About Chip Cards

It's easy. If the retailer has a chip-enabled terminal, insert your chip card face up. The chip card will remain in the terminal while the transaction is processed. To authorize your transaction, follow the prompts as you do today.

You'll be prompted to enter your PIN or provide a signature as you normally would to verify the transaction. Your card can be removed from the terminal once the transaction is completed.

If the retailer cannot read the chip card, swipe as you do today. For transactions made over the phone or online, nothing changes.

Note: When traveling outside the U.S., some card readers at unattended terminals (such as public transportation kiosks or gas pumps) will require a PIN. In these situations, enter the debit or credit card PIN assigned to your card.

When traveling outside the U.S., some card readers at unattended terminals (such as public transportation kiosks or gas pumps) will require a PIN. In these situations, enter the debit or credit card PIN assigned to your card. Some international self-service terminals do not accept U.S.-issued debit or credit cards and may display a message such as 'Transaction Canceled.' This is known to happen on French toll roads or automated fuel dispensers, depending on location. Please locate an attended terminal to complete your transaction or plan for an alternative payment method, such as local currency.

There is no additional cost to have or to use your new card with smart chip technology. However, fees for each requested debit card replacement may still apply. The replacement fee does not apply when we replace a card upon its expiration.

Yes. You can continue to use your card as you do today by following the instructions at an ATM.

As chip technology will soon become the security standard in the U.S., many merchants are beginning to accept chip cards, and we want you to be ready. You'll enjoy greater security when purchasing at a chip-enabled terminal since the chip provides better protection against counterfeit fraud. Chip technology is already used in over 130 countries worldwide, including Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, so you'll enjoy greater acceptance when traveling internationally.

A chip card is a standard-size plastic debit or credit card containing an embedded microchip and the traditional magnetic stripe. The chip encrypts information to increase data security when making transactions at a chip-enabled terminal.

You may hear chip cards referred to as 'smart cards' or 'EMV cards' - they're all different ways of referring to the same card type. Similarly, an EMV terminal is the same as a chip-enabled terminal.

Many merchants across the U.S. are beginning to accept chip card transactions, and this will continue to grow within the coming years. Chip technology is already used in over 130 countries around the world, including Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, so you'll enjoy greater acceptance when traveling internationally. Your chip card will still work at terminals with only accepted magnetic stripe transactions.

Chip card technology provides an additional layer of security to help reduce certain types of fraud resulting from data breaches; however, it will not prevent a data breach.

No. As the industry develops new ways to protect consumers, perpetrators continue to look for new ways to commit fraud. Chip cards provide an additional layer of security at chip-enabled terminals on top of our current fraud prevention monitoring. As always, your purchases are also covered by Visa's Zero Liability policy (restrictions apply).

No. Chip card technology is not a locator system. The chip on your card is limited to supporting authentication of card data when you make a purchase.

No. Contactless cards employ near-field communication (NFC) technology, a radio antenna that transmits account information, and work by waving or tapping your card in front of a device. Chip cards must be inserted face-up into a chip-enabled merchant terminal that allows the chip to contact the reader to authorize and complete a transaction. (Remember to keep your card inserted into the terminal while processing the transaction.)

Yes. You'll continue to enjoy the same benefits with your chip card as you do today with your debit or credit card.