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 is one of the most commonly held and accepted credit cards in the US and around the world. Below is a full breakdown of Visa's current US 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.
Interchange rates are determined by Visa and apply equally to all processors and acquirers. No processor can negotiate a lower interchange rate.
Rates vary by card type (Consumer, Infinite, Corporate), how the card is entered (chip, keyed, online), and the merchant category.
With Interchange Plus, you see the exact interchange cost on your statement. Helcim only adds a small, transparent margin on top.
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, Rewards, Corporate, etc.).
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.
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.
Visa Debit cards have a separate interchange schedule from credit cards. Regulated debit cards (issued by banks with over $10 billion in assets) are capped under the Durbin Amendment at 0.05% + $0.22.
Debit transactions where the physical card is present at the terminal.
Debit transactions where the card number is entered manually or online.
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.
In-person (chip, tap, swipe) transactions for qualifying small business merchants.
Keyed/online transactions processed by qualifying small business merchants.
Reduced interchange rates for qualifying healthcare merchants (doctors, dentists, hospitals, etc.).
Reduced interchange rates for qualifying service-industry merchants (utilities, insurance, professional services, etc.).
Reduced interchange rates for qualifying educational institutions (schools, universities, etc.).
Visa's CEDP program offers reduced interchange rates to merchants who submit enhanced Level 2/3 data on commercial card transactions. The "Verified (Product 3)" rate applies when the required data fields are provided with the transaction.
These rates apply to card-on-file token transactions (where the card number is stored and tokenized for future use) and international transactions where the cardholder's bank is in a different country than the merchant.
Applies to transactions using stored card-on-file tokens — such as subscription services, one-click checkout, and recurring digital purchases.
Applied when the cardholder's bank is in a different country than the merchant. International transactions carry higher rates due to cross-border processing and currency conversion risk.
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.
Visa charges a monthly Fixed Acquirer Network Fee (FANF) based on the merchant's card-not-present volume tier. Card-present merchants pay a flat per-location fee instead. This fee is assessed monthly by Visa to all acquirers.
Flat monthly fee for merchants with physical card-present locations.
Tiered monthly fee based on total Visa keyed/online transaction volume.
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.
Above are the most common interchange qualifications. For a complete list of US interchange rates, visit the Visa website below.
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.