Third Party Agent Program
Many Visa® members rely on third party agents to increase their growth and revenue opportunities with minimal cost. This growth has led some financial institutions to shift control and responsibility for various functions to their agents. Often, this is accompanied by a shift of liability for losses as well. From a member perspective, a well-controlled third party agent relationship can reduce the possibility of bank failure, minimize risk of loss to the payment system, and protect the goodwill of the Visa brand.
A third party agent performs multiple functions on the issuing and acquiring side of a Visa member's business and is generally defined as an entity that is not connected to VisaNet and provides payment-related services (directly or indirectly) to a Visa member, merchant or agent. Some agents store, process or transmit Visa account numbers.
Visa® members must ensure that all third party agents are registered with Visa as outlined in the Visa International Operating Regulations. Registration must be received by Visa via the Visa Membership Management (VMM) application. This online tool serves as the central location where issuers and acquirers can register third-party agents and manage their relationships with these entities.
For
Members >
Visa supports their members, every step of the way. The Agent Registration
Program is a Visa‐mandated program enacted to ensure that Visa members
are in compliance with Visa International Operating Regulations ("Visa
rules").
Registration
and PCI DSS Compliance >
Enjoy the benefits of registration and PCI-DSS Compliance.
For
Third Party Agents >
The Third Party Agent Registration Program is a Visa-mandated program
enacted to ensure that Visa members are in compliance with Visa International
Operating Regulations ("Visa rules") and policies regarding their use
of Third Party Agents (TPAs). Visa members are required to perform
due diligence reviews to ensure that they understand the TPA's business
model, financial conditions, background and Payment Card Industry Data
Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance status. Agent registration is
required for all entities performing solicitation activities and /
or storing, processing or transmitting Visa account numbers for Visa
members (or on behalf of their merchants). Find more information about
requirements and registration here.
Please note all Visa members must register their relationship with Third Party Agents regardless of whether the Third Party Agent is listed on Visa's Registries of Service Providers.