The Visa Core Rules and Visa Product and Service Rules documents define the fundamental rules that apply to all institutions in the Visa network.
- Membership and licensing: The basic obligations that institutions wishing to join the Visa network must fulfill.
- Brand use: The conditions under which the Visa logo, brand and trade names may be used.
- Transaction processes: The technical and operational details of operations such as card acceptance, authorization, clearing, reconciliation and dispute management.
- Security and data protection: Provisions aimed at ensuring compliance with PCI DSS and other security standards.
- Regional differences: Provisions explaining how country- or region-specific rules are applied.
These rules are updated regularly, and all members connected to the Visa network are expected to act in line with the latest version.
Why Does It Matter?
The Visa Core Rules are of strategic importance not only for institutions that are members of the Visa network, but also for fintech companies, digital wallet providers, open banking platforms and payment system developers.
- Compliance: Ensures that all players transacting under the Visa brand globally operate to the same standards.
- Risk Management: Helps prevent potential brand violations, transaction disputes or operational risks.
- Transparency: Clearly defining transaction rules and obligations strengthens trust between the parties.
- Sustainability: The rules are revised regularly to take current technologies into account (for example digital wallets, contactless payments and Visa Direct transactions).
Usage Recommendations
- If you are developing a new card product, wallet or payment infrastructure, you should review this document as a reference.
- The “Dispute Resolution” section in particular is critical for customer objections and chargeback processes.
- The “Use of Marks” section explains the conditions under which fintechs or non-bank organizations may use the Visa brand.
- Document updates should be followed regularly, because Visa makes changes to new product types, security requirements or transaction rules at certain intervals.
You can access Visa’s current rules through the links below:
Visa Core Rules and Visa Product and Service Rules (PDF):
https://usa.visa.com/dam/VCOM/download/about-visa/visa-rules-public.pdf
Visa Rules General Information Page:
https://usa.visa.com/support/consumer/visa-rules.html
