The Visa and Mastercard High Risk Registration Fees Explained
About This Resource
This resource was created by Bankcard International Group (BIG) to help business owners understand recent changes to the Visa and Mastercard high risk registration fees and how they affect merchants in regulated or High Risk industries. BIG specializes in High Risk payment processing and compliance — giving merchants the insight, stability, and support they need to accept payments securely and cost effectively.
TL;DR
As of April 1, 2024, Visa increased its annual registration fee for High Risk merchants from $500 to $950 per acquiring provider under the new Visa Integrity Risk Program (VIRP). Mastercard’s annual registration fee remains $500.
These fees apply to merchants that operate in industries deemed for High Risk Payment Processing, such as CBD, adult entertainment, gaming, nutraceuticals, firearms, tobacco, or travel. Merchants can manage these costs by consolidating acquirers, maintaining compliance, and partnering with experienced payment providers like Bankcard International Group for transparent, efficient processing solutions.
Quick Facts
Detail | Description |
Visa High Risk Registration Fee | $950 per acquiring provider (effective April 1, 2024). |
Mastercard High Risk Registration Fee | $500 per acquiring provider (current rate). |
Who Must Register | Merchants classified as High Risk (e.g., CBD, adult, travel, gaming, nutraceuticals, tobacco, firearms). |
Additional Visa Fees | Per-transaction (~$0.10) and volume-based (~0.10%) assessments for select MCCs. |
Review Schedule | Typically April and October each year. |
Purpose | High Risk Registration Fees offset compliance monitoring, fraud prevention, and data security oversight. |
Understanding High Risk Registration Fees
Operating in a High Risk Payment Processing industry requires more than a standard merchant account — it requires adherence to strict network rules, compliance oversight, and active registration with Visa and Mastercard.
Certain merchants are required to register through their acquiring bank or processor, confirming that their business model and operational controls meet enhanced card brand standards. The registration fee is assessed annually per acquiring provider, meaning merchants with multiple acquirers will owe the fee to each one.
These high risk registration fees are designed to maintain the integrity of the global payment system while allowing legitimate High Risk merchants to continue accepting card payments safely and compliantly.
Why Visa and Mastercard Charge These Fees
Visa and Mastercard impose registration fees to manage the increased oversight and risk required for businesses that fall into High Risk categories. These fees fund critical functions such as:
- Compliance monitoring and merchant auditing
- Fraud prevention initiatives and risk management
- Chargeback monitoring and dispute programs
- Data security and PCI DSS administration
- Operational costs associated with managing registered entities
These measures protect both the networks and merchants by minimizing exposure to fraud, chargebacks, and reputational harm. Are the card brands benefiting from these fees – highly likely, however, with the right high risk payment processing processing partner these fees keep your business above board and help maintain a dependable merchant account.
2024 Update: Visa’s Annual High Risk Registration Fees
In April 2024, Visa introduced significant updates to its compliance framework under the Visa Integrity Risk Program (VIRP). As part of these updates, the annual registration fee for High Risk merchants increased from $500 to $950 per acquiring provider!
This update was verified by Visa’s acquiring partners and reputable industry sources including Segpay and CB Alert.
The increase in registration fee isn’t all either. Visa’s revised fee structure also introduced:
- Per-transaction assessments – typically around $0.10 per qualifying transaction
- Volume-based assessments – around 0.10% of total processed volume for select merchant categories
These fees apply primarily to industries with elevated regulatory oversight, frequent chargebacks, or complex risk exposure.
Mastercard’s Current Approach to High Risk Registration Fees
Mastercard’s annual registration fee for High Risk Payment Processing merchants remains $500 per acquiring provider. However, Mastercard continues to monitor risk closely through its MATCH (Mastercard Alert to Control High Risk Merchants) system.
The MATCH database allows acquiring banks and processors to check a merchant’s compliance history before onboarding. Merchants listed on MATCH for excessive chargebacks, fraud, or compliance issues may face restrictions or denials when applying for new merchant accounts.
Even without a fee increase, Mastercard maintains strict compliance enforcement that requires High Risk merchants to operate responsibly and transparently. Mastercard will be observing how the rate increase goes for Visa before it makes a decision on high risk registration fee increases.
What Qualifies a Merchant as High Risk in Payment Processing
A business may be designated as High Risk for several reasons, including:
- Industry classification: CBD, adult entertainment, nutraceuticals, firearms, travel, gaming, or online subscriptions
- Chargeback exposure: High or unstable chargeback ratios
- Transaction volume or ticket size: Larger transactions or seasonal spikes
- Limited processing history: Short operating history or previous terminations
- Regulatory environment: Operating in an industry subject to shifting legal frameworks
Card brands assign Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) that determine registration and monitoring requirements. Understanding your classification helps you proactively manage registration fees and compliance expectations.
How to Manage High Risk Registration Fees and Reduce Overall Costs
Although registration fees are set by Visa and Mastercard, merchants can take steps to control their total processing costs.
1 – Partner With a Specialized Payment Provider
Working with a processor that understands High Risk payment processing ensures your account is structured correctly from the start. Bankcard International Group helps merchants align with the right acquiring partners, manage registration efficiently, and maintain compliance.
2 – Use Transparent Pricing Models
Ask for Interchange Plus pricing (when available) to separate true interchange costs from processor markups. Transparency allows you to identify cost drivers and negotiate from a position of clarity. If Interchange Plus pricing models are not available for your industry vertical then ensure transparent flat rate pricing with full disclosure of all other fees.
3 – Consolidate Acquiring Relationships
Each acquirer/processor/merchant account is required to collect a separate registration fee. Reducing the number of acquiring relationships can help lower redundant annual costs.
4 – Maintain Strong Compliance and Fraud Prevention
Robust compliance measures, including PCI DSS 4.0 certification, Address Verification (AVS), and 3D Secure, reduce chargebacks and demonstrate operational control are key to keeping fees manageable.
5 – Offer Alternative Payment Options
Adding ACH, eCheck, or Crypto options can provide lower cost payment channels while maintaining convenience for your customers.
The Compliance Advantage
Maintaining compliance is not simply about meeting card brand requirements — it is about establishing credibility with banks, processors, and customers. Merchants who demonstrate sound risk management practices often secure better rates and more flexible processing terms.
BIG helps merchants maintain compliance through:
- Dedicated risk management guidance
- Chargeback and fraud prevention tools
- PCI DSS support and monitoring
- Continuous education and network update alerts
Our proactive approach ensures merchants remain both compliant and competitive.
Staying Ahead of Future Updates
Visa and Mastercard typically review and revise fees and compliance requirements in April and October each year. Merchants should remain vigilant for adjustments that could affect registration, interchange, or assessment costs.
BIG actively tracks these updates and communicates important changes to our clients, ensuring they stay compliant and prepared. As new payment technologies evolve — from tokenized transactions to AI-driven fraud detection — BIG helps High Risk merchants adapt securely and strategically.
What is Visa’s current registration fee for High Risk merchants?
Does Mastercard charge the same fee?
Do I pay the high risk registration fee for each processor I use?
Can improving compliance reduce my costs?
How can BIG help with registration and compliance?
Partner With a Payment Expert Who Understands High Risk Payment Processing
Managing registration fees, compliance, and network changes is simpler when you have an experienced partner by your side. Bankcard International Group provides specialized payment processing solutions designed for High Risk industries, helping you protect your margins and stay compliant with evolving Visa and Mastercard requirements.
Contact us today at 1-800-895-1580 or info@bighqs.com, or visit bankcardinternationalgroup.com to connect with one of our High Risk payment specialists.