Visa Merchant Business News Digest

Visa Merchant Business News Digest

Your source for the top merchant-focused stories. Interested in learning more about a product, service or rule mentioned? Contact your Visa rep or acquirer.

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Highlighted stories

Ensuring PCI DSS v4.0 Compliance for Data Security and Integrity In a Shifting Payment Landscape

Regions: US, Canada, AP, CEMEA, EU, LAC
6 March 2023

Visa is reminding all payment ecosystem entities that they should employ strict monitoring of all network traffic and firewall traffic that may facilitate payment data or other processes, and that payment data should only traverse approved systems or protocols. Visa is reinforcing the recently published Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) v4.0 to ensure that all payment participants are implementing security controls against potential vulnerabilities, weaknesses and threat vectors that can be exploited by cyber threats. Visa is committed to ensuring card data security as the landscape evolves and new innovations are brought to market.

The PCI DSS is an industry standard that provides a baseline of technical and operational requirements designed to protect payment card account data. An entity must be compliant with all PCI DSS requirements to protect Visa cardholder data. Any PCI DSS requirements that are not in place can cause or contribute to an entity losing payment data through unauthorized access. Published in March 2022, PCI DSS v4.0 addresses emerging threats and technologies and enables innovative methods to combat these new threats. Adherence to PCI DSS v4.0 helps ensure an entity promotes data security as a continuous process and protects their payment card environment from evolving threats. For more information, refer to the resources below.

Additional Resources:

In Case You Missed It – Webinars : Evolution of Compelling Evidence 301 Rerun

Regions: US, Canada, LAC
6 March 2023

Visa has updated its dispute processing rules with an initiative known as Compelling Evidence 3.0, which will come into effect on 15 April 2023. To help the industry prepare for the updated Compelling Evidence rules and processes, Visa hosted a Compelling Evidence 301 webinar on February 14th. Register here to access the recording of that session.

If you were not able to attend the last session, Visa is re-running the webinar on March 14th, 2023 detailing the rule updates and how the industry can benefit from reducing first-party misuse. Registration is required; attendees should register here for this event.

Numerics Initiative Reminder: Timing for BIN Prefix Sharing

Regions: US, Canada, AP, CEMEA, LAC, EUROPE
28 February 2023

Visa chose to hold reassignment of eight-digit BINs returned prior to April 2022 for at least a year following the adoption of the new eight-digit BIN standard. This was to give the ecosystem time to carry out any remaining system development needed to support this global industry change.

Visa is reminding payments ecosystem participants that they may begin seeing eight-digit BINs with the same six-digit prefix across different issuers and product lines as early as April 2023. Entities currently only reading to the sixth digit on BIN tables to make authorization and other decisions will need to update their systems by April 2023 to read out to the eighth digit, at a minimum, to prevent potential impact.

Recent news

Managing Disputes Related to Crypto Transactions

Regions: US, Canada, AP, CEMEA, EU, LAC
15 February 2023

Visa is reminding clients that disputes for crypto purchases should be handled in the same manner as all other disputes. Properly processed account funding transactions (AFTs) and quasi-cash transactions have limited dispute rights. All disputes must comply with the applicable rules in Section 11—Dispute Resolution of the Visa Core Rules and Visa Product and Services Rules. Dispute rights are based on the nature of the claim and the processing codes which are used in the transaction. Visa expects its clients to act in good faith and make every effort to be flexible when resolving disputed transactions involving cardholders and merchants. The Visa Rules require that cardholders work directly with the merchant to resolve their issue ahead of initiating a dispute with their issuer.

Webinars: Evolution of Compelling Evidence 301 and CE 3.0, Are You Ready?

Regions: US, Canada, LAC
1 February 2023

To help clients prepare for the updated Compelling Evidence (CE) rules and processes that will come into effect on April 15, 2023, Visa and Verifi will be hosting the Compelling Evidence 301 webinar on February 14 and the dispute mitigation strategies webinar on March 1.

The CE 301 webinar is a continuation of the introductory Compelling Evidence 101 and 201 webinars and will be more technical and integration-focused, clarifying recurring client questions and updating some technical information. Register for Evolution of Compelling Evidence 301.

The dispute mitigation strategies webinar, titled “CE 3.0, Are You Ready?” will review dispute best practices for merchants, including industry trends, transaction data sharing methods, and ways merchants can get ready to implement CE 3.0 in April. Register for CE 3.0, Are You Ready?.

Webinar: Eight-Digit BIN Standard – Implications for Merchants

Regions: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe
12 January 2023

In 2023, Visa expects to see a significant increase in issuer migration to eight-digit Bank Identification Numbers (BINs). And, effective April 2023, as returned BINs are reassigned, Visa will allow BINs with the same six-digit prefix to be utilized in the reassigned eight-digit BIN to different issuers, for different products, in different regions. In February 2023, Visa will host two merchant-focused webinars to review potential impact areas and help ensure merchant readiness to support eight-digit BINs. The webinars will take place on February 7, 2023 at 8am Pacific and February 8, 2023 at 6pm Pacific. There is no fee to participate in these webinars. Registration is required; attendees should register here for this event and select the specific session they plan to attend.

E-Commerce Transactions Using Credential-On-File Tokens Provisioned From a Device-Based Token May Be Classified as ECI 05

Regions: US, Canada
15 Dec 2022

Effective 15 April 2023, cardholder-initiated transactions using a credential-on-file token provisioned from a device-based token will be reclassified as electronic commerce indicator (ECI) 05, subject to meeting specified requirements.

U.S. Domestic Token Transactions in High-Risk MCCs Will Continue to Have Issuer Fraud Dispute Rights, Regardless of ECI Classification

Region: US
15 Dec 2022

U.S. domestic token transactions in high-risk merchant category codes (MCCs) will continue to have issuer fraud dispute rights, regardless of electronic commerce indicator (ECI) classification. As such, fully authenticated CNP token transactions from the following MCCs in the U.S. region will continue to be ineligible for dispute protection for Dispute Condition 10.4:

MCC 4829 — Money Transfer
MCC 5967 — Direct Marketing—Inbound Teleservices Merchant
MCC 6051 — Non-Financial Institutions—Foreign Currency, Non-Fiat Currency (for example: Cryptocurrency), Money Orders (not Money Transfer), Account Funding (not Stored Value Load), Travelers Cheques, and Debt Repayment
MCC 6540 — Non-Financial Institutions—Stored Value Card Purchase/Load
MCC 7801 — Government Licensed On-Line Casinos (On-Line Gambling) (US Region Only)
MCC 7802 — Government Licensed Horse/Dog Racing (US Region Only)
MCC 7995 — Betting, including Lottery Tickets, Casino Gaming Chips, Off-Track Betting, Wagers at Race Tracks and games of chance to win prizes of monetary value Betting, Wagers at Race Tracks and games of chance to win prizes of monetary value

Acquirers must notify merchants with high-risk MCCs that process secure e-commerce transactions that these transactions will not be eligible for fraud dispute protection from Dispute Condition 10.4: Other Fraud—Card Absent Environment.

U.S. Automated Fuel Dispenser Authorization Limits Will Be Changed

Regions: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA LAC, Europe
1 Dec 2022

Effective 15 April 2023, Visa will implement increased authorization limits for some automated fuel dispenser (AFD) transactions acquired by U.S. fuel merchants, and implement a requirement for all U.S. AFD transactions to support partial authorization. The U.S. AFD $1 status check authorization limit of $175 will be extended to all non-Fleet card transactions while the transaction limit for all Fleet cards will be increased to $1,000. For AFD Real-Time Clearing, the preauthorization limit for Fleet card transactions will be increased from $500 to $1,000, while the limit for non-Fleet card AFD transactions will remain at $500.

Visa Commercial Choice Enhancements

Region: US
20 Oct 2022

Visa Commercial Choice (VCC) is a suite of capabilities and services that allows financial institutions (on behalf of their commercial customers) and merchants / suppliers to establish flexible client-to-client fee agreements. Effective with the upcoming April 2023 VisaNet Business Enhancements release, Visa’s proprietary VCC capability will support the following foundational enhancements: small business card products; debit and prepaid funding sources (where applicable); fleet-specific ticket size tiers (U.S. only). For more information, merchants should contact their acquirers.

Enhancements to Electric Vehicle Charging and Fuel Code Data for U.S. Fleet Card Transactions

Region: US
13 Oct 2022

Visa is adding enhancements to allow for electric vehicle charging enhanced data and multiple fuel codes on Fleet Card transactions. Visa Fleet Card issuers must support the new dataset, tags and values in the V.I.P. System. Acquirers that process fuel / EV charging transactions may optionally support the new dataset, tags and values in the V.I.P. System. For more information on the enhanced data, merchants should contact their acquirers.

Update for POS Entry Mode 91 Transactions

Region: US
13 Oct 2022

As acceptance and usage of contactless payments grows in the U.S., it is important to offer the most secure experience possible to protect the payment ecosystem and to earn the trust of consumers. In support of this, since 2019, all terminals accepting contactless payments in the U.S. have been required to actively support EMV®-based contactless functionality, or qVSDC, and to disable the mag stripe version of contactless payments – POS Entry Mode 91, more commonly known as MSD. To encourage the use of qVSDC contactless, Visa is moving forward with a fee for POS Entry Mode 91 transactions beginning on April 1, 2023.

Guidelines for Proper Use of Visa Tables for Routing and Processing

Regions: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe
29 Sept 2022

Given the continued growth of players within the payments ecosystem and changes in the use of numeric assets such as Bank Identification Numbers and account ranges, Visa is reminding its acquirer partners that it is essential to use only Visa-supplied data to route and process transactions correctly.

Reminder: EMV® 3DS Program Requirements for Supporting Visa Data Only Transactions

Regions: US, Canada
29 Sept 2022

In EMV® 3-D Secure (3DS) 2.2, a Data Only transaction was introduced to make it easier for merchants and issuers to exchange data without a cardholder challenge. The Visa Data Only program uses the existing EMV 3DS infrastructure to facilitate this exchange of data, intended to help boost approval rates and lower fraud rates. Visa is reminding clients and partners of the requirements for supporting Visa Data Only (also referred to as Information Only) transactions. Complying with these requirements helps to provide cardholders with a frictionless online purchasing experience. For more information on requirements, merchants should contact their acquirers.

Final Reminder: Visa Will Discontinue Support for 3DS 1.0.2

Regions: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe
29 Sept 2022

Visa will discontinue support for 3-D Secure (3DS) 1.0.2 on 15 October 2022. In preparation for the 3DS 1.0.2 sunset, Visa is reminding acquirers, merchants and issuers to migrate to EMV® 3DS.

Read the article Final reminder: Visa will discontinue support for 3DS 1.0.2

Restrictions on Standing Instruction MITs Will Be Delayed to February 2024

Regions: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe
22 Sept 2022

Visa is delaying plans to restrict standing instruction merchant-initiated transactions (MITs) to credential-on-file tokens only.

Read article about Restrictions on Standing Instruction MITs Will Be Delayed to February 2024

Visa Direct: Velocity Limits and Maximum Transaction Amounts Will Be Increased

Regions: AP, Canada, CEMEA, Europe, LAC
15 Sept 2022

Changes will be made to VisaNet to increase default domestic and cross-border maximum transaction amounts. Visa will also increase the velocity limits for account funding transactions, push-to-card and push-to-account original credit transactions.

Regional Expansion of Personal Data Protection and Privacy Rules and Data Framework for Visa Services

Regions: AP, Canada, CEMEA, Europe, LAC
8 Sept 2022

The Visa Rules have been updated to expand rules relating to personal data protection and privacy to the AP, Canada, CEMEA and LAC regions. The Data Framework for Visa Services, a Visa Supplemental Requirements document, has also been expanded to the above regions. The changes are effective 15 October 2022.

Read article about Regional Expansion of Personal Data Protection and Privacy Rules

Reminder: U.S. Fleet Program Updates and Timeline

Regions: US
1 Sept 2022

Visa is reminding stakeholders of previously communicated requirements for the implementation of mandatory changes related to Visa’s Fleet 2.0 initiative, including merchant category code fleet requirements and Visa Fleet 2.0 program timelines. Visa is also clarifying requirements for 0120 confirmation advice messages for Fleet cards. The Implementation deadline for merchants to support Visa Fleet 2.0 changes is October 2023. For more information, merchants should contact their acquirers.

Merchants that accept a Visa Fleet Card must support Visa Fleet 2.0 changes (October 2023) and must provide enhanced data for Visa Fleet Card transactions classified under the following MCCs:

MCC 4468—Marinas, Marine Service, and Supplies
MCC 5499—Miscellaneous Food Stores—Convenience Stores and Specialty Markets
MCC 5541—Service Stations (With or without Ancillary Services)
MCC 5542—Automated Fuel Dispensers
MCC 5983—Fuel Dealers—Fuel Oil, Wood, Coal, and Liquefied Petroleum

Guidance on Crypto Ramp Providers and Best Practices for Mitigating Crypto-Related Fraud

Regions: US, Canada, AP, CEMEA, LAC, Europe
25 August 2022

Crypto exchanges and digital wallets enable consumers to purchase cryptocurrencies using a Visa credential (on-ramp). Some exchanges and wallets also enable payouts to a Visa credential (off-ramp). To promote the integrity and security of the payments ecosystem, Visa has published guidance on crypto ramp providers and best practices for mitigating crypto-related fraud.

Read article about Guidance on Crypto Ramp Providers

What to do if compromised document revised

Regions: US, Canada, AP, CEMEA, LAC
25 August 2022

Visa’s What To Do If Compromised document has been updated to more clearly define required procedures and timelines for reporting and responding to a suspected or confirmed Compromise Event. The latest version also incorporates new information pertaining to payment ecosystem attacks and fraud schemes.

Read article about What To Do If Compromised

Secure Member Connection Usage Will Be Required for All Visa DEX and EAS Endpoint Connections

Regions: US, Canada, AP, CEMEA, LAC, Europe
18 August 2022

To ensure that channel encryption and enhanced authentication features are implemented, effective 1 January 2024 Visa will require use of the Secure Member Connection service for all Direct Exchange (DEX) and Extended Access Server (EAS) endpoint connections.

Numerics Initiative: Timing for BIN Prefix Sharing

Regions: US, Canada, AP, CEMEA, LAC, Europe
18 August 2022

Following the adoption of the eight-digit Bank Identification Number (BIN) standard, Visa is reminding clients about potential future impacts to the ecosystem, including timing for BIN prefix sharing.

Read article about Numerics Initiative: Timing for BIN Prefix Sharing

Transaction Data Requirements for Stand-Alone Tipping

Regions: US, Canada, AP, CEMEA, LAC, Europe
18 August 2022

Visa payments provide a seamless, transparent and safe alternative to cash traditionally used for tips paid directly to employees. To promote transparency and cardholder recognition, Visa is clarifying the transaction data requirements for these stand-alone tipping transactions.

Read article about Transaction Data Requirements for Stand-Alone Tipping

Reminder: Visa Will Discontinue Support of 3-D Secure 1.0.2

Regions: US, Canada, AP, CEMEA, LAC, Europe
11 August 2022

Visa will discontinue support for 3-D Secure (3DS) 1.0.2 on 15 October 2022. In preparation for the 3-D Secure 1.0.2 sunset, Visa is reminding acquirers, merchants and issuers to migrate to EMV® 3DS.

Read article about Visa Will Discontinue Support of 3-D Secure 1.0.2

Visa Direct: New Standardized List of Purpose of Payment Codes Now Available

Regions: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

28 July 2022

Visa is providing a new standardized list of Purpose of Payment codes for acquirers, acquirer processors and merchants sending original credit transactions and account funding transactions to Argentina, Bangladesh, Egypt and India.

Reminder: Visa Direct OCT Sender Data Requirements for Cross-Border Transactions

Regions: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

14 July 2022

Visa is reminding clients that for cross-border original credit transactions (OCTs), the sender data fields must be populated with sender name, address, city and country data in a valid format.

Visa Secure Non-Payment Authentication Rule Update

Regions: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

30 June 2022

Visa will update the Visa Rules for Visa Non-Payment Authentication (NPA) transactions, which will require issuers to provide an electronic commerce indicator of 05 and the Cardholder Authentication Verification Value for fully authenticated NPA requests.

Read article about updates to NPA

Dispute Rule Updates: Evolution of Compelling Evidence

Regions: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

16 June 2022

Visa will update dispute rules and language to provide additional standardization of data to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of dispute processing.

Read article about the update to dispute rules

Merchant Name and Descriptor Field: Reminders and Clarification

Regions: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

16 June 2022

Visa is providing reminders and clarification with regard to accurately and consistently populating the Merchant Name / Descriptor field.

Read article about populating merchant fields

Integration Gateway Certificates Will Be Renewed

Regions: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

16 June 2022

Leaf Certificates deployed on the Visa integration gateway will be renewed before their expiration. Clients must ensure their systems still function properly after Visa renews these certificates.

Read article about information gateway certificates renewal

Reminder: Visa Will Discontinue Support for 3DS 1.0.2

Regions: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

2 June 2022

Visa will discontinue support for 3-D Secure (3DS) 1.0.2 on 15 October 2022. In preparation for the 3DS 1.0.2 sunset, Visa is reminding acquirers, merchants and issuers to migrate to EMV^® 3DS.

Read article about Visa discontinuing support for 3DS 1.0.2

PCI DSS Version 4.0 Published

Regions: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

12 May 2022

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) version 4.0 has been published. Visa will continue to accept PCI DSS version 3.2.1 validations dated 31 March 2024 or prior.

Read article about PCI DSS Version 4.0

E-Commerce Transactions with Fully Authenticated Tokens Will Be Classified as ECI 05 in Canada and the U.S.

Regions: Canada, US

12 May 2022

Visa is planning changes for transactions processed on or after 15 April 2023 in Canada and the U.S. Cardholder-initiated card-not-present transactions using fully authenticated tokens will be classified with electronic commerce indicator (ECI) 05, subject to meeting performance standards. In addition, dispute rights for Dispute Condition 10.4: Other Fraud—Card-Absent Environment on these transactions will be removed.

Read article about E-commerce transactions with fully authenticated tokens

Google Chrome and Android Will Implement Tokens for Autofill

Regions: US

12 May 2022

As announced in the 12 May 2022 edition of the Visa Business News, Google will be the first partner to use Visa Token Service to enhance the Chrome browser, as well as Android, Autofill features with e-commerce enabler tokens. Visa and Google employee testing is expected to begin 21 June 2022, which may result in some very limited traffic. The gradual pilot rollout for Chrome and Android users in the U.S. is planned to begin in August 2022, with full U.S. rollout anticipated by November 2022. No other countries are announced at this time.

Currently, Google Chrome (across all operating systems), as well as Android, offer the capability to autofill primary account number (PAN) credentials on behalf of the cardholder, reducing the need for manually key-entered credentials at checkout. As announced in the 27 January 2022 edition of the Visa Business News, Visa Token Service (VTS) has enabled the ability for web browsers to replace PAN credentials with Visa network tokens for improved security and reduced friction in checkout experiences.

With Visa network tokens being utilized via Google Autofill, merchants, issuers, and cardholders can further experience the benefits that network tokens bring to the ecosystem—including higher authorization rates, lower fraud rates and better cardholder experiences. These tokenized Autofill credentials will work within existing merchant card entry forms that already support the use of Google Chrome Autofill today, meaning no additional integration with Google or VTS is required of merchants to process payments with these tokens. Merchants / acquirers can submit the token data in the same manner as they submit PAN-based transaction data. A three-digit dynamic token verification value (DTVV) cryptogram will be auto-filled in place of Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2). Merchants may store (with consumer consent) auto-filled tokens for future credential-on-file (COF) transactions. Merchants can contact their acquirer or Visa representative to learn more.

AFT Processing Guide, OCT Global Implementation Guide and Push to Account Program Guide Updated

Regions: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

5 May 2022

Visa has updated the Account Funding Transaction (AFT) Processing Guide, the Visa Direct Original Credit Transaction (OCT)—Global Implementation Guide and the Visa Direct Payouts—Push to Account Program Guide. Clients and their partners that originate or receive AFTs, Visa Direct OCTs and/or push to account transactions should review the updated guides for information on how to best support these transactions.

DCC Compliance Program Reminders and DCC-Enabled Merchant / ATM Registration Requirements

Regions: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

5 May 2022

Acquirers registered in the Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) Compliance Program for POS and/or ATM must register their DCC-enabled merchants for the period ending 31 July 2022 by 15 August 2022, and must update the ATM Locator quarterly with their DCC-enabled ATMs. Acquirers must advise Visa by 30 September 2022 if they wish to deregister as an acquirer from the DCC Compliance Program in fiscal year 2023. Visa is also reminding clients about the audit component of the DCC Compliance Program and the requirement for paper-based DCC solutions to be sunset by 15 October 2022.

Read article about the DCC Compliance Program

National and Regional Card Recovery Files Updated to Accommodate Inclusion of Eight-Digit Issuing BINs

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

28 Apr 2022

To accommodate the addition of eight-digit issuing Bank Identification Numbers (BINs), the National Card Recovery File and Regional Card Recovery Files have been updated with a new Format Code value of 7 (Blocked 8-digit BIN). In addition, the description for existing Format Code value 3 has been updated from Blocked BIN (6-digit BIN or 8-digit BIN) to Blocked BIN (6-digit BIN). These changes are effective immediately.

Visa Token Service Will Enable Web Browser Auto-Fill with Tokens

Regions: US, Canada

19 Apr 2022

Visa Token Service (VTS) is enabling web browsers with the ability to enhance their browser auto-fill solutions with Visa payment tokens, per the 27 January 2022 VBN announcement. Web browsers will have the capability to replace primary account numbers (PAN) with e-commerce enabler tokens, which will provide browsers the ability to auto-fill cardholders’ tokenized credentials, including the token, token expiration date and three-digit dynamic token verification values (DTVV), at merchant card entry forms. Each individual web browser will determine the user experience and how it educates its users about the solution. While Visa is enabling this capability for browsers in April 2022, no browser has announced its intent to provide a tokenized auto-fill solution. Visa will provide at least 30 days notice before a browser implements this capability.

Currently, browsers offer the capability to auto-fill PAN credentials on behalf of the cardholder, with the aim to reduce key-entered credentials at guest checkout. Visa Token Service (VTS) will enable the ability to replace the browser auto-filled PAN credentials with Visa payment tokens for better security and reduced friction in the guest checkout experience. By enabling Visa payment tokens to be used in a browser’s auto-fill solution, merchants, issuers and cardholders can further realize the benefits that network tokens bring to the ecosystem—namely higher authorization rates, lower fraud rates and better cardholder experiences. Merchants that would prefer not to receive tokens via browser auto-fill can contact their acquirer to opt out.

These tokenized auto-fill credentials will work within existing merchant card entry forms that already support the use of browser auto-fill solutions today, meaning no effort will be required from merchants to process these tokens for payment. Merchants can contact their acquirer or Visa representative to learn more.

Updated Visa Brand Marks Available for Payment Devices

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

14 Apr 2022

Visa is introducing a vibrant blue Visa Brand Mark, two new colors of the Premium Visa Brand Mark, and an updated staged Visa Brand Mark for use on payment device designs.

Read article about updated Visa brand marks

Visa Secure Directory Server G2 Certificate Production Install Dates

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

7 Apr 2022

As announced previously, the current Visa Secure eCommerce certificate chain will expire effective June 2022. The Visa Secure Directory Server will be installing its G2 connectivity certificates beginning 2 May 2022 and fully completing on 16 May 2022.

New Visa Sensory Branding Requirements

Regions: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

31 Mar 2022

Visa is introducing new requirements for the use of sensory branding in certain Visa events.

Read article about new Visa sensory branding

Visa Platform Connect: Merchant Processing Impacts of April 2022 VisaNet Business Enhancements Release Activation

Regions: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

31 Mar 2022

In compliance with the April 2022 VisaNet Business Enhancements release, Cybersource will roll out mandated changes in Visa Platform Connect. Visa has published a document outlining the mandated processing impacts for merchants.

Read article about Visa platform connect

Global Distribution Systems and International Airline Program Acquirers Must Stop Initiating Airline Transactions with Russia Merchant Locations

Regions: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

24 Mar 2022

Visa’s suspension of Russian operations also includes International Airline Program transactions and authorization requests initiated by a Global Distribution System with a Russia merchant location. By Friday, 8 April 2022 at 12:01 a.m. Moscow time, at the latest, acquirers must not submit IAP transactions with Russia as the merchant location, and GDSs must not seek authorizations with Russia as the merchant location.

Transaction And Authorization Limits and Fraud Liability Will Be Updated for Automated Fuel Dispenser Transactions

Regions: US

24 Mar 2022

Visa is updating the transaction amount limit for automated fuel dispenser (AFD) transactions in the Custom Payment Service program, and revising the authorization limits and lost / stolen fraud liability rules for EMV^®-enabled AFDs. These modifications are being made to reflect changes in the fuel market and improved security at EMV^®-enabled AFDs.

AFD AVS Zip Code Mandate Removed For U.S. Fuel Merchants in High-Fraud Geographies

Regions: US

10 Mar 2022

Visa is updating the rules to remove the mandate that U.S. fuel merchants in areas identified as high-fraud geographies include Address Verification Service (AVS) ZIP code information in all automated fuel dispenser (AFD) authorization messages. This change is effective 23 April 2022.

Read article about AFD AVS zip code

Managing Disputes Involving Russian Clients: Programs, Best Practices and FAQs to Help Clients

Regions: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

9 Mar 2022

Visa is providing additional information on programs, best practices and frequently asked questions about managing and responding to disputes as a result of the suspension of operations in Russia.

Visa Suspends All Russia Operations

Regions: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

7 Mar 2022

Visa is providing updates specific to impacts on the payments landscape and Visa’s clients stemming from its suspension of its Russia operations.

Please be advised that Visa is suspending operations in Russia. On Thursday, March 10, 2022, at 12:01 a.m. Moscow time (March 9, 2022, 1pm PST), Visa will block all issuing and acquiring associated with all Russian members. While the suspension is effective on March 10, 2022, there will be a wind-down period to allow for processes such as collection of fees and resolution of chargebacks and disputes. The wind-down period may be limited in some cases to comply with applicable laws, including any applicable sanctions.

Visa Suspends All Russia Operations

Regions: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

5 Mar 2022

On March 5, 2022, Visa announced it is suspending its Russia operations. Effective immediately, Visa will work with its clients and partners within Russia to cease all Visa transactions over the coming days. Once complete:

All transactions initiated with Visa cards issued in Russia will no longer work outside the country.
Any Visa cards issued by financial institutions outside of Russia will no longer work within the Russian Federation.

Additional information will be provided in the coming days.

Visa Reducing U.S. Consumer Credit Interchange Rates for Small Businesses

Regions: US

3 Mar 2022

Since the start of the pandemic, digital payments have enabled small businesses to continue serving their customers, both in their local communities and around the world. Visa has taken a series of actions to support small businesses, committing to digitally enabling 50 million small businesses globally, launching programs and directing resources to provide the essential digital capabilities needed for recovery.

We are now taking an additional step to help U.S. small businesses compete and grow by lowering key in-store and online consumer credit interchange rates for more than 90% of American businesses by 10%. These changes will take effect April 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions Related to the Impact of Recent Sanctions

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

28 Feb 2022

Visa is providing updates specific to impacts on the payments landscape and Visa’s clients stemming from recent sanctions relating to Russia and Ukraine. As the situation evolves, Visa will continue to provide updates and additions to these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Sanctioned Entities Suspended From Visa

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

28 Feb 2022

In response to the U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions, Visa is suspending business with Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs), effective immediately.

Dispute Resolution Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions Related to Sanctions and Global Incidents

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

27 Feb 2022

This article is designed to help clients handling disputes due to the current events in Russia and Ukraine.

Reminder: 3-D Secure 1.0.2 Quasi-Sunset Processing Requirements

Regions: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

24 Feb 2022

Visa is reminding acquirers and their merchants how to process transactions following the 3-D Secure 1.0.2 quasi-sunset.

Read article about reminder: 3-D secure

Support Will End After October 2023 for Interim Transaction Identifier Issued in EEA and UK for PSD2 Regulatory Requirements Relative to MITs

Regions: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

3 Feb 2022

Visa has extended the waivers provided to European Economic Area (EEA) and UK acquirers for the use of an Interim Transaction Identifier. These waivers will now expire effective 31 October 2022. Non-compliance assessments will begin to accrue as of August 2022, and will be applicable for any use of the Interim Transaction Identifier as of 1 November 2022. Effective 31 October 2023, Visa will stop accepting the Interim Transaction Identifier in transaction messages.

Merchant Best Practices and Webinars are available on Visa.com

Online Merchant Dispute Guide

Visa published an easy-to-use guide to help smaller merchants navigate the world of transaction disputes. For more information, please see Dispute Management Guidelines for Visa Merchants on Visa.com.

What to Do If Compromised

The updated resource defines required procedures in response to an account data compromise.

Counterfeit Fraud Mitigation Tools for Automated Fuel Dispenser Transactions: Fuel Merchants Who Are Not EMV Chip Enabled

As merchants in United States enable their payment card acceptance infrastructure for EMV chip technology starting October 1, 2015, counterfeit fraud will increasingly migrate to acceptance segments that have not implemented EMV chip technology, such as automated fuel dispensers (AFDs). This will lead to counterfeit fraud chargeback liability for fuel merchants if AFD EMV chip acceptance enablement is not completed by October 1, 2020.

Learn more about Counterfeit Fraud Mitigation Tools

Visa Partial Authorization Service: Improve the Customer Experience and Increase Sales

Visa prepaid and debit cards are popular forms of payment at the register. Visa’s Partial Authorization service provides an alternative to declining a transaction when the card’s available balance is not sufficient to approve a transaction in full. Participating issuers return an authorization response with an approval for a portion of the original amount requested, enabling the remainder of the transaction amount to be paid by other means using split tender functionality.

More at Visa.com Merchant Resource Library

More webinars and documents containing in-depth information designed to help Visa merchants navigate acceptance, fraud, data security, authorization and more. Download, print and keep them on hand at your business.

This digest consists of summaries only and does not supersede or modify Visa Business News publications. Please contact your Acquirer for further information about any publications. Actual Visa Business News articles are not public materials and should not be treated as public documents, e.g., posting on merchant websites, etc.

The Visa Business News was launched to Europe clients on August 11, 2016. Prior to that, announcements were communicated via Visa Europe Member Letter.