Set by Visa
Interchange rates are determined by Visa and apply equally to all processors and acquirers. No processor can negotiate a lower interchange rate.
Visa Interchange Rates Canada
Visa is one of the most commonly held and accepted credit cards in Canada and around the world. Below is a full breakdown of Visa's current Canadian interchange rates — the base cost charged by the cardholder's bank on every transaction. At Helcim, we pass these rates directly to you with our transparent Interchange Plus pricing.
Understanding interchange
Multiple tiers
Rates vary by card type (Consumer, Infinite, Corporate), how the card is entered (chip, keyed, online), and the merchant category.
Full transparency
With Interchange Plus, you see the exact interchange cost on your statement. Helcim only adds a small, transparent margin on top.
Canada
Visa Credit Card Interchange Rates
These are the base interchange rates charged by the cardholder's bank on every Visa credit transaction. The rate depends on how the card is presented (swiped, keyed, or online) and the card tier (Consumer, Infinite, Corporate, etc.).
| Card Type | Interchange Rate |
|---|---|
|
Card-Present (Chip / Tap / Swipe)
Transactions where the physical card is present at the point of sale — includes chip-insert, contactless tap, and magnetic swipe. These typically have the lowest interchange rates because they carry less fraud risk. |
|
| Swipe/Chip Consumer | 1.250% |
| Swipe/Chip Infinite | 1.570% |
| Swipe/Chip Corporate | 1.900% |
| Swipe/Chip Corporate Infinite | 2.250% |
| Swipe/Chip Infinite Privilege | 2.080% |
|
Keyed (Card-Not-Present)
The card number is manually keyed into a terminal, POS, or online checkout. These carry slightly higher rates than card-present due to increased fraud risk. |
|
| Keyed Consumer | 1.400% |
| Keyed Infinite | 1.650% |
| Keyed Corporate | 2.000% |
| Keyed Corporate Infinite | 2.350% |
| Keyed Infinite Privilege | 2.400% |
Small Business Rates
Visa offers preferential interchange rates for qualifying small businesses. These rates are typically lower than standard rates and are designed to help smaller merchants compete. Your eligibility depends on your merchant category code (MCC) and processing volume.
| Card Type | Interchange Rate |
|---|---|
|
Credit Keyed
Keyed/online transactions processed by qualifying small business merchants. |
|
| Keyed Consumer | 1.30% |
| Keyed Infinite | 1.55% |
| Visa Infinite Privilege | 2.30% |
|
Credit Card-Present
In-person (chip, tap, swipe) transactions for qualifying small business merchants. |
|
| Consumer | 0.77% |
| Infinite | 0.99% |
| Visa Rewards Signature | 1.80% |
Recurring, Industry-Specific & International Rates
Visa sets different interchange rates for specific transaction types and merchant industries. Recurring billing and restaurant transactions often qualify for adjusted rates, while international transactions carry additional fees.
| Card Type | Interchange Rate |
|---|---|
|
Recurring Payments
Applies to subscription and recurring billing transactions where the cardholder has authorized ongoing charges — such as gym memberships, SaaS, or insurance premiums. |
|
| Recurring Consumer | 1.250% |
| Recurring Infinite | 1.530% |
| Recurring Corporate | 1.850% |
| Recurring Infinite Privilege | 1.950% |
|
"Everyday" Independent Business
Visa's program for qualifying independent businesses in specific merchant categories (restaurants, bakeries, hardware stores, etc.). See the Qualifying Merchant Categories table below for the full list of eligible SIC codes. |
|
| Swipe/Chip Consumer | 1.100% |
| Swipe/Chip Infinite | 1.200% |
| Swipe/Chip Infinite Privilege | 1.950% |
| Swipe/Chip Corporate | 1.900% |
|
Restaurant
Qualifying restaurant merchants (SIC 5812, 5814) can receive lower card-present interchange rates on everyday consumer cards. |
|
| Swipe/Chip Consumer | 1.100% |
| Swipe/Chip Infinite | 1.200% |
| Swipe/Chip Infinite Privilege | 1.950% |
| Swipe/Chip Corporate | 1.900% |
|
International
Applied when the cardholder's bank is in a different country than the merchant. International transactions always carry higher rates due to cross-border processing and currency conversion risk. |
|
| Swipe/Chip Visa International | 1.100% |
| Visa International Premium | 1.850% |
| Visa International Corporate | 2.000% |
| Visa International Keyed | 1.600% |
| Visa International Super Infinite | 1.980% |
Emerging Market Rates
Visa defines Emerging Segments (or Emerging Markets) to encourage credit card acceptance in key service, utility, and educational sectors. Qualifying merchants receive reduced interchange rates.
| Card Type / Eligible Category | Interchange Rate / MCC |
|---|---|
|
Emerging Market Rates
Reduced rates for transactions at qualifying emerging market merchants. |
|
| Consumer | 0.980% |
| Infinite | 1.170% |
| Corporate | 1.800% |
| Infinite Privilege | 1.950% |
|
Eligible Categories (By Any Transaction Amount)
The following industries qualify for Emerging Segments pricing on any transaction, regardless of the size of the bill: |
|
| Utilities (Electric, Gas, Water, Sanitary) | MCC 4900 |
| Real Estate Agents and Managers (typically used for Rent payments) | MCC 6513 |
| Nursing and Personal Care Facilities | MCC 8050 |
| Charitable and Social Service Organizations | MCC 8398 |
| Tax Payments (Government/Municipalities) | MCC 9311 |
|
Eligible Categories (Minimum CA$1,000 Transaction)
Because tuition and childcare are large-ticket items, Visa includes these educational sectors in the Emerging Segments tier only if the individual transaction amount is equal to or greater than CA$1,000: |
|
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | MCC 8211 |
| Colleges, Universities, Professional Schools, and Junior Colleges | MCC 8220 |
| Child Care Services | MCC 8351 |
Visa Debit Interchange Rates
Visa Debit cards have a separate, generally lower interchange schedule than credit cards. These rates apply to Visa-branded debit transactions processed over the Visa network (not Interac).
| Card Type | Interchange Rate |
|---|---|
|
Card-Present
Debit transactions where the physical card is present at the terminal. |
|
| Debit Retail | 0.250% + 5¢ |
| Debit Grocery | 0.150% + 5¢ |
| Debit Gas Station | 0.150% + 5¢ |
|
Keyed
Debit transactions where the card number is entered manually or online. |
|
| Debit Keyed | 1.150% |
| Debit Utilities | 0.000% + 10¢ |
|
Recurring Payments
Debit cards used for recurring or subscription billing. |
|
| Debit Recurring | 0.600% |
Assessments & Association Fees
In addition to interchange, Visa charges network-level fees (assessments) on every transaction. These fees are set by Visa and apply uniformly to all payment processors. They cover the cost of operating the Visa network, fraud prevention programs, and cross-border settlement.
| Fee Name | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa Card-Brand | 0.10170% |
| Visa CVC2 Fee | $0.00280 |
| Visa Commercial Solutions Fee (Commercial Cards) | 0.01130% |
| Visa International Cross-Border — CNP / Keyed | 0.6780% |
| Visa International Cross-Border — Keyed (CAD) | 1.1300% |
| Visa International Cross-Border (USD) | 1.1300% |
| Transaction Verification ($0) Domestic | $0.01130 |
| Transaction Verification ($0) International | $0.02260 |
| Annual Integrity Risk Program Fee ¹ | $100/year |
Visa Canada "Everyday" Independent Businesses — Qualifying Merchant Categories
The following Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes qualify for Visa's reduced "Everyday" Independent Business interchange rates. If your business falls into one of these categories, you may benefit from lower interchange fees on card-present transactions.
| Business Category | SIC Code |
|---|---|
| Limousines and Taxicabs | 4121 |
| Books, Periodicals and Newspapers | 5192 |
| Home Supply Warehouse Stores | 5200 |
| Hardware Stores | 5251 |
| Lawn and Garden Supply Stores | 5261 |
| Variety Stores | 5331 |
| Freezer Locker Meat Provisioners | 5422 |
| Dairy Products Stores | 5451 |
| Bakeries | 5462 |
| Misc Food Store / Convenience Market / Specialty / Vending | 5499 |
| Alterations, Mending, Seamstresses, Tailors | 5697 |
| Eating Places / Restaurants | 5812 |
| Fast Food Restaurants | 5814 |
| Drug Stores / Pharmacies | 5912 |
| Book Stores | 5942 |
| News Dealers and Newsstands | 5994 |
| Pet Shops — Pet Foods and Supplies | 5995 |
| Cleaning, Garment and Laundry Services | 7210 |
| Laundry Services — Family and Commercial | 7211 |
| Dry Cleaners | 7216 |
| Barber and Beauty Shops | 7230 |
| Hat Cleaning Shops, Shoe Repair, Shoe Shine | 7251 |
| Automobile Parking Lots and Garages | 7523 |
| Car Washes | 7542 |
Notes
1 Annual fee applied to merchant categories: Direct Marketing/Inbound, Dating Services, Gambling, Pharmacies/Drug Stores, Quasi-Cash/Crypto, Computer/Network Services, Digital Games, Securities Dealer, Direct Marketing/Outbound, Direct Marketing/Subscriptions and Tobacco Sales.
2 HST is charged to the acquirer/processor on network card-brand, association and cross-border fees. Visa's listed card-brand fee is 0.090%. Because this is an absorbed cost by the acquirer who are not allowed to claim ITCs in Canada, the HST on the card-brand fee cannot be used as an ITC by the merchant. Does not apply to interchange, per-transaction, or cost+ fees.
Transparent pricing. Always.
With Interchange Plus pricing, you see exactly what goes to the card network and what goes to Helcim. No hidden markups, no bundled rates, no surprises on your statement.
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Interchange Plus Pricing
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