Getting Started with Visa Account Updater

About Visa Account Updater

Visa Account Updater Issuer Reporting API can be used by developers in the sandbox. To access the API in production, issuers must be enrolled as a participating issuer in VAU and provisioned with a VAU Segment ID. Please contact [email protected] for information on how to enroll in VAU. 

In the sandbox environment, you can input a test account number and expiration date and the API will return test data.

In production, the API request will be validated to ensure you have submitted card numbers associated with issuing BINs enrolled in your VAU issuer segment.

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. Participating merchants 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.

Visa Account Updater flow graphic

The Visa Account Updater Issuer Reporting API provides your cardholders with up-to-date information on credential-on-file merchants who have requested updates on their cards. This information enables you to develop projects that help your bank provide a better customer experience for your cardholders when their cards have been re-issued.   

The following three use cases illustrate how the API can be used:

  • Allow cardholders to view merchants who have requested updates on their cards
  • Enhance customer service by providing up-to-date information
  • Enable personalized communication during brand conversion

Availability

Note: Participation in Visa Account Updater is highest in the U.S., Canada, UK, Ireland, Italy and Greece. Outside these markets, issuers are advised to speak to their Visa representative about VAU adoption in the countries where they operate, before deciding whether to test/deploy the API. 

The following table lists the regional availability for Visa Account Updater. To view availability of all products, refer to the Availability Matrix.

North America Asia-Pacific Europe CEMEA LAC Notes
    KEY
  • Available in entire region
  • Not available
  • See notes for available countries

APIs Included

Visa Account Updater Issuer Reporting API enables you to submit one or more account numbers and obtain a list of merchants that have requested updates on the customer's card account number(s). 

Service Activation Requirements

To use the Visa Account Updater Issuer Reporting API in production, your financial institution must be enrolled as a participating issuer in VAU. Please contact [email protected] for information on how to enroll in VAU.