Visa Account Updater
Helps sellers reduce the risk of declined transactions from account changes
available for use by
Issuer Banks
Acquirer Banks
Issuer Banks for Small Business
Regional Availability
View Details- N. America
- Asia-Pacific
- Europe
- CEMEA
- LAC
fees & terms
Free to use in Sandbox. Contact for Production fees. Product terms located at end of the page.
Secure Exchange of Account Updates
Visa Account Updater (VAU) enables a secure electronic exchange of account information updates between participating Visa card issuers and acquirers for credential-on-file merchants, which enables a more seamless payment process.
When participating issuers re-issue cards, they submit the new account number and expiration date to VAU. Issuers also provide whether an account is closed or a card holder has opt-out out. Participating merchants through their acquirers send inquiries on their credentials-on-file to VAU and are provided with updated card information, if available. This helps participating issuers retain cardholders by maintaining continuity of their payment relationships with participating merchants.
Key Features
Provide up-to-date information on merchants that request your cardholder's updated card information.
Enable you to deliver a better customer experience.
Supports multiple channels Batch, API, ISO 0302 for Issuers and Batch, API, Real Time VAU and Push Subscribe Service for Acquirers
Why Use It?
Out-of-date COF details significantly impact customers and merchants when transactions are declined. VAU enables credential-on-file merchants to securely access updated account information, facilitating a more seamless payment process and helps merchants reduce the risk of declined transactions.
It impacts Customer Experience:
- Frustration with payment experience
- Takes too much time to update
- Fees for late/declined payments
- Service delays and/or cancellation
It benefits Issuers
- Maintain top of wallet
- Simplifies portfolio management and changes
- Seamless cardholder experience
- Updates shared with Visa Token Vault
It impacts Merchants:
- Loss of customers
- Damage to brand reputation
- Decreased revenues
- Increased operational costs
It benefits Acquirers
- Strengthens relationship with merchants
- Service offering differentiator (value-added service)
- Increases Authorization Approval Rates
- Supports New Revenue Streams
- Multiple Integration Options - Batch, API, Push Subscribe Service, Real Time VAU
How Does It Work?
Issuers submit electronic updates to VAU when a cardholder’s account information changes. Through their acquirers,
enrolled merchants submit inquiries to VAU regarding accounts with which they have ongoing relationships. VAU
responds and provides account number or expiration date updates, closed account advices, and contact cardholder
advices. All VAU data is transmitted through a secure, direct connection between the endpoint and Visa.
APIs Included
Visa Account Updater Issuer Stop Advice API
Quickly block automatic updates to merchants after fraud—without disrupting cardholder transactions. This secure, scalable API replaces manual processes, giving issuers a faster, automated way to manage Stop Advices alongside existing VAU tools. For more information, please click on the View Docs.
Visa Account Updater Acquirer API
Give your enrolled COF merchants on-demand access to updated account credentials. This optional API complements VAU batch and Real-Time VAU, supporting single PAN inquiries or up to 100 PANs per call. Test easily in the Visa Developer Center sandbox before going live. For more information, please click on the View Docs.
Visa Account Updater Merchant Enrollment API
Automate merchant onboarding—fast, at scale. Integrate directly into acquirer/processor web apps to eliminate manual submission of merchant details. Real-time enrollment when required info is provided—no paper forms, no delays. Enroll up to 100 merchants per API call, reducing repeated requests. Get started in minutes—streamline enrollment and accelerate time to value. For more information, please click on the View Docs.
Visa Account Updater Merchant Search API
Instant merchant status checks—no manual steps. Quickly view enrollment status for merchants, including those still marked In‑Progress. The VAU Merchant Search API integrates directly into acquirer and processor systems to provide real‑time updates for any merchant in the VAU portfolio. For more information, please click View Docs.
Push Subscribe Service
Automatic card updates for smoother recurring payments. Stay current with card-on-file credentials—no manual checks needed. Sellers, through their acquirers, can subscribe to PANs and automatically receive updates whenever issuers change card details. Replacement PANs are added seamlessly, reducing declines and keeping payments flowing. For more information, please click on View Docs.