonable measures to protect Visa Confidential information and treat it with at
least the degree of care with which a Member treats its own confidential and proprietary
information, or in case of information assigned a higher classification standard, as follows:
– For information labeled or otherwise designated as Visa Confidential – Special
Handling, in accordance with Visa handling instructions, which may be delivered with its
transmission or in its content
– For information labeled or otherwise designated as Visa Confidential – PII Private, with the
strongest level of protection (including encryption or sufficient compensating controls,
and limited distribution for any transmissions) applied by the Member for its highly
sensitive information
●
Disclose Visa Confidential information only to those employees with specific need to know
●
In addition, in the Europe Region, all of the following:
– Immediately upon Visa request, return to Visa, or destroy, originals and all copies of any
Visa Confidential Information in any medium and, if required by Visa, certify that it has
done so
– Notify Visa immediately in the event that the Member becomes legally compelled to
disclose any Visa Confidential Information and, if legally required to disclose any Visa
Confidential Information, only disclose that portion that it is legally required to disclose
– Process and transfer personal data (whether or not it is classified as Visa Confidential
Information) in accordance with the Visa Rules and applicable laws or regulations
Effective 14 October 2017
A Member must comply with all of the following:
●
Maintain Visa Confidential and Visa Restricted information in strict confidence
●
Not disclose any Visa Confidential or Visa Restrictedinformation, unless expressly permitted
or required by Visa
●
Store and handle Visa Confidential and Visa Restricted information in such a way as to prevent
unauthorized disclosure
●
Take reasonable measures to protect Visa Confidential and Visa Restricted information and
treat it with at least the degree of care with which a Member treats its own confidential and
proprietary information, or in case of Visa Restricted information, as follows:
– For information labeled or otherwise designated as Visa Restricted, in accordance with
Visa handling instructions, which may be delivered with its transmission or in its content
– For information labeled or otherwise designated as Visa Restricted – Personal Data, with
the strongest level of protection (including encryption or sufficient compensating controls,
and limited distribution for any transmissions) applied by the Member for its highly
sensitive information
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-21
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
General
●
Disclose Visa Confidential or Visa Restricted information only to those employees with specific
need to know
●
Immediately upon Visa request, return to Visa, or destroy, originals and all copies of any Visa
Confidential or Visa Restrictedinformationin any medium and, if required by Visa, certify that
it has done so
●
Notify Visa immediately in the event that the Member becomes legally compelled to disclose
any Visa Confidential or Visa Restrictedinformationand, if legally required to disclose any
Visa Confidential or Visa Restrictedinformation, only disclose that portion that it is legally
required to disclose
●
Process and transfer personal data (whether or not it is classified as Visa Confidential or Visa
Restrictedinformation) in accordance with the Visa Rules and applicable laws or regulations
1
Effective through 13 October 2017
In the Europe Region, except as expressly permitted or directed by Visa or as necessary to fulfill the Member's obligations
in the conduct of its business, in which case Visa may require a written agreement to ensure the confidentiality of the
disclosed Visa Confidential Information.
ID# 0000467 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.1.5.2 Confidentiality of VisaNet Information
Information regarding VisaNet is proprietary and Visa Confidential. A Member must take appropriate
action, by agreement or otherwise, to ensure that its employees or agents with access to VisaNet are
all of the following:
●
Advised of the confidential and proprietary nature of these systems
●
Prohibited from providing access to or disclosing these systems to any third party
●
Prohibited from using these systems for any purpose not authorized in the Visa Rules
ID# 0003669 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.1.5.3 Use or Disclosure of Confidential Information
A Member must not publish, disclose, convey, or distribute to any person or organization, or use
for filing patents,any Visa confidential or proprietary information (including, but not limited to,
documents, ideas, products, and data) without the prior written approval of Visa.
This does not apply to:
●
A third party (organization, or person, including contractors), if both of the following apply:
– The third party is providing services to the Member and the disclosure is required to perform
services in connection to the Member's Visa Program
CR-22 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
– The third party does not compete with Visa with respect to Visa or its Members with respect to
their Visa Programs
●
The Member's parents or subsidiaries that do not participate in a competing payment program
●
Information that has been publicly released by Visa
A Member that discloses information to a third party must havea written agreement with the third
party that it:
●
Will not disclose the confidential information to any other third party
●
Will use the confidential information only to provide services to the Member for use only with the
Member's Visa products and services
Any confidential information disclosed to the third party must comply with all of the following:
●
Remain solely the property of Visa
●
Be returned to Visa immediately upon Visa request
●
Be returned to the Member immediately upon termination of the relationship that required use of
the confidential information
The Member is responsible for the third party's compliance with these conditions and must not allow
a non-Member VisaNet Processor to use the V.I.P. System or BASE II unless the non-Member VisaNet
Processor has delivered to Visa a completed VisaNet Letter of Agreement (Exhibit 5A).
Unauthorized use or disclosure of Visa Confidential information by a Member in connection with
any patents or patent applications grants to Visa a fully paid-up, royalty-free, worldwide, irrevocable
license to exercise all rights under that patent, including the right to grant and authorize sublicenses.
ID# 0006467 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
1.1.5.4 Confidentiality of Visa Systems Information
A Member, VisaNet Processor acting on behalf of a Member, or Visa Merchant Direct Exchange
Merchant must take appropriate action to ensure that its employees or agents with access to VisaNet
or related documentation comply with all of the following:
●
Are advised of the confidential and proprietary nature of these systems and documentation
●
Use their best efforts to protect the VisaNet Access Points
●
Are prohibited from both:
– Providing access to or disclosing these systems and documentation to any third party
– Using these systems and documentation for any purpose not authorized in the Visa Rules
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-23
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Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
General
A Member or Visa Merchant Direct Exchange Merchant must not disclose any confidential information
of Visa or its subsidiaries to a non-Member.
ID# 0027073 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.1.5.5 Visa Disclosure of Confidential Member Information
Visa and its subsidiaries will not disclose to any third party any confidential, proprietary matters of any
Member including, but not limited to, documents, ideas, products, and data, other than for any of the
following:
●
Disclosure in the ordinary course of business to provide services to a Member or a Member's
designated Agent, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
– Completing a Transaction
– Risk control
– Dispute resolution
– Marketing services
●
Disclosure with the consent of the Member
●
Disclosure of data that is aggregated so as not to disclose the data of any single Member
●
Other disclosure that is in accordance with applicable laws or regulations
ID# 0029983 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
1.1.5.6 Visa Use and Disclosure of Confidential Consumer Cardholder Information –
US Region
In the US Region, Visa and its subsidiaries will not use or disclose Confidential Consumer Cardholder
Information to third parties, other than for any of the following:
●
Use or disclosure in the ordinary course of business to provide services to a Member or a
Member’s designated Agent, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
– Completing a Transaction
– Risk control
– Dispute resolution
– Marketing services
●
Use or disclosure with the consent of the Cardholder
●
Other use or disclosure that is in accordance with applicable laws or regulations
ID# 0000508 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
CR-24 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
1.1.6 Visa Rights
1.1.6.1 Visa Ownership of Intellectual Property
A participant in the Visa system must recognize Visa's ownership of its intellectual property, including
the Visa name, Visa Marks, and Visa technology, and agree to protect these ownership rights and the
integrity of the Marks by complying with the applicable Visa Rules in all activities, including issuing,
acquiring, and processing.
A Member or Visa Merchant Direct Exchange Merchant does not have any property or other right,
claim, or interest, including any patent right, trade secret right, or copyright interest, in VisaNet, or in
any systems, processes, equipment, software, data, or materials that Visa or its subsidiaries use with
VisaNet, or in connection with a Visa Program, except for Merchant- or Member-supplied data or
equipment.
ID# 0007727 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
1.1.6.2 Visa Right to Monitor, Audit, Inspect, and Investigate
At its sole discretion, at any time, Visa may, either itself or through an agent, do any of the following:
●
Investigate, review, audit, or inspect a Member, or the Member’s agents, Merchants, Marketplaces,
1
Sponsored Merchants, Payment Facilitators, or Digital Wallet Operators, including by inspecting
the premises and auditing the books, records, and procedures of the Member, agent, Merchant,
Marketplace,
1
Sponsored Merchant, Payment Facilitator, or Digital Wallet Operator to ensure that
it is complying with the Visa Charter Documents,Visa Rules, and applicable brand and security
standards and procedures, and operating in a safe and sound manner
●
Monitor, investigate, review, audit, or inspect the premises, books, records, or procedures of a Visa-
approved vendor or Third-Party Personalizer, including security and quality control procedures of
each Visa-approved manufacturer and Third-Party Personalizer
●
Obtain from any Visa-approved manufacturer or Third-Party Personalizer a production-run sample
of a Visa Card that includes all security features
●
In addition, in the Europe Region:
– Require a Visa Commercial Card Issuer to impose an obligation on its agents and any other
entities that participate in the Issuer’s multinational programs to permit Visa to audit those
agents and other entities
– Require a Merchant Agreement with a Merchant that sells Visa Prepaid Cards to allow Visa to
audit the records and procedures of the Merchant
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-25
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
General
A Member must cooperate fully, and ensure that its agent, Merchant, Marketplace,
1
Sponsored
Merchant, Payment Facilitator, or Digital Wallet Operator cooperates fully, with Visa in any such
investigation, inspection, audit, or review. This cooperation includes providing access to the premises
and to all pertinent records, including financial reports,and releasing any information to Visa upon
request within the stipulated timeframe.
Any investigation, inspection, review, or audit will be conducted at the Member’s expense, unless
otherwise specified in the applicable Fee Schedule.
1
Effective 14 October 2017
ID# 0007121 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.1.6.3 Right to Impose Conditions on Visa Product or Visa Service Participation
Participation in or use of a Visa service or Visa product is at the discretion of Visa, which may limit or
impose conditions on its use, and may discontinue the service or product at any time.
ID# 0028039 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.1.6.4 Right to Use Patents Relating to Visa Token Service
In partial consideration for participation in the Visa Token Service, an Issuer grants Visa a fully paid-
up, royalty-free, worldwide, non-exclusive, irrevocable, non-terminable license and covenant not
to sue (and not to assist or provide consent to sue) under patents to make, have made, use, offer
for sale, sell, import and otherwise provide the Visa Token Service (or any portion thereof) and to
practice any method, process or procedure in connection therewith. The Issuer grants and extends the
foregoing license and covenant not to sue to Visa Token Service participants, users, business partners,
contractors, agents, processors, and service providers and hereby irrevocably covenants not to rely
upon or refer to the Visa Token Service or any portion, functionality or other characteristics thereof in
any assertion or allegation of patent infringement (direct or indirect) or to assist or provide consent to
do so.
ID# 0029513 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
1.1.6.5 Right to Use Member Feedback
Visa has, and a Member grants, the right to use, disclose, distribute, or commercialize generally
for itself and others any feedback, ideas, suggestions, submissions, data, or information (whether
provided in written or oral form), and all intellectual property rights relating thereto, that Visa, its
subsidiaries, or its affiliates receive from a Member in connection with Visa products, programs,
services, or systems for any and all purposes.
ID# 0029514 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
CR-26 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
1.1.6.6 Investigation Response Requirement
A Member must respond to and provide information requested by Visa for a Visa Rules violation that
is under investigation.
The Member must submit its response and information, within the time period specified, by mail,
courier, facsimile, hand, email, or other electronic delivery method. The Notification response is
effective when posted, sent, or transmitted by the Member or its agent to Visa.
ID# 0025974 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.1.6.7 Right to Request Cards
Visa may request a functional Visa Card or Proprietary Card or access to any New Channel associated
with a BIN licensed or used by an Issuer.
Upon written request, an Issuer must both:
●
Provide Visa with a Visa Card or a Proprietary Card or access to any New Channel and its
associated PIN within 30 calendar days
●
Personalize the Visa Card or Proprietary Card or New Channel, as specified by Visa
ID# 0026009 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.1.7 Use of VisaNet
1.1.7.1 Non-Assignable Right to Use VisaNet
A Member's or Visa Merchant Direct Exchange Merchant's right to use VisaNet is not assignable and
its duties are non-delegable without prior written consent from Visa. However, a Member or Visa
Merchant Direct Exchange Merchant may use a non-Member VisaNet Processor that has executed and
delivered to Visa a VisaNet Letter of Agreement (Exhibit 5A).
A VisaNet Processor or Visa Merchant Direct Exchange Merchant acknowledges and agrees that
the VisaNet endpoint connectivity is a Visa asset and not transferable without the express written
consent of Visa. A VisaNet Processor or Visa Merchant Direct Exchange Merchant must not transfer its
VisaNet endpoint to another Member or Agent. It must notify Visa in writing at least 90 days before
the effective date of a change, for example, but not limited to, a sale of all or substantially all of the
assets of the operation, acquisition, merger, ownership change, or financial restructuring, and promptly
provide Visa with any related information that is requested.
ID# 0003081 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-27
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
General
1.1.8 Misencoded Cards
1.1.8.1 Liability for Misencoded Cards
Visa assigns liability for payment of Transaction Receipts resulting from the use of a misencoded Card
as follows:
●
To the Acquirer that received the Transaction Receipt, if the misencoded Card bears a BIN that was
not assigned to a Member. The Acquirer is liable until both:
– The misencoded Card is recovered.
– Visa identifies the Issuer that ordered its manufacture.
●
To the Issuer to which the BIN is assigned, if an Acquirer receives a misencoded Card bearing a
valid BIN but an invalid Account Number. The Issuer is liable both:
– If the Acquirer presents the Transaction Receipt within 180 calendar days of the Transaction
Date
– Until the Issuer that ordered the manufacture of the Visa Card or Visa Electron Card is
identified
In the Europe Region, there is no time limit on a Member’s right to reassign liability to the Issuer.
ID# 0001813 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.1.8.2 Liability for Misembossed or Misencoded Cards – US Region
In the US Region, Visa assigns liability for payment of Transaction Receipts resulting from the use of
misembossed or misencoded Cards based on the following priorities in the order shown:
●
Member or foreign licensee that appears on the misembossed or misencoded Card as its Issuer, if
the Card has been recovered
●
Member or foreign licensee whose BIN appears on the Transaction Receipt, if the misembossed or
misencoded Card has not been recovered or if the name of the Member or foreign licensee does
not appear on the Card
●
Member or foreign licensee that first received the Transaction Receipt. If the misembossed or
misencoded Card is recovered within 12 months of the Transaction Date, the Member or licensee
may transfer liability for the Transaction Receipt to the Member or foreign licensee appearing on
the misembossed or misencoded Card as its Issuer.
ID# 0001817 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
CR-28 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
1.1.9 Liabilities and Indemnifications
1.1.9.1 Taking Responsibility
Each Visa participant Member is solely responsible for its issuance of Visa products and acquiring of
Merchants to accept Visa products, including responsibility for settlement of Transactions, compliance
with the Visa Charter Documents and the Visa International Operating Regulations, and ensuring
that their Visa programs comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Participants
indemnify Visa for claims or liabilities that arise out of their issuance of Visa products and acquiring of
Merchants, and broadly disclaim liability against Visa for such activities.
ID# 0007758 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.1.9.23 Responsibility for Losses Caused by VisaNet Processors
A Member is responsible for any and all losses caused by its VisaNet Processor. All Members using a
Clearing or authorizing VisaNet Processor, whether a Member or non-Member, are jointly and severally
responsible for the proper performance by that VisaNet Processor of all the requirements of the Visa
Rules.
ID# 0025873 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.1.9.24 Limitation of Liability for VisaNet Processors
A Member may limit its liability for the failure of a VisaNet Processor if it provides Visa with an
updated VisaNet Processor and Third Party Registration and Designation (Exhibit 5E) showing that it
had terminated the VisaNet Processor relationship before the failure.
This limitation of liability is effective upon receipt by Visa of Member notification.
ID# 0025887 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.1.9.29 Member Responsibility for Agents – Europe Region
A Europe Member must include in its agreements with its respective agents a term that provides that
the Member is responsible for the acts or omissions of the agents.
ID# 0029767 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-29
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Licensing and Numerics Management
1.2 Licensing and Numerics Management
1.2.1 Licensing – General Membership
1.2.1.3 Prohibition of BIN Sale or Exchange
A BIN Licensee must not sell, rent, or exchange any BIN. In the event of a portfolio sale or merger, the
BIN Licensee is responsible for submitting a BIN Licensee Transfer Request.
ID# 0001238 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.3 Use of Marks
1.3.1 Marks License
1.3.1.1 Visa Proprietary Rights to the Visa-Owned Marks and Visa Brand Name
Members acknowledge the proprietary rights of Visa and that unauthorized or inappropriate use of
the Visa-Owned Marks and Visa Brand Name may cause Visa irreparable damage or injury. Visa has
the full authority to enforce all Visa rules governing Members, Merchants, agents, and other entities
that use the Visa-Owned Marks and Visa Brand Name.
ID# 0007432 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.3.1.2 Infringement Proceedings Regarding the Visa-Owned Marks
Unless Visa grants express consent, Visa reserves the sole right to initiate infringement proceedings or
other challenges involving any use of the Visa-Owned Marks.
ID# 0006462 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.3.1.3 Denotation Requirements for Visa-Owned Marks
A Member must not use any denotation or legend of Marks registration or ownership in connection
with the Visa-Owned Marks, except as required or approved by Visa. Upon the Member's
writtenrequest, Visa will both:
●
Advise whethera denotation or legend must be used in a specific country
CR-30 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Provide the appropriatedenotation or legend to be used with Visa-Owned Marks
ID# 0006464 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
1.3.2 General Use of Marks
1.3.2.1 Visa Program Marks List
The Visa Program Marks include:
●
Visa Flag Symbol
●
Visa Brand Mark
●
Visa Brand Name
●
Visa wordmark
●
Dove design
●
Any other Mark that Visa adopts for use with the Visa Program
ID# 0006267 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
1.3.2.2 Use and Protection of the Visa-Owned Marks
The Visa-Owned Marks must appear exactly as shown in the Visa Product Brand Standards.
A Member must cooperate with Visa to ensure protection of each of the Visa-Owned Marks and must
ensure that all use of the Visa-Owned Marks, as well as the nature and quality of all services rendered
under these Marks, complies with the Visa Rules.
If requested, a Member must supply Visa with samples of any materials produced by or for the
Member that bear a Visa-Owned Mark.
ID# 0003581 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.3.2.3 Card Design Requirements
All Card designs must comply with the Visa Product Brand Standards.
ID# 0006160 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.3.2.4 Restricted Use of the Visa-Owned Marks
A Member must use the Visa-Owned Marks, including associated elements, only for the following:
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-31
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Use of Marks
●
To denote or promote a Visa Program or Visa products, offers, sponsorships, services, processing,
or acceptance
●
To promote a Member's Visa Program
ID# 0006308 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.3.2.5 Member Use of Country Name with the Visa-Owned Marks
A Member must not use the name of a country with the Visa Brand Name or any other Visa-Owned
Mark in its corporate name or other business name, unless Visa has granted exclusive jurisdiction to
the Member under the Visa International Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws and has granted
express permission.
A country name may be used in a Member's corporate name in which the country name is an integral
part.
ID# 0007643 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.3.2.6 Use of "Visa" in Group Member Corporate Identity
In a country with a single Group Member, the Group Member may use "Visa" as a part of its corporate
legal name and identity, as permitted in the Visa Rules.
In a country with multiple Group Members, a Group Member must not use "Visa" (including the Visa-
owned Marks) as part of its corporate legal name or identity. When multiple Group Members exist in
the same country, 12 months after the formation of a new Group Member, an existing Group Member
must not use the name "Visa" in its corporate name and identity.
ID# 0006274 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.3.2.7 National Organization Use of Visa Name
In the APRegion, Canada Region, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, and US Region, a National Organization
established in compliance with Article XVI of the Visa International Certificate of Incorporation and By-
Laws may use "Visa" as part of its corporate legal name and identity, as provided in the Visa Rules.
In the Europe Region, a National Organization established in compliance with the Visa Europe
Membership Regulations must not use "Visa" or any of the Visa-Owned Marks as part of its corporate
legal name and identity, unless Visa had granted consent to do so before 1 October 2007.
ID# 0006276 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
CR-32 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
1.3.2.8 "Visa" as Part of Corporate Identity
A Member must obtain written approval from Visa to use the name "Visa" or any other Visa-Owned
Mark as part of its corporate name or identity. If permission is granted, the name or Mark must be
used:
●
In the Member’s corporate name, with the country identifier. The name "Visa" must not be used
without the country identifier.
●
In all media (for example, business cards, letterhead, press releases, websites), with a clear
indication of actual corporate identity, including full legal name
●
In a contract or legal instrument with third parties. The Member must clearly state that it does not
have the authority to act (and is not acting) as an agent of, or represent, Visa or any affiliate of Visa.
●
Solely for the promotion of Visa products and services
ID# 0007277 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.3.2.9 Ownership of Visa-Owned Marks
A Member must not state or imply that it is the exclusive owner or provider of any Visa-Owned Mark,
Visa Card Product, or Visa Program, except as otherwise permitted in the Visa Rules.
ID# 0006503 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.3.2.10 Visa Endorsement of Goods/Services
A Member must not use any of the Visa-Owned Marks to indicate that Visa endorses, is identified with,
or sponsors goods or services other than those of Visa.
ID# 0006555 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.3.2.12 Use of Visa-Owned Marks in Marketing Materials
In marketing collateral, a Member must not use:
●
A Visa-Owned Mark in such a way that it could be mistaken for an actual Card and used in a
Transaction
●
The Visa Brand Name in any classified advertising section, excepttoindicate the availability of Visa
Program services and other Card services.
●
The Visa Brand Name on a check
ID# 0008273 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-33
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Use of Marks
1.3.2.13 Card Reproduction Prohibition
A Member must not distribute or display a reproduction of a Card as an indication of acceptance of
Visa products at the Point-of-Transaction.
Only the Visa Brand Mark may be used to denote acceptance at the point of sale.
ID# 0006329 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.3.2.14 Obscured/Defaced Visa-Owned Marks
No portion of a Visa-Owned Mark may be obscured, distorted, or defaced.
A Visa-Owned Mark that is a graphic design must not be used separately.
ID# 0003578 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.3.3 Protecting the Visa Brand
1.3.3.1 Protecting the Visa Brand Reputation
No activities or materials may infringe, dilute, denigrate, or impair the goodwill and/or reputation of
the Visa brand or Visa-Owned Marks.
ID# 0007762 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.3.3.2 Prohibition of Marks Infringement and Brand Denigration
A Member’s Visa Card Program, Visa Electron Program, Verified by Visa, or Visa TravelMoney Program
materials, including Global Co-branded Card and Affinity/Co-Branded Card materials or other Member
materials using any Mark(s) of the Visa Card Program, must not contain any matter that would tend
to infringe, dilute, degrade, or denigrate any of the Visa-Owned Marks, Visa products, Visa services, or
any Member or Merchant or impair the reputation or goodwill of Visa or the goodwill associated with
the Marks.
An Issuer that engages in Dual Payment Card Marketing must ensure that all communications and
marketing material relating to Marks, products, or services of a non-Visa general purpose payment
card network, as designated by Visa, are not positioned in conjunction with Visa-Owned Marks,
products, or services in a manner that dilutes or denigrates the Visa brand.
ID# 0025557 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
CR-34 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
1.3.3.3 Marks Use and Marketing Restrictions
A Member must not adopt any Mark, or market, either directly or indirectly, any Visa product or
service to consumers, Merchants, or other Members in a manner that has the likely effect of confusing,
misleading, defrauding, or deceiving such consumers, Merchants, or Members, either as to the
program, product, or service or the source, affiliation, sponsorship, or association of such program,
product, or service. Such prohibited acts include, without limitation, making direct or indirect,
false, confusing, or misleading statements or failing to disclose a material fact about the programs,
products, or services, or any aspect thereof, of a Member, Visa, another Member, a Merchant, or a
competitor.
ID# 0025558 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.3.3.4 Brand Protection and Use of the Visa-Owned Marks
A Member must not use the Visa-Owned Marks:
●
In any manner that may bring the Visa-Owned Marks or Visa Inc. or its affiliates into disrepute
●
In relation to, or for the purchase or trade of, photographs, video imagery, computer-generated
images, cartoons, simulation, or any other media or activities including, but not limited to, any of
the following:
– Child pornography
– Bestiality
– Rape (or any other non-consensual sexual behavior)
– Non-consensual mutilation of a person or body part
A Member that does not comply with these requirements will be subject to non-compliance
assessments prescribed under the Global Brand Protection Program.
ID# 0007283 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.3.4 Marketing, Promotion, and Advertising Materials
1.3.4.1 Visa Review of Brand, Sponsorship, and Marketing Materials
A Member must obtain prior written approval from Visa for all of the following:
●
Proposed designs for all form factors intended for use in Visa payments in a physical or digital
form.
1,2
These must be submitted to Visa before production and each time the design is changed.
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-35
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Use of Marks
●
Use of any Visa-Owned Mark in the Member’s sponsorship of any events, including a specific
sporting, musical, artistic, or other event.
3
The Member must provide all advertising, promotions,
and public relations material for each country in which the sponsorship activity will occur.
4
If a
Member plans sponsorship activities in an additional country at a later date, it must submit a new
request.
●
Dual Payment Card Marketing
5
(including all offers, solicitations, promotions, and communications
that include any Visa-Owned Marks or Visa-branded products), before production and distribution
●
In the US Region, use of Limited Acceptance signage for any purpose other than those permitted
in the Visa Rules
●
In the US Region, all marketing materials or other customer communications pertaining to any of
the core and optional services, as specified in the implementation materials available from Visa,
before production and distribution
A Member must submit brand or marketing-related materials containing a Visa-Owned Mark for
review if requested by Visa.
A Member must use each Visa-Owned Mark within the scope of the written approval from Visa. After
Notification from Visa, a Member must correct any improper use of any of any Visa-Owned Mark.
Visa review or approval of a Card design or brand or marketing-related materials does not:
●
Replace the need for a Member to consult with its own legal counsel regarding the use of a Card
design or brand or marketing-related materials
●
Offer legal protection from possible infringement or other types of actions
●
Relieve the Member of its responsibility for accurate disclosure and compliance with legal and
regulatory requirements
In the US Region, a Member must not use the Visa-Owned Marks in connection with a Member's
promotion, offer, or solicitation of a Visa Card not defined as a US Covered Visa Debit Card, or the
maintenance of a US Cardholder relationship for a Visa Card not defined as a US Covered Visa Debit
Card, together with Marks that are associated with payment card products issued by the American
Express Company, Discover Financial Services, and their subsidiaries or affiliates (including, by way
of example and not limitation, "American Express," "Optima," "Discover," "Bravo," "Novus," and
"Membership Rewards") or together with Marks associated with any other payment card company
deemed competitive by the Board of Directors, if such Marks are owned or controlled by such
competitors.
In the US Region or a US Territory, a Member may use the Marks of the American Express Company,
MasterCard Worldwide (including Maestro), Discover Financial Services, or the subsidiaries or affiliates
of these entities or other entities deemed competitive by Visa in connection with a Member's
promotion, offer, or solicitation of a US Covered Visa Debit Card, or the maintenance of a Cardholder
relationship for a US Covered Visa Debit Card.
CR-36 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
1
Visa will retain digital design art and may use it in Visa-sponsored or Visa-owned services in which an Issuer participates.
Visa may provide digital design art to a payment Token requestor to display enrolled Cards in a wallet application.
2
In the Europe Region, an Issuer must submit a completed Card Design Member Self-Certification Form for the appropriate
product.
3
Not applicable to the purchase of advertising not specifically tied to the sponsorship of these events.
4
In the Europe Region, 2 months before the anticipated release date of the materials
5
In the AP Region, Dual Payment Card Marketing is not allowed for Visa Infinite Business Cards and Visa Ultra High Net
Worth Cards.
ID# 0027788 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.3.4.2 Member Identification
A Member must identify itself by city
1
and principal name, and may substitute a local Branch name and
city, if desired, on all supplies, materials (including broadcast), and oral or written solicitations sent to
current or prospective Cardholders or Merchants. A Member must not state or imply in these materials
that any other Member's Cards or Merchant materials are being replaced, are invalid, or should be
destroyed. A Member must not state or imply that Visa provided or endorsed the materials unless Visa
designed them for Member use.
1
This does not apply to a Europe Member.
ID# 0006311 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.3.4.3 Merchant Use of the Visa-Owned Marks in Promotions and Advertising
A Member must not allow a Merchant or other entity to use a Visa-Owned Mark for promotional or
advertising purposes in any media, unless:
●
The Visa Rules permit its use
●
The Member distributes the material containing the Visa-Owned Mark
●
In the US Region, the Member's name and city appear on the material containing the Visa-Owned
Mark, as applicable
ID# 0008277 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.3.4.4 Use of Competitive Marks with the Visa-Owned Marks
A Member may use certain Visa Program Marks on items other than Cards or for sponsorship activities
with the Marks of the following or its subsidiaries or affiliates:
●
American Express Company
●
Discover Financial Services
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-37
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Use of Marks
●
MasterCard Worldwide
●
Any other entity Visa deems competitive
The overall appearance of this use must unmistakably convey the idea that the Visa-Owned Mark,
when used on items other than Cards or for sponsorship activities, clearly identifies a product or
service that is separate and distinct from any product or service of the entities listed above.
In the Europe Region, an Issuer that issues Cards within the European Economic Area may, with the
agreement of Visa, use non-Visa-Owned Marks on a Card, including competitive Marks, alongside a
Visa-Owned Mark.
In the US Region, a Member must not use the Marks of the American Express Company, MasterCard
Worldwide (including Maestro), Discover Financial Services, or the subsidiaries or affiliates of these
entities on Visa Cards not defined as US Covered Visa Debit Cards, except that:
●
A wordmark may be used to denote ATM sharing only if it appears on the back of a Visa Card, as
specified in Section 3.2.3.3, “Use of Other Marks – US Region and US Territories.”
●
The PULSE Mark may appear on the back of a Visa Check Card or a Visa Debit Card if the Issuer
processes Non-Visa Debit Transactions.
In the US Region, a Member may use the Visa Program Marks in conjunction with the Marks of these
entities on items and materials other than Visa Cards provided that the overall appearance resulting
from such use unmistakably conveys the idea that the Marks associated with Visa identify a product
or service separate and distinct from any product or service of the American Express Company,
MasterCard Worldwide (including Maestro), Discover Financial Services, or their subsidiaries or
affiliates.
In the US Region or a US Territory, a Member may use the Marks of the American Express Company,
MasterCard Worldwide (including Maestro), Discover Financial Services, or the subsidiaries or affiliates
of these entities, or other entities deemed competitive by Visa, on US Covered Visa Debit Cards,
as specified in the Visa Product Brand Standards, provided that the overall appearance resulting
from such use unmistakably conveys the idea that the Marks associated with Visa identify a product
or service separate and distinct from any product or service of the American Express Company,
MasterCard Worldwide (including Maestro), Discover Financial Services, or their subsidiaries or
affiliates.
ID# 0006327 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.3.4.5 Visa Brand Mark on Cards
All Visa Cards and Visa Electron Cards must bear the Visa Brand Mark or Visa Brand Mark with the
Electron Identifier on the front of the Card.
ID# 0003607 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
CR-38 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
1.3.4.6 Restricted Use of Other Marks
A Member must not use a Mark other than the Visa Brand Mark or Visa Brand Mark with the Electron
Identifier on a Card to indicate Card acceptance at a Merchant Outlet outside the country of Card
issuance.
1
A Mark owned by an individual Merchant or a group of Merchants that operate under a common
trade name may appear on a Card as part of an Affinity/Co-Brand Program approved by Visa. If
thisMark is different than the one usedas an identifier of payment services at otherMerchant Outlets
the Mark is not considered to indicate payment acceptance.
A Member may use non-Visa-owned brand Marks to indicate acceptance at Merchant Outlets
solely within the country of Card issuance only if these non-Visa-owned brand Marks are clearly less
prominent than the Visa Brand Mark or Visa Brand Mark with the Electron Identifier.
2,3
Except for the Account Number, a Visa Card must not bear any number or device, whether embossed,
printed, etched, encoded, or otherwise affixed, that is used for international payment purposes. This
does not apply to a Card issued inside the European Economic Area (EEA) that bears another number,
payment application, payment device, or payment scheme to initiate a transaction at a Merchant
Outlet inside the EEA. In the Europe Region, an Issuer must notify Visa of its intention to issue such a
Card.
A Member must not use the Marks of a non-Visa general purpose payment card network on a Visa
Card without prior written consent from Visa.
3
A Member may use the Visa Program Marks in conjunction with the Marks of these entities on items
and materials other than Visa Cards provided that the overall appearance resulting from such use
unmistakably conveys the idea that the Marks associated with Visa identify a product or service
separate and distinct from any product or service of any non-Visa general purpose payment card
network.
1
In the Europe Region, this does not apply to a Member located in the European Economic Area (EEA), which may use a non-
Visa-owned Mark that is as prominent as the Visa Brand Mark to indicate acceptance within the EEA.
2
This does not apply in the Canada Region to Cards bearing the Mark of the Interac Association.
3
This does not apply in the US Region and US Territories to US Covered Visa Debit Cards.
ID# 0006326 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.3.4.7 Prohibited Use of Competitive Trade Name or Mark
The following must not appear on any part of a Visa Card:
●
Any Trade Name or Mark that identifies or is associated with any entity, or its subsidiaries or
affiliates, deemed competitive by Visa,
1,2
including:
– American Express Company
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-39
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Issuance
–
Discover Financial Services
3
–
MasterCard Worldwide (including Maestro)
4
●
Any Trade Name or Mark that is confusingly similar to any other Visa-Owned Mark
1
This does not apply in the US Region and US Territories for US Covered Visa Debit Cards.
2
This does not apply in the Europe Region to Cards issued within the European Economic Area.
3
This does not apply in the US Region for Visa Cards bearing the Pulse Mark and Cards bearing the Plus Symbol.
4
This does not apply in the LAC Region and US Region to certain Visa Cards bearing the Cirrus Wordmark.
ID# 0008458 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.4 Issuance
1.4.1 Issuance Conditions
1.4.1.1 Offer/Issuance Conditions
A Member must not condition the offer or issuance of any payment card product bearing the
Visa Program Marks or the maintenance of a Visa Cardholder relationship upon the possession or
acceptance of a product bearing the Marks of the American Express Company, MasterCard Worldwide,
Discover Financial Services, Diner's Club, JCB, or any other non-Visa general purpose payment card
network, as designated by Visa, without the prior written consent of Visa.
In the US Region or in a US Territory, a Member may condition the offer or issuance of a US Covered
Visa Debit Card, or the maintenance of a Cardholder relationship for a US Covered Visa Debit Card,
upon the possession or acceptance of a product bearing the Marks of the American Express Company,
MasterCard Worldwide, Discover Financial Services, Diner’s Club, JCB, or any other non-Visa general
purpose payment card network, as specified in the Visa Product Brand Standards.
ID# 0025568 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.4.1.2 General Member Card Program Requirements – Canada Region
A Visa Canada General Member must:
●
Operate its own Card program
●
Issue Cards in its own legal name or in a Trade Name or Mark owned by the Member and
approved by Visa, bearing the Visa-Owned Marks, to eligible Cardholders
ID# 0004091 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
CR-40 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
1.4.2 Account Numbers
1.4.2.1 BIN and Account Numbers
BIN and Account Number structures embossed, encoded, or printed on a Visa Card and Visa Electron
Card
ID# 0003196 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.4.3 Notification and Disclosure
1.4.3.1 Notification of Card Use Restrictions
An Issuer must include language in its Cardholder agreement that a Card must not be used for any
unlawful purpose, including the purchase of goods or services prohibited by applicable laws or
regulations.
ID# 0000386 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.4.3.2 International Transaction or Currency Conversion Fee Disclosure
AnIssuer must provide a complete written disclosure of any fees that may be charged to a Cardholder
for an International Transaction or when Currency Conversionoccurs and must include the exchange
rate between the Transaction Currency and the Billing Currency as eitherof the following:
●
A rate selected by Visa from the range of rates available in wholesale currency markets for the
applicable Processing Date, which rate may vary from the rate Visa receives
1
●
The rate mandated by a government orgoverning body in effect for the applicable Processing
Date
1
When Currency Conversion occurs, the Visa rate may be adjusted by the application of an Optional
Issuer Fee as determined by the Issuer or via any Issuer self-determined markup outside of VisaNet.
An Issuer may choose the method by which it notifies the Cardholder. This may include one or more of
the following, which may include electronic forms of communication:
●
Original Cardholder application agreement
●
Terms and conditions
●
Billing statement
●
Any other agreement between the Cardholder and the Issuer
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-41
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Issuance
1
This does not apply in the Canada Region, where Issuers must disclose the fact that the Currency Conversion rate is
provided by Visa, and then marked up accordingly by the Issuer if it chooses to add such a markup.
ID# 0000387 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
1.4.3.3 Required Data on Cardholder Billing Statement
An Issuer must include on the Cardholder billing statement all of the following:
●
The data transmitted in the Clearing Record that both:
– Identifies one of the following, as applicable:
▪ The Merchant
▪ The Sponsored Merchant and its Payment Facilitator
▪ The Staged Digital Wallet Operator and retailer
–
Enables the Cardholder to contact the Merchant
1
●
The Issuer name, in a prominent position
●
In the Europe Region (United Kingdom), the Airline Ticket Identifier, where it has been provided in
the Merchant name field of the Clearing Record
1
In the Europe Region, the Clearing Record for an Intraregional Recurring Transaction must contain either an Electronic
Commerce Merchant's website address in the Merchant name field or, for all other Merchants, an internationally accessible
telephone number in the Merchant city field.
ID# 0004080 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.4.3.4 Cardholder Signature on Card
When an Issuer issues or reissues a Card, the Issuer must:
●
Advise the Cardholder to immediately sign the signature panel on the Card
●
Indicate that the Card must be signed in order to be valid
ID# 0025977 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.4.3.5 Disclosure of Visa Transaction Information – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer may only disclose Visa Transaction Information to third parties approved by
Visa and for the sole purpose of:
●
Supporting a loyalty program
●
Providing fraud control services
CR-42 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
This does not apply to a Visa Commercial Card Issuer.
ID# 0003555 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
1.4.4 Issuer Operational Standards
1.4.4.1 PIN Issuance
An Issuer must make a PIN available to each Cardholder for use with a Card, except as approved
otherwise for either a:
●
Non-Reloadable Card
●
Visa Prepaid Card where cash access is restricted
ID# 0004019 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.4.4.2 PIN Issuance Requirements
An Issuer must:
●
Notify its Cardholders of PIN availability In the Europe Region,an Issuer will be subject to a non-
compliance assessment if it does not issue PINs to at least 75% of its Cardholders, or, if it did not
issue a PIN, notify those Cardholders that they may select their own PINs or request that a PIN be
issued.
●
Successfully complete certification testing to demonstrate its capability to perform PIN Verification,
or designate Visa to perform this function
●
Ensure the security of the PIN
●
Select Stand-In Processing Issuer options pertaining to a Transaction for which a PIN is used. In the
Europe Region, an Issuer must communicate these options to Visa.
●
In the US Region, notify its Cardholders of the availability of the Visa ATM Network. An Issuer must
provide the notification annually to all active Cardholders of all of the following:
– Visa Check Card
– Visa Signature
– Visa Signature Preferred
ID# 0004571 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-43
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Issuance
1.4.4.3 Issuer Responsibility for Stand-In Processing Authorizations
An Issuer is responsible for a Transaction authorized by Stand-In Processing.
ID# 0004386 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.4.4.4 Issuer Credit Transaction Posting
An Issuer must post a Credit Transaction Receipt to a Cardholder's account:
●
Within 5 calendar days from the Settlement date
●
In the US Region:
– For Visa Credit Cards, within 3 business days from the Settlement date
– For Visa Check Cards, within 1 business day of Settlement, unless circumstances or account
history warrant a delay
– For Visa Prepaid Cards, within 1 business day of Settlement, unless circumstances or account
history warrant a delay
ID# 0025743 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.4.4.5 VisaNet Issuer Billing Currency Selection Requirements
An Issuer must ensure that the Billing Currency designated in VisaNet, is the same currency in which
the Cardholder is debited
1
for Transactions, or in which the Issuer bills and receives payment for
Cardholder Transactions.
If an Issuer offers multiple currencies for billing and/or payment, the default billing currency must be
the national currency.
2
1
The Billing Currency designated in VisaNet must match the currency of the underlying account or source of funds.
2
This does not apply to Visa prepaid TravelMoney cards or Centralized Card Issuance, as specified in Section 4.12.1,
“Commercial Card Issuance Requirements.”
ID# 0029503 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
CR-44 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
1.4.4.6 Cardholder Account Currency
Effective 14 October 2017
Any non-fiat currency funds must be converted to a fiat currency before deposit into a
Cardholder account linked to a Visa Prepaid Card or Visa Debit Card.
1
Conversion of non-fiat
currency funds must be carried out in accordance with applicable laws in the country of
issuance.
The Issuer must receive Visa approval before implementing a Visa Program linked to a
Cardholder account that accepts deposited funds that were previously converted from a non-fiat
currency.
An Issuer must not claim that a Visa product is directly linked to or funded by an account
containing a non-fiat currency.
1
An account linked to a Visa Credit Card must not be funded via such a conversion or by a non-fiat currency.
ID# 0030097 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
1.4.6 Zero Liability
1.4.6.1 Zero Liability
An Issuer must limit a Cardholder’s liability to zero upon notification from the Cardholder of an
unauthorized Visa Transaction.
The limitation of liability does not apply to the following:
●
Visa Corporate Card Transactions
●
Visa Purchasing Card Transactions
●
Anonymous Visa Prepaid Card Transactions
The Issuer may increase the amount of the Cardholder's liability for unauthorized Visa Transactions if
the Issuer reasonably determines, based on substantial evidence, that the Cardholder was fraudulent
or negligent in the handling of the account or the Card.
The Issuer must communicate any restrictions to its Cardholders.
In the Europe Region, an Issuer must limit a Cardholder's liability to zero upon notification from that
Cardholder of an unauthorized Transaction.
The limitation of liability does not apply to the following:
●
Visa Corporate Card Transactions
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-45
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Acceptance
●
Visa Purchasing Card Transactions
●
Anonymous Visa Prepaid Card Transactions
The Issuer may increase the amount of the Cardholder's liability for unauthorized Visa Transactions if
the Issuer reasonably determines, based on substantial evidence, that either or both:
●
The Cardholder has acted fraudulently or negligently in the handling of the account or the Card.
●
The Cardholder is proven to have participated in the Transaction.
The Issuer must communicate any restrictions to its Cardholders.
ID# 0029460 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.5 Acceptance
1.5.1 General Acquirer Requirements
1.5.1.1 Acquirer Jurisdiction and Restriction of Cross-Border Acquiring
An Acquirer must accept and submit Transactions into Interchange only from Merchants,
Marketplaces,
1
Payment Facilitators, Sponsored Merchants, and Staged Digital Wallet Operatorswithin
that Acquirer's jurisdiction.
An Acquirer must accept Transactions only from a Merchant Outlet within the Acquirer's Country of
Domicile (and that country's territories and possessions) unless any of the following:
●
The Acquirer is licensed by Visa to accept Transactions from a Merchant Outlet in another country.
In the Europe Region, a Transaction must be deposited in the Transaction Country.
●
The Merchant is an Airline
2
or an on-board service provider contracted by the Airline
3
and the
Acquirer maintains the relationship in accordance with the provisions ofthe International Airline
Program.
4
●
The Merchant Outlet is, or is located in or on the premises of, a military base, embassy, or
consulate or international governmental organization (for example: the United Nations) on foreign
territory.
3
●
Visa has provided written permission for the Acquirer to participate in the Multinational Merchant
Acceptance Program in the Merchant Outlet country.
●
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer has passported its license in line with EU passporting
regulations.
CR-46 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
A Payment Facilitator must not contract with a Sponsored Merchant that is outside the country in
which the Payment Facilitator and its Acquirer are located. In the Europe Region, a Payment Facilitator
located in a Europe Region country may contract with a Sponsored Merchant located in another
Europe Region country only if both the Payment Facilitator and its Acquirer have appropriate business
licenses for that country.
In the Canada Regionand US Region, an Acquirer may cross-border acquire Electronic Commerce
Transactions and Mail/Phone Order Transactions only as follows:
Table 1-10: Permitted Cross-Border Acquiring
Acquirer Region Merchant Region Cardholder Region Currency Used in
Advertising and
Transaction Processing
Canada US Canada CAD
US Canada US USD
Visa may determine the country of a Merchant Outlet and an Acquirer’s ability to contract with it
based on an evaluation of the Merchant’s business structure and any other information. A decision by
Visa is final.
1
Effective 14 October 2017
2
For the purchase of travel or lodging at a travel agency, the Transaction Country is the country in which the travel agency is
located.
3
Such a Merchant may contract with an Acquirer that is licensed in the Merchant's home country, the Merchant Outlet
Country, or both.
4
The Acquirer must pay the domestic Interchange Reimbursement Fee when entering a domestic Airline Transaction Receipt
into international Settlement.
ID# 0008552 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.5.1.2 Assignment of Merchant Outlet Location
An Acquirer must assign the correct location of its Merchant's Merchant Outlet. An Acquirer must
not misrepresent or alter, or allow its Merchant or agent to misrepresent or alter, a Merchant Outlet
location.
For a Card-Present Environment Transaction, the Acquirer must assign the following as the Merchant
Outlet location:
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-47
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Acceptance
Table 1-11: Allowed Merchant Outlet Locations for Card-Present Transactions
Transaction Merchant Outlet location for that Transaction must
be:
Transaction at a Merchant Outlet in a fixed location Location at which the Transaction is completed
In-Transit Transaction One of the following:
●
The location where the journey originated
●
An interim or the final destination
●
The location of the Merchant's Principal Place of
Business
Transaction at a Merchant Outlet not in a fixed
location
1
Either:
●
The location at which the Transaction is
completed
●
The location of the Merchant's Principal Place of
Business
For a Card-Absent Environment Transaction, the Acquirer must assign the country of the Merchant's
Principal Place of Business
2
as the Merchant Outlet location. The Acquirer mayassign additional
Merchant Outlet locations if the Transaction is one of the following:
Table 1-12: Allowed Additional Merchant Outlet Locations for Card-Absent Transactions
Transaction Additional Merchant Outlet location may be:
Transaction at an Airline,
2
passenger railway
Merchant,
2
Cruise Line,
2
or other travel Merchant
2
The country from which the first leg of the
purchased travel originates
Transaction at a Lodging Merchant
2
The country in which the Cardholder's stay occurs
Transaction at a Vehicle Rental Merchant,
2
taxi
Merchant, or ride service Merchant
The country in which the Cardholder rents the car or
the journey originates
Transaction at any other Merchant
The country in which all of the following occur,
3
as specified in the Visa Merchant Data Standards
Manual:
4
●
The Merchant has a permanent location at which
the Merchant’s employees or agents conduct the
business activity directly related to the provision
to the Cardholder of the goods or services
purchased in the specific Transaction.
●
The Merchant assesses sales taxes on the
Transaction activity.
CR-48 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Transaction Additional Merchant Outlet location may be:
●
The location is the legal jurisdiction, for the
Transaction, that governs the contractual
relationship between the Merchant and the
Cardholder as the purchaser of the goods or
services.
If Visa disputes a Merchant Outlet location assigned by an Acquirer, the correct location of the
Merchant Outlet may be determined by Visa in its sole discretion.
1
A location (or locations) at which a Merchant completes Transactions and is not the fixed or permanent premises of the
Merchant. This does not apply to a mobile Acceptance Device within a fixed Merchant Outlet.
2
For the purchase of travel or lodging at a travel agency, the Merchant Outlet location must be the country in which the
travel agency is located.
3
In the Europe Region, an exception applies to Merchant Outlet locations within the European Economic Area.
4
If a Card-Absent Merchant (except a travel/lodging Merchant) qualifies for one or more additional Merchant Outlet
locations, the Acquirer may assign the location for a Transaction only as the location where the underlying business
activity occurs for the specific Transaction (either the Principal Place of Business or a qualifying additional Merchant Outlet
location).
ID# 0029455 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.5.1.3 Merchant Qualification Standards
Before entering into a Merchant Agreement, an Acquirer or a Payment Facilitator must ensure that the
prospective Merchant is all of the following:
●
Financially responsible
●
Not engaged in any activity that could cause harm to the Visa system or the Visa brand
●
Operating within an allowed jurisdiction
●
Not misrepresenting its Merchant Outlet location or locations
The Acquirer or Payment Facilitator must also determine that there is no significant derogatory
background information about any of the Merchant's principals.
ID# 0008478 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
1.5.1.4 Submission of Illegal Transactions
An Acquirer must not knowingly accept from a Merchant for submission into the Visa payment system
any Transaction that is illegal or that the Acquirer or Merchant should have known was illegal.
ID# 0028040 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-49
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Acceptance
1.5.1.5 Acquirer Use of Digital Certificates
An Acquirer that issues Digital Certificates to its Merchants or Payment Facilitators to enable them to
access Visa-owned system components must use only Digital Certificates associated with Visa.
ID# 0004617 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.5.1.6 Security of Account Numbers and Payment Account References
An Acquirer must ensure all of the following:
●
That the Account Number associated with a payment Token in a Transaction is not disclosed to the
Merchant
●
Effective 15 October 2016 for the AP Region, CanadaRegion, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, and
US Region
Effective 1 June 2017for the Europe Region
– That a Payment Account Reference (PAR) is not stored with its associated full Account
Number(s) or payment Token(s)
– That a Transaction is not initiated with a PAR
– That a PAR is used only for the following:
▪ Providing or managing customer service
▪ Performing fraud and risk control activities
▪ Supporting value-added services in which the Cardholder has opted to participate
▪ Aiding compliance with applicable laws or regulations
ID# 0029276 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.5.1.7 Authorization Rejection Based on Internal Tables
Effective through 13 October 2017
In the APRegion, CanadaRegion, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, and US Region, an Acquirer must
not selectively reject or decline Authorization Requests based on an internally developed table of
BINs or Account Numbers. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, tables developed using
the electronic or online versions of the Visa Interchange Directory.
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer must not develop tables of BINs or Account Numbers using the
electronic or online versions of the Visa Interchange Directory.
CR-50 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
In the US Region, this prohibition does not include Authorization Requests originating from
a Limited Acceptance Merchant for Account Numbers that contain a BIN not accepted by the
Merchant.
Effective 14 October 2017
In the AP Region, CanadaRegion, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, and US Region, an Acquirer must
not selectively reject or decline Authorization Requests based on an internally developed table
of BINs or Account Numbers. This prohibition includes tables developed using the electronic or
online version of the Client Directory.
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer must not develop tables of BINs or Account Numbers using the
electronic or online version of the Client Directory.
In the US Region, this prohibition does not include Authorization Requests originating from
a Limited Acceptance Merchant for Account Numbers that contain a BIN not accepted by the
Merchant.
ID# 0008817 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
1.5.1.8 Acquirer Rights to Provide Merchant Information
An Acquirer, a Marketplace,
1
a Payment Facilitator, or a Digital Wallet Operator must ensure that it
has all necessary and appropriate rights under applicable laws or regulations, privacy policies, or
agreements to provide Merchant or retailer
1
information to Visa.
1
Effective 14 October 2017
ID# 0026459 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.5.1.9 Termination of Merchant Agreement
After verifying that Visa has prohibited a Merchant, Sponsored Merchant, or Payment Facilitatorfrom
participating in the Visa or Visa Electron Program, an Acquirer must terminate the Merchant
Agreement or Payment Facilitator Agreement no later than the date specified by Visa.
If the Acquirer does not terminate the Merchant Agreement or Payment Facilitator Agreement by the
specified date, Visa may assess the Acquirer a non-compliance assessment.
An Acquirer or Payment Facilitator that enters into a Merchant Agreement with a Merchant, Sponsored
Merchant, or known principals of a Merchant or Sponsored Merchant that Visa has prohibited from
participating in the Visa Program or Visa Electron Program may be assessed a non-compliance
assessment.
ID# 0008241 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-51
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Acceptance
1.5.2 Merchant Agreements
1.5.2.1 Merchant Agreement Requirements
An Acquirer must have a Merchant Agreement with each of its Merchants to accept Visa Cards and, if
applicable, Visa Electron Cards. A Payment Facilitator must have a Merchant Agreement with each of
its Sponsored Merchants.
The Merchant Agreement must include language that requires the Merchant to do all of the following:
●
Perform its obligations under the Merchant Agreement in compliance with applicable laws or
regulations
●
Comply with the Visa Rules regarding use of the Visa-Owned Marks, Visa acceptance, risk
management, Transaction processing, and any Visa products, programs, or services in which the
Merchant is required to, or chooses to, participate
●
Not knowingly submit any Transaction that is illegal or that the Merchant should have known was
illegal
●
Include the right of Visa to limit or terminate the Acquirer's agreement with the Merchant or the
Payment Facilitator's agreement with the Sponsored Merchant
An Acquirer and a Payment Facilitator may accept Transactions only from an entity with which it has a
valid Merchant Agreement.
ID# 0003356 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
1.5.2.2 Retention of Merchant Records
An Acquirer or a Payment Facilitator must keep a complete, well-documented file containing Merchant
records, including any information connected to an investigation, for at least 2 years after Merchant
Agreement termination.
In the US Region, an Acquirer or a Payment Facilitator of a Merchant or Sponsored Merchant
undergoing a forensic investigation must also notify Visa when it receives notice or otherwise
becomes aware that the Merchant has terminated its Merchant Agreement.
ID# 0008474 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
CR-52 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
1.5.3 Marks Display
1.5.3.1 Display of Card Acceptance Marks
A Member or Merchantmust display the appropriate Visa-OwnedMarks to indicate which Cards it
accepts for payment except in the case of a Merchant that either:
●
Does not deal with the general public (for example: a private club)
●
Is prohibited by trade association rules
ID# 0008496 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.5.3.2 Limited Acceptance Merchant Signage – US Region
In the US Region, an Acquirer must ensure that each of its Limited Acceptance Merchants is provided
with Visa-approved signage representing the Limited Acceptance Category it has selected, in
accordance with its Merchant Agreement. Specifications for appropriate signage are available from
Visa.
The Limited Acceptance Merchant may use the signage associated with the Limited Acceptance
category it has selected, on promotional, printed, or broadcast materials only to indicate the types of
Cards it accepts for payment.
ID# 0005110 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.5.4 Card Acceptance
1.5.4.1 Accepting Visa Products for Payment
Visa Merchants displaying Visa acceptance Marks at payment locations agree to accept corresponding
Visa-branded products for payment. If the customer indicates that he or she wants to pay with a Visa
product, a Merchant must complete and process the Visa Transaction as defined in the Visa Rules.
ID# 0007777 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-53
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Acceptance
1.5.4.2 Honoring All Visa Cards
Visa Merchants may not refuse to accept a Visa product that is properly presented for payment, for
example, on the basis that the Card is foreign-issued,
1
or co-branded with the Merchant's competitor's
Mark. Merchants may attempt to steer
2
customers who initially present a Visa Card to an alternative
method of payment, such as by providing discounts for cash, but may not do so in a confusing manner
that denies consumer choice.
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer may permit a Merchant to provide Cardholders with a discount,
promotional offer, or in-kind incentive, in relation to a Transaction, that may not be available for other
Cards.
Merchants may also consider whether present circumstances create undue risk, for example if the sale
involves high-value electronics, but the Card signature panel is not signed, and the Cardholder does
not have any other identification.
1
In the AP Region (Australia), Canada Region,and US Region, a Merchant may decline to accept certain categories of Visa
products for domestically issued Cards. In the Europe Region, a Merchant in the European Economic Area (EEA) may decline
to accept certain Product Categories.
2
Except in the Europe Region
ID# 0007778 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.5.4.3 Honor All Cards
A Merchant must accept all Cards properly presented for payment.
If a Merchant does not deal with the public (for example: a private club), it complies with this
requirement if it accepts Cards from its members.
This does not apply:
●
To Merchant Outlets that deployContactless-only Acceptance Devices, as specified in Section
5.7.2.3, “Deployment of Contactless-Only Acceptance Devices”
●
In the AP Region (Australia), Canada Region, and US Region, to certain categories of Visa products
for domestically issued Cards
●
In the Europe Region, at a Merchant in the European Economic Area (EEA), for certain Product
Categories
ID# 0008591 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
CR-54 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
1.5.4.4 Honor All Cards – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, unless a Merchant has elected to not be a Visa Debit Acceptor, a Merchant that
accepts Visa Cards must accept any valid Visa Card that a Cardholder properly presents for payment.
This means that the Merchant must permit the Cardholder to choose whether to pay for a transaction
with that Visa Card or with some other means of payment accepted by the Merchant.
Merchants that have elected to be a Visa Debit Acceptor may choose whether or not to accept
domestic Visa Credit Cards. Similarly, Merchants that have elected to be a Visa Credit Acceptor may
choose whether or not to accept Visa Debit Category Cards issued by Canada Issuers.
If a Cardholder presents a Visa Card that bears a Mark representing another payment service, the
Merchant may not intentionally mislead the Cardholder concerning what payment service or system
will be used. If the Merchant provides any information regarding the customer's rights related to
various transaction choices, that information must be accurate.
ID# 0008392 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.5.4.5 Honor All Cards – US Region
In the US Region, a Merchant that wishes to accept Visa Cards must accept any valid Visa Card in
its category of acceptance that a Cardholder properly presents for payment. This means that the
Merchant must permit the Cardholder to choose whether to pay for a transaction with that Visa Card
or with some other means of payment accepted by the Merchant. The Merchant may request or
encourage a Cardholder to use a means of payment other than a Visa Card.
ID# 0002867 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.5.4.6 Selection of Payment System – Europe and US Regions
In the Europe Region, at a Merchant in the European Economic Area (EEA), if a Cardholder presents a
Card that is issued in the EEA and that is co-badged with another payment scheme accepted by the
Merchant, the Merchant must both:
●
Honor the Cardholder's choice of payment scheme
●
Process the transaction according to the Cardholder's choice of payment scheme
In the US Region, if a Cardholder presents a Visa Card
1
that is in the Merchant's category of acceptance
and that bears a Mark representing another payment service:
●
The Merchant must honor the Cardholder's request if the Cardholder indicates that the transaction
is to be processed as a Visa Transaction.
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-55
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Acceptance
●
The Merchant may process the transaction as something other than a Visa Transaction despite an
initial indication by the Cardholder that the transaction is to be processed as a Visa Transaction,
but only if the Cardholder agrees that the transaction may be processed as something other than a
Visa Transaction. The Merchant may not mislead the Cardholder concerning what payment service
or system will be used. If the Merchant provides any information regarding the customer's rights
related to various transaction choices, that information must be accurate.
1
This does not apply in the US Region or a US Territory to a US Covered Visa Debit Card.
ID# 0002868 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.5.4.7 Limited Acceptance Merchant Requirements – Europe and US Regions
In the Europe Region and US Region, a Merchant that accepts Visa Cards may choose Limited
Acceptance.
In the Europe Region, a Limited Acceptance Merchant in the European Economic Area (EEA) must
accept all Cards that carry the Product Categories accepted by the Merchant. The Merchant must
accept any valid Visa Card issued by an Issuer outside the EEA.
In the US Region, a Merchant that accepts all Visa Cards or a Limited Acceptance category of Visa
Cards must accept any valid Visa Card issued by a non-US Issuer, as specified in the Visa Rules.
ID# 0008680 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
1.5.4.8 Limited Acceptance Notification Requirements – Europe and US Regions
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer must register with Visa each of its Limited Acceptance Merchants.
In the US Region, an Acquirer must register with Visa and provide reporting on any Merchant that
elects to be a Limited Acceptance Merchant.
ID# 0005609 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.5.4.9 Selection of Payment Scheme – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Merchant located within the European Economic Area must allow a Cardholder
to choose which payment scheme is used to initiate a transaction, for all payment schemes that the
Card supports and that are accepted by the Merchant.
ID# 0029646 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
CR-56 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
1.5.4.10 Chip Card Acceptance Requirements
The Card and Cardholder must be present for all Chip-initiated Transactions.
If a Chip-initiated Transaction is declined by the Issuer, the Transaction must not be processed by any
other means.
ID# 0004845 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.5.4.11 Visa Mini Card Merchant Acceptance Requirements
A Merchant that accepts Visa Cards must both:
●
Attempt to accept a Visa Mini Card
●
Request a corresponding standard-sized Card, if available, if either the:
– Acceptance Device is unable to read the Magnetic Stripe on the Visa Mini Card
– Full Account Number is not placed on the Visa Mini Card
ID# 0027521 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.5.4.12 Uniform Services – Acquirer Requirements
An Acquirer must both:
●
Accept all Cards properly presented for payment
●
Offer and render services uniformly to all Cardholders
1
This does not apply to Contactless-only Acceptance Devices, as specified in Section 5.7.2.3,
“Deployment of Contactless-Only Acceptance Devices.”
1
This does not apply to discounts, promotional offers, or in-kind incentives offered by the Merchant.
ID# 0005302 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
1.5.4.13 Uniform Services – Merchant Requirement
A Merchant must process Transactions with its Acquirer's Cardholders and other Members'
Cardholders in exactly the same manner.
This does not apply to discounts, promotional offers, or in-kind incentives offered by the Merchant to
a subset of Visa Cards.
ID# 0003018 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-57
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Acceptance
1.5.4.14 Discount Offer – US Region and US Territories
In the US Region and a US Territory, a Merchant may request or encourage a Cardholder to use a
means of payment other than a Visa Card or a Visa Card of a different product type (e.g., Visa Classic
Card, Visa Traditional Rewards Card, Visa Signature Card) than the Visa Card the consumer initially
presents. Except where prohibited by applicable laws or regulations, the Merchant may do so by
methods that include, but are not limited to:
●
Offering the consumer an immediate discount from the Merchant’s list, stated, or standard price,
a rebate, a free or discounted product or service, or any other incentive or benefit if the consumer
uses a particular general purpose payment card with an acceptance brand other than a Visa Card
or other particular means of payment
●
Offering the consumer an immediate discount from the Merchant’s list, stated, or standard price,
a rebate, a free or discounted product or service, or any other incentive or benefit if the consumer,
who initially presents a Visa Card, uses instead another general purpose payment card or another
means of payment
●
Expressing a preference for the use of a particular general purpose payment card or means of
payment
●
Promoting the use of a particular general purpose payment card with an acceptance brand other
than Visa or means of payment through posted information, through the size, prominence, or
sequencing of payment choices, or through other communications to consumers
●
Communicating to consumers the reasonably estimated or actual costs incurred by the Merchant
when a consumer uses a particular general purpose payment card or means of payment or the
relative costs of using different general purpose payment cards or means of payment
ID# 0008590 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.5.4.15 Acquirer Requirements – Discount at the Point of Sale – US Region and US
Territories
In the US Region or a US Territory, an Acquirer must not adopt, maintain or enforce any rule (including
any bylaw, policy, standard, guideline, or practice), or enter into or enforce any agreement that
directly or indirectly prohibits, prevents, or restrains its Merchants from requesting or encouraging a
Cardholder to use a means of payment other than a Visa Card or a Visa Card of a different product
type (e.g., Visa Classic Card, Visa Traditional Rewards Card, Visa Signature Card) than the Visa Card the
consumer initially presents. The methods by which a Merchant may request or encourage a Cardholder
to use a means of payment other than a Visa Card or a Visa Card of a different product type include
but are not limited to the methods specified in Section 1.5.4.14, “Discount Offer – US Region and US
Territories.”
CR-58 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
In the US Region or a US Territory, an Acquirer may enforce agreements or enter into agreements with
its Merchants where the Merchant selects Visa Cards as the only general purpose payment cards the
Merchant will accept.
ID# 0026490 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.5.4.16 Incentive to Use Other Payment Method – US Region
In the US Region, a Merchant may offer a non-monetary benefit to a Cardholder as an inducement for
the Cardholder to use a means of payment other than a Visa Card.
A Merchant may offer a monetary benefit in the form of a discount, as specified in Section 1.5.4.14,
“Discount Offer – US Region and US Territories,” as an inducement for the Cardholder to use a means
of payment other than a Visa Card.
ID# 0002870 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.5.4.17 Credit Refund Requirements
A Merchant must provide a credit refund in connection with a Transaction by a Credit Transaction
Receipt, not by cash or check.
This does not apply to a Straight Through Processing Transaction.
A Merchant must not:
●
Accept payment from a Cardholder for the purpose of depositing funds to the Cardholder's
account
●
Process a Credit Transaction Receipt without having completed a previous retail Transaction with
the same Cardholder
These restrictions do not apply to:
●
The loading of value to a Visa Prepaid Card that participates in the Visa Prepaid Load Service
●
In the US Region, the loading of value to a Visa Prepaid Card or to another Non-Visa Branded
Account that participates in Visa ReadyLink
In the US Region or in a US Territory, the Merchant must refund any US Credit Card Surcharge assessed
on the Credit Transaction amount. For partial refunds, the US Credit Card Surcharge amount must be
pro-rated.
In Australia, the Merchant must refund any Surcharge assessed on the Transaction amount. For partial
refunds, the Surcharge amount must be pro-rated.
ID# 0003076 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-59
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Acceptance
1.5.5 Card Acceptance Prohibitions
1.5.5.1 Prohibition of Minimum or Maximum Transaction Amount
A Merchant must not establish a minimum or maximum Transaction amount as a condition for
honoring a Visa Card or Visa Electron Card.
This does not apply to a Transaction initiated with a Visa Credit Card issued in the US Region or a US
Territory used at a Merchant Outlet in the US Region or a US Territory, as specified in Section 5.4.2,
“Conditions of Card Acceptance and Cardholder Rights”
ID# 0026405 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
1.5.5.2 Surcharges
A Merchant must not add any amount over the advertised or normal price to a Transaction, unless
applicable laws or regulations expressly require that a Merchant be permitted to impose a surcharge.
Any surcharge amount, if allowed, must be included in the Transaction amount and not collected
separately.
This does not apply in the AP Region (New Zealand) under certain terms and conditions, as
communicated to Members. Further information is available from Visa.
This does not apply in the US Region and US Territories to Visa Credit Card Transactions, as specified in
Section 5.6.1.3, “US Credit Card Surcharge Requirements – US Region and US Territories.”
In the Europe Region, the Merchant must clearly communicate any surcharge amount to the
Cardholder, and the Cardholder must agree to the surcharge amount, before the Merchant initiates the
Transaction.
ID# 0006948 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.5.5.3 Cardholder Identification
A Merchant may request Cardholder identification in a Face-to-Face Environment. If the name on the
identification does not match the name on the Card, the Merchant may decide whether to accept
the Card. If the Cardholder does not have or is unwilling to present Cardholder identification, the
Merchant must honor the Card.
1
1
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
ID# 0027481 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
CR-60 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
1.5.5.4 Payment of Existing Debt
Effective through 13 April 2018
A Merchant must not accept a Card
1
to collect or refinance an existing debt unless either:
●
The Transaction results from conversion of a Merchant's existing card program to the Visa
Program or Visa Electron Program.
●
The Merchant is a government agency and the Transaction represents a loan payment. In this
case, the Transaction amount must not equal the loan balance unless it is the final payment.
A Merchant must not accept a Visa Card or Visa Electron Card as payment for a debt that is
considered uncollectible (for example: payments to a collection agency).
A Merchant must not:
●
Accept Cardholder payments for previous Card charges
●
Complete a Transaction that represents the collection of a dishonored check
These requirements do not apply to a Merchant in the US Region.
Effective 22 April 2017
These requirements do not apply to a Merchant in the AP Region (Australia, New Zealand),
or Canada Region.
1
This does not apply in the Europe Region to a Domestic Transaction using a Direct (Immediate) Debit Card.
ID# 0006945 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.5.5.5 Scrip Prohibition
An Acquirer or Merchant must not accept a Visa Card for the purchase of Scrip, except in Sub-Saharan
Africa.
1
1
Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique,
Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Seychelles, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Includes: Mascarene Is., Rodrigues Is.
ID# 0008708 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.5.5.6 Merchant Cash Disbursement Prohibition
A Merchant must not provide cash to a Visa Cardholder unless the Merchant provides Cash-Back or
sells foreign currency.
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-61
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Acceptance
This does not apply in the CEMEA Region (South Africa).
ID# 0006952 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
1.5.5.7 Visa Prepaid Card Cash Redemption
A Visa Prepaid Card must not be redeemed for cash by a Merchant that accepts the Visa Prepaid Card.
ID# 0025713 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.5.6 Card and Cardholder Verification Requirements
1.5.6.1 Authorized Card User
An Acquirer or a Merchant must validate that the presenter of a Card is authorized to use the Card, as
specified in Section 5.5.1.1, “Card and Cardholder Validation in a Face-to-Face Environment.”
ID# 0028041 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.5.6.2 Electronic Commerce Data Protection
An Acquirer must ensure that its Electronic Commerce Merchant offers Cardholders a Visa-approved
method for protecting personal Cardholder data.
ID# 0008632 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
1.5.7 Transaction Receipts
1.5.7.1 Cardholder Verification without Final Transaction Amount
A Merchant must not require a Cardholder to sign a Transaction Receipt that does not include the final
Transaction amount.
Only the following may perform Cardholder Verification before the final Transaction amount is entered
on the Transaction Receipt or displayed to the Cardholder:
●
A Merchant specified in Section 5.8.3.1, “Authorization Amount Requirements.” This in itself does
not constitute Cardholder acceptance of the final Transaction amount.
●
A Merchant that uses a Visa-approved “quick Chip” processing solution, where available, only if all
of the following conditions are met:
– The Merchant’s POS system automatically calculates the final amount
CR-62 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
– The final amount is displayed and confirmed by the Cardholder before the Merchant submits
an Authorization Request
1
– A fully itemized Transaction Receipt is offered to the Cardholder
1
Except at a Merchant Outlet that receives or accepts tips.
ID# 0003120 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.5.8 Merchant Deposits
1.5.8.1 Transactions Resulting from Other Entities
A Merchant, or Staged Digital Wallet Operator,must deposit only Transactions that it has completed.
Effective 14 October 2017
A Marketplace must deposit only Transactions between a Cardholder and a retailer that sells
goods or services through the Marketplace.
A Payment Facilitatormay deposit a Transaction between a Cardholder and a Sponsored Merchant of
the Payment Facilitator, but must not deposit a Transaction on behalf of another Payment Facilitator,
Digital Wallet Operator, or Marketplace
1
.
This does not apply in the:
●
AP Region (Australia) for government payments
●
Canada Region for Transactions that include a Service Fee
●
CEMEA Regionfor Domestic Transactions at Unattended Cardholder-Activated Terminalsand
Government Payments in Russia
●
LAC Region (Brazil)for domestic Bill Payment Transactions at ATMs
●
US Region for the Government and Education Payment Program
1
Effective 14 October 2017
ID# 0002981 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-63
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Acceptance
1.5.8.2 Payments to Merchants, Sponsored Merchants, Payment Facilitators, and
Marketplaces
An Acquirer must pay or credit its Merchant's, Marketplace’s,
1
Sponsored Merchant's, Payment
Facilitator's, or Staged Digital Wallet Operator's account promptly after Transaction Receipt Deposit.
These payments must be the same as the Transaction totals, less any Credit Transaction Receipts or
applicable discounts or, outside the Europe Region, any Chargebacks or other agreed fees.
An Acquirer may directly pay or credit only:
●
A Merchant
●
A Payment Facilitator, on behalf of a Merchant or Sponsored Merchant
●
A Sponsored Merchant for its portion of the Deposit, if the Acquirer also contracts with the
Payment Facilitator
●
A Staged Digital Wallet Operator
If a Payment Facilitator receives payment from an Acquirer, it must pay or credit its Sponsored
Merchant's account promptly after Transaction Deposit. These payments must be the same as the
Transaction totals, less any applicable deductions or Credit Transaction Receipt totals.
Effective 14 October 2017
A Marketplace must pay or credit its retailer’s account promptly after Transaction Deposit. These
payments must be the same as the Transaction totals, less any applicable deductions or Credit
Transaction Receipt totals.
In the LAC Region (Brazil), an Acquirer or a Payment Facilitatormust pay or credit its Merchant's or
Sponsored Merchant's account, as follows:
●
For domestic Credit Transactions, no later than 32 days after the Processing Date
●
For all other Transactions, no later than 5 days after the Processing Date
1
Effective 14 October 2017
ID# 0008850 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.5.8.3 Merchant, Payment Facilitator, or Marketplace Transaction Deposit
Conditions
A Merchant, Payment Facilitator, or Marketplace
1
must not deposit a Transaction until one of the
following occurs:
●
The Transaction is completed.
CR-64 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
The merchandise or services are shipped or provided. This does not apply if the Cardholder has
paid a partial or full prepayment.
●
Effective through 13 October 2017
Cardholder consent is obtained for a Recurring Transaction.
●
Effective 14 October 2017
The Merchant or Payment Facilitator has fulfilled the conditions of its agreement with the
Cardholder for an Installment Transaction, a Recurring Transaction, or an Unscheduled Credential-
on-File Transaction.
1
Effective 14 October 2017
ID# 0027797 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.5.9 Travelers Cheques
1.5.9.1 Travelers Cheque Acceptance Requirements
A Member must accept and encash all Cheques denominated in currencies usually exchanged in the
local market.
A Member’s encashment policy must be as favorable for Cheques as for other cheque brands.
ID# 0002657 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.5.9.2 Travelers Cheque Acceptance Procedures
When encashing a Cheque, a Member must:
●
Witness the customer countersigning the Cheque in the lower left signature area
●
Compare the countersignature with the signature appearing in the upper right signature area. If
the signatures appear similar, the Member may accept the Cheque.
If the Member is uncertain about the similarity of the signatures, it may request that the customer sign
the Cheque on the back and provide identification. If the Member is satisfied with the identification
comparison, it may accept the Cheque.
If a Cheque has already been countersigned, or if the presenter is not the original purchaser of the
Cheque, the Member must only accept the Cheque if the presenter is a known customer and full
recourse is available.
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-65
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
ATM
If the Cheque issuer does not honor a validly- issued Cheque as a result of the issuer's financial
condition or circumstances beyond the issuer's control, Visa guarantees reimbursement for the
Cheque amount if the Member complies with the above encashment procedures.
ID# 0008947 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
1.6 ATM
1.6.1 ATM Requirements
1.6.1.1 Compliance with Visa Product and Service Rules: ATM
ATM rules are contained in the Visa Product and Service Rules: ATM.
ID# 0028042 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.7 Transaction Processing
1.7.1 General Processing
1.7.1.1 Authorization, Clearing, and Settlement of International Transactions
through VisaNet
A Visa participant must authorize, clear, and settle messages for international Visa Transactions
through VisaNet, including those resulting from the use of restricted cards outside the country of
issuance,and report to Visa all domestic Visa Transactions processed outside of VisaNet.
In some jurisdictions, except for those with processing exceptions approved by Visa, a participant
must authorize, clear, and settle all Visa Transactions through VisaNet, which enhances Visa's ability to
manage risks, meet consumer expectations, and provide leading fraud-protection solutions.
In the Canada Region, a Visa Debit Acquirer must process all Visa Debit Transactions through VisaNet.
In the Europe Region, this rule does not apply. Where a Member uses Visa for processing, as specified
in Section 1.1.1.2, “Applicability of Processing Rules – Europe Region,” it must refer to Visa Europe
Operating Regulations – Processing.
ID# 0007788 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
CR-66 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
1.7.1.2 BIN Processing Capability
A Member and VisaNet Processor must be capable of accepting and processing a BIN for any Visa-
defined purpose.
ID# 0008895 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.7.2 Data Requirements
1.7.2.1 Complete and Valid Transaction Data
An Acquirer must ensure that all Authorization Requests and Clearing Records contain complete,
accurate, and valid data.
If an Authorization is obtained, any data in the subsequent Clearing Record must be the same as, or
consistent with, comparable data in the Authorization Request and Authorization Response.
Merchant Outlet country data must be the same throughout the Transaction life cycle (including,
but not limited to, an Authorization Request, the Clearing Record, and any subsequent Adjustment,
Chargeback, Credit Transaction, or Reversal).
ID# 0008752 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.7.3 Acquirer Authorization Requests
1.7.3.1 Required Authorization Processing through VisaNet
An Acquirer must process an Authorization for an International Transaction
1
through VisaNet, as
specified in Section 1.7.1.1, “Authorization, Clearing, and Settlement of International Transactions
through VisaNet.”
1
For the Europe Region, an Interregional Transaction
ID# 0003369 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.7.3.2 Authorization Currency and Conversion
In the APRegion, CanadaRegion, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, and US Region, an Authorization
Request must be expressed only in USD,the Transaction Currency, or the local fiat currency.
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-67
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Transaction Processing
If the Transaction Currency is not USD, an Acquirer may convert the Authorization amount into USD
before sending the Authorization Request to Visa. If the Acquirer converts the Authorization amount, it
must use a generally accepted wholesale currency market rate.
An Acquirer must submit an Authorization Request for an ATM Cash Disbursement and a Manual Cash
Disbursement in the Transaction Currency.
In the Europe Region, an Authorization Request must be expressed in the Transaction Currency.
ID# 0008803 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.7.4 Issuer Authorization Processing
1.7.4.1 Issuer Requirement to Evaluate Each Transaction
An Issuer must evaluate each Transaction that has been properly accepted, processed, and submitted
in order to make an Authorization or other decision, and must not block, refuse, or decline
Authorization Requests or Transactions in a systematic or wholesale manner,
1
unless there is an
immediate fraud threat or an exception is otherwise specified by applicable laws or regulations or in
the Visa Rules.
2
In the LAC Region, this does not apply to a Card-Absent Environment Transaction conducted with
a Visa Electron Card or an unembossed Visa debit Card issued in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia,
Mexico, or Trinidad.
1
Including, but not limited to: by BIN, by geography, by payment channel, by payment device, by Transaction type
2
A Europe Issuer must send a Decline Response to an Authorization Request if it has determined that the Transaction is
illegal.
ID# 0029326 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
1.7.4.2 Referral Responses – Prohibited Transaction Types
An Issuer must not send a referral response to an Authorization Request. In the event that an Issuer
sends a referral response to such an Authorization Request, VisaNet will process the Authorization
Request according to the Issuer’s Stand-In Processing parameters.
ID# 0008832 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
CR-68 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
1.7.4.3 Reversal of Duplicate or Erroneous Authorizations
An Issuer must reverse a duplicate or erroneous Authorization Transaction from its Cardholder's
accountupon receipt of a Reversal.
ID# 0004383 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.7.4.4 Issuer Authorization of Chip Fallback Transactions – Canada Region
Effective 14 October 2017
A Canada Issuer or the Issuer's agent must send a Decline Response to all Authorization Requests
for domestic Chip Fallback Transactions.
ID# 0029999 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
1.7.5 Clearing
1.7.5.1 Transaction Currency for Original Presentments
An Acquirer must enter all original Presentments into Interchange in the exact amount of Transaction
Currency authorized by the Cardholder.
ID# 0008358 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.7.5.2 Transaction Receiving Decline Response
An Acquirer must not enter a Transaction into Interchange that has received a Decline Response unless
the Transaction either:
●
Received a subsequent Approval Response to a new Authorization Request, with the exception of
the following:
– A Transaction that receives an Authorization Pickup Response of 04, 07, 41, or 43
– An Authorization Request that is submitted more than 12 hours after the submission of the first
Authorization Request
●
Effective through 13 October 2017
Originates from a Merchant assigned MCC 4111, 4112, or 4131 and all of the following:
– The Merchant has received an Approval Response to a subsequent Authorization Request that
included thedata from the original Transaction.
– The Merchant has not submitted more than 2 Authorization Requests after the initial Decline
Response.
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-69
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
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Visa Core Rules
Transaction Processing
– The Merchant has submitted either or both Authorization Requests within 14 calendar days of
the initial Decline Response.
●
Effective 14 October 2017
Originated from a Mass Transit Merchant, as specified in Section 7.3.6.3, “Resubmission following a
Decline Response to a Transit Transaction”
ID# 0005701 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.7.5.3 Transaction Receipts with Illegible or Invalid Account Numbers
If an Acquirer that receives a Transaction Receipt with an illegible or invalid Account Number contacts
the Issuer for assistance in obtaining the Account Number, the Issuer:
●
Must assist the Acquirer
●
May require that all requests be in writing
If the Acquirer is not able to identify the Issuer, the Acquirer that first received the Transaction Receipt
is liable, unless the Acquirer can identify the Issuer within 12 months of the Transaction Date and clear
the Transaction Receipt directly with the Issuer.
A Transaction processed under these procedures is not subject to Chargeback reason code 74 (Late
Presentment)
1
.
1
For a Member that participates in Enhanced Dispute Resolution, Dispute condition 12.1: Late Presentment
ID# 0029041 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
1.7.6 Settlement
1.7.6.11 Reimbursement for Valid Transactions
An Issuer must pay the Acquirer the amount due for a Transaction occurring with the use of a valid
Card. This includes Transactions resulting from geographically restricted Card use outside the country
of issuance.
ID# 0006558 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
CR-70 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
1.7.7 Reversals and Adjustments
1.7.7.1 Online Financial Transaction Reversal Requirements
An Acquirer must process a Reversal for an Online Financial Transaction if either the:
●
Acquirer, Merchant, or Acceptance Device did not receive an Authorization Response
●
Transaction is subsequently voided or cancelled
ID# 0005477 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.7.7.2 Transaction Processing Subsequent to an Authorization Reversal
A Merchant must not deposit, and an Acquirer must not process, a Transaction that either:
●
Was subsequently reversed for the full amount
●
Represents the amount of the partial Authorization Reversal
ID# 0025598 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.7.7.3 Transaction Reversal or Adjustment
A Merchant must process a Reversal or an Adjustment within 30 calendar days
1
if it processed a
Transaction in error.
1
In the US Region, 45 calendar days for PIN-Authenticated Visa Debit Transactions
ID# 0008614 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.7.7.4 Member Reversal of Duplicate or Erroneous Data
A Member that detects duplicate or erroneous data or is notified by Visa that it has processed such
data must reverse the data and do all of the following:
●
Identify the Processing Date of the Transaction that it is reversing
●
Maintain all data from the duplicated or erroneous Transaction, except for the appropriate Reversal
codes
●
Send the Reversals to Visa (or, in the case of a Domestic Transaction under a Private Agreement,
to the Receiving Member) within one business day of detection or notification of the duplicate or
erroneous data
ID# 0008878 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-71
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Processing Products
1.7.7.5 Issuer Reversal of a Duplicate or Erroneous Transaction
An Issuer must reverse any duplicate or erroneous Transaction from its Cardholder's accountupon
receipt of Reversal information. Visa reverses the duplicate or erroneousTransaction usingthe
Currency Conversion Rateeffective on the Processing Date of the duplicate or erroneous data.
Visa assesses the responsible Members any foreign exchange loss due to currency fluctuation between
the Processing Date of the duplicate or erroneous data and the Reversal date using the VisaNet fee
collection process.
ID# 0008879 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.7.7.6 Credit Reversals and Debit Adjustments
An Acquirer may initiate a credit Reversal only to correct inadvertent processing errors.
The Acquirer must process a credit Reversal or a debit Adjustment within 30
1
calendar days of the
Processing Date of the initial Credit Transaction.
1
In the US Region, 45 calendar days for PIN-Authenticated Visa Debit Transactions
ID# 0008880 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
1.8 Processing Products
1.8.1 Original Credits
1.8.1.1 Original Credit Acceptance
A Member must accept an incoming Original Credit Transaction unless prohibited by applicable laws
or regulations.
If prohibited by applicable laws or regulations, the Member must submit a written request to Visa to
block incoming Original Credit Transactions.
ID# 0004062 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
CR-72 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
1.9 Interchange
1.9.1 Interchange Reimbursement Fee (IRF) Determination and Payment
1.9.1.2 What is Interchange? – AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, and US Regions
In the AP Region, Canada Region, CEMEA Region, LAC Region, and US Region, Interchange
Reimbursement Fees help to make electronic payments possible by enabling Visa to expand Card
holding and use, increasing the places consumers can use their Cards, and providing a financial
incentive for all parties to pursue system-wide improvements, such as rewards, innovation, and
security. An Interchange Reimbursement Fee is a default transfer price between Acquirers and Issuers
within the Visa system. Merchants pay what is known as a merchant discount fee or merchant service
fee negotiated with their Acquirer, which may take into account the interchange fee, processing costs,
fees for terminal rental, customer services, and other financial services. The merchant discount fee or
merchant service fee is negotiated individually with the Merchant's Acquirer; each Acquirer sets its fees
independently, in competition with other Acquirers, competing payment systems, and other forms of
payment.
Interchange is consistently monitored and adjusted – sometimes increased and sometimes decreased
– in order to ensure that the economics present a competitive value proposition for all parties.
Interchange Reimbursement Fees must encourage Card holding and use, as well as expansion in the
number and types of businesses that accept Cards. If rates are too high, retailers won't accept Cards;
if rates are too low, Issuers won't issue Cards. Visa may establish different Interchange Reimbursement
Fees in order to promote a variety of system objectives, such as enhancing the value proposition for
Visa products, providing incentives to grow merchant acceptance and usage, and reinforcing strong
system security and Transaction authorization practices.
ID# 0024115 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.9.1.3 Interchange Reimbursement Fee Requirements
A Transaction must meet the qualifications defined in the Visa Rules and in the applicable Interchange
Reimbursement Fee rate qualification guide to qualify for a particular Interchange Reimbursement Fee.
An Acquirer must also request the correct Interchange Reimbursement Fee, as applicable, when
submitting a Transaction into Interchange.
ID# 0006611 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-73
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Interchange
1.9.2 Interchange Reimbursement Fee (IRF) Adjustments and Compliance
1.9.2.1 Interchange Reimbursement Fee Adjustments
If Interchange Reimbursement Fees are inappropriately received or paid by an Issuer or Acquirer, Visa
reserves the right to rectify the improper allocations.
Interchange Reimbursement Fee adjustments may be made only as follows:
●
Adjustments are limited to Transactions occurring within 90 calendar days of the Processing Date
of the oldest Transaction submitted by the Member or identified by Visa.
●
Transactions beyond 90 calendar days (not to exceed 2 years from the date submitted by
the Member or identified by Visa) may be considered for adjustment if Visa determines that
extenuating circumstances prevented the Member from discovering the violation sooner.
●
When an Issuer or Acquirer is at fault, the impacted Issuer(s) or Acquirer(s) is required to use the
Interchange Reimbursement Fee Compliance process.
●
Adjustments will only be made when the total Interchange Reimbursement Fee amount to be
corrected is greater than USD 2,500.
●
Individual correcting Transactions will only be made if the amount of the correcting transaction is
greater than USD 50.
Interchange Reimbursement Fee adjustments will be processed as follows:
●
Visa will notify the Members that will receive a correcting Transaction.
●
Visa will initiate a correcting Fee Collection Transaction (Transaction code 10) and Funds
Disbursement Transaction (Transaction code 20) through VisaNet.
●
All Visa decisions are final.
●
A Member may appeal a decision only if the Member can provide new evidence not previously
available and the amount in dispute is greater than USD 5,000.
Visa may, at its sole discretion, offer to use this adjustment process regardless of the adjustment
amount.
Effective through 12 October 2018
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
ID# 0007972 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
CR-74 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
1.9.2.3 Interchange Reimbursement Fee (IRF) Compliance Filing Requirements
A Member must not file for Interchange Reimbursement Fee (IRF) Compliance unless all of the
following:
●
A violation of the Visa Rules or any applicable regional or domestic Interchange Reimbursement
Fee (IRF) guide occurred.
●
The Member received or paid incorrect IRF as a direct result of the violation by another Member.
●
The Member's financial loss is a direct result of an incorrectly applied IRF rate.
●
The Member would not have incurred a financial loss if the violation had not occurred.
●
In the AP Region, Canada Region, CEMEA Region, LAC Region, and US Region, the violating
Transactions were processed through VisaNet.
●
Effective through 12 October 2018
The violating Transactions do not involve a Europe Member.
1
●
The IRF rate paid or received is not governed by any bilateral or private agreements, either
domestic, intraregional, or interregional.
●
Visa has granted permission for the Member to file.
A Member may aggregate up to 1,000,000 Transactions into a single IRF Compliance case if the
Transactions involved the same opposing Member and violated the same operating regulation or the
same requirement in an applicable IRF guide. The value of the aggregated Transactions must not be
less than the sum of the IRF screening fee and the IRF filing fee specified in the applicable regional fee
guide.
Visa may refuse to allow a filing Member to participate in IRF Compliance. The decision by Visa to
refuse participation is final and not subject to any challenge.
A Member must comply with the Interchange Reimbursement Fee Compliance Process Guide.
Effective through 12 October 2018
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
1
Effective through 12 October 2018
For a violation involving a Europe Member, a Member must obtain permission from Visa to initiate the Intercompany
Interchange Reimbursement Fee Compliance Process.
ID# 0001501 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-75
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Risk
1.10 Risk
1.10.1 Corporate Risk Reduction
1.10.1.2 Member Risk Reduction Requirements
Visa may impose conditions on a Member if it reasonably believes the Member's Visa Program is not
being operated in a sound and safe manner or exposes Visa or its Members to financial loss.
Upon receipt of instructions imposing conditions, a Member or its agent must implement risk
reduction measures that may include, but are not limited to, the following:
●
Prohibiting or limiting any of the following actions:
– Issuing new or reissued Cards
– Signing or re-signing Merchants
– Using an agent
●
Blocking the Authorization of Transactions or prohibiting Acquirers from obtaining Authorization
for Transactions on behalf of certain Merchants
●
Terminating some or all Merchants that:
– Conduct Transactions where the Cardholder is not present or where goods or services are to be
delivered after the Transaction Date
– Receive a volume of Chargebacks that substantially exceeds the system average
●
Pledging collateral to secure one or more of the following:
– A Member's or agent's obligations to Visa and reimbursement to Visa for any expenses
incurred to ensure compliance
– The liquidity impact to Visa of Settlement or other payments due to Visa from a Member, its
affiliates, or its Clearing Processor as approved by Visa
– Reimbursement to Visa for any expenses incurred to ensure compliance
●
Consolidating into a single Funds Transfer Settlement Reporting Entity all or some of the
Settlement payments in a Settlement Currency of a Member and its affiliates or of a Clearing
Processor as approved by Visa for one or more Members arising from one or more Settlement
systems operated by Visa or its subsidiaries or affiliates, operated privately, or by a third party, in
order to reduce the liquidity impact of such Settlement payments on Visa (Settlement Payment
Consolidation) or risk of Settlement Loss (as defined in Section 9.01 of the Visa International
Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws and the Visa U.S.A. Inc. Certificate of Incorporation and By-
Laws).
CR-76 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Redirecting Settlement funds to avoid potential losses, as specified in Section 1.7.6.6, “Visa Rights
in Calculating Settlement,” including, but not limited to, the following:
– Rerouting Settlement funds around the financial institution that normally holds the Member's
or agent's funds
– Holding funds to ensure the correct application of Cardholder funds
– Holding funds for the payment of Merchants
– Holding funds for the future payment of Chargebacks
– Withholding funds for the purpose of obtaining collateral or meeting other Member
obligations
– Prohibiting or limiting a Member's right to sponsor Participant Members
●
Requiring a Member to change one or more of its designated agents
Visa is not obligated to take these actions to protect any Member, Merchant, Sponsored Merchant, or
Cardholder from financial injury.
ID# 0005057 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.10.1.3 Visa Right to Terminate Merchants, Payment Facilitators, Marketplaces,
Sponsored Merchants, or Digital Wallet Operators
Visa may permanently prohibit a Merchant, Marketplace,
1
Payment Facilitator, Sponsored Merchant,
Digital Wallet Operator, or any other entity, or one or more of its principals, from participating in the
Visa Program or Visa Electron Program for any reasons it deems appropriate, such as:
●
Fraudulent activity
●
Presenting Transaction Receipts that do not result from an act between a Cardholder and a
Merchant or Sponsored Merchant (laundering)
●
Entering into a Merchant Agreement or Payment Facilitator Agreement under a new name with the
intent to circumvent the Visa Rules
●
Activity that causes the Acquirer to repeatedly violate the Visa Rules
●
Activity that has resulted in Visa prohibiting the Merchant, Sponsored Merchant, or Payment
Facilitator from participating in the Visa Program or Visa Electron Program
●
Exceeding the Visa Chargeback Monitoring Program thresholds
●
Entering illegal or brand-damaging Transaction activity into the Visa payment system
●
Any other activity that may result in undue economic hardship or damage to the goodwill of the
Visa system
Visa may contact a Merchant, a Marketplace and its retailers,
1
a Sponsored Merchant, or a Payment
Facilitator directly, if warranted.
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-77
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Risk
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer may appeal to Visa with proof that the prohibition or any other
conditions are impractical or unwarranted.
1
Effective 14 October 2017
ID# 0007120 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.10.1.4 Acquirer Responsibility for Costs Due to Failure to Terminate a Merchant
An Acquirer is responsible for all costs incurred by Visa due to the Acquirer's failure to terminate a
Merchant, Marketplace,
1
Sponsored Merchant, Payment Facilitator, or Staged Digital Wallet Operator.
This includes attorney's fees and costs of any legal action undertaken by Visa to protect the goodwill
of the Visa system or to prevent further harm to Members and Cardholders.
1
Effective 14 October 2017
ID# 0007117 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.10.1.5 Visa Anti-Bribery Program
Visa maintains an anti-bribery compliance program designed to comply with the requirements and
restrictions of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-bribery laws. A Member
must cooperate with Visa in the administration of the Visa anti-bribery program, including, but not
limited to, the following:
●
Complete, upon request, the Anti-Money Laundering/Anti-Terrorist Financing (AML/ATF), Sanctions
and Anti-Bribery Compliance Program Questionnaire disclosing the level of ownership, control, and
influence of any non-US government, agency, or instrumentality thereof in the Member
●
Notify Visa when a non-US government acquires (either as one agency or collectively through
different agencies or instrumentalities) an equity interest of 30% or more in the Member
This does not applyin the US Region.
ID# 0008836 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.10.1.6 Anti-Money Laundering Program Requirement
A Member must implement and maintain an anti-money laundering program that is reasonably
designed to prevent the use of the Visa system to facilitate money laundering or the financing of
terrorist activities.
ID# 0000652 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
CR-78 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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1.10.1.7 Visa Anti-Money Laundering Program – Member Requirements
A Member must cooperate with Visa in the administration of the Visa anti-money laundering program,
including, but not limited to, the following:
●
Completing the Anti-Money Laundering/Anti-Terrorist Financing (AML/ATF), Sanctions and Anti-
Bribery Compliance Program Questionnairewhen requested by Visa and returning the form within
the time limit specified by Visa
●
Assisting Visa in guarding against Card issuance and Merchant acquiring in circumstances that
could facilitate money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities
●
Identifying circumstances of heightened risk and instituting policies, procedures, controls, or other
actions specified by Visa to address the heightened risk
●
Providing a copy of the Member's anti-money laundering plan if requested by Visa
●
Ensuring the adequacy of the applicable controls implemented by designated agents of the
Member
ID# 0000653 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.10.1.8 Anti-Money Laundering Program Compliance
If Visa determines that a Member or the Member's designated agent has failed to comply with Section
1.10.1.6, “Anti-Money Laundering Program Requirement,” and Section 1.10.1.7, “Visa Anti-Money
Laundering Program – Member Requirements,” Visa may impose conditions on or require additional
actions of the Member or the Member’s designated agent to prevent possible money laundering or
financing of terrorist activities. These actions may include, but are not limited to, the following:
●
Implementation of additional policies, procedures, or controls
●
Termination of a Merchant Agreement
●
Termination of a Cardholder agreement
●
Termination of an agent agreement
●
Termination of Visa membership
●
Non-compliance assessments
●
Other action that Visa in its sole discretion determines to take with respect to the Member or the
Member’s designated agent
ID# 0000654 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-79
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Risk
1.10.2 Brand Protection
1.10.2.1 Acquirer Brand Protection Requirements
An Acquirer must ensure that a Merchant, Marketplace,
1
Payment Facilitator, Sponsored Merchant,
or Staged Digital Wallet Operator does not accept Visa Cards for, or display a Visa-Owned Mark on
a websiteand/or applicationthat is used in relation to, the purchase or trade of photographs, video
imagery, computer-generated images, cartoons, simulation, products that claim or imply a similar
efficacy as prescription drugs, controlled substances, or recreational/street drugs, irrespective of claims
of legality or any other media or activities including, but not limited to, activities listed in Section
12.6.9.1, “Global Brand Protection Program Non-Compliance Assessments for Illegal or Prohibited
Transactions.”
1
Effective 14 October 2017
ID# 0026376 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.10.2.2 Global Brand Protection Program – Requests for Information
An Acquirer must provide information relating to any request for information presented by Visa, its
designees, or any regulatory agency, as required under the Global Brand Protection Program.
The Acquirer must provide the required information in writing as soon as possible, but no later than 7
business days following receipt of the request for information.
ID# 0026384 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.10.3 Investigations
1.10.3.1 Investigation Assistance to Other Members
A Member must assist other Members in an investigation of fraudulent activity with a Visa Card or Visa
Electron Card by performing tasks including, but not limited to, the following:
●
Interviewing Merchants, Sponsored Merchants, Cardholders, suspects, witnesses, and law
enforcement personnel
●
Obtaining handwriting samples, photographs, fingerprints, and any other similar physical evidence
●
Recovering lost, stolen, or Counterfeit Cards
●
Providing information to proper authorities for the possible arrest of suspects, at the Issuer's
request
●
Performing any other reasonable investigative assistance
CR-80 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Inspecting the facilities of credit card manufacturers, embossers, encoders, mailers, and chip
embedders
ID# 0007122 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.10.3.2 Investigation Assistance Standards – CEMEA and Europe Regions
In the CEMEA Region and Europe Region, a Member must respond to a request from another Member,
Visa, or a law enforcement agency
ID# 0002249 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
1.10.4 Information Security
1.10.4.1 Account and Transaction Information Security Requirements
A Member must:
●
Maintain all materials or records in any form that contains account or Transaction Information in a
safe and secure manner with access limited to authorized personnel, as specified in the Payment
Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)
●
Ensure that agreements and contracts with agents and Merchants clearly establish their
responsibilities to meet Visa standards, the liabilities for failure to meet the standards, and the
requirement to allow for inspections by the Member or Visa
●
Ensure that all agents and Merchants with access to account or Transaction Information comply
with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)
●
Ensure that all agents and Merchants do not store any of the following subsequent to
Authorization:
– Full contents of any data taken from the Magnetic Stripe (on a Card, in a Chip, or elsewhere)
– Card Verification Value 2
– PIN or the encrypted PIN block
– Verified by Visa verification data
●
Comply with, and ensure that all agents and Merchants use Payment Applications that comply
with, the Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS)
●
Upon request, certify to Visa that agents and Merchants are in compliance with the Payment Card
Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-81
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Risk
●
Comply with, and ensure that its Merchants, agents, and other third parties with access to account
or Transaction Information comply with, the requirements of the Account Information Security
Program. The Member must also ensure that its Merchants both:
– Implement and maintain all Account Information Security Program requirements
– If using a Third Party Agent, ensure that the Third Party Agent implements and maintains all of
the security requirements specified in the Account Information Security Program
ID# 0002228 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.10.4.2 Cardholder and Transaction Information Disclosure Limitations
An Acquirer must obtain the prior written consent of the Issuer and Visa before disclosing a
Cardholder's Account Number, personal information, or other Transaction Information to a third party
that is not the Agent of the Acquirer for the sole purpose of completing a Transaction. The Acquirer
must ensure that its Agents and the Agents' employees both:
●
Make no further disclosure of the information
●
Treat the information as confidential
An Acquirer or Merchant may disclose Transaction Information to third parties without the prior
consent of the Issuer and Visa only for the following:
●
Supporting a loyalty program
●
Providing fraud control services
●
Assisting the Merchant in completing the initial Merchant Transaction
An Agent must not disclose an Account Number, Cardholder personal information, or other
Transaction Information to third parties, other than for the sole purpose of completing the initial
Merchant Transaction or with the permission of the Issuer, Acquirer, or Visa. Any such disclosure must
be subject to strict, written, confidentiality obligations.
ID# 0026337 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
1.10.4.3 Issuer Fraud Activity Reporting
A Member must immediately report all fraudulent activity or other criminal risk activity to Visa.
An Issuer must report
1
Fraud Activity through VisaNet, as specified in the Fraud Reporting System (FRS)
User's Guide, when either a:
●
Fraudulent user has obtained a Card or Account Number
●
Card was obtained through misrepresentation of identification or financial status
CR-82 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Visa Core Rules
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
The Issuer must report the Fraud Activity upon detection, but no later than:
●
90 calendar days from the Transaction Date
●
30 calendar days following the receipt of the Cardholder’s dispute notification, if the notification is
not received within the 90-calendar day period
At least 90% of rejected Fraud Activity must be resubmitted and accepted into the Fraud Reporting
System.
In addition, for Intraregional Transactions in the Europe Region, an Issuer must report Fraud Activity
through its Visa Scheme Processor, as follows:
●
Upon detection, ensuring that 80% of fraud related to lost Cards, stolen Cards, Counterfeit Cards,
and Cards not received is reported within 60 days of the Transaction Date, and the remaining 20%
within 90 days
●
Upon detection, ensuring that 65% of fraud related to fraudulent use of Account Numbers is
reported within 60 days of the Transaction Date and the remaining 35% within 90 days
●
Immediately upon confirmation, but no later than 60 days after the Transaction Date
If an Issuer does not comply with these fraud reporting requirements, the Issuer is subject to non-
compliance assessments.
1
In the Europe Region, from the date an Account Number is reported to Visa, the Account Number is outside of the scope
of the requirements of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and Account Information Security
Program.
ID# 0002389 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.10.4.4 Counterfeit Activity Reporting
An Acquirer must report both:
●
Counterfeit activity through VisaNet(or, in the Europe Region, through its Visa Scheme Processor),
using the appropriate fraud advice transaction code in the same manner as specified for Issuers in
Section 1.10.4.3, “Issuer Fraud Activity Reporting”
●
A counterfeit Transaction within 60 calendar days of a Chargeback, when no Representment or
Arbitration right is available
ID# 0002395 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-83
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Core Rules
Visa Core Rules
Risk
1.10.5 High-Brand Risk Merchants
1.10.5.1 High-Brand Risk Acquirer Requirements
An Acquirer of High-Brand Risk Merchants, High-Risk Internet Payment Facilitators, or High-Brand Risk
Sponsored Merchants must do all of the following:
●
Participate in the Visa Merchant Trace System (VMTS), where available and permitted under
applicable laws or regulations, and both:
– Query VMTS before entering into an agreement with a prospective Electronic
CommerceMerchant or Mail/Phone Order Merchant or Sponsored Merchant
– List any Electronic Commerce Merchant or Mail/Phone Order Merchant or Sponsored Merchant
that has been terminated for just cause on VMTS
●
Provide Visa with a suspect violation report if a Merchant or Agent is identified by the Member as
processing illegal or prohibited Transactions
1
1
Visa may waive or suspend non-compliance assessments to accommodate unique or extenuating circumstances or if
violations of the Visa Rules are identified and rectified before receipt of formal Notification from Visa that a violation has
occurred.
ID# 0026382 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.10.5.2 High-Brand Risk Acquirer Capital Requirements
An Acquirer that has not previously acquired Transactions from Electronic Commerce Merchants, Mail/
Phone Order Merchants, or Sponsored Merchants classified as high-brand risk, as specified in Section
10.4.6.1, “High-Brand Risk MCCs,” must both:
●
Be financially sound (as determined by Visa)
●
Be rated above-standard (a Visa Member risk rating of "A" or "B") and meet a minimum equity
requirement of USD 100 million
1,2
1
Visa may waive these requirements in exchange for assurance and evidence of the imposition of risk controls satisfactory to
Visa. This may include, but is not limited to, the pledging of additional collateral.
2
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
ID# 0026383 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
CR-84 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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1.10.6 Recovered Cards
1.10.6.1 Recovered Card Return Requirement
An Acquirer must notify the Issuer, through Visa Resolve Onlineor an Electronic Documentation
Transfer Method, that its Visa Card or Visa Electron Card has been recovered, as specified in Section
10.7.2.1, “Recovered Card Handling and Notification Requirements.”
ID# 0001782 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
1.10.7 Counterfeit Losses
1.10.7.1 Assignment of Liability for Counterfeit Transactions
Visa assigns liability to the Issuer or Acquirer for counterfeit Transactions, based on the following
priorities in the order shown:
●
The Acquirer, if the Merchant identified on a Visa Fraud Monitoring Program report in the
enforcement periodcontributed to the origination of the Transaction Receipt
1
for a counterfeit
Transaction
●
The Acquirer first receiving the Transaction Receipt, if the BIN is not assigned to a Member
●
The Acquirer that submitted the Transaction into Interchange, if an Authorization was required
and not obtained or the Account Number encoded on the Magnetic Stripe of a Visa Card was
authorized but was different than the embossed or printed Account Number submitted into
Interchange
1
●
The Issuer identified by the manufacturer product information printed on the reverse side of the
Visa Card, if the counterfeit Visa Card was recovered and resulted from either the loss or theft of an
unembossed and unencoded Visa Card
1
●
The Issuer, if its BIN appears on the Transaction Receipt or Clearing Record for the counterfeit
Transaction
1
For a Transaction Receipt with an illegible or invalid Account Number, an Acquirer must comply with
the applicable rules for counterfeit losses if it appears that a Transaction Receipt resulted from the use
of either a:
●
Counterfeit Card
●
Misembossed or misencoded Visa Card
In the Europe Region, there is no time limit on a Member's right to reassign liability to the Issuer for a
Transaction in which a Counterfeit Card or a misencoded Card is used.
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-85
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1
For qualifying Transactions, the EMV liability shift, as specified in Section 1.11.1.3, “EMV Liability Shift Participation,” takes
precedence over this section to assess liability in the event of a conflict.
ID# 0001812 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.10.8 Agents
1.10.8.1 VisaNet Processor and Visa Scheme Processor Registration
A Member that uses a VisaNet Processor, whether or not the VisaNet Processor is itself a Member,
must submit to Visa a VisaNet Processor and Third Party Registration and Designation (Exhibit 5E)
before using the VisaNet Processor.
A Member that uses a non-Member as a VisaNet Processor must ensure that the non-Member
submits to Visa a VisaNet Letter of Agreement (Exhibit 5A) before using the non-Member as a VisaNet
Processor.
In addition, in the Europe Region, a Membermust do all of the following for a Processor or Visa
Scheme Processor:
●
Notify Visa of any change to the identity of the Processor or Visa Scheme Processor, or any change
to the scope of the activities of the Processor or Visa Scheme Processor, within 5 business days of
such change
●
Only contract processing services to a Processor or Visa Scheme Processor that is compliant with
the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)
●
Ensure that the Processor or Visa Scheme Processor (or third party) operates a separate funds
transfer settlement reporting entity (FTSRE) for the transfer of the Settlement Amount
ID# 0025870 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.10.8.2 Losses Resulting from Unauthorized Use
For losses resulting from Unauthorized Use, Visa may collect funds from one of the following, in the
order listed:
●
Member that caused the loss or Members using the Third Party Agent that caused the loss
●
VisaNet Processor that processed the Transaction, if either:
– No Member is directly responsible for the Unauthorized Use
– The responsible Member does not meet its financial obligations
CR-86 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Members using the VisaNet Processor, if the VisaNet Processor does not meet its financial
obligations
ID# 0025888 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
1.10.8.3 VisaNet Processor Contingency Plans
A Member must have in place contingency plans for its VisaNet Processors in the event of failure,
including bankruptcy, insolvency, or other suspension of business operations. The contingency plans
must be provided to Visa upon request.
ID# 0025877 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.10.8.4 VisaNet Processor or Visa Scheme Processor Disclosure of Account or Visa
Transaction Information
A Member, in the event of the failure, including bankruptcy, insolvency, or other suspension of
business operations of one of its VisaNet Processorsor Visa Scheme Processors, must ensure that
the VisaNet Processor or Visa Scheme Processor does not sell, transfer, or disclose any materials that
contain Cardholder Account Numbers, personal information, or other Visa Transaction Information to
any other entity. The Member must ensure that its VisaNet Processor or Visa Scheme Processor either:
●
Returns this information to the Member
●
Provides acceptable proof of secure destruction of this information to the Member
ID# 0025875 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.10.8.5 Third Party Agent Contract
A Third Party Agent must have a direct written contract with a Member to perform services on behalf
of the Member.
ID# 0025892 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.10.8.6 Third Party Agent Registration Requirements
A Member must register a Third Party Agent with Visa. The Member must both:
●
Use theProgram Request Management application
●
Complete the appropriate regional forms
Registration must be completed before the performance of any contracted services or Transaction
activity.
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-87
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Visa may deny or reject a Third Party Agent’s registration at any time with or without cause.
A Third Party Agent is exempt from the registration requirementsand the associated fees if it only
provides services on behalf of its affiliates (including parents and subsidiaries) that are Members that
own and control at least 25% of the Third Party Agent.
ID# 0025893 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.10.8.7 Merchant Third Party Agent Registration Requirements
A Member must register with Visa a Third Party Agent that has been engaged by any of its Merchants
before the performance of any contracted services by the Third Party Agent on behalf of the Merchant.
Registration of a Third Party Agent is specific to each Member, and requires a separate registration by
each Member for any Third Party Agent that either:
●
Uses its BIN. In the LACRegion, the registration is per Member, per country, and per agent.
●
Provides contracted services on behalf of the Member or its Merchants
ID# 0025894 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.10.8.8 Assignment of Liability for Third Party Agents
If a Member fails to meet its responsibilities regarding Third Party Agents, Visa assigns liability in the
following order of precedence:
●
The Member from whose performance or nonperformance (including by its Third Party Agents) the
loss arose
●
The Member, if any, that sponsored the above Member, with limitations specified in the Visa
International Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws, Section 2.11
●
BIN Licensees of BINs used in Transactions, with limitations specified in Section 1.1.9.3, “Liabilities
and Indemnification”
●
Other BIN users, in an order determined by Visa
ID# 0025904 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
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1.10.9 Card Manufacturing and Distribution
1.10.9.1 Card Security Staff Requirements
An Issuer must have a qualified fraud control and Card security officer and staff that are primarily
responsible for all areas of security for Visa Cards and Visa Electron Cards. The security staff must do
all of the following:
●
Investigate all fraudulent use of the Issuer's Visa Cards or Visa Electron Cards
●
Plan and supervise the manufacturing, embossing, encoding, printing, and mailing of the Issuer's
Visa Cards or Visa Electron Cards
●
Plan and supervise the physical protection of the Issuer's Center and building
●
Participate in Center employee background investigations
ID# 0002394 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.10.9.3 Visa Product Personalization
An Issuer that personalizes Visa Products on its own behalf must create and maintain a secure
environment.
An Issuer that personalizes Visa Products on behalf of other Issuers must comply with all of the
following:
●
Payment Card Industry (PCI) Card Production and Provisioning – Physical Security Requirements
●
Payment Card Industry (PCI) Card Production and Provisioning – Logical Security Requirements
●
Applicable regional Issuer personalization policy
For each Third Party Agent performing Instant Card Personalization Issuance, the Issuer must validate
the Third Party Agent's compliance with the Visa Global Instant Card Personalization Issuance Security
Standards, and complete an annual self-auditagainst theVisa Global Instant CardPersonalization
Issuance Security Standards,for each location.
ID# 0025518 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
1.10.9.4 Use of Approved Manufacturers, Approved Personalizers, and Approved
Fulfillment Vendors
An Issuer that does not perform its own manufacturing, personalization, or fulfillment must do all of
the following:
●
Use a Visa-approved manufacturer to manufacture or print Visa Products
1
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-89
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Ensure that the Visa-approved manufactureris posted on the Visa Global Registry of Service
Providers
2
and complies with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Card Production and Provisioning –
Physical Security Requirements
●
Use a Visa-approved Card personalizer or Visa (if applicable) to personalize Visa Products, unless
using an Instant Card Personalization Issuance Agent or another Issuer
●
Ensure that the Visa-approvedpersonalizeris posted on the Visa Global Registry of Service
Providers
2
●
Use a Visa-approved fulfillment vendorto package, store, or ship Visa Products unless using a
Distribution Channel Vendor for pre-manufactured, commercially ready Visa Products
●
Ensure that the Visa-approved fulfillment vendor is posted on the Visa Global Registry of Service
Providers
2
●
Immediately
3
notify Visa if the Visa-approved manufacturer, personalizer, and/orfulfillment vendor
is unable to complete its responsibilities
●
Contract through another Issuer, Visa (if applicable), or Visa-approved manufacturer,personalizer,
or fulfillment vendor for the production, personalization, or fulfillment of Visa Products
●
Review completed Card products for accuracy, including embossing, printing, and encoding
1
In the Europe Region, an Issuer must ensure that its Cards (except Reference Cards) are produced by a Visa-approved
manufacturer.
2
In the Europe Region, an equivalent Visa list of approved service providers
3
In the Europe Region, within 5 days
ID# 0025517 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
1.10.9.6 Use of Distribution Channel Vendors
An Issuer that uses a Distribution Channel Vendor must validate annually the Distribution Channel
Vendor's compliance with the Visa Global Physical Security Validation Requirements for Data
Preparation, Encryption Support and Fulfillment Card Vendors.
ID# 0025520 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.10.9.9 Mailing of Individual Personalized Visa Products
An Issuer must do all of the following:
●
Proof and prepare Visa Products for mailing under dual control in a high-security area separate
from other operations
●
Prevent unauthorized entry into the area
●
Ensure that Cardholder addresses, including postal codes, are complete and correct
CR-90 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Maintain stuffed, sealed, and stamped envelopes in a vault under dual control until mailing
●
Record the exact date, time, and place of mailing for each Visa Product
●
Report any Visa Products lost in the mail to Visa, the postal authorities, and the appropriate carrier
ID# 0025519 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.11 Dispute Resolution
1.11.1 Chargebacks
1.11.1.1 Chargeback and Representment Process
After receiving a Presentment, an Issuer may charge back a Transaction to the Acquirer under the
conditions specified in Visa Product and Service Rules: Dispute Resolution. Similarly, the Acquirer may
represent the Transaction to the Issuer.
The Issuer must not charge back the Transaction a second time, with the exception of reason code 93
(Visa Fraud Monitoring Program), and the Acquirer must not represent the Transaction a second time.
If requested by the Acquirer, and permitted under applicable law, the Issuer should provide the
Cardholder's address.
An Acquirer must not reprocess a Transaction as a first Presentment if the Transaction has been
previously charged back.
A Member may have the right to file for Arbitration after completing the Chargeback/Representment
cycle. In some instances, Compliance may be available.
ID# 0003277 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.11.1.2 Attempt to Settle
Before initiating a Chargeback, the Issuer must attempt to honor the Transaction.
If the attempt fails and the Issuer has already billed the Transaction to the Cardholder, the Issuer must
credit the Cardholder for the Chargeback amount.
An Issuer must credit its Cardholder's account for the amount in dispute, whether or not a Chargeback
was initiated, if the dispute involves an Electronic Commerce Transaction that meets the conditions of
any of the following Chargeback reason codes:
●
30 (Services not Provided or Merchandise Not Received)
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-91
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41 (Cancelled Recurring Transaction)
●
53 (Not as Described)
●
83 (Fraud– Card-Absent Environment)
●
85 (Credit Not Processed)
The Issuer must not be reimbursed twice for the same Transaction.
A Cardholder must not be credited twice as a result of both a:
●
Chargeback
●
Credit processed by a Merchant
ID# 0003287 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.11.1.3 EMV Liability Shift Participation
The EMV liability shift applies to qualifying Transactions, as follows:
Table 1-14: EMV Liability Shift Participation
Region Transactions in EMV Liability Shift
effective before 1 October 2017
Transactions in EMV Liability Shift effective
1 October 2017
AP Region
All domestic,
1
intraregional, and
interregional
2
counterfeit POS
Transactions, except Domestic
Transactions in China
All domestic, intraregional, and
interregional
2
counterfeit ATM
Transactions, except China, India,
Indonesia, Japan, Nepal and Thailand
Effective through 31 December 2021
All domestic,
1
intraregional, and
interregional counterfeit POS and ATM
Transactions, except Domestic Transactions
in China and counterfeit ATM Transactions
in Indonesia
Effective 1 January 2022
All domestic,
1
intraregional, and
interregional counterfeit POS and ATM
Transactions, except Domestic Transactions
in China
Canada Region,
3
CEMEA Region,
3
Europe Region,
3
LAC Region
3
All domestic, intraregional, and interregional
2
POS and ATM Transactions
4
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Region Transactions in EMV Liability Shift
effective before 1 October 2017
Transactions in EMV Liability Shift effective
1 October 2017
US Region
All domestic and interregional
2
counterfeit POS Transactions, except
Transactions at Automated Fuel
Dispensers
Effective through 30 September 2020
All domestic and interregional counterfeit
POS and ATM Transactions, except
Domestic Transactions at Automated Fuel
Dispensers
Effective 1 October2020
All domestic and interregional counterfeit
POS and ATM Transactions
1
In Malaysia, also includes fraudulent qualifying domestic non-counterfeit Transactions completed with a lost or stolen
Card or "not received item" (NRI) except qualifying Visa Easy Payment Service Transactions.
2
Among Visa Regions and individual countries participating in the EMV liability shift
3
Except for fraudulent qualifying Visa Easy Payment Service Transactions completed with a lost or stolen Card or "not
received item" (NRI)
4
Counterfeit, lost, stolen, and "not received item" (NRI) fraud only
ID# 0008190 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
1.11.2 Arbitration and Compliance
1.11.2.1 Invalid Arbitration or Compliance Case Rejection
If Visa determines that an Arbitration or Compliance request is invalid, it may reject the case and retain
the filing fee.
ID# 0001449 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.11.2.2 Arbitration and Compliance Committee Decision
The Arbitration and Compliance Committee bases its Arbitration or Compliance decision on all
information available to it at the time of reaching the decision, including, but not limited to, the
provisions of the Visa Rules effective on the Transaction Date and may, at its sole discretion, consider
other factors, such as the objective of ensuring fairness. The decision is delivered to both Members in
writing and is final and not subject to any challenge, except for any right of appeal permitted in the
Visa Product and Service Rules: Dispute Resolution.
ID# 0027133 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.11.2.3 Arbitration or Compliance Financial Liability
An Arbitration or Compliance decision may result in either:
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-93
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Dispute Resolution
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One Member assigned full liability
●
Members sharing financial liability
The responsible Member is financially liable for all of the following:
●
Transaction amount
– If the opposing Member is responsible, the requesting Member may collect this amount from
the opposing Member.
– For US Domestic Transactions, Visa will debit or credit through Visa Resolve Online the
Members involved as appropriate.
●
Review fee
●
Filing fee
The filing Member is financially liable for any difference due to currency fluctuation between the
amount originally presented and the Chargeback or Representment amount.
When the case is adjudicated, Visa will collect the filing and review fees through the Global Member
Billing Solution from the responsible Member.
Either Member in an Arbitration or Compliance dispute may also be liable for a non-compliance
assessment for each technical violation of the applicable Visa Rules. Technical non-compliance
assessments do not apply in the Europe Region.
ID# 0003623 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.11.2.4 Arbitration or Compliance Appeal
The decision on any permitted appeal of an Arbitration or Compliance ruling is final and not subject to
any challenge.
ID# 0001440 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
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1.12 Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
1.12.1 Fee Assessment by Visa
1.12.1.2 Card Service Fee Collection
Visa assesses and collects Card service fees through the Global Member Billing Solution or other
designated method.
ID# 0007886 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.12.1.4 Fee Adjustments
If Visa confirms that a Member has either underpaid or overpaid its fees, Visa may process a fee
adjustment. The fee adjustment time period is limited to the 2 years before the date that either of the
following occurred:
●
The overpayment or underpayment was reported to Visa by the Member.
●
Visa discovered that an adjustment was due to the Member.
Visa reserves the right to collect an underpayment from a Member beyond the 2-year period.
In the AP Region, Card service fees paid will be refunded for the most recent quarter. The Member
must submit its refund request within 60 days from the close of the quarter in question. For all other
fees, the provisions specified above apply.
Any collection or refund does not include interest.
ID# 0026403 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.12.3 Non-Compliance Assessments
1.12.3.1 Visa Right to Impose Non-Compliance Assessments
The Visa Rules contain enforcement mechanisms that Visa may use for violations of the Visa Charter
Documents or Visa Rules. The Visa Rules specify the procedure for the allegation and investigation of
violations and the rules and schedules for non-compliance assessments.
A Member that does not comply with the Visa Charter Documents or Visa Rules will be subject to non-
compliance assessments.
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-95
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Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
These procedures and non-compliance assessments are in addition to enforcement rights available to
Visa under other provisions of the Visa Rules, or through other legal or administrative procedures.
Visa may assess, suspend, or waive non-compliance assessments, in whole or in part, to accommodate
unique or extenuating circumstances.
ID# 0007280 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
1.12.3.2 General Non-Compliance Assessment Schedule
The non-compliance assessments specified in Table 1-15, “General Schedule of Non-Compliance
Assessments,” may be assessed for a violation of the Visa Rules and are in addition to any other non-
compliance assessments specified in the Visa Rules.
In the Europe Region, if a specific non-compliance assessment has been prescribed for the first
violation only, the subsequent non-compliance assessments specified in Table 1-15, “General Schedule
of Non-Compliance Assessments,” will apply for each repeated violation.
Table 1-15: General Schedule of Non-Compliance Assessments
Violation Non-Compliance Assessment
First violation of rule Warning letter with specific date for correction and
USD 1,000 (in the Europe Region, USD 500)
Second violation of same rule in a 12-month period
after Notification of first violation
USD 5,000
Third violation of same rule in a 12-month period
after Notification of first violation
USD 10,000
Fourth violation of same rule in a 12-month period
after Notification of first violation
USD 25,000
5 or more violations of same rule in a 12-month
period after Notification of first violation
Visa discretion
If the 12-month period is not violation-free and the
non-compliance assessmentstotal USD 25,000 or
more
Additional non-compliance assessment equal to all
non-compliance assessments levied during that 12-
month period
ID# 0000482 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
1.12.3.3 Determination of Violation of the Visa Rules
Determination of a violation of the Visa Charter Documents orVisa Rules may be made based on
either:
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The response from a Member to a Notification of investigation and other available information.
Visa will determine whether a violation of the Visa Charter Documents or Visa Rules has occurred.
●
The Member's failure to respond to a Notification of investigation and to provide all information
requested
ID# 0001052 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
1.12.3.4 Notification of Determination of Violation
Visa will notify a Member if it determines that a violation of the Visa Charter Documents orVisa Rules
has occurred, or if it determines that a violation is continuing to occur, and will specify a date by which
the Member must correct the violation. The Notification will advise the Member of all of the following:
●
Reasons for such determination
●
Non-compliance assessment amount
●
Right to appeal the determination and/or the non-compliance assessments for the violation
Visa may require a Member to submit a compliance plan to resolve the violation.
ID# 0001053 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
1.12.3.5 Non-Compliance Assessment Member Responsibility
A non-compliance assessment is imposed by Visa on a Member. A Member is responsible for paying
all non-compliance assessments, regardless of whether it absorbs them, passes them on, or increases
them in billing its customer (for example: Cardholder or Merchant). A Member must not represent to
its customer that Visa imposes any non-compliance assessment on its customer.
ID# 0001054 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.12.3.7 Repeated Non-Compliance
Repetitive violations of the Visa Rules incur heavier non-compliance assessments or other actions. A
violation of any rule qualifies as a repetitive violation only if the violating Member does not correct it
by the date specified in the Notification.
ID# 0003645 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
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1.12.3.8 Non-Compliance Assessments for Repetitive Violations
Non-compliance assessments increase for repetitive violations of the Visa Rules within any 12-month
period. The 12-month period begins on the date of the most recent Notification of the violation and
ends following a 12-month period free of violations of that rule.
ID# 0000478 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
1.12.3.10 Willful Violations of the Visa Rules
In addition to the non-compliance assessments specified in the Visa Rules, a Member found to have
willfully violated the Visa Rules, adversely affecting the goodwill associated with the Visa system,
brand, products and services, operation of the Visa Systems, or operations of other Members will be
subject to a further non-compliance assessment. A violation is considered "willful" if the Member
knew, or should have known, or its knowledge can be fairly implied, that its conduct constituted a
violation of the Visa Rules.
When determining the amount of a non-compliance assessment,
1
in addition to the criteria above, all
of the following will be considered:
●
Type of violation
●
Nature of the damage, including the amount incurred by Visa and its Members
●
Repetitive nature of the violation
●
Member history or prior conduct
●
Effect of the assessment upon the safety and soundness of the Visa system and the Member,
including the Member committing the violation
●
Any other criteria Visa deems appropriate
1
In the Europe Region, the non-compliance assessments specified in Section 12.9.1.1, “Willful Violation Non-Compliance
Assessments – Europe Region,” will apply.
ID# 0007288 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
1.12.3.11 Enforcement Appeals
A Member may appeal a determination of a violation or non-compliance assessment to Visa, as
follows:
●
The Member's appeal letter must be received by Visa within 30 days of the Member's receipt of the
Notification of the violation or non-compliance assessment.
●
The appealing Member must submit with the appeal any new or additional information necessary
to substantiate its request for an appeal.
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A fee of USD 5,000 will be assessed to the Member upon receipt of the appeal. This fee is
refundable if the appeal is upheld.
A Member may submit arguments supporting its position. All decisions are final and not subject to
challenge.
ID# 0025975 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public CR-99
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CR-100 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Part 2:
Visa Product and Service Rules
Visa Product and Service Rules
Licensing and Numerics Management
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
2 Licensing and Numerics Management
2.1 Membership
2.1.1 Member Acquisitions and Mergers
2.1.1.1 Member Acquisition upon Regulatory Closure – US Region
In the US Region, in the event of a regulatory closure, the assuming organization must comply with the
requirements specified in Table 2-1, “Regulatory Closure - Assuming Member Requirements.”
Table 2-1: Regulatory Closure – Assuming Member Requirements
Condition Required Action
Assuming organization is not a Member at the time
of its assumption of Visa programs and is eligible for
membership
●
Submit to Visa a Client Licensing Application
agreement within 10 calendar days after the
assuming organization's assumption of the Visa
programs
●
Submit the appropriate membership materials
within the time specified by Visa
●
Meet any conditions of membership within 30
calendar days of the assuming organization's
assumption of the Visa programs
Assuming organization is not a Member at the time of
its assumption of Visa programs and does not submit
the required Client Licensing Application agreement
within the specified time
●
Cease all operations of the Visa programs and use
of the Visa-Owned Marks
●
Be liable for all losses, costs, damages, and
expenses (including attorneys' fees and
expenses) to Visa and its Members resulting from
unauthorized operations
Assuming organization is not a Member of Visa at
the time of its assumption of Visa programs and is
not eligible for the appropriate membership or if Visa
declines its application
Immediately cease both:
●
All use of the Visa-Owned Marks and all other
activities reserved for Members
●
Exercising the rights and privileges reserved for
Members
Assuming Member is not authorized to engage in one
or more of the assumed Visa programs
●
Submit the appropriate membership materials
within the time frame specified by Visa
●
Meet any conditions of membership within
30 calendar days of the Assuming Member's
assumption of the Visa programs
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-103
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Licensing and Numerics Management
Membership
A Member that assumes the Visa programs of a failed Member immediately assumes full liability for
those Visa programs.
Upon verification from the applicable regulatory agency that a Member has assumed the Visa
programs of a failed Member, Visa will provide Notification listing the Visa programs for which Visa
understands the Assuming Member is liable.
The Assuming Member must submit to Visa, within the time specified in the Notification, written
confirmation of the Visa programs assumed.
ID# 0025752 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
2.1.1.5 Termination of Membership – LAC Region (Brazil)
In the LAC Region (Brazil), a membership status may be terminated as a result of the client's
substantial non-compliance with the business plan or description presented to, or agreed with Visa do
Brasil as a condition for its participation in the Visa payment system.
ID# 0029264 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
2.1.1.8 Membership Rights for BIN Licensing – BIN Release or Transfer
A Participant-Type Member is not eligible to license a BIN.
A Principal-Type Member or an Associate-Type Member that is reclassified to a Participant-Type
Member must either:
●
Return its licensed BINs to Visa by submitting a BIN Release Request before the Principal-Type
Member license or Associate-Type Member license is terminated
●
Transfer its licensed BINs to another Principal-Type Member or Associate-Type Member by
submitting a BIN Licensee Transfer Request
1
1
In the Europe Region, Visa must provide written consent to the transfer before the transfer may occur.
ID# 0001241 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
2.1.1.9 Portfolio Sale or Transfer Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, when the sale or transfer of any of the following occurs, a Member must provide
Visa with a completed Member Portfolio Sale Notification (Exhibit 4D) within 10 calendar days:
●
All or part of an Issuer's portfolio of Visa Cards or Visa Electron Cards
●
All or part of a Member's Travelers Cheque portfolio
●
All or part of an Acquirer's portfolio of Merchants
PSR-104 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Licensing and Numerics Management
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Controlling interest in the Member
A Member is financially liable to Visa for all activities related to any portfolio that it is transferring,
including all payment of applicable service fees, until Visa acknowledges receipt of all required
documentation related to the sale or transfer of the portfolio.
ID# 0029564 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
2.1.2 Acquiring Licenses
2.1.2.1 Acquirer Licensing Requirements – LAC Region (Brazil)
In the LAC Region (Brazil), a Member must obtain a Merchant acquiring license before performing
any acquiring activities within its jurisdiction, even if the Member already holds a Principal-type or an
Associate-type license.
ID# 0027804 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
2.3 BIN License and Administration
2.3.1 BIN Use and License
2.3.1.1 BIN Use and Jurisdiction
A BIN Licensee or a BIN Licensee’s Sponsored Member must use a BIN only:
●
As specified in the BIN License Agreement
●
In a country in which the BIN Licensee is licensed
A BIN is licensed for use in a single country, except as specified for the following:
●
Visa Multinational Program
●
Visa Prepaid program
●
International Airline Program
●
Multinational Merchant Acceptance Program
●
In the Europe Region, a Member that has passported its license to a Host Country in line with EU
passporting legislation
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-105
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Licensing and Numerics Management
BIN License and Administration
Visa will recover a BIN that remains uninstalled in Visa systems for 12 months after its assignment.
ID# 0001250 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
2.3.1.2 BIN Sponsor and Licensee Responsibilities
A Principal-Type Member must license and use only its assigned BIN.
An Associate-Type Member must license its own BIN or use a BIN licensed to its sponsoring Principal-
Type Member.
Effective 22 July 2017
A BIN licensed to an Associate-Type Member on or after 22 July 2017 must only have one
Sponsor.
A Participant-Type Member does not have the right to license a BIN, and must use only a BIN
designated to it by its sponsoring Principal-Type Member in accordance with the applicable Visa
Charter Documents.
A BIN may have only one BIN Licensee. The BIN Licensee is responsible
1
for all activities associated
with any BIN that it licenses.
A Sponsor's responsibility is limited to the BINs associated with the sponsoring relationship between
the Principal-Type Member and Associate-Type Member or the Principal-Type Member and
Participant-Type Member.
If a BIN User is no longer authorized by the BIN Licensee to use its BIN, the BIN User must discontinue
use of the BIN.
A BIN Licensee or its designated Sponsored Member must not use a BIN for a purpose other than that
specified on the BIN License Agreement, or Visa may block and remove the BIN from VisaNet.
A BIN Licensee must:
●
Maintain the accuracy of the information relative to the BIN
●
Notify Visa of any inaccuracies on BIN licensing reports
●
Submit the appropriate form to notify Visa of or request changes, including any of the following:
– Portfolio sale or transfer
– Merger or Acquisition
– Cessation of use
– Modification to service or product
– Release of BIN
PSR-106 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Licensing and Numerics Management
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
– In the Europe Region, reversal of BIN release
Responsibility for activities associated with a payment Token is assigned to the BIN Licensee for the
Account Number represented by the payment Token.
1
This does not apply to a BIN licensed to Visa for the provision of payment Tokens to Issuers.
ID# 0001225 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
2.3.1.3 VisaNet Processor BIN Usage
A Member that designates a VisaNet Processor to act on its behalf must ensure that the VisaNet
Processor only:
●
Processes transactions on the Member's BIN(s) for activities for which the BIN is licensed
●
Processes transactions on the Member's BIN(s) that are originated by the BIN Licensee or the BIN
Licensee's Sponsored Members approved to share the BIN
●
Clears or settles transactions on the Member's BIN(s) that are originated by the BIN Licensee or the
BIN Licensee's Sponsored Members approved to share the BIN
A VisaNet Processor that is not also a Member must both:
●
Use its licensed BINs exclusively for processing activities
●
Not use the BINs for issuing or acquiring purposes
ID# 0001227 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
2.3.1.4 BIN Conversion to Newly Designated VisaNet Processor
If a Member converts a BIN to a newly designated VisaNet Processor or Visa Scheme Processor, the
Member must require the new VisaNet Processor or Visa Scheme Processor to complete any activity
associated with the converted BIN.
This does not apply if the former VisaNet Processor or Visa Scheme Processor agrees to complete the
activity associated with the converted BIN.
ID# 0001269 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-107
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Licensing and Numerics Management
BIN License and Administration
2.3.1.5 Sponsor Liability – AP, CEMEA, and LAC Regions
In the AP Region, CEMEA Region, or LAC Region, a Principal-Type Member is responsible and liable
for all activities, including accuracy of information provided to or received from Visa, for BINs licensed
directly to an Associate-Type Member that it sponsors. The Sponsor's liability is limited to the BINs
associated with the sponsorship relationship between the Principal-Type Member and Associate-Type
Member.
ID# 0026466 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
2.3.1.6 BIN Currency – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Issuer must ensure that the denominated currency of the BIN on which a
Card is issued is the same as the Billing Currency.
ID# 0029568 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
2.3.2 Administration of BINs and Numerics
2.3.2.1 BIN Release
A BIN Licensee that no longer uses a BIN must release it to Visa by submitting a BIN Release Request.
When a Member releases a BIN to Visa, all of the following apply:
●
The BIN must be inactive for at least 120 days from the later of:
– The last date that Authorizations were approved
– The date that acquiring activities ceased
●
Visa will block Authorizations and confirm that activity on the BIN has ceased.
●
After the BIN Licensee has met all outstanding obligations to Cardholder and/or Merchants on
the BIN, the BIN will be released from the BIN Licensee assignment, and the BIN Licensee will no
longer be authorized to use the BIN.
●
The BIN Licensee remains liable for any exception activity and fees related to the BIN that were
incurred prior to its release.
●
Voluntary termination of membership will not be effective until all BINs and other Numeric IDs
assigned to the Member are released from the Member’s assignment.
●
Visa will determine the eligible date of the BIN release from its current assignment based on the
last date of approving authorizations or the last date of acquiring. In the Europe Region, Visa may
consider other evidence to indicate that all Cards issued on the BIN have been withdrawn.
PSR-108 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Licensing and Numerics Management
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
In the Europe Region, a Member or Visa Scheme Processor that no longer uses a BIN must do all of
the following:
●
Submit to Visa a BIN Release Request (Exhibit 4E-1)
●
Continue to meet its obligations for the BIN, including all financial obligations, until the
reassignment or recall is complete
●
Not use a recalled BIN after the effective recall date
●
If a BIN is recalled, continue to meet its obligations under its BIN License Agreement until 6
calendar months after one or more of the following:
– The expiration date of the last Card issued on the BIN
– The last date that all processing activity ceased
– The last date that all acquiring activity ceased
ID# 0001272 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
2.3.2.2 Private Label BIN Use
If a BIN Licensee or its designated Sponsored Member uses a Visa BIN for a Private Label Card
program, the Issuer or its Sponsored Member must have a written acceptance agreement directly with
each Merchant that accepts its Private Label Cards.
ID# 0001253 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
2.3.2.3 Use of BINs for Non-Visa Purposes
If a Member wants to use a Visa BIN for a program not associated with the Visa-Owned Marks,
including, but not limited to, Private Label Card programs, it must both:
●
Submit to Visa a BIN License Agreement
●
Use the BIN dedicated for non-Visa purposes
A Member must use a BIN dedicated for non-Visa purposes for programs not associated with the Visa-
Owned Marks, including but not limited to, Private Label Card programs.
ID# 0001228 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
2.3.2.4 Use of Numeric ID
A Member, VisaNet Processor, Visa Scheme Processor, or Third Party Agent that requests a Numeric
ID to support the implementation and tracking of products and services must submit the appropriate
Routing ID Request or PCR/Station Request.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-109
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Licensing and Numerics Management
BIN License and Administration
A Member must ensure that its VisaNet Processor or Visa Scheme Processor and Third Party Agent
uses the Numeric ID only for the activity approved by Visa.
A licensee of a Numeric ID is responsible for all of the following:
●
Notifying Visa of any changes to the Numeric ID, including:
– Portfolio sale or transfer
– Merger or Acquisition
– Cessation of use
– Modification to service
– Change in user
●
All fees for the assignment and administration of the Numeric ID
●
Compliance with Section 2.3.2.1, “BIN Release,” for routing IDs, as applicable
●
All activity occurring on the Numeric ID until it is fully deleted from VisaNet
If a Numeric ID is used for a purpose other than that approved by Visa, Visa may block and remove the
Numeric ID from VisaNet.
ID# 0026469 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
2.3.2.5 Client Directory Data Submission
Effective through 13 October 2017
A Member or VisaNet Processor assigned a BIN to use on Cards and through Interchange must
submit to Visa a completed Visa Interchange Directory Update Form.
If any of the required Client Directory information changes, a Member or VisaNet Processor must
submit online to Visa all directory updates through the Visa Client Directory at least 10 business
days before the effective date.
Effective 14 October 2017
A Member or VisaNet Processor assigned a BIN must submit online to Visa any new or revised
Visa Client Directory data, as follows:
●
All directory data, within 10 business days of BIN implementation
●
All directory updates, at least 10 business days before the effective date of the change
ID# 0007725 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
PSR-110 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Licensing and Numerics Management
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
2.3.2.6 Plus Directory Update Form – Submission
Effective through 13 October 2017
A Plus Program Participant, or processor acting on behalf of a Plus Program Participant, that has
been assigned a BIN must submit to Visa a completed Plus Directory Update Form.
If any of the required Plus Directory information changes, a Plus Program Participant or processor
must submit to Visa a new Plus Directory Update Form with any updates at least 10 business days
before the effective date for distribution to other Plus Program Participants and processors.
ID# 0026665 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
2.3.4 Account Range and BIN Use
2.3.4.1 Multiple Members on the Same BIN
A BIN Licensee may license and share a BIN with Members it sponsors. The BIN Licensee must both:
●
Submit a BIN License Agreement for each Sponsored Member
●
For issuance purposes, uniquely identify each Issuer within the first 9 digits of the BIN/account
range
Effective 22 July 2017
A Principal-Type Member must use a unique BIN for each Issuer it sponsors on or after 22 July
2017.
ID# 0027808 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
2.3.4.2 BIN Assignment for New Visa Card Programs
For a new Visa Card program or Virtual Account program, an Issuer must submit a BIN License
Agreement to request one of the following:
●
Designated BIN account range for the new program within the first 9 digits of a previously
assigned BIN
●
Modification of product assignment for an existing BIN
●
New BIN
●
Account Level Processing, where available
ID# 0003143 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-111
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Licensing and Numerics Management
BIN License and Administration
2.3.4.3 Combining Card Programs on a Single BIN
An Issuer must not combine the following Visa Card programs on a single BIN:
1
●
Credit, debit, and prepaid
●
Consumer and commercial
Issuing and acquiring activity may occur on the same BIN.
In the Europe Region, Visa may require an Issuer to provide a business plan if the Issuer requests the
assignment of designated account ranges to multiple Visa Card products on a single BIN.
1
This does not apply to Members in Brazil for Visa Agro Cards.
ID# 0003144 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
2.3.4.5 BIN Assignment for Existing Visa Card Programs – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, for an existing Visa Card program and Visa Card products, an Issuer must not
request a new account range within an active BIN.
ID# 0029612 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
2.3.5 Use and Disclosure of BIN Information
2.3.5.1 Disclosure of BIN or Other Product Data Information to Merchants
BIN information is proprietary and must not be disclosed by an Acquirer to its Merchant or Agent.
ID# 0028285 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
2.3.5.2 Disclosure of BIN or Other Product Data Information to Merchants – US
Region and US Territories
In the US Region or a US Territory, an Acquirer may provide BIN information or other product-
identifying data to its Merchant or Agent solely for purposes of identifying Visa Card product types
at the point of sale. An Acquirer must provide BIN information to any Merchant requesting it for the
permitted purpose.
ID# 0000506 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-112 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Licensing and Numerics Management
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
2.3.5.3 Merchants Receiving BIN or Other Product Data Information – US Region and
US Territories
In the US Region or a US Territory, an Acquirer that provides BIN information or other product-
identifying data, as specified in Section 2.3.5.2, “Disclosure of BIN or Other Product Data Information
to Merchants – US Region and US Territories,” to its Merchant or Agent must ensure that both:
●
The Merchant or Agent complies with the substance of Section 2.3.5, “Use and Disclosure of BIN
Information”
●
These requirements are included in its Merchant Agreement or Agent contract as a separate
addendum
ID# 0003346 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
2.3.5.4 Non-Disclosure of BIN Information – US Region and US Territories
In the US Region or a US Territory, a Merchant or its Agent that receives BIN information or other
product-identifying data must not disclose such information to any third party.
The Merchant or an Agent must treat BIN information provided by an Acquirer as proprietary and
confidential information belonging to Visa and with the same degree of care as information labeled
“Visa Confidential.”
ID# 0002315 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
2.3.5.5 Use of BIN or Other Product Data Information – US Region or US Territories
In the US Region or a US Territory, a Merchant or Agent that receives BIN information or other
product-identifying data from its Acquirer must not use such information for any reason other than
to identify Visa Card product types at the point of sale and for purposes of implementing acceptance
practices permitted by the Visa Rules.
ID# 0002311 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-113
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Licensing and Numerics Management
Marks License
2.4 Marks License
2.4.1 Marks License Grant
2.4.1.1 License Grant for Visa-Owned Marks
Visa grants to each Member, excluding one that is solely a Plus Program Participant, a non-exclusive,
non-transferable license
1
to use each of the Visa-Owned Marks only in conjunction with the applicable
Visa Programs that are licensed to the Member.
1
And, in the Europe Region, royalty-free
ID# 0008906 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
2.4.1.2 License Grant for Plus Program Marks
Visa may grant to a Member not otherwise licensed a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use
each of the Plus Program Marks with the Plus Program.
ID# 0001122 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
2.4.1.3 License for Plus Card Acceptance – US Region
In the US Region, Visa grants a Member that is required to display the Plus Symbol on its ATM a
license to use each of the Plus Program Marks for the purpose of accepting Plus Cards at ATMs,
subject to the Plus System, Inc. Bylaws and Operating Regulations. A Member granted such a license
acknowledges that Visa owns the Plus Program Marks.
ID# 0007436 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
2.5 Visa US Regulation II Certification Program
2.5.1 Visa US Regulation II Certification Program – US Region and US Territories
2.5.1.1 Visa US Regulation II Certification Program Requirements – US Region and
US Territories
In the US Region or a US Territory, a BIN Licensee that is subject to US Federal Reserve Board
Regulation II must comply with the Visa US Regulation II Certification Program requirements.
PSR-114 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Licensing and Numerics Management
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
The BIN Licensee is solely responsible for ensuring that all consumer debit, commercial debit, and
prepaid programs conducted under its BINs comply with applicable laws or regulations, including US
Federal Reserve Board Regulation II.
The BIN Licensee or proposed BIN Licensee must submit a Dodd-Frank Act Certification Addendum and
Fraud Prevention Adjustment Addendum, as applicable, when requesting, modifying, or transferring a
consumer debit, commercial debit, or prepaid BIN.
An Issuer that is subject to US Federal Reserve Board Regulation II and that receives certification
materials from Visa is required to respond within the published timeframes.
Any Issuer of consumer debit, commercial debit, or prepaid programs that is subject to the US Federal
Reserve Board Regulation II and that receives fraud-prevention standards notification materials from
Visa is required to respond within the published timeframes.
An Issuer subject to US Federal Reserve Board Regulation II must submit the notification materials, as
applicable, if the Issuer’s compliance with the fraud prevention standards has changed.
ID# 0027000 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
2.6 Product-Specific BIN Requirements
2.6.1 Visa Consumer Products
2.6.1.1 Visa Debit BIN Requirements – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, an Issuer of a Visa Debit Category Card must use a unique BIN for its Visa Debit
Category Card Account Numbers and must not share a BIN range.
An Issuer must not reclassify a BIN to represent a product other than Visa Debit Category Card without
prior permission from Visa.
ID# 0025967 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
2.6.1.4 Visa Signature Preferred Card Account Number/BIN Requirements – US
Region
In the US Region, a Visa Signature Preferred Issuer that supports:
●
Account level processing may designate an individual BIN/account range for its Visa Signature
Preferred Cards
●
Account range processing may designate a BIN/account range within a credit BIN for its Visa
Signature Preferred Cards
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-115
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Licensing and Numerics Management
Product-Specific BIN Requirements
●
BIN-level processing must use a unique BIN for its Visa Signature Preferred BIN/account range and
either of the following:
– Choose a BIN from a previously assigned BIN/account range. If using a previously assigned
BIN, the Issuer must notify Visa of the selected BIN before issuing any Visa Signature Preferred
Cards.
– Request a new BIN assignment
ID# 0003910 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
2.6.1.5 Visa Prepaid Card BIN Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer must use a unique consumer BIN for the Visa Health Savings Account
(HSA) Visa Prepaid Card Program type.
Visa HSA Card Issuers may issue Cards in a specified BIN/account range of an existing Visa Check Card
BIN if the program complies with all of the following:
●
Does not use Third Party Agents
●
Has no restrictions on MCC or ATM access
●
Will have less than 10,000 accounts issued
ID# 0025544 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2015
2.6.1.6 Visa Check Card Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer must use a unique check card BIN assigned to it by Visa for its Visa Check
Card program.
ID# 0029316 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
2.6.2 Visa Commercial Products
2.6.2.1 Visa Commercial Card Program BIN Requirements
An Issuer may establish multiple Visa Commercial Card programs within the same BIN.
An Issuer may use the same BIN for each of the following Visa Card program combinations:
●
Silver and gold Visa Business Cards
●
Silver and gold Visa Corporate Cards
ID# 0008230 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-116 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Licensing and Numerics Management
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
2.6.2.2 BIN Requirements for Visa Program Conversion to Visa Business Card, Visa
Corporate Card, or Visa Purchasing Card Programs
If an Issuer is converting an existing Visa Program to a Visa Business Card, Visa Corporate Card, or
Visa Purchasing Card program, the Issuer may retain its existing BIN/account range only if it is used
exclusively for Visa Business Cards, Visa Corporate Cards, or Visa Purchasing Cards.
ID# 0003177 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
2.6.2.3 Visa Commercial Products BIN Requirements
An Issuer must not use previously licensed and unused BINs assigned for any not already approved
commercial product type without submitting a BIN License Agreement.
ID# 0003178 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
2.6.2.4 Visa Meetings Card BIN Requirements
A Visa Meetings Card Issuer must assign either:
●
A unique BIN designated for a Visa Corporate Card or Visa Purchasing Card BIN
●
A BIN/account range within the first 9 digits of a BIN assigned to an existing Visa Corporate Card
or Visa Purchasing Card program
ID# 0004233 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
2.6.2.5 Visa Business Debit Card BIN Requirements – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, a Visa Business Debit Card Issuer must use a unique BIN for its Visa Business
Debit Card Account Numbers and must not share a BIN/account range.
An Issuer must not reclassify a BIN to represent a product other than Visa Business Debit Card without
prior permission from Visa.
ID# 0027278 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
2.6.2.6 Enhanced Data BIN Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Visa Purchasing Card Issuer must both:
●
Receive level II and level III Enhanced Data from Merchants
●
Either:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-117
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Licensing and Numerics Management
Product-Specific BIN Requirements
– Use an enhanced data BIN from a specified Visa Purchasing Card BIN range
– Designate an account range of an existing Visa Purchasing Card BIN
ID# 0029630 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
2.6.2.7 Visa Business Card and Visa Corporate Enhanced Data Processing – Europe
Region
In the Europe Region, a Visa Business Card Issuer and Visa Corporate Card Issuer may configure
BINs or account ranges within those BINs to receive and process Enhanced Data for management
information purposes.
ID# 0029631 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
2.6.2.8 Visa Corporate Debit Card BIN Requirements – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa Corporate debit Card Issuer must assign either:
●
A specific Visa Corporate debit Card BIN
●
A BIN/account range within an existing Visa Commercial debit Card BIN
ID# 0027283 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
2.6.2.9 Visa Cargo Card BIN Requirements – LAC Region
In the LACRegion, an Issuer must use a specific BIN or a separate and unique BIN/account range for
its Visa Cargo Card.
ID# 0025634 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
2.6.2.10 Visa Agro BIN Requirements – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa Agro Card Issuer (except in Brazil) must assign either:
●
A unique BIN designated for a Visa Purchasing Card or Visa Commercial Prepaid Product BIN
●
A BIN/account range within the first 9 digits of a BIN assigned to an existing Visa Purchasing Card
or Visa CommercialPrepaid Product program
In the LAC Region (Brazil), a Visa AgroCard Issuer must use a specific BIN or a separate and unique
BIN/account range within the first 9 digits for its Visa Agro Card.
ID# 0026521 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
PSR-118 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Licensing and Numerics Management
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
2.6.2.12 Visa Meetings Card BIN Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Meetings Card Issuer must use either:
●
A unique BIN reserved for Visa Purchasing Cards
●
A BIN/account range within the first 9 digits of an existing Visa Purchasing Card program
ID# 0004334 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
2.6.2.13 Visa Purchasing Card BIN/Account Range Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Purchasing Card Issuer must use a BIN from the BIN/account range
designated for Visa Purchasing Cards.
ID# 0004216 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
2.6.2.14 Enhanced Data BIN Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Purchasing Card Issuer that chooses to receive Level II Enhanced Data and
Level III Enhanced Data from a Merchant must either:
●
Designate a BIN/account range within the first 9 digits of an enhanced data Visa Purchasing Card
BIN
●
Use an enhanced data BIN from a specified Visa Purchasing Card BIN range
ID# 0004156 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
2.6.2.15 Visa Fleet Card BIN Requirements – Canada and US Regions
In the Canada Region and US Region, an Issuer must request a new account range assignment for its
Visa Fleet Card program from the account range reserved for a Visa Fleet Card.
ID# 0004217 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
2.6.2.16 Visa Large Purchase Advantage BIN Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Large Purchase Advantage Issuer must designate either:
●
A unique BIN for Visa Large Purchase Advantage
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-119
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Licensing and Numerics Management
Visa Membership Management
●
A BIN/account range within an existing Visa Purchasing Card BIN designated for Visa Large
Purchase Advantage
ID# 0026967 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
2.6.3 Visa Prepaid Cards
2.6.3.1 Visa Prepaid Card BIN Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering legislation, an Issuer, must
notify Visa of BIN ranges used for new or existing anonymous Visa Prepaid Card programs.
ID# 0029613 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
2.7 Visa Membership Management
2.7.1 Client Portfolio Management Self-Service Tools Requirements
2.7.1.1 Client Portfolio Management Self-Service Tools Information
A Member, VisaNet Processor, or designated Agent must not disclose any information from the
Client Portfolio Management Self-Service Tools, or any other information associated with the tools,
to any other parties unless it is permitted in the Visa Rules or otherwise authorized in writing by
Visa. Information from and associated with the Client Portfolio Management Self-Service Tools is
the property of Visa and is for the sole use of Visa Members and their registered third-party service
providers in support of the Members’ Visa programs.
ID# 0026518 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
2.7.1.2 Use of Client Portfolio Management Self-Service Tools
A Member is responsible for all of the following for a Member, VisaNet Processor, or designated Agent
that has been granted permission to access the Client Portfolio Management Self-Service Tools on the
Member's behalf:
●
The Member’s use and its VisaNet Processor’s or designated Agent's use in accordance with the
Visa Rules
●
Monitoring its users' access to ensure that only authorized users are granted access to the service
●
Ensuring that only authorized officers of the institution approve membership requests
PSR-120 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Licensing and Numerics Management
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
The accuracy of all information and any changes made to the information by the Member and its
authorized users
●
Ensuring that changes to the Member's information are accompanied by an Electronic Signature
ID# 0026519 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
2.8 Non-Visa BINs
2.8.1 Non-Visa-Assigned BINs
2.8.1.1 Non-Visa-Assigned BIN Management
To use a non-Visa-assigned BIN in connection with a Visa service, a Member must submit to Visa a
Non-Visa-Assigned BIN Notification Form.
A BIN Licensee of a non-Visa-assigned BIN that is used for a Visa service must:
●
Maintain the accuracy of the information relative to the BIN
●
Submit the appropriate form to notify Visa of changes, including all of the following:
– Portfolio sale or transfer
– Merger or Acquisition
– Cessation of use
– Modification to service
– Release of BIN
A BIN Licensee of a non-Visa-assigned BIN must comply with Section 2.3, “BIN License and
Administration.”
ID# 0026514 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-121
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Licensing and Numerics Management
EU Passporting
2.10 EU Passporting
2.10.1 EU Passporting – Europe Region
2.10.1.1 EU Passporting – Member Requirements – Europe Region
In line with EU passporting regulation(s), a Member is eligible to passport its license to operate in a
Home Country to one or more Host Countries. A Member that chooses to passport its license may act
as an Issuer and/or Acquirer across the European Economic Area (EEA).
Requirements inside the EEA
A Member must inform Visa of both:
●
Its intention to passport its license into a Host Country
●
Its intention to passport that license into any subsequent Host Country
A Member that is located within the EEA and chooses to provide payment services in a Host Country
that is located within the EEA must both:
●
Provide any of the following as evidence of an application to provide payment services in a Host
Country:
– A copy of the "outward notification" from the competent domestic authority of the Home
Country to the competent domestic authority of the Host Country
– A copy of the acknowledgement from the Host Country's competent domestic authority,
recognizing and approving the "outward notification" to provide payment services in that Host
Country
– Other evidence from the Home Country's or Host Country's competent domestic authority
recognizing that the Member has applied to provide payment services in that Host Country
●
Satisfy financial and operational risk criteria established by Visa
Requirements outside the EEA
A Member that is located within the EEA and chooses to operate in a Host Country that is located
outside the EEA, or a Member that is located outside the EEA and chooses to operate in a Host
Country that is located within the EEA or outside the EEA, must both:
●
Provide Visa with a copy of the confirmation, received by that Member from the competent
domestic authority within that Host Country, approving that Member's request to offer payment
services within that Host Country
●
Satisfy financial and operational risk criteria established by Visa
PSR-122 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Licensing and Numerics Management
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
A Member must notify Visa as soon as possible, within 3 business days, if it is no longer allowed to
provide payments services in any given Host Country.
BIN Requirements
In line with Product Category requirements, an Issuer that has passported its license into one or more
Host Countries must both:
●
Allocate and use a unique BIN for all Cards issued in Host Countries to cover all passporting
activity
●
Allocate and use a unique account range within that BIN for each respective Host Country
Processing Requirements – Issuer
An Issuer that has passported its license into more than one Host Country must be capable of account
range-level processing.
Cardholder Support
An Issuer that has passported its license into one or more Host Countries must provide Cardholder
support and contact details in the local language of that Host Country.
BIN Assignment
An Acquirer that has passported its license into one or more Host Countries both:
●
May allocate the same BIN for acquiring activity in Host Countries into which it has passported its
license as it uses for acquiring activity within its Home Country
●
Is not required to allocate a unique BIN for acquiring activity in each respective Host Country into
which it passports its license
Processing Requirements – Acquirer
An Acquirer that has passported its license into one or more Host Countries must both:
●
Ensure that all Transaction records include the correct Merchant city and country code
●
Be capable of processing in the currency of the Host Country
Settlement Obligation
An Acquirer that has passported its license into one or more Host Countries must ensure that it settles
in one of the Settlement Currencies approved by Visa.
National Net Settlement Service
An Acquirer that has passported its license into one or more Host Countries must participate in the
respective National Net Settlement service (NNSS), where applicable.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-123
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Licensing and Numerics Management
EU Passporting
Merchant Support
An Acquirer that has passported its license into one or more Host Countries must provide Merchant
support and training in Card acceptance in the local language of that Host Country.
Domestic Regulation
Where a Member offers Visa products and services within a Host Country, that Member must comply
with all applicable domestic regulations.
Quarterly Operating Certificates
Members participating in passporting activity must ensure that all required information is reported, for
Cards issued and Transactions acquired, on the Quarterly Operating Certificate.
ID# 0029790 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-124 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Use of Marks
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
3 Use of Marks
3.1 Marks License
3.1.1 Affinity/Co-Branded Card Programs
3.1.1.1 Affinity/Co-Branded Card Marks Prohibitions
An Affinity/Co-Branded Card must not bear:
●
A Mark or name similar to an existing Visa program or service
●
A Mark or image that is political, provocative, or socially offensive, as determined by Visa, that
would result in non-acceptance of the Card or other issues at the Point-of-Transaction
●
A Functional Type or Mark that facilitates payment for goods or services
ID# 0027368 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
3.1.1.2 Affinity/Co-Brand Program Positioning and Advertising
An Affinity/Co-Brand Card Issuer must comply with all of the following:
●
Position the Card as a Visa Card
1
●
Refer to the Affinity/Co-Brand Card as a "Visa Card" in all Collateral Material
●
Ensure that all Collateral Material and Cards clearly state that the Member is the Issuer of the Card
●
Ensure that the Visa Brand Name or Visa Brand Mark is prominently featured, or is at least the
same size as, Marks owned by the Issuer and the Affinity/Co-Brand partner on all Collateral
Material
●
Not position the Card as adding superior acceptability at the Point-of-Transaction
2
●
Not state or imply that the Affinity/Co-Brand Card is accepted only by a particular Merchant or
class of Merchants
●
Portray itself as the owner of the Affinity/Co-Brand program
●
Ensure that the Affinity/Co-Brand partner does not state or imply that the Affinity/Co-Branded
Card is owned or issued by the Affinity/Co-Brand partner
Visa may prohibit the use of any materials that denigrate the Visa brand.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-125
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Use of Marks
Marks License
1
A limited exception is allowed in the US Region for Campus Cards to facilitate closed-loop proprietary college or university
system transactions and permit the use of campus identification/access applications. A Campus Card must still be
positioned as a Visa Card, but with the additional functionality noted here.
2
This requirement does not apply to discounts, offers, or in-kind incentives offered by the Merchant.
ID# 0027369 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
3.1.2 Marks License Grant
3.1.2.1 Registration/Ownership Denotation
A Member desiring to use a denotation or legend of registration or ownership with any proprietary
Mark or Trade Name used in association with, or on the same piece as, any Visa-Owned Mark may do
so only if proper trademark attribution is given to the Visa-Owned Mark as follows:
[Visa-Owned Mark] is a trademark owned by Visa International Service Association and used under
license.
ID# 0007431 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
3.1.3 Sponsorships and Partnerships, Including the Olympics
3.1.3.1 Marketing Partnership/Sponsorship Agreement
A partnership or sponsorship agreement governs in the case of ambiguity, conflict, or inconsistency
between that agreement and the Visa Rules or any contract, sublicense, agreement, or other
arrangements between Visa and a Member, a Merchant, or an affiliate.
ID# 0001128 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
3.1.3.2 Sponsorship/Member Use of Marks
A Member’s enjoyment of pass-through rights to use the Marks and promotional materials of any
organization with which Visa has signed a global sponsorship agreement is always subject to the prior
written approval of Visa and the partner or sponsor organization.
A Member must not use the Visa-Owned Marks with the Marks of any of the following, or of its
subsidiaries or affiliates, in any sponsorship activity:
●
American Express Company
●
Discover Financial Services
●
MasterCard Worldwide (including Maestro)
PSR-126 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Use of Marks
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Any other entity that Visa deems competitive
Upon Notification from Visa, a Member must correct any improper use of the partnership or
Sponsorship Marks.
ID# 0007450 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
3.1.3.3 Member as Sponsor
A Member that participates in any sponsorship activity of which Visa is the sponsor must clearly
convey in all of its communications and displays that only Visa, not the Member, is the sponsor.
A Member that participates in any sponsorship activity of which the Member is granted sponsorship
rights by Visa must clearly convey in all of its communications and displays that only the Member, not
Visa, is the sponsor. The Member must not state or imply that it owns any of the Visa-Owned Marks.
ID# 0007405 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
3.2 Use of Marks
3.2.1 Use of Marks by Members and Merchants
3.2.1.1 Use of Visa-Owned Marks
A Member or Merchant that uses a Visa-Owned Mark must comply with all of the following:
●
Not use the Visa-Owned Mark in a way that implies endorsement of any other product or service
●
Not use, adopt, register, or attempt to register a company name, product name, or Mark that is
confusingly similar to any Visa product or service name or any Visa-Owned Mark
●
Ensure that any material on which the Visa-Owned Mark appears does not infringe, dilute, or
denigrate any of the Visa-Owned Marks or Visa products or services or impair the reputation or
goodwill of Visa or the goodwill associated with the Marks
●
Not refer to Visa in stating eligibility for its products, services, or membership
In addition, a Member or Visa Checkout Merchant that uses the Visa Checkout Mark must not use it as
a substitute for the Visa-Owned Mark to indicate payment acceptance.
An Acquirer must ensure that a Merchant using any Visa-Owned Mark complies with the Visa Product
Brand Standards.
ID# 0026991 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-127
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Use of Marks
Use of Marks
3.2.1.2 V PAY Brand Mark Use
The V PAY Brand Mark is a Visa-Owned Mark. Implementation of the V PAY Product and use of the V
PAY Brand Mark outside the Europe Regionis subject to approval and trademark availability. The V PAY
Brand Mark must appear exactly as specified in the Visa Product Brand Standards.
ID# 0003585 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
3.2.1.3 Use of the Visa Brand Name and the Visa Brand Mark on Merchant Websites
and Applications
A Merchant website and/or application must display the Visa Brand Markin full color, as specified in
the Visa Product Brand Standards.
The Visa Brand Name must be used to indicate acceptance only when a visual representation of the
Visa Brand Mark is not possible on the website or application.
A Merchant that displays the Verified by Visa Mark on its website or application must comply with the
Visa Product Brand Standards.
Effective 14 April 2018
A Merchant that retains Stored Credentials must display on the payment screen and all screens
that show Account information both:
●
The last 4 digits of the Account Number or Token
●
The Visa Brand Mark or the name “Visa” in text immediately next to a Visa payment option
ID# 0008671 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
3.2.2 Use of Marks in Promotions, Advertisements, and Solicitations
3.2.2.1 Card and Product Positioning
An Issuer must refer to its Visa Card as a “Visa Card” in all communications regarding its program,
including solicitations, advertising, promotions, and other Collateral Material.
ID# 0003211 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-128 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Use of Marks
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
3.2.2.2 Non-Member Marks on Collateral Material – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, except as permitted by Visa, a name, Trade Name, or Mark of a non-Member
must not be used on Collateral Material bearing the Visa Program Marks that is used for soliciting
applications or communicating with Cardholders.
This does not apply to the Marks of the Interac Association.
ID# 0006236 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
3.2.2.3 Advertising Materials – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, Point-of-Transaction advertising and promotional materials (except credit card
application forms) must not indicate that the Merchant has been signed by, or represents the interests
of, a particular Member.
ID# 0006233 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
3.2.3 Use of Marks on Cards
3.2.3.1 Hierarchy of Visa-Owned Marks on Cards
If more than one Visa-Owned Mark is present on a Card, an Issuer must designate a Primary Mark,
complying with the following hierarchy of Marks:
●
Visa Brand Mark
●
Visa Brand Mark with the Electron Identifier
●
Plus Symbol
All other Visa-Owned Marks must both:
●
Appear together
●
Not be separated by any non-Visa-Owned Marks
ID# 0008218 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
3.2.3.2 Prohibition of Non-Visa Payment Functionality on Visa Cards
A Member must not use a Functional Type or any other Mark on a Visa Card to facilitate payment for
goods or services. This includes any mixture of alphanumeric characters that denotes participation in a
program or benefit (for example: a loyalty or rewards program, a membership identification number).
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-129
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Use of Marks
Use of Marks
In the Europe Region, a Member must provide Visa with details of the exact functionality of the
Functional Type or Functional Graphic.
ID# 0029511 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
3.2.3.3 Use of Other Marks – US Region and US Territories
In the US Region or a US Territory, a Member must comply with the Visa Product Brand Standards and
Table 3-1, “Specific Marks Requirements - US Region and US Territories.”
Table 3-1: Specific Marks Requirements – US Region and US Territories
Card Type Marks Allowed?
Visa Card that primarily
accesses a line of credit
Interlink Program Marks No
US Covered Visa Debit
Card
Marks of a non-Visa general purpose payment card
network
Yes
US Covered Visa Debit
Card
Non-Visa-owned brand Marks Yes, to indicate
acceptance at Merchant
Outlets solely within
the country of Card
issuance. The Marks
must be equally
prominent with or less
prominent than the Visa
Brand Mark.
US Covered Visa Debit
Card
Marks that are specifically related to bank card
programs and/or services related to those programs
Yes
US Covered Visa Debit
Card
Marks of the American Express Company, Discover
Financial Services, MasterCard Worldwide (including
Maestro) or the subsidiaries or affiliates of these
entities deemed competitive by Visa
Yes
US Covered Visa Debit
Card bearing the Plus
Symbol
Marks of entities deemed competitive by Visa Yes
Card not defined as US
Covered Visa Debit Card
Marks that are specifically related to bank card
programs and/or services related to those programs,
unless the Visa Rules expressly allow them
No
ID# 0026531 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-130 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Use of Marks
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
3.3 Other Card Requirements
3.3.1 Magnetic-Stripe Encoding
3.3.1.1 Magnetic-Stripe Encoding Requirements
The Magnetic Stripe on a Visa Card or Visa Electron Card must be encoded on both track 1 and 2.
This does not apply:
●
In the LAC Region for Magnetic-Stripe personalization of embossed instant-issue Visa Cards
●
In the US Region for the MagneticStripe used to facilitate closed-loop campus applications on
dual Magnetic-Stripe Campus Cards.
ID# 0003602 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
3.3.1.3 Magnetic-Stripe Encoding – Europe Region (Germany)
In the Europe Region (Germany), an Issuer must encode the Magnetic-Stripe on all Cards using 2750
oersted high coercivity encoding technology, as specified in the industry standards adopted by Visa-
approved manufacturers and Magnetic-Stripe encoding equipment providers.
ID# 0030043 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
3.4 Point-of-Transaction Display of Marks
3.4.1 Display of Marks at the Point of Sale
3.4.1.1 Improper Display of Affinity/Co-Brand Partner Trade Name or Mark
Upon Notification from Visa, a Merchant must correct any display of an Affinity/Co-Brand
partner'sTrade Name or Mark at a Merchant Outlet if the display adversely affects the Visa brand.
ID# 0027375 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-131
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Use of Marks
Point-of-Transaction Display of Marks
3.4.1.2 Display of Marks at Point of Payment Choice for Electronic Commerce and
Payment Applications
A Merchant websiteand/or application must display at the point of payment choice the Visa POS
graphic in full color, as specified in the Visa Product Brand Standards.
ID# 0002337 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
3.4.1.3 Display of Marks at Point-of-Sale
The Visa-Owned Marks must not appear less prominently than any other payment Marks.
1
A Merchant must display the Visa POS graphic prominently, as follows:
●
At theMerchant entrance or storefront
●
On thepayment Acceptance Device, as specified in the Visa Product Brand Standards
1
This does not apply in the US Region or a US Territory.
ID# 0030002 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
3.4.1.4 Merchant Display of Marks and Acceptance Signage – Canada, Europe, and
US Regions
A Visa Debit Acceptorin the Canada Region, and a Limited Acceptance Merchant in the Europe Region
and US Region, must:
●
Display Visa-approved signage representing the category of Cards it accepts
●
Not Display any Visa graphic that indicates acceptance of all Visa Cards
ID# 0008380 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
PSR-132 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4 Issuance
4.1 General Issuance
4.1.1 General Issuer Requirements
4.1.1.1 Visa Card Product and Token Positioning
A Member must not:
●
Position any Visa Card as something other than a Visa Card. A Visa Card that facilitates additional
functionality or provides access to applications or services must still be positioned as a Visa Card
1
●
Position a Visa Business, Visa Corporate, or Visa Purchasing Card as something other than a Visa
Card for the payment of business expenditures
●
Position its Trade Name or Mark as adding superior acceptance of the Card at the Point-of-
Transaction
2
An Issuer must ensure that a paymentToken both:
●
Maintains the same product characteristics of the Card represented by that paymentToken
●
Is presented to the Cardholder as a Visa Product or Service
1
For example, a Visa Card with added functionality such as Cardholder identification, participation in a loyalty program,
or membership in an organization or, in the US Region, a Campus Card that facilitates closed-loop proprietary college or
university transactions must still be positioned as a Visa Card.
2
This does not apply to discounts, promotional offers, or in-kind incentives offered by the Merchant.
ID# 0006153 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.1.1.2 Delivery of Visa Premium Product Value to Cardholders
An Issuer must structure its Visa premium products to deliver product value based on features,
performance standards, and spending limits, such that:
●
A Visa Infinite Card and a Visa Signature Card delivers higher value than a Visa Platinum Card.
●
A Visa Platinum Card delivers equal or higher value than a Visa Gold/Premier Card.
●
A Visa Gold/Premier Card delivers higher value than a Visa Classic Card.
●
A Visa Business Gold Card delivers higher value than a Visa Business Card.
●
In the Canada Region, a Visa Platinum Prepaid Card delivers higher value than a Visa Prepaid Card
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-133
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
This requirement does not apply in the US Region.
ID# 0008225 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.1.3 Non-Standard Card Prohibitions
An Issuer of a non-standard Card must not:
●
Permit exclusive or preferential acceptance by a Merchant
1
●
Link the non-standard Card to a Virtual Account
In the Europe Region, a non-standard Card issued within the European Economic Area (EEA) must
identify the correct Product Category on the Chip.
1
This does not apply to discounts, promotional offers, or in-kind incentives offered by the Merchant.
ID# 0003242 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.1.4 Issuer Requirements for a Credit Authorization on Returned Purchases
Effective 14 April 2018
An Issuer must both:
1
●
Be prepared to receive and respond to an Authorization Request for a Credit Transaction
●
Process the Credit Transaction so that Cardholder-facing applications are updated with the
pending credit information in the same timeframe as a purchase Transaction
1
This does not apply to Non-Reloadable Visa Prepaid Cards. Issuers of Non-Reloadable Visa Prepaid Cards may choose
whether or not to support the Authorization Request or update Cardholder-facing applications.
ID# 0029557 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
4.1.1.5 Issuance of Domestic Use-Only Visa Cards
In the LACRegion, anIssuer must not issue a Visa Card that is restricted to use only in the country of
issuance, as follows:
●
In Brazil, a Visa Consumer Card, Visa Commercial Card, or Visa Electron Card
●
In Mexico, a Visa consumer credit Card, Visa consumer debit Card, or Visa Electron Card
PSR-134 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Effective 14 October 2017
An Issuer must not issue a Visa consumer credit Card or a Visa consumer debit Card that is
restricted to use only in the country of issuance.
This does not apply in the:
●
Europe Region
●
LAC Region, as follows:
– A Card issued under a Visa Program in existencebefore 13 October 2017 by an Issuer in
the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Paraguay, Uruguay
– A Card issued in Argentina, Barbados, Chile, Colombia, Jamaica, Trinidad
With prior Visa approval, an Issuer may issue a Visa Prepaid Card that is restricted to use only in
the country of issuance.
ID# 0029327 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.1.1.6 Issuer Minimum Manual Cash Disbursement Amount
An Issuer must not establish a minimum Manual Cash Disbursement amount.
ID# 0006858 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2015
4.1.1.7 General Member Card Plan – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, each Visa Canada General Member must operate its own Card plan that
conforms to all of the following minimum standards:
●
Each Member must issue Cards in its own name and own the receivables arising from the use of
such Cards. Securitization does not impact ownership for the purpose of the Visa Rules.
●
Cards issued by each Member will entitle Cardholders to make purchases of goods and services
and to obtain Cash Disbursements.
●
Subject to appropriate Authorization, each Member will honor Cards issued by other Members for
Cash Disbursements.
●
Subject to appropriate Authorization, each General Member will cause its Merchants to honor
Cards issued by other such Members for the purchase of goods and services.
ID# 0004092 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-135
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
4.1.1.8 Product Category Identification Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Issuer must identify a newly issued or reissued Card that is issued within the
European Economic Area (EEA) by the correct Product Category, as specified in the Visa Product Brand
Standardsand Table 4-1, “Product Category Identification - Europe Region.”
An Issuer may identify a Card issued outside the EEA by the correct Product Category, as specified in
the Visa Product Brand Standardsand Table 4-1, “Product Category Identification - Europe Region.”
Table 4-1: Product Category Identification – Europe Region
Product Category Debit Credit (including
Deferred Debit)
Commercial Prepaid
Interchange Fee
Category
Consumer
Immediate Debit
Consumer Credit Commercial Consumer
Immediate Debit or
Commercial
BIN Category Debit Credit or Deferred
Debit
Commercial Prepaid
In France, Visa Affaires Cards that use the “EN“ corporate product sub-type must be identified with:
●
The credit Product Category
●
The EMVCo-allocated “Application Product Identifier” tag value that identifies the product as credit
ID# 0029610 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
4.1.1.9 BIN Requirements for Cards Requiring Online Authorization – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, if a Card is issued with a Service Code that requires Online Authorization (X2X),
the Issuer must use either:
●
A separate BIN
●
A designated account range
ID# 0029611 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.1.10 Issuer Requirements for Gambling Transactions in Norway – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Norway Issuer must ensure that Cards issued in Norway are not used for
gambling Transactions outside of Norway.
ID# 0030011 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
PSR-136 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.1.1.11 Card Accessing Cardholder Funds on Deposit – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer must not issue or reissue a Visa Card that accesses Cardholder funds on
deposit at an organization other than the Issuer's, unless it both:
●
Receives prior written consent from the organization where the funds are deposited
●
Completes automated clearing house notification requirements
This prohibition does not apply to monthly periodic payments by the Cardholder to the Issuer.
ID# 0004573 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.1.12 Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2) Issuer Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer must provide Visa with valid CVV2 encryption keys and test Account
Numbers with CVV2 values and expiration dates.
ID# 0000672 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.1.13 Positioning, Acceptance, and Accounts – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer must not:
●
Designate or design any of its Visa Cards, whether through the use of a Trade Name, Mark,
numbering scheme, code on the Magnetic Stripe or Chip, QR code, orany other device or means,
in order to either:
– Permit exclusive or preferential acceptance of any of its Visa Cards by any Merchant. This does
not apply to discounts, promotional offers, or in-kind incentives offered by the Merchant.
– Allow any Transaction involving use of these Cards to be treated as anything other than a
Visa Transaction, except as specified in Section 7.1.1.4, “Non-Visa Debit Transaction Disclosure
Requirements – US Region”
1
●
Allow a Visa Card that is used primarily to access a line of credit to participate in any PIN-based
debit program, unless the participation is for ATM access only
1
This does not apply to Campus Cards that facilitate closed-loop proprietary college or university system transactions and
permit the use of campus identification/access applications. A Campus Card must still be positioned as a Visa Card, but with
additional functionality.
ID# 0003210 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-137
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
4.1.1.14 Marketing Materials for Visa Products
An Issuer must receive written approval from Visa before distribution of marketing materials, as
follows:
Table 4-2: Marketing Materials Approvals for Visa Products
Applicable Products Issuer Region Requirements
Visa Signature AP Region, CEMEA
Region, US Region
●
In the AP Region, includes all Cardholder
communication materials
●
In the CEMEA Region, includes all marketing
materials
●
In the US Region, includes Visa Signature
marketing materials, customer communications,
terms and conditions, and/or disclosures
Visa Signature Preferred US Region Includes Visa Signature Preferred marketing
materials, customer communications, terms and
conditions, and/or disclosures
Visa Infinite All Regions
●
Includes Merchant partnership and emergency
services material
●
Additionally in the AP Region and Canada
Region, includes all Cardholder communication
materials
Visa Infinite Privilege Canada Region Includes marketing materials for its Cardholders with
terms and conditions and/or disclosures
Visa Platinum Business CEMEA Region All Cardholder communication material
Visa Signature Business AP Region and CEMEA
Region
●
In the AP Region, includes Cardholder
communication material relating to Merchant
partnership or emergency services
●
In the CEMEA Region, includes all marketing
materials
Visa Infinite Business AP Region and Canada
Region
●
In the AP Region, includes all Cardholder
communication materials
●
In the Canada Region, includes Cardholder
communication material relating to Merchant
partnership or emergency services
Visa Infinite Corporate LAC Region Includes Merchant partnership and emergency
services material for the Cardholders
ID# 0029988 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
PSR-138 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.1.1.15 Visa Card Customer Service Requirements
A Visa Card Issuer must provide to its Visa Cardholderscustomer service that is available 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week to obtain emergency and account-related information services.
1
1
Optional for Visa Electron, Visa Classic, and Non-Reloadable Cards
ID# 0029989 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.1.1.16 Presence of Payment Account Reference – AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, and US
Regions
Effective 14 October 2017 in the APRegion, Canada Region, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, and US
Region
A Visa payment account must have an associated Payment Account Reference.
ID# 0030037 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
4.1.2 Visa Credit Card Issuance
4.1.2.1 Second Line of Credit for On-Us Transactions – LAC Region
An LAC Issuer’s offer of a second line of credit must comply with all of the following:
●
Be offered only in association with an Affinity/Co-Brand partner
●
Be restricted to purchase Transactions completed as Visa Transactions at the Affinity/Co-Brand
partner'sMerchant Outlet
●
Be restricted to On-Us Transactions
●
Not exceed the amount of primary line of credit
ID# 0007302 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.1.2.2 Visa Consumer Product Core Card Benefits – LAC Region
In the LACRegion, a Visa Consumer Card Issuer must, at a minimum, provide its Cardholders with all
of the following core product benefits, unless prohibited by applicable laws or regulations:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-139
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
Table 4-3: Visa Consumer Product Core Card Benefits – LAC Region
Core Benefit
Visa Classic
1,2
Visa Gold Visa Platinum Visa Signature Visa Infinite
Travel
Information
Services
Worldwide Worldwide Worldwide Worldwide Worldwide
Price Protection Up to USD 200
per account,
per year
Up to USD 400
per account,
per year
USD 500 per
item up to
USD 2,000 per
account, per
year
USD 500 per
item up to
USD 2,000 per
account, per
year
Up to
USD4,000 per
account, per
year
Purchase
Protection
N/A Up to
USD1,000 per
account, per
year
USD 5,000 per
item up to USD
10,000 per
account, per
year
USD 5,000 per
item up to USD
10,000 per
account, per
year
USD 10,000
per item up to
USD 20,000 per
account, per
year
Extended
Warranty
N/A Up to
USD5,000 per
account, per
year
USD 5,000 per
item up to USD
10,000 per
account, per
year
USD 5,000 per
item up to USD
10,000 per
account, per
year
USD 5,000 per
item up to USD
25,000 per
account, per
year
Auto Rental
Insurance
N/A Worldwide,
including
country of
residence
3
Worldwide,
including
country of
residence
Worldwide,
including
country of
residence
Worldwide,
including
country of
residence
Travel Accident
Insurance
N/A N/A Up to USD
500,000
Up to USD
1,000,000
Up to USD
1,500,000
International
Emergency
Medical
Services
N/A N/A Up to USD
150,000
Up to USD
200,000
Up to USD
200,000
Baggage Delay N/A N/A N/A Up to USD 100
per hour of
delay, up to
USD 500 per
beneficiary, per
event, after 4
hours of delay
Up to USD 100
per hour of
delay, up to
USD 600 per
beneficiary, per
event, after 4
hours of delay
Baggage Loss N/A N/A N/A Up to USD
1,000 per
beneficiary, per
event
Up to USD
3,000 per
beneficiary, per
event
PSR-140 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Core Benefit
Visa Classic
1,2
Visa Gold Visa Platinum Visa Signature Visa Infinite
Missed
Connection
N/A N/A N/A N/A Up to USD 300
Trip Delay N/A N/A N/A N/A Up to USD 300
more than 4
hours of delay
Trip
Cancellation
N/A N/A N/A N/A Up to USD
3,000
Insured
Journey
N/A N/A N/A N/A Up to 50,000
Personal
Concierge
Service
N/A N/A Provided
through Visa
Provided
through Visa
Provided
through Visa
Priority Pass
Membership
N/A N/A N/A N/A Complementary
membership
for Core
Priority Pass
programs
1
This does not apply to Visa Classic debit Cards in Mexico.
2
This does not apply to Visa Classic Cards issued in Brazil.
3
This does not apply to Visa Gold debit Cards issued in the LAC Region.
ID# 0029542 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.1.3 Visa Charge Card Issuance
4.1.3.1 Visa Charge Card Classification – AP and US Regions
In the US Region, an Issuer must identify a Visa Charge Card and distinguish it from a Visa Consumer
Credit Card by using one of the following classification levels:
●
BIN
●
Account Range Definition (ARDEF)
●
RegisteredProgram Identification Number (RPIN)
●
Account level processing
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-141
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
In the AP Region (Malaysia), an Issuer must identify a Visa Charge Card and distinguish it from a Visa
Credit Card by using a separate BIN.
ID# 0026357 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.3.2 Visa Charge Card Authorization Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Charge Card issued as a Visa Signature Card or Visa Signature Preferred Card
must be issued with no pre-set spending limit.
ID# 0026981 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.3.3 Visa Charge Card Issuer Registration – AP and US Regions
In the AP Region and US Region, a Visa Charge Card Issuer must register its Visa Charge Card program
and obtain prior approval from Visa.
ID# 0026356 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.4 Visa Debit Card Issuance
4.1.4.1 Visa Debit Card Issuer Cash-Back Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Debit CardIssuer and Visa Business Check Card Issuer must support the Visa
Cash-Back Service.
This requirement does not apply to certain Visa Prepaid Cards, as specified in Section 1.4.4.1, “PIN
Issuance.”
ID# 0026502 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.4.2 Visa Debit Card Partial Preauthorization – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Debit Card Issuer or Visa Business Check Card Issuer and its VisaNet Processor
must support partial preauthorization Responses for PIN-Authenticated Visa Debit Transactions.
ID# 0026503 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-142 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.1.4.3 Consumer Visa Deferred Debit Card Equivalent – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer must position a Consumer Visa Deferred Debit Card only as a Card that
accesses a consumer’s deposit, investment, or other asset account, including a fiduciary account,
where the amount of any individual Transaction is not accessed, held, debited, or settled from the
consumer asset account sooner than 14 days from the date of the Transaction.
A Consumer Visa Deferred Debit Card is treated as a Visa credit Card only for Limited Acceptance
purposes.
ID# 0004153 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.1.4.4 Visa Debit Category Transaction Identification – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, a Visa Debit Category Card Issuer must both:
●
Identify all Visa Debit Category Transactions as Visa Transactions in all communications displaying
Transaction information, including account activity statements
●
Clearly disclose to the Cardholder any distinction between a Visa Debit Category Transaction and
other payment services
ID# 0008073 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.4.5 Visa Debit Category Issuer Chip Requirements – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, a Visa Debit Category Issuer must ensure that the Visa Application Identifier
(AID) is present on the Card and the Application Selection Flag (ASF) settings comply with the Visa
Canada Debit Card – Technical Specifications.
ID# 0008072 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.4.7 Visa Debit Card BIN Requirements – Europe Region (United Kingdom)
In the Europe Region (United Kingdom), an Issuer must use a unique BIN for its Visa Debit Card
program. It must notify Visa if it uses a previously assigned BIN or BIN range.
ID# 0030057 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-143
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
4.1.6 Affinity/Co-Brand and Global Co-Brand Issuance
4.1.6.1 Co-Branding Partnership Approval Documentation Requirements
A Global Co-Branding Partner and Issuer must provide a dossier of proprietary and public information
for approval to Visa, including both:
●
Co-Branding Partnership Regional Approval Form for each proposed interregional and intraregional
co-branding program
●
Global Co-Branding Partners' Marks and design guidelines (including color proofs) or evidence
that a trademark search has been conducted
ID# 0004052 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.6.2 Global Co-Branding Partner Eligibility
A Global Co-Branding Partner must comply with all of the following:
●
Be sponsored by an Issuer
●
Not be eligible for Visa membership
●
Not be an entity deemed to be a competitor of Visa
ID# 0004053 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.6.3 Global Co-Branding Issuer Qualification and Notification
An Issuer that partners with a Global Co-Brand Partner must both:
●
Be a qualified Issuer in countries where Global Co-Brand Cards will be issued
●
Notify Visa of its plans to expand interregional and intraregional Global Co-Brand Partners
ID# 0004055 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.1.6.4 Affinity/Co-Branded Card Program Requirements
An Affinity/Co-Brand Card Issuer must do all of the following:
●
Submit a completed Affinity/Co-Brand Application and obtain written approval from Visa for each
Affinity/Co-Brand program before issuing Affinity/Co-Brand Cards
●
Only issue Affinity/Co-Brand Cards to residents of the Visa Region in which the Issuer is located
●
In the Europe Region, all of the following:
PSR-144 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
– Identify an Affinity/Co-Brand program using an eligible account range within a BIN
– Notify Visa in the Affinity/Co-Brand Application which account range corresponds to which
Affinity/Co-Brand program
– Require the Affinity/Co-Brand partner to submit written agreement to the Issuer
acknowledging the rights of Visa to the Visa-Owned Marks
If requested by Visa, the Issuer must provide additional documentation, including all of the following:
●
The agreement between the Issuer and the Affinity/Co-Brand partner
●
Collateral Material
●
Information regarding the reputation and financial standing of the Affinity/Co-Brand partner
●
Other documentation
In the Canada Region, a General Member and Affinity/Co-Brand partner must complete all required
documentation and agreements required by the applicable Mark owners.
ID# 0027363 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.6.5 Visa Requests for Affinity/Co-Brand Program Information
A Member must submit both of the following to Visa upon request to determine compliance with
Affinity/Co-Brand program requirements:
●
Any and all contracts with the Affinity/Co-Brand partner
●
Any other documentation relative to the Affinity/Co-Brand program
ID# 0027373 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.1.6.6 Affinity/Co-Brand Partner Eligibility Requirements
An Affinity/Co-Brand partner must not be an organization that is either:
●
Eligible for Visa membership
1,2
●
Deemed to be a competitor of Visa
In the Europe Region, if an Affinity/Co-Brand partner is a retailer, its Merchant Outlets must accept
Visa Cards.
In the US Region, with prior approval from Visa, an Affinity/Co-Brand partner may be a non-Member
entity that is engaged in banking activities and eligible for Visa membership if all of the following
apply:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-145
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
●
The non-Member's Mark appears only ona Visa Credit Card.
●
The Issuer clearly identifies itself as the Issuer on the Card and program materials.
●
The Issuer owns, underwrites, and exercises complete control over the account and receivables
associated with it.
●
The Issuer maintains responsibility for all customer service functions for the Card.
1
This does not apply to a non-Member that is eligible for Visa membership, as specified in Section 4.11.3.3, “Visa Prepaid
Card Affinity/Co-Brand Partner Eligibility Exception.”
2
This does not apply in the AP Region (Japan), to Cards issued with multiple Magnetic Stripes.
ID# 0027364 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
4.1.6.7 Affinity/Co-Brand Program Ownership and Control
An Issuer that partners in offering an Affinity/Co-Brand program must comply with all of the
following:
1
●
Underwrite, issue, and maintain the account associated with an Affinity/Co-Brand Card
●
Always be portrayed as the owner of the Affinity/Co-Brand program
●
Own and control an Affinity/Co-Brand program as defined by Visa on the basis of the Issuer’s
entire relationship with the Affinity/Co-Brand partner, including all of the following:
– Whether the Issuer controls, or exercises controlling influence over, the management policies
with respect to the Affinity/Co-Brand program
– The extent to which the Issuer conducts credit evaluations, participates in Cardholder billing, or
provides customer services in connection with the Affinity/Co-Brand program
– Whether all or part of the receivables are financed by the Affinity/Co-Brand partner
1
In the AP Region, this does not apply to mortgage originator programs, pastoral companies, and superannuation funds in
Australia.
ID# 0027365 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.6.8 Affinity/Co-Branded Card Transaction Processing
A Transaction completed with an Affinity/Co-Branded Card (including an On-Us Transaction) must be
processed and treated as a Visa Transaction.
This does not apply in the US Region, as specified in Section 7.1.1.4, “Non-Visa Debit Transaction
Disclosure Requirements – US Region.”
PSR-146 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
This does not apply in the US Region to Campus Cards that facilitate closed-loop proprietary college
or university system transactions and permit the use of campus identification/access applications. A
Campus Card must still be positioned as a Visa Card.
This does not apply in the:
●
AP Region (Japan), to Cards issued with multiple Magnetic Stripes
●
Europe Region, to Cards issued with 2 or more payment scheme brands
ID# 0027370 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.6.9 Affinity/Co-Branded Card Account Access
An Affinity/Co-Branded Card must not be used to debit any credit, charge, payment, or deposit
account other than the account maintained by the Issuer in connection with that Affinity/Co-Branded
Card.
This does not apply in the AP Region (Japan), to Cards issued with multiple Magnetic Stripes.
This does not apply in the LAC Region, as specified in Section 4.1.2.1, “Second Line of Credit for On-Us
Transactions – LAC Region.”
ID# 0027371 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.6.10 Affinity/Co-Branded Card Rules for Proprietary Cards Bearing the Plus
Symbol
Affinity/Co-Branded Card rules do not apply to Proprietary Cards that display non-Member
identification and bear the Plus Symbol, but no other Visa Mark.
ID# 0027372 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.6.11 Determination of Affinity/Co-Brand Program Violations
If Visa determines that any provisions of the Affinity/Co-Brand program requirements have been
violated, Visa reserves the right to both:
●
Require modification of the program, including both:
– Assignment of the program to a third party
– Suspension of the program
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-147
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
●
Impose non-compliance assessments or terminate the program with 90 calendar days' written
notice
ID# 0027374 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.1.6.12 BIN Requirements for Airline Co-Brand Programs – CEMEA Region
In the CEMEA Region, an Issuer of Visa Gold Airline Affinity/Co-Branded Cards or Visa Platinum Airline
Affinity/Co-Branded Cards must use a separate designated unique BIN account range at the 9-digit
level for each program within a Visa Platinum BIN.
For an Affinity/Co-Branded Card issued on a Visa Platinum BIN, both of the following apply:
●
The Issuer must provide the same core services as required for all Visa Platinum Cards.
●
Mandatory minimum spending limits do not apply.
ID# 0009017 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
4.1.6.13 Co-Brand Partner Contract Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Member must include a provision in its contracts with a Co-Brand Partner that
specifies that the Co-Brand Partner must not misrepresent itself as being a Member.
ID# 0029801 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.7 Card Production Standards
4.1.7.2 Emergency Card Replacement Expiration Date – CEMEA Region
In the CEMEA Region, for an Emergency Card Replacement, the expiration date must be either:
●
The last day of the month following the month of issuance
●
A date assigned by the Issuer of no later than one year from the issuance date
ID# 0007234 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-148 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.1.7.3 Cardholder Name on Chip and Magnetic Stripe – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, if the Cardholder name is encoded on the Chip and on the Magnetic Stripe on a
Card, the names encoded must be the same as the name displayed on the Card as far as is allowed by
the character sets supported by the Chip and the Magnetic Stripe.
ID# 0029641 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.7.5 Card Activation Stickers – US Region
In the US Region, with the exception of a Card activation sticker,an Issuer must not affix any adhesive
material to the front or back of a Card unless it is integral to the manufacturing of the Card.
The Issuer must ensure that a Card activation sticker affixed to the front or back of its Card does not
interfere with any security features of the Card.
The Card activation sticker or other material enclosed with the Card mailer must either:
●
Provide a telephone number for the Cardholder to call to activate the Card, and instruct the
Cardholder to both:
– Contact the Issuer upon receipt of the Card for activation
– Remove the sticker from the Card once activation has occurred
●
For a Visa Check Card that is activated by the Cardholder at a terminal requiring a PIN, instruct the
Cardholder to remove the sticker from the Card before activation
ID# 0008695 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.7.6 Visa Mini Card Issuer Requirements
A Visa Mini Card Issuer must comply with all of the following:
●
Issue the Visa Mini Card with the same expiration date as the standard-sized companion Card
●
Issue the Visa Mini Card as the same Visa product type and with the same benefits as the
standard-sized companion Card
●
At the time of issuance, inform the Cardholder of potential usage restrictions
●
In the US Region, issue the Visa Mini Card in conjunction with a corresponding standard-sized Visa
Card
●
In the US Region, not establish a daily Transaction amount limit for Visa Contactless Mini Card use
ID# 0027520 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-149
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
4.1.8 Virtual Accounts
4.1.8.1 Virtual Account Requirements
An Issuer that offers a Visa Virtual Account must comply with the electronic payment authentication
requirements established by Visa.
ID# 0001643 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.8.2 Virtual Accounts – Commercial BIN Requirements
An Issuer that offers Virtual Account for a Visa Commercial Card must use the BIN designated for the
specific Visa Commercial Card product.
ID# 0001635 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.1.8.3 Virtual Account Issuer Requirements
A Virtual Account Issuer must comply with all of the following:
●
Obtain prior approval from Visa
●
Verify Account Information, including name of the Virtual Account owner, Account Number,
account expiration date, and Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2) and communicate it securely to the
Virtual Account owner
●
If a Reference Card is provided, comply with Reference Card design requirements
●
In the Europe Region, report Virtual Account products on the Quarterly Operating Certificate
ID# 0001645 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.9 Issuer Disclosures
4.1.9.1 Issuer Disclosure of Authorization Request Amounts
If an Issuer includes information from an Authorization Request in an online Cardholder statement,
Cardholder alert, or other communication to the Cardholder, it must both:
●
Notify its Cardholder that an Estimated Authorization Request, Initial Authorization Request, or
Incremental Authorization Request amount may differ from the final Transaction amount
PSR-150 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
For an Automated Fuel Dispenser Transaction, not notify its Cardholder of the amount of
the Authorization Request in the online Cardholder statement, Cardholder alert, or other
communication. It may notify the Cardholder of the final Transaction amount from the Acquirer
Confirmation Advice or the Completion Message.
ID# 0029466 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
4.1.9.2 Emergency Services Telephone Numbers
An Issuer must notify its Cardholders at least once each year of the availability of emergency services
and provide a toll-free telephone number through which Eligible Cardholders may obtain these
services.
ID# 0025791 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.9.3 Disclosure of Responsibility for Charges – AP Region
In the AP Region, a Member must not represent to its Cardholder or its Merchant that Visa imposes
any charge on the Cardholder or the Merchant. A Member is responsible for making whatever
disclosures applicable laws or regulations require with respect to its charges to its Cardholders or its
Merchants.
ID# 0004089 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.9.4 Issuer Contact Disclosure – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, an Issuer must disclose in its consumer Cardholder agreements that a
Cardholder may contact the Issuer to discuss disputes the Cardholder may have with respect to a
Transaction on their statement.
ID# 0004106 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.9.5 Issuer Disclosure of Fees and Charges – CEMEA Region
In the CEMEARegion, an Issuer of Visa Cards, Proprietary Cards bearing the Plus Symbol, and Cards
bearing the Visa Brand Mark with the Electron Identifier must notify its Cardholder in writing of the
following:
●
That the exchange rate between the Transaction Currency and the Billing Currency used for
processing International Transactions is either:
– A wholesale market rate
– The rate mandated by agovernment or governing body
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-151
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
●
Additional fees and charges (if any) assessed by the Issuer through the application of an Optional
Issuer Fee to the Currency Conversion Rate or any other fees for currency conversion
●
Specific fees and charges to be assessed to the Cardholder, where appropriate, including:
– Annual fee
– Interest rate(s), if applicable
– ATM Cash Disbursement fee
– Manual Cash Disbursement fee
– PIN replacement charge
– Fee for additional statement copies
– Late payment fee
●
Date on which the Cardholder will incur a late payment fee if the Issuer does not receive payment
for outstanding Transaction amounts appearing on the Cardholder billing statement
An Issuer may choose the method by which it notifies the Cardholder in writing. This may include one
or more of the following:
●
Cardholder agreement
●
Cardholder terms and conditions
●
Any other agreement between the Cardholder and Issuer
●
Monthly billing statement
ID# 0008822 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
4.1.9.6 Cardholder Agreement Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, taking into account all the products and services provided by Visa, all
information required under applicable data protection legislation must be provided in the Cardholder
Agreement including, but not limited to, the following:
●
The identity of the Issuer
●
The purposes of the processing for which any personal data is intended, including building a
profile of the Cardholder's interests
●
The recipients of the personal data, such as:
– The Member's subsidiaries and/or group of companies, agents, and employees
– Visa, its employees, and its third party subcontractors and their employees
– Third parties with whom the Cardholder transacts and has agreed to share personal data
PSR-152 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
– Third parties in an approved partnership with Visa, only where such data is presented in either
an anonymized, pseudonymized, or aggregated form and will never be able to be used by
those third parties to identify a particular Cardholder
– Such other entities to which it may be reasonably necessary to disclose and transfer personal
data (for example: credit reference agencies, law enforcement agencies, anti-terrorism or
organized crime agencies, fraud monitoring agencies, central banks)
– Any other entities as otherwise required or permitted by applicable laws or regulations
●
That the transfer and disclosure of personal data may take place worldwide
●
Any other information necessary to guarantee fair processing of personal data under applicable
laws or regulations, including without limitation:
– That aggregated, anonymized data may be created based on personal data
– That data may be used and/or shared where deemed applicable with third parties for:
▪ Billing purposes
▪ Product enablement and build
▪ Testing or product improvement purposes
▪ To reply to requests from public authorities
– That Cardholders are not identifiable from this data
– That data may be analyzed by Visa and its partners for offers or promotional activities that
Cardholders have entered or agreed to be a part of
– The categories of personal data processed, whenever considered necessary or convenient by
the Member
– A contact point for data protection-related enquiries
ID# 0029614 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.9.7 Cardholder Choice of Payment Scheme – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, for a Card issued inside the European Economic Area, an Issuer must include a
provision in its Cardholder agreement to explain that when a Card supports more than one payment
scheme and is used at a Merchant Outlet that accepts those payment schemes, the Cardholder retains,
at the Point-of-Transaction, complete discretion over the payment scheme that is used to initiate a
Transaction.
This requirement does not apply to Transactions at an Unattended Cardholder-Activated Terminal with
no Cardholder input interface.
ID# 0029615 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-153
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
4.1.9.8 Communication of Change of Card Details – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Issuer must communicate to its Cardholder in writing any change in the
Cardholder's Card details. This communication must both:
●
Advise the Cardholder of the impact of changing Card details and any need for action
●
Prompt the Cardholder to contact any Merchants with which it has either:
– A Recurring Transaction agreement
– Effective 14 October 2017
An agreement to store the Cardholder's Stored Credential
ID# 0029814 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.9.9 Issuer Disclosure Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Issuer must notify its Cardholders in writing of the following:
●
Specific fees and charges to be assessed to the Cardholder, including, but not limited to:
– Annual fee
– Interest rate(s), if applicable
– ATM Cash Disbursement fee
– Manual Cash Disbursement fee
– PIN replacement charge
– Fee for additional billing statement copies
●
Date on which Transactions will be debited from the Cardholder's account
ID# 0029815 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.1.9.10 Card Application Processing Fee – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer or Agent that charges a fee to a Cardholder for processing a Visa Card
application must comply with all of the following:
●
Disclose the application processing fee as being separate from any other fees associated with use
of the Visa Card
●
Provide the disclosure in a way that allows the Cardholder to avoid the fee if they do not want to
pursue the application
The Issuer or its Agent must not:
PSR-154 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Charge a fee for providing an application to a prospective Cardholder
●
Use a “900” area code, “976” telephone exchange, or any similar telephone number to indirectly
charge a fee for inquiries about obtaining a Card
ID# 0000412 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.9.11 Disclosure of Provision of Cardholder Data – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer must require its Cardholders to consent to the release of personal
data to Visa, Members, or their designated agents for the purpose of providing Emergency Cash
Disbursementand Emergency Card Replacement services.
ID# 0003870 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.9.12 Disclosure of Card Features and Services – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer must disclose to its Cardholders, in a timely manner, upgraded features
and services when a Cardholder converts from one Card program to another (for example: Visa
Traditional to Visa Signature). The Issuer is responsible for any liability that arises from the timing of
the disclosure.
ID# 0000425 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.9.13 Communication of Cardholder Assistance Telephone Number – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer must communicate one of the following toll-free telephone numbers to
each Cardholder at least once a year:
●
Visa Customer Care Services telephone or fax number
●
Issuer's or its agent's assistance center telephone or fax number
The toll-free telephone number must be printed on the back of the Card, or on other material
furnished to the Cardholder.
ID# 0008723 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-155
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
4.1.10 Confidentiality of Cardholder Information
4.1.10.1 Cardholder Information Privacy Requirements – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, an Issuer must certify to Visa that it has met the applicable requirements of
privacy legislation for the collection, use, and disclosure of personal Cardholder information among
Visa and its employees and agents, for the purpose of processing, authorizing, and authenticating a
Cardholder's Transactions and providing customer assistance services to a Cardholder.
ID# 0001986 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.10.2 Contest and Promotion Privacy Requirements – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, an Issuer will have met the applicable requirements of privacy legislation where
the Issuer's Cardholders participate in contests and promotions administered by Visa on behalf of the
Issuer.
ID# 0001987 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.11 PIN Requirements
4.1.11.1 PIN as Cardholder Verification Method – Issuer Requirements – AP Region
(India)
In the AP Region (India), an Issuer must have PIN as the preferred Cardholder Verification Method
(CVM) for all newly issued or re-issued Visa debit Cards and Reloadable Cards.
An Issuer must respond with a Decline Response when an Authorization Request for a Domestic
Transaction conducted in a Card-Present Environment on a Visa debit Card or Reloadable Card does
not include a PIN or the confirmation that PIN was correctly entered.
ID# 0027954 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.11.2 PIN for Emergency Card Replacement – CEMEA and Europe Regions
In the CEMEA Region and Europe Region, an Issuer that issues an Emergency Card Replacement is not
required to issue a PIN.
ID# 0007232 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-156 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.1.11.3 PIN Verification Service Request – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Issuer must submit a written request to Visa at least 90 calendar days before
implementing the PIN Verification Service.
ID# 0029592 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.11.4 PIN Verification Service – Issuer Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, if an Issuer uses the PIN Verification Service, the Issuer must either:
●
Encode the PIN Verification Value on the Magnetic Stripe, and for Cards containing a Chip, both
the Magnetic Stripe and Chip
●
Ensure that the PIN Verification Value resides on the PIN Verification Value file maintained by Visa
If the Issuer does not require Stand-In Processing to verify PINs, the Issuer is not required to encode
PIN Verification data on the Magnetic Stripe or Chip.
ID# 0007045 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.1.11.6 PIN Issuance for Visa Signature and Visa Signature Preferred Cards – US
Region
In the US Region, an Issuer must comply with Section 1.4.4.2, “PIN Issuance Requirements,” within one
year of issuing either of the following Card products to a new Cardholder:
●
Visa Signature
●
Visa Signature Preferred
An Issuer whose internal systems support customer PIN selection must offer the availability of PINs to
all of its Cardholders.
An Issuer whose internal systems do not support customer PIN selection must issue PINs to all of its
Cardholders and not simply notify its Cardholders that PIN is available upon request.
ID# 0008126 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.11.7 PIN as Cardholder Verification Method – Europe Region (Slovakia)
In the Europe Region (Slovakia), for a Visa Electron Transaction in a Card-Present Environment, the
primary Cardholder Verification Method must be PIN.
ID# 0030059 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-157
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
4.1.12 Data Retention and Transmission
4.1.12.1 Cardholder Data Provision for Prize Awards – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer must provide Cardholder data to Visa for the purposes of awarding prizes
in conjunction with promotional activities conducted by Visa.
If prohibited by applicable laws or regulations from disclosing Cardholder data, the Issuer must both:
●
Notify the Cardholder of the awarded prize and obtain necessary documentation
●
Ensure that the prize is awarded directly to the Cardholder
ID# 0008704 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.12.2 Enriched Transaction Data – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer that receives enriched data with any of the following Transactions must
either print the data on the Cardholder statement or retain the data for a minimum of 200 calendar
days from the Transaction Date:
●
CPS/Hotel and Car Rental Card Present
●
CPS/Hotel and Car Rental Card Not Present
●
CPS/e-Commerce Preferred Hotel and Car Rental
●
A Transaction that includes Airline itinerary data or ancillary data
ID# 0003554 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.12.3 Issuer Requirements for Reporting Linked Consumer Credit Accounts – US
Region
In the US Region, an Issuer with more than USD 1 billion in annual Visa Consumer Credit Card
Transaction volume must link its Visa Consumer Credit Cards if the Account Numbers are different, as
follows:
●
A secondary Card(s) to its primary Card through the Cardholder Maintenance File (CMF)
●
A virtual Card(s) to its primary or secondary physical Card(s) through the CMF
ID# 0029502 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
PSR-158 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.1.13 Provisional Credit/Zero Liability
4.1.13.1 Provisional Credit
An Issuer must provide provisional credit for the amount of a dispute or an unauthorized Transaction
(as applicable) to a Cardholder’s account, as follows:
Table 4-5: Provision of Provisional Credit
Issuer
Region
Product Type Provisional credit
must be provided to a
Cardholder's account:
Additional Requirements / Allowances
Visa Infinite
Visa Infinite Business
Within 24 hours
of notification of a
Cardholder dispute
The Issuer must do all of the following:
●
Place the disputed Transaction
amount in a suspense account until
the dispute is resolved
●
If the Merchant disputes the
Chargeback, inform the Cardholder
and attempt to resolve the dispute
●
Send letter of explanation to the
Cardholder when the dispute is
resolved
Visa Signature Within 24 hours
of notification of a
Cardholder dispute
The Issuer must place the disputed
Transaction amount in a suspense
account until the dispute is resolved.
Visa Ultra High Net
Worth
Within 24 hours
of notification of a
Cardholder dispute
The Issuer must not assess finance
charges on the disputed amount.
AP
All other Cards Within 5 business
days of notification,
unless the Issuer
determines that
additional investigation
is warranted
N/A
Canada Visa Debit Category Within 2 business days
of notification of a
dispute or unauthorized
Transaction, unless any
of the following apply:
The Issuer must charge back the disputed
amount if any of the following conditions
apply:
●
The dispute relates to an Electronic
Commerce or Mail/Phone Order
Transaction.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-159
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
Issuer
Region
Product Type Provisional credit
must be provided to a
Cardholder's account:
Additional Requirements / Allowances
●
The Issuer
determines the
need for special
investigation
●
Transaction type or
prior account history
warrants a delay
●
The nature of the
Transaction justifies
a delay in crediting
the Cardholder’s
account
All other Cards When both of the
following are confirmed:
●
The dispute meets
the Chargeback
criteria
●
The dispute is
determined to be
legitimate
●
The Merchant has not refunded the
Cardholder within 30 days of the
Cardholder’s attempt to resolve the
dispute.
●
The Cardholder is not expected to
receive a refund from any other
entity, fund, or source for the
disputed Transaction.
If the Issuer does not charge back the
disputed Transaction amount as required,
the credit to the Cardholder’s account
must be final.
The Issuer may reverse a provisional
credit only if it properly initiated a
Chargeback that is determined by Visa to
be invalid, except where the Chargeback
is determined by Visa to be valid on its
merits and properly documented, but
declined by reason of the Issuer's failure
to meet a Visa requirement.
CEMEA Visa Ultra High Net
Worth
Within 24 hours
of notification of a
Cardholder dispute
The Issuer must not assess finance
charges on the disputed amount.
LAC Visa Infinite
Visa Infinite Business
Visa Platinum Visa
Platinum Business
Visa Premium Corporate
Visa Signature
Visa Signature Business
Within 24 hours
of notification of a
Cardholder dispute
The Issuer must place the disputed
Transaction amount in a suspense
account until the dispute is resolved.
US Visa Business Check
Visa Debit, except
for ATM Cash
Disbursements
Within 5 business
days of notification
of an unauthorized
Transaction, unless the
Issuer determines that
additional investigation
is warranted and allowed
by applicable laws or
regulations
N/A
Visa Infinite Immediately The Issuer must do all of the following:
PSR-160 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Issuer
Region
Product Type Provisional credit
must be provided to a
Cardholder's account:
Additional Requirements / Allowances
●
Ensure that the disputed amount is
not calculated as part of the total
balance or displayed on Cardholder
statements or account summaries
●
If the Merchant disputes the
Chargeback, inform the Cardholder
and attempt to resolve dispute
●
Send letter of explanation to the
Cardholder when the dispute is
resolved
●
Notify the Cardholder before
the Transaction is reposted to
the account if the Chargeback is
reversed
1
●
Not assess any finance charges on
the disputed amount for the period
of the dispute
1
For a Member that participates in Enhanced Dispute Resolution, applies if the Issuer is responsible for the Dispute
amount
ID# 0029461 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.1.13.2 Advertising for the Zero Liability Program – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, any promotional, advertising, or marketing language used for the Zero Liability
Program must contain messaging, in the body of the promotional, advertising, or marketing language
and not as a footnoted disclaimer, to the effect that Cardholders are responsible for ensuring that they
protect their PIN.
ID# 0000397 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-161
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
4.1.14 Emergency Cash Disbursement, Emergency Card Replacement, Global
Customer Assistance Services (GCAS)
4.1.14.1 Issuer Requirements for Using the Visa Global Customer Assistance
Services Program for Emergency Cash Disbursement and Emergency Card
Replacement
An Issuer that participates in the Visa Global Customer Assistance Services program for Emergency
Cash Disbursements or Emergency Card Replacements must comply with all of the following:
●
At least 30 calendar days before participation, submit to Visa the Visa Global Customer Assistance
Services Program enrollment forms
●
Advise its Eligible Cardholders of the availability of an Emergency Cash Disbursement or
Emergency Card Replacement, as applicable
●
Provide Eligible Cardholders with a telephone number that is available worldwide 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week for Emergency Cash Disbursements and Emergency Card Replacements.
1
The
telephone number may be either the:
– Visa Global Customer Care Services (GCCS) telephone numbers
– Issuer's own worldwide emergency services telephone number
●
Designate one or more Emergency Service Locations
●
Notify Visa GCCS within 30 calendar days of any changes to an Emergency Service Location
●
Notify Visa GCCS at least 2 weeks before any change in its Emergency Cash Disbursement or
Emergency Card Replacement contact
●
Respond to a Status Check Authorization used to validate the correct encoding of the Emergency
Replacement Card which must be approved unless there is an issue with the validation of the track
1 or track 2 data on the Magnetic Stripe, or the Full-Chip Data
1
In the Europe Region (France), the contact number must appear on the back of the Card. For Visa Platinum Cards, this
service must be available between 9:00am and 9:00pm, Monday to Saturday (except bank holidays). No additional fees or
limitations may be applied. The Taxi and Never Lost services must be available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
ID# 0002627 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
4.1.14.2 Lost or Stolen Card Report Requirements for an Emergency Cash
Disbursement or Emergency Card Replacement
An Issuer must ensure that a lost or stolen Card report filed by a Cardholder requesting an Emergency
Cash Disbursement or Emergency Card Replacement lists both:
●
Address and telephone number where the Issuer may contact the Cardholder
PSR-162 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Emergency Cash Disbursement amount requested, if applicable
ID# 0002184 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.14.3 Emergency Cash Disbursement Limit Guide
A Member requesting an Emergency Cash Disbursement on behalf of a Cardholder must both:
●
Obtain Authorization from the Issuer
●
Comply with the Emergency Cash Disbursement limits specified in the Visa Core Rules and Visa
Product and Service Rules
ID# 0025793 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
4.1.14.4 Emergency Cash Disbursement or Emergency Card Replacement Delivery
Timeframes
An Issuer must ensure that the delivery of an Emergency Cash Disbursement and Emergency Card
Replacement provided by itself, through an agent, or through Visa Global Customer Card Services
(GCCS) complies with the applicable timeframes, as follows:
Table 4-6: Timeframes for Delivery of Emergency Cash Disbursement to Eligible Cardholders
Card Type Within the Canada Region
and US Region
Outside the Canada Region
and US Region
Visa Classic, Visa Electron, Visa Debit, Visa
Prepaid
1 business day 1 business day
Visa Gold/Premier, Visa Rewards, Visa
Platinum, Visa Business, Visa Business
Electron, Visa Corporate, Visa Purchasing
24 hours 1 business day
Visa Infinite,
1,2,3
Visa Signature,
3
Visa
Infinite Privilege, Visa Ultra High Net
Worth
24 hours 24 hours
1
A Canada Visa Infinite Privilege Issuer must provide Emergency Cash Disbursement for a lost, stolen, or damaged Card
reported by the Cardholder.
2
A US Visa Infinite Card Issuer must provide an Emergency Cash Disbursement for a lost, stolen, or damaged Card
reported by the Cardholder.
3
Applies to Visa Signature Business and Visa Infinite Business Cards issued in the LAC Region
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-163
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
Table 4-7: Timeframes for Delivery of Emergency Card Replacements to Eligible Cardholders
Card Type Within the Canada Region
and US Region
Outside the Canada Region
and US Region
Visa Classic, Visa Electron, Visa Debit, Visa
Prepaid
1 business day 3 business days
Visa Gold/Premier, Visa Rewards, Visa
Platinum, Visa Business, Visa Business
Electron, Visa Corporate, Visa Purchasing
24 hours 1 business day
Visa Infinite,
1
Visa Signature,
1
Visa Infinite
Privilege, Visa Ultra High Net Worth
24 hours 24 hours
1
Applies to Visa Signature Business and Visa Infinite Business Cards issued in the LAC Region
ID# 0002626 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
4.1.14.5 Emergency Cash Disbursement or Emergency Card Replacement Customer
Service Availability
An Issuer must ensure that a customer service agent is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to do
all of the following:
●
Respond to a request for an Emergency Cash Disbursement or an Emergency Card Replacement
●
Approve or deny a request from Visa Global Customer Care Services (GCCS) or an Eligible
Cardholder within 2 hours of notification
1
●
Provide Visa GCCS with the following information:
– For an Emergency Cash Disbursement, a unique Issuer Authorization Code, an Account
Number, an expiration date that is at least 30 days after the issuance date, and the amount to
be disbursed
– For an Emergency Card Replacement, the Cardholder name to emboss on the Card, an
expiration date that is at least 30 days after the issuance date,
2
and a new Account Number
that has been activated in the Issuer's Authorization system.In addition, in the Europe Region,
a Stand-In Processing Account
– Any updates or Cardholder verification data necessary for the issuance of an Emergency Card
Replacement
– In addition, in the Europe Region, Cardholder verification data (for example: mother’s maiden
name, previous address)
1
In the US Region, for a Visa Infinite Card, 30 minutes
PSR-164 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
2
In the Europe Region, either the last day of the month following the month of issuance or a date no later than one year
from the issuance date
ID# 0002629 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.14.7 Issuer Requirements for Emergency Card Replacement
An Issuer that provides Emergency Card Replacement must do all of the following:
●
Meet all Card security standards
●
Within one business day of being notified by Visa Global Customer Care Services (GCCS), replace a
Stand-In Processing Account that has been used for an Emergency Card Replacement
●
Maintain its Emergency Card Replacements in a secure manner
●
Immediately notify Visa GCCS if it discovers that a Card is missing
●
In the US Region, for a Visa Infinite Card, issue a Chip-enabled replacement Card if the Issuer or
agent supports Chip technology
ID# 0008545 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.14.8 Requirements for Emergency Service Locations
An Issuer must ensure that its Emergency Service Location both:
●
Is available during normal business hours to respond to a request for an Emergency Cash
Disbursement or Emergency Card Replacement
●
Notifies Visa Global Customer Care Services (within 3 calendar days) that the Cardholder has
picked up the Emergency Cash Disbursement or Emergency Card Replacement
ID# 0002631 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.14.9 Visa Global Customer Assistance Services Program Requirements
An Issuer must provide the required Global Customer Assistance Services by product, as follows:
Table 4-9: VisaGlobal Customer Assistance Services Program Eligibility Requirements by Product
Product
Cardholder
Inquiry Service
Emergency
Cash
Disbursement
Emergency
Card
Replacement
Lost/Stolen
Card Reporting
Exception File
Updates
Visa Classic Required Optional Optional Required
Required
1
Visa Gold/
Premier
Required
Required
2
Required Required
Required
1
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-165
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
Product
Cardholder
Inquiry Service
Emergency
Cash
Disbursement
Emergency
Card
Replacement
Lost/Stolen
Card Reporting
Exception File
Updates
Visa Platinum
3
Required Required Required Required
Required
1
Visa Rewards Required Required Required Required Required
Visa Signature Required Required Required Required Required
Visa Infinite Required Required Required Required Required
Visa Corporate Required Required Required Required
Required
1
Visa Business
8
Required Required Required Required
Required
1
Visa Purchasing Required Optional Required Required
Required
1
Visa Electron Required Optional Optional Required Required
Visa Business
Electron
Required
Optional
4
Optional Required
Required
1
Virtual Account
Required
7
Prohibited
5
Prohibited
5
Required
Required
1
Visa Prepaid
Card
Required
Optional
6
Optional
6
Required N/A
Visa
TravelMoney/
Visa Prepaid
travel
Required
Optional
9
Required Required Required
1
In the CEMEA Region, an Issuer may provide this service at its discretion.
2
In the Europe Region, this does not include Visa Gold Cards issued to Visa Prepaid accounts where full Cardholder due
diligence, such as KYC, has not been completed to the Issuer’s satisfaction.
3
This does not apply to Visa Platinum Prepaid Cards.
4
In the CEMEA Region, an Issuer must provide Emergency Cash Disbursement service to its Visa Business Electron
Cardholders.
5
In the CEMEA Region, an Issuer may provide this service for its Virtual Account Cardholders.
6
A Visa Corporate Prepaid Card Issuer must have the ability to offer these services if requested.
7
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
8
This applies to Visa Platinum Business, Visa Signature Business, and Visa Infinite Business Cards issued in the LAC
Region.
9
In the LAC Region, an Issuer must provide Emergency Cash Disbursement service to its Visa TravelMoney Student
Cardholders.
ID# 0004081 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
PSR-166 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.1.14.10 Visa Global Customer Assistance Services and Core Benefit Services – AP
Region
In the APRegion, in addition to Section 4.1.14.9, “Visa Global Customer Assistance Services Program
Requirements,” an Issuer or its designated provider must provide all of the following core benefit
services to its Visa Gold, Visa Business, and Visa Corporate Cardholders:
●
Emergency medical/legal assistance
●
Emergency ticket replacement
●
Travel assistance
●
Lost luggage assistance
●
Prescription assistance and valuable document delivery
●
Emergency message service
ID# 0004603 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.14.13 Cardholder Payments – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, subject to Cardholder consent to any charge imposed by a Member, a Member
must accept from the Cardholder a payment in CAD for another Canada Member's CAD-denominated
Visa billing and promptly remit the payment to the billing Member.
ID# 0007459 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.14.14 Visa Global Customer Assistance Services Program – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, an Issuer must do all of the following:
●
Advise its Eligible Cardholders of the availability of the applicable Visa Global Customer Assistance
Services
●
Provide its Eligible Cardholders with a telephone number that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week, for the applicable Visa Global Customer Assistance Services
●
Provide all of the following Global Customer Assistance Services for its Visa Card products:
– Emergency Card Replacement
–
Emergency Cash Disbursement
1
– Lost/Stolen Card Reporting
– Cardholder Inquiry Service
– Exception File Updates
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-167
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
1
This does not apply to Visa Classic and Visa Purchasing Cards.
ID# 0004645 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2015
4.1.14.15 Visa Cardholder Benefit Requirements by Product – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, an Issuer must, at minimum, provide the following product-specific Cardholder
benefits:
Table 4-10: Cardholder Benefits by Product Type – Canada Region
Product Auto Rental Collision/
Damage Waiver
Legal Referral
Assistance and Cash
Disbursement
Medical Referral
Assistance and Cash
Disbursement
Visa Optional Optional Optional
Visa Gold Optional Optional Optional
Visa Platinum Optional Optional Optional
Visa Infinite Required Required Required
Visa Infinite Privilege Required Required Required
Visa Business Optional Optional Optional
Visa Infinite Business Required Required Required
Visa Corporate Optional Required Required
Visa Purchasing Optional Not applicable Not applicable
ID# 0028064 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.1.14.16 Visa Global Customer Assistance Services Program Contacts – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, an Issuer must not designate to Visa Global Customer Care Services more than
4 contacts per Visa Global Customer Assistance Services Program request.
ID# 0004646 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.14.17 Cardholder Charges for Visa Global Customer Assistance Services – Canada
Region
In the Canada Region, an Issuer must not assess supplemental charges to an Eligible Cardholder for
the required Visa Global Customer Assistance Services.
ID# 0004647 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-168 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.1.14.18 Visa Infinite Business Card Replacement and Emergency Cash Disbursement –
Canada Region
In the Canada Region, a Visa Infinite Business Card Issuer must provide to an Eligible Cardholder an
Emergency Cash Disbursement or an Emergency Card Replacement, directly or through an agent,
within the following timeframes:
●
Within the Canada Region and US Region, within 24 hours
●
Outside the Canada Region and US Region, within one business day
ID# 0025628 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.14.19 Visa Global Customer Assistance Program – Issuer Participation – CEMEA and
Europe Regions
In the CEMEA Region and Europe Region, to participate in the Visa Global Customer Assistance
Services Program, an Issuer must complete a GCCS Commitment Form for each BIN. The Issuer must
do all of the following:
●
Advise its Eligible Cardholders of the availability of the Visa Global Customer Assistance Services
Program
●
Provide the telephone number of Visa Global Customer Care Services (GCCS) for the Cardholder to
report a lost or stolen Card or request emergency assistance
ID# 0004663 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.15 Insurance/Benefits
4.1.15.2 Insurance Program Issuer Requirements – US Region
An Issuer that offers Visa-funded insurance Card benefits must comply with the following
requirements:
●
Meet all Cardholder notification requirements prescribed by insurance regulators and available at
visacardbenefits@cbsiservices.com
●
Defend and pay a Cardholder for any insurance claim if the Cardholder files a claim based on an
insurance certificate or other disclosure of terms, conditions, and exclusions and either of the
following:
– The Issuer failed to send, or cannot provide evidence of having sent, information advising the
Cardholder that such coverage was no longer available.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-169
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
– The Issuer misrepresented the actual terms of the coverage underwritten, misstated the type or
scope of coverage offered by the Issuer, or altered the insurance coverage description without
written approval provided by the insurance provider orits appointed designee, and such
misrepresentation, misstatement, or alteration results in an obligation or claim to pay a claim
that was not otherwise covered.
●
If choosing to meet the required minimum benefits for a given product platform via an alternate
insurance provider, assume all related expense, operational support, and notification requirements,
including the necessary quality assurance and program liability. The Issuer must also notify Visa
and provide details as requested by Visa and/or insurance agency to ensure that the minimum
requirements are met.
●
Pay for an otherwise valid insurance claim if either of the following:
– The Issuer did not maintain coverage.
– The insurance carrier would have been responsible but failed to pay a valid claim due to
insolvency, bankruptcy, or other financial inability to meet its policy obligations.
●
Inform Cardholders that in order to receive benefits their beneficiaries must prove that the
Cardholder purchased the product or service with a Visa Card
ID# 0000420 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.1.16 Preauthorized Payment Cancellation Service
4.1.16.1 Preauthorized Payment Cancellation Service Issuer Participation
An Issuer that participates in the Preauthorized Payment Cancellation Service must do all of the
following:
●
Correctly specify the type of stop payment order
●
Provide complete and accurate information pertaining to the stop payment order
●
Keep stop payment order information current in the Cardholder database
ID# 0026228 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.16.2 Preauthorized Payment Cancellation Service Limitations
A Member must not disclose information associated with the Preauthorized Payment Cancellation
Service other than data relating to the Member's own Cardholder and/or Merchant to any other party
unless otherwise authorized by Visa.
ID# 0026229 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-170 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.1.17 Visa Payment Controls
4.1.17.1 Visa Payment Controls and Consumer Transaction Controls – Issuer
Participation Requirements
An Issuer that participates in Visa Payment Controls must do all of the following:
●
Submit to Visa a completed Visa Payment Controls Client Information Questionnaire before
offering the service
●
Offer the service for the following products:
– Visa Consumer Card, Visa Commercial Card, or Visa Prepaid Card
– In the US Region, a Visa Consumer credit Card or Visa Commercial credit Card
●
Provide Visa with Account Numbers that are enrolled in the service
●
Clearly communicate to the Cardholder both:
– The conditions that might prevent the application of the Cardholder’s requested controls (for
example: when a Transaction is not authorized in some countries due to Floor Limits)
– The time required to apply or modify the requested control
An Issuer that participates in Consumer Transaction Controls must clearly communicate to the
Cardholder both:
●
The conditions that might prevent the application of the Cardholder’s requested controls (for
example: when a Transaction is not authorized in some countries due to Floor Limits)
●
The time required to apply or modify the requested controls
ID# 0027238 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.18 V PAY
4.1.18.1 V PAY Card Issuance – CEMEA Region
In the CEMEA Region, an Issuer must not issue V PAY Cards.
ID# 0026122 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-171
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
4.1.19 Verified by Visa
4.1.19.1 Issuer Use of Verified by Visa – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Issuer that submits Secure Electronic Commerce Transactions must use
Verified by Visa.
ID# 0029696 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
4.1.19.2 Visa-Recognized Payment Authentication Method – Issuer Requirements –
Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Issuer must do all of the following:
●
Support a Visa-recognized payment Authentication Method
●
Notify its Cardholders of the availability of Visa-recognized payment Authentication Methods
●
Provide a Visa-recognized payment Authentication Method to a Cardholder upon Cardholder
request
●
Monitor Electronic Commerce Transactions
This requirement does not apply to Visa Commercial Cards and Cards bearing the Plus Symbol.
ID# 0029798 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.20 Visa Checkout
4.1.20.1 Visa Checkout – Card Enrollment
An Issuer must not restrict a Visa Checkout Account Holder from enrolling the Issuer's Card in one or
more Visa Checkoutaccounts.
ID# 0026989 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.20.2 Visa Checkout – Transaction Requirements
If a Transaction is conducted through Visa Checkout with a Visa-branded product, it is subject to the
same requirements as any other Visa Transaction.
ID# 0026988 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-172 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.1.21 Visa Token Service / Visa Europe Payment Token Service
4.1.21.1 Visa Token Service Issuer Participation Requirements
An Issuer that uses the Visa Token Service may participate in one or more Token Requestor solutions
available through the applicable enrollment process.
The Issuer assumes full responsibility for all of the following:
●
Validating Cardholder identity
●
Provisioning and maintenance decisions for payment Tokens
●
Compliance with terms and conditions
●
Effective 14 October 2017
Performing life cycle management associated with payment Tokens and their underlying PANs
ID# 0029515 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
4.1.21.2 Visa Token Service – Visa Use of Participating Issuer Data
Effective through 13 October 2017 in the APRegion, CanadaRegion, CEMEARegion, LACRegion,
and US Region
Effective through 13 April 2018 in the Europe Region
A Member that uses the Visa Token Service agrees and acknowledges that Visa may access, use,
store, update, or disclose
1
the Member’s data in compliance with applicable laws or regulations to
do any of the following in connection with a Member’s use of payment Tokens:
●
Effective through 14 October 2016 in the AP Region, CanadaRegion, CEMEARegion,
LACRegion, and US Region
Effective through 31 May 2017 in the Europe Region
Generate, store, modify, monitor, or provision payment Tokens
●
Effective 15 October 2016 in the APRegion, CanadaRegion, CEMEARegion, LACRegion,
and US Region
Effective 1 June 2017 in the Europe Region
Generate, store, modify, monitor, or provision payment Tokens and Payment Account
References
●
Process, support, and resolve customer inquiries or disputes
●
Prevent or reduce actual or potential fraud, unauthorized Transactions, claims, or liability
●
Manage risk and compliance obligations
●
Create and distribute aggregated statistics and reports that do not reveal personally
identifiable information
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-173
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
●
Comply as needed with any judicial process or government agency having or claiming
jurisdiction over Visa
●
Provide information to a registered Token Requestor to enable the Token Requestor to do any
of the following:
– Obtain a payment Token for use in connection with the Token Requestor’s payment
solution
– Provide Transaction alerts to the Cardholder
– Provide Transaction history to the Cardholder
– Deliver reporting to a Token Requestor
Effective 14 October 2017 in the APRegion, CanadaRegion, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, and US
Region
Effective 14 April 2018 in the Europe Region
A Member that uses the Visa Token Service agrees and acknowledges that Visa may access,
use, store, update, or disclose
1
the Member’s data, including Member data associated with
the Member’s participation in other Visa products, programs, or services, in compliance with
applicable laws or regulations to do any of the following in connection with a Member’s use of
payment Tokens:
●
Generate, store, modify, monitor, or provision payment Tokens and Payment Account
References
●
Process, support, and resolve customer inquiries or disputes
●
Prevent or reduce actual or potential fraud, unauthorized Transactions, claims, or liability
●
Manage risk and compliance obligations
●
Create and distribute aggregated statistics and reports that do not reveal personally
identifiable information
●
Comply with any judicial process or government agency having or claiming jurisdiction over
Visa
●
Provide information to a Token Requestor to enable the Token Requestor to do any of the
following:
– Obtain a payment Token for use in connection with the Token Requestor’s payment
solution
– Provide Transaction alerts to the Cardholder
– Provide Transaction history to the Cardholder
– Deliver reporting to a Token Requestor
PSR-174 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
1
Includes disclosure to Visa employees, subsidiaries, affiliates, counsel, and agents as necessary
ID# 0029516 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
4.1.21.3 Visa Token Service – Issuer Use of Token Requestor Data
An Issuer that participates in the Visa Token Service and receives Token Requestor data in connection
with the Visa Token Service may use such data to perform the following activities:
●
Provide customer service support and manage or resolve disputes
●
Support operational functions including accounting, billing, auditing, and collection
●
Create, use, or distribute aggregated statistics and reports that do not reveal personally identifiable
Cardholder information
●
Develop, manage, and enhance fraud prevention and risk mitigation strategies for payment Token
provisioning
●
Comply with any judicial or government-mandated processes
●
Protect or exercise any legal rights afforded by law
The Issuer must not:
●
Sell or resell the Token Requestor data
●
Isolate raw Token Requestor data for any purpose
●
Reformulate aggregated data to establish any identifiable association between the data and Visa
Token Service participants
ID# 0029517 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.1.21.4 Payment Token Transaction Processing Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, if a Transaction is initiated with a payment Token, the Transaction must be
submitted for Online Authorization.
An Electronic Commerce Transaction initiated with a payment Token must be classified with Electronic
Commerce Indicator 7.
Visa reserves the right to decline, on an Issuer's behalf, a Transaction initiated with a payment Token if
the payment Token does not comply with domain control requirements specified in the EMV Payment
Tokenization Specification.
ID# 0029817 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-175
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
4.1.21.5 Visa Europe Payment Token Service Issuer Requirements – Europe Region
To participate in the Visa Europe Payment Token Service, a Europe Issuer must register with Visa and all
of the following:
●
Provide information to Visa to show both:
– Which of its Cards are eligible to be associated with a payment Token by Visa on the Issuer's
behalf
– Which Token Requestors are eligible to request a payment Token from Visa to be associated
with the Issuer's Cards
●
Ensure that a payment Token both:
– Maintains the exact characteristics of the Card represented by that payment Token
– Is presented to the Cardholder as a Visa product or service
●
Ensure that no third-party Token Service Provider associates a payment Token with an Account
Number in an account range assigned to the Visa Europe Payment Token Service
●
Include all information required under applicable data protection legislation in the terms and
conditions to be agreed between the Issuer and a Cardholder, including without limitation the
purposes for which the Cardholder's personal data (which may include identification and contact
details, device data, and Card details) may be processed. The terms and conditions must include
without limitation both:
– The provision and management of the Visa Europe Payment Token Service and the use of that
data by Visa
– When fully anonymized, that the Cardholder's personal data may be used for billing,
improvement, and testing of the Visa Europe Payment Token Service
Visa reserves the right to establish minimum terms and conditions, to be agreed between an Issuer
and a Cardholder, or the principle thereof, in order to participate in the Visa Europe Payment Token
Service.
Visa reserves the right to decline, on an Issuer's behalf, a Transaction initiated with a payment Token,
where that payment Token does not satisfy domain control requirements specified in the EMV
Payment Tokenization Specification.
If an Issuer chooses to act as a Token Requestor for Cards it has not issued, the Issuer must comply
with the requirements of the Visa Digital Enablement Program.
If an Issuer acts as a Token Requestor through a mobile payment application deployed by the Issuer, it
must submit the proposed application to Visa for approval.
PSR-176 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Visa reserves the right to withdraw approval of a mobile payment application at any time if Visa
determines that the application does not comply with Visa requirements and payment industry
standards.
ID# 0029868 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.1.22 Visa FeatureSelect
4.1.22.1 Visa FeatureSelect Issuer Participation – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer that participates in Visa FeatureSelect must do all of the following:
●
Complete a participation agreement with Visa
●
Ensure that the benefits offered to Visa Cardholders comply with the Visa Card product features
and requirements
●
For non-Visa Cards, ensure compliance with the applicable rules of the payment brand with respect
to Card features and benefits, cardholder disclosure, and fulfillment requirements
●
For Card benefit features not sponsored by Visa, comply with the disclosure and fulfillment
requirements specified by the vendors or other payment brand
●
Provide Visa with approved disclosure materials/copy in a Visa Feature Select-compatible format
ID# 0025585 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.23 Chip Issuance Requirements
4.1.23.2 Chip Card Issuing Requirements in Australia and New Zealand – AP Region
In the AP Region, all of the following must be EMV-Compliant and VIS-Compliant:
●
In Australia and New Zealand, all Reloadable Cards (except Visa TravelMoney Cards)
●
In New Zealand, all Visa debit Cards
ID# 0026145 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.1.23.3 Cash-Back Services on Visa Debit Chip Cards – AP Region (Australia)
In the AP Region (Australia), an Issuer must offer Cash-Back services on its Visa debit Chip Cards.
ID# 0026153 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-177
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
4.1.23.4 Chip Card Issuing Requirement – AP Region (India)
In the AP Region (India), an Issuer must be capable of issuing EMV-compliant Cards.
All Magnetic-Stripe Visa debit Cards and Visa Credit Cards that have been used internationally must be
reissued as EMV Chip Cards with PIN as the preferred Cardholder Verification Method (CVM).
ID# 0027955 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.23.5 Chip Card Account Requirements
An Issuer of a Chip Card must do all of the following:
●
Not use a Visa Smart Payment Application to directly credit or debit any account other than an
account that is maintained by that Issuer or another Member under contract with the Issuer
●
Allow a Cardholder to select the service and account to be used for a Transaction, as permitted by
applicable laws or regulations
●
Designate an Account Number for each account accessed by a Visa Smart Payment Application
●
Specify an alphanumeric name for each funding account facilitated by the Visa Smart Payment
Application when the Chip provides access to more than one account
●
In addition, in the Europe Region, notify Visa of all Payment Applications contained in the Chip.
Visa reserves the right to review and approve or prohibit the use of Payment Applications on Visa
Cards or for Visa services.
ID# 0004031 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.23.6 Visa Chip Card Payment Application
A Chip Card bearing a Visa-Owned Mark must be capable of facilitating the Payment Application
associated with that Mark.
The Payment Application on all Visa or Visa Electron contact Chip Cards must be VIS-Compliant.
ID# 0003613 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
4.1.23.7 Appropriate Marks on Chip Cards
A Card containing a Chip must bear the appropriate Mark for the Visa or Visa Electron Payment
Application facilitated by the Chip.
ID# 0003612 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-178 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.1.23.8 Non-Visa Services Facilitated by Chip Cards
A Chip Card may facilitate access to non-Visa services only if all of the following requirements are met:
●
Services do not compromise the security or functional integrity of the Visa Smart Payment
Applications.
●
Additions of these services are managed and controlled by the Issuer or its Sponsored Member.
●
The Issuer indemnifies Visa from any and all Claims or losses resulting from non-Visa services
facilitated by the Chip Card.
Visa may review and approve all applications contained in a Chip used to facilitate a Visa payment.
ID# 0003598 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.23.9 Contactless Issuer Requirements
A Contactless Payment Device Issuer must comply with the following:
Table 4-18: Contactless Payment Device Issuer Requirements
Applies to
Contactless
Payment
Devices issued
or replaced on
or after:
Region/
Country
Required VCPS
Version
Support
for qVSDC
Transaction
Path
Support
for MSD
Transaction
Path
Form Factor
Indicator
1 January 2012 All, excluding
US
2.0 or later Required Optional Not applicable
1 January 2012 US Any Optional Required Not applicable
1 April 2015 AP, excluding
Japan
CEMEA,
excluding:
Bahrain,
Jordan, Kuwait,
Lebanon,
Oman, Qatar,
Saudi Arabia,
United Arab
Emirates
2.1 or later Required Not permitted,
except for
Mobile
Payment
Devices
Required
1 April 2015 Japan 2.1 or later Required Not permitted,
except:
Required
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-179
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
Applies to
Contactless
Payment
Devices issued
or replaced on
or after:
Region/
Country
Required VCPS
Version
Support
for qVSDC
Transaction
Path
Support
for MSD
Transaction
Path
Form Factor
Indicator
●
Optional
for Mobile
Payment
Devices
●
Optional
for Issuers
that
issued a
Contactless
Payment
Device
before 1
April 2015
1 July 2015 All other
CEMEA
countries
2.1 or later Required Not permitted,
except for
Mobile
Payment
Devices
Required
1 October 2015 All, excluding
Canada and US
2.1 or later Required Not permitted,
except for
Mobile
Payment
Devices
Required
1 October 2015 Canada
US
2.1 or later Required Optional Required
31 December
2015
Canada 2.1 or later Required For a
Contactless
Payment
Device that is
not a Visa Card,
not permitted
for tokenized
Transactions
Required
In the Europe Region, a Contactless Payment Device Issuer must be certified by Visa for the
Authorization, Clearing, and Settlement of Contactless payments and must comply with the following:
PSR-180 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Table 4-19: Contactless Payment Device Issuer Requirements – Europe Region
Applies to: Required
VCPS Version
Support
for qVSDC
Transaction
Path
Support
for MSD
Transaction
Path
Form Factor
Indicator
All Contactless Payment Devices (except
Mobile Payment Devices)
2.1 Required Not
permitted
1
Required
All Contactless Payment Devices (except
Mobile Payment Devices) that are Visa
Prepaid Cards
2.1.1 Required Not
permitted
1
Required
All Contactless Payment Devices with an
X2X Service Code
2.1.1 or later Required Not
permitted
1
Required
1
Effective 12 October 2018
In the Europe Region, an Issuer must decline any Authorization Request using the Contactless MSD transaction path.
ID# 0002051 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.1.23.10 Visa Contactless Authentication Issuer Requirement
All contactless Chip Cards issued on or after 1 October 2015 must support offline data authentication
with Online Authorization using either fast Dynamic Data Authentication or transit-only static data
authentication
1
, as specified in Visa Contactless Payment Specification version 2.1 and later.
This does not apply to contactless Chip Cards issued in the US Region.
Effective through 13 October 2017
This does not apply to a Europe Transaction that uses a cloud-based payments Mobile
Application, except if the Transaction is a Variable Fare Transaction.
Effective 14 October 2017
This does not apply to a Europe Transaction that uses a cloud-based payments Mobile
Application, unless the Transaction is a Mass Transit Transaction.
1
Thisdoes not applyin the CEMEA Region or Europe Region.
ID# 0029157 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-181
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
4.1.23.11 Notification of Contactless Payment Device Risks and Restrictions
An Issuer that provides a Contactless Payment Device to a Cardholder must provide, before or at the
time of issuance,written notification that informs the Cardholder of potential risks and restrictions
associated with the Contactless Payment Device, including, but not limited to, the following:
●
The inability to use the Contactless Payment Device at an Acceptance Devicewhere Card insertion
is required
●
Any daily Transaction amount limit implemented by the Issuer in connection with the Contactless
Payment Device, if applicable
●
For a Contactless Payment Device in the form of an adhesive Visa Micro Tag, the risk of impairing
the functionality of a mobile phone or other device to which a Contactless Payment Device is
attached
●
For a Contactless Payment Device in the form of an adhesive Visa Micro Tag, the risk of invalidating
the manufacturer’s warranty, if applicable, for a mobile phone or other device to which Contactless
Payment capability is attached
ID# 0026159 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.1.23.12 Contactless Payment Device Requirements
An Issuer that issues a Contactless Payment Device must ensure that the Contactless Payment Device
complies with all of the following:
●
Is linked to a valid, unexpired Visa Card account,
1
excluding Visa Prepaid devices (a Contactless
Payment Device may be assigned a different Account Number)
2
●
Is issued with a PIN for use at ATMs, if the Issuer supports Visa payWave contactless ATM
Transactions
●
In the AP Region and CEMEA Region, if issued on or after 1 April 2015,
4
both:
– Is personalized with the application program ID
– Supports offline data authentication for Online Authorization
1
If the Contactless Payment Device is not a physical Card, the linked account must also have a standard Card issued to it
(except if the Contactless Payment Device is a Visa Prepaid Card).
2
This does not apply to Issuers in South Korea.
4
For Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, 1 July 2015
ID# 0002052 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
PSR-182 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.1.23.15 Cardholder Verification Method Preferences
A Chip Card Issuer must ensure that the Cardholder Verification Method (CVM) preferences are
communicated by the Chip Cardholder Verification Method list to the Chip-Reading Device at the
Point-of-Transaction.
The Issuer of a Chip Card bearing a Payment Application must comply with Table 4-20, “Chip Card
Issuer Cardholder Verification Method Requirements.” This does not apply to Mobile Payment Devices.
Table #-#:
X
X
In the AP Region and CEMEA Region, a Contactless Payment Device must include a Cardholder
Verification Method to facilitate Contactless Payment Transactions, as follows:
Table 4-21: CVM Requirements for Contactless Payment Devices – AP Region and CEMEA Region
Region/Country Applies to Contactless Payment
Devices issued on or after:
AP 1 April 2015
Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United
Arab Emirates
1 July 2015
Other CEMEA countries 1 April 2015
ID# 0008186 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-183
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
4.1.23.16 Cardholder Verification Method List – Canada Region
A Canada Issuer of a Compliant Chip Card must ensure that the all of the following requirements are
met:
●
The compliant Chip Card contains a Cardholder Verification Method (CVM) list, with at minimum,
the following methods of Cardholder verification:
– “Offline PIN at POS”
– “Online PIN at ATM”
– “Signature”
– “No CVM required”
●
Use of CVM condition codes relating to cash or Cash-Back do not prevent the completion of
Manual Cash Disbursements.
●
The CVM "Offline PIN at POS" is activated and is the preferred CVM unless either the:
– Compliant Chip Card was issued no more than 6 months before the date of the Compliant Chip
Card Transaction in question
– Cardholder is subject to a disability or impairment that would prevent PIN use
ID# 0008187 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.1.23.18 Additional Cardholder Authentication for Token Issuance – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, whenan Issuer requires additional Cardholder authentication before
provisioning a paymentToken to a third-party wallet, the Issuer must implement at least 2 additional
Cardholder authentication methods.
ID# 0029456 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.23.20 Card Verification Value Requirements
An Issuer must be capable of receiving the POS Entry Mode code and, for Magnetic-Stripe
Transactions,processing the Card Verification Value.
1
All EMV Chip Cards issued on or after 1 January 2009 must use Chip Card Verification Value-iCVV as
part of the Magnetic-Stripe Image.
1
An Issuer may verify the CVV itself, or may use VisaNet or its processor.
ID# 0008133 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
PSR-184 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.1.23.21 Chip Card Authentication
All Chip Card Issuers must perform, and be capable of acting on the results of, validation of EMV
Online Card Authentication Cryptograms for all Chip-initiated Authorization messages processed
through VisaNet. Online Card Authentication support may be provided by the Issuer directly, or
through either:
●
VisaNet
●
Third party/VisaNet Processoror Visa Scheme Processor
ID# 0007163 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.23.22 Parameters to Enable Offline Chip Authorization
An Issuer of the followingChip Cards must define parameters to enable Offline Chip Authorization:
●
In the APRegion, CanadaRegion, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, and US Region, a Chip Card
containing a Visa Smart Payment Application with Offline Authorization controls
●
In the Europe Region, a Visa or Visa Electron Chip Card
An Issuer may exempt a Visa Card encoded with XService Code from this requirement.In addition, in
the Europe Region, an Issuer may exempt Visa Purchasing Cards from this requirement.
ID# 0004392 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.23.23 Consecutive Offline Chip Authorization Counters
When Offline Authorization controls are defined in a Chip and the upper limit for consecutive offline
counters is specified, all Chip-initiated Transactions must go Online if the upper limit for the total
number or value of consecutive offline Transactions is exceeded. If the terminal is unable to go Online,
the Transaction must be declined.
ID# 0004393 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.23.24 Consecutive Offline Chip Authorization Counters Requirement – AP Region
In the APRegion, an Issuer must ensure a domestic Contactless Transaction is authorized online if
the cumulative value of consecutive domestic Contactless Transactions authorized offline exceeds the
following limits:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-185
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
Table 4-23: Domestic Contactless Transaction Offline Authorization Limits – AP Region
Country Cumulative Offline Limits
Hong Kong HKD 1,000
Indonesia IDR 500,000
Japan JPY 50,000
Malaysia MYR 400
Philippines PHP 5,000
Singapore SGD 200
Taiwan NTD 10,000
Thailand THB 4,500
ID# 0029282 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
4.1.23.25 Cardholder Name on Chip
For all Contactless Payment Devices issued on after 1 October 2015,
1,2
an Issuer must ensure that the
Cardholder name is either:
●
Not personalized to be accessible via the contactless interface in the Chip
●
Encoded with a generic identifier so that the actual Cardholder name is not transmitted through a
Contactless Transaction
1
In the AP Region and CEMEA Region, 1 April 2015
2
In the CEMEA Region, for Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates, 1 July
2015
ID# 0003595 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
4.1.23.26 Service Codes on Chip Cards
An Issuer must use a Service Code X on all EMV-Compliant and VIS-Compliant Chip Cards bearing the
Visa Brand Mark, Visa Brand Mark with the Electron Identifier, or Plus Symbol.
ID# 0003593 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-186 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.1.23.27 Effective Date and Expiration Date Consistency
The expiration date contained in the Chip must be the same as the expiration date encoded on the
Magnetic Stripe and displayed on the Card. If applicable, the expiration date of proprietary services on
the Card must not exceed the Visa or Visa Electron Payment Application expiration date.
The expiration date on a Visa Card, Visa Electron Card, or Card bearing the Plus Symbol must not be
later than the expiration date of the Issuer's Public Key, or any security feature containing an expiration
date in a Chip, if one is present on the Card.
If an application effective date on a Chip Card is provided within the Chip, it must reflect the same
month as the "VALID FROM" date displayed on the Card, if such a date appears on the Card.
For Chip Card products approved by Visa on or after 1 January 2016, an Issuer must ensure that the
expiration date contained in the Chip, encoded on the Magnetic Stripe and, if applicable, printed on
the Card does not extend beyond the date the product is scheduled to be removed from the list of
Visa-approved Chip products.
Visa reserves the right to remove a Chip product from the list earlier than the scheduled date if it
discovers a significant security flaw with the associated Chip.
ID# 0003209 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.23.28 Integrated Circuit Card Verification Value (iCVV) Requirements – AP Region
In the AP Region, a Chip Card Issuer must certify support for the Integrated Circuit Card Verification
Value (iCVV) in the Magnetic Stripe data encoded on the Chip.
The Card Verification Value (CVV) encoded on other (non-Magnetic Stripe) technologies must differ
from the CVV encoded on the physical Magnetic Stripe.
ID# 0004087 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.23.29 Issuer Requirements for Post-Issuance Updates
Post-Issuance Updates, or new application loading to a Chip containing a Visa or Visa Electron
Payment Application must not adversely impact the Transaction completion time at an Acceptance
Device or an ATM.
Post-Issuance Updates toadd an application or a service toa Visa or Visa Electron Payment
Application is not permitted unless the Card bears the appropriate Visa Brand Mark or Visa Brand
Mark with the Electron Identifier.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-187
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
Post-Issuance Updates toload an application or a service toa proprietary ATM application that
supports Plus requires the addition of the Plus Symbol at the time of Card reissuance. Card reissuance
must occur within 5 years of loading the application or service.
ID# 0004035 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.23.30 Issuer Control of Post-Issuance Updates
Post-Issuance Updates to a Chip Card containing a Visa or Visa Electron Payment Application must be
controlled exclusively by the Issuer.
ID# 0004034 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.23.31 Mobile Gateways – Issuer Requirements
An Issuer that uses a mobile gateway for its Mobile Payment Devices must ensure that the mobile
gateway is approved by Visa.
ID# 0026796 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.23.32 Mobile Payment Devices – Cardholder Verification Method Requirements
An Issuer of a Mobile Payment Device must ensure that the Mobile Payment Device
1
supports a
Consumer Device Cardholder Verification Method (CDCVM).
In the AP Region, CEMEA Region, and US Region, an Issuer of a Mobile Payment Device must ensure
that the Mobile Payment Device supports signature as a Cardholder Verification Method.
1
Except a Visa Micro Tag
ID# 0026784 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.23.33 Mobile Payment Devices – Issuer Requirements
An Issuer of a Mobile Payment Device must both:
●
Register with Visa
●
Ensure that the Mobile Payment Device is approved by Visa
An Issuer may use either:
●
A Visa-approved secure element and a Visa-approved Visa Mobile Payment Application
PSR-188 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
A Visa-approved cloud-based paymentsVisa Mobile Payment Application. Inthe US Region,
anIssuer may use a QR code.
If an Issuer pre-sets a Consumer Device Cardholder Verification Method (CDCVM) on the Mobile
Payment Device, it must not use a CDCVM that is the same as, or otherwise represents, the PIN on the
account if the PIN may also be used with the corresponding standardCard.
An Issuer must not systematically synchronize the Online PIN and the CDCVM on a Mobile Payment
Device if the Online PIN is also linked to the corresponding standardCard.
If an Issuer uses a secure element and a Visa Mobile Payment Application deployed on or after 1 June
2015, the expiration date of the mobile payment account must not exceed 10 years
1
from the EMVCo
Integrated Circuit Certificate Number (ICCN) approval date, if known.
If the ICCN approval date is not known, the expiration date of the mobile payment account must not
exceed 3 years from the date of provisioning of the account.
1
In the AP Region (Japan), the expiration date of the account must not exceed 5 years.
ID# 0026783 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.1.23.34 Smart Payment Application Options
An Issuer must define the Payment Application options for its Visa Smart Payment program.
ID# 0004024 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.23.35 Issuer Use of Visa Public Keys
An Issuer must ensure that the Visa Public Keys used for a Visa or Visa Electron Payment Application
are used solely for that purpose.
ID# 0004025 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.23.36 Chip Card Issuer Terminal Risk Management
A Chip Card Issuer must not inhibit Terminal Risk Management (for example: by programming the
Chip to bypass Terminal Risk Management).
ID# 0004026 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-189
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
4.1.23.37 Dynamic Data Authentication (DDA) Issuer Requirement
Effective through 30 September 2018
All Chip Cards issued on or after 1 October 2015
1
that do not have contactless functionality and
that support offline Authorization must both:
●
Support Dynamic Data Authentication (DDA)
2
(support for combined DDA/application
cryptogram generation is optional)
●
Not support static data authentication
3
Effective 1October 2018
All Chip Cards that do not have contactless functionality and that support offline Authorization
must both:
●
Support DDA
2
(support for combined DDA/application cryptogram generation remains
optional)
●
Not support static dataauthentication
4
1
In the AP Region (Australia, New Zealand), 1 January 2012. Inthe APRegion (Japan), 1 October 2018
2
Online-only Chip Cards that do not have contactless functionality or any type of offline data authentication are still
permitted.
3
In the LAC Region (Brazil), 1 October 2016
4
In the AP Region (Australia, New Zealand), 1 January 2016. In the APRegion (Japan), 1 October 2023
ID# 0029158 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
4.1.23.38 Visa payWave Application Requirement – AP Region (Australia, Malaysia) and
US Regions
In the AP Region (Australia
1
, Malaysia
2
)and US Region, an Issuer that issues a Visa Card with
contactless payment capability must enable the Visa payWave Application on the Card.
In the AP Region (Australia), an Issuer must also do both of the following for a Visa Card with multiple
contactless payment applications:
●
Designate and retain the Visa payWave Application as the highest priority application
●
Not modify the priority of the Visa payWave Application after issuance
1
Effective for Cards issued on or after 23 April 2013
2
Effective for Cards issued on or after 15 April 2016
ID# 0027793 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
PSR-190 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.1.23.39 PIN as Cardholder Verification Method – Issuer Requirements – AP Region
(Australia, New Zealand)
In the AP Region (Australia, New Zealand), all newly issued or reissued Visa Cards must be issued with
a PIN as the preferred Cardholder Verification Method (CVM).
1
In the AP Region (Australia), when PIN bypass is performed for a domestic Chip-initiated Transaction
that requires a PIN, the Authorization Request must be declined. This does not apply to an Unattended
Transaction.
In the AP Region (New Zealand), when PIN bypass is performed for a domestic Chip-initiated
Transaction, the Authorization Request must be declined. This requirement does not apply to an
Unattended Transaction.
1
This does not apply to non-PIN-preferring Cards issued to accommodate specific individual Cardholder needs, as required
by applicable laws or regulations.
ID# 0026146 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
4.1.23.40 Chip Card Application Selection Flag – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, an Issuer may only program an Application Selection Flag (ASF) as follows:
●
Where a Compliant Chip Card displays any Visa Brand Name and a competitor brand, the Issuer of
that Compliant Chip Card may program an ASF to suppress the ability of the Visa Smart Payment
Application contained in the Compliant Chip Card to transact at domestic ATMs.
●
Where a Compliant Chip Card displays any Plus Program Mark, the Issuer of that Compliant Chip
Card may program an ASF to suppress the ability of the Visa Smart Payment Application contained
in the Compliant Chip Card to transact at domestic POS and ATM locations.
ID# 0008733 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.23.41 Chip Card Online/Offline Data Authentication – Canada and Europe Regions
The followingmust instruct the terminal to go Online if offline data authentication fails:
●
In the Canada Region, a Compliant Chip Card
●
In the Europe Region, the Payment Application
If the terminal is unable to go Online, the Transaction must be declined.
ID# 0004626 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-191
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
4.1.23.42 Chip Card Script Message Length – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, an Issuer of a Compliant Chip Card must ensure that the length of any script
message sent to any of its Compliant Chip Cards does not exceed 128 bytes per Transaction.
ID# 0004631 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.23.44 Chip Card Issuing Requirements – Europe Region (Liechtenstein, Switzerland)
In the Europe Region (Liechtenstein, Switzerland), an Issuer may issue Cards using card applications
that comply with at a minimum the EMVI'16 specifications only if the Issuer satisfies the Visa approval
requirements for the use of the EMVI'16 specifications.
ID# 0030008 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
4.1.23.45 Chip Card Issuing Requirements – Europe Region (Germany, Luxembourg)
In the Europe Region (Germany, Luxembourg), an Issuer may issue Cards using card applications that
comply with the SECCOS specifications only if the Issuer satisfies the Visa approval requirements for
the use of the SECCOS specifications.
ID# 0030010 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
4.1.23.46 Identification of a Chip Card – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Chip Card Issuer must ensure that the Issuer is designated and identified to
a Cardholder as the Issuer of that Cardholder's Chip Card. Only one Issuer may be identified to the
Cardholder in relation to each Chip Card.
ID# 0029619 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.23.47 Visa Smart Debit/Credit Personalization Assistant – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, for a new and/or modified Chip Card program, an Issuer must submit to Visa
both:
●
A Card profile for validation using the Visa Smart Debit/Credit Personalization Assistant Tool
●
A personalized Card showing that the production Card matches the Visa Smart Debit/Credit
Personalization Assistant Profile submitted to, and approved by, Visa. The personalized Card may
contain either test keys or production keys and may be used for Issuer host certification.
ID# 0029620 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-192 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.1.23.48 Contactless Payment Device Issuance Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, in countries in which 50% or more of the Point-of-Transaction Acceptance
Devices accept Contactless Payment Devices,
1
a Visa Card issued on or after 31 December 2016 must
be Contactless or be issued in conjunction with a Visa Micro Tag or a Mobile Payment Device.
This does not apply to:
●
Visa Prepaid Cards
●
Visa Commercial Cards
●
Cards that request Online Authorization for every Transaction
●
ATM access-only Cards that are not used at Point-of-Transaction Acceptance Devices
●
Cards issued to Cardholders that choose to opt out of being issued a Contactless Payment
Device
1
As of 30 December 2016: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, and the United
Kingdom
ID# 0029813 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
4.1.23.49 Issuer Liability for Visa Smart Payment – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Issuer is responsible for setting the parameter values and processing options
contained in a Visa Smart Payment application, and any loss resulting from such parameter values and
processing options will be borne by the Issuer.
ID# 0029594 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.23.51 Integrated Circuit Card Verification Value (iCVV) Requirements – Europe
Region
In the Europe Region, all EMV-Compliant Chip Cards must use the Integrated Card Verification Value
(iCVV) in the Magnetic Stripe data encoded on the Chip.
ID# 0029797 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.23.52 Chip Authorization Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, for an Authorization of a Chip Transaction that is below the Floor Limit, an Issuer
must ensure that the controls contained in each Chip are capable of both:
●
Instructing the Acceptance Device to go Online
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-193
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
●
Approving the Chip Transaction offline
ID# 0029832 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.23.53 Application Identifier Priority – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa-owned Application Identifier must always be the highest priority Application
Identifier personalized on a VSDC Applet,
1
including in situations where the Visa Rules permit the
personalization of non-Visa Application Identifiers on a VSDC applet.
When both the Visa Application Identifier and the Visa US Common Debit Application Identifier are
personalized on a VSDC applet, the Visa Application Identifier must be the highest priority Application
Identifier.
1
This does not apply to the Visa US Common Debit Application Identifier when personalized on a non-Visa Card.
ID# 0027578 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.23.54 Contactless Card Application Transaction Counter – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer must validate the Application Transaction Counter on each of its Cards
with contactless payment capability during the Authorization process for a Contactless Payment
Transaction.
ID# 0002064 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.23.55 Visa-Owned Chip Technology Use
Visa-owned Chip technology must be used solely for the purpose of facilitating a Visa Transaction,
Interlink transaction, Visa Electron Transaction, or Plus Transaction.
1
Any other use requires the prior written permission of Visa.
Visa-owned Chip technology includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:
●
Visa Integrated Circuit Card Specification
●
Visa Smart Debit/Credit (VSDC) applet
●
Visa Contactless Payment Specification
●
Visa Mobile Contactless Payment Specification
●
Visa Cloud-Based Payments Contactless Specification
●
Visa Mobile Payment Application
●
Visa, Interlink, Visa Electron, and Plus Payment Application Identifiers
PSR-194 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
1
In the US Region or a US Territory, this does not apply to a transaction initiated using the Visa US Common Debit
Application Identifier from a US Covered Visa Debit Card personalized in accordance with the US common debit
personalization requirements or a transaction initiated as specified in the Plus System, Inc. Operating Regulations or Interlink
Network, Inc. Operating Regulations
ID# 0027577 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.1.23.56 Visa Micro Tag Issuance Requirements
An Issuer may issue a Visa Micro Tag only if a Cardholder either:
●
Already possesses a corresponding full-size Card
1
●
Is issued a corresponding full-size Card at the same time asthe Visa Micro Tag
The Visa Micro Tag and the corresponding full-size Card must be the same Visa product type and offer
the same benefits.
This does not apply to Visa Prepaid Cards that are Contactless Payment Devices.
1
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
ID# 0027966 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.23.57 Chip Interoperability Compliance Program
Visa requires the implementation of the Chip Interoperability Compliance Program when Visa
determines that progress toward an agreed resolution is no longer acceptable.
ID# 0001291 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.23.58 EMV Liability Shift – Issuer Liability for Card-Present Counterfeit Chip Card
Transactions
A Counterfeit Card Transaction completed in a Card-Present Environment is the liability of the Issuer if
all of the following apply:
●
The Transaction takes place at an EMV-Compliant Chip-Reading Device.
●
If the Transaction is Chip-initiated, it is correctly processed, and, if authorized Online, the
Authorization Request includes Full-Chip Data.
In addition, in the Europe Region, a Counterfeit Card Transaction completed in a Card-Present
Environment is the liability of the Issuer if all of the following apply:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-195
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
General Issuance
●
The Transaction does not take place at a Chip-Reading Device that complies with the Transaction
Acceptance Device Requirements, and is not a Fallback Transaction completed following correct
acceptance procedures.
●
The Card is a Chip Card containing a Visa Smart Payment.
●
If Online Authorization was obtained, the Authorization record indicates that either CVV
verification was not performed or that the CVV failed verification.
ID# 0001820 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.1.23.59 EMV Liability Shift – Issuer Liability for Non-Counterfeit Card-Present
Fraudulent Transactions
A non-Counterfeit Card fraudulent Transaction completed in a Card-Present Environment is the liability
of the Issuer if all of the following occur:
●
The Transaction takes place at an EMV PIN-Compliant Device.
●
Correct acceptance procedures have been followed (including obtaining Online approval for
Transaction amounts over the applicable maximum authorized Floor Limit).
●
The Transaction is Chip-initiated and correctly processed to completion and, if authorized Online,
the Authorization Request includes Full-Chip Data.
ID# 0001834 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2015
4.1.23.60 Liability for Chip Fallback Transactions
A Transaction accepted as a Fallback Transaction is the liability of the Issuer if all of the following apply:
●
The Transaction is authorized by the Issuer or the Issuer's agent.
●
Appropriate values identifying the Transaction as a Fallback Transaction are included within the
related Authorization Message.
●
Correct acceptance procedures are followed.
ID# 0001835 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.23.61 Liability for Chip-Initiated Offline-Authorized Transactions
The Issuer is liable for a Chip-initiated, offline-authorized Transaction if all of the following apply:
●
Terminal Risk Management is performed.
PSR-196 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Merchant's Floor Limit is not exceeded.
ID# 0004039 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2015
4.1.23.62 Liability in Card-Present Environment – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, an Issuer is liable for a Transaction in a Card-Present Environment, whether or
not the Transaction is Chip-initiated, when both the:
●
Transaction takes place at a Compliant Chip Card Reading Device with a Compliant PIN entry
device within Canada
●
The Acquirerhas complied with all Card acceptance requirements
ID# 0004962 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.1.24 Pass-Through Digital Wallet Requirements
4.1.24.1 Pass-Through Digital Wallet Requirements
For a Pass-Through Digital Wallet, a Digital Wallet Operator (DWO)must:
●
At the time of loading the Cardholder information in the Pass-Through Digital Wallet, obtain
written Cardholder consent to all of the following:
– Use of the stored account information to initiate Transactions
– The purpose for which the Cardholder's information will be used
– The expiration date of the agreement, if applicable
●
Not contract with another DWO to providepayment services
●
Effective 14 April 2018
Display on the payment screen and all screens that show Account information both:
– The last 4 digits of the Account Number or Token
– The Visa Brand Mark or the name “Visa” in text immediately next to a Visa payment option
ID# 0029534 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-197
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Electron
4.1.25 Card Personalization – Europe Region
4.1.25.1 Card Personalization Requirements – Europe Region (Italy)
In the Europe Region (Italy), an Issuer must ensure that all Cards are personalized to support Cash-
Back.
ID# 0030093 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
4.2 Visa Electron
4.2.1 Visa Electron Issuer Requirements
4.2.1.1 Visa Electron Program Features
An Issuer must ensure that its Visa Electron Program offers all of the following:
●
Use for International Transactions
1
and Domestic Transactions
●
Use for Electronic Commerce Transactions and other Card-Absent Environment Transactions
2
●
For Card-Present Environment Transactions (including ATM and Manual Cash Disbursements),
both:
– Signature or PIN verification
– 100% Online Authorization
1
Except as specified in Section 4.1.1.5, “Issuance of Domestic Use-Only Visa Cards”
2
This does not apply in the Europe Region or in theLAC Region (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Trinidad).
ID# 0004530 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
4.2.1.2 Cardholder Instructions for Visa Electron Card Use
A Visa Electron Issuer must inform its Cardholders that a Visa Electron Card may be used:
●
At a Merchant Outlet displaying the Visa Brand Mark with the Electron Identifier
●
At an ATM displaying the Visa Brand Mark or Visa Brand Mark with the Electron Identifier
ID# 0004531 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-198 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.2.1.3 Key-Entered Visa Electron Electronic Commerce Transactions
If an Issuer approves a key-entered Visa Electron Electronic Commerce Transaction, the Issuer must
comply with the liability and Chargeback requirements that apply for a Visa Transaction.
ID# 0004529 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.2.1.5 Visa Electron Card Product Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Visa Electron Card Issuer must:
●
Use a dedicated BIN for its Visa Electron Cards
●
Not reclassify an existing Visa Electron Card BIN to represent a Visa Card product other than a Visa
Electron Card without prior Visa permission
●
In the United Kingdom, issue Visa Electron Cards only as debit Cards
ID# 0029627 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
4.3 Visa Check Card
4.3.1 Visa Check Card – Issuer Requirements
4.3.1.1 Visa Check Card Account Restrictions – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Check Card may be used to access a deposit, investment, or other consumer
asset account, including a fiduciary account.
A Visa Check Card must not be used to obtain credit, as defined in 12 CFR Part 226 (Regulation Z),
unless it involves only an incidental extension of credit under an agreement between the Cardholder
and the Issuer, either:
●
When the Cardholder's account is overdrawn
●
To maintain a specified minimum balance in the Cardholder's account
Visa reserves the right to determine the application of the definition of the Visa Check Card.
ID# 0008332 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.3.1.2 Visa Check Card Activation – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer must both:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-199
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Check Card
●
Require activation of all Visa Check Cards initially issued to Cardholders who did not expressly
request or apply for the Visa Check Card
●
As part of the activation process, require Cardholders to validate their identity by reasonable
means before being able to use the Card
ID# 0004158 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.3.1.3 Visa Check Card Point-of-Sale Balance Inquiry – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Check Card Issuer must not provide account balance information in response
to a Point-of Sale Balance Inquiry on any of its Visa Check Card products.
ID# 0004161 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.3.2 Secured Card – Issuer Requirements
4.3.2.1 Secured Card Security Deposit Requirement – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer must hold any cash security deposit for issuance of a Visa Card in a
federally insured account in the name of the Cardholder.
The Issuer must not assign an interest in a security deposit to any third party.
ID# 0008334 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.3.2.2 Secured Visa Card Solicitations – US Region
In the US Region, a Member or its Agent that solicits a secured Visa Card account must do all of the
following:
●
Specify in its solicitation material that to obtain the Visa Card, the potential Cardholder must open
a deposit account that will serve as collateral for the Visa Card account
●
Indicate the portion of the deposit that will be allocated as the line of credit accessed by the Visa
Card
●
Ensure that any secured Visa Card application processing fees accepted from the Cardholder are
made payable to the Issuer, not the Agent
ID# 0001217 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-200 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.4 Visa Gold
4.4.2 Visa Gold – Issuer Requirements
4.4.2.1 Visa Gold/Premier Card Issuance
A Visa Gold Card or Visa Premier Card Issuer:
●
Must comply with the global support services requirements, either independently or through Visa
●
May offer its Visa Gold Cards or Visa Premier Cards as any type of payment device with an option
to access any of the following:
– Line of credit
– Depository account
– Other Cardholder assets available through the Issuer
●
In the Europe Region (France), a Visa Premier Card Issuer must:
– Provide a welcome pack, approved by Visa, for newly subscribed Cardholders, including the
services associated and, at least twice a year, information on Merchant offers
– Provide travel insurance and medical assistance for all trips, in accordance with the
corresponding notice information
ID# 0004220 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
4.4.2.2 Visa Gold and Platinum Cards Issued on a Visa Platinum BIN – CEMEA Region
In the CEMEA Region, a Visa Gold Card issued on a Visa Platinum BIN must comply with the Visa Gold
Card design requirements.
ID# 0008339 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.4.2.3 Visa Gold/Premier Issuer Certification – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Visa Gold/Premier Issuer must provide to Visa, at least 30 calendar days
before issuance, an application for written certification from Visa certifying that its programs, systems,
procedures, and services comply with the Visa Rules.
ID# 0029621 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-201
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Gold
4.4.3 Visa Gold – Features and Benefits
4.4.3.1 Visa Gold Card Product Requirements – AP Region (Japan)
In the AP Region (Japan), a Visa Gold CardIssuer must do all of the following:
●
Provide a Minimum Spending Limit of JPY 500,000 to its Visa Gold Cardholders
●
Provide travel accident insurance coverage and/or Cardholder rewards and benefits as specified
in Table 4-24, “Visa Gold Product Minimum Level of Cardholder Rewards and Benefits - AP Region
(Japan)””
●
Submit to Visa in writing an official quote from an insurance company for both the travel accident
insurance and any proposed new features at least 30 calendar days before its implementation
●
Certify its compliance with all of the Visa Gold product requirements 90 calendar days before
program launch
Table 4-24: Visa Gold Product Minimum Level of Cardholder Rewards and Benefits – AP Region (Japan)
Travel accident insurance Total benefit value from the
four categories of insurance,
retail, travel, and lifestyle, per
year
Rewards
USD 500,000 USD 70 50 basis points
N/A USD 150 50 basis points
USD 500,000 N/A 100 basis points
Credit
N/A USD 50 100 basis points
USD 500,000 N/A 50 basis pointsDebit
N/A USD 20 50 basis points
ID# 0029987 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
4.4.3.2 Visa Gold Card Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, a consumer Visa Gold Card Issuer may offer collision/loss damage insurance
either:
●
Through the Visa Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver program
●
Independently
PSR-202 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
If the Issuer offers the Visa Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver program, the Cardholder may obtain
information about the program through Visa Global Customer Care Services, unless Visa has approved
alternate arrangements.
ID# 0008236 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
4.5 Visa Platinum
4.5.1 Visa Platinum – Card Requirements
4.5.1.2 Visa Platinum Debit Product Name Requirements – AP Region (Australia)
In the AP Region (Australia), a Visa Platinum debit Card Issuer must use either the product name
“Platinum” or an alternative name that complies with all of the following:
●
Reflects the status of a premium debit product
●
Is a unique name to identify the product type
●
Is easily recognizable by a Merchant
●
Is clearly displayed on the front of the Card
●
Is not used for any other Visa product type
●
Is only shared with other payment network-branded products that target an equivalent customer
segment
ID# 0029222 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.5.2 Visa Platinum – Customer Service Requirements
4.5.2.1 Visa Platinum Card Customer Service Telephone Number – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Visa Platinum Card Issuer must provide to its Visa Platinum Cardholders a
customer service telephone number available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
ID# 0029622 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-203
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Platinum
4.5.3 Visa Platinum – Issuer Requirements
4.5.3.3 Visa Platinum Card Issuance Requirements – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, a Visa Platinum Card Issuer must comply with all requirements related to Visa
Gold Cards.
ID# 0004413 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.5.3.5 Visa Platinum Card Issuance Requirements – Europe Region (France)
In the Europe Region (France), a Visa Platinum Card Issuer must:
●
Display the Visa Platinum URL (visaplatinum.fr) in all communications to Cardholders
●
Implement a website enabling Cardholders to access all documents relating to Visa Platinum
ID# 0030078 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
4.5.4 Visa Platinum – Features and Benefits
4.5.4.4 Visa Platinum Card Core Services – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Visa Platinum Card Issuer must do all of the following:
●
Provide both of the following services, through contract with a service provider, to its Cardholders
travelling outside the country of Card issuance:
– Medical referral service. The service provider must do all of the following:
▪ Supply the Cardholder with details of the nearest hospital or doctor
▪ Appoint a qualified medical practitioner to establish the condition of the Cardholder
during treatment and relay that information to the Cardholder and the Cardholder's family
members
▪ Offer telephone translation services between the Cardholder and the medical attendant
▪ Offer to assist in arranging payment of emergency medical bills. The Cardholder is fully
liable for payment of emergency medical bills.
– Legal referral service. The service provider must do all of the following:
▪ Supply the Cardholder with details of local attorneys, embassies, or consulates
▪ Offer to communicate details throughout the emergency to the Cardholder's family or
associates
PSR-204 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
▪ Offer to assist in arranging payment of bail or emergency legal fees. The Cardholder is fully
liable for payment of bail or emergency legal fees.
●
Ensure that the services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
●
Notify its Cardholders of the availability of the emergency travel assistance services and provide
them with the telephone number through which they may obtain these services.
ID# 0029616 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.5.4.6 Visa Platinum Card Travel Rewards Program – LAC Region
In the LACRegion, a Visa Platinum credit Card Issuer must provide a rewards program that offers
Cardholders, through purchases with Visa Platinum Cards, the ability to accumulate points that can be
redeemed for, at a minimum, airline travel.
The rewards program may be sponsored by Visa (Visa Rewards), an Issuer, or through an Airline
Affinity/Co-Brand program.
Cardholders must not be assessed an additional fee for membership in the rewards program.
Visa Platinum debit Cards are exempt from any obligation to offer any rewards programs.
ID# 0008813 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.5.5 Visa Platinum Prepaid – Issuer Requirements
4.5.5.3 Visa Platinum Prepaid Card Program Issuance Requirements – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, a Visa Platinum Prepaid Card Issuer must do all of the following:
●
Comply with the requirements for Visa Prepaid Cards and Section 4.11.1.1, “Visa Prepaid Card
Program Issuance Requirements”
●
Ensure all Visa Platinum Prepaid Cards are:
– Issued as EMV Chip Cards with the Visa payWave Application
– Issued for domestic and international use
– Issuedas ReloadableCards and allow a minimum cumulative load of CAD 2,000
●
Enable the Cardholder to do all of the following:
– Have access to online account management (account balance, Transaction history)
– Offer a mobile application that at a minimum allows the Cardholder to check balances and
transaction history
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-205
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Rewards
– Establish alerts via email, text message, or mobile application
●
Provide an ongoing and relevant benefits or a rewards program
ID# 0029277 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
4.6 Visa Rewards
4.6.3 Visa Rewards – Features and Benefits
4.6.3.2 Visa Rewards Product Benefits Requirements – AP Region (Australia)
In the AP Region (Australia), a Visa Rewards Product Issuer must provide its Visa Rewards Cardholders
all of the following benefits:
Table 4-30: Visa Rewards Product Benefits – AP Region (Australia)
Benefit Description
Cardholder Insurance
1
Provide one or more insurance options to Visa Rewards Product
Cardholders.
The total unit cost per premium must match or exceed the current unit of
cost providing USD 500,000 (or local currency equivalent) of travel accident
insurance except where prohibited by applicable laws or regulations.
The Issuer must submit to Visa in writing an official quote from an
insurance company for both the travel accident insurance and the
proposed new features at least 30 calendar days before its implementation.
Concierge Services
1
Offer concierge services and must make these services available through a
customer service attendant by telephone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Minimum Spending Limit Offer a Minimum Spending Limit of X
Effective through 21 April 2017
Provide a rewards program for its Visa Rewards Product Cardholders and
provide a minimum rewards currency of 65 basis points for its Visa Rewards
Product credit Cards
Effective 22 April 2017
Provide a rewards program for its Visa Rewards Product Cardholders and
provide a minimum rewards currency of 55 basis points for its Visa Rewards
Product credit Cards
Rewards Program
If it sets a cap on spend that earns rewards currency, not set such spend
cap at less than X per month or X per year.
Communicate both of the following to its Visa Rewards Cardholders:
PSR-206 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Benefit Description
●
Visa benefits of the Visa Rewards Card at least twice per year
●
New benefits or changes to existing benefits at least 2 months before
the effective date
1
An Issuer may instead offer an alternative Cardholder benefit, as specified in Section 4.1.15.1, “Alternative Cardholder
Benefits – AP Region (Australia, Myanmar, New Zealand).”
ID# 0029304 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
4.6.4 Visa Traditional Rewards – Issuer Requirements
4.6.4.1 Visa Traditional Rewards Product Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Traditional Rewards Card Issuer must comply with Visa Traditional product
requirements, including, but not limited to, core service requirements.
ID# 0003883 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.6.4.3 Issuer Rewards Program Registration – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer must both:
●
Register its Visa Traditional Rewards program with Visa
ID# 0008806 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2015
4.6.4.5 Visa Traditional Rewards Program Penalties for Non-Compliance – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Traditional Rewards Card Issuer must meet the Visa Traditional Rewards
Card product requirements to qualify for and receive the Visa Traditional Rewards Interchange
Reimbursement Fee, or it may be subject to non-compliance assessments.
ID# 0003899 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.6.5 Visa Traditional Rewards – Features and Benefits
4.6.5.1 Visa Traditional Rewards Program Participation – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Traditional Rewards Card Issuer must do all of the following:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-207
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Signature
●
Offer a rewards program to its Visa Traditional Cardholders
●
Notify Cardholders, at least quarterly, of their Rewards Currency via a stand-alone communication
piece,
ID# 0026236 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.6.5.2 Visa Traditional Rewards Terms and Conditions – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Traditional Rewards Card Issuer must comply with all of the following:
●
Provide complete and accurate disclosure of all Visa Traditional Rewards Card terms and
conditions, including, but not limited to, Rewards Currency, Rewards Currency accrual, expiration
and maximum cap, point redemption, costs, fees (if any), an explanation of Qualifying Purchases,
and all other material terms and conditions upon Cardholder enrollment in the program, and as
required by applicable laws and regulations
●
Communicate in writing the value of the Rewards Currency to its Cardholders, annually or as
required by applicable laws or regulations, including, at minimum, all of the following information:
– Amount earned
– Amount redeemed
– Balance remaining
●
Notify the Cardholder of any material changes to the program terms and conditions before the
revision effective date
●
Ensure the accuracy of any information that it or its Agent provides to its Cardholders
ID# 0003897 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.7 Visa Signature
4.7.1 Visa Signature and Visa Signature Preferred – Card Requirements
4.7.1.1 Visa Signature Card Requirements
A Visa Signature Card Issuer must include features and services equivalent to the Visa Infinite Card and
all of the following:
●
No pre-set spending limit
1
●
Access to web services specific to Visa Signature Cardholders
●
A Card design specific to a Visa Signature Card
PSR-208 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
1
This does not apply in the US Region for Visa Signature Cards not issued as Visa Charge Cards.
ID# 0008228 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2015
4.7.1.4 Visa Signature Card Point-of-Sale Spend Requirement – AP and CEMEA
Regions
In the AP Region and CEMEA Region, a Visa Signature Card must meet the country-specific
spend threshold established by Visa, failing which Visa may automatically modify the Interchange
Reimbursement Fee designation for the Card account using the spend qualification assessment. The
IRF designation will be determined based on whether the Card account meets or does not meet the
Visa Signature Card spend threshold, as specified in either, as applicable:
●
Section 4.7.1.3, “Visa Signature Card Point-of-Sale Spend Qualification Threshold – AP Region”
●
Section 4.7.1.6, “Visa Signature Card Point-of-Sale Spend Qualification Threshold – CEMEA Region”
Spend qualification assessment methodology may be defined by Visa within the specific country.
ID# 0027304 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.7.2 Visa Signature and Visa Signature Preferred – Customer Service Requirements
4.7.2.1 Visa Signature and Visa Signature Preferred Card Customer Service
Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Signature and Visa Signature Preferred Issuer must do all of the following:
●
Provide to its Cardholders a customer service toll-free telephone number available 24 hours a day,
7 days a week
●
Ensure that the number is:
– Serviced either by a customer service agent or a voice response unit
Issuers must also ensure access to account information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through any or
all of the following:
●
Customer service agent
●
A voice response unit
●
Online access
ID# 0003906 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-209
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Signature
4.7.2.2 Visa Signature and Visa Signature Preferred Card Website – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Signature and Visa Signature Preferred Issuer must provide its Cardholders
access to a website that offers special information and services specific to its Visa Signature and Visa
Signature Preferred Cardholders.
ID# 0003923 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.7.3 Visa Signature and Visa Signature Preferred – Issuer Requirements
4.7.3.11 Visa Signature and Visa Signature Preferred Cardholder Notification – US
Region
In the US Region, a Visa Signature or Visa Signature Preferred Issuer must provide notification to the
Cardholder both:
●
Before ongoing Transactions can be declined
●
When an account needs to be suspended or closed for any reason
ID# 0003218 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.7.3.12 Visa Signature Card Enhanced Billing Support – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Signature Issuer must provide enhanced billing support resolution services to
X
ID# 0003907 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.7.4 Visa Signature and Visa Signature Preferred – Features and Benefits
4.7.4.6 Visa Signature Card Travel Rewards Program – LAC Region
In the LACRegion,a Visa Signature Card Issuer must provide a rewards program that offers
Cardholders, through purchases with Visa Signature, the ability to accumulate points that can be
redeemed for Airline travel. The rewards program may be sponsored by Visa (Visa Rewards), an Issuer,
or an Airline Affinity/Co-Brand program. Cardholders must not be assessed an additional fee for
membership in the rewards program.
ID# 0004500 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
PSR-210 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.7.4.7 Visa Signature and Visa Signature Preferred Spending Limits and Payment
Options – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Signature Issuer may allow a Visa Signature Cardholder the option to either:
●
Pay in full each statement cycle. The minimum spending limit for a Visa Signature Card issued as a
Visa Charge Card must not be less than USD 2,000 per month.
●
Revolve. This option does not apply to Visa Charge Cards.
– For Visa Signature Cards, if positioned as a revolving product, the Issuer must permit a
minimum revolving balance of at least USD 5,000 during each statement cycle.
– For Visa Signature Preferred Cards, if the Visa Signature Preferred Cardholder is allowed the
option to revolve, the Issuer must permit a minimum revolving balance of at least USD 5,000
during each statement cycle.
ID# 0008237 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.7.4.8 Visa Signature and Visa Signature Preferred Rewards Program Participation –
US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Signature or Visa Signature Preferred Issuer must both:
●
Offer a rewards program to its Visa Signature or Visa Signature Preferred Cardholders
●
Notify Cardholders, at least quarterly, via billing statement or stand-alone statement, of reward
points earned during the relevant period
ID# 0003915 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.8 Visa Infinite
4.8.1 Visa Infinite/Visa Infinite Privilege – Card Requirements
4.8.1.1 Visa Infinite Card BIN Designation – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Infinite Issuer must use Account Level Processing to support BIN designation
for its Visa Infinite portfolio.
ID# 0029201 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-211
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Infinite
4.8.1.2 Visa Infinite Card Spending Limits
An Issuer
1,2
must offer its Visa Infinite Cardholders either:
●
A no pre-set limit, excluding Emergency Card Replacements
●
A minimum spending limit of X (or local currency equivalent) during each statement cycle in which
a Cardholder has satisfied previous obligations to the Issuer
This requirement does not apply in the Canada Region
In the US Region, a Visa Infinite Issuer must support both of the following minimum credit limits:
●
For Visa Consumer Credit Cards, excluding Visa Charge Cards, either:
– USD X (or local currency equivalent) for accounts with no pre-set spending limit
– USD X for accounts with a pre-set spending limit
●
For Visa Charge Cards, USD X
1
This requirement does not apply to Visa Infinite debit Card Issuers in China.
2
This requirement does not apply to Visa Infinite debit Card Issuers in Singapore.
ID# 0004539 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
4.8.1.3 Visa Infinite Card Features and Branding Requirements
A Visa Infinite Card Issuer must do all of the following:
●
Offer features that differentiate the Visa Infinite Card from any other Visa Card product it issues
●
Offer highest purchasing power available within the applicable Visa Region and the Issuer's Visa
Card portfolio, except when the Member-developed Card product:
– Is not branded with a Visa Card product name
– Does not use the Sample Card Design or reserved color of a Visa Card product
●
In the US Region, use the product name “Visa Infinite” on all Visa Infinite Cards and include it in all
solicitations, advertising, promotions, and all its Cardholder communications
ID# 0004532 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
4.8.1.5 Visa Infinite Debit Card Issuance Requirements – AP Region (China,
Singapore)
In the AP Region (China), an Issuer may provide a Visa Infinite debit Card only to a Cardholder who has
a minimum assets under management of X (or foreign currency equivalent) with the Issuer.
PSR-212 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
In the AP Region(Singapore), an Issuer may provide a Visa Infinite debit Card only to a Cardholder
who has a minimum assets under management of SGD 500,000 with the Issuer.
ID# 0029457 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
4.8.2 Visa Infinite/Visa Infinite Privilege – Customer Service Requirements
4.8.2.2 Visa Infinite Card Emergency Services
If a Visa Infinite Issuer offers Visa emergency services, it must both:
●
Provide a toll-free telephone number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
●
Communicate the telephone number to the Cardholder annually
●
In the US Region:
– Activate and publish the domestic toll-free and international collect-call telephone number for
emergency support
– Ensure that its toll-free and collect-call telephone numbers are printed on the back of the
Visa Infinite Card. The domestic toll-free number must also appear on the monthly billing
statement.
ID# 0004544 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
4.8.2.3 Visa Infinite Cardholder Notification and Complaints
A Visa Infinite Card Issuer must both:
●
Provide advance notification to the Cardholder when an account needs to be suspended or closed
for any reason
●
Monitor customer complaints related to Transaction Authorizations
These requirements do not apply to Visa Infinite Issuers in the LAC Region.
ID# 0004543 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.8.3 Visa Infinite/Visa Infinite Privilege – Issuer Requirements
4.8.3.1 Visa Infinite/Visa Infinite Privilege Card Permitted Account Types
At the option of Visa, a Visa Infinite Issuer may support the following account types:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-213
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Infinite
In the AP Region, CEMEA Region,and Europe Region,a credit, charge, or debit account
●
In the Canada Region:
– For Visa Infinite, a credit, charge, or debit account
– For Visa Infinite Privilege, a credit or charge account
●
In theLAC Region, credit, charge, debit, or Prepaid Account
●
In the US Region, a credit or charge account
ID# 0004537 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.8.3.7 Visa Infinite Privilege Program Compliance with Visa Infinite Rules – Canada
Region
In the Canada Region, aVisa Infinite Privilege Card Issuer must comply with all requirements related to
the Visa Infinite Card program.
ID# 0027692 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.8.3.9 Declined Visa Infinite Privilege Card Transactions – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, for Visa Infinite Privilege Cards issued with a no pre-set spending limit, an Issuer
must provide notification to the Cardholder before ongoing Transactions may be declined.
ID# 0027701 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.8.3.10 Visa Infinite Privilege Card Marketing – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, a Visa Infinite Privilege Card Issuer must promote the Visa Infinite Privilege
features, benefits, and services to Cardholders
ID# 0027702 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.8.3.14 Visa Infinite Card Issuance Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, if a Visa Infinite Card Issuer does not issue a minimum of 500 Visa Infinite Cards
within 12 months of issuing its first Visa Infinite Card, Visa will invoice the Issuer for the equivalent of
500 Visa Infinite Cards.
ID# 0029623 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-214 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.8.3.15 Visa Infinite Card BIN Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Visa Infinite Issuer must both:
●
Use a dedicated BIN for its Visa Infinite Cards
●
Not reclassify an existing Visa Infinite Card BIN to represent a Visa Card product other than a Visa
Infinite Card without prior Visa permission
ID# 0029625 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.8.3.16 Visa Infinite Card Delinquent Account Notification – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, for Visa Infinite Cards with no pre-set spending limit, an Issuer must provide
notification to the Cardholder before declining any Transactions.
ID# 0029626 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.8.3.19 Visa Infinite Requirement to Provide Cardholder Disclosure – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Infinite Issuer must disclose all of the following to its Cardholders:
●
Information related to Card benefits arranged by the Issuer with third parties
●
That it may provide personal Cardholder data to Visa, its contractors, or to Third-Party Agents for
the purpose of providing Emergency Card Replacement, Emergency Cash Disbursement, or other
Card-related benefits and services
●
That to the extent personal Cardholder data is provided or disclosed to obtain travel and lifestyle
or insurance benefits, the benefit providers will handle such information in accordance with their
privacy policies
The Issuer must obtain Cardholder consent to the release of this information as a condition of
obtaining a Visa Infinite Card.
ID# 0029251 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
4.8.3.20 Visa Infinite Issuance Requirements – Europe Region (France)
In the Europe Region (France), a Visa Infinite Card Issuer must:
●
Display the Visa Infinite URL (visainfinite.fr) in all communications to Cardholders
●
Implement a website enabling Cardholders to access all documents relating to Visa Infinite
ID# 0030079 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-215
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Infinite
4.8.4 Visa Infinite/Visa Infinite Privilege – Features and Benefits
4.8.4.1 Visa Infinite Card Minimum Benefits
An Issuer must provide enhanced benefits to its Visa Infinite Cardholders for all the following benefit
categories:
●
Priority assistance and convenience
●
Exclusive privileges and rewards
●
Safety and security
These requirements do not apply to Visa Infinite Cards issued in the LAC Region.
In the AP Region (Singapore), an Issuer must ensure that the rewards currency enables Cardholders
to redeem an equivalent to 150 basis points per dollar for International Transactions, 100 basis points
per dollar for Domestic Transactions for credit cards, and 70 basis points per dollar for Domestic
Transactions for debit cards.
ID# 0008311 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
4.8.4.2 Visa Infinite Card Web Services
An Issuer must, either independently or through Visa, offer its Visa Infinite Cardholders access to a
website that offers special information and services to high-end consumers.
The Visa Infinite website must comply with all of the following:
●
Be limited toVisa Infinite Cardholders only
●
Provide a description of Visa Infinite Card services, benefits, and features
●
Provide a detailed listing of the Visa Infinite Exclusive Privileges Merchant partner offers
●
Include all of the following minimum value-added content and services for travel and
entertainment:
– Travel-related content not readily available from other sources
– Online concierge service, if concierge service is offered by the Visa Region or Member's Infinite
product
– Contact information for Cardholders to inquire about Visa Infinite services and to provide
feedback
●
In the US Region:
– EnableCardholder access to the Visa Infinite benefits portal hosted by Visa on behalf of the
Issuer
PSR-216 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
– Comply with the Visa content guidelines and approval requirements for any offers or content
provided by or on behalf of the Issuer for use in connection with the Visa Infinite benefits
portal
These requirements do not apply to Visa Infinite Cards issued in the LAC Region.
ID# 0008415 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.8.4.13 Visa Infinite Privilege Card Website – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, a Visa Infinite Privilege Card Issuer must provide its Cardholders exclusive
access to the Visa Infinite Privilege website that:
●
Details information about Visa Infinite Privilege Card features, services, and benefits
●
Enables Cardholders to link from the Issuer website to the Visa Infinite Privilege dedicated website
ID# 0027703 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.8.4.15 Visa Infinite Card Core Features – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Visa Infinite Card Issuer must provide all of the following core services to its
Cardholders:
●
Both of the following safety and security features:
– Medical referral, assistance, and emergency services
– Legal referral, assistance, and Cash Disbursement services
●
Both of the following priority assistance and convenience features:
– Customer service representatives available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
– Concierge service
●
Merchant partner program
ID# 0029624 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-217
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Campus Card
4.10 Campus Card
4.10.1 Campus Card – Issuer Requirements
4.10.1.1 Visa Campus Card Issuance – US Region
In the US Region, participation in Visa Campus Card program is limited to principal Issuers and
Sponsored Members.
A Campus CardIssuer must do all of the following:
●
Limit issuance of a Visa Campus Card to:
– A Visa Debit Campus Card or a Visa Prepaid Card
– “Active” student, staff, or faculty members at colleges and universities as defined by the Issuer
in association with each school. “Active” status must be associated with the Cardholder’s
academic or employment status with the school.
●
Ensure that any student identification number printed on the Campus Card does not contain any
portion of the student’s Social Security Number, the Account Number or any other number that
may present a privacy or security risk
●
Limit issuance of a Visa Campus Card to:
– Identification
– Building access
– Library access
– Other Visa-approved proprietary closed-loop applications
●
Enable alternative network routing as required to comply with Regulation II
ID# 0027551 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.10.1.2 Campus Card Extraneous Numbers or Devices – US Region
In the US Region, any extraneous number or device embossed, printed, etched, encoded, or otherwise
affixed to a Campus Card must not be used to facilitate any financial transactions, other than closed-
loop proprietary college or university system transactions.
ID# 0027553 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-218 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.11 Prepaid
4.11.1 Prepaid – Issuer Requirements
4.11.1.1 Visa Prepaid Card Program Issuance Requirements
A Visa Prepaid Card Issuer must:
●
Obtain Visa approval prior to implementing a Visa Prepaid Card program
●
Adhere to anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing requirements
●
Prohibit unauthorized reselling of its Visa Prepaid Cards or accounts
●
Not issue Visa Prepaid Cards as any type of consumer credit program that extends a line of credit
●
Ensure that the expiration date embossed on the Card and encoded on the Magnetic Stripe and
Chip (when used) does not exceed 5 years from the date of issuance
●
For Visa Gift Cards issued in the US Region, the Issuer must ensure the expiration date encoded
on the Magnetic Stripe or Chip (when used) and embossed or printed on a Visa Gift Card does not
exceed 9 years from the date of issuance
●
Print a customer service telephone number
1
on the back of a Visa Prepaid Card
●
Support Authorization Reversals
●
In addition, in the Europe Region, certify that a non-Member that distributes Visa Prepaid Cards on
its behalf complies with the Visa Europe Prepaid Cards Retail Channel Guidelines
1
In the US Region, the number must be a toll-free telephone number.
ID# 0003633 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.11.1.2 Visa Prepaid Card BIN
A Visa Prepaid Issuer must use a separate BIN for consumer and commercial Visa Prepaid Card
programs.
1
A Visa Prepaid Card program type must be issued in a separate BIN or 9-digit account range within a
BIN.
1
This requirement does not apply in the LAC Region.
ID# 0008352 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-219
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Prepaid
4.11.1.4 Visa Prepaid Card Funds and Reserves Requirements
A Visa Prepaid Card Issuer must establish fund reserves to cover Visa Prepaid Card Transactions and
Settlement obligations. The Issuer must do all of the following:
●
Ensure that prepaid funds are used only for valid Presentments
●
Ensure that reserves are used only to cover direct program losses
●
Monitor Agent reserves and account funding, including that of Mobile Network Operators (MNOs),
and have access to Agent and MNO systems
●
Periodically review and monitor Cardholder funds, including exception reporting
●
In instances where the settlement or movement of funds between Visa Prepaid Card Issuers and
their Agents is delayed, remit the funds as expeditiously as possible
A Visa Prepaid Card Issuer must hold and control all Visa Prepaid Card funds and Agent reserves in an
account controlled by the Issuer. This requirement does not apply to:
●
Members in countries where applicable laws or regulations require funds to be held in approved
trust accounts
●
In the US Region, Issuers of Visa Health Savings Account (HSA) programs, where funds must be
held in an IRS-approved trust account
●
Issuers of Visa Mobile Prepaid (VMP) where funds are held with an Issuer-approved Mobile
Network Operator’s (MNO) financial institution partner.
A Visa Mobile Prepaid (VMP) Issuer must:
●
Establish and hold reserves from the MNO to cover Card Transactions and Visa Settlement
obligations
●
Perform annual due diligence on the MNO’s financial institution partner
ID# 0027830 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.11.1.6 Visa Prepaid Account Balances
An Issuer must disclose its obligation for Card balances to its Visa Prepaid Cardholder. The disclosure
must comply with all of the following:
●
Be either in writing or other appropriate means as approved by Visa
●
Identify the Issuer responsible for Prepaid Account balances either on the front or back of the Card
●
Not imply that Visa is liable for outstanding balances
ID# 0008353 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-220 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.11.1.10 Point-of-Sale Balance Inquiry and Point-of-Sale Balance Return Service –
Issuer Participation Conditions
An Issuer that participates in the Point-of-Sale Balance Inquiry and/or a Point-of-Sale Balance Return
Service must complete systems testing with Visa.
In the US Region, a Visa Prepaid Issuer of Visa Gift Cards, Visa Incentive Cards, or other Non-
Reloadable Visa Prepaid Cards must participate in the Point-of-Sale Balance Inquiry and/or Point-of-
Sale Balance Return Service.
ID# 0025545 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.11.1.13 Visa Prepaid Card Transaction Data Requirements – LAC Region (Brazil)
In the LAC Region (Brazil), an Issuer of a Visa Prepaid Card must be able to receive the Merchant legal
name and Merchant tax identification number in the Clearing Record for a Transaction completed with
a Visa Prepaid Card of government programs.
ID# 0029035 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2015
4.11.1.16 Visa Consumer and Government Disbursement Reloadable Cards – Issuer
Requirements – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, an Issuer of a Visa Consumer Card or government disbursement Reloadable
Card
1
must do all of the following:
●
Not charge the Cardholder a fee for domestic point-of-sale and domestic Card-Absent
Environment Transactions
●
Offer free access to financial education and tools to the Cardholder and clearly communicate
available financial education and tools in Cardholder communications and where the Reloadable
Card is being promoted2
●
Enable the Cardholder to:
– Reload funds on the Card through one free method, including, but not limited to, bill payment,
bank transfers, retail load hubs, direct deposit, credit or debit Card, cash, person-to-person
funds transfer, mobile remote check deposit, or point-of-sale reload network
– Check available balance through one free method, including, but not limited to internet,
integrated voice response (IVR), or ATM
1
This does not apply to travel Visa Prepaid Cards issued in foreign currency and Visa Commercial CardIssuers.
2
Financial education tools may be Issuer-proprietary (Issuer-branded, -owned, and -developed) or developed by third
parties, as long as the Issuer provides the links to those resources.
ID# 0029459 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-221
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Prepaid
4.11.2 Prepaid – Agent Use/Risk Controls
4.11.2.1 Visa Prepaid Card – Use of Agents – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Prepaid Card Issuer that uses Agents for its Visa Prepaid Card program must
do all of the following:
●
Establish underwriting, monitoring, and control policies for its Agents
●
Establish policies and procedures for reviewing solicitation materials used by its Agents
●
Ensure that the policies are approved by its board of directors unless Visa specifically waives this
requirement
●
Provide the policies to Visa upon request
●
Monitor its Agents and ensure it has access rights to all of its Agents’ systems and reports
●
Submit a report on all Agent relationships to Visa on a quarterly basis
ID# 0008356 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.11.2.2 Visa Prepaid Issuer Risk Program Requirements
A Visa Prepaid CardIssuer must comply with, and ensure that its applicable Agent complies with, the
Visa Prepaid Issuer Risk Program Standards Guide
1
and cooperate with Visa, or an entity approved by
Visa, for the completion of a periodic review of the Issuer's or its Agent's operations at any time. The
Issuer is responsible for the cost of the periodic review.
The Issuer mustboth:
●
Complete the Prepaid Issuer Self-Assessment Questionnaire upon entry into the Visa prepaid
program and, at minimum, on an annual basis
●
Provide to Visa upon request:
– A copy of the completed Prepaid Issuer Self-Assessment Questionnaire
– A copy of the review report
1
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
ID# 0008359 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-222 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.11.3 Prepaid – Affinity/Co-Branding
4.11.3.1 Additional Permitted Member Identification for Prepaid Cards
To display the Marks of another Visa Member on its Visa Prepaid Cards, an Issuer must do all of the
following:
●
Obtain prior approval from Visa
●
Clearly identify itself as the Issuer on the Card and program materials
●
Own, underwrite, and exercise complete control over the Prepaid Card Account and the receivables
associated with it. The non-issuing Member must act only as the distributor/reseller.
●
Maintain responsibility for all customer service functions for the Prepaid Card
●
Ensure that any Functional Type or Mark does not facilitate payment for goods or services
ID# 0027675 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.11.3.3 Visa Prepaid Card Affinity/Co-Brand Partner Eligibility Exception
For Visa Prepaid Cards, an Issuer that displays the Marks of a non-Member entity that is engaged in
banking activities and eligible for Visa membership must comply with all of the following:
●
Obtain prior written consent from Visa
●
Ensure that the Affinity/Co-Brand program is established solely for the purpose of providing the
distribution or sale of certain Visa Prepaid Cards
●
Maintain complete control over the Affinity/Co-Brand Visa Prepaid Cards including responsibility
for customer service and assumption of financial liability. The Affinity/Co-Brand partnermust not
be engaged in an ongoing contractual relationship with the Cardholder in connection with the
Issuer’s Visa Prepaid Card.
●
Assume complete responsibility for oversight and control of their Affinity/Co-Brand partner in
accordance with the reseller requirements specified in Section 4.11.1.14, “Visa Prepaid Cards –
Reseller Organization Requirements.”
ID# 0027677 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-223
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Prepaid
4.11.4 Prepaid – Cross-Border Remittance
4.11.4.4 Issuer Requirements for the Distribution of Visa Prepaid Cards Outside the
Country of Issuance
To distribute Visa Prepaid Cards outside the country of issuance, a Visa Prepaid Card Issuer must both:
●
Submit all required documentation for prior written approval from Visa for each of its Visa Prepaid
Card programs that it enables for distribution in a different country
●
Not engage in any activity that amounts to active solicitation and issuance outside its principal
country of business
ID# 0026801 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2015
4.11.4.5 Limitation of Distribution of Visa Prepaid Cards Outside the Country of
Issuance
An Issuer authorized to distribute Visa Prepaid Cards outside its country of Issuance must limit such
distribution to Prepaid products that are funded solely by a multinational corporation or a government
entity.
For Visa Prepaid Cards distributed outside the country of issuance and funded by a multinational
corporation, the Issuer must do all of the following:
●
Be a Visa Member in the country where the multinational corporation has its principal place of
business
1
●
Ensure that no more than 25% of the multinational corporation’s revenue is derived from activities
outside the country in which the participating Issuer is located
●
Ensure that the number of the multinational corporation’s employees resident outside the country
in which the participating Issuer is located does not exceed 25% of the multinational corporation’s
overall employee count
1
●
For a Visa Prepaid Card funded for the purpose of insurance-to-consumer programs, ensure that
the insurance company is located within the country of the Issuer and Cards are provided only
to policy holders who may be living abroad. Centralized global Card distribution for global or
multinational insurance companies is prohibited.
For Visa Prepaid Cards distributed outside the country of issuance and funded by a government entity:
●
Ensure that no more than 25% of the total beneficiaries of the government disbursements under
the specified government program reside outside the country of the Issuer
●
Ensure that the government entity is located within the same country as the Issuer
PSR-224 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
1
This restriction does not apply to Airlines, Cruise Lines, and sea-based shipping companies.
ID# 0026802 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
4.11.5 Prepaid – Authorization Services/Funds Access
4.11.5.1 Visa Prepaid Card Selective Authorization
A Visa Prepaid Card Issuer’s systematic decline responses to Authorization Requests for specific
Prepaid Cards must be based only on the following criteria:
●
MCC
●
Merchant name or terminal identification
●
Location or Merchant Outlet
A Prepaid Card Issuer must obtain approval from Visa before implementing Selective Authorization
programs or limiting acceptance, except when the Issuer suspects fraudulent or unusual activity.
ID# 0025537 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.11.5.2 Partial Authorization Service for Visa Prepaid Card Issuers
A Visa Prepaid Card Issuer and its VisaNet Processor that offers Partial Authorization must support
Partial Authorization Transactions and Authorization Reversals.
In the Canada Region and US Region, a Visa Prepaid Card Issuer and its VisaNet Processor must
support Partial Authorization Transactions.
ID# 0002494 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.11.6 Prepaid – Partners
4.11.6.2 Prepaid Partner – Load Partner Requirements
In addition to the requirements specified in Section 4.11.6.1, “Visa Prepaid Partner Agreement
Requirements – General,” a Prepaid Partner that provides Load Transaction services must do all of the
following:
A Prepaid Partner that participates in Load and Activation services must obtain Issuer approval of an
activation and load Authorization Request for Card activation for both Reloadable Cards and Non-
Reloadable Cards.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-225
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Prepaid
ID# 0028182 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.11.9 Prepaid – Visa TravelMoney
4.11.9.1 Visa TravelMoney Participation
A Prepaid Card Issuer that participates in the Visa TravelMoney program must comply with all of the
following:
●
Participate in the Card Verification Service
●
Issue pre-assigned or customer-selected PINs to all Visa TravelMoney Cards
●
Accept PIN for Cardholder verification at an ATM
●
Support ATM Cash Disbursements at both Visa/Plus ATM and Manual Cash Disbursements at Visa
Member offices
●
Not position Visa TravelMoney Cards as equivalent to Traveler’s Cheques
ID# 0002503 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.11.9.2 Visa TravelMoney Student Card Issuer Requirements – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa TravelMoney Student Card Issuer must:
●
Issue Cards as a Chip-enabled Prepaid Card
●
Enable both Point-of-Transactions and ATM functionality on its Visa TravelMoney Student Cards
●
Issue Cards using either account ranges only within existing Visa TravelMoney BINs or a unique
Visa TravelMoney BIN
ID# 0029272 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
4.11.9.3 Visa TravelMoney Student Card Core Benefits – LAC Region
A Visa TravelMoney Student Card Issuer must, at a minimum, provide to its Cardholders all of the
following core product benefits, unless prohibited by applicable laws or regulations:
●
Rental car insurance, including country of residence
●
Travel and Emergency Assistance Services
●
Visa Purchase Protection
●
Visa Price Protection
PSR-226 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Visa Extended Warranty
●
Visa Trip Delay
●
Visa Luggage Delay
ID# 0029271 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
4.11.9.5 Visa TravelMoney – Access to Funds – US Region
In the US Region, if an Issuer offers multiple Visa TravelMoney Cards to a Cardholder, the Issuer must
both:
●
Ensure full access to Visa TravelMoney funds for each Visa TravelMoney Card held by the
Cardholder. If one or more Visa TravelMoney Cards are lost, the remaining Cards must still have
access to funds.
●
Replace one or more Cardsup to the total number of Visa TravelMoney Cards originally purchased
if one or more are lost, stolen, or damaged.
ID# 0008403 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.11.9.6 Visa TravelMoney – ATM and POS Functionality
An Issuer that is licensed only for the issuance of Visa TravelMoney Cards must restrict the functionality
on the Card to ATM use only.
1
1
This does not apply to Visa TravelMoney Student Cards.
ID# 0025548 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.11.9.8 Visa TravelMoney Cardholder Notification
An Issuer of Visa TravelMoney Cards must inform its Cardholders that a Visa TravelMoney Card may be
used at a Visa/Plus ATM location.
ID# 0002511 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-227
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Prepaid
4.11.10 Prepaid – Visa Buxx
4.11.10.1 Visa Buxx Card Issuer Implementation Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, at least 30 days before issuing Cards, a Visa Buxx Issuer must submit to Visa
written certification that its programs, systems, procedures, and services can support Visa Buxx Card
requirements.
ID# 0004361 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.11.10.2 Visa Buxx Card Issuer Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Buxx Issuer must designate a parent or an adult sponsor as the account owner
of the Card with the option for the minor/underage person to be an authorized user:
A Visa Buxx Issuer must comply with all of the following:
●
Not market a Visa Buxx Card to an underage person and decline the application if the intended
authorized user is under the age of 13
●
Offer the account owner the option to:
– Establish defined spending and cash access limits by Transaction amount, type, and/or
frequency
– Receive text message, email or mobile application notifications when the limits are exceeded
– Support on-demand, scheduled, or recurring minimum balance reloads in at least 3 ways, one
of which must make funds available to the Cardholder within one hour of initiating the load
●
Either itself, through Visa, or a third-party provider, offer:
– Parental notification of payment activity and current balance information
– The option to receive paper and/or electronic delivery of periodic Card statements
– The ability to manage the account online
– The ability to check available balance via internet, interactive voice response (IVR), or ATM
ID# 0008378 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.11.12 Prepaid – Employee Benefits/Healthcare
4.11.12.1 Visa Employee Benefit Card Issuer Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Prepaid Card Issuer must comply with both of the following:
PSR-228 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Not permit cash access for its Employee Benefits Cards
●
Support Retrieval Request reason code 27 (Healthcare Auto-Sub Data Retrieval Request), for the
purpose of obtaining detailed Transaction Receipt data from Acquirers, via fax, for Visa Flexible
Spending Accounts (FSA) or Visa Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
ID# 0008386 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.11.13 Prepaid – Visa Mobile
4.11.13.1 Visa Mobile Prepaid General Requirements – AP Region, CEMEA Region, and
LAC Region
A Member participating in Visa Mobile Prepaid must do all of the following:
●
Receive Original Credit Transactions, where available
●
Ensure that all Visa Mobile Prepaid accounts are linked to a valid mobile telephone number
●
Provide Visa with mobile phone number (Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital Network-
Number – MSISDN) to primary Account Number (PAN) mapping data for each active Visa Mobile
Prepaid account
ID# 0027159 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.11.13.2 Visa Mobile Prepaid Issuer Requirements – AP, CEMEA, and LAC Regions
In the AP Region, CEMEA Region, and LAC Region, a Visa Mobile Prepaid Issuer must do all of the
following:
●
Use a unique Visa Mobile Prepaid product sub-type and a prepaid BIN assigned to a Visa
consumer, business, or commercial product
●
Ensure that a physical companion Card issued for a virtual Visa Mobile Prepaid account complies
with the same branding requirements as any other Visa Card
●
Inform the Visa Mobile Prepaid user of any fees that may be charged
●
Comply with the routing directory requirements
●
Issue commercial Visa Mobile Prepaid Accounts to its Mobile Money Agents if participating in
interoperable Mobile Money Agent services
●
Support authentication for all Visa Mobile Prepaid Transactions
ID# 0027160 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-229
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Prepaid
4.11.13.3 Visa Mobile Prepaid Quarterly Reporting – AP, CEMEA, and LAC Regions
In the AP Region, CEMEA Region, and LAC Region, a Member participating in the Visa Mobile Prepaid
Program must report its Visa Transactions in its Operating Certificate.
ID# 0027161 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.11.13.4 Visa Mobile Prepaid Companion Card Requirements – AP, CEMEA, and LAC
Regions
In the AP Region, CEMEA Region, and LAC Region, a Visa Mobile Prepaid Issuer that makes a
companion Card available to a Visa Mobile Prepaid account holder must both:
●
Ensure that the Card does not have an expiration date of more than 5 years from the date of
issuance
●
Encode the Magnetic Stripe with an "X2X" Service Code
ID# 0027162 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.11.13.5 Visa Mobile Money Operator Requirements – AP, CEMEA, and LAC Regions
In the AP Region, CEMEA Region, and LAC Region, a Mobile Money Operator must do all of the
following:
●
Register as a Third Party Agent if it is not the licensed Issuer of Visa Mobile Prepaid
●
Monitor its Mobile Money Agents for signs of fraud or other illegal activity
●
Maintain an accurate list of its Mobile Money Agents, which must be provided to Visa upon
request
●
Ensure that its Mobile Money Agents do not add fees to what is already charged by the Mobile
Money Operator for services provided to Visa Mobile Prepaid account holders at the Mobile
Money Agent location
ID# 0027163 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.11.13.6 Visa Mobile Prepaid Processing Requirements – AP, CEMEA, and LAC Regions
In the AP Region, CEMEA Region, and LAC Region, all Visa Mobile Prepaid Transactions completed on
a Visa BIN must be processed through VisaNet.
ID# 0027684 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-230 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.11.13.7 Visa Mobile Money Operator Authentication Requirements – AP, CEMEA, and
LAC Regions
In the AP Region, CEMEA Region, and LAC Region, a Mobile Money Operator must do all of the
following:
●
Complete a Mobile Money Consumer Authentication, before sending an Authorization Request
●
Complete a Mobile Money Agent Authentication, before completing a Transaction or sending an
Authorization Request. Only a Mobile Money Operator may complete the Mobile Money Agent
Authentication.
●
Require the Visa Mobile Prepaid account holder to complete Mobile Money Consumer
Authentication for a Transaction only from the mobile telephone registered to the account holder
●
Protect the Visa Mobile Prepaid account holder’s account passcode in the same way that a PIN is
protected during a Transaction
ID# 0027680 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.11.13.8 Mobile Money Agent Authentication – AP, CEMEA, and LAC Regions
In the AP Region, CEMEA Region, and LAC Region, a Mobile Money Operator must both:
●
Ensure that a Mobile Money Agent completes a Mobile Money Consumer Authentication for a
Transaction only from the mobile telephone registered to the account holder’s Visa Mobile Prepaid
account
●
Protect the Mobile Money Agent's account passcode in the same way a PIN is protected during a
Transaction
ID# 0027681 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.11.14 Prepaid – Payroll/Salary
4.11.14.1 Visa Payroll Card – Cardholder Identification
A Visa Payroll Card Issuer must implement Card activation procedures that require Cardholders to
validate their identity by some reasonable means before being able to use the Card.
ID# 0025571 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.11.14.2 Visa Payroll Card – Access to Wages – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Payroll Card Issuer must both:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-231
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Prepaid
●
Support Cardholder access to funds through both:
– Visa ATM Network with a PIN
– Manual Cash Disbursements at a Branch
●
Enable Visa Payroll Cardholders to withdraw the full balance in the Account, without cost, as
follows:
– At least once per month
– If wages are paid more frequently than weekly, at least once per week
ID# 0027972 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.11.14.3 Visa Payroll Card – Federally Insured Cardholder Funds – US Region
Inthe US Region, Visa Payroll Card funds must be federally insured for the benefit of Visa Payroll
Cardholders.
ID# 0027973 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2015
4.11.15 Prepaid – Visa Vale
4.11.15.1 Visa Vale Issuer Participation – LAC Region (Argentina, Brazil)
In the LAC Region (Argentina, Brazil), an Issuer that participates in the Visa Vale program must
authorize and settle Visa Vale Transactions.
ID# 0027355 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.11.17 Travelers Cheque Issuer Requirements
4.11.17.1 Travelers Cheque Global Refund Service – Europe Region
The Global Refund Service will contact the Issuer to arrange for the Emergency Cheque Refund and
will provide the Emergency Refund Location with all of the following information in relation to the lost
or stolen Cheque, as applicable:
●
Account Number
●
Name of purchaser of the Cheque
●
Refund Claim Number
PSR-232 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Where an Emergency Cash Disbursement is provided, the amount of that Emergency Cash
Disbursement in local currency
●
Authorization Code
When conducting an Emergency Cash Disbursement, the Emergency Refund Location must verify the
identity of the purchaser of the Cheques by comparing the Refund Claim Number provided by the
Global Refund Service to that provided by the purchaser of the Cheques.
If the Refund Claim Numbers match, the Emergency Refund Location must both:
●
Complete a Transaction Receipt with the following, as applicable:
– Account Number relating to the lost or stolen Cheques
– Name of purchaser of the Cheques
– Words "Emergency TC Refund" in the space designated for the Cardholder's street address
– Refund Claim Number in the space designated for the Cardholder's identification
– Amount of the Emergency Cash Disbursement, plus USD 25 (or local currency equivalent) for
the refund handling fee
– Date of the Emergency Cash Disbursement
– Authorization Code provided by the Global Refund Service
– Details of the Member's identification
– Signature of the purchaser of the Cheques
●
Process the Emergency Cash Disbursement in the same manner as a Manual Cash Disbursement,
both:
– At face value
– With no fees or charges to the purchaser of the Cheques
If the Refund Claim Numbers do not match, the Emergency Refund Location must contact the Global
Refund Service for instructions prior to issuing the Emergency Cash Disbursement.
ID# 0029617 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-233
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Commercial Products
4.12 Visa Commercial Products
4.12.1 Commercial Card Issuance Requirements
4.12.1.1 Commercial Card Issuance
An Issuer may only issue Visa Commercial Cards to provide a means of payment for business-related
goods and services
1,2
and must not issue a Visa Commercial Card to an individual, except as follows:
●
Employees of public- or private-sector organizations, including sole proprietors and self-employed
individuals
●
Employees or contractors of an organization as part of an employer-sponsored program
●
At the discretion of Visa, members of an affinity group or association that requires a means to pay
for business-related goods and services and is represented by a public- or private-sector company
1
This requirement does not apply in the US Region to Visa Business Check Cards used to pay debt.
2
In the Europe Region, an Issuer must ensure that the terms and conditions provided to a Visa Commercial Cardholder
explicitly state that the Visa Commercial Card must be used only as a means of payment for business expenditures.
ID# 0003173 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.12.1.2 Commercial Products Core Feature Requirements
In the AP Region, Canada Region, CEMEA Region, LAC Region, and US Region, a Visa Commercial
Card Issuer must provide the core features specified as follows. A description of each core feature is
provided below the table.
In the Europe Region, aVisa Commercial Card Issuer must comply with the Visa Europe Commercial
Program Guide.
Table 4-48: Visa Commercial Card Core Feature Requirements – AP Region, Canada Region, CEMEA Region,
LAC Region, and US Region
Core Feature Visa Business Card
and Visa Business
Electron Card
1
Visa Corporate
Card
1
Visa Purchasing
Card
1
Visa Platinum
Business Card and
Visa Signature
Business Card
2,3
ATM Access X
X
4
X X
Central or
Individual Billing
X
X
5
Centralized Billing
6
X X
PSR-234 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Core Feature Visa Business Card
and Visa Business
Electron Card
1
Visa Corporate
Card
1
Visa Purchasing
Card
1
Visa Platinum
Business Card and
Visa Signature
Business Card
2,3
Local Currency
Billing
6,7
X X X X
Service Level
Standards
6,7
X
X
4
X X
Charge Card
8
X
5
X
5
Limited Corporate
Liability
8
X X
Management
Information
Reporting
6,9
X
4
X
Flexible
Transaction
Authorization
6,7,8
X
Individual Memo
Statements
10
X
X
5
1
In the LAC Region, does not apply to Visa Business Electron Cards, Visa Corporate Electron Cards, and Visa Purchasing
Electron Cards
2
In the CEMEA Region, applies to Visa Platinum Business Cards and Visa Signature Business Cards
3
In the LAC Region, applies to Visa Signature Business Cards and Visa Infinite Business Cards
4
In the LAC Region, applies to Visa Corporate debit Cards
5
In the US Region, core features required for Visa Purchasing Cards
6
In the LAC Region, also applies to Visa Agro Cards
7
In the US Region, does not apply to Visa Commercial Cards
8
Does not apply to Visa Corporate Prepaid Cards
9
In the AP Region (Malaysia), also applies to Visa Signature Business Charge Cards and Visa Infinite Business Charge
Cards Applies to Visa Corporate Prepaid Cards
●
ATM access: An Issuer must have the ability to offer a PIN to allow ATM Cash Disbursements, if
requested. This ability is not required for Visa Purchasing Cards, unless requested by the customer.
ATM access is not permitted for Vehicle-Specific Fleet Cards.
●
Central or individual billing: An Issuer must offer the following billing options:
– Individual Cardholder billing with individual payment
– Individual Cardholder billing with centralized company payment
– Centralized company billing and payment
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-235
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Commercial Products
●
Local currency billing: An Issuer must have the ability to bill the subscribing company's Cardholders
in the local currency of the country where the company and Cardholder physically reside
●
Charge Card: An Issuer must have the ability to offer a non-revolving, pay-in-full option
●
Limited corporate liability: An Issuer must be capable of providing insurance coverage to the
subscribing company (where available) in the event of Visa Corporate or Visa Purchasing Card
misuse by employees.
●
In the Canada Region, an Issuer must provide insurance to protect businesses against unauthorized
charges from misuse by employees with a minimum reimbursement of CAD 100,000 per
Cardholder.
Additional detailed information regarding insurance availability, options, and features is available
from Visa upon request.
●
Management information reporting: An Issuer must provide management information reports on
Card usage to the subscribing company including:
– Detailed Visa Corporate Card spending by vendor, employee, and company organization units
– Detailed Visa Purchasing Card spending activity necessary to administer a Visa Purchasing Card
program. Spending activity processing requirements may be defined by Visa
– In the CEMEA Region, a detailed Visa Platinum Business Debit Card and Visa Signature Business
Debit Card spending by employee
●
Flexible Transaction Authorization: An Issuer must have the ability to restrict a purchase based
upon a Transaction amount or Merchant Category Code specified by a client.
●
Individual memo statements: An Issuer must have the ability to send a Transaction verification
statement to each Cardholder.
ID# 0009018 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.12.1.3 Commercial Products Mandatory Core Services
A Visa Commercial Card Issuer must provide to its Cardholders all of the core services specified as
follows.
Table 4-49: Visa Commercial Card Mandatory Core Services
Mandatory Core Services Visa Business
Card
1
Visa
Corporate
Card
Visa
Purchasing
Card
Customer support services, as specified inSection 4.1.14.9,
“Visa Global Customer Assistance Services Program
Requirements”
X
X
4
X
Medical referral, medical assistance, and emergency
services
2,3
X
5
X Not
applicable
PSR-236 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Mandatory Core Services Visa Business
Card
1
Visa
Corporate
Card
Visa
Purchasing
Card
Legal referral, legal assistance, and cash disbursement
services
2,3
X
5
X Not
applicable
Free 24-hour telephone number to obtain emergency
services (Issuer must communicate the telephone number
to the Cardholder at least once each year)
X
X
4
X
1
Visa Business Electron Cards must comply with the Visa Global Customer Assistance Services Program requirements for
Visa Electron Cards specified in Section 4.1.14.9, “Visa Global Customer Assistance Services Program Requirements.”
2
An exception to this requirement applies to Cards issued in the Europe Region.
3
This is an optional service for Visa Corporate Prepaid Cards.
4
Also applies to Visa Corporate Prepaid Cards
5
In the Canada Region, medical referral, medical assistance, legal referral, and legal assistance are optional services for
Visa Business Cards.
ID# 0003185 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
4.12.1.4 Visa Commercial Card Issuer Certification – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Visa Commercial Card Issuer must provide to Visa, at least 30 calendar days
before issuance, an application for written certification from Visa certifying that its programs, systems,
procedures, and services comply with the Visa Rules.
ID# 0029628 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.12.1.5 Visa Platinum Commercial Card Issuance – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Issuer may issue a Visa Platinum Commercial Card within an existing Visa
Business Card or Visa Corporate Card program.
ID# 0029635 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.12.1.6 Requirements for Visa Commercial Cards that are Direct (Immediate) Debit
Cards – Europe Region
A Europe Issuer may issue a Visa Commercial Card that is a Direct (Immediate) Debit Card as either a
Visa Business Card or Visa Business Electron Card. The Card must be used to access a business current
account or deposit/savings account, where purchases and Cash Disbursements arising from the use of
that Card are posted to the account within the normal time for check clearing.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-237
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Commercial Products
A Visa Commercial Card that is a Direct (Immediate) Debit Card must use a unique BIN.
ID# 0029636 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.12.1.7 Visa Commercial Card Transaction Data Requirements – LAC Region (Brazil)
In the LAC Region (Brazil), an Issuer of Visa Commercial Cards must be able to receive the Merchant
legal name and Merchant tax identification number in the Clearing Record for Transactions completed
with Visa Commercial Cards of government programs.
ID# 0027383 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.12.1.8 Visa Commercial Customer Service Telephone Number – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer must provide customer assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via a toll-
free telephone number where its Visa Commercial Product Cardholders may obtain assistance while
traveling.
ID# 0000417 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.12.1.11 Visa Central Travel Account – Core Feature Requirements
All Visa Central Travel Account Issuers must do all of the following:
●
Comply with the core feature requirements for the applicable product
●
Provide travel accident insurance coverage when travel-related tickets are purchased using the Visa
Central Travel Account. If standard policies do not include Visa Central Travel Accounts, Members
must purchase coverage through Visa or another provider.
1
●
Offer electronic management information reports
2
at a company level detailing all spend relating
to the company account on at least a monthly basis. The management information reports must
include at a minimum all of the following:
– Ticket number
– Passenger name
– Date of travel
1
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
2
In the Europe Region, if an Issuer uses Visa’s service for the Visa Central Travel Account, it must comply with the terms of
service and set up data feeds to Visa using the latest version of the Visa Commercial Format (or a format agreed by Visa).
ID# 0026398 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-238 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.12.1.12 Visa Central Travel Account – Issuance Requirements
All Visa Central Travel Accounts must comply with all of the following:
●
Issued using a Visa Corporate Card BIN or a Visa Purchasing Card BIN
●
Issued to a Client Organization or a designated unit of the entity
●
In the APRegion, CanadaRegion, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, and US Region, linked to aVirtual
Account (when available) or to a physical Visa Card Account Number
●
In the Europe Region, both:
– Issued as a Virtual Account
– Distinguished from other Visa Commercial Cards issued on the same BIN
ID# 0026396 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.12.1.13 Visa Central Travel Account – Issuer Liability
An Issuer assumes full liability for any misuse on physical Cards issued on a Visa Central Travel
Account.
ID# 0026397 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.12.1.16 Centralized Card Issuance – Dual-Issuer Branded Visa Commercial Card
Requirements
Only an Issuer that is a registered Visa Multinational Program participant may issue Dual-Issuer
Branded Visa Commercial Cards.
The Lead Bank and the Partner Bank must be registered Visa Multinational Program participants
and have contractual agreements with each other that clearly define the Dual-Issuer Branded Visa
Commercial Card program.
The Issuer of a Dual-Issuer Branded Visa Commercial Card must be clearly identified on the back of the
Card and in all Cardholder agreements.
A Dual-Issuer Branded Visa Commercial Card must be issued using a BIN that is licensed to the Partner
Bank.
Before issuing Dual-Issuer Branded Visa Commercial Cards, the Lead Bank and the Partner Bank must
provide contractual evidence of the partnership agreement to Visa for review and approval.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-239
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Commercial Products
The Lead Bank must ensure that the Dual-Issuer Branded Visa Commercial Card program complies
with all applicable laws or regulations in the country in which the Cards are issued and the country in
which the Lead Bank is domiciled.
ID# 0026023 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.12.1.18 Visa Commercial Card Product Types – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer must refer to the Visa Commercial Card productsas one of the following
types of Cards for business expense use:
●
Visa Business Card
●
Visa Corporate Card or Visa Travel Card
1
●
GSA Visa Corporate Card
●
Visa Purchasing Card
1
Visa Travel Card is for use by public sector or non-profit entities that are not corporations.
ID# 0004214 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.12.2 Commercial Data Management and Reporting
4.12.2.1 Visa Commercial Solutions Data and Reporting Tools Participation and
Indemnification
Where available, an Issuer is authorized to grant Visa Commercial Solutions Data and Reporting Tools
access and use to a Client Organization.
An Issuer participating in any Visa Commercial Solutions Data and Reporting Tools must do all of the
following:
●
Sign a participation agreement, where applicable, and comply with and ensure that their Client
Organizations comply with applicable terms and documentation
●
Ensure an agreement is in place with the Client Organization governing that entity’s use of such
Visa Commercial Solutions Data and Reporting Tools prior to granting a Client Organization access
to and use of any tools
●
Notify, or ensure that the Issuer’s Client Organization notifies, individual Commercial Cardholders
and obtain any required consents, in accordance with applicable laws or regulations, that certain
data concerning those Cardholders, including Enhanced Data, will be provided to the Issuer and
the Issuer’s Client Organization
PSR-240 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Comply, and ensure that its Client Organization complies, with any other applicable legal
requirements that must be met to allow the provision of the Enhanced Data to the Issuer and the
Issuer’s Client Organization
The participating Issuer may not use any Enhanced Data for any marketing purposes.
An Issuer that is authorized to participate in Visa Commercial Solutions Data and Reporting Tools, and
grants access and use to a Client Organization, indemnifies and holds harmless Visa from and against
all Claims and Liabilities arising out of a Client Organization’s use of such tools and services.
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
ID# 0004236 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.12.2.2 Visa Commercial Reporting and Data Services Limitations – US Region
In the US Region, all of the Commercial reporting and data services provided by Visa are the property
of Visa and are for the use of the Issuer and its Client Organization solely in support of its Visa
Commercial Card Products.
ID# 0001397 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.12.2.3 Disclosure of Enhanced Data to Third Parties – US Region
In the US Region, Enhanced Transaction-Level Data and Confidential Enhanced Merchant-Level Data
may be disclosed to third parties only either:
●
In connection with the management and administration of Visa Commercial Card programs for the
Client Organization, and necessary supporting functions, which may include, but are not limited to,
accounting, tax management, policy compliance, and other business management functions, such
as account setup and management reporting
●
In aggregate, in such a way that Card-specific Enhanced Data cannot be related to a specific
Merchant or Cardholder
Third party means only persons, real or corporate, other than the Issuer, Client Organization, or
Cardholder, providing services that directly support an Issuer’s Visa Commercial Card program.
These restrictions do not apply to Non-Confidential Enhanced Merchant-Level Data.
ID# 0004243 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-241
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Commercial Products
4.12.2.4 Use and Disclosure of Card-Specific Enhanced Data – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Commercial Card Issuer may use or disclose Card-specific Enhanced Data only
in connection with the management and administration of a Visa Commercial Card program for the
Client Organization, and necessary supporting functions.
ID# 0004242 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.12.2.5 Third Party Agreement for Enhanced Data Usage – US Region
In the US Region, if an Issuer discloses Card-specific Enhanced Transaction-Level Data or Confidential
Enhanced Merchant-Level Data to a third party, it must have a written agreement with the third party
that requires the third party to do all of the following:
●
Treat the information as confidential
●
Make no further disclosure of the information without permission
●
Limit the third party’s use of the data to uses permitted by the Issuer
Permission granted for further disclosure by a third party must impose the same restrictions on use
and disclosure that apply to the Issuer’s disclosure.
Each Issuer bears the sole responsibility for compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
ID# 0004244 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.12.2.6 Visa Payables Automation
An Issuer participating in the Visa Payables Automation service must ensure that it, and its
participating clients or Client Organizations, comply with all of the following:
●
Implement appropriate security and anti-fraud measures to ensure that all of the following:
– The account numbers are protected from misuse.
– The payment instructions submitted to Visa are accurate.
– Employees with administrative and user access rights adhere to security policies.
●
Maintain administrative and user accounts and remove access rights for terminated employees
immediately.
●
Provide payables instructions to Visa that do not violate any existing supplier agreements.
ID# 0026534 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-242 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.12.2.11 Visa Purchasing Card Enhanced Data Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, in a country where Visa has obtained VAT accreditation agreements, a Visa
Purchasing Card must be issued as an Enhanced Data product with VAT accreditation.
1
An Issuer in these countries must both:
●
Be able to receive and process the following data types:
– Basic Transaction data
– Enhanced Data for management information purposes that does not comply with VAT
accreditation requirements
– Enhanced Data that complies with VAT accreditation requirements
●
Provide its clients with VAT evidence reporting
In a country where Visa has not obtained VAT accreditation agreements, an Issuer must configure
its BINs and account ranges to receive and process Enhanced Data for management information
purposes.
1
This does not apply to Visa Drive Cards that are "extra" Cards, which must not be issued as Enhanced Data products with
VAT accreditation.
ID# 0029629 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.12.2.12 Visa IntelliLink Spend Management Participation – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, to participate in Visa IntelliLink Spend Management, an Issuer must do all of the
following:
●
Comply with the Europe Region IntelliLink Spend Management Terms of Use
●
Comply with the Europe Region IntelliLink Spend Management Services Participation Agreement
●
Set up data feeds to Visa IntelliLink Spend Management using the current version of the Visa
Commercial Format or format as agreed to by Visa
ID# 0029632 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.12.2.13 Visa Commercial Card Enhanced Data Fee – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Visa Commercial Card Issuer that has configured its BIN or associated account
ranges to receive Enhanced Data must pay a fee to an Acquirer in the Europe Region for providing
Enhanced Data for each Visa Commercial Card Transaction.
ID# 0029633 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-243
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Commercial Products
4.12.2.14 Data Field Processing Requirement – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Issuer must be able to process the additional data fields transmitted by
an Acquirer in any processing records in accordance with the level of data capability of the BIN as
specified by the Issuer.
ID# 0029634 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.12.3 V Distribution Program
4.12.3.1 V Distribution Requirements
An Issuer participating in the V Distribution Program must comply with all of the following:
●
Provide payment services to a V Distribution Program Cardholder purchasing goods and services
from a V Distribution Program participating Merchant.
●
Be certified to issue either:
– Visa Purchasing Cards
– Visa Business Cards
●
Be registered with Visa
●
Be capable of processing Authorization Requests, billing, and reporting
ID# 0003163 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.12.3.2 V Distribution Program BIN
An Issuer participating in the V Distribution Program must do one of the following:
●
Designate a separate BIN
●
Use an existing BIN within a Visa Business Card or Visa Purchasing Card BIN range
●
Use an account range within an existing Visa Business Card or Visa Purchasing Card BIN
●
For Visa Agro Cards, use a designated Visa Purchasing Card BIN or account range
ID# 0003165 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-244 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.12.4 Visa B2B Virtual Payments Program
4.12.4.1 Visa B2B Virtual Payments Product – Issuance Requirements
Effective 22 April 2017 in the APRegion, CEMEARegion, EuropeRegion, LACRegion, and US
Region
Effective 15 July 2017 in the Canada Region
An Issuer participating in the Visa B2B Virtual Payments Program
1
must comply with all of the
following:
●
Obtain Visa approval prior to participating in the program
●
Submit a BIN licensing agreement to Visa to register the product
●
Complete a separate Credit Card Schedule of the regional Operating Certificate to report
product activity
●
Use the account only as a credit Card account within the commercial product type
●
Offer the product as a Virtual Account and support the generation of a dynamic, virtual
Account Number for Visa B2B Virtual Payments Program Transactions
●
Offer the product to eligible business entities only for business-to-business payment for
goods or services invoiced by a qualifying Merchant
●
Ensure the Transaction is both:
– For an amount below USD 750,000
– Key-entered in a Card-Absent Environment
●
If enrolled in the Authorization and Settlement Match Service, comply with the requirements
specified by the service
1
Not available in countries or Regions where Visa does not process Domestic Transactions, or does not set the Interchange
Reimbursement Fee.
ID# 0029994 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.12.4.2 Visa B2B Virtual Payments Program BIN
Effective 22 April 2017 in the APRegion, CEMEARegion, EuropeRegion, LACRegion, and US
Region
Effective 15 July 2017 in the Canada Region
An Issuer participating in the Visa B2B Virtual Payments Program must designate a Visa Corporate
Card or Visa Purchasing Card credit BIN for the program, and either:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-245
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Small Business Product-Specific Issuance
●
Use an account range within the first 9 digits assigned to an existing Visa Corporate Card or
Visa Purchasing Card program
●
Request a new BIN if a Visa Corporate Card or Visa Purchasing Card BIN range is not available
ID# 0029995 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.13 Visa Small Business Product-Specific Issuance
4.13.1 Visa Business – Card Requirements
4.13.1.1 Visa Business Card ATM Access Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Business Card Issuer must provide ATM access.
ID# 0004247 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.13.1.2 Visa Business Card Account Billing Options – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer may offer its Visa Business Card Cardholders any of the following account
billing options:
●
Line of credit
●
Depository account
●
Other company assets available through the Issuer
●
Charge Card (non-revolving, pay-in-full)
ID# 0004293 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.13.1.3 Visa Business Check Card Account Limitations – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer must not use a Visa Business Check Card to obtain credit, as defined
in 12 CFR Part 226 (Regulation Z), unless it involves only an incidental extension of credit under an
agreement between the Cardholder and the Issuer either:
●
When the Cardholder's account is overdrawn
●
To maintain a specified minimum balance in the Cardholder's account
For Interchange category purposes, a Visa Business Check Card used to obtain credit is not considered
a Visa Business Check Card if both:
PSR-246 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Actual debiting of funds from the business asset account occurs periodically rather than daily
●
These periods are at least Xdays apart
ID# 0008304 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.13.1.4 Visa Business Check Card Account Access – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Business Check Card may be used to access a deposit, investment, or other
business asset account, including a fiduciary account.
ID# 0004252 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.13.1.6 Unauthorized Visa Business Card Transaction Exclusions – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer of Visa Business Cards may define an unauthorized Visa Transaction to
exclude any Transaction allegedly conducted by:
●
A business co-owner
●
The Cardholder or person authorized by the Cardholder
●
Any other person with an interest in or authority to transact business on the account
ID# 0000406 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.13.3 Visa Business – Issuer Requirements
4.13.3.6 Visa Business Insurance Requirements – Europe Region (France)
In the Europe Region (France), a Visa Business Card Issuer must provide to Cardholders a welcome
pack, approved by Visa, including the services associated and, at least once a year, information on
Merchant offers.
ID# 0030080 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
4.13.4 Visa Business – Features and Benefits
4.13.4.3 Visa Business Card Core Benefits – LAC Region
In the LACRegion, a Visa Platinum Business, Visa Signature Business, and Visa Infinite Business Card
Issuer must, at a minimum, provide its Cardholders with all of the following core product benefits,
unless prohibited by applicable laws or regulations:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-247
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Small Business Product-Specific Issuance
Table 4-51: Visa Business Card Core Benefits – LAC Region
Core Benefit Visa Platinum Business Visa Signature Business Visa Infinite Business
Travel Assistance
Services
Worldwide Worldwide Worldwide
Price Protection Up to USD 2,000 per
year
Up to USD 2,000 per
year
Up to USD 4,000 per
year
Purchase Protection Up to USD 25,000 per
year
Up to USD 25,000 per
year
Up to USD 25,000 per
year
Extended Warranty Up to USD 10,000 per
year
Up to USD 10,000 per
year
Up to USD 25,000 per
year
Auto Rental Collision
Damage Waiver
Worldwide Worldwide Worldwide
Travel Accident
Insurance with
accidental death benefit
Up to USD 500,000 Up to USD 1,000,000 Up to USD 1,500,000
International Emergency
Medical Services
Up to USD 150,000 Up to USD 200,000 Up to USD 200,000
Baggage Delay N/A Up to USD 500 Up to USD 600
Baggage Loss N/A Up to USD 1,000 Up to USD 3,000
Missed Connection N/A N/A Up to USD 300
Trip Delay N/A N/A Up to USD 300
Trip Cancellation N/A N/A Up to USD 3,000
Insured Journey N/A Up to USD 50,000 Up to USD 100,000
Personal Concierge
Service
Provided through Visa Provided through Visa Provided through Visa
Visa Luxury Hotel
Collection
Provided through Visa Provided through Visa Provided through Visa
Priority Pass
Membership
N/A N/A Complimentary
membership for Core
Priority Pass programs
ID# 0029971 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
PSR-248 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.15 Visa Platinum Business
4.15.1 Visa Platinum Business – Card Requirements
4.15.1.3 Visa Platinum Business Card BIN Requirements – CEMEA Region
In the CEMEARegion, a Visa Platinum Business Card Issuer must designate either:
●
A unique BIN for each of its Visa Platinum Business Card programs
●
A unique account range within a single BIN. If a unique account range is used for Visa Platinum
Business Cards, other account ranges designated within the same BIN must be limited to Visa
Commercial products.
The Issuer must not reclassify a BIN account range without prior approval from Visa that is either:
●
Designated for another Card product to a Visa Platinum Business Card program
●
Designated for a Visa Platinum Business Card program to another Visa Card product
Before requesting approval to reclassify a BIN or account range of an existing Card program to a Visa
Platinum Business or a Visa Signature Business Card program, the Issuer must confirm that all existing
Cardholders meet the qualification criteria for the applicable product.
ID# 0029161 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.15.1.4 Visa Platinum Business Cardholder Spending Limit – CEMEA Region
In the CEMEARegion, an Issuer that participates in Visa Platinum Business Card issuance must offer
one of the following spending limit options to its Visa Platinum Business Cardholders:
●
No pre-set spending limit except as permitted for:
– Cash Disbursement Transaction
– Transactions resulting from an Emergency Card Replacement
●
A minimum spending limit of USD 5,000 (or local currency equivalent), for Transactions during each
statement cycle
The Issuer must allow a Visa Platinum Business Cardholder the option to either:
●
Pay in full each statement cycle
●
Revolve
ID# 0029162 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-249
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Platinum Business
4.15.1.5 Visa Platinum Business Card – Card Design Requirements – CEMEA Region
In the CEMEARegion, the product name “Visa Platinum Business” must appear on the front of the
Card.
A Visa Platinum Business Card Issuer must use the product name “Visa Platinum Business” in all
solicitations, advertising, and promotions, Card account statements and other communications
regarding Visa Platinum Business Cards.
ID# 0029163 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.15.1.6 Visa Platinum Business Card Rewards Program – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, an Issuer must provide a rewards program that offers Cardholders the ability to
accumulate points for purchases made with a Visa Platinum Business Card.
Any travel rewards program offered to the Cardholder must be sponsored by Visa (Visa rewards), the
Issuer, or an Airline Affinity/Co-Brand program. The Issuer must not assess any additional fees to the
Cardholder for membership in the travel rewards program.
A Visa Platinum Business debit Card Issuer is not required to offer any travel rewards programs.
ID# 0027672 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.15.2 Visa Platinum Business – Customer Service Requirements
4.15.2.1 Visa Platinum Business Card – Customer Service Requirements – CEMEA
Region
In the CEMEARegion, a Visa Platinum Business Card Issuer must:
●
Provide advance notification to the Cardholder when an account needs to be suspended or closed
for any reason
●
Monitor customer complaints related to Authorizationsand make this information available to Visa
●
Identify action plans to improve customer service
ID# 0029164 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
PSR-250 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.15.2.2 Visa Platinum Business Card Global Customer Assistance Services – CEMEA
Region
In the CEMEARegion, a Visa Platinum Business Card Issuer must participate in all of the following Visa
Global Customer Assistance Services:
●
Lost/Stolen Card Reporting Service
●
Cardholder Inquiry Service
●
Emergency Cash Service
●
Emergency Card Replacement Service
ID# 0029165 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.15.2.3 Visa Platinum Business Card Customer Service Requirements – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa Platinum Business Issuer must provide both:
●
Dedicated customer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through Visa Global Customer Care
Services
●
Cardholder emergency services for Visa Platinum
ID# 0027666 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.15.3 Visa Platinum Business – Issuer Requirements
4.15.3.1 Visa Platinum Business Certification – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, prior to issuing Visa Platinum Business Cards, an Issuer must receive written
certification from Visa that it complies with all product requirements and standards.
ID# 0027663 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.15.3.2 Visa Platinum Business Card BIN Requirements – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa Platinum Business Issuer must both:
●
Use a unique BIN for its Cards
●
Report its Visa Platinum Business activity separately through the Operating Certificate
ID# 0027662 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-251
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Platinum Business
4.15.3.3 Visa Platinum Business Card Credit Limit – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa Platinum Business Credit Card Issuer must both:
●
Preserve the premium status of the Visa Platinum Business Card by providing a higher credit limit
for its Visa Platinum Business program than the average credit limit for its Visa Platinum and Visa
Business programs
●
Allow each Visa Platinum Business Card account to accumulate charges of at least 10% above the
approved credit limit during each billing statement cycle in which the Cardholder has satisfied
previous obligations to the Issuer
ID# 0027671 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.15.3.5 Visa Platinum Business Card Payment Options – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, an Issuer must position its Visa Platinum Business Card only as a payment device
that can access one of the following funding sources:
●
A line of credit
●
A depository account
●
Other Cardholder assets available through the Issuer
ID# 0027664 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.15.3.6 Visa Platinum Business Card Fraud Management – LAC Region
Effective through 20 July 2018
In the LAC Region, a Visa Platinum Business Issuer must install and use the Issuer Fraud Detection
system or equivalent Visa-approved system for fraud detection.
ID# 0027670 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
4.15.3.7 Visa Platinum Business Card Issuance Requirements – Europe Region (France)
In the Europe Region (France), a Visa Platinum Business Card Issuer must:
●
Display the Visa Platinum Business URL (visaplatinumbusiness.fr) in all communications to
Cardholders
●
Implement a website enabling Cardholders to access all documents relating to Visa Platinum
Business
ID# 0030082 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
PSR-252 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.15.4 Visa Platinum Business – Features and Benefits
4.15.4.2 Visa Platinum Business Cardholder Spend Reporting – CEMEA Region
In the CEMEARegion, a Visa Platinum Business Card Issuer must, either itself or through Visa Business
Reporting, provide its Visa Platinum Business Cardholders a report, at least annually, that includes
both:
●
Total annual amount spent by Cardholder or company
●
Summary of spending by Merchant category
ID# 0029171 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.15.4.3 Visa Platinum Business Card Additional Core Services – CEMEA Region
In the CEMEARegion, a Visa Platinum Business Card Issuer, at its discretion, may provide:
●
One or more travel accident insurance coverage options with a unit cost per premium that
matches or exceeds the current unit cost of providing up to USD 500,000, (or local currency
equivalent) of travel accident insurance. The Issuer must submit to Visa in writing, an official quote
from an insurance company, for both the travel accident insurance and the proposed new features,
at least 30 calendar days prior to its implementation.
●
Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation services
●
Emergency medical insurance when traveling, with medical expense benefit up to USD 50,000, or
local currency equivalent
The Issuer must communicate all of the following Visa Platinum Business Card Privileges Program
information to Cardholders:
●
Visa Platinum Business Card Privileges Program benefits at least once a year
●
New benefits or changes to existing benefits, or exclusive quarterly Merchant offers at least 2
months prior to the effective date of Visa Platinum Business Card Merchant Privileges
ID# 0029172 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-253
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Signature Business
4.16 Visa Signature Business
4.16.1 Visa Signature Business – Card Requirements
4.16.1.3 Visa Signature Business Card BIN Requirements – CEMEA Region
In the CEMEARegion, a Visa Signature Business Card Issuer must designate either:
●
A unique BIN for each of its Visa Signature Business Card programs
●
A unique account range within a single BIN. If a unique account range is used for Visa Signature
Business Cards, other account ranges designated within the same BIN must be limited to Visa
Commercial products.
The Issuer must not reclassify a BIN account range without prior approval from Visa that is either:
●
Designated for another Card product to a Visa Signature Business Card program
●
Designated for a Visa Signature Business Card program to another Visa Card product
Before requesting approval to reclassify a BIN or account range of an existing Card program to a Visa
Platinum Business or a Visa Signature Business Card program, the Issuer must confirm that all existing
Cardholders meet the qualification criteria for the applicable product.
ID# 0029174 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.16.1.4 Visa Signature Business Cardholder Spending Limit – CEMEA Region
In the CEMEARegion, an Issuer that participates in Visa Signature Business Card issuance must offer
one of the following spending limit options to its Visa Signature Business Cardholders:
●
No pre-set spending limit except as permitted for:
– Cash Disbursement Transaction
– Transactions resulting from Emergency Card Replacement
●
A minimum spending limit of USD 10,000 (or local currency equivalent), for Transactions during
each statement cycle
For Cards with no pre-set spending limit, a CEMEA Visa Signature Business Card Issuer must provide
notification to the Cardholder before ongoing Transactions can be declined.
The Issuer must allow a Visa Signature Business Cardholder the option to either:
●
Pay in full each statement cycle
PSR-254 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Revolve
ID# 0029175 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.16.1.5 Visa Signature Business Card – Card Design Requirements – CEMEA Region
The product name “Visa Signature Business” must appear on the front of the Card.
In the CEMEARegion, a Visa Signature Business Card Issuer must use the product name “Visa
Signature Business” in all solicitations, advertising, and promotions, Card account statements and
other communications regarding Visa Signature Business Cards.
ID# 0029176 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.16.1.6 Visa Signature Business Card Rewards Program – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa Signature Business Issuer must provide a rewards program that both:
●
Offers Cardholders the ability to accumulate points for purchases made with a Visa Signature
Business Card
●
Is comparable to any existing Issuer’s Visa Signature or Visa Infinite rewards program
Any travel rewards program offered to the Cardholder must be sponsored by Visa (Visa rewards), the
Issuer, or an Airline Affinity/Co-Brand program. The Issuer must not assess any additional fees to the
Cardholder for membership in the travel rewards program.
A Visa Signature Business debit Card Issuer is not required to offer any travel rewards programs.
ID# 0029972 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.16.1.7 Visa Signature Business Card Account Types and Credit Limit – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, withprior approval from Visa, a Visa Signature Business Issuer must offer the Card
with credit or debit functionality.
A Visa Signature Business credit Card Issuer must both:
●
Preserve the premium status of the Visa Signature Business Card by providing a higher credit limit
for its Visa Signature Business program than the average credit limit for its Visa Platinum, Visa
Signature, and Visa Infinite consumer Cards and Visa Business programs
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-255
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Signature Business
●
Allow each Visa Signature Business Card account to accumulate charges of at least 10% above
the approved credit limit during each billing statement cycle in which the Cardholder has satisfied
previous obligations to the Issuer
ID# 0029973 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.16.1.8 Visa Signature Business Card Credit Limit Non-Compliance Assessment – LAC
Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa Signature Business Card Issuer that fails to meet the specified credit limit
criteria is subject to a non-compliance assessment per Visa Signature Business Card in the Issuer's
portfolio.
ID# 0029974 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.16.1.9 Visa Signature Business Card Customer Service Requirements – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa Signature Business Issuer must provide both:
●
Dedicated customer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through Visa Global Customer Care
Services
●
Cardholder emergency services for Visa Signature Business
ID# 0029975 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.16.2 Visa Signature Business – Customer Service Requirements
4.16.2.2 Visa Signature Business Card – Customer Service Requirements – CEMEA
Region
In the CEMEARegion, a Visa Signature Business Card Issuer must:
●
Provide access to a customer service andemergency telephone number 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week and communicate the telephone number to the Cardholder annually
●
Provide advance notification to the Cardholder when an account needs to be suspended or closed
for any reason
●
Monitor customer complaints related to Authorizationsand make customer complaint information
available to Visa
●
Identify action plans to improve customer service
ID# 0029177 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-256 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.16.2.3 Visa Signature Business Card Global Customer Assistance Services – CEMEA
Region
In the CEMEARegion, a Visa Signature Business Card Issuer must participate in all of the following Visa
Global Customer Assistance Services:
●
Lost/Stolen Card Reporting Service
●
Cardholder Inquiry Service
●
Emergency Cash Service
●
Emergency Card Replacement Service
ID# 0029178 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.16.3 Visa Signature Business – Issuer Requirements
4.16.3.6 Visa Signature Business Card Issuer Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Signature Business Card Issuer must comply with all of the following:
●
Complete the certification form
●
Support account-level processing
●
Participate in Visa SavingsEdge
ID# 0026352 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.16.3.7 Visa Signature Business Card Payment Options – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Signature Business Issuer must allow a Visa Signature Business Cardholder the
option to either:
●
Pay in full each statement cycle
●
Revolve
ID# 0008276 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.16.3.8 Visa Signature Business Cardholder Notification – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Signature Business Issuer must provide notification to the Cardholder either:
●
Before ongoing Transactions may be declined
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-257
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Infinite Business, Visa Infinite Privilege Business
●
When an account needs to be suspended or closed for any reason
ID# 0004278 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.16.4 Visa Signature Business – Features and Benefits
4.16.4.3 Visa Signature Business Cardholder Spend Reporting – CEMEA Region
In the CEMEARegion, a Visa Signature Business Card Issuer must either itself or through Visa Business
Reporting, provide its Visa Signature Business Cardholders a report, at least annually, that includes
both:
●
Total annual amount spent by Cardholder or company
●
Summary of spending by Merchant category
ID# 0029185 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.17 Visa Infinite Business, Visa Infinite Privilege Business
4.17.1 Visa Infinite Business, Visa Infinite Privilege Business – Card Requirements
4.17.1.1 Visa Infinite Business Cardholder Spending Limit – AP Region
In the APRegion, a Visa Infinite Business Card Issuer must offer one of the following spending limit
options:
●
No pre-set spending limit. The Issuer may establish a pre-set spending limit if the Transaction
either:
– Is a Cash Disbursement
– Results from the use of an Emergency Card Replacement
●
A Minimum Spending Limit of X (or local currency equivalent) for Transactions during each
statement cycle
The Issuer must allow a Visa Infinite Business Cardholder the option to either:
●
Pay in full each statement cycle
●
Revolve. If positioned as a revolving product, the Issuer must permit a minimum revolving balance
of at least USD 10,000 (or local currency equivalent) during each statement cycle.
ID# 0029238 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-258 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.17.1.3 Visa Infinite Business Card Point-of Sale Spend Qualification Threshold – AP
Region (Australia)
In the AP Region (Australia), a Visa Infinite Business Product program must meet the average minimum
annual spend requirement of AUD 200,000 at the portfolio level. If the threshold is not met, the Issuer
must implement a spend stimulation program.
ID# 0029237 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.17.1.4 Visa Infinite Business Card Account Types and Credit Limit – LAC Region
In the LACRegion, with prior approval from Visa, a Visa Infinite Business Issuer must offer the Card
with credit or debit functionality.
A Visa Infinite Business Credit Card Issuer must do all of the following:
●
Preserve the premium status of the Visa Infinite Business Card by providing a higher credit limit for
its Visa Infinite Business program than the average credit limit for its Visa Platinum, Visa Signature,
and Visa Infinite consumer cards and Visa Business programs
●
Set a minimum credit limit of USD 20,000 (or local currency equivalent) or higher
●
Allow each Visa Infinite Business Card account to accumulate charges of at least 20% above the
approved credit limit during each billing statement cycle in which the Cardholder has satisfied
previous obligations to the Issuer
ID# 0029976 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.17.1.5 Visa Infinite Business Card Rewards Program – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa Infinite Business Issuer must provide a rewards program that:
●
Offers Cardholders the ability to accumulate points for purchases made with a Visa Infinite
Business Card
●
Is comparable to any existing Issuer’s Visa Infinite or Visa Signature rewards program
Any travel rewards program offered to the Cardholder must be sponsored by Visa (Visa rewards), the
Issuer, or an Airline Affinity/Co-Brand program. The Issuer must not assess any additional fees to the
Cardholder for membership in the travel rewards program.
A Visa Infinite Business debit Card Issuer is not required to offer any travel rewards programs.
ID# 0029977 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-259
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Infinite Business, Visa Infinite Privilege Business
4.17.2 Visa Infinite Business, Visa Infinite Privilege Business – Customer Service
Requirements
4.17.2.1 Visa Infinite Business Card Global Customer Assistance Services – AP Region
In the APRegion, in addition to the requirements specified in Section 4.1.14.3, “Emergency Cash
Disbursement Limit Guide,” a Visa Infinite Business Card Issuer must offer all of the following through
Visa Global Customer Care Services and the Issuer’s customer service center:
●
Cardholder Inquiry Service
●
Emergency Card Replacement, including both:
– Card Verification Value (CVV) encoding
– Minimum spending limit of USD 10,000 (or local currency equivalent)
●
Emergency Cash Disbursement, with a minimum stand-in Emergency Cash Disbursement of USD
5,000 (or local currency equivalent)
●
Lost/Stolen Card Reporting
An Emergency Card Replacement or Emergency Cash Disbursement must be delivered to the
Cardholder within 24 hours.
ID# 0029242 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.17.2.2 Visa Infinite Business Card Customer Service Requirements – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa Infinite Business Issuer must provide all of the following:
●
Dedicated customer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through Visa Global Customer Care
Services
●
Cardholder emergency services for Visa Infinite Business
●
An exclusive telephone line to its Visa Infinite Cardholders
ID# 0029978 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.17.2.3 Visa Infinite Business Core Services and Benefits – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, a Visa Infinite Business Card Issuer must offer its Cardholders all of the benefits
specified in Section 4.1.14.15, “Visa Cardholder Benefit Requirements by Product – Canada Region,”
and all of the core services specified in Section 4.12.1.3, “Commercial Products Mandatory Core
Services.”
ID# 0025624 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
PSR-260 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.17.3 Visa Infinite Business, Visa Infinite Privilege Business – Issuer Requirements
4.17.3.1 Issuer Choice of Visa Infinite Business Card Name – AP Region
In the APRegion, a Visa Infinite Business Card Issuer must ensure that the name assigned to its Visa
Infinite Business Card products is distinct from and clearly differentiates them from other products
offered by the Issuer.
The Issuer must use the product identifier “Visa Infinite Business” on both:
●
All statements
●
All communications, including online communications, to the Cardholder regarding the Visa
Infinite Business Card, except in circumstances where this poses a security risk
ID# 0029241 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.17.3.2 Visa Infinite Business Card Web Services – AP Region
In the APRegion, a Visa Infinite Business Card Issuer must, either independently or through Visa, offer
its Visa Infinite Business Cardholders access to a website that offers special information and services to
high-end consumers.
The Visa Infinite Business website must do all of the following:
●
Limit access to Visa Infinite Business Cardholders only
●
Provide a description of Visa Infinite Business Card services, benefits, and features
●
Provide a detailed listing of the Visa Infinite Business Exclusive Privileges
1
offers
●
Include all of the following minimum value-added content and services for travel and
entertainment:
– Travel-related content not readily available from other sources
– Online concierge service, if concierge service is offered by the Visa Region or Member's Infinite
Business product
– Contact information for Cardholders to inquire about Visa Infinite Business services and to
provide feedback
1
A Merchant-partner program with exclusive offers for Visa Infinite Business Cardholders
ID# 0029244 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-261
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Infinite Business, Visa Infinite Privilege Business
4.17.3.3 Visa Infinite Business Cardholder Notification and Complaints – AP and
Canada Regions
In theAP Region and Canada Region, a Visa Infinite Business Card Issuer must do all of the following:
●
Provide advance notification to the Cardholder when an account needs to be suspended or closed
for any reason
●
Monitor customer complaints related toAuthorizations
●
Identify action plans to improve customer service
1
●
Make customer complaint information available to Visa
1
1
This does not apply in the AP Region
ID# 0029245 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.17.3.4 Visa Infinite Business Card Credit Limit Non-Compliance Assessment – LAC
Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa Infinite Business Card Issuer that fails to meet the specified credit limit
criteria is subject to a non-compliance assessment per Visa Infinite Business Card in the Issuer's
portfolio.
ID# 0029979 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.17.3.5 Visa Infinite Business Card Payment Options – Canada Region
At the option of Visa, a Canada Issuer may provide a Visa Infinite Business Card with charge and/or
credit capability.
ID# 0029545 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.17.3.6 Visa Infinite Business Card Operating Certificate Requirements – Canada
Region
In the Canada Region, a Visa Infinite Business Card Issuer must complete a separate Credit Card
Schedule of the Operating Certificate for reporting Visa Infinite Business Card statistics.
ID# 0029546 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
PSR-262 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.17.3.7 Visa Infinite Business Card Issuer Rewards Program Requirements – Canada
Region
In the Canada Region, a Visa Infinite Business Card Issuer must provide a rewards program to its Visa
Infinite Business Cardholders with the following reward value:
●
Rewards currency that enables each Cardholder to redeem a minimum value equivalent to 150
basis points per dollar of qualifying spend
●
Best reward value in Issuer's Visa Business Card portfolio
●
Minimum earn rate equal to or better than the rate offered by the same Issuer for a consumer Visa
Infinite Card program
ID# 0029544 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.17.3.8 Visa Infinite Business Account Level Processing – AP Region (Australia)
In the AP Region (Australia), an Issuer must not use Account Level Processing to upgrade its existing
Visa Cardholders to the Visa Infinite Business product.
ID# 0029247 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
4.17.4 Visa Infinite Business, Visa Infinite Privilege Business – Features and Benefits
4.17.4.1 Visa Infinite Business Card Features and Branding Requirements – AP and
Canada Regions
In the APRegion and Canada Region, a Visa Infinite Business Card Issuer must offer both:
●
Unique features that differentiate the Visa Infinite Business Card from any other Visa Card it issues
●
The highest purchasing power available within the Issuer's Visa Business Card suite of products
ID# 0029240 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.17.4.3 Visa Infinite Business Card Core Features, Benefits and Services – Canada
Region
In the Canada Region, a Visa Infinite Business Card Issuer must offer all of the following core features,
benefits, and services:
●
ATM access
●
Local currency billing
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-263
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Infinite Business, Visa Infinite Privilege Business
●
Service level standards
●
Management information reporting
●
POS Transaction Controls
●
Limited corporate liability insurance
●
Access to:
– Visa Infinite Business concierge
– Visa Infinite Business events and offers
– Visa Infinite Business website
ID# 0025623 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.17.4.4 Visa Infinite Business Web Services – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, a Visa Infinite Issuer, either itself or through other agents, must provide its Visa
Infinite Cardholders website access that offers special information and services.
The Visa Infinite website service must comply with all of the following:
●
Limit access only to Visa Infinite Cardholders
●
Provide a description of Visa Infinite Card services, benefits, and features
●
Provide a detailed listing of the Visa Infinite Exclusive Privileges Merchant partner offers
●
Include all of the following minimum value-added content and services for travel and
entertainment:
– Travel content that supports the Visa Infinite product positioning that is not readily available
from other sources (for example, special travel articles, expert recommendations on shows in
major cities)
– Online concierge service, if concierge service is offered by the Visa Region or Member's Infinite
product
– Contact information for Cardholders to inquire about Visa Infinite services and to provide
feedback on the product or website
ID# 0025622 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.17.4.5 Visa Infinite Business Issuer Rewards Program – AP Region (Australia)
In the AP Region(Australia), a Visa Infinite Business Card Issuer must provide a rewards program for its
Visa Infinite Business Cardholders and must do all of the following:
●
Define the rewards currency that it intends to offer
PSR-264 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Accrue the rewards currency to the benefit of its Cardholders for every qualifying purchase
Transaction
●
Ensure that the approximate retail value of services and merchandise offered for rewards
redemption is comparable to the required redemption value
●
Ensure that the rewards currency enables Cardholders to redeem an equivalent to 100 basis points
●
Ensure that the rewards currency is accumulated for every qualifying dollar spent on the Card
●
Include each purchase Transaction completed with a Visa Infinite Business Card as a qualifying
purchase. The Issuer may exclude the following Transactions from qualifying for rewards currency:
– Balance transfers
– Convenience checks
– Finance charges
– Cash Disbursements
– Quasi-Cash Transactions
– Fees paid to the Issuer by the Cardholder (if any)
– Any Transaction not authorized by the Cardholder
●
Ensure that any cap on spend that earns rewards currency is not less than USD 5,000 per month or
USD 60,000 per year (or local currency equivalent)
●
Notify Cardholders at least quarterly of their rewards currency, including all of the following:
– Rewards currency earned
– Rewards currency redeemed
– Rewards currency balance remaining
– Upcoming rewards currency expiration, if any
If the account is no longer in good standing, the Issuer may elect to withhold rewards currency
accumulation and redemption or take away currency previously accumulated.
ID# 0029248 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
4.18 Visa SavingsEdge
4.18.1 Visa SavingsEdge Requirements
4.18.1.1 Visa SavingsEdge Participation Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer must offer Visa SavingsEdge to Cardholders of the following Visa products:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-265
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Purchasing
●
Visa Business credit Card
●
Visa Business Check Card
●
Visa Signature Business Credit
1
Visa Business Cardholders of Issuers who do not opt out will be automatically eligible to enroll in Visa
SavingsEdge in accordance with, and subject to, the program terms and conditions as revised by Visa
from time to time and posted on the program Cardholder registration website.
:
1
An Issuer of Visa Signature Business Credit Cards must not opt out of Visa SavingsEdge participation.
ID# 0026267 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
4.18.1.2 Visa SavingsEdge Participating Issuer Obligations – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer participating in the SavingsEdge program
●
Use the program name only in connection with the SavingsEdge program
ID# 0028252 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.18.1.3 Visa SavingsEdge Discount Posting Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, for qualifying purchases made with a Visa SavingsEdge-enrolled Visa Business Card,
a US Issuer must both:
●
Credit the participating Cardholder’s account within 10 calendar days of receiving the Funds
Disbursement from Visa
●
Not alter the original Merchant name and city information posted to the Cardholder statement
ID# 0026269 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.19 Visa Purchasing
4.19.1 Visa Purchasing – Issuer Requirements
4.19.1.1 Visa Purchasing Card Transaction Data Reporting – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Purchasing Card Issuer must accumulate and report Transaction data and at a
minimum must both:
PSR-266 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Match Transaction data to Merchant profiles
●
Report to the Client Organization all Transactions and all Merchant profile information, both
matched and unmatched
ID# 0004309 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.19.1.2 Authorization and Settlement Match Participation Requirements
A Visa Purchasing Card Issuer choosing to participate in the Authorization and Settlement Match
service must both:
●
Obtain prior approval from Visa
●
Enroll its Visa Purchasing Card BIN (including Visa Fleet Card BIN) or account range for the
Authorization and Settlement Match service
ID# 0026826 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.19.1.3 Visa Purchasing Card Selective Authorization – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Purchasing Card Issuer may decline an Authorization Request based on the
following factors if the entity to which the Card has been issued has specified these or other factors:
●
MCC
●
Transaction size
●
Location of Merchant Outlet
ID# 0004314 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.20 Visa Fleet
4.20.1 Visa Fleet Card – Issuer Requirements
4.20.1.1 Visa Fleet Card Issuance and Usage
A Vehicle-Specific Fleet Card must be both:
●
Limited to purchases of fuel and vehicle maintenance
●
Assigned to a vehicle rather than an individual
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-267
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Fleet
A Visa Fleet Card Issuer must use a unique account range within a Commercial Card BIN
1
for its Visa
Fleet Card program.
1
In the LAC Region, a Visa Purchasing Card Issuer may issue Visa Fleet Cards as either Visa or Visa Electron Cards.
ID# 0004163 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.20.1.2 Visa Fleet Card Requirements
A Visa Fleet Card Issuer must ensure that all of the following requirements are met:
●
Visa Fleet Card is personalized with a Visa Fleet Card Application Identifier (AID) and a payment
application that prompts for personalized data at the time of transaction
1
●
Magnetic Stripe is encoded with Visa Fleet specific data that will cause a fleet-enabled terminal to
prompt for personalized data at the time of Transaction
2
●
Visa Fleet Card is issued only as either:
– A driver-assigned Visa Fleet Card
– A Vehicle-Specific Fleet Card
In the Canada Region and CEMEA Region, a Visa Fleet Card Issuer must require the capture and/or
validation of Enhanced Data by the terminal.
In the Canada Region, a Visa Fleet Card Issuer must ensure that the Chip on the Visa Fleet Card
is encoded with Visa Fleet-specific data that will cause a fleet-enabled terminal to prompt for
personalized data at the time of theTransaction.
In the CEMEA Region, a Visa Fleet Card Issuer must ensure that the Visa Fleet Card Chip data elements
include at least both:
●
Details about permitted products
●
Information about the vehicle and the driver
1
This does not apply in the AP Region, LAC Region, and US Region.
2
This does not apply in the AP Region, CEMEA Region, and LAC Region.
ID# 0004168 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
4.20.1.3 Visa Fleet Card Enhanced Data Requirements
A Visa Fleet Card Issuer must be capable of generating reports containing Enhanced Data when
provided by the Acquirer.
ID# 0004164 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
PSR-268 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.21 Visa Large Purchase Advantage
4.21.1 Visa Large Purchase Advantage Requirements
4.21.1.1 Visa Large Purchase Advantage Issuer Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Large Purchase Advantage Card must comply with all of the following:
●
Be issued as a Virtual Account product
●
Be issued on a credit account
●
Be limited to Transactions in the Commercial Payables environment that qualify as one of the
following:
– Electronic Commerce Transaction, including a Straight Through Processing Transaction
– Mail/Phone Order Transaction
– Recurring Transaction
– Installment Transaction
●
Not offer Cash Disbursement
●
Not provide ATM access
●
Unless specified otherwise, comply with the requirements applicable to Visa Purchasing Cards.
ID# 0026968 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.21.1.2 Visa Large Purchase Advantage Transaction Limitations – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Large Purchase Advantage Transaction must comply with all of the following:
●
Be processed in a Card-Absent Environment
●
Not offer Cash Disbursement
●
Not provide ATM access
ID# 0026969 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-269
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Meetings Card
4.22 Visa Meetings Card
4.22.1 Visa Meetings Card – Issuer Requirements
4.22.1.2 Visa Meetings Card Core Features – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Meetings Card Issuer must provide all of the core features specified in Section
4.12.1.2, “Commercial Products Core Feature Requirements,” except for billing, where centralized
company billing and payment are required.
ID# 0004335 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.22.1.3 Visa Meetings Card Authorization Processing – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Meetings Card Issuer must have the ability to decline an Authorization
Request based on the following factors, if the Client Organization has specified these or other factors:
●
MCC
●
Transaction amount
●
Location of Merchant Outlet
ID# 0029137 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.23 Visa Infinite Corporate
4.23.1 Visa Infinite Corporate – Card Requirements
4.23.1.1 Visa Infinite Corporate Card Credit Limit – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, for Visa Infinite Corporate Cards with a line of credit only, an Issuer must ensure
that both:
●
The minimum credit limit allowed is USD 20,000 (or local currency equivalent)
●
Each Visa Infinite Corporate Card account may accumulate charges of at least 20% above the
approved credit limit during each billing statement cycle in which the Cardholder has satisfied
previous obligations to the Issuer
PSR-270 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
A Visa Infinite Corporate Card Issuer that fails to meet the credit limit criteria is subject to a non-
compliance assessment of USD 5 per Visa Infinite Corporate Card in the Issuer's portfolio.
ID# 0027741 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2015
4.23.1.2 Visa Infinite Corporate Card Spending Limits – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa Infinite Corporate Card Issuer must offer either of the following spending
limit options:
●
No pre-set limit, excluding Emergency Card Replacements that have temporary pre-set limits
●
Minimum limit allowing each Visa Infinite Corporate Card account to accumulate charges of at
least USD 20,000 (or local currency equivalent) during each or any statement cycle in which a
Cardholder has satisfied previous obligations to the Issuer
Visa may impose additional restrictions to these options.
ID# 0027742 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2015
4.23.2 Visa Infinite Corporate – Issuer Requirements
4.23.2.1 Visa Infinite Corporate Card Benefit Notification – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa Infinite Corporate Card Issuer in the LAC Region offering benefits in addition
to those provided through Visa must provide Visa with all necessary information concerning those
benefits and the benefit providers on a quarterly basis.
ID# 0027747 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.23.2.2 Visa Infinite Corporate Card Declined Authorizations – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, an Authorization Response Code 05 (Authorization Declined) may be generated for
a Visa Infinite Corporate Card Authorization Request only if both the:
●
Account is delinquent, for at least a second time
●
Transaction is an ATM Cash Disbursement that both:
– Exceeds Issuer activity parameters
– Received a response by Stand-In Processing through an Issuer's Positive Authorization Capacity
Management Service
ID# 0027749 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-271
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Infinite Corporate
4.23.2.3 Visa Infinite Corporate Card Declined Transactions – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, for Visa Infinite Corporate Cards issued with a no preset limit, the Issuer must
provide notification to the Cardholder before ongoing Transactions can be declined.
Visa Infinite Corporate Card Authorization Requests must only be declined with Response Code 51
(Not Sufficient Funds) if either:
●
The Transaction places the account balance more than 20% above the approved line of credit
●
The Transaction is for an ATM Cash Disbursement that exceeds activity parameters and is
responded to by the Issuer
ID# 0027743 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.23.2.4 Visa Infinite Corporate Card Issuer Certification – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, before issuing a Visa Infinite Corporate Card an Issuer must receive written
certification from Visa that the Issuer complies with all Visa Infinite Corporate product requirements
and standards.
ID# 0027739 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.23.2.5 Visa Infinite Corporate Card Issuer Processing System Requirement – LAC
Region
An LAC Visa Infinite Corporate Card Issuer or its agent must demonstrate that its processing system
has the minimum capacities to meet the standards for processing Authorizations regarding Visa
Infinite and Visa Corporate Cards.
ID# 0027746 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.23.3 Visa Infinite Corporate – Features and Benefits
4.23.3.1 Visa Infinite Corporate Card Features and Branding Requirements – LAC
Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa Infinite Corporate Card Issuer must offer both:
●
Unique features that differentiate the Visa Infinite Corporate Card from any other Visa Card
product it issues
●
The highest purchasing power available within the LAC Region and an Issuer’s Visa Card portfolio,
except when the Member-developed Card product:
PSR-272 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
– Is not branded with a Visa Card product name
– Does not use the Sample Card Design or reserved color of a Visa Card product
ID# 0027740 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.24 Visa Platinum Corporate
4.24.1 Visa Platinum Corporate – Card Requirements
4.24.1.1 Visa Platinum Corporate Card Credit Limit – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, for Visa Platinum Corporate Cards with a line of credit only, a Visa Platinum
Corporate Issuer must both:
●
Ensure that the average credit limit for its Visa Platinum Corporate program must be higher than
the average credit limit for its Visa Platinum and Visa Corporate programs
●
Allow each Visa Platinum Corporate Card account to accumulate charges of at least 10% above
the approved credit limit during each billing statement cycle in which the Cardholder has satisfied
previous obligations to the Issuer
A Visa Platinum Corporate Card Issuer that fails to meet the credit limit criteria is subject to a non-
compliance assessment per Visa Platinum Corporate Card in the Issuer's portfolio.
ID# 0027738 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.24.2 Visa Platinum Corporate – Issuer Requirements
4.24.2.1 Visa Platinum Corporate Card Issuer Certification – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, before issuing a Visa Platinum Corporate Card an Issuer must receive written
certification from Visa that the Issuer complies with all Visa Platinum Corporate product requirements
and standards.
ID# 0027736 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-273
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Premium Corporate
4.24.3 Visa Platinum Corporate – Features and Benefits
4.24.3.1 Visa Platinum Corporate Card Benefits – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa Platinum Corporate Issuer offering benefits in addition to those provided
through Visa must provide Visa with all necessary information concerning those benefits and the
benefit providers.
ID# 0027737 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.25 Visa Premium Corporate
4.25.1 Visa Premium Corporate – Issuer Requirements
4.25.1.1 Visa Premium Corporate Cards BIN Requirements – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa Premium Corporate Card Issuer must use either a new Account Number
range or a unique BIN for the issuance of its Visa Premium Corporate Cards.
The Issuer must not reclassify a BIN to represent a product other than the Visa Premium Corporate
Card without prior permission from Visa.
ID# 0027725 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.25.1.2 Visa Premium Corporate Cards Core Product Benefits – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa Premium Corporate Issuer must provide its Visa Premium Corporate
Cardholders with all of the following core product benefits, unless prohibited by applicable laws or
regulations:
Table 4-55: Visa Premium Corporate Card Core Product Benefits – LAC Region
Core Product Enhancements Visa
Platinum
Corporate
Visa
Signature
Corporate
Visa Infinite
Corporate
Visa Global Customer Assistance Services Global Global Global
Travel Accident Insurance USD 500,000 USD
1,000,000
USD
1,500,000
Auto Rental Insurance Global Global Global
PSR-274 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Core Product Enhancements Visa
Platinum
Corporate
Visa
Signature
Corporate
Visa Infinite
Corporate
Visa International Emergency Medical Services Plan Platinum
up to USD
150,000
Plan Infinite
up to USD
200,000
Plan Infinite
up to USD
200,000
Insured Journey/24 Hour AD&D USD 25,000 USD 50,000 USD 100,000
Visa Concierge Global Global Global
Baggage Delay USD 0 USD 500 USD 600
Baggage Loss USD 750 USD 1,000 USD 3,000
Trip Delay USD 0 USD 0 USD 300
Trip Cancellation USD 0 USD 0 USD 3,000
Missed Connection USD 0 USD 0 USD 2,000
Hotel Burglary $1000 USD 0 USD 500 USD 1,000
Priority Pass Optional Optional Yes
Corporate Liability Waiver Insurance (CLW) USD 15,000 USD 15,000 USD 15,000
ATM Assault–Coverage in case of Death USD 0 USD 0 USD 10,000
ATM Assault–Cash Stolen USD 0 USD 0 Up to USD
3,000
Program Membership Rewards Optional Optional Optional
Visa Luxury Hotel Collection Global Global Global
ID# 0027727 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.25.1.3 Visa Premium Corporate Cards Customer Service Requirements – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa Premium Corporate Issuer must do all of the following:
●
Provide Customer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
●
Provide Cardholder emergency services for Visa Platinum, Visa Infinite, or Visa Signature
●
Respond to a Visa Premium Corporate Cardholder with a live operator
●
Provide an exclusive telephone line to its Visa Premium Corporate Cardholders
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-275
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Premium Corporate
Assistance must be provided in English, Portuguese, and Spanish through Visa Global Customer Care
Services.
ID# 0027726 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.25.1.4 Visa Premium Corporate Cards Emergency Services – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa Premium Corporate Card Issuer must offer customer support services
required for Visa Corporate Cards.
ID# 0027730 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.25.1.5 Visa Premium Corporate Cards Fraud Management – LAC Region
Effective through 20 July 2018
In the LAC Region, a Visa Premium Corporate Issuer must install and use the Issuer Fraud
Detection system or equivalent Visa-approved system for fraud detection.
ID# 0027733 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
4.25.1.6 Visa Premium Corporate Cards Issuance Requirements – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, an Issuer of Visa Premium Corporate Cards must do all of the following:
●
Comply with the requirements for Visa Corporate Cards and Section 4.25.1, “Visa Premium
Corporate – Issuer Requirements”
●
Issue Visa Premium Corporate Cards as any of the following:
– Visa Platinum Corporate
– Visa Infinite Corporate
– Visa Signature Corporate
●
Issue Visa Premium Corporate Cards with credit, debit, or charge capability
ID# 0027724 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.25.1.7 Visa Premium Corporate Cards Mandatory Core Features – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa Premium Corporate Card Issuer must provide the core features required for
Visa Corporate Cards.
ID# 0027729 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-276 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.25.1.8 Visa Premium Corporate Cards Mandatory Core Services – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa Premium Corporate Card Issuer must offer customer support services
required for Visa Corporate Cards.
ID# 0027728 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.25.1.9 Visa Premium Corporate Cards Performance Standards – LAC Region
In the LACRegion, a Visa Premium Corporate Card Issuer that exceeds the Negative Authorization
Response standard of 2% as a percentage of its total Authorization Responses in a calendar month
is subject to a non-compliance assessment for each Negative Authorization Response exceeding the
standard. A Negative Authorization Response is any Authorization that is not an Approval Response.
A Visa Premium Corporate Card Issuer that fails to meet the performance standard specified in this
section is subject to corrective action. Fees double each calendar month of the de-certification period,
as follows:
Table 4-56: Corrective Actions for Issuer Failure to Meet Performance Standards for Visa Premium
Corporate Cards – LAC Region
Stage Action/Response
Grace Period – One calendar month (begins the
calendar month following the first violation for
under-performance)
Written notification of under-performance and
recommended corrective actions
Observation Period – Two calendar months (begins
at completion of Grace Period)
●
Fees imposed as specified above
●
Member has 2 calendar months to apply
corrective actions
Probation Period – Three calendar months (begins
at completion of Observation Period)
●
Fees imposed as specified above
●
Visa may audit Member at Member's expense
De-certification Period - Begins at completion of
Probation Period
●
Member prohibited from issuing or reissuing
Visa Premium Corporate Cards
●
Fees imposed and doubled for each calendar
month as specified above
●
Visa reserves its right to resolve Authorization
Requests via the PCAS-Full Service system
ID# 0027734 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-277
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Signature Corporate
4.25.1.10 Visa Premium Corporate Cards Reporting Requirements – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa Premium Corporate Issuer must report its Visa Premium Corporate Card
activity separately through the Operating Certificate.
ID# 0027731 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.25.1.11 Visa Premium Corporate Emergency Cash Disbursement and Emergency Card
Replacement – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, an Emergency Cash Disbursement or an Emergency Replacement for Visa Premium
Corporate Cards must be delivered to the Cardholder within 24 hours.
ID# 0027735 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.26 Visa Signature Corporate
4.26.1 Visa Signature Corporate – Issuer Requirements
4.26.1.1 Visa Signature Corporate Card Benefit Notification – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa Signature Corporate Card Issuer offering benefits in addition to those
provided through Visa must provide Visa with all necessary information concerning those benefits and
the benefit providers on a quarterly basis.
ID# 0027753 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.26.1.2 Visa Signature Corporate Card Credit Limit and Spending Limits – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, an Issuer of Visa Signature Corporate Card must issue Visa Signature Corporate
cards without a pre-set spending limit
The Visa Signature Corporate Card Issuer must ensure that the average credit limit for its Visa
Signature Corporate Card program is higher than the average credit limit for its Visa Signature and
Visa Corporate programs.
A Visa Signature Corporate Issuer that fails to meet the credit limit criteria is subject to a non-
compliance assessment per Visa Signature Corporate Card in the Issuer’s portfolio.
ID# 0027752 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-278 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.26.1.3 Visa Signature Corporate Card Issuer Certification – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, before issuing a Visa Signature Corporate Card an Issuer must receive written
certification from Visa that the Issuer complies with all Visa Signature Corporate product requirements
and standards.
ID# 0027751 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.27 Prepaid Commercial Corporate
4.27.1 Commercial Prepaid – Card Requirements
4.27.1.1 Visa Commercial Prepaid Product Requirements
A Visa Commercial Prepaid Product Issuer must comply with the Visa Prepaid Card requirements and
general Visa Commercial Card requirements.
ID# 0025575 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.27.2 Corporate Prepaid – Features and Benefits
4.27.2.1 Visa Corporate Prepaid Card – Commercial Products Core Feature
Requirements
In addition to the Visa Commercial Card core features specified in Section 4.12.1.2, “Commercial
Products Core Feature Requirements,” for Visa Corporate Cards, a Visa Corporate Prepaid Card Issuer
must support all of the following:
●
Individual memo statements
●
Personalized and non-personalized Cards
●
Domestic use only Transaction Authorization
●
Load and Transaction limits
●
Instant Card issuance
●
Multiple currencies
●
Online Cardholder statements
●
Program administration services
ID# 0026738 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-279
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Agro
4.28 Visa Agro
4.28.1 Visa Agro – Card Requirements
4.28.1.1 Visa Agro Issuer Requirements – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, an Issuer of Visa Commercial Cards may issue a Visa Agro Card as any of the
following:
●
Credit
●
Debit
●
Prepaid commercial, excluding Cards issued in Brazil
●
Visa Electron
The Issuer may combine Visa Agro Cards with the commercial applications or commercial products
described above.
Visa Agro Card Issuers must comply with the regulations of each product and application associated
with the Visa Agro Card.
ID# 0026520 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.28.2 Visa Agro – Customer Service Requirements
4.28.2.1 Visa Agro Card Core Services – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa Agro Card Issuer must offer all of the following core services:
●
Cardholder Inquiry Service
●
Emergency Card replacement
●
Lost/Stolen Card reporting
●
Exception File updates
●
Free 24-hour telephone number to obtain emergency services
For Visa Agro Prepaid commercial Cards, Issuers must offer the customer support services for Visa
Prepaid Cards, as specified in Section 4.1.14.9, “Visa Global Customer Assistance Services Program
Requirements.”
ID# 0026523 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-280 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.28.3 Visa Agro – Issuer Requirements
4.28.3.1 Visa Agro Card Selective Authorization – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa Agro Card Issuer may decline an Authorization Request based on any of the
following factors, if the Client Organization has specified these or other factors:
●
Merchant Category Code
●
Transaction amount
●
Location of Merchant Outlet
ID# 0026524 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
4.29 Visa Cargo
4.29.1 Visa Cargo – Card Requirements
4.29.1.1 Visa Cargo Issuer Requirements – LAC Region
In the LACRegion, an Issuer may issue a Visa Cargo Card as either:
●
Visa Commercial Prepaid Product
●
Visa Business Electron Card
Visa Cargo Card Issuers must comply with the regulations of each product and application associated
with the Visa Cargo Card.
ID# 0025631 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
4.29.1.2 Visa Cargo Core Benefits – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, a Visa Cargo Card Issuer must provide its Visa Cargo Cardholders with all of the
following core product benefits, unless prohibited by applicable laws or regulations:
●
Emergency services through Visa Cards Benefit Services (VCBS) center
– Emergency Card Replacement/Emergency Cash Disbursement
– Lost/Stolen Card Reporting
●
24 Hours Accident Protection with a coverage amount of USD 1,000 (or local currency equivalent)
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-281
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa Drive Card
●
ATM Assault (Cash Stolen) with a coverage amount of USD 100 (or local currency equivalent)
ID# 0029273 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
4.30 Visa Drive Card
4.30.1 Visa Drive Card – Europe Region
4.30.1.1 Visa Drive Card Issuer Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region,a Visa Drive Card Issuer must comply with all of the following
Table 4-57: Visa Drive Card Requirements – Europe Region
Element Requirement
Payment Device May be any ofthe following:
●
A physical Card
●
A Contactless Chip Card
●
A Contactless Payment Device
●
A Virtual Account
Types May be one or more of the following:
●
"Standard" Card
●
"Extra" Card
●
"Open" Card
Issuance May be issued to either:
●
One Cardholder
●
A specific vehicle, which may have multiple individuals associated with
it
BINs
●
An "open" Card must be issued on a dedicated BIN.
●
A "standard" Card and an "extra" Card may be issued on the same BIN,
but each Card must have a dedicated account range.
●
Cards that are issued to a Cardholder and Cards that are issued to a
specific vehicle must be issued on separate account ranges within the
same BIN.
Data Must provide Visa with Visa-specified data for Visa Drive Card Transactions
upon Visa request
PSR-282 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Element Requirement
PIN Changes Must provide the capability for a Cardholder or an authorized individual to
change a PIN at an ATM.
"Standard" Card Requirements
●
Must ensure that the Card is configured to be used only in a Closed
Loop
●
Must provide the Cardholder with terms and conditions including, but
not limited to:
– Using the Card at a Point-of-Transaction Acceptance Device inside
the Closed Loop for that Issuer
– PIN management
"Extra" Card Requirements
●
Must comply with general requirements for Visa Commercial Cards
●
Must ensure that the Card is configured to be used only at Point-of-
Transaction Acceptance Devices:
– Within a Closed Loop
– With a Merchant with which the Issuer has a Privately Contracted
Agreement
●
For a Transaction at a Merchant with whom the Issuer has a Privately
Contracted Agreement, must request Online Authorization, except for
the following MCCs:
– 4784 (Tolls and Bridge Fees)
– 7523 (Parking Lots, Parking Meters and Garages)
●
Must provide evidence of Privately Contracted Agreements upon Visa
request
●
Is solely responsible for the management of a Privately Contracted
Agreement
●
Must provide the Cardholder with terms and conditions including, but
not limited to:
– Prohibition of the use of the Card at any Point-of-Transaction
Acceptance Device outside the Closed Loop if the Issuer does not
have a Privately Contracted Agreement with the Merchant
– PIN management
"Open" Card Requirements
●
Must comply with general requirements for Visa Commercial Cards
●
Must comply with the core feature requirements for the Card it is
licensed to issue
●
Must provide the Cardholder with terms and conditions including, but
not limited to:
– The Cardholder Verification Method (CVM) allowed for a Card
issued for a specific vehicle
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-283
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Visa SimplyOne
Element Requirement
– PIN management
ID# 0029637 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.31 Visa SimplyOne
4.31.1 Visa SimplyOne Card
4.31.1.1 Visa SimplyOne Card Issuer Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Visa SimplyOne Card Issuer must comply with all of the following:
●
Issue the Card as a Visa Card or Visa Electron Card
●
Issue the Card with 2 Account Numbers, which must both:
– Be issued by the same Issuer
– Be associated with the Payment Application(s) encoded on the Chip and the Magnetic Stripe.
One Payment Application must be the Visa Higher Priority Payment Application. Any other
Payment Application will be classified as a Visa Lower Priority Payment Application.
●
If issued as a Contactless Chip Card, have the Contactless payment associated to the Visa Higher
Priority Payment Application
1
●
Issue the Payment Application on a designated BIN, as follows:
– The debit application on a debit BIN
– The credit application on a credit BIN
– The consumer application on a consumer BIN
– The commercial application on a commercial BIN
●
Comply with debit rules when the Card is used as a debit card and credit rules when the Card is
used as a Credit Card
●
Not issue a Non-Reloadable Card when the Card is used as a Visa Prepaid Card
●
Stop or close both accounts in order to stop or close the Card
1
This does not apply in the Europe Region (Finland), where the Issuer may associate the Contactless payment to the Visa
Lower Priority Payment Application only if it clearly communicates to its Cardholders that the Visa Lower Priority Payment
Application must be selected after the maximum number of cumulative offline Transactions has been reached.
ID# 0029639 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
PSR-284 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.32 Visa Multichoice
4.32.1 Visa Multichoice Card
4.32.1.1 Visa Multichoice Card Issuer Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Issuer of a Visa Multichoice Card must ensure all of the following:
●
The Card supports 2 or more Payment Applications on the same account
●
All the Payment Applications on the Card are issued by the same Issuer using the same Account
Number
●
One of the Payment Applications is encoded as the Visa Higher Priority Payment Application on
the Chip and Magnetic Stripe
●
The Payment Applications must be either Consumer Credit or Business Credit Payment
Applications
●
A Contactless Transaction must be associated with the Visa Higher Priority Payment Application
●
The Card is issued on a credit BIN
●
The "Issuer Discretionary Data" field in the Chip is used to distinguish between the Payment
Applications
●
Consumer Credit and Business Credit Payment Applications are not combined on a Card
ID# 0029640 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
4.33 V PAY
4.33.1 V PAY – Europe Region
4.33.1.1 V PAY Use for Electronic Commerce Transactions – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, if a Card bearing the V PAY Brand Mark is used at an Electronic Commerce
Merchant and the Issuer generates an Authorization Response, liability and Chargeback rights are the
same for the equivalent Transaction using a Card bearing the Visa Brand Mark.
ID# 0029824 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-285
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Carte Bleue Nationale Cards – Europe Region
4.34 Carte Bleue Nationale Cards – Europe Region
4.34.1 Carte Bleue Nationale Cards Issuer Requirements
4.34.1.1 Carte Bleue Nationale Cards Issuer Requirements – Europe Region (France)
In the Europe Region (France), a Carte Bleue Nationale Card Issuer (including Cards with systematic
authorization) must comply with Table 4-58, “Service Requirements for France Domestic Transactions
using Carte Bleue Nationale Cards:”
Table 4-58: Service Requirements for France Domestic Transactions using Carte Bleue Nationale Cards
Card Type Cash
Withdrawal
Services
Payment
Services
in Card-
Present
Environment
Payment
Services
in Card-
Absent
Environment
Travel
Insurance
2
Medical
Insurance
2
Welcome
Pack
3
Concierge
Services
Carte Bleue
Nationale
X X X
Carte Bleue
Nationale
(with
systematic
authorization)
X X
Visa Electron X X
V PAY X X
Visa Classic X X X
X
1
X
1
Visa Premier X X X X X
Visa Platinum X X X X X X X
Visa Infinite X X X X X X X
1
For personal trips only; for medical insurance, only international trips
2
As specified in the corresponding terms and conditions
3
Must include the contract and the associated services
ID# 0030094 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
PSR-286 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
4.35 Carte Bleue Nationale Affaires Cards – Europe Region
4.35.1 Carte Bleue Nationale Affaires Cards Issuer Requirements
4.35.1.1 Carte Bleue Nationale Affaires Cards Issuer Requirements – Europe Region
(France)
In the Europe Region (France), an Issuer must comply with all of the following:
●
A Visa Affaires Card Issuer must use a Visa Corporate Card BIN
●
A Plus Card Issuer must issue this as a debit Card
●
A Carte Bleue Nationale Affaires Card Issuer must comply with Table 4-59, “Service Requirements
for France Domestic Transactions using Carte Bleue Nationale Affaires Cards:”
Table 4-59: Service Requirements for France Domestic Transactions using Carte Bleue Nationale Affaires
Cards
Card Type Cash
Withdrawal
Services
Payment
Services
in Card-
Present
Environment
Payment
Services
in Card-
Absent
Environment
Travel
Insurance
2
Medical
Insurance
2
Welcome
Pack
3
Concierge
Services
Visa Affaires X X X
X
1
X
4
Visa Gold
Affairs
X X X
X
5
X
5
Visa Business
Electron
X X
X
6
X
4
Carte Plus X
Carte Bleue
Nationale
Business
X X X
X
6
Visa Business X X X
X
6
X
4
X
Visa Gold
Business
X X X
X
7
X
7
X
Visa Platinum
Business
X X X
X
7
X
7
X X
1
For professional trips only (EUR 100,000 allowance)
2
Must be in accordance with the corresponding terms and conditions
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-287
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Issuance
Carte Bleue Nationale Affaires Cards – Europe Region
Card Type Cash
Withdrawal
Services
Payment
Services
in Card-
Present
Environment
Payment
Services
in Card-
Absent
Environment
Travel
Insurance
2
Medical
Insurance
2
Welcome
Pack
3
Concierge
Services
3
Must include the contract and the associated services
4
Overseas travel only (EUR 11,000 allowance)
5
For professional trips only
6
EUR 46,000 allowance for personal trips, EUR 100,000 allowance for professional trips
7
All types of trips (one staff member)
ID# 0030095 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
PSR-288 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
5 Acceptance
5.1 Responsibilities Related to Information and Notification
5.1.1 Provision of Information, Registration, and Reporting
5.1.1.1 Provision of Required Merchant Information
In a Visa Region where the collection of Merchant data is required,
1
an Acquirer or its Agent must
provide to Visa the following information for each Merchant, Marketplace,
2
Sponsored Merchant,
or retailer signed by a Staged Digital Wallet Operator, or retailer signed by a Marketplace
2
. The
information must be accurate, updated whenever the information changes, and in the format specified
by Visa.
●
T/A (trading as) or DBA (doing business as) name
●
Full legal name (if different from DBA name). For a sole proprietor, the information must include
the sole proprietor's full first and last name, including the middle initial.
●
Merchant Outlet address (including street address, city, state/province and postal code)
3
●
Telephone number (not required for Sponsored Merchants)
4
●
Acquirer-assigned Merchant ID
●
Card acceptor identification
5
●
Merchant business registration number or tax identification number
6
●
Payment Facilitator name (for Sponsored Merchants only)
●
Effective 13 October 2018
Payment Facilitator identifier assigned by Visa and Sponsored Merchant identifier assigned by the
Acquirer, as applicable
●
In the US Region, an Acquirer must provide to Visa monthly notification of all new
ContactlessAcceptance Device deployments.
1
Effective 13 October 2018
Applies to Payment Facilitators in all Visa Regions
2
Effective 14 October 2017
3
In the US Region, the 9-digit zip code
4
Effective 14 October 2017
This does not apply in the Canada Region.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-289
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Responsibilities Related to Information and Notification
5
For Sponsored Merchants, the Payment Facilitator's Card acceptor identification is acceptable.
6
In the US Region, the US Federal Taxpayer Identification Number, and identification of the number as either a US Federal
Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or Social Security Number (SSN)
ID# 0026460 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.1.1.2 Contactless Transaction Reporting – AP Region
In the APRegion, a Member that processes Contactless Transactions must provide to Visa a quarterly
summary of all Contactless Transactions.
ID# 0025706 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.1.1.4 Acquirer Compliance with Privacy Legislation – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, an Acquirer must meet all applicable requirements of privacy legislation for the
collection, use, and disclosure of personal information among Visa and its employees and agents, for
the purpose of a Merchant's participation in the Visa Program.
ID# 0005395 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.1.1.5 T&E Transaction Reporting – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer must provide to Visa, upon request, a quarterly summary of all T&E
Transactions with the following information:
●
The Number of Retrieval Requests
●
The Merchant sales volume (in USD)
●
The number of T&E Transactions that originate from each of its T&E Merchants.
ID# 0029655 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.1.1.6 Visa Drive Card – Merchant Requirement for "Extra" Cards – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, if a Merchant establishes a Privately Contracted Agreement with an Issuer, the
Merchant must notify its Acquirer.
ID# 0029638 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-290 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
5.2 Acquirer Responsibilities Related to Merchants
5.2.1 Merchant Agreements, Merchant Onboarding, and Merchant Relationships
5.2.1.1 Requirements for Acquirers Soliciting Electronic Commerce Merchant
Applications
An Acquirer soliciting Merchant applications must list Merchant Outlet location requirements on its
website and/or application.
ID# 0004630 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
5.2.1.2 Due Diligence Review of Prospective Merchant or Sponsored Merchant
Before contracting with a prospective Merchant or Sponsored Merchant, an Acquirer or a Payment
Facilitator must conduct an adequate due diligence review to ensure compliance with the Acquirer's
obligation to submit only legal Transactions into VisaNet.
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer must conduct a physical inspection of the business premises of the
prospective Merchant to ensure that the prospective Merchant conducts the business that it has stated
to the Acquirer. The Acquirer must also obtain a detailed business description from a prospective Mail/
Phone Merchant and Electronic Commerce Merchant.
ID# 0005251 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.2.1.3 Acquirer Monitoring of Merchant Bankruptcy or Regulatory Proceedings – US
Region
In the US Region, an Acquirer that becomes aware of the potential or actual bankruptcy of, or any
regulatory proceedings involving, its Merchants must both:
●
Notify Visa no later than close of business on the next business day following such discovery
●
Oppose to the best of its ability any request for legal relief that would interfere with the
Chargeback process
ID# 0029138 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.2.1.5 Terminated Merchant File Query – US Region
In the US Region, an Acquirer must query the Terminated Merchant File before entering into a
Merchant Agreement with a prospective Merchant.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-291
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Acquirer Responsibilities Related to Merchants
If the Acquirer receives a response indicating a possible match to a Merchant listed on the Terminated
Merchant File, the Acquirer must both:
●
Verify that the Merchant identified in the response is the same Merchant for which the inquiry was
generated
●
Contact the listing Member directly to determine why the Merchant was added to the file
The Acquirer must use Terminated Merchant File data only as an informational tool in the decision-
making process.
ID# 0008577 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.2.1.6 Acquirer Allowance of Terminal Processing by Competitors – US Region
In the US Region, an Acquirer must not prohibit a Merchant from using terminal processing services
offered by competitors for the direct delivery of Visa Transactions captured at the Point-of-Transaction
to VisaNet for Clearing and Settlement.
ID# 0003362 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.2.1.7 Multinational Merchant Acceptance Program (MMAP) Requirements
To apply for participation in the Multinational Merchant Acceptance Program (MMAP), an Acquirer
must be a Principal-Type Member in the APRegion, CanadaRegion, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, or US
Region and must demonstrate compliance with the Visa Charter Documents.
Before beginning acquiring activity under MMAP in a country, the Acquirer must both:
●
Demonstrate compliance with MMAP Acquirer qualification criteria
●
Obtain Visa approval (in writing) for activity in that country
To process MMAP Transactions, the MMAP Acquirer must do all of the following:
●
Register a Merchant participant
1
with Visa, certifying and demonstrating that the Merchant is both:
– Compliant with all qualification criteria in the Multinational Merchant Acceptance Program
(MMAP) Merchant Registration Form
– Allowed by the Visa Rules to locate a Merchant Outlet in the registered countries
●
Use a unique BIN for MMAP Transactions
●
Process all International Transactions and Domestic Transactions through VisaNet
●
Ensure that at least 90% of its monthly MMAP Transaction volume in each country takes place in a
Card-Absent Environment
PSR-292 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Settle all qualifying Transactions through the National Net Settlement Service, except if the
currency of the Merchant Outlet country is a Settlement Currency
1
Merchant Outlet locations must be in the AP Region, CanadaRegion, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, or US Region.
ID# 0029458 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.2.1.8 Additional Merchant Agreement Requirements
In addition to the requirements in Section 1.5.2.1, “Merchant Agreement Requirements,” a Merchant
Agreement must comply withall of the following:
●
For International Airline Program participants, all of the following:
– List the countries from which the Acquirer will accept Transactions
– Specify Authorization support procedures for each country
– Require the Airline to comply with all laws and regulations, and Visa Rules, applicable to each
Merchant Outlet and Merchant country
●
For Multinational Merchant Acceptance Program participants, both:
– List the countries from which the Acquirer will accept Transactions
– Require the Merchant to comply with all laws, regulations, and Visa Rules, applicable to each of
its Merchant Outlets and Merchant Outlet country
●
In the Canada Region, both:
– Specify if the Merchant has elected to be a Visa Debit Acceptor and identify Card acceptance-
related fees associated with Visa Debit Category Acceptance
– For an existing Merchant Agreement that is renewed, or if the Merchant indicates to its
Acquirer that it wants to accept Visa Debit Category Cards, be revised to include the
Merchant’s option to be a Visa Debit Acceptor and identify all Card acceptance-related fees
●
In the Europe Region, all of the following:
– Specify that the Merchant must not misrepresent itself as being a Member
– Include all information required under applicable data protection legislation, including, but not
limited to, the following:
▪ The identity of the Acquirer
▪ The purposes of the processing for which any personal data is intended
▪ The recipients of the personal data, such as:
▪ Member’s subsidiaries and/or group of companies, agents, and employees
▪ Visa, its employees, and its third-party subcontractors and their employees
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-293
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Acquirer Responsibilities Related to Merchants
▪ Such other entities to which it may be reasonably necessary to disclose and transfer
personal data (for example: credit reference agencies, law enforcement agencies, anti-
terrorism or organized crime agencies, fraud monitoring agencies, central banks)
▪ Any other entities as otherwise required or permitted by applicable laws or regulations
▪ That the transfer and disclosure of personal data may take place worldwide
▪ Any other information necessary to guarantee fair processing of personal data under
applicable laws or regulations, including without limitation:
▪ That aggregated, anonymized data may be created based on personal data
▪ That data may be used and/or shared where deemed applicable with third parties for:
▪ Billing purposes
▪ Product enablement and build
▪ Testing or product improvement purposes
▪ To reply to requests from public authorities
▪ That data subjects are not identifiable from this data
▪ The categories of personal data processed, whenever considered necessary or
convenient by the Member
▪ A contact point for data protection enquiries
– Notify the Merchant that Merchant Service Charge (MSC) pricing on a MIF Plus Plus basis is
available for Transactions completed with a consumer credit Card or consumer debit Card and
specify the amount of any administrative fee charged by the Acquirer for this service
– Specify the amount of the MSC, Interchange Reimbursement Fees, and scheme fees applicable
for each Product Category, unless the Merchant requests in writing that the pricing information
be provided in a different format.
– For an Electronic Commerce Transaction processed using Verified by Visa, include the Issueror
Visa-provided Cardholder Authentication Verification Value in an Authorization Request
– Specify that the Merchant must undertake PIN Entry Device asset management on a regular
basis, including all of the following:
▪ Recording all stock and serial numbers of each PIN Entry Device
▪ Recording the location of each PIN Entry Device
▪ Undertaking basic electronic and physical identification, and authentication of each PIN
Entry Device
●
In the US Region, all of the following:
– Clearly distinguish fees associated with Transactions from fees associated with non-Visa
transactions
– Clearly and obviously specify all of the following:
PSR-294 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
▪ The Acquirer's name and location
▪ The terms of payment to the Merchant
▪ The Acquirer's responsibilities, if an Agent is a party to the Merchant Agreement
– Provide for the immediate termination of a Merchant for any significant circumstances that
create harm or loss of goodwill to the Visa system
– Include all of the following:
▪ Prohibition against the Merchant depositing a Transaction that it knows or should have
known to be either fraudulent or not authorized by the Cardholder
▪ Statement that the Merchant is responsible for its employees' actions
▪ Transaction Deposit restrictions
▪ Transaction processing prohibitions
▪ Prohibition against a Merchant depositing a Transaction that does not result from an act
between the Cardholder and the Merchant or the Cardholder and a Sponsored Merchant
(laundering)
▪ Disclosure of account or Visa Transaction Information prohibitions
▪ A requirement that the Merchant and its Agents comply with the provisions of the Account
Information Security Program
▪ Merchant responsibility for demonstrating compliance by its Agents with the requirements
of the Account Information Security Program
▪ A requirement that the Merchant, if undergoing a forensic investigation at the time the
Merchant Agreement is signed, fully cooperate with the investigation until completed
▪ Requirements in Section 5.2.1.15, “Merchant Agreement Specification of Limited
Acceptance Options – US Region”
– Remain on file at the Acquirer's place of business
– Not be assigned or transferred to another Member without the agreement of the Acquirer
– If used by an Agent, be reviewed by the Acquirer
ID# 0028044 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.2.1.9 Merchant Agreement Disclosure Requirements and Cancellation Rights –
Canada Region
In the Canada Region, where an Acquirer uses one or more service providers and where a Merchant
is required to enter into more than one agreement with the Acquirer and such service provider(s) in
connection with its payment acceptance services:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-295
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Acquirer Responsibilities Related to Merchants
●
The Acquirer must provide written disclosure of the following information in a consolidated
fashion, before entering into a Merchant Agreement:
– The name, coordinates, and contact information of each service provider and the nature of the
services being provided by each
– The effective date of each agreement
– Information on the expiration and renewal for each agreement
– Detailed information on any applicable fees and rates for each service provider
– Information on how statements will be provided to Merchants
– The cancellation terms of each service provider's agreement, including specific information on
any cancellation fees that could apply
– If point-of-sale services are offered to a Merchant, general information on buying, leasing, or
renting options of point-of-sale hardware
– The complaint-handling process for each service provider, including how a Merchant can
contact the complaints department of each
●
The Acquirer must ensure that the Merchant is provided with a copy of the agreed-upon terms for
each agreement.
●
Except where a Merchant, on its own initiative, enters into separate agreements with unrelated
service provider or service providerswhich are unrelated to the Acquirer, a Merchant must be
permitted to cancel all related agreements without penalty, following notification of any new or
increased fees by the Acquirer and/or service provider, in accordance with the Code of Conduct for
the Credit and Debit Industry.
ID# 0027722 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
5.2.1.10 Provision of Merchant Invoices – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer must provide an invoice to its Merchant for MIFs showing all of the
following for the invoice period:
●
The total number of Transactions processed by the Merchant
●
The total value of Transactions processed by the Merchant
●
The MIFs assessed to the Merchant which, unless the Merchant has chosen blended pricing, must
be broken down by the following Card types:
– Credit Card and Deferred Debit Card
– Direct (Immediate) Debit Card
– Visa Electron Card
– V PAY Card
PSR-296 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
– Visa Commercial Card
ID# 0029650 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.2.1.11 Communication of Interchange Reimbursement Fee (IRF) Rates – Europe
Region
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer must inform its Merchant of the availability of Interchange
Reimbursement Fee rates, including for intra-European Economic Area (EEA) Transactions and
Domestic Transactionswithin the EEA.
ID# 0029651 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.2.1.12 Notifying Merchants of Card Acceptance Options – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer must inform its Merchant that the Merchant may contract with the
Acquirer to accept any of the following:
●
Visa Card
●
Visa Electron Card
●
V PAY Card
●
A competing card of another payment scheme
ID# 0029647 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.2.1.13 Requirement to Certify for Visa Commercial Card Acceptance – Europe
Region
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer that plans to contract with Merchants to accept and process Visa
Commercial Card Transactions must certify with Visa.
ID# 0029648 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.2.1.14 Merchant Use of a Third-Party Processor – US Region
In the US Region, a Merchant Agreement must permit a Merchant to designate a third-party
processorthat does not have a direct agreement with the Merchant’s Acquirer as its agent for the
direct delivery of Transactions to VisaNet for Clearing and Settlement. The Merchant must:
●
Advise the Acquirer that it will use a third-party processor
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-297
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Acquirer Responsibilities Related to Merchants
●
Agree that the Acquirer must reimburse the Merchant only for the Visa Transactions delivered by
thatthird-party processorto VisaNet
●
Assume responsibility for any failure by its third-partyprocessorto comply with the Visa Rules
ID# 0003367 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.2.1.15 Merchant Agreement Specification of Limited Acceptance Options – US
Region
In the US Region, for each new Merchant, a Merchant Agreement must clearly both:
●
Specify the Limited Acceptance options and the Merchant's election, if any, of one of those options
●
Distinguish all Card acceptance-related fees, such as discount rates or other pricing methodology,
associated with each Limited Acceptance category
An existing Merchant Agreement must be revised to include the Limited Acceptance options and
distinguish all Card acceptance-related fees when either:
●
The existing Merchant Agreement is renewed.
●
The Merchant indicates to its Acquirer that it wants Limited Acceptance.
ID# 0008510 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.2.1.16 Merchant Category Code Assignment
An Acquirer must assign to a Merchant Outlet the MCC that most accurately describes its business.
An Acquirer must assign 2 or more MCCs to a Merchant Outlet if either:
●
The Merchant Outlet has deployed an Automated Fuel Dispenser and sells fuel or other goods or
services in a Face-to-Face Environment.
●
Separate lines of business are located at the same Merchant Outlet and one or more of the
following applies:
– A separate Merchant Agreement exists for each line of business.
– Multiple Merchant Outlets on the same premises display different Merchant names.
– One of the lines of business is designated by Visa to be a High-Brand Risk Merchant.
– An Electronic Commerce Merchant Outlet contains a link to a separate electronic commerce
website, and each website qualifies for a different MCC.
ID# 0003133 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
PSR-298 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
5.2.1.17 Merchant Name Assignment
The name used to identify a Merchant must be all of the following:
●
The name it primarily uses to identify itself to its customers
●
Displayed at each Merchant Outlet or on an Electronic Commerce Merchant's website
1
and/or
application
●
Used consistently, including spelling, in every place that it is used, including, but not limited to, the:
– Transaction Receipt provided to the Cardholder
– Authorization Request
–
Clearing Record
2
– Chargeback and Representment records
The Acquirer must correct non-compliant Merchant names or those causing Cardholder confusion.
1
For Electronic Commerce Transactions, the website address may be used, unless the website address is not directly related
to the Merchant name.
2
The Merchant name in the Clearing Record may differ from the Merchant name on the Transaction Receipt if abbreviations
are required or supplementary data is used.
ID# 0027816 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
5.2.1.18 Acquirer Processing of Visa Debit Category Transactions – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, an Acquirer must be able to process Visa Debit Category Transactions from any
Merchant with which the Acquirer has a Merchant Agreement.
ID# 0008078 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.2.2 Acquirer and Payment Facilitator Responsibilities Related to Deposit Accounts
5.2.2.1 Domiciled Institutions Requirements in Brazil – LAC Region
In the LAC Region, a Brazil Acquirer and a Brazil Payment Facilitator must both:
●
Allow the Merchant and the Sponsored Merchant to choose their Domiciled Institution
●
Ensure that the Domiciled Institution chosen by the Merchant and the Sponsored Merchant has a
direct contract with Visa
ID# 0029507 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-299
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Payment Facilitators, Staged Digital Wallet Operators, and Marketplaces
5.3 Payment Facilitators, Staged Digital Wallet Operators, and
Marketplaces
5.3.1 Acquirer Responsibilities and Liabilities in Payment Facilitator and Staged
Digital Wallet Operator Agreements
5.3.1.1 Required Content of Payment Facilitator Agreement or Staged Digital Wallet
Operator Agreement
The Acquirer must include all of the following in a Payment Facilitator Agreementor a Staged Digital
Wallet Operator (SDWO) agreement:
●
A requirement that the Payment Facilitatorand its Sponsored Merchants,or the SDWO comply
with the Visa Rules
●
A requirement that the Payment Facilitator enter into a contract with each Sponsored Merchant
●
The Acquirer's right to immediately terminate a Sponsored Merchant the Payment Facilitator, an
SDWO, or a retailer signed by an SDWO for good cause or fraudulent or other activity or upon Visa
request
●
Statements specifying that the Payment Facilitator or the SDWO:
– Is liable for all acts, omissions, Cardholder disputes, and other Cardholder customer service-
related issues caused by the Payment Facilitator's Sponsored Merchants, or the retailer signed
by an SDWO
– Is responsible and financially liable for each Transaction processed on behalf of the Sponsored
Merchant, or for any disputed Transaction or credit
– Must not transfer or attempt to transfer its financial liability by asking or requiring Cardholders
to waive their dispute rights
– Must not permit a Sponsored Merchant to transfer or attempt to transfer its financial liability
by asking or requiring Cardholders to waive their dispute rights
– Must not deposit Transactions on behalf of another Payment Facilitator
– Must not contract with a Sponsored Merchant, or a retailer in the case of an SDWO, whose
contract to accept Transactions was terminated at the direction of Visa or a government agency
– Must not deposit Transactions from Sponsored Merchants, or retailers signed by an SDWO
outside the Acquirer's jurisdiction
– Must provide the names of principals and their country of domicile for each of its Sponsored
Merchants,or retailers signed by an SDWO, and Transaction reports to its Acquirer and to Visa
upon request
PSR-300 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
– Must ensure that its Sponsored Merchants comply with thePayment Card Industry Data
Security Standard (PCI DSS) and the Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS)
ID# 0026431 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.3.1.2 Acquirer Liability for Payment Facilitators and Sponsored Merchants
A Sponsored Merchant will be treated as a Merchant of its Payment Facilitator's Acquirer.
An Acquirer that contracts with a Payment Facilitatoris liable for all acts, omissions, and other adverse
conditions caused by the Payment Facilitatorand its Sponsored Merchants, including, but not limited
to:
●
Related legal costs
●
Settlement to the Payment Facilitatoror Sponsored Merchant
The acts and omissions caused by a Sponsored Merchant will be treated as those of the Payment
Facilitatorand those caused by a Payment Facilitatoror a Sponsored Merchant as those of the
Acquirer.
ID# 0006574 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.3.1.3 Acquirer Responsibilities Regarding Payment Facilitators
If an Acquirer contracts with a Payment Facilitator, it must comply with all of the following:
●
Be in good standing in all Visa risk management programs
●
Be financially sound (as determined by Visa)
●
Meet a minimum equity requirement
●
Ensure that its registration of its Payment Facilitator, including the name the Payment Facilitator
uses to identify itself in the Merchant name field and the attestation of due diligence review,
is confirmed by Visa before submitting Transactions on behalf of the Payment Facilitator or
its Sponsored Merchant. If the Payment Facilitator is considered to be high-brand risk, it must
be registered as a High-Risk Internet PaymentFacilitator even if that Payment Facilitator has
previously been registered with Visa.
1
●
Effective 13 October 2018
Do all of the following:
–
Obtain from Visa a unique Payment Facilitator identifier
3
that must be assigned by the Acquirer
to each Payment Facilitator to use in Transaction processing
–
Assign a unique Sponsored Merchant identifier
3
, as determined by the Acquirer, to each
Sponsored Merchant
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-301
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Payment Facilitators, Staged Digital Wallet Operators, and Marketplaces
–
Ensure that every Transaction contains the Payment Facilitator identifier
3
and the Sponsored
Merchant identifier
●
If the Payment Facilitator's annual Visa volume in the Acquirer's jurisdiction exceeds USD 50
million, either:
– Meet a minimum equity requirement
– Enter into a direct Merchant Agreement with, and fund, each of the Payment Facilitator's
Sponsored Merchants
1,4
●
Enter into a direct Merchant Agreement with a Sponsored Merchant that exceeds USD 100,000
5
in
annual Transaction volume, as follows:
1,4
– For Sponsored Merchants new to the Payment Facilitator, before processing any Transactions
– For Sponsored Merchants with existing contracts with the Payment Facilitator, the earlier of
either:
▪ The renewal of the Sponsored Merchant agreement with the Payment Facilitator
▪
2 years after annual Visa volume exceeds USD 100,000
5
The Payment Facilitator may continue to provide payment services (including settlement) to the
Merchant.
●
Not allow its Payment Facilitatorto provide payment services to the following merchant types:
1,4
– Internet pharmacies
– Internet pharmacy referral sites
– Outbound telemarketers
●
Upon Visa request, submit to Visa activity reporting on its Payment Facilitator'sSponsored
Merchants that includes all of the following for each Sponsored Merchant:
– Sponsored Merchant name as it appears in the Merchant name field
– Sponsored Merchant DBA name
– Payment Facilitator name
– Monthly Transaction count and amount
– Monthly Chargeback count and amount
●
Ensure that its Sponsored Merchants and the Sponsored Merchants of its Payment Facilitators
follow all Merchant-related rules
●
Ensure that its Payment Facilitators provide customer service directly or through its Sponsored
Merchants
●
In addition, in the Europe Region, all of the following:
PSR-302 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
– Include in its contract with the Payment Facilitator a clear statement of both the jurisdiction
within which the Payment Facilitator may contract with Sponsored Merchants and the
category(ies) of Sponsored Merchants with which it may contract
– Ensure that its Payment Facilitators have access to the results of any positive matches on the
Visa Merchant Alert Service
– When a Cardholder can access a Payment Facilitator’s website and/or application directly,
ensure that its Payment Facilitator both:
▪ Provides customer service and after-sales support, either directly or via its Sponsored
Merchants, in all languages in which services are offered
▪ Clearly display customer service contact information or trading office contact information
on its websiteand/or application
1
This does not apply to Acquirers in the Europe Region.
2
Visa may waive this requirement in exchange for assurance and evidence of the imposition of risk controls and
requirements satisfactory to Visa. Such controls and requirements may include, but are not limited to, the pledging of
additional collateral.
3
An Acquirer in Brazil must send the tax identification and Merchant legal name if it has obtained the Payment Facilitator's
consent to do so. If not, the Acquirer must send the Payment Facilitator identifier and the Sponsored Merchant identifier.
4
This does not apply to Acquirers in Brazil.
5
In the Canada Region and US Region, USD 1 million
ID# 0026435 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.3.1.4 Acquirer Liability for Merchant Deposits – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, an Acquirer that accepts a Deposit from a Merchant with which it does not have
a signed Merchant Agreement is liable for the Deposit as if it had a valid Merchant Agreement with
the Merchant.
ID# 0005349 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.3.1.5 Acquirer Liability for Settlement – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, if the business of a Payment Facilitator fails, its Acquirer is liable for ensuring
Settlement with the Sponsored Merchants of the Payment Facilitator.
ID# 0029653 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-303
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Payment Facilitators, Staged Digital Wallet Operators, and Marketplaces
5.3.2 Payment Facilitator, Staged Digital Wallet Operator, and Marketplace
Responsibilities and Requirements
5.3.2.1 Assignment of Payment Facilitator, Staged Digital Wallet Operator, or
Marketplace Location
An Acquirer must assign the correct location of its Payment Facilitator as the country of the Payment
Facilitator’s Principal Place of Business.
An Acquirer may assign an additional Payment Facilitator locationif all of the following occur in each
country:
1,2
●
Cardholder correspondence and judicial process are sent by/delivered to the Payment Facilitator.
●
The Payment Facilitator assesses taxes on its provision of Card acceptance services to Sponsored
Merchants.
●
The Payment Facilitator maintains a bank account into which proceeds from the provision of the
Payment Facilitator’s services to Sponsored Merchantsare paid.
●
The Payment Facilitator is subject to local laws and regulations.
●
In addition, in the Europe Region, the Payment Facilitator has a business license to operate in the
country.
An Acquirer must assign the correct location of a Staged Digital Wallet Operator (SDWO) as the
country of the SDWO’s Principal Place of Business.
An Acquirer may assign an additional SDWO location
1,2
if all of the following occur in each country:
●
The SDWO has a permanent location at which it manages the activities associated with the Staged
Digital Wallet.
●
The SDWO pays taxes related to revenue earned from the provision of the wallet services to
Cardholders and acceptance services to retailers signed by the SDWO, if the country levies such
taxes.
●
The SDWO maintains a bank account into which is paid revenue earned from the provision of the
SDWO’s services to Cardholders and retailers.
●
The SDWO is subject to local laws and regulations.
●
In the Europe Region, the SDWO has appropriate approvals in place to do business in the country
where its retailers receive payments from the SDWO, as required by applicable laws or regulations.
Effective 14 October 2017
An Acquirer must assign the correct location of its Marketplace as the country of the
Marketplace’s Principal Place of Business.
PSR-304 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
An Acquirer may assign additional Marketplace locations if the Transaction is one of the
following:
Table 5-1: Allowed Additional Marketplace Locations
Transaction Additional Marketplace location may be:
Airline, Cruise Line, passenger
railway, or other travel
The country from which the first leg of the purchased travel originates
Lodging The country in which the Cardholder's stay occurs
Car rental, taxi, or ride service The country in which the Cardholder rents the car or the journey originates
All other
The country where all of the following occur:
2
●
The Marketplace has a permanent location at which its employees or
agents conduct the business activity and operations directly related to
providing Marketplace services to retailers and Cardholders.
●
The Marketplace pays applicable taxes.
●
The address for correspondence and judicial process is in that country.
Visa reserves the right to determine the location of a Marketplace.
1
The Payment Facilitator or SDWO must contract with an Acquirer in each country and sign applicable Merchant Agreements
with Sponsored Merchants or retailers, as applicable.
2
An exception applies to Payment Facilitator and SDWO locations within the Europe Region, and to Marketplace locations
within the European Economic Area, as specified in the Visa Merchant Data Standards Manual.
ID# 0029139 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.3.2.2 Payment Facilitator Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Payment Facilitator must:
●
Not contract with another Payment Facilitator to provide or receive online payment services
●
Display the appropriate Visa Marks to indicate which Cards are accepted for payment on its
Sponsored Merchants' websites
●
Report Sponsored Merchant and Transaction Information to its Acquirer and, upon request, to Visa
●
Use the appropriate Merchant Category Code or other required indicators to identify Merchant or
Transaction type
●
Immediately terminate its agreement with a Sponsored Merchant if required by its Acquirer or by
Visa
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-305
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Payment Facilitators, Staged Digital Wallet Operators, and Marketplaces
●
Not permit a Merchant to act as a Sponsored Merchant, where that Merchant’s Merchant
Agreement has been terminated by an Acquirer or Visa
ID# 0029652 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.3.2.3 Qualification as a Merchant or a Payment Facilitator
An entity that deposits a Transaction, receives settlement from, or contracts with an Acquirer on behalf
of a Merchant is classified as a Merchant if all of the following apply:
●
The entity represents itself as selling the goods or services to the Cardholder.
●
The entity uses its name primarily to identify its Merchant Outlet to the Cardholder.
●
The entity provides recourse to the Cardholder in the event of a dispute.
Otherwise, the entity is classified as a Payment Facilitator, or, upon written approval from Visa, a
Marketplace
1
.
Visa reserves the right to determine whether an entity is a Payment Facilitator, a Marketplace,
1
or a
Merchant and may use additional criteria including, but not limited to, the entity's name that appears
on the Transaction Receipt and the entity that:
●
Owns or takes possession of the goods or services
●
Books the sale as revenue
●
Provides customer service and handles returns
1
Effective 14 October 2017
ID# 0030076 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
5.3.3 Acquirer Responsibility for Staged Digital Wallet Operators
5.3.3.1 Staged Digital Wallet Operator Requirements
An Acquirer that contracts with a Staged Digital Wallet Operator (SDWO) must comply with all of the
following:
●
Be in good standing in all Visa risk management programs
●
Meet a minimum equity requirement of USD 100 million (USD 500 million if the SDWO’s annual
Transaction volume exceeds USD 50 million)
1
●
Register the SDWO as a Third Party Agent with Visa
PSR-306 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
If the wallet can be used at a High-Brand Risk Merchant, register the SDWO with Visa as a High-
Brand Risk Merchant with the appropriate MCC
●
Obtain a Merchant Verification Value (MVV) for each SDWO
2
●
Process the Transaction as a Card-Absent Environment Transaction
●
Use the appropriate business application identifier in all Transaction messages
●
Ensure that the SDWO complies with all of the following:
– At the time of loading the Cardholder information in the Staged Digital Wallet, obtains either
written or electronic Cardholder consent to all of the following:
▪ Use of the stored account information to initiate Transactions
▪ The purpose for which the Cardholder's information will be used
▪ The expiration date of the agreement, if applicable
– Does not assign to a Cardholder an Account Number or an account number of a non-
Visageneral-purpose payment network
– Is located in the same country as the retailer that receives payment from the SDWO. This
does not apply in the Europe Region, where the SDWO and the retailer that receives payment
from the SDWO may be located in the Europe Region, if the SDWO and the retailer have the
necessary approvals to do business in the country where the retailer is located.
– Has an acceptance contract with the retailer and conducts appropriate due diligence
– Does not contract with a Payment Facilitator or another SDWO to process Transactions
– Effective 14 April 2018
Displays on the payment screen and all screens that show Account information both:
▪ The last 4 digits of the Account Number or Token
▪ The Visa Brand Mark or the name “Visa” in text immediately next to a Visa payment option
●
Ensure that all Transactions using a Staged Digital Wallet comply with Table 5-2, “Staged Digital
Wallet Transaction Processing Requirements”
Table 5-2: Staged Digital Wallet Transaction Processing Requirements
Use
4
MCC Transaction
Indicator
Merchant
Outlet
Location
Merchant Name
Funding the wallet
before the Cardholder
makes the purchase
5
Any of the following:
●
MVV
2
●
Business
application
indicator of WT
3
●
AFT Indicator
The
country
where the
SDWO is
located
Name of DWO
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-307
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Payment Facilitators, Staged Digital Wallet Operators, and Marketplaces
Use
4
MCC Transaction
Indicator
Merchant
Outlet
Location
Merchant Name
●
For account
funding, MCC
6051 (Non-
Financial
Institutions –
Foreign Currency,
Money Orders
[not Wire
Transfer], Stored
Value Card/
Load, Travelers
Cheques, and
Debt Repayment)
●
If the funds will
be used for a
High-Brand Risk
Transaction, the
applicable High-
Brand Risk MCC
●
If the funds
are used for
a gambling
Transaction,
the applicable
gambling MCC
●
Appropriate
Card-Absent
Environment
indicator or
Electronic
Commerce
Indicator
Purchase with back-
to-back funding,
where the funding
Transaction is initiated
by the SDWO and
corresponds to, or
is otherwise directly
connected to, a
specific purchase. An
Acquirer must comply
with these processing
requirements whether
the Transaction
represents the whole
or only a part of the
Transaction.
5
MCC that describes
the primary business
of the retailer
●
MVV
2
●
Business
application
indicator of WT
3
●
Appropriate
Card-Absent
Environment
indicator or
Electronic
Commerce
Indicator
The
country
where the
retailer is
located
Name of DWO
*name of retailer
PSR-308 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
1
Visa may waive this requirement in exchange for assurance and evidence of the imposition of risk controls and
requirements satisfactory to Visa. Such controls and requirements may include, but are not limited to, the pledging of
additional collateral.
2
Effective 14 October 2017
For the Europe Region
3
Effective 14 April 2018
For the Europe Region
4
Visa retains the right to determine permitted Transaction types.
5
If there is a mixed source of funding, for example: when a Cardholder uses a wallet that is partially funded before the
Cardholder makes the purchase and partially funded as a back-to-back purchase, each portion must adhere to the rules for
the respective Transaction type.
ID# 0029535 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.3.4 Acquirer Responsibility for Marketplaces
5.3.4.1 Marketplace Qualification Requirements
Effective 14 October 2017
To qualify as a Marketplace, an entity mustcomply with all of the following:
●
Bring together Cardholders and retailers on an electronic commerce website or mobile
application
●
Ensure that its name or brand is:
– Displayed prominently on the website or mobile application
– Displayed more prominently than the name and brands of retailers using the Marketplace
– Part of the mobile application name or URL
●
Handle payments for sales and refunds on behalf of the retailers that sell goods and services
through the Marketplace, and receive settlement for Transactions on their behalf
●
Be financially liable for Chargebacks and resolve disputes between Cardholders and retailers
by providing either:
– A decision that binds both Cardholder and retailer
– A money-back guarantee funded by the Marketplace
●
Ensure that no retailer exceeds both:
– USD 10 million in annual Visa volume through the Marketplace
– 10% of the Marketplace’s annual Visa volume
The following Merchant types are not eligible to be Marketplaces or retailers using a Marketplace:
●
Franchises
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-309
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Payment Facilitators, Staged Digital Wallet Operators, and Marketplaces
●
Travel agents
●
High-Brand Risk Merchants
ID# 0030069 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
5.3.4.2 Required Additional Content of Marketplace Agreement
Effective 14 October 2017
In addition to the required content of a Merchant Agreement, an Acquirer must include all of the
following in a Marketplace agreement:
●
A requirement that the Marketplace and its retailers comply with the Visa Rules
●
A requirement that the Marketplace enter into a contract with each retailer before it deposits
Transactions on the retailer’s behalf
●
The Acquirer’s right to prohibit individual retailers from participating in the Visa system and
to immediately stop depositing Transactions for any individual retailer for good cause or upon
Visa request
●
Statements specifying that the Marketplace:
– Is permitted to process Transactions for retailers located in a different country to
the Marketplace, and must ensure that Transactions are legal in the country of the
Marketplace and of the retailer
– Is liable for all acts, omissions, Cardholder disputes, and other Cardholder customer
service-related issues caused by the Marketplace’s retailers
– Is responsible and financially liable for each Transaction processed on behalf of a retailer
– Must not transfer or attempt to transfer, or permit the retailer to transfer or attempt to
transfer, its financial liability by asking or requiring Cardholders to waive their dispute
rights
– Must deposit Transactions only on behalf of retailers of goods and services that use the
Marketplace’s website or application
– Must not knowingly contract with a retailer whose contract to accept Transactions was
terminated at the direction of Visa or a government agency
ID# 0030070 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
PSR-310 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
5.3.4.3 Acquirer Liability for Marketplaces
Effective 14 October 2017
An Acquirer that contracts with a Marketplace is liable for all acts, omissions, and other adverse
conditions caused by the Marketplace and its retailers, including, but not limited to:
●
Related legal costs
●
Settlement to the Marketplace or retailer
The acts and omissions of a retailer will be treated as those of the Marketplace, and the Acquirer
is fully liable for any losses to Visa, its Members, or other stakeholders caused by a Marketplace
or its retailers.
ID# 0030071 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
5.3.4.4 Marketplace Acquirer Requirements
Effective 14 October 2017
An Acquirer that contracts with a Marketplace must comply with all of the following:
●
Be in good standing in all Visa risk management programs
●
Meet a minimum equity requirement of USD 100 million (USD 500 million if the Marketplace’s
annual Visa volume exceeds USD 50 million)
1
●
Register the Marketplace as a Third Party Agent with Visa
●
Obtain written confirmation from Visa that the entity qualifies as a Marketplace
●
Ensure that adequate due diligence is applied to retailers using a Marketplace and that risk
management controls are in place to do all of the following:
– Prevent Transactions that are illegal in the location of the Marketplace, the location of its
retailers, or the location of the Cardholder
– Prevent the sale of counterfeit products or goods that infringe intellectual property
– Provide a process to investigate and remediate rights-holder complaints
– Ensure that the Marketplace and its retailers are not engaged in any activity that could
cause harm to the Visa brand
– Ensure compliance with all laws, regulations, requirements, and Visa Rules relating to anti-
money laundering and anti-terrorist funding
●
Ensure that the Marketplace complies with all Visa Rules relating to Merchants unless
otherwise stated or unless the rule is inconsistent with a rule specific to Marketplaces
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-311
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Payment Facilitators, Staged Digital Wallet Operators, and Marketplaces
●
Effective 13 October 2018
For Marketplaces with annual Visa volume of USD 5 million or more, or at the direction of
Visa, do all of the following:
–
Obtain from Visa a unique Marketplace identifier
2
–
Assign to each retailer a unique identifier
2
–
Include the Marketplace identifier and the retailer identifier in all Transaction messages
2
1
Visa may waive this requirement in exchange for assurance and evidence of the imposition of risk controls and
requirements satisfactory to Visa. Such controls and requirements may include, but are not limited to, the pledging of
additional collateral.
2
An Acquirer in Brazil must send the tax identification and Merchant legal name if it has obtained the Marketplace’s consent
to do so. If not, the Acquirer must send the Marketplace identifier and the retailer identifier.
ID# 0030072 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
5.3.4.5 Reporting Requirements for Acquirers of Marketplaces
Effective 14 October 2017
An Acquirer that contracts with a Marketplace must recertify annually that information provided
to obtain written approval from Visa remains materially unchanged, and inform Visa immediately
if there is a material change in the information provided to obtain approval from Visa to treat
the entity as a Marketplace. Visa approval is withdrawn if the Acquirer fails to comply with this
requirement.
If 10% or more of a Marketplace’s total Transaction volume is initiated by retailers in a different
country to the Marketplace, or upon Visa request, the Acquirer must report quarterly to Visa
both:
●
Total Marketplace Transaction value
●
Total Marketplace Transaction value generated by retailers in a different country to the
Marketplace
ID# 0030073 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
PSR-312 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
5.4 Merchant and Cardholder Interaction
5.4.1 Honoring Cards
5.4.1.1 Acceptance of Visa Cards Issued by Non-Canada Issuers – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, a Merchant that accepts Visa Cards must accept any valid Visa Card issued by a
non-Canada Issuer, as specified in the Visa Rules.
ID# 0008384 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.4.2 Conditions of Card Acceptance and Cardholder Rights
5.4.2.1 Visa payWave Transaction Requirement in Australia – AP Region
A Merchant or an Acquirer must not override a Cardholder's choice to access the credit account on
a Visa credit Card with multiple contactless Payment Applications used at a Contactless Acceptance
Device.
ID# 0028916 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.4.2.2 Maximum Transaction Amount – US Region and US Territories
In the US Region or a US Territory, a Merchant must not establish a maximum Transaction amount as a
condition for honoring a Visa Card, except for a Transaction conducted with a Visa credit Card issued
in the US Region or a US Territory.
Only the following Merchants may establish a maximum Transaction amount for the Card type
specified above:
●
An agency of the US federal government
●
A Merchant assigned one of the following MCCs:
– 8220 (Colleges, Universities, Professional Schools, and Junior Colleges)
– 8244 (Business and Secretarial Schools)
– 8249 (Trade and Vocational Schools)
Any maximum Transaction amount imposed must not be discriminatory between Issuers or between
Visa and another payment network.
ID# 0026411 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-313
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Merchant and Cardholder Interaction
5.4.2.3 Minimum Transaction Amount – US Region and US Territories
In the US Region or a US Territory, a Merchant must not establish a minimum Transaction amount as a
condition for honoring a Visa Card, except for a Transaction conducted with a Visa credit Card issued
in the US Region or a US Territory.
The minimum Transaction amount must not be greater than USD 10 and must not be discriminatory
between Issuers or between Visa and another payment network.
ID# 0026410 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.4.2.4 Disclosure to Cardholders of Return, Refund, and Cancellation Policies
A Merchant must disclose to a Cardholder its return, refund, and cancellation policies, as follows:
Table 5-3: Proper Disclosure of Return, Refund, and CancellationPolicies
Policy Required Disclosure Location of Disclosure
Merchant does not:
●
Accept merchandise as a
return or exchange
●
Issue a refund to a
Cardholder
"No Refund"
"No Exchanges"
"All Sales Final"
Merchant accepts
merchandise in exchange for
merchandise of equal value
to the original Transaction
amount
"Exchange Only"
Merchant accepts
merchandise in exchange for
an in-store credit document
that both:
●
Equals the value of the
returned merchandise
●
Must be used at the
Merchant location
"In-Store Credit Only"
Transaction Receipt (all copies, near the
Cardholder signature area or in an area easily
seen by the Cardholder)
If the disclosure is on the back of a Transaction
Receipt or in a separate contract, it must be
accompanied by a space for the Cardholder's
signature or initials.
In the Europe Region, on the screen of a UCAT
used to conduct gambling Transactions
All return/refund policies and
other purchase terms and
conditions of an Electronic
Commerce Merchant
Full return and refund policies Merchant website or application, both:
●
Either of the following:
– In the sequence of pages before final
checkout, a "click to accept" or other
acknowledgement button, checkbox,
or location for an Electronic Signature
PSR-314 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Policy Required Disclosure Location of Disclosure
– On the checkout screen near the
"submit" button
●
Not solely a link to a separate page
1
Cancellation policy and other
terms and conditions for
Guaranteed Reservations
All of the following:
●
That the Merchant agrees
to hold the reservation
unless it is cancelled
according to the agreed
cancellation policy
●
The date and time the
stay or rental will begin
●
The Merchant
location where the
accommodations,
merchandise, or services
will be provided
●
Cancellation policy,
including, but not limited
to, the following:
– Date and time by
which the Cardholder
must cancel the
reservation to avoid a
penalty
– Amount the
Cardholder must pay
if the reservation is
not properly cancelled
by the deadline
and the Cardholder
does not claim the
accommodations,
merchandise, or
services within 24
hours of the agreed
time
Either or both:
●
Merchant website or application, both:
– One or more of the following:
▪ In the sequence of pages before
final checkout, a "click to accept"
or other acknowledgement button,
checkbox, or location for an
Electronic Signature
▪ On the checkout screen near the
"submit" button
▪ A "click to book" or other similar
confirmation button
–
Not solely a link to a separate page
1
●
Written notice provided through mail,
email, or text message
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-315
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Merchant and Cardholder Interaction
Policy Required Disclosure Location of Disclosure
●
That, if the Merchant
cannot honor the
reservation, the Merchant
will provide the agreed
accommodations,
merchandise, or
services, or comparable
accommodations,
merchandise, or services
at no additional cost
to the Cardholder or as
agreed by the Cardholder
Cancellation policy and other
terms and conditions for all
other Transactions
Full cancellation policy One or more of the following:
●
Merchant website or application, both:
– One or more of the following:
▪ In the sequence of pages before
final checkout, a "click to accept"
or other acknowledgement button,
checkbox, or location for an
Electronic Signature
▪ On the checkout screen near the
"submit" button
▪ A "click to book" or other similar
confirmation button
–
Not solely a link to a separate page
1
●
Written notice provided through mail,
email, or text message
●
Transaction Receipt (all copies, near the
Cardholder signature area or in an area
easily seen by the Cardholder). If the
disclosure is on the back of the Transaction
Receipt or in a separate contract, it must
be accompanied by a space for the
Cardholder's signature or initials.
●
In the Europe Region, on the screen
of a UCAT used to conduct gambling
Transactions
1
In the Europe Region, this may be a link to another website only if the link forms part of the “click to accept”
acknowledgement and refers to the cancellation policy.
PSR-316 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
The Merchant must not require a Cardholder to waive the right to dispute the Transaction with the
Issuer.
ID# 0008771 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
5.4.2.5 Prohibition against Requiring Cardholder or Account Data – US Region
In the US Region, a Merchant or its agentmust not:
●
Require a Cardholder to complete a postcard or similar device that includes any of the following in
plain view when mailed:
– Cardholder's Account Number
– Card expiration date
– Signature
– Any other Card account data
●
Request the Card Verification Value 2 data on any paper Order Form
ID# 0006960 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.4.3 Merchant Use of Cardholder Account Information
5.4.3.1 Merchant Use of Account Number, Cardholder Signature, Card Verification
Value 2 (CVV2), or Stored Credential
A Merchant must comply with all of the following:
●
Not request or use an Account Number for any purpose that is not related to payment for goods
and services,except as specified in Section 5.4.3.2, “Use of Visa Account Information for Service
Access.”
●
Store and reproduce the signature only for the Transaction for which the signature was obtained
●
Reproduce the signature only upon specific written request from the Acquirer or in response to a
Retrieval Request
●
In the Europe Region, not request a Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2) from the Cardholder on a
paper order form or any other written form
●
Effective 14 October 2017
Use a Stored Credential only as agreed with the Cardholder
●
Effective through 13 April 2018
In the APRegion, CanadaRegion, CEMEARegion, Europe Region, and LAC Region, not request a
Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2) from the Cardholder for a Card-Present Environment Transaction
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-317
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Merchant and Cardholder Interaction
●
Effective 14 April 2018
Not request a Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2) from the Cardholder for a Card-Present
Environment Transaction
1
●
Effective 14 April 2018
Display on the payment screen and all screens that show Account information both:
– The last 4 digits of the Account Number or Token
– The Visa Brand Mark or the name "Visa" in text immediately next to a Visa payment option
1
In the US Region, does not apply to a Magnetic Stripe-read Fallback Transaction if an agreement is in place between the
Acquirer and the Issuer.
ID# 0008585 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.4.3.2 Use of Visa Account Information for Service Access
AMerchant may use an Account Number for the purpose of providing access to a service only if
either:
●
The service was purchased using that Account Number.
●
The Card is a Visa Prepaid Card and the service was purchased with cash at a Merchant assigned
one of the following MCCs:
1
– 4111 (Local and Suburban Commuter Passenger Transportation, Including Ferries)
– 4112 (Passenger Railways)
– 4131 (Bus Lines)
A Merchant's use of Visa account information to provide access to a service must be limited to the
generation of a secure, irreversible, and unique Access Token both:
●
At the time the service is purchased
●
At the point of access to verify the Access Token
At the time of purchase, the Merchant must disclose to the Cardholder any restrictions, additional
conditions, or customer service policies that may be relevant to the Cardholder's ability to access the
service purchased.
1
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
ID# 0027232 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.4.3.3 Access Token Restrictions
A Merchant that uses Visa account information to generate an Access Token must not:
PSR-318 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Require a Cardholder to perform any Cardholder Verification or present identification in order to
accept the Visa account information as a means to access the service
●
Use the Visa account information, instead of an Access Token, to verify eligibility at the point of
access
●
Transmit Visa account information except as required for processing an associated Visa Transaction
●
Store the Visa account information at the point of access
●
Use Visa-Owned Marks at the point of access, unless the point of access is also a Point-of-
Transaction
●
Use or store Visa account information for any purpose other than to generate an Access Token
ID# 0027233 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.4.3.4 Reusing Redemption Credentials – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, if an Account Number is used to access previously purchased goods and/or
services more than once using the same redemption credentials each time, the Merchant must:
●
Permit the transfer of a Card’s purchase record to another Card for a legitimate reason (for
example: the Card was lost or stolen)
●
Submit an Account Verification of the Card to which the purchase record is being transferred,
whenever a Card’s purchase record is transferred to another Card
ID# 0029682 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.5 Merchant Verification of Card and Cardholder
5.5.1 Card and Cardholder Validation
5.5.1.1 Card and Cardholder Validation in a Face-to-Face Environment
An Acquirer or a Merchant must validate a Card and Cardholder in a Face-to-Face Environment, as
follows:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-319
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Merchant Verification of Card and Cardholder
Table 5-4: Card and Cardholder Validation in a Face-to-Face Environment
Description Manual
Cash
Disbursements
1
and Quasi-
Cash
Transactions
2
All Other
Face-to-Face
Transactions
Check one or more Card security features (for example: hologram) X X
If the Card bears a photograph intended for identification:
●
Verify that the Cardholder resembles the person depicted in the
photograph
●
Note on the Transaction Receipt that the Cardholder's identity was
verified by the photograph on the Card (for example: "photo card
presented")
If the Card does not bear a photograph intended for identification:
●
Review the Cardholder's identification (for example: valid passport,
valid driver's license with photo, or other government-issued
identification document)
●
Describe the positive identification on the Transaction Receipt
●
In the US Region, if the Cardholder name is different than the
embossed or printed name, record the Cardholder name and address
In the AP Region (Australia), if the Cardholder is unable to provide primary
identification, the Acquirer may request any 2 of the following forms of
secondary identification:
●
Any other identity card bearing the Cardholder's photograph
●
Another signed debit or credit card
●
Another signed document (for example: employee identity card, union
card, student card)
●
A pensioner card
In the Europe Region (Sweden), for a Domestic Transaction of SEK 200 or
more, record the Cardholder's identification number on the Transaction
Receipt or any other written documentation directly related to the
Transaction
In the Europe Region (United Kingdom), record the details of the
identification document, type of document, serial number, and expiration
date on the Transaction Receipt of the Cash Disbursement
Except where ID is required by local law or regulation, these requirements
do not apply to PIN- or CDCVM-authenticated Manual Cash Disbursements
if the Transaction amount is either of the following:
●
For a Chip Transaction, USD 500 or less (or local currency equivalent)
X
3
PSR-320 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Description Manual
Cash
Disbursements
1
and Quasi-
Cash
Transactions
2
All Other
Face-to-Face
Transactions
●
For a US Domestic Transaction, any amount
In the Europe Region (Sweden), for a Domestic Transaction of SEK 200 or
less, an Acquirer must remove a Merchant’s option to support “No CVM
Required” if Visa determines that the levels of fraud/Chargebacks are too
high
X
In the Europe Region (Estonia) and the US Region, verify the last 4 digits of
the Card with an Account-Number-Verifying Terminal
X (US) X (Estonia)
Verify that the signature on the Card matches the signature on the
Transaction Receipt and on any identification required and presented
4
This requirement does not apply to:
●
Transactions in which:
– The Card or payment device does not have a signature panel
– A PIN is used
●
Anonymous Visa Prepaid Card Transactions
●
Visa Commercial Card Transactions
●
Vehicle-Specific Fleet Card Transactions
●
Visa Easy Payment Service (VEPS) Transactions
●
Effective through 13 April 2018
In the Europe Region, Small Ticket Transactions
X
X
5
Process the PIN, if applicable X
X
5
Process the Consumer Device Cardholder Verification Method (CDCVM), if
applicable
X
5
1
This does not apply to Visa Mobile Prepaid Transactions.
2
This does not apply to PIN-Authenticated Visa Debit Transactions in the US Region.
3
In the Europe Region (United Kingdom), the validation of a Cardholder’s identity using secondary identification is not
required for the purchase of gaming chips in casinos.
4
This signature may be different from the name embossed or printed on the Card.
ID# 0008769 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-321
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Surcharges, Convenience Fees, and Service Fees
5.5.1.2 Card and Cardholder Validation in a Semi-Attended Environment – Europe
Region
In the Europe Region, a Merchant must validate the Cardholder's identity and verify the Card in a
Semi-Attended Environment using the requirements specified in Section 5.5.1.1, “Card and Cardholder
Validation in a Face-to-Face Environment.”
ID# 0029675 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.5.2 Cardholder Validation with PIN
5.5.2.1 PIN Acceptance and Processing
A Merchant that uses an Acceptance Device with Electronic Capability may accept a Cardholder's PIN
rather than a signature. The Merchant must not ask the Cardholder to reveal the PIN.
ID# 0008977 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.6 Surcharges, Convenience Fees, and Service Fees
5.6.1 Surcharges – Allowances, Requirements, Restrictions, Amounts, and Disclosures
5.6.1.1 Notification of Intent to Assess Surcharges – US Region and US Territories
In the US Region or a US Territory, an Acquirer must ensure that its Merchant notifies Visa and its
Acquirer in writing at least 30 calendar days before assessing a US Credit Card Surcharge. Notice to
Visa can be provided as specified on the "Merchant Surcharge Notification" link at www.visa.com. In
the US Region or a US Territory, an Acquirer must inform Visa upon request of all notifications of intent
to surcharge received from its Merchants.
ID# 0027544 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.6.1.2 Similar Treatment of Visa Transactions – US Region and US Territories
A Merchant must not assess a US Credit Card Surcharge on Visa Credit Card Transactions in a specific
payment channel if either:
●
The Merchant is prohibited or effectively prohibited by a Competitive Credit Card Brand from
assessing surcharges on the Competitive Credit Card Brand's products in that payment channel.
PSR-322 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
The Merchant's ability to surcharge a Competitive Credit Card Brand in that payment channel
is limited by that Competitive Credit Card Brand in any manner
1
and the Merchant assesses a
US Credit Card Surcharge on conditions that are not the same as the conditions on which the
Merchant would be allowed to surcharge transactions of the Competitive Credit Card Brand in that
payment channel, or on which the Merchant actually surcharges transactions of the Competitive
Credit Card Brand in that payment channel, after accounting for any discounts or rebates offered at
the Point-of-Transaction.
This prohibition does not apply and a Merchant may assess a US Credit Card Surcharge on Visa Credit
Card Transactions if one of the following:
●
The Competitive Credit Card Cost of Acceptance or the Competitive Credit Card Product Cost of
Acceptance to the Merchant is less than the Visa Credit Card Cost of Acceptance or Visa Credit
Card Product Cost of Acceptance to the Merchant and the Competitive Credit Card Brand does not
prohibit or effectively prohibit surcharging credit card transactions.
●
The Competitive Credit Card Brand prohibits or effectively prohibits surcharging on credit cards
and the Merchant actually surcharges the Competitive Credit Card Brand's transactions in an
amount at least equal to the lesser of either:
– The Competitive Credit Card Cost of Acceptance
– The amount of the US Credit Card Surcharge imposed on a Visa Credit Card
●
There is an agreement between the Merchant and the Competitive Credit Card Brand in which the
Merchant waives or in any other way restrains or limits its ability to surcharge transactions on that
Competitive Credit Card Brand, provided that:
– The agreement is for a fixed duration, is not subject to an "evergreen clause" (i.e., automatically
renewed unless terminated by the parties to the agreement) and is not a standard agreement
generally offered by the Competitive Credit Card Brand to multiple merchants.
– The Merchant's acceptance of the Competitive Credit Card Brand as payment for goods or
services is unrelated to and not conditional upon the Merchant's entry into such agreement.
– The agreement is supported by the exchange of material value.
– The agreement expressly specifies a price under which the Merchant may accept the
Competitive Credit Card Brand's products and surcharge those transactions up to the
Merchant's Merchant Discount Rate for the Competitive Credit Card Brand, after accounting for
any discounts or rebates offered by the Merchant at the Point-of-Transaction.
1
This provision does not apply if the Competitive Credit Card Brand prohibits only surcharging for an amount greater than
the Competitive Credit Card Cost of Acceptance.
ID# 0027541 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-323
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Surcharges, Convenience Fees, and Service Fees
5.6.1.3 US Credit Card Surcharge Requirements – US Region and US Territories
In the US Region or a US Territory, a Merchant may assess a fixed or variable US Credit Card Surcharge
on a Visa Credit Card Transaction, subject to applicable laws or regulations.
The Merchant may assess a US Credit Card Surcharge by either:
●
Applying the same fixed or variable US Credit Card Surcharge to all Visa Credit Card Transactions
(brand level)
●
Applying the same fixed or variable US Credit Card Surcharge to all Visa Transactions of the same
credit product type (product level)
The US Credit Card Surcharge at the brand level must be the same for all Visa Credit Card Transactions,
regardless of the Card's Issuer or the product type, and after accounting for any discounts or rebates
offered by the Merchant on Visa Credit Card Transactions at the Point-of-Transaction.
The US Credit Card Surcharge at the product level must be the same for Transactions on a particular
Visa Credit Card product type, regardless of the Card's Issuer, and after accounting for any discounts or
rebates offered by the Merchant on Visa Credit Card Transactions on the product type at the Point-of-
Transaction.
A Merchant must not assess a US Credit Card Surcharge on Visa Credit Card Transactions at both the
brand and product level.
The US Credit Card Surcharge must be included in the Transaction amount.
ID# 0027539 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.6.1.4 US Credit Card Surcharge Maximum Amount – US Region and US Territories
In the US Region or a US Territory, a US Credit Card Surcharge assessed at the brand level, as specified
in Section 5.6.1.3, “US Credit Card Surcharge Requirements – US Region and US Territories,”must not
exceed the Merchant's Visa Surcharge Cap.
In the US Region or a US Territory, a US Credit Card Surcharge assessed at the product level, as
specified in Section 5.6.1.3, “US Credit Card Surcharge Requirements – US Region and US Territories,”
must not exceed the Merchant's Visa Credit Card Surcharge Cap less the Debit Card Cost of
Acceptance.
In no case may the US Credit Card Surcharge amount exceed the Maximum Surcharge Cap.
ID# 0027540 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-324 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
5.6.1.5 US Credit Card Surcharge Disclosure Requirements – US Region and US
Territories
A Merchant in the US Region or a US Territory must, at both the point of entry into the Merchant
Outlet and the Point-of-Transaction, clearly and prominently disclose any US Credit Card Surcharge
that will be assessed.
The disclosure at the Point-of-Transaction must include all of the following:
●
The exact amount or percentage of the US Credit Card Surcharge
●
A statement that the US Credit Card Surcharge is being assessed by the Merchant and is only
applicable to credit Transactions
●
A statement that the US Credit Card Surcharge amount is not greater than the applicable Merchant
Discount Rate for Visa Credit Card Transactions at the Merchant
Merchants with Acceptance Devices that offer Cardholder choice for debit Transactions in the form of
"credit" and "debit" buttons must ensure that:
●
Visa debit Card Transactions are not assessed a US Credit Card Surcharge
●
It is made clear to the Cardholder that surcharges are not permitted on debit Transactions
regardless whether a Cardholder selects the "credit" or "debit" button
For an Electronic Commerce Transaction, a Mail/Phone Order Transaction, and an Unattended
Transaction, the Cardholder must be provided the opportunity to cancel the Transaction subsequent to
the US Credit Card Surcharge disclosure.
For example, the requirement for clear and prominent disclosure will be satisfied if the disclosure is
made consistent with Table 5-5, “Surcharge Disclosure - US Region and US Territories”:
Table 5-5: Surcharge Disclosure – US Region and US Territories
Transaction Type Point-of-Entry Point-of-Transaction
Face-to-Face
Transaction
Main entrance(s) of the Merchant Outlet,
in a minimum 32-point Arial font, but in
any case no smaller or less prominent than
surrounding text
Every customer checkout or payment
location, in a minimum 16-point Arial
font, but in any case no smaller or less
prominent than surrounding text
Electronic
Commerce
Transaction
The first page that references credit card
brands accepted, in a minimum 10-point
Arial font, but in any case no smaller or
less prominent than surrounding text
Checkout page, in a minimum 10-point
Arial font, but in any case no smaller or
less prominent than surrounding text
Mail order
Transaction
The first page of the catalog that
references credit card brands accepted, in
a minimum 8-point Arial font, but in any
case no smaller or less prominent than
surrounding text
Mail order form, in a minimum 10-point
Arial font, but in any case no smaller or
less prominent than surrounding text
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-325
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Surcharges, Convenience Fees, and Service Fees
Transaction Type Point-of-Entry Point-of-Transaction
Telephone order
Transaction
The first page of the catalog that
references credit card brands accepted, in
a minimum 8-point Arial font, but in any
case no smaller or less prominent than
surrounding text
Verbal notice from the telephone order
clerk, including US Credit Card Surcharge
amount
Unattended
Cardholder-
Activated Terminal
Main entrance(s) of the Merchant Outlet (if
applicable), e.g. gas (petrol) station store,
in a minimum 32-point Arial font, but in
any case no smaller or less prominent than
surrounding text
On the Unattended Cardholder-Activated
Terminal or virtual disclosure on the
payment terminal screen, in a minimum
16-point Arial font, but in any case
no smaller or less prominent than
surrounding text
ID# 0027545 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
5.6.1.6 Surcharges – AP Region (Australia)
In the AP Region (Australia), if a Merchant adds a Surcharge to a Transaction, the Surcharge amount
must comply with all of the following:
●
Be limited to the "reasonable costs of acceptance" of a Visa Card (or Visa Cards) as that concept is
defined by the Reserve Bank of Australia and by applicable laws or regulations
●
Not include the cost of accepting any non-Visa payment card
●
Be clearly disclosed to the Cardholder before the completion of the Transaction. The Cardholder
must be given the opportunity to cancel without penalty after the Surcharge is disclosed.
●
Be charged only by the Merchant that provides the goods or services to the Cardholder. The
Merchant must not permit a third party to charge a Cardholder a separate or additional amount in
respect of the cost of acceptance of the Visa Card, but the Merchant may include third-party costs
relevant to accepting a Visa Card as part of its Surcharge.
●
Not differ according to Issuer
●
Be different for Visa credit Card Transactions and Visa debit Card Transactions if the "reasonable
cost of acceptance" varies between the 2 Transactions
●
Be assessed only on the final total amount charged for the goods or services, after any discount or
rebate from the Merchant has been applied
●
Be added to the Transaction amount and not collected separately
1
1
A government Merchant may collect the Surcharge amount separately and may use a third party to deposit Transactions if
it is assigned one of the following MCCs:
●
9211 (Court Costs, Including Alimony and Child Support)
●
9222 (Fines)
PSR-326 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
9223 (Bail and Bond Payments)
●
9311 (Tax Payments)
●
9399 (Government Services [Not Elsewhere Classified])
●
9405 (Intra-Government Purchases)
ID# 0027589 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.6.1.7 Surcharge Disclosure Requirements – AP Region (Australia)
In the AP Region (Australia), a Merchant that assesses a Surcharge must do all of the following:
●
Inform the Cardholder that a Surcharge is assessed
●
Inform the Cardholder of the Surcharge amount or rate
●
Not describe the Surcharge as, or inform the Cardholder that the Surcharge is, assessed by Visa or
a financial institution
●
Include notices, signs, or decals disclosing that the Merchant assesses a Surcharge. Such notices,
signs, or decals must be in a conspicuous location or locations at the Merchant's physical point
of sale, or, in the absence of a physical point of sale, prominently during an Electronic Commerce
Transaction or communicated clearly in a telephone order so as it can be reasonably assured that
all Cardholders presenting a Visa Card will be aware of the Surcharge.
●
Clearly display or communicate the Surcharge disclosure in the Transaction environment or
process, including (if there is a physical point of sale) at the terminal/cashier's desk. The disclosure
must be of as high a contrast as any other signs or decals displayed.
A Merchant must clearly and prominently disclose any Surcharge that will be assessed.
The disclosure at the point of sale must include both:
●
The exact amount or percentage of the Surcharge
●
A statement that the Surcharge is being assessed by the Merchant
For an Electronic Commerce Transaction, a Mail/Phone Order Transaction, and an Unattended
Transaction, the Cardholder must be provided the opportunity to cancel the Transaction subsequent to
the Surcharge disclosure.
For example, the requirement for clear and prominent disclosure will be satisfied if the disclosure is
made consistent with Table 5-6, “Surcharge Disclosure - AP Region (Australia).”
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-327
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Surcharges, Convenience Fees, and Service Fees
Table 5-6: Surcharge Disclosure– AP Region (Australia)
Transaction Type Point-of-Entry Point-of-Sale
Face-to-Face
Transaction
Not applicable Every Customer check-out or payment
location, in a minimum 16-point Arial
font
Electronic
Commerce
Transaction
The first page that references credit card
brands accepted, in a minimum 10-point
Arial font
Checkout page, in a minimum 10-point
Arial font
Mail order
Transaction
The first page of the catalog that
references credit card brands accepted,
in a minimum 8-point Arial font. The
disclosure must also provide instructions
for calculating the amount of the
Surcharge to be applied and added to the
total Transaction amount.
Mail order form, in a minimum 8-point
Arial font
Telephone order
Transaction
The first page of the catalog that
references credit card brands accepted,
in a minimum 8-point Arial font. The
disclosure must also provide instructions
for calculating the amount of the
Surcharge to be applied and added to the
total Transaction amount.
Verbal notice from the telephone order
clerk, including Surcharge amount
Unattended
Transaction
Not applicable On the Unattended Cardholder-Activated
Terminal or virtual disclosure on the
payment terminal screen, in a minimum
16-point Arial font
ID# 0027590 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
5.6.2 Convenience Fees – Allowances, Requirements, Restrictions, Amounts, and
Disclosures
5.6.2.1 Convenience Fees – AP, CEMEA, and US Regions
In the AP Region, CEMEA Region (Russia), and US Region, a Merchant that charges a Convenience Fee
must ensure that the fee is assessed as follows:
PSR-328 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Table 5-7: Convenience Fee Requirements
Convenience Fee Requirement AP
Region
CEMEA
Region
(Russia)
US
Region
Charged for a bona fide convenience in the form of an alternative payment
channel outside the Merchant's customary payment channels and not
charged solely for the acceptance of a Card
X X X
Added only to a Transaction completed in a Card-Absent Environment X X
Not charged if the Merchant operates exclusively in a Card-Absent
Environment
X X
Added only to a domestic Unattended Transaction, excluding Transactions
at Automated Fuel Dispensers, Telephone Service Transactions, or ATM
Cash Disbursements
X
Charged only by the Merchant that provides goods or services to the
Cardholder
X X
Applicable to all forms of payment accepted in the payment channel X X X
Disclosed clearly to the Cardholder:
●
As a charge for the alternative payment channel convenience
●
Before the completion of the Transaction. The Cardholder must be
given the opportunity to cancel.
X X X
A flat or fixed amount, regardless of the value of the payment due
In the AP Region, an ad valorem amount is allowed as required by
applicable laws or regulations.
In the CEMEA Region (Russia), the amount must not exceed:
●
RUB 35 for Transactions processed with MCC 4814
●
RUB 60 for Transactions processed with MCC 4900
●
RUB 48 for all other Transactions
X X X
Included as part of the total amount of the Transaction and not collected
separately
X X X
Not charged in addition to a surcharge X
N/A
1
X
Not charged on a Recurring Transaction or an Installment Transaction X X X
1
Surcharging is not allowed.
ID# 0027492 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-329
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Surcharges, Convenience Fees, and Service Fees
5.6.2.2 Acceptance Device Disclosure Requirements for Convenience Fees – CEMEA
Region (Russia)
In the CEMEA Region (Russia), if a Merchant or third party charges a Convenience Fee, the Acceptance
Device must do all of the following:
●
Inform the Cardholder that a Convenience Fee will be charged for the alternative payment channel
convenience, in addition to other Issuer charges. The disclosure must both:
– Be as high a contrast or resolution as any other graphics on the Acceptance Device
– Contain the notice:
Fee Notice: "(Name) will assess a fee to cardholders for transactions at this terminal. This fee is
added to the amount of your transaction and is in addition to any fees that may be charged by
your financial institution."
●
Disclose to the Cardholder the amount of the Convenience Fee
●
Identify the recipient of the Convenience Fee
●
Request Cardholder approval of the Convenience Fee
●
Provide the ability for the Cardholder to cancel the Transaction without incurring a fee or penalty
ID# 0025573 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.6.3 Service Fees – Allowances, Requirements, Restrictions, Amounts, and
Disclosures
5.6.3.1 Service Fee Assessment Requirements – Canada, CEMEA (Egypt, Russia), and
US Regions
In the Canada Region, CEMEA Region (Egypt, Russia), and US Region, a Merchant, Acquirer, or third
party that charges a Service Fee must assess the fee as follows:
Table 5-8: Service Fee Assessment Requirements
Canada Region
CEMEA Region
(Egypt, Russia)
US Region
These entities may
assess Service Fees:
A Merchant in a
permitted category,
or its third party, that
accepts Visa in all Card-
Absent Environments
where payments are
accepted
A government Merchant,
and, in the CEMEA
Region (Egypt), a fuel
Merchant, its Acquirer,
or its third party that
complies with the
following, as applicable:
A government agency
or education Merchant,
or its third party, that
complies with all of the
following:
PSR-330 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Canada Region
CEMEA Region
(Egypt, Russia)
US Region
●
Is registered with
Visa to assess a
Service Fee
●
In the CEMEA
Region (Russia),also
includes its
assigned Merchant
Verification Value in
the Authorization
Request and
Clearing Record
●
Accepts Visa in all
channels where
payments are
accepted
●
Is registered with
Visa
●
Is assigned a
unique Merchant
Verification Value
●
If a government
taxing authority
or its third party,
is authorized to
process tax payment
Transactions
Allowed MCCs are:
●
4900 (Utilities –
Electric, Gas, Water,
Sanitary)
●
6513 (Real Estate
Agents and
Managers – Rentals)
●
9222 (Fines)
●
9311 (Tax Payments)
●
8220 (Colleges,
Universities,
Professional Schools,
and Junior Colleges)
●
8211 (Elementary
and Secondary
Schools)
●
8351 (Child Care
Services)
In the CEMEA Region
(Egypt):
●
4900 (Utilities –
Electric, Gas, Water,
Sanitary)
●
5541 (Service
Stations)
●
5542 (Automated
Fuel Dispensers)
●
8211 (Elementary
and Secondary
Schools)
●
8220 (Colleges,
Universities,
Professional Schools,
and Junior Colleges)
●
8241
(Correspondence
Schools)
●
8244 (Business and
Secretarial Schools)
●
8249 (Vocational
and Trade Schools)
●
9211 (Court Costs)
●
9222 (Fines)
●
9311 (Tax Payments)
●
9399 (Government
Services [Not
Elsewhere
Classified])
●
8220 (Colleges,
Universities,
Professional Schools,
and Junior Colleges)
●
8211 (Elementary
and Secondary
Schools)
●
8244 (Business and
Secretarial Schools)
●
8249 (Vocational
and Trade Schools)
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-331
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Surcharges, Convenience Fees, and Service Fees
Canada Region
CEMEA Region
(Egypt, Russia)
US Region
●
8299 (Schools and
Educational Services
[Not Elsewhere
Classified])
●
9211 (Court Costs,
Including Alimony
and Child Support)
●
9222 (Fines)
●
9223 (Bail and Bond
Payments)
●
9311 (Tax Payments)
●
9399 (Government
Services [Not
Elsewhere
Classified])
●
9402 (Postal Services
– Government Only)
In the CEMEA Region
(Russia):
●
9211 (Court Costs,
Including Alimony
and Child Support)
●
9222 (Fines)
●
9223 (Bail and Bond
Payments)
●
9311 (Tax Payments)
●
9399 (Government
Services [Not
Elsewhere
Classified])
A Service Fee may be
assessed on only:
Applicable goods or
services purchased
in a Card-Absent
Environment
●
Qualifying
government-related
charges, where
applicable laws and
regulations explicitly
state that payment
must be received
in full and without
deductions
●
Applicable goods or
services
●
For tax payments,
either or both:
– Federal and
state personal
and small
business income
taxes
PSR-332 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Canada Region
CEMEA Region
(Egypt, Russia)
US Region
●
In the CEMEA
Region (Egypt), fuel
charges, except for
a Transaction using
a Card issued in the
Europe Region
– Real estate/
property taxes
The Transaction must
be completed with
only the following:
Visa Card Either:
●
Visa Card
●
Visa Electron Card
Either:
●
Visa Consumer Card
●
Commercial Visa
Product
The Service Fee must
be disclosed:
●
As a fee assessed
by the Merchant
or third party, with
the assessor of
the Service Fee
disclosed to the
Cardholder
●
Before the
Transaction is
completed. The
Cardholder must be
allowed to cancel
the Transaction
without penalty.
●
Before the
Transaction is
completed. The
Cardholder must be
allowed to cancel
the Transaction
without penalty.
●
As a fee assessed
by the Merchant or
third party
●
Before the
Transaction is
completed. The
Cardholder must be
allowed to cancel
the Transaction
without penalty.
The Service Fee
amount:
●
Must be assessed
only on the final
Transaction amount,
after all discounts
and rebates have
been applied during
the Transaction
●
Must not be greater
than the Service
Fee charged on a
similar Transaction
completed with
a similar form of
payment
●
Must be flat or
variable
●
Must be a
reasonable reflection
of the costs
associated with
completing the
Transaction
●
Must not be greater
than any ofthe
following:
– The value of the
payment
●
Must be processed
as a separate
Transaction
●
Must be the
only additional
fee assessed on
the Transaction.
The Merchant
or third party
must not charge
a Convenience
Fee or surcharge
in addition to the
Service Fee.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-333
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Acceptance Devices
Canada Region
CEMEA Region
(Egypt, Russia)
US Region
●
Must be the same
as any Service Fee
charged to any other
Issuer's similar card
products
●
Must be limited
to 0.75% of the
final Transaction
amount for debit
and 1.75% of the
final Transaction
amountfor credit
and prepaid
●
If assessed by a
third party, may
be processed as a
separate Transaction
– Any fixed or
variable fee
charged for a
government
payment
completed
with any other
payment card or
device
– In the CEMEA
Region (Egypt),
EGP 40
ID# 0029275 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
5.7 Acceptance Devices
5.7.1 Acceptance Device Requirements – All Devices
5.7.1.1 Acceptance Device Requirements
An Acceptance Device must comply with the Transaction Acceptance Device Requirements and all of
the following requirements applicable to the device:
Table 5-9: Acceptance Device Requirements
Acceptance
Device Type
Requirements
All
●
Act upon Service Codes or request Online Authorization
●
Accept all 16-digit Account Numbers
●
Display the appropriate acceptance Mark
●
Use the proper POS Entry Mode code
●
If not Chip-enabled, be able to process a key-entered Transaction
6
PSR-334 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Acceptance
Device Type
Requirements
●
Effective 14 October 2017
For an Acceptance Device installed or upgraded on or after 14 October 2017, make
available to the Cardholder all Transaction interfaces supported by the Merchant.
9
A
Merchant with an Acceptance Device deployed as of 14 October 2017 that does not
make all interfaces available may continue to deploy such an Acceptance Device if
ADVT and, if applicable, CDET testing (or, in the Europe Region, Visa payWave Test
Tool [VpTT]) was successfully completed on the hardware and software combination
before 14 October 2017.
●
In the AP Region and CEMEA Region, support contact Chip-initiated Transactions
(excluding ATMs in the AP Region)
●
In the AP Region (Australia, New Zealand), for devices in a Face-to-Face
Environment, activate the PIN pad to enable PIN Transactions
●
Effective 17 October 2020
In the Canada Region, be a Chip-Reading Device, excluding Unattended Cardholder-
Activated Terminals
●
In the Europe Region, all of the following:
– For a device that supports electronic signature capture, accept PINs
– For devices with a PIN Entry Device, all of the following:
▪ If deployed after 30 April 2014 in a Face-to-Face Environment or a Semi-
Attended Environment, comply with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) POS
PIN Entry Device Security RequirementsVersion 2.0 or later
8
▪ Effective 1 January 2021
For devices not in a Face-to-Face Environment or a Semi-Attended
Environment, comply with the Payment Card Industry (PCI): POS PIN Entry
Device Security Requirements Version 2.0 or later
– Be a Chip-Reading Device
– Effective through 30 December 2019
Accept Contactless Transactions, if deployed at a new Merchant or as an
upgrade for an existing Merchant
7
– Effective 31 December 2019
Accept Contactless Transactions
– Accept all 11-19 digit Account Numbers that contain a valid BIN
●
In the US Region, if deployed after 15 May 2007 at a Merchant Outlet that receives
or accepts tips, not be programmed to include an estimated tip amount in the
Authorization Request
ATM Comply with all requirements specified in the Visa Product and Service Rules: ATM
Contact Chip
●
Be EMV-Compliant and approved by EMVCo
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-335
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Acceptance Devices
Acceptance
Device Type
Requirements
●
Complete testing, as specified in Section 5.7.2.1, “Chip Acceptance Device Testing
Requirements”
●
Accept and process VIS and Common Core Definition Chip Cards
●
Be able to read a Magnetic Stripe and complete a Magnetic Stripe-read Transaction
●
Support Fallback Transactions
1
●
Process the Transaction using data read from the Chip on a Chip Card unless any
of the following apply, in which case the Transaction must be completed using data
read from the Magnetic Stripe of a Chip Card:
1
– The Chip is not EMV-Compliant.
– The Chip reader is inoperable.
– The Chip malfunctions during the Transaction or cannot be read.(In the Europe
Region, the Chip-Reading Device must be capable of requiring an Online
Authorization.)
– The Chip Transaction cannot be completed due to the absence of a mutually
supported Application Identifier (AID).
If neither the Chip nor Magnetic Stripe of a Chip Card can be read and the
Transaction is accepted using a paper voucher or key entry, the device must follow
correct Fallback and acceptance procedures.
6
●
Include an EMV Online Card Authentication Cryptogram and all data elements used
to create it in all Online Authorization Requests for a Chip Transaction transmitted to
VisaNet
●
Read an EMV-Compliant and VIS-Compliant Chip and not allow override of Chip
Authorization controls by prompting for a Magnetic Stripe read
2
●
Support terminal action codes
●
Include all mutually supported Payment Applications between the Chip and the
device in the application selection process, and not discriminate between Payment
Applications unless stipulated by Chip parameters or a Visa-approved application
selection process
●
Act on the Cardholder Verification Method list
3
●
If using an active PIN pad, both:
– Comply with Visa encryption standards
– Be active for Visa Chip-initiated Transactions if it is active for other Chip-enabled
payments
●
Have a PIN pad or a port capable of supporting a PIN pad and, if using an active PIN
pad, comply with Visa encryption standards
PSR-336 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Acceptance
Device Type
Requirements
●
If the device is equipped with only a PIN pad port or PIN pad is inactive for Chip-
initiated Transactions, support software to ensure compliance with Visa encryption
standards
3
●
Have the capability to have its Visa Public Keys replaced in an acceptable method by
any Visa-specified date
●
Perform Terminal Risk Management if the device is either:
– In the AP Region, Canada Region, CEMEA Region, LACRegion, and US Region,
Online-capable and offline-capable
– In the Europe Region, Online-capable
●
Support Post-Issuance Application commands
●
If a PIN-only Chip-Reading Device, not display the Visa Brand Mark (excluding ATMs
and Unattended Cardholder-Activated Terminals [UCATs] that accept only PINs for
Cardholder Verification)
●
Prompt a Cardholder for a PIN only if required by the Chip, except for ATMs and
offline-only UCATs, and devices deployed in the Europe Region that are always
required to prompt for a PIN
●
Support “Plaintext Offline PIN” if it supports “Enciphered Offline PIN”
●
In the AP Region (Australia), all of the following:
– Accept both Online and Offline PIN
– For international Transactions support PIN bypass
– Ensure that a Domestic Transaction uses a PIN, except for:
▪ A Transaction initiated with a Card that is not a PIN-Preferring Chip Card
▪ An Unattended Transaction, including an Unattended Transaction that does
not qualify as a Visa Easy Payment Service (VEPS) Transaction
▪ A VEPS Transaction
●
In the LAC Region (Brazil), if deployed after 18 November 2013, support Offline PIN
Verification (except UCATs in parking lots/garages and vending machines)
●
In the Canada Region, support both:
– “Plaintext Offline PIN”
– “Enciphered Offline PIN”
●
In the CEMEA Region:
– Support both:
▪ For an Offline-Capable Chip-Reading Device, support both "Plaintext Offline
PIN" and "Enciphered Offline PIN"
▪ For an Online-only Chip-Reading Device, support either
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-337
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Acceptance Devices
Acceptance
Device Type
Requirements
▪ "Enciphered Online PIN"
▪ Both "Plaintext Offline PIN" and "Enciphered Offline PIN"
– Chip-Reading Devices may suppress their PIN capability for VEPS Transactions
●
Effective for Acceptance Devices deployed in the AP Region (Australia, Malaysia)
after 15 April 2016
Effective 1 January 2018 for all Acceptance Devices in the AP Region (Australia,
Malaysia)
– If the device supports Cardholder application selection, do all of the following:
▪ Display to the Cardholder all mutually supported application names
(application label or application preferred name) on the Card
▪ Display the application names in the order of the application priority set on
the Card and use them to select the corresponding Payment Application
▪ If unable to display the application names in full, display at least the first 4
positions of the application names
– If the device does not support Cardholder application selection, the Merchant
must inform the Cardholder of the selected application before completing the
Transaction
●
In the Europe Region, all of the following:
– For Manual Cash Disbursements, all of the following:
▪ Support “signature” if present in the Cardholder Verification Method list
▪ Not support “No CVM Required” if present in the Cardholder Verification
Method list
▪ Support either “Enciphered PIN Verified Online,” or both “Plaintext PIN
Verified Offline” and “Enciphered PIN Verified Offline”
▪ Support EMV-Online Card Authentication Cryptogram
– Present options for mutually supported Payment Applications contained in the
Chip to the Cardholder, if the Cardholder has the ability to select the Payment
Application
– Support the terminal action codes and facilitates access to multiple accounts on
a Chip Card
– Support Static Data Authentication and Dynamic Data Authentication (optional
for Online-only devices)
– Either:
▪ For an Online-only device that does not support both “Plaintext Offline PIN"
and "Enciphered Offline PIN,” support “Enciphered PIN Verified Online”
PSR-338 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Acceptance
Device Type
Requirements
▪ For an Online-capable device, support “Plaintext PIN Verified Offline” and
“Enciphered PIN Verified Offline”
– If deployed after 1 July 2008, accept PINs. This does not apply to the following:
▪ A Merchant assigned MCC 4784 (Tolls and Bridge Fees)
▪ A UCAT installed at a vehicle entrance gate at a ferry Merchant provided
that the UCAT always requests Online Authorization and that PIN verification
of Chip-initiated Transactions may be performed at attended gates at the
same Merchant Outlet
▪ A UCAT that accepts only Contactless Payment Devices
▪ Effective through 13 April 2018
An Unattended Transaction that does not use MCC 4829, 6011, 6012, 6051,
or 7995 and is below the maximum applicable Small Ticket Transaction
amount or, for MCC 4111, 4112, 4131, 4784, or 7523, EUR 100
▪ Effective 14 April 2018
An Unattended Transaction that does not use MCC 4829, 6011, 6012, 6051,
or 7995 and is below the maximum applicable Visa Easy Payment Service
(VEPS) Transaction amount or, for MCC 4111, 4112, 4131, 4784, or 7523, EUR
100
Contactless Chip
●
Be approved by EMVCo or Visa
●
If deployed after 1 May 2013, not limit the Transaction amount of a Contactless
Transaction in a Face-to-Face Environment
●
If deployed on or after 16 October 2015,
5
forward to Visa the form factor indicator
field, when provided by a Contactless Payment Device
●
In the AP Region (Australia), for International Transactions support PIN bypass
●
In the AP Region, Canada Region, CEMEA Region, and LAC Region, if deployed on or
before 1 January 2012, comply with the Visa Contactless Payment Specification 2.0 or
later
1
and be capable of processing a Transaction using the qVSDC transaction path
and transmitting the resulting Chip data to VisaNet
●
Effective for Contactless Acceptance Devices deployed in the AP Regionand
CEMEA Region after 1 April 2015
Effective 1 January 2018 for all Contactless Acceptance Devices in the AP Region
and CEMEA Region
All of the following:
–
Comply with the Visa Contactless Payment Specification 2.1.3 or later
4
or the
equivalent EMV contactless kernel 3
– Be capable of processing a Transaction using the qVSDC transaction path and
transmitting the resulting Chip data to VisaNet
– Disable the device's Contactless Transaction limit
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-339
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Acceptance Devices
Acceptance
Device Type
Requirements
– Enable the device's applicable Cardholder Verification Method (CVM) Transaction
limit
– Enable the device's applicable Contactless Chip Floor Limit
Support the application program ID (APID)
– Include the form factor indicator in the Authorization Request and Clearing
Record when provided by the Contactless Payment Device
5
– Not support the MSD transaction path
●
In the Canada Region and LAC Region, if deployed after 1 April 2014, comply with
the Visa Contactless Payment Specification 2.1.1 or later, or the equivalent EMV
contactless kernel 3, and be capable of processing a Transaction using the qVSDC
transaction path and transmitting the resulting Chip data to VisaNet
●
Effective 19 October 2019 for all Contactless Acceptance Devices in the Canada
Region
Not support the MSD transaction path
●
In the Europe Region, all of the following:
– Comply with the Visa Europe Contactless Terminal Requirements and
Implementation Guide Version 1.3
– If not Contactless-only, be able to process other Chip-initiated Transactions
– If not Contactless-only, support Online Authorization
– Process a Transaction using the qVSDC path
– Allow the Acquirer to update the following data fields:
▪ “Reader Contactless Floor Limit”
▪ “Reader Contactless Transaction Limit”
▪ “Reader CVM Required Limit”
– Comply with either:
▪ The Visa Contactless Payment Specification Version 2.1.1
▪ The EMV Contactless Specification for Payment Systems Book C-3
– If compliant with the Visa Contactless Payment Specification Version 2.1 or later
or the EMV Contactless Specification for Payment Systems Book C-3, do all of the
following:
▪ Set the “Reader CVM Required Limit” to the applicable Cardholder
Verification Limit
▪ Set the “Reader Contactless Floor Limit” to the applicable Proximity Payment
Floor Limit
▪ Not configure the “Reader Contactless Transaction Limit”
PSR-340 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Acceptance
Device Type
Requirements
– Process Transactions above the Cardholder Verification Limit only if Cardholder
Verification was successful
– Include the form factor indicator in the Authorization Request and Clearing
Record when provided by the Contactless Payment Device
– Be capable of processing a Transaction for an amount above the Cardholder
Verification Limit
– If an ATM, support only Online Authorization
– If not Contactless-only, support Online Authorization
– Be approved by Visa to process Contactless Transactions
– Comply with the Visa Europe Contactless Terminal Requirements and
Implementation Guide Version 1.3
– Effective through 11 October 2018
Not process a Transaction using the MSD transaction path
– Effective 12 October 2018
Not accept a Transaction using the MSD transaction path
– Effective through 30 December 2019
Comply with VCPS 2.1.1 or later, if deployed at a new Merchant or as an upgrade
for an existing Merchant
7
– Effective 1 January 2018 in the Europe Region (Czech Republic, Hungary,
Poland, Slovakia)
Effective31 December 2019 for all other Europe Region countries
Comply with VCPS 2.1.1 or later
●
For all Contactless Acceptance Devices in the US Region, both:
– Comply with the Visa Contactless Payment Specification 2.1.1 or later
– Effective through 12 April 2019
Actively enable the qVSDC transaction path, if the Merchant Outlet has enabled
the processing of EMV-Compliant contact Chip Transactions
– Effective 13 April 2019
Actively enable the qVSDC transaction path
Contactless-Only Comply with Section 5.7.2.3, “Deployment of Contactless-Only Acceptance Devices”
Magnetic Stripe
●
Transmit the entire unaltered contents of all data encoded on track 1 or track 2 of
the Magnetic Stripe
●
Not erase or alter any Magnetic-Stripe encoding on a Card
●
For devices that can accept Cards with more than one Magnetic Stripe, be capable of
processing and transmitting the payment data from the Visa Magnetic Stripe
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-341
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Acceptance Devices
Acceptance
Device Type
Requirements
●
In the AP Region (Australia, New Zealand), allow PIN bypass for Domestic
Transactions
●
In the Europe Region (United Kingdom), retain the Card on receipt of a Pickup
Response for a Magnetic Stripe-only Acceptance Device
Mobile Payment
Acceptance
Solution
In the Europe Region, all of the following:
●
Include a hardware accessory that must comply with all of the following:
– Be able to capture Cardholder and Card data
– Have an integrated Chip reader that is EMV-Compliant
– Have an integrated Magnetic Stripe-reader
– Support secure PIN entry
– Include "signature" in the Cardholder Verification Method
– Comply with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) POS PIN Entry Device Security
Requirements Version 2.0 or later, including the additional Secure Read and
Exchange of Data (SRED) module requirements
– Ensure the SRED module is enabled for point-to-point Cardholder data
encryption
●
Not read or capture account data except via the hardware accessory
●
Identify the Transaction in the Authorization Request and Clearing Record
QR Code
●
Be deployed only in the US Region
●
Comply with the Visa QR Code Payment Specification (VQRPS)
●
Use POS Entry Mode code 03
●
Transmit Full-Chip Data to VisaNet
Unattended
Cardholder-
Activated
Terminal (UCAT)
●
Identify each Transaction as initiated by a UCAT
●
Display the Merchant name and customer service telephone number
●
If PIN-accepting, be capable of conveying an “invalid PIN – re-enter” message to the
Cardholder
●
Effective 15 October 2022
In the Canada Region, all of the following:
– If capable of accepting PINs, both:
▪ Accept PINs
▪ Be capable of conveying all of the following messages to the Cardholder:
▪ Card invalid for this service
▪ Service unavailable now
PSR-342 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Acceptance
Device Type
Requirements
▪ Invalid PIN – re-enter
– If the UCAT does not accept PINs, support "No CVM (Cardholder Verification
Method) required"
– For a Chip-reading-only UCAT, all of the following:
▪ Be EMV-Compliant
▪ Ensure that Magnetic Stripe-only Cardholders are able to conduct
Transactions at the same location
▪ If a Card cannot be read and the UCAT is Offline-only, must not complete
the Transaction using the Magnetic Stripe Data. If the UCAT is Online-only,
may be capable of completing the Transaction using the Magnetic Stripe
Data
●
In the Europe Region, all of the following:
– Support Fallback Transactions only if the UCAT has an integrated Chip and
Magnetic Stripe-reader and Card capture capability, except in the United
Kingdom where Fallback Transactions must not be processed
– If capable of accepting PINs, both:
▪ Accept PINs
▪ Be capable of conveying all of the following messages to the Cardholder:
▪ Card invalid for this service
▪ Service unavailable now
▪ Invalid PIN – re-enter
– If the UCAT does not accept PINs, support “No CVM (Cardholder Verification
Method) required”
– For a Chip-reading-only UCAT, all of the following:
▪ Be EMV-Compliant
▪ Ensure that Magnetic Stripe-only Cardholders are able to conduct
Transactions at the same location
▪ If a Card cannot be read and the UCAT is Offline-only, must not complete
the Transaction using the Magnetic Stripe data (if the UCAT is Online-only,
may be capable of completing the Transaction using the Magnetic Stripe
data)
– In the Europe Region (United Kingdom), all of the following:
▪ For an Automated Fuel Dispenser (AFD), not accept Visa Electron Cards
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-343
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Acceptance Devices
Acceptance
Device Type
Requirements
▪ Effective through 13 April 2018
If deployed without a PIN pad, not allow a Transaction amount above the
country-level limit, as specified in Section 5.9.10.2, “Visa Easy Payment
Service (VEPS) Maximum Transaction Amounts”
▪ For a Magnetic Stripe-read Transaction, not support online PIN Verification
●
If Online-capable, for Chip-initiated and Contactless Transactions, support "No CVM
required"
●
Require PIN or Consumer Device Cardholder Verification Method for Quasi-Cash
Transactions
●
If used for the purchase of gambling services, all of the following:
– Display the Merchant location
– Display the terms and conditions (including rules of play, odds of winning, and
pay-out ratios)
– Before initiating the Transaction, allow the Cardholder to cancel the Transaction
●
Follow all applicable Point-of-Transaction Card acceptance requirements when
accepting payment for goods or services, and follow ATM requirements when
dispensing cash
1
This does not apply to ATMs in the AP Region (Japan).
2
This does not apply to Account Number Verification Transactions processed as Magnetic-Stripe Transactions in the AP
Region (Japan).
3
This requirement does not apply if compliance is inherently impractical (for example: at road tolls, for transit
applications) or in situations where a Cardholder would not expect interaction with a Chip-Reading device.
4
This requirement does not apply to Visa Touch readers deployed in the AP Region (Japan).
5
In the AP Region (Japan), 1 October 2018
6
If neither the Chip nor Magnetic Stripe of a Card can be read by a Chip-enabled device, a Merchant is not required to
key enter a Transaction.
7
This does not apply in the Europe Region to Mobile Acceptance Terminals used by a Merchant that does not trade in a
fixed location, Point-of-Transaction Terminals installed at a Branch, Automated Fuel Dispensers, or ATMs.
8
Effective through 31 December 2017
This does not apply in the Europe Region to the incidental like-for-like replacement of devices compliant with Payment
Card Industry (PCI) POS PIN Entry Device Security Requirements 1.0
9
This does not apply to Merchants in the LAC Region (Brazil).
ID# 0028045 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.7.1.2 Visa Electron Card Acceptance Requirements
A Visa Electron Merchant must process Transactions using:
●
An Acceptance Device with Electronic Capability
PSR-344 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
In South Africa, a PIN-enabled Acceptance Device
ID# 0003658 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.7.2 Chip Acceptance Device Requirements
5.7.2.1 Chip Acceptance Device Testing Requirements
An Acquirer must successfully complete testing of a Chip Acceptance Device, as follows:
Table 5-10: Chip Acceptance Device Testing Requirements
Acceptance Device Type Testing Tool When Required Submission
Requirements
Chip-Reading Device Acquirer Device
Validation Toolkit (ADVT)
●
Before deploying or
upgrading a Chip-
Reading Device
●
Submit test results
using the Chip
Compliance
Reporting Tool
(CCRT)
1
●
Not submit ADVT
test results for a
device containing a
kernel or interface
module (IFM) that
has expired
Contactless Chip-
Reading Device
Either:
●
Contactless Device
Evaluation Toolkit
(CDET)
●
In the Europe
Region, Visa
payWave Test Tool
(VpTT)
Before deploying either
a:
●
New Contactless
Chip-Reading Device
●
Existing Contactless
Chip-Reading
Device that has
undergone a
significant hardware
or software upgrade
Submit test results using
either:
●
CCRT
1
●
In the Europe
Region, VpTT
Mobile Payment
Acceptance Solution in
the Europe Region
●
Acquirer Device
Validation Toolkit
(ADVT)
●
Visa payWave Test
Tool (VpTT)
Before deploying a
new Mobile Payment
Acceptance Solution
that has not previously
been validated by Visa
and tested for the same
implementation by a
different Acquirer
●
Submit test results
with the word
"Mobile" in the test
result description
●
Submit PCI Secure
Read and Exchange
of Data (SRED)
certification details
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-345
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Acceptance Devices
Acceptance Device Type Testing Tool When Required Submission
Requirements
●
For devices with a
Contactless reader,
submit the VpTT
results
●
Provide device to
Visa for testing
1
Acentralized, server-based, onlinesolution for the systematic reporting of ADVT and CDET test results. Not required in
the US Region for Acquirers participating in the Chip Acquirer Self Accreditation program.
ID# 0028046 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
5.7.2.2 Acquirer Responsibility for Chip-Reading Devices
An Acquirer is responsible for the actions of a Chip-Reading Device that provides improper
information and processing decisions to the Chip.
ID# 0006018 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.7.2.3 Deployment of Contactless-Only Acceptance Devices
A Merchant that deploys a Contactless-only Acceptance Device must comply with all of the following,
as applicable:
Table 5-11: Requirements for Deployment of Contactless-Only Acceptance Devices
Region/
Country
Use General Requirements MCC Requirements
Global General
●
Ensure that the Acceptance
Device has only a Contactless
Chip reader. A Contactless-only
Acceptance Device must not have:
– A disabled contact Chip
reader or Magnetic Stripe
reader
– An empty slot for a contact
Chip reader or Magnetic
Stripe reader
●
Ensure that all Cards are accepted
at the Merchant Outlet. This
requirement does not apply to:
N/A
PSR-346 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Region/
Country
Use General Requirements MCC Requirements
– Merchant Outlets that are
transit passenger vehicles (for
example: buses, ferries, trains).
–
In the AP Region (Japan
1
)
and in the Europe Region,
Unattended Cardholder-
Activated Terminals (UCAT)
used for vending services
– Effective 22 July 2017
In the AP Region (Japan),
MCC 4784, 7523 (for Parking
Meters only), 7542, and 7841.
●
Obtain Authorization for the
full Transaction amount before
Clearing for a Transaction at the
device
2
●
Include the following values in
the Authorization Request and
Clearing Record:
– POS Entry Mode code 07
– Terminal type 3/UCAT
indicator 1 or 3
– POS terminal entry capability
8
Global Transit
(deployed only
at a turnstile,
fare gate,
or point of
boarding)
If configured to always perform offline
data authentication before allowing
a Cardholder to access the transit
services, do all of the following:
●
Configure the devices in
the same transit mode or
network to perform offline data
authentication
●
Support either real-time or
deferred Online Authorization at
all turnstiles, fare gates, or points
of boarding
●
Support Visa contactless static
data authentication and Dynamic
Data Authentication
Be assigned one of the following:
●
4111 (Local and Suburban
Commuter Passenger
Transportation, Including Ferries)
●
4112 (Passenger Railways)
●
4131 (Bus Lines)
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-347
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Acceptance Devices
Region/
Country
Use General Requirements MCC Requirements
Europe UCAT used
for vending
services
Ensure the Transaction amount is no
more than EUR 20 (or local currency
equivalent)
Not be assigned any of the following:
●
4784 (Toll Bridges and Fees)
●
5542 (Automated Fuel Dispensers)
●
4829 (Wire Transfer – Money
Orders)
●
6011 (Financial Institutions –
Automated Cash Disbursements)
●
6012 (Financial Institutions –
Merchandise, Services, and Debt
Repayment)
●
6051 (Non-Financial Institutions –
Foreign Currency, Money Orders
[Not Wire Transfer], Stored Value
Card/Load, Travelers Cheques, and
Debt Repayment)
●
7523 (Parking Lots, Parking
Meters and Garages)
●
7995 (Betting, including Lottery
Tickets, Casino Gaming Chips, Off-
Track Betting, and Wagers at Race
Tracks)
General
(except UCAT
used for
vending)
Register and receive approval from
Visa prior to launch
Be assigned one of the following:
●
4784 (Tolls and Bridge Fees)
●
7523 (Parking Lots, Parking
Meters and Garages)
●
7542 (Car Washes)
●
7841 (DVD/Video Tape Rental
Stores)
Effective
22 July
2017
Japan
UCAT used
for vending
services
Register and receive approval from
Visa prior to launch
Not be assigned any of the following:
●
4829 (Wire Transfer – Money
Orders)
●
6011 (Financial Institutions –
Automated Cash Disbursements)
●
6012 (Financial Institutions –
Merchandise, Services, and Debt
Repayment)
PSR-348 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Region/
Country
Use General Requirements MCC Requirements
●
6051 (Non-Financial Institutions –
Foreign Currency, Money Orders
[Not Wire Transfer], Stored Value
Card/Load, Travelers Cheques, and
Debt Repayment)
●
7995 (Betting, including Lottery
Tickets, Casino Gaming Chips, Off-
Track Betting, and Wagers at Race
Tracks)
1
Effective 22 July 2017
2
This does not apply in the Europe Region
ID# 0026670 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.7.2.4 PIN-Entry Bypass Prohibition – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, an Acquirer must ensure that PIN entry on a Compliant Chip-Reading Device
with a PIN Entry Device cannot be bypassed by the Acquirer, the Merchant, or an agent of the Acquirer
or Merchant.
ID# 0004863 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.7.3 Unattended Cardholder-Activated Terminals – Transaction Cancellation
5.7.3.1 Acquirer Cancellation of Transactions at Unattended Cardholder-Activated
Terminals
If an Unattended Cardholder-Activated Terminal allows an Acquirer to cancel a Transaction, the
Acquirer may use this function without Issuer permission only after one of the following:
ID# 0025727 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-349
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Merchant Authorization Requirements
5.8 Merchant Authorization Requirements
5.8.1 Transactions Requiring Authorization
5.8.1.1 Requirement to Authorize Transactions
A Merchant or an Acquirer must request Authorization regardless of the Transaction amount if any of
the following:
●
The Cardholder presents an Expired Card.
●
The Card signature panel is blank.
●
The Merchant is suspicious of a proposed Transaction.
●
The Card is unembossed and an Electronic Imprint is not obtained.
●
The Transaction occurs at a Contactless-only Acceptance Device, as specified in Section 5.7.2.3,
“Deployment of Contactless-Only Acceptance Devices.”
●
The Transaction is any of the following:
– A Cash-Back Transaction
– Effective 14 April 2018
A debt repayment Transaction
4
–
A Fallback Transaction
4
– An In-Transit Transaction
– A Mail/Phone Order Transaction
– A No-Show Transaction
– Effective through 13 October 2017
A Recurring Transaction
– Effective 14 October 2017
A Transaction that uses a Stored Credential and that is initiated by the Merchant
–
A V PAY Transaction
4
–
A Visa Electron Card Transaction
4
– An Aggregated Transaction
–
An Automated Fuel Dispenser Transaction
4
–
An Electronic Commerce Transaction
4
–
Initiated using a Mobile Payment Acceptance Solution
4
PSR-350 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
–
Initiated using a cloud-based payments Visa Mobile Payment Application
4
– The purchase of a Visa Prepaid Card at an Unattended Cardholder-Activated Terminal
– Effective 14 April 2018
A Credit Transaction
–
In Australia and New Zealand, a domestic PIN-bypass Magnetic-Stripe Transaction
4
– In the Europe Region, an Unattended Transaction, except:
▪ Effective through 13 October 2017
A Contactless Transaction of EUR 20 or less (or local currency equivalent)
▪ Effective 14 October 2017
A Contactless Transaction of EUR 20 or less (or local currency equivalent), unless a Zero
Floor Limit applies as specified inSection 5.8.2.1, “Default and Country Specific Floor
Limits”
▪
A Chip-initiated Transaction of EUR 20 or less (or local currency equivalent)
6
assigned one
of the following MCCs:
▪ MCC 4111 (Local and Suburban Commuter Passenger Transportation, Including Ferries)
▪ MCC 4112 (Passenger Railways)
▪ MCC 4131 (Bus Lines)
▪ MCC 4784 (Tolls and Bridge Fees)
▪ MCC 7523 (Parking Lots, Parking Meters and Garages)
▪ Effective 14 October 2017
MCC 8398 (Charitable and Social Service Organizations)
▪ A Contactless Transaction at a Merchant assigned one of the following MCCs:
▪ MCC 5921 (Package Stores – Beer, Wine, and Liquor)
▪ MCC 5994 (News Dealers and Newsstands)
▪ MCC 7297 (Massage Parlours)
▪ MCC 7995 (Betting, including Lottery Tickets, Casino Gaming Chips, Off-Track Betting,
and Wagers at Race Tracks)
▪ Effective 14 October 2017
MCC 5451 (Dairy Products Stores)
1
Offline Authorization is allowed for Chip-initiated Transactions only if the Transaction amount does not exceed the
Merchant's Floor Limit.
2
This does not apply to a domestic Contactless Transaction in the AP Region (except Japan) if the Transaction amount is less
than or equal to the domestic Contactless Transaction limit.
3
For a domestic Contactless Transaction in Japan, for amounts above the domestic Floor Limit, Authorization must be Online.
4
Authorization must be Online.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-351
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Merchant Authorization Requirements
5
In the Europe Region, Authorization must be Online.
6
Except in the Netherlands and Spain, where a Zero Floor Limit applies for all MCCs.
ID# 0008901 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.8.2 Transaction Amount-Related Authorization Requirements
5.8.2.2 Merchant Requirement to Check the Card Recovery Bulletin (CRB)
A Merchant must check the appropriate Card Recovery Bulletin (CRB) if the Transaction amount is
below the Floor Limit.
The Merchant is not required to check the CRB if any of the following apply:
●
The Merchant is in the US Region.
●
The Transaction is completed at a Contactless-only Acceptance Device.
●
Transaction occurs at a Chip-Reading Device and qualifies for the EMV liability shift.
IntheEurope Region, anAcquirer must do all of the following:
●
Instruct Merchants on the correct use of a Card Recovery Bulletin
●
Handle Merchant calls when a Cardholder presents a Card whose Account Number is listed on a
Card Recovery Bulletin
●
Handle a compromised Deposit-Only Account Number
●
Advise the Issuer when a Card whose Account Number is listed on a Card Recovery Bulletin is
picked up
●
In Sweden, a Member must use the Card Recovery Bulletin for Sweden and update the Card
Recovery Bulletin, as required
ID# 0003010 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.8.3 Non-Standard Authorizations
5.8.3.1 Authorization Amount Requirements
A Merchant must submit an Authorization Request for either:
●
The final Transaction amount
PSR-352 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
A different amount or amounts if the final Transaction amount is not known, and the Merchant
or Transaction type is included in and complies with Table 5-16, “Special Authorization Request
Allowances and Requirements”
1
Table 5-16: Special Authorization Request Allowances and Requirements
Merchant /
Transaction Type
Allowed Type and Amount of
First or Only Authorization
Request
Incremental
Authorization
Request(s)
Allowed?
Other Requirements and
Restrictions
Effective 14
October 2017
Card-Absent
Environment
Aggregated
Transactions
An amount up to and
including USD 15 (or local
currency equivalent)
No The total amount of the Initial
Authorization Request must not
exceed USD 15 (or local currency
equivalent).
Any of the
following
Merchants:
●
Aircraft rental
●
Bicycle rental
●
Boat rental
●
Equipment
rental
●
Motor home
rental
●
Motorcycle
rental
●
Trailer park or
campground
Estimated Authorization
Request
2
Yes
3
The Merchant must not include an
amount to cover potential damage
or an insurance deductible.
When submitting the first
Estimated Authorization Request,
the Merchant must inform the
Cardholder both:
●
That the Authorization Request
is not final and that there may
be subsequent Authorization
Requests
●
Of the amount of the Estimated
Authorization Request
Automated Fuel
Dispenser (AFD)
Transactions (MCC
5542)
One of the following:
●
Status Check
Authorization
4
●
Real-Time Clearing
preauthorization request,
not exceeding USD
500 (or local currency
equivalent), and the
actual Transaction amount
(Completion Message)
within 2 hours of the
preauthorization request
No A Status Check Authorization is
equivalent to an Approval Response
for an amount up to and including:
6
●
For aTransaction in the AP
Region (Japan), JPY 15,000
●
For a Transaction in the US
Region, either:
– For a Visa Fleet Card
Transaction, USD 150
– For all other Transactions,
USD 100
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-353
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Merchant Authorization Requirements
Merchant /
Transaction Type
Allowed Type and Amount of
First or Only Authorization
Request
Incremental
Authorization
Request(s)
Allowed?
Other Requirements and
Restrictions
●
An amount not exceeding
USD 150 (or local currency
equivalent)
5
In the Europe Region,
an amount based on the
Merchant’s maximum
dispensable fuel amount,
not exceeding EUR 150 (or
local currency equivalent).
When the final amount is
known, the Acquirer must
send an Acquirer Confirmation
Advice equal to the amount
transmitted in the Clearing
Record.
●
For other Transactions, either:
– For a Chip-initiated
Transaction with a PIN,
USD 100 (or local currency
equivalent)
– For all other Transactions,
USD 75 (or local currency
equivalent)
Card-Absent
Environment
Transactions
(except Installment
Transactions,
prepayments,
Recurring
Transactions,
and Transactions
classified with MCC
4121)
Price of merchandise or
services, including shipping
costs and applicable taxes
No An additional Authorization is not
required if the Transaction amount
is within 15% of the authorized
amount.
6,7
PSR-354 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Merchant /
Transaction Type
Allowed Type and Amount of
First or Only Authorization
Request
Incremental
Authorization
Request(s)
Allowed?
Other Requirements and
Restrictions
Cruise Lines
Lodging Merchants
Effective 14 October 2017
Estimated Authorization
Request
8
Yes
9
The Merchant must not include an
amount to cover potential damage
or an insurance deductible.
When submitting the first
Estimated Authorization Request,
the Merchant must inform the
Cardholder both:
●
That the Authorization Request
is not final and that there may
be subsequent Authorization
Requests
●
Of the amount of the Estimated
Authorization Request
The Merchant is not required
to submit a final Incremental
Authorization Request if the final
Transaction amount is no more than
15% higher than the sum of the
authorized amounts.
6
Merchants
classified with
MCC:
●
4121
(Taxicabs and
Limousines)
●
5814 (Fast
Food
Restaurants)
●
7230 (Beauty
and Barber
Shops)
●
7298 (Health
and Beauty
Spas)
An amount equal to the final
Transaction amount (excluding
an expected tip or service
amount)
No An additional Authorization is not
required if the final Transaction
amount (including tip or service
amount) is within 20%
7
of the
authorized amount.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-355
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Merchant Authorization Requirements
Merchant /
Transaction Type
Allowed Type and Amount of
First or Only Authorization
Request
Incremental
Authorization
Request(s)
Allowed?
Other Requirements and
Restrictions
Effective 14
October 2017
Card-Absent
Environment
Transactions
classified with MCC
4121 (Taxicabs and
Limousines)
Estimated Authorization
Request
2
Yes
3
The Merchant must not include
an amount to cover a tip if the
Cardholder has not determined the
amount of the tip.
An additional Authorization is not
required if the final Transaction
amount (including tip or service
amount) is within 20%
7
of the
authorized amount.
Merchants
classified with
MCC:
●
5812 (Eating
Places and
Restaurants)
●
5813 (Drinking
Places
[Alcoholic
Beverages –
Bars, Taverns,
Nightclubs,
Cocktail
Lounges, and
Discotheques])
Either:
●
An amount equal to the
final Transaction amount
(excluding an expected tip
or service amount)
●
Initial Authorization
Request
2
for an amount
equal to what the
Cardholder has ordered
(excluding expected tip or
service amount)
Yes, only for
additional
goods or
services
ordered
3
An Incremental Authorization
Request or additional Authorization
Request is not required if the final
Transaction amount (including tip
or service amount) is within 20%
6
of
the authorized amount.
If the Merchant submits a final
Authorization Request for the final
Transaction amount before a tip
or service amount is added, an
additional Authorization Request is
not required if the final Transaction
amount (including tip or service
amount) is within 20% of the
authorized amount.
Merchants
classified with MCC
7996 (Amusement
Parks, Circuses,
Carnivals, and
Fortune Tellers)
Estimated Authorization
Request
2
Yes
3
When submitting the first
Estimated Authorization Request,
the Merchant must inform the
Cardholder both:
●
That the Authorization Request
is not final and that there may
be subsequent Authorization
Requests
●
Of the amount of the Estimated
Authorization Request
One of the
following:
Initial Authorization Request
8
equal to the price of the
cheapest journey a Cardholder
can take
Yes
9
The total amount of the Initial
Authorization Request and any
Incremental Authorization Requests
must not exceed USD 25 (or local
currency equivalent) (in the US
Region, USD 15).
PSR-356 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Merchant /
Transaction Type
Allowed Type and Amount of
First or Only Authorization
Request
Incremental
Authorization
Request(s)
Allowed?
Other Requirements and
Restrictions
●
Effective
through 13
October 2017
An Unattended
Transaction at
a turnstile, fare
gate, or point
of boarding
atMerchants
classified with
MCC:
– 4111
(Local and
Suburban
Commuter
Passenger
Trans-
portation,
Including
Ferries)
– 4112
(Passenger
Railways)
– 4131 (Bus
Lines)
●
Effective 14
October 2017
A Transaction
or an
Aggregated
Transaction at
a turnstile, fare
gate, or point
of boarding
at Merchants
classified with
MCC:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-357
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Merchant Authorization Requirements
Merchant /
Transaction Type
Allowed Type and Amount of
First or Only Authorization
Request
Incremental
Authorization
Request(s)
Allowed?
Other Requirements and
Restrictions
– 4111
(Local and
Suburban
Commuter
Passenger
Transpor-
tation,
Including
Ferries)
– 4112
(Passenger
Railways)
– 4131 (Bus
Lines)
●
Effective
through 13
October 2017
In the Europe
Region,
Variable
Fare Transit
Merchants
Unattended
Transactions
at Merchants
classified with MCC
7211 (Laundries
– Family and
Commercial)
An amount not exceeding
USD 10 (or local currency
equivalent)
No The Merchant must notify the
Cardholder of the Authorization
Request amount and give the
Cardholder the opportunity to
cancel the Transaction.
Unattended
Transactions
at Merchants
classified with
MCC:
●
7338 (Quick
Copy,
Reproduction,
and
Blueprinting
Services)
An amount not exceeding
USD 15 (or local currency
equivalent)
No The Merchant must notify the
Cardholder of the Authorization
Request amount and give the
Cardholder the opportunity to
cancel the Transaction.
PSR-358 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Merchant /
Transaction Type
Allowed Type and Amount of
First or Only Authorization
Request
Incremental
Authorization
Request(s)
Allowed?
Other Requirements and
Restrictions
●
7542 (Car
Washes)
●
7841 (DVD/
Video Tape
Rental Stores)
Unattended
Transactions for
the sale of food or
beverages
An amount not exceeding
USD 5 (or local currency
equivalent)
No The Merchant must notify the
Cardholder of the Authorization
Request amount and give the
Cardholder the opportunity to
cancel the Transaction.
Effective through
13 October2017
Car Rental
Merchants
Cost of Cardholder's intended
rental period, plus taxes and
mileage rates
Yes
9
The Merchant must comply with
both of the following:
●
Must not include charges that
cover potential damage or an
insurance deductible amount
●
Must obtain a final or an
additional Authorization if the
final Transaction amount is both
of the following:
– Above the Floor Limit
– The greater of either:
▪ The sum of the
authorized amounts
plus 15%
▪ The sum of the
authorized amounts
plus USD 75 (or local
currency equivalent)
(if the Transaction
does not involve a
Memberin the Europe
Region)
6
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-359
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Merchant Authorization Requirements
Merchant /
Transaction Type
Allowed Type and Amount of
First or Only Authorization
Request
Incremental
Authorization
Request(s)
Allowed?
Other Requirements and
Restrictions
Effective 14
October2017
Vehicle Rental
Merchants
Estimated Authorization
Request
8
Yes
9
The Merchant must not include an
amount to cover potential damage
or an insurance deductible.
When submitting the first
Estimated Authorization Request,
the Merchant must inform the
Cardholder both:
●
That the Authorization Request
is not final and that there may
be subsequent Authorization
Requests
●
Of the amount of the Estimated
Authorization Request
The Merchant is not required
to submit a final Incremental
Authorization Request if the final
Transaction amount is no more than
the greater of either:
●
The sum of the authorized
amounts plus 15%
6
●
The sum of the authorized
amounts plus USD 75 (or local
currency equivalent)
4,6
1
This does not apply to a Visa Purchasing Card enrolled in Authorization and Settlement Match.
2
The Merchant must use the Estimated/Initial Authorization Request indicator.
3
The Merchant must use the Incremental Authorization Request indicator and the same Transaction Identifier for all
Authorization Requests.
4
This does not apply to a Transaction involving a Merchant in the Europe Region.
5
This does not apply to a Transaction involving a Merchant in the US Region.
6
This does not apply if the last Authorization obtained was a Partial Authorization.
7
This does not apply if the Transaction is a Commercial Payables Transaction completed with a Visa Purchasing Card.
8
Effective 14 October 2017
The Merchant must use the Estimated/Initial Authorization Request indicator.
9
Effective through 13 October 2017
In the US Region, for Car Rental Merchants, Cruise Lines, and Lodging Merchants, the Merchant must use the
Incremental Authorization Request indicator and the same Transaction Identifier for all Authorization Requests.
Effective 14 October 2017
The Merchant must use the Incremental Authorization Request indicator and the same Transaction Identifier for all
PSR-360 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Merchant /
Transaction Type
Allowed Type and Amount of
First or Only Authorization
Request
Incremental
Authorization
Request(s)
Allowed?
Other Requirements and
Restrictions
Authorization Requests.
ID# 0025596 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.8.4 Merchant Authorization Processing
5.8.4.1 Mail/Phone Order and Electronic Commerce Expiration Date in Authorization
A Mail/Phone Order Merchant and an Electronic Commerce Merchant (for a Non-Secure Transaction
and Non-Authenticated Security Transaction) must attempt to obtain a Visa Card expiration date and
submit it as part of the Authorization Request.
ID# 0003129 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.8.4.2 Prohibition against Split Transaction
A Merchant must not split a transaction by using 2 or more Transaction Receipts, except for the
following:
●
Prepayment
●
Individual Airline ticket
●
Ancillary Purchase Transaction
●
Individual Cruise Line ticket
●
Installment Transaction
●
A transaction in which part of the amount is paid with a Visa Card and the other part paid with
another Visa Card or other form of payment
●
In the Canada Region and US Region, Transaction that includes a Service Fee
●
In the US Region, individual passenger railway ticket
ID# 0008603 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
5.8.4.3 Single Authorization Request for Multiple Clearing Transactions
A Merchant may obtain a single Authorization and submit multiple Clearing Records only if either:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-361
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Merchant Authorization Requirements
●
The Merchant is an Airline, a Cruise Line, or a US railway Merchant.
●
The Merchant is a Card-Absent Environment Merchant that ships goods, and all of the following:
– The purpose is to support a split shipment of goods.
– The Transaction Receipts associated with each shipment contain:
▪ The same Account Number and expiration date
▪ The same Merchant Outlet name
– The Merchant discloses to the Cardholder the possibility of multiple shipments on its website
and/or applicationor in writing.
– With each shipment, the Merchant notifies the Cardholder of the Transaction amount of the
shipment.
– The Transaction is not completed with a Visa Commercial Card enrolled in Authorization and
Settlement Match.
The Acquirer must use a Multiple Clearing Sequence Number.
ID# 0027756 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
5.8.4.4 Authorization Time Limit for In-Transit Transactions
An Authorization Request for an In-Transit Transaction may occur while in transit or at the final
destination. The Merchant must obtain Authorization within 24 hours of the passenger vehicle
reaching its final destination.
If Authorization data is stored for processing until arrival at the final destination, it must be encrypted
and kept in a secure location with access limited to authorized personnel.
ID# 0002961 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.8.4.5 Approval Response Validity Timeframes
An Approval Response is valid for a Transaction completed as follows:
PSR-362 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Table 5-17: Approval Response Validity Periods
Transaction Type
Approval Response is valid for a Transaction Date:
1
Aggregated Transaction in a Card-Absent
Environment
Effective through 13 October 2017
No later than 7 calendar days (in the US Region,
3 calendar days) from the date on which the
first Authorization Request received an Approval
Response
Effective 14 October 2017
No later than 7 calendar days from the date on
which the first Authorization Request received an
Approval Response
In-Transit Transaction Within 24 hours of the Approval Response
(Authorization may occur after the Transaction is
completed)
●
Installment Transaction
●
Prepayment
●
Recurring Transaction
●
Effective 14 October 2017
Unscheduled Credential-on-File Transaction
●
Effective 14 October 2017
Card-Absent Environment Transactions classified
with MCC 4121 (Taxicabs and Limousines)
initiated with an Estimated Authorization
Request
That is the day of the Approval Response
Transaction initiated with an Initial Authorization
Request at a turnstile, fare gate, or point of boarding
at a transit Merchant classified with MCC 4111, 4112,
or 4131
Effective through 13 October 2017
No later than 7 calendar days (in the US Region, 3
calendar days) from the first Authorization
Effective14 October 2017
No later than 7 calendar days (in the US Region,
3 calendar days) from the date of the Approval
Response to the Initial Authorization Request. Any
Incremental Authorization Requests do not extend
this timeframe.
Transaction initiated with an Estimated Authorization
Request at any of the following Merchants:
●
Aircraft rental
●
Bicycle rental
●
Boat rental
●
Equipment rental
●
Motor home rental
No later than 7 calendar days from the date of the
Approval Response to the Estimated Authorization
Request. Any Incremental Authorization Requests do
not extend this timeframe.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-363
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Merchant Authorization Requirements
Transaction Type
Approval Response is valid for a Transaction Date:
1
●
Motorcycle rental
●
Trailer parks and campgrounds
Effective 14 October 2017
Transaction initiated with an Estimated Authorization
Request at any of the following Merchants:
●
Cruise Line
●
Lodging Merchant
●
Vehicle Rental Merchant
No later than 31 calendar days from the date of the
Approval Response to the Estimated Authorization
Request. Any Incremental Authorization Requests do
not extend this timeframe.
Effective 14 October 2017
Mass Transit Transaction
No later than 3 calendar days from the date of the
Approval Response
Other Card-Absent Environment Transactions No later than 7 calendar days from the date of the
Approval Response
Other Card-Present Environment Transactions That is the day of the Approval Response
1
As specified in Section 7.7.1.2, “Transaction Date Limits”
The Authorization date and the Transaction Date are each counted as one day.
ID# 0029524 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.8.4.6 Merchant Submission of Authorization Reversals
A Merchant must submit an Authorization Reversal, as follows:
Table 5-18:
Authorization Reversal Requirements
1
Transaction Reversal Amount Reversal Timeframe
For a completed Transaction
initiated with an Estimated
Authorization Request at a Cruise
Line, Lodging Merchant, or
Vehicle Rental Merchant, and the
final Transaction amount is more
than 15% below the sum of the
authorized amounts
Difference between the final
Transaction amount and sum of
the authorized amounts
Within 24 hours of Transaction
completion
For all other completed
Transactions, if the final
Transaction amount is less
than the sum of the authorized
amounts
Difference between the final
Transaction amount and sum of
the authorized amounts
Within 24 hours of Transaction
completion
PSR-364 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Transaction Reversal Amount Reversal Timeframe
For all other Approval Responses,
if a Transaction is not completed
Authorized amount or amounts Within 24 hours of the earlier of
either:
●
When the Transaction was
cancelled or the Cardholder
decided to pay by other
means
●
The end of the Approval
Response validity period, as
specified in Section 5.8.4.5,
“Approval Response Validity
Timeframes”
1
These requirements do not apply to Automated Fuel Dispenser Transactions in the US Region or in theEurope Region.
When a Merchant submits an Incremental Authorization Request, the Merchant may reverse multiple
authorized amounts with a single Authorization Reversal only if it uses the same Transaction Identifier
for all Authorization Requests and the Authorization Reversal.
ID# 0025597 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.8.4.7 Prohibition of Magnetic Stripe-Read Visa Debit Authorization Requests –
Canada Region
In the Canada Region, a Visa Debit Acquirer must not process a Magnetic Stripe-read Authorization
Request from a domestic Visa Debit Category Card.
ID# 0025968 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.8.4.8 Excessive Authorization Requests – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, forIntraregional Transactions, an Acquirer must ensure that a Merchant does not
submit excessive Authorization Requests following an Authorization Request for a Cardholder payment
that has received a Decline Response.
ID# 0029825 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.8.4.9 Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2) as an Imprint – US Region
Effective through 14 April 2018
In the US Region, for the Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2) to be an Imprint, a Transaction must
meet all of the following conditions:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-365
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
●
The Transaction complies with all of the following:
– Occurs in a Face-to-Face Environment
– Is key-entered
– Is not a Quasi-Cash Transaction, Cash-Back Transaction, or Manual Cash Disbursement
●
The Merchant is neither:
– Assigned MCC 7995 (Betting, including Lottery Tickets, Casino Gaming Chips, Off-Track
Betting, and Wagers at Race Tracks)
– Able to read the Magnetic Stripe
●
CVV2 is included in the Authorization Request
●
Authorization was obtained
ID# 0026370 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
5.9 Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
5.9.1 Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Prepaid
5.9.1.1 Manual Cash Disbursement Requirements
If a Member makes Manual Cash Disbursements to other Issuers' Cardholders, it must do so in a
uniform manner for all Visa products properly presented.
In the Canada Region and US Region, a Member authorized to make Cash Disbursements must make
Manual Cash Disbursements to other Issuers' Visa Prepaid Cardholders at all of its Branches.
A Member may make Manual Cash Disbursements through the offices of its related companies only if
all of the following:
●
The companies are primarily engaged in providing financial services to the public.
●
The Member or the Member's holding company wholly owns the company.
●
Visa has given the Member prior approval.
ID# 0006851 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2015
5.9.1.3 Manual Cash Disbursement – Acquirer Access Fee
An Acquirer must not impose an Access Fee on a domestic Manual Cash Disbursement unless
applicable laws or regulations expressly require that the Acquirer be permitted to assess an Access Fee.
PSR-366 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
This does not apply in the:
●
AP Region (Australia, Thailand)
●
Canada Region
●
LAC Region (Puerto Rico)
●
US Region
If an Acquirer assesses an Access Fee on a Manual Cash Disbursement, it must do all of the following:
●
Disclose to the Cardholder the Access Fee before it is assessed and provide the Cardholder the
opportunity to cancel the Manual Cash Disbursement
●
Assess the Access Fee as a fixed and flat fee
●
Assess the same Access Fee on all Visa products, regardless of Issuer
●
Not assess an Access Fee on a Manual Cash Disbursement conducted with a Card issued in the
Europe Region(unless applicable laws and regulations expressly require that the Acquirer be
permitted to assess an Access Fee)
●
In the Canada Region and US Region, not assess an Access Fee on a Manual Cash Disbursement
conducted with a domestic Visa Prepaid Card
●
Include the Cash Disbursement and Access Fee amounts in the same Clearing Record and identify
the Access Fee separately
ID# 0028922 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.9.1.4 Cash-Back Requirements
In addition to requirements for each country/Region in Table 5-19, “Cash-Back Requirements,” a Cash-
Back Transaction must comply with all of the following:
●
Be authorized Online and completed as a domestic purchase Transaction in a Face-to-Face
Environment
●
Uniquely identify the Cash-Back portion of the Transaction amount
●
Be processed in the Merchant's local currency
●
Be conducted using the Cardholder signature, PIN, or Consumer Device Cardholder Verification
Method
In the Canada Region, all Acquirers and their processors must support Cash-Back at the Point of Sale
(POS).
A Member must not process a credit refund or Credit Transaction Receipt for the Cash-Back
component of a Transaction.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-367
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
Table 5-19: Cash-Back Requirements
Region/
Country
Cash-Back
without
Purchase
Amount Limits Allowed
Product Types
Transaction
Requirements
Other
AP Region
Australia Must be
available
USD 998 (or
local currency
equivalent)
Only debit Chip
Cards
●
Must
contain a
PIN
1
●
Must
not be a
Fallback
Transaction
N/A
India Must be
available
Cash-Back
disbursements
must not
exceed the
daily Cash-Back
limit per Card
specified by the
Reserve Bank
of India
Only products
permitted by
the Reserve
Bank of India
N/A N/A
Canada Region
Canada Not allowed USD 200 (or
local currency
equivalent)
●
Reloadable
Prepaid
Chip
and PIN-
enabled
Card
●
Visa Debit
Card
Must contain a
PIN
Must participate
in Partial
Authorization
CEMEA Region
South Africa Allowed Cash-Back
Transaction
amount must
not exceed ZAR
1,500
●
Debit Card
●
Visa
Prepaid
Card
●
Credit Card
Must contain a
PIN
N/A
Europe Region
All other
countries
where Cash-
Not allowed Country-
specific
●
Debit Card
●
Credit Card
Must contain a
PIN
N/A
PSR-368 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Region/
Country
Cash-Back
without
Purchase
Amount Limits Allowed
Product Types
Transaction
Requirements
Other
Back is
allowed
(unless listed
below)
Bulgaria Not allowed BGN 50 All Cards Must contain a
PIN
N/A
Czech
Republic
Not allowed
(must be in
conjunction
with a
purchase of
at least CZK
300)
CZK 1,500
●
Debit Card
●
Credit Card
Must contain a
PIN
The Issuer must
pay the Acquirer
CZK 2.50 per
Transaction
Finland Not allowed EUR 400 All Cards Must contain a
PIN
N/A
Greece Not allowed
(must be in
conjunction
with a
purchase of
at least EUR
10)
EUR 50 (per
day)
All Cards
●
Must
contain a
PIN
●
Merchant
Outlet
must be
classified
with MCC
5311 or
5411
N/A
Italy Not allowed EUR 100;
Cash-Back
Transaction
amount must
not exceed
purchase
amount
●
Debit Card
●
Credit Card
Must contain a
PIN
N/A
Poland Not allowed PLN 300
●
Debit Card
●
Credit Card
Must contain a
PIN
N/A
Republic of
Ireland
Not allowed EUR 100 Debit Card Must contain a
PIN
N/A
Romania Not allowed RON 200
●
Debit Card
●
Credit Card
Must contain a
PIN
N/A
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-369
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
Region/
Country
Cash-Back
without
Purchase
Amount Limits Allowed
Product Types
Transaction
Requirements
Other
Slovakia Not allowed
(must be in
conjunction
with a
purchase of
at least EUR
5)
EUR 50
●
Debit Card
●
Credit Card
Must contain a
PIN
N/A
Sweden Not allowed SEK2,000
●
Debit Card
●
Credit Card
N/A N/A
Switzerland Not allowed Cash-Back
Transaction
amount must
be between
CHF 10 and
CHF 200
All Cards Must contain
a PIN or
other secure
payment
method (for
example:
fingerprint)
N/A
Turkey Allowed Cash-Back
Transaction
amount must
be between TL
10 and TL 100
●
Visa
Electron
Card
●
Direct
(Immediate)
Debit Card
Must contain a
PIN
N/A
United
Kingdom
Not allowed GBP 100
●
Debit Card
●
Visa
Electron
Card
Must contain a
PIN
N/A
US Region
US Region Must be
available
2
USD 200
●
Visa debit
product
●
Visa
Prepaid
Card
Must contain a
PIN
Must participate
in Partial
Authorization
Other countries (only with Visa permission)
Other Not allowed USD 200 (or
local currency
equivalent)
As agreed with
Visa
N/A N/A
1
Effective through 30 April 2019
PSR-370 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Region/
Country
Cash-Back
without
Purchase
Amount Limits Allowed
Product Types
Transaction
Requirements
Other
Except Transactions authorized through Stand-In Processing
2
Except as specified in Section 4.11.12.4, “Visa Prepaid Card Cash Access Restrictions For Employee Benefit Programs
– US Region”
ID# 0002971 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.9.1.5 Processing of Quasi-Cash Transactions
For a Quasi-Cash Transaction, a Merchant must comply with all of the following:
●
Not accept a Mobile Payment Device or a Visa Micro Tag for a Quasi-Cash Transaction
●
Process a Quasi-Cash Transaction as a purchase and not as a Cash Disbursement
1
●
In the US Region or a US Territory, not add a service fee or commission to the Transaction if the
Merchant assesses a US Credit Card Surcharge or Service Fee on the Transaction
1
Except in South Africa
ID# 0002885 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2015
5.9.1.6 Processing of the Sale of Travelers Cheques and Foreign Currency
A financial institution with authority to make Cash Disbursements that sells or disburses travelers
cheques or foreign currency may process the Transaction as either a:
●
Quasi-Cash Transaction
●
Cash Disbursement
In the US Region, an Acquirer must not add to the Transaction amount any surcharge, commission, or
fee.
ID# 0008694 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.9.1.8 Wire Transfer Money Order Merchant Disclosures
A Wire Transfer Money OrderMerchant that disburses checks or money orders must both:
●
Advise the Cardholder that the Merchant accepting the Card is the wire transfer company, not the
payee. The check or money order must be payable to the party cashing the check or money order.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-371
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
●
Disclose any fee to the Cardholder and include it on the Transaction Receipt
ID# 0002887 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
5.9.1.9 Wire Transfer Money Order Requirements and Restrictions – US Region
In the US Region, unless a Cardholder authorizes a Wire Transfer Money Order Merchant to process a
Wire Transfer Money Order electronically, a Wire Transfer Money Order must be a written negotiable
instrument that complies with all of the following:
●
Is signed by the maker or drawer
●
Is payable on demand
●
Is payable to order or to bearer
●
Unless otherwise specified, contains all of the following:
– Federal Reserve routing symbol
– Suffix of the institutional identifier of the paying bank or nonbank payor
– Name, city, and state of the paying bank associated with the routing number
The Wire Transfer Money Order Merchant must comply with all of the following:
●
In advertising and marketing materials associated with a money order purchase, both:
– Specify that the Transaction involves the purchase of a money order
– Clearly identify the Wire Transfer Money Order Merchant as the Merchant completing the
Transaction
●
Not use the Visa-Owned Marks to imply that a Cardholder may use a Card to either:
– Pay for goods or services at the Merchant Outlet
– Satisfy an outstanding debt to the Merchant
●
Disclose both of the following to the Cardholder in writing (or, for a telephone order, verbally):
– The name of the Wire Transfer Money Order Merchant accepting the Card
– That the Transaction is the purchase of a check or money order and that any subsequent
Transaction with the third-party merchant is the same as a transaction made with cash
●
Not include more than one Wire Transfer Money Order Transaction on a single check or money
order
●
Not complete a Wire Transfer Money Order Transaction if the funds are obtained to purchase
goods or services at a third-party merchant outlet under the terms of the agreement between the
Wire Transfer Money Order Merchant and third-party merchant. This does not apply to agreements
involving any of the following:
– Casino or other gambling establishment
PSR-372 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
– Check-cashing outlet
– Truck stop offering cash access services
ID# 0008440 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.9.1.10 Point-of-Sale Balance Inquiry and Point-of-Sale Balance Return Service –
Acquirer Participation Requirements
An Acquirer that participates in the Point-of-Sale Balance Inquiry and/or a Point-of-Sale Balance
Return Service must complete systems testing with Visa.
In the US Region, anAcquirer must participate in the Point-of-Sale Balance Inquiry and/or Point-of-
Sale Balance Return Service.
ID# 0025546 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.9.1.14 Visa Prepaid Card Compromise
A Merchant that sells Visa Prepaid Cards must not sell a Visa Prepaid Card if there is evidence of
potential Card compromise, such as tampered packaging. The Merchant must retain the Card and
follow recovered Card requirements.
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
ID# 0025787 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.9.2 Chip
5.9.2.1 Chip Transaction Acquirer Data Requirements
An Acquirer that processes a Chip-initiated Transaction must support Full-Chip Data processing via its
host system
1,2
and process VIS and Common Core Definitions Chip Cards, or disable Chip functionality
in all Chip-Reading Devices connected to its host system.
1
In the AP Region for Australia and New Zealand, an Acquirer must certify its host system's support of Full-Chip Data.
2
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer must certify its host system's support of Full-Chip Data and process all EMV-Compliant
Cards.
ID# 0004842 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-373
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
5.9.2.2 Acquirer Liability for Fallback Transactions
Transactions accepted as Fallback Transactions are the liability of the Acquirer if all of the following
apply:
●
The Card is a Chip Card containing a Visa and Visa Electron Smart Payment Application or an EMV
and VIS-Compliant Plus application.
●
One of the following:
– Transaction is not authorized by the Issuer or the Issuer's agent
– Transaction is authorized by the Issuer or the Issuer's agent, and the appropriate values
identifying the Transaction as a Fallback Transaction are not included within the related
Authorization Message
– In the Europe Region, Account Number was resident on an Exception File with a Decline
Response on the Processing Date of the Chargeback, and was on an Exception File for a total
period of at least 60 calendar days from the date of listing
ID# 0001839 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.9.2.3 Global Chip Fallback Monitoring Program Criteria
An Acquirer that meets or exceeds all of the monthly performance activity levels for international
1
Chip-initiated Transactions will be placed in the Global Chip Fallback Monitoring Program.
Visa may both:
●
Modify or create new monthly performance levels
●
Apply the program to Domestic Transactions
1
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
ID# 0008404 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.9.2.4 EMV Liability Shift – Acquirer Liability for Account Generated Counterfeit
Fraud
An Acquirer is liable for counterfeit Transactions completed in a Card-Present Environment if all of the
following:
●
The Transaction did not take place at a Chip-Reading Device.
●
The Account Number was not resident on the Issuer's Master File on the Transaction Date.
●
All valid Cards bearing Account Numbers within the same account range as the Counterfeit Card
are Chip Cards containing a Visa or Visa Electron Smart Payment Application.
PSR-374 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
The Transaction was below Merchant's Floor Limit and did not receive Authorization.
●
The Account Number was resident on the Exception File with a Pickup Response on the Processing
Date of the Compliance filing and was on the Exception File for a total period of at least 30
calendar days from the date of listing.
ID# 0001819 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
5.9.2.5 EMV Liability Shift – Acquirer Liability for Card-Present Counterfeit Chip Card
Transactions
Counterfeit Card Transactions completed in a Card-Present Environment are the liability of the
Acquirer if both:
●
The Card is a Chip Card containing a Visa or Visa Electron Smart Payment Application or an EMV
and VIS-Compliant Plus application.
●
Either:
– The Transaction does not take place at a Chip-Reading Device and is not a Fallback Transaction
completed following correct acceptance procedures.
– The Transaction is Chip-initiated and the Acquirer does not transmit the Full-Chip Data to Visa.
The requirements in this section apply to qualifying Transactions, as specified in Section 1.11.1.3, “EMV
Liability Shift Participation.”
This section does not apply if the Authorization record indicates that CVV verification was not
performed or that the CVV failed verification.
For a Transaction not involving a Europe Member, this section does not apply if the Transaction
contained a payment Token.
ID# 0001837 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
5.9.2.6 EMV Liability Shift – Acquirer Liability for Non-Counterfeit Card-Present
Fraudulent Transactions
Non-Counterfeit Card fraudulent Transactions completed in a Card-Present Environment are the
liability of the Acquirer if either:
●
For a Chip-initiated Transaction without Online PIN, the Acquirer does not transmit the Full-Chip
Data to Visa.
●
All of the following:
– The Transaction takes place at an Acceptance Device that is not EMV PIN-Compliant.
– The Card is a PIN-Preferring Chip Card.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-375
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
– PIN Verification was not performed.
This section applies to qualifying Transactions, as specified in Section 1.11.1.3, “EMV Liability Shift
Participation.”
ID# 0001838 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
5.9.2.7 Acquirer Requirements for PIN Acceptance and Processing – AP Region
(India)
In the AP Region (India), an Acquirer must comply with all of the following:
●
Certify with Visa that its host system supports Chip data and the acceptance of EMV Chip Cards
●
Only use or support an EMV-Compliant Acceptance Device with the chip functionality activated
●
Deploy and activate PIN pads
ID# 0027956 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.9.2.8 Acquirer Liability for Chip Transactions in Card-Present Environment –
Canada Region
In the Canada Region, an Acquirer will be liable for a Transaction in a Card-Present Environment,
whether or not the Transaction is Chip-initiated, when all of the following are true:
●
Transaction does not take place at a Compliant Chip Card Reading Device with a PIN-entry device
that supports plaintext and enciphered offlinePIN at POS, or enciphered online PIN at ATMs
●
Card is a Compliant Chip Card
●
Transaction is reported as a fraudulent Transaction using one of the following fraud type codes:
– 0 (lost)
– 1(stolen)
– 2 (Card not received as issued [NRI])
– 4 (Issuer-reported counterfeit)
●
Account Number is listed on the Card Recovery Bulletin with an Exception File Pick-up of 04, 07,
41, or 43 on the Processing Date of the Chargeback, and is on the Exception File for a total period
of at least 60 calendar days from the date of listing
ID# 0004884 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
PSR-376 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
5.9.2.10 Payment Application Security Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer must do all of the following:
●
Ensure that its Merchant migrates or upgrades to a Payment Application that does not store
sensitive authentication data within 6 months of identification
●
Ensure that a Merchant that uses a vulnerable Payment Application, within 6 months of
identification as vulnerable, either:
– Upgrades the Payment Application to remove the identified vulnerability
– Use a Payment Application that complies with the Payment Application Data Security Standard
(PA-DSS)
●
Verify that a new Merchant uses a PCI DSS-compliant Payment Application
ID# 0029590 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.9.2.11 Chip Transaction Processing Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, a transaction initiated with a Visa-owned Application Identifier must be processed
as a Visa Transaction, a Visa Electron Transaction, an Interlink transaction, or aPlus transaction, as
applicable.
This does not apply to transactions from US Covered Visa Debit Cards initiated with the Visa US
Common Debit Application Identifier, a Plus-enabled ATM-only Proprietary Card, or an Interlink-
enabled Proprietary Card.
ID# 0027580 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
5.9.3 QR Code
5.9.3.1 QR Code Acquirer Data Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, an Acquirer that processes a QR code Transaction must support Full-Chip Data
processing via its host system.
ID# 0029968 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-377
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
5.9.4 Electronic Commerce
5.9.4.1 Merchant Website Requirements
An ElectronicCommerce Merchant website and/or application must contain all of the following:
●
Customer service contact, including email address or telephone number(in the Europe Region, if
the Merchant delivers goods or services outside of the Merchant Outlet country, both a local and
an internationally accessible telephone number)
●
Clearly and prominently display the country of the Merchant Outlet,assigned as specified in
Section 1.5.1.2, “Assignment of Merchant Outlet Location,”
1,2
or of the Marketplace, assigned as
specified in Section 5.3.2.1, “Assignment of Payment Facilitator, Staged Digital Wallet Operator, or
Marketplace Location,” either:
– On the same screen view as the checkout screen used to present the final Transaction amount
– Within the sequence of web pages that the Cardholder accesses during the checkout process
A link to a separate web page does not meet this requirement.
3
●
The address for Cardholder correspondence
●
Policy for delivery of multiple shipments
●
Security capabilities and policy for transmission of payment card details
●
Return/refund policies, cancellation policies, and other purchase terms and conditions, either:
– In the sequence of final web pages before checkout, a "click to accept" or other
acknowledgement button, checkbox, or location for an Electronic Signature
– On the checkout screen near the "submit" button
A link to a separate web page does not meet this requirement.
3
●
In addition, on an Online Gambling Merchant's homepage or payment page, all of the following:
– The statement "Internet gambling may be illegal in the jurisdiction in which you are located; if
so, you are not authorized to use your payment card to complete this transaction."
– A statement of the Cardholder's responsibility to know the laws concerning online gambling in
the Cardholder's country
– A statement prohibiting the participation of minors
– A complete description of the rules of play, cancellation policies, and pay-out policies
– A statement recommending that the Cardholder retain a copy of Transaction records and
Merchant policies and rules
–
An Acquirer numeric identifier
4
PSR-378 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
In addition, in the Europe Region, the Merchant’s consumer data privacy policy
Effective 14 October 2017
In addition, a Marketplace must both:
●
Disclose the country of the Marketplace retailer within the sequence of pages that the
Cardholder accesses during the purchase process. A link to a separate web page does not
meet this requirement.
●
Make available to the Cardholder for at least 120 days from the Processing Date both:
– The name of the retailer, Transaction Date, and Transaction amount
– If the retailer is responsible for answering questions about the purchase of the goods, an
easy means for the Cardholder to contact the retailer
1
In the APRegion, CanadaRegion, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, and US Region, a Merchant or Sponsored Merchant that
primarily operates from a personal residence is not required to provide the residence street address. In the Europe Region, a
Merchant or Sponsored Merchant must include the address of the Merchant Outlet.
2
A travel agency acting on behalf of another Merchant must display the location of the travel agency. If travel or lodging is
sold by a travel agency, the Transaction Country is the country in which the travel agency is located.
3
In the Europe Region, this may be a link to another web pageonly if the link forms part of the "click to accept"
acknowledgement and refers to the cancellation policy.
4
Except in the Europe Region, specified by Visa
ID# 0008635 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.9.4.2 Electronic Commerce Account Number Security
An Electronic Commerce Merchant must not display the full Account Number to the Cardholder
online.
ID# 0003627 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.9.4.3 Acquirer Support of Verified by Visa or Visa Checkout
An Acquirer must do all of the following:
●
Notify its Electronic Commerce Merchant of the availability of Verified by Visa
●
Provide Verified by Visa to its Electronic Commerce Merchant as requested
●
Comply with Table 5-20, “Acquirer Support of Verified by Visa by Region/Country - Requirements”
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-379
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
Table 5-20: Acquirer Support of Verified by Visaby Region/Country – Requirements
Region/
Country
Requirement
Australia Effective through 12 April 2019
Ensure that its Electronic CommerceMerchant processes an Electronic
CommerceTransaction using Verified by Visa
1
or an equivalent Visa-approved
authentication method ifthe Merchant exceeds one of the following fraud thresholds
in any quarter:
●
The Merchant's fraudulent Visa Electronic CommerceTransaction volume
exceeds USD 25,000 and exceeds 0.25% of the Merchant's overall Visa Electronic
CommerceTransaction volume.
●
The Merchant's fraudulent Visa Electronic CommerceTransaction volume exceeds
USD 250,000 and exceeds 0.025% of the Merchant's overall Visa Electronic
CommerceTransaction volume.
If the Merchant exceeds the Merchant fraud threshold, it must implement Verified by
Visa within 120 days of discovery.
Effective 13 April 2019
Ensure that its Electronic Commerce Merchant processes an Electronic Commerce
Transaction using Verified by Visa 3D Secure 2.0, if it is assigned any of the following
MCCs:
●
MCC 4722 (Travel Agencies and Tour Operators)
●
MCC 4816 (Computer Network/Information Services)
●
MCC 4829 (Wire Transfer Money Orders)
●
MCC 5085 (Industrial Supplies)
●
MCC 5311 (Department Stores)
●
MCC 5399 (Miscellaneous General Merchandise)
●
MCC 5411 (Grocery Stores and Supermarkets)
●
MCC 5661 (Shoe Stores)
●
MCC 5691 (Men’s and Women’s Clothing Stores)
●
MCC 5699 (Miscellaneous Apparel and Accessory Shops)
●
MCC 5722 (Household Appliance Stores)
●
MCC 5732 (Electronics Stores)
●
MCC 5733 (Music Stores – Musical Instruments, Pianos, and Sheet Music)
●
MCC 5734 (Computer Software Stores)
●
MCC 5912 (Drug Stores and Pharmacies)
●
MCC 5943 (Stationery Stores, Office and School Supply Stores)
PSR-380 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Region/
Country
Requirement
●
MCC 5944 (Jewelry Stores, Watches, Clocks, and Silverware Stores)
●
MCC 5999 (Miscellaneous and Specialty Retail Stores)
●
MCC 6211 (Security Brokers/Dealers)
●
MCC 7011 (Lodging – Hotels, Motels, Resorts, Central Reservation Services)
●
MCC 7832 (Motion Picture Theaters)
●
MCC 7995 (Betting, including Lottery Tickets, Casino Gaming Chips, Off-Track
Betting, and Wagers at Race Tracks)
●
MCC 8999 (Professional Services)
●
MCC 9402 (Postal Services – Government Only)
If a Merchant is not enrolled in Verified by Visa 3D Secure 2.0 and is identified by the
Visa Fraud Monitoring Program, it will be subject to the High Risk MCC timeline, as
outlined in the Visa Fraud Monitoring Program.
India
●
Ensure that its Electronic Commerce Merchant processes Electronic Commerce
Transactions using Verified by Visa or Visa Checkout
2
●
Not process a domestic Electronic Commerce Transaction unless the Cardholder has
been successfully authenticated using Verified by Visa or Visa Checkout
2
New Zealand Ensure that its Electronic CommerceMerchant processes an Electronic
CommerceTransaction using Verified by Visa
1
or an equivalent Visa-approved
authentication method, if either of the following:
●
The Merchant exceeds USD 10,000 in Visa Transaction volume in any quarter and is
assigned one of the following MCCs:
– MCC 4814 (Telecommunication Services, including Local and Long Distance Calls,
Credit Card Calls, Calls through Use of Magnetic Stripe Reading Telephones, and Fax
Services)
– MCC 5499 (Miscellaneous Food Stores – Convenience Stores and Specialty Markets)
– MCC 5732 (Electronics Stores)
– MCC 5734 (Computer Software Stores)
– MCC 5941 (Sporting Goods Stores)
– MCC 5944 (Jewelry Stores, Watches, Clocks, and Silverware Stores)
– MCC 5947 (Gift, Card, Novelty and Souvenir Shops)
– MCC 6300 (Insurance Sales, Underwriting, and Premiums)
– MCC 7399 (Business Service [Not Elsewhere Classified])
– MCC 9399 (Government Services [Not Elsewhere Classified])
●
The Merchant exceeds one of the following fraud thresholds in any quarter:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-381
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
Region/
Country
Requirement
– The Merchant's fraudulent Visa Electronic CommerceTransaction volume
exceeds USD 25,000 and exceeds 0.25% of the Merchant's overall Visa Electronic
CommerceTransaction volume.
– The Merchant's fraudulent Visa Electronic CommerceTransaction volume exceeds
USD 250,000 and exceeds 0.025% of the Merchant's overall Visa Electronic
CommerceTransaction volume.
If the Merchant exceeds the Merchant fraud threshold, it must implement Verified by Visa
1
within 120 days of discovery.
CEMEA
Region
Process Electronic Commerce Transactions using Verified by Visa
Nigeria Not process a domestic Electronic Commerce Transaction unless the Cardholder has been
successfully authenticated using Verified by Visa
Europe
Region
All of the following:
●
Process Secure Electronic Commerce Transactions using Verified by Visa
●
Support Verified by Visa for its Electronic Commerce Merchants
●
Ensure that all High Brand-Risk Merchants and High Brand-Risk Sponsored
Merchants process Electronic Commerce Transactions using a Visa-approved payment
Authentication Method
1
A Merchant must adhere to an Issuer's requested authentication method
2
This applies only to Visa Checkout Transactions less than or equal to INR 2,000.
ID# 0004619 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.9.4.4 Online Gambling Merchant and Acquirer Requirements
An Online Gambling Merchant must both:
●
Have a valid license or other appropriate authority to operate its website and/or application
●
Identify an Online Gambling Transaction with both:
– MCC 7995 (Betting), even when gambling services are not the Merchant's primary business
– Either:
▪ In the APRegion, Canada Region, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, and US Region, identify the
Transaction with the Quasi-Cash/Online Gambling Transaction indicator
▪ In the Europe Region, identify the Transaction as an Online Gambling Transaction in the
Authorization Request and Clearing Record
PSR-382 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
If a Member, Merchant, Payment Facilitator, or Sponsored Merchant is unable to distinguish an Online
Gambling Transaction from other Transactions, it must both:
●
Identify all Transactions as Online Gambling Transactions
●
Inform the Cardholder that Transactions may be identified on the billing statement as gambling
Transactions
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer must comply with the risk policy for Online Gambling Merchants
established by Visa.
ID# 0002474 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
5.9.4.5 Use of Funds Transfer for Online Gambling
If a funds transfer to an individual is to be used for an Online Gambling Transaction, an Acquirer must
identify the funds transfer Transaction as an Online Gambling Transaction.
The Acquirer must have processes to identify and eliminate abuse by an individual, funds transfer
Merchant, or Online Gambling Merchant that attempts to circumvent proper Transaction identification.
If Visa determines that an individual is facilitating Online Gambling Transactions through funds
transfers, Visa may impose these requirements on the funds transfer Merchant for any future funds
transfers to that individual.
ID# 0002955 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.9.4.6 Disbursement of Gambling Winnings to a Cardholder
In the AP Region, Canada Region, CEMEA Region, LAC Region, and US Region, a gambling Merchant
must not deposit a Credit Transaction to disburse gambling winnings to a Cardholder except for an
Original Credit Transaction.
In the Europe Region, a gambling Merchant must disburse gambling winnings to a Cardholder using
an Original Credit Transaction and not in the form of cash, a check, or any other payment method.
If a gambling Merchant uses an Original Credit Transaction to disburse gambling winnings to a
Cardholder, it must ensure that both the:
●
Original Credit Transaction is processed to the same Account Number that was used to place the
winning wager
●
Transaction representing the winning wager was lawfully made, properly identified, and processed
according to the Visa Rules
In the US Region, gambling winnings disbursed to a Visa Prepaid Card are not required to be issued to
the same Account Number that initiated the wager, but mustcomplywith all of the following:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-383
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
●
Be submitted by a gambling Merchant authorized by the Issuer to disburse winnings via a program
that has been approved by Visa
●
Be transmitted to the Issuer using a funding mechanism approved by Visa
●
Represent a Transaction for the winning wager that was lawfully made,properly identified, and
processed according to Visa Rules
ID# 0002958 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
5.9.4.8 Electronic Commerce Merchant Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer must ensure that its Electronic Commerce Merchants that conduct
fewer than 1,000,000 Electronic Commerce Transactions per year either:
●
Use a Payment Facilitator that is Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)- certified
for processing, transmitting, and storing account information or Transaction Information
●
Demonstrate, and provide evidence to Visa upon request, that they are Payment Card Industry
Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)-compliant
ID# 0029654 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.9.4.10 Acquirer Registration – Cross-Border Acquired Electronic Commerce – Europe
Region
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer may contract with an Electronic Commerce Merchant located in, or
operating in, a different country within the Europe Region if it both:
●
Complies with the requirements of the Visa Electronic Commerce Acquiring Program
●
Has passported its license to the country of the Electronic Commerce Merchant, as specified in
Section 2.10.1.1, “EU Passporting – Member Requirements – Europe Region”
ID# 0029593 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.9.4.11 Verified by Visa Chargeback Protection Limitations – US Region
In the US Region, an Acquirer must notify its Verified by Visa Merchant that its Electronic Commerce
Transactions are not eligible for Chargeback protection from Chargeback reason codes 75 (Transaction
Not Recognized) and 83 (Fraud-Card-Absent Environment)
1
if either:
●
The Merchant is classified with one of the following MCCs:
– MCC 4829 (Wire Transfer Money Orders)
– MCC 5967 (Direct Marketing – Inbound Teleservices Merchant)
PSR-384 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
– MCC 6051 (Non-Financial Institutions – Foreign Currency, Money Orders [not Wire Transfer],
Stored Value Card/Load, Travelers Cheques, and Debt Repayment)
– MCC 7995 (Betting, including Lottery Tickets, Casino Gaming Chips, Off-Track Betting, and
Wagers at Race Tracks)
●
The Merchant has been identified in the Visa Chargeback Monitoring Program or the Visa Fraud
Monitoring Program. The Acquirer must notify the Merchant that it remains ineligible while it is
in either program, and for an additional 4 months after exiting the program. This condition also
applies if the Merchant enabled Verified by Visa while identified in either program.
1
For a Member that participates in Enhanced Dispute Resolution, Dispute condition 10.4: Other Fraud – Card-Absent
Environment
ID# 0004608 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.9.5 Mail/Phone Order Transactions
5.9.5.1 Disclosure of Mail/Phone Order Merchant Outlet Country
A Mail/Phone Order Merchant must disclose the Merchant Outlet country when presenting payment
options to a Cardholder.
ID# 0002902 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.9.6 Aggregated Transactions
5.9.6.1 Aggregated Transaction Merchant Requirements
Only the following Merchants may process an Aggregated Transaction:
●
Electronic Commerce Merchants
●
Merchants assigned one of the following MCCs:
– 4111 (Local and Suburban Commuter Passenger Transportation, Including Ferries)
– 4112 (Passenger Railways)
– 4131 (Bus Lines)
An Aggregated Transaction must comply with all of the following:
●
Effective through 13 October 2017
Consist only of purchases made from a single Merchant with a single trading name
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-385
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
●
Effective through 13 October 2017
Consist only of purchases made using the same Account Number
●
Not include purchases made more than 7 calendar days apart or, in the US Region, more than 3
calendar days apart
●
Effective through 13 October 2017
Not exceed USD 25 (or local currency equivalent) or, in the US Region, USD 15
●
Effective 14 October 2017
For an Electronic Commerce Transaction, not exceed USD 15 (or local currency equivalent)
●
Effective 14 October 2017
For a Transaction with MCC 4111, 4112, or 4131, not exceed USD 25 (or local currency equivalent)
or in the US Region, USD 15
For an Aggregated Transaction, a Merchant must do all of the following:
●
At the Point of Transaction, inform the Cardholder of all of the following:
– That Transaction aggregation will occur
– The Transaction aggregation terms, including the maximum number of calendar days and
Transaction value
– Effective through 13 October 2017
In the US Region, for an Electronic CommerceTransaction, that the Issuer may hold available
funds of up to USD 15 for 3 calendar days
– How to obtain details of the aggregated purchases
●
Make individual purchase information and Aggregated Transaction information available to a
Cardholder for at least 120 days after the processing date of the Aggregated Transaction
●
In the US Region, both:
– Be able to process a Partial Authorization
– For an Electronic CommerceTransaction, obtain an Authorization of no more than USD 15 at
the start of each aggregation session
ID# 0002906 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.9.7 T&E and Rental Transactions
5.9.7.1 International Airline Program Participation Requirements
Before entering into a Merchant Agreement with an Airlinefor participation in the International Airline
Program, an Acquirer must do all of the following:
●
Meet Visa capitalization and reserve requirements
PSR-386 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Obtain approval of its business plan from Visa
●
Ensure that the Airline sells tickets directly in its own name in 2 or more countries, operates
scheduled flights between 2 or more countries, or both
An Acquirer must notify Visa if it acquires an Airline Merchant Outlet that is in a country not specified
in the business plan.
ID# 0006089 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.9.7.2 Merchant Requirements for Guaranteed Reservations
If a Merchant accepts a Guaranteed Reservation, the Merchant must do all of the following:
●
Be one of the following Merchant types:
– Lodging Merchant
– Effective through 13 October2017
Car RentalMerchant
– Aircraft rentalMerchant
– Bicycle rentalMerchant
– Boat rentalMerchant
– Equipment rentalMerchant
– Motor home rentalMerchant
– Motorcycle rentalMerchant
– Effective through 13 October 2017
Truck and trailer rentalMerchant
– Trailer park or campground
– Effective 14 October 2017
Vehicle Rental Merchant
●
Provide disclosure of reservation conditions to the Cardholder at the time of the reservation. If
the reservation was made by telephone, the Merchant must send to the Cardholder a written
reservation confirmation containing all required disclosures within 24 hours of the reservation.
●
Provide to the Cardholder a period of at least 24 hours after delivery ofthe
reservationconfirmation to cancel the reservation without penalty
●
Hold the reservation for at least 24 hours after the agreed start time unless the Cardholder cancels
the reservation by the time specified in the Merchant’s cancellation policy
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-387
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
●
If the Cardholder claims the reservation within 24 hours of the agreed start time, and the
Merchant has failed to hold the reservation, provide at no cost to the Cardholder comparable
accommodation, merchandise, or services, and pay for associated costs, or as otherwise agreed by
the Cardholder, until the reserved accommodation, merchandise, or services become available
●
Process a No-Show Transaction only if the Cardholder has not properly canceled the reservation
according to the disclosed and agreed cancellation policy and has not claimed the reservation
ID# 0029266 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.9.7.3 Conditions for Assessing Amended Amounts or Delayed Charges
A Merchant may process a Transaction evidencing an amended amount or delayed charge, only as
follows:
Table 5-21: Conditions for Amended Amounts and Delayed Charges
Amended Amounts Delayed Charges for
Loss, Theft,or Damage
1
All Other
Delayed Charges
Eligible Merchant types
●
Aircraft rental Merchant
●
Bicycle rental Merchant
●
Boat rental Merchant
●
Effective through 13 October2017
Car Rental Merchant
●
Cruise Line
●
Equipment rental Merchant
●
Lodging Merchant
●
Motor home rental Merchant
●
Motorcycle rental Merchant
●
Trailer parks and campgrounds
●
Effective through 13 October 2017
Truck and trailer rental Merchant
●
Effective 14 October 2017
Vehicle Rental Merchant
The charge must: Be directly related to
both:
Comply with all of the
following:
Be directly related to
both:
PSR-388 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Amended Amounts Delayed Charges for
Loss, Theft,or Damage
1
All Other
Delayed Charges
●
The merchandise or
services provided
by the Merchant to
the Cardholder (for
example: insurance
or rental fees)
●
A Transaction
in which the
Cardholder
participated
●
Be directly related to
the merchandise or
services provided by
the Merchant to the
Cardholder during
the rental period
●
Be the actual cost
for replacement/
repair of damage
to the Merchant’s
property or for
an insurance
deductible,
whichever is less
●
If a prepayment, not
be used to pay for
damage, theft, or
loss of use
●
The merchandise or
services provided
by the Merchant to
the Cardholder (for
example: tolls or
parking tickets)
●
A Transaction
in which the
Cardholder
participated
To support the
charge, the Merchant
must provide to the
Cardholder:
The amended
Transaction Receipt
Within 10 business
days of the rental
return, check-out,
or disembarkation
date, and before
processing any
additional Transaction,
documentation that
does all of the following:
●
Explains the charge
and connects the
charge to the
Cardholder’s use of
the merchandise or
services during the
rental period
●
Includes
2
any
accident, police, or
insurance report
Both:
●
The Transaction
Receipt for the
delayed charge
●
An explanation of
the charge (if for
a parking ticket or
traffic violation,
this must include
documentation from
the appropriate
civil authority
with the license
number of the
rental vehicle, the
time and location
of the violation,
and the amount of
the penalty in the
currency of the civil
authority)
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-389
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
Amended Amounts Delayed Charges for
Loss, Theft,or Damage
1
All Other
Delayed Charges
●
For damage to
a rental vehicle,
provides at least
2 quotes from
entities that are
legally permitted to
perform repairs
●
Specifies the portion
of the loss, theft,
ordamage that will
be paid by insurance
and the reason that
the Cardholder
is liable for the
amount claimed
●
Informs the
Cardholder that
payment for
loss, theft,or
damage with the
Cardholder’s Visa
Card is optional and
not a required or
default payment
option
The Cardholder must
expressly approve
the charge before the
Merchant processes the
Transaction (except in
the Europe Region):
No, unless required
by applicable laws or
regulations
In the APRegion,
CanadaRegion,
CEMEARegion,
LACRegion, and
US Region, yes. The
Cardholder must
expressly agree in
writing to pay the
specific charges after the
loss, theft, or damage
has occurred and after
receiving all required
disclosures and amounts
from the Merchant.
In the Europe Region:
No
PSR-390 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Amended Amounts Delayed Charges for
Loss, Theft,or Damage
1
All Other
Delayed Charges
●
The Cardholder may,
within 10 business
days of receiving
this confirmation,
and at no cost to the
Merchant, provide
an alternative
written estimate for
the cost of repairing
the damage.
●
If agreement is not
reached between the
Merchant and the
Cardholder for the
cost of repairing the
damage, and if the
Merchant processes
the delayed charge
Transaction,
the Cardholder
may dispute the
Transaction.
●
The Merchant must
wait 20 business
days from the date
of the confirmation
receipt provided
to the Cardholder
before processing a
delayed charge for
damages.
The Merchant must
process the charge
within:
24 hours of check-out or
rental return
90 calendar days of the rental return, check-out, or
disembarkation date
1
Requirements for rental Merchants in the Europe Region are specified in Section 5.9.7.4, “Rental Merchant Charges for
Damages – Europe Region.”
2
Required for Transactions involving car or truck rental. For all other Merchants, as applicable
ID# 0007398 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-391
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
5.9.7.4 Rental Merchant Charges for Damages – Europe Region
In the Europe Region,when arental Merchant carries out a delayed charge Transaction for charges
relating to damage to a rental vehicle, the Merchant must provide the Acquirer with all of the
following:
●
A copy of the rental agreement
●
An estimate of the cost of the damage from an organization that can legally provide repairs
●
The relevant civil authority's accident report (if applicable)
●
Documentation showing that the Cardholder has given consent that a delayed charge Transaction
may be processed using the Cardholder's Card to cover damages to a rental vehicle. This consent
must be evidenced by either:
– The Cardholder's signature on the same page as, and close to, the description of the charges
that may be covered by the delayed charge Transaction
– The Cardholder's signature on the agreement and the Cardholder's initials on each page of the
agreement, including on the same page as the description of the charges that may be covered
by the delayed charge Transaction
●
Any other documentation demonstrating the Cardholder's liability for the damage
●
A copy of the insurance policy of the rental Merchant, if the Merchant requires that the Cardholder
pay an insurance deductible for damages and a copy of the vehicle rental agreement showing that
the Cardholder consents to be responsible for the insurance deductible
ID# 0004141 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
5.9.8 Dynamic Currency Conversion
5.9.8.1 Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) – Acquirer Requirements
Before processing a Dynamic Currency Conversion Transaction, an Acquirer must both:
●
Comply with the Dynamic Currency Conversion registration and certification requirements
specified in the International Transactions Guide (or, in the Europe Region, DCC Acquirer and
Merchant Standards Manual)
●
Ensure that each Merchant Outlet conducting Dynamic Currency Conversion complies with the
Visa Rules and International Transactions Guide (or, in the Europe Region, DCC Acquirer and
Merchant Standards Manual)
ID# 0025740 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-392 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
5.9.8.3 Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) – Merchant Requirements
A Merchant offering Dynamic Currency Conversion must comply with all of the following:
●
Be registered with Visa and use a solution that has been certified by Visa as compliant with the
Visa Rules, as specified in the International Transactions Guide (or, in the Europe Region, DCC
Acquirer and Merchant Standards Manual)
●
Inform the Cardholder that DCC is optional
●
Offer DCC in the Cardholder Billing Currency
●
Not impose any additional requirements on the Cardholder to have the Transaction processed in
the local currency
●
Not use any language or procedures that may cause the Cardholder to choose DCC by default
●
Not misrepresent, either explicitly or implicitly, that its DCC service is a Visa service
●
Not convert a Transaction amount in the local currency that has been approved by the Cardholder
into an amount in the Cardholder's billing currency after the Transaction has been completed but
not yet entered into Interchange
●
Ensure that the Cardholder expressly agrees to a DCC Transaction,
1
as specified in Section 5.10.3.3,
“Required Transaction Receipt Content for Specific Transaction Types”
●
In the US Region or a US Territory, include the US Credit Card Surcharge amount, if assessed, in the
conversion
●
In the AP Region (Australia), include any Surcharge amount, if assessed, in the conversion
●
In the Europe Region, inform the Cardholder before obtaining Authorization that DCC is a service
provided by the Merchant or Acquirer
If an Electronic Commerce Merchant uses a Cardholder’s Account Number to determine eligibility to
convert the purchase amount from the Merchant’s currency to the Cardholder Billing Currency it must
comply with all requirements relating to a DCC Transaction.
1
In the Europe Region, the Cardholder must expressly agree to or decline DCC by either checking a single box displayed to
agree to DCC or by checking one of 2 boxes displayed, one to agree to DCC, the other to decline DCC.
ID# 0003100 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.9.8.6 Multi-Currency Priced Transaction Requirements
In a Multi-Currency Priced Transaction, the displayed price and currency selected by the Cardholder
must be the same price and currency charged to the Cardholder, printed on the Transaction Receipt,
and entered into Interchange by the Acquirer.
ID# 0026216 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-393
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
5.9.9 Prepayments, Repeated Payments, and Deferred Payments
5.9.9.1 Requirements for Prepayments and Transactions Using Stored Credentials
Effective through 13 October 2017
A Merchant that processes partial and full prepayments, Installment Transactions, and Recurring
Transactions must comply with Table 5-22, “Requirements for Prepayments and Repeated
Payments (Effective through 13 October 2017).”
Effective 14 October 2017
A Merchant or its agent, a Payment Facilitator, or a Digital Wallet Operatorthat processes partial
and full prepayments and that stores a Stored Credential and/or processes Transactions using a
Stored Credential must comply with Table 5-23, “Requirements for Prepayments and Transactions
Using Stored Credentials (Effective 14 October 2017).”
These requirements do not apply to the following when the Merchant or its agent uses the Stored
Credential for a single Transaction or a single purchase:
●
A No-Show Transaction
●
A Transaction involving an amended amount or a delayed charge
●
A Transaction involving an Incremental Authorization
●
A Transaction where the Merchant is allowed to submit a new Authorization Request for the
same Transaction
●
A Transaction that received a Decline Response and is resubmitted for Authorization, as
specified in Section 7.3.6.1, “Preauthorized Transaction Decline Response”
Table 5-22: Requirements for Prepayments and Repeated Payments (Effective through 13 October 2017)
Prepayment (Partial) Prepayment (Full) Installment Transaction Recurring Transaction
Eligible Purchases
Any Any of the following:
●
T&E
●
Custom merchan-
dise or services
Any Any
PSR-394 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Prepayment (Partial) Prepayment (Full) Installment Transaction Recurring Transaction
●
In a Face-to-Face
Environment,
where not all
items purchased
in the Transaction
are immediately
available but will be
shipped or provided
at a later date
●
Recreational services
or activities related
to tourism and travel
Disclosure to Cardholder and Cardholder Consent
The Merchant must
provide, and the
Cardholder must
consent to,
1
all of the
following in writing at
the time of the first or
only partial prepayment:
●
Description
of promised
merchandise or
services
●
Terms of service
●
Timing of delivery to
Cardholder
●
Transaction amount
●
Total purchase price
●
Terms of final
payment, including
the amount and
currency
●
Cancellation and
refund policies
●
Date and time that
any cancellation
privileges expire
without prepayment
forfeiture
The Merchant must
provide, and the
Cardholder must
consent to,
1
all of the
following in writing
at the time of the full
prepayment:
●
Description
of promised
merchandise or
services
●
Terms of service
●
Timing of delivery to
Cardholder
●
Transaction amount
●
Refund policies
●
Date and time
that any refund
privileges expire
without prepayment
forfeiture
●
Any associated
charges
The Merchant must
provide, and the
Cardholder must
consent to,
1
the
merchandise or services
and all of the following
in writing at the time of
the first Transaction:
●
Terms of service
●
Timing of delivery to
Cardholder
●
Transaction amount
●
Total purchase price
●
Terms of future
payments, including
the dates, amounts,
and currency
●
Cancellation and
refund policies
●
Any associated
charges, including
shipping and
handling charges
and any applicable
tax
The Cardholder must
consent to
1
periodic
charges for recurring
merchandise or services
at the time of the
first Transaction. This
permission must include
at least all of the
following, in writing, and
must be provided to the
Cardholder:
●
The Transaction
amount, unless
the Recurring
Transactions are for
varying amounts
●
The frequency of the
recurring charges (in
the Europe Region,
the fixed dates
on or intervals at
which the Recurring
Transactions will be
processed)
●
The duration for
which Cardholder
permission is
granted
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-395
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
Prepayment (Partial) Prepayment (Full) Installment Transaction Recurring Transaction
●
Any associated
charges
●
Acknowledgement
of the Merchant's
cancellation and
refund policies
●
Where surcharging
is permitted,
acknowledgement
of any surcharge
assessed and
the associated
disclosures
The Merchant must
retain the Cardholder's
permission for the
duration of the recurring
merchandise or services.
Amount
A prepayment amount
must be less than the
cost of the merchandise
or services purchased
and must be applied to
the total obligation.
The prepayment amount
must be equal to the
cost of the merchandise
or services purchased.
An Installment
Transaction amount
must be less than
the total price of the
merchandise or services
purchased (and may
include interest charges,
except in the US Region)
and must be applied to
the total obligation.
A Recurring Transaction
amount must not:
●
Include partial
payment for
merchandise
or services
purchased in a
single Transaction
●
Include finance
charges
Transaction Processing Requirements
Zero Floor Limit for
each Transaction. The
amount authorized must
be no more than the
amount of the individual
Transaction.
The Merchant must
comply with all
requirements applicable
to the Transaction type.
Zero Floor Limit
(Authorization required)
for each Transaction. The
amount authorized must
be no more than the
amount of the individual
Transaction.
Zero Floor Limit
(Authorization required)
for each Transaction. The
amount authorized must
be no more than the
amount of the individual
Transaction.
PSR-396 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Prepayment (Partial) Prepayment (Full) Installment Transaction Recurring Transaction
If an Authorization
Request for a
subsequent payment
is declined, the
Merchant must notify
the Cardholder in
writing and allow the
Cardholder at least 7
days to pay by other
means.
If an Authorization
Request for a
subsequent payment
is declined, the
Merchant must notify
the Cardholder in
writing and allow the
Cardholder at least 7
days to pay by other
means.
A Merchant must
not process an initial
Installment Transaction
until the merchandise
or services have
been provided to the
Cardholder and must
not process individual
Installment Transactions
at intervals less than
either:
●
7 calendar days
●
In the US Region,
the monthly
anniversary of the
shipment date
Except as specified in
the Visa International
Certificate of
Incorporation and By-
Laws, Visa assumes
no liability for an
Installment Transaction
processed more than 30
calendar days from the
Authorization date.
Cancellation Procedure
If the Cardholder cancels within the terms of the cancellation policy, the
Merchant must provide to the Cardholder both of the following within 3
business days:
●
Cancellation or refund confirmation in writing
●
Credit Transaction Receipt for the amount specified in the cancellation policy
The Merchant must:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-397
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
Prepayment (Partial) Prepayment (Full) Installment Transaction Recurring Transaction
●
Provide an online
cancellation
procedure if the
Cardholder's request
for merchandise or
services was initially
accepted online
●
Not complete
a Recurring
Transaction beyond
the duration
expressly authorized
by the Cardholder
or if it receives
either a cancellation
notice from the
Cardholder or a
Decline Response
Retention of Payment
If the Cardholder does
not pay the balance
and does not cancel
within the terms of the
cancellation policy, the
Merchant may retain
a partial prepayment
only if the Merchant
has disclosed on the
Transaction Receipt
that the prepayment is
nonrefundable.
If the Cardholder does
not cancel within
the terms of the
cancellation policy,
the Merchant may
retain a full prepayment
only if the Merchant
has disclosed on the
Transaction Receipt
that the prepayment is
nonrefundable.
None None
Merchant Responsibility to Refund an Amount and Provide a Comparable Substitute
The Merchant must refund the full amount paid if
the Merchant has not adhered to the terms of the
sale or service.
If the Cardholder claims a reservation, and the
Merchant has not held the reservation, the Merchant
must provide at no additional cost to the Cardholder
comparable merchandise or services and pay any
associated costs for the remainder of the reserved
time period, or as agreed between the Merchant and
the Cardholder.
The Merchant must refund the full amount paid if
the Merchant has not adhered to the terms of the
sale or service.
PSR-398 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Prepayment (Partial) Prepayment (Full) Installment Transaction Recurring Transaction
1
Where required by applicable laws or regulations, the Merchant or its agent must also provide to the Cardholder a
record of the Cardholder's consent.
Table 5-23: Requirements for Prepayments and Transactions Using Stored Credentials (Effective 14 October
2017)
Prepayment (Partial) Prepayment (Full) Transaction Using a Stored Credential
Eligible Purchases
Any Any of the following:
●
T&E
●
Custom
merchandise or
services
●
In a Face-to-Face
Environment,
where not all
items purchased
in the Transaction
are immediately
available but will be
shipped or provided
at a later date
●
Recreational services
or activities related
to tourism and travel
Any
Disclosure to Cardholder and Cardholder Consent
Effective 14 October 2017 in the Europe Region
Effective 14 April 2018 in the AP Region, Canada Region, CEMEA Region, LAC Region, and US Region
When entering into a Cardholder agreement, all requirements related to the specific Transaction type listed
below must be clearly displayed at the time that the Cardholder gives their consent and must be displayed
separately from the general purchase terms and conditions.
The Merchant must
provide, and the
Cardholder must
consent to,
1
all of the
following in writing at
the time of the first or
only partial prepayment:
The Merchant must
provide, and the
Cardholder must
consent to,
1
all of the
following in writing
at the time of the full
prepayment:
When capturing a Stored Credential for the first time,
the Merchant or its agent, the Payment Facilitator, or
the Staged Digital Wallet Operator must establish an
agreement with the Cardholder
1
that contains all of
the following:
●
A truncated version of the Stored Credential (for
example: last 4 digits of the Account Number),
as it may be updated from time to time
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-399
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
Prepayment (Partial) Prepayment (Full) Transaction Using a Stored Credential
●
Description
of promised
merchandise or
services
●
Terms of service
●
Timing of delivery to
Cardholder
●
Transaction amount
●
Total purchase price
●
Terms of final
payment, including
the amount and
currency
●
Cancellation and
refund policies
●
Date and time that
any cancellation
privileges expire
without prepayment
forfeiture
●
Any associated
charges
●
Description
of promised
merchandise or
services
●
Terms of service
●
Timing of delivery to
Cardholder
●
Transaction amount
●
Refund policies
●
Date and time
that any refund
privileges expire
without prepayment
forfeiture
●
Any associated
charges
●
How the Cardholder will be notified of any
changes to the agreement
●
How the Stored Credential will be used
●
The expiration date of the agreement, if
applicable
In addition, before processing an Installment
Transaction, Recurring Transaction, or Unscheduled
Credential-on-File Transaction, the Merchant or
its agent must obtain the Cardholder's express
informed consent
1
to an agreement that contains all
of the following:
●
The Transaction amount (including all associated
taxes and charges) or a description of how the
Transaction amount will be determined
●
The Transaction currency
●
Where surcharging is permitted,
acknowledgement of any surcharge assessed
and the associated disclosures
●
Cancellation and refund policies
●
The location of the Merchant Outlet
●
In addition, for Installment Transactions, both:
– Total purchase price
– Terms of future payments, including the
dates, amounts, and currency
●
In addition, for Recurring Transactions, the fixed
dates or intervals on which the Transactions will
be processed
●
In addition, for Unscheduled Credential-on-
File Transactions, the event that will prompt the
Transaction (for example: if the Cardholder's
balance falls below a certain amount)
The Merchant or its agent, the Payment Facilitator,
or the StagedDigital Wallet Operator must retain
the Cardholder's agreement for the duration of the
agreement and provide it to the Issuer upon request.
Amount
A prepayment amount
must be less than the
cost of the merchandise
The prepayment amount
must be equal to the
The amount:
PSR-400 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Prepayment (Partial) Prepayment (Full) Transaction Using a Stored Credential
or services purchased
and must be applied to
the total obligation.
cost of the merchandise
or services purchased.
●
For an Installment Transaction, may include
interest charges, except in the US Region
●
For a Recurring Transaction or an Unscheduled
Credential-on-File Transaction, must not include
finance charges
Transaction Processing Requirements
Zero Floor Limit for
each Transaction. The
amount authorized must
be no more than the
amount of the individual
Transaction.
If an Authorization
Request for a
subsequent payment
is declined, the
Merchant must notify
the Cardholder in
writing and allow the
Cardholder at least 7
days to pay by other
means.
The Merchant must
comply with all
requirements applicable
to the Transaction type.
Zero Floor Limit (Authorization required) for the
initial and subsequent Transactions. The amount
authorized must be no more than the amount of the
individual Transaction.
When capturing a Stored Credential for the first time,
the Merchant or its agent, the Payment Facilitator, or
the Staged Digital Wallet Operator must do all of the
following:
●
Either:
– Submit an Authorization Request for the
amount due
– If payment is not required, submit an
Account Verification
●
Use the appropriate indicator in the POS
environment field
●
If the initial Authorization Request or Account
Verification is not approved, not store the
credential
For a Transaction using a Stored Credential,the
Merchant or its agent,the Payment Facilitator, orthe
Staged Digital Wallet Operator must usePOS Entry
Mode code 10.
In addition, for a subsequent Recurring Transaction,
Installment Transaction, or Unscheduled Credential
on File Transaction,the Merchant or its agent,the
Payment Facilitator, orthe Staged Digital Wallet
Operator must use the appropriate indicator in the
POS environment field.
For a Transaction using a Stored Credential initiated
by the Cardholder, the Merchant or its agent must
also validate the Cardholder’s identity (for example:
with a login ID and password) before processing
each Transaction.
For an Installment Transaction, all of the following:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-401
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
Prepayment (Partial) Prepayment (Full) Transaction Using a Stored Credential
●
If an Authorization Request for a subsequent
payment is declined, the Merchant or its agent
must notify the Cardholder in writing and allow
the Cardholder at least 7 days to pay by other
means.
●
A Merchant or its agent must not process
an initial Installment Transaction until the
merchandise or services have been provided to
the Cardholder and must not process individual
Installment Transactions at intervals less than
either:
– 7 calendar days
– In the US Region, the monthly anniversary of
the shipment date
●
Except as specified in the Visa International
Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws,
Visa assumes no liability for an Installment
Transaction processed more than 30 calendar
days from the Authorization date.
Cancellation Procedure
If the Cardholder cancels
within the terms of the
cancellation policy, the
Merchant must provide
to the Cardholder both
of the following within 3
business days:
●
Cancellation or
refund confirmation
in writing
●
Credit Transaction
Receipt for the
amount specified
in the cancellation
policy
If the Cardholder cancels
within the terms of the
cancellation policy, the
Merchant must provide
to the Cardholder both
of the following within 3
business days:
●
Cancellation or
refund confirmation
in writing
●
Credit Transaction
Receipt for the
amount specified
in the cancellation
policy
The Merchant or its agent must both:
●
Provide a simple cancellation procedure, and,
if the Cardholder’s order was initially accepted
online, at least an online cancellation procedure
●
Not complete a Transaction:
– Beyond the duration expressly agreed by the
Cardholder
– If the Cardholder requests that the Merchant
or its agent change the payment method
– If the Cardholder cancels according to the
agreed cancellation policy
– If it receives a Decline Response
For an Installment Transaction, if the Cardholder
cancels within the terms of the cancellation policy,
the Merchant or its agent must provide to the
Cardholder both of the following within 3 business
days:
●
Cancellation or refund confirmation in writing
PSR-402 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Prepayment (Partial) Prepayment (Full) Transaction Using a Stored Credential
●
Credit Transaction Receipt for the amount
specified in the cancellation policy
Retention of Payment
If the Cardholder does
not pay the balance
and does not cancel
within the terms of the
cancellation policy, the
Merchant may retain
a partial prepayment
only if the Merchant
has disclosed on the
Transaction Receipt
that the prepayment is
nonrefundable.
If the Cardholder does
not cancel within
the terms of the
cancellation policy,
the Merchant may
retain a full prepayment
only if the Merchant
has disclosed on the
Transaction Receipt
that the prepayment is
nonrefundable.
None
Merchant Responsibility to Refund an Amount and Provide a Comparable Substitute
The Merchant must refund the full amount paid if
the Merchant has not adhered to the terms of the
sale or service.
If the Cardholder claims a reservation, and the
Merchant has not held the reservation, the Merchant
must provide at no additional cost to the Cardholder
comparable merchandise or services and pay any
associated costs for the remainder of the reserved
time period, or as agreed between the Merchant and
the Cardholder.
The Merchant or its agent must refund the full
amount paid if the Merchant has not adhered to the
terms of the sale or service.
1
Where required by applicable laws or regulations, the Merchant or its agent must also provide to the Cardholder a
record of the Cardholder's consent.
ID# 0029267 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.9.9.2 Cardholder Permission for Recurring and Mail/Phone Order Transactions –
Europe Region
In the Europe Region, Cardholder written permission for a Recurring Transaction or a Mail/Phone
Order Transaction must contain all of the following:
●
Account Number
●
Transaction Date
●
Transaction amount
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-403
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
●
Authorization Code, if any
●
Cardholder signature
●
Merchant name
●
Merchant location
●
Description of merchandise or services
ID# 0029806 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.9.9.3 Additional Merchant Requirements for Transactions Using a Stored
Credential – Europe Region
Effective through 13 October 2017
In the Europe Region, if a Merchantdoes not process a Recurring Transaction or Installment
Transaction at the time of entering an agreement with a Cardholder, the Merchant must both:
●
Submit an Account Number Verification Transaction
●
Identify the Account Number Verification Transaction as a Recurring Transaction or
InstallmentTransaction in the Authorization Request
If the Account Number Verification Transaction is not approved, the Merchant must not submit
any subsequent Transactions under that agreement with the Cardholder.
ID# 0029843 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.9.9.4 Merchant Communication Requirements for Recurring and Unscheduled
Credential-on-File Transactions – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Merchant must use the method of communication agreed with the Cardholder
to do the following:
●
For a Recurring Transaction, both:
– Provide the Cardholder with confirmation that a Recurring Transaction agreement has been
established within 2 business days
– Provide notification to the Cardholder at least 7 working days before a Recurring Transaction if
any of the following is true:
▪ More than 6 months have elapsed since the previous Recurring Transaction.
▪ A trial period, introductory offer, or any promotional activity has expired.
▪ The Recurring Transaction agreement has been changed, including, but not limited to:
▪ Any change to the amount of the Recurring Transaction
PSR-404 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
▪ Any change to the date of the Recurring Transaction
●
Effective 14 October 2017
For an Unscheduled Credential-on-File Transaction, provide notification to the Cardholder of
any change in the agreement, including, but not limited to, any change in the amount of the
Transaction, at least 2 working days before the change
At the same time as providing this notification, the Merchant must advise the Cardholder how to
cancel the agreement with the Merchant.
ID# 0029844 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.9.9.5 Mobile Phone Airtime Prepayment – Europe Region (United Kingdom)
In the Europe Region (United Kingdom), to accept a Transaction for the purchase of prepaid mobile
phone airtime in a Card-Absent Environment, a Merchant must do all of the following:
●
Register no more than 2 Visa Cards or Visa Electron Cards per mobile phone account, and no more
than 2 mobile phone accounts per Visa Card or Visa Electron Card
●
Obtain the Cardholder's name and home address
●
Check the Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2) and Account Verification Service (AVS) data
●
For a Recurring Transaction, all of the following:
– Establish only one Recurring Transaction agreement per mobile phone account
– Authenticate the initial Recurring Transaction by either:
▪ Verified by Visa (VbV)—Electronic Commerce Indicator 5
▪ CVV2/AVS checks
– Conduct a new CVV2/AVS data check if the Cardholder’s Stored Credential changes
CVV2/AVS checks are not required on subsequent Recurring Transactions when all of the following
criteria are met:
●
The account of the Visa Card or Visa Electron Card is one of the 2 registered to that mobile phone
account.
●
CVV2/AVS data was submitted as part of a previous Transaction for prepaid mobile phone airtime,
made on the same account of the registered Visa Card or Visa Electron Card, and confirmed as
matched by the Issuer at least 3 months before setting up the Recurring Transaction.
●
The maximum amount of GBP 30 per calendar month is not exceeded.
If an Issuer charges back a Transaction, the Acquirer must inform the Merchant, and the Merchant
must:
●
Block the mobile phone account(s) for which the fraudulent prepayment was made
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-405
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
●
Cancel the Visa Card or Visa Electron Card registration
●
Not reregister a Visa Card or Visa Electron Card with the same Account Number
ID# 0030056 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
5.9.10 Visa Easy Payment Service (VEPS) and Small Ticket Transactions
5.9.10.1 Visa Easy Payment Service (VEPS) Transaction Qualifying Criteria
A Visa Easy Payment Service (VEPS) Transaction must meet all of the following requirements:
Table 5-24: VEPS Qualifying Criteria
Transaction Element Qualifying Criteria
Transaction Types The Transaction must be conducted in a Card-Present Environment.
The Transaction must not be any of the following:
●
A Fallback Transaction
●
An Account Funding Transaction
●
An ATM Cash Disbursement Transaction
●
A Cash-Back Transaction
●
A Manual Cash Disbursement
●
A Quasi-Cash Transaction
●
A Prepaid Load Transaction
●
A Transaction where Dynamic Currency Conversion is performed
Cardholder Verification
Method
Not required
Transaction Amount The Transaction amount (including taxes, if applicable, and surcharge, if
permitted) must not exceed the limit specified in Section 5.9.10.2, “Visa
Easy Payment Service (VEPS) Maximum Transaction Amounts.”
Eligible MCCs All MCCs are eligible, unless an exception is listed below or the MCC is
prohibited.
Effective 14 April 2018
In the Europe Region, a Transaction that is not a Contactless Transaction
and that does not take place at an Unattended Cardholder-Activated
Terminal is eligible only with one of the following MCCs:
●
4111 (Local and Suburban Commuter Passenger Transportation,
including Ferries)
●
4121 (Taxicabs and Limousines)
PSR-406 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Transaction Element Qualifying Criteria
●
4131 (Bus Lines)
●
4784 (Tolls and Bridge Fees)
●
5311 (Department Stores)
●
5499 (Miscellaneous Food Store – Convenience Stores and Specialty
Markets)
●
5812 (Eating Places and Restaurants)
●
5814 (Fast Food Restaurants)
●
5912 (Drug Stores and Pharmacies)
●
5993 (Cigar Stores and Stands)
●
5994 (News Dealers and Newsstands)
●
7211 (Laundries – Family and Commercial)
●
7216 (Dry Cleaners)
●
7338 (Quick Copy, Reproduction, and Blueprinting Services)
●
7523 (Parking Lots, Parking Meters and Garages)
●
7542 (Car Washes)
●
7832 (Motion Picture Theaters)
●
7841 (DVD/Video Tape Rental Stores)
Prohibited MCCs The Transaction must not contain any of the following MCCs:
●
5542 (Automated Fuel Dispensers)
●
5965 (Direct Marketing – Combination Catalog and Retail Merchants)
●
5969 (Direct Marketing/Direct Marketers [Not Elsewhere Classified])
●
6011 (Automated Cash Disbursements)
●
6012 (Financial Institutions – Merchandise, Services, and Debt
Repayment)
●
7995 (Betting, including Lottery Tickets, Casino Gaming Chips, Off-
Track Betting, and Wagers at Race Tracks)
●
9405 (Intra-Government Purchases)
Transaction Processing
Requirements
The Transaction must both:
●
Be authorized
●
Contain POS Entry mode of 05, 07, 90, or 91
ID# 0025692 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-407
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
5.9.10.3 Small Ticket Transactions – Europe Region
Effective through 13 April 2018
In the Europe Region, a Small Ticket Transaction must comply with all of the following
requirements:
Table 5-26: Small Ticket Transaction Requirements – Europe Region
Transaction Element Requirement
Allowed MCCs
●
For Contactless Transactions, any
●
For Unattended Transactions, any
●
For Face-to-Face or semi-attended Transactions, any of the following:
– 4111 (Local and Suburban Commuter Passenger Transportation,
including Ferries)
– 4121 (Taxicabs and Limousines)
– 4131 (Bus Lines)
– 4784 (Tolls and Bridge Fees)
– 5311 (Department Stores)
– 5499 (Miscellaneous Food Store – Convenience Stores and Specialty
Markets)
– 5812 (Eating Places and Restaurants)
– 5814 (Fast Food Restaurants)
– 5912 (Drug Stores and Pharmacies)
– 5993 (Cigar Stores and Stands)
– 5994 (News Dealers and Newsstands)
– 7211 (Laundries – Family and Commercial)
– 7216 (Dry Cleaners)
– 7338 (Quick Copy, Reproduction, and Blueprinting Services)
– 7523 (Parking Lots, Parking Meters and Garages)
– 7542 (Car Washes)
– 7832 (Motion Picture Theaters)
– 7841 (DVD/Video Tape Rental Stores)
Prohibited Transactions The Transaction must not be any of the following:
●
Account Funding Transactions
●
ATM Transactions
PSR-408 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Transaction Element Requirement
●
Fallback Transactions
●
Manual Cash Disbursements
●
Prepaid Load Transactions
●
Quasi-Cash Transactions
●
Transactions where Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) is performed
●
Transactions that include Cash-Back
Transaction Processing
Requirements
The Transaction must comply with all of the following:
●
Be authorized
●
Contain POS Entry mode of 05, 07, 90, or 91
●
Must not be processed if a PIN-Preferring Chip Card is used in a Face-to-
Face Environment at an Acceptance Device with a PIN pad
●
Must not exceed applicable Transaction limits
ID# 0029836 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.9.11 Debt Repayment
5.9.11.1 Repayment of Existing Debt – Europe Region
Effective through 12 October 2018
In the Europe Region, in addition to the requirements in Section 1.5.5.4, “Payment of Existing
Debt,” a Merchant or Acquirer may accept a Direct (Immediate) Debit Card or a Visa Electron Card
for the repayment of debt only if all of the following:
●
The Transaction is a Domestic Transaction.
●
The debt is not considered uncollectible (for example: payments to a collection agency or in
an attempt to recover funds for a dishonored check).
●
The Merchant complies with all of the following:
– Uses MCC 6012 (Financial Institutions – Merchandise, Services, and Debt Repayment)
– Is a member of its recognized professional body or association
– Obtains Online Authorization
–
Identifies the Transaction using a debt repayment indicator
1
– Completes the Transaction as a purchase
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-409
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
– Includes on the Transaction Receipt the type of repayment made (for example: "loan,"
"mortgage," "credit card," "goods," or "services")
– Includes all of the following data elements in the Authorization Request:
▪ Date of birth of recipient account holder
▪ Recipient account number (either partially masked or up to 10 characters)
▪ Partial postcode of recipient account holder
▪ Last name of recipient account holder
●
In the United Kingdom, a Merchant or Acquirer may accept a Visa Card, including a Visa
Credit Card, for the repayment of debt that is considered uncollectible only if it complies with
all of the following:
– Has as its principal business the collection of overdue debts
– Uses MCC 7299 (Miscellaneous Personal Services)
– Uses Verified by Visa if it accepts Visa Debit Cards for the payment of Visa Credit Card bills
1
In the United Kingdom, a Merchant is not required to flag the Transaction with a debt repayment indicator.
ID# 0029830 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.9.11.2 Repayment of Debt
Effective 15 October 2016 through 13 April 2018 in the US Region
Effective 22 April 2017 through 13 April 2018 in the AP Region (Australia, New Zealand) and
Canada Region
A Merchant may accept a Visa Card to repay a debt
1
only if the Merchant:
●
Is assigned to MCC 6012 (Financial Institutions – Merchandise, Services, and Debt Repayment)
or MCC 6051 (Non-Financial Institutions – Foreign Currency, Money Orders [not Wire
Transfer], Stored Value Card/Load, Travelers Cheques, and Debt Repayment)
●
Accepts only consumer Visa Debit Cards, Visa Business Debit cards, and Visa Prepaid Cards for
debt repayment. The acceptance of Visa Credit Cards for the repayment of debt is prohibited.
●
Includes the debt repayment indicator in the Authorization Request and Clearing Record of all
debt repayment transactions
2
●
Does not accept payments for debt in any of the following categories:
– Debt representing payday lending
– Charged-off debt held by a non-financial institution or debt that has been sold to a non-
financial institution
3
–
Time-barred debt
4
PSR-410 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
In the US Region, is registered as a Limited Acceptance Merchant of eligible Visa Debit
Category Cards (including Visa Prepaid Cards) in all channels where payments for the
repayment of debt are accepted. However, the Merchant may accept all Visa Cards for any of
its other lines of business that do not collect payments on debt.
Effective 14 April 2018 in the APRegion, Canada Region, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, and US
Region
Effective 13 October 2018 in the Europe Region
An Acquirer must ensure that a debt
1
repayment Transaction complies with all of the following:
Table 5-29: Debt Repayment Transaction Requirements
Requirement Description
Prohibitions
●
Use of a credit Card or charge Card
●
Debt that exceeds the statute of limitations and is no longer collectible in a
lawsuit, unless the Merchant obtains written Cardholder agreement to the
charge and the amount
Restrictions
●
For debt that has been charged-off and transferred from the original owner
to a third party, the Merchant must be either:
– A regulated financial institution
– Located in the Europe Region and a member of a professional body that
creates industry standards
●
For payday lending
5
, the Merchant must be both:
– Located in the Europe Region
– A member of a recognized professional body or association
Signage
Merchants must display signage to reflect the type of Cards they accept
6
Processing Requirements
●
Include the debt repayment indicator in the Authorization Request and
Clearing Record
●
Assign MCC 6012 (Financial Institutions – Merchandise, Services, and Debt
Repayment) or MCC 6051 (Non-Financial Institutions – Foreign Currency,
Money Orders [not Wire Transfer], Stored Value Card/Load, and Travelers
Cheques)
●
Complete the Transaction as a purchase
●
In the Europe Region:
– In the United Kingdom, for the collection of overdue debt, include all of
the followingdata in the Authorization Request:
▪ Date of birth of recipient account holder
▪ Recipient account number (either partially masked or up to 10
characters)
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-411
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
Requirement Description
▪ Partial postcode of recipient account holder
▪ Last name of recipient account holder
– In other countries, either of the following:
▪ Authenticate the Cardholder using 3-D Secure
▪ Include all of the following data in the Authorization Request:
▪ Date of birth of recipient account holder
▪ Recipient account number (either partially masked or up to 10
characters)
▪ Partial postcode of recipient account holder
▪ Last name of recipient account holder
Resubmissions A debt repayment Transaction that receives a Decline Response may not be
resubmitted for Authorization if any of the following:
●
The Transaction has already been submitted 3 times with each retry resulting
in a Decline Response
●
After more than 14 calendar days from the date of the original Decline
Response
●
If the Decline Response code is one of the following:
– 04 (Pickup card)
– 14 (Invalid account number (no such number))
– 41 (Pickup card (lost card))
– 43 (Pickup card (stolen card))
– 52 (No checking account)
– 57 (Transaction not permitted to cardholder)
– 75 (Allowable number of PIN-entry tries exceeded)
– 78 (Blocked, first used)
– 82 (Negative Online CAM, dCVV, iCVV, or CVV results)
The Merchant must not deposit the Transaction if an Approval Response is
received after a Decline Response that meets one of these conditions.
In the Europe Region (United Kingdom), a Merchant or Acquirer may accept a Visa Card, including a
Visa Credit Card, for the repayment of debt that is considered uncollectible only if it complies with all
of the following:
●
Has as its principal business the collection of overdue debts
●
Uses MCC 7299 (Miscellaneous Personal Services)
PSR-412 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Uses Verified by Visa if it accepts Visa Debit Cards for the payment of Visa Credit Card bills
1
Money owed by one party (debtor) to another party (creditor). Debt includes the obligation to repay money in connection
with: loans, credit card balances, or the funding of the purchase of goods or services by an entity that is not the seller of the
goods or services. Lease payments, where ownership of the goods does not automatically pass to the lessee at the end of
the lease, or installment or delayed payment for the purchase of goods or services under terms provided to the Cardholder
by the seller of the goods or services are not treated as debt for the purpose of the Visa Rules.
2
In the AP Region (Australia, New Zealand), effective 14 October 2017
3
Effective through 13 April 2018
Charged-off debt may be paid using a Visa Debit Card, provided that the financial institution still holds the debt and is the
Merchant of record (MCC 6012 [Financial Institutions – Merchandise, Services, and Debt Repayment]).
4
Effective through 13 April 2018
Debt that exceeds the statute of limitations and is no longer collectible in a lawsuit.
5
A loan or advance either as defined by local law or where the consumer is required to repay the loan or advance within
60 days, either as a single repayment or as a repayment in a fixed amount and the total amount paid by the consumer to
extinguish the debt or obligation substantially exceeds the original amount borrowed or advanced
6
The Merchant must accept all Visa Cards for its other lines of business that do not collect payments on debt.
ID# 0003026 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.9.12 Health Care
5.9.12.1 Preauthorized Health Care Transactions – US Region
For a Preauthorized Health Care Transaction in the US Region, a Health Care Merchant must obtain
from the Cardholder an Order Form that contains all of the following:
●
A description of the requested services
●
Permission for the Health Care Merchant to charge the Cardholder's account for the balance due
following the Merchant's receipt of any applicable insurance payment
●
Time period (not to exceed one year) for which permission is granted
A Health Care Merchant must not request Authorization for the amount due until it has received
notification of adjudication from the Cardholder's insurance company.
ID# 0008706 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.9.12.2 Acquirer Participation in Healthcare Auto-Substantiation – US Region
In the US Region, to process a Healthcare Auto-Substantiation Transaction, an Acquirer or its agent
must comply with all of the following:
●
Be licensed and certified by SIGIS
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-413
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
●
Provide the Visa Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Visa Health Reimbursement Arrangement
(HRA) BIN list only to eligible Merchants
●
Ensure that HRA and FSA Auto-Substantiation Transactions originate only from a SIGIS-certified
Merchant
●
Provide an IIAS Merchant Verification Value to the Merchant and include it in the Authorization
Request
●
Comply with all SIGIS requirements, including storage and fulfillment of Transaction Receipt data
●
Fulfill Retrieval Requests for Transaction Receipt data associated with Visa Healthcare Auto-
Substantiation Transactions. The Fulfillment must not be processed using Visa Resolve Online.
ID# 0003106 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.9.12.3 Merchant Participation in Healthcare Auto-Substantiation – US Region
In the US Region, a Merchant that participates in Healthcare Auto-Substantiation must comply with all
of the following:
●
Be licensed and certified by SIGIS
ID# 0025549 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.9.13 Visa Fleet Card
5.9.13.1 Visa Fleet Card Acquirer and Merchant Requirements – Canada and CEMEA
Regions
In the Canada Region and CEMEA Region, an Acquirer that agrees to support the Visa Fleet Card
Product must ensure the Visa Fleet Card Application Identifier (AID), and the appropriate terminal
application is implemented in the terminal of its Merchant that wants to support Visa Fleet Card
Transactions.
A Visa Fleet Card Acquirer must ensure that its Merchant that agrees to support Visa Fleet Card
Transactions both:
●
Modify POS Systems to support the Visa Fleet Card Application Identifier (AID)
●
Modify POS systems to prompt and/or validate the Enhanced Data, and to pass on the Enhanced
Data
ID# 0029231 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
PSR-414 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
5.9.13.2 Visa Fleet Card Merchant Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, a Merchant that accepts a Visa Fleet Card must both:
●
Prompt the Cardholder to provide the data required by the service prompt indicator
●
Pass complete and accurate prompt-input data with the Visa Fleet Card Enhanced Data
ID# 0027525 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.9.15 Up-Selling and Negative Option Merchants
5.9.15.1 Up-Selling Merchant Requirements
An up-selling Merchant
1
must comply with all of the following:
●
Clearly disclose to the Cardholder all of the following:
– The name of the up-selling Merchant offering the goods and services in a manner that clearly
differentiates the up-selling Merchant from the initial Merchant
– A description of the goods and services
– The length of any trial period, including clear disclosure that the Cardholder will be charged
unless the Cardholder takes steps to cancel the subsequent Transaction
– The Transaction amount and Transaction Date
– The cancellation policy
●
Obtain the Cardholder's express informed consent for any subsequent Transactions by requiring
the Cardholder to do all of the following:
– Enter the Cardholder's Account Number for the subsequent Transactions
– Enter the Cardholder's name, address, and contact information
– Perform an additional confirmatory action to indicate consent to the Transaction (for example:
clicking a confirmation button)
●
Comply with all other Transaction processing requirements
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
1
An online seller of goods and services different from, and not affiliated with or subsidiary of, the initial Merchant with whom
the Cardholder initiates the Transaction.
ID# 0026364 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-415
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
5.9.15.2 Negative Option Merchant Requirements
A Negative Option Merchant must comply with all of the following:
●
Obtain the Cardholder's express informed consent by disclosing all purchase terms and conditions
before initiating the initial Transaction, including, but not limited to, the following:
– The name of the Merchant offering the goods and services
– A description of the goods and services
– The Transaction amount and Transaction Date (including for each recurring charge)
– The length of any trial period, including clear disclosure that the Cardholder will be charged
unless the Cardholder takes steps to cancel the subsequent Transaction
– The cancellation policy
●
Provide a simple mechanism for the Cardholder to cancel charges
●
Comply with all other Transaction requirements
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
ID# 0026365 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.9.16 Toll and Bridge Merchants
5.9.16.1 Toll and Bridge Merchant PIN Acceptance – Europe Region
A Europe Merchant using MCC 4784 (Toll and Bridge Fees) is not required to be able to accept a PIN.
ID# 0029666 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.9.17 Variable Fare Transit
5.9.17.1 Variable Fare Transit Merchant Authorization Requirements – Europe Region
Effective through 13 October 2017
A Variable Fare Transit Merchant must submit an Online Authorization Request at the end of a
Travel Day if any of the following apply:
●
The Card was used for the first time at the Merchant
●
The Chip on the Card requested Online Authorization at any point during the Travel Day
PSR-416 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
More than 14 calendar days have elapsed since Online Authorization was last requested for
the Account Number by the Merchant
●
The Transaction amount for that Travel Day exceeds any of the following:
– GBP 15 for Transactions initiated at a Merchant Outlet in the United Kingdom
– EUR 20 (or local currency equivalent) for Transactions initiated at a Merchant Outlet
located outside the United Kingdom.
– The cumulative value of Variable Fare Transactions since the last Online Authorization
Request by the Merchant for the Account Number is equal to or greater than either:
▪ GBP 15 for Transactions initiated at a Merchant Outlet in the United Kingdom
▪ EUR 20 (or local currency equivalent) for Transactions initiated at a Merchant Outlet
located outside the United Kingdom
ID# 0029676 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.9.17.2 Variable Fare Transit Merchant Requirements – Europe Region
Effective through 13 October 2017
An Acquirer must ensure that its Variable Fare Transit Merchant does all of the following:
●
Registers with Visa
●
Deploys Contactless-only Acceptance Devices
●
Submits an Account Verification when a Card is first used at the Merchant
●
Blocks a Card from being used for travel if it receives either:
– A Decline Response
– An Issuer response to an Account Verification indicating that the Transaction should not
be completed with that Card
●
Resets the Variable Fare Transaction parameters held for a Card on the Merchant's host
system and/or remove any travel block on the Card only after receiving an Approval Response
to an Authorization Request that contained Full-Chip Data
●
Upon completion of a Transaction, provides the Cardholder with access to all of the following
information for a minimum of 120 days following the Transaction Processing Date:
– Merchant name
– Total Transaction amount in the Transaction Currency
– Details of each individual journey completed on that Travel Day, including the start and
end time of each journey
– Final Transaction Date
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-417
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
– Any discounts applied
To obtain an Approval Response, the Merchant must request Online Authorization using either of
the following amounts:
●
If no debt is outstanding, the Transaction Amount that was cleared following the Decline
Response. Upon receipt of an Approval Response, the travel block must be removed within 1
hour and the Authorization Request must be reversed.
●
The amount of any outstanding debt. Upon receipt of an Approval Response, the travel block
must be removed within 1 hour.
1
If a Merchant does not perform Offline Data Authentication, the Acquirer must notify Visa before the Merchant may
accept Variable Fare Transactions.
ID# 0029677 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.9.18 Gambling
5.9.18.1 Acquirer Requirements for Gambling Transactions in Norway – Europe
Region
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer that acquires gambling Transactions in Norway must ensure that
gambling Transactions are conducted only at Merchants licensed by the Norwegian Gaming Authority.
ID# 0030012 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
5.9.19 Mass Transit
5.9.19.1 Mass Transit Transaction Authorization Requirements
Effective 14 October 2017
A Merchant performing a Mass Transit Transaction must submit an Online Authorization Request
either:
●
At the end of each Travel Period
●
In the Europe Region, if any of the following conditions apply:
– The Card was used for the first time at the Merchant or more than 14 calendar days have
elapsed since Online Authorization was last requested for the Account Number by the
Merchant.
PSR-418 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
– The Chip on the Card requested Online Authorization at any point during the Travel
Period.
– The cumulative value of a Mass Transit Transaction since the last Online Authorization
Request by the Merchant for the Account Number is equal to or greater than the Mass
Transit Transaction cumulative offline limit.
1
1
This limit is set to the same value as the Contactless Floor Limit in that country.
ID# 0030049 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
5.9.19.2 Mass Transit Transaction Requirements
Effective 14 October 2017
An Acquirer must ensure that its Merchants that perform Mass Transit Transactions do all of the
following:
●
Registers with Visa
●
Deploys Contactless-only Acceptance Devices
●
Effective 13 October 2018 in the AP Region, Canada Region, CEMEA Region, LAC Region,
and US Region
Assigns a Payment Account Reference (PAR)
●
Submits an Account Verification when a Card is first used at the Merchant
●
Blocks a Card from being used for travel within one hour of receiving either:
– A Decline Response
– An Issuer response to an Account Verification indicating that the Transaction should not
be completed with that Card
●
Resets the Mass Transit Transaction parameters held for a Card on the Merchant's host system
and/or remove any travel block on the Card only after receiving an Approval Response to an
Authorization Request that contained Full-Chip Data
●
Upon completion of a Transaction, provides the Cardholder with access to all of the following
information for a minimum of 120 days following the Transaction Processing Date:
– Merchant name
– Total Transaction amount in the Transaction Currency
– Details of each individual journey completed during the Travel Period, including the start
and end time of each journey
– Final Transaction Date
– Any discounts applied
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-419
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Specific Acceptance Environments and Procedures
To obtain an Approval Response following a Decline Response, the Merchant must request Online
Authorization using either of the following amounts:
●
If no fare is outstanding, the Transaction amount that was cleared following the Decline
Response. Upon receipt of an Approval Response, the travel block must be removed within
one hour and the Authorization Request must be reversed.
●
The amount of any outstanding fare. Upon receipt of an Approval Response, the travel block
must be removed within one hour.
If the Merchant receives a Decline Response, it may submit a Clearing Record for that Mass
Transit Transaction only if all of the following apply:
●
The Transaction is a Domestic Transaction or an Intraregional Transaction
●
Either:
– The Transaction is the first Transaction on the Card at the Merchant.
– The previous Mass Transit Transaction for which Authorization was requested received an
Approval Response.
●
Offline Data Authentication using fast Dynamic Data Authentication (fDDA) was performed.
1
●
The Transaction amount is less than or equal to the region- or country-specific values inTable
5-30, “Mass Transit Transaction Processing Requirements.”
For a Transaction that received a Decline Response, a Merchant must not submit a Clearing
Record with a lower Transaction amount in order to meet the submission criteria.
Table 5-30: Mass Transit Transaction Processing Requirements
Chargeback Threshold for the
Transaction Amount that can
be Cleared Following a Decline
Response
Authorization Requests in
Response to the Initial Decline
Response
Merchant Outlet
Location
Domestic
Transactions
Intraregional
Transactions
Number
Permitted
Timeframe for
Resubmissions
Travel Period
AP Region
India INR 100 INR 0 4 14 calendar
days
24 hours
Singapore SGD 15 SGD 0 4 14 calendar
days
120 hours
All other
countries
0 0 4 14 calendar
days
24 hours
Canada Region
PSR-420 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Chargeback Threshold for the
Transaction Amount that can
be Cleared Following a Decline
Response
Authorization Requests in
Response to the Initial Decline
Response
Merchant Outlet
Location
Domestic
Transactions
Intraregional
Transactions
Number
Permitted
Timeframe for
Resubmissions
Travel Period
All 0 0 4 14 calendar
days
24 hours
CEMEA Region
Armenia,
Azerbaijan,
Belarus, Georgia,
Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan,
Moldova,
Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan,
Ukraine,
Uzbekistan
USD 1 USD 1 4 14 calendar
days
24 hours
Albania,
Bosnia and
Herzegovina,
Kosovo,
Macedonia,
Montenegro,
Serbia
USD 2 USD 2 4 14 calendar
days
24 hours
All other
countries
0 0 4 14 calendar
days
24 hours
Europe Region
Netherlands EUR0 EUR5 6 14 calendar
days
24 hours
United Kingdom GBP10 GBP 6 6 14 calendar
days
24 hours
All other
countries
EUR5 EUR5 6 14 calendar
days
24 hours
LAC Region
All USD 5 USD 5 4 14 calendar
days
24 hours
US Region
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-421
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Transaction Receipt Requirements
Chargeback Threshold for the
Transaction Amount that can
be Cleared Following a Decline
Response
Authorization Requests in
Response to the Initial Decline
Response
Merchant Outlet
Location
Domestic
Transactions
Intraregional
Transactions
Number
Permitted
Timeframe for
Resubmissions
Travel Period
All 0 0 4 14 calendar
days
24 hours
1
If a Merchant does not perform Offline Data Authentication using fast Dynamic Data Authentication (fDDA), the
Acquirer must notify Visa before the Merchant may accept Mass Transit Transactions.
ID# 0030050 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
5.10 Transaction Receipt Requirements
5.10.1 Transaction Receipt Delivery to Cardholders
5.10.1.1 Transaction Receipt Delivery to Cardholders
A Merchant or Acquirer must provide a completed Transaction Receipt to a Cardholder, as follows:
Table 5-31: Transaction Receipt Delivery to Cardholders
Transaction Type Transaction
Receipt Required
When Transaction
Receipt Must Be
Provided
The Merchant initiates the Transaction, including any of the
following:
●
Deferred Payment Transactions
●
Recurring Transactions
●
Installment Transactions
●
Unscheduled Credential-on-File Transactions
Yes At the time of the
Transaction
The Cardholder initiates the Transaction, and any of the
following:
●
The Transaction Receipt contains a restricted return, refund,
or exchange policy
●
The Merchant requires the Transaction Receipt if the
Cardholder returns merchandise
Yes At the time of the
Transaction
PSR-422 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Transaction Type Transaction
Receipt Required
When Transaction
Receipt Must Be
Provided
●
The Transaction is a Dynamic Currency Conversion
Transaction
The Transaction is any of the following:
●
Expedited exit Transactions at an amusement park
●
Express-return Transactions at a rental Merchant
●
Priority check-out Transactions at a Cruise Line or Lodging
Merchant
Yes Within 3 business
days of a
Cardholder's
departure,
check-out,
disembarkation, or
rental return
●
An Automated Fuel Dispenser Transaction
●
A Transaction conducted at a Merchant that uses a Visa-
approved “quick Chip” processing solution
At Cardholder
request
Atthe time of the
Transaction
An Unattended Cardholder Activated Terminal Transaction,
excluding an Automated Fuel Dispenser Transaction, that is
either:
●
For an amount less than or equal to one of the following:
– Inthe AP Region, in Australia, AUD 25
– In the AP Region, in New Zealand, NZD25
– USD 15
●
In the Europe Region, a Telephone Service Transaction with
MCC 4814 (Telecommunication Service)
No N/A
For all other Transactions At Cardholder
Request
At the time of the
Transaction
If required to provide a Transaction Receipt to the Cardholder, the Merchant must provide either
a paper Transaction Receipt or an electronic Transaction Receipt. A Merchant may provide an
electronic Transaction Receipt only if any of the following:
●
The Transaction is an Electronic Commerce Transaction
●
The Transaction occurs at a Contactless-only Acceptance Device
●
The Cardholder agrees to an electronic Transaction Receipt
ID# 0027835 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-423
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Transaction Receipt Requirements
5.10.1.2 Electronic Format Cardholder Receipt Delivery Requirements
If a Merchant provides an electronic Transaction Receiptto a Cardholder, the Merchant must do all of
the following:
●
If a link to a website is provided, all of the following:
– Provide clear instructions to the Cardholder for accessing the Transaction Receipt
– Ensure that the link is a direct link to the Transaction Receipt
– Make the receipt available to the Cardholder for at least 120 calendar days after the Processing
Date
●
Provide instructions to enable the Cardholder to obtain the receipt if the Cardholder does not
receive it
●
Not store or use personal information provided by the Cardholder to enable the Merchant to
provide the receipt for any other purpose without the express consent of the Cardholder
●
Include both of the following in the title of the email or the title or first line of the wirelessly
delivered message:
– The Merchant name as it will appear in the Clearing Record and on the Cardholder billing
statement
– Language indicating that the email or wirelessly-delivered message contains the Cardholder's
copy of a Transaction Receipt or a link to the Cardholder's copy of a Transaction Receipt
●
Provide the receipt in a static format that cannot be easily manipulated after it has been created
ID# 0027837 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.10.2 Transaction Receipt Retention Period
5.10.2.1 Transaction Receipt Retention Period
A Merchant must retain a Transaction Receipt for a minimum of 120 calendar days after the Processing
Date. This requirement applies to Transactions for which a Merchant or Acquirer must obtain
Cardholder signature.
ID# 0028051 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
PSR-424 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
5.10.3 Transaction Receipt Data and Format Requirements
5.10.3.1 Prohibited Transaction Receipt Content for All Transactions
A Transaction Receipt must not contain:
●
If the Transaction Receipt bears the Visa Program Marks, promotional, advertising, or similar
language that conveys preference of a non-Visa payment card
●
More information than is embossed or printed on the Card. This does not apply to either:
– A paymentToken
– A Card on which only a partial Account Number is printed
ID# 0026206 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
5.10.3.2 Required Transaction Receipt Content for All Transactions
A Transaction Receipt must include all of the following elements:
Table 5-32: Required Transaction Receipt Content for All Transactions
Required Element Additional Requirements
Account Number
or paymentToken
1
The Account Number or payment Token, except for the final 4 digits, must be
disguised or suppressed on the Cardholder's copy of a Transaction Receipt.
Authorization Code
Applies only to Transactions that were authorized by the Issuer
1
Card network
name
Must contain "Visa"
2
Cardholder
signature on
Merchant/Acquirer
Copy
This applies only to a Transaction that requires a signature.
Description of
goods or services
1
Description of the purchase
Merchant,
Marketplace, or
Digital Wallet
Operator (DWO)
location
1
●
Effective through 13 October 2017
City and state/province of the Merchant Outlet
●
Effective 14 October 2017
For a Transaction involving a Merchant Outlet or Marketplace, the city and state/
province of the Merchant Outlet or Marketplace
●
For an ATM Transaction, the location or street address of the ATM
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-425
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Transaction Receipt Requirements
Required Element Additional Requirements
Merchant, Acquirer,
Marketplace,or
DWOname
●
For an ATM Transaction, the name of the ATM Acquirer
●
For a Transaction involving a Payment Facilitatoror High-Risk Internet Payment
Facilitator, the Payment Facilitator and Sponsored Merchant name (or an
abbreviation)
●
For a back-to-back Transaction involving a retailer signed by a Staged Digital
Wallet Operator (SDWO), the name of the SDWO and the name of the retailer
●
Effective 14 October 2017
For a Transaction involving a Marketplace, the name of the Marketplace and the
name of the retailer
●
For all other Transactions, the name the Merchant uses to identify itself to its
customers
Return and refund
policies
As specified in Section 5.4.2.4, “Disclosure to Cardholders of Return, Refund, and
Cancellation Policies”
Transaction
amount and
Transaction
currency symbol
3
Total currency amount of all goods and services sold to the Cardholder at the same
time, including applicable taxes and fees and any adjustments or credits. The currency
symbol denoting the Transaction Currency must be included.
Transaction Date In the US Region, for a Visa Fleet Card, including the time of the Transaction
Transaction type
1
One of the following:
●
ATM Cash Disbursement
●
Cash-Back with no purchase
●
Credit
●
Manual Cash Disbursement
●
Prepaid Load
●
Purchase
Other details
embossed on Card
1
Applies only to the Merchant copy of a manually imprintedTransaction Receipt
1
Effective through 13 April 2018
This does not apply to a Visa Easy Payment Service Transaction or a Small Ticket Transaction.
Effective 14 April 2018
This does not apply to a Visa Easy Payment Service Transaction.
2
Effective 14 October 2017 for Acceptance Devices deployed on or after 14 October 2017
Effective 13 October 2018 for all Acceptance Devices
In the US Region or US Territory, this does not apply to a Transaction initiated using the Visa US Common Debit
Application Identifier of a US Covered Visa Debit Card, when the processing network is not known at the time that
the Transaction Receipt is generated. The Transaction Receipt must contain the application label selected (either "Visa
Debit" or "US Debit," as applicable) or another enhanced descriptor.
PSR-426 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Required Element Additional Requirements
3
If the currency symbol or identification is not on the Transaction Receipt, the Transaction Currency is the local currency
of the Transaction Country.
ID# 0027843 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.10.3.3 Required Transaction Receipt Content for Specific Transaction Types
In addition to the requirements in Section 5.10.3.2, “Required Transaction Receipt Content for All
Transactions,” and Section 5.4.2.4, “Disclosure to Cardholders of Return, Refund, and Cancellation
Policies,” a Transaction Receipt must contain all of the following, as applicable:
Table 5-33: Required Transaction Receipt Content for Specific Transactions
Transaction Type Required Content
Aggregated
Transaction
●
Amount of each individual purchase
●
Date of each individual purchase
●
Description of each individual purchase
Airline Transaction For ticket purchases, itinerary data
ATM Cash
Disbursement
●
Balance
1
●
Type of account accessed
●
If an Access Fee is charged:
–
The words "ATM Fee," "Terminal Fee," or "Access Fee"
2
– In the US Region and Canada Region, identification of the Acquirer as the
recipient of the fee
●
In addition, in the Europe Region, all of the following:
– ATM or Load Device Acquirer name and/or name of affiliated domestic or
regional network
– ATM or Load Device street location or location code
– ATM or Load Device city
Transaction at a
rental Merchant
●
Daily rental rate
●
Any applicable taxes
●
Dates of pick-up and return
●
Description of additional costs
Cash-Back
Transaction
Cash-back amount shown separately to purchase amount
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-427
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Transaction Receipt Requirements
Transaction Type Required Content
Chip Transaction
(Europe Region)
●
Dedicated File Name (for a Chip-initiated Transaction or a Contactless
Transaction)
1
●
Application Preferred Name
3
or Application Label
3
(if present on the Card)
●
Indication of a Contactless Transaction (either “Visa Contactless” or an image to
indicate a Contactless Transaction)
●
For a Visa Prepaid Card Transaction, available balance
Cruise Line
Transaction
4
●
Cabin rate
●
Dates of embarkation and disembarkation
Effective through
13 April 2018
Debt Repayment
Transaction
(Europe Region)
Effective 14 April
2018
Debt Repayment
Transaction
Type of repayment (for example: “loan,” “mortgage,” “credit card,” “goods,” “services”)
Dynamic Currency
Conversion
Transaction
●
Transaction amount, with currency symbols, in:
– Merchant’s local Currency
– Transaction Currency
●
Words “Transaction Currency” next to the Transaction amount
●
Currency Conversion Rate
●
Currency conversion commission, fees, or markup on the exchange rate over a
wholesale rate or government-mandated rate
●
In the APRegion, Canada Region, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, and US Region,
statement that the Cardholder has been offered a choice of currencies for
payment and expressly agrees to the Transaction Receipt information by marking
an “accept” box on the Transaction Receipt
●
In the Europe Region, statement, easily visible to the Cardholder, that the
Cardholder has been offered a choice of currencies for payment (including the
local currency of the Merchant Outlet) and that the currency selected by the
Cardholder is the Transaction Currency
●
Statement that Dynamic Currency Conversion is conducted by the Merchantand,
in the Europe Region, is not associated with or endorsed by Visa
Electronic
Commerce
Transaction
●
Customer service contact
●
Merchant country
●
Merchant online address
PSR-428 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Transaction Type Required Content
●
Conditions of sale, including return and cancellation policy
Visa Fleet Card
Transaction
●
In the US Region:
– Fuel product code
– Fuel quantity
– Fuel type
– Fuel unit price
– Odometer reading
●
In the Canada Region and CEMEA Region, for a Merchant that supports a Visa
Fleet Transaction through the Visa Fleet Card Application Identifier:
– Fuel product code
– Fuel quantity
– Fuel type
– Fuel unit price
– Odometer reading
Load Transaction
●
Prepaid Partner name
●
Prepaid Partner location address and identification code
●
For a Load Transaction at an ATM (except in the Europe Region), all of the
following:
– The Load Transaction Amount
– An ATM Access Fee, if one is assessed
– The account balance, if provided by the Issuer
●
In the Europe Region, all of the following:
– The amount added to the Card
– Load Device Acquirer name and/or name of affiliated domestic or regional
network
– Load Device street location or location code
– Load Device city
– Type of account accessed
Lodging Merchant
4
Transaction
●
Dates of check-in and check-out
●
Daily room charge
●
Any applicable taxes
●
Description and dates of individual purchases
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-429
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Transaction Receipt Requirements
Transaction Type Required Content
Manual Cash
Disbursement
●
Effective through 16 October 2021
4 digits printed below the Card number (if present)
●
Type of secondary identification (for example: passport, driver’s license) without
including the number or any other identifying information
●
Clerk’s signature
●
The words “Cash Disbursement”
No-Show
Transaction
●
Daily room charge or rental rate
●
Taxes
●
Agreed start date of the accommodation or rental
●
The words "No Show"
Preauthorized
Healthcare
Transaction
For a Healthcare Auto-Substantiation Transaction in the US Region, the words
“Preauthorized Healthcare”
Prepayment
Transaction
For a full prepayment:
●
Full cancellation and refund policy, including the date and time that any refund
privileges expire without prepayment forfeiture
●
Prepayment amount
●
Scheduled start date or delivery date of the merchandise or services
●
The word "Prepayment"
For a partial prepayment:
●
Full cancellation and refund policy, including the date and time that any refund
privileges expire without prepayment forfeiture
●
Prepayment amount
●
The word(s) "Deposit" or "Partial Payment" if there is a balance outstanding
●
For balance payments, the word "Balance" if the full remaining cost of the goods
or services has been paid
●
For cancellations, cancellation confirmation
Quasi-Cash
Transaction
●
Effective through 16 October 2021
4 digits printed below the Card number (if present)
●
Type of secondary identification (for example: passport, driver’s license) without
including the number or any other identifying information
Effective through
13 October 2017
Recurring
Transaction
●
The words “Recurring Transactions”
●
Frequency of Recurring Transactions
●
Duration of Recurring Transaction period
PSR-430 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Transaction Type Required Content
Transaction on
which a fee is
assessed
Shown separately and clearly:
●
Convenience Fee
●
Service Fee
●
Surcharge. This must not be identified as a Visa-imposed charge. The amount
must be shown separately on the front of the receipt in the same type and size of
font as other wording on the Transaction Receipt.
●
Any other fees (for example: Access Fees)
Visa Integrated
Redemption
Transaction (US
Region)
●
Discounted Transaction amount
●
Offer Amount
●
Offer Code
●
Offer Description
●
Offer Receipt Text
Visa Mobile
Prepaid Transaction
(confirmation
message)
Available balance in the Visa Mobile Prepaid account
Visa Prepaid Card
Transaction
In the Europe Region, for a Merchant that can receive a Point-of-Sale Balance Return,
available balance
Wire Transfer
Money Order
Transaction
Wire Transfer Money Order Fee, if assessed
1
In the Europe Region, required only for a Visa Prepaid Card Transaction
2
Except in the Europe Region
3
Effective through 13 April 2018
Not required for a Small Ticket Transaction
Effective 14 April 2018
Not required for a Visa Easy Payment Service Transaction
4
Only for Transactions in which the actual lodging is a component
ID# 0028052 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-431
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Transaction Receipt Requirements
5.10.4 Substitute Transaction Receipt Data and Format Requirements
5.10.4.1 Required Substitute Transaction Receipt Content
Effective for Transactions completed through 21 April 2017
A Substitute Transaction Receipt must contain all of the following, as applicable:
Table 5-34: Substitute Transaction Receipt/Fulfillment Document Requirements
Data Element Transaction Type
Card-Absent
Environment
T&E Small Ticket
– Europe
Region
Account Number or payment Token X X
Authorization Code(s) X
X
1
Authorization dates and amounts X
Card network name X
Confirmation that the Cardholder made a Transaction
using a Card
X
Daily room/rental charge X
Description of merchandise or services
For a T&E Transaction, all of the following, as applicable:
●
For Car Rental Merchants, daily rental rate, taxes, dates
of pick-up and return, and description of additional
costs
●
For Airlines, either:
– Airline flight information
– For an Ancillary Purchase Transaction, a general
description of merchandise or services
●
For Lodging Merchants or Cruise Lines, dates of
check-in/embarkation and check-out/disembarkation
●
In the US Region, for passenger railway Merchants,
either:
– Railway Ticket Identifier
– For an Ancillary Purchase Transaction, a general
description of merchandise or services
X X
PSR-432 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Data Element Transaction Type
Card-Absent
Environment
T&E Small Ticket
– Europe
Region
Merchant location
X
2
X
Merchant name X X X
For No-Show Transactions, the words "No Show" X
Other details embossed on the Card (for a Manual
Transaction Receipt only)
X
Return and refund policies (if applicable) X
"Ship to" address (if applicable), except in the Europe
Region
X
Transaction amount in Transaction Currency (including
currency symbol)
X X X
Transaction Date X X X
Transaction type X
1
If any
2
In the Europe Region, for an Electronic Commerce Transaction, must be the Merchant's online address
ID# 0028054 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
5.11 Returns, Credits, and Refunds
5.11.1 Merchant Processing
5.11.1.1 Merchant Processing of Credits to Cardholders
At the time that a Merchant processes a credit to a Cardholder for a valid Transaction that was
previously processed, the Merchant must do all of the following:
●
Identify the original Transaction on the Transaction Receipt
●
Deliver a completed Credit Transaction Receipt to the Cardholder
1
●
Effective 13 October 2018 through 12 April 2019
Send an Authorization Request for the amount of the credit, based on the following table:
2
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-433
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Returns, Credits, and Refunds
Table 5-35: Threshold for Sending Credit Authorization Request
Region Merchants with Estimated Annualized Visa
Purchase Return Sales Volume Equal to or Greater
than:
APRegion USD 1 million
Canada Region USD 5 million
CEMEARegion USD 1 million
Europe Region USD 5 million
LACRegion USD 1 million
US Region USD 10 million
●
Effective 13 April 2019
Send an Authorization Request for the amount of the credit
●
In the Europe Region, deposit the Credit Transaction Receipt within 5 calendar days from the date
the credit was issued
●
In the US Region, deposit the Credit Transaction with the Acquirer that processed the original
Transaction within 5 calendar days from the date that the credit was issued
1
In the US Region, aMerchant may provide any of the following alternate forms of credit: a cash refund for a Visa Easy
Payment Service (VEPS) Transaction, a cash refund or other form of credit to the recipient of a gift (instead of to the
Cardholder), or a cash refund or store credit for a Visa Prepaid Card Transaction, if the Cardholder states that the Visa
Prepaid Card has been discarded.
2
Effective 13 October 2018 through 12 April 2019
This does not include Airlines.
ID# 0008605 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
5.11.1.2 Credit Refunds for Timeshares
A timeshareMerchant must provide a full credit refund when the Cardholder cancelled the Transaction
within 14 calendar days of the contract date or the date the contract or related documents were
received.
ID# 0003082 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
PSR-434 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
5.11.1.3 Prohibition of Resubmission of Returned Transaction – US Region
In the US Region, a Merchant must not submit any Transaction that was previously charged back to
the Acquirer and subsequently returned to the Merchant. However, the Merchant may pursue payment
from the customer outside the Visa system.
ID# 0003022 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
5.11.1.4 Sales Tax Rebates
Effective 13 October 2018
A Merchant that provides a sales tax rebate
1
to a Cardholder must process the rebate as an
Original Credit Transaction.
A Merchant that offers Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) for a sales tax rebate must comply
with all DCCrequirements.
1
A rebate of only the tax paid on the purchase, including value-added tax (VAT), goods and services tax (GST), or other
general consumption tax that is rebated to the Cardholder.
ID# 0030025 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
5.12 Acquirer Requirements for Non-Visa General Purpose Payment
Network in Brazil – LAC Region
In the LAC Region (Brazil), an Acquirer must not discriminate against any non-Visa general purpose
payment network.
An Acquirer that contracts with a non-Visa general purpose payment network must do all of the
following:
●
Ensure that the non-Visa general purpose payment network complies with all of the following:
– Is authorized by the Brazil Central Bank
– Has a contract with Visa
– Only processes funds transfer transactions
●
Assign MCC 6051 (Non-Financial Institutions – Foreign Currency, Money Orders [Not Wire
Transfer], Stored Value Card/Load, Travelers Cheques, and Debt Repayment) to the funds transfer
transactions processed by the non-Visa general purpose payment network
●
Ensure that the Merchant name field includes the message “transferência” and the name of the
non-Visa general purpose payment network (or an abbreviation)
ID# 0029510 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-435
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Business Payment Service Providers
5.13 Business Payment Service Providers
5.13.1 Acquirer Responsibilities Related to Business Payment Solution Providers
5.13.1.1 Acquirer Requirements for Business Payment Solution Providers
Effective 14 October 2017
An Acquirer that contracts with a Business Payment Solution Provider (BPSP)
1
must do all of the
following:
●
Register the BPSP with Visa
●
Certify that the BPSP qualifies as a BPSP and complies with the Visa Rules
●
Process only Domestic
2
Transactions for the BPSP
●
Process BPSP Transactions with MCC 7399 (Business Services [Not Elsewhere Classified])
●
Conduct an adequate due diligence review of the BPSP and the non-Visa-accepting suppliers
to ensure compliance with the Acquirer's obligation to submit only legal Transactions to
VisaNet and to ensure the BPSP engages only in legal transactions with such suppliers.
●
Communicate to Visa the Merchant name and the Card acceptor identification assigned to the
BPSP, and consistently use them in all Transaction messages
●
Upon Visa request, provide to Visa activity reporting on each BPSP and each non-Visa-
accepting supplier, including:
– Supplier name
– Supplier location
– BPSP name
– Monthly Transaction count and amount
– Any other data requested by Visa
●
Ensure that the BPSP:
–
Makes payments only to suppliers
3
that are businesses located in the same country
4
as the
BPSP in accordance with the buyer’s payment instruction
– Initiates a Transaction only after the buyer has confirmed that the non-Visa-accepting
supplier has shipped goods or delivered services and the buyer has approved the
payment
– Performs customer verification (KYC) and meets all applicable anti-money laundering
requirements for all non-Visa-accepting suppliers before initiating Transactions for such
suppliers’ invoices
PSR-436 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
– Uses a secure payment process that ensures funds are paid into individual supplier
accounts
– Ensures that each invoice from a non-Visa-accepting supplier to a buyer is processed as a
separate Transaction
– Contractually obligates the buyer, by way of written agreement between the buyer and
the BPSP, to accept all risks associated with non-performance of the non-Visa-accepting
supplier
Visa reserves the right to revoke a BPSP’s registration for any reason
1
An entity that provides a business-to-business payment solution that allows buyers to pay non-Visa accepting suppliers
with a Visa Commercial Card
2
And, in the Europe Region, intra-European Economic Area Transactions
3
Payments to a supplier that has been a Merchant within the previous 12 months are prohibited.
4
Or, in the Europe Region, within the European Economic Area (EEA), to suppliers in the EEA
ID# 0030064 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-437
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Acceptance
Business Payment Service Providers
PSR-438 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
ATM
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
6 ATM
6.1 Plus Program
6.1.1 Plus Program Issuer Participation Requirements
6.1.1.1 Plus Program Issuer Participation
To issue a Card with Plus functionality, an Issuer must do all of the following:
●
Obtain a license to use the Plus Program Marks and comply with rules for using the Plus Symbol
●
Provide Authorization service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
ID# 0004060 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
6.1.2 Plus Symbol
6.1.2.1 Plus Program Marks on Cards
A Member must use the Plus Symbol only as a Mark indicating acceptance for ATM services.
The presence of the Plus Symbol is optional on a Visa Card or non-Visa-branded Campus Card if no
other ATM acceptance Mark is present on the Card.
1
An Issuer of a Proprietary Card bearing the Plus Symbol must place the Plus Symbol on all Proprietary
Cards within 5 years from the beginning date of participation in the Plus Program.
1
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
ID# 0003577 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
6.1.2.2 Restrictions on the Use of other Marks on Plus Cards
A Card bearing the Plus Symbol must not bear the Marks of any entity ineligible for membership in
Visa, or of any of the following entities, or their subsidiaries or affiliates, deemed competitive by Visa:
1
●
American Express Company
●
Discover Financial Services
2
●
JCB
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-439
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
ATM
Visa Global ATM Network
●
MasterCard Worldwide
A Card bearing the Plus Symbol is exempt from this requirement if it was issued under an agreement
executed with Visa or Plus System, Inc. before 1 October 1992.
A Card bearing the Plus Symbol must not bear a Trade Name or Mark confusingly similar to any other
Visa-Owned Mark.
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
1
In the US Region or a US Territory, a US Covered Visa Debit Card bearing the Plus Symbol may bear the Marks of entities
deemed competitive by Visa, as specified in the Visa Product Brand Standards.
2
This does not apply in the US Region to Visa Cards bearing the Pulse Mark and Cards bearing the Plus Symbol.
ID# 0006159 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
6.1.2.3 Plus Symbol Displayed at an ATM
The Plus Symbol must be displayed at an ATM that accepts Plus-enabledCards for ATM services.
ID# 0003583 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
6.2 Visa Global ATM Network
6.2.1 Visa Global ATM Network Issuer Participation Requirements
6.2.1.1 Visa Global ATM Network Issuer Participation
To participate in the Visa Global ATM Network, an Issuer must successfully complete certification with
Visa. Rules regarding Visa Issuer participation in the Visa Global ATM Network apply to all Visa Cards.
In the US Region, a Visa Consumer Card Issuer must participate in the Visa ATM Network.
ID# 0004070 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
6.2.2 Visa Global ATM Network Issuer General Requirements
6.2.2.2 Custom Payment Services/ATM Program Issuer Participation
An Issuer that participates in the Custom Payment Services/ATM must do all of the following:
●
Complete Issuer certification
PSR-440 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
ATM
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Receive and return the ATM Transaction Identifier in each Transaction
●
Receive the terminal ID code, ATM owner, and ATM location data in each Transaction record
●
Include the ATM Transaction Identifier in all Chargebacks
ID# 0004078 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
6.2.3 Visa Global ATM Network Acquirer Participation Requirements
6.2.3.1 Visa Global ATM Network Acquirer Participation
Any ATM owned, leased, sponsored, or controlled by a Member is eligible for participation in the Visa
Global ATM Network.
A Member that sponsors a non-Member agent to deploy or operate an ATM participating in the Visa
Global ATM Network must ensure that the non-Member agent complies with Section 1.10.8.5, “Third
Party Agent Contract,” and Section 10.2.1.1, “VisaNet Processor Contracts.”
Effective through 13 October 2017
In the US Region, an Acquirer that participates in the Visa ATM Network must also do all of the
following:
●
Ensure that all of its ATMs that participate in other regional or national ATM networks also
participate in the Visa Global ATM Network
●
Become a member of the Plus System, Inc.
●
Display Visa ATM and Plus acceptance Marks on all ATMs within 30 days from the date the
Acquirer begins accepting Visa Cards and Cards bearing the Plus Symbol
●
Accept all Visa Cards for all Transaction functions provided by the Acquirer's participating
ATM
Effective 14 October 2017
An Acquirer that participates in the Visa ATM Network must also do all of the following:
●
Ensure that all of its ATMs that participate in other regional or national ATM networks also
participate in the Visa Global ATM Network
●
Display Visa ATM and Plus acceptance Marks on all ATMs within 30 days from the date the
Acquirer begins accepting Visa Cards and Plus enabled Cards
1
●
In the US Region, accept all Visa Cards for all Transaction functions provided by the Acquirer's
participating ATM
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-441
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
ATM
Visa Global ATM Network
1
In the Europe Region if deployed after 1 July 2009, also display the V PAY Brand Mark
ID# 0004783 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
6.2.3.2 ATM Cash Disbursement and Transaction Currency Requirements
An ATM Cash Disbursement is either:
●
A Visa Transaction if it is completed with a Visa Card or a Visa Electron Card
●
A Plus Transaction if it is completed with a non-Visa-branded card or a Plus-enabledProprietary
Card, and/or a Card enabled on the Plus network
The ATM Cash Disbursement must comply with all of the following:
●
Be in local currency or display the type of currency or travelers cheques dispensed
●
Dispense the same currency
1,2
as the Transaction Currency included in the Authorization Request
and the Clearing Record
●
Support a Cash Disbursement of at least USD 200 (or local currency equivalent) per day, per
Account Number, and in a single Transaction upon Cardholder request
1
This does not apply to ATMs located on US military bases (which may submit the Transaction in USD for Authorization,
Clearing, and Settlement regardless of the currency dispensed).
2
This does not apply to ATMs located in the Europe Region, if the ATM Cash Disbursement is processed using Dynamic
Currency Conversion (DCC).
ID# 0029537 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
6.2.3.3 ATM Card Acceptance
An ATM must accept all valid Cards.
In the Canada Region, thisdoes not apply to a Member that participated in the Visa Global ATM
Network as of 13 June 2013.
In the Canada Region, all ATM Acquirers that began participation in the Visa Global ATM Network after
14 June 2013 must accept all valid Cards.
At the discretion of Visa, an ATM Acquirer that accepts Plus-enabled Cards may selectively deny access
to its ATMs.
An ATM Acquirer certified to accept Visa Cards may selectively deny access to its ATMs if the Card
presented is both issued to residents of the country where the ATM is located and billed in the local
currency.
PSR-442 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
ATM
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
An ATM with restricted access must display language with the Visa Brand Mark that both identifies the
ATM Acquirer and describes Visa Card acceptance or the nature of any restrictions.
ID# 0004785 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
6.2.4 ATM Operator and Agent Requirements
6.2.4.1 Display of Member Name on Non-Member ATM – LAC Region
In the LACRegion, an ATM Acquirer must ensure that the name of the Member that operates or
sponsors the ATM is prominently displayed on every non-Member ATM.
ID# 0004746 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
6.2.4.2 ATM Operator Agreement Requirements
Effective through 13 April 2018
In the US Region, an ATM Acquirer must have a written ATM Operator agreement with each of its
ATM Operators
1
and must only process Visa ATM Network Transactions from an ATM Operator
with which it has a valid agreement.
The form, content, and appearance of an ATM Operator agreement are at the discretion of the
ATM Acquirer, except as specified below. An ATM Operator agreement must include both:
●
The ATM Acquirer's name, location, and contact information in letters consistent in size with
the rest of the ATM Operator agreement, and in a manner that makes the ATM Acquirer's
name readily visible to the ATM Operator
●
Language stating that the ATM Operator may be terminated for failure to comply with the
ATM Operator agreement
ATM Operator agreements must be made available to Visa upon request and must not contain
contractual details regarding pricing arrangements.
Effective 14 April 2018
An ATM Acquirer must have a written ATM Operator agreement with each of its ATM Operators
1
and must only process Visa ATM Network Transactions from an ATM Operator with which it has a
valid agreement.
The form, content, and appearance of an ATM Operator agreement are at the discretion of the
ATM Acquirer, except as specified below. An ATM Operator agreement must include both:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-443
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
ATM
Visa Global ATM Network
●
The ATM Acquirer's name, location, and contact information in letters consistent in size with
the rest of the ATM Operator agreement, and in a manner that makes the ATM Acquirer's
name readily visible to the ATM Operator
●
Language stating that the ATM Operator may be terminated for failure to comply with the
ATM Operator agreement
ATM Operator agreements must be made available to Visa upon request and must not contain
contractual details regarding pricing arrangements.
1
Tri-party agreements (ATM Acquirer, Agent, ATM Operator) are permitted.
ID# 0009021 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
6.2.4.3 Acquirer Requirements for ATM Operators – US Region
Effective through 13 April 2018
In the US Region, beforeentering into an ATM Operator agreement, an ATM Acquirer must
determine that a prospective ATM Operator has no significant derogatory background
information about any of its principals. The ATM Acquirer must:
1
●
Maintain documented policies and procedures to manage its Agent programs
●
Validate its Agent's compliance with the ATM Acquirer solicitation and qualification standards
on a quarterly basis
●
Collect all of the following information from its ATM Operators and Agents:
– "Doing Business As" (DBA) name
– ATM Operator legal name
– ATM Operator outlet location, including street address, city, state, and ZIP code
– Federal Taxpayer Identification Number, Federal Employer Identification Number, or Social
Security Number of all principals
– Full first and last name and middle initial of principals (for example: of corporations,
partnerships, sole proprietors)
– Incorporation status (for example: corporation, partnership, sole proprietor, non-profit)
Effective 14 April 2018
Before entering into an ATM Operator agreement, an ATM Acquirer must determine that a
prospective ATM Operator has no significant derogatory background information about any of its
principals. The ATM Acquirer must:
1
●
Maintain documented policies and procedures to manage its Agent programs
PSR-444 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
ATM
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Validate its Agent's compliance with the ATM Acquirer solicitation and qualification standards
on a quarterly basis
●
Collect all of the following information from its ATM Operators and Agents:
– "Doing Business As" (DBA) name
– ATM Operator legal name
– ATM Operator outlet location, including street address, city, state, and postal code
– In the US Region, Federal Taxpayer Identification Number, Federal Employer Identification
Number, or Social Security Number of all principals
– Full first and last name and middle initial of principals (for example: of corporations,
partnerships, sole proprietors)
– Incorporation status (for example: corporation, partnership, sole proprietor, non-profit)
1
An ATM Acquirer may allow its Agents to execute ATM Operator agreements on its behalf and conduct due diligence
reviews.
ID# 0003510 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
6.2.6 ATM Processing Requirements
6.2.6.1 ATM Acquirer Processing
Before acting as an ATM Acquirer, an Acquirer (including an Acquirer that processes through a VisaNet
Processor with an existing VisaNet endpoint) must do all of the following:
●
Comply with applicable licensing and processing requirements
●
Be certified to participate in either the:
–
Single Message System
1
– Custom Payment Services/ATM
If the ATM Acquirer does not meet all tier II requirements, Visa may remove the ATM Acquirer from the
tier II level.
1
All ATM Acquirers in the US Region and all new ATM Acquirers (excluding an Acquirer that processes through a VisaNet
Processor with an existing VisaNet endpoint) must process ATM Transactions using the Single Message System.
ID# 0008597 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
6.2.6.3 ATM Misdispense
For a misdispense:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-445
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
ATM
Visa Global ATM Network
●
A Custom Payment Services/ATM Acquirer must process an ATM confirmation message for the
actual amount dispensed.
●
A Single Message System ATM Acquirer must both:
– Process an Adjustment for the actual amount of the misdispense within 45 calendar days of the
Processing Date of the original Transaction
– For an over-dispense caused by a misloaded terminal, attempt good-faith collection from the
Issuer before processing an Adjustment to the Cardholder account
ID# 0002406 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
6.2.6.4 ATM Transaction Reversal
The Reversal amount must be the original Transaction amount.
ID# 0002404 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
6.2.6.5 ATM Account Number Acceptance
An ATM and a Member ATM processing system must accept all valid International Organization for
Standardization numbers of 11-19 digits, starting with any digit from 0 through 9.
ID# 0004786 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
6.2.6.6 ATM Transaction Processing
An ATM Acquirer must ensure all of the following:
●
The entire, unaltered contents of track 2 of the Magnetic Stripe, or the Magnetic-Stripe Image from
the Chip on the Card, are read and transmitted.
●
In the Europe Region, is able to process an ATM Transaction initiated with a V PAY Card
ID# 0004792 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
6.2.6.7 ATM Transaction Authorization and Clearing Requirements
An Acquirer must ensure that both:
●
An ATM Transaction cleared through VisaNet was also authorized through VisaNet.
●
All of the following information matches in the Authorization and Clearing Record:
– Account Number
PSR-446 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
ATM
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
– Authorization Code
– Acquirer BIN
– Transaction amount
– Account Selection processing code
– MCC
ID# 0004795 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
6.2.6.8 ATM Account Range Table
An ATM Acquirer must do all of the following:
●
Use the Visa account range table to determine the routing of an Authorization Request
●
Install and use the table within 6 business days of its receipt from Visa
●
Not disclose or distribute to any third party the ATM account range table
If an ATM Acquirer does not route all Transactions to Visa for Cards bearing the Plus Symbol, it must
both:
●
Install and use the Plus account range table within 3 business days of its receipt from Visa
●
Use the Plus account range table to determine the routing of an Authorization Request for a Card
bearing the Plus Symbol. This does not apply to licensees of the Plus System, Inc.
ID# 0008780 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
6.2.6.9 Decline of an ATM Authorization Based on Expiration Date
An ATM Acquirer must not return or decline an ATM Transaction based on the expiration date, and
must ensure that an ATM Authorization Request originating from an Expired Card is sent Online to the
Issuer for an Authorization Response.
ID# 0006005 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
6.2.6.11 ATM Transaction Timeout Time Limit
An ATM and its host system must not timeout a Transaction in less than 45 seconds.
ID# 0002405 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-447
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
ATM
Visa Global ATM Network
6.2.6.12 Card Retention at an ATM
An ATM is not required to have the ability to retain Cards. If it does have this ability, it may retain a
Card only upon the request of the Issuer.
If a Card is retained, an Acquirer must do all of the following:
●
Log it under dual custody immediately after removal from the ATM
●
Render the Card unusable, following secure Card destruction requirements, as specified in Section
10.7.2.1, “Recovered Card Handling and Notification Requirements”
●
Notify the Issuer through Visa Resolve Online that the Card has been recovered, as specified in
Section 10.7.2.1, “Recovered Card Handling and Notification Requirements”
ID# 0008063 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
6.2.6.13 Accidental Card Retention at an ATM
If a hardware or software failure causes mistaken or accidental Card retention, and to the extent
possible, an ATM Acquirer must return the Card to the Cardholder after reviewing positive Cardholder
identification and comparing the Cardholder's signature to that on the Card signature panel.
If the Cardholder does not request the return of the Card within 7 days, the ATM Acquirer must follow
Card retention rules as specified in Section 6.2.6.12, “Card Retention at an ATM,” and must not submit
a Fee Collection Transaction for Recovered Card handling fee/reward (reason code 0150).
ID# 0007014 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
6.2.6.16 Visa Mobile Prepaid Acceptance for ATM Transactions
An ATM Acquirerthat participates in Visa Mobile Prepaid:
●
Must transmit all of the following to complete Transaction when the Card is absent:
– 16-digit Account Number
– Expiration date
– Valid PIN
●
May choose to accept cardless Visa Mobile Prepaid ATM Transactions in addition to Transactions
where the Card is present
●
Is not required to read and transmit the contents of track 2 of the Magnetic Stripe or the
Magnetic-Stripe Image from the Chip on the Card if the Transaction is initiated through key-entry
by a Visa Mobile Prepaid account holder
ID# 0027683 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
PSR-448 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
ATM
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
6.3 ATM Balance Inquiry Service
6.3.1 ATM Balance Inquiry Service Issuer Participation
6.3.1.1 Balance Inquiry Service Issuer Participation
An Issuer must support a Balance Inquiry Service if the Issuer offers Balance Inquiry services through a
network other than its proprietary network.
If an Issuer participates in the Visa Balance Inquiry Service, itmust do all of the following:
●
Obtain certification from Visa
●
Support Balance Inquiries as separate, non-financial transactions
ID# 0004074 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
6.3.2 ATM Balance Inquiry Service Acquirer Participation
6.3.2.1 Balance Inquiry Service Acquirer Participation
An ATM Acquirer must support a Balance Inquiry Service if it supports Balance Inquiryfor any network
other than its proprietary network.
To participate in the Visa Balance Inquiry Service, an ATM Acquirer must do all of the following:
●
Obtain certification from Visa
●
Display the balance in the currency of the ATM, either on the screen or on a receipt
●
Support Balance Inquiries as separate, non-financial transactions
A participating ATM Acquirer receives a Balance Inquiry fee for each Balance Inquiry.
An ATM Acquirer may supply the Cardholder with any balance information provided by the Issuer as
part of an ATM Cash Disbursement.
ID# 0004804 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-449
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
ATM
ATM Fees
6.4 ATM Fees
6.4.1 ATM Access Fees
6.4.1.1 Domestic ATM Cash Disbursement Access Fees
An ATM Acquirer must not impose an Access Fee on a domestic ATM Cash Disbursement unless
applicable laws or regulations expressly require that an ATM Acquirer be permitted to impose an
Access Fee.
An ATM Acquirer in a country where an Access Fee for domestic ATM Cash Disbursements is permitted
by Visa must comply with the requirements specified for International ATM Cash Disbursement Access
Fees.
This does not apply in the AP Region (Australia, Thailand), Canada Region, Europe Region, LAC Region
(Panama, Puerto Rico), and US Region.
ID# 0007996 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
6.4.1.2 Domestic ATM Access Fee – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, an ATM Acquirer may impose an Access Fee on a domestic ATM Cash
Disbursement.
An ATM Acquirer may impose an Access Fee if all of the following:
●
It imposes an Access Fee on all other interchange transactions through other shared networks at
the same ATM.
●
The Access Fee is not greater than the Access Fee amount on all other interchange transactions
through other shared networks at the same ATM.
●
The Domestic Transaction is initiated by a Card issued by a Member other than the ATM Acquirer.
●
The Access Fee is a fixed and flat fee.
ID# 0004715 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
6.4.1.4 Domestic ATM Access Fees – CEMEA Region (Russia)
In the CEMEA Region (Russia), an ATM Acquirer may impose an Access Fee on a domestic ATM Cash
Disbursement if all of the following requirements are met:
●
It imposes an Access Fee on all other domestic ATM Cash Disbursements through any other
network at the same ATM.
PSR-450 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
ATM
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
The Access Fee is not greater than the Access Fee amount on all other domestic transactions
through any other network at the same ATM.
●
The Access Fee is a fixed and flat fee.
●
It includes the value of the dispensed cash and any Access Fee amount in the Authorization
Request and Clearing Record.
●
The dispensed cash and Access Fee amount are separately identified.
●
It informs the Cardholder of the Access Fee amount and that the Access Fee is assessed in addition
to the charges assessed by the Issuer.
●
It requests Cardholder approval of the Access Fee and provides the ability to cancel the ATM
Transaction.
ID# 0024130 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
6.4.1.5 ATM Acquirer Requirements for ATM Access Fees
Visa reserves the right to request any of the following from an ATM Acquirer that imposes an Access
Fee on international, ATM Cash Disbursements:
●
Notice of intent to impose an Access Fee on international ATM Cash Disbursements
1
●
A report with the physical location of each ATM and the total number of ATMs at which an Access
Fee is imposed on ATM Cash Disbursements
●
Message display and language disclosure related to Access Fees on ATM Cash Disbursements
●
Any other information required by applicable laws or regulations
An Acquirer that chooses to impose an ATM Access Fee must comply with all of the following:
Table 6-1: Acquirer and ATM Requirements for ATM Access Fees
Requirement Type Requirements
Access Fees
●
Impose the Access Fee only on international ATM Cash Disbursements,
unless applicable laws or regulations expressly require that an ATM Acquirer
be permitted to impose an Access Fee on Domestic Transactions
●
Impose the Access Fee on all other international ATM Cash Disbursements
processed through any other network at the same ATM
●
Ensure that the Access Fee is not greater than the Access Fee amount on
all other international, Transactions through any other network at the same
ATM
●
Ensure that the Access Fee is a fixed and flat fee
●
Include the value of the dispensed cash and any Access Fee amount in the
Authorization Request and Clearing Record
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-451
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
ATM
ATM Fees
Requirement Type Requirements
●
Separately identify the dispensed cash and Access Fee amount
●
In the Europe Region, if an Access Fee is imposed on an international ATM
Cash Disbursement impose the same Access Fee on a domestic ATM Cash
Disbursement
Disclosures
●
Inform the Cardholder that an Access Fee is assessed in addition to the
charges assessed by the Issuer. The disclosure must comply with all of the
following:
– Be in English and the local language equivalent
– Be as high a contrast or resolution as any other graphics on the ATM
– Use same font size as other headings and text on the terminal, and
ensure it is legible
– Contain the notice: Fee Notice "(Member Name) will assess a fee to
cardholders for international ATM Cash Disbursements. This fee is added
to the amount of your transaction and is in addition to any fees that may
be charged by your financial institution."
●
Identify the ATM Acquirer as the recipient of the Access Fee
●
Inform the Cardholder of the Access Fee amount before the Transaction
takes place
●
Request Cardholder approval of the Access Fee
●
Provide the ability for the Cardholder to cancel the ATM Transaction
●
In the US Region, in addition to the above, the disclosures must both:
– Be readily visible to the Cardholder in the Cardholder's line of sight
– Contain the notice: Fee Notice "(Acquirer/Member Name) charges a
(USD amount) fee to US Cardholders for withdrawing cash. This fee is
added to the amount of your withdrawal and is in addition to any fees
that may be charged by your financial institution."
1
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer must register with Visa its intent to impose an Access fee on an ATM Cash
Disbursement and disclose the amount of the fee.
ID# 0030077 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
PSR-452 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
ATM
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
6.4.2 ATM Travelers Cheque Fee
6.4.2.1 ATM Travelers Cheque Fee Disclosure
If an ATM dispenses traveler’s cheques and charges a fee, the Member must disclose the fee to the
Cardholder.
ID# 0004800 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-453
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
ATM
ATM Fees
PSR-454 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
7 Transaction Processing
7.1 VisaNet Systems Use
7.1.1 Use of VisaNet
7.1.1.1 Submission of Domestic Transactions to VisaNet
Unless prohibited by applicable laws or regulations, a Member must submit all Domestic Transactions,
not otherwise submitted for Clearing or Settlement, to VisaNet as Collection-Only. This includes, but is
not limited to, any Transaction that is processed as follows:
●
Through one of the following:
– A VisaNet Processor
– A non-Visa network
– A domestic switch or any other form of processor
●
Under any domestic Private Agreement or bilateral agreement
●
As an On-Us Transaction
The following Transaction types are not required to be submitted to VisaNet.
1
However, a Member may
choose to submit:
●
Domestic ATM Cash Disbursements
●
Domestic Manual Cash Disbursements
This does not apply to the Europe Region.
1
This does not apply to Domestic Transactions in the Canada Region or CEMEA Region (Nigeria).
ID# 0027827 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
7.1.1.3 Required Use of VisaNet for Processing – AP Region
In the AP Region (Australia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam), a Member must
authorize, clear, and settle all Domestic Transactions through VisaNet.
In the AP Region (Australia), this does not apply to:
●
On-Us Transactions
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-455
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
VisaNet Systems Use
●
Domestic Transactions in a Face-to-Face Environment, on a co-badged Visa Card, wherethe
domestic debit network associated with the co-badged acceptance mark is selected
In the AP Region (Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam), this does not apply to:
●
ATM Transactions
●
On-Us Manual Cash Disbursements
●
Transactions on a co-badged Visa Card processed on the domestic debit network associated with
the co-badged acceptance mark
In the AP Region (Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam), this includes:
●
On-Us Transactions
●
Transactions processed through a VisaNet Processor or any other Agent
ID# 0026201 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2015
7.1.1.4 Non-Visa Debit Transaction Disclosure Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer that enables Non-Visa Debit Transaction processing and that does not
require that all such transactions be authenticated by a PIN must do all of the following:
●
Clearly communicate to its Cardholders at the time of implementation of such processing or
at the time of issuance, and on an annual or more frequent basis thereafter, that it has enabled
Non-Visa Debit Transaction processing and that it does not require that all such transactions be
authenticated by a PIN
●
Clearly communicate to its Cardholders the identity of the debit networks for which such
transactions are enabled on the Visa Check Card or Visa Debit Card
●
Provide Cardholders with examples of the types of Cardholder actions that may be required to
initiate a Visa Transaction on such Cards
●
At least 30 calendar days before implementation, notify Visa that it does not require that all Non-
Visa Debit Transactions be authenticated by a PIN
●
Clearly communicate to its Cardholders at the time of implementation of such processing or at
the time of issuance, and on an annual or more frequent basis thereafter, that the provisions of its
Cardholder agreement relating only to Visa Transactions are inapplicable to non-Visa transactions
ID# 0008884 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-456 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
7.2 Access to Visa Systems
7.2.1 Visa Extended Access
7.2.1.1 Member Requirements for Visa Extended Access
If a Member has Visa Extended Access, the Member must use it to transmit its Interchange.
A Member must use Visa Extended Access to access VisaNet. A Member must not make or attempt to
make any repair, adjustment, alteration, or modification to Visa Extended Access. This does not apply
to a Member using Direct Exchange (DEX).
ID# 0008744 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
7.2.1.2 Member Support of Visa Extended Access
A Member that participates in Visa Extended Access must provide, at no cost to Visa, reasonable
support requested by Visa for installing the V.I.P. System or BASE II, including all of the following:
●
Providing a location that meets Visa requirements for installing Visa Extended Access on the
Member's premises
1
●
Providing a sufficient number of qualified personnel that the Member will train to meet Visa
specifications
●
Maintaining V.I.P. System and BASE II records, documents, and logs required by Visa and providing
them at Visa request
●
Providing access to its premises and cooperating with Visa and its authorized agents in
conjunction with the installation, service, repair, or inspection of Visa Extended Access
1
●
Notifying Visa promptly of any failure of Visa Extended Access to operate properly on its premises
or the premises of its agent or independent contractor
1
●
Providing computer time and a sufficient number of qualified personnel required to ensure prompt
and efficient installation and use of the V.I.P. System or BASE II Edit Package software supplied by
Visa
In the Europe Region, thisrule does not apply. Where a Member uses Visa for processing, as specified
in Section 1.1.1.2, “Applicability of Processing Rules – Europe Region,” it must refer to Visa Europe
Operating Regulations – Processing.
A Member must notify Visa of any system changes that will affect the VisaNet system and must
provide Visa with a minimum of 45 calendar days' notice of changes required by the Member to
services currently provided by Visa to the Member, including, but not limited to:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-457
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
Access to Visa Systems
●
New Visa Extended Access software and options
●
Changes to V.I.P. and BASE II system tables
In the Canada Region, Visa owns a Visa Extended Access server installed at a Member's location and is
responsible for its acquisition, installation, and maintenance. Unless otherwise agreed by Visa, both:
●
The Member may use the Visa Extended Access server only for V.I.P. System and BASE II processing.
●
Members must not share a Visa Extended Access server.
1
This does not apply to a Member using Direct Exchange (DEX).
ID# 0003332 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
7.2.1.3 Unavailability of Visa Extended Access
If a Member's Visa Extended Access is expected to be unavailable, the Member must either:
●
If unavailable for fewer than 5 calendar days, prepare the transmission as usual and send the
Interchange to Visa as soon as the VisaNet Access Point becomes available
●
If unavailable for 5 or more calendar days, send the Interchange to Visa as soon as possible
This does not apply to a Member using Direct Exchange (DEX).
ID# 0003670 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
7.2.1.4 BIN Processing Requirements for Visa Extended Access – Europe Region
A Visa Extended Access server used by a Member and/or its Visa Scheme Processor must be
connected to the Visa Europe Authorization Service and the Visa Europe Clearing and Settlement
Service for both:
●
A new request for a BIN to be licensed for use in the Europe Region
●
An existing BIN that is licensed for use in the Europe Region
This does not apply to:
●
Transactions acquired under the International Airline Program by Acquirers outside of the Europe
Region
●
Transactions originating from an Airline or International Airline that is located outside of the
Europe Region and that are acquired by an Airline Authorizing Processor
PSR-458 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
A Member that does not comply with these requirements will be subject to a non-compliance
assessment.
ID# 0029595 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
7.2.2 Clearing Processors
7.2.2.1 Authorizing or Clearing Processor Termination or Downgrade
If an Authorizing orClearing Processor terminates receipt or transmission of Interchange or
downgrades its VisaNet processing level the Clearing Processor must both:
●
Notify Visa in writing at least 3 months before the termination or effective date of the downgrade
●
Be responsible for the VisaNet access charges that would have been assessed until the designated
termination date, if the Clearing Processor terminates the receipt or transmission of Interchange
before the designated termination date
Access and processing levels must have been in effect for at least 12 months on the designated
effective date of the downgrade or termination.
ID# 0027078 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
7.3 Authorization
7.3.1 Authorization Routing
7.3.1.1 Account Range Table for Authorization Routing
If an Acquirer chooses to use the account range table provided by Visa to determine the routing of an
Authorization Request, it must use the account range table to validate Visa Cards and must install and
use the table within 6 business days of receipt.
An Acquirer must not distribute the account range table without the prior written consent of Visa.
ID# 0008754 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
7.3.1.2 Chip Transaction Routing Requirement – AP Region (Australia, Malaysia)
In the AP Region (Australia), an Acquirer must route an Authorization Request to VisaNet if a Visa
payWave or VIS-based Payment Application was selected to complete a Transaction.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-459
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
Authorization
In the AP Region (Malaysia), an Acquirer must ensure that Merchant choice is respected and
accordingly must route an Authorization request to VisaNet if a Visa payWave or VIS-based Payment
Application was selected to complete a Transaction.
ID# 0027964 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
7.3.2 Authorization Service Participation
7.3.2.1 Stand-In Processing (STIP) Transaction Approval
If Visa approves a Transaction in Stand-In Processing (STIP), both:
●
Visa provides the Acquirer with an Authorization Code based on the date, time, and Account
Number.
●
The Acquirer must provide the Authorization Code to the Merchant.
ID# 0005498 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
7.3.3 Member Provision of Authorization Services
7.3.3.1 Authorization Service Requirements
A Member must participate in the Card Verification Service
1
and provide Authorization services for all
of its Cardholders, Merchants, or branches, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, using one of the following
methods:
●
Directly, as a VisaNet Processor
●
Through another VisaNet Processor, including Visa
●
In the Europe Region, through a Visa Scheme Processor
●
By other means approved by Visa
An Issuer must meet the assured Transaction response standards for its Authorization Responses.
In the US Region, an Issuer or its Authorizing Processor (including Stand-In Processing) must respond
to all Authorization Requests in an average time not exceeding 5 seconds during each calendar month.
1
In the Europe Region, thisdoes not apply. Where a Member uses Visa for processing, as specified in Section 1.1.1.2,
“Applicability of Processing Rules – Europe Region,” it must refer to Visa Europe Operating Regulations – Processing.
ID# 0004381 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-460 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
7.3.3.2 Issuer Processing of Variable Fare Transactions – Europe Region
Effective through 13 October 2017
In the Europe Region, fora Variable Fare Transaction, an Issuer must both:
●
Be able to process an Authorization Request for a Variable Fare Transaction
●
Not send a Decline Response based solely on either:
– The value of the Application Transaction Counter
– A missing CVV2
ID# 0029672 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
7.3.3.3 Use of Emergency Authorization Procedures – Europe Region
An Acquirer must follow the following emergency Authorization procedures if it cannot transmit an
Authorization Request due to a communications failure:
●
If the Transaction amount is USD 150 or higher, the Acquirer must contact the Issuer by telephone
or fax for Authorization.
●
If the Transaction Amount is less than USD 150, the Acquirer must both:
– Review an appropriate Card Recovery Bulletin
– Either:
▪ If the Account Number does not appear on a Card Recovery Bulletin, provide the Merchant
with an Authorization Code ending in “x”
▪ If the Account Number appears on a Card Recovery Bulletin, send a Decline Response to
the Authorization Request
An Acquirer must not use the emergency Authorization procedures either:
●
For more than 4 hours
●
If any other means of electronic interface with Visa is available
ID# 0029828 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
7.3.3.4 Acquirer Unavailability Response – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer that is not able to submit an Authorization Request must transmit a
“service unavailable now” response to an ATM or Unattended Cardholder Activated Terminal.
ID# 0029829 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-461
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
Authorization
7.3.3.5 Pickup Response Prohibition for Contactless Transactions – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Issuer must send only an Approval Response or a Decline Response to an
Authorization Request for a Contactless Transaction.
If an Acquirer receives a Pickup Response, it must process it as a Decline Response.
ID# 0029831 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
7.3.3.6 Issuer Processing of Mass Transit Transactions
Effective 14 October 2017
For a Mass Transit Transaction, an Issuer must both:
●
Be able to process an Authorization Request for a Mass Transit Transaction
●
Not send a Decline Response based solely on either:
– The value of the Application Transaction Counter
– A missing CVV2
ID# 0030051 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
7.3.4 Authorization Request Time Limits
7.3.4.1 Authorization Requests – Maximum Time Limit for Response
The maximum time limit for an Issuer to respond to an Authorization Request is as follows:
Table 7-1: Maximum Time Limits for Authorization Request Response
Transaction Type AP Region,
CanadaRegion,
CEMEARegion,
and LACRegion
EuropeRegion US Region
POS (including PIN at
POS and Unattended
Cardholder-Activated
Terminals where PIN is
present)
15 seconds 5seconds 10 seconds
ATM Cash Disbursement
(MCC6011only)
30 seconds 5 seconds 25 seconds
PSR-462 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
If Visa (or, in the Europe Region, a Visa Scheme Processor) does not receive an Authorization Response
from an Issuer within the specified time limit, Visa (or the Visa Scheme Processor) will respond on
behalf of the Issuer, using Stand-In Processing.
ID# 0004385 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
7.3.5 Use of the Exception File
7.3.5.1 Exception File Updates
An Issuer must add an Account Number to an Exception File if one or more of the following applies:
●
A Visa Card or Visa Electron Card was reported lost, stolen, or counterfeit and must be recovered.
●
A Deposit-Only Account Number is reported as compromised.
●
Authorization must always be denied to the Account Number.
●
Authorization must always be granted to the Account Number.
●
Issuer-defined Authorization limits apply to the Account Number.
●
The Acquirer must contact the Issuer to obtain Authorization for the Account Number.
ID# 0003235 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
7.3.5.2 Exception File Notification – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Visa Scheme Processor must notify Visa in writing at least 90 calendar days
before the date on which it wishes to start using an Exception File.
ID# 0029591 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
7.3.6 Declines and Referrals
7.3.6.1 Preauthorized Transaction Decline Response
Unless otherwise specified, a Recurring Transaction, an Installment Transaction, a Preauthorized
Healthcare Transaction, or an Unscheduled Credential-on-File Transaction
1
that receives a Decline
Response may be resubmitted for Authorization up to 4 times within 16 calendar days from the date
of the original Decline Response, in an attempt to receive approval, only if the Decline Response code
is one of the following:
●
05 (Authorization declined)
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-463
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
Authorization
●
51 (Insufficient funds)
●
61 (Exceeds approval amount limit)
●
65 (Exceeds withdrawal frequency limit)
If an Approval Response is not received within this timeframe, the Merchant must not deposit the
Transaction.
1
Effective 14 October 2017
ID# 0006007 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
7.3.6.2 Missing Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2) Decline Response – Europe Region
Effective through 13 October 2017
In the Europe Region, an Issuer must not send a Decline Response based on a missing Card
Verification Value 2 if the Authorization Request is for a second or subsequent Recurring
Transaction.
Effective 14 October 2017
In the Europe Region, an Issuer must not send a Decline Response based on a missing Card
Verification Value 2 if the Authorization Request is for a second or subsequent Recurring
Transaction, Installment Transaction, Unscheduled Credential-on-File Transaction, or Cardholder-
initiated Transaction using a Stored Credential.
ID# 0029985 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
7.3.6.3 Resubmission following a Decline Response to a Transit Transaction
Effective 14 October 2017
An Acquirer that has received a Decline Response to a Transaction that originates from a Mass
Transit Merchant may enter that Transaction into Interchange if the following applies:
●
The Merchant has received an Approval Response to a subsequent Authorization Request that
included the data from the original Transaction
●
The Merchant has not submitted either:
– For a Known Fare Transaction, more than 2 Authorization Requests within 14 calendar
days of the initial Decline Response
PSR-464 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
– For a Mass Transit Transaction, following the initial Decline Response, more than the
number of permitted Authorization Requests within the timeframes specified in Section
5.9.19.2, “Mass Transit Transaction Requirements”
ID# 0030046 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
7.3.7 Authorization Reversals and Authorization Holds
7.3.7.1 Acquirer Requirement to Act on Authorization Reversal
An Acquirer that receives an Authorization Reversal from its Merchant must accept the Authorization
Reversal and immediately forward it to Visa.
ID# 0005476 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
7.3.8 Visa Debit with PIN
7.3.8.1 Visa Debit with PIN Transactions – Preauthorization Transactions – US Region
In the US Region, a Merchant that initiates a preauthorization request for a PIN-Authenticated Visa
Debit Transaction must send a preauthorization completion message within X of the preauthorization
request.
ID# 0026878 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
7.3.9 Partial Authorization
7.3.9.1 Partial Authorization Service Participation – Acquirer Requirements
To participate in the Partial Authorization service, an Acquirer and its Processor must both:
●
Support Partial Authorization Transactions and Authorization Reversals
●
Obtain systems certification from Visa to receive and transmit Visa Partial Authorization
Transactions
●
Ensure that its participating Merchants:
– Include the Partial Authorization indicator in the Authorization Request
– Submit an Authorization Reversal if the Cardholder elects not to complete the purchase
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-465
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
Authorization
– Submit a Clearing Transaction for no more than the amount approved in the Partial
Authorization Response
– Ensure that its participating Merchants support Partial Authorizations for all Visa Card types.
In the US Region, an Acquirer must both:
●
Participate in the Partial Authorization service
●
Process Partial Authorization messages for all terminals that have been programmed to participate
in the Partial Authorization service
ID# 0002515 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
7.3.9.2 Automated Fuel Dispenser Partial Authorization Merchant Requirements
An Automated Fuel Dispenser Merchant that participates in the Partial Authorization service must
both:
●
Include the Partial Authorization indicator in the Authorization Request or Status Check
Authorization(where permitted)
●
For a Transaction where the full Transaction amount is included in the Authorization Request,
submit a Clearing Transaction for no more than the amount approved in the Partial Authorization
Response
In the Europe Region, anAutomated Fuel Dispenser Merchant must participate in the Partial
Authorization service.
ID# 0002520 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
7.3.9.3 Partial Authorization Service Acquirer Participation – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, an Acquirer and its VisaNet Processor must both:
●
Receive and transmit Partial Authorization Transactions and Authorization reversals for the
following MCCs:
– 4121 (Taxicabs and Limousines)
– 4812 (Telecommunication Equipment and Telephone Sales)
– 4814 (Telecommunication Services, including Local and Long Distance Calls, CreditCard Calls,
Calls Through Use of Magnetic Stripe Reading Telephones, and FaxServices)
– 4816 (Computer Network/Information Services)
– 5200 (Home Supply Warehouse Stores)
– 5310 (Discount Stores)
PSR-466 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
– 5311 (Department Stores)
– 5331 (Variety Stores)
– 5411 (Grocery Stores and Supermarkets)
– 5499 (Miscellaneous Food Stores – Convenience Stores and Specialty Markets)
– 5541 (Service Stations [With or Without Ancillary Services])
– 5542 (Automated Fuel Dispensers)
– 5621 (Women's Ready-To-Wear Stores)
– 5631 (Women's Accessory and Specialty Shops)
– 5641 (Children's and Infants' Wear Stores)
– 5651 (Family Clothing Stores)
– 5661 (Shoe Stores)
– 5691 (Men's and Women's Clothing Stores)
– 5732 (Electronics Stores)
– 5734 (Computer Software Stores)
– 5735 (Record Stores)
– 5812 (Eating Places and Restaurants)
– 5814 (Fast Food Restaurants)
– 5912 (Drug Stores and Pharmacies)
– 5921 (Package Stores – Beer, Wine, and Liquor)
– 5941 (Sporting Goods Stores)
– 5942 (Book Stores)
– 5945 (Hobby, Toy, and Game Shops)
– 5947 (Gift, Card, Novelty and Souvenir Shops)
– 5977 (Cosmetic Stores)
– 5999 (Miscellaneous and Specialty Retail Stores)
– 7230 (Beauty and Barber Shops)
– 7298 (Health and Beauty Spas)
– 7399 (Business Services [Not Elsewhere Classified])
– 8999 (Professional Services [Not Elsewhere Classified])
– 9399 (Government Services [Not Elsewhere Classified])
●
Obtain systems certification from Visa for Partial Authorization Transaction processing, as follows:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-467
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
Authorization
– Standalone POS deployed on or after 17 April 2017
– Integrated POS deployed on or after 16 April 2017
– Effective 13 October 2022
All standalone POS
– Effective 13 October 2022
All integrated POS
ID# 0029230 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
7.3.9.4 Partial Authorization Service – Issuer Requirements
To participate in the Partial Authorization service, an Issuer and its Processor must support Partial
Authorizations and Authorization Reversals.
ID# 0029818 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
7.3.10 Authorization Response Standards
7.3.10.2 Minimum Monthly Approval Rate Requirements – US Region
Effective through 13 October 2017
In the US Region, an Issuer must maintain the minimum monthly approval rates specified in Table
7-5, “Minimum Monthly Approval Rates - Visa Consumer Card Programs - US Region” and Table
7-6, “Minimum Monthly Approval Rates - Commercial Visa Products - US Region.” The approval
rate is the number of positive Responses as a percentage of all Authorization Requests processed.
Table 7-5: Minimum Monthly Approval Rates – Visa Consumer Card Programs – US Region
Category Visa Traditional Visa Signature, Visa
Signature Preferred,
and Visa Infinite
Consumer Visa Check
Card
Airlines/Car Rental
Merchants
92% 99% 92%
Lodging Merchants/
Cruise Lines
95% 99% 95%
Manual Cash
Disbursements
Not applicable 95% Not applicable
All Merchants (including
those listed above)
95% 99% 95%
PSR-468 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Category Visa Traditional Visa Signature, Visa
Signature Preferred,
and Visa Infinite
Consumer Visa Check
Card
International
Transactions
Not applicable For Visa Infinite only
98%
Not applicable
Table 7-6: Minimum Monthly Approval Rates – Commercial Visa Products – US Region
Category Visa Business Visa Signature
Business
Visa Corporate Visa Purchasing
Airlines/Car Rental
Merchants
96% 99% 98% Not applicable
Lodging
Merchants/Cruise
Lines
97% 99% 98% Not applicable
Manual Cash
Disbursements
Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable
All Merchants
(including those
listed above)
96% 99% 98% Not applicable
ID# 0005446 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
7.3.11 Account Verification
7.3.11.1 Account Verification Processing – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Issuer must be able to respond to Account Verification requests by sending a
response code that indicates either:
●
No reason to decline
●
Non-approval
An Acquirer must do all of the following:
●
Be able to transmit the Account Verification request to the Issuer
●
Be able to receive the response from the Issuer for that Account Verification request
●
Ensure that its Merchants use Account Verification to validate a Cardholder account. This does not
apply to Automated Fuel Dispensers.
ID# 0029668 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-469
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
Processing of Specific Transaction Types
7.3.12 Member Reporting Requirements
7.3.12.1 Member Reporting Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Member that processes Transactions must submit to Visa a daily transmission
file detailing those Transactions including Authorization Responses that are Approval Responses or
Decline Responses.
A Member must not report transactions where a Cardholder has chosen to use a payment brand or
application that is not part of the Visa Europe Scheme.
An Issuer must report a Chargeback within 15 calendar days of the Processing Date of the Chargeback.
An Acquirer must report a Representment within 15 calendar days of the Processing Date of the
Representment.
ID# 0029678 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
7.4 Processing of Specific Transaction Types
7.4.1 Account Funding Transactions
7.4.1.1 Account Funding Transaction Requirements
An Account Funding Transaction must both:
●
Not represent any of the following:
– Payment for goods or services
– Funding of a Merchant account
– Debt repayment
●
Be processed with an Account Funding Transaction indicator in the Authorization Request and
Clearing Records
ID# 0002890 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
PSR-470 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
7.4.2 Manual Cash Disbursements
7.4.2.1 Manual Cash Disbursement Transaction Currency
The Transaction Currency for a Manual Cash Disbursement must be all of the following:
●
Currency dispensed
●
Currency in the Authorization Request
●
Currency presented into Interchange
ID# 0006862 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
7.4.3 Automated Fuel Dispenser Transactions
7.4.3.1 Automated Fuel Dispenser Real-Time Clearing Transaction Processing
An Automated Fuel Dispenser Merchant that participates in Real-Time Clearing must also participate in
Partial Authorization.
A Real-Time Clearing Transaction must identify the preauthorization time limit in field 63.2 of the
Authorization message.
The Completion Message must be for an amount equal to or less than the authorized amount,
including partial approvals.
ID# 0007391 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
7.4.3.2 Automated Fuel Dispenser Transaction Issuer Requirements – Europe Region
Effective 1 May 2017
In the Europe Region, an Issuer must do all of the following:
●
Be able to process Automated Fuel Dispenser (AFD) Transactions with a maximum amount
(no more than EUR 150 [or local currency equivalent], unless explicitly preselected by the
Cardholder) included in the Authorization Request amount
●
Support the receipt of an Acquirer confirmation advice in real time
●
Immediately act upon the Acquirer confirmation advice and adjust the Cardholder’s available
funds
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-471
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
Processing of Specific Transaction Types
●
Support Partial Authorizations
ID# 0029982 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
7.4.4 Bill Payment Transactions
7.4.4.1 ATM Bill Payments – LAC Region (Brazil)
In the LAC Region (Brazil), an Acquirer must not use Deferred Settlement when processing a domestic
Bill Payment Transaction at an ATM.
ID# 0029526 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
7.4.4.2 Bill Payment Transaction Data – US Region
In the US Region, an Acquirer must identify a Bill Payment Transaction in the Authorization Request
and Clearing Record.
ID# 0008913 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
7.4.6 Online Gambling Transactions
7.4.6.1 Quasi-Cash/Online Gambling Transaction Indicator
A Quasi-Cash Transaction must be processed with a Quasi-Cash Transaction indicator in the
Authorization Request and Clearing Record.
This does not apply in the CEMEA Region (South Africa).
ID# 0002886 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
7.4.7 Commercial Payables Transactions
7.4.7.1 Authorization Request and Settlement Amount Match
Visa will return a Commercial Payables Transaction to the Acquirer for resubmission if the amount in
the Clearing Record does not match the amount in the Authorization Request and all of the following
conditions apply:
●
Card is a Visa Purchasing or Visa Fleet Card
PSR-472 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Issuer has enrolled to participate in the Authorization and Settlement Match service
●
The Visa Purchasing Card BIN or account range (including Visa Fleet Card BIN or account range) is
enrolled in the Authorization and Settlement Match service
●
Transaction occurs in a Card-Absent Environment
In the Europe Region, thisrule does not apply. Where a Member uses Visa for processing, as specified
in Section 1.1.1.2, “Applicability of Processing Rules – Europe Region,” it must refer to Visa Europe
Operating Regulations – Processing.
ID# 0026827 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
7.4.8 Card-Absent Environment Transactions
7.4.8.1 Mail/Phone Order Expiration Date in Authorizations – AP Region
In the AP Region, an Authorization Request for a Mail/Phone Order Transaction must include the Card
expiration date.
This does not apply to Recurring Transactions, which do not require an expiration date in the
Authorization Request.
ID# 0005333 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
7.4.9 Recurring Transactions
7.4.9.1 Electronic Commerce Indicator for Recurring Transactions – US Region
In the US Region, if an Order Form for a Recurring Transaction is provided to a Merchant in an
electronic format, the initial Transaction must be processed with the appropriate Electronic Commerce
Indicator.
Subsequent Recurring Transactions must be processed as Recurring Transactions.
The initial Transaction may be populated with the recurring payment indicator.
ID# 0004638 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-473
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
Processing of Specific Transaction Types
7.4.10 Visa Purchasing Card Transactions
7.4.10.1 Visa Purchasing Card Transaction Data
An Acquirer that accepts a Visa Purchasing Card Transaction must provide the Issuer with any
Cardholder reference data or other relevant Transaction information supplied by a Merchant.
ID# 0008893 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
7.4.11 Visa Fleet Card Transactions
7.4.11.1 Visa Fleet Card – Enhanced Data
An Acquirer that contracts with a Merchant to accept a Visa Fleet Card must provide the Issuer or the
Issuer's agent with the Enhanced Data if provided by its Merchant in the Authorization and Clearing
Record.
ID# 0008894 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
7.4.11.2 Visa Fleet Card Enhanced Data Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, a Merchant that accepts a Visa Fleet Card must provide Enhanced Data for Visa Fleet
Card Transactions classified with any of the following MCCs:
●
4468 (Marinas, Marine Service, and Supplies)
●
5499 (Miscellaneous Food Stores – Convenience Stores and Specialty Markets)
●
5541 (Service Stations)
●
5542 (Automated Fuel Dispensers)
●
5983 (Fuel Dealers – Fuel Oil, Wood Coal, and Liquefied Petroleum)
An Acquirer that processes Visa Fleet Card Transactions must provide both Cardholder-supplied data
and supplemental Transaction data for these Transactions.
ID# 0027524 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2015
PSR-474 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
7.4.12 Visa Commercial Card Transactions
7.4.12.1 Visa Commercial Card Data Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, if a Merchant provides Enhanced Data in the Authorization Request and Clearing
Record, its Acquirer must provide the Enhanced Data to the Issuer.
An Acquirer must provide the following data to the Issuer:
●
All tax details, as agreed by Visa and the national fiscal authorities
●
Unique customer reference data, if supplied by the Client Organization
An Acquirer whose Merchants provide Enhanced Datafor Visa Purchasing Card Transactions must
provide to Visa contact details for the participating Merchant Outlets every 6 months or as determined
by Visa.
ID# 0029673 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
7.4.13 Visa Drive Card Transactions
7.4.13.1 Cash Disbursements on Visa Drive Cards – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, Cash Disbursements are not permitted on Visa Drive Cards that are “standard”
Cards or “extra” Cards.
Cash Disbursements are permitted on Visa Drive Cards that are “open” Cards.
ID# 0029810 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
7.4.13.2 Quasi-Cash Transactions on Visa Drive Cards – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, Quasi-Cash Transactions are not permitted on Visa Drive Cards that are
“standard” Cards or “extra” Cards.
Quasi-Cash Transactions are permitted on Visa Drive Cards that are “open” Cards.
ID# 0029835 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-475
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
Processing of Specific Transaction Types
7.4.14 In-Transit Transactions
7.4.14.1 In-Transit Merchant Information Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer must include at least all of the following in the Clearing Record of an
In-Transit Transaction:
●
The Merchant’s primary place of business or country of incorporation in the Merchant country field
●
The Merchant’s customer service telephone number and the Merchant country in the Merchant
city field
●
The word “In-Transit” following the Merchant name in the Merchant name field
ID# 0029820 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
7.4.14.2 In-Transit Gambling Merchant Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Gambling Merchant must ensure that an In-Transit Transaction for the
purchase of gambling is processed as a Quasi-Cash Transaction.
ID# 0029834 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
7.4.15 Authorization Request Content
7.4.15.1 Authorization Request Content for MCC 6012 – Europe Region (United
Kingdom)
In the Europe Region (United Kingdom), an Acquirer that processes a Transaction in a Card-Absent
Environment using MCC 6012 (Financial Institutions – Merchandise, Services, and Debt Repayment)
must include in the Authorization Request all of the following data elements for the recipient account
holder:
●
Date of birth
●
Account number (either partially masked or up to 10 characters)
●
Partial postcode
●
Last name
The Issuer that receives the Authorization Request must check the data elements against its own data
about the recipient of the payment.
ID# 0030058 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
PSR-476 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
7.5 Clearing
7.5.1 File Processing
7.5.1.1 Duplicate Interchange File Requirements
A Member must generate a duplicate Interchange File before transmitting Interchange to Visa and
retain this file for 15 calendar days after the Settlement Date.
In the Europe Region, thisrule does not apply. Where a Member uses Visa for processing, as specified
in Section 1.1.1.2, “Applicability of Processing Rules – Europe Region,” it must refer to Visa Europe
Operating Regulations – Processing.
ID# 0003372 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
7.5.2 Currency Conversion
7.5.2.1 Currency Conversion
Visa converts the Transaction Currency to the Issuer's or Acquirer's Settlement Currency using the
Currency Conversion Rate.
In the Europe Region, thisrule does not apply. Where a Member uses Visa for processing, as specified
in Section 1.1.1.2, “Applicability of Processing Rules – Europe Region,” it must refer to Visa Europe
Operating Regulations – Processing.
ID# 0003298 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
7.5.3 PIN-Authenticated Visa Debit Adjustments
7.5.3.1 PIN-Authenticated Visa Debit Transaction Adjustments – US Region
In the US Region, if an Acquirer processes an Adjustment to a PIN-Authenticated Visa Debit
Transaction to correct a Merchant or Acquirer processing error that causes an out-of-balance situation,
it must both:
●
Process the Adjustment within 45 calendar days of the purchase date of the original Transaction
●
Process the Adjustment for the correct Transaction amount
An Acquirer may process a first Presentment as an Original Adjustment when all of the following apply:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-477
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
Clearing
●
Original Transaction resulted from a PIN-Authenticated Visa Debit Transaction
●
Connection between the Merchant and its Authorizing Processor was inoperable
●
Merchant completed the Transaction without obtaining an Authorization
An Acquirer must not process an Original Adjustment if the original Transaction received a Decline
Response.
The Acquirer must not process an Adjustment subsequent to a Chargeback.
ID# 0026510 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
7.5.4 Reversals
7.5.4.1 Permitted Use of Clearing Reversals – US Region
In the US Region, if a Clearing Processor that cleared Interchange through VisaNet detects duplicate
or erroneous data before sending it to Visa, the Clearing Processor must correct the data before
transmission.
If incorrect data has already been transmitted, a Clearing Reversal may be initiated by either the
Clearing Processor that originated the duplicate or erroneous transmission or by Visa.
The Clearing Processor may use a Clearing Reversal only to correct either:
●
Inadvertent processing errors (for example: duplicate processing), as described in Section 12.5.2.1,
“Duplicate or Erroneous Data Fee – US Region”
●
Individual Transactions that were transmitted twice or contain erroneous data
To reverse a duplicate or erroneous Interchange transmission, the Clearing Processor must do all of the
following:
●
Immediately notify Visa of any duplicate or erroneous data transmitted, including any of the
following:
– An entire day's Interchange duplication
– Batches of previously transmitted Interchange
– Batches captured more than once on the same outgoing Interchange File
●
Replace the Transaction codes of the duplicate Transactions with the appropriate Clearing Reversal
codes
●
Not change any other information in the duplicate Transactions
●
Send the corrected file on the next transmission day
ID# 0008882 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-478 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
7.5.5 Data Requirements
7.5.5.1 Interchange Data Element Requirements
An Acquirer that sends Interchange through BASE II must use the data elements listed in the
applicable VisaNet Manuals.
ID# 0005521 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
7.5.5.2 Visa Prepaid Card Purchase Transaction Data
A Transaction representing the purchase of a Visa Prepaid Card must be processed as a retail purchase
and include a Visa Prepaid Card indicator in the Transaction record.
ID# 0002516 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
7.5.5.3 Visa Commercial Card and Visa Prepaid Card Data Requirements – LAC
Region (Brazil)
In the LAC Region (Brazil), an Acquirer must ensure that the Clearing Record for a Transaction
completed with a Visa Commercial Card or a Visa Prepaid Card of a government program includes the
Merchant legal name and Merchant tax identification number.
ID# 0027384 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
7.6 Online Financial and Deferred Clearing
7.6.1 Online Financial and Deferred Clearing Requirements
7.6.1.1 Online Financial Transaction Processing Requirements
An Online Financial Transaction Authorization Request for a Visa or Visa Electron Transaction must
originate at an ATM or an Acceptance Device and include both the:
●
Entire unaltered contents of track 1 or track 2 of the Magnetic Stripe, the Magnetic-Stripe Image
on the Chip, or the track 2 equivalent data in a QR code
●
Final amount of the Transaction
An Online Financial Transaction that is apurchase Transaction may only be key-entered either:
●
In a Card-Absent Environment
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-479
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
Transaction Processing Time Limits and Dates
●
If the Magnetic Stripe cannot be read. This does not apply to a Visa Electron Transaction, which
may not be key-entered.
An Acquirer must process a Clearing Reversal for an Online Financial or Deferred Clearing Transaction
if either the:
●
Acquirer or Merchant sent an Authorization Request and did not receive an Authorization
Response
●
Transaction is subsequently voided or cancelled
ID# 0008863 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
7.7 Transaction Processing Time Limits and Dates
7.7.1 Processing Time Limits
7.7.1.1 Acquirer Processing Timeframes
An Acquirer must process Transactions within the following timeframes:
Table 7-7: Acquirer Processing Timeframe Requirements
Transaction Type Maximum Processing Timeframe
Visa Electron and ATM
1
Within 5 calendar days of the Transaction Date
Visa Prepaid Load Service (in the US Region, Visa
ReadyLink)
Within2
1
calendar days of the Transaction Date
All Other Transactions
Within8
2
calendar days of the Transaction Date
In Japan, within 30 calendar days of the Transaction
Date
In Malaysia, for domestic Automated Fuel Dispenser
Transactions, within 2 local business days of the
Transaction Date
PSR-480 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Transaction Type Maximum Processing Timeframe
Effective through 13 October 2017
In the Europe Region, forintraregional Contactless
Transactions, within 2 calendar days of the
Transaction Date
Effective 14 October 2017
In the Europe Region, for intraregional Contactless
Transactions (except Mass Transit Transactions)
within 2 calendar days of the Transaction Date
In the US Region, for merchandise returns and
credits, within 5
2
calendar days of the Transaction
Date
1
In the US Region, ATM Transactions, PIN-authenticated Visa Debit Transactions, and Visa ReadyLink Transactions must
be processed through the Single Message System.
2
Additional requirements for Transaction processing time limits apply to Custom Payment Service Programs.
The Processing Date and Transaction Date are each counted as one day.
ID# 0027796 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
7.7.1.2 Transaction Date Limits
For a Deferred Payment Transaction, the Transaction Date must be the billing date, which must be no
later than 90 calendar days from the initial shipment date.
For a Preauthorized Health Care Transaction, the Transaction Date must be the date on which the
Health Care Merchant receives a notice of adjudication from the Cardholder’s insurance company.
For a Transaction involving goods that are shipped (except for a prepayment), the Transaction Date
must be on or after the date on which the goods are shipped.
Effective through 13 October 2017
In the Europe Region, for a Variable Fare Transaction, the Transaction Date must be the day on
which the travel began.
Effective 14 October 2017
For a Mass Transit Transaction, the Transaction Date must be the last day of travel.
ID# 0005753 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-481
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
Settlement
7.8 Settlement
7.8.2 National Net Settlement Service (NNSS) Requirements
7.8.2.1 Use of National Net Settlement Service (NNSS)
In the APRegion, Canada Region, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, and US Region, a Member must enroll
all of its BINs in the National Net Settlement Service (NNSS), if available in its country. This does not
apply to:
●
A Visa-approved program for which the Settlement Currencyor Billing Currency is not the local
currency
●
In the AP Region (Japan), a Member that is not a Principal-Type Member
●
In the Canada Region, aMember that has a Private Agreement for the Settlement of Domestic
Transactions
A Member that participates in an NNSS must both:
●
Use the NNSS to process and settle all qualifying Domestic Transactions that were processed
through VisaNet in local currency
●
Comply with the applicable NNSS operating procedures
Effective through 19 January 2018
In the LAC Region (Brazil, Venezuela), a Member must process all Domestic Transactions in local
currency.
Effective 20 January 2018 through 12 October 2018
In the LAC Region (Brazil, Curacao, Sint Maarten, Venezuela), a Member must process all
Domestic Transactions from a BIN participating in the NNSS in local currency.
Effective 13 October 2018
In the LAC Region (Aruba, Brazil, Curacao, Sint Maarten, Venezuela), a Member must process all
Domestic Transactions from a BIN participating in the NNSS in local currency.
Visa may suspend the operation of an NNSS in an emergency. Upon suspension of an NNSS, Visa may
redirect Domestic Transactions into the International Settlement Service and collect the full amount
owed from a Member's nominated Settlement account or Settlement Bank.
PSR-482 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
In the Europe Region, thisrule does not apply. Where a Member uses Visa for processing, as specified
in Section 1.1.1.2, “Applicability of Processing Rules – Europe Region,” it must refer to Visa Europe
Operating Regulations – Processing.
ID# 0029856 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
7.8.3 Settlement Requirements – AP Region
7.8.3.2 Member Responsibility for Settlement Obligations – AP Region
In the APRegion, a Member is responsible for all Settlement obligations owed to Visa by any entity
or subsidiary owned or controlled by the Member, even if the entity is legally independent of the
Member. Visa may offset any amount owed to Visa by the entity or subsidiary against the Member
accounts, Branches, or other owned or controlled entity worldwide.
ID# 0005423 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
7.8.4 Settlement Requirements – Europe Region
7.8.4.3 Visa Responsibility for Settlement – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, without prejudice to any Issuer’s or Acquirer’s obligations in Section 7.8.4.2,
“Liability for Payment Obligations – Europe Region,” Visa will be responsible on the terms and subject
to the conditions of this section to satisfy payment obligations that have arisen in relation to:
●
Transactions that are Visa Transactions. For a co-badged Card, where a Cardholder chooses to
initiate a transaction through a payment scheme that is not Visa, that transaction is not a Visa
Transaction.
●
Visa Transactions, where such Visa Transactions were reported to Visa within 24 hours of the
Transaction Date
●
Visa Transactions, where such Visa Transactions meet Visa data quality standards, in accordance
with all applicable technical specifications
●
A Visa Scheme Processor, and the Member has satisfied its obligations in relation to that Visa
Scheme Processor as specified in the Visa Rules
●
A Settlement failure, where such Settlement failure was reported to Visa within 24 hours of the
date that any given Member is owed funds
●
Visa Transactions that were accepted in accordance with the Rules
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-483
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
Settlement
In the Europe Region, for the avoidance of doubt, Visa reserves the right to adjust its payment
obligation to a Member, where that Member has reported to Visa inconsistent Transaction volumes
over the preceding 18 months.
ID# 0029572 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
7.8.4.11 Indemnity – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, each Issuer and each Acquirer indemnify Visa for any liability, loss, claim,
damages, cost, or expense, whatsoever, (each an indemnifiable loss) which Visa may incur at any time
in connection with a failure (or any allegation made in good faith of a failure) by such Issuer or such
Acquirer (or any entity acting on its behalf or under its direction or control) to discharge its payment
obligations when due and/or to comply with, be bound by and perform all obligations and duties
imposed upon it pursuant to the Rules, including without limitation any failure to put Visa in funds
for the purposes of Settlement and/or any failure to satisfy any request made pursuant to the Rules.
If requested by Visa, the relevant Issuer or Acquirer will provide cash or other collateral acceptable to
Visa in such amounts and on such terms as Visa may deem appropriate to cover Visa against Visa’s
estimate of any future indemnifiable losses for which such Issuer or Acquirer may be liable, including,
without limitation, to fund Visa’s relevant legal expenses.
ID# 0029580 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
7.8.4.12 Member Liability – Europe Region
A Europe Group Member is jointly and severally liable for the obligations of each of its Group Issuers/
Acquirers under Section 7.8.4.11, “Indemnity – Europe Region.”
A Europe Principal Member is jointly and severally liable for the obligations of each of its Sponsored
Issuers/Acquirers under Section 7.8.4.11, “Indemnity – Europe Region.”
In the Europe Region, Visa will seek to recover any indemnifiable loss:
●
First, from the Issuer or Acquirer that Visa deems liable under Section 7.8.4.11, “Indemnity – Europe
Region”
●
Second, from any Group Member and/or Principal Member that Visa deems liable under this
section
Nothing in this section will:
●
Create a duty of care from Visa to any entity
●
Oblige Visa:
– To institute proceedings or exhaust its rights to recover an indemnifiable loss from any entity
before claiming against another entity in the order of priority
– To pro-rate or apportion its claims between different entities
PSR-484 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Render an Issuer’s/Acquirer's obligation to pay Visa under this section conditional upon any other
entity’s payment or agreement to pay
ID# 0029581 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
7.8.4.16 Estimating Settlement – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, Visa reserves the right to require that Members settle on estimates provided by
Visa if Clearing and Settlement is delayed.
ID# 0030062 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
7.8.4.17 Loss Sharing – Europe Region
Effective14 October2017
If Visa incurs a loss following the failure of a Member to satisfy its payment obligations and Visa
determines, in its absolute discretion, that the loss will not be recovered in a timely manner, as
specified in Section 7.8.4.11, “Indemnity – Europe Region” and Section 7.8.4.12, “Member Liability
– Europe Region,” Visa may apportion some or all of the loss among Principal Members.
Visa will assess a Member’s Loss Share Contribution
1
according to a Loss Share Contribution
calculation, available on Visa Online and as amended from time to time. Visa reserves the right
to adjust the amount claimed from a Member on such basis that Visa considers equitable in the
circumstances.
Visa will collect the required amount, through its settlement systems, within 120 calendar days of
the loss, as either:
●
A series of installments, with each installment representing no more than 5% of the total
amount owed by the Member
●
The total amount
If the amount collected by Visa is later determined to be more than the amount required for that
Member’s share, Visa will return the excess amount to the Member within 120 calendar days of
the verification of the excess amount.
1
A financial contribution paid by a Principal Member to Visa, following the failure of any given Member to satisfy its
payment obligation.
ID# 0030096 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-485
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
Settlement
7.8.6 Settlement Requirements – US Region
7.8.6.4 Member Responsibility for Settlement Financial Obligations – US Region
In the US Region, a Member is responsible for any amount due for all Transaction Receipts bearing its
BIN and resulting from a Merchant or another Member honoring a valid, properly presented Card.
ID# 0005710 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
7.8.6.5 Prohibition against Transferring Obligation to Pay – US Region
In the US Region, an Acquirer must not waive, release, abrogate, or otherwise assign to a non-Member
its obligation to guarantee and ensure payment for all Transactions in which its Merchant honored a
valid Visa Card properly presented for payment.
ID# 0005146 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
7.8.6.6 Requirement for Funds Held by Acquirer – US Region
In the US Region, an Acquirer holding funds as security to ensure proper Merchant performance must
hold the funds in an account in the Merchant's name.
ID# 0005147 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
7.8.7 Member Readiness for Settlement
7.8.7.1 Member Readiness for Settlement
Upon submission of a Clearing Record to VisaNet, a Member must be ready to settle the Transaction
within the timeframe specified by Visa for the applicable settlement service and Settlement Currency.
In the Europe Region, thisrule does not apply. Where a Member uses Visa for processing, as specified
in Section 1.1.1.2, “Applicability of Processing Rules – Europe Region,” it must refer to Visa Europe
Operating Regulations – Processing.
ID# 0029031 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-486 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
7.9 System Use – Europe Region
7.9.1 Default Infrastructure
7.9.1.1 Default Infrastructure Nomination – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, Visa reserves the right to nominate a Default Infrastructure, which is the
processor of last resort that a Member should use when its processing infrastructure has failed or is
otherwise unavailable.
ID# 0029582 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
7.10 Authorization and Clearing Transaction Content
7.10.1 Transaction Message Content
7.10.1.1 Use of Payment Account Reference – AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, and US
Regions
Effective 13 October 2018 in the APRegion, Canada Region, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, and US
Region
An Acquirer must be capable of processing a Transaction containing a Payment Account
Reference (PAR) and delivering the PAR to a Merchant.
A domestic switch or any other form of processor must be capable of transmitting a PAR when
provided by an Issuer, Acquirer, or Token Requestor.
ID# 0030038 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
7.10.2 Payment Stop Service
7.10.2.1 Use of Payment Stop Instructions – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, anIssuer may place a stop instruction against an Authorization Request or a
Clearing Record only if it complies with all of the following:
●
Obtains a stop instruction request from the Cardholder
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-487
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Transaction Processing
Authorization and Clearing Transaction Content
●
Ensures that the stop instruction is only placed against a Recurring Transaction, an Installment
Transaction, or an Unscheduled Credential-on-File Transaction
●
Correctly identifies the stop instruction
ID# 0029681 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
PSR-488 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Processing Products
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
8 Processing Products
8.1 Use of Visa Systems
8.1.1 VisaNet Access Points
8.1.1.1 Deployment of Visa Systems at User Sites – AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, and US
Regions
In the AP Region, Canada Region, CEMEA Region, LAC Region, and US Region, a participating Member,
VisaNet Processor, or Visa Merchant Direct Exchange Merchant that deploys a Visa system must
provide, at no cost to Visa, all of the following:
●
A location that meets Visa requirements for installing one or more VisaNet Access Points on the
Member's, VisaNet Processor's,or Visa Merchant Direct Exchange Merchant's premises
●
A sufficient number of qualified personnel that the Member, VisaNet Processor, or Visa Merchant
Direct Exchange Merchant has trained to meet Visa specifications
●
Upon Visa request, access to the premises of the Member, VisaNet Processor, or Merchant, and
cooperation with Visa and its authorized agents or representatives for the installation, service,
repair, or inspection of the VisaNet Access Points
●
Computer time and a sufficient number of qualified personnel to ensure prompt and efficient
installation and use of the VisaNet software supplied by Visa
●
Any other support reasonably requested by Visa for the installation of Visa systems
A participating Member, VisaNet Processor, orVisa Merchant Direct Exchange Merchant must do all of
the following:
●
Maintain VisaNet records, documents, and logs and provide them to Visa upon request
●
Notify Visa promptly if a VisaNet Access Point for which it is responsible fails to operate properly
ID# 0027076 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
8.1.1.2 Prohibition against VisaNet Access Point Modification
No party may make or attempt to make any repair, adjustment, alteration, or modification to a VisaNet
Access Point, except as expressly authorized by Visa.
ID# 0027074 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-489
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Processing Products
Use of Visa Systems
8.1.1.3 VisaNet Access Point Security – Visa Merchant Direct Exchange
A Visa Merchant Direct Exchange Merchant must provide the same level of security for its VisaNet
Access Points as it provides for its proprietary systems.
ID# 0027075 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
8.1.2 Visa Merchant Direct Exchange
8.1.2.1 Visa Merchant Direct Exchange Transaction Delivery
An Acquirer of a Visa Merchant Direct Exchange Merchant must both:
●
Be capable of receiving VisaNet reports or records as notification that:
– Clearing and Settlement occurred for Transactions submitted by the Merchant
– Payment is due to the Merchant
●
Accept responsibility for Visa Merchant Direct Exchange Merchant Transactions
ID# 0027077 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
8.1.3 System Changes
8.1.3.1 Visa Responsibilities Related to System Changes – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, Visa will provide to Members:
●
6 months’ notice of changes that affect the systems and software of Members
●
2 Edit Package updates to be implemented in April and October of each year
●
3 weeks’ notice for Visa Extended Access changes that do not affect Members
ID# 0029561 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-490 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Processing Products
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
8.2 Cardholder Loyalty Programs
8.2.1 Visa Loyalty Platform Services
8.2.1.1 Visa Loyalty Platform Services Issuer Participation Requirements
An Issuer that participates in the Visa Loyalty Platform Services must do all of the following:
●
Obtain required consent from Cardholders and Merchants
●
Within 10 calendar days of receivingthe applicableFunds Disbursement from Visa (if applicable),
credit to the participating Cardholder's account the amount of the discount received for qualifying
purchases
●
Not change the originating Merchant name and city information before posting this information
tothe Cardholder statement
ID# 0025865 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
8.3 Visa Information Systems
8.3.1 Visa Online
8.3.1.1 Use of Visa Online
A Member, a VisaNet Processor, and any other authorized user that use Visa Online are subject to the
Visa Online participation requirements.
A Member is responsible for a designated VisaNet Processor or other authorized user's use of the Visa
Online materials, software, and information.
Visa Online and the information obtained through Visa Online are the property of Visa and are for the
sole use of Members, VisaNet Processors, and other authorized users in support of Visa programs. A
Member, VisaNet Processor or any other authorized user must not disclose any information from Visa
Online unless permitted by the Visa Rules or otherwise authorized in writing by Visa.
ID# 0026950 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-491
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Processing Products
Original Credit Transactions
8.3.2 VisaVue Online
8.3.2.1 VisaVue Online Member Participation Requirements
To use VisaVue Online, a Member must sign a VisaVue Member Participation Agreement.
ID# 0026471 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
8.4 Original Credit Transactions
8.4.1 Original Credit Transactions – Originating Member Requirements
8.4.1.1 Original Credit Transaction Limitations
An Original Credit Transaction must involve only a single sender and a single recipient.
ID# 0025765 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
8.4.1.2 Original Credit Transactions – Originating Member Treatment of Sender Data
An Originating Member must do all of the following:
●
Validate sender data and comply with applicable anti-money laundering regulations and anti-
terrorist financing standards
●
Provide proper disclosure to the sender regarding the collection of sender data
●
Notify Visa before starting to process Original Credit Transactions
ID# 0005328 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
8.4.1.3 Original Credit Transaction Verification of Posting – AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC,
and US Regions
In the AP Region, Canada Region, CEMEA Region, LAC Region, and US Region, when requesting
confirmation or applicable proof from a Recipient Member that funds have been posted to a recipient
Cardholder’s Account Number, an Originating Member must submit the request through Visa Resolve
Online.
PSR-492 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Processing Products
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
A Recipient Member must respond to the Originating Member’s confirmation request through Visa
Resolve Online within 5 calendar days from the date of inquiry.
ID# 0027329 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
8.4.1.4 Original Credit Transaction Reversals
An Originating Member must not reverse an Original Credit Transaction initiated as an Online Financial
Transaction.
A Reversal of an Original Credit Transaction must be processed within one business day of the
Processing Date of the Original Credit Transaction and only for the following reasons:
●
Incorrect Account Number
●
Incorrect Transaction amount
●
Duplicate processing
●
Incorrect Transaction code
ID# 0026074 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
8.4.1.6 Conditions for Submission of an Original Credit Transaction Adjustment
An Originating Member may submit a Transaction Adjustment if the Recipient Member fails to provide
confirmation of posting of the Original Credit Transaction within 5 calendar days of the inquiry date.
The Original Credit Transaction Adjustment must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the
Processing Date of the initial Original Credit Transaction.
ID# 0027330 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
8.4.2 Original Credit Transactions – Recipient Member Requirements
8.4.2.1 Original Credit Transaction (OCT) Recipient Member Requirements
A Recipient Member must do all of the following:
●
Post an Original Credit Transaction (OCT)to the Account Number within 2 business days
1
of
receipt, or charge back the OCT
2
to the Originating Member
●
If participating in Fast Funds, make funds available to the Cardholder within 30 minutes of
approving an OCT
●
For an OCT sent to a Cardholder’s Visa credit Card account, post the funds as a payment
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-493
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Processing Products
Original Credit Transactions
●
For a Chargeback processed for an OCT, only initiate a Chargeback Reversal within one calendar
day of the Chargeback Processing Date
●
Effective through 13 April 2018
In the Europe Region, both:
– Clearly describe the payment on the Cardholder statement and not label the payment as a
refund
– Not apply additional funds transfer fees for consumer Cards
●
Effective 14 April 2018
Clearly describe the payment on the Cardholder statement and not label the payment as a refund
●
Effective 14 April 2018
Not apply additional funds transfer fees for consumer Cards
1
In the Europe Region, for an Intraregional Transaction, on the same business day. The funds must be made available on the
same business day.
2
For a Member that participates in Enhanced Dispute Resolution, initiate a Dispute for the Original Credit
ID# 0004064 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
8.4.2.2 Original Credit Transactions – Conditions for Use of a Deposit-Only Account
Number
A Recipient Member must:
●
Notify Visa that a BIN or account range is designated for Deposit-Only Account Numbers
●
Not use a Deposit-Only Account Number for any purpose other than Original Credit Transaction
processing
●
List a compromised Deposit-Only Account Number on the Exception File
ID# 0006983 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
8.4.4 Original Credit Transactions – Fast Funds
8.4.4.1 Original Credit Transactions – Fast Funds Processing
A Recipient Member must process as Fast Funds an incoming Original Credit Transaction, as follows:
PSR-494 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Processing Products
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Table 8-1: Fast Funds Processing Requirements
Region Recipient Member must process as Fast Funds an incoming Original Credit Transaction if
the Recipient Member:
AP
CEMEA
Supports the receipt of Online Financial Transactions or Authorization Requests in the
enhanced format
Effective
13 October
2018
Europe
Supports the receipt of Online Financial Transactions or Authorization Requests in the
enhanced format for Direct (Immediate) Debit Card and Deferred Debit Cards which have
the following on the Card:
●
16-digit Account Number (PAN)
●
Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2)
Canada Is a Visa Reloadable Prepaid Card Issuer or its processor
LAC
●
Effective through 13 April 2018
Is a new Visa Debit Card or Visa Prepaid Card Issuer or its processor
●
Effective 14 April 2018
Is a Visa Debit Card or Visa Prepaid Card Issuer or its processor
US Supports the receipt of Online Financial Transactions or Authorization Requests in the
enhanced format. This does not apply to an incoming Original Credit Transaction to a Visa
credit Card.
Effective through 12October 2018
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
ID# 0027273 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
8.4.4.2 Online Original Credit Transaction Origination
An Originating Member must use an enhanced format 0200 message to initiate an online Original
Credit Transaction.
ID# 0027274 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-495
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Processing Products
Visa Processing Services
8.5 Visa Processing Services
8.5.1 Visa Account Updater
8.5.1.1 Acquirer Use of Visa Account Updater (VAU) – Europe Region
An Acquirer that uses Visa Account Updater (VAU) must do all of the following:
●
Effective through 21 July 2017
Enroll its Merchants that process Recurring Transactions
●
Effective 22 July 2017
Enroll Merchants that process more than 120,000 Recurring Transactions per year on Cards issued
in the following countries:
– Greece
– Italy
– Republic of Ireland
– United Kingdom
●
Ensure that its enrolled Merchants both:
– Refresh Card details using VAU at least monthly
– Act on information provided by VAU before requesting Authorization
ID# 0029657 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
8.5.1.2 Use of Visa Account Updater – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, Issuers in the following countries must enroll all of their licensed BINs in Visa
Account Updater (VAU):
●
Greece
●
Italy (except V PAY Cards and Non-Reloadable Cards)
●
Republic of Ireland
●
United Kingdom
An Issuer must comply with all data protection requirements. Visa will comply with all applicable data
protection laws in regards to the personal data it or its subcontractors stores and processes on behalf
of Members participating in the Visa Account Updater.
PSR-496 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Processing Products
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Issuers and Acquirers must comply with their data protection obligations as specified in the Visa
Account Updater Member Implementation Guide and Visa Account Updater Terms of Use.
An Issuer that participates in Visa Account Updater must provide to Visa all of the following:
●
A file of all Account Numbers in issuance on the date the service is implemented and at least the 6
months before Issuer implementation
●
At least weekly, a file of all of the following:
– Changed Account Numbers and expiration dates
– New Account Number
– Closed or suspended Account Numbers
●
Daily details of all Cardholder requests to cancel:
– A Recurring Transaction
– Effective 14 October 2017
An Unscheduled Credential-on-File Transaction
When an Issuer provides a replacement Account Number, that Account Number must be linked to the
Account Number that it is replacing.
ID# 0029869 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
8.5.1.3 Use of Visa Account Updater (VAU) – Canada and US Regions
In the Canada Region and US Region, an Issuer that uses Visa Account Updater (VAU) must submit the
following updates for Cards under its enrolled BINs:
Table 8-2: VAU Update Requirements – Canada Region and US Region
VAU Update Type Requirements
Account Number and Expiration Date change
●
Permitted only if both:
– The Account Number has been activated.
– An Authorization Request using the updated
data can be approved.
●
Must be submitted within 2 business days of
Account Number activation
"Closed Account" advice and "Contact Cardholder"
advice
Permitted only if any of the following apply:
●
The account is closed, has been reported as lost
or stolen, or is not maintained.
●
The Cardholder requests that specific new
information not be provided.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-497
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Processing Products
Visa Software
VAU Update Type Requirements
●
The Issuer cannot or will not provide specific
information.
If inaccurate information is supplied to VAU, the Issuer must:
●
Immediately notify Visa of any inaccuracies
●
Promptly investigate any claims of inaccuracies
●
Remove inaccurate information from VAU within 2 business days of notification and provide
corrected information within 5 business days of notification
An Issuer that uses VAU agrees and acknowledges that Visa may use, store, update, or disclose the
Issuer's data in compliance with applicable laws or regulations to do the following in connection with
the Issuer's use of VAU:
●
Facilitate the use of VAU by an Acquirer or a Merchant
●
Support other Visa services
In the US Region, an Issuer must enroll all of its licensed BINs in VAU. This does not apply to Visa
Commercial Card or Visa Prepaid Card BINs, or to BINs licensed for use in a US Territory.
Effective 14 October 2017
In the Canada Region, an Issuer must enroll all of its licensed BINs in VAU. This does not apply to
Visa Commercial Card BINs, Visa Prepaid Card BINs, or licensed BINs for Cards that are ATM only.
ID# 0029452 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
8.6 Visa Software
8.6.1 Software License
8.6.1.3 Indemnification Related to Licensed Software
A Member agrees to indemnify, and hold Visa harmless from, all losses, liabilities, costs, damages, and
expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees, to which Visa may be subject or that may be incurred
by Visa in connection with any Claims or actions by any party or parties arising from, or in connection
with, a software license, the software, or the use thereof.
ID# 0029984 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-498 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Processing Products
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
8.6.1.7 Prohibition Against Issuer Use of Open Source Software
A Member must not incorporate, link, distribute or use any third party or open source software
(including without limitation, any open source license listed on http://www.opensource.org/licenses/
alphabetical) (each, an "open source license") or code in conjunction with any Visa products, software,
services, application programming or other interfaces, or other Visa technologies, in a way that may
result in any of the following:
●
Create obligations with respect to, or require disclosure of, any Visa technology, including without
limitation the distribution or disclosure of any application programming interfaces or source code
relating to such interfaces
●
Grant to any third party any rights to or immunities under any Visa (or any Visa affiliates)
intellectual property rights or proprietary rights
●
Cause any Visa technology to become subject to the terms of any open source license
ID# 0029518 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-499
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Processing Products
Visa Software
PSR-500 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Interchange
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
9 Interchange
The content of Chapter 9 may be found in Section 1.9, “Interchange,” and the applicable Interchange
Reimbursement Fee documentation.
ID# 0030089 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-501
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Interchange
Interchange
PSR-502 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
10 Risk
10.1 Corporate Risk Reduction
10.1.1 Acquirer Risk Responsibilities
10.1.1.2 Acquirer Risk Policies – US Region
In the US Region, an Acquirer must implement, and its board of directors must approve, all of the
following:
●
An underwriting, monitoring, and control policy for all of the following:
– Its Merchants
– Its VisaNet Processors
– Its Third Party Agents
●
A policy and procedures for reviewing solicitation materials used by its Agent
The Acquirer must provide policies to Visa upon request.
ID# 0007132 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.1.1.3 Acquirer Responsibility for Agents and Merchants – US Region
In the US Region, an Acquirer must:
●
Provide its Agents with training and education, as specified by Visa, and ensure that Agents are in
compliance with the Acquirer’s corporate policies
●
Hold and control reserves that are accumulated and derived from Merchant settlement funds or
used to guarantee a Merchant's payment system obligations to the Member
ID# 0002110 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-503
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Corporate Risk Reduction
10.1.2 Electronic Commerce Merchant Requirements
10.1.2.1 Electronic Commerce Transaction Type Prohibition
A Merchant, Payment Facilitator, Sponsored Merchant, or entity classified as high-brand risk, as
specified in Section 10.4.6.1, “High-Brand Risk MCCs,” that displays a Visa-Owned Mark on its website
and/or application must not accept Cards for the purchase or trade of photographs, video imagery,
computer-generated images, cartoons, simulation, products that claim or imply a similar efficacy as
prescription drugs, controlled substances, or recreational/street drugs, irrespective of claims of legality
or any other media or activities, as specified in Section 10.5, “Brand Protection.”
Violation of this requirement may result in the termination of the Merchant, Payment Facilitator,
Sponsored Merchant, High-Brand Risk Merchant, High-Risk Internet Payment Facilitator, or High-Brand
Risk Sponsored Merchant.
ID# 0005067 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
10.1.2.2 High-Risk Merchants Offering Online Storage or File-Sharing Services –
Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Merchant or Sponsored Merchant will be classified as high-risk if any of the
following apply:
●
Users of the Merchant or Sponsored Merchant’s service are rewarded for uploading, downloading,
or sharing content
●
The Merchant or Sponsored Merchant promotes online content by distributing URL codes or
forum codes to individuals or third parties
●
There is a link-checker on the Merchant or Sponsored Merchant’s website, allowing individuals
to check whether a link has been disabled in order to re-upload content that has previously been
removed
Visa reserves the right to determine whether a Merchant or Sponsored Merchant that offers online
storage and file sharing services is classified as high-risk.
An Acquirer of a Merchant or Sponsored Merchant that offers online storage and file sharing services
and that is classified as high-risk must both:
●
Ensure that the Merchant or Sponsored Merchant cancels the contract of individuals that have
uploaded illegal content, and ensure that those individuals cannot upload any content in the future
●
Ensure that the Merchant or Sponsored Merchant gathers enough information about individuals
that use their service to identify them to law enforcement authorities if they upload illegal content
ID# 0029662 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-504 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
10.1.2.3 Online Storage and File-Sharing Merchants – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer of a Merchant or Sponsored Merchant that offers the purchase or
use of online storage and file-sharing services must ensure that the Merchant or Sponsored Merchant
both:
●
Implements a process for reviewing, removing, and reporting illegal or prohibited content and
prevents individuals who have uploaded illegal or prohibited content from uploading any content
in the future
●
Reports all illegal content to the relevant authorities based on the local laws governing the country
in which any of the following apply:
– The Merchant or Sponsored Merchant has its Merchant Outlet.
– The illegal content is stored.
– The illegal content is uploaded and/or downloaded.
ID# 0029799 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.1.2.4 Yearly Review of Electronic Commerce Merchant – US Region
In the US Region, atleast once each year, an Acquirer must examine its Electronic Commerce
Merchant's website and/or application and conduct an enhanced due diligence review, as specified in
Section 1.5.1.3, “Merchant Qualification Standards,”if any of the following applies:
●
The Electronic Commerce Merchant or Sponsored Merchant is required to be classified with an
MCC considered by Visa to be high-brand risk.
●
The Merchant is identified byeither theVisa Chargeback Monitoring Program or the Visa Fraud
Monitoring Program.
●
The Acquirer becomes aware the Merchant is selling products or services that were not
documented in the Merchant Agreement or disclosed in the Merchant's business description.
●
The Acquirer conducts a periodic review of the Merchant as required by its internal procedures.
ID# 0005082 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-505
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Corporate Risk Reduction
10.1.3 Anti-Money Laundering
10.1.3.1 Anti-Money Laundering Program Overview
Visa maintains an anti-money laundering program reasonably designed within the context of laws
and regulations applicable to Visa to prevent the Visa system from being used to facilitate money
laundering or the financing of terrorist activities.
ID# 0003969 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.1.3.2 Anti-Money Laundering/Anti-Terrorist-Financing Program – ATM Acquirers
An ATM Acquirer must ensure that it has in place policies, controls, and procedures to minimize
the risk of its ATMs being used to facilitate money laundering or terrorist financing, and submit any
required currency transaction reports or suspicious activity reports to its regulator.
If the ATM Acquirer uses a Third Party Agent to load funds to its ATMs, the ATM Acquirer must require
and compel such Third Party Agent to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including
without limitation, laws regarding anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing. The ATM
Acquirer must maintain and enforce a program that, at minimum, includes conducting appropriate
due diligence on each Third Party Agent, requiring adequate record keeping and validation of source
of funds, and conducting regular, ongoing independent audits to confirm the Third Party Agent’s
compliance. The ATM Acquirer will be responsible to Visa for any acts or omissions of the ATM
Acquirer’s Third Party Agents.
ID# 0028291 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.1.4 Use of BIN Blocks
10.1.4.1 BIN Blocking by Visa – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, Visa may, as it sees fit at any time and without warning, require a Visa Scheme
Processor to block the function of all or any part of its system in relation to any BIN assigned to a
Member (a "blocked BIN") so that, during the period of the block, one or more of the following:
●
No Authorization may be given using the blocked BIN.
●
No Clearing Record may be created in respect of the blocked BIN.
●
No Settlement may be effected of amounts owed to the blocked BIN.
(any such outcome being a "BIN block") subject only to such exceptions as Visa may see fit to make
from time to time.
PSR-506 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Visa will exercise its discretions under this paragraph with a view to all of the following (each being
"BIN blocking objective"):
●
Ensuring the stability of the Visa system
●
Protecting Visa and its Members against any loss or liability whatsoever (including, without
limitation, in respect of Settlement Loss)
●
Avoiding or mitigating any act or omission that Visa considers might be illegal, inconsistent with
applicable regulatory standards, or materially damaging to the Visa brand
Visa may declare any BIN block to be temporary, indefinite, or permanent. If no such declaration is
made, a BIN block will be treated as indefinite. Visa will take such steps as it considers appropriate to
terminate the membership of any entity whose assigned BIN is subject to a permanent BIN block. A
temporary or indefinite BIN block will end either:
●
If Visa both:
– Determines that continuing the BIN block is of no further help to achieving the BIN blocking
objectives
– Does not intend to terminate the membership of any entity to whom the blocked BIN is
assigned
●
In the case of a temporary BIN block only, if earlier, at the time and subject to such conditions that
Visa may specify
Visa may at any time and without warning cancel a BIN block and/or change the status and scope
of application of any BIN block. Visa may at any time and without warning extend or modify the
conditions of any temporary BIN block.
Visa's right to effect a BIN block is in addition, and without prejudice, to any other rights or remedies
of Visa under the Member Agreements and the Visa Rules.
The exclusions and limitations of Visa's liability specified in the Visa Rules will apply to any Liability or
Claim arising in connection with a BIN block.
ID# 0029565 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.1.5 Crisis Management and Business Continuity
10.1.5.1 Crisis Management and Business Continuity Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Member must do all of the following:
●
Maintain an effective crisis management and business continuity program and ensure that the
program includes a plan for ensuring recovery or continuity of the Member’s critical business
activities, services, and technology solutions
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-507
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Agents and Processors
●
Ensure that, if any critical activity or service is outsourced to a third party, the third party maintains
a similar crisis management and business continuity program
●
Upon Visa request, provide evidence of the existence and effectiveness of a Member’s or third
party’s crisis management and business continuity program
ID# 0029562 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.2 Agents and Processors
10.2.1 Member Requirements Related to VisaNet Processors and Visa Scheme
Processors
10.2.1.1 VisaNet Processor Contracts
A Member must execute a written contract with each VisaNet Processoror Visa Scheme Processor. The
contract must comply with all of the following:
●
Include minimum standards established by Visa, including, but not limited to:
– Policies
– Procedures
– Service levels
– Performance standards
●
Include language that:
– Permits Visa to conduct financial and procedural audits and general reviews at any time
– Requires the VisaNet Processor or Visa Scheme Processor to make Cardholder and Merchant
information available to Visa and regulatory agencies
– Contains a notice of termination clause
●
Require that the VisaNet Processor or Visa Scheme Processor comply with:
– The Visa Rules
– Applicable laws or regulations
●
Be executed by a senior officer of the Member
●
Require the VisaNet Processor or Visa Scheme Processorto comply with the Payment Card
Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)
●
Require that the VisaNet Processor or Visa Scheme Processor be properly registered with Visa
ID# 0025879 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-508 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
10.2.1.2 VisaNet Processor and Visa Scheme Processor Systems Agreement
Visa may require a Member's VisaNet Processor or Visa Scheme Processor to enter into an agreement
directly with Visa before the delivery of any of the following:
1
●
Visa Europe Authorization Service (VEAS) or V.I.P. System software
●
Visa Europe Clearing and Settlement Service (VECSS) or BASE II software
●
Visa Extended Access server
2
●
Other systems determined by Visa
The agreement may specify terms and conditions for the use of software or equipment that Visa
determines necessary to protect its proprietary rights. This provision does not require Visa to agree to
this type of arrangement, nor does it give any VisaNet Processoror Visa Scheme Processor the right to
use VisaNet.
1
In the Europe Region, thisrule does not apply. Where a Member uses Visa for processing, as specified in Section 1.1.1.2,
“Applicability of Processing Rules – Europe Region,” it must refer to Visa Europe Operating Regulations – Processing.
2
This does not apply to a Member using Direct Exchange.
ID# 0025882 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
10.2.1.3 VisaNet Processor, Payment Facilitator, Staged Digital Wallet Operator, and
Marketplace Agreement – LAC Region (Brazil)
In the LAC Region (Brazil), a VisaNet Processor, a Marketplace,
1
a Payment Facilitator, and a Staged
Digital Wallet Operatormust enter into an agreement directly with Visa before the delivery of any
services to Visa Members.
This provision does not require Visa to agree to this type of arrangement, nor does it give any VisaNet
Processor the right to use VisaNet.
1
Effective 14 October 2017
ID# 0029221 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
10.2.1.4 VisaNet Processor Requirements Related to Third Parties
A contract between a Member and its VisaNet Processor or Visa Scheme Processor must require the
VisaNet Processor or Visa Scheme Processor to:
●
Ensure that any third party that uses the Member’s BIN is properly registered with Visa by that
Member
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-509
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Agents and Processors
●
Notify BIN Licensees in writing and receive written approval before allowing a Third Party Agent to
use the Member’s BIN or granting access to Cardholder information
●
Report at least quarterly to the Member and Visa any third party that uses its BIN
ID# 0025881 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.2.1.5 General Member Responsibilities for VisaNet Processors and Visa Scheme
Processors
A Member that has a contract with a VisaNet Processor or a Visa Scheme Processor must:
●
Provide Transaction-related processing instructions directly to its VisaNet Processor orVisa
Scheme Processor
●
Distribute written policies and procedures to its VisaNet Processors orVisa Scheme Processors
1
●
In the Europe Region, provide relevant rules to its Visa Scheme Processor
●
Establish a risk management program to control risks related to the use of VisaNet Processorsor
Visa Scheme Processors, such as:
– Loss of operational control
– Service provider failure
– Confidentiality and physical and logical security of Cardholder and Visa Transaction Information
●
Verify that the principals and senior management of the VisaNet Processoror Visa Scheme
Processor have the requisite knowledge and experience to successfully perform the contracted
services
2
●
Conduct from time to time an on-site inspection of the business premises
2
to:
– Verify inventory
– Inspect operational controls
– Monitor security standards regarding unauthorized disclosure of or access to Visa data and
other payment systems
●
Immediately notify Visa of any change in the VisaNet Processor or Visa Scheme Processor
relationship, including termination, change of ownership or business function, or processor
3
●
Ensure that any changes to BIN relationships comply with the applicable BIN licensing
requirements
●
In addition, in the Europe Region, after discontinuing a Visa Scheme Processor relationship,
maintain a file on the processor that includes records of all applicable due diligence and retain this
file, with the reason for discontinuance, for a minimum of 2 years
In the Europe Region, a Visa Scheme Processor must not imply that its registration with Visa is an
endorsement of its services by Visa.
PSR-510 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
1
In the Europe Region, Visa may permanently prohibit a Visa Scheme Processor or one of its principals, or any of its agents,
from accessing VisaNet for good cause.
2
Except when a VisaNet Processor or Visa Scheme Processor is a Member or special Licensee
3
In the Europe Region, within 5 business days
ID# 0025880 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.2.1.6 Procedures for Use of an Airline Authorizing Processor
Before implementing a direct connection to VisaNet, a Member must ensure that its Airline
Authorizing Processor has either:
●
Completed and submitted to Visa a VisaNet Letter of Agreement
●
Signed a separate agreement with Visa
If a Member that acquires Airline Transactions is using an approved Airline Authorizing Processor, the
Member is not required to submit a VisaNet Letter of Agreement or VisaNet Processor and Third Party
Registration and Designation.
ID# 0001021 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.2.1.7 Requirements for VisaNet Processor and Visa Scheme Processor Marketing
Materials
A Member must require that its VisaNet Processoror Visa Scheme Processor:
●
Uses only marketing materials approved by the Member
●
Ensures that all marketing materials displaying the Visa-Owned Marks also include the Member
name,
1
which must be more prominent and in a larger font than that of the VisaNet Processor or
Visa Scheme Processor
●
Is prominently identified on the marketing materials as an agent or representative of the Member,
unless the Member has provided its approval to exclude its name from such marketing materials
●
For Visa Prepaid Card distribution, ensures that any websiteand/or application displaying the Visa-
Owned Marks or offering Visa Card services clearly and conspicuously includes the Member name,
which must be located close to the Visa-Owned Marks
1
In the Canada Region, with Member approval and provided that the Acquirer Processor has entered into the form of
Trademark License Agreement for Acquirer Processors as prescribed by Visa, a Member’s Acquirer Processor may display
certain Visa-Owned Marks on its marketing materials without the Member’s name or logo in accordance with the terms of
the Trademark License Agreement for Acquirer Processors.
ID# 0025885 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-511
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Agents and Processors
10.2.1.8 Non-Member VisaNet Processor or Clearing Member Reporting
A Member that uses a non-Member VisaNet Processor or Clearing Member to process Transaction-
related data must submit, upon request, an annual report toVisathat includes at least all of the
following:
●
Identification of the services provided by the non-Member VisaNet Processor or Clearing Member
●
Products and programs supported
●
BINs under which the Member's activity is processed
ID# 0025874 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.2.1.9 VisaNet Processor Independent Audit
Upon designation of a VisaNet Processor, a sponsoring Member must obtain and review an
independent audit of the internal controls that support the VisaNet Processor’s VisaNet interface.
1
The audit must be conducted annually and use standard audit practices of the International Audit
Standards or other regionally acceptable standards agreed by Visa.
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
1
This does not apply if the VisaNet Processor is a Member or special Licensee.
ID# 0025878 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.2.1.10 VisaNet Processor Acting as Clearing Processor
A Member must ensure that its Clearing Processor:
●
Provides access to Cardholder, Merchant, Marketplace,
1
Sponsored Merchant, Payment
Facilitator,Digital Wallet Operator, and Member data
●
Withholds or redirects Settlement funds, as required by Visa
1
Effective 14 October 2017
ID# 0025883 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
10.2.1.11 Visa Collection of Funds from a Member or VisaNet Processor – AP, Canada,
CEMEA, LAC, and US Regions
In the AP Region, Canada Region, CEMEA Region, LAC Region, and US Region, incollecting funds
owed by a Member or VisaNet Processor, Visa may take, but is not limited to, the following actions:
PSR-512 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Take and liquidate collateral posted by a Member or VisaNet Processor, as specified in the
agreement for the posting
●
After providing at least one business day's notice before the collection, either:
– Debit the Member's or VisaNet Processor's Clearing account through VisaNet
– Withhold amounts from payments that Visa owes to the VisaNet Processor
In the US Region, a Member or VisaNet Processor must remit the total amount owed, as specified in
the Visa International Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws.
In the US Region, if a Member or VisaNet Processor does not remit the amount owed, the Member is
responsible for Visa expenses incurred in collecting the funds, including, but not limited to, costs and
expenses of legal action.
In the US Region, a Member from which Visa collects amounts due must continue to honor its
obligations to Merchants and Sponsored Merchants.
In the US Region, a VisaNet Processor must not charge a Member's Clearing account unless either:
●
Visa has directed the VisaNet Processor to do so
●
The Member whose account is to be charged has provided written consent for the charge and the
consent does not prevent the Member from complying with the Visa Rules
In the US Region, Visa is not required to exhaust its remedies in collecting from one Member or
VisaNet Processor before collecting from another Member.
ID# 0025889 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.2.1.12 Member or VisaNet Processor Dispute of Amount Collected by Visa
If a Member or VisaNet Processor wishes to dispute an amount collected by Visa, it must both:
●
Provide written notice to Visa within 60 calendar days of the collection date, if it wishes to dispute
its liability for or the amount of the collection
●
Not withhold payment because the Member or VisaNet Processor disputes its liability for the
payment
Visa is both:
●
Liable only for the amount improperly collected plus interest at the prime rate in effect at the
Settlement Bank used by Visa
●
Not liable for collections made in error, except for intentional misconduct
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
ID# 0025891 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-513
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Agents and Processors
10.2.2 Member Requirements Related to Third Party Agents
10.2.2.1 Member Risk Management and Approval for Third Party Agents
Before contracting with a Third Party Agent, asenior officer of a Member must review all
documentation. TheMember must do all of the following:
●
Determine that the entity is financially responsible and adheres to sound business practices
●
Comply with the Third Party Agent Registration Program
●
Conduct a background investigation to verify the responsibility (including, where appropriate,
financial responsibility) of the principals and ensure that no significant derogatory information
exists. If applicable laws or regulations prohibit checks (including financial reviews) on individuals,
the Member must note this when registering the Third Party Agent and note what other due
diligence procedures were undertaken to ensure that due diligence was completed.
●
Review the Program Request Management application or the appropriate regional form each time
it signs a Third Party Agent
Approval of a Third Party Agent must not be based solely on any purported limitation of the Member's
financial liability in any agreement with the Third Party Agent.
Registration of a Third Party Agent does not represent confirmation by Visa of the Third Party Agent's
compliance with any specific requirement.
ID# 0025906 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.2.2.2 Third Party Agent Contract Requirements
A Member must execute a written contract with each Third Party Agent that performs Cardholder or
Merchant solicitation or stores, processes, or transmits Cardholder or Transaction data on behalf of the
Member. The contract, to the extent permitted by applicable laws or regulations, must comply with all
of the following:
●
Include minimum standards established by Visa, including, but not limited to:
– Policies
– Procedures
– Service levels
– Performance standards
●
Include language that:
– Permits Visa to conduct financial and procedural audits and general reviews at any time
PSR-514 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
– Requires the Third Party Agent to make Cardholder and Merchant information available to Visa
and regulatory agencies
– Contains a notice of termination clause
– Permits Visa to determine the necessity of and impose risk conditions on the Third Party Agent
●
Require that the Third Party Agent comply with:
– The Visa Rules
– Applicable laws or regulations
●
Be executed by a senior officer of the Member
●
Contain at least the substance of the provisions specified in Section 10.2.2, “Member Requirements
Related to Third Party Agents”
●
Require that the Third Party Agent comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard
(PCI DSS)
●
Include a provision allowing the Member or its Merchant to terminate the contract if the Third
Party Agent participates in any of the activities described in Section 10.2.2.12, “Prohibition of Third
Party Agents from Providing Services,” or the Member or its Merchant becomes insolvent
ID# 0025902 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.2.2.3 Third Party Agent On-Site Inspection
Before registering a Third Party Agent, a Member must perform an on-site inspection of the Third
Party Agent’s business location as part of the due diligence requirement to:
●
Verify inventory, if applicable
●
Review solicitation or sales materials
●
Inspect operational controls
●
Monitor security standards regarding unauthorized disclosure of, or access to, Visa Transaction
Information and other payment systems’ transaction information
Visa may conduct an on-site inspection of any Third Party Agent to validate its compliance with the
applicable security requirements.
ID# 0025907 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-515
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Agents and Processors
10.2.2.4 Member and Third Party Agent Compliance with Due Diligence Standards
Before registering a Third Party Agent, a Member must complete and validate compliance with the
applicable regional due diligence standards that are through the Program Request Management
application or from Visa. Upon Visa request, a Member may be required to provide documentation to
confirm compliance with regional due diligence standards.
A Member with a registered Third Party Agent must perform an annual review of the Third Party Agent
to confirm ongoing compliance with applicable regional due diligence standards.
ID# 0025895 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.2.2.5 Third Party Agent Change Notification
A Member must use the Program Request Management application or the appropriate form to notify
Visa of any change in a Third Party Agent’s principals or business relationship (including change of
ownership or termination of contract). The Member must submit the notice to Visa within 5 business
days of the change or knowledge of the change.
The Member must forward to Visa requests for correction.
ID# 0025899 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.2.2.6 Member Requirements for Third Party Agents
A Member that uses a Third Party Agent must do all of the following:
●
Identify the Third Party Agent to Visa using the Program Request Management application
and designate the activities that it is authorized to perform on the Member's, or the Member's
Merchant’s, behalf
●
Control the approval and review of Merchants, approval of Cardholder applications, and
establishment of Merchant fees for Transactions
●
Guarantee that it and the Third Party Agent will comply with Third Party Agent requirements and
Section 10.3, “Account and Transaction Information Security”
●
Effective through 13 October 2017
Ensure that the Third Party Agent has access to and uses the information contained in the current
Visa Interchange Directory, if the Member uses the Third Party Agent for processing any of the
following:
– Chargebacks
– Arbitration cases
– Compliance cases
PSR-516 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
– Authorizations
– Fraud reporting cases
– Settlement
●
Effective 14 October 2017
Ensure that the Third Party Agent has access to and uses the information contained in the current
Visa Client Directory, if the Member uses the Third Party Agent for processing any of the following:
– Chargebacks
– Arbitration cases
– Compliance cases
– Authorizations
– Fraud reporting cases
– Settlement
●
Advise the Third Party Agent that:
– It must not represent registration in the Third Party Registration Program as Visa endorsement
of its services
– Registration of a Third Party Agent is specific to each Member, and a separate Third Party
Agent registration is required for each Member business relationship
●
Accept responsibility for any and all losses caused by its Third Party Agent
1
●
After discontinuing a Third Party Agent relationship, maintain a file on the Third Party Agent
that includes records of all applicable due diligence and retain this file, with the reason for
discontinuance, for a minimum of 2 years
●
Upon Visa request submit a detailed quarterly report, signed by an authorized officer, of the
activities and services of each Third Party Agent doing business on its behalf. Visa may assess a
non-compliance assessment if the Member fails to provide this information within 30 calendar
days from the end of each quarter.
Settlement
1
In the Europe Region, a Member must include this provision in its agreement with the Third Party Agent.
ID# 0025909 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
10.2.2.7 High-Risk Agent Registration
An Acquirer that signs an Agent to solicit High-Brand Risk Merchants must register that Agent as high-
risk with Visa.
ID# 0026347 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-517
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Agents and Processors
10.2.2.8 Member Responsibilities for Card Activities
A Member is responsible for all Card activities associated with Visa products and services, whether
performed directly or indirectly by the Member or a Third Party Agent. The Member must, at a
minimum, guarantee that:
●
Its Merchants are paid for proper acceptance of a Card
●
Payments received from Cardholders are applied for the purpose for which they were remitted
These obligations must not be waived, abrogated, or superseded in any manner.
ID# 0025910 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.2.2.9 Third Party Agent Responsibility to Provide Cardholder or Merchant
Information
If a Member, Visa or its designees, or any regulatory agency requests Cardholder or Merchant
information of any type, a Third Party Agent must provide the information in writing no later than 7
business days from receipt of a request. If applicable laws or regulations prohibit the provision of the
information, the Third Party Agent must note the exception when the original request is submitted.
ID# 0025912 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.2.2.10 Requirements for Third Party Agent Solicitation and Marketing Materials
AMember must approve a Third Party Agent’s use of any solicitation materials, such as
advertisements, stationery, business cards, sales brochures, and website promotional content.
The Member must ensure all of the following if its Third Party Agent uses solicitation and marketing
materials displaying the Visa-Owned Marks:
●
The Member’s name and headquarters city are prominently identified adjacent to the Visa-Owned
Marks.
●
Any subsequent Cardholder or Merchant Agreement is between the Member and the individual
Cardholder or Merchant.
●
On Cardholder solicitation materials, the Member, not the Third Party Agent, is noted as the Issuer
of the Card.
●
The material does not identify the Third Party Agent, unless the Third Party Agent is prominently
identified as a representative of the Member.
●
The Third Party Agent presents itself to all current and prospective Cardholders and Merchants
under the Trade Name or "doing business as" (DBA) name registered with the Member.
PSR-518 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
The Third Party Agent does not use a Visa-Owned Mark on marketing materials, such as business
cards and letterhead on stationery.
ID# 0025914 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.2.2.11 Disclosure of Account or Visa Transaction Information
A Member must ensure that a Third Party Agent with access to account or Visa Transaction
Information complies with Visa Transaction Information security requirements, as specified in Section
10.3, “Account and Transaction Information Security.”
In the event of the failure, including bankruptcy, insolvency, or other suspension of business operations
of one of a Member’s Third Party Agents, the Member must ensure that the Third Party Agent does
not sell, transfer, or disclose any materials that contain Account Numbers, personal information, or
other Visa Transaction Information to any other entity. The Member must ensure that its Third Party
Agent either:
●
Returns this information to the Member
●
Provides to the Member acceptable proof of secure destruction of this information
ID# 0025917 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.2.2.12 Prohibition of Third Party Agents from Providing Services
Visa may permanently prohibit a Third Party Agent and its principals from providing services with
respect to Visa products for good cause, such as:
●
Fraudulent activity
●
Activity that causes the Member to repeatedly violate the Visa Rules
●
Operating in an unsound, unsafe manner
●
Any other activities that may result in undue economic hardship or damage to the goodwill of the
Visa system, if the Third Party Agent fails to take corrective action
ID# 0025918 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.2.2.13 Third Party Agent Operational Review – US Region
In the US Region, an Acquirer that does not meet the capital requirements specified in Section 5.3.1.3,
“Acquirer Responsibilities Regarding Payment Facilitators,” must undergo a Global Acquirer Risk
Standards operational review before approval of its first Third Party Agent registration for soliciting
Merchants. The cost of the operational review is the responsibility of the Acquirer.
ID# 0025897 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-519
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Agents and Processors
10.2.2.14 Use of Third Party Agents by a Participant-Type Member – US Region
In the US Region, a Participant-Type Member must not use a Third Party Agent unless authorized, in
writing, by its Sponsor. The Sponsor must notify Visa of this authorization.
ID# 0025919 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.2.2.15 Competitors as Agents – US Region
In the US Region, a Member must not appoint or permit as its Agent for Cardholder or Merchant
solicitation any organization, or its respective subsidiaries or affiliates, that Visa deems to be a
competitor, including:
●
American Express Company
●
Discover Financial Services
ID# 0001166 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.2.2.16 Agent Prohibitions Related to Visa-Owned Marks – US Region
In the US Region, an Agent of a Member must not:
●
Permit the use of any Visa-Owned Mark by any of its own agents
●
Use any Visa-Owned Mark on any marketing material, including business cards and letterhead on
stationery
ID# 0001168 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.2.3 Member Requirements Related to Third Parties
10.2.3.1 Third Party Contract Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Member must include a provision in its contracts with a third party that
performs services relating to Visa products and services that specifies that the third party must not:
●
Misrepresent itself as being a Member
●
Present itself to prospective Cardholders or Merchants under any trade name other than that
registered with Visa
ID# 0029802 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-520 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
10.2.4 Independent Sales Organizations – Europe Region
10.2.4.1 Requirements for Use of Independent Sales Organizations – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Member that contracts with an Independent Sales Organization must both:
●
Ensure that the contract is limited to a maximum of 3 years. The Member may renew the contract.
●
Not allow the Independent Sales Organization to perform any of the following functions:
– Clearing and Settlement of Transactions
– Payment to, or crediting of, Merchant accounts
– Merchant or Cardholder account underwriting, activation, or charge-offs
– Risk management, including Transaction monitoring
– Approval and review of Merchants
– Approval of Cardholder applications
– Establishment of Merchant fees for Transactions
ID# 0029583 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.3 Account and Transaction Information Security
10.3.1 Account, Cardholder, and Transaction Information Security
10.3.1.1 Requirement to Investigate Suspected or Confirmed Loss, Theft,
Compromise, Fraud, or Laundering
A Member must comply with What To Do If Compromised
1
and conduct a thorough investigation of
suspected or confirmed:
●
Loss, theft, or compromise of Visa account or Cardholder information
●
Loss, theft, or compromise of Visa account or Cardholder information by one of its agents or
Merchants
●
Fraud and/or laundering of a Transaction
After completing the investigation, the Member must demonstrate its ability to prevent future
loss, theft, or compromise of Visa account or Cardholder information, as specified in the Account
Information Security Program and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-521
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Account and Transaction Information Security
If Visa requires a Member or its agent to conduct an additional investigation, the Member or its agent
must:
●
Provide access to the premises involved in the investigation
●
Provide Visa and its agent access to all applicable records, including, but not limited to, the
following:
– Computer forensic reports
– Network diagrams
– Systems connected directly or indirectly to VisaNet or used to transmit, process, or store
account data
●
Engage a forensic investigator approved by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council.
If the Member or its agent fails to do so, Visa may engage an investigator to perform a forensic
investigation and will assess all investigative costs to the Member.
1
In the Europe Region, What To Do If Compromised: Visa Europe Data Compromise Procedures
ID# 0007123 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
10.3.1.2 Member Reporting of Loss or Theft of Information
As specified in What To Do If Compromised,
1
a Member must immediately report to Visa by telephone,
fax, or email the suspected or confirmed:
●
Loss, theft, or compromise of Visa account or Cardholder information
2
●
Loss, theft, or compromise of Visa account or Cardholder information by one of its agents or
Merchants
2
●
Fraud and/or laundering of a Transaction
The report must contain, to the extent possible:
●
Member and Merchant or agent name
●
Format, number, and range of account information missing or compromised
●
Specific Account Numbers missing or compromised
●
Type or data elements of account information on missing material (for example: Track 1 data, Track
2 data, CVV2, Cardholder name, Cardholder address)
●
Pertinent details about the loss, theft, or compromise and ensuing investigation
●
Contact name and telephone number for additional information
●
Name and telephone number of person reporting the loss or theft
1
In the Europe Region, What To Do If Compromised: Visa Europe Data Compromise Procedures
PSR-522 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
2
In the US Region, may be reported on behalf of a Member by its agent or by a Merchant or its agent
ID# 0007999 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
10.3.1.3 Account Information Security Program Assessment – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer that falls significantly below the performance expected by Visa may
be required to undergo a formal Account Information Security Program assessment and reimburse any
Visa-incurred expenses.
ID# 0029659 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
10.3.1.4 Member Cooperation to Protect Against Data Compromise – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Member must cooperate with Visa to protect the Visa system and Members
against data compromises of account information and Transaction Information. A Member that fails to
do so may be subject to a non-compliance assessment of EUR 100,000.
Lack of Member cooperation is classified as:
●
Failure to immediately disclose a suspected compromise to Visa
●
Failure to distribute at-risk Account Numbers to Visa within 7 calendar days of notification of a
suspected compromise
●
Failure to notify law enforcement that a crime may have been committed
●
Failure to appoint an accredited assessor within 7 calendar days of a suspected compromise
●
Failure of a Member or Group Member to distribute to Visa all Transaction data processed during
the window of exposure on a BIN by the Member or Group Member (or by an at-risk entity on
their behalf) within 15 calendar days of a Visa request
●
Failure to identify at-risk Account Numbers
●
Any other aspect regarding a Member’s management of data compromises or that Visa deems to
have an adverse impact on the Visa system
●
Such Transaction data must be distributed to Visa irrespective of which entity processed this data.
●
The at-risk entity and the window of exposure on a BIN are defined by Visa on a case-by-case
basis.
ID# 0029596 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-523
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Account and Transaction Information Security
10.3.1.5 Compromise at Member's Contractors or Agents – US Region
In the US Region, a Member must implement policies and procedures requiring its contractors or
Agents to notify the Member if the contractor or Agent experiences a security breach or reasonably
believes that Cardholder information was compromised as a result of that breach.
ID# 0001799 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.3.1.6 Security Standards for Materials Containing Account Information – US
Region
In the US Region, an Issuer must ensure that both a fulfillment vendor or prepaid storage facility that
is used to consolidate materials containing account information before delivering them to the United
States Postal Service or overnight courier comply with the Visa Global Physical Security Validation
Requirements for Data Preparation, Encryption Support and Fulfillment Card Vendors.
ID# 0008026 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.3.2 Confidential Consumer Cardholder Information
10.3.2.1 Visa Safeguards for Confidential Consumer Cardholder Information – US
Region
In the US Region, Visa and its subsidiaries will restrict access to Confidential Consumer Cardholder
Information to those employees that Visa or its subsidiaries has determined need to know that
information to provide products and services to Members.
Visa and its subsidiaries will maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that are designed
to:
●
Maintain the security and confidentiality of Confidential Consumer Cardholder Information
●
Protect against anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of Confidential Consumer
Cardholder Information
●
Prevent unauthorized access to, or use of, such Confidential Consumer Cardholder Information that
could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to Consumer Cardholders
Visa will notify a Member in the event that Visa reasonably believes that Confidential Consumer
Cardholder Information about a Member's customer has been compromised due to a breach of
security.
ID# 0008003 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-524 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
10.3.2.2 Destruction of Confidential Consumer Cardholder Information – US Region
In the US Region, Visa and its subsidiaries will use reasonable measures designed to ensure that all
Confidential Consumer Cardholder Information is erased or destroyed, in accordance with regulatory
guidelines, so as to render the information unreadable.
A Member must implement policies and procedures designed to ensure timely disposal or destruction
of Confidential Consumer Cardholder Information, in accordance with regulatory guidelines, in a
manner that makes the information unreadable.
ID# 0008007 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.3.3 Data Protection – Europe Region
10.3.3.1 Data Protection Provisions – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, depending on the service and as specified for such service, a Member must
understand and accept that it is either:
●
A data controller, as specified by European Data Protection legislation, with regard to all personal
data that the Member and/or Visa collects from Cardholders and Merchants with Visa and its
subcontractors being the data processor
●
Primarily responsible for fulfilling all data protection responsibilities toward Cardholders and
Merchants with whom it has a direct relationship
or that the Member is:
●
A joint data controller together with Visa, as specified by European Data Protection legislation, with
regard to all personal data that the Member and/or Visa collects from Cardholders and Merchants
with Visa and its subcontractors being the joint data controller
●
Jointly responsible with Visa for fulfilling all data protection responsibilities toward Cardholders
and Merchants
ID# 0029585 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.3.3.2 Data Protection Provisions – Member Responsibility as Sole Data Controller –
Europe Region
In the Europe Region, if a Member is the sole data controller in respect of a service, it must do all of
the following:
●
Ensure that it complies fully with all applicable data protection laws with regard to personal data
that it collects, stores, processes, and transfers
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-525
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Account and Transaction Information Security
●
Ensure that it has a valid legal basis (such as a standard contractual clause or any mechanism that
is deemed legally adequate) for making any data transfers outside the European Economic Area
(EEA)
●
Provide appropriate prior information to the Cardholder or Merchant about the intended
processing of personal data by the Member and Visa
●
Provide accurate data regarding its Cardholders to Visa, including informing Visa when Cardholder
personal data must be corrected, updated, or deleted
●
Respond promptly to a Cardholder or Merchant that contacts the Member seeking to exercise data
protection rights and inform Visa of the response
●
Adopt appropriate technical and organizational security measures for the storage and processing
of such personal data, as more particularly specified in the relevant service description
●
Provide consent for Visa to transfer data outside the EEA and execute any required legal
documentation on behalf of the data controller to adduce adequacy for the data transfer
●
Work with the Cardholder or Merchant to resolve any dispute regarding personal data and inform
Visa of the resolution
ID# 0029586 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.3.3.3 Data Protection Provisions – Member and Visa Responsibilities as Joint Data
Controllers – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, if a Member and Visa are joint data controllers in respect of a service, each must
do all of the following:
●
Ensure that it complies fully with all applicable data protection laws with regard to personal data
that it collects, stores, processes, and transfers
●
Ensure that it has a valid legal basis (such as a binding, standard contractual clause or any
mechanism that is deemed legally adequate) for making any data transfers outside the European
Economic Area (EEA)
●
Adopt appropriate technical and organizational security measures for the storage and processing
of such personal data, as more particularly specified in the relevant service description
A Member must do all of the following:
●
Provide appropriate prior information to the Cardholder or Merchant about all of the intended
processing of personal data by the Member and Visa
●
Provide accurate data regarding its Cardholders to Visa, including promptly informing Visa when
Cardholder personal data must be corrected, updated, or deleted
●
Respond promptly to a Cardholder or Merchant that contacts the Member or Visa seeking
to exercise data protection rights and inform Visa or the Member (as the case may be) of the
response
PSR-526 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Provide consent for Visa to transfer data outside the EEA and execute legal documentation on
behalf of the data controller to adduce adequacy for the data transfer
●
Work with the Cardholder or Merchant to resolve any dispute regarding their personal data and
inform Visa or the Member (as the case may be) of the resolution
Visa will do all of the following:
●
Assist a Member, where appropriate, to respond to a Cardholder or Merchant seeking to exercise
data protection rights
●
Respond to a Cardholder or Merchant that contacts Visa seeking to exercise data protection rights
●
Work with a Member, Cardholder, or Merchant to resolve any issues raised to Visa regarding the
processing of Cardholder personal data
ID# 0029587 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.3.3.4 Data Protection Provisions – Visa Responsibility as Data Processor – Europe
Region
Visa will comply fully with all applicable Europeandata protection laws in regard to the personal data
it, or its subcontractors, stores and processes on behalf of its Members, as follows:
●
Update the personal data of a Cardholder or Merchant when notified of such corrections or
updates by a Member or Cardholder
●
Assist a Member, where appropriate, to respond to a Cardholder or Merchant seeking to exercise
data protection rights
●
Respond to a Cardholder or Merchant that contacts Visa seeking to exercise data protection rights
●
Remove personal data about a Merchant from the Visa Merchant Alert Service (VMAS) file if the
Merchant's inclusion was not in accordance with VMAS requirements and notify any parties that
have accessed the information on that Merchant within the previous 12-month period of the
removal
●
Delete any personal data at the end of the relevant retention period
●
Adopt appropriate technical and organizational security measures for the storage and processing
of such personal data as disclosed by Members, as more particularly specified in the relevant
service description
●
Work with a Member, Cardholder, or Merchant to resolve disputes raised to Visa regarding the
processing of personal data
●
To the extent that it is Visa's responsibility to do so, ensure that all transfers of personal data
outside the European Economic Area (EEA) have a valid legal basis
ID# 0029588 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-527
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Account and Transaction Information Security
10.3.3.5 Data Protection Provisions – Member Provision to Visa of Cardholder Data –
Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Member must do all of the following:
●
Warrant that, as applicable, the terms and conditions of its Cardholder agreements do and will
continue to permit Visa to conduct propensity modelling and to use such data to build and market
products and services to third parties
●
Ensure that all fair processing notices have been given to a Cardholder (and/or, as applicable,
consents obtained from a Cardholder) and such notices are sufficient in scope to enable Visa
to process any Cardholder personal data as required and in accordance with applicable laws or
regulations, including ensuring that such fair processing notices comply with all other Cardholder
agreement requirements
●
Indemnify and hold Visa harmless against all liability, cost, expense, damage, and loss (including
but not limited to any direct, indirect, or consequential loss) resulting from or in a connection with
a breach of such warranty
ID# 0029589 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.3.3.6 Data Protection Compliance – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, Visa and each Acquirer shall each comply with their respective obligations
in relation to applicable data protection legislation as specified in the Guidelines for Terminated
Merchant Databases insofar as these apply to the Visa Merchant Alert Service. It will provide
individuals or companies with rights of subject access where this is requested. Where an individual
or a company requests information from Visa regarding what information is stored on the Visa
Merchant Alert Service database in relation to them, Visa will provide a subject right of access form to
be completed. Visa will provide the individual or company concerned with a clear description of the
information that is held on the database in relation to that individual or company within 3 working
days of receipt of the completed form.
ID# 0029604 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-528 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
10.4 Activity and Compliance Monitoring
10.4.1 Member Activity Monitoring Requirements
10.4.1.1 Acquirer Investigation of Merchant Outlet
An Acquirer must investigate a Merchant Outlet that appears on an exception report. If the
investigation reveals Merchant involvement in illegal or fraudulent activity, the Acquirer must do all of
the following:
●
Take appropriate legal action to minimize losses
●
Cooperate with Issuers and law enforcement agencies
●
Attempt to make the Merchant responsible for the Transaction
●
Hold funds, if possible
●
Initiate criminal and civil proceedings against the Merchant, if applicable
1
In the Europe Region, 1 business day
ID# 0002419 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.4.1.3 Acquirer Monitoring of Payment Facilitator and Sponsored Merchant Activity
An Acquirer must comply with Merchant monitoring standards for each of its Payment Facilitators,
as specified in Section 10.4.7, “High-Brand Risk Merchant Monitoring.” A Sponsored Merchant that
exceeds Visa thresholds for excessive Chargebacks or Fraud Activity will be subject to monitoring
programs.
ID# 0026439 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.4.1.4 Merchant Activity Monitoring and Reporting Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer must do all of the following:
●
Retain at least the following daily data and use it to determine “normal daily activity” over a period
of 30 days, beginning after each Merchant's initial Deposit:
– Gross sales volume
– Average Transaction amount
– Number of Transaction Receipts
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-529
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Activity and Compliance Monitoring
– Average elapsed time between the Transaction Date of the Transaction Receipt and the
Settlement Date (counting each as one day)
– Number of Chargebacks
●
Begin the daily monitoring of the Merchant's activity processed on the 31st calendar day from the
first Deposit against the normal daily activity using an average of the data from the previous 30
days
●
Compare current related data to the normal daily activity parameters at least daily
●
At least weekly, review the Merchant's normal daily activity, using the previous week's activity
●
At least monthly, adjust the Merchant's normal daily activity, using the previous month's activity
The Acquirer must generate an exception report on a daily basis and report to Visa within 2 business
days if either:
●
Any of the following exceeds 150% of normal daily activity:
– Number of daily Deposits
– Gross amount of daily Deposits
– Average Transaction amount
– Number of daily Chargebacks
●
The average elapsed time between the Processing Date and either the Transaction Date or the
Settlement Date for a Transaction (counting each as one day) exceeds 15 calendar days
ID# 0029658 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.4.1.5 Merchant Deposit Monitoring – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer that has been identified by the Fraud Monitoring Programs specified
in Section 10.4.9.2, “Cross-Border Fraud Monitoring Programs – Europe Region,” must implement
daily monitoring and produce exception reports in order to reduce their losses. Failure to implement
effective monitoring may result in a non-compliance assessment of EUR 25,000 for each month in
which actions remain outstanding.
Exception reports must be generated according to the parameters specified in Table 10-1, “Merchant
Deposit Monitoring Parameters - Europe Region,” where the respective defined thresholds have been
exceeded.
In addition to daily monitoring, an Acquirer must employ adequate risk management resources
to control and monitor its Merchants, and undertake specific investigative actions to combat any
fraudulent activity.
PSR-530 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
A Merchant’s normal daily trading and activity pattern must be adjusted on a daily basis, using the
most recent activity and replacing the oldest data. Merchant trading averages must be calculated
using a 90-day rolling average.
Table 10-1: Merchant Deposit Monitoring Parameters – Europe Region
Parameter Exceeds By
An individual Transaction value The daily average Transaction
value for the individual Merchant
Outlet
% threshold defined by the
Acquirer
The total number of Transactions
deposited daily
The normal daily average number
of Transactions for the individual
Merchant Outlet
% threshold defined by the
Acquirer
The total value of Transactions
deposited daily
The normal daily average value
deposited for the individual
MerchantOutlet
% threshold defined by the
Acquirer
The number and value of
Transactions processed on the
same Cardholder account in one
or more Merchants
A threshold defined by the
Acquirer
N/A
The number and value of
incoming Retrieval Requests and
Chargebacks processed
A predetermined ratio or
threshold defined by the Acquirer
N/A
The daily total value of key-
entered Transactions processed in
a Merchant Outlet
Exceeds the normal daily average
total of key-entered Transactions
for the Merchant Outlet
% threshold defined by the
Acquirer
The daily number of key-entered
Transactions processed in a
Merchant Outlet
Exceeds the normal daily
average number of key-entered
Transactions for the Merchant
Outlet
% threshold defined by the
Acquirer
The percentage of Transactions
processed below a Merchant’s
Floor Limit
The normal daily average number
of Transactions below the
Merchant’s Floor Limit
% threshold defined by the
Acquirer
The total number and value of
Transactions on the same Issuer
BIN at the same Merchant Outlet
on the same day
A threshold defined by the
Acquirer
N/A
The value of credits (refunds)
processed
The normal daily average value of
credits for the individual Merchant
Outlet
A threshold defined by the
Acquirer
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-531
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Activity and Compliance Monitoring
Parameter Exceeds By
The number of credits (refunds)
processed
The normal daily average number
of credits for the individual
Merchant Outlet
A threshold defined by the
Acquirer
A deposit is received from a
Merchant that has not processed
any Transaction activity in a
specified period
N/A Within the last 3 months or by
a time period specified by the
Acquirer
A deposit is processed for a
Merchant after the Merchant
Agreement was terminated
N/A N/A
If Visa determines that:
●
The parameters defined in Table 10-1, “Merchant Deposit Monitoring Parameters - Europe Region”
do not allow sufficient detection of fraud, then Visa may, at its discretion, vary or impose new
parameters to identify changing fraud patterns
●
The thresholds defined by the Acquirer do not allow sufficient detection of fraud, then Visa may, at
its discretion, impose a threshold value on the Acquirer
ID# 0029811 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.4.1.6 Acquirer Provision of Fraud Advice Reports – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer must provide its Merchant with fraud advice reports upon Merchant
request.
ID# 0029599 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.4.1.7 Merchant Exception Reports – US Region
In the US Region, beginning with Merchant Outlet Deposit activity processed on the 31st calendar
day from the first Deposit, an Acquirer must generate unusual activity reports if either of the following
occurs:
●
Current weekly gross sales volume equals or exceeds USD 5,000 and any of the following meets or
exceeds 150% of normal weekly activity:
– Number of weekly Transaction Deposits
– Gross amount of weekly Deposits
– Average Transaction amount
– Number of weekly Chargebacks
PSR-532 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Average elapsed time between the Transaction Date and the Acquirer's Processing Date for a
Transaction (counting each as one day) exceeds 15 calendar days
ID# 0002223 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.4.2 Monitoring of Visa Compliance
10.4.2.1 Member Monitoring of Visa Compliance – US Region
In the US Region, Visa and its subsidiaries will adopt policies and procedures and provide Members
with appropriate reviews and reports to enable Members to monitor the compliance of Visa and its
subsidiaries with these commitments.
ID# 0000512 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.4.3 Chargeback Monitoring
10.4.3.1 Visa Chargeback Monitoring Program (VCMP)
Visa monitors Merchant Outlets
1
that generate an excessive level of Chargebacks through the Visa
Chargeback Monitoring Program (VCMP).
Visa will identify a Merchant Outlet
1
under the VCMP standard program if it meets or exceeds both of
the following monthly standard program thresholds:
●
100 Chargeback count
●
1% ratio of Chargebacks-to-sales Transaction count
Visa will monitor a Merchant Outlet
1
identified in the VCMP under the high-risk program for any of the
following reasons:
●
The Merchant exceeds the standard program thresholds andis categorized or should be
categorized by a high-brand risk MCC, as specified in Section 10.4.6.1, “High-Brand Risk MCCs.”
●
Effective through 30 September 2017
For Merchants that are not and should not be categorized by a high-brand risk MCC, the Merchant
meets or exceeds the VCMP monthly excessive Chargeback threshold of both:
– 500 Chargeback count
– 2% ratio of Chargebacks-to-sales Transaction count
●
Effective 1 October 2017
For Merchants that are not and should not be categorized by a high-brand risk MCC, the
Merchant meets or exceeds the VCMP monthly excessive Chargebackthreshold of both:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-533
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Activity and Compliance Monitoring
– 1,000 Chargeback count
– 2% of Chargebacks-to-sales Transaction count
●
Visa determines that the Merchant caused undue harm to the goodwill of the Visa payment
system.
●
The Merchant’s Acquirer is subject to risk reduction measures, as specified in Section 1.10.1.2,
“Member Risk Reduction Requirements,” for poor Merchant management practices.
Visa may modify or create new monthly VCMP performance levels.
Monitoring includes all Chargeback reason codes
2
except reason code 93 (Visa Fraud Monitoring
Program).
Except for certain markets,
3
only International Transactions are included in VCMP monitoring.
A Merchant that is moved from the VCMP standard program to the VCMP high-risk program because
it exceeded the excessive Chargeback threshold will continue to be monitored under the VCMP high-
risk program until the Merchant exits the VCMP.
A Merchant that is monitored in the VCMP high-risk program because it exceeded the excessive
Chargeback threshold will not be moved to the VCMP standard program, regardless of whether its
performance drops below the monthly excessive Chargeback threshold.
A Merchant that changes Acquirers and/or countries while identified in the VCMP will be assigned the
equivalent program status with the new Acquirer and/or country if the Merchant has not exited the
program.
Visa may require the Acquirer or its Merchant to deploy appropriate Chargeback or fraud remediation
tools or technologies to address unusual activity in the individual cases identified through the VCMP.
A Merchant Outlet
1
will exit the VCMP if it is below the program thresholds for 3 consecutive months.
Effective 1 October 2017
For VCMP compliance purposes, Visa will include only the first 10 Chargebacks per calendar
month, for each Account Number at each Merchant Outlet.
1
1
In the Europe Region, the program applies at the Merchant level.
2
For a Member that participates in Enhanced Dispute Resolution, includes all Dispute conditions except 10.5: Visa Fraud
Monitoring Program
3
Program monitoring includes Domestic Transactions and International Transactions for all of the following: Australia, Brazil,
Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Visa may modify this list of markets.
ID# 0029283 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
PSR-534 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
10.4.3.2 Visa Chargeback Monitoring Program (VCMP) Timelines
An Acquirer must comply with Table 10-2, “VCMP Standard Program Timeline,” or Table 10-3, “VCMP
High-Risk Program Timeline,” as applicable.
Visa may escalate a Merchant Outlet(in the Europe Region, a Merchant) that causes undue harm to
the Visa payment system to the VCMP high-risk program timeline.
Table 10-2: VCMP Standard Program Timeline
Program Status Acquirer Actions– AP Region,
Canada Region, CEMEA
Region, LAC Region, US Region
Acquirer Actions – Europe Region
Program Month 1
–
Notification
●
Within 10 calendar days of receipt of
Notification that a Merchant Outlet
has met or exceeded the thresholds,
the Acquirer must do all of the
following:
– Notify the Merchant
– Review Merchant activity and
research the cause of the
excessive Chargebacks
– Provide Visa with the specific
information requested
After receipt of Notification that a
Merchant has met or exceeded the
thresholds, review Merchant activity
Program Month 2
– 4 –
Workout Period
●
Month 2: within 10 calendar days of
date on the Notification, submit to
Visa all of the following:
– Acceptable Chargeback
remediation plan
– Copy of Merchant application, if
requested
– Copy of Merchant contract, if
requested
●
From month 2 onwards: implement a
Chargeback remediation plan
●
From month 3 onwards: within
10 calendar days of the date on
the Notification, provide to Visa
written updates to the Chargeback
remediation plan
Implement plans to reduce Chargebacks
at identified Merchants and provide Visa
with the plans
Program Month 5
– 11 –
●
From month 5 onwards:
– Fees are applicable
●
Fees are applicable
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-535
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Activity and Compliance Monitoring
Program Status Acquirer Actions– AP Region,
Canada Region, CEMEA
Region, LAC Region, US Region
Acquirer Actions – Europe Region
Enforcement
Period
– Continue working with Merchant
to ensure that the Chargeback
remediation plan is fully
implemented and is effectively
reducing Chargebacks
– Adjust the Chargeback
remediation plan as required and
provide updates to Visa
●
Month 8: provide Visa with written
confirmation that the Merchant has
been notified that it may lose Visa
acceptance privileges if it fails to
reduce its Chargebacks below the
program thresholds by month 12
●
From month 10 onwards: review fees
are applicable
●
Continue to implement and provide
to Visa the reduction plan, adjusting
it as necessary to effectively reduce
Chargebacks
●
Notify Merchant that it may lose
Visa acceptance privileges if it fails
to reduce its Chargebacks below the
program thresholds
Program Month 12
–
Enforcement
Period (and,
in the Europe
Region subsequent
months)
●
Non-compliance assessments and
fees are applicable
●
Review fees are applicable
●
Merchant Outlet is eligible for
disqualification
●
Fees are applicable
●
Continue to implement and provide
to Visa the reduction plan, adjusting
it as necessary to effectively reduce
Chargebacks
●
Merchant is eligible for
disqualification
Table 10-3: VCMP High-Risk Program Timeline
Program Status Acquirer Actions– AP Region,
Canada Region, CEMEA
Region, LAC Region, US Region
Acquirer Actions – Europe Region
Program Month 1
–
Enforcement
Period
●
Non-compliance assessments and
fees are applicable
●
Review Merchant activity and
determine the cause of the excessive
Chargebacks
●
Within 10 calendar days of receipt of
Notification that a Merchant Outlet
has met or exceeded the thresholds,
the Acquirer must both:
– Notify the Merchant
●
Fees are applicable
●
Review Merchant activity
●
Implement plans to reduce
Chargebacks at identified Merchants
and provide Visa with the plans
PSR-536 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Program Status Acquirer Actions– AP Region,
Canada Region, CEMEA
Region, LAC Region, US Region
Acquirer Actions – Europe Region
– Provide Visa with the specific
information requested and
an acceptable Chargeback
remediation plan
Program Month 2
– 5 –
Enforcement
Period
●
Non-compliance assessments and
fees are applicable
●
Work with Merchant to ensure that
the Chargeback remediation plan is
fully implemented and is effectively
reducing Chargebacks
●
Provide to Visa a written monthly
status on the Acquirer’s progress to
reduce the Merchant’s Chargebacks
●
Fees are applicable
●
Continue to implement plans to
reduce Chargebacks at identified
Merchants and provide Visa with the
plans
Program Month 6
– 11 –
Enforcement
Period
●
Non-compliance assessments and
fees are applicable
●
Provide written monthly status to
Visa on the Acquirer’s progress to
reduce the Merchant’s Chargebacks
●
Month 6: provide Visa with a copy
of the Acquirer’s notification to the
Merchant that excessive Chargebacks
may lead to disqualification
●
From month 7 and onwards: review
fees are applicable
●
Fees continue to be applicable
●
Continue to provide to Visa written
updates on the Acquirer’s progress to
reduce the Merchant’s Chargebacks
●
Notify the Merchant that it may lose
Visa acceptance privileges
Program Month 12
–
Enforcement
Period (and, in the
Europe Region,
subsequent
months)
●
Non-compliance assessments and
fees are applicable
●
Review fees are applicable
●
Merchant Outlet is eligible for
disqualification
●
Fees are applicable
●
Continue to provide to Visawritten
updates on the Acquirer’s progress to
reduce the Merchant’s Chargebacks
●
Merchant is eligible for
disqualification
ID# 0029284 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
10.4.3.3 Visa Chargeback Monitoring Program (VCMP) – Data Quality Compliance
If Visa determines that an Acquirer, its Third Party Agent, or its Merchant changed, modified, or altered
the Merchant name or Merchant data in any way to circumvent the Visa Chargeback Monitoring
Program (VCMP), Visa may do either or both of the following:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-537
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Activity and Compliance Monitoring
●
Assess a non-compliance assessment per Merchant Outlet
1
per month to the Acquirer
●
Permanently disqualify the Merchant and its principals from participating in the Visa Program
If an Acquirer submits Interchange for a single Merchant Outlet
1
under multiple Merchant descriptors
or Merchant accounts, Visa may:
●
Consolidate the individual Merchant descriptors or Merchant accounts for monitoring purposes
●
Notify the Acquirer of the aggregation and any potential non-compliance assessments
●
Apply the program thresholds to the consolidated Merchant Outlet
1
performance
●
Track and report the consolidated Merchant activity
Visa may evaluate Payment Facilitator performance at the Sponsored Merchant level or by aggregating
all Interchange activity.
1
In the Europe Region, Merchant
ID# 0029285 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.4.3.4 Merchant Chargeback Activity Monitoring
An Acquirer must monitor the Chargeback-to-Interchange volume ratio of its Merchant and identify a
Merchant that experiences all of the following activity levels during any month:
●
100 or more Interchange Transactions
●
100 or more Chargebacks
●
A 1% or higher ratio of overall Chargeback-to-Interchange volume
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
ID# 0002220 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.4.4 Acquirer Chargeback and Fraud Monitoring
10.4.4.1 Visa Acquirer Monitoring Program (VAMP)
●
Visa monitors Acquirers that generate an excessive level of Chargebacks or Fraud Activity through
the Visa Acquirer Monitoring Program (VAMP). Visa will identify an Acquirer if it meets or exceeds
all of the following monthly thresholds for either excessive Chargebacks or Fraud Activity:
●
Chargeback Monitoring:
– 750 Chargeback count
PSR-538 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
– 1% ratio of Chargebacks-to-sales Transaction count
●
Fraud Activity Monitoring:
– USD 500,000 fraud dollar amount
– 1% ratio of fraud-dollar-to-sales-dollar amount
Visa may modify or create new monthly VAMP performance levels.
Program monitoring includes all Chargebacks or Fraud Activity submitted by Issuers in the preceding
calendar month and all sales Transactions submitted by the Acquirer in the preceding calendar month.
Except for certain markets,
1
only International Transactions are included in VAMP monitoring.
Visa may require the Acquirer or its Merchant to deploy appropriate Chargeback or fraud remediation
tools or technologies to address unusual activity in the individual cases identified through the VAMP.
An Acquirer will exit the VAMP if it is below the program thresholds for 3 consecutive months.
Visa may impose conditions on an Acquirer that knowingly acts to circumvent monitoring.
Effective 1 October 2017
For VAMP compliance purposes, Visa will do all of the following:
●
Include only the first 10 Chargebacks per calendar month, for each Account Number at each
Merchant Outlet
●
Include only the first 10 fraud Transactions reported to Visa per calendar month, for each
Account Number at each Merchant Outlet
●
Exclude fraud type code 3 (fraudulent application)
1
Program monitoring includes Domestic Transactions and International Transactions for all the following: Australia, Brazil,
Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Visa may modify this list of markets.
ID# 0029286 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
10.4.4.2 Visa Acquirer Monitoring Program (VAMP) Timeline
An Acquirer that is identified in the Visa Acquirer Monitoring Program (VAMP) by exceeding VAMP
thresholds must comply with Table 10-4, “VAMP Timeline.”
Table 10-4: VAMP Timeline
Program Status Acquirer Actions – AP Region, Canada
Region, CEMEA Region, LAC Region, US
Region
Acquirer Actions – Europe Region
Month 1 –
●
Non-compliance assessments apply
●
Fees apply
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-539
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Activity and Compliance Monitoring
Program Status Acquirer Actions – AP Region, Canada
Region, CEMEA Region, LAC Region, US
Region
Acquirer Actions – Europe Region
Enforcement
Period
●
Review portfolio activity and
determine the cause of the excessive
Chargebacks or Fraud Activity
●
Within 10 calendar days of the date
on the Notification, submit to Visa
both:
– Acceptable Chargeback/Fraud
Activity remediation plan
– Any documentation requested by
Visa
●
Upon Notification, review Merchant
Chargeback / Fraud Activity levels
●
Implement remediation plans and
submit the plans to Visa
Month 2 – 11 –
Enforcement
Period
●
Non-compliance assessments apply
●
Implement a Chargeback/Fraud
Activity remediation plan
●
Provide to Visa a written monthly
status on the Acquirer’s progress to
reduce the portfolio’s Chargebacks/
Fraud Activity
●
Fees apply
●
Continue to implement and submit
to Visa remediation plans to bring
performance to within acceptable
levels, as defined by the program
thresholds
Month 12 –
Enforcement
Period (and, in the
Europe Region,
subsequent
months)
●
Non-compliance assessments apply
●
If received from Visa, communicate
any pending terminations to the
Merchant(s) /Third Party Agent(s)
●
Provide to Visa a final, written
recap of portfolio’s performance
and Chargeback/Fraud Activity
remediation initiatives
●
Fees apply
●
Continue to implement and submit
to Visa remediation plans to bring
performance to within acceptable
levels, as defined by the program
thresholds
●
Provide Visa with a formal report of
Merchant activity
●
Visa may disqualify the Acquirer.
ID# 0029287 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
10.4.5 Merchant Fraud Monitoring
10.4.5.1 Visa Fraud Monitoring Program (VFMP)
Visa monitors Merchant Outlets
1
that generate an excessive level of fraud through the Visa Fraud
Monitoring Program (VFMP).
PSR-540 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Visa will identify a Merchant Outlet
1
under the VFMP standard program if it meets or exceeds either of
the following monthly program thresholds:
●
Both:
– USD 75,000 fraud amount
– 1% fraud-dollar-to-sales-dollar ratio
●
Effective 1 July 2017 through 31 October 2020
In the US Region, for domestic counterfeit Automated Fuel Dispenser Transactions, both:
– USD 10,000 in US Issuer-reported counterfeit fraud in the previous calendar month
– 0.20% counterfeit fraud-dollar-to-sales-dollar ratio in the previous calendar month
Visa will monitor a Merchant Outlet
1
identified in the VFMP under the high-risk program for any of the
following reasons:
●
The Merchant is categorized, or should be categorized, by a high-brand risk MCC, as specified in
Section 10.4.6.1, “High-Brand Risk MCCs.”
●
For Merchants that are not and should not be categorized by a high-brand risk MCC, the Merchant
meets or exceeds the VFMP monthly excessive fraud threshold of either:
– Both
▪ USD 250,000 fraud amount
▪ 2% fraud-dollar-to-sales-dollar ratio
– Effective 1 November 2017 through 31 October 2020
In the US Region, for domestic counterfeit Automated Fuel Dispenser Transactions, both:
▪ USD 10,000 in Issuer-reported domestic counterfeit fraud in the previous calendar month
▪ 2% counterfeit fraud-dollar-to-sales-dollar ratio in the previous calendar month
●
Visa determines that the Merchant caused undue harm to the goodwill of the Visa payment
system.
●
The Merchant’s Acquirer is subject to risk reduction measures, as specified in Section 1.10.1.2,
“Member Risk Reduction Requirements,” for poor Merchant management practices.
Visa may modify or create new VFMP monthly performance levels.
Except for certain markets,
2
only International Transactions are included in VFMP monitoring.
A Merchant that is moved from the VFMP standard program to the VFMP high-risk program because
it exceeded the excessive fraud threshold will continue to be monitored under the VFMP high-risk
program until the Merchant exits the VFMP.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-541
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Activity and Compliance Monitoring
A Merchant that is monitored in the VFMP high-risk program because it exceeded the excessive fraud
threshold will not be moved to the VFMP standard program, regardless of whether its performance
drops below the monthly excessive fraud threshold.
A Merchant that changes Acquirers and/or countries while identified in the VFMP will be assigned the
equivalent program status with the new Acquirer and/or country if the Merchant has not exited the
program.
Visa may require the Acquirer or its Merchant to deploy appropriate fraud remediation tools or
technologies to address unusual activity in the individual cases identified through the VFMP.
A Merchant Outlet
1
will exit the VFMP if it is below the program thresholds for 3 consecutive months.
In the Europe Region, if a Merchant has met or exceeded specified fraud performance thresholds,
the Acquirer must work with the Merchant until the Merchant’s fraud levels fall below the fraud
performance thresholds.
Effective though 30 September 2017
Monitoring includes all fraud reported by Issuers and all sales Transactions submitted by the
Acquirer on behalf of a Merchant Outlet
1
for the preceding calendar month.
Effective 1 October 2017
For VFMP compliance purposes Visa will both:
●
Include only the first 10 fraud Transactions reported to Visa per calendar month, for each
Account Number at each Merchant Outlet
1
●
Exclude fraud type code 3 (fraudulent application)
1
In the Europe Region, the program applies at the Merchant level.
2
Program monitoring includes Domestic Transactions and International Transactions for all the following: AP Region
(Australia), Canada Region, Europe Region (Germany, United Kingdom), LAC Region (Brazil), and US Region. Visa may
modify this list of markets.
ID# 0029288 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
10.4.5.2 Visa Fraud Monitoring Program (VFMP) Timelines
An Acquirer must comply with Table 10-5, “VFMP Standard Program Timeline,” and Table 10-6, “VFMP
High-Risk Program Timeline,” as applicable.
Visa may escalate a Merchant Outlet (or, in the Europe Region, a Merchant) that causes undue harm to
the Visa payment system to the VFMP high-risk program timeline.
PSR-542 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
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Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Table 10-5: VFMP Standard Program Timeline
Program Status Acquirer Actions– AP Region,
Canada Region, CEMEA
Region, LAC Region, US Region
Acquirer Actions – Europe Region
Program Month 1
–
Notification
●
Within 10 calendar days of receipt of
Notification that a Merchant Outlet
has met or exceeded the thresholds,
the Acquirer must both:
– Notify the Merchant
– Provide Visa with the specific
information requested
●
Review Merchant activity and
research the cause of the excessive
fraud
After receipt of Notification that a
Merchant has met or exceeded the
thresholds, the Acquirer must review the
Merchant’s activity.
Program Month 2
– 4 –
Workout Period
●
Month 2: submit all of the following
to Visa within 10 calendar days of
date on the Notification:
– Acceptable fraud remediation
plan
– Copy of Merchant application, if
requested
– Copy of Merchant contract, if
requested
●
From month 2 onwards: implement a
fraud remediation plan
●
From month 3 onwards: provide
written updates to the fraud
remediation plan within 10 calendar
days of the date on the Notification
Implement a fraud remediation plan and
submit the plan to Visa
Program Month 5
– 11 –
Enforcement
Period
●
From month 5 onwards:
– Continue working with the
Merchant to ensure that the
fraud remediation plan is fully
implemented and is effectively
reducing fraud
– Adjust the fraud remediation
plan as required and provide
updates to Visa
●
Continue to implement and submit
to Visathe fraud remediation plan,
adjusting as necessary to effectively
reduce fraud
●
Notify the Merchant that it may
lose Visa acceptance privileges if it
remains in the program
●
Chargeback reason code 93 liability is
applicable to the fraud Transactions
associated with the current Merchant
identification
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-543
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Activity and Compliance Monitoring
Program Status Acquirer Actions– AP Region,
Canada Region, CEMEA
Region, LAC Region, US Region
Acquirer Actions – Europe Region
–
Chargeback reason code 93
1
liability is applicable to the fraud
Transactions associated with the
current Merchant identification
●
Month 8: provide Visa with written
confirmation that the Merchant has
been notified that it may lose Visa
acceptance privileges if it fails to
reduce its fraud below the program
thresholds by month 12
Program Month 12
–
Enforcement
Period (and, in the
Europe Region,
subsequent
months)
●
Merchant Outlet is eligible for
disqualification
●
Chargeback reason code 93
1
liability
is applicable to the fraud Transactions
associated with the current Merchant
identification
●
Continue to implement and submit
to Visathe fraud remediation plan,
adjusting as necessary to effectively
reduce fraud
●
Merchant is eligible for
disqualification
●
Chargeback reason code 93 liability is
applicable to the fraud Transactions
associated with the current Merchant
identification
Table 10-6: VFMP High-Risk Program Timeline
Program Status Acquirer Responsibility– AP
Region, Canada Region, CEMEA
Region, LAC Region, US Region
Acquirer Actions – Europe Region
Program Month 1
–
Enforcement
Period
●
Non-compliance assessments are
applicable
2
●
Chargeback reason code 93
1
liability
is applicable to the fraud Transactions
associated with the current Merchant
identification
●
Within 10 calendar days of receipt
of Notification that a Merchant
Outlet has met or exceeded the
thresholds, an Acquirer must do all of
the following:
– Notify the Merchant
●
Fees are applicable
●
After receipt of Notification that a
Merchant has met or exceeded the
thresholds, review the Merchant’s
activity
●
Implement a fraud remediation plan
and submit the plan to Visa
●
Chargeback reason code 93 liability is
applicable to the fraud Transactions
associated with the current Merchant
identification
PSR-544 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Program Status Acquirer Responsibility– AP
Region, Canada Region, CEMEA
Region, LAC Region, US Region
Acquirer Actions – Europe Region
– Review Merchant activity and
research the cause of the
excessive fraud
– Provide Visa with the specific
information requested and an
acceptable fraud remediation
plan
Program Month 2
– 5 –
Enforcement
Period
●
Non-compliance assessments are
applicable
2
●
Chargeback reason code 93
1
liability
is applicable to the fraud Transactions
associated with the current Merchant
identification
●
Work with Merchant to ensure that
the fraud remediation plan is fully
implemented and is effectively
reducing fraud
●
Provide written monthly status to
Visa on the Acquirer’s progress to
reduce the Merchant’s fraud
●
Fees are applicable
●
Continue to implement and submit
to Visa the fraud remediation plan,
adjusting as necessary to effectively
reduce fraud and submit the plan to
Visa upon request
●
Chargeback reason code 93 liability is
applicable to the fraud Transactions
associated with the current Merchant
identification
Program Month 6
– 11 –
Enforcement
Period
●
Non-compliance assessments are
applicable
2
●
Chargeback reason code 93
1
liability
is applicable to the fraud Transactions
associated with the current Merchant
identification
●
Provide written monthly status to
Visa on the Acquirer’s progress to
reduce the Merchant’s fraud
●
Month 6: provide Visa with a copy
of the Acquirer’s notification to the
Merchant that excessive fraud may
lead to disqualification
●
Fees are applicable
●
Continue to provide written updates
to Visa, with information about the
plan’s effectiveness in reducing fraud
levels
●
Notify the Merchant that it may lose
Visa acceptance privileges
●
Chargeback reason code 93 liability is
applicable to the fraud Transactions
associated with the current Merchant
identification
Program Month 12
–
Enforcement
Period (and, in the
Europe Region,
●
Non-compliance assessments are
applicable
2
●
Fees are applicable
●
Continue to provide written updates
to Visa, with information about the
plan’s effectiveness in reducing fraud
levels
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-545
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Activity and Compliance Monitoring
Program Status Acquirer Responsibility– AP
Region, Canada Region, CEMEA
Region, LAC Region, US Region
Acquirer Actions – Europe Region
subsequent
months)
●
Chargeback reason code 93
1
liability
is applicable to the fraud Transactions
associated with the current Merchant
identification
●
Merchant Outlet is eligible for
disqualification
●
Chargeback reason code 93 liability is
applicable to the fraud Transactions
associated with the current Merchant
identification
●
Merchant is eligible for
disqualification
1
For a Member that participates in Enhanced Dispute Resolution, includes Dispute condition 10.5: Visa Fraud Monitoring
Program
2
Effective 1 November 2017 through 31 October 2020
Does not apply to US domestic counterfeit Automated Fuel Dispenser Transactions
ID# 0029289 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
10.4.5.3 Visa Fraud Monitoring Program (VFMP) – Data Quality Compliance
If Visa determines that an Acquirer, its Third Party Agent, or its Merchant changed, modified, or altered
the Merchant name or Merchant data in any way to circumvent the Visa Fraud Monitoring Program
(VFMP), Visa may do either or both of the following:
●
Assess a non-compliance assessment per Merchant Outlet per month to the Acquirer
●
Permanently disqualify the Merchant and its principals from participating in the Visa Program
If an Acquirer submits Interchange for a single Merchant Outlet under multiple Merchant descriptors
or Merchant accounts, Visa may:
●
Consolidate the individual Merchant descriptors or Merchant accounts for monitoring purposes
●
Notify the Acquirer of the aggregation and any potential non-compliance assessments
●
Apply the program thresholds to the consolidated Merchant Outlet performance
●
Track and report the consolidated Merchant activity
Visa may evaluate Payment Facilitator performance at the Sponsored Merchant level or by aggregating
all Interchange activity.
ID# 0029290 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-546 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
10.4.6 High-Brand Risk Merchants
10.4.6.1 High-Brand Risk MCCs
A Merchant required to use one of the following MCCs is considered a High-Brand Risk Merchant:
●
5962 (Direct Marketing – Travel-Related Arrangement Services)
●
5966 (Direct Marketing – Outbound Telemarketing Merchants)
●
5967 (Direct Marketing – Inbound Telemarketing Merchants)
●
7995 (Betting, including Lottery Tickets, Casino Gaming Chips, Off-Track Betting, and Wagers at
Race Tracks)
●
5912 (Drug Stores, Pharmacies)
●
5122 (Drugs, Drug Proprietaries, Druggist Sundries)
●
5993 (Cigar Stores and Stands), for Merchants that sell cigarettes in a Card-Absent Environment
ID# 0008137 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.4.6.2 High-Brand Risk Merchant Registration – US Region
In the US Region, before accepting Transactions from a High-Brand Risk Merchant, an Acquirer must
register the Merchant using the Program Request Management application.
This does not apply to Merchants assigned the following MCCs:
●
5122 (Drugs, Drug Proprietaries, Druggist Sundries) or 5912 (Drug Stores, Pharmacies), if the
Merchant is accredited by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy or other legal regulatory
body recognized by Visa
●
5993 (Cigar Stores and Stands)
ID# 0026345 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
10.4.7 High-Brand Risk Merchant Monitoring
10.4.7.1 High-Brand Risk Merchant Monitoring – US Region
In the US Region, an Acquirer must monitor its High-Brand Risk Merchants. An Acquirer of a High-Risk
InternetPayment Facilitator must:
●
Register its High-Brand Risk Sponsored Merchants as High-Brand Risk Merchants
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-547
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Activity and Compliance Monitoring
●
Monitor its High-Risk Internet Payment Facilitators
ID# 0026346 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.4.7.2 High-Brand Risk Merchant Unusual Activity Reporting – US Region
For its High-Brand Risk Merchants, a US Acquirer must generate unusual activity reports daily, and
report any unusual activity to Visa within 2 business days, if either of the following:
●
Current weekly gross sales volume equals or exceeds USD 5,000 and any of the following exceeds
150% of the normal daily activity:
– Number of daily Transaction Receipt Deposits
– Gross amount of daily Deposits
– Average Transaction amount
– Number of daily Chargebacks
●
Average elapsed time between the Transaction Date and Processing Date for a Transaction
(counting each as one day) exceeds 15 calendar days
ID# 0026374 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.4.7.3 High-Brand Risk Merchants – Acquirer Requirements
For a High-Brand Risk Merchant, an Acquirer must do all of the following:
●
Retain at least the following daily data:
– Gross sales volume
– Average Transaction amount
– Number of Transaction Receipts
– Average elapsed time between the Transaction Date of the Transaction Receipt and the
Settlement Date (counting each as one day)
– Number of Chargebacks
●
Collect the data over a period of at least one month, beginning after each Merchant's initial
Deposit
●
Use the data to determine the Merchant's normal daily activity of the categories specified in this
section
●
Begin the daily monitoring of the Merchant's activity processed on the 31st calendar day from the
first Deposit
●
Compare current related data to the normal daily activity parameters at least daily
PSR-548 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Review the Merchant's normal daily activity at least weekly, using the previous week's activity
●
At least monthly, adjust the Merchant's normal daily activity, using the previous month's activity
ID# 0026340 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.4.7.4 High-Brand Risk Merchant Exception Reports
An Acquirer must generate High-Brand Risk Merchant exception reports daily and report any unusual
activity to Visa within 2 business days, if either of the following:
●
The Merchant’s current weekly gross sales volume equals or exceeds USD 5,000 (or local currency
equivalent), and any of the following exceeds 150% of the Merchant’s normal daily activity:
– Number of daily Transaction Deposits
– Gross amount of daily Deposits
– Average Transaction amount
– Number of daily Chargebacks
●
The average elapsed time between the Transaction Date and Processing Date or between the
Processing Date and Settlement Date for a Transaction (counting each as one day respectively)
exceeds 15 calendar days
ID# 0026341 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.4.7.5 Investigation of Merchant on High-Brand Risk Merchant Exception Report
An Acquirer must investigate a Merchant that appears on its High-Brand Risk Merchant exception
report within one business day of generating the report. If the investigation reveals Merchant
involvement in illegal or fraudulent activity, the Acquirer must do all of the following:
●
Take appropriate legal action to minimize losses
●
Cooperate with Issuers and law enforcement agencies
●
Attempt to make the Merchant responsible for the Transaction
●
Hold funds, if possible
●
Initiate criminal and civil proceedings against the Merchant, if applicable
ID# 0026342 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.4.7.6 Acquirer Provision of High-Brand Risk Merchant Monitoring Information
Upon Visa request, an Acquirer must provide both of the following within 7 calendar days to
demonstrate compliance with High-Brand Risk Merchant monitoring standards:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-549
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Activity and Compliance Monitoring
●
Copies of actual reports or records used to monitor the Merchant's Deposits
●
Any other data requested by Visa
ID# 0026343 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.4.7.7 Requirements for High Brand-Risk Merchants and High Brand-Risk
Sponsored Merchants
Visa may impose security or authentication requirements on a Merchant that it considers to be a High
Brand-Risk Merchant or a High Brand-Risk Sponsored Merchant.
ID# 0029660 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.4.7.8 Merchant Disqualification from the Visa Program – US Region
In the US Region, Visa may disqualify a Merchant specified in Section 10.4.6.1, “High-Brand Risk
MCCs,” from participating in the Visa Program if the Merchant does any of the following:
●
Meets or exceeds a critical level of Chargeback activity
●
Acts with the intent to circumvent Visa programs
●
Causes harm to the Visa system
Visa will send a Notification to the Acquirer advising all of the following:
●
The date the Acquirer must stop submitting the disqualified Merchant's Transactions
●
Reasons for the disqualification
●
Notice of the right to appeal
The Acquirer may appeal the disqualification as follows:
●
The Acquirer's appeal letter must be received by Visa within 15 days of the Acquirer's receipt of the
disqualification Notification.
●
The Acquirer must pay a non-refundable fee and include it with the appeal letter.
●
The evidence and arguments for the appeal must be submitted in the appeal letter.
●
No oral presentations are permitted.
ID# 0005865 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-550 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
10.4.8 High-Risk Internet Payment Facilitator Requirements
10.4.8.1 High-Brand Risk Acquirer Registration
An Acquirer that has not previously acquired Electronic Commerce Merchants or Mail/Phone Order
Merchants classified by Visa as High-Brand Risk Merchants must:
●
Submit to Visa a Visa New High-Brand Risk Acquirer Registration Form
●
Not process or enter a High-Brand Risk Transaction into Interchange until written confirmation has
been received from Visa that the Acquirer has been registered and approved by Visa
●
Immediately submit a revised form indicating any changes to the information
ID# 0026379 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.4.8.2 High-Risk Internet Payment Facilitator Agreement
An Acquirer must ensure that a High-Risk Internet Payment Facilitator Agreement requires both:
●
That the High-Brand Risk Sponsored Merchant Agreement be signed by a senior officer of the
High-Risk Internet Payment Facilitator
●
The High-Risk Internet Payment Facilitator to report both:
– Acquisition of new High-Brand Risk Sponsored Merchants
– Monthly Transaction activity for all High-Brand Risk Sponsored Merchants.
The reports must be provided to Visa in Visa-specified electronic formats.
ID# 0026332 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.4.8.3 Compliance with High-Risk Internet Payment Facilitator Registration
Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, an Acquirer must ensure that a Payment Facilitator with one or more Sponsored
Merchants classified, or that should be classified, with MCC 5967 (Direct Marketing – Inbound
Teleservices Merchant) complies with the High-Risk Internet Payment Facilitator registration program
and operating requirements.
ID# 0028292 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-551
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Activity and Compliance Monitoring
10.4.8.4 High-Risk Internet Payment Facilitator Processing Requirements
If a Cardholder accesses the websiteand/or application of an electronic commerce High-Brand Risk
Merchant or a High-Brand Risk Sponsored Merchant and is then linked or forwarded to the website of
the High-Risk Internet Payment Facilitator for payment, the name of the High-Risk Internet Payment
Facilitator must appear in the Authorization Request and Clearing Record in conjunction with the name
of the High-Brand Risk Sponsored Merchant.
ID# 0026329 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
10.4.8.5 Visa Right to Prohibit or Disqualify Sponsored Merchants – US Region
In the US Region, Visa may require an Acquirer to directly contract with a Sponsored Merchant if the
Sponsored Merchant either:
●
Generates or has a history of generating excessive levels of exception items (Chargebacks and/or
credits) within a 12-month period
●
Takes action to evade responsibility for compliance with the Visa Rules
Visa may disqualify a High-Risk Internet Payment Facilitator or High-Brand Risk Sponsored Merchant
in accordance with the Visa Chargeback Monitoring Program or for other activity that causes undue
harm to the Visa system.
ID# 0008667 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.4.9 Cross-Border Fraud Monitoring
10.4.9.1 High Total Fraud Loss Monitoring Program – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, Visa identifies the 15 Issuers and 15 Acquirers with the highest levels of fraud, in
absolute Transaction value terms, as candidates for formal review.
Once identified, Members will be given at least 3 months’ notice of the review and asked to agree a
review start date with Visa.
Following a review, Members will receive a report from Visa containing recommendations intended to
assist them in improving fraud management.
ID# 0029607 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-552 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
10.4.9.2 Cross-Border Fraud Monitoring Programs – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, Visa monitors fraud performance on a monthly basis, and identifies Issuers with
a BID or BIDs that meet program criteria each month, as specified in Table 10-7, “Cross-Border Fraud
Monitoring Program Elements - Europe Region.”
Visa may modify program parameters and fees.
Table 10-7: Cross-Border Fraud Monitoring Program Elements – Europe Region
Cross-Border Fraud Issuer Monitoring Program
Components
●
Intraregional Issuer component (Issuer and Acquirer within the Europe Region)
●
Interregional Issuer component (Issuer within the Europe Region, Acquirer outside
the Europe Region)
Entry Criteria
●
Intraregional Issuer component (Issuer and Acquirer within the Europe Region)
●
Interregional Issuer component (Issuer within the Europe Region, Acquirer outside
the Europe Region), if they fulfil both of the following criteria:
– Any BID exceeding, in one month, 3 times the intra (for intraregional
component) or 3 times the inter (for interregional component) fraud-to-sales
ratio
– Fraud losses greater than EUR 100,000
Inclusion Criteria Based on exceeding either of the components (intraregional or interregional)
Program Phases Initial Phase
The first time an Issuer is listed in the program report, it will receive Notification from
Visa that it is being monitored under the program.
Applied Fee Phase
●
If an Issuer is listed in the program report for a fourth consecutive month, it may
be subject to a monthly non-compliance assessment.
●
A non-compliance assessment may be assessed for each subsequent month until
exit from the program.
Mandatory Action Phase
●
7 or more listings on the program report may result in an increase in the monthly
non-compliance assessment. The Issuer may be required to undergo a formal Visa
risk review.
●
The increased monthly non-compliance assessment may be assessed for each
subsequent month until exit from the program.
●
After a total of 12 listings, a comprehensive review of action taken to date, plans,
and Issuer performance will be undertaken with the Issuer to address the problem.
Visa may present the findings to the Board.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-553
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Brand Protection
Cross-Border Fraud Issuer Monitoring Program
●
After a total of 13 listings, increased monthly non-compliance assessmentsmay
be charged for each subsequent appearance on the program report until exit from
the program.
Exit Criteria The Issuer must not be listed on the report for 3 consecutive months.
ID# 0029606 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
10.5 Brand Protection
10.5.1 Global Brand Protection Program
10.5.1.1 Global Brand Protection Program Data Quality
To enable the valid identification of data for the Global Brand Protection Program, an Acquirer must
correctly classify its High-Brand Risk Merchants.
If Visa determines that an Acquirer or its Merchant changed, modified, or altered the Merchant name
or Merchant data in any way to circumvent the Global Brand Protection Program, Visa may:
●
In the APRegion, CanadaRegion, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, and US Region, any of the
following:
– Assess a non-compliance assessment
– Require the Acquirer to implement risk reduction measures
– Prohibit the Acquirer from acquiring High-Brand Risk Merchants for a period of one year or
more
ID# 0026335 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.6 Fraud Reporting
10.6.1 Fraud Reporting Requirements
10.6.1.1 Prepaid Clearinghouse Service (PCS) Participation – US Region
In the US Region, a Visa Prepaid Issuer must:
PSR-554 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Report information from all approved, pending or declined Prepaid Account enrollments, Load
Transactions, reloads, unauthorized Transaction requests, Prepaid Account fraud,TransactionLoad
fraud, Account level fraud and enrollment fraud
●
Ensure that it and its agents report complete and correct information, as specified by Visa
●
Authorize Visa to use or transfer the information reported to PCS for any purpose permitted by
applicable laws or regulations
●
Submit all records in accordance with the Prepaid Clearinghouse Service (PCS) Product Guide and
Reporting Requirements and the Prepaid Clearinghouse Service (PCS) Message Layout
Prepaid Card Issuers or Agents optionally subscribing to use PCS:
●
Must execute a PCS Participation Agreement
●
Are eligible under applicable law to access PCS for fraud prevention purposes
ID# 0029067 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
10.6.1.2 Skimming Counterfeit Fraud Data Collection – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, on fraud advice reports, a Member must identify skimmed counterfeit fraud
Transactions with POS Entry Mode code 90.
ID# 0029597 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.6.1.3 Reporting of Chip Card Capability in Fraud Advice Records – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Issuer must provide Chip Card capability details in fraud advice records.
An Issuer that fails to correctly report the Card capability in fraud advice records is subject to penalties,
including, but not limited to withdrawal of the Issuer’s right to use all Chargeback reason codes related
to the EMV liability shift, until the problem is corrected.
ID# 0029598 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.6.1.4 Fraud Activity Reporting Compliance – LAC Region
In the LACRegion, an Issuer must report Fraud Activity and comply with all of the following:
●
At least 95% of all fraud must be reported. This includes domestic and international, on-us, debit
and credit, and ATM Transactions.
●
At least 90% of all reported fraud must be classified correctly.
●
No more than 5% of all reported fraud can be classified as fraud type 05 (Miscellaneous).
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-555
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Card Recovery
●
In at least 90% of reported fraudulent Transactions, mandatory TCR2 fields must match the
corresponding BASE II record fields, except the Excluded Transaction Identifier Reason field.
ID# 0007259 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.6.1.5 Result of Issuer Non-Compliance – AP Region
In the APRegion, an Issuer identified as non-compliant and that fails to resolve areas of non-
compliance within a period agreed between the Member and Visa following an on-site review will
have the following fraud-related dispute rights suspended until compliant:
●
Chargeback reason code 57 (Fraudulent Multiple Transactions)
●
Chargeback reason code 62 (Counterfeit Transaction)
●
Chargeback reason code 81 (Fraud – Card-Present Environment)
●
Chargeback reason code 83 (Fraud – Card-Absent Environment)
●
Chargeback reason code 93 (Visa Fraud Monitoring Program)
●
For a Member that participates in Enhanced Dispute Resolution, Dispute category 10 (Fraud)
ID# 0001760 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
10.6.1.6 Fraud Alert Requirements – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, a Member must comply with the CoFAS Procedures for Reporting Credit
Skimming Incidents.
ID# 0001757 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.7 Card Recovery
10.7.1 Card Recovery at the Point of Sale
10.7.1.1 Merchant Card Recovery Procedures at the Point of Sale
A Merchant must not complete a Transaction and should attempt to recover a Visa Card
1
by
reasonable, peaceful means, for any of the following reasons:
●
Account Number appears on a Card Recovery Bulletin
●
Acquirer or its Authorizing Processor requests its retention
PSR-556 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
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VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Effective through 16 October 2021
4 digits printed below the embossed or printed Account Number (if present) do not match the first
4 digits of the embossed or printed Account Number
●
Merchant has reasonable grounds to believe that the Card is counterfeit, fraudulent, or stolen
A Merchant must notify its Acquirer that it has recovered a Card and ask for further instructions.
1
The requirement to attempt to recover the Card does not apply to Mobile Payment Devices.
ID# 0002350 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
10.7.2 Return of Recovered Cards
10.7.2.1 Recovered Card Handling and Notification Requirements
A Member must maintain an inventory log of recovered Cards that includes a record of at least all of
the following:
●
Date of Card recovery (DD/MM/YYYY)
●
Location of Card recovery
●
First 6 digits and last 4 digits of the Account Number
●
Cardholder name: Title (if applicable), first letter of first name and first and last letters of last name
●
Printed names and signatures of all parties counting, logging, or destroying the Cards
●
If the Card was retained by a law enforcement agency, name of agency and contact information
●
Date of Card destruction (DD/MM/YYYY)
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer must retain the record in the inventory log for at least 3 months.
The Member or its Agent must comply with all of the following requirements for the secure
destruction of recovered Cards:
●
Within 5 business days of recovering a valid or counterfeit Card, ensure that the Card is securely
destroyed through shredding or incineration
●
If the Card cannot be destroyed immediately upon receipt by the secure destruction location, store
the Card in a secure environment under dual control until the Card can be properly destroyed.
●
Before secure destruction, maintain the Cards as specified in PCI DSS
●
Render all images, Account Numbers, and generic identifiers completely unusable or unreadable.
Cutting the Card in half and disposing of it in the trash does not comply with this requirement.
●
Ensure that all Cards have been destroyed before leaving the destruction area
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-557
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Card Recovery
●
If a secure destruction entity is contracted to destroy Cards, ensure that the entity presents a
certificate of destruction once the destruction process is completed.
Upon recovery of a valid or counterfeit Visa Card, the Member must send
1
a Notification to the Issuer,
through Visa Resolve Onlineor the Electronic Documentation Transfer Method, that the Card was
recovered and destroyed. The Notification must be sent no later than either:
●
5 business days after the Visa Card is recovered
●
For a Card recovered at an ATM, 5 business days after the Card is received at the Acquirer's card
return center, if applicable
The Notification must include all of the following information:
●
Date of Card recovery (DD/MM/YYYY)
●
Location of Card recovery
●
First 6 digits and last 4 digits of the Account Number
●
Cardholder name: Title (if applicable), first letter of first name and first and last letters of last name
●
If the Card was retained by a law enforcement agency, name of agency and contact information
●
If the Acquirer paid an appropriate Card recovery reward to its Merchant, the Fee Collection
Transaction amount that will be submitted to the Issuer for reimbursement
●
Date of Card destruction (DD/MM/YYYY)
In the Europe Region, the Cardholder Verification Method transmitted in the Clearing Record must be
retained by Issuers and included in the Chargeback and the fraud information message.
1
For a Non-Reloadable Card recovered without a Pickup Response or a specific request from the Issuer, the Member must
cut the Card and render it unusable but is not required to notify the Issuer that the Card was recovered.
ID# 0008090 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
10.7.2.2 Merchant Recovered Card Return Procedures – US Region
In the US Region, a Merchant that recovers a Visa Card must both:
●
Cut the Visa Card horizontally so as not to damage the Magnetic Stripe, Chip, hologram (if
applicable), and embossed or printed Account Number (if applicable)
●
Immediately send it to either:
– Its Acquirer
– A VisaNet Interchange Center, if Visa is designated as the Merchant's Authorizing Processor
The requirement to return the Card does not apply to Non-Reloadable Cards recovered without a
Pickup Response or request from the Issuer.
PSR-558 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
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VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
For a Non-Reloadable Card recovered without a Pickup Response or a specific request from the Issuer,
the Merchant or Acquirer must cut the Card and render it unusable.
For a Non-Reloadable Card where an Issuer Pickup Response has been sent, the Merchant should
attempt to recover the Card and:
●
Cut the Card horizontally so as not to damage the Magnetic Stripe, Chip, hologram (if applicable),
and embossed or printed Account Number (if applicable)
●
Immediately send it to either:
– Its Acquirer
– A VisaNet Interchange Center, if Visa is designated as the Merchant's Authorizing Processor
If a recovered Visa Card was retained by a law enforcement agency, the Merchant must provide a
legible copy of the front and back of the Visa Card to its Acquirer or a VisaNet Interchange Center, as
applicable.
ID# 0008092 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.7.2.3 Acquirer Recovered Card Procedures – Additional Notification Requirement –
US Region
Effective through 16 October 2021
In the US Region, an Acquirer must immediately advise either of the following of the recovery of a
Card:
●
The Issuer, if the Visa Card is recovered because the first 4 digits of the embossed or printed
Account Number (if present) do not match the 4 digits printed above or below the Account
Number
●
Visa, if the embossed or printed BIN is not assigned to a Member
An Acquirer must retain a legible copy of the front and back of the recovered Visa Card.
ID# 0008094 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
10.7.3 Recovered Counterfeit Cards
10.7.3.1 Unattended Cardholder-Activated Terminal Card Retention
If an Unattended Cardholder-Activated Terminal has the ability to retain a Card, it may retain a Card
only upon the specific request of the Issuer.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-559
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Lost or Stolen Cards
If a Card is retained and removed from the terminal by a Merchant, the Merchant must do all of the
following:
●
Log it under dual custody immediately after removal from the terminal
●
Render it unusable
●
Send it to its Acquirer
If a Card is retained and removed from the terminal by an Acquirer, the Acquirer must do all of the
following:
●
Log it under dual custody immediately after removal from the terminal
●
Render it unusable following secure Card destruction requirements, as specified in Section 10.7.2.1,
“Recovered Card Handling and Notification Requirements”
●
Notify the Issuer, through Visa Resolve Online, that the Card was recovered, as specified in Section
10.7.2.1, “Recovered Card Handling and Notification Requirements”
ID# 0004823 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
10.7.4 Card Recovery Bulletin (CRB)
10.7.4.1 Card Recovery Bulletin (CRB) Chargeback Rights
An Acquirer may be subject to a Chargeback for below-Floor Limit Transactions if the Account Number
appears on the Card Recovery Bulletin (CRB). Chargeback rights begin on the effective date of the CRB
in which the Account Number is listed.
ID# 0003981 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.8 Lost or Stolen Cards
10.8.1 Lost or Stolen Card Reporting
10.8.1.1 Lost/Stolen Card Reporting – Issuer Actions
An Issuer participating in Lost/Stolen Card Reporting must, on behalf of another Issuer, both:
●
Accept reports of lost or stolen products from Cardholders or their designated representative
●
Notify the Card Issuer
ID# 0008549 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-560 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
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VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
10.8.1.2 Issuer Notification of Lost or Stolen Card
A Member must do all of the following:
●
Provide the Issuer with the information required on the Lost or Stolen Card Report
●
If an incomplete Account Number is provided, supply the Issuer with the address and telephone
number where the Cardholder may be contacted
●
Notify Visa Global Customer Care Services if unable to establish contact with the Issuer
ID# 0002183 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.9 PIN Security Requirements
10.9.1 PIN Requirements
10.9.1.1 Visa PIN Security Program Requirements
In the APRegion, CanadaRegion, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, and US Region, an Acquirer and
its Merchant or agent that processes PINs for VisaTransactions must comply with the security
requirements specified in the PIN Management Requirements Documents and Visa PIN Security
Program Guide.
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer that processes PINs for Transactions must comply with the PIN
Management Requirements Documents and the requirement to perform a self-audit, as specified in
the Visa Europe PIN Security Self Audit Requirements and Forms.
ID# 0027086 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-561
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Account Data Compromise
10.10 Account Data Compromise
10.10.1 Global Compromised Account Recovery (GCAR) Program
10.10.1.1 Global Compromised Account Recovery (GCAR) Program Qualification – AP,
Canada, CEMEA, LAC, and US Regions
Effective through 13 October 2017
An Issuer may recover a portion of its estimated Incremental Counterfeit Fraud losses and
operating expenses resulting from an Account Data Compromise Event involving a compromise
of Magnetic-Stripe Data, and PIN data for events that also involve PIN compromise, under the
Global Compromised Account Recovery (GCAR) program from an Acquirer(s) to whom liability for
such loss has been assigned under the GCAR program.
Visa has authority and discretion to determine Account Data Compromise Event qualification, as
well as estimated Counterfeit Fraud Recovery and Operating Expense Recovery amounts, Issuer
eligibility, and Acquirer liability under the GCAR program, in accordance with the Visa Global
Compromised Account Recovery (GCAR) Guide
1
and the available information regarding each
event.
Effective 14 October 2017
In the APRegion, Canada Region, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, and US Region,an Issuer may
recovera portion of its operating expensesassociated withan Account Data Compromise Event
involving a compromise of either:
●
In a Card-Absent Environment, a Chip Card's Account Number and expiration date
●
In a Card-Present Environment, a Chip Card's Account Number and Card Verification Value
Visa has the authority and discretion to determine Account Data Compromise Event qualification,
Operating Expense Recovery amounts, Issuer eligibility, and Acquirer liability under the GCAR
program, in accordance with the Visa Global Compromised Account Recovery (GCAR) Guideand
the available information regarding each compromise event.
1
Effective through 13 October 2017
In the Europe Region, Visa Europe Global Compromised Account Recovery Guide
ID# 0026564 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
PSR-562 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Visa Product and Service Rules
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VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
10.10.1.2 Acquirer Safe Harbor for Registered Agents – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer must ensure that its Merchants and Sponsored Merchants use
only agents that are registered with Visa and appear on the Visa list of agents that provide payment-
related services (including services that operate under contractual obligations to the Merchant or
Sponsored Merchant to control access to Cardholder data) to Merchants or Sponsored Merchants,
except payment application software providers.
To qualify for safe harbor in the event of an Account Data Compromise Event, the agent must both:
●
Be listed with Visa before the date of notification of the suspected or confirmed data compromise
●
Demonstrate that it was one or more of the following:
– Successfully assessed by a qualified security assessor as Payment Card Industry Data Security
Standard (PCI DSS)-compliant at the time of the data compromise
– Self-assessed against the PCI DSS. The PCI Forensic Investigator report must confirm that the
agent complied with the security measures specified in the self-assessment questionnaire
submitted during the registration process.
– Out of scope of the PCI DSS. The PCI Forensic Investigator report must confirm that the agent
did not have access to or control over the Cardholder data that was compromised.
An Acquirer whose Merchant or Sponsored Merchant suffers a data compromise through an agent
that complies with these requirements is not:
●
Subject to non-compliance assessments for compromised Account Information and Transaction
Information
●
Effective through 13 October 2017
Liable for any losses resulting from the Global Compromised Account Recovery Program
ID# 0029584 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
10.11 Counterfeit Losses
10.11.1 POS Entry Mode Compliance Liability
10.11.1.1 Acquirer Liability for Counterfeit Transactions – AP Region
In the APRegion, an Acquirer is liable for counterfeit loss for both:
●
A key-entered Transaction that occurs at a Merchant Outlet in a Face-to-Face Environment
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-563
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Terminated Merchants
●
For a POS Entry Mode code 00 Transaction, unless the Acquirer demonstrates that the
Authorization Request was submitted by fax or telephone from a Merchant that does not have a
Magnetic-Stripe Terminal
A Merchant with excessive counterfeit Transactions processed with POS Entry Mode code 00 and 01
must install a Magnetic-Stripe Terminal.
ID# 0008175 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.12 Terminated Merchants
10.12.1 Required Use of Terminated Merchant Database
10.12.1.1 Terminated Merchant Listing on Terminated Merchant Database – Payment
Facilitator and Marketplace
An Acquirer must ensure that a terminated Sponsored Merchant, terminated Payment Facilitator, or
terminated Marketplace
1
is added to the Visa Merchant Trace System, Terminated Merchant File, Visa
Merchant Alert Service, or, where available, equivalent terminated Merchant database.
1
Effective 14 October 2017
ID# 0026433 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
10.12.1.2 Use of Visa Merchant Trace System – AP Region
In the AP Region, an Acquirer in Australia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia,
New Zealand, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, or China must enter terminated
Merchant details into the Visa Merchant Trace System database within one business day after
terminating a Merchant Agreement for a reason specified in the Visa MerchantTrace System.
ID# 0026131 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.12.1.3 Terminated Merchant Information Requirements – AP Region
In the AP Region, the file of terminated Merchants must include at least all of the following:
●
Merchant Agreement and addenda
●
Deposit history and monitoring reports
●
Details on the number, total amount, and reasons for any Chargebacks received
●
All Acquirer/Merchant correspondence
PSR-564 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
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All Visa Fraud Monitoring Program reports relating to the Merchant
●
Names and ID numbers of suspect employees
●
Written notification of termination or intent to terminate
●
Any other supporting documentation that itemizes the details leading to the decision to terminate
the Merchant
ID# 0007371 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.12.1.4 Common Terminated Merchant Database Requirements – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, an Acquirer must comply with all of the following:
●
Use an externally managed common terminated Merchant database
●
Concurrent with the closure of a Merchant Outlet, list the Merchant on a common terminated
merchant database for a period of 3 years if the Merchant violated the Merchant Agreement and
was subsequently terminated for cause
●
Retain for 3 years Merchant Agreement termination information
ID# 0007377 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.12.1.5 Terminated Merchant File Listing Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, an Acquirer must add a terminated Merchant to the Terminated Merchant File no
later than close of business on the day following the date the Merchant is notified of the intent to
terminate the agreement. An Acquirer must list the Merchant if terminated for one or more of the
following reasons:
●
The Merchant was convicted of credit or debit card fraud.
●
The Merchant deposited excessive Counterfeit Transactions.
●
The Merchant deposited excessive Transactions unauthorized by Cardholders.
●
The Merchant deposited Transaction Receipts representing sales of goods or services generated by
another Merchant (laundering).
●
The Acquirer received an excessive number of Chargebacks due to the Merchant's business
practices or procedures.
ID# 0007386 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-565
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Terminated Merchants
10.12.1.6 Terminated Merchant File Information Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, anAcquirer must add a Merchant to the Terminated Merchant File within 24 hours of
determining that:
●
The Merchant was terminated for reasons other than those listed in Section 10.12.1.5, “Terminated
Merchant File Listing Requirements – US Region”
●
Within 90 calendar days of the termination date, the Acquirer determines that the Merchant should
have qualified for the listing
The Merchant listing must include the:
●
Business name
●
Names and identification of principals of terminated Merchants
The Acquirer must report terminated Merchants, as specified.
ID# 0007969 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.12.1.7 Terminated Merchant File Compliance – US Region
In the US Region, a Member that fails to comply with the Terminated Merchant File requirements may
be subject to Compliance, including liability for losses incurred by another Member as a result of the
failure to comply.
ID# 0008174 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.12.1.8 Deletion from or Correction Request for Terminated Merchant File – US
Region
In the US Region, only the Member that added the Merchant to the Terminated Merchant File may
request deletion of the Merchant name or information.
A Member that incorrectly adds a Merchant to the file must request correction of the file immediately
upon recognition of an error.
ID# 0007963 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-566 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
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VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
10.13 Visa Risk Products
10.13.1 Address Verification Service (AVS)
10.13.1.1 Address Verification Service (AVS) Results Code Population – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, an Acquirer participating in the Address Verification Service (AVS) must
populate the AVS results code received in the BASE I Authorization Response message in a
Transaction's corresponding BASE II Clearing Record.
ID# 0028293 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.13.1.2 Address Verification Service (AVS) Participation – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer must:
●
Participate in the Address Verification Service
●
Perform address verification for each Address Verification Service inquiry
ID# 0004679 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.13.1.3 Address Verification Service (AVS) at Unattended Cardholder-Activated
Terminals – US Region
Effective 20 January 2018
In the US Region, an Automated Fuel Dispenser (AFD) Merchant must perform an Address
Verification Service (AVS) inquiry if either:
1
●
The AFD Merchant is located in a high-fraud area, as specified in theAVS ZIP Requirements for
US AFD Merchants in High-Fraud Geographies
●
The AFD Merchant has been identified under the Visa Fraud Monitoring Program
In the US Region, if an Unattended Cardholder-Activated Terminal (UCAT) assigned MCC 4111 (Local
and Suburban Commuter Passenger Transportation, Including Ferries), 4112 (Passenger Railways),
or 5542 (Automated Fuel Dispensers) requests a Cardholder's postal code and performs an Address
Verification Service (AVS) inquiry, it must comply with all of the following:
●
Not request any postal information other than the zip code
●
Not prompt for any additional information (for example: CVV2)
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-567
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Visa Risk Products
●
Not perform AVS inquiry only for Visa Cards, if the UCAT also accepts other payment brands that
support AVS
●
Provide attended Transaction capabilities in the immediate vicinity of the UCAT that prompts for
AVS information
●
Either display an affixed sticker or include electronic on-screen language to direct a non-US
Cardholder or any impacted US Visa Prepaid Cardholder to an attendant if the Transaction is
declined due to non-support of AVS
●
For a UCAT assigned MCC 4111 or 4112, either of the following:
– Prompt for AVS information only for Transactions on Cards issued in the US Region
– Not prompt for AVS information for Transactions less than USD 25 on Cards not issued in the
US Region
1
Does not apply to an AFD Merchant thatprovides services onlyto its membership base
ID# 0027807 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
10.13.1.4 Address Verification Service Eligible Transactions
Effective through 19 January 2018
A Merchant may use the Address Verification Service only for either:
●
A Transaction in a Card-Absent Environment
●
In the US Region, a Transaction at an Unattended Cardholder-Activated Terminal assigned
MCC 4111 (Local and Suburban Commuter Passenger Transportation, Including Ferries), 4112
(Passenger Railways), or 5542 (Automated Fuel Dispensers) (ZIP-only inquiry)
Effective 20 January 2018
A Merchant may use the Address Verification Service for a Transaction either:
●
In a Card-Absent Environment
●
In the US Region, at an Unattended Cardholder-Activated Terminal assigned one of the
following MCCs:
– 4111 (Local and Suburban Commuter Passenger Transportation, Including Ferries)
– 4112 (Passenger Railways)
– 5542 (Automated Fuel Dispensers)
ID# 0029279 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
PSR-568 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
10.13.2 Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2)
10.13.2.1 Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2) Requirements in Australia, Hong Kong, and
New Zealand – AP Region
An Electronic Commerce Merchant in Australia, Hong Kong, or New Zealand must capture the Card
Verification Value 2 (CVV2) and include it in the Authorization Request.
This does not apply to:
●
A Transaction that uses Verified by Visa
1
●
A Transaction involving a Visa Commercial Card Virtual Account
●
A Transaction conducted through Visa Checkout
An Acquirer in Australia, Hong Kong, or New Zealand must correctly process CVV2 response codes.
1
A Merchant must adhere to an Issuer's requested authentication method.
ID# 0026176 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
10.13.2.2 Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2) Requirements – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, anAcquirer participating in the Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2) service
must populate the CVV2 results code received in the Authorization Response in a Transaction's
corresponding Clearing Record.
Effective 13 October 2018
An Acquirer must correctly process CVV2 response codes.
Effective 14 October 2017 through 12 October 2018 for a new Mail/Phone Order Merchant or new
Electronic Commerce Merchant
Effective 13 October 2018 for a Mail/Phone Order Merchant or Electronic Commerce Merchant
A Mail/Phone Order Merchant or Electronic Commerce Merchant must capture the CVV2 and
include it in the Authorization Request. This does not apply to a Transaction that uses a Stored
Credential.
ID# 0000675 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
10.13.2.3 Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2) Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, for Transactions occurring in a Card-Absent Environment:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-569
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Advanced Authorization
●
A Member must be certified by Visa for Card Verification Value 2 processing for Intraregional
Transactions.
●
An Issuer that is not certified is considered to not be participating in the CVV2 service and will lose
fraud Chargeback rights under Chargeback reason code 83 (Fraud – Card-Absent Environment).
●
The Issuer is liable for an approved Transaction with a CVV2 result code N.
An Acquirer must ensure that the CVV2 is present in all Authorization Requests for Transactions in a
Card-Absent Environment, except:
●
A delayed charge Transaction
●
A No-Show Transaction
●
A Transaction in which a paper order form is used
●
A Transaction originating from Visa Checkout
●
Effective through 13 October 2017
Any ensuing Installment Transaction or Recurring Transaction after the first Transaction
●
Effective 14 October 2017
A second or ensuing Transaction using a Stored Credential, where the first Transaction included the
CVV2
●
A mail order Transaction where the CVV2 data is captured manually and provided in written form
ID# 0029600 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
10.13.2.4 Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2) Acquirer Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, an Acquirer must be certified as able to send, and receive responses to,
Authorization Requests containing the values for Card Verification Value 2.
ID# 0003845 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.14 Advanced Authorization
10.14.1 Visa Advanced Authorization
10.14.1.1 Visa Advanced Authorization Participation
To implement Visa Advanced Authorization
1
, an Issuer and its processor must comply with the
certification requirements for Visa Advanced Authorization.
PSR-570 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
In the US Region, Visa Advanced Authorization data is provided to all Issuers, and an Issuer is
responsible for Visa Advanced Authorization fees, regardless of whether or not the Issuer uses the
data.
Effective 21 July 2018
In the LAC Region, Issuers must implement a risk-scoring real-time fraud prevention tool and/or
Visa Advanced Authorization and Visa Risk Manager for all products, except Visa Prepaid.
1
A real-time risk management tool that delivers risk data to Issuers in the Authorization Request to aid early fraud detection.
ID# 0008446 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
10.15 Transaction Alerts
10.15.1 Transaction Alerts Requirements
10.15.1.1 Transaction Alerts Services Participation
If an Issuer participates in the Visa Transaction Alerts Service, the Issuer or the Issuer's agent must do
all of the following:
●
Register with Visa by submitting a completed Visa Transaction Alerts Service Participation
Agreement
●
Provide to Visa Account Numbers that are eligible to enroll in the service
●
Disclose to participating Cardholders which Transactions will and will not trigger Cardholder
notification
In the Europe Region, an Issuer that participates in the Visa Alerts Data Feed Service must register with
Visa.
Effective through 30 September 2017
In the US Region, an Issuer must provide its Cardholders the option to participate in a service
that delivers Transaction alerts for Transactions processed on a consumer Card, excluding a Non-
Reloadable Card, and routed as follows:
●
Visa Transactions routed through VisaNet
●
Interlink transactions routed through the Interlink Network
●
Plus transactions routed through the Plus Network
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-571
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Transaction Alerts
Effective 1 October 2017 through 12 October 2018 for the LAC Region and US Region
Effective 13 October 2018 for the Canada Region, LAC Region, and US Region
An Issuer must provide its Cardholders the option to participate in a service that delivers
Transaction alerts for Transactions processed on a consumer Card, excluding a Non-Reloadable
Card, and routed as follows:
●
Visa Transactions routed through VisaNet
●
Plus Transactions routed through the Plus Network
●
In the US Region only, Interlink Transactions routed through the Interlink Network
The Issuer may offer this service either itself, through a VisaNet Processor, a third-party service
provider, or the Visa Transaction Alerts Service.
ID# 0025735 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
10.15.1.2 Visa Alerts Service Participation Requirements – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Issuer that participates in a Visa Alerts Service must do all of the following:
●
Provide to enrolled Cardholders terms and conditions that include all of the following:
– Terms regarding the use of personal data, in compliance with applicable laws or regulations,
including any required explicit consents
– The cancellation policy for Visa Alerts
– The applicable fees for using Visa Alerts
– Details of how to unsubscribe from Visa Alerts
●
Ensure that the Cardholder details communicated to Visa are correct and kept current. This
information must be communicated through the Cardholder enrollment and update interface of
the Visa Alerts Service.
●
Use the Cardholder data collected through the use of the Visa Alerts Service for purposes other
than sending Alerts only if explicit consent has been granted by the Cardholder
●
Include all of the following in the body of the Alert:
– As required by applicable laws or regulations, details of how the Cardholder can unsubscribe
from Visa Alerts
– At least one reference to “Visa”
– At least one of the following data fields:
▪ The last 4 digits of the Account Number
▪ Merchant name
▪ Transaction Amount
PSR-572 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
▪ Transaction Currency
▪ Transaction Date
▪ Transaction time
▪ Balance of the Card account (if provided by the Issuer)
Alerts will not be considered as evidence for dispute resolution.
ID# 0029877 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.16 National Card Recovery File
10.16.1 National Card Recovery File – US Region
10.16.1.1 National Card Recovery File Card Verification Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, a Member, non-Member Authorizing Processor, and their Merchants must use the
National Card Recovery File only as specified in the Card Recovery Bulletin Service (CRB) User's Guide.
ID# 0003851 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.17 Verified by Visa
10.17.1 Verified by Visa General Participation Requirements
10.17.1.1 Verified by Visa Participation Requirements
A Member that participates in Verified by Visa must:
●
Complete the Verified by Visa enrollment process
●
If the Member is a Sponsored Member, obtain permission from its Principal-Type Member
●
As applicable, implement product security measures
●
Effective through 13 October 2017
Ensure that its Verified by Visa components have successfully met the requirements of the Visa 3-D
Secure Vendor Compliance Testing Program
●
Effective 14 October 2017
For 3-D Secure 1.0, ensure that its Verified by Visa components have successfully met the
requirements of the Visa 3-D Secure Vendor Compliance Testing Program
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-573
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Verified by Visa
●
Effective 14 October2017
For 3-D Secure 2.0, ensure that its Verified by Visa components have successfully met the
requirements of the EMVCo 3-D Secure 2.0 Compliance Testing Program and Visa's 3-D Secure 2.0
Test Suite
●
Only use a Digital Certificate issued by or associated with Visa as an Authentication Mechanism for
a Visa product or service
An Issuer must participate in Verified by Visa, as follows:
Table 10-8: Country-Specific Verified by Visa Participation Requirements
Country/Region Applicable Products
Australia Effective through 13 April 2018 in Verified by Visa:
●
Visa credit
1
●
Visa debit
1
●
Reloadable Cards
Effective 14 April 2018 in both Verified by Visa 3-D Secure 1.0 and
Verified by Visa 3-D Secure 2.0:
●
Visa credit
1
●
Visa debit
1
●
Reloadable Cards
Brazil
●
Visa debit
●
Visa Electron
Canada Region Visa Debit Category
India
●
Visa credit
●
Visa debit
●
Reloadable Cards
New Zealand
●
Visa credit
1
●
Visa debit
1
●
Reloadable Cards
Nigeria All products
1
This does not apply to Virtual Accounts associated with Visa Commercial Cards
ID# 0026275 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
PSR-574 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
10.17.2 Verified by Visa Issuer Participation Requirements
10.17.2.1 Issuer Enrollment Server (ES) and Access Control Server (ACS) Security
Requirements
An Issuer that does not operate its own enrollment server (ES) or access control server (ACS) must:
●
Use either the Visa Consumer Authentication Service or an ACS service provider listed on the
VisaGlobal Registry of Service Providers to operate the ES or ACS
●
Immediately notify Visa if the approved ACS service provider is unable to uphold its ACS Security
Program responsibilities
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
ID# 0029040 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
10.17.2.2 Verified by Visa Cardholder Enrollment
During Cardholder enrollment in the Verified by Visa program, an Issuer that participates in Verified by
Visa must use a combination of on-Card and off-Card data.
ID# 0004045 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.17.2.3 Cardholder Authentication Verification Value (CAVV) Requirements
An Issuer that participates in Verified by Visa must:
●
Include a Cardholder Authentication Verification Value (CAVV) in Authentication Confirmations and
Attempt Responses
●
Retain a log of all Authentication Requests and Authentication Records
●
Provide the log to Visa at Arbitration or Compliance
●
Submit a copy of all Verified by Visa Authentication Records
●
Verify the CAVV. If the CAVV is not verified during Authorization by the Issuer or by Visa, the CAVV
is assumed to be valid.
●
In the US Region, provide Visa with its CAVV keys for Stand-In-Processing
Effective through 13 April 2018
In the US Region, if an Issuer does not support Verified by Visa, Visa will respond to an
Authentication Request, on behalf of the Issuer, with an Attempt Response that contains a CAVV.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-575
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Verified by Visa
Effective 14 April 2018
In the AP Region, CanadaRegion, LACRegion, and US Region, for a 3-D Secure 1.0
Authentication Request, if the Issuer does not support Verified by Visa, Visa will respond to an
Authentication Request, on behalf of the Issuer, with an Attempt Response that contains a CAVV.
Effective 12 April 2019
For a 3-D Secure 2.0 Authentication Request, if the Issuer does not support Verified by Visa, Visa
will respond to an Authentication Request, on behalf of the Issuer, with an Attempt Response that
contains a CAVV.
ID# 0008807 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
10.17.2.4 Verified by Visa Unable-to-Authenticate Response Conditions
An Issuer responding to an Authentication Request with an Unable-to-Authenticate Response must do
so only under one or more of the following conditions:
●
The Issuer experiences technical problems that prevent a timely response.
●
Authentication data received from the Merchant does not comply with the 3-D Secure
Specification.
●
The Transaction is attempted with a Non-Reloadable Visa Prepaid Card.
ID# 0006914 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
10.17.2.5 Verified by Visa Issuer Requirements – AP Region (China)
In the APRegion (China), an Issuer must ensure that its Verified by Visa program provides a dynamic
Authentication Mechanism to Cardholderssuch that the data elements used in one Transaction cannot
be reused in another Transaction within a pre-defined time frame.
ID# 0025711 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
10.17.2.6 Verified by Visa Issuer Requirements – AP Region (India)
In the AP Region (India), an Issuer must authorize only a domestic Electronic Commerce Transaction
with an Electronic Commerce Indicator 5 (Secure Electronic Commerce Transaction).
ID# 0026539 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
PSR-576 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
10.17.2.7 Verified by Visa Issuer Requirements – CEMEA Region (Nigeria)
ID# 0004447 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
10.17.3 Verified by Visa Acquirer and Merchant Participation Requirements
10.17.3.1 Verified by Visa Acquirer and Merchant Participation Requirements
An Acquirer must use Electronic Commerce Indicator 5 or 6 in the Clearing Record only if the
Authorization Request included the Cardholder Authentication Verification Value (for ECI 6, if provided
by the Issueror Visa).
ID# 0004616 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
10.17.3.2 Electronic Commerce Authentication Data Prohibitions – US Region
In the US Region, in an Authorization Request, an Electronic Commerce Merchant must not transmit
Authentication Data specific to one Transaction with another Transaction, except when either:
●
Two Transactions are related due to a partial prepayment.
●
All items of an order cannot be shipped at the same time.
ID# 0004636 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
10.17.3.3 Electronic Commerce Indicator Requirement for High-Risk Merchants – US
Region
In the US Region, an Acquirer must ensure that its Merchant that participates in Verified by Visa
transmits an Electronic Commerce Indicator 7 (Non-Authenticated Security Transaction) in the
Authorization Request and Clearing Record for fully authenticated Transactions and attempted
authentication Transactions within 30 days of Notification from Visa that the Merchant is identified in
theVisa Chargeback Monitoring Program.
This condition also applies if the Merchant enables Verified by Visa while identified in the Visa
Chargeback Monitoring Program.
ID# 0004611 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-577
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Credit Bureau Reporting
10.17.4 Use of Visa Authentication Technology
10.17.4.1 Verified by Visa Authentication Technology Use
Effective 22 July 2017
Verified by Visa authentication technology must be used solely for the purpose of facilitating
a Visa Transaction or Visa Electron Transaction, as applicable. Any other use requires the prior
written permission of Visa.
Verified by Visa authentication technology includes, but is not limited to, the following:
●
Visa Directory Server
●
Visa Attempts Access Control Server (AACS)
●
Digital Certificates issued or signed by Verified by Visa Certificate Authority
●
Verified by Visa Cardholder Authentication Verification Value (CAVV)
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
ID# 0029539 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
10.18 Credit Bureau Reporting
10.18.1 Credit Bureau Reporting – US Region
10.18.1.1 Credit Bureau Reporting Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer must report all Visa Consumer Credit Card accounts to at least one credit
reporting bureau and comply with the reporting requirements.
An Issuer must report primary Cardholder data through electronic transmission to a credit bureau by
billing cycle, within 2 business days of the billing cycle end date.
An Issuer must report primary Cardholder payment information to a credit bureau using B2 Segment
data, unless it is already reporting B3 Segment data.
An Issuer must report data for its primary Cardholders in the following fields of the Associated Credit
Bureaus Metro format:
●
Full first name, last name, and middle initial
●
Generation code (abbreviations such as "Jr.," "Sr.," "II," "III")
PSR-578 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Social Security number
●
Valid and complete address
●
Valid and complete city, state, and ZIP code
●
Date of birth
ID# 0003223 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.18.1.2 Delinquent Account Reporting – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer must report to a credit bureau as delinquent an account that is 2 payments
past due (30 days delinquent).
An Issuer must use the Metro ratings in the standard format specified. If the delinquency progresses,
the Issuer must use the standard Metro status code format until the account is charged off, at which
time the Issuer must reflect the appropriate charge-off code.
ID# 0003224 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.18.1.3 Designated Agent for Credit Bureau Interface – US Region
In the US Region, an Issuer designates Visa, Integrated Solutions Concepts, Inc., or their designee to
act on the Issuer's behalf as an agent of the Issuer to do all of the following:
●
Establish credit bureau reporting standards
●
Monitor credit bureau data
●
Contract with credit bureaus to receive data and reports for both:
– Monitoring their handling of Issuer data
– Comparing that data to Visa-specified credit bureau reporting standards
ID# 0001900 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
10.21 Visa Merchant Alert Service
10.21.1 Visa Merchant Alert Service – Europe Region
10.21.1.1 Acquirer Participation in the Visa Merchant Alert Service – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer must participate in the Visa Merchant Alert Service, unless
prohibited by applicable laws and regulations.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-579
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Fraud Detection Systems
The Acquirer must do all of the following:
●
Before signing a Merchant Agreement, request information about the Merchant through the Visa
Merchant Alert Service. The Acquirer must not refuse to enter into a Merchant Agreement based
solely on information held in the Visa Merchant Alert Service.
●
Notify the Merchant in writing, at the beginning of the Acquirer’s relationship with the Merchant,
that if the Merchant Agreement is terminated for cause by Visa or the Acquirer, then the Merchant
may be listed on the Visa Merchant Alert Service
●
Notify the Merchant in writing if either or both:
– The Acquirer terminates the Merchant Agreement.
– The Acquirer has listed the Merchant in the Visa Merchant Alert Service. The Acquirer must
inform the Merchant of its rights under applicable Data Protection legislation, including subject
right of access.
●
List complete information for each Merchant terminated for cause on the Visa Merchant Alert
Service by the end of the business day following the day that written notification was sent to the
Merchant
●
Retain Merchant Agreement termination information as listed on the Visa Merchant Alert Service
●
Provide assistance to an enquiring Member as to the reasons for listing the Merchant
●
Pay all associated fees
●
In the Europe Region (Estonia), list fraudulent Merchants on the National Merchant Alert List
Visa provides the Visa Merchant Alert Service and will ensure that it complies with those requirements
of the Guidelines for Terminated Merchant Databases (approved by the Article 29 – Data Protection
Working Party) that are allocated to the database operator, as may be amended from time to time.
Visa may impose a non-compliance assessment each time that an Acquirer fails to list a Merchant on
the Visa Merchant Alert Service.
ID# 0029603 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
10.22 Fraud Detection Systems
10.22.1 Fraud Detection Systems – Europe Region
10.22.1.1 Issuer Requirements Relating to Fraud Detection Systems – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Issuer must subscribe to and actively participate in one of the following:
●
A fraud detection system provided by Visa
PSR-580 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
An equivalent authorization scoring neural network or rules-based system approved by Visa
An Issuer that does not comply may be subject to a non-compliance assessment.
ID# 0029605 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-581
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Risk
Fraud Detection Systems
PSR-582 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
11 Dispute Resolution
11.1 Chargebacks and Representments
11.1.1 Member Responsibilities for Dispute Resolution
11.1.1.1 Mutual Assistance Between Members
A Member must attempt to offer mutual assistance to other Members to resolve disputes between
both:
●
Its Cardholder and another Member's Merchant
●
Its Merchant and another Member's Cardholder
If a Cardholder or Merchant accepts financial liability for a Transaction, its Member must reimburse the
other Member directly.
ID# 0003250 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
11.1.1.2 Issuer Responsibilities to Cardholders for Dispute Resolution
An Issuer must resolve Cardholder disputes under the Visa Rules by extending to Cardholders all
protections provided on any Visa Card under applicable laws or regulations and by utilizing the Issuer's
customary practices to resolve Cardholder disputes, regardless of which type of Visa Card was used.
1
Thus, the resolution of such Cardholder disputes will be the same in similar circumstances regardless
of which type of Visa Card was used. The foregoing applies only with respect to Transactions on Cards
using the Visa Brand Mark, not to Transactions using any other payment card brand even if such brand
is on the Visa Card.
1
An Issuer must establish enhanced customer support practices to service Visa Signature, Visa Signature Preferred, and Visa
Infinite Cardholders during the dispute resolution process.
ID# 0003557 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-583
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
11.1.2 Use of Visa Systems
11.1.2.1 Use of Visa Systems for Dispute Processing
A Member must use VisaNet to process a Chargeback or Representment.
1
This requirement does not
apply to domestic Interchange processed under a Private Agreement.
A Member must use Visa Resolve Online or the Electronic Documentation Transfer Method to do all of
the following:
●
Respond to a Retrieval Request
2
●
Send Chargeback, Representment, Arbitration, or Compliance documentation
●
Make a pre-Arbitration or pre-Compliance attempt
●
Process a pre-Arbitration or pre-Compliance response
●
File an Arbitration or Compliance case
3
●
Withdraw an Arbitration or Compliance case
●
File an appeal of an Arbitration or Compliance
An Issuer or Acquirer must provide documentation for a Chargeback or Representment in English or
provide translations of any non-English documentation.
1
In the Europe Region, thisrule does not apply. Where a Member uses Visa for processing, as specified in Section 1.1.1.2,
“Applicability of Processing Rules – Europe Region,” it must refer to Visa Europe Operating Regulations – Processing.
2
A Response to Retrieval Request reason code 27 (Healthcare Auto-substantiation Request) must not be processed using
Visa Resolve Online.
3
A Member must not combine more than 10 dispute Transactions in the same case. The Account Number, Acquirer,
Merchant name, Merchant location, and dispute reason code must be the same in each dispute.
ID# 0003271 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.1.2.2 Visa Right to Grant Exceptions to Dispute Processing Requirements
If a Member misses a deadline or does not submit documentation electronically because of Visa back
office service platform failure, Visa may negate the impact by granting an exception to Visa dispute
processing deadlines or documentation requirements.
ID# 0027132 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-584 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
11.1.3 Retrieval Request and Fulfillment
11.1.3.1 Retrieval Request Data Requirements
Effective for Transactions completed through 21 April 2017
An Issuer must use one of the codes in Table 11-1, “Retrieval Request Reason Codes,” when
requesting a Transaction Receipt copyor Substitute Transaction Receipt:
Effective for Transactions completed on or after 22 April 2017
An Issuer must use one of the codes in Table 11-1, “Retrieval Request Reason Codes,” when
requesting a Transaction Receipt copy:
Table 11-1: Retrieval Request Reason Codes
Request Reason for Copy Request Code
Request for copy bearing signature
1
28
Cardholder request due to dispute 30
Fraud analysis request 33
Legal process request 34
1
Not applicable to aVehicle-Specific Fleet Card Transaction.
If the Transaction contained a paymentToken, the Issuer must include the payment Token in the
Retrieval Request.
ID# 0003255 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
11.1.3.2 Retrieval Request Fulfillment Requirements
Effective for Transactions completed through 21 April 2017
To fulfill a Retrieval Request, an Acquirer must provide the documentation specified in Table 11-2,
“Fulfillment Types,” within 30 days of receipt of the Retrieval Request.
Table 11-2: Fulfillment Types
Transaction Type Fulfillment Type
Face-to-Face Environment
Transaction
The Merchant or Acquirer copy of the Transaction Receipt bearing the
signature that was used to verify the Cardholder
T&E Transaction All of the following:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-585
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Transaction Type Fulfillment Type
●
A copy of the Transaction Receipt or a Substitute Transaction Receipt
●
Card Imprint, if available
●
Cardholder signature, if available
●
T&E Document, if applicable
Preauthorized Health Care
Transaction
In the US Region, a copy of the Order Form
Card-Absent Environment
Transaction
A Substitute Transaction Receipt
Credit Transaction For a Transaction involving a Memberin the Europe Region, a log
indicating that the Credit Transaction has been processed to the Card
Account Number
For a Transaction not involving a Member in the Europe Region, a log
indicating that the Credit Transaction has been processed for the same
Cardholder
Effective for Transactions completed through 21 April 2017
A Fulfillment must comply with all of the following:
●
Be legible enough for the Cardholder to read or for the Issuer to identify the Account Number
or paymentToken
●
Include either:
–
The unique 12-digit identifier assigned by VisaNet
1
to a request for a Transaction Receipt
copy
– In the Europe Region, the Copy Request Identifier
●
Inthe US Region, for aDomestic Transaction, include a unique 9-digit control number
assigned by the Issuer to identify the source of the request
1
A Nonfulfillment Message must also identify the reason for nonfulfillment using one of the
following reasons:
●
Invalid Request: Incorrect Account Number
●
Invalid Request: Not a valid Acquirer Reference Number
●
Item could not be located – Chargeback
●
Acquirer will not fulfil – Chargeback
●
Transaction Receipt not required or previously fulfilled
PSR-586 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Effective for Transactions completed through 21 April 2017
An Acquirer may send a Nonfulfillment Message only for one of the following:
●
A Retrieval Request that is received later than the Transaction Receipt retention period
specified in Section 5.10.2, “Transaction Receipt Retention Period”
●
A Transaction type specified in Table 11-3, “Retrieval Request - Invalid Transaction Types”
Table 11-3: Retrieval Request – Invalid Transaction Types
Region Invalid Transaction Type
All
●
An ATM Transaction
●
An Unattended Transaction
●
A Visa Easy Payment Service Transaction
2
●
An EMV PIN Transaction
●
A Contactless Transaction in which a PIN was used
3
●
A Transaction in which a Consumer Device Cardholder Verification Method
(CDCVM) was used
3
●
A T&E Transaction that contains all required enhanced data in the Clearing Record
Canada Region
●
A domestic Card-present Transaction with signature verification, made at a
Compliant Chip Card Reading Device with a compliant PIN-entry devicecapable of
both of the following:
– Processing full data through VisaNet
– Supporting plaintext and enciphered offline PIN at POS, or enciphered online
PIN at ATMs as set out in Chip Specifications
●
A Straight ThroughProcessing Transaction
LAC Region A Brazil Domestic Transaction that is one of the following:
●
A Chip-initiated Transaction
●
A Magnetic Stripe-read Transaction with PIN Verification
●
A Magnetic Stripe-read Transaction at a Chip-Reading Device
●
A Contactless Payment Transaction
●
A manual or key-entered Transaction
●
An Installment Transaction, except for the first Installment Transaction
●
A Card-Absent Environment Transaction
●
A Transaction under BRL 15
US Region
●
A Straight Through Processing Transaction
●
A Visa Large Purchase Advantage Transaction
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-587
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Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Region Invalid Transaction Type
1
In the US Region, thisdoes not apply to a copy request for an Intraregional Healthcare Auto-Substantiation
Transaction.
2
In the Europe Region, thisdoes not apply.
3
This does not apply to a Retrieval Request for a T&E Transaction, Manual Cash Disbursement, or Quasi-Cash
Transaction.
Effective for Transactions completed on or after 22 April 2017
An Acquirer must fulfill a Retrieval Request if all of the following apply:
●
The Retrieval Request is received within 120 calendar days from the Processing Date
●
The Transaction occurred in a Face-to-Face Environment
●
The Acquirer or Merchant is required to obtain Cardholder signature for the Transaction
To fulfill a Retrieval Request, an Acquirer must provide documentation within 30 days of receipt of
the Retrieval Request, as follows:
●
The Merchant or Acquirer copy of the Transaction Receipt bearing the signature that was used
to verify the Cardholder. An Acquirer may reproduce the Cardholder signature obtained using
an electronic capture device.
●
In the US Region, for Preauthorized Health Care Transaction, a copy of the Order Form
A Fulfillment must comply with all of the following:
●
Be legible enough for the Cardholder to read or for the Issuer to identify the Account Number
or paymentToken
●
Include either:
–
The unique 12-digit identifier assigned by VisaNet
1
to a request for a Transaction Receipt
copy
– In the Europe Region, the Copy Request Identifier
●
In the US Region, for aDomestic Transaction, include a unique 9-digit control number
assigned by the Issuer to identify the source of the request
1
An Acquirer may send a Nonfulfillment Message for a Transaction specified in Table 11-4,
“Retrieval Request - Allowable Nonfulfillment Transaction Types”
Table 11-4: Retrieval Request – Allowable Nonfulfillment Transaction Types
Region Invalid Transaction Type
All Any Transaction for which the Issuer received a signed Transaction Receipt
through the Visa Merchant Purchase Inquiry system
PSR-588 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Visa Product and Service Rules
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VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Region Invalid Transaction Type
Canada Region A Domestic Transaction in a Card-Present Environment with signature verification
that occurred at a Compliant Chip Card Reading Device with a compliant PIN-
entry device
LAC Region A Brazil Domestic Transaction
US Region A Visa Large Purchase Advantage Transaction
1
In the US Region, this does not applyto a copy request for an Intraregional Healthcare Auto-Substantiation Transaction.
ID# 0027839 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
11.1.3.3 Chargeback and Representment Rights Following Retrieval Request
An Issuer may initiate a Chargeback for the applicable Chargeback reason code if any of the following
apply:
●
The Acquirer did not respond to a Retrieval Request within 30 calendar days of the request.
●
The Acquirer sent a Nonfulfillment Message.
●
The Acquirer did not send a valid or correct Fulfillment.
If a Retrieval Request is required for the reason code, a Representment is invalid if any of the following
apply:
●
The Acquirer did not respond to the Retrieval Request.
●
The Acquirer responded with a Nonfulfillment Message code 03 or 04.
●
The Acquirer provided a Fulfillment that did not contain all the required data elements.
ID# 0003264 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
11.1.3.4 Required Content for Retrieval Requests
A Retrieval Request must contain all of the following data:
●
Acquirer Reference Number
●
Account Number
●
Transaction Date of original Presentment
●
Merchant Category Code (MCC)
●
Either the Transaction Amount in the Transaction Currency or a complete description of the
Merchant’s business
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-589
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
●
Applicable Retrieval Request reason code
ID# 0029804 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.4 Dispute Amount
11.1.4.1 Chargeback Amount
The Issuer must charge back in the Billing Currency
1
for either:
●
Actual billed amount
●
Partial Transaction amount equal to the disputed amount
For a Transaction completed in a jurisdiction where surcharging is permitted, the Issuer may include
the surcharge amount in the Chargeback amount. For partial Chargebacks, any surcharge amount
must be pro-rated.
1
In Venezuela, for an International Transaction, must be in either the Transaction Currency or the Issuer's Settlement Currency
ID# 0003297 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2015
11.1.4.2 Minimum Chargeback Amounts
Minimum Chargeback amounts apply as follows:
Table 11-5: Minimum Chargeback Amount
Transaction Type Applicable Chargeback
Reason Code
Minimum
Chargeback Amount
Country Region
T&E All except the
followingChargeback
reason codes:
●
62
●
75
1
●
85, condition 3
●
90
●
93
USD 25 (or local
currency equivalent)
2
All
PSR-590 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Transaction Type Applicable Chargeback
Reason Code
Minimum
Chargeback Amount
Country Region
Effective for
Chargebacks processed
through 13 October
2017
T&E
All GBP 20 (or local currency
equivalent)
Domestic Transaction
in the Europe Region
(United Kingdom)
Automated Fuel
Dispenser
Reason code 81 USD 10 (or local
currency equivalent)
All excluding
Transactions involving a
Memberin the Europe
Region
Effective for
Transactions completed
through 13 April 2018
All
Reason code 62
condition 2
USD 25 Domestic Transaction in
the US Region
Unattended Reason code 81
condition 3 (if a PIN-
Preferring Chip Card was
used)
EUR 25 Domestic Transaction
in the Europe Region
(United Kingdom)
1
In the US Region, a USD 25 minimum amount applies to Domestic Transactions.
2
In the Europe Region, the minimum amount does not apply to V PAY Transactions.
ID# 0028014 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.1.4.3 Representment Amount
For a Representment, the Representment amount field
1
must contain one of the following:
●
The same amount in the same Transaction Currency as in the original Presentment
●
Partial Transaction amount to remedy the Chargeback
●
The same or corrected amount in the Settlement Currency as received by the Acquirer for the
Chargeback
1
In Venezuela, must be in VEF
ID# 0003305 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2015
11.1.4.4 Currency Conversion Difference
If the Transaction Currency and the Billing Currency are different, VisaNet converts the Transaction
amount to the Billing Currency using the Currency Conversion Rate.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-591
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
The Acquirer is liable for any difference between the Chargeback amount and the Representment
amount.
The Issuer is liable for any difference between the amount originally presented and the Representment
amount.
ID# 0003306 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
11.1.5 Chargeback Rights and Restrictions
11.1.5.1 Transaction Chargeback Method
An Issuer must separately charge back each Transaction.
This does not apply in the Europe Region for either:
●
A Chargeback using reason code 83 that may contain up to 25 low-value Transactions, if all of the
following apply:
– The Chargeback uses the Acquirer Reference Number/Tracing Data of the earliest Transaction.
– Each Transaction relates to the same Account Number, Acquirer, Merchant name and Merchant
Outlet.
– Fraud activity is reported through the Visa Scheme Processor using an applicable fraud type
code for each Transaction.
– Each Transaction Amount is equal to or less than EUR 25 (or local currency equivalent).
– The total cumulative value of Transactions is less than or equal to EUR 250 (or local currency
equivalent).
– All of the Transactions appear on a summary of low-value fraudulent Transactions, as set out in
the Dispute Resolution Form.
●
For Sweden Domestic Transactions, a Chargeback using reason code 81 condition 1 that may
contain multiple Unattended Transactions if all Transactions relate to the same Account Number,
Acquirer, and Merchant
ID# 0003570 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
11.1.5.2 ATM Cash Disbursement Chargeback Eligibility
An Issuer may charge back an ATM Cash Disbursement only for the following Chargeback reason
codes:
●
62 (Counterfeit Transaction), excluding condition 3
●
74 (Late Presentment)
PSR-592 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
76 (Incorrect Currency or Transaction Code or Domestic Transaction Processing Violation)
●
82 (Duplicate Processing)
●
90 (Non-Receipt of Cash or Load Transaction Value at ATM or Load Device)
ID# 0028015 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
11.1.5.3 Inclusion of Token in Chargeback
An Issuer that charges back a Transaction that contains a paymentToken must include the
paymentToken in the Chargeback.
ID# 0029109 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.6 Chargeback Processing Requirements
11.1.6.1 Responsibility for Merchandise Held by a Customs Agency
For Chargeback reason codes 30, 53, and 85, a Merchant is responsible for merchandise held in a
customs agency, as follows:
Table 11-6: Merchant Responsibility for Merchandise Held by a Customs Agency
Location of Customs Agency Chargeback Reason Code/Condition
Any country except theCardholder's country 30
TheMerchant's country 53 (conditions 1, 2, 3, 6)
85 (condition 2)
Any country 53 (condition 5)
ID# 0028017 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
11.1.6.2 Minimum Cardholder Letter Requirements
If the Chargeback requires an Issuer to provide an Acquirer with a signed Cardholder letter denying
authorization or participation in a Transaction, the Cardholder letter must include all of the following:
●
Cardholder's complete or partial Account Number
●
Merchant name(s)
●
Transaction amount(s)
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-593
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Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
In lieu of a signed Cardholder letter, an Issuer may provide the certification on behalf of the
Cardholder as specified in Table 11-7, “Cardholder Letter - Required Issuer Documentation.”
Table 11-7: Cardholder Letter – Required Issuer Documentation
Certification Method Required Issuer Documentation
Secure Online Banking All of the following:
●
A document containing all of the following:
– Cardholder's complete or partial Account
Number
– Merchant name(s)
– Transaction Amount
●
The unique identity
1
●
Issuer certification that the unique identity
represents the Cardholder's signature
Secure Telephone Banking for a Transaction not
exceeding USD 1,000 (or local currency equivalent)
or, in the Europe Region, EUR 1,000 (or local currency
equivalent)
All of the following in the Visa Resolve Online
Questionnaire or Dispute Resolution Form:
●
The date and time of the call
●
Issuer certification that the information was
received from the Cardholder using the same level
of security needed to complete a transfer of funds
to another financial institution
●
In the Europe Region, the name of the Issuer’s
representative who responded to the call (if
available)
1
Any method used by the Cardholder that establishes a unique identity through use of a password and/or other log-on
identification method is considered a valid representation of the Cardholder signature.
ID# 0004139 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.1.6.3 Issuer Processing Requirements
On or before the Chargeback Processing Date, an Issuer must take the actions described in Table 11-8,
“Issuer Processing Requirements by Chargeback Condition,” for the Chargeback conditions shown:
Table 11-8: Issuer Processing Requirements by Chargeback Condition
Chargeback Reason Code/ConditionAction
62 71 81 83
Close the Cardholder Account
1,2
All 1,3,4 1
PSR-594 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Chargeback Reason Code/ConditionAction
62 71 81 83
List the Account Number on the Exception File
with a Pickup Response for a minimum of X
calendar days
1,2
All 3 1,3,4 1
Report the Fraud Activity through VisaNet 3 1,2,4 All
Report the Fraud Activity through VisaNet
using fraud type codes 0, 1, or 2
3
Report the Fraud Activity through VisaNet
using fraud type code 4
All
1
In the Canada Region, this does not apply to a Transaction that uses a merchant provided contactless device that
contains no Visa account information but is tied to a Visa Cardholder account for Transaction billing purposes.
2
For a Transaction that contains a payment Token, the Issuer is not required to close the Cardholder Account or list the
Account Number on the Exception File, but it must deactivate the payment Token.
ID# 0028018 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
11.1.7 Time Limits
11.1.7.1 Chargeback Time Limit
A Chargeback must be processed according to the time limit specified in Table 11-9, “Chargeback Time
Limits.”
The Chargeback time limit begins on the calendar day following the Transaction Processing Date.
Table 11-9: Chargeback Time Limits
Reason Code Chargeback Description Time Limit
(calendar
days)
30 Services Not Provided or Merchandise Not Received
120
1
41 Cancelled Recurring Transaction 120
53 Not as Described or Defective Merchandise
120
1
57 Fraudulent Multiple Transactions 120
62 Counterfeit Transaction 120
70 Card Recovery Bulletin or Exception File 75
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-595
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Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Reason Code Chargeback Description Time Limit
(calendar
days)
71 Declined Authorization 75
72 No Authorization 75
73 Expired Card 75
74 Late Presentment 120
75 Transaction Not Recognized 120
76 Incorrect Currency or Transaction Code or Domestic Transaction Processing
Violation
120
77 Non-Matching Account Number 75
78 Service Code Violation 75
80 Incorrect Transaction Amount or Account Number 120
81 Fraud – Card-Present Environment 120
82 Duplicate Processing 120
83 Fraud – Card-Absent Environment 120
85 Credit Not Processed
120
1
86 Paid by Other Means 120
90 Non-Receipt of Cash or Load Transaction Value at ATM or Load Device 120
93 Visa Fraud Monitoring Program
120
1
1
Unless otherwise specified in the reason code
ID# 0003288 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.7.2 Representment Time Limit
An Acquirer must process a Representment within 45 calendar days
1,2,3,4
of the Chargeback Processing
Date. If applicable, the Acquirer must allow 5 calendar days
5
from the Chargeback Processing Date for
receipt of documentation from the Issuer.
The time limit begins on the calendar day following the Chargeback Processing Date.
1
In the CEMEA Region (Nigeria), for adomestic POS Transaction, 5 business days, fora domestic ATM Transaction, 3 business
days
2
In the CEMEA Region (Egypt), for adomestic ATM Transaction, for Chargeback reason codes 82 and 90, 10 calendar days
PSR-596 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Visa Product and Service Rules
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VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
3
In the AP Region (India), for adomestic ATM Transaction, for Chargeback reason codes 82 and 90, 6 calendar days
4
In the Europe Region (Poland), for a domestic ATM Transaction, for Chargeback reason code 90, 20 calendar days
5
In the CEMEA Region (Nigeria), for a domestic POS Transaction, 3 business days, fora domestic ATM Transaction, 1 business
day
ID# 0004110 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
11.1.7.3 Chargeback or Representment Documentation Submission Time Limit
A Member must send Chargeback or Representment documentation within 5 calendar days
1
of the
Processing Date of the Chargeback or Representment, as applicable.
1
In the CEMEA Region (Nigeria), for aDomestic Transaction, 3 calendar days
ID# 0003272 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
11.1.8 Representment Processing Requirements
11.1.8.1 Return of Same Reason Code in Representment
An Acquirer must return the same reason code in the Representment that was received in the
Chargeback Clearing Record.
ID# 0003304 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
11.1.8.2 Representment Processing Requirements
To process a Representment, an Acquirer must provide the Member message text and supporting
documentation or certification, as follows:
Table 11-10: General Representment Processing Requirements
Representment Condition Applicable
Reason Code
Member Message Text Supporting Documentation/
Certification
A credit, Reversal, or, for
reason code 76 condition 5, a
Reversal or an adjustment was
processed.
All As applicable:
●
CRED MMDDYY
ARN X...X (23 or 24
digits)
●
REVERSAL MMDDYY
●
ADJUSTMENT/
CREDIT MMDDYY
None required
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-597
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Representment Condition Applicable
Reason Code
Member Message Text Supporting Documentation/
Certification
The Issuer did not meet
the applicable Chargeback
conditions.
All X...X (Specify the reason) None required unless
otherwise specified under the
Chargeback reason code
The Acquirer or Originating
Member can remedy the
Chargeback.
All See Chargeback reason code
The Acquirer can provide
Compelling Evidence.
30, 53, 76,
1
81, 83
None required Both:
●
Visa Resolve Online
Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
Compelling Evidence
1
Does not apply in the Europe Region
ID# 0028020 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
11.1.8.3 Use of Compelling Evidence
An Acquirer may submit Compelling Evidence at the time of Representment, as follows:
Table 11-11: Allowable Compelling Evidence
Applicable Chargeback
Reason Code
Item #
Allowable Compelling Evidence
1
30 53 76 81 83
1 Evidence, such as photographs or emails, to prove a link
between the person receiving the merchandise or services and
the Cardholder, or to prove that the Cardholder disputing the
Transaction is in possession of the merchandise and/or is using
the merchandise or services
X X X X
2 For a Card-Absent Environment Transaction in which the
merchandise is collected from the Merchant location, any of the
following:
●
Cardholder signature on the pick-up form
●
Copy of identification presented by the Cardholder
,2
●
Details of identification presented by the Cardholder
X X X
PSR-598 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Applicable Chargeback
Reason Code
Item #
Allowable Compelling Evidence
1
30 53 76 81 83
3 For a Card-Absent Environment Transaction in which the
merchandise is delivered, documentation (evidence of delivery
and time delivered) that the item was delivered to the same
physical address for which the Merchant received an AVS match
of Y or M. A signature is not required as evidence of delivery.
X X X
4 For an Electronic Commerce Transaction representing the
sale of digital goods downloaded from a Merchant's website
or application, description of the merchandise or services
successfully downloaded, the date and time such merchandise
or services were downloaded, and 2 or more of the following:
●
Purchaser's IP address and the device geographical location
at the date and time of the Transaction
●
Device ID number and name of device (if available)
●
Purchaser's name and email address linked to the customer
profile held by the Merchant
●
Evidence that the profile set up by the purchaser on
the Merchant's website or application was accessed by
the purchaser and has been successfully verified by the
Merchant before the Transaction Date
●
Proof that the Merchant's website or application was
accessed by the Cardholder for merchandise or services on
or after the Transaction Date
●
Evidence that the same device and Card used in the
disputed Transaction were used in any previous Transaction
that was not disputed
X X X
5 For a Transaction in which merchandise was delivered to a
business address, evidence that the merchandise was delivered
and that, at the time of delivery, the Cardholder was working
for the company at that address. A signature is not required as
evidence of delivery.
X X X
6 For a Mail/Phone Order Transaction, a signed order form X X
7 For a passenger transport Transaction, evidence that the
services were provided and any of the following:
●
Proof that the ticket was received at the Cardholder’s billing
address
●
Evidence that the ticket or boarding pass was scanned at
the gate
X X X
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-599
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Applicable Chargeback
Reason Code
Item #
Allowable Compelling Evidence
1
30 53 76 81 83
●
Details of frequent flyer miles relating to the disputed
Transaction that were earned or redeemed, including
address and telephone number, that establish a link to the
Cardholder
●
Evidence of any of the following additional Transactions
related to the original Transaction: purchase of seat
upgrades, payment for extra baggage, or purchases made
on board the passenger transport
8 For an Airline Transaction involving a Memberin the Europe
Region, evidence showing that the name is included in the
manifest for the departed flight and matches the name
provided on the purchased itinerary
X X
9 For a T&E Transaction, evidence that the services were provided
and either:
●
Details of loyalty program rewards earned and/or redeemed
including address and telephone number that establish a
link to the Cardholder
●
Evidence that an additional Transaction or Transactions
related to the original Transaction, such as the purchase
of T&E service upgrades or subsequent purchases made
throughout the T&E service period, were not disputed
X X X
10 Effective for Chargebacks processed on or after 14 April 2018
For a virtual Card Transaction at a Lodging Merchant, evidence
of the Issuer’s payment instruction sent through Visa Payables
Automation, containing all of the following:
●
Issuer statement confirming approved use of the Card at
the Lodging Merchant
●
Account Number
●
Guest name
●
Name of the company (requestor) and either their phone
number, fax number, or email address
X X
11 For a Card-Absent Environment Transaction, evidence that the
Transaction used an IP address, email address, physical address,
and telephone number that had been used in a previous,
undisputed Transaction
X X
12 Evidence that the Transaction was completed by a member of
the Cardholder's household or family
X X
PSR-600 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Applicable Chargeback
Reason Code
Item #
Allowable Compelling Evidence
1
30 53 76 81 83
13 Evidence that the person who signed for the merchandise
was authorized to sign for the Cardholder or is known by the
Cardholder
X
14 Evidence of one or more non-disputed payments for the same
merchandise or service
X X
15 For a Recurring Transaction, all of the following:
●
Evidence of a legally binding contract held between the
Merchant and the Cardholder
●
Proof the Cardholder is using the merchandise or services
●
Evidence of a previous Transaction that was not disputed
X X
16 For a Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) Transaction not
involving a Member in the Europe Region, both:
●
Evidence that the Cardholder actively chose DCC, such as a
copy of the Transaction Receipt showing a checked "accept"
box or evidence that the DCC solution requires electronic
selection by the Cardholder and choice could not be made
by the Merchant's representative
●
A statement from the Acquirer confirming that DCC choice
was made by the Cardholder and not by the Merchant
X
17 In the Europe Region, evidence that the Cardholder has been
compensated for the value of the merchandise or services
through another method
X X
18 In the Europe Region, evidence that the initial Transaction to
set up a wallet was completed using Verified by Visa but any
subsequent Transaction from the wallet that was not completed
using Verified by Visa contained all wallet-related Transaction
data
X
1
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer may present Compelling Evidence not listed in this table.
2
A Merchant must not require positive identification as a condition of Card acceptance, unless it is required or permitted
elsewhere in the Visa Rules.
ID# 0027267 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-601
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
11.1.8.4 Intercompany Chargeback Process for Visa Easy Payment Service (VEPS) and
Small Ticket Transactions
Effective through 13 April 2018
For a Visa Easy Payment Service Transaction, Visa will pay in lieu of an Acquirer for a Chargeback
received from an Issuerin the Europe Regionif:
●
The MCC is invalid for a Small Ticket Transaction in the Europe Region.
●
Visa confirms that the Transaction is eligible for Chargeback in the Europe Region.
ID# 0025699 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.1.9 Chargeback Reason Codes
11.1.9.1 Reason Code Table Format
The Chargeback reason codes are organized in tables to show the applicable Chargeback condition
and geographical scope for different rules.
The reason code tables consist of 3 columns. The first column typically shows the applicable
Chargeback condition or Representment condition and, for processing requirements, the applicable
member message text. The second column contains the rule language and the third column specifies
the country or region for which the rule is applicable.
The following conventions apply:
●
The word "General" in the first column of the table indicates that the rule may apply to any
Chargeback condition for that reason code.
●
If a Chargeback condition number is specified in the first column, the rule applies only to
Chargebacks that are subject to that condition. The rule applies in addition to any applicable rules
shown as "General."
●
The third column shows the country or region for which the rule is applicable, using labels, as
follows:
Table 11-12: Chargeback Country/Region Descriptions
Country/Region Label Description
All The rule applies to a Transaction between Members anywhere in the
world.
All excluding Europe The rule applies only to a Transaction that does not involve a Member
in the Europe Region.
PSR-602 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Country/Region Label Description
Europe and Interregional including
Europe
The rule applies to both:
●
A Transaction in the Europe Region
●
An Interregional Transaction between a Member outside the
Europe Regionand aMember in the Europe Region.
[Region names] Interregional The rule applies only to an Interregional Transaction between the
named Visa Regions (for example: a rule labeled as “Canada/US
Interregional” applies only to an Interregional Transaction between
the Canada Region and the US Region).
[Region name] The rule applies only to a Transaction within the named Visa Region
(for example: a rule labeled as “AP” applies only to an Intraregional or
Domestic Transaction in the AP Region).
[Country name] Domestic The rule applies only to a Domestic Transaction within the named
country (for example: a rule labeled as “Brazil Domestic” applies only
to a Domestic Transaction in Brazil).
ID# 0027784 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
11.1.10 Chargeback Reason Code 30 – Services Not Provided or Merchandise Not
Received
11.1.10.1 Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 30
Table 11-13: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 30
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 30
Country/
Region
1 The Cardholder participated in the Transaction but the Cardholder or an
authorized person did not receive the merchandise or services because
the Merchant or Prepaid Partner was unwilling or unable to provide the
merchandise or services.
All
ID# 0007461 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-603
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
11.1.10.2 Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 30
Table 11-14: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 30
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 30
Country/
Region
General
●
The Chargeback amount is limited to the portion of services or
merchandise not received.
●
Before the Issuer may initiate the Chargeback, the Cardholder must
attempt to resolve the dispute with the Merchant or the Merchant's
liquidator.
All
General For a Chargeback related to non-receipt of travel services from a provider
who has failed, if the services are covered by a bonding authority/insurance
scheme, the Issuer must attempt to obtain reimbursement from the
relevant bonding authority/insurance scheme, unless the bond or insurance
schemeis insufficient. If the bond or insurance schemeis insufficient, the
Issuer may use information in the public domain to initiate the Chargeback.
Europe
General Applies only if the Merchant is placed into liquidation or receivership France
Domestic
ID# 0007462 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
11.1.10.3 Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 30
Table 11-15: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 30
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 30
Country/
Region
The Chargeback is invalid for any of the following:
General
●
A Transaction in which the Cardholder cancelled the merchandise or
service before the expected delivery or service date
●
A Transaction in which merchandise is being held by the Cardholder's
country's customs agency
●
A Transaction that the Cardholder states is fraudulent
●
A dispute regarding the quality of merchandise or service rendered
●
Apartial prepayment
1
when the remaining balance was not paid and
the Merchant is willing and able to provide the merchandise or services
All
General
●
The Cash-Back portion of a Visa Cash-Back Transaction
●
An Automated Fuel Dispenser Transaction
All excluding
Europe
PSR-604 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 30
Country/
Region
1
Processed as specified in Section 5.9.9.1, “Requirements for Prepayments and Transactions Using Stored Credentials”
ID# 0007463 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.10.4 Chargeback Time Limit – Reason Code 30
Table 11-16: Chargeback Time Limit – Reason Code 30
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Time Limit – Reason Code 30
Country/
Region
General If applicable, before initiating a Chargeback, an Issuer must wait 15
calendar days from either:
1
●
The Transaction Date, if the date the services were expected or the
delivery date for the merchandise is not specified
●
The date the Cardholder returned or attempted to return the
merchandise, if the merchandise was returned due to late delivery
A Chargeback must be processed no later than either:
●
120 calendar days from the Transaction Processing Date
●
If the merchandise or services were to be provided after the
Transaction Processing Date, 120 calendar days from the last date that
the Cardholder expected to receive the merchandise or services or the
date that the Cardholder was first made aware that the merchandise or
services would not be provided, not to exceed 540 calendar days from
the Transaction Processing Date
All
General If an Issuer was required to obtain reimbursement from a bonding
authority/insurance scheme, a Chargeback must be processed no later than
60 days from the date of the letter or advice from the bonding authority/
insurance scheme, not to exceed 540 days from the Transaction Processing
Date
Europe
1
Unless the waiting period would cause the Chargeback to exceed the Chargeback timeframe
ID# 0007464 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-605
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
11.1.10.5 Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 30
Table 11-17: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 30
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification– Reason Code 30
Country/
Region
General
As applicable:
●
SERVICES NOT RENDERED
MMDDYY
●
MERCH NOT RECEIVED
MMDDYY
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute Resolution
Form stating any of the following, as applicable:
●
Services were not rendered by the expected date
●
Merchandise was not received
●
Expected arrival date of the merchandise
●
Merchandise not received at agreed location (Issuer
must specify)
●
Cardholder attempted to resolve with Merchant
●
Merchandise was returned MMDDYY
The Issuer must provide a detailed description of the
merchandise or services purchased, unless prohibited
by applicable laws or regulations. This description must
contain additional information beyond the data required
in the Clearing Record.
All
General
As applicable:
●
SERVICES NOT RENDERED
MMDDYY
●
MERCH NOT RECEIVED
MMDDYY
Both:
●
Unless prohibited by applicable laws or regulations,
Dispute Resolution Form stating both:
– An explanation of the attempt to resolve the
dispute with the bonding authority/insurance
scheme
– The date of the letter or advice from the bonding
authority/insurance scheme
●
If applicable, a Cardholder letter if the Cardholder is
disputing 3 or more Transactions that occurred within
a single 15-calendar day period and services were not
rendered or merchandise was not received
Europe
ID# 0007465 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-606 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
11.1.10.6 Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 30
Table 11-18: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 30
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 30
Country/
Region
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
General
●
None required
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute Resolution
Form and either:
●
Documentation to prove that the Cardholder or
an authorized person received the merchandise or
services at the agreed location or by the agreed date
●
For an Airline Transaction, evidence showing that the
name is included in the manifest for the departed
flight and it matches the name provided on the
purchased itinerary
All
ID# 0007468 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.11 Chargeback Reason Code 41 – Cancelled Recurring Transaction
11.1.11.1 Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 41
Table 11-19: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 41
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 41
Country/
Region
1 The Cardholder withdrew permission to charge the account for a Recurring
Transactionor, in the Europe Region, an Installment Transaction.
All
2 The Acquirer or Merchant received notification that, before the Transaction
was processed, the Cardholder's account was closed or, in the Europe
Region, facilities were withdrawn or the Cardholder deceased.
All
3 The Transaction amount was not within the range of amounts
preauthorized by the Cardholder or the Merchant had agreed to notify
the Cardholder before processing each Recurring Transaction, and the
Merchant either:
●
Did not notify the Cardholder in writing at least 10 calendar days
before the Transaction Date
●
Notified the Cardholder at least 10 calendar days before the
Transaction Date but the Cardholder did not consent to the charge
US Domestic
ID# 0007471 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-607
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
11.1.11.2 Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 41
Table 11-20: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 41
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 41
Country/
Region
General The Chargeback amount is limited to the unused portion of the service or
merchandise.
1
Before the Issuer may initiate the Chargeback, the Cardholder must
attempt to resolve the dispute with the Merchant or the Merchant’s
liquidator.
All
1
In the Europe Region, this does not applyto an Installment Transaction.
ID# 0007472 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.1.11.3 Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 41
Table 11-21: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 41
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 41
Country/
Region
The Chargeback is invalid for any of the following:
General
●
An Installment Transaction
1
●
An Unscheduled Credential-on-File Transaction
All
1
Does not apply in the Europe Region
ID# 0007473 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.1.11.4 Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 41
Table 11-22: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 41
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 41
Country/
Region
Chargeback Condition 1
●
CH CANCELLED MMDDYY
None required All
Chargeback Condition 2
●
NOTIFICATION ACCT
CLOSED MMDDYY
None required All
PSR-608 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 41
Country/
Region
Chargeback Condition 2
●
ACCOUNT CLOSED
MMDDYY
●
FACILITIES WITHDRAWN
●
CARDHOLDER DECEASED
None required Europe
Chargeback Condition 3
●
TX AMT EXCEEDS CH
PREAUTHD RANGE
None required US Domestic
ID# 0007475 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.11.5 Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 41
Table 11-23: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 41
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 41
Country/
Region
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback.
General
●
None required
Both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
Either:
– Documentation to prove that the service was not
cancelled
1
– Documentation to prove that the Acquirer or
Merchant was not notified that the account was
closed
All
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback.
General
●
None required
Both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire
●
Documentation to prove that the Transaction was not
previously charged back
All excluding
Europe
1
In the Europe Region, for Intraregional and Domestic Transactions, this does not apply when the Issuer has advised that
the account was closed, facilities withdrawn, or Cardholder deceased.
ID# 0007478 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-609
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
11.1.12 Chargeback Reason Code 53 – Not as Described or Defective Merchandise
11.1.12.1 Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 53
Table 11-24: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 53
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 53
Country/
Region
1 Merchandise or services did not match what was described on the
Transaction Receipt or other documentation presented at the time of
purchase.
All excluding
France
Domestic
2 For a Card-Absent Environment Transaction, the Merchant's verbal
description or other documentation presented at the time of purchase did
not match the merchandise or services received.
Canada
Domestic
US Domestic
Canada/US
Interregional
3 The merchandise received by the Cardholder was damaged or defective. All excluding
France
Domestic
4 The Cardholder disputes the quality of the merchandise or services. All excluding
France
Domestic
5 The merchandise was identified as counterfeit by:
●
The owner of the intellectual property or its authorized representative
●
A customs agency, law enforcement agency, or other governmental
agency
●
A neutral bona fide expert
All excluding
France
Domestic
6 The Cardholder claims that the terms of sale were misrepresented by the
Merchant.
All excluding
France
Domestic
ID# 0007481 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
PSR-610 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
11.1.12.2 Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 53
Table 11-25: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 53
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 53
Country/
Region
General
●
The Chargeback amount is limited to the unused portion of the service
or value of the returned merchandise.
●
The Chargeback amount must not exceed the original Transaction
amount.
●
Before the Issuer may initiate the Chargeback, the Cardholder must
attempt to resolve the dispute with the Merchant or the Merchant’s
liquidator.
All
Chargeback
Condition 1,
2,3, 4
Before the Issuer may initiate a Chargeback, the Cardholder must return or
attempt to return the merchandise or cancel the services.
All excluding
Europe
Chargeback
Condition 1,
3, 4
Before the Issuer may initiate a Chargeback, the Cardholder must return
the merchandise or cancel the services. If the Cardholder is unable to
return merchandise which was delivered or installed by the Merchant, the
Cardholder may instead attempt to return the merchandise.
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
Chargeback
Condition 1,
4, 6
For a V PAY Transaction, the Chargeback applies only to Electronic
Commerce Transactions and Mail/Phone Order Transactions.
Europe
Chargeback
Condition 5
If the Cardholder was advised by one of the entities listed under
Chargeback Condition 5 that the merchandise ordered was counterfeit,
the Chargeback applies even if the Cardholder has not received the
merchandise.
All
Chargeback
Condition 6
The Chargeback applies for any of the following:
●
A Transaction at a Merchant that is a timeshare reseller, timeshare
reseller advertiser, or a Merchant that recovers timeshare reseller fees
1
●
A Card-Absent Environment Transaction atMerchantswho represent
that they recover, consolidate, reduce or amend existing financial
products or services, including:
2
– Debt consolidation
– Credit repair/counseling
– Mortgage repair/modification/counseling
– Foreclosure relief services
– Credit card interest rate reduction services
All excluding
Europe
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-611
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 53
Country/
Region
●
Effective for Transactions completed through 13 October 2017
Computer software, including anti-virus software that is sold using
inaccurate online advertisements or that contains malicious software
downloads
●
Effective for Transactions completed on or after 14 October 2017
Technical services, technical support, or computer software, that is
sold using inaccurate online advertisements or that contains malicious
software downloads
●
Business opportunities where the Merchant suggests an income will be
generated or recommends that the Cardholder purchases additional
items (such as better sales leads) to generate more income
●
A Transaction where a Merchant advises the Cardholder that they can
recover the Cardholder’s funds and fails to provide services
●
A Transaction at an outbound telemarketing Merchant
●
Effective for Transactions completed on or after 14 October 2017
Investment products or services, (for example: binary options or
foreign exchange trading), where the Merchant refuses to allow the
Cardholder to withdraw available balances
Chargeback
Condition 6
The Chargeback applies for any of the following:
●
A Transaction at a Merchant that is a timeshare reseller, timeshare
reseller advertiser, or a Merchant that recovers timeshare reseller fees
1
●
A Card-Absent Environment Transaction at Merchants that sell the
following merchandise or services:
– The recovery, consolidation, reduction, or amendment ofexisting
financial products or services
2
– Effective for Transactions completed through 13 October 2017
Computer software, including anti-virus software, that is sold
using inaccurate online advertisements or that contains malicious
software downloads
– Effective for Transactions completed on or after 14 October 2017
Technical services, technical support, or computer software, that
is sold using inaccurate online advertisements or that contains
malicious software downloads
– Business opportunities where the Merchant suggests an income
will be generated or recommends that the Cardholder purchases
additional items (such as better sales leads) to generate more
income
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
PSR-612 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 53
Country/
Region
●
Effective for Transactions completed on or after 14 October 2017
Investment products or services, (for example: binary options or
foreign exchange trading), where the Merchant refuses to allow the
Cardholder to withdraw available balances
Chargeback
Condition 6
The Chargeback applies for Transactions that take place in a Card-Absent
Environment where merchandise has been purchased through a trial
period, or, as a one-off purchase and the Cardholder was not clearly
advised of further billing after the purchase date.
Europe
1
This applies only to a Merchant that offers reseller services that are connected to timeshare property it does not own.
2
This condition is based on the type of merchandise or services sold and not solely on the MCC.
ID# 0007482 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.1.12.3 Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 53
Table 11-26: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 53
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 53
Country/
Region
The Chargeback is invalid for any of the following:
General
●
The Cash-Back portion of a Visa Cash-Back Transaction
●
A dispute regarding Value-Added Tax (VAT)
All
Chargeback
Condition
1,2,3, 4
A Transaction in which the returned merchandise is held by any customs
agency except the Merchant’s country’s customs agency
All
Chargeback
Condition2
Either:
●
A Transaction in which the returned merchandise is held by any
customs agency except the Merchant's country's customs agency
●
A Transaction in which the merchandise or services provided do not
match the Merchant's verbal or written description and the Transaction
is a Card-Absent Environment Transaction at a Merchant that sells any
of the following merchandise or services:
– Debt consolidation
– Credit repair/counseling
– Mortgage repair/modification/counseling
– Foreclosure relief service
– Credit card interest rate reduction services
Canada
Domestic
US Domestic
Canada/US
Interregional
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-613
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 53
Country/
Region
– Anti-virus software that is sold using inaccurate online
advertisements or malicious software downloads to the
Cardholder's personal computer or other electronic device
Chargeback
Condition 6
A dispute related solely to the quality of merchandise or services provided All
ID# 0007483 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.12.4 Chargeback Time Limit – Reason Code 53
Table 11-27: Chargeback Time Limit – Reason Code 53
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Time Limit – Reason Code 53
Country/
Region
General Unless otherwise specified, a Chargeback must be processed no later than
120 calendar days from one of the following:
●
The Transaction Processing Date
●
For merchandise or services purchased or provided on,before, or
afterthe Transaction Processing Date, the date the Cardholder received
the merchandise or services
●
For a partial prepayment,
1
the Processing Date of the balance portion
of the Transaction
All
Chargeback
Condition 1,
2,3, 4
Before initiating a Chargeback, the Issuer must wait 15 calendar days from
the date the Cardholder returned or attempted to return the merchandise
or cancelled the services.
This does not apply if the waiting period would cause the Chargeback
to exceed the Chargeback timeframe or if the Merchant refuses the
cancellation or return.
All
Chargeback
Condition 2,
4
A Chargeback must be processed no later than 60 calendar days from the
date the Issuer received the first Cardholder notification of the dispute, if all
the following apply:
●
There is evidence in the notification of previous ongoing negotiations
between the Cardholder and the Merchant to resolve the dispute.
●
The negotiations occurred within 120 days of the Transaction
Processing Date.
●
The Chargeback Processing Date is no later than 540 calendar days
from the Transaction Processing Date.
All
PSR-614 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Time Limit – Reason Code 53
Country/
Region
Chargeback
Condition 5
A Chargeback must be processed no later than 120 calendar days from
the date the Cardholder received the merchandise or the date on which
the Cardholder was notified that the merchandise was counterfeit, not to
exceed 540 calendar days from the Transaction Processing Date.
All
Chargeback
Condition6
A Chargeback must be processed no later than 120 calendar days from
the last date that the Cardholder expected to receive the merchandise or
services or the date on which the Cardholder was first made aware that
the merchandise or services would not be provided, not to exceed 540
calendar days from the Transaction Processing Date.
A Chargeback must be processed no later than60 calendar days from
thedatethe Issuer received the first Cardholder notification of the dispute,
if all the following apply:
●
There is evidence in the notification of previous ongoing negotiations
between the Cardholder and the Merchant to resolve the dispute
●
The negotiations occurred within 120 days of the Transaction
Processing Date
●
The Chargeback Processing Date is no later than 540 calendar days
from the Transaction Processing Date
All
1
Processed as specified in Section 5.9.9.1, “Requirements for Prepayments and Transactions Using Stored Credentials”
ID# 0007484 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.12.5 Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 53
Table 11-28: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 53
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 53
Country/
Region
Chargeback Condition 1, 2,3,
4
As applicable:
●
NOT AS DESCRIBED
●
DEFECTIVE
MERCHANDISE
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire stating the following, as
applicable:
●
An explanation of what was not as described or
defective or information regarding the quality-related
issue
●
The date the Cardholder received the merchandise or
services
●
That the Cardholder attempted to resolve the dispute
with the Merchant
●
The date the Cardholder returned or attempted to
return the merchandise or cancelled services.
All excluding
Europe
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-615
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 53
Country/
Region
●
A detailed explanation of how and when the
Cardholder attempted to return the merchandise
●
The disposition of the merchandise
●
The name of the shipping company
●
An invoice/tracking number (if available)
●
The date the Merchant received the merchandise
●
In lieu of documentation, Issuer certification that
the Merchant refused the return of the merchandise,
refused to provide a return merchandise authorization,
or instructed the Cardholder not to return the
merchandise
Chargeback Condition 1, 3, 4
As applicable:
●
NOT AS DESCRIBED
●
DEFECTIVE
MERCHANDISE
Both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form stating the following, as applicable:
– An explanation of what was not as described or
defective or information regarding the quality
related issue
– The date the Cardholder received the merchandise
or services
– That the Cardholder attempted to resolve the
dispute with the Merchant
– The date the Cardholder returned, or attempted
to return the merchandise or cancelled services
– A detailed explanation of how and when the
Cardholder attempted to return the merchandise
– The disposition of the merchandise, if applicable
– The name of the shipping company
– An invoice/tracking number (if available)
– The date the Merchant received the merchandise
●
Proof that the Merchant refused the return of
merchandise, refused to provide a return merchandise
authorization, or informed the Cardholder not to
return the merchandise, if applicable
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
Chargeback Condition 5
●
COUNTERFEIT
MERCHANDISE
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute Resolution
Form including all of the following:
All
PSR-616 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 53
Country/
Region
●
Certification that the Cardholder received notification
from one of the entities listed under Chargeback
Condition 5 that the merchandise is counterfeit
●
The date the Cardholder received the merchandise
or received notification that the merchandise was
counterfeit
●
A description of the counterfeit merchandise
●
The disposition of the merchandise
●
Information about the person or entity that indicated
the merchandise to be counterfeit, including the name
of the person and/or entity providing the notification,
and validation that the person or entity is qualified to
provide the notification
Chargeback Condition 6
●
TERMS OF SALE
MISREPRESENTED
All of the following:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire stating all of the
following, as applicable:
– The date the merchandise was returned or the
service was cancelled
– The name of the shipping company
– The invoice/tracking number (if available)
– The date the Merchant received the merchandise
– In lieu of documentation, Issuer certification that
the Merchant refused the return of merchandise,
refused to provide a return merchandise
authorization, or informed the Cardholder not to
return the merchandise
– That the Cardholder attempted to resolve the
dispute with the Merchant
– An explanation of what was not as described or
defective
– The date the Cardholder received the merchandise
or services
●
Information from the Cardholder describing how the
Merchant's verbal and/or written representations do
not match the terms of sale to which the Cardholder
agreed
All excluding
Europe
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-617
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 53
Country/
Region
●
Effective for Transactions completed on or after 14
October 2017
Copy of the Cardholder’s investment account showing
the date, withdrawal amount, and available balance at
the time the withdrawal request was made
Chargeback Condition 6
●
TERMS OF SALE
MISREPRESENTED
All of the following:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form stating all of the following as
applicable:
– The date the merchandise or the service was
cancelled
– The date the Merchant received the merchandise
– That the Cardholder attempted to resolve the
dispute with the Merchant
– The date the Cardholder received the merchandise
or services
●
Documentation from the Cardholder describing how
the Merchant's written representations do not match
the terms of sale to which the Cardholder agreed
●
Effective for Transactions completed on or after 14
October 2017
Copy of the Cardholder’s investment account showing
the date, withdrawal amount and available balance at
the time the withdrawal request was made
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
ID# 0007485 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.1.12.6 Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 53
Table 11-29: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 53
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 53
Country/
Region
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
Chargeback Condition 2
●
RETURNED MDSE NOT
RECEIVED (if applicable)
All of the following:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire
●
Documentation to prove that the merchandise or
service matched what was described
●
Merchant rebuttal addressing the Cardholder's claims
Canada
Domestic
US Domestic
Canada/US
Interregional
PSR-618 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 53
Country/
Region
●
If applicable, documentation to prove that the
Cardholder did not attempt to return the merchandise
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
Chargeback Condition 1, 3, 4
●
RETURNED MDSE NOT
RECEIVED (if applicable)
All of the following:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
Documentation to prove that the merchandise or
service matched what was described
●
Merchant rebuttal addressing the Cardholder's claims
●
If applicable, documentation to prove that the
Cardholder did not attempt to return the merchandise
All
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
Chargeback Condition 5
●
None required
Both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
Documentation to support the Merchant’s claim that
the merchandise was not counterfeit
All
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
Chargeback Condition 6
●
None required
Both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
Documentation to prove that the terms of sale of the
merchandise or services were not misrepresented
All
ID# 0007487 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.13 Chargeback Reason Code 57 – Fraudulent Multiple Transactions
11.1.13.1 Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 57
Table 11-30: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 57
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 57
Country/
Region
1 All of the following:
●
All of the disputed Transactions occurred at the same Merchant Outlet.
●
The Cardholder acknowledges participating in at least one Transaction at
the same Merchant Outlet.
All
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-619
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 57
Country/
Region
●
The Cardholder denies authorizing or participating in the disputed
Transaction.
●
The Card was in the Cardholder's possession at the time of the disputed
Transaction.
ID# 0007490 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
11.1.13.2 Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 57
Table 11-31: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 57
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 57
Country/
Region
The Chargeback is invalid for any of the following:
General
●
A Card-Absent Environment Transaction
●
A delayed charge or an amended amount processed as specified
in Section 5.9.7.3, “Conditions for Assessing Amended Amounts or
Delayed Charges”
●
An Emergency Cash Disbursement
●
An EMV PIN Transaction
●
A Contactless Transaction in which a PIN was used
●
A Transaction in which a Consumer Device Cardholder Verification
Method (CDCVM) was used
●
A Visa B2B Virtual Payments Program Transaction
All
General An Account Number on which the Issuer reported Fraud Activity using
fraud type code 3 (fraudulent application)
All excluding
Europe
General A PIN-Authenticated Visa Debit Transaction US Domestic
General A V PAY Transaction Europe
ID# 0007492 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
PSR-620 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
11.1.13.3 Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 57
Table 11-32: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 57
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 57
Country/
Region
General
●
None required
All of the following:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire
●
In lieu of documentation, Issuer certification
●
In lieu of documentation, Issuer certification that
the acknowledged Transaction was not processed, if
applicable
All excluding
Europe
General
●
None required
All of the following:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
A Cardholder letter
●
If the acknowledged Transaction was not processed,
the Issuer must supply the Cardholder copy of the
Transaction Receipt
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
ID# 0007494 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.13.4 Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 57
Table 11-33: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 57
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 57
Country/
Region
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
General
●
None required
All of the following, if applicable:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
Irrefutable evidence to demonstrate that the
Cardholder participated in the disputed Transactions
●
Evidence to show that the Chargeback was invalid
All
ID# 0007497 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-621
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
11.1.14 Chargeback Reason Code 62 – Counterfeit Transaction
11.1.14.1 Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 62
Table 11-34: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 62
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 62
Country/
Region
1 All of the following:
●
The Transaction was completed with a Counterfeit Card in a Card-
Present Environment.
●
The Cardholder denies authorizing or participating in the Transaction.
●
Online Authorization was obtained without transmission of the entire
unaltered data on track 1 or track 2, or Full-Chip Data.
●
The Issuer reported the Transaction as counterfeit Fraud Activity
through VisaNet.
All
2 The Transaction qualifies for the EMV liability shift, as specified in Section
1.11.1.3, “EMV Liability Shift Participation,” and all of the following:
●
The Transaction was completed with a Counterfeit Card in a Card-
Present Environment.
●
The Cardholder denies authorizing or participating in the Transaction.
●
The Card is a Chip Card (first digit of the Service Code is 2 or 6).
●
Either:
– The Transaction did not take place at a Chip-Reading Device
(terminal entry capability code was not 5).
– For a Transaction that does not involve a Memberin the Europe
Region, the Transaction was Chip-initiated and, if the Transaction
was authorized Online, the Acquirer did not transmit the Full-Chip
Data to Visa in the Authorization Request.
All
ID# 0007509 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.1.14.2 Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 62
Table 11-35: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 62
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 62
Country/
Region
The Chargeback is invalid for any of the following:
PSR-622 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 62
Country/
Region
General
●
An Emergency Cash Disbursement
●
A Visa B2B Virtual Payments Program Transaction
All
Chargeback
Condition 1
Either:
●
The CVV was not encoded on the Card.
●
The Transaction was completed with a Proprietary Card bearing the
Plus Symbol.
All
Chargeback
Condition 1
A V PAY Transaction Europe
Chargeback
Condition 2
Any of the following:
●
The Transaction was a Chip-initiated Transaction (POS Entry Mode code
05 or 07).
●
The Transaction was a Fallback Transaction.
●
The Authorization record contains POS Entry Mode code 90 and the
Service Code encoded on the Magnetic Stripe does not indicate the
presence of a Chip.
●
The CVV was in the Authorization Request but CVV verification was not
performed or the Authorization record indicates that the CVV failed
verification.
All
Chargeback
Condition 2
A Transaction that contained a paymentToken All excluding
Europe
Effective for
Transactions
completed
through 13
April 2018
Chargeback
Condition 2
A Small Ticket Transaction Europe
Effective for
Transactions
completed
through 13
April 2018
Chargeback
Condition 2
A Transaction on an Account Number for which the Issuer has initiated
more than 10 Chargebacks within the previous 120 calendar days
US Domestic
ID# 0007511 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-623
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
11.1.14.3 Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 62
Table 11-36: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 62
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 62
Country/
Region
Chargeback Condition 1
As applicable:
●
For an ATM Transaction:
CH DISP, CVV ENCODED,
FRD RPT, ISS CVS
PARTICIPANT
●
For an ATM Transaction: None required
●
For all other Transactions, all of the following, as
applicable:
– Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire
– Certification that the CVV was encoded on the
Card
– Certification that the Issuer was a participant
in the Card Verification Service at the time of
Authorization
– Cardholder letter denying authorization of or
participation in the Transaction, or certification
that the Cardholder denies authorization of or
participation in the Transaction
– Certification of the Card status based on
Issuer investigation (for example: lost, stolen,
counterfeit)
– Certification of the date the Fraud Activity was
reported through VisaNet using fraud type code 4
– Certification of the date the Account Number was
listed on the Exception File
All excluding
Europe
Chargeback Condition 1
As applicable:
●
For an ATM Transaction:
CH DISP, CVV ENCODED,
FRD RPT, ISS CVS
PARTICIPANT
●
For an ATM Transaction: None required
●
For all other Transactions, all of the following, as
applicable:
– Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
– Certification that the CVV was encoded on the
Card
– Certification that the Issuer was a participant
in the Card Verification Service at the time of
Authorization
– For Transactions with a Transaction amount
equal to or less than USD 25 (or local currency
equivalent) or, in the Europe Region, EUR 25 (or
local currency equivalent), all of the following:
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
PSR-624 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 62
Country/
Region
▪ Cardholder letter denying authorization
of or participation in the Transaction, or
certification that the Cardholder denies
authorization of or participation in the
Transaction
▪ Certification of the date the Fraud Activity was
reported through VisaNet using fraud type
code 4
▪ Certification of the date the Account Number
was listed on the Exception File
– For a Transaction with a Transaction amount
greater than USD 25 (or local currency equivalent)
or, in the Europe Region, EUR 25 (or local
currency equivalent), Cardholder letter denying
authorization of or participation in the Transaction
Chargeback Condition 2
●
EMV CARD, NON EMV
DEVICE
All of the following:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire
●
Cardholder letter denying authorization of or
participation in the Transaction, or certification
that the Cardholder denies authorization of or
participation in the Transaction
●
Certification of the Card status based on Issuer
investigation (for example: lost, stolen, counterfeit)
●
Certification of the date the Fraud Activity was
reported through VisaNet using fraud type code 4
●
Certification of the date the Account Number was
listed on the Exception File
All excluding
Europe
Chargeback Condition 2
●
EMV CARD, NON EMV
DEVICE
All of the following:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
For a Transaction with a Transaction amount equal to
or less than USD 25 (or local currency equivalent)or,
in the Europe Region, EUR 25 (or local currency
equivalent), all of the following:
– Cardholder letter denying authorization of or
participation in the Transaction, or certification
that the Cardholder denies authorization of or
participation in the Transaction
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-625
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 62
Country/
Region
– Certification of the date the Fraud Activity was
reported through VisaNet using fraud type code 4
– Certification of the date the Account Number was
listed on the Exception File
●
For a Transaction with a Transaction amount greater
than USD 25 (or local currency equivalent), or,
in the Europe Region, EUR 25 (or local currency
equivalent), Cardholder letter denying authorization or
participation in the Transaction
ID# 0007513 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.1.14.4 Representment Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 62
Table 11-37: Representment Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 62
Chargeback
Condition
Representment Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 62 Country/
Region
General For a Representment due to an Issuer not properly listing the Account
Number on the Exception File, not properly reporting Fraud Activity, or not
closing an account, the Acquirer must provide information/documentation
to support this claim.
All
ID# 0007515 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
11.1.14.5 Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 62
Table 11-38: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 62
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 62
Country/
Region
The Issuer did not meet
the applicable Chargeback
conditions
Chargeback Condition 1
As applicable:
●
AUTH DATE MMDDYY
CODE X...X
●
POS XX (Specify POS Entry
Mode code value)
As applicable All
PSR-626 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
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Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 62
Country/
Region
●
AUTHENTICATION CRYPT
IN AUTH
The Issuer did not meet
the applicable Chargeback
conditions
Chargeback Condition 2
As applicable:
●
X...X (Specify the reason)
●
EMV DEVICE, POS 90,
NON CHIP SVCE CODE
●
EXCP FILE NOT LSTD, FRD
NOT RPT, ACC NOT CLSD
As applicable All
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
●
X...X (Specify the reason)
As applicable All
ID# 0007516 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.1.15 Chargeback Reason Code 70 – Card Recovery Bulletin or Exception File
11.1.15.1 Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 70
Table 11-39: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 70
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 70
Country/
Region
1 All of the following:
●
The Transaction was below the Merchant's Floor Limit.
●
The Merchant did not obtain Authorization.
●
On the Transaction Date, the Account Number was listed in the Card
Recovery Bulletin for the Visa Region in which the Merchant Outlet is
located.
All excluding
US Domestic
ID# 0007519 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-627
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
11.1.15.2 Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 70
Table 11-40: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 70
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 70
Country/
Region
General The Chargeback applies whether or not a specific Account Number in a
blocked BIN appears in the Card Recovery Bulletin or Exception File.
All excluding
US Domestic
Chargeback
Condition 1
If the Transaction Date was not transmitted in the Clearing Record, the
Chargeback applies if the Account Number was listed in the Card Recovery
Bulletin within the 10 calendar days before the Transaction Processing Date.
All excluding
US Domestic
ID# 0007520 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
11.1.15.3 Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 70
Table 11-41: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 70
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 70
Country/
Region
The Chargeback is invalid for any of the following:
General
●
A Transaction authorized through the Emergency Payment
Authorization Service
●
A Transaction completed at a Contactless-only Acceptance Device
All excluding
US Domestic
General A V PAY Transaction Europe
Chargeback
Condition 1
A Transaction that both:
●
Occurred at a Chip-Reading Device
●
Qualifies for the EMV liability shift, as specified in Section 1.11.1.3,
“EMV Liability Shift Participation”
All excluding
US Domestic
ID# 0007521 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.1.15.4 Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 70
Table 11-42: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 70
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 70
Country/
Region
Chargeback Condition 1 None required All excluding
US Domestic
PSR-628 Visa Public 14 October 2017
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Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 70
Country/
Region
●
LISTED CRB DATE
MMDDYY CRB REGION XX
ID# 0007523 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.15.5 Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 70
Table 11-43: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 70
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 70
Country/
Region
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
Chargeback Condition 1
As applicable:
●
ACCT NUM NOT ON CRB
TRAN DATE MMDDYY
●
CHECK-IN DATE MMDDYY
●
RENTAL DATE MMDDYY
●
EMBARK DATE MMDDYY
●
AUTH DATE MMDDYY
CODE X...X
Evidence that the Transaction was Chip-initiated and offline-
authorized, if applicable
All excluding
US Domestic
ID# 0007525 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.16 Chargeback Reason Code 71 – Declined Authorization
11.1.16.1 Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 71
Table 11-44: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 71
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 71
Country/
Region
1 An Authorization Request received a Decline or Pickup Response and the
Merchant completed the Transaction
All
2 All of the following: All
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-629
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 71
Country/
Region
●
An Authorization Request for a Magnetic Stripe-read or
Chip-initiated Transaction received a Decline Response, or a Pickup
Response
●
A subsequent Authorization was obtained by a means other than Voice
Authorization.
●
The Merchant completed the Transaction.
●
The Transaction was initiated with a Counterfeit Card.
ID# 0007529 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-630 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
11.1.16.2 Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 71
Table 11-45: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 71
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 71 Country/
Region
Effective for
Transactions
completed
through13
October
2017
Chargeback
Condition 1
A Chargeback of a Variable Fare Transaction is valid for the full Transaction
amount if a Decline Response was sent and the Transaction amount was
greater than either:
●
At a United Kingdom Merchant, GBP 6
●
At a Merchant not in the United Kingdom, EUR 5 (or local currency
equivalent)
Europe
Effective for
Transactions
completed
on or
after14
October
2017
Chargeback
Condition 1
A Chargeback of a Mass Transit Transaction is valid for the full Transaction
amount if a Decline Response was sent and the Transaction amount was
greater than:
●
In the AP Region (Singapore), for a Domestic Transaction, SGD 15
●
In the AP Region (India), for a Domestic Transaction, INR 100
●
In the CEMEA Region (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine,
Uzbekistan), for a Domestic Transaction or Intraregional Transaction,
USD 1 (or local currency equivalent)
●
In the CEMEA Region (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo,
Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia), for a Domestic Transaction or
Intraregional Transaction, USD 2 (or local currency equivalent)
●
In the Europe Region (except Netherlands, United Kingdom), for a
Domestic Transaction or Intraregional Transaction, EUR 5 (or local
currency equivalent)
●
In the Europe Region (Netherlands), for an Intraregional Transaction,
EUR 5
●
In the Europe Region (United Kingdom), for a Domestic Transaction,
GBP 10
●
In the Europe Region (United Kingdom), for an Intraregional
Transaction, GBP 6
●
In the LAC Region, for a Domestic Transaction or Intraregional
Transaction, USD 5 (or local currency equivalent)
All
ID# 0029876 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-631
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
11.1.16.3 Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 71
Table 11-46: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 71
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 71
Country/
Region
The Chargeback is invalid for any of the following:
General
●
A Transaction that was authorized by Stand-In Processing
●
A Transaction that was authorized through the Emergency Payment
Authorization Service
All
Chargeback
Condition 1
A Transaction for which Authorization was obtained after a Decline
Response was received for the same purchase. This does not include an
Authorization Request that received a Pickup Response 04, 07, 41, or 43
or was submitted more than 12 hours
1
after the submission of the first
Authorization Request.
All
General A V PAY Transaction Europe
1
The 12-hour limit does not apply in the Europe Region.
ID# 0007532 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.1.16.4 Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 71
Table 11-47: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 71
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 71
Country/
Region
Chargeback Condition 1
●
AUTH DECLINED
MMDDYY
None required All
Chargeback Condition 2
●
ISS CERT TX COUNTERFEIT
Both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
Issuer certification that the approved Transaction
was Counterfeit and both the initial and subsequent
Authorization Requests contained all of the following
identical data:
– Account Number
– Transaction Date
– Transaction amount
All
PSR-632 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 71
Country/
Region
– Merchant identification
ID# 0007535 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.16.5 Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 71
Table 11-48: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 71
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 71
Country/
Region
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
General
As applicable:
●
AUTH DATE MMDDYY
CODE X...X
●
TRAN IS MMDDYY NOT
MMDDYY
All of the following:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
For a dispute involving special Authorization
procedures, Certification of Special Authorization
Representment Amount (Exhibit 3C). In the US Region,
thisdoes not apply to a Domestic Transaction.
●
Evidence that the Transaction was Chip-initiated and
offline-authorized, if applicable
All
ID# 0007537 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-633
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
11.1.17 Chargeback Reason Code 72 – No Authorization
11.1.17.1 Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 72
Table 11-49: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 72
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 72
Country/
Region
1 Effective for Transactions completed through 21 April 2017
The Transaction exceeded the Floor Limit and Authorization was not
obtained on the Transaction Date
Effective for Transactions completed on or after 22 April 2017
The Transaction exceeded the Floor Limit and Authorization was not
obtained on the date specified in Section 5.8.4.5, “Approval Response
Validity Timeframes.”
All
2 Authorization was obtained using invalid or incorrect data, or the MCC
used in the Authorization Request does not match the MCC in the Clearing
Record of the first Presentment for the same Transaction.
All
ID# 0007541 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.17.2 Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 72
Table 11-50: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 72
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 72
Country/
Region
General
●
The Chargeback is limited to the amount above the applicable Floor
Limit for a Chip-initiated, Offline-Authorized Transaction
●
If Authorization was obtained for an amount less than the Transaction
amount, the Chargeback is limited to either:
– The amount that was not authorized
– The difference between the Transaction amount and the amount
for which Authorization was required, as specified in Section
5.8.3.1, “Authorization Amount Requirements”
●
An Authorization is invalid for a Fallback Transaction where the
appropriate values identifying the Transaction as a Fallback Transaction
are not included in the Authorization Request. For a Fallback
Transaction, the Merchant Floor Limit is zero.
All
Chargeback
Condition 1
The Chargeback applies to a Chip-initiated Transaction that included an
Authorization Request Cryptogram (ARQC) in the Clearing Record but was
not authorized Online by the Issuer or the Issuer's agent.
All
PSR-634 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 72
Country/
Region
Chargeback
Condition 2
●
The Chargeback applies for the entire Transaction amount.
●
The Authorization is invalid if the Authorization Request contained
an incorrect Transaction Date, MCC, Merchant or Transaction type
indicator, country code, state code, special condition indicator, or other
required field.
All
ID# 0007542 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.17.3 Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 72
Table 11-51: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 72
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 72
Country/
Region
The Chargeback is invalid for any of the following:
General A Transaction for which Partial Authorization was obtained and both:
●
The Partial Authorization indicator was present in the Authorization
Request.
●
The Transaction amount does not exceed the amount in the Partial
Authorization Response.
US Domestic
Chargeback
Condition 1
A Transaction that both:
●
Is processed with a Visa Drive Card that is an “extra” Card which has a
Privately Contracted Agreement associated to it
●
Contains either of the following MCCs:
– 4784 (Tolls and Bridge Fees)
– 7523 (Parking Lots, Parking Meters and Garages)
Europe
ID# 0007543 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.17.4 Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 72
Table 11-52: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 72
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 72
Country/
Region
Chargeback Condition 1
As applicable:
None required All
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-635
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 72
Country/
Region
●
NO AUTHORIZATION
●
EMV CARD, NO AUTH,
EXCD CHIP FLOOR LIMIT
●
EMV CARD, INVALID
FALLBACK DATA
●
TRAN EXCEEDS AUTH
AMOUNT
Chargeback Condition 2
●
AUTH OBTAINED USING
INVALID DATA
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire
●
In lieu of documentation, Issuer certification that the
Authorization Request would have been declined if
valid data had been provided and an explanation of
why the inclusion of valid data would have caused the
Authorization Request to be declined
All excluding
Europe
Chargeback Condition 2
●
AUTH OBTAINED USING
INVALID DATA
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
Documentation to support the Issuer's claim that the
Transaction would have been declined if Transaction
data had been provided in the Authorization Request
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
ID# 0007545 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.17.5 Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 72
Table 11-53: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 72
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 72
Country/
Region
The Issuer did not meet
the applicable Chargeback
conditions
General
As applicable:
●
X...X (Specify the reason)
●
EMV CARD, VALID
FALLBACK DATA
●
NOT AN EMV CARD, NON
EMV DEVICE
As applicable All
PSR-636 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 72
Country/
Region
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
Chargeback Condition 1
As applicable:
●
AUTH DATE MMDDYY
CODE X...X AMT $XXX
●
TRAN DATE IS MMDDYY
NOT MMDDYY
●
MO/TO (or EC) ORDER
DATE MMDDYY CODE
XXXXX AMT $XXXX
●
MERCHANT SPECIAL
AUTH MMDDYY CODE
XXXXX AMT XXXX
Effective for Transactions completed through 21 April
2017 for applicable Merchants, excluding Lodging
Merchants, Cruise Lines, or Car Rental Merchants
Effective for Transactions completed through 13 October
2017 for Lodging Merchants, Cruise Lines, or Car Rental
Merchants
Both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
For a dispute involving special Authorization
procedures, both:
– Certification of Special Authorization
Representment Amount (Exhibit 3C)or Dispute
Resolution Form. In the US Region, thisdoes not
apply to a Domestic Transaction.
– For a T&E Transaction, the Transaction Receipt
if the Merchant obtained valid Authorization
using special Authorization procedures between
the dates that the Transaction was initiated and
completed, and internal Authorization records
conflict
Effective for Transactions completed on or after 22
April 2017 for applicable Merchants, excluding Lodging
Merchants, Cruise Lines, or Car Rental Merchants
Effective for Transactions completed on or after 14
October 2017 for Lodging Merchants, Cruise Lines, or
Vehicle Rental Merchants
Both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
For a dispute involving special Authorization
procedures where all of the following apply:
– The first Authorization Request included the
Initial/Estimated Authorization Request indicator.
– Subsequent Authorization Requests included the
Incremental Authorization Request indicator.
– The same Transaction Identifier was used in all
Authorization Requests.
All
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-637
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 72
Country/
Region
– Clearing Records were submitted within the
timeframes specified in Section 5.8.4.5, “Approval
Response Validity Timeframes.”
Both:
●
The Transaction Receipt or other documentation
●
Certification of all of the following:
– The date the Transaction was initiated
– The date the Transaction was completed
– The dates, authorized amounts, and
Authorization Codes of the approved
Authorizations
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
Chargeback Condition 2
●
None required
Both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
V.I.P. System Authorization record and the Clearing
Record of the first Presentment
All
ID# 0007548 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.1.18 Chargeback Reason Code 73 – Expired Card
11.1.18.1 Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 73
Table 11-54: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 73
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 73
Country/
Region
1 A Merchant completed a Transaction with a Card that expired before the
Transaction Date and did not obtain Authorization
All
ID# 0007552 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-638 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
11.1.18.2 Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 73
Table 11-55: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 73
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 73
Country/
Region
General
●
Effective for Transactions completed through 21 April 2017
The Transaction Date is the date on which the Transaction occurred or
one of the following:
– For a Lodging Merchant, the check-in date
– For a Car Rental Merchant, the date the car was rented
– For a Cruise Line, the embarkation date
●
Effective for Transactions completed on or after 22 April 2017 The
Transaction Date is the earlier of either:
– The date on which the Transaction occurred
– The date on which the Transaction was initiated
●
For a Mail/Phone Order Transaction or an Electronic Commerce
Transaction, the expiration date provided by the Cardholder is assumed
to be correct.
All
ID# 0007553 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.1.18.3 Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 73
Table 11-56: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 73
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 73
Country/
Region
The Chargeback is invalid for any of the following:
General
●
A Transaction authorized through the Emergency Payment
Authorization Service
●
A Chip-initiated Transaction
All
General
●
A Recurring Transaction
●
A V PAY Transaction
Europe
ID# 0007554 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-639
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
11.1.18.4 Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 73
Table 11-57: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 73
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 73
Country/
Region
General
●
CARD EXPIRED MMDDYY
None required All
ID# 0007556 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.18.5 Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 73
Table 11-58: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 73
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 73
Country/
Region
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
General
As applicable:
●
AUTH DATE MMDDYY
●
CARD NOT EXPIRED ON
TRAN DATE
●
CHECK-IN DATE MMDDYY
●
RENTAL DATE MMDDYY
●
EMBARK DATE MMDDYY
Both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
One of the following:
– The Merchant's Authorization log
– Documentation to prove that the Card was not
expired on the Transaction Date
– Evidence that the Transaction was Chip-initiated
and offline-authorized
All
ID# 0007558 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.19 Chargeback Reason Code 74 – Late Presentment
11.1.19.1 Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 74
Table 11-59: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 74
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 74
Country/
Region
1 Both:
●
The Transaction was not processed within the required time limit
All
PSR-640 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 74
Country/
Region
●
The Account Number was not in good standing on the Chargeback
Processing Date
2 The Transaction Date is more than 180 calendar days before the Processing
Date
All
ID# 0007561 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
11.1.19.2 Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 74
Table 11-60: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 74
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 74
Country/
Region
General Effective for Transactions completed through 21 April 2017
For a T&E Transaction, the Transaction Date is:
●
For a Lodging Merchant, the check-out date
●
For a Car Rental Merchant, the return date
●
For a Cruise Line, the disembarkation date
All
Chargeback
Condition 1
The Chargeback applies only if the Transaction Processing Date is more than:
●
For an ATM or a Visa Electron Card Transaction, 5 calendar days after the
Transaction Date
●
For a Transaction processed using the Visa Prepaid Load Service, 2
calendar days after the Transaction Date
●
For all other Transactions, 8 calendar days after the Transaction Date
All excluding
Malaysia
Domestic and
Transactions
acquired in
Japan
Chargeback
Condition 1
●
For and ATM or a Visa Electron Card Transaction, 5 calendar days after
the Transaction Date
●
For a Transaction processed using the Visa Prepaid Load Service, 2
calendar days after the Transaction Date
●
For all other Transactions, 30 calendar days after the Transaction Date
Transactions
acquired in
Japan
Chargeback
Condition 1
The Chargeback applies only if the Transaction Processing Date is more than:
●
For an ATM or aVisa Electron Card Transaction,5 calendar days after the
Transaction Date
●
For aTransactionprocessed using the Visa Prepaid Load Service, 2
calendar days after the Transaction Date
●
For an Automated Fuel Dispenser Transaction, 6 calendar days after the
Transaction Date
Malaysia
Domestic
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-641
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 74
Country/
Region
●
For all other Transactions, 8 calendar days after the Transaction Date
ID# 0007562 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.19.3 Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 74
Table 11-61: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 74
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 74 Country/
Region
The Chargeback is invalid for any of the following:
General A V PAY Transaction Europe
ID# 0030005 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.1.19.4 Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 74
Table 11-62: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 74
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification
Country/
Region
Chargeback Condition 1
●
ACCOUNT STATUS CODE __ (Supply the appropriate
code in the last position of the text)
– X=Counterfeit
– O=Account Closed
– C=Account Problem (in the US Region, includes
NSF)
– F=Other Fraud (lost, stolen, not received)
None required All
Chargeback Condition 2
●
MORE THAN 180 DAYS LATE
None required All
ID# 0007573 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
PSR-642 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
11.1.19.5 Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 74
Table 11-63: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 74
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 74
Country/
Region
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
General
●
CORRECT TRAN DATE
MMDDYY
Both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
The Transaction Receipt or other documentation with
a Transaction Date that disproves late Presentment
All
ID# 0007575 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.20 Chargeback Reason Code 75 – Transaction Not Recognized
11.1.20.1 Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 75
Table 11-64: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 75
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 75
Country/
Region
1 The Cardholder does not recognize the Transaction and additional
information beyond the data required in the Clearing Record is needed to
assist the Cardholder in identifying the Transaction
All
ID# 0007577 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
11.1.20.2 Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 75
Table 11-65: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 75
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 75
Country/
Region
General The Chargeback applies only for key-entered Transactions and Unattended
Transactions.
All
General TheChargeback applies, regardless of the Electronic Commerce Indicator
value, for Electronic Commerce Transactions conducted by Merchants
assigned the following MCCs:
●
4829 (Wire Transfer Money Orders)
●
5967 (Direct Marketing – Inbound Teleservices Merchant)
US Domestic
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-643
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 75
Country/
Region
●
6051 (Non-Financial Institutions – Foreign Currency, Money Orders,
[not Wire Transfer], Travelers' Cheques)
●
7995 (Betting, including Lottery Tickets, Casino Gaming Chips, Off-
Track Betting, and Wagers at Race Tracks)
ID# 0007578 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.1.20.3 Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 75
Table 11-66: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 75
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 75
Country/
Region
The Chargeback is invalid for any of the following:
General
●
A Transaction for which the Issuer used Retrieval Request reason code
33 (fraud analysis request) or Retrieval Request reason code 34 (legal
process request)
●
Effective for Transactions completed through 21 April 2017
A Transaction for which the Acquirer supplies a Fulfillment with all
required data specified in Section 5.10.4.1, “Required Substitute
Transaction Receipt Content”
●
Effective for Transactions completed on or after 22 April 2017
A Transaction for which the Acquirer supplies a copy of the Transaction
Receipt containing all the required content
●
A Transaction for which the No-Show indicator in the Clearing Record
is 1
●
A Transaction that the Cardholder states is fraudulent
●
A Telephone Service Transaction
●
A T&E Transaction that contains required enhanced data in the
Clearing Record
●
Effective for Transactions completed on or after 14 October 2017
A Mass Transit Transaction
All
General
●
ATransaction for which the Acquirer provided evidence of an Imprint
●
A Visa Easy Payment Service Transaction
All excluding
Europe
PSR-644 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 75
Country/
Region
General An Electronic Commerce Transaction processed with Electronic Commerce
Indicator value 6
Effective for
Transactions
processed
through 21
April 2017
All
excluding
Brazil
Domestic
and US
Domestic
Effective for
Transactions
processed on
or after 22
April 2017
All excluding
US Domestic
General An Electronic Commerce Transaction processed with Electronic Commerce
Indicator value 5
All excluding
US Domestic
General ATransaction for which the Acquirer provided evidence of an Imprint and
a signature, PIN, or Consumer Device Cardholder Verification Method
(CDCVM)
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
General A Contactless Payment Transaction Canada
Domestic
General
●
Effective for Transactions completed though 13 October 2017
A Variable Fare Transaction
●
A V PAY Transaction
Europe
General
●
A CPS/Passenger Transport Transaction
●
A CPS/Automated Fuel Dispenser Transaction
●
A PIN-Authenticated Visa Debit Transaction
●
A Secure Electronic Commerce Transaction processed with Electronic
Commerce Indicator value 5 in the Authorization Request, if both:
– The Issuer responded to an Authentication Request with an
Authentication Confirmation using Verified by Visa.
– A Cardholder Authentication Verification Value was included in the
Authorization Request.
US Domestic
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-645
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 75
Country/
Region
●
A Non-Authenticated Security Transaction processed with Electronic
Commerce Indicator value 6 in the Authorization Request if the
Transaction is not a Non-Reloadable Visa Prepaid Card Transaction, and
either:
– The Issuer, or Visa on behalf of the Issuer, responded to an
Authentication Request with an Attempt Response using Verified
by Visa.
– Both:
▪ A Cardholder Authentication Verification Value was included in
the Authorization Request.
▪ A Cardholder Authentication Verification Value was not
included in the Authorization Request and the Verified
Enrollment Response is N.
ID# 0007579 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.1.20.4 Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 75
Table 11-67: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 75
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 75
Country/
Region
General
●
None Required
None required All
ID# 0007581 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.20.5 Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 75
Table 11-68: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 75
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 75
Country/
Region
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
General
●
None required
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute Resolution
Form and both:
●
A copy of the Transaction Receipt or a detailed
description of the merchandise or services purchased
All
PSR-646 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 75
Country/
Region
●
If applicable, additional information or Transaction
data that was not required in the Clearing Record (A
Representment for an Aggregated Transaction must
include details of the individual purchases that have
been aggregated)
ID# 0007586 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
11.1.21 Chargeback Reason Code 76 – Incorrect Currency or Transaction Code
11.1.21.1 Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 76
Table 11-69: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 76
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 76
Country/
Region
1 The Transaction code is incorrect. All
2 The Transaction Currency is different than the currency transmitted through
VisaNet.
All
3 The Cardholder was not advised that Dynamic Currency Conversion would
occur or was refused the choice of paying in the Merchant's local currency.
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
4 Dynamic Currency Conversion occurred and the Cardholder did not agree
to Dynamic Currency Conversion and did not make an active choice.
All excluding
Europe
5 The Merchant processed a credit refund and did not process a Reversal or
an Adjustment for a Transaction Receipt processed in error.
All
ID# 0007589 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.21.2 Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 76
Table 11-70: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 76
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 76 Country/
Region
Chargeback
Condition 1
For a Transaction processed with an incorrect Transaction code, the
Chargeback amount is double the Transaction amount when either:
All
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-647
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 76 Country/
Region
●
A credit was processed as a debit.
●
A debit was processed as a credit.
Chargeback
Condition 2,
3, 4
The Chargeback applies for the entire Transaction amount. All
Chargeback
Condition 5
The Chargeback must be limited to the difference between the Credit
Transaction and the original debit.
All
ID# 0007590 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.21.3 Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 76
Table 11-71: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 76
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 76
Country/
Region
The Chargeback is invalid for any of the following:
Chargeback
Condition 2
A Transaction originating at a non-US ATM connected to the Plus System,
Inc. and settled in USD
All
Chargeback
Condition 1,
2, 3, 5
A V PAY Transaction Europe
ID# 0007591 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.1.21.4 Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 76
Table 11-72: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 76
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 76
Country/
Region
Chargeback Condition 1
As applicable:
●
CREDIT POSTED AS DEBIT
●
DEBIT POSTED AS CREDIT
●
PURCHASE POSTED AS
CASH
None required All
PSR-648 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 76
Country/
Region
●
CASH POSTED AS
PURCHASE
Chargeback Condition 2
●
TRAN CURRENCY IS XXX
NOT XXX (XXX = numeric
Currency Code value)
None required All
Chargeback Condition 3
As applicable:
●
DCC -- CARDHOLDER
NOT ADVISED
●
DCC -- CARDHOLDER
REFUSED OPTION OF
LOCAL CURRENCY
All of the following:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
Both:
– A Cardholder letter stating that the Cardholder
was not advised that Dynamic Currency
Conversion would occur or was not offered a
choice to pay in the Merchant's local currency
– A copy of the Cardholder's Transaction Receipt (if
available)
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
Chargeback Condition 4
As applicable:
●
DCC -- CARDHOLDER DID
NOT AGREE TO DCC
●
DCC -- CARDHOLDER
DID NOT MAKE ACTIVE
CHOICE
All of the following:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire
●
Issuer certification that the Cardholder did not agree
to Dynamic Currency Conversion and did not make an
active choice
All excluding
Europe
Chargeback Condition 5
●
CREDIT INSTEAD OF
REVERSAL
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire that includes both:
●
An explanation of why the Credit Transaction was
processed in error
●
Evidence of the original Transaction and the Credit
Transaction
All excluding
Europe
Chargeback Condition 5
●
CREDIT INSTEAD OF
REVERSAL
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute Resolution
Form that includes all of the followingas applicable:
●
An explanation of why the Credit Transaction was
processed in error
●
Evidence of the original Transaction and the Credit
Transaction
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-649
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 76
Country/
Region
●
If the Credit Transaction resulted from a Transaction
where the Cardholder asserts fraud, a copy of the
signed Cardholder letter
ID# 0007593 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.21.5 Representment Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 76
Table 11-73: Representment Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 76
Chargeback
Condition
Representment Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 76 Country/
Region
Chargeback
Condition 3
●
For a valid Chargeback, the Acquirer may represent the Transaction
in the Merchant's local currency for the Transaction amount before
Dynamic Currency Conversion, excluding fees or commission charges
directly related to Dynamic Currency Conversion that were applied to
the Transaction.
●
For a Transaction processed through the Single Message System, the
Acquirer may process the Transaction as a first Presentment instead of
representing. The Acquirer may be responsible for a Chargeback under
Chargeback reason code 74 (Late Presentment).
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
Chargeback
Condition 4
●
For a valid Chargeback, either:
– The Acquirer may present Compelling Evidence that the
Cardholder actively chose Dynamic Currency Conversion and
may represent the Transaction in the Transaction Currency (after
Dynamic Currency Conversion occurred), including fees or
commission charges directly related to the Dynamic Currency
Conversion that were applied to the Transaction.
– The Acquirer may represent the Transaction without Compelling
Evidence in the Merchant's local currency for the Transaction
amount before Dynamic Currency Conversion, excluding fees
or commission charges directly related to Dynamic Currency
Conversion that were applied to the Transaction.
●
The Acquirer may process the Transaction as a first Presentment
instead of representing. The Acquirer may be responsible for a
Chargeback under Chargeback reason code 74 (Late Presentment).
All excluding
Europe
ID# 0007596 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-650 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
11.1.21.6 Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 76
Table 11-74: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 76
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 76
Country/
Region
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
Chargeback Condition 1
●
None required
●
For an ATM Transaction, none required
●
For all other Transactions, both:
– Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
– Transaction Receipt or other record that proves
that the Transaction code was correct
All
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
Chargeback Condition 2
●
None required
Both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
Transaction Receipt or other record that proves that
the Transaction currency was correct
All
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
Chargeback Condition 3, 4
●
None required
Both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
Acquirer certification that the Merchant is registered
to offer Dynamic Currency Conversion and a copy of
the Transaction Receipt showing the Merchant's local
currency
All
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
Chargeback Condition 5
●
None required
Both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
Explanation of why a Credit Transaction was processed
instead of a Reversal or an Adjustment
All
The Acquirer can provide
Compelling Evidence
1
Chargeback Condition 4
●
None required
All of the following:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire
●
Compelling Evidence
●
Acquirer certification confirming that Dynamic
Currency Conversion was chosen by the Cardholder
and not by the Merchant
●
A copy of the Transaction Receipt
All excluding
Europe
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-651
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 76
Country/
Region
1
Applies only to a Representment in the DCC currency
ID# 0007597 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.22 Chargeback Reason Code 77 – Non-Matching Account Number
11.1.22.1 Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 77
Table 11-75: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 77
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 77
Country/
Region
1 The Merchant or the Acquirer processed a Transaction that did not receive
an Authorization and used an Account Number that does not match any
Account Number on the Issuer's master file.
All
2 The Originating Member processed an Original Credit Transaction using an
Account Number that does not match any Account Number on the Issuer's
master file.
All
ID# 0007601 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.22.2 Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 77
Table 11-76: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 77
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 77 Country/
Region
The Chargeback is invalid for any of the following:
General A V PAY Transaction Europe
ID# 0030006 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
PSR-652 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
11.1.22.3 Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 77
Table 11-77: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 77
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 77
Country/
Region
Chargeback Condition 1
As applicable:
●
NO SUCH ACCT NUMBER
None required All
Chargeback Condition 2
As applicable:
●
ACCOUNT CLOSED
●
ACCOUNT NOT ON FILE
None required All
ID# 0007605 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.22.4 Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 77
Table 11-78: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 77
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 77
Country/
Region
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
Chargeback Condition 1
●
AUTH DATE MMDDYY
CODE X...X (if applicable)
Both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
Legible Transaction Receipt or other documentation
(for example: Transaction log) to prove that the
Account Number was processed correctly
All
The Originating Member can
remedy the Chargeback
Chargeback Condition 2
●
X...X (Specify the reason)
None required All
ID# 0007607 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-653
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
11.1.23 Chargeback Reason Code 78 – Service Code Violation
11.1.23.1 Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 78
Table 11-79: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 78
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 78
Country/
Region
1 A Merchant did not obtain Authorization and completed a Magnetic
Stripe-read Transaction on one of the following:
●
A Visa Electron Card
●
A Visa Card in a registered positive Authorization (X2X Service Code)
account range
●
In the Europe Region, a Card with a Service Code that indicated either:
– The Card was invalid for the Transaction type.
– Online Authorization was required.
All excluding
US Domestic
ID# 0007610 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
11.1.23.2 Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 78
Table 11-80: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 78
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 78
Country/
Region
General
●
None required
None required All excluding
US Domestic
ID# 0007614 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.23.3 Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 78
Table 11-81: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 78
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 78
Country/
Region
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
General
●
AUTH DATE MMDDYY
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute Resolution
Form and either:
●
Documentation to prove that either:
– The Service Code was valid for the Transaction.
All excluding
US Domestic
PSR-654 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 78
Country/
Region
– Authorization was obtained.
●
Documentation to show that the Account was not in a
registered positive Authorization account range. This
does not apply to a Visa Electron Card Transaction.
ID# 0007616 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.24 Chargeback Reason Code 80 – Incorrect Transaction Amount or Account
Number
11.1.24.1 Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 80
Table 11-82: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 80
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 80
Country/
Region
1 The Transaction amount is incorrect or an addition or transposition error
occurred.
All
2 The Merchant altered the Transaction amount after the Transaction was
completed without the consent of the Cardholder
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
3 The Account Number processed through VisaNet does not match the
Account Number on the Transaction Receipt.
All
4 The Acquirer processed an Adjustment of an ATM Cash Disbursement or a
PIN-Authenticated Visa Debit Transaction and one of the following:
●
The Adjustment contains either:
– An incorrect Account Number
– A non-matching Account Number
●
The Adjustment posted to a "closed" or "non-sufficient funds" account
and the Adjustment was processed more than 10 days after the
Transaction Date.
●
The Adjustment was processed more than 45 days from Transaction
Date.
●
An Adjustment was processed more than once for the same
Transaction.
US Domestic
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-655
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 80
Country/
Region
●
The Cardholder disputes the validity of the Adjustment because of the
Adjustment amount or because the original Transaction was cancelled
or reversed.
ID# 0007618 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.24.2 Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 80
Table 11-83: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 80
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 80
Country/
Region
Chargeback
Condition 1
●
For an incorrect Transaction amount, if the handwritten Transaction
amount differs from the imprinted amount, the handwritten amount
must be used to determine the processing error.
●
The Chargeback amount is limited to the difference in the amounts.
All
Chargeback
Condition2
The Chargeback amount is limited to the difference in the amounts Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
ID# 0007631 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.24.3 Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 80
Table 11-84: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 80
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 80
Country/
Region
The Chargeback is invalid for any of the following:
Chargeback
Condition 1
●
A T&E Transaction in which there is a difference between the quoted
price and the actual charges made by the Merchant
●
ANo-Show Transaction or prepayment
1
All
Chargeback
Condition 2
●
ANo-Show Transaction or prepayment
1
●
If the Merchant has the right to alter the Transaction Receipt
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
Chargeback
Condition 3
A Chip-initiated Transaction containing a valid Cryptogram All
PSR-656 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 80
Country/
Region
Chargeback
Condition 3
A Transaction that contains a payment Token All excluding
Europe
1
Processed as specified in Section 5.9.9.1, “Requirements for Prepayments and Transactions Using Stored Credentials”
ID# 0007632 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.1.24.4 Chargeback Time Limit – Reason Code 80
Table 11-85: Chargeback Time Limit – Reason Code 80
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Time Limit – Reason Code 80
Country/
Region
Chargeback
Condition 4
120 calendar days from the Transaction Date of the Adjustment US Domestic
ID# 0007633 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2015
11.1.24.5 Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 80
Table 11-86: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 80
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 80
Country/
Region
Chargeback Condition 1
As applicable:
●
TRAN AMT XXXX NOT
XXXX
●
ERROR IN AMOUNT
None required All
Chargeback Condition 2
●
ALTERED FROM XXXX
AMT TO XXXX AMT
Both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
A copy of the Cardholder's Transaction Receipt
showing different Transaction amounts
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
Chargeback Condition 3
●
INCORRECT ACCT
NUMBER
None required All
Chargeback Condition 4 None required US Domestic
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-657
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 80
Country/
Region
As applicable:
●
INCORRECT ACCT NO
●
NON-MATCHING ACCT
NO
●
INVALID (specify reason)
●
ACCT CLOSED
●
NSF
●
ADJ PROCESSED PAST 45
DAYS
●
FIRST ADJ DATED
MMDDYY
●
ADJ AMT $XXXX NOT
$XXXX
●
ORIG TRANS CNCLD OR
REVERSED
ID# 0007634 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.24.6 Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 80
Table 11-87: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 80
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 80
Country/
Region
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
Chargeback Condition 1, 3
●
None required
Both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
Transaction Receipt or other record to prove that
the Transaction amount or the Account Number was
correct
All
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
Chargeback Condition 2
●
None required
Both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
Documentation to prove one of the following:
– The Transaction Receipt was not altered
– The Cardholder agreed to the altered amount
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
PSR-658 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 80
Country/
Region
– The Merchant is permitted or required to alter the
Transaction amount
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
Chargeback Condition 4
●
ORIG TRAN DATE
MMDDYY TRACE
NUMBER XXXXXX
None required US Domestic
ID# 0007637 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.25 Chargeback Reason Code 81 – Fraud – Card-Present Environment
11.1.25.1 Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 81
Table 11-88: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 81
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 81
Country/
Region
1 The Cardholder did not authorize or participate in a Card-Present
Environment Transaction.
All
2 A fraudulent Transaction was completed in a Card-Present Environment
using an Account Number for which no valid Card was issued or is
outstanding, and no Authorization was obtained.
All
3 The Transaction qualifies for the EMV liability shift, as specified in Section
1.11.1.3, “EMV Liability Shift Participation,”and all of the following:
●
The Transaction was completed in a Card-Present Environment.
●
The Cardholder did not authorize or participate in the Transaction.
●
The Card is a PIN-Preferring Chip Card.
●
One of the following:
– The Transaction did not take place at a Chip-Reading Device.
– A Chip-initiated Transaction took place at a Chip-Reading Device
that was not EMV PIN-compliant.
– For a Transaction that does not involve a Memberin the Europe
Region, the Transaction was Chip-initiated without online PIN and
both:
All
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-659
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 81
Country/
Region
▪ The Transaction was authorized Online.
▪ The Acquirer did not transmit the Full-Chip Data to Visa in the
Authorization Request.
4 Effective for Chargebacks processed through 13 October 2017
The Cardholder did not authorize or participate in a T&E Transaction at an
Unattended Cardholder-Activated Terminal.
United
Kingdom
Domestic
ID# 0007640 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
11.1.25.2 Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 81
Table 11-89: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 81
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 81
Country/
Region
Chargeback
Condition 1,
2
The Chargeback applies only for key-entered Transactions and Unattended
Transactions.
All excluding
Europe
Chargeback
Condition 1,
2
The Issuer must request a copy of the Transaction Receipt before initiating
a Chargeback unless the Transaction is either:
●
An Unattended Transaction
●
A Visa Easy Payment Service Transaction
Interregional
including
Europe
ID# 0007641 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.25.3 Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 81
Table 11-90: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 81
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 81
Country/
Region
The Chargeback is invalid for any of the following:
General
●
An Emergency Cash Disbursement Transaction
●
A Visa B2B Virtual Payments Program Transaction
●
Effective for Transactions completed on or after 14 October 2017
A Mass Transit Transaction
All
PSR-660 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 81
Country/
Region
General Effective for Transactions completed through 13 October 2017
A Variable Fare Transaction
Europe
Chargeback
Condition 1,
2
●
A Transaction where either of the following was obtained:
– For a Face-to-Face Environment Transaction, an ElectronicImprint
– For an Unattended Transaction that does not qualify as a Visa Easy
Payment Service (VEPS) Transaction, an ElectronicImprint and
either a PIN or Consumer Device Cardholder Verification Method
(CDCVM)
●
A VEPS Transaction
●
An Account Number on which the Issuer reported Fraud Activity using
fraud type code 3 (fraudulent application)
All excluding
Europe
Chargeback
Condition 1,
2
●
A Transaction where both of the following were obtained:
– A legible Imprint
– A signature, PIN, or Consumer Device Cardholder Verification
Method (CDCVM)
●
Effective for Transactions completed through 13 April 2018
A Magnetic-Stripe or contact Chip Small Ticket Transaction
●
Effective for Transactions completed through 13 April 2018
A Contactless Transaction that qualifies as a Small Ticket Transaction or
a VEPS Transaction
●
Effective for Transactionscompleted on or after 14 April 2018
A VEPS Transaction
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
Chargeback
Condition 1
An Unattended Transaction that does not qualify as a VEPS Transaction and
that either:
●
Was an Online-authorized Chip-initiated Transaction
1
●
Both:
– Originated with a Counterfeit Card
– Received an Approval Response that included POS Entry Mode
code 05, 07, 90, or 91
All
Chargeback
Condition 1
●
Effective for Transactions completed through 14 April 2018
A Transaction that:
– Contains a signature
– Meets the criteria for CVV2 to be considered an Imprint, as
specified in Section 5.8.4.9, “Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2) as an
Imprint – US Region”
US Domestic
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-661
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 81
Country/
Region
●
A CPS/Retail Transaction
●
A Vehicle-Specific Fleet Card Transaction, if an Imprint was obtained
Effective for
Chargebacks
processed
through 13
October
2017
Chargeback
Condition 1
An Automated Fuel Dispenser Transaction that both:
●
Originated with a Counterfeit Card
●
Received an Approval Response that included POS Entry Mode code 90
or 91
UK Domestic
Chargeback
Condition 2
An Automated Fuel Dispenser Transaction AP
Chargeback
Condition 3
●
A Transaction where both of the following were obtained:
– A legible Imprint
– PIN
●
If the Device is EMV PIN-Compliant and the Transaction was correctly
processed
●
A Contactless Transaction
●
Effective for Transactions completed through 13 April 2018
A VEPS Transaction or, in the Europe Region, a Small Ticket Transaction
●
Effective for Transactions completed on or after 14 April 2018
A VEPS Transaction
●
A Fallback Transaction
All
Chargeback
Condition 3
A V PAY Transaction Europe
Effective for
Chargebacks
processed
through 13
October
2017
Chargeback
Condition 4
●
A Transaction for a delayed charge or an amended amount
●
A Chip-initiated Transaction containing a valid Cryptogram with either
a:
– PIN
– Cardholder certificate
UK Domestic
1
In the Europe Region, this does not apply to Transactions conducted at a UCAT that is not required to accept a PIN.
ID# 0007642 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
PSR-662 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
11.1.25.4 Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 81
Table 11-91: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 81
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 81
Country/
Region
Chargeback Condition 1
●
RR DATE MMDDYY
All of the following:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire
●
A Cardholder letter denying authorization of or
participation in the Transaction, or certification
that the Cardholder denies authorization of or
participation in the Transaction
●
Certification of the Card status based on Issuer
investigation (for example: lost, stolen, counterfeit)
●
Certification of the date Fraud Activity was reported
through VisaNet
●
Certification of the date that either:
– The Account Number was listed on the Exception
File
– The payment Token was deactivated
All excluding
Europe
Chargeback Condition 1
●
RR DATE MMDDYY, if
the Transaction Receipt
request was not fulfilled
All of the following:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
For a Transaction amount equal to or less than USD
25 (or local currency equivalent) or, in the Europe
Region, EUR 25 (or local currency equivalent), all of the
following:
– Cardholder letter denying authorization of or
participation in the Transaction, or certification
that the Cardholder denies authorization of or
participation in the Transaction
– Certification of the date the Fraud Activity was
reported through VisaNet
– Certification of the date the Account Number was
listed on the Exception File
●
For a Transaction amount greater than USD 25 (or
local currency equivalent) or, in the Europe Region,
EUR 25 (or local currency equivalent), a Cardholder
letter denying authorization of or participation in the
Transaction
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-663
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 81
Country/
Region
Chargeback Condition 1 All of the following:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
For a Transaction amount equal to or less than EUR 25
(or local currency equivalent), all of the following:
– Cardholder letter denying authorization of or
participation in the Transaction, or certification
that the Cardholder denies authorization of or
participation in the Transaction
– Certification of the date the Fraud Activity was
reported through VisaNet
– Certification of the date the Account Number was
listed on the Exception File
●
For a Transaction amount greater than EUR 25 (or
local currency equivalent), Cardholder letter denying
authorization of or participation in the Transaction
●
For bundled fraudulent Unattended Transactions,
Dispute Resolution Form, including the summary of all
fraudulent Transactions
Sweden
Domestic
Chargeback Condition 2
As applicable:
●
NO SUCH CARD
●
FICTITIOUS ACCOUNT
NUMBER
1
●
RR DATE MMDDYY, if
the Transaction Receipt
request was not fulfilled
Both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire
●
Certification of the date Fraud Activity was reported
through VisaNet
All excluding
Europe
Chargeback Condition 2
As applicable:
●
NO SUCH CARD
●
FICTITIOUS ACCOUNT
NUMBER
1
●
RR DATE MMDDYY, if
the Transaction Receipt
request was not fulfilled
Both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
Certification of the date Fraud Activity was reported
through VisaNet
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
Chargeback Condition 3 All of the following: All excluding
Europe
PSR-664 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 81
Country/
Region
As applicable:
●
PIN PREFERRING CHIP
CARD, DEVICE NON PIN
COMP
●
EMV CARD, NON EMV
DEVICE
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire
●
Issuer certification that the Card was a PIN-Preferring
Chip Card
●
Cardholder letter denying authorization of or
participation in the Transaction, or certification
that the Cardholder denies authorization of or
participation in the Transaction
●
Certification of the Card status based on Issuer
investigation (for example: lost, stolen, counterfeit)
●
Certification of the date Fraud Activity was reported
through VisaNet using fraud type code 0 (Lost), 1
(Stolen), or 2 (Card not received as issued [NRI])
●
Certification of the date that either:
– The Account Number was listed on the Exception
File
– The payment Token was deactivated
Chargeback Condition 3
As applicable:
●
PIN PREFERRING CHIP
CARD, DEVICE NON PIN
COMP
●
EMV CARD, NON EMV
DEVICE
All of the following:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
Issuer certification that the Card was a PIN-Preferring
Chip Card
●
For a Transaction amount equal to or less than USD
25 (or local currency equivalent) or, in the Europe
Region, EUR 25 (or local currency equivalent), all of the
following:
– Cardholder letter denying authorization of or
participation in the Transaction, or certification
that the Cardholder denies authorization of or
participation in the Transaction
– Certification of the date the Fraud Activity was
reported through VisaNet using fraud type code 0
(Lost), 1 (Stolen), or 2 (Card not Received as Issued
[NRI])
– Certification of the date the Account Number was
listed on the Exception File
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-665
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 81
Country/
Region
●
For a Transaction amount greater than USD 25 (or
local currency equivalent) or, in the Europe Region,
EUR 25 (or local currency equivalent), a Cardholder
letter denying authorization of or participation in the
Transaction
1
Anaccount number that either never existed or existed but wasnot issued by the Member that is licensed to use the
BIN relating to it.
ID# 0007645 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
11.1.25.5 Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 81
Table 11-92: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 81
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification –Reason Code 81
Country/
Region
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
Chargeback Condition 1, 2
As applicable:
●
CVV2, POS XX, ISSUER
AUTHD (indicate 00 or 01)
●
AUTH DATE MMDDYY
CODE X...X
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire and one of the
following:
●
Evidence of both:
– An Imprint
– For an Unattended Transaction, PIN or Consumer
Device Cardholder Verification Method (CDCVM)
●
For a below-Floor Limit Transaction, both:
– Internal record or log with explanation of fields to
prove that the Transaction was a Magnetic Stripe-
read Transaction, a Chip-initiated Transaction, or a
Contactless Transaction
– For an Unattended Transaction, evidence of PIN or
CDCVM
●
For an Airline Transaction, evidence showing that the
Cardholder name is included in the manifest for the
departed flight and matches the Cardholder name
provided on the purchased itinerary.
●
For a Transaction conducted by a digital goods
Merchant assigned MCC 5815 (Digital Goods –
Media, Books, Movies, Music), 5816 (Games), 5817
(Applications [Excludes Games]) or 5818 (Digital
Goods – Large Digital Goods Merchants), all of the
following:
All excluding
Europe
PSR-666 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification –Reason Code 81
Country/
Region
– Evidence that the Merchant has been successfully
registered into and continues to participate in the
Visa Digital Commerce Program
– Evidence that the Merchant is the owner of the
operating system for the subject electronic device
– Evidence that the account set up on the
Merchant's website or application was accessed
by the Cardholder and has been successfully
verified by the Merchant before or on the
Transaction Date
– Evidence that the disputed Transaction used
the same device and Card as any previous
Transactions that were not disputed
– Proof that the device ID number, IP address and
geographic location, and name of device (if
available) are linked to the Cardholder profile on
record at the Merchant
– Description of the merchandise or services and
the date and time goods were purchased and
successfully downloaded
– Customer name linked to the customer profile on
record at the Merchant
– Evidence that the customer password was re-
entered on the Merchant's website or application
at the time of purchase
– Evidence that the Merchant validated the Card
when the Cardholder first linked the Card to the
customer profile on record at the Merchant
●
For a Transaction involving an initial Card-Present
Environment Transaction and one or more ensuing
key-entered Transactions, both:
– Evidence that all Transactions occurred during the
same stay, trip, or rental period
– Evidence of a valid Imprint and signature, PIN, or
CDCVM for the initial Card-Present Environment
Transaction
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
Chargeback Condition 1, 2
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute Resolution
Form and one of the following:
●
Evidence of a legible Imprint
2
and either:
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-667
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification –Reason Code 81
Country/
Region
As applicable:
1
●
CVV2, POS XX, ISSUER
AUTHD (indicate 00 or 01)
●
AUTH DATE MMDDYY
CODE X...X
–
Signature
3
, PIN, or Consumer Device Cardholder
Verification Method (CDCVM)
– For an Unattended Transaction, PIN or CDCVM
●
For a Transaction involving an initial Card-Present
Environment Transaction and one or more ensuing
key-entered Transactions, both:
– Evidence that all Transactions occurred during the
same stay, trip, or rental period
– Evidence of a valid Imprint and signature, PIN, or
CDCVM for the initial Card-Present Environment
Transaction
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
Chargeback Condition 3
As applicable:
●
X...X (Specify the reason)
●
EMV PIN COMPL DVCE,
NON PIN PREF CD
●
NO PED, MAG STRIPE
READ
●
PIN BYPASS, CVM/IAC
FOLLOWED
●
EXCP FILE NOT LSTD, FRD
NOT RPT, ACC NOT CLSD
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute Resolution
Form and one of the following:
●
Evidence of both:
– A legible Imprint for the Transaction
– A PIN
●
Evidence that the Transaction was a Contactless
Transaction
●
Other, as applicable
All
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
Chargeback Condition 3
●
None required
Effective for Transactions completedthrough 13 April
2018
Evidence that the Transaction was a Small Ticket
Transaction
Europe
1
Not required for a Transaction in the Europe Region
2
A pencil rubbing or photocopy of a Card is not considered a valid Imprint.
3
"Signature on file" notation is not an acceptable signature.
ID# 0007648 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
PSR-668 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
11.1.26 Chargeback Reason Code 82 – Duplicate Processing
11.1.26.1 Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 82
Table 11-93: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 82
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 82
Country/
Region
1 A single Transaction was processed more than once using the same Account
Number
All
ID# 0007659 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
11.1.26.2 Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 82
Table 11-94: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 82
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 82
Country/
Region
General If the Transaction was processed by different Acquirers or Originating
Members, the Acquirer or Originating Member that processed the second
Transaction is responsible for the Chargeback
All
ID# 0007660 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
11.1.26.3 Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 82
Table 11-95: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 82
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 82
Country/
Region
The Chargeback is invalid for any of the following:
General A Telephone Service Transaction completed at an Unattended Cardholder-
Activated Terminal, if all of the following information is not identical to a
previously submitted Transaction:
●
Date of call
●
Number of minutes of the call
●
Telephone number called
●
Transaction amount in the Transaction Currency
All excluding
US Domestic
General Transactions completed by different Merchants All
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-669
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 82
Country/
Region
General An Adjustment of a PIN-Authenticated Visa Debit Transaction US Domestic
ID# 0007661 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
11.1.26.4 Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 82
Table 11-96: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 82
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 82
Country/
Region
General
●
TRAN DATE MMDDYY,
REF X...X (23- or 24-
digit Acquirer Reference
Number or applicable
Tracing Data)
None required
1
All
1
In the AP Region (India), for a domestic ATM Transaction, an Issuer must not submit supporting documentation or
certification.
ID# 0007663 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.26.5 Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 82
Table 11-97: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 82
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 82
Country/
Region
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
General
●
None required
●
For an ATM Transaction, both:
– Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
– A copy of the ATM Cash Disbursement Transaction
or Load Transaction record containing at least the
following:
▪ Account Number
▪ Transaction time or sequential number
identifying the individual Transactions
▪ Indicator that confirms that the ATM Cash
Disbursement or Load Transaction values were
successful
All
PSR-670 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 82
Country/
Region
●
For all other Transactions, Visa Resolve Online
Questionnaire or Dispute Resolution Form and either:
– Two separate signed or imprinted Transaction
Receipts or other record to prove that separate
Transactions were processed
– For a Telephone Service Transaction completed
at an Unattended Cardholder-Activated Terminal,
documentation to demonstrate that the time of
the call is different for each Transaction
ID# 0007665 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.27 Chargeback Reason Code 83 – Fraud – Card-Absent Environment
11.1.27.1 Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 83
Table 11-98: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 83
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 83
Country/
Region
1 The Cardholder did not authorize or participate in a Transaction conducted in
a Card-Absent Environment
All
2 A fraudulent Transaction was completed in a Card-Absent Environment using
an Account Number for which no valid Card was issued or is outstanding,
and no Authorization was obtained.
All
ID# 0007669 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
11.1.27.2 Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 83
Table 11-99: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 83
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 83
Country/
Region
General For a Mail/Phone Order Transaction or an Electronic Commerce
Transaction, the Chargeback applies if the Issuer was unable to respond
to an Address Verification Service Authorization Request because the
Transaction was attempted with a Visa Commercial Card or a Card type
where the Cardholder is anonymous.
Canada
Domestic
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-671
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 83
Country/
Region
General One Chargeback may contain up to 25 Transactions if all of the following
apply:
●
The Chargeback uses the Acquirer Reference Number/Tracing Data of
the earliest Transaction
●
Each disputed Transaction is listed on the Dispute Resolution Form
●
Each Transaction relates to the same Account Number, Acquirer,
Merchant name, and Merchant Outlet
●
The Issuer has reported the Fraud Activity for each Transaction
●
Each Transaction Amount is equal to or less than EUR 25 (or local
currency equivalent)
●
The total cumulative value of Transactions is less than or equal to EUR
250 (or local currency equivalent)
Europe
General TheChargeback applies, regardless of the Electronic Commerce Indicator
value, for Electronic Commerce Transactions conducted by Merchants
assigned the following MCCs:
●
4829 (Wire Transfer Money Orders)
●
5967 (Direct Marketing – Inbound Teleservices Merchant)
●
6051 (Non-Financial Institutions – Foreign Currency, Money Orders,
[not Wire Transfer], Travelers' Cheques)
●
7995 (Betting, including Lottery Tickets, Casino Gaming Chips, Off-
Track Betting, and Wagers at Race Tracks)
US Domestic
ID# 0007670 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.1.27.3 Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 83
Table 11-100: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 83
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 83
Country/
Region
The Chargeback is invalid for any of the following:
General
●
An Emergency Cash Disbursement
●
A Transaction for which both:
– The CVV2 result code in the Authorization message is U (Issuer not
participating in CVV2 program).
– The CVV2 presence indicator in the Authorization Request is one of
the following:
All
PSR-672 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 83
Country/
Region
▪ 1 (CVV2 value is present)
▪ 2 (CVV2 value is on the Card but is illegible)
▪ 9 (Cardholder states CVV2 is not present on the Card)
●
A Secure Electronic Commerce Transaction processed with Electronic
Commerce Indicator value 5 in the Authorization Request, if both:
– The Issuer responded to an Authentication Request with an
Authentication Confirmation using Verified by Visa.
– The Cardholder Authentication Verification Value was included in
the Authorization Request.
●
A Visa B2B Virtual Payments Program Transaction
General
●
A Non-Authenticated Security Transaction processed using 3-D Secure
1.0 with Electronic Commerce Indicator value 6 if the Transaction is not
a Non-Reloadable Visa Prepaid Card Transaction and either:
– The Issuer, or Visa on behalf of the Issuer, responded to an
Authentication Request with a Non-Participation Message (VERes
value N).
– Both:
▪ The Issuer, or Visa on behalf of the Issuer, responded to an
Authentication Request with an Attempt Response (PARes
value A) using Verified by Visa that included a Cardholder
Authentication Verification Value.
▪ A Cardholder Authentication Verification Value was included in
the Authorization Request.
●
A Transaction authorized through the Emergency Payment
Authorization Service
All excluding
US Domestic
Effective for
Transactions
completed
on or after
14 October
2017
General
A Non-Authenticated Security Transaction processed using 3-D Secure 2.0
with Electronic Commerce indicator value 6 in the Authorization Request, if
all of the following apply:
●
The Issuer, or Visa on behalf of the Issuer, responded to an
Authentication Request with an Attempt Response using Verified by
Visa and a Cardholder Authentication Verification Value was included.
●
The Transaction is not a Non-Reloadable Visa Prepaid Card Transaction.
●
A Cardholder Authentication Verification Value was included in the
Authorization Request.
All
General An Account Number on which the Issuer reported Fraud Activity using
fraud type code 3 (fraudulent application)
All excluding
Europe
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-673
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 83
Country/
Region
General
●
A Transaction for which an Authorization was obtained, if both:
– The Acquirer attempted to authenticate the Cardholder through
Address Verification Service.
– The Issuer is not an Address Verification Service participant.
●
Effective for Transactions completed on or after 14 October 2017
A Mail/Phone Order Transaction or an Electronic Commerce
Transaction in which all of the following apply:
– The CVV2 presence indicator in the Authorization Request is 1
(CVV2 value is present)
– The CVV2 results code in the Authorization message is N (no
match)
– The Authorization Request was approved
Canada
Domestic
General All of the following:
●
The CVV2 presence indicator in the Authorization Request is 1 (CVV2
value is present).
●
The Card Verification Value 2 results code in the Authorization message
is N (No match).
●
The Authorization Request was approved.
Europe
General The AVS result code is U and the Authorization Request contained address
data.
UK Domestic
General
●
A Mail/Phone Order Transaction or an Electronic Commerce
Transaction, if both:
– The merchandise was shipped or delivered, or services were
purchased.
– The Issuer was not a participant in the Address Verification Service
on the Transaction Date and the Acquirer received an Address
Verification Service response code U.
●
An Airline or passenger railway Transaction, if either:
– The Issuer response to an Address Verification Service inquiry was
Y and tickets were mailed to the Cardholder billing address on the
Issuer file.
– The Issuer was not a participant in the Address Verification Service
on the Transaction Date.
●
A Non-Authenticated Security Transaction processed using 3-D Secure
1.0 with Electronic Commerce indicator value 6 in the Authorization
Request if the Transaction is not a Non-Reloadable Visa Prepaid Card
Transaction, and either:
US Domestic
PSR-674 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 83
Country/
Region
– The Issuer, or Visa on behalf of the Issuer, responded to an
Authentication Request with a Non-Participating Message (VERes
value N).
– Both:
▪ The Issuer, or Visa on behalf of the Issuer, responded to an
Authentication Request with an Attempt Response (PARes
value A) using Verified by Visa.
▪ A Cardholder Authentication Verification Value was included in
the Authorization Request.
●
Effective for Transactions completed on or after 14 April 2018
A Mail/Phone Order Transaction or an Electronic Commerce
Transaction in which all of the following apply:
– The CVV2 presence indicator in the Authorization Request is 1
(CVV2 value is present).
– The CVV2 results code in the Authorization message is N (No
match).
– The Authorization Request was approved.
Chargeback
Condition 1
An Electronic Commerce Transaction in which all of the following apply:
●
The CVV2 presence indicator in the Authorization Request is 1 (CVV2
value is present).
●
The CVV2 results code in the Authorization message is N (No match).
●
The Authorization Request was approved.
AP
CEMEA
Chargeback
Condition 2
A Transaction for which an Authorization was obtained All
ID# 0007671 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.1.27.4 Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 83
Table 11-101: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 83
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 83
Country/
Region
Chargeback Condition 1
As applicable:
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire and all of the following: All excluding
Europe
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-675
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 83
Country/
Region
●
RR DATE MMDDYY, if
the Transaction Receipt
request was not fulfilled
●
UNABLE TO
AUTHENTICATE
RESPONSE
●
AUTHENTICATION DENIAL
●
CAVV AND
AUTHENTICATION
IDENTIFIER MISSING IN
AUTH
●
SEE 3-D SECURE
RESPONSE SENT
MMDDYY
●
A Cardholder letter denying authorization of or
participation in the Transaction, or certification
that the Cardholder denies authorization of or
participation in the Transaction
●
Certification of the Card status based on Issuer
investigation (for example: lost, stolen, counterfeit)
●
Certification of the date Fraud Activity was reported
through VisaNet
●
Certification of the date that either:
– The Account Number was listed on the Exception
File
– The payment Token was deactivated
Chargeback Condition 1
As applicable:
●
UNABLE TO
AUTHENTICATE
RESPONSE
●
AUTHENTICATION DENIAL
●
CAVV AND
AUTHENTICATION
IDENTIFIER MISSING IN
AUTH
●
SEE 3-D SECURE
RESPONSE SENT
MMDDYY
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute Resolution
Form and all of the following:
●
For a Transaction amount equal to or less than USD
25 (or local currency equivalent) or, in the Europe
Region, EUR 25 (or local currency equivalent), all of the
following:
– Cardholder letter denying authorization of or
participation in the Transaction, or certification
that the Cardholder denies authorization of or
participation in the Transaction
– Certification of the date the Fraud Activity was
reported through VisaNet
– Certification of the date that either:
▪ The Account Number was listed on the
Exception File
▪ The payment Token was deactivated
●
For a Transaction amount greater than USD 25 (or
local currency equivalent) or, in the Europe Region,
EUR 25 (or local currency equivalent), a Cardholder
letter denying authorization or participation in the
Transaction
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
Chargeback Condition 2
As applicable:
●
NO SUCH CARD
Both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire
All excluding
Europe
PSR-676 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 83
Country/
Region
●
FICTITIOUS ACCOUNT
NUMBER
●
RR DATE MMDDYY (if
the Transaction Receipt
request was not fulfilled)
●
Certification of the date Fraud Activity was reported
through VisaNet
Chargeback Condition 2
As applicable:
●
NO SUCH CARD
●
FICTITIOUS ACCOUNT
NUMBER
●
RR DATE MMDDYY (if
the Transaction Receipt
request was not fulfilled)
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute Resolution
Form
Interregional
including
Europe
General
As applicable:
●
UNABLE TO
AUTHENTICATE
RESPONSE
●
AUTHENTICATION DENIAL
●
CAVV AND
AUTHENTICATION
IDENTIFIER MISSING IN
AUTH
●
SEE 3-D SECURE
RESPONSE SENT
MMDDYY
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute Resolution
Form and all of the following:
●
For a Transaction amount equal to or less than EUR 25
(or local currency equivalent), all of the following:
– Cardholder letter denying authorization of or
participation in the Transaction, or certification
that the Cardholder denies authorization of or
participation in the Transaction
– Certification of the date the Fraud Activity was
reported through VisaNet
– Certification of the date that either:
▪ The Account Number was listed on the
Exception File
▪ The payment Token was deactivated
●
For a Transaction amount greater than EUR 25 (or
local currency equivalent), a Cardholder letter denying
authorization of or participation in the Transaction
●
For bundled low-value fraudulent Transactions, a list
of all low-value fraudulent Transactions included in the
Chargeback
Europe
ID# 0007673 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-677
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
11.1.27.5 Representment Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 83
Table 11-102: Representment Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 83
Chargeback
Condition
Representment Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 83 Country/
Region
General For a Representment due to an Issuer failing to properly list the Account
Number on the Exception File, properly report Fraud Activity, or close
an account
1
, the Acquirer must provide information/documentation to
support this claim.
All
General The Acquirer may represent if the Transaction Receipt contains an
Electronic Imprint (POS Entry Mode code 02, 05, 07, 90, or 91)
2
or a Manual
Imprint.
All excluding
Europe
General
●
The Acquirer may represent if the Transaction Receipt contains both
a signature (or a PIN was obtained) and an Electronic Imprint or a
Manual Imprint.
●
The Acquirer may represent if the Merchant attempted to authenticate
the Cardholder using Verified by Visabut the Cardholder was not
participating.
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
1
The Issuer is not required to close the Cardholder Account for a Transaction that contains a payment Token.
2
In the US Region, this also applies to a QR code Transaction (POS Entry Mode 03) containing Full-Chip Data.
ID# 0026107 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.1.27.6 Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 83
Table 11-103: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 83
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 83
Country/
Region
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
General
●
AUTH MMDDYY CODE
X...X
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute Resolution
Form and one of the following:
●
Evidence of an Imprint
1
and a signature
2
or PIN
●
For a Transaction involving an initial Card-Present
Environment Transaction and one or more ensuing
key-entered Transactions, both:
– Evidence that all Transactions occurred during the
same stay, trip, or rental period
– Evidence of a valid Imprint and signature, PIN, or
CDCVM for the initial Card-Present Environment
Transaction
All
PSR-678 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 83
Country/
Region
●
If a Non-Authenticated Security Transaction was
processed with an Electronic Commerce Indicator
value 6 in the Authorization Request, proof that the
Issuer responded to the Authentication Request with a
Cardholder Authentication Verification Value
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
General
• AUTH MMDDYY CODE
X...X
For a Secure Electronic Commerce Transaction, both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire
●
A Verified by Visa Authentication history log proving
that the Cardholder was authenticated
US Domestic
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
General
●
AUTH MMDDYY CODE
X...X
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire and either:
●
For an Airline Transaction, evidence showing that the
Cardholder name is included in the manifest for the
departed flight and matches the Cardholder name
provided on the purchased itinerary.
●
For a Transaction conducted by a digital goods
Merchant assigned MCC 5815 (Digital Goods–
Media, Books, Movies, Music), 5816 (Games), 5817
(Applications [Excludes Games]) or 5818 (Digital
Goods– Large Digital Goods Merchants), all of the
following:
– Evidence that the Merchant has been successfully
registered into and continues to participate in the
Visa Digital Commerce Program
– Evidence that the Merchant is the owner of the
operating system for the subject electronic device
– Evidence that the account set up on the
Merchant's website or application was accessed
by the Cardholder and has been successfully
verified by the Merchant before or on the
Transaction Date
– Evidence that the disputed Transaction used
the same device and Card as any previous
Transactions that were not disputed
– Proof that the device ID number, IP address and
geographic location, and name of device (if
available) are linked to the Cardholder profile on
record at the Merchant
All excluding
Europe
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-679
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 83
Country/
Region
– Description of the merchandise or services and
the date and time goods were purchased and
successfully downloaded
– Customer name linked to the customer profile on
record at the Merchant
– Evidence that the customer password was re-
entered on the Merchant's website or application
at the time of purchase
– Evidence that the Merchant validated the Card
when the Cardholder first linked the Card to the
customer profile on record at the Merchant
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
General
●
CVV2 NON MATCH; ISSR
AUTH’D; CVV2 CHECKED
As applicable AP
CEMEA
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
Chargeback Condition 2
●
AUTH MMDDYY CODE
X...X
Both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
Information to prove that the Transaction was properly
authorized
All
1
A pencil rubbing or photocopy of a Card is not considered a valid Imprint.
2
"Signature on file" notation is not an acceptable signature.
ID# 0007676 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.1.28 Chargeback Reason Code 85 – Credit Not Processed
11.1.28.1 Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 85
Table 11-104: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 85
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 85
Country/
Region
1 TheCardholder received a credit or voidedTransaction Receipt that was
not processed
Europe and
Interregional
PSR-680 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 85
Country/
Region
including
Europe
2 All of the following:
●
The Cardholder cancelled or returned merchandise, cancelled
services, cancelled a timeshare Transaction, or cancelled a Guaranteed
Reservation.
1
●
The Merchant did not process a credit or voided Transaction Receipt.
●
Either:
– The Merchant did not properly disclose or did disclose, but did
not apply, a limited return or cancellation policy at the time of the
Transaction.
– In the Europe Region, the merchandise or services relate to an off-
premises, distance selling contract (as set out in the EU Directive
and amended from time to time) which is always subject to a 14-
day cancellation period.
All
3 An Original Credit Transaction was not accepted because either:
●
The recipient refused the Original Credit Transaction.
●
Original Credit Transactions are prohibited by applicable laws or
regulations.
All
1
For a France Domestic Transaction, the Chargeback is valid only for timeshare Transactions and No-Show Transactions.
ID# 0007679 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
11.1.28.2 Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 85
Table 11-105: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 85
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 85
Country/
Region
General
●
The Chargeback applies if a "void" or "cancelled" notation appears on
the Transaction Receipt.
●
The Chargeback must not exceed the original Transaction amount.
●
If the merchandise was shipped before the Transaction was cancelled,
the Cardholder must return the merchandise, if received.
All
Chargeback
Condition 2
●
The Chargeback amount is limited to either:
– The value of the unused portion of the cancelled service
All
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-681
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 85
Country/
Region
– The value of the returned merchandise
●
The Chargeback applies if the returned merchandise is refused by the
Merchant.
●
The Chargeback applies for a timeshare Transaction processed with an
incorrect MCC.
●
The Chargeback applies if the Cardholder cancelled a timeshare
Transaction within 14 calendar days of the contract date or the date
the contract or related documents were received. If the Cardholder
cancels a timeshare Transaction after 14 calendar days of the contract
date or the date the contract or related documents were received, the
Cardholder must cancel according to the Merchant's properly disclosed
limited return or cancellation policy.
●
The Chargeback applies if the Cardholder cancelled a Guaranteed
Reservation with the Merchant or its agent according to the
cancellation policy, but was billed for a No-Show Transaction.
●
The Chargeback applies if the Merchant or its agent processed a No-
Show Transaction for more than one day's accommodation or rental
and applicable taxes when a Guaranteed Reservation was cancelled or
unclaimed.
●
The Chargeback applies if the Cardholder made a reservation and
attempted to cancel within 24 hours of delivery of the reservation
confirmation, but was billed for a No-Show Transaction.
Chargeback
Condition 2
The Chargeback applies if the Cardholder cancelled a Transaction related to
an off-premises, distance selling contract (as set out in the EU Directive and
amended from time to time) within 14 days.
The cancellation period for off-premises, distance selling does not apply to
contracts for goods or services where any of the following apply:
●
Price is dependent on fluctuations in the financial market.
●
Made to measure goods are supplied.
●
Goods are liable to deteriorate or expire rapidly.
●
Sealed goods, subject to health and safety provisions, are supplied.
●
Goods are not received in physical form (software download).
●
The Transaction is a T&E Transaction.
●
The Merchant Outlet is based in Israel, Switzerland, or Turkey.
Europe
ID# 0007680 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-682 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
11.1.28.3 Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 85
Table 11-106: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 85
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 85
Country/
Region
The Chargeback is invalid for any of the following:
General
●
A dispute regarding the quality of the service rendered or the quality of
merchandise, unless a Credit Transaction Receipt is provided
●
The Cash-Back portion of a Visa Cash-Back Transaction
●
A dispute regarding Value-Added Tax (VAT) unless a Credit Transaction
Receipt is provided
All
General An Automated Fuel Dispenser Transaction All excluding
Europe
Chargeback
Condition 2
A Transaction in which returned merchandise is held by a customs agency
other than the Merchant’s country’s customs agency
1
All
1
In the Europe Region, this does not apply to an off-premises, distance selling Transaction.
ID# 0007681 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.28.4 Chargeback Time Limit – Reason Code 85
Table 11-107: Chargeback Time Limit – Reason Code 85
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Time Limit – Reason Code 85
Country/
Region
Chargeback
Condition 1
Before initiating a Chargeback, an Issuer must wait 15 calendar days from
the date on the Credit Transaction Receipt. This requirement does not
apply if the Credit Transaction Receipt is undated.
A Chargeback must be processed no later than 120 calendar days from any
of the following:
●
The Transaction Processing Date
●
The date on the Credit Transaction Receipt
●
The date of the Cardholder letter, if the Credit Transaction Receipt is
undated
●
The date the Issuer received the Cardholder letter, if both the Credit
Transaction Receipt and the Cardholder letter are undated
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
Chargeback
Condition2
Before initiating a Chargeback, an Issuer must wait 15 calendar days from
the date the merchandise was returned. This does not apply if the waiting
period would cause the Chargeback to exceed the Chargeback timeframe.
All
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-683
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Time Limit – Reason Code 85
Country/
Region
A Chargeback must be processed no later than 120 calendar days from
either:
●
The Transaction Processing Date
●
The date the Cardholder received or expected to receive the
merchandise or services
Chargeback
Condition 3
120 calendar days from the Transaction Processing Date All
ID# 0007682 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.28.5 Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 85
Table 11-108: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 85
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 85
Country/
Region
Chargeback Condition 1
●
CREDIT NOT PROCESSED
Both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
A copy of the Credit Transaction Receipt or voided
Transaction Receipt
1,2
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
Chargeback Condition 2
As applicable:
●
TIMESHARE CANC
MMDDYY & CONTRACT
RECEIPT MMDDYY
(contract receipt date, if
applicable)
For a Timeshare Transaction: None required
For all other Transactions, both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire stating all of the
following, as applicable:
– The date the merchandise or service was
cancelled or returned
– The name of the shipping company, if applicable
– The invoice/tracking number, if available
– The date the Merchant received the merchandise,
if available
– For returned merchandise, that the Cardholder
attempted to resolve the dispute with the
Merchant
– That the Merchant billed a No-Show Transaction
for more than one day’s accommodation or rental
All excluding
Europe
PSR-684 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 85
Country/
Region
– That the Cardholder properly cancelled the
Guaranteed Reservation and one of the following:
▪ The Merchant processed a No-Show
Transaction.
▪ The Merchant did not accept a cancellation or
provide a cancellation confirmation.
▪ The Cardholder attempted to cancel within
24 hours of delivery of the reservation
confirmation, but was billed for a No-Show
Transaction.
●
In lieu of documentation, Issuer certification that
the Merchant refused the return of merchandise,
refused to provide a return merchandise authorization,
or informed the Cardholder not to return the
merchandise, if applicable
Chargeback Condition 2
As applicable:
●
TIMESHARE CANC
MMDDYY & CONTRACT
RECEIPT MMDDYY
(contract receipt date, if
applicable)
For a Timeshare Transaction: None required
For all other Transactions, both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form stating all of the following, as
applicable:
– The date the merchandise or service was
cancelled or returned
– The name of the shipping company, if applicable
– The invoice/tracking number, if available
– The date the Merchant received the merchandise,
if available
– For returned merchandise, that the Cardholder
attempted to resolve the dispute with the
Merchant
– That the Merchant billed a No-Show Transaction
for more than one day’s accommodation or rental
– That the Cardholder properly cancelled the
Guaranteed Reservation and one of the following:
▪ The Merchant processed a No-Show
Transaction.
▪ The Merchant did not accept a cancellation or
provide a cancellation confirmation.
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-685
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 85
Country/
Region
▪ The Cardholder attempted to cancel within
24 hours of delivery of the reservation
confirmation, but was billed for a No-Show
Transaction.
●
Proofthat the Merchant refused the return of
merchandise, refused to provide a return merchandise
authorization, or informed the Cardholder not to
return the merchandise, if applicable
●
For a Transaction in the Europe Region related to off-
premises, distance selling contracts, both:
– Proof of the start date of the off-premises,
distance selling contract
– Proof that the Cardholder canceled the
Transaction within the 14-day cancellation period
Chargeback Condition 3
As applicable:
●
RECIPIENT REFUSES
CREDIT
●
NOT ALLOWED BY LOCAL
LAW
None required All
1
For an Interregional Transaction involving a Memberin the Europe Region, a refund acknowledgement or credit letter
does not qualify as a Credit Transaction Receipt unless it contains all required data.
2
A lost ticket application or a refund application is not considered a Credit Transaction Receipt.
ID# 0007683 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
11.1.28.6 Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 85
Table 11-109: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 85
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 85
Country/
Region
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
Chargeback Condition 1
●
X...X (Specify the reason)
None required Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
Both: All
PSR-686 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 85
Country/
Region
Chargeback Condition 2
As applicable:
●
X...X (Specify the reason)
●
RETURNED MDSE NOT
RECEIVED (if applicable)
●
CH AGREED TO CANC
POLICY
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
Either:
– The Transaction Receipt or other records to prove
that the Merchant properly disclosed a limited
return or cancellation policy at the time of the
Transaction, as applicable
– Evidence to demonstrate that the Cardholder
received the Merchant's cancellation or return
policy and did not cancel according to the
disclosed policy
The OriginatingMembercan
remedy the Chargeback
Chargeback Condition 3
●
X...X (Specify the reason)
None required All
ID# 0007685 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.29 Chargeback Reason Code 86 – Paid by Other Means
11.1.29.1 Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 86
Table 11-110: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 86
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 86
Country/
Region
1 The Cardholder paid for the same merchandise or service by other means All
ID# 0007688 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-687
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
11.1.29.2 Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 86
Table 11-111: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 86
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 86
Country/
Region
General
●
The Chargeback applies when the contract reflects that the Merchant
accepted a voucher issued by a third party as payment for merchandise
or for services rendered, and subsequently bills the Cardholder
because the Merchant is unable to collect payment from the third
party.
●
The Chargeback applies when the same Transaction was processed
through different payment networks on the same Account Number.
●
Before the Issuer may initiate the Chargeback, the Cardholder must
attempt to resolve the dispute with the Merchant or the Merchant’s
liquidator.
1
All
1
The requirement to resolve a dispute with the Merchant’s liquidator does not apply in the Europe Region.
ID# 0007689 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.29.3 Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 86
Table 11-112: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 86
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 86
Country/
Region
The Chargeback is invalid for any of the following:
General
●
A partial prepayment
1
if the balance payment is not authorized and the
balance was not paid by other means
●
Transactions in which payment for services was made to 2 different
Merchants, unless there is evidence that the payment was passed from
one Merchant to the other (for example: payment from a travel agent
to a T&E Merchant)
All
1
Processed as specified in Section 5.9.9.1, “Requirements for Prepayments and Transactions Using Stored Credentials”
ID# 0007690 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-688 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
11.1.29.4 Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 86
Table 11-113: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 86
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 86
Country/
Region
General
●
None required
All of the following:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire stating that the
Cardholder attempted to resolve the dispute with
the Merchant, unless prohibited by local laws or
regulations
●
Evidence that the Merchant received payment by
other means, including:
– The Acquirer Reference Number or other
Transaction information, if paid by a Visa Card
– A statement, if paid by another card
– A cash receipt or a copy of the front and back of a
cancelled check
●
If the Merchant billed the Cardholder because
the Merchant was unable to collect payment for a
voucher received from a third party, evidence that
the Merchant accepted the voucher for payment for
the merchandise or service (for example: a rental
contract showing that the voucher was accepted by
the Merchant)
All excluding
Europe
General
●
None required
All of the following:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form stating that the Cardholder
attempted to resolve the dispute with the Merchant,
unless prohibited by local laws or regulations
●
Evidence that the Merchant received payment by
other means, including:
– A statement, if paid by another card
– A cash receipt or a copy of the front and back of a
cancelled check
Europe and
Interregional
including
Europe
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-689
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 86
Country/
Region
●
If the Merchant billed the Cardholder because
the Merchant was unable to collect payment for a
voucher received from a third party, evidence that
the Merchant accepted the voucher for payment for
the merchandise or service (for example: a rental
contract showing that the voucher was accepted by
the Merchant)
ID# 0007692 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.29.5 Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 86
Table 11-114: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 86
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 86
Country/
Region
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
General
●
None required
Both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaireor Dispute
Resolution Form
●
Documentation to prove that the Merchant did
not receive payment by other means for the same
merchandise or service
All
ID# 0007694 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.30 Chargeback Reason Code 90 – Non-Receipt of Cash or Load Transaction Value
at ATM
11.1.30.1 Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 90
Table 11-115: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 90
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 90
Country/
Region
1 The Cardholder participated in the Transaction and did not receive cash or
Load Transaction value, or received a partial amount.
All
ID# 0007696 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-690 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
11.1.30.2 Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 90
Table 11-116: Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 90
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Rights and Limitations – Reason Code 90
Country/
Region
General The Chargeback is limited to the amount not received All
ID# 0007697 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
11.1.30.3 Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 90
Table 11-117: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 90
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 90
Country/
Region
The Chargeback is invalid for any of the following:
General The Chargeback is invalid if theCardholder states that theTransaction was
fraudulent or the Transaction was processed more than once
All
ID# 0007698 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
11.1.30.4 Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 90
Table 11-118: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 90
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 90
Country/
Region
General
As applicable:
●
CASH/VALUE NOT
RECEIVED
●
CASH/VALUE AMT $XXXX
RECD $XXXX
None required
1
All
General
As applicable:
●
CASH/VALUE NOT
RECEIVED
●
CASH/VALUE AMT $XXXX
RECD $XXXX
Both:
●
Dispute Resolution Form
●
A Cardholder letter, if the Cardholder is disputing 3 or
more Transactions that occurred within a single 15-
calendar day period and cash was not received
Europe
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-691
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Chargebacks and Representments
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 90
Country/
Region
1
In the AP Region (India), for a Domestic Transaction, an Issuer must not submit supporting documentation or
certification.
ID# 0007700 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.30.5 Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 90
Table 11-119: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 90
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 90
Country/
Region
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
General
●
X...X (Specify the reason)
Both:
●
Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute
Resolution Form
●
A copy of the ATM Cash Disbursement Transaction
or Load Transaction record containing at least the
following:
– Account Number
– Transaction time or sequential number identifying
the individual Transactions
– Indicator that confirms that the ATM Cash
Disbursements or Load Transaction values were
successful
All
ID# 0007702 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.31 Chargeback Reason Code 93 – Visa Fraud Monitoring Program
11.1.31.1 Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 93
Table 11-120: Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 93
Condition Chargeback Conditions – Reason Code 93
Country/
Region
1 Visa notified the Issuer that the Transaction was identified by the Visa
FraudMonitoring Program and the Issuer has not successfully charged back
the Transaction under another reason code
All
ID# 0007704 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-692 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
11.1.31.2 Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 93
Table 11-121: Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 93
Chargeback
Condition
Invalid Chargebacks – Reason Code 93
Country/
Region
The Chargeback is invalid for any of the following:
General The Chargeback is invalid for an Emergency Cash Disbursement. All
ID# 0007706 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.31.3 Chargeback Time Limit – Reason Code 93
Table 11-122: Chargeback Time Limit – Reason Code 93
Chargeback
Condition
Chargeback Time Limit – Reason Code 93
Country/
Region
General 120 calendar days from the date of the identification by the Visa Fraud
Monitoring Program
All
ID# 0007707 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.31.4 Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 93
Table 11-123: Chargeback Processing Requirements – Reason Code 93
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 93
Country/
Region
General
●
FMP RPT DT MMDDYY
None required All
ID# 0007708 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.1.31.5 Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 93
Table 11-124: Representment Processing Requirements – Reason Code 93
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 93
Country/
Region
The Acquirer can remedy the
Chargeback
General
None required All
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-693
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Arbitration and Compliance
Member Message Text
Supporting Documentation/
Certification – Reason Code 93
Country/
Region
●
PREV CB MMDDYY RC XX
ID# 0007711 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.2 Arbitration and Compliance
11.2.1 Pre-Arbitration
11.2.1.1 Pre-Arbitration Filing Requirements
Before filing for Arbitration, a Member must make a pre-Arbitration attempt for any of the conditions
specified as follows:
Table 11-125: Pre-Arbitration Conditions and Certification Requirements
Pre-Arbitration Condition Certification Requirement
New documentation or information is being
provided to the opposing Member about the
dispute.
Not applicable
The Acquirer represented with Compelling Evidence. In the Europe Region, the Issuer must both:
●
Contact the Cardholder to review the
Compelling Evidence
●
Provide documentation detailing how the
Compelling Evidence has been addressed by the
Cardholder and why the Cardholder continues to
dispute the Transaction
For all other Transactions, the Issuer must both:
●
Certify that it has contacted the Cardholder to
review the Compelling Evidence
1
●
Provide an explanation of why the Cardholder
continues to dispute the Transaction
For Transactions not involving a Member in the
Europe Region, for reason codes81 or 83, the Issuer
must either:
●
Certify that it has contacted the Cardholder to
review the Compelling Evidence and provide an
explanation of why the Cardholder continues to
dispute the Transaction
PSR-694 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Pre-Arbitration Condition Certification Requirement
●
Certify that the name and address supplied does
not match the Cardholder name and address
The Issuer changes the reason code for the dispute
after the Representment was processed.
Not applicable
The Acquirer provided evidence that the Cardholder
no longer disputes the Transaction.
The Issuer must certify that the Cardholder still
disputes the Transaction.
1
For Transactions not involving a Member in the Europe Region, exceptions apply forreason codes81 and 83.
A Member making a pre-Arbitration attempt must provide, in English, the information required
in the Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute Resolution Form and all relevant supporting
documentation with definitions for the relevant data fields.
ID# 0002878 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
11.2.1.2 Pre-Arbitration Time Limits
A Member must not exceed the time limits specified for pre-Arbitration, as follows:
Table 11-126: Pre-Arbitration Time Limits
Process Step Time Limit
Make pre-Arbitration attempt Within 29 calendar days from the Representment
Processing Date
●
Reply to pre-Arbitration attempt
●
Accept financial responsibility and credit
requesting Member for the last amount received
by the requesting Member
30 calendar days from the pre-Arbitration attempt
date
ID# 0028023 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.2.2 Arbitration
11.2.2.1 Arbitration Filing Conditions
A Member may file for Arbitration when one of the following occurs:
●
The Chargeback and Representment cycle has been completed and the Member has not been able
to resolve the dispute.
●
An opposing Member has not followed the required steps of a Chargeback or Representment.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-695
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Arbitration and Compliance
●
An opposing Member does not accept financial responsibility for a disputed Transaction within 30
calendar days of a pre-Arbitration attempt.
For a valid request, Visa notifies both Members of case acceptance.
ID# 0002604 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.2.2.2 Arbitration Filing Authority
An Arbitration request must be filed with either:
●
The requesting Member's Group Member
●
Visa
If the Group Member determines that a request is invalid, it must return the request to the requesting
Member. The requesting Member must not seek recourse with Visa.
ID# 0001421 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
11.2.2.3 Arbitration Time Limits
A Member must not exceed the time limits specified for Arbitration, as follows:
Table 11-127: Arbitration Time Limits
Process Step Time Limit
File Arbitration case (without pre-Arbitration
attempt)
Acquirer: 30 calendar days from the Chargeback
Processing Date
Issuer: 30 calendar days from the Representment
Processing Date
File Arbitration case (following pre-Arbitration
attempt)
Acquirer: 60 calendar days
1
from the Chargeback
Processing Date
Issuer: 60 calendar days
1
from the Representment
Processing Date
●
Reply
●
Withdraw case
●
Accept financial responsibility
7 calendar days from the Visa acknowledgement
date
Collect disputed amount from the responsible
Member
60 calendar days from the Notification date of
the decision by the Arbitration and Compliance
Committee
PSR-696 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Process Step Time Limit
1
Plus 30 calendar days for a Group Member
ID# 0028024 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.2.2.4 Documentation Required for Arbitration
When seeking Arbitration, a Member must provide, in English, the information required in the Visa
Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute Resolution Form for each Transaction, and all relevant
supporting documentation.
1
A Member must not submit documentation or information to Visa that was not previously submitted
to the opposing Member.
1
In the Europe Region, a Member must provide definitions for the relevant data fields contained in the supporting
documentation.
ID# 0001424 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.2.2.5 Use of V.I.P. System Authorization System Records in Arbitration
If the Issuer's and Acquirer's Authorization records for a Transaction do not match, the V.I.P. System
Authorization record prevails at Arbitration.
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
ID# 0028025 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
11.2.3 Compliance
11.2.3.1 Compliance Filing Conditions
Unless otherwise specified, a Member may file for Compliance if all of the following occur:
●
A violation of the Visa Rules occurred that is not related to an Account Data Compromise Event.
●
The Member has no Chargeback or Representment right.
●
The Member incurred or will incur a financial loss as a direct result of the violation.
1
●
The Member would not have incurred the financial loss had the violation not occurred.
1
●
The Member made a pre-Compliance attempt to resolve the dispute with the opposing Member
and the opposing Member does not accept financial liability.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-697
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Arbitration and Compliance
The pre-Compliance attempt must include all of the following:
●
Planned Compliance filing date
●
All pertinent documentation
2
●
Specific violation of the Visa Rules
1
In the US Region, thisdoes not apply to a US Credit Card Surcharge violation, as specified in Section 11.2.3.5, “Compliance
Right for Improperly Assessed Surcharge – US Region and US Territories.”
2
In the Europe Region, a Member must provide supporting documentation in English using the Electronic Documentation
Transfer Method, including all definitions for the relevant data fields that are contained within that supporting evidence.
ID# 0001455 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.2.3.2 Compliance Prohibition for Account Data Compromise Events
Effective through 13 October 2017
A violation involving failure to comply with the PIN Management Requirements Documents,
Visa PIN Security Program Guide, or Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)
that could allow a compromise of Magnetic-Stripe Data is not resolved through the Compliance
process. Such violations are resolved through the Global Compromised Account Recovery
program.
Effective 14 October 2017
A violation involving failure to comply with the PIN Management Requirements Documents,
Visa PIN Security Program Guide, or Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)
that could allow a compromise of Magnetic-Stripe Data is not resolved through the Compliance
process.
A violation involving failure to comply with the PIN Management Requirements Documents, Visa
PIN Security Program Guide, or Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) that
could allow a compromise of Chip Card Account Number and expiration date data or of Chip
Card Account Number and Card Verification Value data is not resolved through the Compliance
process. Such violations are resolved through the Global Compromised Account Recovery
program, to the extent applicable.
ID# 0026001 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.2.3.3 Compliance Filing Authority
A Compliance request must be filed with either:
●
The requesting Member's Group Member
●
Visa
PSR-698 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
If the Group Member determines that a request is invalid, it must return the request to the requesting
Member. The requesting Member must not seek recourse with Visa.
ID# 0001475 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
11.2.3.4 Compliance Conditions and Required Documentation
When seeking Compliance, a Member must provide all of the following, in English:
●
The information required in the Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire or Dispute Resolution Form for
each Transaction
●
Documentation substantiating that a financial loss would not have resulted if the violation had not
occurred
●
If applicable, the documentation shown in the tables in this section
●
Other relevant supporting documentation. In the Europe Region, a Member must provide
definitions for the relevant data fields contained within the supporting documentation.
A Member must not submit documentation or information to Visa that was not previously submitted
to the opposing Member.
Table 11-128: Chargeback Reduction Service Returned Valid Chargeback or Representment for Invalid Data
Compliance Condition
The Chargeback Reduction Service returned a valid Chargeback or Representment resulting from a Member
transmitting invalid data.
Required Documentation
Both:
●
Evidence of incorrect or invalid data
●
Evidence that the Member was able to meet Chargeback or Representment conditions
Table 11-129: Chargeback Reduction Service Returned Transaction with Valid Authorization
Compliance Condition
The Chargeback Reduction Service returned a Transaction with a valid Authorization.
Required Documentation
All of the following:
●
The Transaction Receipt
●
Proof that the Transaction received an Authorization
●
Evidence of the Chargeback Reduction Service return
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-699
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Arbitration and Compliance
Table 11-130: Unauthorized Signature
Compliance Condition
A Cardholder's account was charged for a Transaction and all of the following:
●
The Cardholder denies authorizing or participating in the Transaction.
●
The Card that was lost or stolen, and recovered, was used in the disputed Transaction.
●
The first initial of the first name or the last name of the signature on the Transaction Receipt is not
spelled the same as the signature on the Card signature panel.
●
The Transaction was not one of the following:
– Vehicle-Specific Fleet Card Transaction
– Emergency Cash Disbursement
– Priority check-out Transaction at a Lodging Merchant
– Transaction using a Contactless Device that is not a standard plastic Card
– An Emergency Travelers Cheque Refund
Required Documentation
●
A completed Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire certifying that the Cardholder denies authorizing or
participating in the Transaction
●
Issuer certification, completed Visa Resolve Online Questionnaire, or Unauthorized Signature – Issuer
Certification (Exhibit 2G), stating that the recovered Card signature panel was unaltered and describing
the Card recovery circumstances
●
In the Europe Region, a completed unauthorized signature certification as specified in the Dispute
Resolution Form stating that the recovered Card signature panel was unaltered and describing the Card
recovery circumstances
●
Transaction Receipt
●
Copy of the front and back of the recovered Card
Table 11-132: Cardholder Letter Required for Legal Purposes
Compliance Condition
An Acquirer or Merchant requires a signed Cardholder letter for legal proceedings, for a law enforcement
investigation, or if required by applicable laws or regulations.
Required Documentation
One of the following:
●
Evidence that the signed Cardholder letter is required for legal proceedings (for example: court order or
subpoena)
●
For a Transaction not involving a Member in the Europe Region, evidence that the Cardholder letter is
required for a law enforcement investigation
PSR-700 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
For a Transaction involving a Member in the Europe Region, Acquirer certification that the signed
Cardholder letter is required for a law enforcement investigation or is required by applicable laws or
regulations
Table 11-133: Copy of Transaction Receipt
Compliance Condition
An Issuer or a Cardholder requires a copy of the Transaction Receipt for legal proceedings or a law
enforcement investigation and a valid Retrieval Request for a copy bearing signature was made within 120
calendar days of the Transaction Processing Date.
For a Transaction not involving a Member in the Europe Region, an Issuer may file a pre-Compliance case if it
has made a valid Retrieval Request for a copy bearing signature within 120 calendar days of the Transaction
Processing Date and the Acquirer has not provided a valid response to the Retrieval Request.
An Issuer must not file the pre-Compliance case if it has either:
●
Reported Fraud Activity for the Transaction
●
Listed the Account Number on the Exception File on or after the Transaction Date
Required Documentation
For a Transaction involving a Member in the Europe Region, both:
●
Evidence that the Transaction Receipt is required for legal proceedings (for example: court order or
subpoena)
●
A written statement from the Issuer stating that the Transaction Receipt is required for a law enforcement
investigation
For a Transaction not involving a Member in the Europe Region, either:
●
For the purpose of legal proceedings, evidence that the Transaction Receipt is required for legal
proceedings (for example: court order or subpoena) or for a law enforcement investigation
●
For the purpose of an investigation by the Issuer, certification from the Issuer stating both that a signed
Transaction Receipt is needed in order to respond to Cardholder escalation, and the reason for the
escalation
Table 11-134: Authorization Obtained Using Incorrect Data – US Region
Compliance Condition
An Authorization was obtained with invalid or incorrect data and the Issuer attempted a valid Chargeback
that was returned. When an Issuer's and Acquirer's records differ, the V.I.P. System records prevail.
Required Documentation
Copy of the Authorization log and Transaction Receipt to support the discrepancy
Table 11-135: Electronic Commerce Transaction
Compliance Condition
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-701
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Arbitration and Compliance
A Cardholder requires additional information about an Electronic Commerce Transaction coded with ECI
value 6 and both:
●
The Cardholder did not assert that the Transaction was fraudulent.
●
The Acquirer did not respond to the Retrieval Request with a Fulfillment or responded with a
Nonfulfillment Message code 03 or 04.
This condition does not apply to a Domestic Transaction in the US Region.
Required Documentation
Cardholder letter requesting additional information about the Transaction
Table 11-136: No Valid Form of Identification for Domestic Transactions– Europe Region (Sweden)
Compliance Condition
In the Europe Region (Sweden), for a Domestic Transaction, a Cardholder's account was charged for a
Transaction and all of the following:
●
The Cardholder denies authorizing or participating in the Transaction.
●
The Transaction amount is greater than SEK 200.
●
No Cardholder identification number was noted on the Transaction Receipt or any other written
documentation directly related to the Transaction.
●
The Issuer reported Fraud Activity to Visa for the Transaction.
This does not apply to any of the following:
●
If a PIN was obtained
●
If the Transaction was an Unattended Transaction
●
If a Cardholder name or Card identification was not required
●
To a Transaction completed with a Counterfeit Card
Required Documentation
All of the following:
●
Cardholder letter denying authorization of or participation in the Transaction
●
Issuer certification of the fraud status reported to Visa
●
Evidence that an identification check was not performed
ID# 0028027 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
11.2.3.5 Compliance Right for Improperly Assessed Surcharge – US Region and US
Territories
A Member may file for Compliance if a Merchant in the US Region or in a US Territory assessed a US
Credit Card Surcharge under one of the following conditions:
PSR-702 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
US Credit Card Surcharge amount exceeds the applicable US Credit Card Surcharge amount as
specified in Section 5.6.1.4, “US Credit Card Surcharge Maximum Amount – US Region and US
Territories”
●
US Credit Card Surcharge was assessed on a Transaction in a manner that does not comply with
Section 5.6.1.2, “Similar Treatment of Visa Transactions – US Region and US Territories”
●
US Credit Card Surcharge was assessed on a Transaction type where surcharging is not permitted
●
US Credit Card Surcharge was assessed by a third party
●
US Credit Card Surcharge was not disclosed as specified in Section 5.6.1.5, “US Credit Card
Surcharge Disclosure Requirements – US Region and US Territories”
●
US Credit Card Surcharge amount did not appear on the Transaction Receipt as specified in Section
5.10.3.3, “Required Transaction Receipt Content for Specific Transaction Types”
●
US Credit Card Surcharge amount was not refunded as specified in Section 1.5.4.17, “Credit Refund
Requirements”
●
For a Dynamic Currency Conversion Transaction, US Credit Card Surcharge amount was not
included in the conversion
●
A Convenience Fee, Service Fee, currency conversion fee, commission, or Wire Transfer Money
Order service fee was applied on a Transaction that included a US Credit Card Surcharge
The Member must only request Compliance for the US Credit Card Surcharge amount.
The Member is not required to have incurred a financial loss as a direct result of the violation. If the
Issuer has billed the Transaction that included the US Credit Card Surcharge to the Cardholder, the
Issuer must credit the Cardholder for the US Credit Card Surcharge amount.
A Member must not file for Compliance if the Merchant properly assessed a US Credit Card Surcharge
as permitted in Section 5.6.1, “Surcharges – Allowances, Requirements, Restrictions, Amounts, and
Disclosures.”
ID# 0027549 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
11.2.3.6 Pre-Compliance and Compliance Time Limits
A Member must not exceed the time limits specified for pre-Compliance, as follows:
Table 11-137: Pre-Compliance Time Limits
Process Step Time Limit
Make pre-Compliance Attempt At least 30 calendar days before filing for
Compliance
Accept financial responsibility and credit requesting
Member
30 calendar days from the pre-Compliance attempt
date
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-703
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Arbitration and Compliance
A Member must not exceed the time limits specified for Compliance, as follows:
Table 11-138: Compliance Time Limits
Process Step Time Limit
Make Compliance attempt No less than 30 calendar days from the date of the
pre-Compliance attempt
Filing for a Transaction not involving a fraudulent
credit
90 calendar days
1
from either:
●
Processing Date
●
Date the Member discovered that a violation
occurred (not to exceed 2 years from the
Transaction Date), if no evidence of the violation
was previously available to the Member
2
Filing for a Transaction involving a fraudulent credit
90 calendar days
1
from the later of either:
●
Processing Date of credit Reversal
●
Processing Date of the fraudulent sale or ATM
Cash Disbursement, or other withdrawal from
the account
Filing for other violations
90 calendar days
1
from the violation date. If the
requesting Member does not meet the allowed time
limits, it loses its Compliance right and is financially
liable for the Transaction.
●
Reply
●
Withdraw case
●
Accept financial responsibility
7calendar days from the Visa acknowledgement
date
Collect disputed amount from the responsible
Member
60 calendar days from the Notification date of
the decision by the Arbitration and Compliance
Committee
File an appeal 60 calendar days from the Notification date of
the decision by the Arbitration and Compliance
Committee
1
Plus 30 calendar days for a Group Member
2
A Member must provide evidence that this was the date on which the financial loss was discovered.
ID# 0003651 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
PSR-704 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
11.2.3.7 Use of V.I.P. System Authorization System Records in Compliance
If the Issuer's and Acquirer's Authorization records for a Transaction do not match, the V.I.P. System
Authorization record prevails in Compliance.
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
ID# 0028026 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
11.2.4 Appeals
11.2.4.1 Conditions for an Appeal to the Arbitration and Compliance Committee
A Member may appeal a decision by the Arbitration and Compliance Committee only if both:
●
The Member can provide new evidence not previously available at the time the original case was
filed.
●
The disputed amount is at least USD 5,000 (or local currency equivalent).
ID# 0003187 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2015
11.2.4.2 Appeal Time Limit
The adversely affected Member must file any appeal within 60 calendar days of the Notification date
of the decision by the Arbitration and Compliance Committee.
ID# 0002998 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
11.2.4.3 Appeal Filing Fee
The requesting Member must not collect the filing fee from the opposing Member if the original
decision is reversed.
ID# 0003189 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-705
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Dispute Resolution
Arbitration and Compliance
PSR-706 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
12 Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
12.1 Licensing and Numerics Management – Non-Compliance
Assessments
12.1.1 Acquirer Licensing
12.1.1.1 Non-Compliance Assessment for Associate Member Merchant Acquiring –
CEMEA Region (Russia)
In the CEMEA Region (Russia), a Principal Member that permits an acquiring agent to acquire
Merchant Transactions without a Sponsored Merchant Acquiring License will be subject to a non-
compliance assessment of USD 20,000 for every 6 months or portion thereof, for each agent that fails
to obtain a Sponsored Merchant Acquiring License.
ID# 0024131 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
12.2 Issuance Non-Compliance Assessments
12.2.1 Fraud Activity Reporting Non-Compliance Assessments
12.2.1.1 Issuer Fraud Activity Reporting Non-Compliance Assessments
If an Issuer does not comply with the fraud reporting requirements specified in Section 1.10.4.3, “Issuer
Fraud Activity Reporting,” the Issuer is subject to non-compliance assessments, as follows:
Table 12-1: Non-Compliance Assessments for Failure to Report Fraud
Occurrence
1
Warning Letter Suspension of
Fraud Chargeback
Rights
2
Non-Compliance
Assessment
(Minimum
Amount)
Onsite Member
Audit
First Yes Not applicable USD 0 Not applicable
Second Yes Not applicable USD 0 Not applicable
Third Not applicable 90 calendar days USD 25,000 Not applicable
Fourth Not applicable 180 calendar days
USD 25,000
3
Yes
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-707
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
Issuance Non-Compliance Assessments
Occurrence
1
Warning Letter Suspension of
Fraud Chargeback
Rights
2
Non-Compliance
Assessment
(Minimum
Amount)
Onsite Member
Audit
Fifth Not applicable Indefinite until
compliance
achieved
Visa decision based
on reevaluation
Not applicable
1
In the Europe Region, after the first occurrence applies to consecutive calendar quarters
2
Chargeback reason codes will be determined by Visa.
3
In the Europe Region, USD 50,000
In addition, in the Europe Region, Visa may monitor the Issuer for 8 quarters
ID# 0028308 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
12.2.1.2 Chip Interoperability Compliance Program Non-Compliance Assessments
A Member is subject to the non-compliance assessments specified in Table 12-2, “Member Non-
Compliance Assessments for the Chip Interoperability Compliance Program” or, in the Europe
Region, Table 12-3, “Member Non-Compliance Assessments for the Chip Interoperability Compliance
Program - Europe Region,”if Visa determines that the Member or its agent has violated the Chip
Interoperability Compliance Program by failing to do one of the following:
●
Establish and commit to an agreed Chip interoperability resolution plan
●
Make satisfactory progress toward resolution under an agreed Chip interoperability resolution
plan
1
●
In the Europe Region, fail to undertake or successfully complete testing with the Acquirer Device
Validation Toolkit (ADVT)
Table 12-2: Member Non-Compliance Assessments for Non-Compliance with the Chip Interoperability
Compliance Program
2
Violation Month Visa Action, Notification, or Non-
Compliance Assessment
Initial identification and
confirmation of a violation
Month 1 Member receives Notification
that Visa will take action if the
situation is not addressed to
the satisfaction of Visa within 30
calendar days
Unaddressed violation Month 2 Visa discontinues any Member
incentives associated with
deployment of products that have
been identified as contributors
PSR-708 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Violation Month Visa Action, Notification, or Non-
Compliance Assessment
to interoperability problems.
Visa may also suspend other
incentives. Visa issues a second
Notification that non-compliance
assessments may apply if the
situation is not corrected to the
satisfaction of Visa within 60
calendar days of the second
Notification.
Unaddressed violation Months 4-5 Member is assessed USD 25,000
per month
Unaddressed violation Month 6 and subsequent months Member is assessed USD 50,000
per month
Table 12-3: Member Non-Compliance Assessments for Non-Compliance with the Chip Interoperability
Compliance Program – Europe Region
Violation Action or Non-Compliance Assessment
Initial identification and confirmation of a Chip
interoperability problem.
The Member must commit to a resolution plan
agreed with Visa to resolve the Chip interoperability
problem within 30 calendar days of notification that
it may be assessed a non-compliance assessment.
Either:
●
Agreed resolution plan not provided to Visa
●
Agreed resolution plan not followed within 30
calendar days of initial notification
EUR 10,000 non-compliance assessment
Either:
●
Agreed resolution plan not provided to Visa
●
Agreed resolution plan not followed within 60
calendar days of initial notification
EUR 50,000 non-compliance assessment
Either:
●
Agreed resolution plan not provided to Visa
●
Agreed resolution plan not followed within 90
calendar days of initial notification
EUR 100,000 non-compliance assessment
Either:
●
Agreed resolution plan not provided to Visa
●
Agreed resolution plan not followed within 120
calendar days of initial notification
EUR 100,000 non-compliance assessment and EUR
100,000 per subsequent month and the case will be
reviewed for further action at Visa’s discretion
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-709
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
Acceptance Non-Compliance Assessments
1
In the Europe Region, including provision of progress reports to Visa
2
Does not apply in the Europe Region
ID# 0001292 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
12.3 Acceptance Non-Compliance Assessments
12.3.1 EMV Liability Shift and Fallback Non-Compliance Assessments
12.3.1.1 Global Fallback Monitoring Program Identification Non-Compliance
Assessments
An Acquirer is subject to a non-compliance assessment of USD 1 per Fallback Transaction when the
Acquirer-country combination meets or exceeds the minimum Transaction volume and percentage
parameters specified in the Visa Rules and the Global Chip Fallback Monitoring Program Guide.
1
Transactions involving Acquirers in the Europe Region will be subject to a non-compliance assessment
of EUR 1 per Fallback Transaction.
1
In the AP Region (Japan), this does not apply to Account Number Verification Transactions processed as Magnetic-Stripe
Transactions.
ID# 0008405 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
12.3.2 High-Risk Internet Payment Facilitator Non-Compliance Assessments
12.3.2.1 High-Risk Internet Payment Facilitator Registration Non-Compliance
Assessments – AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, and US Regions
In the APRegion, CanadaRegion, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, and US Region, an Acquirer that fails
to comply with the registration program requirements for High-Risk Internet Payment Facilitators is
subject to a non-compliance assessment, as follows:
●
USD 25,000 per month per High-Brand Risk Sponsored Merchant or High-Risk Internet Payment
Facilitator
●
After 3 violations in a calendar year, one or both of the following:
– USD 100,000 for each 30-calendar-day period of non-compliance
– Prohibition against signing High-Brand-Risk Sponsored Merchants
ID# 0026334 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PSR-710 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
12.3.3 Electronic Commerce Non-Compliance Assessments
12.3.3.1 Electronic Commerce Indicator Non-Compliance Assessments
An Acquirer that fails to identify an Electronic Commerce Transaction with the correct Electronic
Commerce Indicator (ECI) value is subject to the non-compliance assessments specified as follows:
Table 12-4: Acquirer Non-Compliance Assessments for Incorrect Use of Electronic Commerce Indicator
Values
Violation Visa Action,Notification, or Non-Compliance
Assessment
Warning Notification of violation with specific date for
correction, not to exceed 3 months
Uncorrected Violation (Month 4) Acquirer assessed USD 5,000 non-compliance
assessmentperMerchant
1
identified
Uncorrected Violation (Month 5) Acquirer assessed USD 10,000 non-compliance
assessment per Merchant
1
identified
Uncorrected Violation (Months 6-12) Acquirer assessed USD 25,000 non-compliance
assessment per Merchant
1
identified
Uncorrected Violation (Months 13-18)
Visa may suspend the Merchant
1
from participation
in theVisa Program
Uncorrected Violation (Month 19 and subsequent
months)
Visa may permanently disqualify the Merchant
1
from
participation in the Visa Program
1
Or, in the Europe Region, a Payment Facilitator
ID# 0007149 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
12.3.4 Chip Card Non-Compliance Assessments
12.3.4.1 Visa Debit Processing Non-Compliance Assessments – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, an Acquirer that fails to comply with the requirements for processing Visa Debit
CategoryTransactions will be subject to a non-compliance assessment, as specified in Section 12.3.4.2,
“Visa Debit Acquirers Compliance Program – Canada Region.”
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-711
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
ATM Non-Compliance Assessments
An Acquirer or its Visa Debit Acceptor that fails to properly process Visa Debit Category Transactions
will be subject to a non-compliance assessment, as specified in Section 12.3.4.2, “Visa Debit Acquirers
Compliance Program – Canada Region.”
ID# 0008079 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
12.3.4.2 Visa Debit Acquirers Compliance Program – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, an Acquirer that fails to update its host systems with the ability to process Visa
Debit Transactions will be subject to a non-compliance assessment of CAD 100,000 per month of non-
compliance. If an Acquirer or its Visa Debit Acceptor fails to properly process Visa Debit Transactions,
the Acquirer will be subject to a non-compliance assessment of CAD 5,000 per Cardholder complaint
reported to Visa as an Acceptance Compliance Program incident.
ID# 0008364 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
12.3.7 Mass Transit Non-Compliance Assessments
12.3.7.1 Mass Transit Transaction Processing Non-Compliance Assessments – Europe
Region
Effective 14 October 2017
A Europe Acquirer may be subject to a non-compliance assessment of EUR 30 for each Mass
Transit Transaction processed incorrectly by its Merchants.
ID# 0030055 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
12.4 ATM Non-Compliance Assessments
12.4.1 ATM Access Fee Non-Compliance Assessments
12.4.1.1 Acquirer ATM Access Fee Non-Compliance Assessments
An ATM Acquirer may be subject to a non-compliance assessment specified in Section 1.12.3.2,
“General Non-Compliance Assessment Schedule,” if the Acquirer does not:
●
Notify Visa of its intent to impose an Access Fee, as specified in Section 6.4.1.5, “ATM Acquirer
Requirements for ATM Access Fees”
PSR-712 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
●
Populate the Access Fee amount, if any, in the appropriate field of the Authorization and Clearing
Record
ID# 0007161 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
12.5 Transaction Processing Non-Compliance Assessments
12.5.1 Authorization and Clearing Non-Compliance Assessments
12.5.1.1 Online Gambling Transaction Identification Non-Compliance Assessment
An Acquirer is subject to the non-compliance assessments specified in Section 12.6.9, “Global Brand
Protection Program Non-Compliance Assessments,” if an Authorization Request for an Online
Gambling Transaction contains incorrect data or fails to include all of the following:
●
An appropriate MCC to identify the High-Brand Risk Merchant, as specified in Section 10.4.6.1,
“High-Brand Risk MCCs”
●
MCC 7995 (Betting), for an Online Gambling Transaction, as specified in Section 5.9.4.4, “Online
Gambling Merchant and Acquirer Requirements”
●
POS Condition Code 59
In the Europe Region, Visa may prohibit an Acquirer from contracting with a new Online Gambling
Merchant for a period of one year or more if one or more of that Acquirer’s Online Gambling
Merchants are identified as failing to comply with this requirement for a period of 4 or more months
during any 12–month period.
ID# 0008753 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
12.5.2 Duplicate or Erroneous Data Fee
12.5.2.1 Duplicate or Erroneous Data Fee – US Region
In the US Region, a Clearing Processor that fails to correct inaccurate or duplicate Transaction data
submitted through VisaNetis subject to a fee, as specified in the applicable Fee Schedule.
ID# 0008855 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-713
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
Risk Non-Compliance Assessments
12.6 Risk Non-Compliance Assessments
12.6.1 Account and Transaction Information Security Non-Compliance Assessments
12.6.1.1 Account Information Security Program Non-Compliance Assessments
A Member deemed non-compliant with the Account Information Security Program is subject to a non-
compliance assessment, as follows:
Table 12-9: Non-Compliance Assessments for theAccount Information Security Program – AP Region,
CanadaRegion, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, and US Region
Violation Non-Compliance Assessment
First violation Up to USD 50,000
Second violation Up to USD 100,000
Third or any subsequent violation Up to USD 200,000
Table 12-10: Non-Compliance Assessments for the Account Information Security Program – Europe Region
Violation Visa Action or Non-Compliance Assessment
First violation of rule Warning letter with specific date for correction and
USD 500 non-compliance assessment
Second violation of same rule in a 12-month period
after date of correction specified in Notification of
first violation
USD 5,000 non-compliance assessment
Third violation of same rule in a 12-month period
after date of correction specified in Notification of
first violation
USD 10,000 non-compliance assessment
Fourth violation of same rule in a 12-month period
after date of correction specified in Notification of
first violation
USD 25,000 non-compliance assessment
Five or more violations of same rule in a 12-
month period after date of correction specified in
Notification of first violation
At Visa discretion
If the 12-month period is not violation-free and the
non-compliance assessments total USD 25,000 or
more
Additional non-compliance assessments equal to all
non-compliance assessments levied during that 12-
month period
ID# 0008193 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
PSR-714 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
12.6.1.2 Non-Compliance Assessments for Account and Transaction Information
Security Requirements
If Visa determines that a Member, its agent, or a Merchant has been deficient or negligent in
securely maintaining account or Transaction Information, or reporting or investigating the loss of this
information, Visa may impose a non-compliance assessment on the Member or require the Member to
take immediate corrective action.
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer that does not have 90% of its Merchants in each of the following
categories in compliance with account information and Transaction Information security requirements
must provide Visa, for each non-compliant Merchant type, an explanation and a plan for the next 12
months, indicating how it will ensure the protection of Cardholder data
●
Level 1 (more than 6 million Transactions per year)
●
Level 2 (1,000,001 – 6 million Transactions per year)
●
Level 3 (Electronic Commerce Merchants with 20,000 – 1 million Transactions per year)
●
Level 4 (1 – 1 million Transactions per year)
The Acquirer must do all of the following:
●
Report to Visa its compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)
●
Report and verify to Visa, at least every 6 months, its Merchants’ status of PCI DSS compliance
●
Ensure that its level 3 and 4 Electronic Commerce Merchants either:
– Exclusively use a service provider that is PCI DSS-compliant
– Provide to the Acquirer certification of the Merchant’s PCI DSS compliance
●
Ensure that its level 1 and 2 Merchants and its Airline and Lodging Merchants meet the compliance
thresholds mandated by Visa
ID# 0001753 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
12.6.1.6 Transaction Information Loss/Theft Notification Non-Compliance
Assessments – US Region
In the US Region, if an Acquirer fails to immediately notify Visa of the suspected or confirmed loss or
theft of any Visa Transaction Information, the Acquirer is subject to a non-compliance assessment of
up to USD 100,000 per incident.
ID# 0003524 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-715
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
Risk Non-Compliance Assessments
12.6.2 Anti-Money Laundering Program Non-Compliance Assessments
12.6.2.1 Member Failure to Return an Anti-Money Laundering/Anti-Terrorist
Financing Questionnaire Non-Compliance Assessments
Visa imposes non-compliance assessments for failure to return to Visa a completed Anti-Money
Laundering/Anti-Terrorist Financing (AML/ATF), Sanctions and Anti-Bribery Compliance Program
Questionnaire, as specified in Section 1.10.1.7, “Visa Anti-Money Laundering Program – Member
Requirements,” or to respond to follow-up questions or inquiries, as follows:
Table 12-15: Non-Compliance Assessments for Member Failure to Return a Completed Anti-Money
Laundering/Anti-Terrorist Financing Questionnaire to Visa
Date Non-Compliance
Assessment
Due date + one calendar day to 30 calendar days USD 1,000
Due date + 31 calendar days to 60 calendar days USD 2,500
Due date + 61 calendar days to 90 calendar days USD 5,000
Due date + 91 calendar days and every 30 calendar days thereafter USD 10,000
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
ID# 0026362 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
12.6.3 Authentication Non-Compliance Assessments
12.6.3.1 PIN Security Non-Compliance Assessments
A Member may be subject to a non-compliance assessment for its or its agent's failure to comply
with any of the requirements in the PIN Management Requirements Documents and Visa PIN Security
Program Guide, as follows:
Table 12-16: PIN Security Non-Compliance Assessments
Violation Non-Compliance Assessment
Initial violation and each month of unaddressed
violations, up to 4 months after the initial violation
1
USD 10,000 per month
Violations after 4 months and each month thereafter USD 25,000 per month
1
In the Europe Region, the timeframe for applying non-compliance assessments is counted from the annual due date of
the self-audit, beginning at the 30th calendar day.
PSR-716 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
In the Europe Region, a Member may be subject to a non-compliance assessment for its failure to
comply with any of the requirements in the PIN Management Requirements Documents.
If an Acquirer fails to respond to Visa within 30 days of a Notification of non-compliance, it may be
subject to a non-compliance assessment, or Visa may suspend the Acquirer’s certification relating
to PIN implementation procedures until a response from the Acquirer has been received and
acknowledged by Visa.
If the Acquirer provides an action plan to Visa but does not perform its commitments as specified in
the action plan, it must deposit USD 100,000 with Visa as a performance bond or place USD 100,000 in
escrow until Visa either:
●
Confirms that the Acquirer is in compliance with the PIN Management Requirements Documents
●
In the case of the escrow arrangements, suspends that Acquirer’s certification. If Acquirer
certification for PIN implementation procedures is suspended, the Acquirer may forfeit to Visa the
performance bond or escrow amount.
ID# 0001288 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
12.6.4 Visa Acquirer Monitoring Program Non-Compliance Assessments
12.6.4.1 Visa Acquirer Monitoring Program (VAMP) Non-Compliance Assessments
Visa assesses the following non-compliance assessments if an Acquirer's monthly Chargeback or
Fraud Activity meets or exceeds the Visa Acquirer Monitoring Program (VAMP) thresholds specified in
Section 10.4.4.1, “Visa Acquirer Monitoring Program (VAMP)”:
Table 12-18:
Non-Compliance Assessments for Excessive Chargebacks or Fraud Activity-to-Sales Ratio
1
Month Non-Compliance Assessment
Month 1 – 3 USD 25,000 (or local currency equivalent) per month
Month 4 – 6 USD 50,000 (or local currency equivalent) per month
Month 7 – 12 (and, in the Europe Region,
subsequent months)
USD 100,000 (or local currency equivalent) per
month
Visa may assess, suspend, or waive VAMP non-compliance assessments, in whole or in part, to
accommodate unique or extenuating circumstances. The non-compliance assessments will no longer
be assessed to the Acquirer once its Merchant has met acceptable performance levels. However,
non-compliance assessments may continue to be assessed, or a Merchant may be prohibited from
participating in the Visa Program, if Visa determines that the Merchant or Acquirer is causing undue
economic hardship or harm to the goodwill of the Visa system as a result of high Chargeback or Fraud
Activity volumes.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-717
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
Risk Non-Compliance Assessments
1
In the Europe Region, if an Acquirer exceeds 3 times the monthly fraud-to-sales ratio communicated by Visa to Acquirers,
Visa will determine non-compliance assessments.
ID# 0029293 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
12.6.5 Chargeback Monitoring Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
12.6.5.1 Visa Chargeback Monitoring Program (VCMP) Fees and Non-Compliance
Assessments
Visa assesses Visa Chargeback Monitoring Program (VCMP) fees and non-compliance assessments to
the Acquirer, as specified in Table 12-19, “Fees for Visa Chargeback Monitoring Program - Standard
Program,” and Table 12-20, “Fees for Visa Chargeback Monitoring Program - High-Risk Program.”
Table 12-19: Fees for Visa Chargeback Monitoring Program – Standard Program
Event Visa Action/Fee
Merchant Outlet
1
meets or exceeds the Chargeback
activity thresholds specified in Section 10.4.3.1, “Visa
Chargeback Monitoring Program (VCMP),” in months
1-4 (month 1 = initial notification).
●
Workout Period
2
●
No fee
Merchant Outlet
1
meets or exceeds the Chargeback
activity thresholds specified in Section 10.4.3.1, “Visa
Chargeback Monitoring Program (VCMP),”in months
5-9.
●
A fee is assessed to the Acquirer, as specified in
the applicable Fee Schedule, per Chargeback
3
for
every month the Merchant meets or exceeds the
program thresholds.
4
Merchant Outlet
1
meets or exceeds the Chargeback
activity thresholds specified in Section 10.4.3.1, “Visa
Chargeback Monitoring Program (VCMP),”beyond
month 9.
●
A fee is assessed to the Acquirer, as specified in
the applicable Fee Schedule, per Chargeback
3
for
every month the Merchant meets or exceeds the
program thresholds.
4
●
The Acquirer is eligible for a review fee, as
specified in the applicable Fee Schedule.
●
Visa may initiate Merchant disqualification
processes against a Merchant Outlet
1
and/or its
principals.
1
In the Europe Region, the program applies at the Merchant level.
2
The Workout Period does not apply to High-Risk Merchants or High-Brand Risk Merchants.
3
VCMP non-compliance assessments and program fees apply to domestic and international Chargebacks for all the
following: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Visa may modify this list
of markets. For all other markets, VCMP non-compliance assessments and program fees apply to only international
Chargebacks.
4
Effective through 30 September 2017
Visa allocates a portion of this fee to the Issuer via a funds disbursement. This does not apply in the Europe Region.
PSR-718 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Event Visa Action/Fee
Effective 1 October 2017
Visa may allocate a portion of this fee to the Issuer via a funds disbursement. Visa reserves the right to withhold
or revoke funds disbursement from Issuers whose activities or lack of risk controls create a disproportionate volume of
Chargebacks. This does not apply in the Europe Region.
Table 12-20: Fees for Visa Chargeback Monitoring Program – High-Risk Program
Event Visa Action/Fee
Merchant Outlet
1
meets or exceeds the Chargeback
activity thresholds specified in Section 10.4.3.1, “Visa
Chargeback Monitoring Program (VCMP),”in months
1-6.
●
A fee is assessed to the Acquirer, as specified in
the applicable Fee Schedule, per Chargeback
2
for
every month the Merchant meets or exceeds the
program thresholds.
3
Merchant Outlet
1
meets or exceeds the Chargeback
activity thresholds specified in Section 10.4.3.1, “Visa
Chargeback Monitoring Program (VCMP),”beyond
month 6.
●
A fee is assessed to the Acquirer, as specified in
the applicable Fee Schedule, per Chargeback
2
for
every month the Merchant meets or exceeds the
program thresholds.
3
●
The Acquirer is eligible for a review fee, as
specified in the applicable Fee Schedule.
Merchant Outlet
1
meets or exceeds the Chargeback
activity thresholds specified in Section 10.4.3.1, “Visa
Chargeback Monitoring Program (VCMP),”beyond
month 11.
●
A fee is assessed to the Acquirer, as specified in
the applicable Fee Schedule, per Chargeback
2
for
every month the Merchant meets or exceeds the
program thresholds.
3
●
The Acquirer is eligible for a review fee, as
specified in the applicable Fee Schedule.
●
Visa may initiate Merchant disqualification
processes against a Merchant Outlet
1
and/or its
principals.
1
In the Europe Region, the program applies at the Merchant level.
2
VCMP non-compliance assessments and program fees apply to domestic and international Chargebacks for all the
following: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Visa may modify this list
of markets. For all other markets, VCMP non-compliance assessments and program fees apply to only international
Chargebacks.
3
Effective through 30 September 2017
Visa allocates a portion of this fee to the Issuer via a funds disbursement. This does not apply in the Europe Region.
Effective 1 October 2017
Visa may allocate a portion of this fee to the Issuer via a funds disbursement. Visa reserves the right to withhold or
revoke funds disbursement from Issuers whose activities or lack of risk controls create a disproportionate volume of
Chargebacks. This does not apply in the Europe Region.
Non-compliance assessments and fees for Chargeback activity under the VCMP standard program or
VCMP high-risk program may continue to be assessed to the Acquirer:
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-719
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
Risk Non-Compliance Assessments
●
For all Trailing Chargeback Activity that occurs up to 120 calendar days after Transaction
processing has ceased
●
Equivalent to the non-compliance assessments and fees being imposed on the Acquirer at the
time Transaction processing ceased
Visa may assess, suspend, or waive VCMP fees and/or non-compliance assessments, in whole or
in part, to accommodate unique or extenuating circumstances. The fees and/or non-compliance
assessments will no longer be assessed to the Acquirer once the Merchant has met acceptable
performance levels. However, fees and/or non-compliance assessments may continue to be assessed,
or a Merchant may be prohibited from participating in the Visa Program, if Visa determines that the
Merchant or Acquirer is causing undue economic hardship or harm to the goodwill of the Visa system
as a result of high Chargeback volumes.
ID# 0029291 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
12.6.5.2 Visa Chargeback Monitoring Program (VCMP) – Data Quality Non-
Compliance Assessments
Effective through 30 September 2017
If Visa determines that an Acquirer or its Merchant changed, modified, or altered the Merchant
name or Merchant data in any way to circumvent the Visa Chargeback Monitoring Program
(VCMP), Visa may impose a non-compliance assessment of USD 10,000 (or local currency
equivalent) per Merchant Outlet, per month, to the Acquirer.
Effective 1 October 2017
If Visa determines that an Acquirer or its Merchant changed, modified, or altered the Merchant
name, Merchant data, or Merchant performance in any way to circumvent the Visa Chargeback
Monitoring Program (VCMP), Visa may impose a non-compliance assessment of up to USD
25,000 (or local currency equivalent) per Merchant Outlet, per month, to the Acquirer.
ID# 0029292 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
PSR-720 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
12.6.6 High-Risk/High-Brand Risk Acquirer Non-Compliance Assessments
12.6.6.1 High-Brand Risk Acquirer Registration Non-Compliance Assessments
If Visa determines that an Acquirer that previously did not acquire High-Brand Risk Transactions in a
Card-Absent Environment has failed to comply with the registration requirements specified in Section
10.4.8.1, “High-Brand Risk Acquirer Registration,” Visa may impose a non-compliance assessment of
USD 25,000 to the Acquirer per calendar month of non-compliance. Continued non-compliance may
result in Visa prohibiting that Acquirer from acquiring High-Brand Risk Merchants.
ID# 0026381 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
12.6.6.2 High-Risk Registration Non-Compliance Assessment – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, an Acquirer that fails to comply with the registration program requirements for
Payment Facilitators, Sponsored Merchants, or Merchants identified as high-risk or high-brand risk is
subject to a non-compliance assessment of EUR 25,000 per month per Payment Facilitator, Sponsored
Merchant, or Merchant.
ID# 0029807 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
12.6.7 Fraud Monitoring and Reporting Non-Compliance Assessments
12.6.7.1 Visa Fraud Monitoring Program (VFMP) Non-Compliance Assessments
Visa assesses non-compliance assessments to the Acquirer of a Merchant Outlet (in the Europe
Region, a Merchant) identified in the Visa Fraud Monitoring Program (VFMP) high-risk program, as
specified in Section 10.4.5.2, “Visa Fraud Monitoring Program (VFMP) Timelines.”
Table 12-23: Non-Compliance Assessments for VFMP – High-Risk Program
Month Non-Compliance Assessment
Month 1 – 3 USD 10,000 per month
Month 4 – 6 USD 25,000 per month
Month 7 – 9 USD 50,000 per month
Month 10 – 12 (and, in the Europe Region,
subsequent months)
USD 75,000 per month
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-721
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
Risk Non-Compliance Assessments
Visa may assess, suspend, or waive VFMP non-compliance assessments, in whole or in part, to
accommodate unique or extenuating circumstances. The non-compliance assessments will no longer
be assessed to the Acquirer once its Merchant has met acceptable performance levels. However,
non-compliance assessments may continue to be assessed, or a Merchant may be prohibited from
participating in the Visa Program, if Visa determines that the Merchant or Acquirer is causing undue
economic hardship or harm to the goodwill of the Visa system as a result of high Fraud Activity
volumes.
ID# 0029294 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
12.6.7.2 Visa Fraud Monitoring Program (VFMP) – Data Quality Non-Compliance
Assessments
If Visa determines that an Acquirer or its Merchant changed, modified, or altered the Merchant name
or Merchant data in any way to circumvent the Visa Fraud Monitoring Program (VFMP), Visa may
impose a non-compliance assessment of USD 10,000
1
per Merchant Outlet, per month, to the Acquirer.
1
In the Europe Region, or local currency equivalent
ID# 0029295 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
12.6.7.5 Non-Compliance Assessments for Failure to Report Fraud – LAC Region
In the LACRegion, an Issuer that does not comply with the Fraud Reporting Program's requirements,
as determined by the third or higher consecutive onsite audit, will be subject to a quarterly non-
compliance assessment of USD 10,000 until found compliant by the Visa remote monitoring system
and validated by an onsite audit.
ID# 0007267 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
12.6.8 Terminated Merchant Non-Compliance Assessments
12.6.8.1 Terminated Merchant Non-Compliance Assessments – Canada Region
In the Canada Region, if an Acquirer fails to comply with Section 10.12.1.4, “Common Terminated
Merchant Database Requirements – Canada Region,” Visa may assess a non-compliance assessment of
CAD 2,500 per violation.
ID# 0007381 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-722 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
12.6.9 Global Brand Protection Program Non-Compliance Assessments
12.6.9.2 Global Brand Protection Program Data Quality Non-Compliance Assessments
If Visa determines that an Acquirer or its Merchant changed, modified, or altered the Merchant name
or Merchant data in any way to circumvent the Global Brand Protection Program, Visa may impose a
non-compliance assessment of USD 10,000 per Merchant, per month, to the Acquirer.
ID# 0028286 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
12.6.9.3 Non-Compliance Assessments for Global Brand Protection Program – Europe
Region
In the Europe Region, if a High Brand-Risk Merchant or a High Brand-Risk Sponsored Merchant has
been placed in the Global Brand Protection Program, its Acquirer will be subject to a non-compliance
assessment for each Chargeback received for Interregional Transactions at any of the Merchant's
Merchant Outlets.
Penalties will no longer be imposed once the High Brand-Risk Merchant or the High Brand-Risk
Sponsored Merchant has met performance levels that are acceptable to Visa. However, penalties may
continue to be imposed, or a High Brand-Risk Merchant or High Brand-Risk Sponsored Merchant
may be prohibited from participating in Visa, if Visa determines that a high volume of Transactions
originating from the High Brand-Risk Merchant or High Brand-Risk Sponsored Merchant are being
disputed.
ID# 0029808 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
12.6.10 Corporate Risk Reduction Non-Compliance Assessments
12.6.10.1 Acquirer Responsibility for Merchants Non-Compliance Assessments – US
Region
In the US Region, an Acquirer that fails to comply with the requirements of Section 1.1.1.13, “Visa
U.S.A., Inc. Member Responsibilities – US Region,” is subject to a non-compliance assessment of X,
termination of its membership, or both.
ID# 0008114 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-723
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
Risk Non-Compliance Assessments
12.6.11 Merchant Agreement with Prohibited Merchant Non-Compliance Assessments
– US Region
12.6.11.1 Non-Compliance Assessments for Merchant Agreement with Prohibited
Merchant – US Region
In the US Region, Visa imposes a non-compliance assessment to an Acquirer that enters into a
Merchant Agreement with a Merchant, or known principals of a Merchant, that Visa has prohibited
from participating in the Visa or Visa Electron Program, as follows:
Table 12-29: Acquirer Non-Compliance Assessments for Merchant Agreement with a Prohibited Merchant –
US Region
Violation Non-Compliance Assessment
First violation in a 5-year period USD 10,000
Second violation in a 5-year period USD 20,000
Third violation in a 5-year period USD 50,000
4 or more violations in a 5-year period At the discretion of Visa
Visa imposes an additional non-compliance assessment of USD 10,000 for each 30-calendar-day
period, or portion thereof, during which the Acquirer fails to terminate the Merchant Agreement.
ID# 0007118 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
12.6.13 Non-Compliance Assessments Related to Agents
12.6.13.1 VisaNet Processor Non-Compliance Assessments
A Member using a VisaNet Processor that fails to comply with the Visa Rules and Visa Charter
Documents is subject to non-compliance assessments, as specified in Section 1.12.3.2, “General Non-
Compliance Assessment Schedule.” The combined liability of all Members for a VisaNet Processor’s
failure to comply must not be more than the non-compliance assessment amount for the violation
involved.
Visa may impose non-compliance assessments resulting from the activities of a Member performing
services on behalf of another Member to both the:
●
Performing Member
●
Member for which the services are performed
PSR-724 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
The total paid by both Members must not be more than the non-compliance assessment amount for
the violation involved.
Visa may impose non-compliance assessments whether a Member or non-Member is performing
services on behalf of another Member. If a Member acts as a VisaNet Processor for another Member, it
is considered a single entity with that other Member in determining repetitive violations.
ID# 0025886 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
12.6.13.2 Third Party Agent Non-Compliance Assessments
Visa imposes non-compliance assessments to a Member that fails to comply with the requirements
for use of Third Party Agents.A Member is subject to non-compliance assessments for the failure of
its Third Party Agents to comply with the substance of Third Party Agent requirements, including non-
payment of non-compliance assessments to Visa.
A Member that fails to comply with Third Party Agent requirements is subject to a non-compliance
assessment, as follows:
Table 12-32: Non-Compliance Assessments Related to Third Party Agents
Violation Non-Compliance Assessment
First occurrence USD 10,000
Second occurrence in a rolling 60-month period USD 25,000
Third occurrence in a rolling 60-month period USD50,000
Four or more occurrences in a rolling 60-month period USD 100,000
For repeated violations in a rolling 60-month period, Visa may impose non-compliance assessments
in addition to those specified in Table 12-32, “Non-Compliance Assessments Related to Third Party
Agents,” at Visa discretion. Non-compliance assessments are cumulative.
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
ID# 0025901 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-725
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
Fees – General
12.7 Fees – General
12.7.1 Fee Assessment and Responsibility
12.7.1.1 Responsibility for Charges – US Region
In the US Region, all charges imposed by Visa, whether in the form of fees, exchange rates, or
otherwise, are charges imposed on a Member or a VisaNet Processor or an Agent operating on
behalf of a Member. A Member or VisaNet Processor or Agent operating on behalf of a Member is
responsible for paying all charges, regardless of whether it absorbs the charges, passes them on, or
increases them in billing its customer (for example: Cardholder, Merchant).
ID# 0003015 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
12.7.2 Global Compromised Account Recovery (GCAR) Fees
12.7.2.1 Global Compromised Account Recovery (GCAR) Fees – AP, Canada, CEMEA,
LAC, and US Regions
Effective through 13 October 2017
Visa will collect from the Acquirer through the Global Member Billing System a Global
Compromised Account Recovery (GCAR) appeal fee, as specified in the applicable Fee Schedule.
Effective 14 October 2017
In the AP Region, CanadaRegion, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, and US Region, Visa will collect
from the Acquirer through the Global Member Billing System either or both:
●
A Global Compromised Account Recovery appeal fee
●
A Global Compromised Account Recovery program non-cooperation analysis fee if the
Acquirer, its Merchant, Acquirer processor, service provider, or other entity used by the
Acquirer, its Merchant, or ATM involved in processing Visa-branded Transactions refuses to
allow a forensic investigation
ID# 0026568 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
PSR-726 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
12.8 Member-to-Member Fees
12.8.2 Automated Clearing House Service
12.8.2.1 Automated Clearing House Collections Made in Error – US Region
In the US Region, Visa is not liable for automated clearing house collections made in error, except
through intentional misconduct.
ID# 0007883 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
12.8.2.2 Automated Clearing House Service Authorization Agreement – US Region
In the US Region, Visa will provide a Member or VisaNet Processor with an automated clearing house
authorization agreement for Fee Collection Transactions and Funds Disbursement Transactions. This
agreement must be signed and returned to Visa before the initiation of any automated clearing house
transaction.
The signed agreement remains valid for all Fee Collection Transactions and Funds Disbursement
Transactions until the Member or VisaNet Processor notifies Visa of either:
●
Its replacement by a new agreement
●
Revocation of the agreement because the Member or VisaNet Processor was terminated
ID# 0007974 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
12.8.2.3 Automated Clearing House Service Requirements – US Region
In the US Region, upon Visa request, a Member or VisaNet Processor must provide all of the following
for the purpose of collecting fees and disbursing funds through the automated clearing house service:
●
Valid automated clearing house transit/routing number
●
Associated financial institution depository account number
●
Signed automated clearing house authorization agreement
If any account information (such as the account number or financial institution) changes, the Member
or VisaNet Processor must both:
●
Notify Visa at least 10 calendar days before the effective date of the change
●
Submit a new automated clearing house authorization agreement with the change
ID# 0008067 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-727
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
Member-to-Member Fees
12.8.2.4 Automated Clearing House Service Requirements for Principal-Type or
Associate-Type Members – US Region
In the US Region, upon Visa request, a Principal-type or Associate-type Member or an applicant for
Principal-type or Associate-type membership must comply with Section 12.8.2.3, “Automated Clearing
House Service Requirements – US Region,” for the purpose of collecting fees and disbursing funds
through the automated clearing house service.
ID# 0007885 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
12.8.2.5 Initial Service Fee Collection through Automated Clearing House Service – US
Region
Visa may collect initial service fees through the automated clearing house service from all new US
Principal-type and Associate-type Members, as specified in the Visa Charter Documents.
ID# 0007884 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
12.8.2.6 Non-Use of Automated Clearing House Service – US Region
In the US Region, a Member or VisaNet Processor that is required to use the automated clearing house
service may be required to reimburse Visa for any expense incurred for processing any payment made
by a means other than the automated clearing house service.
ID# 0007882 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
12.8.2.7 Rejection of Automated Clearing House Transactions – US Region
Visa may require a same-day wire transfer, or initiate a Fee Collection Transaction through VisaNet, if a
valid automated clearing house transaction is rejected or cannot be initiated for any reason, including:
●
In the US Region, a Member did not comply with Section 12.8.2.3, “Automated Clearing House
Service Requirements – US Region”
●
Existing automated clearing house authorization agreement was revoked before a replacement
authorization agreement took effect
ID# 0007881 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PSR-728 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
12.8.3 Member-to-Member Fee Collection and Funds Disbursement
12.8.3.2 Fee Collection Time Limit
Unless otherwise specified, a Member must collect fees or disburse funds within either:
●
180 calendar days from the related event
●
In the US Region, for a Domestic Transaction, 45 calendar days from the related event
ID# 0003007 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
12.8.3.4 Resubmission of Returned Fee Collection
A Member may resubmit a returned Fee Collection Transaction for any of the following reasons:
●
Information or documentation supporting the Fee Collection Transaction was not received
●
Amount of the original Fee Collection Transaction was inaccurate
●
Original Fee Collection Transaction was correct, but receiving Member returned it improperly
AMember resubmitting a returned Fee Collection Transaction must either:
●
Make the resubmission within 30 calendar days from the date the Receiving Member returned the
original Fee Collection Transaction
●
In the US Region, make the resubmission within 45 calendar days from the Central Processing Date
of the returned Fee Collection Transaction
If the Fee Collection Transaction was returned because of missing information or documentation, the
resubmission must contain the applicable information or documentation.
In the Europe Region, thisrule does not apply. Where a Member uses Visa for processing, as specified
in Section 1.1.1.2, “Applicability of Processing Rules – Europe Region,” it must refer to Visa Europe
Operating Regulations – Processing.
In the US Region, a Member must not resubmit a Fee Collection Transaction for Recovered Card
handling fee/reward (reason code 0150) or recovery of Retrieval Request fees (reason code 0170).
ID# 0027791 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
12.8.3.5 Limits of Fee Collection Returns
In no case may there be a third submission, return, or rejection of a Fee Collection Transaction through
VisaNet. A Member that receives a third submission or return of a Fee Collection Transaction may
pursue Compliance.
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-729
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
Member-to-Member Fees
In the US Region, a Member must not submit an outstanding Fee Collection Transaction for
Compliance for the following disputes, which must be settled directly between the Members involved
and are not subject to Compliance procedures:
●
Reason Code 0240 (Good Faith Collection Letter Settlement Funds Disbursement)
●
Reason Code 0350 (Interchange Reimbursement Fee pre-Compliance Settlement Funds
Disbursement)
ID# 0008059 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
12.8.3.6 Member Fee Collection and Funds Disbursement Limitations
A Member must not use a Fee Collection Transaction for funds disbursement other than those listed
in Section 12.8.3.3, “Fee Collection Returns,” and Section 12.8.3.4, “Resubmission of Returned Fee
Collection.”
ID# 0003006 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
12.8.3.7 Fee Collection/Funds Disbursement Process – US Region
In the US Region, when a Member or its Authorizing Processor collects fees or disburses funds as
allowed through VisaNet, it must use transaction code 10 (Fee Collection Transaction) or transaction
code 20 (Funds Disbursement Transaction), as specified in Section 12.8.3.3, “Fee Collection Returns,”
Section 12.8.3.4, “Resubmission of Returned Fee Collection,” and Section 12.8.3.1, “Data and
Documentation Requirements for Fee Collections and Funds Disbursements.”
No other use of the Fee Collection Transaction/Funds Disbursement Transaction process is permitted.
ID# 0003152 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
12.8.4 Incentive Fulfillment Fees
12.8.4.1 Retrieval Request Fee Recovery
An Issuer may recover fees for Retrieval Requests for any of the following reasons:
●
Acquirer did not properly supply the requested Transaction Receipt
●
Effective for Transactions completed through 21 April 2017
Substitute Transaction Receipt does not include the required data
●
Request resulted from an incorrect Merchant description or a zero-filled or incorrect Transaction
Date in the VisaNet transmission
●
In the US Region, for a Domestic Transaction, both:
PSR-730 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
– Requested copy was illegible
– Acquirer did not properly supply the required Healthcare Auto-Substantiation Transaction
detail
ID# 0003345 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
12.8.5 Investigative Services Fees
12.8.5.1 Member Investigative Services Fee
A Member that requests investigative services from another Member must pay an investigative service
fee, as specified in the applicable Fee Schedule.
A Member that performs investigative services for another Member must prepare an itemized
statement for the Member requesting the services.
ID# 0008484 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
12.8.6 Rewards for Recovered Cards
12.8.6.1 Recovered Card Rewards
An Acquirer must ensure that the minimum reward is paid to a Merchant that recovered a Visa Card or
a Visa Electron Card, as specified in the applicable Fee Schedule.
If an Acquirer pays rewards to its tellers for the recovery of Visa Cards or Visa Electron Cards, it may
collect the reward amount from the Issuer, as specified in the applicable Fee Schedule.
An Acquirer is not required to pay a reward, and an Issuer is not required to reimburse the Acquirer, for
a Card that is any of the following:
●
Expired
●
Recovered at an ATM or Unattended Cardholder-Activated Terminal
●
Inadvertently left at a Merchant Outlet
●
A Non-Reloadable Card recovered without a Pickup Response or a request from the Issuer
In the AP Region (Australia), an Issuer is not required to reimburse a reward paid by an Australia
Acquirer to a person who is not a Merchant or a staff member of a Merchant (for example: law
enforcement personnel, Acquirer employee).
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-731
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
Other Non-Compliance Assessments
In the US Region, if a recovered Card was retained by a law enforcement agency, the Acquirer must
pay the reward upon receipt of a legible copy of the front and back of the recovered Card.
An Issuer must pay a reward for a recovered Visa Card or Visa Electron Card.
ID# 0001786 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
12.8.6.2 Acquirer Recovered Card Handling and Reward Collection – US Region
In the US Region, if an Acquirer has paid a reward for a recovered Card, the Acquirer may collect
the reward in a Fee Collection Transaction. Before entering the fee collection into Interchange, the
Acquirer must notify the Issuer through Visa Resolve Online that the Card was recovered and specify
the amount of the reward paid.
ID# 0008066 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
12.9 Other Non-Compliance Assessments
12.9.1 Willful Violations – Europe Region
12.9.1.1 Willful Violation Non-Compliance Assessments – Europe Region
In the Europe Region, a Member that is found to have willfully violated the Visa Rules, as specified in
Section 1.12.3.10, “Willful Violations of the Visa Rules,” is subject to a non-compliance assessment, as
follows:
Table 12-36: Non-Compliance Assessments for Willful Violations of the Visa Rules – Europe Region
Violation Non-Compliance Assessment
First violation of regulation Warning letter with specific date for correction and
EUR 50,000 non-compliance assessment (payment of
the non-compliance assessment shall be suspended
until end date for correction)
Second violation of the same regulation in a 12-
month period after notification of first violation
EUR 100,000
Monthly increase thereafter for non-correction of
same violation
EUR 150,000 above previous month’s total non-
compliance assessments. For example, month 3=EUR
300,000; month 4=EUR 450,000 and so forth
Eight or more violations of the same regulation in a
12-month period after notification of first violation
Visa discretion
PSR-732 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Violation Non-Compliance Assessment
If the 12-month period is not violation-free and the
non-compliance assessments total EUR 250,000 or
more
Additional non-compliance assessment equal to all
non-compliance assessments levied during that 12-
month period
ID# 0029683 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public PSR-733
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Visa Product and Service Rules
Fees and Non-Compliance Assessments
Other Non-Compliance Assessments
PSR-734 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Part 3:
Appendices
Appendices
Appendix A
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Appendix A
Visa Supplemental Requirements
Visa Supplemental Requirements (Enforceable Documents and Websites)
Visa Supplemental Requirements List
Visa Supplemental Requirements
Title Applicable in
Visa Region:
3-D Secure and Verified by Visa
3-D Secure Functional Requirements – Access Control Server All
3-D Secure Functional Requirements – Merchant Server Plug-in All
3-D Secure Protocol Specification Core Functions All
3-D Secure Security Requirements – Enrollment Servers and Access Control Servers All
3-D Secure U.S. Region Supplemental Functional Requirements – Access Control Server US
Effective 14 October 2017
Issuer Implementation Guide for Visa's 3-D Secure 2.0 Program
All
Effective 14 October 2017
Merchant/Acquirer Implementation Guide for Visa's 3-D Secure 2.0 Program
All
Verified by Visa Dispute Resolution Guide All except
Europe
Verified by Visa Dispute Resolution Guide (Europe) Europe
Verified by Visa Issuer Implementation Guide All
Verified by Visa Merchant / Acquirer Implementation Guide All
Acceptance
Effective 20 January 2018
AVS ZIP Requirements for US AFD Merchants in High-Fraud Geographies
US
Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) Acquirer and Merchant Standards Manual Europe
International Transactions Guide All except
Europe
14 October 2017 Visa Public A-737
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Appendices
Appendix A
Visa Supplemental Requirements
Title Applicable in
Visa Region:
Transaction Acceptance Device Requirements All
Visa Merchant Data Standards Manual All
Brand
Visa Product Brand Standards All
Card / Payment Device Technology
EMV Contactless Specification for Payment Systems Book C-3 Europe
EMV Integrated Circuit Card Specifications for Payment Systems (EMV) All
Global Chip Fallback Monitoring Program Guide All
Effective through 30 June 2017
Global Security Validation Requirements for Over-the-Air Secure Element Personalization
Vendors
All
Visa Canada Debit Card – Technical Specifications Canada
Visa Chip Security Program – Security Testing Process All
Visa Cloud-Based Payments Contactless Specifications All
Visa Cloud-Based Payments Program Minimum Requirements and Guidelines All
Effective through 30 September 2017
Visa Contactless Payment Service – Visa Asia Pacific Reader Interface Specification
AP
Effective through 30 September 2017
Visa Contactless Payment Service – Visa Asia Pacific Reader Specification
AP
Effective through 30 September 2017
Visa Contactless Payment Service – Visa Asia Pacific Terminal Specification
AP
Visa Contactless Payment Specification All
Visa EMV Application Selection Requirements and Recommendations Europe
Visa Europe Contactless Terminal Requirements and Implementation Guide Europe
Effective through 30 June 2017
Visa Global Security Requirements for Secure Element Vendors and OTA Service Providers
All
Visa Integrated Circuit Card Specification (VIS) All
Visa Mobile Contactless Payment Specification (VMCPS) All
Visa Mobile Gateway Issuer Update Functional Specification All
Visa Mobile Gateway Issuer Update Protocol Specification All
A-738 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Appendices
Appendix A
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Title Applicable in
Visa Region:
Visa Mobile Gateway Logical and Physical Security Requirements All
Visa Mobile Gateway Secure Channel Functional Specification All
Visa Mobile Gateway Secure Channel Protocol Specification All
Visa QR Code Payment Specification (VQRPS) US
Visa Smart Debit/Credit Personalization Requirements for U.S. Implementations US
Visa Smart Debit/Credit System Technical Manual All
Dispute Resolution
Enhanced Dispute Resolution Rules All
Encoding and PINs
Payment Technology Standards Manual All
Fee Schedules
Visa Asia Pacific Fee Schedule AP
Visa Canada Fee Schedule Canada
Visa CEMEA Fee Schedule CEMEA
Visa Europe Fee Schedule Europe
Visa LAC Fee Schedule LAC
Visa U.S.A. Fee Schedule US
Interchange Reimbursement Fees (IRF)
AP Intraregional IRF Guide and AP Domestic IRF Guides,as applicable AP
CEMEA Intraregional IRF Guide and CEMEA Domestic IRF Guides, as applicable CEMEA
Europe Region Intraregional IRF Guide and Europe Domestic IRF Guides, as applicable Europe
14 October 2017 Visa Public A-739
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Appendices
Appendix A
Visa Supplemental Requirements
Title Applicable in
Visa Region:
Interchange Reimbursement Fee Compliance Process Guide Effective
through 12
October
2018
All except
Europe
Effective
13 October
2018
All
Interregional Interchange Guide All
LAC Intraregional IRF Guide and LAC Domestic IRF Guides, as applicable LAC
US Interchange Reimbursement Fee Rate Qualification Guide US
Visa Canada Interchange Guide Canada
Visa Government and Education Payment Program Guide US
Visa Government-to-Government (G2G) Program Guide US
Visa U.S. Debt Repayment Incentive Interchange Program Guide US
Visa U.S.A. Interchange Reimbursement Fees US
Visa Utility Interchange Reimbursement Fee Program Guide US
Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC)
Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS) All
Payment Card Industry (PCI) Card Production and Provisioning – Logical Security
Requirements
All
Payment Card Industry (PCI) Card Production and Provisioning – Physical Security
Requirements
All
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) All
Payment Card Industry (PCI) PIN Security Requirements All
Payment Card Industry (PCI) PIN Transaction Security (PTS) – Point of Interaction (POI)
Modular Security Requirements
All
Payment Card Industry (PCI) POS PIN Entry Device Security Requirements Europe
Payment Card Industry (PCI) P2PE Solution Requirements and Testing Procedures Europe
Products and Services
A-740 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Appendices
Appendix A
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Title Applicable in
Visa Region:
Accelerated Connection Platform Acquirer Merchant Activation Guide All, where
available
Accelerated Connection Platform Client Implementation Guide All, where
available
V PAY Card and Acceptance Device Technical Specifications Europe
Visa Account Updater Member Implementation Guide (Europe) Europe
Visa Account Updater Terms of Use (Europe) Europe
Visa Europe Commercial Program Guide Europe
Visa Europe Prepaid Card Products Member Implementation Guidelines Europe
Visa Europe Prepaid Cards Retail Channel Guidelines Europe
Visa International Prepaid Retail Channel Guidelines All except
Europe
Visa Mobile Prepaid Implementation Guide All, where
available
Visa Multinational Program Guide All except
Europe
Visa Multinational Program Guide (Visa Europe) Europe
Visa ReadyLink Service Description and Implementation Guidelines US
Visa Settlement Match (VSM) Implementation Guide All, where
available
1
Risk
Account Information Security (AIS) Program Guide All
CoFAS Procedures for Reporting Credit Skimming Incidents Canada
Fraud Reporting System (FRS) User's Guide All
Guidelines for Terminated Merchant Databases Europe
Third Party Agent Due Diligence Risk Standards All except
Europe
Visa Europe Card Vendor Programme Guide Europe
Visa Global Acquirer Risk Standards All
Visa Global Brand Protection Program Guide for Acquirers All except
Europe
14 October 2017 Visa Public A-741
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Appendices
Appendix A
Visa Supplemental Requirements
Title Applicable in
Visa Region:
Visa Global Brand Protection Programme Guide for Acquirers (Visa Europe) Europe
Visa Global Compromised Account Recovery (GCAR) Guide All except
Europe
Visa Global Instant Card Personalization Issuance Security Standards All
Visa Global Physical Security Validation Requirements for Data Preparation, Encryption
Support and Fulfillment Card Vendors
All
Visa PIN Security Program Guide All
Visa Prepaid Issuer Risk Program Standards Guide All
What To Do If Compromised All except
Europe
What To Do If Compromised: Visa Europe Data Compromise Procedures Europe
Risk Products
Card Recovery Bulletin Service (CRB) User's Guide All
Prepaid Clearinghouse Service (PCS) Product Guide and Reporting Requirements US
Visa Advanced ID Solutions (VAIS) User Guide and Best Practices US
Settlement
National Net Settlement Service Description
All
1
Visa Settlement Funds Transfer Guide All except
Europe
Visa Europe Settlement Funds Transfer Guide Europe
Transaction Processing
Visa Direct Original Credit Transaction (OCT) Global Implementation Guide All
Visa Partial Authorization Service Description and Implementation Guide
All
1
VisaNet Manuals
BASE II Clearing Data Codes
All
1
BASE II Clearing Edit Package Messages
All
1
BASE II Clearing Edit Package Operations Guide
All
1
BASE II Clearing Interchange Formats, TC 01 to TC 48
All
1
A-742 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Appendices
Appendix A
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Title Applicable in
Visa Region:
BASE II Clearing Interchange Formats, TC 50 to TC 92
All
1
BASE II Clearing PC Edit Package for Windows User’s Guide
All
1
BASE II Clearing Services
All
1
BASE II Clearing System Overview
All
1
BASE II Clearing VML Developer Handbook
All
1
BASE II Clearing VML Formats
All
1
V.I.P. System BASE I Processing Specifications
All
1
V.I.P. System BASE I Technical Specifications, Volume 1
All
1
V.I.P. System BASE I Technical Specifications, Volume 2
All
1
V.I.P. System Overview
All
1
V.I.P. System Services, Volume 1
All
1
V.I.P. System Services, Volume 2
All
1
V.I.P. System SMS ATM Processing Specifications (International)
All
1
V.I.P. System SMS ATM Technical Specifications, Volume 1
All
1
V.I.P. System SMS ATM Technical Specifications, Volume 2
All
1
V.I.P. System SMS Interlink Client Implementation Guide
All
1
V.I.P. System SMS Interlink Technical Specifications
All
1
V.I.P. System SMS POS (Visa & Visa Electron) Processing Specifications (International)
All
1
V.I.P. System SMS POS (Visa & Visa Electron) Technical Specifications, Volume 1
All
1
V.I.P. System SMS POS (Visa & Visa Electron) Technical Specifications, Volume 2
All
1
V.I.P. System SMS Processing Specifications (U.S.)
All
1
Visa Europe System Manuals Europe
(VisaNet
users only)
VisaNet Settlement Service (VSS) User's Guide, Volume 1, Specifications
All
1
VisaNet Settlement Service (VSS) User's Guide, Volume 2, Reports
All
1
14 October 2017 Visa Public A-743
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Appendices
Appendix A
Visa Supplemental Requirements
Title Applicable in
Visa Region:
1
This does not apply to a Europe Member. Where a Europe Member uses Visa for processing, as specified in Section
1.1.1.2, “Applicability of Processing Rules – Europe Region,” it must refer to Visa Europe Operating Regulations –
Processing.
ID# 0028043 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
A-744 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Part 4:
Glossary
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Glossary
0 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Term Definition
0-9
3-D Secure A Visa-approved Authentication Method that is the global authentication
standard for Electronic Commerce Transactions.
ID# 0024200 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
3-D Secure Specification A software protocol that enables secure processing of Transactions over
the Internet and other networks.
The 3-D Secure Specification includes:
●
3-D Secure Protocol Specification Core Functions
●
3-D Secure Functional Requirements Access Control Server
●
3-D Secure Functional Requirements Merchant Server Plug-in
●
3-D Secure Security Requirements Enrollment Servers and Access
Control Servers
●
In the US Region, 3-D Secure US Region Supplemental Functional
Requirements – Access Control Server
●
EMV 3-D Secure Protocol and Core Functions Specification
●
EMV 3-D Secure SDK – Device Information
●
EMV 3-D Secure SDK Specification
ID# 0024203 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
A
Acceptance Device A Card-reading device managed by a Member or a Merchant for the
purpose of completing a Visa Transaction.
ID# 0029278 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
Access Fee A fee that is assessed by an Acquirer to a Cardholder for a Cash
Disbursement.
ID# 0024207 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2015
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-747
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Account Data Compromise
Event
An event in which account data is put at risk.
ID# 0026743 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Account Funding Transaction A Transaction that transfers funds from a Visa account to another Visa or
non-Visa account.
ID# 0024213 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Account Information Security
Program
A program managed by Visa that defines the standards of due care and
enforcement for protecting sensitive Cardholder information and supports
both:
●
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)
●
Payment Card Industry Payment Application Data Security Standard
(PA-DSS)
ID# 0024215 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Account Level Processing – AP
Region, Canada Region, and
CEMEA Region
An optional service provided by Visa that enables an Issuer:
●
To manage select product-based services at the 16-digit Account
Number level instead of the BIN level
●
To dynamically move Card products up and down the product
spectrum without having to change the associated Account Number
ID# 0027308 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Account Number An Issuer-assigned number that identifies an account in order to post a
Transaction.
ID# 0024216 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Account Number Verification A process by which a Member or its VisaNet Processor determines,
using a currency unit of zero, if there is negative information on an
Account Number in the Exception File for Transactions that do not require
Authorization.
ID# 0024217 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2011
Account-Number-Verifying
Terminal
An Acceptance Device that:
●
May be required at specified high-risk locations
●
Reads the Account Number encoded on the Magnetic Stripe or Chip
●
Compares the last 4 digits of the encoded Account Number to the key-
entered last 4 digits of the embossed or printed Account Number
Glossary-748 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
●
Transmits the full, unaltered contents of the Magnetic Stripe or Chip in
the Authorization Message
ID# 0024210 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
Account Verification A message sent by an Acquirer to the Issuer, using a currency unit of zero,
for confirmation that a Transaction can be completed using the Card.
ID# 0029700 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Acquirer A Member that signs a Merchant or Payment Facilitator, provides a Cash
Disbursement to a Cardholder, or loads funds to a Visa Prepaid Card, and
directly or indirectly enters a Transaction into Interchange.
In the Europe Region, a Member that either:
●
Enters into an agreement with a Merchant for the display of any of the
Visa-Owned Marks and the acceptance of Visa products and services
●
Disburses currency to a Cardholder, except where “Acquirer” is
otherwise defined for the Europe Region in the Visa Rules
ID# 0024219 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Acquirer Confirmation Advice A message sent from an Acquirer to an Issuer confirming the final
Transaction Amount.
ID# 0026794 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Acquirer Device Validation
Toolkit (ADVT)
A set of cards or simulated cards and test scenarios used to validate new or
upgraded EMV Chip-Reading Devices.
ID# 0024222 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Acquirer Processor A non-Member agent or Processor that a Member has engaged to support
its Visa acquiring business.
ID# 0024225 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Acquirer Reference Number An identification number included in a Clearing Record.
ID# 0024226 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Acquisition The purchase of a Member organization by another organization where
the acquired Member's charter remains intact.
ID# 0024229 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2011
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-749
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Address Verification Service A VisaNet service through which a Merchant verifies a Cardholder’s billing
address.
ID# 0024238 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Adjustment A Single Message System message used to partially or fully negate or
cancel a transaction that has been sent through Interchange in error.
ID# 0024241 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Advanced Resolution Services,
Inc. – US Region
A wholly-owned subsidiary of Visa U.S.A. that provides Members with
services such as Advanced ID Solutions and Strategic Bankruptcy Solutions.
ID# 0024245 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Affinity/Co-Brand Aprogram or partnership based on a contractual agreement between a
non-Member entity (example: Merchant) and an Issuer for the issuance of
Cards bearing the Affinity/Co-Brand partner’s Trade Name or Mark.
ID# 0029280 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Agent An entity that acts as a VisaNet Processor or a Visa Scheme Processor, a
Third Party Agent, or both.
ID# 0025920 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Aggregated Transaction A single Transaction that combines multiple purchases made by the same
Cardholder on the same Account Number at the same Merchant during a
defined time period and up to a defined amount.
ID# 0024270 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Airline A Merchant that transports passengers on an aircraft.
ID# 0024273 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
Airline Authorizing Processor A Visa-approved non-Member whose primary function is to provide
reservation and Authorization services for Airline Transactions, or travel-
related services that include the purchase of an Airline ticket.
ID# 0024274 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Glossary-750 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Airline Ticket Identifier A unique value (for example: carrier code or number, ticket serial number,
transmission control number)of up to 13 characters that identifies the
purchase of an Airline ticket.
ID# 0024278 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Alert – Europe Region A message sent by a Visa Alerts Service to a Cardholder by email, SMS
(Short Message Service), or push notification.
ID# 0029704 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Ancillary Purchase Transaction The purchase of goods and services, other than a passenger ticket,
completed at an Airline or a US passenger railway Merchant.
ID# 0029155 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
AP Asia-Pacific.
ID# 0024281 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Application Identifier An EMV-compliant data label encoded on a Chip Card and loaded on a
Chip Reading Device that is used to identify mutually supported payment
applications.
ID# 0029281 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Application Label – Europe
Region
A name that identifies an application stored on a Card and that is used
during application selection when no application preferred nameis
associated with that application.
ID# 0029705 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Application Selection Flag –
Canada Region
An EMV-compliant Canadian payment industry specification that allows
an Issuer to control which payment applications contained in a Compliant
Chip Card can process a Transaction at a POS or an ATM.
ID# 0024284 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Application Transaction Counter
– Europe Region and US Region
An application on a Contactless Card that sequentially tracks the number
of times the Chip is read and that is used by the Issuer during the
Authorization process.
ID# 0024286 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-751
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Approval Response An Authorization Response where the Transaction was approved.
ID# 0024287 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Arbitration A process where Visa determines financial liability between Members for
Interchange Transactions that are presented and charged back.
ID# 0024289 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Arbitration and Compliance
Committee
A Visa committee that resolves certain disputes between Members that
arise from Chargebacks or from violations of the Visa Rules.
ID# 0024290 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Associate-Type Member A Member of Visa with rights and responsibilities, as defined in the
applicable Visa Charter Documents, that is either an:
●
Associate, as defined in the applicable Visa Charter Documents
●
Acquiring Associate, as defined under the Visa U.S.A. Inc. Certificate of
Incorporation and By-Laws, Article II, Section 2.04(e)
ID# 0024293 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
ATM Operator – US Region An entity authorized by a Member or its Agent to originate a Transaction
through the connection of an ATM to the Visa ATM Network and that
displays the Visa acceptance Mark. An ATM Operator owns, operates, or
leases ATMs that are connected to the Visa ATM Network and may either
or both:
●
Receive revenue from the Interchange process or from fees assessed
with Transactions
●
Manage cryptographic functions or stock ATMs with cash
ID# 0024301 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Attempt Response A message from a Verified by Visa Issuer or Visa in response to an
Authentication Request, indicating that the Issuer or Cardholder is not
participating in Verified by Visa.
ID# 0024302 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Authentication A cryptographic process that validates the identity and integrity of Chip
data.
ID# 0024303 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Glossary-752 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Authentication Confirmation A message from a Verified by Visa Issuer in response to an Authentication
Request confirming Cardholder authentication.
ID# 0024304 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2013
Authentication Data All Transaction-related data associated with a Verified by Visa
Authentication Request.
ID# 0026423 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2013
Authentication Denial A message sent by a Verified by Visa Issuer in response to an
Authentication Request, that denies Cardholder authentication.
ID# 0024306 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2013
Authentication Mechanism A Visa-approved method that validates a participant’s identity in an
Electronic Commerce Transaction. Authentication Mechanisms include, but
are not limited to:
●
Password
●
Digital Certificate
ID# 0024309 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Authentication Method A Visa-approved protocol, such as Verified by Visa, that meets the
minimum standards for authenticating a Cardholder in an Electronic
Commerce Transaction.
ID# 0024310 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Authentication Record A record of the Verified by Visa authentication status from a Verified by
Visa Issuer in response to an Authentication Request.
ID# 0024311 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2013
Authentication Request A request for Cardholder authentication from a Verified by Visa Merchant.
ID# 0024313 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2013
Authentication Response A response from a Verified by Visa Issuer, or Visa on behalf of an Issuer, in
response to an Authentication Request.
Authentication Responses include:
●
Attempt Responses
●
Authentication Confirmations
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-753
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
●
Authentication Denials
●
Unable-to-Authenticate Responses
ID# 0026811 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2013
Authorization A process where an Issuer, a VisaNet Processor, Visa Scheme Processor,
or Stand-In Processing approves a Transaction. This includes Offline
Authorization.
ID# 0024316 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Authorization and Settlement
Match
An optional Visa service offered to Issuers in connection with Visa
Purchasing Card Commercial Payables Transactions which allows Visa
to edit for an exact match between the amount in the Authorization
Request and the corresponding Clearing Record. The service applies only
to Transactions conducted at a non-T&E Merchant or Lodging Merchant,
as specified in the Visa Settlement Match (VSM) Implementation Guide.
In the Europe Region, thisrule does not apply. Where a Member uses Visa
for processing, as specified in Section 1.1.1.2, “Applicability of Processing
Rules – Europe Region,” it must refer to Visa Europe Operating Regulations
– Processing.
ID# 0026823 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Authorization Code A code that an Issuer, its VisaNet Processor, a Visa Scheme Processor, or
Stand-In Processing provides to indicate approval of a Transaction. The
code is returned in the Authorization Response message and is usually
recorded on the Transaction Receipt as proof of Authorization.
ID# 0024317 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Authorization Preferred Visa
Prepaid Card
A Visa Prepaid Card bearing the Visa Brand Mark or Visa Brand Mark
with the Electron Identifier that has a Service Code denoting "Online
Authorization mandatory" encoded on the Magnetic Stripe.
ID# 0024318 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Authorization Request A Merchant or Acquirer request for an Authorization.
ID# 0024319 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Authorization Request
Cryptogram
An application Cryptogram generated by a Chip Card when requesting
Online Authorization.
ID# 0025502 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2011
Glossary-754 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Authorization Response An Issuer's reply to an Authorization Request or Account Number
Verification that refers to the following types of Authorization Responses:
●
Approval Response
●
Decline Response
●
Pickup Response
ID# 0024321 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Authorization Reversal A system message that cancels an Approval Response.
ID# 0025601 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Authorizing Processor A Member or its VisaNet Processor or Visa Scheme Processor that provides
Authorization services for Merchants or other Members.
In the US Region, this definition does not imply or confer membership
rights as defined in the Visa U.S.A. Inc. Certificate of Incorporation and By-
Laws, Article II.
ID# 0024324 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Auto Rental Collision Damage
Waiver
A Visa Card feature that provides Visa Cardholders with collision or loss
damage insurance on car rental Transactions.
ID# 0024453 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Automated Fuel Dispenser Effective through 11 April 2017
An Unattended Cardholder-Activated Terminal that dispenses only
fuel such as gasoline, diesel fuel, or propane.
Effective 12 April 2017
An Unattended Cardholder-Activated Terminal that dispenses only
fuel. An Automated Fuel Dispenser may also facilitate a Transaction
originating from an application using a Stored Credential on a
Cardholder device.
ID# 0024328 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
B
Balance Inquiry A Cardholder request for an account balance that is initiated at an ATM
and processed as a separate, non-financial transaction.
ID# 0024334 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-755
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Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Balance Inquiry Service An ATM service that allows a Cardholder to check an account balance.
ID# 0024335 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
BASE I A component of the V.I.P. System that provides Authorization-related
services for Transactions that are subsequently cleared and settled through
BASE II.
ID# 0024343 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2011
BASE II A VisaNet system that provides deferred Clearing and Settlement services
to Members.
ID# 0024341 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Bill Payment Transaction A Transaction that results from an agreement between a Cardholder and
a Merchant made in advance of the Cardholder being billed for goods
or services conducted within an ongoing service cycle. Transactions may
occur monthly or on a periodic basis. Such Transactions include:
●
Single payments initiated by the Cardholder in a Face-to-Face
Environment, in a Card-Absent Environment, or at an ATM
●
Recurring Transactions
●
Installment Transactions
ID# 0024350 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
Billing Currency The currency in which an Issuer bills and receives payment from a
Cardholder for Transactions, or debits the associated Cardholder's account
for Transactions.
ID# 0024349 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
BIN Bank Identification Number. A 6-digit number assigned by Visa and used
to identify a Member, VisaNet Processor, or Visa Scheme Processor for
Authorization, Clearing, or Settlement processing.
ID# 0024351 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
BIN Licensee A Member or non-Member VisaNet Processor or Visa Scheme Processor
that is allocated responsibility by Visa for a specific BIN, as specified in the
Visa Rules and applicable Visa Charter Documents.
ID# 0024352 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Glossary-756 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
BIN User A Member authorized to use a BIN licensed to its Sponsor, as specified in
the Visa Rules.
ID# 0025530 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Board of Directors One of the following, as applicable:
●
Visa Inc. Board of Directors
●
Visa International Board of Directors
●
Visa U.S.A. Board of Directors
●
Visa Canada Board of Directors
●
Visa Europe Board of Directors
●
Visa International Servicios de Pago España, S.R.L.U. Board of Directors
●
Visa Worldwide Board of Directors
ID# 0024354 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Branch The office of a Member where Manual Cash Disbursements may be made
and Cards may be issuedexcluding drive-through windows providing
reduced customer services, in-store counters, or service centers that do
not store cash on the premises.
ID# 0024355 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
C
Campus Card – US Region A Visa Debit Cardor Visa Prepaid Card issued to a student, staff member,
or faculty member of an educational organization in the US Region that
both:
●
Bears the Visa Mark
●
Includes one or more of the following applications: identification,
building access, library access, or a proprietary closed-loop payment
application for use only within a college or university system
ID# 0024358 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
CAMS Compromised Account Management System. The reporting system used
by Visa to notify Issuers outside the Europe Regionof Account Numbers
that may have been compromised.
ID# 0026038 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-757
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Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
CAMS Alert A Notification sent through CAMS to alert Issuers outside the Europe
Region of Account Numbers involved in a potential Account Data
Compromise Event.
ID# 0026061 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Car Rental Merchant Effective through 13 October 2017
A Merchant whose primary business is the rental of cars.
See Vehicle Rental Merchant.
ID# 0024404 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Card A valid Visa Card, Visa Electron Card, or Proprietary Card bearing the Plus
Symbol.
In the Europe Region, a payment card, device, or any other electronic or
virtual product or account that is capable of completing a Transaction, is
issued by an Issuer, and bears one of the Visa-Owned Marks.
ID# 0024365 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Card Recovery Bulletin A directory of blocked Account Numbers, intended for distribution to
Merchants. It may take one of the following forms:
●
National Card Recovery Bulletin (a special edition that lists domestic
Account Numbers in addition to other applicable listings)
●
National Card Recovery File
●
Regional Card Recovery File
ID# 0024390 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Card Verification Service A service where a Card Verification Value in an Authorization Request is
validated on behalf of an Issuer.
ID# 0024398 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Card Verification Value A unique check value encoded on the Magnetic Stripe of a Card to validate
Card information during the Authorization process. The Card Verification
Value is calculated from the data encoded on the Magnetic Stripe using a
secure cryptographic process.
ID# 0024399 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Glossary-758 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Card Verification Value 2 A unique check value generated using a secure cryptographic process that
is displayed either statically or dynamically (referenced as dCVV2) on the
back of a Visa Card or provided to a Virtual Account owner.
ID# 0024400 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
Card-Absent Environment An environment in which a Transaction is completed under both of the
following conditions:
●
Cardholder is not present
●
Card is not present
ID# 0024362 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Card-Present Environment An environment in which a Transaction is completed under all of the
following conditions:
●
Card is present
●
Cardholder is present at the Merchant Outlet
●
Transaction is completed by one of the following:
– A representative of the Merchant or Acquirer
– The Cardholder directly at an Unattended Cardholder-Activated
Terminal
– In the Europe Region, the Cardholder in a Semi-Attended
Environment
ID# 0024363 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Cardholder An individual who is issued a Visa Card.
ID# 0024372 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Cardholder Authentication
Verification Value
A unique value transmitted in response to an Authentication Request.
ID# 0024375 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2013
Cardholder Inquiry Service A service that assists Cardholders in reaching their Issuer when calling the
Visa Global Customer Care Services for account information.
ID# 0024379 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-759
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Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Cardholder Maintenance File –
US Region
A file containing Cardholder names, addresses, and account information
provided to Visa and used for various account-related activities.
ID# 0024380 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Cardholder Verification The process of validating a Cardholder’s identity through verification of the
Cardholder’s signature or PIN and other methods as required in the Visa
Rules.
ID# 0024381 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Cardholder Verification Limit –
Europe Region
The Transaction amount for Contactless Transactions above which
Cardholder Verification must be performed.
ID# 0029706 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Cardholder Verification Method A means of verifying that the person presenting a Card is the legitimate
Cardholder.
For a Chip Card, the hierarchy of preferences for verifying a Cardholder’s
identity is encoded within the Chip.
ID# 0024382 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Cash Disbursement Currency, including travelers cheques and excluding Cash-Back, provided
to a Cardholder as follows:
●
As a Manual Cash Disbursement
●
Through an ATM
ID# 0024407 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Cash Disbursement Fee A fee paid by an Issuer to an Acquirer for performing a Cash Disbursement.
ID# 0024409 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Cash-Back Cash obtained from a Visa or Visa Electron Merchant through use of a
Visa or Visa Electron Card, in conjunction with, and processed as, a Retail
Transaction.
ID# 0024406 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
CEMEA Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa.
ID# 0024413 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Chargeback A Transaction that an Issuer returns to an Acquirer.
Glossary-760 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
For Members that participate in Enhanced Dispute Resolution, this includes
Disputes.
ID# 0024424 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
Chargeback Reduction Service A service that screens Presentments and Chargebacks and returns certain
invalid items to the Acquirer or Issuer, as appropriate.
ID# 0024429 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Cheque A traveler’s cheque that a Member has issued and that bears the Visa-
Owned Marks.
ID# 0024431 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Chip An electronic component designed to perform processing or memory
functions that communicates with an Acceptance Device using a contact or
Contactless interface and enables Visa Transaction processing or performs
other Visa-approved functions.
ID# 0024436 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Chip Specifications – Canada
Region
All requirements set out in the EMV, VIS, VSDC, PCI, and Visa PIN Entry
Device specifications.
ID# 0024439 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Chip-initiated Transaction An EMV and VIS-Compliant Chip Card Transaction that is processed at a
Chip-Reading Device using Full-Chip Data, and limited to Visa and Visa
Electron Smart Payment applications, or EMV and VIS- Compliant Plus
applications.
ID# 0024433 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Chip-Reading Device An Acceptance Device capable of reading, communicating, and processing
Transaction data from a Chip Card.
ID# 0024435 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Clearing All of the functions necessary to collect a Clearing Record from an Acquirer
in the Transaction Currency and deliver it to the Issuer in the Billing
Currency, or to reverse this transaction, or to process a Fee Collection
Transaction.
ID# 0024444 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-761
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Clearing Processor AMember or its Visa-approved VisaNet Processor or Visa Scheme
Processor that provides Clearing and/or Settlement services for Merchants
or other Members. This definition does not imply or confer membership
rights as defined in the Visa International Certificate of Incorporation and
By-Laws, Article II, in the Visa U.S.A. Inc. Certificate of Incorporation and By-
Laws, Article II, in the Visa Worldwide Supplementary Operating Regulations
(for Asia-Pacific), Section 1, or in the Visa International Servicios de Pago
España, S.R.L.U. Supplementary Operating Regulations (for Latin America &
Caribbean), Section 1.
ID# 0026051 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Clearing Record A record of a Presentment, Chargeback, Representment, Reversal, or
Adjustment in the format necessary to clear the Transaction.
ID# 0024446 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Clearing Reversal – US Region A VisaNet Transaction that negates a Transaction previously sent through
BASE II or the Single Message System, as specified in the Visa Rules and
applicable VisaNet Manuals.
ID# 0024447 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Client Directory Effective 14 October 2017
An online Visa directory containing contact information for Visa, Plus,
and Interlink Members and Processors.
ID# 0030015 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
Client Organization A company or organization that sponsors a Visa Corporate or Visa
Purchasing (including Visa Fleet in the US Region), or any other Visa
Commercial Card program combining the functionality of these Cards,
wherein Cards are provided to users for business-related purchases.
Such companies or organizations may include public or private-sector
companies, including sole proprietors.
ID# 0026020 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Client Portfolio Management
Self-Service Tools
A set of tools, available through Visa Online to Members, VisaNet
Processors, and designated Agents, providing the ability to manage and
support Visa profile information and associated programs and comprising
the following:
●
Visa Membership Management (VMM)
●
Program Request Management (PRM)
●
Electronic Client Information Questionnaire (eCIQ)
Glossary-762 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
●
Visa Client Support Application (VCSA)
ID# 0026479 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Closed Loop – Europe Region An environment using a Visa Drive Card where the Acquirer and Issuer are
the same.
ID# 0029707 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Collateral Material Printed, broadcast, or other communications regarding an Affinity/Co-
Brand partner's Trade Name or Mark. These may include, but are not
limited to, solicitations, promotional materials, advertisements, statements,
statement inserts, direct mail solicitations, and telemarketing operator
scripts.
ID# 0027362 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Collection-Only The reporting of data related to a Domestic Transaction that was processed
outside of VisaNet and submitted only for informational purposes.
ID# 0027828 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Commercial Payables An environment where a Visa Commercial Card Transaction occurs
between business entities, generally through negotiated contractual
agreements, or in response to the generation of an invoice requesting
payment for goods or services.
ID# 0026824 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Compelling Evidence Information or documentation provided by a Merchant or an Acquirer in a
Representment that attempts to prove that the Cardholder participated in
the Transaction, received goods or services, agreed to Dynamic Currency
Conversion, or otherwise benefited from the Transaction, as specified in
Section 11.1.8.3, “Use of Compelling Evidence.” Compelling Evidence does
not mandate that Visa, the Issuer, or any other person conclude that the
Cardholder participated in the Transaction, received goods or services,
agreed to Dynamic Currency Conversion, or otherwise benefited from the
Transaction.
ID# 0027268 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-763
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Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Competitive Credit Card Brand –
US Region and US Territories
In the US Region or a US Territory, any brand of credit card or electronic
credit payment form of a nationally accepted payment network other than
Visa, including without limitation MasterCard, American Express, Discover,
and PayPal.
ID# 0027526 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Competitive Credit Card Cost of
Acceptance – US Region and US
Territories
In the US Region or a US Territory, the Merchant's average Merchant
Discount Rate applicable to transactions on a Competitive Credit Card
Brand at the Merchant for the preceding one or 12 months, at the
Merchant's option.
ID# 0027527 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Competitive Credit Card Product
– US Region and US Territories
In the US Region or a US Territory, any product within a brand of credit
card or electronic credit payment form of a nationally accepted payment
network other than Visa, including without limitation MasterCard,
American Express, Discover, and PayPal.
ID# 0027528 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Competitive Credit Card Product
Cost of Acceptance – US Region
and US Territories
In the US Region or a US Territory, the Merchant's average effective
Merchant Discount Rate applicable to transactions on the Competitive
Credit Card Product at the Merchant for the preceding one or 12 months,
at the Merchant's option.
ID# 0027529 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Completion Message A Clearing Record that follows a preauthorization as part of Real-Time
Clearing Processing.
ID# 0024469 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Compliance A process where Visa resolves disputes between Members arising from
violations of the Visa Rules, when the requesting Member can certify that
a financial loss has occurred or will occur for a specific amount, and no
Chargeback right is available.
ID# 0024470 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Compliant Chip Card – Canada
Region
A Chip Card that contains a Visa Smart Payment application capable of
processing Full Data and that complies with Chip Specifications.
ID# 0024471 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Glossary-764 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Compliant Chip Card Reading
Device – Canada Region
An Acceptance Device (excluding an ATM) capable of reading,
communicating, and processing full dataTransactions
1
from a Compliant
Chip Card.
1
Processed by Acquirers certified by Visa to process full data
ID# 0024473 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Confidential Consumer
Cardholder Information – US
Region
An Account Number or other personally identifiable information relating
to a Consumer Cardholder.
ID# 0026359 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Confidential Enhanced
Merchant-Level Data – US
Region
Merchant-related data provided through Visa to an Issuer in connection
with a Visa Commercial Card. This data includes all Enhanced Merchant-
Level Data except for Non-Confidential Enhanced Merchant-Level Data,
and is subject to the disclosure restrictions specified in the Visa Rules.
ID# 0024477 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Consumer Device Cardholder
Verification Method (CDCVM)
An Issuer-approved, Visa-recognized method for capturing the Cardholder
Verification Method on a Mobile Payment Device.
ID# 0026877 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2015
Consumer Transaction Controls An optional Visa service that allows Cardholders to control their own Card
use by authorizing Issuers to selectively block all types of Transactions
regardless of routing, based on the list of available control criteria (for
example: MCC, dollar amount, location).
ID# 0029504 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Consumer Visa Check Card – US
Region
A Visa Check Card that accesses a consumer’s deposit, investment, or other
asset account, including a fiduciary account.
ID# 0024481 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Contactless A Visa-approved wireless interface used to exchange information between
a Visa Card and an Acceptance Device.
ID# 0029308 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-765
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Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Control – Europe Region As used with respect to any entity, shall mean the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management
or policies of such entity, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by agreement, or otherwise (the terms “controlling,” “controlled
by,” and “under common control with” shall have correlative meanings).
ID# 0029708 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Convenience Fee – AP Region,
CEMEA Region, and US Region
A fee charged by a Merchant for a bona fide convenience to the
Cardholder (For example: an alternative channel outside the Merchant's
customary payment channel) that is not chargedsolely for the acceptance
of the Visa Card.
ID# 0027486 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Counterfeit Card One of the following:
●
A device or instrument that is printed, embossed, or encoded so as to
purport to be a Card, but that is not a Card because an Issuer did not
authorize its printing, embossing, or encoding
●
An instrument that is printed with the authority of the Issuer and that
is subsequently embossed or encoded without the authority of the
Issuer
●
A Card that an Issuer has issued and that is altered or re-fabricated,
except one on which the only alteration or re-fabrication comprises
modification of the signature panel or Cardholder signature
ID# 0024495 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Counterfeit Fraud Recovery Effective through 13 October 2017
A component of the Global Compromised Account Recovery
program that allocates responsibility and reimbursement for a
portion of Incremental Counterfeit Fraud losses incurred as a result of
a Magnetic-Stripe Data Account Data Compromise Event, including
PIN data for events that also involve PIN compromise.
ID# 0026063 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Country of Domicile The country in which a Member has its principal place of business.
ID# 0024499 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Glossary-766 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Credit Bureau – US Region For purposes of Visa Advanced ID Solutions and Strategic Bankruptcy
Solutions, a company that is required or has agreed to comply with the
requirements applicable to consumer reporting agencies under the Federal
Fair Credit Reporting Act. This includes a company that receives Member
information pursuant to the ID Analytics, ID Score Plus, or Credit Optics
components of Visa Advanced ID Solutions, or that provides card account
numbers identified from bankruptcy petitions filed in US bankruptcy
courts, to Strategic Bankruptcy Solutions.
ID# 0024524 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Credit Optics – US Region A feature of Visa Advanced ID Solutions that provides US Members with
a score and related reason code(s) provided by ID Analytics, Inc. The
information predicts the potential financial loss associated with approving
an application for a new, or management of an existing, Card, non-Visa
card, or other Visa or non-Visa product. The results are based on an
assessment of the identity risk and application behavior of a consumer and
the credit risk and application behavior of other similar consumers.
ID# 0025783 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Credit Reporting Improvement
Service – US Region
A service that supports an Issuer by monitoring the reporting and handling
of credit bureau data.
ID# 0024526 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Credit Transaction A Transaction representing a Merchant’s refund or price adjustment
credited to a Cardholder’s account.
ID# 0024527 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
Credit Transaction Receipt A Transaction Receipt evidencing a Merchant’s refund or price adjustment
to be credited to a Cardholder’s account.
ID# 0024528 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Credit Voucher – US Region See Credit Transaction Receipt.
ID# 0024529 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Cruise Line A Merchant that sells tickets for, and provides, travel and overnight
accommodations on a ship or boat.
ID# 0024532 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-767
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Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Cryptogram A value resulting from a combination of specific key data elements that are
used to validate the source and integrity of data.
ID# 0024533 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Currency Conversion Rate A rate set by Visa from the range of rates available in wholesale currency
markets for the applicable Processing Date, which rate may vary from
the rate Visa itself receives; or the rate mandated by a government or a
governing body in the country in which the Transaction occurred for the
applicable Processing Date.
The Visa rate may be adjusted by application of an Optional Issuer Fee
as determined by the Issuer when VisaNet converts the Transaction
Currency to the Billing Currency. However, when VisaNet converts the
Transaction Currency to the Acquirer's Settlement Currency, or to the
Issuer's Settlement Currency, the rate is applied by Visa and may not be
adjusted.
In the Europe Region, one of the following:
●
For Transactions outside of the Europe Region, the currency conversion
rate set by Visa from the range of rates available in the wholesale
currency markets for the applicable Processing Date, which rate may
vary from the rate Visa itself receives
●
Either:
– For Domestic or Intraregional Transactions where either Member is
connected to BASE II, the currency conversion rate set by Visa from
the range of rates available in the wholesale currency markets for
the applicable Processing Date, which rate may vary from the rate
Visa itself receives
– For Domestic or Intraregional Transactions where the Member is
connected to the Visa Europe Clearing and Settlement Service,
the currency conversion rate set by Visa from the range of rates
available in the wholesale currency markets for the applicable
Processing Date, which rate may vary from the rate Visa itself
receives
●
Either:
– For Interregional Transactions where the Member is connected to
BASE II, the currency conversion rate set by Visa from the range of
rates available in the wholesale currency markets for the applicable
Processing Date, which rate may vary from the rate Visa itself
receives
Glossary-768 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
– For Interregional Transactions where the Member is connected
to the Visa Europe Clearing and Settlement Service, the currency
conversion rate set by Visa from the range of rates available in the
wholesale currency markets for the applicable Processing Date,
which rate may vary from the rate Visa itself receives
●
A rate mandated by a government or a governing body in effect for
the applicable Processing Date for a Transaction
An Issuer shall set the conversion rate to its Cardholder and an Acquirer
shall set the conversion rate to its Merchant, as specified in applicable laws
and regulations.
ID# 0024534 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Custom Payment Services (CPS) A Visa payment service that accommodates specific payment
environments with an identifier that remains with the Transaction
throughout its life cycle.
ID# 0024536 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
D
Debit Card Cost of Acceptance –
US Region and US Territories
In the US Region or in a US Territory, the amount of the cap for debit card
transactions established by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System pursuant to Federal Reserve Regulation II, 12 CFR Part 235, and
which is subject to change.
ID# 0027530 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Decline Response An Authorization Response where the Transaction was declined.
ID# 0024548 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Deferred Clearing Transaction A Transaction or process wherein Transactions are authorized, cleared, and
settled in 2 separate messages.
ID# 0024551 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Deferred Debit Card – Europe
Region
A Card linked to an account whereby the Transactions are accumulated
with other Transactions on a deferred basis, a statement is issued and the
Cardholder is required to pay the outstanding balance in full.
ID# 0029709 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-769
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Deferred Payment Transaction –
US Region
A Transaction completed in a Card-Absent Environment for which the
Cardholder is billed once, no more than 90 calendar days after the first
shipment of merchandise.
ID# 0024552 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Deferred Settlement The Settlement funds transfer of a Transaction, according to the Member's
instructions in the Clearing Record that occurs more than 2 business days
after the Processing Date.
ID# 0029032 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Deposit The submission of a Transaction by a Merchant, Payment Facilitator, or
Staged Digital Wallet Operatorto an Acquirer, resulting in a credit or debit
to the Merchant's, Sponsored Merchant's, or Payment Facilitator's account.
ID# 0024556 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Deposit-Only Account Number An Account Number established by an Issuer, used exclusively to receive
an Original Credit Transaction on behalf of its Cardholder.
ID# 0024554 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Diamond Design A Visa-Owned Mark, used as an element of the Plus Symbol, consisting of
3 triangles with an open space in the lower right-hand corner, arranged to
form an outline of the symbol “+.”
ID# 0024558 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Digital Certificate A digitally signed credential used to authenticate the owner of the
credential or to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the message it is
signing.
ID# 0024559 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Digital Wallet Operator (DWO) A Third Party Agent that operates a Pass-Through Digital Wallet or Staged
Digital Wallet.
ID# 0029530 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Direct (Immediate) Debit Card –
Europe Region
A Card linked to a current (or deposit access) account to which a
Transaction is debited immediately (in a maximum of two working days) on
receipt of the Transaction by the Issuer.
ID# 0029710 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Glossary-770 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Dispute For Members that participate in Enhanced Dispute Resolution, a
Transaction that an Issuer returns to an Acquirer.
ID# 0029463 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
Dispute Resolution Form –
Europe Region
A document or an Electronic Documentation Transfer Method
questionnaire that is used by Members to provide an opposing Member
with information relating to a disputed Transaction.
Also known as Dispute Resolution Form (Exhibit 2E).
ID# 0029711 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Dispute Response For Members that participate in Enhanced Dispute Resolution, a
Transaction that an Acquirer returns to an Issuer in response to a Dispute.
ID# 0029464 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
Distribution of Visa Prepaid
Cards Outside the Country of
Issuance
The issuance of Government or Corporate funded Visa Prepaid Cards to
non-domestic employees or beneficiaries of multinational corporations or
government entities.
ID# 0026803 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Domestic Transaction A Transaction where the Issuer of the Card used is located in the
Transaction Country.
ID# 0024568 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Domiciled Institution – LAC
Region
A deposit-taking financial institution or a payment institution that is
authorized by the Brazil Central Bank, and is used by a Merchant or a
Sponsored Merchant for an Acquirer or a Payment Facilitator to deposit
payments.
ID# 0029506 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
Dual-Issuer Branded Visa
Commercial Card
A Visa Commercial Card, issued by a Member participating in the Visa
Multinational Program, that identifies the Lead Bank on the Card front and
the Partner Bank on the Card back, as specified in the Visa Multinational
Program Guide.
ID# 0026028 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-771
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Dynamic Card Verification Value
(dCVV)
A Card Verification Value dynamically generated by a contact or
Contactless Chip Card for inclusion in the Authorization message (for
example: as part of the Magnetic-Stripe data).
ID# 0025503 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Dynamic Currency Conversion The conversion of the purchase price of goods or services from the
currency in which the purchase price is displayed to another currency. That
currency becomes the Transaction Currency, regardless of the Merchant’s
local currency.
ID# 0024574 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Dynamic Data Authentication A cryptographic value generated by a Chip on a Card in an offline
environment that uses Transaction-specific data elements and is verified by
a Chip-Reading Device to protect against skimming.
ID# 0024575 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
E
Edit Package The software that Visa supplies to VisaNet Processors to:
●
Validate Interchange data
●
Process Interchange data sent from the VisaNet Processor to Visa
●
Process incoming Transactions received from Visa
ID# 0024577 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Electronic Capability Point-of-Transaction Capability where all of the following are true:
●
Transaction Authorization is required (or the terminal is capable of reading and
acting upon the Service Code in the Magnetic Stripe or information provided
in the Chipor, in the US Region, QR code)
●
Authorization Response is obtained Online, or as instructed by the Issuer
●
Authorization Response and Transaction Receipt data are captured
electronically
ID# 0024582 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
Electronic Commerce Indicator A value used in an Electronic Commerce Transaction to indicate the
Transaction's level of authentication and security.
ID# 0026401 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Glossary-772 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Electronic Commerce Merchant A Merchant that conducts the sale of goods or services electronically over
the internet and other networks.
ID# 0024584 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Electronic Commerce
Transaction
A Transaction between a Merchant and Cardholder over the internet or
other networks using a terminal, personal computer, or other Cardholder
device.
ID# 0024587 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Electronic Documentation
Transfer Method – Europe
Region
An electronic documentation transfer method approved by Visa for use by
Europe Members. This method may be either:
●
A web-based application, such as Visa Resolve Online (VROL)
●
An approved, secure electronic method
ID# 0029712 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Electronic Imprint The reading and printing or capture of Card information at a Magnetic-
Stripe Terminal or a Chip-Reading Device. In the US Region, this also
applies to a QR code Transaction with Full-Chip Data.
ID# 0024593 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
Eligible Cardholder A Cardholder who has had their Card lost or stolen while traveling outside
of their city of residence and who has reported the loss or theft to the
Issuer of the Card.
ID# 0024601 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Emergency Card Replacement A temporary Visa Card that Visa Global Customer Assistance Services
or the Issuer or its Agent provides to replace an Eligible Cardholder’s
damaged, lost, or stolen Visa Card.
ID# 0024610 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Emergency Cash Disbursement A Cash Disbursement by a Member or its agent, including Visa, to an
Eligible Cardholder who has reported a Visa Card, Visa TravelMoney Card,
or Chequesas damaged, lost, or stolen.
ID# 0024605 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-773
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Emergency Cheque Refund –
Europe Region
An Emergency Cash Disbursement or Cheque replacement that an
Emergency Refund Location provides to a purchaser of Cheques at the
direction of the Global Refund Service.
ID# 0029713 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Emergency Payment
Authorization Service
A service offered to Cardholders who need to make Transactions
before receiving an Emergency Card Replacement or Emergency Cash
Disbursement. The service provides verbal Authorization for such
emergency travel Transactions.
ID# 0024608 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Emergency Refund Location –
Europe Region
The Branch of a Customer or a Member or alternative location notified
to the purchaser of Cheques by the Global Refund Service, where an
Emergency Cash Disbursement or Cheque replacement can be disbursed
to a purchaser of Cheques.
ID# 0029714 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Emergency Service Location A Visa Issuer-affiliated Branch pre-registered in the Visa Global Customer
Assistance Services Program where an Eligible Cardholder may receive an
Emergency Card Replacement or an Emergency Cash Disbursement.
ID# 0024612 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2010
EMV Integrated Circuit Card
Specifications for Payment
Systems (EMV)
Technical specifications developed (jointly by Europay International,
MasterCard International, and Visa International) to provide standards for
processing debit and credit Transactions and ensure global interoperability
for the use of Chip technology in the payment industry.
ID# 0024620 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
EMV PIN Transaction A Chip-initiated Transaction (excluding ATM Transactions) verified utilizing
Online or Offline PIN Verification.
ID# 0024624 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
EMV PIN-Compliant A Chip-Reading Device that complies with the PIN requirements of the
Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council.
ID# 0024622 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Glossary-774 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
EMV-Compliant A Card or terminal application that complies with the requirements
specified in the EMV Integrated Circuit Card Specifications for Payment
Systems (EMV).
ID# 0024617 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Enhanced Data Data provided through Visa to an Issuer. Such data may include either or
both:
●
Enhanced Merchant-Level Data (including data for a Sponsored
Merchant or a Payment Facilitator)
●
Enhanced Transaction-Level Data
ID# 0026463 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Enhanced Dispute Resolution The Dispute resolution process specified in theEnhanced Dispute
Resolution Rules.
ID# 0029465 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
Enhanced Merchant-Level Data Merchant- or Sponsored Merchant-related data (including Payment
Facilitator data) provided through Visa to an Issuer. Such data includes:
●
Merchant street address
●
Merchant telephone number
●
Incorporation status
●
Owner’s name
ID# 0026464 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Enhanced Transaction-Level
Data
Transaction-related data provided through Visa to an Issuer. Such data
includes:
●
Accounting code
●
Sales tax or value-added tax
●
Description of items purchased, cost per unit, number of units
●
Vehicle fleet data (vehicle/driver ID, odometer reading)
●
Detailed itinerary information (Airline, origination/destination, class of
travel)
●
For an Ancillary Purchase Transaction, all required data elements
ID# 0024631 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-775
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Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Estimated Authorization Request An Authorization Request for the amount that a Merchant expects a
Cardholder to spend in an individual Transaction and that is submitted
before the final Transaction amount is known.
ID# 0029521 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
EU Passporting – Europe Region A system which allows payment service providers legally established in one
member state of the European Economic Area to provide their services
cross-border in the other member states of the European Economic Area
either directly or through a physical establishment subject to meeting
formal notification and approval requirements of the home and host
regulator.
ID# 0029715 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
European Economic Area –
Europe Region
The member states of the European Union, and Iceland, Liechtenstein, and
Norway.
ID# 0029716 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
European Union The following: Austria; Belgium; Bulgaria; Croatia; Cyprus; Czech Republic;
Denmark; Estonia; Finland (including Aland Islands); France; Germany;
Gibraltar; Greece; Hungary; Republic of Ireland; Italy; Latvia; Lithuania;
Luxembourg; Malta; Netherlands; Poland; Portugal (including Azores,
Madeira); Romania; Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain (including Canary Islands,
Ceuta, Melilla); Sweden; United Kingdom
ID# 0030116 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
Exception File A VisaNet file of Account Numbers that a Member accesses Online, for
which the Issuer has predetermined an Authorization Response. The
Exception File supports:
●
Stand-In Processing
●
Positive Cardholder Authorization Service
●
Production of the Card Recovery Bulletin
In the Europe Region, a file of Account Numbers for which the Issuer has
predetermined an Authorization Response, which a Member accesses
Online.
ID# 0024634 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Glossary-776 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Expired Card A Card on which the embossed, encoded, or printed expiration date has
passed.
ID# 0024638 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
F
Face-to-Face Environment An environment in which a Transaction is completed under all of the
following conditions:
●
Card or Contactless Payment Device is present
●
Cardholder is present
●
Individual representing the Merchant or Acquirer completes the
Transaction
ID# 0024643 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Fallback Transaction An EMV Chip Card Transaction initially attempted at a Chip-Reading
Device, where the device’s inability to read the Chip prevented the
Transaction from being completed using the Chip Card data, and the
Transaction is instead completed using an alternate means of data capture
and transmission.
ID# 0024645 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Fast Funds A service that requires a participating Recipient Member to make funds
available to a Cardholder within 30 minutes of receipt and approval of
an incoming Original Credit Transaction initiated as an Online Financial
Transaction.
ID# 0026077 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Fee Collection Transaction A transaction used to collect financial obligations of a Member arising
out of the Visa Rules, the Visa Charter Documents, or other requirements
adopted by Visa.
ID# 0024647 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Fee Schedule One of the following:
●
Visa Asia-Pacific Fee Schedule
●
Visa Canada Fee Schedule
●
Visa CEMEA Fee Schedule
●
Visa Europe Fee Schedule:
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-777
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
– Visa Europe Fee Schedule – Non-EEA
– Visa Europe Fee Schedule – Non-Regulated
– Visa Europe Fee Schedule – Scheme
●
Visa LAC Fee Schedule
●
Visa U.S.A. Fee Schedule
●
Any domestic or local Visa fee schedule
ID# 0027310 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Floor Limit A currency amount that Visa has established for single Transactions at
specific types of Merchant Outlets and Branches, above which Online
Authorization or Voice Authorization is required.
ID# 0024654 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Fraud Activity A Transaction that an Issuer reports as fraudulent when either a:
●
Fraudulent userused a Card or its Account Number
●
Card was obtained through misrepresentation of identification or
financial status
ID# 0024659 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Fulfillment A document image that the Acquirer supplies in response to a Retrieval
Request.
ID# 0024661 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2011
Full-Chip Data Data that complies with all of the following:
●
Conforms to EMVCo minimum requirements
●
Supports cryptographic validation online
●
Records the Card and terminal interactions completed during a
Transaction
ID# 0024662 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Glossary-778 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Functional Type Any mixture of alphanumeric characters or graphics that denotes
participation in a program or benefit (for example: a loyalty or rewards
program, an identification number, a bar code, or a QR code that can be
scanned or read by an electronic reader or application enabling access to a
membership or website/application).
ID# 0029512 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
Funds Disbursement A transaction used by a Member or Visa to disburse funds to a Clearing
Processor.
ID# 0024665 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Funds Transfer Settlement
Reporting Entity
An endpoint within a Visa Settlement hierarchy associated with one or
more Settlement Reporting Entities.
ID# 0026048 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2012
G
General Member – Canada
Region
A customer of Visa Canada in the category of “General Customer” as
defined in Appendix E to the Canada Regional Operating Regulations.
ID# 0024671 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Global Brand Protection
Program
A global program that monitors Acquirers, Merchants, Marketplaces,
1
Payment Facilitators, Sponsored Merchants, and Digital Wallet Operators
to ensure that these entities do not:
●
Process illegal Transactions or are not associated with illegal activity
●
Engage in potentially deceptive marketing practices, as defined in the
Visa Global Brand Protection Program Guide for Acquirers
●
Process Transactions that may adversely affect the goodwill of the Visa
system
1
Effective 14 October 2017
ID# 0026388 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Global Co-Branded Card A Card that:
●
Is issued by one or more Issuers that has a contractual relationship
with a Global Co-Branding Partner
●
Bears the Trade Name or Mark of the Global Co-Branding Partner on
the front of the Card
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-779
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Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
●
May offer a Cardholder tangible benefits for Card usage and loyalty
(for example: rebates, discounts, airline miles)
ID# 0024675 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Global Co-Branding Partner A non-Member that:
●
Is not eligible for membership in Visa
●
Is a for-profit commercial entity or non-profit organization
●
Has a contractual relationship for the issuance of Global Co-
BrandCards:
– With one or more Issuers
– In one or more Visa Regions and countries
ID# 0024676 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Global Compromised Account
Recovery
Effective through 13 October 2017
A global Visa fraud recovery program where Visa allocates to affected
Members a portion of the Magnetic Stripe counterfeit fraud losses
and a portion of the operating expenses that are associated with an
Account Data Compromise Event, including events that also involve
the compromise of PIN data.
Effective 14 October 2017
In the AP Region, Canada Region, CEMEA Region, LAC Region, and
US Region, a Visa program by which Visa allocates to affected Issuers
a portion of the operating expenses that are associated with an
Account Data Compromise Event involving a compromise of either:
●
In a Card-Absent Environment, a Chip Card's Account Number
and expiration date
●
In a Card-Present Environment, a Chip Card's Account Number
and Card Verification Value
ID# 0026034 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Global Member Billing Solution The primary billing system used by Visa.
ID# 0024680 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2011
Global Refund Service – Europe
Region
A service provided by Visa that assists Cheque purchasers whose Cheques
are lost or stolen.
ID# 0029718 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Glossary-780 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Group Member In the APRegion, CanadaRegion, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, and US
Region, a Member as defined under the Visa International Certificate of
Incorporation and By-Laws Section 2.21.
ID# 0024685 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Guaranteed Reservation A reservation made by a Cardholder who provides an Account Number,
but no payment, at the time of reservation to ensure that accommodation,
merchandise, or services will be available as reserved and agreed with the
Merchant.
ID# 0029265 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
Guest Folio A Lodging Merchant's or Cruise Line’s guest file.
ID# 0024691 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
H
Health Care Merchant – US
Region
A Merchant, other than a pharmacy, whose primary business is providing
health care services and that uses one of the following MCCs: 4119, 5975,
5976, 7277, 8011, 8021, 8031, 8041, 8042, 8043, 8044, 8049, 8050, 8062,
8071, 8099.
ID# 0024698 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Health Reimbursement
Arrangement (HRA) – US Region
An employer-funded Visa Prepaid Card program that reimburses
employees, in accordance with IRS regulations, for qualified out-of-pocket
medical expenses not covered by the employer's health care plan.
ID# 0024699 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Health Savings Account (HSA) –
US Region
A Visa Prepaid Card program operated in accordance with IRS regulations
that enables participants of a qualified high-deductible health plan to
access funds contributed by an employee and/or employer for qualified
out-of-pocket health care expenses.
ID# 0024700 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-781
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Healthcare Auto-Substantiation
– US Region
A process that enables an Issuer to automatically substantiate the dollar
amount of qualifying medical purchases in the Authorization Request for
a Visa Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or a Visa Health Reimbursement
Arrangement (HRA) Transaction. Issuers of these Cards, and any Agents
that process Transactions for such Cards, must perform Healthcare Auto-
Substantiation.
ID# 0024696 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
High-Brand Risk Merchant A Merchant assigned an MCC considered by Visa to be high-brand risk, as
specified in Section 10.4.6.1, “High-Brand Risk MCCs.”
ID# 0026389 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
High-Brand Risk Sponsored
Merchant
A Sponsored Merchant required to be classified with an MCC considered
by Visa to be high-risk, as specified in Section 10.4.6.1, “High-Brand
Risk MCCs,” that contracts with a Payment Facilitator to obtain payment
services.
ID# 0026390 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
High-Brand Risk Transaction A Transaction performed by a High-Brand Risk Merchant, High-Risk
Internet Payment Facilitator, High-Brand Risk Sponsored Merchant, or
Digital Wallet Operator assigned an MCC considered by Visa to be high-
brand risk, as specified in Section 10.4.6.1, “High-Brand Risk MCCs.”
ID# 0026391 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
High-Risk Internet Payment
Facilitator
A Payment Facilitator that:
●
Enters into a contract with an Acquirer to provide payment services
to High-Risk Merchants, High-Brand Risk Merchants, High-Risk
Sponsored Merchants, or High-Brand Risk Sponsored Merchants
●
Includes one or more Sponsored Merchants required to be classified
with an MCC considered to be high-risk, as specified in Section
10.4.6.1, “High-Brand Risk MCCs”
ID# 0026392 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Home Country – Europe Region The country in which a Member has its principal place of business and is
authorized under applicable national law to provide payment services.
ID# 0029719 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Glossary-782 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Host Country – Europe Region A country, other than a Home Country, in which a Member has satisfied
the requirements of the competent domestic authority to provide payment
services.
ID# 0029720 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
I
Integrated Card Verification
Value (iCVV)
An alternate Card Verification Value that an Issuer must encode in the
Magnetic-Stripe Image on a Chip instead of the Card Verification Value
contained in the Magnetic Stripe of the Chip Card.
ID# 0024710 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
ID Score Plus – US Region A feature of Visa Advanced ID Solutions that provides Members with
a score and related reason code(s) provided by ID Analytics, Inc. The
score assesses the risk associated with an identity in connection with an
application for a Card or non-Visa card or other Visa or non-Visa product.
ID# 0024711 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Imprint Cardholder data transferred from a Card to a Transaction Receipt to
complete a Transaction. There are 2 kinds of imprints:
●
Electronic Imprint
●
Manual Imprint
ID# 0024713 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
In-Transit Transaction A Transaction reflecting the purchase of merchandise, services, or
gambling on board a ship, boat, bus, aircraft, ferry, or train.
ID# 0024717 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
Incremental Authorization
Request
An Authorization Request that both:
●
Follows an approved Estimated Authorization Request or Initial
Authorization Request
●
Is for an additional amount that a Merchant expects a Cardholder to
spend or that the Cardholder has incurred in an individual Transaction
ID# 0029522 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-783
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Incremental Counterfeit Fraud Effective through 13 October 2017
Actual counterfeit fraud reported by Issuers on Account Data
Compromise Event accounts that is above a baseline or "expected"
level of fraud reported on non-event accounts during an event's
Fraud Window.
ID# 0026747 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Independent Sales Organization
– Europe Region
An entity that is not eligible for Membership, has no direct connection to
Visa, and provides a Member with bank card-related support services, such
as:
●
Merchant solicitation
●
Point-of-Transaction Acceptance Device installation and service
●
Transaction Receipt data capture and transmission
●
Cardholder solicitation
ID# 0029721 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Initial Authorization Request An Authorization Request for a capped amount or an amount based
on an interim purchase or order and that is submitted before the final
Transaction amount is known.
ID# 0029523 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Installment Transaction A Transaction in a series of Transactions that use aStored Credential and
that represent Cardholder agreement for the Merchant to initiate one or
more future Transactions over a period of time for asingle purchase of
goods or services.
ID# 0024724 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Instant Card Personalization The ability to instantly personalize Visa Cards at a location other than a
Member's card manufacturing facility to allow any of the following:
●
Immediate delivery of the Card at the Branch
●
Respond immediately to a request for an emergency replacement of a
Cardholder's lost or stolen card
ID# 0025525 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Instant Card Personalization
Issuance Agent
A Third Party Agent that performs instant Card personalization and
issuance for an Issuer.
ID# 0025526 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Glossary-784 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Interchange The exchange of Clearing Records between Members. The Visa Rules refer
to the following types of Interchange:
●
Domestic Interchange
●
International Interchange
ID# 0024729 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Interchange File An electronic file containing a Member’s Interchange data.
ID# 0024732 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Interchange Reimbursement Fee
(IRF)
A fee between Acquirers and Issuers in the Clearing and Settlement of an
Interchange Transaction.
ID# 0024733 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Intercompany Interchange
Reimbursement Fee Compliance
Process
Effective through 12 October 2018
A process to resolve disputes and recover financial losses when a
violation of the Visa Rules has caused the application of an incorrect
Interchange Reimbursement Fee to a cross-border Transaction
between a Europe Member and a Member in another Region.
ID# 0026214 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Interlink Program A program through which an Interlink participant (acting as an Interlink
issuer) provides Point-of-Transaction services to Interlink cardholders,
Interlink merchants, or both, as specified in the Interlink Network, Inc.
Bylaws, Interlink Network, Inc.Operating Regulations and the Visa Rules.
ID# 0024737 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Interlink Program Marks The Interlink Mark, or any other service Marks adopted by Visa for use with
the Interlink Program.
ID# 0024738 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Intermediary Bank A depository institution, specified by a Member or by Visa, through which
a Settlement funds transfer must be processed for credit to a Settlement
account at another depository institution.
ID# 0024741 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
International Airline Either:
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-785
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
●
An Airline that sells tickets directly in its own name in 2 or more
countries, operates scheduled flights between 2 or more countries, or
both
●
Its authorized agent that sells airline tickets on behalf of the
Airline(except in the Europe Region)
ID# 0024742 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
International Settlement Service A Settlement Service used to settle all Transactions that do not participate
in a National Net Settlement Service, an Area Net Settlement Service, or
other Settlement Services.
ID# 0029723 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
International Transaction A Transaction where the Issuer of the Card used is not located in the
Transaction Country.
This does not apply in the US Region or a US Territory for US Covered Visa
Debit Card Transactions in the US Region or a US Territory for routing and
Interchange Reimbursement Fee purposes.
ID# 0024752 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Interregional Transaction A Transaction where the Issuer of the Card is not located in the Visa Region
where the Transaction takes place.
ID# 0024762 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Intraregional Transaction A Transaction where the Issuer of the Card is located in a country other
than the Transaction Country, but in the same Visa Region.
ID# 0024763 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
IRF Compliance A process by which Visa resolves disputes between Members for a
Member’s violation of the Visa Rules or any applicable Interchange
Reimbursement Fee (IRF) guide that causes an incorrect Interchange
Reimbursement Fee rate to be applied to a large number of Transactions,
resulting in a financial loss to another Member.
Effective through 12 October 2018
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
ID# 0024735 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Issuer In the APRegion, CanadaRegion, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, and US
Region, a Member that enters into a contractual relationship with a
Cardholder for the issuance of one or more Card products.
Glossary-786 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
In the Europe Region, a Member that issues a Card to a Cardholder and
maintains the contractual privity relating to the Card with that Cardholder.
ID# 0024768 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Issuers' Clearinghouse Service –
US Region
A service developed jointly by Visa and MasterCard Worldwide that is
designed to reduce Member losses from excessive credit applications and
unauthorized use.
ID# 0024769 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
J
No glossary terms available for
J.
ID# 0025512 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
K
Known Fare Transaction Effective 14 October 2017
A Contactless Transaction at an Unattended Cardholder-Activated
Terminal at the turnstile, fare gate, or point of boarding of a Mass
Transit Merchant where the Transaction amount is known before
travel.
ID# 0030047 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
L
LAC Latin America and Caribbean.
ID# 0024774 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Lead Bank A Visa Multinational Program participant that initiates Multi-Country
Issuing on behalf of a Multinational Company client.
ID# 0026026 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2012
Level II Enhanced Data – US
Region
Data provided to Visa in connection with a Commercial Visa Product
Transaction that includes the sales tax amount, customer code (cost center,
general ledger number, order/invoice number), and additional data for
T&E Transactions.
ID# 0024778 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-787
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Liability As specified in the Visa Rules, any liability under any theory or form
of action whatsoever, in law or in equity, including, without limitation,
contract or tort, including negligence, even if the responsible party has
been notified of the possibility of such damages. The term also includes
liability for infringement of others’ intellectual property rights or any
liability for Claims of third parties.
ID# 0024779 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Licensee An entity licensed to participate in the Visa or Visa Electron Program that is
neither a:
●
Member
●
Member or owner of a Group Member
ID# 0024780 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Limited Acceptance – Europe
Region and US Region
In the Europe Region, a term describing the option to accept one or more,
but not all, Product Categories by a Merchant located within the European
Economic Area.
In the US Region, a term describing a Merchant’s option to accept one
category of Visa Cards and not another. Categories consist of both:
●
Visa Credit and Business Category
●
Visa Debit Category
This definition does not apply to Visa Business Check Cards accepted as
specified in Section 5.9.11.2, “Repayment of Debt.”
ID# 0024784 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Limited Acceptance Merchant –
Europe Region and US Region
In the Europe Region, a Merchant located within the European Economic
Area that chooses to accept one or more, but not all, Product Categories.
In the US Region, a category of Merchant that accepts either, but not both:
●
Visa Credit and Business Category Cards
●
Visa Debit Category Cards
ID# 0024785 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
Load Device – Europe Region An ATM or stand-alone device that a Cardholder uses to add or remove
value from a stored value application on a Chip Card.
ID# 0029724 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Glossary-788 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Load Transaction A means of adding monetary value to a Card(in the Europe Region, only at
a Point-of-Transaction Acceptance Device).
ID# 0024791 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Lodging Merchant A Merchant that sells overnight accommodations at a fixed location that
are purchased for a limited period of time.
For the purposes of the Visa Rules, Lodging Merchants are hotels, motels,
inns, bed and breakfast establishments, resorts, cabins, cottages, hostels,
and apartments, condominiums, and houses rented as a short-term
accommodation.
ID# 0024794 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Lost/Stolen Card Reporting
Service – US Region
A VisaNet service provided for an Issuer’s Authorizing Processor when a
Visa Card, Visa Electron Card, or Visa TravelMoney Card is reported lost or
stolen to a VisaNet Authorization operator.
ID# 0024798 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
M
Magnetic Stripe A magnetic stripe on a Card that contains the necessary information to
complete a Transaction.
ID# 0024808 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Magnetic-Stripe Data Data contained in a Magnetic Stripe and replicated in a Chip.
ID# 0024802 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Magnetic-Stripe Image The minimum Chip payment data replicating the Magnetic Stripe
information required to process an EMV-Compliant Transaction.
ID# 0024803 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Magnetic-Stripe Terminal A terminal that reads the Magnetic Stripe on a Card.
ID# 0024806 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Mail/Phone Order Purchase in a Card-Absent Environment where a Cardholder orders
goods or services from a Merchant by telephone, mail, or other means of
telecommunication.
ID# 0029309 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-789
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Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Manual Cash Disbursement A Cash Disbursement obtained with a Visa Card or Visa Electron Card in a
Face-to-Face Environment.
ID# 0024814 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Manual Imprint An imprint of the embossed data on the front of the Card using a
specifically-designed mechanical imprinting device.
An impression taken from the Card using pencil, crayon, or other writing
instrument does not qualify.
ID# 0024815 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Mark A word, name, design, symbol, or other device, or any combination thereof,
that Visa or any entity adopts to identify its goods or services.
ID# 0024818 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Marketplace Effective 14 October 2017
An online marketplace that accepts Visa and brings together
Cardholders and retailers on an electronic commerce website or
mobile application, and meets all Visa qualification requirements.
ID# 0030075 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
Mass Transit Merchant Effective 14 October 2017
A Merchant that is assigned MCC 4111, 4112, or 4131 and completes
a Mass Transit Transaction, Known Fare Transaction, or another
method of fare collection using a Visa Card.
ID# 0030054 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
Mass Transit Transaction Effective 14 October 2017
A Contactless Transaction at an Unattended Cardholder-Activated
Terminal at the turnstile, fare gate, or point of boarding of a Mass
Transit Merchant that uses the data derived from one or more taps of
a Contactless Payment Device during a Travel Period to calculate the
Transaction amount.
ID# 0030053 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
Glossary-790 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Maximum Surcharge Cap – US
Region and US Territories
In the US Region or a US Territory, the maximum US Credit Card Surcharge
that a Merchant may assess on a Visa Credit Card Transaction, as may be
revised from time to time and that is communicated via the Visa public
website, www.visa.com.
ID# 0027531 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Member A client of Visa U.S.A., Visa International, Visa Worldwide, Visa Europe
Limited, or Visa International Servicios de Pago España, S.R.L.U. or a
customer that has entered into a Services Agreement with Visa Canada.
Requirements for membership are defined in the applicable Visa Charter
Documents.
The Services Agreement is a license or contract between Visa Canada and
an entity that has a contract or license that allows the entity to participate
in the Visa program or use the Visa-Owned Marks, including in accordance
with the Visa Rules.
ID# 0024822 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Merchant In the APRegion, CanadaRegion, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, and US
Region, an entity that accepts a Visa Card for the sale of goods or services
and submits the resulting Transaction to an Acquirer for Interchange,
directly or via a Payment Facilitator. A Merchant may be a single Merchant
Outlet or represent multiple Merchant Outlets.
In the Europe Region, an entity that enters into an agreement with an
Acquirer for the acceptance of Cards for purposes of originating payment
Transactions under the Visa-Owned Marks.
ID# 0024828 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Merchant Agreement A direct contract between a Merchant and an Acquirer or between a
Sponsored Merchant and a Payment Facilitator, containing their respective
rights, duties, and obligations for participation in the Acquirer's Visa or
Visa Electron Program.
ID# 0024830 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2015
Merchant Category Code (MCC) A code designating the principal trade, profession, or line of business in
which a Merchant is engaged.
ID# 0024834 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Merchant Discount Rate – US
Region and US Territories
In the US Region or a US Territory, the fee, expressed as a percentage
of the total Transaction amount that a Merchant pays to its Acquirer or
VisaNet Processor for transacting on a credit card brand. The Merchant
Discount Rate includes both:
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-791
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
●
The interchange rate, network set fees associated with the processing
of a Transaction, network set fees associated with the acceptance of
the network's brand, and the Acquirer set processing fees associated
with the processing of a Transaction, irrespective of whether such fees
and costs are paid via the Merchant discount or by check, withholding,
offset, or otherwise; and
●
Any other services for which the Acquirer is paid via the mechanism of
the per transaction merchant discount fee.
Other than the fees listed in the first bullet above, the Merchant Discount
Rate excludes any fees (such as the cost of rental of point-of-sale terminal
equipment, for example) that are invoiced separately or not paid via the
mechanism of the per transaction merchant discount fee.
ID# 0027532 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Merchant Outlet The Merchant location at which a Transaction is completed.
ID# 0024842 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
Merchant Service Charge –
Europe Region
A fee that is set, and charged, by an Acquirer to a Merchant under a
Merchant Agreement.
ID# 0029726 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Merchant Verification Value
(MVV)
An assigned value transmitted in the Transaction message used by Visa to
identify an Acquirer or Merchant that is registered with Visa:
●
To assess specific fees
●
For other special Interchange treatment
●
For participation in select acceptance programs
●
For unique processing criteria
The MVV consists of 10 digits, the first 6 of which are assigned by Visa.
This does not apply in the Europe Region.
ID# 0026121 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Merger A term used to describe any of the following:
●
Purchase of a Member organization by another organization where the
acquired Member's charter is dissolved
●
Merging of two or more organizations into a single entity requiring a
new charter
ID# 0025531 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2011
Glossary-792 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
MIF – Europe Region Multilaterally agreed interchange fee(s) paid by an Acquirer to a separate
Issuer or vice versa.
ID# 0029727 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
MIF Plus Plus – Europe Region Pricing in a Merchant Agreement where the Merchant Service Charge for
Transactions referred to in the Merchant Agreement and on invoices is
broken down into separate components comprising the MIF, all other fees
applicable to Transactions, and the Acquirer's fee (including the margin).
ID# 0029728 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Minimum Spending Limit The ability of a Cardholder to accumulate charges up to a predefined value
during each or any statement cycle. For products with debit capabilities,
Minimum Spending Limit is subject to available funds in the account of the
Cardholder.
ID# 0025673 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Mobile Acceptance Device –
Europe Region
A Point-of-Transaction Acceptance Device that consists of a hardware
accessory and any mobile device (including, but not limited to, mobile
phones and tablets) owned or operated by a Merchant.
ID# 0029729 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Mobile Money Agent – AP
Region, CEMEA Region, and LAC
Region
An entity that delivers Transaction services to Visa Mobile Prepaid
account holders, including, but not limited to, customer registration, Card
distribution, cash-ins, and cash-outs.
ID# 0027166 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Mobile Money Consumer
Authentication – AP Region,
CEMEA Region, and LAC Region
A 2-part authentication process conducted by a Mobile Money Operator
to verify a Visa Mobile Prepaid account holder.
ID# 0027678 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Mobile Money Operator – AP
Region, CEMEA Region, and LAC
Region
A category of financial service providers that may include Members or
non-deposit-taking financial institutions, such as mobile network operators
and micro-finance institutions, that may use a Mobile Money Agent or
branch network as its acquisition and service channel for Visa Mobile
Prepaid account holders.
ID# 0027167 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Mobile Payment Acceptance
Solution
A payment acceptance application that uses a portable electronic
device.The portable electronic device must exhibit both of the following
characteristics:
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-793
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Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
●
Not solely dedicated to point-of-sale functions
●
The ability to wirelessly communicate across open networks
The solution may also include a hardware attachment for the purpose of
card reading and/or PIN entry.
ID# 0027382 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Mobile Payment Device A Contactless Payment Device that resides in a portable electronic device
that can access a wireless network.
ID# 0026785 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Money Transfer Original Credit
Transaction
A funds transfer Transaction initiated by a Member that results in a credit
to an Account Number for a purpose other than refunding a Visa purchase
(for example: overseas remittances, gift transfers, Visa Card payments).
ID# 0026081 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
Multi-Country Issuing Within the Visa Multinational Program, a scenario in which a Lead
Bank forms a relationship with a Partner Bank located in another
country for the purpose of issuing Visa Commercial Card products to its
Multinational Companyclients. Multi-Country Issuing is identified in the
Visa Multinational Program Guide as "Indirect Cross-Border Issuing."
ID# 0026027 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Multi-Currency Priced
Transaction
A Transaction in which a Merchant displays the price of goods or services
in a currency or currencies other than, or in addition to, the Merchant's
local currency. No Dynamic Currency Conversion is conducted.
ID# 0025996 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2011
Multilateral Agreement – Europe
Region
A multi-party agreement between Members pertaining to the process
of obtaining an Authorization or Clearing and Settlement of Domestic
Transactions.
ID# 0029730 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Multinational Company A commercial organization with operations, subsidiaries, and employees
situated in more than one country (excluding franchise representatives,
independently owned dealers, and joint ventures in which a Multinational
Company participates), as specified in the Visa Multinational Program
Guide.
ID# 0024854 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Glossary-794 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
N
National Card Recovery File A weekly file of all Account Numbers listed on an Exception File with a
Pickup Response.
ID# 0024857 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
National Organization In the APRegion, CanadaRegion, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, and US
Region, an organization as defined under the Visa International Certificate
of Incorporation and By-Laws, Section 16.01.
In the Europe Region, an organization to which Visa delegates, in
whole or in part, its responsibility for the development, operation, and
administration of Visa Card programs and/or Visa Card products in any
country or countries in the Europe Region, including the following:
●
The development and implementation of products, services, systems,
programs, and strategies to address unique market conditions within
such country or countries
●
Coordination of Member activities (as relevant)
●
The promulgation of rules, regulations, and policies applicable to
Members operating within such country or countries
ID# 0024863 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Negative Option Merchant A Merchant that offers goods and/or services and requires a Cardholder
to expressly reject the offer during the Transaction process, or expressly
decline to participate in future Transactions.
ID# 0026394 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
New Channel An environment in which payment is initiated via a terminal, personal
computer or other device that does not use a standard Hypertext Markup
Language (HTML) browser to process an Authentication Request.
ID# 0024868 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
No-Show Transaction A Transaction resulting from a Cardholder's failure to cancel or claim a
Guaranteed Reservation.
ID# 0024869 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
Non-Authenticated Security
Transaction
An Electronic Commerce Transaction that uses data encryption for security
but is not authenticated using an Authentication Method.
ID# 0024871 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-795
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Non-Confidential Enhanced
Merchant-Level Data – US
Region
Merchant-related data provided through Visa to an Issuer in connection
with a Visa Commercial Card, comprising only the following data elements:
●
Merchant name
●
Merchant street address
●
Merchant city, state, and ZIP code
●
Merchant telephone number
ID# 0024872 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Non-Member Administrator –
US Region
A VisaNet Processor permitted to sponsor Associate-type Members as
specified in the Visa U.S.A. Inc. Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws.
ID# 0029313 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Non-Reloadable Card A Visa Prepaid Card that is funded with monetary value only once.
ID# 0024880 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2010
Non-Secure Transaction An Electronic Commerce Transaction that has no data protection.
ID# 0024881 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Non-Standard Card A Visa Card or Visa Electron Card that does not comply with the plastic
specifications in the Visa Product Brand Standards, requires Visa approval,
and must both:
●
Provide the designated level of utility promised to the Cardholder
●
Contain the physical elements and data components required to
complete a Transaction
ID# 0024883 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Non-Visa Debit Transaction – US
Region
An act between a Visa Check Card or Visa Debit Card Cardholder and a
merchant that results in the generation of a transaction on a debit network
other than Visa.
ID# 0024885 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Non-Visa-Owned Marks The Marks used in conjunction with a program sponsored by Visa, but
owned by a third party.
ID# 0024884 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Glossary-796 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Nonfulfillment Message A response to a Retrieval Request indicating that the Acquirer will not
provide a copy.
ID# 0024886 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Notification Written notice delivered by mail, courier, facsimile, hand, email, or other
electronic delivery method. Notification is effective when posted, sent, or
transmitted by Visa to the Member or its Agent.
ID# 0024887 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Numeric ID Any identifier, other than a BIN, assigned by Visa to a Visa Member,
VisaNet Processor, Visa Scheme Processor,or Third Party Agent, including,
but not limited to, Processor Control Records (PCR), Station IDs, and
Routing IDs, used to facilitate transaction routing and processing.
ID# 0026475 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
O
Offline Authorization An Issuer-controlled process that allows a Chip-initiated Authorization
Request to be processed in a below-Floor Limit environment without
sending the request to the Issuer.
ID# 0024898 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Offline PIN Verification A process used to verify the Cardholder’s identity by comparing the PIN
entered at the Chip-Reading Device to the PIN value contained in the Chip.
ID# 0024902 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
On-Us Transaction A Transaction where an individual Member, represented by one Visa
Business ID (BID), both:
●
Holds an issuing license and has issued the Visa Card used in the
Transaction
●
Holds an acquiring license and acquired the corresponding Merchant
volume
ID# 0024907 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Online A method of requesting an Authorization through a communications
network other than voice.
ID# 0024910 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-797
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Online Card Authentication
Cryptogram
A cryptogram generated by a Chip Card during a Transaction and used to
validate the authenticity of the Card.
ID# 0024912 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2011
Online Financial Transaction A Transaction that is authorized, cleared, and settled in a single online
message.
ID# 0024915 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Online Gambling Any form of gambling provided over the internet or other networks by an
Electronic Commerce Merchant, including but not limited to the following:
●
Betting
●
Lotteries
●
Casino-style games
●
Funding an account established by the Merchant on behalf of the
Cardholder for the purpose of gambling
●
Purchase of value for proprietary payment mechanisms, such as
electronic gaming chips
ID# 0029310 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Operating Certificate In the AP Region, CanadaRegion, CEMEARegion, LACRegion, and US
Region, a report that a Member or Non-Member Administrator sends to
Visa at a set pre-determined time, detailing its Visa Card and Merchant
statistics.
In the Europe Region, the certificate supplied by each Member to Visa
pursuant to Part B of the Visa Europe Membership Regulations.
ID# 0027826 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Operating Expense Recovery Effective through 13 October 2017
A component of the Global Compromised Account Recovery (GCAR)
program that allocates responsibility and reimbursement for a
portion of Issuers' estimated operational expenses incurred as the
result of a compromise of Magnetic-Stripe Data, and PIN data for
Account Data Compromise Events that also involve PIN compromise.
Glossary-798 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Effective 14 October 2017
The recovery amount provided to Issuers through the Global
Compromised Account Recovery (GCAR) program associated with an
Account Data Compromise Event.
ID# 0026064 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Optional Issuer Fee A fee that an Issuer may charge a Cardholder by the application of a
percentage increase to the Currency Conversion Rate, which the Visa
Systems use to determine the Transaction Amount in the Billing Currency
for each International Transaction.
ID# 0029314 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
Order Form – US Region A document bearing the Cardholder’s signature, either written or
electronic, authorizing goods or services to be charged to his/her account.
An Order Form may be any of the following:
●
Mail order form
●
Recurring Transaction form
●
Preauthorized Healthcare Transaction form
●
Email or other electronic record that meets the requirements of
applicable laws or regulations
ID# 0024923 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Original Adjustment – US
Region
A PIN-Authenticated Visa Debit Transaction completed and submitted
through Interchange without an Authorization because the connection
between the Merchant and its VisaNet Processor was inoperable
ID# 0024924 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
Original Credit Transaction A Transaction initiated by a Member either directly, or on behalf of its
Merchants or agents, that results in a credit to an Account Number for a
purpose other than refunding a purchase.
ID# 0024925 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Originating Member A Member that initiates an Original Credit Transaction.
ID# 0024926 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
P
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-799
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Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Partial Authorization An Authorization for an amount less than the amount requested by a
Merchant for a Transaction.
ID# 0024929 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Participant-Type Member A Member of Visa characterized as one of the following:
●
Credit Participant, as defined in the Visa U.S.A. Inc. Certificate of
Incorporation and By-Laws, Article II, Section 2.04(h)
●
Debit Participant, as defined in the Visa U.S.A. Inc. Certificate of
Incorporation and By-Laws, Article II, Section 2.04(i)
●
Cash Disbursement Participant, as defined in the Visa U.S.A. Inc.
Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws, Article II, Section 2.04(j)
●
Participant, as defined in the applicable Visa Charter Documents
ID# 0024930 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Partner Bank A Visa Multinational Program participant that partners with the Lead Bank
in a Multi-Country Issuing scenario. The Partner Bank resides in a country
that is different from the Lead Bank and issues Visa Commercial Card
products on behalf of the Lead Bank.
ID# 0026029 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Pass-Through Digital Wallet Functionality provided by a Digital Wallet Operator (DWO) that does all of
the following:
●
Can be used at more than one Merchant
●
Effective through 14 October 2016 in the AP Region, Canada Region,
CEMEA Region, LAC Region, and US Region
Effective through 31 May 2017 in the Europe Region
Stores an Account Number or Tokensupplied by the Cardholder to the
DWO
●
Effective 15 October 2016 in the AP Region, Canada Region, CEMEA
Region, LAC Region, and US Region
Effective 1 June 2017 in the Europe Region
Stores and transmits an Account Number (supplied by the Cardholder)
or payment Token and Payment Account Reference
●
Is used by the DWO to complete a Transaction by transferring the
Account Number or Token to the Merchant without interrupting the
flow of funds
ID# 0029533 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Glossary-800 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Payment Account Reference
(PAR)
A non-financial reference assigned to each Visa payment account that
uniquely identifies that payment account and links activity related to that
underlying payment account.
ID# 0030036 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
Payment Application A software application contained within a Chip or payment data encoded
on a Magnetic Stripe that defines the parameters for processing a Visa
Transaction.
ID# 0024933 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Payment Card Industry Data
Security Standard (PCI DSS)
A set of comprehensive requirements that define the standard of due care
for protecting sensitive Cardholder information.
ID# 0024934 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Payment Card Industry Payment
Application Data Security
Standard (PA-DSS)
A data security standard that specifies security requirements for third-
party Payment Application software that stores, processes, or transmits
Cardholder data.
ID# 0024935 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2012
Payment Facilitator Agreement An agreement between a Payment Facilitator and an Acquirer containing
their respective rights, duties, and obligations for participation in the
Acquirer's Visa Program.
ID# 0026430 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Payment Services Directive
(PSD) – Europe Region
The European Parliament and Council directive 2007/64/EC and any
subsequent changes.
ID# 0029731 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Pickup Response An Authorization Response where the Transaction is declined and
confiscation of the Card is requested.
ID# 0024945 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
PIN A personal identification numeric code that identifies a Cardholder in an
Authorization Request.
ID# 0024948 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-801
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
PIN Entry Device (PED) – Europe
Region
A device used for secure PIN entry and processing, as specified in the
Payment Card Industry PED Security Requirements.
ID# 0029732 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
PIN Management Requirements
Documents
A suite of PIN security documents that includes:
●
Payment Card Industry (PCI) – PIN Security Requirements
●
Payment Card Industry (PCI) PIN Transaction Security (PTS) – Point of
Interaction (POI) Modular Security Requirements
ID# 0027348 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
PIN Verification A procedure used to verify Cardholder identity when a PIN is used in an
Authorization Request.
ID# 0024951 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
PIN Verification Service A service that Visa provides for the verification of Cardholder PINs
transmitted with Authorization Requests.
ID# 0024953 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
PIN Verification Value A 4-digit value derived with an algorithm using portions of the Account
Number, PIN, and a single digit key indicator that encoded for PIN
verification on the Magnetic Stripe or Chip of a Visa Card or Visa Electron
Card.
ID# 0024954 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
PIN-Authenticated Visa Debit
Transaction – US Region
A PIN-authenticated Transaction completed at the point of sale with a Visa
Debit Card or a Visa Business Check Card in a Card-Present Environment.
ID# 0026511 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
PIN-Preferring Chip Card An EMV and VIS-Compliant Chip Card containing a Visa or Visa Electron
Smart Payment Application, and a Cardholder Verification Method
listspecifying a preference for a PIN-based Cardholder Verification Method
(either offline or online).
ID# 0024947 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Plus ATM An ATM that displays the Plus Symbol and not the Visa Brand Mark.
ID# 0024956 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Glossary-802 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Plus Card A card that bears the Plus Symbol.
ID# 0024958 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Plus Program A program through which a Plus participant provides ATM services to
Cardholders by acting as an Issuer, an ATM Acquirer, or both.
ID# 0024962 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Plus Program Marks The Marks used in connection with the Plus Program, including the
Diamond Design, Plus Symbol, Plus wordmark, Plus Symbol-Contained,
and Plus Symbol-Uncontained, as specified in the Visa Product Brand
Standards.
ID# 0024964 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Plus Program Participant An entity participating in the Plus Program, as specified in the Visa
International Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws, Section 2.09(or, in
the Europe Region, Visa Europe Membership Regulations, Section 2.5).
ID# 0024965 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Plus Symbol The Visa-Owned Mark that represents the Plus Program and that complies
with the specifications in theVisa Product Brand Standards.
ID# 0024966 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Plus System, Inc. A subsidiary of Visa U.S.A. Inc. sublicensed to administer the Plus Program
in the United States and certain other countries, in accordance with the
affiliation agreements between that entity and Visa.
ID# 0024969 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Point-of-Sale Balance Inquiry A Cardholder request for a Visa Prepaid Card account balance that is
initiated at the Point-of-Transaction and processed as a separate, non-
financial transaction.
ID# 0025553 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Point-of-Sale Balance Return An Authorization Response in which an Issuer of Visa Prepaid Cards
provides the remaining balance for participating Merchants to print on the
Transaction Receipt.
ID# 0025554 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2010
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-803
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Point of Transaction The physical location or online address where a Merchant or Acquirer
completes a Transaction.
ID# 0024974 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Point-of-Transaction Capability –
Europe Region
The capability of a Merchant, Acquirer, or Unattended Cardholder-
Activated Terminal to process electronic data, obtain an Authorization, and
provide Transaction Receipt data.
ID# 0029733 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
POS Point of sale.
ID# 0029311 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
POS Entry Mode An International Organization for Standardization-defined Authorization
or Online Financial Transaction field indicating the method used to
obtain and transmit the Cardholder information necessary to complete a
Transaction (for example: manual key entry, Magnetic-Stripe read, Chip-
read).
ID# 0024990 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Post-Issuance Application
Change – Europe Region
A method that enables an Issuer to modify or block an application already
residing on a Chip.
ID# 0029734 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Post-Issuance Application Load –
Europe Region
A method that enables an Issuer to add an application or service to the
contents of a Chip without reissuing a Card.
ID# 0029735 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Post-Issuance Updates A method that enables an Issuer to do either of the following without
requiring reissuance of a Chip Card:
●
Add an application or service to a Chip (in the Europe Region, Post-
Issuance Application Load)
●
Modify or block an existing application on a Chip(in the Europe
Region, Post-Issuance Application Change)
ID# 0024987 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Glossary-804 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Preauthorized Health Care
Transaction – US Region
A Transaction completed by a Health Care Merchant for which a
Cardholder has provided written permission to the Merchant to charge the
Cardholder's Visa account for services.
ID# 0024991 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Preauthorized Payment
Cancellation Service
A service that enables Visa Card Issuers to stop payment on preauthorized
Transactions.
ID# 0026230 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Prepaid Account An account established by an Issuer, with previously deposited, authorized,
or transferred funds, which is decreased by purchase Transactions, Cash
Disbursements, or account fees.
ID# 0024994 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Prepaid Clearinghouse Service A centralized database that consolidates, tracks, and aggregates Visa
Prepaid Card enrollments, Transaction Loads, reloads, unauthorized
Transaction requests, and fraud, for use in identifying and mitigating fraud
within the lifecycle of a prepaid account.
ID# 0029068 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
Prepaid Partner A Merchant, Member, or Third Party Agent that has a contract with an
Issuer or Acquirer to sell, activate, and/or perform Load Transaction
processing for, Visa Prepaid Cards.
ID# 0024998 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Prepaid Partner Agreement A contract between a Visa Prepaid Card Issuer or Acquirer and a Member,
Merchant, or Third Party Agent containing respective rights, duties, and
obligations for the sale, activation, and/or Load Transaction processing of
Visa Prepaid Cards.
ID# 0024999 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Presentment A Clearing Record that an Acquirer presents to an Issuer through
Interchange, either initially (a first Presentment) or after a Chargeback (a
Representment).
ID# 0025001 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-805
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Primary Mark A Visa-Owned Mark on a Card that identifies the primary Account Number
when multiple Brand Marks (including both Visa-Owned and Non-Visa-
Owned Marks) are contained on a Chip Card.
ID# 0025004 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Principal Place of Business The fixed location at which a Merchant’s or Payment Facilitator’s executive
officers direct, control, and coordinate the entity’s activities.
ID# 0029549 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
Principal-Type Member A Member of Visa characterized as one of the following:
●
Principal Member, as defined in the Visa Charter Documents
●
Acquirer Member, as defined in the applicable Visa Charter Documents
●
Administrative Member, as defined in the Visa U.S.A. Inc. Certificate of
Incorporation and By-Laws, Article II, Section 2.04(c)
●
Debit Interchange Member, as defined in the Visa U.S.A. Inc. Certificate
of Incorporation and By-Laws, Article II, Section 2.04(g)
●
Group Member, as defined in the applicable Visa Charter Documents
●
Merchant Acquirer Member, as defined in the applicable Visa Charter
Documents
●
Cash Disbursement Member, as defined in the applicable Visa Charter
Documents
ID# 0025005 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Private Agreement A bilateral agreement between Members, or the operating regulations of a
Group Member, pertaining to Authorization or Clearing and Settlement of
Domestic Transactions.
ID# 0025013 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Private Arrangement In the Canada Regionand US Region, an agreement where Authorization
Requests or Transactions involving 2 different Members are not processed
through VisaNet. Private Arrangements are prohibited.
ID# 0025014 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
Private Label Card A merchant's proprietary card that is accepted only at its own locations, or
a multi-use non-Visa-branded Card.
ID# 0025016 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2011
Glossary-806 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Privately Contracted Agreement
– Europe Region
An agreement between an Issuer of Visa Drive Cards that are “extra”
Cards and a Merchant that is not part of a Closed Loop, under which the
Merchant agrees to accept and process Transactions on Visa Drive Cards
that are “extra” Cards.
ID# 0029736 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Processing Date The date (based on Greenwich Mean Time) on which the Member
submitted, and Visa accepted, Interchange data. Equivalents to the
Processing Date are:
●
In BASE II, the central processing date
●
In the Single Message System, the Settlement Date (for financial
Transactions) or date the Transaction is entered into the Single
Message System (for non-financial Transactions)
●
If cleared under a Private Agreement, the date on which a Member
processes outgoing Interchange
●
Endorsement date, if the Interchange data was accepted by Visa on the
same date on which it was first submitted by the Acquirer
●
The date on which Visa accepted an action processed through Visa
Resolve Online (VROL)
ID# 0025017 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
Product Category – Europe
Region
Any of the following:
●
Debit
●
Credit
●
Commercial
●
Prepaid
ID# 0029738 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Proprietary Card A Card that does not bear the Visa Brand Mark, Visa Brand Mark with the
Electron Identifier, or V PAY Brand Mark, but may be either or both:
●
Plus-enabled
●
Interlink-enabled
ID# 0025020 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-807
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Public Key The non-secret portion of the cryptographic method used for verification
during a Transaction.
ID# 0025028 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Q
Qualifying Purchase – US Region A purchase Transaction completed with a Visa Traditional Rewards Card
that an Issuer may consider for the purpose of awarding Rewards Currency.
An Issuer may exclude the following Transactions from qualifying:
●
Balance transfers
●
Convenience checks
●
Cash Disbursements
●
Finance charges
●
Quasi-Cash Transactions
●
Any Transaction not authorized by the Cardholder
ID# 0025031 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Quasi-Cash Transaction A Transaction representing a Merchant’s or Member’s sale of items that are
directly convertible to cash, such as:
●
Gaming chips
●
Money orders
●
Deposits
●
Wire Transfers
●
Travelers cheques
●
Visa Prepaid Cards with cash access
●
Foreign currency
●
Additional Transactions approved by Visa
ID# 0025033 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
R
Glossary-808 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Railway Ticket Identifier – US
Region
A unique value (for example: carrier code or number, ticket serial number,
or transmission control number) of up to 13 characters that identifies the
purchase of apassenger railway ticket.
ID# 0029156 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Real-Time Clearing A program for Acquirers and Merchants that allows an Automated Fuel
Dispenser Merchant to send through the Single Message System an
Authorization Request for an amount that may differ from the Transaction
amount.
ID# 0025034 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Receiving Member A Member receiving a Transaction through Interchange.
ID# 0025038 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Recipient Member An Issuer that receives an Original Credit Transaction.
ID# 0025039 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Recurring Transaction A Transaction in a series of Transactions that use a Stored Credential
and that are processed at fixed, regular intervals (not to exceed one
year between Transactions), representing Cardholder agreement for
theMerchant to initiate future Transactions for the purchase of goods or
services provided at regular intervals.
ID# 0025041 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Reference Card An item containing relevant account information, such as an Account
Number or expiration date, that is provided to a Virtual Account owner.
ID# 0025043 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Refund Claim Number – Europe
Region
A number that the Global Refund Service provides to a purchaser of
Cheques to verify qualification for a refund of lost or stolen Cheques.
ID# 0029740 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Region of Domicile The Visa Region where a Member has its principal place of business.
ID# 0025056 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-809
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Registered Program
Identification Number
A number assigned by an Issuer for the purpose of identifying and tracking
any rewards program offered in connection with the Issuer's Card products.
ID# 0025587 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Reloadable Card A Visa Prepaid Card that may be funded more than once.
ID# 0025059 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2010
Representment A Clearing Record that an Acquirer presents to an Issuer through
Interchange after a Chargeback.
For Members that participate in Enhanced Dispute Resolution, this includes
Dispute Responses and pre-Arbitration attempts.
ID# 0025063 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
Retail Merchant A Merchant that is not one of the following:
●
Mail/Phone Order Merchant
●
Merchant that processes Recurring Transactions for the sale of
recurring services
●
T&E Merchant(except in the Europe Region)
ID# 0025068 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Retail Transaction A Transaction at a Retail Merchant outlet.
ID# 0025069 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Retrieval Request An Issuer’s request for a Transaction Receipt, which could include the
original, a paper copy or facsimile, or an electronic version thereof.
ID# 0025070 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Reversal A Deferred Clearing or Online Financial Transaction used to negate or
cancel a transaction that has been sent through Interchange in error.
ID# 0025072 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Rewards Currency – US Region A reward denomination defined by an Issuer consisting of air miles, points,
or discounts offered in connection with a Visa Traditional Rewards Card.
ID# 0025073 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Glossary-810 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
S
Sample Card Design A background design provided by Visa that is unique for each Card
product and that an Issuer may use on the front of a Visa Card.
ID# 0025077 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2010
Scrip A 2-part paper receipt that is redeemable at a Merchant Outlet for goods,
services, or cash.
ID# 0025079 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Secure Electronic Commerce
Transaction
An Electronic Commerce Transaction that has been authenticated using an
Authentication Method.
ID# 0025084 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Secured Card – AP Region A Visa Card for which the Issuer requires a cash deposit as collateral before
issuing the Card.
ID# 0029453 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Semi-Attended Environment –
Europe Region
An environment in which a Transaction is completed under all of the
following conditions:
●
Card or Contactless Payment Device is present
●
Cardholder is present
●
Cardholder completes the Transaction and, if required, an individual
representing the Merchant or Acquirer assists the Cardholder in
completing the Transaction
ID# 0029742 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Sending Member A Member entering a Transaction into Interchange.
ID# 0025092 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Service Code A valid sequence of digits recognized by VisaNet that is encoded on
a Magnetic Stripe and replicated on the Magnetic-Stripe Image in a
Chip that identifies the circumstances under which the Card is valid (for
example: International Transactions, Domestic Transactions, restricted Card
use), and defines requirements for processing a Transaction with the Card
(for example: Chip-enabled, Cardholder Verification, Online Authorization).
ID# 0025094 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-811
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Settlement The reporting and funds transfer of Settlement Amounts owed by one
Member to another, or to Visa, as a result of Clearing.
ID# 0025095 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2011
Settlement Amount The daily net amounts expressed in a Member’s Settlement Currency
resulting from Clearing. These amounts include Transaction and Fee
Collection Transaction totals, expressed in a Member’s Settlement
Currency.
ID# 0025096 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2011
Settlement Bank A bank, including a Correspondent Bank or Intermediary Bank, that is both:
●
Located in the country where a Member’s Settlement Currency is the
local currency
●
Authorized to execute Settlement of Interchange on behalf of the
Member or the Member’s bank
ID# 0025097 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Settlement Currency A currency that Visa uses to settle Interchange.
ID# 0025098 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Settlement Date The date on which Visa initiates the transfer of Settlement Amounts in the
Settlement of Interchange. See Processing Date.
ID# 0025099 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Settlement Loss – Europe Region The amounts actually payable by one Member to another Member
pursuant to the provisions of any drafts or other instruments processed
in accordance with the Visa Rules and not any consequential damages or
expenses incurred in attempting to settle such drafts or other instruments,
or any interest expenses, whether actually incurred or imputed, associated
with delays in settlement.
ID# 0029743 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Settlement Reporting Entity A name or number of an entity assigned by Visa and authorized by the
Member that is used by Visa for Settlement reporting, to associate a BIN
or BIN Alternate with a Funds Transfer Settlement Reporting Entity or for
other Settlement-related or other purposes.
ID# 0026049 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2012
Glossary-812 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Settlement Service A service that allows Members to consolidate the Settlement functions of
the Visa systems into one centralized function and benefit from flexible
reporting options.
ID# 0029744 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
SIGIS – US Region An industry trade group, known as the Special Interest Group for
Inventory Information Approval System (IIAS) Standards, chartered with
implementing processing standards for Healthcare Auto-Substantiation
Transactions in accordance with IRS regulations and responsible for
licensing and certifying Merchants, Members, and Agents that process
such Transactions.
ID# 0025102 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Single Message System A service that processes Online Financial and Deferred Clearing
Transactions through a single VisaNet interface for purchases and ATM
Transactions.
ID# 0025108 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Sponsor A Member or Non-Member Administratorthat is responsible, in part
or whole, for other Members of Visa, as specified in the applicable Visa
Charter Documents.
ID# 0025120 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
Sponsored Member A Member of Visa whose right to participate in Visa is dependent upon
another Member, as specified in the applicable Visa Charter Documents.
A Member of the Canada Region or US Region whose right to participate
in Visa is dependent upon sponsorship of another Member, as specified
in Appendix E to the Canada Regional Operating Regulations and the Visa
U.S.A. Inc. Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws, Article II.
ID# 0025118 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Sponsored Merchant An entity for which Visa payment services are provided by a Payment
Facilitator.
ID# 0025119 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2015
Sponsorship Marks The Marks of an entity with which Visa has entered into an agreement to
act as a sponsor for that entity's activities or events.
ID# 0026242 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2011
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-813
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Staged Digital Wallet Functionality provided by a Digital Wallet Operator (DWO) that does all of
the following:
●
Can be used at more than one retailer
●
Uses both:
– Either:
▪ Effective through 14 October 2016 in the AP Region, Canada
Region, CEMEA Region, LAC Region, and US Region
Effective through 31 May 2017 in the Europe Region
An Account Number or Token provided by the Cardholder to
the DWO
▪ Effective 15 October 2016 in the AP Region, Canada Region,
CEMEA Region, LAC Region, and US Region
Effective 1 June 2017 in the Europe Region
An Account Number (provided by the Cardholder)or payment
Token and Payment Account Reference
▪ A separate account or accounts assigned by the DWO to the
Cardholder
●
Is used by the Staged Digital Wallet Operator to complete a
Transaction, in any order, as follows:
– Purchase: pays the retailer using the account assigned by the DWO
– Funding: uses the Account Number (provided by the Cardholder)
or corresponding payment Token and Payment Account Reference
to fund or reimburse the Staged Digital Wallet. The DWO deposits
the Transaction for the funding amount with its Acquirer using
the Account Number provided by the Cardholder (or associated
Token).
●
Is capable of a purchase with back-to-back funding, (also known as
liveload), where the funding Transaction both:
– Is initiated by the SDWO
– Corresponds to, or is otherwise directly connected to a specific
purchase. The amount funded from the Account Number or Token
may represent the whole or a part of the purchase price and
consist of one or more funding Transactions.
ID# 0029532 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Staged Digital Wallet Operator
(SDWO)
A Digital Wallet Operator that operates a Staged Digital Wallet.
ID# 0029531 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Glossary-814 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Stand-In Processing (STIP) The component that provides Authorization services on behalf of an Issuer
when the Positive Cardholder Authorization System is used or when the
Issuer, its VisaNet Processor, or a Visa Scheme Processoris unavailable.
ID# 0025121 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Stand-In Processing Account An Issuer-supplied valid Account Number (established and activated in the
Issuer's Authorization system) that is maintained by Visa Global Customer
Card Services. This Account Number is embossed and encoded on an
Emergency Card Replacement when the Issuer is not available to provide a
new Account Number.
ID# 0025122 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Status Check Authorization An Authorization Request forone currency unit submitted by an
Automated Fuel Dispenser Merchant.
ID# 0025130 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
Stored Credential Effective through 13 October 2017
Information (including, but not limited to, an Account Number or
payment Token) that is stored by a Merchant or its agent, a Payment
Facilitator, or a Digital Wallet Operatorto process future Transactions.
Effective 14 October 2017
Information (including, but not limited to, an Account Number or
payment Token) that is stored by a Merchant or its agent, a Payment
Facilitator, or a Staged Digital Wallet Operatorto process future
Transactions.
ID# 0029547 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Strategic Bankruptcy Solutions –
US Region
A Visa service that does all of the following:
●
Identifies Cardholders, cardholders of non-Visa cards, customers of
other Visa or non-Visa products, and applicants for Cards, non-Visa
cards, and other Visa or non-Visa products who have filed bankruptcy
●
Files claims and documents on behalf of Members with the bankruptcy
courts
●
Assists Members in assessing the value of obligations of Cardholders
and other individuals who have declared bankruptcy
ID# 0025133 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-815
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Summary of Interchange Entries Data required to accompany domestic Interchange processed under a
Private Agreement.
ID# 0029745 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Surcharge – AP Region A fee assessed to a Cardholder by a Merchant in Australia that is added to
a Visa Card Transaction for the acceptance of a Visa Card.
ID# 0027588 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2013
T
T&E Travel and entertainment. All of the following Merchants and Merchant
segments:
●
Airlines
●
Effective through 13 October 2017
Car Rental Merchants
●
Cruise Lines
●
Lodging Merchants
●
Passenger railways located in the US Region
●
Travel agencies
●
Effective 14 October 2017
Vehicle Rental Merchants
ID# 0025141 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Telephone Service Transaction A Transaction in which a Cardholder uses a Visa Card to purchase a
telephone call.
ID# 0025153 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2012
Terminal Risk Management A process performed by a Chip-Reading Device to protect a Member from
fraud by:
●
Initiating Online Issuer Authorization for above-Floor Limit
Transactions
●
Ensuring random Online processing for below-Floor Limit Transactions
●
Performing Transaction velocity checking
ID# 0025154 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Glossary-816 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Terminated Merchant File – US
Region
A file (currently known as "MATCH") maintained by MasterCard Worldwide
that identifies Merchants and principals of Merchants that Acquirers have
terminated for specified reasons.
ID# 0025159 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Third Party Agent An entity, not defined as a VisaNet Processor or Visa Scheme Processor,
that provides payment-related services, directly or indirectly, to a Member
and/or stores, transmits, or processes Cardholder data.
No financial institution eligible to become a Principal Member of Visa may
serve as a Third Party Agent.
A Third Party Agent does not include:
●
Financial institutions that perform Agent activities
●
Affinity Co-Brand Partners or Global Co-Branding Partners
●
Card manufacturers
●
Card personalizers
ID# 0025921 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Third-Party Personalizer A third party that Visa certifies or approves to personalize Cards for
Issuers.
ID# 0029746 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Token A numeric identifier issued in accordance with the EMV Payment
Tokenization Specificationthat can be used in place of an Account Number
to initiate a Transaction.
ID# 0029108 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Token Requestor An entity registered with a Token Service Provider to initiate requests
for payment Tokens in accordance with the EMV Payment Tokenization
Specification.
ID# 0029519 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
Token Service Provider An entity that provides a payment Token to a Token Requestor.
ID# 0029747 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-817
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Tracing Data In a Single Message System Online message, the transmission date and
time, systems trace audit number, retrieval reference number, Transaction
identifier, and acquiring institution ID. See Acquirer Reference Number.
ID# 0025170 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Trade Name A name used to identify a business and to distinguish its activities from
those of other businesses. In some cases the same words or symbols may
serve as a Trade Name and Mark simultaneously.
ID# 0025172 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Trailing Chargeback Activity Chargeback activity at a Merchant Outlet that occurs after an Acquirer has
stopped processing sales Transactions for the Merchant.
ID# 0025174 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2011
Transaction The act between a Cardholder and a Merchant or an Acquirer that results
in a Transaction Receipt, if applicable.
ID# 0025175 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2011
Transaction Country The country in which a Merchant Outlet is located.
ID# 0025179 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Transaction Currency Effective through 13 October 2017
The currency in which a Transaction is originally completed.
Effective 14 October 2017
The fiat currency in which a Transaction is completed.
ID# 0025180 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Transaction Date The date on which a Transaction between a Cardholder and a Merchant
oran Acquirer occurs.
ID# 0025181 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Transaction Identifier A unique value assigned to each Transaction and returned to the Acquirer
in the Authorization Response. Visa uses this value to maintain an
audit trail throughout the life cycle of the Transaction and all related
transactions, such as Reversals, Adjustments, confirmations, and
Chargebacks.
ID# 0025182 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Glossary-818 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Transaction Information Information necessary for processing Transactions, as specified in the
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).
ID# 0025183 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Transaction Receipt An electronic or paper record of a Transaction (or a copy), generated at the
Point-of-Transaction.
ID# 0025184 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2011
Travel Day – Europe Region Effective through 13 October 2017
A fixed 24-hour period of time as set and used by a Variable Fare
Transit Merchant to represent a day.
ID# 0029748 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Travel Period Effective 14 October 2017
A fixed period of time within which a Mass Transit Merchant
accumulates journey data for a Cardholder using their transit
network.
ID# 0030052 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
U
Unable-to-Authenticate
Response
A message from a Verified by Visa Issuer in response to an Authentication
Request indicating that the Issuer is unable to authenticate the Cardholder
for reasons other than those that result in an Authentication Denial.
ID# 0025194 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2013
Unattended Cardholder-
Activated Terminal
An Acceptance Device that dispenses goods and/or provides services
under all of the following conditions:
●
Card is present
●
Cardholder is present
●
Individual representing the Merchant or Acquirer is not physically
present
●
Authorization, if required is obtained electronically
ID# 0025720 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-819
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Unattended Transaction A Transaction conducted at an Unattended Cardholder-Activated Terminal.
ID# 0025721 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2012
Unauthorized Use A Transaction that meets one of the following criteria:
●
Is not processed on behalf of a Member
●
Is processed on behalf of a Member by a VisaNet Processor or Visa
Scheme Processor not designated for processing activities
●
Is processed on behalf of a Member but not within the scope of the
Member’s category or categories of membership
●
Is not within the scope of activities approved by the Member, the
Member’s Sponsor, or Visa
●
Is processed using a BIN that has not been designated by the BIN
Licensee for that Member’s use
ID# 0025922 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Unscheduled Credential-on-File
Transaction
A Transaction using a Stored Credential for a fixed or variable amount that
does not occur on a scheduled or regularly occurring Transaction Date,
where the Cardholder has provided consent for the Merchant to initiate
one or more future Transactions.
ID# 0029548 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
US Covered Visa Debit Card – US
Region and US Territories
A Visa Card issued in the US Region or a US Territory that accesses
a transaction, savings, or other asset account, regardless of whether
Cardholder Verification is based on signature, PIN, or other means,
including a general-use Visa Prepaid Card and Consumer Visa Deferred
Debit Card, but solely to the extent any such Visa Card is a “debit card” as
defined in Federal Reserve Board Regulation II, 12 CFR Part 235.
ID# 0026512 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
US Credit Card Surcharge – US
Region and US Territories
A fee assessed to a Cardholder by a Merchant in the US Region or a US
Territory that is added to a Visa Credit Card Transaction for the acceptance
of a Visa Credit Card.
ID# 0027533 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
US Territory One of the following:
●
American Samoa
●
Guam
●
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Glossary-820 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
●
Puerto Rico
●
US Minor Outlying Islands
●
US Virgin Islands
ID# 0026422 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
V
V Distribution Program An enhanced Visa Business Card or Visa Purchasing Card program that
enables wholesale and retail Merchants to use a Visa product to pay for
goods and services in a business-to-business setting.
ID# 0025419 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
V PAY Brand Mark – Europe
Region
A Visa-Owned Mark for the V PAY product, used as specified in the Visa
Product Brand Standards.
ID# 0029752 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
V PAY Product An unembossed Chip-only Card product that bears the V PAY Brand Mark
and is issued only in the Europe Region.
ID# 0025427 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
V.I.P. System The processing component of the VisaNet Integrated Payment System
comprised of BASE I and the Single Message System used for single
message Authorization in connection with financial Transaction processing.
ID# 0025201 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
VAB Event Effective through 13 October 2017
In the Europe Region, an Account Data Compromise Event where one
or more alerts are sent through the VAB system to notify Issuers of
Account Numbers involved in a potential compromise.
ID# 0026037 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Value Date – Europe Region The date on which the Settlement Amount is transferred from the party
making the payment to the party receiving the payment.
ID# 0029749 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-821
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Variable Fare Transaction –
Europe Region
Effective through 13 October 2017
A Contactless Transaction with the Transaction amount calculated
from the data derived from one or more taps of a Contactless
Payment Device at a point of entry or point of exit of a transit
network during a Travel Day.
ID# 0029750 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Variable Fare Transit Merchant –
Europe Region
Effective through 13 October 2017
A Merchant that is assigned MCC 4111, 4112, or 4131 and completes
a Variable Fare Transaction.
ID# 0029751 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Vehicle Rental Merchant Effective 14 October 2017
A Merchant that rents cars, vans, trucks, trailers, and other similar
vehicles (MCCs 3351 – 3500, 7512, 7513).
ID# 0029520 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Vehicle-Specific Fleet Card A Visa Commercial Card with Visa Fleet service enhancement that is
assigned to a specific vehicle.
ID# 0025208 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Verified by Visa A Visa-approved Authentication Method based on the 3-D Secure
Specification.
ID# 0025209 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2013
Virtual Account Either:
●
An account established for an individual or a commercial entity
primarily for completing Electronic Commerce Transactions and for
which no physical Card is required.
●
For a Visa B2B Virtual Payments Program product, a dynamic Account
Number generated in connection with a Card-Absent Environment
Transaction initiated by a commercial entity.
ID# 0025211 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
VIS-Compliant A Card application that complies with either:
●
The Visa Integrated Circuit Card Specification (VIS) and has been
approved by Visa Approval Services
Glossary-822 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
●
In the US Region, a Card application that complies with the Visa
Integrated Circuit Card Specification (VIS)
ID# 0025214 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
Visa Visa International Service Association and all of its subsidiaries and
affiliates, and subsidiaries and affiliates of Visa Inc. When used within the
Visa Rules, Visa refers to any Visa Inc. subsidiary, affiliate, regional office,
management, or committee as applicable.
ID# 0025217 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Visa Advanced ID Solutions – US
Region
A Visa service that is designed to reduce Member credit and fraud losses
related to Card, non-Visa card, and other Visa and non-Visa products
through the use of the Issuers' Clearinghouse Service, the Visa ICS
Prescreen Service, and ID Analytics, Inc. services (ID Score Plus and Credit
Optics).
ID# 0025239 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Agro Card – LAC Region A Visa Card issued to commercial entities in the public and private sector
for commercial purchases associated with the agribusiness sector.
ID# 0026526 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Visa Alerts Service (VAS) –
Europe Region
The Alert processing service provided by Visa to Issuers consisting of the
Visa Alerts Data Feed Service.
ID# 0029753 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Visa ATM An ATM that displays the Visa Brand Mark or the Visa Flag Symbol, but not
the Plus Symbol.
ID# 0025241 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Visa Brand Mark A Visa-Owned Mark that represents the Visa organization and its product
and service offerings. It must be used as specified in the Visa Rules and the
Visa Product Brand Standards and denotes acceptance for both payment
and Cash Disbursement.
ID# 0025245 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Brand Mark with the
Electron Identifier
A Visa-Owned Mark consisting of the Visa Brand Mark and the name
“Electron.”
ID# 0025246 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2013
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-823
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Visa Business Card A Visa Card issued to employees or sole proprietors of small businesses for
the payment of employees’ business travel and general business expenses.
This does not apply in the US Region to Visa Business Check Cards used to
pay debt.
ID# 0025248 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Visa Business Check Card – US
Region
A Visa Business Card issued as a Visa Check Card.
ID# 0025250 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Business Debit Card –
Canada Region
A Visa Card that accesses a business deposit account or equivalent
account, excluding Visa Prepaid Cards and Prepaid Accounts.
ID# 0027282 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2013
Visa Business Electron Card A Visa Electron Card intended for the small business market and used to
pay for employee business travel and general business expenses.
ID# 0025252 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Visa Buxx – US Region A Visa Prepaid Card designed for teenagers, with account ownership by a
parent or guardian.
ID# 0025255 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Canada Visa Canada Corporation.
ID# 0025257 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Visa Card A Card that bears the Visa Brand Mark as specified in the Visa Rules,
enabling a Visa Cardholder to obtain goods, services, or cash from a Visa
Merchant or an Acquirer or facilitate the loading of funds to a Prepaid
Account.
ID# 0025258 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Cargo Card – LAC Region A Visa Commercial Card targeted to carriers/shippers' service providers to
pay for truck drivers' expenses related to the transportation business. A
Visa Cargo Card is either of the following:
●
Visa Commercial Prepaid Product
●
Visa Business Electron Card
ID# 0026071 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Glossary-824 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Visa Cash-Back Service A service whereby cash may be obtained from a qualifying Visa or
Visa Electron Merchant through use of a Visa or Visa Electron Card, in
conjunction with, and processed as, a domestic Retail Transaction.
In the Europe Region, the Cash-Back Service.
In the US Region, the service is accessed with a Visa Debit Card or Visa
Business Check Card and processed as a PIN-Authenticated Visa Debit
Transaction.
ID# 0026046 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Visa Central Travel Account A Virtual Account or an Account Number that an Issuer assigns to a
commercial entity using a Visa Corporate Card BIN or Visa Purchasing Card
BIN that is generally used for travel-related purchases.
ID# 0026400 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Visa Charge Card – AP Region
and US Region
A type of Visa Consumer Credit Card that is non-revolving and requires the
total outstanding balance to be paid in full each statement cycle.
ID# 0026358 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
Visa Check Card – US Region A Consumer Visa Check Card or Visa Business Check Card that accesses
a deposit, investment, or other consumer or business asset account,
including a fiduciary account.
ID# 0025268 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Checkout Where available, a Visa platform that enables a Visa Checkout Account
Holder to store and manage accounts in a secure centralized location,
make purchases with Visa Checkout Merchants, and use other forms of
financial and non-financial services.
ID# 0026984 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Visa Checkout Account Holder A user that has successfully enrolled in Visa Checkout. A Visa Checkout
Account Holder may or may not be a Cardholder.
ID# 0026986 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Commercial Cards A physical or virtual Card intended for business expense use and
comprising:
●
Visa Business Card
●
Visa Business Electron Card
●
Visa Corporate Card
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-825
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
●
Visa Purchasing Card, including Visa Fleet Card
●
Visa Agro (This only applies in the LAC Region)
●
V Distribution Program Card
ID# 0025272 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Visa Commercial Data Solutions
and Reporting Tools
Various optional data management, reporting, and analysis services
provided to Issuers and their clients or Client Organizations in connection
with their Visa Commercial Card programs.
ID# 0026021 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Visa Commercial Prepaid
Product
A Visa Commercial Cardproduct, issued as a Visa Prepaid Card, in which
the corporation depositing the funds remains the owner of the funds in
the VisaPrepaid Card account. Visa Commercial PrepaidProductsare
offered to client organizations solely to provide a means to pay for the
acquisition of business-related goods and services.
ID# 0024463 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Visa Confidential Effective through 13 October 2017
A classification label (previously referred to as “Member Use Only”)
assigned to information created by Visa and shared with Members
under non-disclosure agreements, the use and handling of which
is subject to certain minimum standards of diligence and care to
prevent unauthorized disclosure or business harm to Visa. Visa
Confidential information requiring higher degree of protection may
be further classified as Visa Confidential – Special Handling or Visa
Confidential – Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Private.
In the Europe Region, Visa Confidential Information does not include
information that:
●
Is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a
result of Member disclosure
●
At the time of disclosure by Visa to the Member, is in the
Member’s possession or becomes available to the Member
from a non-Visa source that is not prohibited from disclosing
such information by contractual, legal, equitable, or fiduciary
obligation to Visa
●
Is independently developed by a third party that did not have
access to the Visa Confidential Information
Effective 14 October 2017
Glossary-826 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
A classification label assigned to information created by Visa and
shared with Members under non-disclosure agreements, the use and
Member handling of which is subject to certain minimum standards
of diligence and care to prevent unauthorized disclosure or business
harm to Visa.
ID# 0026799 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Visa Consumer Card A Visa Card other than a Visa Commercial Card issued to individuals for the
purchase of goods and services used for personal consumption.
ID# 0025276 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Visa Corporate Card A Visa Commercial Card targeted to mid-to-large size companies that is
primarily used to pay for employee business travel and entertainment
expenses.
ID# 0025280 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Visa Corporate Prepaid Card A Visa Prepaid Card that draws from funds owned by a commercial or
government entity in a Prepaid Account that is used primarily to pay for
business travel and entertainment expenses.
ID# 0026742 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Visa Credit Acceptor – Canada
Region
A Merchant that accepts Visa Credit Cards issued by Canadian Issuers.
ID# 0025971 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2010
Visa Credit and Business
Category – US Region
A Card category that consists of all of the following:
●
Consumer Card, other than a Visa Debit Card, issued by a US Issuer
●
Visa Commercial Card product
●
Visa Card issued by a non-US Issuer
ID# 0025283 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Visa Credit Card A Visa Card that is used to defer payment of debt or incur debt and
defer its payment. This may include both consumer Visa Cards and Visa
Commercial Cards, but excludes Visa Prepaid Cards and other debit Cards.
In the Canada Region, a Visa Card other than Visa Debit Category Card.
ID# 0027534 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-827
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Visa Credit Card Cost of
Acceptance – US Region and US
Territories
In the US Region or a US Territory, one of the following:
●
The average effective Interchange Reimbursement Fee rate plus the
average of all fees imposed by Visa on the Acquirer or Merchant,
expressed as a percentage of the Transaction amount, applicable to
Visa Credit Card Transactions at the Merchant for the preceding one or
12 months, at the option of the Merchant
●
If a Merchant cannot determine its Visa Credit Card Cost of
Acceptance, the Visa Credit Card cost of acceptance for the Merchant's
category as communicated via the Visa public website, www.visa.com
ID# 0027535 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Credit Card Product Cost of
Acceptance – US Region and US
Territories
For a Merchant in the US Region or a US Territory, one of the following:
●
The average effective Interchange Reimbursement Fee rate plus the
average of all fees imposed by Visa on the Acquirer or Merchant,
expressed as a percentage of the Transaction amount, applicable to
Visa Credit Card Transactions of a product type at the Merchant for the
preceding one or 12 months, at the option of the Merchant.
●
If a Merchant cannot determine its Visa Credit Card Product Cost of
Acceptance, the Visa Credit Card product cost of acceptance for the
Merchant's category as communicated via the Visa public website,
www.visa.com
ID# 0027536 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Credit Card Surcharge Cap –
US Region and US Territories
The average Merchant Discount Rate that a Merchant in the US Region
or a US Territory pays to its Acquirer for Visa Credit Card Transactions
completed with a specific Visa product type. The average Merchant
Discount Rate is either:
●
Calculated based on Visa Credit Card Transactions conducted by the
Merchant for the preceding 12 months
●
At any given point in time, the actual Merchant Discount Rate paid
in the time period covered by the Merchant's most recent statement
relating to Visa credit Card Transactions
ID# 0027537 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Debit Acceptor – Canada
Region
A Merchant that accepts Visa Debit Category Cards issued by Canadian
Issuers.
ID# 0025286 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2012
Glossary-828 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Visa Debit Card – Canada Region
and US Region
In the Canada Region, a Visa Card that accesses a consumer deposit,
savings, or equivalent account, excluding Visa Prepaid Cards and Prepaid
Accounts.
In the US Region, a Visa Consumer Card that accesses a consumer's
deposit, investment, or other asset, including a fiduciary account, but not
including a Consumer Visa Deferred Debit Card. A Visa Debit Card includes
all of the following:
●
Visa Prepaid Card bearing a Visa TravelMoney wordmark
●
Visa Buxx
●
Consumer Visa Check Card
●
Visa Gift Card
●
Visa Incentive Card
●
Visa Payroll
●
Visa Prepaid Card
ID# 0025287 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2016
Visa Debit Category – Canada
Region
A category of debit Visa Cards issued by Canadian Issuers that consists of
the following:
●
Visa Debit Card
●
Visa Business Debit Card
ID# 0027281 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2013
Visa Debit Category – US Region A Card category that consists of the following:
●
Visa Debit Card issued by a US Issuer
●
Visa Card issued by a non-US Issuer
ID# 0025289 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Debit Transaction – Canada
Region
A transaction using a Visa Debit Category Card. Where a transaction
initiated with a Visa Debit Category Card is conducted at a merchant which
is not a Visa Debit Acceptor, it will not be a Visa Debit Transaction. Where
a transaction initiated with a Visa Debit Category Card is conducted at a
merchant where the cardholder selects another payment service, other
than Visa Debit, it shall not be a Visa Debit Transaction.
ID# 0025290 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2012
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-829
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Visa Drive Card – Europe Region A Card that is used for the purchase of fuel and vehicle maintenance
services and issued as a Visa Business Card, Visa Corporate Card, or Visa
Purchasing Card.
ID# 0029755 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Visa Easy Payment Service
(VEPS)
A service that permits qualified Merchants to process small value
Transactions in a Card-Present Environment without requiring Cardholder
Verification or the issuance of a Transaction Receipt unless requested by
the Cardholder.
Effective through 13 April 2018
In the Europe Region, see Small Ticket Transaction.
ID# 0025697 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Visa Electron Acquirer A Member that both:
●
Signs a Visa Electron Merchant or disburses currency to a Cardholder
using a Visa Electron Card in a Manual Cash Disbursement
●
Directly or indirectly enters the resulting Transaction Receipt into
Interchange
ID# 0025294 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Visa Electron Card A Card that bears the Visa Brand Mark with the Electron Identifier.
ID# 0025295 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2013
Visa Electron Merchant A Merchant that both:
●
Displays the Visa POS graphic with the Electron Identifier or the Visa
Brand Mark with the Electron Identifier
●
Has a Zero Floor Limit or has a terminal capable of reading and acting
upon the Service Code in the Magnetic Stripe or instructions for an
Online Authorization Request from a Chip
ID# 0025299 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Electron Payment
Application
A software application contained within a Chip or payment data encoded
on a Magnetic Stripe that defines the parameters for processing a Visa
Electron Card Transaction and meets the minimum requirements for the
Visa Electron Program.
ID# 0025300 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Glossary-830 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Visa Electron Program A program through which a Member provides payment services to Visa
Electron Merchants and Visa Electron Cardholders by acting as a Visa
Electron Issuer, Visa Electron Acquirer, or both.
ID# 0025301 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Visa Employee Benefit Card A Visa Prepaid Card through which an Issuer enables employers and
benefit administrators to provide employees with a Card that allows direct
access to benefits such as qualified health care, dependent care, transit,
fuel, and meal expenses.
ID# 0025307 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Europe Authorization
Service – Europe Region
The system for Authorization processing of dual-message Transactions,
and Authorization and Clearing processing of financial Transactions,
operated by Visa in the Europe Region.
ID# 0029757 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Visa Europe Clearing and
Settlement Service (VECSS) –
Europe Region
The system and services for Clearing and Settlement, developed, owned,
and operated by Visa in the Europe Region.
ID# 0029758 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Visa FeatureSelect – US Region In the US Region, an optional service that allows Issuers to automate the
customization, management, and servicing of core and Issuer-registered
optional Card enhancements for all Visa and non-Visa products at the
product, BIN, Account Number range, Registered Program Identification
Number (RPIN), or 16-digit Account Number level.
ID# 0025586 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Flag Symbol – US Region A Visa-Owned Mark consisting of the Bands Design with the Visa logo
centered in the middle band. A Visa Card must not bear the Visa Flag
Symbol.
ID# 0025316 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Visa Fleet Card A Visa Commercial Card used for the purchase of fuel and vehicle
maintenance services at Merchants classified with one of the following
MCCs: 4468, 4582, 5511, 5532, 5533, 5541, 5542, 5599, 7531, 7534, 7535,
7538, 7542, 7549, 7699.
In the Europe Region, see Visa Drive Card.
ID# 0025317 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-831
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Visa Fleet Card Application
Identifier – Canada Region and
CEMEA Region
A Visa Fleet EMV compliant identifier used for Visa Fleet Cards that
specifies a unique payment application contained in a compliant Chip
Card.
ID# 0029232 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Visa Flexible Spending Account
(FSA) – US Region
A Visa Prepaid Card program administered by an employer, in accordance
with IRS requirements, that permits employees to set aside pre-tax dollars
to pay qualified, out-of-pocket medical expenses not covered by the
employer’s health care plan.
ID# 0025320 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Gift Card A Visa Prepaid Card, designed for consumer gift-giving.
ID# 0025321 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Global ATM Network The network through which an ATM participant provides Cash
Disbursement services to Cardholders by acting as an Issuer, an ATM
Acquirer, or both.
ID# 0025322 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Visa Global Customer Assistance
Services
Services provided by Visa Global Customer Care Services to Cardholders
and Issuers, including customer and emergency services provided to
Cardholders traveling away from home. These include the:
●
Cardholder Inquiry Service
●
Emergency Cash Disbursement
●
Emergency Card Replacement
●
Lost/Stolen Card Reporting
●
Exception file updates
●
Visa TravelMoney customer service
ID# 0024678 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Visa Global Customer Care
Services
The 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week centers that provide services including:
●
Those specified in the Visa Global Customer Assistance Services
Program
●
Information and certain types of non-emergency assistance while
traveling
ID# 0025343 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2010
Glossary-832 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Visa Higher Priority Payment
Application – Europe Region
The Payment Application with the highest priority on a Visa Multichoice
Card and a Visa SimplyOne Card.
ID# 0029759 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Visa ICS Prescreen Service – US
Region
An optional feature of Visa Advanced ID Solutions that allows Members to
select data from the Issuers' Clearinghouse Service databases to create a
suppression file before mailing solicitations for Cards, non-Visa cards, or
other Visa or non-Visa products.
ID# 0025000 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Inc. A Delaware stock corporation.
ID# 0025328 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Visa Incentive Card A consumer Visa Prepaid Card, designed to enable a business entity to
provide consumer funds in the form of promotional discounts, rebates, or
corporate incentives such as bonuses.
ID# 0025329 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2010
Visa Infinite Business Card –
Canada Region
A Visa Card targeted to the small business market that has attributes
exceeding that of a Visa Business Card.
ID# 0025630 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Infinite Business Card – LAC
Region
A Visa Business Card that has attributes equal to or exceeding those of a
Visa Infinite Card and that is targeted to small businesses.
ID# 0029981 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
Visa Infinite Card A Product Name for a Visa Card that has attributes exceeding those of a
Visa Gold Card and Visa Platinum.
ID# 0025331 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Visa Infinite Exclusive Privileges Exclusive privileges made available to Visa Infinite Cardholder through
Merchant partnerships.
ID# 0025332 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Visa Infinite Privilege Card –
Canada Region
A Visa Card targeted to the high-affluent consumer that has attributes
exceeding those of a Visa Infinite Card.
ID# 0027720 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-833
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Visa Integrated Circuit Card
Specification (VIS)
Chip Card and terminal requirements for Visa Smart Payment programs
that serve as companion specifications to the EMV Integrated Circuit Card
Specifications for Payment Systems (EMV).
ID# 0027328 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa IntelliLink Spend
Management
An optional service provided to Members and their Visa Commercial Card
clients to access and manage commercial multi-program data, reports,
statements, and expense management.
ID# 0025614 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Visa Interchange Directory Effective through 13 October 2017
A Visa directory containing contact information about Members and
processors.
ID# 0026130 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
Visa Large Purchase Advantage A type of Visa Purchasing Card issued to Client Organizations for the
purpose of enabling payment for large-ticket purchases in a Commercial
Payables environment.
ID# 0027089 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Visa Lower Priority Payment
Application – Europe Region
The Payment Application(s) with a lower priority on a Visa Multichoice
Card and a Visa SimplyOne Card.
ID# 0029760 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Visa Meetings Card A Visa Card issued to commercial entities in the public and private sector
for commercial purchases associated with business meetings and events.
ID# 0025350 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Visa Merchant Alert Service –
Europe Region
A database of Merchants whose contracts with their Acquirers have been
terminated for cause, as follows:
Visa Merchant Alert Service Listing Reason Codes – Europe Region
Listing Reason
Code
Description of Cause
1 Exceeds objective reporting standards (such as
fraud, counterfeit)
2 Laundering
3 Excessive Chargebacks
Glossary-834 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Listing Reason
Code
Description of Cause
4 Insolvency
5 Cardholder information misuse
6 Agreement violation
7 Card scheme violation
8 Questionable Merchant
ID# 0029609 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Visa Merchant Direct Exchange A direct link between a Merchant and VisaNet for Authorization or Online
Financial Transactionprocessing in theV.I.P. System.
ID# 0027068 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Visa Merchant Trace System A risk management service that allows a participating Member to:
●
Submit information about a Merchant it has terminated
●
Verify, before signing, that a Merchant is not listed with the service
●
Query if a Merchant has been identified as non-compliant with one of
the Visa risk management programs
●
Obtain risk profile information on an MCC and country
ID# 0026136 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Visa Mini Card A miniaturized version of a Visa Card or Visa Electron Card that must both:
●
Provide the designated level of utility promised to the Cardholder
●
Contain the physical elements and data components required to
complete a Transaction
ID# 0025355 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Mobile Payment
Application
The payment application that resides in aMobile Payment Device.
ID# 0026786 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-835
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Visa Mobile Prepaid – AP
Region, CEMEA Region, and LAC
Region
A mobile-optimized, Visa virtual prepaid productwhere the Account
Number is used to access funds stored in an account such as a consumer,
business, or Mobile Money Agent’s mobile money account.
ID# 0027165 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Visa Multichoice Card – Europe
Region
A Chip Card that includes a combination of two or more Payment
Applications on the same account.
ID# 0029761 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Visa Multinational Program A Visa program that supports the delivery of Visa commercial solutions to
Multinational Companies.
ID# 0026030 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2012
Visa Online A password-protected website that provides Members, VisaNet Processors,
and other authorized users with access to Visa information.
ID# 0025360 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Payables Automation An optional electronic payment solution that enables Issuers to automate
their accounts payable processes using Visa Commercial Cards and one of
the Visa Commercial Solutions Data and Reporting Tools.
ID# 0026535 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2012
Visa Payment Application A software application contained within a Chip or payment data encoded
on a Magnetic Stripe that defines the parameters for processing a Visa
Transaction and meets the minimum requirements of the Visa Program.
ID# 0025361 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Visa Payment Controls An optional Visa service that allows Cardholders to monitor and control
Card use by authorizing Issuers to selectively block certain types of Visa
Transactions processed through VisaNet, based on the list of available
control criteria (for example: MCC, dollar amount, location).
ID# 0027235 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Visa Payroll A Visa Prepaid Card that enables employers to offer employees a Visa Card
as an alternative to the disbursement of employment wages or salary via a
check.
ID# 0025363 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2010
Glossary-836 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Visa payWave Application A Visa application contained on a Chip that enables a Visa Contactless
Payment Specification-compliant Contactless Payment Transaction to be
performed.
ID# 0027792 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Platinum A Card product that has attributes equal to or exceeding those of a Visa
Gold Card.
ID# 0025366 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Visa Platinum Business Card –
LAC Region
A Visa Business Card that has attributes equal or exceeding those of a Visa
Platinum Card and that is targeted to small businesses.
ID# 0027674 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Premium Corporate Card –
LAC Region
A Corporate Visa card targeted to mid-to-large size companies that
is primarily used to pay for senior executives' business travel and
entertainment expenses.
ID# 0027754 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Visa Prepaid Card A Visa Card used to access funds in a Visa Prepaid Account or a Card
where monetary value is stored on a Chip.
ID# 0024996 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Products Visa Cards, Visa Electron Cards, components, or secure features that relate
to Card production, manufacture, personalization, or fulfillment by a
Visa-approved manufacturer, Third-Party Personalizer,or Visa-approved
fulfillment vendor.
ID# 0029645 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Visa Program A program through which a Member provides product- or payment-
related services to Visa Cardholders or Merchants by acting as an Issuer, an
Acquirer, or both.
In the Canada Region, a Visa Program may be an aggregation of individual
Visa Card Programs.
ID# 0025377 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Visa Purchasing Card A Visa Card issued to commercial entities (public and private) that is used
for commercial purchases.
ID# 0025380 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-837
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Visa ReadyLink – US Region A Visa processing service that enables the Authorization and Settlement,
through VisaNet, of funds associated with an Issuer-approved load
Transaction to a Visa Prepaid Card or to another Non-Visa Branded
Account at a Prepaid Partner.
ID# 0025384 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Region Any of the 6 national or multinational geographic areas, as follows:
●
Asia-Pacific (AP) Region
●
Canada (CAN) Region
●
Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEMEA) Region
●
Europe Region
●
Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Region
●
United States of America (US) Region
ID# 0025386 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Visa Reserved BIN Range –
Europe Region
A range of BINs, assigned and licensed by Visa, that is used internally by an
organization solely to create reserved, private identifiers in the place of an
Account Number.
ID# 0029763 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Visa Resolve Online An online Visa service for the retrieval and transmission of dispute
resolution information and documentation.
In the Europe Region, see Electronic Documentation Transfer Method.
ID# 0025388 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2017
Visa Restricted Effective 14 October 2017
A classification label assigned to Visa proprietary information (highly
sensitive business or technical information) or personal data that
requires the highest degree of protection and the strictest standards
of diligence and care to prevent unauthorized disclosure or business
harm to Visa.
Visa Restricted information that contains identifiable Cardholder data
or personally identifiable information and is subject to regulatory
requirements or industry compliance standards is further classified as
"Visa Restricted – Personal Data."
ID# 0030035 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: New
Glossary-838 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Visa SavingsEdge – US Region A program offered by Visa to eligible Visa Business Cardholders that
enables enrolled Cardholders to receive discounts in the form of statement
credits for qualifying purchases made at participating Merchants.
ID# 0026272 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Scheme Processor – Europe
Region
A Member or a third party that provides Authorization, Clearing,
Settlement, or payment-related processing services for Merchants or
Members.
ID# 0029764 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Visa Secure Electronic
Commerce – Europe Region
A payment service that provides payment information security over the
internet and other networks for a Cardholder using a Card and Cardholder
access device to conduct an Electronic Commerce Transaction.
ID# 0029765 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Visa Settlement Bank A bank where Visa maintains its Settlement accounts and performs funds
transfer for Settlement.
ID# 0025391 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Visa Signature Business –
CEMEA Region
A Visa Card that is issued as specified in Section 4.16, “Visa Signature
Business.”
ID# 0029188 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2015
Visa Signature Business Card –
LAC Region
A Visa Business Card that has attributes equal to or exceeding those of a
Visa Signature Card and that is targeted to small businesses.
ID# 0029980 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2017
Visa Signature Card A product namefor a Visa Card that has attributes exceeding those of a
Visa Gold Card and Visa Platinum.
ID# 0025394 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Visa SimplyOne Card – Europe
Region
A Chip Card that includes a combination of two Payment Applications,
including duplications of application instances, on two different Account
Numbers.
ID# 0029766 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-839
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Visa Smart Payment EMV-Compliant and VIS-Compliant applications that provide payment
service options and controls to Issuers of Chip Cards bearing the Visa
Brand Mark or the Visa Brand Mark with the Electron Identifier.
ID# 0025397 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2013
Visa Surcharge Cap – US Region
and US Territories
For a Merchant in the US Region or a US Territory, the average Merchant
Discount Rate that a Merchant pays to its Acquirer for Visa Credit Card
Transactions. The average Merchant Discount Rate is calculated based
on Visa Credit Card Transactions conducted by the Merchant for the
preceding one or 12 months, at the Merchant's option.
ID# 0027538 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Traditional – US Region A Visa Consumer Credit Card, excluding Visa Signature, Visa Signature
Preferred, and Visa Infinite.
ID# 0025399 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Visa Traditional Rewards Card –
US Region
A consumer credit product that enables Cardholders, based on their
qualifying purchases, to earn units of rewards currency consisting of either:
●
Points that are redeemable for cash, cash-equivalent rewards (gift
certificate, gift card, or statement credit), or any other reward option
permitted upon prior approval by Visa
●
Air miles that are redeemable for air travel
ID# 0025400 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Transaction Alerts Service An optional Visa service that enables Cardholder notification of
Transactions occurring on their Cards or accounts in near-real time.
ID# 0025728 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Visa Transaction Information Any Transaction information or data that is contained in either the
Authorization message or Clearing Record.
ID# 0025402 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Visa US Common Debit
Application Identifier – US
Region
An EMV-compliant Application Identifier licensed for use with EMV- and
VIS-based applications for the purpose of processing a transaction covered
by the Dodd-Frank Act and Federal Reserve Board Regulation II on certain
debit products.
ID# 0027582 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Glossary-840 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Visa US Regulation II
Certification Program – US
Region and US Territories
A certification program that enables an Issuer in the US Region or a US
Territory to certify the status of its consumer debit, commercial debit, and
prepaid portfolios in alignment with US Federal Reserve Board Regulation
II, 12 CFR Part 235.
The program also enables an Issuer in the US Region or a US Territory to
notify Visa of its compliance with the final fraud-prevention standards of
the US Federal Reserve Board Regulation II, 12 CFR Part 235.
ID# 0026999 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Visa Worldwide Pte. Ltd. The organization operating the Visa Network in the AP Region.
ID# 0025416 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Visa-Owned Marks All trademarks owned by Visa.
ID# 0025216 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2015
Visa/Plus ATM An ATM that:
●
Displays the Visa Brand Mark and the Plus Symbol
●
May also display the Visa Brand Mark with the Electron Identifier
ID# 0025368 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
VisaNet The systems and services, including the V.I.P. System, Visa Europe
Authorization Service, BASE II, and the Visa Europe Clearing and
Settlement System, through which Visa delivers online financial processing,
Authorization, Clearing, and Settlement services to Members, as
applicable.
ID# 0025218 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
VisaNet Interchange Center A Visa facility that operates the VisaNet data processing systems and
support networks.
In the Europe Region, thisrule does not apply. Where a Member uses Visa
for processing, as specified in Section 1.1.1.2, “Applicability of Processing
Rules – Europe Region,” it must refer to Visa Europe Operating Regulations
– Processing.
ID# 0025229 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
VisaNet Manuals A suite of documents that includes:
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-841
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
BASE II Clearing Data Codes; BASE II Clearing Edit Package Messages;
BASE II Clearing Edit Package Operations Guide; BASE II Clearing Edit
Package Reports; BASE II Clearing Interchange Formats, TC 01 to TC 48;
BASE II Clearing Interchange Formats, TC 50 to TC 92; BASE II Clearing PC
Edit Package for Windows User’s Guide; BASE II Clearing Reports; BASE II
Clearing Services; BASE II Clearing System Overview; BASE II Clearing VML
Developer Handbook; BASE II Clearing VML Formats; V.I.P. System BASE
I Processing Specifications; V.I.P. System BASE I Technical Specifications,
Volume 1; V.I.P. System BASE I Technical Specifications, Volume 2; V.I.P.
System Overview; V.I.P. System Reports; V.I.P. System Services, Volume 1; V.I.P.
System Services, Volume 2; V.I.P. System SMS ATM Processing Specifications
(International); V.I.P. System SMS ATM Technical Specifications, Volume 1;
V.I.P. System SMS ATM Technical Specifications, Volume 2; V.I.P. System SMS
Interlink Client Implementation Guide; V.I.P. System SMS Interlink Technical
Specifications; V.I.P. System SMS POS (Visa & Visa Electron) Processing
Specifications (International); V.I.P. System SMS POS (Visa & Visa Electron)
Technical Specifications, Volume 1; V.I.P. System SMS POS (Visa & Visa
Electron) Technical Specifications, Volume 2; V.I.P. System SMS Processing
Specifications (US); VisaNet Settlement Service (VSS) User’s Guide, Volume
1, Specifications; VisaNet Settlement Service (VSS) User’s Guide, Volume 2,
Reports
In the Europe Region, thisrule does not apply. Where a Member uses Visa
for processing, as specified in Section 1.1.1.2, “Applicability of Processing
Rules – Europe Region,” it must refer to Visa Europe Operating Regulations
– Processing.
ID# 0027326 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
VisaNet Processor A Member, or Visa-approved non-Member, that is directly connected to
VisaNet and that provides Authorization, Clearing, or Settlement services
to Merchants and/or Members.
In the Europe Region, see also Visa Scheme Processor.
ID# 0025230 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
VisaNet Settlement Service The VisaNet system that provides Settlement reporting and funds transfer
services to BASE II and V.I.P. System Clearing Processors.
ID# 0025232 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Voice Authorization An Approval Response obtained through interactive communication
between an Issuer and an Acquirer, or their VisaNet Processors through
telephone or facsimile communications.
ID# 0025417 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Glossary-842 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
W
Waiver A temporary, formal consent granted by Visa that permits a Member or
Members to not comply with one or more specific rules in the Visa Rules
for a specified period of time.
ID# 0026498 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
Wire Transfer Money Order – US
Region
A check or money order purchased by a Cardholder from a Wire Transfer
Money Order Merchant.
ID# 0025434 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Wire Transfer Money Order
Merchant – US Region
A Merchant that sells money orders by electronic funds transfer.
ID# 0025435 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Wire Transfer Money Order
Transaction – US Region
A Quasi-Cash Transaction representing the sale of a Wire Transfer Money
Order for transfer to a payee (who may or may not be the Cardholder) by
electronic funds transfer.
ID# 0025436 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Workout Period As a part of the Visa Chargeback Monitoring Program (VCMP) and Visa
Fraud Monitoring Program (VFMP), a 3-month remediation period during
which Visa manages a corrective-action plan between a Merchant and
its Acquirer to bring the Merchant's Chargeback or Fraud Activity within
acceptable levels. The Workout Period is not applicable to any of the
following:
●
High-Brand Risk Merchants, as specified in Section 10.4.6.1, “High-
Brand Risk MCCs”
●
Merchants that exceed the excessive Chargeback or Fraud Activity
thresholds
●
Merchants that are escalated to the VCMP high-risk program or
the VFMP high-risk program if Visa determines that the Merchant's
activities may cause undue harm to the goodwill of the Visa system
ID# 0025701 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2016
X
No glossary terms available for
X.
ID# 0025513 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-843
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Term Definition
Y
No glossary terms available for
Y.
ID# 0025514 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Apr 2010
Z
Zero Floor Limit A Floor Limit with a currency amount of zero.
ID# 0025441 Edition: Oct 2017 | Last Updated: Oct 2014
Glossary-844 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
14 October 2017 Visa Public Glossary-845
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
Glossary
Glossary
VisaCoreRulesand VisaProductandServiceRules
Glossary-846 Visa Public 14 October 2017
© 2014—2017 Visa. All Rights Reserved.
