What is a Visa+ payname and how do I use it?
Similar to a username, a Visa+ payname is a unique handle you can use to send and receive money to and from people on Venmo. That means, money can be sent directly to your PayPal account from someone who’s not on PayPal, yet.
Your payname will start with a “+.” On PayPal, your payname will include a “.PayPal” ending, like “+JohnSmith.PayPal”. Your payname can’t be changed after it’s created.
What is Visa+ and what are the benefits?
Visa+ is a way to move money between PayPal and Venmo. You can send money from your PayPal balance to a Venmo account, or receive money to your PayPal account from a Venmo account.
There aren’t any transfer fees for moving money from PayPal to Venmo (or vice versa). Transfers can take up to 30 minutes to complete.
For more information, visit PayPal VISA+ Terms and Conditions.
How do I sign up for Visa+?
You can sign up for Visa+ to send money from PayPal to a Venmo account (or vice versa):
- Tap Menu.
- Tap Send & receive with Visa+.
- The app will walk you through verifying your identity (if needed) and setting up a payname.
- Tap Agree and activate to set up your Visa+ profile.
Once you’re signed up, you can copy your payname to share it with people who want to send money to your PayPal account, or tap Send to make a payment to a Venmo account.
Can I use Visa+ to send money from PayPal to other payment apps?
Currently, you can only send money from PayPal to Venmo and vice versa.
Can I search for and send to existing contacts?
We want to be sure your Visa+ payment goes to the right place. To help with this, you can only send Visa+ payments to an active Visa+ payname. We’ll ask you to confirm the recipient’s phone number. If you’re not sure of this information, we recommend that you confirm the details with your intended recipient before making the payment. It’s not possible to search for your recipient using their legal name or other information.
How do I send money with Visa+?
If you want to send money from PayPal to a Venmo account with Visa+, the first step is confirming the recipient’s payname. Visa+ payments can’t be canceled or reversed, so it’s important to make sure they’re going to the right place.
Once you’re sure you have the correct payname, follow these steps:
- Tap Menu.
- Tap Send & receive with Visa+.
- Under Send money, tap Send.
- Enter the recipient’s payname.
- Enter the dollar amount you want to send.
- Confirm the payment details and then hit Next.
- Remember: Visa+ payments can’t be canceled or reversed. Ensure the recipient’s details are correct. Payments sent to the wrong payname or account could be lost.
- Confirm the last four digits of the recipient’s phone number to complete the payment.
It can take up to 30 minutes for the money to get to the recipient.
Do I use the same payname for PayPal and other platforms?
Your Visa+ payname is unique to each platform, so if you also have a Venmo account, your Venmo payname will be different from your PayPal payname.
How do I make my payname match my account name?
When you set up your PayPal account for Visa+, your payname’s auto-generated based on your PayPal username. Your payname can’t be changed or customized.
My name changed. How can I change my payname or the name that’s displayed to the recipient?
It isn’t possible to change a Visa+ payname. The name displayed to the recipient is the legal name you registered with your PayPal account. We don’t currently have a way to update these names.
How do I deactivate my payname?
When you deactivate your payname, you won’t be able to receive Visa+ payments, but you can still send and receive other PayPal payments.
To deactivate your Visa+ payname in the PayPal app:
- Tap Menu.
- Tap Send & receive with Visa+.
- Tap the toggle to 'Deactivate your payname.'
You can reactivate your Visa+ payname by following the same steps.
Why don't I have Visa+ as an option in my PayPal app?
We’re in the process of making Visa+ available to more PayPal customers. If the option isn't your PayPal app right now, make sure to keep your app up to date while we continue this rollout.
Why am I not eligible for this feature yet?
We’re in the process of making Visa+ available to more PayPal customers. If you don’t see the option in your PayPal app right now, make sure to keep your app up to date while we continue this rollout.
Do I also need a Venmo account to use Visa+?
You don’t need a Venmo account to use Visa+. As long as the person you’re sending money to has an active Visa+ payname, you can send them money from your PayPal account.
Can I use Visa+ on the PayPal website?
Visa+ is not available on the PayPal website, yet. However, we’re in the process of making Visa+ available to more PayPal customers, including those who use the PayPal website.
Can I receive my payroll via Visa+?
Yes, your payroll check can be disbursed into your PayPal account via your Visa+ payname.
How do I set up payment for my payroll to be disbursed to my PayPal account?
You will need to work directly with your employer in setting up payment via your Visa + payname.
How much can I send or receive with Visa+?
You’re limited to $2500 per Visa+ transaction. These transactions can be declined for reasons other than the limit.
What if my recipient didn’t get the money I sent?
Due to the way Visa+ payments process, it can take up to 30 minutes for the recipient to see the payment. If your recipient still doesn’t see the payment after 30 minutes, please ask the sender to contact the relevant Support team for assistance.
Someone’s sending me a Visa+ payment. How soon will I receive the money?
Visa+ payments can take up to 30 minutes to process. If you still don’t see the payment after 30 minutes have passed, contact our Support team.
Someone’s trying to send me a Visa+ payment, but it won’t go through.
You can’t receive Visa+ payments if your payname’s deactivated. You can reactivate your Visa+ payname in the PayPal app:
- On the app, tap the Payments tab.
- Under Send, tap Send to Venmo.
- Tap the 'Activate your payname toggle.'
Once your payname’s active, you can ask the sender to try the payment again. If it still doesn’t work, please ask the sender to contact the relevant Support team for assistance.
Are there any tax liabilities I need to be aware of by using Visa+?
Currently, Visa+ is not meant for commercial transactions. You should talk to a financial advisor to learn more about your tax liabilities.