Quick start

Learn how to get started with Visa APIs—from creating your account to making your first successful API call.

Overview

Start building with Visa APIs fast—from creating your account to making your first successful call in the Sandbox.

In this guide you will:

Create a Visa Developer account
Set up a Sandbox project
Get credentials
Make a test API call using Visa tools or sample code
Plan your path to Certification and Production

Good to know: Sandbox access is free. Fees apply only when you move a project to Certification or Production and sign a Visa Developer agreement. Learn more about working with Visa APIs.

Before you begin

Explore these resources to learn how to work with Visa Developer and plan your integration:

Learn how Visa APIs work: Learn how requests flow end-to-end and explore pricing models.
Regional availability: Confirm products are offered in your market.
API reference: Review endpoints, request parameters, and sample responses.
Learning hub: Discover tutorials, authentication guides, and best practices.
FAQs: Get answers to common questions about account access, certificates, and more.

Step 1: Create your account

Create your free account and verify your email.
Log in and view your dashboard.

This is where you will create new and view your existing projects. Select a project to access the Onboarding Dashboard and manage project details.

Step 2: Create a project and select products

Once logged in, select Add new project.
Enter a project name and description.
Select products you want to use (check regional availability first).
Note: If a product shows a lock icon, select Request access to submit the application form. Once approved, you can add this product to your project and view its documentation.
Check that the APIs were added successfully.
a. Select Sandbox, then expand the product name.
b. Check the API status indicator:

Green: The API was added successfully.
Red: Cannot proceed. Create a new project or contact support.
Gray: Activation in progress. Select Refresh. If it stays gray for several minutes, contact support.

Key areas of the Onboarding Dashboard

The Onboarding Dashboard is where you track readiness for Certification and Production.

Sandbox is the first environment you will work in and where you view credentials and test data.
Assets is where you can test connectivity with Hello World sample code, access detailed implementation and integration guides, SDKs, and more product-specific resources.

Get your authentication credentials

Visa APIs use one or more authentication methods, which require authentication credentials. Learn more in Two-Way SSL and X-Pay Token guides.

Get your encryption credentials (if required)

Some APIs and endpoints require encryption depending on the type and sensitivity of the data handled. Learn more about Message-Level Encryption and Field-Level Encryption in encryption methods.

Important: Certificates and tokens expire periodically. Renew them in your Onboarding Dashboard.

Step 3: Add users and assign roles

Each project environment has its own set of users who can access and manage that environment. These users also receive onboarding status updates and credential expiration notifications.

Select Sandbox.
In the Users section, select Add User.
Add user email address.
Assign a role based on the level of access required:

Full access: Can manage keys, edit app settings, add APIs, and request access to the Production environment.
Developer: Can view and edit keys, configurations, and test data.
Config only: Can edit configurations and view all other areas of the project.
Read-only: Can view keys, configurations, and test data, but cannot make changes.

Important: Ensure you assign access only to users who require it for this environment, and include a shared mailbox or distribution list to maintain shared access and avoid dependency on a single user.

Step 4: Make a test call and plan for Production

You can test in any environment using Hello World sample code, Postman, or the Visa Developer Playground. Review details for each option in the testing guide.

When ready, follow the going live guide and complete tasks in your Onboarding Dashboard.

Gateway endpoints

The table below lists the endpoints for API calls in the Sandbox, Certification, and Production environments.

Environment	URL	Purpose
Sandbox	`https://sandbox.api.visa.com`	Development and testing
Certification	`https://cert.api.visa.com`	Validate your integration
Production	`https://api.visa.com`	Go live after approval

Set up outbound callback

Some APIs require outbound callbacks. Learn more about configuring them in outbound callbacks.

Need help?

Find answers in our FAQs or get support from a Visa Developer expert.

Browse FAQs Contact support