Visa Rules and Policy

Learn more about Visa Rules as a consumer or merchant

Rules overview

Visa Inc. is committed to providing our partners and interested parties with greater insight into Visa’s operations.

As part of our effort, we are pleased to provide access to the latest edition of the Visa Core Rules and Visa Product and Service Rules, which govern the participation of our financial institution clients in the Visa system.

To protect cardholders and merchants and maintain the integrity of the Visa system, we have omitted proprietary and competitive information, as well as certain details from the rules relating to the security of the network.

Any regional or country-specific rules within the Visa Core Rules and Visa Product and Service Rules apply to transactions, Merchants, Issuers and Acquirers in their Region/Country and any rules marked with the name of a region(s) or country(ies) are applicable to financial institutions operating in that region(s) or country(ies) only. 

If you have questions about Visa’s rules, please contact us at [email protected].

coworkers talking

Visa Core Rules and Visa Product and Service Rules 

We believe in giving partners clear insight into the way that Visa runs our global business. Here are the latest editions of our rules to prove it.

Read the Merchant Data Standards Manual

Interlink Core Rules and Interlink Product and Service Rules

Rules governing electronic funds transfer at point of sale.

Read the Interlink Core Rules and Interlink Product and Service Rules

File an inquiry

Report an in-store purchase issue

Use this online form to report a problem you had when trying to use your Visa card.

Inquire on a Visa rule 

Make an inquiry regarding the Visa Core Rules and Visa Product and Service Rules.

Prominent payment system designation — public disclosure of risk management self-assessment

VisaNet is Visa’s global network. In October 2023, VisaNet was designated as a Prominent Payment System (“PPS”) under the Payment Clearing and Settlement Act, bringing it under the formal oversight of the Bank of Canada ("the Bank"). This designation subjects VisaNet to the Bank's Criteria and Risk-Management Standards for Prominent Payment Systems. This document provides a summary of the self-assessment by Visa Canada Corporation (“Visa Canada”) with respect to these criteria and standards.