Visa CEMEA PayFac 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 funds to those merchants, and holds all required local licenses.
- Role of the Acquirer
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
Visa offers two certification pathways depending on your business maturity and readiness
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Who should apply:
Payment Facilitators who are already operational and meet all minimum requirements.
Eligibility Criteria:
- You’ve been live for at least 6 months
- You process over USD 100,000/month in Visa transactions
- Your PFID appears in Visa authorization and clearing messages
- You’ve completed an AML audit (internal or external) in the past 2 years
- You’re not currently under a Conditional Participation Agreement (CPA), or your CPA is expiring within 3 months
Required Documentation:
- Valid regulatory licenses
- PCI DSS Attestation of Compliance
- AML policies and audit report
- Sanctions screening and transaction monitoring systems
- Merchant onboarding and underwriting policies
- Risk detection and investigation tools
- Sample merchant agreements and applications
Outcome: You will receive a Certificate of Completion and enter into a Visa Payment Facilitator Agreement confirming your Certified status.
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Who should apply:
New or emerging Payment Facilitators processing less then USD 100,000/month in Visa transactions and who are still working toward full certification requirements.
Eligibility Criteria:
- You meet regulatory licensing requirements
- You have basic onboarding templates and AML policies
- You have a dedicated compliance function
- You are not listed on any sanctions lists
Limitations:
- CPA is valid for 12 months
- You cannot onboard or process transactions for high-risk merchant categories (e.g., gambling, crypto, adult content, travel, lodging)
- You must complete full certification within the CPA period
Required Documentation:
- Intake form and certification questionnaire
- Basic AML and compliance documentation
- Merchant onboarding templates
Outcome: You will operate in a limited mode while working toward full certification. CPA does not grant Certified status.
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Once the CPA Agreement is signed, the Payment Facilitator (PF) may begin operations. A PF operating under a CPA agreement may apply for full certification after 9 months of activity. However, early applications may be considered if the PF reaches a monthly average of $100K in Visa volumes, but not earlier than 6 months from the CPA agreement date.
Important: Before applying, check with your Acquirer to ensure your PF ID is provisioned correctly in both Authorization and Clearing messages. Visa volumes are only recognized if the PF ID is provisioned according to transactional data quality standards.
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If your company operates across multiple jurisdictions using the same systems and controls, you may apply under a group certification. You’ll need to provide:
- A group intake form listing all entities and markets
- Regulatory licenses for each country
- PCI DSS AOC for each entity
- Organizational charts
- A signed letter from a C-level executive confirming unified operations
Visa will assess whether a group certification is appropriate or if individual entities require separate CPA or full certification.
Ready to begin your application? Open the Intake Form
Want to see the full journey? View Process
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1. Download the Preparation Checklist – a concise list of documents you’ll need for any path
2. Open the Intake Form – start your application online
3. Need help? Submit a support ticket or email us at [email protected]
Visa’s PF Certification process is designed to be clear, structured, and supportive—whether you’re just starting out or scaling across 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 program team and may not be processed.
Program Manager Assigned
Once your intake form is received, a dedicated Visa Program Manager will be assigned to guide you through the certification journey, answer questions, and ensure your submission is complete.
Once your intake form is submitted and a Visa Program Manager is assigned, you’ll have 30 calendar days to provide a complete documentation package. This includes all required materials listed in the prepare-for-certification, such as licenses, AML policies, PCI DSS AOC, and onboarding templates.
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’ll be given a remediation window (typically 30–90 days).
Agreement Signing
Once approved, you’ll sign either:
- A Payment Facilitator Agreement (for Certified PFs)
Wondering about costs? View Fee Details
- A Conditional Participation Agreement (CPA) (for CPA approved PFs)
Certification Outcome
You’ll receive a Certificate of Completion confirming your Certified status.
Already certified? Review Your Obligations
Your company will be officially listed in Visa’s Global Third Party Agent Directory, 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 30 days
Review Time: Visa typically completes assessments within 1 month
Remediation Window: 30–90 days if needed
Important: PFs with active PFIDs must complete certification by September 30. After this date, PFs operating without a Visa agreement will be considered out of compliance.
Fees
Operational requirements for Certified PFS
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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Before submitting your application, ensure your business meets Visa’s minimum and quality-related requirements.
These must be met in full before your application can be reviewed:
- Valid regulatory licenses in each country of operation
- PCI DSS Attestation of Compliance (AOC)
- Ownership structure and Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs)
- AML and compliance policies
- Merchant onboarding and underwriting procedures
- Organizational charts and compliance organogram
- Sanctions screening and transaction monitoring systems
- Merchant activity and website monitoring processes
- Risk detection and investigation tools
- AML audit reports
- Training and awareness programs
- Record keeping policies
- Sample merchant agreements, applications, and termination letters
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’ll need to reapply through 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:
- PayFac Certification Guide (PDF)
- Visa Acceptance Risk Standards (VARS)
- PayFac & Marketplace Risk Guide
- Visa Global Acquirer Risk Standards
Have questions? Browse FAQs
Support & Contact
Need help? Reach out to our team.
Email: [email protected]
Book 1:1 Consultation: Book time with Baulina, Anastasiya: 1:1 Consultation with Visa PF Certification team
Submit a Ticket. Structured form includes:
- Topic dropdown
- Email address
- Subject
- Description
- File upload (optional)
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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’s global 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 VARS (Visa Acquirer Requirements and Standards).
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Yes. As outlined in the Visa PayFac 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 or initiate a new certification process.
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You’ll receive a remediation notice outlining the policy/control gaps and required actions. You’ll have 90 days to remediate. If unsuccessful, you may reapply after 12 months.
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English is preferred. Other languages may be accepted on a case-by-case basis, depending on the review team’s capabilities.
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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.
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Visa recognizes the increasingly pivotal role that Payfacs are playing in driving small business digitization, fostering financial inclusion, and facilitating access to the digital economy. We offer a comprehensive suite of products and solutions that help them grow, scale, and manage risk effectively such as low-cost acceptance technologies, gateway capabilities, fraud management tools and authorization optimization.
To further support their growth Visa has launched a certification program through which we will directly engage with Payfacs providing them with the expertise, tools, and credibility they need to succeed.
The Certification Program
Through the program, payfacs will be required to certify and enter into an agreement with Visa.
Depending on their certification tier, they will gain valuable access to the company’s resources, consultancy, and acquiring development programs. They will also be able take part in Visa events, access live and on-demand sessions and trainings, and take advantage of exclusive discounts on Visa products and managed services.
Acquirers in Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA) will only be able work with payfacs that have been certified by Visa.
Certification tiers and their benefits
Successfully certified payfacs will receive the status of Visa Certified Payment Facilitator. Payfacs with high standards and reliability based on the Visa's certification process may apply for two extended tiers: Visa Ready Payment Facilitator and Visa Trusted Partner.
Payfacs are entitled to distinct benefit packages based on their certification status, with premium-level status holders benefiting from extended support and special offers on selected Visa products and services.
1. Visa Certified Basic Benefits
- Access to Visa Online, offering visibility on the latest Visa business news and information on products and solutions.
- Access to online trainings covering critical topics such as risk and anti-money laundering.
- Exception request support enabling direct access to Visa when an exception is required.
- Eligibility to access the SME Acceleration Program which consists of commercial support and incentives for bringing new merchant locations and accelerating acceptance.
- Access to Visa Preferred Partners Offerings.
2. Visa Ready Benefits (Premium)
In addition to the Visa Certified benefits, Visa Ready Payment Facilitators will benefit from:
- Access to live sessions and trainings on Visa products and solutions.
- Direct support from Merchants Sales & Acquiring teams and Customer Service teams.
- Access to the Acceptance Fast Track program.
- Exclusive invitations and guest speaker assignments at Visa events.
3. Visa Trusted Partner (Premium)
In addition to the Visa Ready benefits, Visa Trusted Partners will benefit from:
- Dedicated account manager.
- Eligibility for Visa Preferred Partner program.
- Permanent seat on Visa’s Payfac Advisory Council.
- Discounts on products and managed services, such as Visa portfolio health check, Visa Merchant Screening, Visa Consulting & Analytics market studies, co-creation sessions, and 15% discount on Acquiring membership fees.
FAQ
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The certification process typically takes 4-6 weeks, depending on the completeness of your application and the availability of required information. The process begins once your program manager confirms the completeness of the package and all required documents have been submitted. To expedite the process, please refer to the documents list in the certification guide.
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Becoming a Visa Certified PayFacs offers significant value at all levels of certification, with each tier providing a unique set of benefits.
At the basic level, certification provides access to vital information and educational resources. This includes a PayFacs-specific curriculum that covers risk and compliance topics, as well as detailed insights into Visa Products and solutions. This foundational knowledge is crucial for any PayFacs and can help in making informed business decisions.
The two premium tiers offer additional benefits. Visa's dedicated business and tech teams provide support, offering consultancy and valuable insights tailored to your business needs. As a premium tier certified PayFacs, you also get the opportunity to participate in Visa-organized industry events and gain insights that can help drive your business forward. Moreover, premium tier PayFacs are eligible for specialized enablement programs designed to assist in becoming Acquirers. These programs provide guidance and support throughout the transition, making it smoother and more manageable.
The Visa Trusted Partner tier provides a range of products and solutions that can be tailored to specific business needs. Examples of these offerings include merchant screening tools, support for optimizing operational costs related to Authentication, 3DS abandonments, and disputes, co-creation sessions, as well as comprehensive reports from Visa Consultancy and Analytics teams.
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The cost of certification is a one-time fee of $5k, plus an annual fee depending on the chosen Certification Tier: Visa Certified - $2.5k, Visa Ready – $15k, Visa Trusted Partner – $45k.
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The minimum requirements for becoming a Visa Certified PayFacs include having confirmed Risk and Compliance Controls in place between the Acquirer and PayFacs. These controls should encompass established processes for underwriting, onboarding merchants, monitoring merchants and transactions, sanctions screening, and more. It is crucial that all these minimum requirements are met to achieve certification.
Furthermore, we evaluate the quality of Risk controls and capabilities that a PayFacs has developed as inhouse solutions. These assessments help us determine their level of capabilities. Possessing advanced in-house capabilities can make a PayFacs eligible for premium certification tiers.
For more details please refer to the Payment Facilitator Certification Guide, Payment Facilitator and Marketplace Risk Guide and Visa Acceptance Risk Standards.
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Visa does not replicate the efforts of regulatory authorities to license non-financial institutions. Instead, our focus is on ensuring that ongoing acquiring activities comply with Visa's rules and Risk standards.
This is the case regardless of the presence of a third-party agent acting between the Acquirer and the merchant.
Our certification process does not introduce any new requirements to PayFacs beyond those specified in the Visa Core Rules. These are standards that should already be controlled by the Acquirer as a Visa member. Therefore, the certification process is an affirmation that these existing rules and standards are being adhered to, ensuring the integrity and security of all transactions.
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If you rely on acquirer's infrastructure to perform some of the activities, please provide evidence of the controls and actions taken based on the solutions provided by third party vendors or Acquirer.
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The agreement confirms your Visa Certified Status and Certification Tier. It also establishes a direct relationship and covers NDA clauses, allowing you to access Visa Confidential information, Visa Online, and educational resources.
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Our Visa Team will provide support during the certification process, offering detailed guidance on observed risk gaps and required remediation actions and 90 days to take remediation actions. If certification fails, you will lose your place in the queue and will have to start from scratch in a 12-month period or earlier depending on the team availability.
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Please note that English is the common language used across all CEMEA markets by Visa. All Visa Rules and policies are also written and communicated in English. This standardization facilitates clear and consistent communication across diverse markets. In addition, our certification team is English-speaking, enabling them to effectively support all CEMEA markets. This ensures that we can provide consistent and efficient service across all regions we operate in.
We strive to accept documentation in native languages and make use of our internal translation solutions. However, please note that processing documents in native languages may result in some delays.
For a more efficient process, we kindly ask that any documents provided in local languages are in a digital and accessible format. Please avoid submitting PDF copies of scanned documents, as these can be challenging to handle. Your cooperation and understanding are appreciated.
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All registered PayFacs are required to initiate Certification by July 30, 2025. Your certification should be completed by September 2025. After September 30, 2025, all PFids of PayFacs not certified with Visa will be invalidated.
We understand that this is a lot of information to digest, but we hope it helps you navigate the certification process. We are committed to making your journey with Visa during certification as comfortable as possible. If you have any more questions or need further clarification, please don't hesitate to reach out to: [email protected].
Disclaimer
Prior to submitting your intake form and initiating the Certification process, please ensure the following:
- Document Preparedness: Verify that all required documents, as outlined in the Payment Facilitator Certification Guide, are fully prepared for submission. You will be required to submit these documents within a strict 30-day timeframe following the submission of your intake form.
- Designated Point of Contact: It is imperative to appoint a dedicated point of contact responsible for addressing all communications from the Visa Payment Facilitator Certification Team in a timely manner. Prompt responses are crucial to prevent potential withdrawal of your application.
For comprehensive requirements and guidance, please refer to Payment Facilitator Certification Guide.