Getting Started

Become a Visa merchant and enjoy greater revenue opportunities

Start reaping the benefits of accepting Visa cards at your business by becoming a Visa merchant. Find all the information you need to begin.

Become a Visa merchant

To start reaping the benefits of card acceptance, be sure to sign up as a Visa merchant. Signing up is simple. Contact an acquirer today to learn more about how you can accept Visa. You may also want to check with your primary bank or the financial institution with which you have your business account. Your acquirer will provide you with everything you need to accept Visa cards in a cost-efficient, convenient manner.

Let your customers know that you accept Visa

Make sure your customers know that they can pay with their Visa cards at your business.

• Train your staff to remind customers at that they can pay with their Visa cards. All it takes is a simple prompt such as "If you have a Visa card, you can use it here," or "Would you like to pay with your Visa card today?"
• Promote Visa card acceptance at your business and in local advertising. Well-placed banners, signs, and decals at the counter and in your windows will let customers and passers-by know they can pay with their Visa card.

Free Visa decals and signage

Visa also offers a range of free decals and other signage to promote card acceptance. Let the millions of Visa cardholders worldwide know that you proudly welcome Visa card products by displaying the Visa logo at your business.

Order your FREE signage today.

Finding the right account

Knowing more about the Visa acceptance process will help you identify the account that works best for you. Before you sign a processing contract with an acquirer (financial institution), ask yourself the following questions:

1. How well do I know the financial institution I’m doing business with?
Member financial institutions either sell directly to merchants or hire agents to sell for them. However, these agents must be registered with Visa and clearly identify the Visa member they represent on their business cards and stationery. The contract you sign should also have the name of the bank clearly identified.

2. What are the typical kinds of fees for Visa processing?

• Discount rate (a percentage of sales)
• Per-item fees
• Monthly minimums
• Statement fees
• Chargeback processing
• Fees for supplies (e.g., drafts, roll paper, etc.)
• Terminal lease or rental fees

3. Should I rent, buy, or lease a draft capture terminal?

• Calculate the long-term costs and any need to repair or replace the unit.
• Consider whether or not it can be upgraded to accommodate new technologies.

4. How often will funds be credited to my business account for my sales?

5. How many days will elapse from customer purchase to account funding date?

6. Am I required to have a certain percentage of my sales dollars or specific dollar amounts held by the financial institution? If so, what is it and how is it determined?

7. Who is my contact for settlement and customer dispute issues?

8. Who is my contact for terminal replacement or repair?

9. How long do I have to store my receipts?