Tap to Pay - Learn About Contactless Payments | Visa

CONTACTLESS PAYMENTS

Tap to pay with Visa at more locations than ever

A simple and secure tap is all it takes to pay for the things you need. Visa contactless payments make it secure and convenient.

What are contactless payments?

What are contactless payments?

Contactless payments are transactions made by tapping either a contactless card or payment-enabled mobile or wearable device over a contactless-enabled payment terminal. Cards, phones, watches, and other devices use the same contactless technology. When you tap to pay checkout is secure and convenient.

Visa Contactless cards

If your Visa card features the Contactless Indicator‍‍on either the front or back, you can use it to tap to pay where you see the Contactless Symbol ‍‍ at many of your favorite stores.

Devices

Don’t have a contactless card? You can still tap to pay by loading an eligible payment card into your payment-enabled phone or wearable device.

Step 1: Confirm you’re ready for contactless

See if you’ve loaded your Visa card into your payment-enabled device, or look for the Contactless Indicator on your physical Visa card. Then find the Contactless Symbol on the store’s checkout terminal.

Step 2: Tap your card or device at checkout

Depending on the system, you may tap on, above, or below the screen. You may also need to hold your card or mobile/wearable device near the system for a second.

Step 3: Pay and go

Your payment is securely processed in seconds. And once it’s confirmed, you’re good to go. How easy was that?

Reasons to love contactless payments

Secure

Your transactions use the same security as contact chip cards.

Convenient

You can check out with just a tap — no inserting a card or swiping necessary.

Fast

When you tap to pay, it takes just seconds—making it easier than paying with cash.

What makes contactless payments secure?

Each contactless payment generates a transaction-specific, one-time code, that is extremely effective in reducing counterfeit fraud.

The Visa Zero Liability Policy* protects your payment information from fraud losses and unauthorized purchases.

*Visa’s Zero Liability Policy does not apply to certain commercial card and anonymous prepaid card transactions or transactions not processed by Visa. Cardholders must use care in protecting their card and notify their issuing financial institution immediately of any unauthorized use. Contact your issuer for more detail.

Learn more about Visa security

FAQ about contactless payments

What is the technology behind tapping to pay?

Tapping to pay uses short-range wireless technology to make secure payments between a contactless card or payment-enabled mobile/wearable device and a contactless-enabled checkout terminal. When you tap your card or device near the Contactless Symbol, your payment is sent for authorization.

What does the and mean?

The EMVCo Contactless Indicator*‍‍ indicates acceptance. When featured on a card, it means the card can be used to tap to pay. When featured on a checkout terminal or on store signage, it means a merchant accepts tapping to pay.

The EMVCo Contactless Symbol*‍‍ indicates where you tap your contactless card or payment-enabled mobile/wearable device on the checkout terminal to make a payment.

How do I know if my card or device can make contactless payments?

You'll see the Contactless Indicator ‍‍ on your card.

What does the WiFi symbol on my card mean?

The Wi-Fi-looking symbol on a debit or credit card is the EMVCo Contactless Indicator*. It indicates that your card can be used to tap to pay on a contactless-enabled payment terminal.

What does the RFID symbol on my card mean?

The RFID-looking symbol on a debit or credit card is the EMVCo Contactless Indicator*. It indicates that your card can be used to tap to pay on a contactless-enabled payment terminal.

How close does my contactless card or payment-enabled mobile/wearable device need to be to the contactless checkout terminal?

Your contactless card or payment-enabled mobile/wearable device just needs to be within 1 to 2 inches of the Contactless Symbol ‍‍ to initiate a payment.

How long do I need to tap my contactless card or payment-enabled mobile/wearable device on the checkout terminal?

One to two seconds should do it.

Do I actually have to tap my contactless card or payment-enabled mobile/wearable device on the checkout terminal?

No, actual tapping is not necessary.

How do I tap my contactless card or payment-enabled mobile/wearable device at the checkout terminal?

It works best when your contactless card or payment-enabled mobile/wearable device is held flat over the Contactless Symbol ‍‍, versus held at an angle.

When exactly do I tap to pay?

Once you are prompted to pay (by the cashier, a light on the checkout terminal, etc.), place your contactless card or payment-enabled mobile/wearable device within 1 to 2 inches of the Contactless Symbol ‍‍ on the terminal and follow the prompts.

What’s so great about tapping to pay with Visa?

Tapping to pay with a Visa contactless card or payment-enabled mobile/wearable device is secure  and convenient – perfect for places like fast-food restaurants, grocery stores, coffee shops, vending machines, taxis and more. Just look for the Contactless Symbol ‍‍ at checkout. Tapping to pay is secure because each transaction is accompanied by a one-time code, just like contact EMV. Unlike cash, tapping to pay provides an electronic record of your purchases and gives you all the great functionality and convenience of a Visa card.

How do I get a Visa contactless card?

Contact your bank by calling the number on the back of your card to inquire.

How does this technology compare to Apple Pay?

Contactless payments, including Visa contactless cards, Google Pay and Apple Pay, use the same NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. Samsung Pay, however, works with both NFC technology and MST (Magnetic Secure Transition) technology, which can be used anywhere you can swipe.

Where can I tap to pay?

You can tap to pay where you see the Contactless Symbol on a checkout terminal. Millions of places around the world accept contactless payments, including fast-food restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, retail pharmacies, vending machines, taxis and more.

Can I still swipe or insert my Visa contactless card even if I don’t see the Contactless Symbol at the checkout terminal?

Yes. If you don’t see the Contactless Symbol ‍‍ on the checkout terminal, you can still swipe or insert your contactless card, just like any other Visa card.

Can I use my Visa contactless card or payment-enabled mobile/wearable device to tap to pay outside the U.S.?

Yes. You can tap to pay at millions of places around the world, wherever you see the Contactless Symbol. In countries like Australia, Canada, the UK and France, over half of retailers currently accept contactless payments. If tapping to pay is not available at a location, you can simply swipe or insert your Visa contactless card at checkout.

Is tapping to pay secure?

Yes. Here’s why:

What information is transmitted from my contactless card or payment-enabled mobile/wearable device when I tap to pay?

The contactless card or payment-enabled mobile/wearable device securely transmits information including the account number, expiration date, and a one-time code that changes for every in-person transaction. The code is different than the code encoded on the magnetic stripe of a Visa card.

I heard people can “skim” information from a contactless card. What does that mean?

Visa contactless transactions generate a one-time, transaction-specific code. Due to the nature of the code and additional fraud protection processes built into the Visa network, it is difficult to use skimmed cardholder information for fraudulent purchases. As a result, fraud from skimming is very unlikely and limited in scope. You can also rest assured that Visa cards offer protection from any unauthorized use with Visa’s Zero Liability Policy.

Can I unknowingly make a purchase if I am in close proximity to a contactless-enabled payment terminal?

No. The technology behind tapping to pay requires the merchant to initiate the payment. Next, the contactless card or payment-enabled mobile/wearable device must be tapped or held within 2 inches of the contactless-enabled terminal in order for a transaction to take place.

Can I be charged twice if I have more than one contactless card in my wallet?

No. Contactless-enabled checkout terminals will only communicate with one card at a time. If you have more than one contactless card in your wallet, you should tap the individual card you want to use, rather than tap you whole wallet.

What do I do if my Visa card has been lost or stolen?

If your Visa card is lost or stolen, or you believe there has been unauthorized activity on your account, contact your issuing bank or credit union immediately. If you don’t have that contact information readily available, contact Visa and we will be able to assist you.

*The Contactless Symbol and Contactless Indicator are trademarks owned by and used with permission of EMVCo, LLC.