Visa CEMEA Payment Facilitator Certification Program
Why Certification Matters?
Visa certification helps you operate with confidence, scale responsibly, and unlock new opportunities.
Unlock Opportunities
Grow with Confidence
Stay Compliant
Build Trust
Am I Eligible for Certification?
Before applying, check whether your business qualifies for Visa’s PF Certification.
- What is a Payment Facilitator?
A PF underwrites merchants and signs acceptance agreements on behalf of a sponsoring Acquirer, settles Visa transactions to those merchants, and holds all required local licenses.
- Role of the Acquirer
Qualification for the PF Certification program requires an entity to be classified as a Payment Facilitator as specified in Visa Core Rules and Visa Product and Service Rules.
Your sponsoring Acquirer determines your Third Party Agent type. If unsure, consult your Acquirer to confirm your setup.
- Self-Assessment Module
Use our Check Yourself tool to determine:
- Whether certification is required.
Ready to choose your path? Start Here - Which path to start with (Full Certification vs CPA)
Meet the criteria? Apply Now
- Whether certification is required.
Get Certified
Payment Facilitator Certification pathway may differ depending on PF’s business maturity and readiness
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Who should apply:
New or Emerging Payment Facilitators that process Visa transactions in average monthly Visa transaction volume that does not exceed USD 100,000 (or its local currency equivalent) over the preceding six calendar months.
Eligibility Criteria:
- You possess a valid regulatory license authorizing your operation as a PF
- You have merchant onboarding templates and AML policies and procedures
- You have a dedicated compliance function
- You have established merchant underwriting and onboarding procedures
Required Documentation:
A valid regulatory license, a PCI DSS Attestation of Compliance (or your vendor’s AoC and agreement if you do not store or process cardholder data), AML and CDD policies and procedures, and templates of merchant agreements and applications are required prerequisites for the CPA certification application path.
Please refer to the PF Certification Guide for a detailed breakdown of certification requirements and a full list of required documents.
Limitations:
- CPA is valid for 12 months
- You cannot onboard or process transactions for high-risk or future-service merchant categories specified in PF Certification Guide (e.g., gambling, crypto, adult content, travel, lodging)
- You cannot onboard or process transactions for marketplaces
- You must complete Full Certification within the CPA period
Outcome:
Upon successful completion of a detailed assessment of your policies and procedures, you will be offered a Conditional Participation Agreement (CPA) and added to the Visa Global Registry of Service Providers.
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Once the CPA is executed and the Payment Facilitator is onboarded with a Visa Acquirer, it may pursue Full Certification after completing the required operational period, demonstrating sustained performance, and meeting all documentation standards, with provisions for early review or extended participation available at Visa’s discretion, as outlined in the PF Certification Guide.
Important: Full Certification requires validating your transactional flows against Visa’s data quality standards; before applying, confirm with your Acquirer that your PF ID is correctly provisioned in both authorization and clearing messages, as only compliant volumes will be recognized toward eligibility criteria.
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Who should apply:
Payment Facilitators that are currently operational and meet all minimum requirements are invited to apply for Visa Ready Acceptance Assessment (full certification).
Eligibility Criteria:
- You possess a valid regulatory license authorizing your operation as a PF
- You have at least 5 operating* merchants
- You process an average Visa transaction volume equal to or greater than USD 100,000 per month for the preceding six-month period
- Your Payment Facilitator identifier (PF ID) and Sponsored Merchant identifiers (SM IDs) are populated in authorization requests and clearing records
- You have underwent an independent AML audit (internal or external) in the past 24 months
- You have an existing Conditional Participation Agreement (CPA) with Visa with an expiration date within the next three months (for CPA approved PFs)
* Merchants are technically enabled and submit purchase transactions on Visa payment credentials into the Payment network.
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria above, the CPA certification path is more appropriate for you; please refer to the sections for new‑to‑market PFs or post‑CPA requirements.
Required Documentation:
A valid regulatory license, a PCI DSS Attestation of Compliance, AML policies and an AML audit report, sanctions‑screening and transaction‑monitoring systems, merchant underwriting and onboarding policies, risk‑management tools, and at least five merchant agreements and applications, termination notification samples and evidence of consistent Visa transaction flows are required prerequisites for the full certification path.
Please refer to the PF Certification Guide for a detailed breakdown of certification requirements and a full list of required documents.
Outcome:
Once Visa completes a detailed assessment of your policies and procedures, you will be notified of the outcome. If approved, you will be offered a Visa Payment Facilitator Agreement to formalize your certified status and be added to the Visa Global Registry of Service Providers.
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If you are a Certified Payment Facilitator preparing to enter a new market using the same systems and controls, you may apply for market extension for your certification status. Your application will need to include:
- Intake form listing the new entities and markets
- Regulatory license in the new market
- PCI DSS Attestation of Compliance for the new entity
- Organizational chart showing the relationship/ownership between the parent and the new entity
- A letter from a parent company's C-level executive attesting to standardized operational controls across all Payment Facilitator entities
Upon review of the submitted documentation, Visa will either extend your current PF Certification Agreement to cover the new market or advise on the required process for a separate CPA or Full Certification for the new entity.
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1. Download the Preparation Checklist – a concise list of actions you will need take for any path
2. Submit the Intake Form – start your application online
3. Need help? Submit a Support Ticket or email us at [email protected]
The Visa PF Certification process is designed with your business in mind, offering a clear and supportive structure that accommodates your needs, whether you are just starting or scaling across new markets.
Step-by-Step Certification Journey
Submit Your Intake Form
Begin by completing the Payment Facilitator Certification intake form and Certification questionnaire.
Important: Certification requests submitted outside the intake form process are not tracked by the Certification Program team and may not be processed.
Program Manager Assigned
Once your intake form is received, a dedicated Program Manager will be assigned to guide you through the certification journey and ensure your submission is complete.
Once a Program Manager is assigned, you will have a strict deadline to deliver your complete documentation package. The required materials will be confirmed by your Program Manager and include all items listed in PF Certification Guide.
Important:
Need to plan ahead? Check Key Dates
Incomplete packages will not be assigned for certification review. If certain documents cannot be provided, your application will be withdrawn. You will need to reapply through the intake form to restart the process. Providing a full and accurate package upfront helps avoid delays and ensures a smooth review experience.
Visa Review & Feedback
Visa will assess your submission and provide feedback. If any items are missing or need clarification, you might be given a remediation window up to 90 days.
Agreement Signing
If approved, you will sign either:
- A Payment Facilitator Agreement (for Certified PFs)
- A Conditional Participation Agreement (CPA) (for CPA approved PFs)
Certification Outcome
You’ll receive a Certificate of Completion confirming your Certified status.
Your company will be officially listed in Visa Global Registry of Service Providers, which is accessible to acquirers, merchants, and partners across the ecosystem. This listing confirms your certification and enhances your visibility and credibility.
Want to get organized? Get Prepared
Documentation Deadline: Submit your full package within the communicated timeline
Review Time: Visa typically completes assessments within one month after the full submission package is received
Remediation Window: Up to 90 days if requested by Visa
Important: PFs without a valid Payment Facilitator Agreement or CPA are considered out of compliance.
Fees
- Certification or CPA fee
- Annual fee (please refer to the PF Certification Guide for more details)
Operational requirements for Certified Payment Facilitator
- Performance Metrics: The Payment Facilitator must maintain fraud, chargeback, and data quality metrics within the established thresholds of the Visa program.
- Change Notification: Provide advance notification to Visa of any material changes to business operations, including but not limited to expansion into high-risk industry verticals or the addition of new acquiring partners.
- Change of Control: If the controlling interest in the Payment Facilitator is sold or transferred, Visa must be notified within 30 calendar days of the transaction's completion.
- Re-certification Triggers: Visa may, at its sole discretion, require ad‑hoc re‑certification after significant business model changes or compliance issues based on prior certification results and ongoing monitoring.
Prepare for Certification
Visa’s PF Certification process requires a complete and well-documented application. This section helps you understand what’s expected and how to prepare effectively.
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Review the helpful resources and follow the preparation Checklist.
Note: All documents must clearly outline steps, criteria, decision-making processes, and responsible roles. Incomplete packages will not be assigned for certification review. If certain documents cannot be provided, your application will be withdrawn and you will need to reapply by submitting the intake form.
Need help? Reach Out
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Use these materials to prepare your documentation and ensure your controls meet Visa’s standards:
- Payment Facilitator Certification Guide
- Visa Acceptance Risk Standards (VARS)
- Payment Facilitator and Marketplace Risk Guide
- Visa Core Rules and Visa Product and Service Rules
- Visa Access (available to certified PFs with active registrations)
Have questions? Browse FAQs
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- Complete the Intake Form
- Fill out the Certification Questionnaire
Support & Contact
Need help? Reach out to our team
Submit a Support Ticketor email us at [email protected]
Accelerate Your PF Certification with Expert Guidance
Navigate the Visa Payment Facilitator Certification process with confidence. Our 1:1 Consultation Service is designed to provide you with direct access to the PF Certification team, offering personalized support to streamline your application and set you up for success.
In this dedicated virtual session, our experts will work with you to:
- Demystify the Requirements: Get a clear, in-depth explanation of all necessary documentation and operational standards for certification.
- Build a Preparation Roadmap: Learn how to organize your application, avoid common pitfalls, and prepare your documents for a successful review.
- Master Compliance: Receive valuable tips on how to maintain compliance with Visa's rules from day one and for the long term.
- Get Your Questions Answered: Use this opportunity to ask our team your specific questions in a dedicated setting.
Session Details:
- Duration: 45 Minutes
- Cost: USD 350
- Book Consultation: Submit a Ticket
Please note: This consultation provides expert guidance and best practices. The successful outcome of your certification application remains dependent on the quality of your documentation and your company's adherence to all program requirements.
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Typically around 2 months from request to decision. This timeline heavily depends on the completeness of the documentation provided. Please review your materials thoroughly before applying.
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Visa certification affirms compliance with Visa Core Rules and Visa Product and Service Rules, not just local regulations. Additional documentation helps validate this compliance.
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That’s acceptable, but the setup must be clearly documented and aligned with Visa Acceptance Risk Standards.
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Yes. As outlined in the Visa PF Certification Guide, expansion to a new market requires submission of updated documentation - including regulatory license, PCI DSS compliance, organizational charts, and a C-level confirmation letter. Visa will then determine whether to extend the existing certification to a new market or to initiate a new certification process for your new entity.
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If your application is not successful, you will receive remediation actions requirement letter detailing the identified policy or control gaps and the required corrective actions. A remediation period up to 90 days might be granted, depending on the nature of the findings.
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Submissions in English are preferred. If you provide documents in another language, please include a simple English translation alongside the original. An official, certified translation is not necessary.
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No. A valid regulatory license is a pre-requisite. Intake forms submitted without a license will be withdrawn.
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The withdrawal notice will specify the reasons and the earliest re-application date. Address the missing items and reapply within the indicated timeframe.