Visa is pleased to provide qualifying* U.S. merchants with access to our operating regulations in an effort to help fulfill requests for more clarity about the Visa system. While we have provided a comprehensive merchant rules guide for more than a decade, allowing access is an important step in our ongoing efforts to facilitate greater understanding between Visa and the acceptance community.

The Visa USA Operating Regulations are rules that govern the use of the Visa payment system by Visa members only and do not supersede any contractual agreement between a merchant and its acquiring financial institution.

In order to protect the security of cardholders and the integrity of the Visa system, safeguards are in place to balance these two needs. We have omitted proprietary and competitive information, as well as certain rules relating to the security of the Visa network. In addition, to protect the confidentiality of the rules, we are requiring that qualifying merchants and agents sign an NDA before gaining access.

To request access to the operating regulations, please send your request to visarules@visa.com.

*Eligible merchants must currently accept Visa and have a valid contractual agreement with an acquirer (Visa member financial institution).